Croton - Northern Most Battle Monument GPS Coordinates: 40.590716 by -91.691216

The Battle of Athens between Missouri militia units occurred on August 5, 1861. It was across the Des Moines River from Croton in Athens, Missouri. The State Guard (Confederate) Artillery shelled the depot at Croton (they probably overshot Athens and hit Croton by mistake.) There were Iowa militia units with the Home Guards (Union). The Keokuk Rifles, a militia unit headed by Captain William W. Belknap, arrived from Keokuk and fired from the Iowa shore across the River at the Confederates. The Confederate State Guards were driven off and it was a victory for the North. It is the only Civil War battle on Iowa soil and is believed to be the northern most Civil War battle.

The monument photo shows SUVCW members David Thompson and Danny Krock laying a wreath to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Battle in 2011. The cannonballs by the sign are probably not ones from the battle. The cannon is a Japanese Type 38 (1905) 77mm field gun - thanks to Tom Batha for its identification. The stone monument was dedicated in 1950. The close up photos were taken 10/5/20.

The Athens Battlefield is maintained by the Missouri Park Service. There are several homes that pre-date the battle. It is worth visiting this battlefield, one of the early battles of the War.

Fort Madison - Boulder and Plaque GPS Coordinates: 40.629483 by -91.307316

This large boulder with GAR plaque is in Riverfront Park near the cannons and flags. It was dedicated in 1930. Photos taken 8/3/10.

Keokuk - General Samuel Curtis Statue GPS Coordinates: 40.390816 by -91.379716

General Samuel Curtis lived in Keokuk and served as Mayor. He was the victorious Union commander at Pea Ridge and a noted Civil War General. This impressive equestrian statue is cast from the same mold as the statue on the Soldiers and Sailors monument in Des Moines. There was a wonderful restoration in 2019 to replace the missing sword and other pieces. Also, the patina was changed to the dark bronze color. The SUVCW helped the City of Keokuk in providing funds for this restoration. The statue is located in Victory Park on the riverfront near the paddleboat. Curtis is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Photos taken 10/5/20. Also, an old undated postcard is shown with the statue located in the street - thanks to Danny Krock for providing this.

Keokuk - Estes House Plaque and Cornerstone GPS Coordinates: 40.395666 by -91.383600

This plaque is on the spot of Estes House, one of Keokuk’s five Civil War hospitals. The plaque was erected by the DUV and dedicated in 1929. It is located in a little park at the corner of 5th and Main Streets in downtown Keokuk. Photo of plaque taken 10/5/20. Thank you to Steve Hanken for sending the photo of the Estes House cornerstone which is located in the Keokuk National Cemetery.

Keokuk - National Cemetery and Freedom Rock GPS Coordinates: 40.399916 by -91.403816

This is a wonderful monument at Keokuk’s National Cemetery. This is the only National Cemetery in Iowa. Keokuk had several hospitals during the Civil War and there were many deaths of soldiers. The monument is granite and about 30 feet high. It was erected by the WRC in 1912. The cemetery is in the SW part of town. Take 18th Street south off Main. The National Cemetery is adjacent to Oakland Cemetery. Photos taken 10/5/20. There is also a unique Unknown Soldier plaque and a Gettysburg Address plaque shown. The cornerstone of the Estes House is also here in the cemetery - see the Estes House which is listed as a separate monument.

The Freedom Rock for Lee County, painted by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen, features the National Cemetery. It is located on the SE corner of the town square of West Point. See the final photo taken on 10/30/20.

Keokuk - Victory Park Monuments GPS Coordinates: 40.391816 by -91.378183

Besides the statue of General Curtis, there are three other Civil War memorials in Victory Park on the waterfront in Keokuk. One is a marble drinking fountain honoring Lt. Theodore Baldwin of the Iowa 14th Infantry Regiment. Others are a GAR plaque and a plaque marking the spot of embarkation of Civil War soldiers. Many Iowa regiments assembled and trained in Keokuk and embarked on riverboats to the War in the South. The GPS is set on the drinking fountain - its photos were taken 12/29/07 - the other ones 10/5/20.