Soldier, Peace Tree Plaque and Case of Civil War Artifacts
This monument has a statue of a Civil War soldier but is "Erected to the memory of the soldiers, sailors and marines of all wars." It was dedicated November 11, 1920. It is an attractive granite monument about 25 feet high on the NW corner of the courthouse square in Knoxville. Just southeast of the Monument is the Peace Tree plaque. This is dedicated to the spot under a tree where 40 soldiers enlisted on February 4, 1863. The original tree, of course, is gone but a replacement tree is located here and shows up behind the Monument in the photo. In the courthouse is a case of CW artifacts including swords, a sash, canteen, bugle, powder horn and GAR ballot box. It includes a large collection of GAR ribbons from Captain Charles Wells of the 8th Iowa. Photos taken 8/6/10 of the monument and plaque and 11/18/08 of the case in the courthouse. The 4 photos of the sides of the monument were taken 8/9/18.