Confederate Monument in Cynthiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Confederate Monument in Cynthiana
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Cynthiana, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1869 |
| MPS | Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000695 |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 1997 |
The Confederate Monument in Cynthiana is a special memorial located in Battle Grove Cemetery in Cynthiana, Kentucky. It was the very first monument built in Kentucky to honor soldiers from the Confederate States of America. Many people also believed it was the first Confederate memorial anywhere.
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Building the Cynthiana Monument
A group of women, called the Cynthiana Confederate Monument Association, started the idea for this monument. Men helped by providing the money needed to build it. The monument was finished in 1869 by the Muldoon Monument Company from Louisville, Kentucky. It cost about $2,200, which was a lot of money back then!
The monument is a tall, white stone pillar called an obelisk. It stands about 22 feet (6.7 meters) high. It sits on a strong limestone base that is three feet high. At the very top, there is a design that looks like a Confederate flag draped over it.
Remembering the Soldiers
Around the monument, you will find the graves of 47 Confederate soldiers. These soldiers died during the American Civil War. Many of them are unknown. A large number of these soldiers were part of John Hunt Morgan's 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. This group raided the town of Cynthiana twice during the war. Their graves were moved from another cemetery to surround the monument.
In 1896, a man named David M. Snyder passed away. He wanted to be buried with his fellow soldiers. So, he was also placed as part of the circle around the monument. The Cynthiana monument helped set the style for many early monuments in the Bluegrass region. These monuments often reminded people of death and looked like grave markers. Other similar monuments include the Confederate Monument of Bowling Green and the Confederate Monument in Georgetown.
Words of Honor
On the back of the monument, there is a special verse from a poem called Bivouac of the Dead. This poem was very popular. Six other monuments also used verses from this same poem.
The local newspaper, Cynthiana Democrat, wrote about the monument. They said it was not just for the people of Cynthiana. They believed it was for "every man and every nation." It honored those who "shed blood in defense of their Homes, in defense of their country, in defense of Justice and Truth."
Dedication Day
The monument was officially dedicated on May 27, 1869. It was a big event! There was a parade, speeches, and plenty of food for everyone. Colonel W. C. P. Breckinridge gave the main speech. He spoke about the bravery of the Confederate soldiers. He also talked about the importance of their cause.
Soon after this event, Colonel Breckinridge's cousin's wife, Mary Cyrene Burch Breckinridge, started a group. It was called the Ladies Memorial and Monument Association of Lexington. This group worked hard to raise money. They used the funds to create and place the Ladies' Confederate Memorial in the Lexington Cemetery.
National Recognition
On July 17, 1997, the Cynthiana monument received a special honor. It was included in the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Gallery
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Front view
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Rear view
