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Leeds has a Civil War peace Monument erected on Monument Hill, the highest point in Leeds, by the Howard brothers, distinguished natives of Leeds; Major General Oliver Otis Howard, Rev. Roland Bailey Howard, and Brigadier General Charles H. Howard, in memory of the 161 soldiers and sailors who enlisted and died from this town. Many more served than enlisted.
Leeds had the largest per capita number serving in the war of any town in the State of Maine.
Below are the four plaques encircling the obelisk. One was replaced with a metal replica when the slate original was taken. Unfortunately, it contains a few errors and misspellings: Corp. Eben A. Libby served in the 14th Regt., Henry O. Fabyan, Benjamin Woodman, John Quincy Robbins, and Wansboro Turner.
Leeds Peace Monument distinguishes itself from all others in the State by its private funding, unusual location, and by its emphasis on the Peace of 1865.
"1865 Was Sure Peace" each word of which is inscribed above each plaque on the monument.
Chronology of the Monument
1890 Idea proposed by Rev. Roland B. Howard (Weekly Journal, June 19, 1890)
1893 Correspondences between Oliver O. Howard in Burlington, VT and his brother, Charles in Chicago about erecting a monument in honor of Roland B.
Nov 16, 1895 Erected on the hill. There is a handwritten note to Oliver O. Howard from A. J. Foss, a relative by marriage on:
The monument is set Upon (?) the big Hill Finished up last Night Was 2 ½ (?) days Drawing and Setting It. I think It looks well. It does not show much from the Roads for the reason of the Trees near It.
The note goes on to say that "men and teams" need to be paid unless the work is specifically for you (O.O. Howard) in which case "Glad to help you."
The Monument is reached by a short hike (3/4 mile round trip ) up the hill and through the woods.
Though only 100 feet higher in elevation from the trail entrance on North Road, you get a full-circle view of the surrounding area from the top, especially in winter and spring.
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