A marble shaft similar to this one was erected and dedicated at the Hamilton County Courthouse on May 5th, 1880. In 1894, a fire destroyed the original courthouse, and during demolition the marble shaft was crushed by falling debris. After 117 years, invisible from public view, it was reestablished and dedicated on July 4, 2011. Its inscription honors fallen heroes in unknown graves, saying they are gone but not forgotten, that they died so their country might live, and invoking loyalty, fraternity, charity, and the years 1861 to 1865.