Confederate Monument of Mt. Sterling

The Confederate Monument of Mt. Sterling is a marble structure located in Machpelan Cemetery, inscribed with verses from the poem Bivouac of the Dead. The carved text forms the central focus of the memorial, serving as its primary decorative and commemorative element.

Built in 1880, the monument honors soldiers from the Confederate forces during the American Civil War in Montgomery County. Its construction took place roughly a decade and a half after the war's conclusion, reflecting postwar memorial efforts in the region.

This monument represents one of sixty-one Civil War monuments across Kentucky that received National Register of Historic Places designation in 1997.

The monument is located within Machpelan Cemetery, where visitors can find it as part of a broader cemetery visit. The site is accessible by vehicle, though visitors should be prepared to walk through the cemetery grounds to reach the memorial.

The monument gained recognition in 1997 when it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places alongside roughly 60 other Civil War monuments from Kentucky. This designation connects it to a significant group of similarly commemorated sites from the same era across the state.

Location: Kentucky

Inception: 1880

GPS coordinates: 38.05639,-83.93194

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:42