The Civil War Marker and Cannon on the Washington County Courthouse square in Washington, Kansas stand as a powerful tribute to the area’s military history and the sacrifices of those who served. An old-style cannon is positioned to point in the direction Confederate raiders approached during an घटना (incident) involving John Hunt Morgan, with a nearby marker noting the time of the raid and preserving this moment in local history. The current cannon is a 24-pounder flank howitzer, featuring an authentic Civil War-era barrel manufactured in 1864 and mounted on a replica carriage; it was installed in 2007 after being purchased from Paulson Brothers Ordnance Co. to commemorate Kansas’s sesquicentennial. Over the years, the courthouse square has hosted several earlier artillery pieces—including a Civil War siege howitzer scrapped during World War I and a German-made World War I cannon later lost to World War II scrap drives—reflecting the ongoing commitment to honoring veterans despite wartime needs. Washington is also notable as one of only three locations in Kansas to display a Japanese World War II “war trophy” cannon, which includes components marked from the Osaka Army Arsenal and dated to 1934. Together, the marker and artillery displays serve as a lasting symbol of “the price of freedom,” honoring Washington County residents who have served across generations.