Confederate Monument in Perryville

The Confederate Monument in Perryville is a 6-foot limestone soldier statue standing on a three-tier base at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. The structure marks the resting place of approximately 470 unknown soldiers and about 62 identified fallen at this location.

The monument was erected in 1902 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Perryville, honoring the 532 Confederate soldiers who died in Kentucky's largest Civil War engagement. Its construction came decades after the conflict, reflecting a period when the community could formally acknowledge its losses.

The monument displays names of identified soldiers and verses from the Bivouac of the Dead, connecting personal remembrance with literary words for those who rest here. These inscriptions transform the site into a place where individual and collective loss are honored together.

Access to the monument is through the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site visitor area, where interpretive displays and guided information about the battle are available. The grounds are walkable and offer shaded spots to spend time reflecting on the site.

After the army rapidly departed Perryville, local farmers helped bury fallen soldiers whose remains would otherwise have been left exposed. This neighborly action during difficult times is quietly embodied in the burial ground itself.

Location: Kentucky

GPS coordinates: 37.67482,-84.97071

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:03