Unknown Confederate Soldier Monument in Horse Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Unknown Confederate Soldier Monument in Horse Cave
|
|
Street view of the monument
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Nearest city | Horse Cave, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Built | 1934 |
| Architect | Sam Lively |
| MPS | Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000694 |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 1997 |
The Unknown Confederate Soldier Monument in Horse Cave is a special monument located near Horse Cave, Kentucky. It stands off the main road, the Old Dixie Highway, in Hart County, Kentucky. This monument is part of a group of important Civil War monuments in Kentucky. All these monuments were added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 1997.
This monument is unique for several reasons. Most Civil War monuments were built a long time ago, but this one was made in 1934 during the Great Depression. It was also built by just one person, Sam Lively, using local materials. Instead of common stone like limestone or marble, this monument uses special rocks called geodes from Tennessee. Geodes are rocks that look ordinary on the outside but have amazing crystals inside. The monument is 12 feet tall and has a base that is five feet wide on each side.
Contents
Honoring a Soldier
This monument honors a soldier from the 11th Louisiana Infantry. He was part of the Confederate army during the American Civil War. This soldier died on September 9, 1862, before a big fight called the Battle of Munfordville.
How the Soldier Died
The soldier was part of a group cutting down trees. He was told to rest and lay down next to a tree. His loaded rifle accidentally went off when it hit a tree branch. The bullet struck him, and he died right away. The soldier was buried there, with rocks marking where his head and feet were. Many years later, a wire fence was put around his grave to protect it.
Who Built the Monument?
People in the area say that a man named Sam Lively built this monument. He was worried that the soldier's grave would be forgotten over time. So, he built this monument to make sure the soldier's memory would live on.
Visiting the Monument
The monument is on private land, but there is a path through some evergreen trees that lets visitors see it. A Confederate Naval Jack flag flies next to the monument.
What the Inscription Says
The monument has words carved into it that tell its story. The inscription says: Unknown Soldier C. S. A. was a member of Gen. Clay Anderson division 11th Louisiana Killed September 9, 1862. Erected 1934 by Sam Lively.
Gallery
-
Side view
-
Inscription on marker
-
Straight view
