Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The 32nd Indiana Infantry Monument
(August Bloedner Monument)
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019
1. The 32nd Indiana Infantry Monument
[Originally written in German, the inscription transcribed into English, reads:]
Here lie men of the 32nd First German Indiana Regiment sacrificed for the free Institutions of the Republic of the United States of North America.
They fell on 17 Dec. 1861, in an Encounter at Rowlett Station, in which 1 Regiment of Texas Rangers, 2 Regiments of Infantry, and 6 Rebel Cannons, in all over 3000 Men, were defeated by 500 German Soldiers.
(Added, along with a base, in 1867):
In memory of the First Victims of the 32 Reg. Indiana Vol. who fell at the Battle of Rowletts Station, Dec. 17, 1861
Erected 1862 by Christian Friedrich August Bloedner (designer, carver and builder).
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1861.
Location. 38° 15.465′ N, 85° 45.876′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 31W) and North 9th Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the second floor of the Frazier History Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 829 West Main Street, Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
this page online
More about this marker. Although it is no longer in its original location, the 32nd Indiana Monument is generally considered to be the oldest surviving memorial to the American Civil War.
The monument was originally placed on the Rowlett's Station Battlefield near Munfordville, Kentucky in January, 1862. It was moved to Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky in June, 1867. The monument was removed from the national cemetery in 2008 due to its fragile condition. After undergoing conservation treatment at the University of Louisville, it was placed on display at the Frazier History Museum in August, 2010. A replacement monument at Cave Hill National Cemetery was dedicated in December, 2011.
Additional commentary.
1.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019
2. The 32nd Indiana Infantry Monument
Located inside the Frazier History Museum, Louisville, Kentucky.
According to the Database Guidelines, this marker qualifies for inclusion since it was outdoors when first erected and moved indoors later.
— Submitted June 20, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019
3. The 32nd Indiana Infantry Replica Monument
Located at Cave Hill National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 580 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on June 11, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. The German inscription • Can you help?
