Moscow - Vandever Memorial Bridge on GAR Highway GPS Coordinates: 41.567222 by -91.107500

Highway 6 runs coast-to-coast and is named the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. The Iowa SUVCW has named 11 bridges on the Highway after Iowa CW Generals. There are also 29 GAR Highway markers across the state - an example is listed under Oakland in Pottawattamie County. This bridge is named after William Vandever. He was an Iowa Congressman from Dubuque before the War. He was the Colonel of the 9th Iowa Infantry Regiment and then was promoted to Brigadier General and Brigade Commander. He was at Pea Ridge, Vicksburg and Bentonville. The bridge crosses the Cedar River on Highway 6 just southwest of Moscow. Photo taken 5/12/12.

Muscatine - Camp Strong Marker GPS Coordinates: 41.399466 by -91.073333

Camp Strong was the mustering point and training grounds for the Iowa 24th, 35th and 37th Infantry Regiments during 1862. The 37th was the famous "Graybeard Regiment" which was composed of men over age 45 and was established for guard or garrison duty. George W. Kincaid of Muscatine County had the original concept for this regiment and later became the colonel and commander. It is said that Confederate prisioners may have been buried here but this is unconfirmed. The marker is located at the entrance to VanAcker's Mobile Home Park at 2436 Sampson Street. This is in the SW part of town. Take Sampson Steet east (across the railroad tracks) off Grandview Avenue (also Business Highway 61).

Thank you to Dan Clark of Muscatine for the photo and information about Camp Strong and this marker. He reports that we do not know the exact boundary or layout of the camp.

Muscatine - Soldier Monument on Courthouse Square GPS Coordinates: 41.424266 by -91.043016

There are several Civil War items of interest in Muscatine’s Courthouse Square including a soldier’s monument, cannons, and a plaque of the Gettysburg Address. The original marble monument was dedicated in 1875. The marble had deteriorated to the point where it had to be replaced and a beautiful new granite monument, which replicated the original, was re-dedicated before a large crowd and many dignitaries on July 2, 2011. The second photo is of the front of the monument - the other sides show over 400 soldiers from the county - the inscriptions on the east side of the monument are shown in the 3rd photo.. Also shown is an wonderful old postcard with the original monument. One soldier listed is Shelby Norman, identified as the first Iowan to be killed in battle in the Civil War. Norman, 18 years old, enlisted in the 1st Iowa Infantry Regiment and was killed at Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861. The Muscatine GAR Post was named in honor of Shelby Norman. The Gettysburg Address is on the entrance to the Courthouse.

There are two 5.82 inch 24 pounder flank howitzers, M1844 manufactured at Cyrus Alger & Co. - one in 1849 - the other does not have markings to identify the date. The cannons are pointed South and not by accident according to Muscatine County history. A cannonball stack lies between the cannons. There is a veteran’s monument for all veterans on the east side of the Courthouse lawn. The Courthouse monument is located on the corner of Walnut and E 3rd Street. Photos taken 6/30/09, 7/2/11 and 8/12/20.

Nichols - Civil War Memorial in Nichols Cemetery GPS Coordinates: 41.479316 by -91.278050

This is a Civil War memorial dedicated in 1905. The marble shaft is about 10 feet high. The cemetery is 1½ miles east of Nichols on the south side of Highway 22. Photos taken 8/12/20.

West Liberty - Civil War Soldier GPS Coordinates: 41.562216 by -91.264766

This monument is in a nice wooded setting in Oakridge Cemetery. It is granite and about 15 feet high. Dedicated in 1903. Take Calhoun Street south through the business district and past the Fairgrounds. Photos taken 8/3/20.

Wilton - Civil War Soldier GPS Coordinates: 41.584066 by -91.024066

This impressive monument at Oakdale Cemetery includes inscriptions on four sides of about 145 soldiers from the area. The soldiers on the east side in the second photo are listed as “Buried at the Front.” The monument is granite and is about 18 feet high. It was "Erected by the WRC - GAR and Citizens of Wilton in 1898." Oakdale Cemetery is SW of town. Take Liberty Street south which turns into Story Avenue. The monument is on the east side of the cemetery along the road. Photos taken 8/12/20.