Hazen Brigade Monument

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The Hazen Brigade monument was built in the summer of 1863, making it the oldest Civil War monument still standing in its original place of construction. This monument commemorates the efforts of the men of William B. Hazen's Brigade. Hazen's Brigade was the anchor point of the Union line on the first day of the battle. They ceded no ground, enduring waves of Confederate attack, ensuring the Union line would not break.

Later on, during an archaeological study in 1985, artifacts were found within the monument. The archaeologist John Walker concluded that these objects were placed there intentionally, that they were symbolic and certainly a time capsule.

The objects found within the monument included: three artillery shells, three cannon balls and three elongated objects including two musket barrels and a cedar staff. Upon further investigation, Walker concluded that the artillery shells were definitely of Confederate origin and that the muskets may have also been used by Confederate soldiers. However, Walker ultimately concluded the report by stating the true meaning of symbolism of these objects is unknown. What do you think?

Monument Text:

"Front side: "the weathered inscription above reads Hazen's Brigade, to the memory of its soldiers who fell at Stone River Dec. 31, 1862 'Their faces toward heaven, their feet to the foe.' Inscribed at the close of the war. Chickamauga, Chattanooga."

Right side: " The weathered inscription above reads The veterans of Shiloh have left a deathless heritage of fame upon the field of stone river. (List of names those killed at Shiloh April 7, 1862)

Left side: " the weathered inscription above reads The Blood of one third of its soldiers twice spilled in Tennessee crimsons the battle flag of the brigade and inspires to greater deeds." (names of those killed at stones river Dec. 31, 1862).

Back Side: "the weathered inscription above reads Erected 1863 upon the ground where they fell by their comrades" (list of names beneath)