Pleasant Hill in Cass County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Col. Hiram Bledsoe

Apr. 25. 1825 - Feb. 5. 1899

— Bledsoe's Battery —

Col. Hiram Bledsoe Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2015

1. Col. Hiram Bledsoe Monument

Inscription.
One of the finest artillery units of the Civil War was Bledsoe's Battery, commanded by Col. Hiriam Bledsoe, a resident of Pleasant Hill.

Born in Kentucky, he moved at age 14 to Lexington, Mo. In 1846 he joined the U. S. Army, Missouri Volunteers, to fight in the Mexican War.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Bledsoe formed an artillery battery and offered it for service in the Missouri State Guard commanded by Major General Sterling Price. The pride of the battery was "Old Sacramento", a large bronze and silver cannon, which Bledsoe had helped capture in the Mexican War. Cast from Chihuahua church bells, "Old Sac" produced a unique ringing sound that echoed across the battlefield.

The unit fought for the Mo. State Guard at the Battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Lexington and Pea Ridge. In 1862 the battery joined the regular Confederate army that was fighting east of the Mississippi. Two-thirds of all the Missourians who crossed the river became casualties. Bledsoe's Battery fought in many major battles including Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga and Franklin. After the Confederate defeat at Nashville, Bledsoe volunteered his unit to serve as part of the rear guard. Their desperate fighting halted the advancing Federals and allowed the remnants of Gen. Hood's army to escape. By war's

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end Bledsoe was a colonel, had served as a chief of artillery in charge of 12 guns and had been wounded six times. He and his famous battery finally surrendered on May 1, 1865 in Hamburg, South Carolina.

After the war, Colonel Bledsoe settled on a farm near Pleasant Hill. He served several terms on the Cass County Court, became County Collector, was appointed to a Civil War battlefield commission and was elected to the Missouri State Senate. He died at the age of 74 and is buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Erected 1995 by Pleasant Hill Community Betterment Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1865.

Location. 38° 47.154′ N, 94° 16.445′ W. Marker is in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, in Cass County. Memorial is at the intersection of Paul Street and Broadway / Boardman St / Wyoming St, on the left when traveling west on Paul Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: City Park, Pleasant Hill MO 64080, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Civil War in Pleasant Hill (here, next to this marker); Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot (a few steps from this marker); Historic Building 1948 (within

Col. Hiram Bledsoe Monument (back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2015

2. Col. Hiram Bledsoe Monument (back)

shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Hill, Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); 110 South Lake Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 105 First Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 111 First Street (about 300 feet away); 113 Wyoming Street (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pleasant Hill.

Also see . . .
1. Hiram Miller Bledsoe, Jr., at Find A Grave. (Submitted on September 8, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Southwest Missourian noted artillery commander (2011 Nevada Daily Mail article). (Submitted on September 8, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Hiram Miller Bledsoe, Jr. Bio. (Submitted on September 8, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2015

3. Col. Hiram Bledsoe Monument

Col. Hiram Bledsoe Bust on Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2015

4. Col. Hiram Bledsoe Bust on Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 796 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.