Kentucky War Memorial facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kentucky War Memorial
Type	Military Memorial
Location	Frankfort, Kentucky
Built	1850
Sculptor	Robert E. Launitz
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The Kentucky War Memorial is a special place in Frankfort, Kentucky. It honors all the brave Kentuckians who have died fighting in wars. You can find it on a high spot called the "State Mound" in Frankfort Cemetery. The memorial has a tall monument built in 1850. It also has nine low stone monuments in a half-circle shape. Two straight monuments are there too.

The tall monument from 1850 remembers soldiers who died before that year. It lists battles and the officers who fell. The half-circle area lists the wars. The straight monuments show the names of all Kentuckians who died. These wars include the War of Independence, War of 1812, and the Mexican War. Other wars mentioned are the Civil War, Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.

In 1848, the state government decided to build this memorial. They set aside $15,000 for it. The tall, 65-foot granite monument was finished in 1850. It has a statue of Victory on top.

This monument was built over the graves of 17 Kentucky soldiers. These soldiers died at the Battle of Buena Vista. They were buried in Frankfort Cemetery on July 20, 1847. A speech was given by John C. Breckinridge at their funeral. This event is said to have inspired Theodore O'Hara to write his famous poem, "Bivouac of the Dead".

What's on the Monument?

The tall monument from 1850 has special decorations on all four sides. Each side has a message at its base. The main column has bands that show different battles. Below these bands are the names of officers who died in those battles.

South Side Details

The south side of the monument shows the Kentucky coat of arms. It also has the state motto: "United we stand; divided we fall." The base says, "Kentucky has erected this column in gratitude equally to her officers and soldiers." This side lists officers killed at St. Clair's defeat, Estill's Defeat, and Tippecanoe. It also names those from Fort Meigs and Blue Licks.

East Side Details

The east side's base has a special message. It says Col. J. J. Hardin's name is here. He was a Kentuckian who died at the Battle of Buena Vista. This side also lists three Kentucky naval officers. They died while on duty in the early 1870s. Their names are John Gunnell Talbot, Hugh McKee, and Alfred Foree.

North Side Details

The north side base says, "Military Monument erected by Kentucky, A.D. 1850." This side of the column lists officers killed at Boonesborough and Harmon's Defeat. It also includes names from Wayne's Campaign, Monterey, and Buena Vista. Other names are from the Raisin, the River Raisin Massacre, and the Mexican–American War.

West Side Details

The west side's base explains what the monument shows. It says, "The principal battles and campaigns, in which her sons devoted their lives to their country are inscribed on the bands. And beneath the same are the names of her officers who fell. The names of her soldiers who died for their country are too numerous to be inscribed on any column." This side lists officers killed at Thames and Little Bighorn. It also includes names from the Indian Wars and Raisin.

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