The Rutherford County Confederate Memorial on the Murfreesboro town square was defaced Tuesday night, officials say.

Police say a witness reported the vandalism just before 10:30 p.m.

The memorial was found to have been spray painted along its base – reportedly by an individual wearing a light-colored trench coat.

The monument dates back to 1901 and commemorates the Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Murfreesboro from December 31, 1862, through January 3, 1863.

Crews have begun removing the paint from the monument, and an investigation is underway. Anyone with information regarding the vandalism is asked to contact Murfreesboro police at (615) 893-1311.