Civil War in Kentucky

23. William F. Perry Monument Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green (Warren County) Limestone headstone, 1901

Inscription: Gen. William F. Perry Mar. 12 1823 - Dec. 7, 1901 Born in Georgia...Education for Alabama...Colonel of the ...A Brigadier General in the Army of Virginia.... Conspicuous on Many Bloody Fields The South had no Braver, More ...Son He spent forty years in the Professors Chair where his kindness, firmness, wide learning, Rare Eloquence And the Beauty of his Christian character stirred many youths to high resolves and noble purposes "and as the greatest only are, in his simplicity sublime" erected by his Ogden College Students

This marker serves to honor a professor at Ogden College who was a Civil War veteran. His students at Odgen, which was established in 1877 and merged with Western Kentucky University in 1928, erected the monument.

Questions/Activities:

Is there a teacher you would like to honor? Design a monument to honor this teacher. What kind of materials would you use? Where would you erect the monument? What would the inscription say?

24. Confederate Monument Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green (Warren County)
Limestone obelisk on a base with marble relief panel, and four limestone cannons on separate bases, surrounding obelisk, 1875

Inscription (North): Erected by the Citizens of Warren County A. D. 1875 Inscription (South): The Confederate Dead 1861 - 1865 This rather elaborate monument encompasses a circular mass grave of Confederate soldiers. The central element, the obelisk on its base, is approximately thirty feet tall. The obelisk is draped with a carved Confederate flag.
	Unlike most of the other Civil War obelisks in Kentucky, this one rests on a very substantial base containing the inscriptions and two relief panels. One relief shows crossed rifles, the other a soldier returning to his cabin home.
Approximately twenty feet from each corner of this main monument are eight-foot cannons, also carved from limestone. The cannons are shown fully vertical, in an upright position, with a grouping of cannon balls at the base.

At the start of the War, most Warren County residents supported the preservation of the Union. In September 1861, Confederate Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner's forces occupied the county and built up elaborate fortifications.

In November, Bowling Green was named the capital of the Confederate State of Kentucky. When Federal forces took over nearby Forts Henry and Donelson in 1862, however, the Confederates abandoned the capital without a fight, but destroyed bridges, the railroad depot and other buildings before leaving.

Raids occurred throughout the War. But in 1864, twenty-two Warren County men were targeted by Union General Stephen Burbridge's sweeping accusations of treason, causing sentiments to largely shift by the end of the War. This monument reflects the pro-Confederate feelings that stayed with Warren Countians long after the War.

Questions/Activities:

Visit this monument and photograph the relief of the soldier returning to his cabin. Why do you think this image was used here? Have the students make sketches inspired by this relief panel.

Investigate the graves that surround this monument. Which soldier was the oldest? the youngest?

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