Medal of Honor Recipient Voltaire Twombly and Freedom Rock
Corporal Voltaire Twombly (1842-1918) was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Fort Donelson, Tennessee on February 15, 1862. Despite being wounded and strong enemy fire, he was the color bearer heading the charge of the Iowa 2nd Infantry Regiment and planted the flag inside the Confederate fortifications. He was wounded in two other battles during the war. He also received promotions and was a Captain later in the war. He was born in Van Buren County - after the war he returned and operated businesses in the County. Later he entered politics and became Treasurer of the State of Iowa. He is buried in Pittsburg Rural Cemetery - at the small town of Pittsburg take the Ivy Trail west to the cemetery. His gravestone is located in the east part of the cemetery. Photos taken 11/26/08. His Medal of Honor is on display at the Visitor Center at Fort Donelson. This photo was taken 2/17/12.
Artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen painted a Freedom Rock that features Voltaire Twombly. See the final photo which was taken 8/21/20. It is located in Stockport in Van Buren County not far from where he is buried in Pittsburg. It is off Main Street in a Veterans Park and near an old depot.