by Michael A. Peake
Due in part to the dedicated efforts of Dr. Dennis Domer, Department Director
of the University of Kentucky Center for Historic Architecture and
Preservation, the processes required to save the Nation's oldest surviving
Civil War Monument are escalating. The National Cemetery Administration
(NCA), Department of Veterans Affairs, initiated the consultation with the
University of Kentucky because of the monument's poor condition. Dr. Domer's
team of Senior Research Associate Fred Rogers and Graduate students Michael
Riegert and Kurt Leahey traveled to Cave Hill National Cemetery at
Louisville, Kentucky in September 2001, to assess the material condition of
the 1st German, 32nd Indiana monument dedicated to those men killed near
Munfordville, Kentucky on December 17, 1861 at the battle of Rowlett's
Station. The resulting "condition assessment" report provided to NCA
examined the materials involved, identified specific deterioration mechanisms
and potential causes of damage, and suggested preliminary treatment
alternatives for preserving the memorial. Preliminary steps sanctioned by
the Veterans Administration were implemented on December 15 with the
construction of a temporary protective weather-shelter over the memorial
until temperatures allow full treatment intervention.
NCA Historian Sara Amy Leach, in Washington D. C., endorsed the initial
steps to begin stabilization after reviewing the inspection report, and the
history behind the memorial, as developed by Kentucky Military History Museum
Manager John M. Trowbridge. As a strong advocate in the efforts to save and
preserve the Bloedner Monument, Ms. Leach also agreed with the suggestion of
Mr. Trowbridge that a National Park Service style interpretive panel be
installed near the monument to tell the story that the memorial can no longer
convey. Ms. Leach stated, "The 32nd Indiana German Monument has been the
subject of much interest by the community of military and Civil War
historians of late for its cultural associations and status as one of the
oldest-possibly the oldest-such monument. The NCA is responsible for about
800 monuments and memorials situated throughout its 120 national cemeteries,
33 soldiers' and government lots, and related sites. Finding enthusiastic
partners to assist us with needs such as historical research and
interpretation of even a single monument helps NCA meet this imposing
stewardship challenge. Although the limestone 32nd Indiana (or Bleodner)
Monument has lost much of its German inscription, NCA hopes to stabilize it
against any further loss of historic fabric. Since its significance is not
self-explanatory and the text is fairly illegible, it would also be
appropriate to inform the public about its significance through some kind of
appropriate signage at the site." During installation of the protective
shelter over the monument, Michael Riegert and Kurt Leahey discussed the
immediate necessity to apply a paper "facing' to adhere a palm sized piece of
inscription, with the name of Sachs dominating the chunk, from flaking off of
the surface. This treatment will be undertaken shortly.
Lieutenant Max Sachs, leading Company "C" on the Union left during the battle
of Rowlett's Station, was the one officer among the thirteen men killed.
Surrounded by Texas Rangers, Sachs and four of his men were struck down in a
blaze of gunfire after defiantly choosing to fight rather than to surrender.
His body was removed to Cincinnati and buried in a family plot at the K. K.
Adath Israel Cemetery on Dec. 22, 1861. A second casualty, Private Theodore
Schmidt of Company "F," was transported to Cincinnati as well and buried at
Spring Grove Cemetery on December 20. In the days following the engagement,
Private August Bloedner of Company "F," 32nd Indiana procured a large tablet
of outcrop limestone from the fields around the Green River town. He
expertly carved an account of the battle in German, including the names,
places and dates of birth of those men killed. Bloedner surmounted the
monument with a recess in which he placed patriotic symbols including an
eagle clutching a brace of cannon flanked by National flags.
The regiment placed the memorial to their comrades at the hilltop burial site
west of Munfordville on the north side of the river sometime in January 1862.
In response to directives to gather all Union dead to National Cemeteries
the remains, along with the monument, were removed from Munfordville to Cave
Hill in June 1867. The monument was mounted upright on a commemorative base
stone with the English inscription, "In memory of the First Victims of the
32. Reg. Indiana Vol. Who fell at the Battle of Rowlettd [sic] Station Dec.
17, 1861." One of the mysteries surrounding the monument has been the
sculptor who created the memorial.
Period references misidentified the stonemason as Adolph Bloettner, a name
that does not appear on any regiment roster. Once it was verified that the
individual was August Bloedner the search began to locate his personal
history and burial place. For the past two years John Trowbridge has
researched Bloedner's record, attempting to learn the location of his grave.
Convinced the burial took place at Vine Street Cemetery in Cincinnati, he
located the marked grave of Bloedner's wife but discovered that Bloedner
himself was buried in another part of the cemetery in an unmarked grave. Mr.
Trowbridge has applied for a VA military headstone for Bloedner's grave and
he is advocating the placement of an Ohio Historical Society historical
marker along with a small ceremony conducted sometime this summer.
Preparations are made to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Bloedner's
creation in February.
The Louisville Germanic Heritage Auxiliary will host a daylong event on
February 2, 2002, to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the August Bloedner
32nd Indiana (First German) Regiment Civil War monument. With the Kentucky
Military History Museum at Frankfort as co-sponsor of the event, John M.
Trowbridge will direct a grave side memorial ceremony beginning at 11:00 A.
M. at Cave Hill National Cemetery located at 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville,
Kentucky. Reenactors of the 32nd Indiana and the Bluegrass Mountain
Artillery of Fort Duffield Camp #1 will be on hand to honor those men killed
at the battle of Rowlett's Station on December 17, 1861. A posting of the
colors, invocation, and dignitary remarks will culminate with a military
salute and benediction. An afternoon symposium examining the history of the
monument, the battle and the regiment will commence at 1:00 P. M. at the
German-American Club located at 1840 Lincoln Avenue.
Several individuals and organizations are focusing their attention to
preserving this important symbol of American heritage and accepting donations
for that purpose. Checks should be made out to the Kentucky Historical
Society with a notation indicating Bloedner Monument Project. Donations may
be sent to:
Manager John M. Trowbridge
The Kentucky Military History Museum
100 West Broadway
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-1931
E-mail: john.trowbridge@mail.state.ky.us
Phone: (502) 564-3265