Martyrs Monument in Midway

The Martyrs Monument in Midway is a 15-foot (5-meter) granite obelisk located within the city cemetery that honors four soldiers executed during the Civil War. The structure was placed at its current location in 1890 and stands as a permanent marker on the cemetery grounds.

The four men were executed in 1864 following the death of a Union supporter, triggering a retaliatory command from a military officer. Their remains were moved through different locations over the following decades before being finally relocated to this cemetery site in the 1890s.

The inscription displays the names of the four individuals commemorated, making their identities visible to anyone visiting the cemetery. This personal recognition connects the broader conflict to specific people from the local community.

The monument is located within active cemetery grounds, so visitors should approach with respect for the solemn nature of the space. Plan to visit during daytime hours when the grounds are open and clearly visible to fully appreciate the stone marker and its setting.

The four individuals were ordinary soldiers whose story might have been lost to history without this monument marking their burial place. Their bodies were reburied multiple times in different locations before finally finding a permanent home in the cemetery.