County of monument: Warren County
Location of monument: N. Main St., W. Broadway & Public Square, courthouse lawn, Monmouth
Text in bronze at base of Statue:
(front):
GENERAL ABNER C. HARDING
First Colonel 83rd Regt. ILL. Vols.
Promoted Brigadier General
For Gallant Conduct at Second Battle of
Fort Donelson
In Large block letters on the four sides are the names of the major battles fought by troops listed on this monument.
CHICKAMAUGA, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, SHILOH, CORINTH, FT. DONALDSON, VICKSBURG, NASHVILLE, MOBILE
This Monument one honors the county's Civil War soldiers; a stately one that has an unfortunate error--it lists several western theater battles, including "Fort Donaldson." But the 1862 battle, which cemented General Ulysses S. Grant's reputation as an effective military leader, was actually Fort Donelson.
The correct battle recognition is used elsewhere on the monument
All four side list the units and the names of those who served in the units...these bronze plaques will be in the photo gallery
8-inch Model 1861 Siege Howitzer
Inscribed in the barrel face:
No 19. C. A. & C. 2552 Lb
B.M.H. 1864
The CA&C part I figured out:
"Cyrus Alger & Co.: Cyrus Alger, who during the War of 1812 furnished the government with shot and shell, in 1817 started South Boston Iron company which at an early date was known locally as Alger's Foundry and later became Cyrus Alger & Co. The Massachusetts firm was a leading cannon manufacturer and when Cyrus died in 1856, leadership was assumed by his son, Francis, who piloted the company until his death in 1864. During the war, both Army and Navy were supplied with large numbers of weapons. The initials "S.B.F." (South Boston Foundry) occasionally may be found on cannon, but the signature is traditionally "C.A. & Co., Boston, Mass." or, rarely, "C. Alger & Co., Boston, Mass."' ~ Federal and Confederate Manufacturers of Field Artillery
6 pounder Howitzer
This will be a bit more difficult. The only imprint text on the barrel face I can read is the "C.A.& C. and the R.M.H. and the weight of 1862 lb
All the markings say Federal, but the look of the cannon itself one would assume the Confederate Tredegar but what draws one away is th big U.S. stmped on the top.
The CA&C part I figured out:
"Cyrus Alger & Co.: Cyrus Alger, who during the War of 1812 furnished the government with shot and shell, in 1817 started South Boston Iron company which at an early date was known locally as Alger's Foundry and later became Cyrus Alger & Co. The Massachusetts firm was a leading cannon manufacturer and when Cyrus died in 1856, leadership was assumed by his son, Francis, who piloted the company until his death in 1864. During the war, both Army and Navy were supplied with large numbers of weapons. The initials "S.B.F." (South Boston Foundry) occasionally may be found on cannon, but the signature is traditionally "C.A. & Co., Boston, Mass." or, rarely, "C. Alger & Co., Boston, Mass."' ~ Federal and Confederate Manufacturers of Field Artillery