Burlington - Bas-Relief Sculptures and Cannon - GPS Coordinates: 40.812000 by -91.103433

The old library is the location of the Des Moines County Heritage Center. On the second floor of this excellent museum are two bas-relief sculptures that are replicas of ones on the Soldiers and Sailors monument in Des Moines. One illustrates the Battle of Fort Donelson and the second is titled “Triumphal Return.” The soldiers and other dignitaries represent many well known Iowans. There are other Civil War artifacts on display. The Center is at 4th and Columbia Streets in downtown Burlington. Photos taken 8/3/10.

On a revisit on 9/2/21 a Civil War cannon was photographed. See the final two photos. This is a 6 pounder bronze field gun, M1861. It is from the Cyrus Alger & Co., number 132. It is on loan from the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. The plan is to return it to the cemetery when there is a cannon mount or carriage for the cannon. There is a very similar cannon currently in the GAR section of Aspen Grove. Thanks to Mike Cunningham for notification of this cannon.

Burlington - Courthouse Civil War Plaque - GPS Coordinates: 40.811983 by -91.101000

The interior lobby of the Des Moines County Courthouse in Burlington has very nice bronze plaques of Veterans from the County that served in various wars including the Civil War. There are more panels for CW soldiers than shown in the photo - about 1700 soldiers in total. The Courthouse is on the corner of Main and Court Streets in downtown Burlington. Thank you to Thomas Cipolli for notification of these plaques. Photos taken 8/16/11.

Burlington - General John Corse Mausoleum - GPS Coordinates: 40.826583 by -91.117400

There are a number of historical items of interest in Burlington’s Aspen Grove Cemetery. There is an impressive mausoleum/chapel for General John Corse, the commander at Allatoona Pass. It is said to be in poor condition on the interior and seldom open to the public. The Corse Mausoleum is straight ahead and the GAR section with the soldier monument is to the right. Photos taken 9/1/20.

Burlington - General John Corse Statue - GPS Coordinates: 40.776100 by -91.103800

John Corse was a native of Burlington and was best known as the victorious commander of Federal troops at the Battle of Allatoona Pass, Georgia on October 5, 1864. Corse and three other Iowa generals were honored with equestrian statues on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Des Moines. This statue is a replica with the same mold being used for both statues. It was dedicated on July 4,1896 at a cost of $4000 for the statue and large stone base. It was wonderfully restored in 2006. The statue is in Crapo Park on the south edge of town. Follow Main Street south to the park. From this entrance, drive through the park and the statue is on the right toward the south part of the park. Photo taken 9/1/20. Copies of old undated postcards were included - one shows a large Parrott Cannon in the park that is gone - thanks to Danny Krock for providing these. We presume the cannon was melted down for scrap in World War II.

Burlington - General Karl Matthies Memorial - GPS Coordinates: 40.826583 by -91.117400

General Karl Matthies was born in Germany, commanded the 5th Iowa Infantry Regiment and was later promoted to brigade command. The cemetery is in the northern part of town. Take Osborn Street - then west on Corse Street to the Cemetery. The Corse Mausoleum is straight ahead and the GAR section with the soldier monument is to the right. Photos taken 9/1/20.

Burlington - Civil War Soldier and Cannon - GPS Coordinates: 40.826583 by -91.117400

The GAR Section of the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington has been wonderfully restored. The re-dedication was August 10, 2015. There are 87 Civil War Veterans buried here. Close to the impressive 25 foot monument is a cannon, a 6 pounder field gun, M1841. The plaques on three sides of the monument are much improved. The photos show the monument, the bronze plaques on the sides of the monument, the cannon and two other plaques in the GAR Section. The photos were taken 6/23/16 except for the cannon which was taken 9/1/20. The Cemetery is in the north part of town. Take Osborn Street - then west on Corse Street to the Cemetery. The General John Corse Mausoleum and General Karl Matthies Memorial are nearby.

Kossuth - Civil War Monument and Freedom Rock - GPS Coordinates: 41.008966 by -91.136833

This very old memorial is dedicated to CW soldiers from Yellow Spring Township. It is a 15 foot monument with 64 soldier inscriptions. It was dedicated on July 4, 1866, and is in outstanding condition considering its age. The design is similar to those in Keosauqua, Winfield, and Hickory Grove Cemetery in Henry County. Kossuth is a small town less than a mile east of Mediapolis. Take Main Street and the monument is in Memorial Park just before you reach the cemetery. Photos taken 9/1/20.

The Freedom Rock for Des Moines County is in near-by Mediapolis. It has an image of General John Corse from Burlington and of the Kossuth Monument. It was painted by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen. It is located at 510 Main Street in Mediapolis in front of the Post Office. See the final photo, also taken 9/1/20.