Civil War Soldiers and Civilians Coming to Easton's Encampment Day
/ 0 - Details
- Category: History
- Published on Saturday, 23 June 2012 12:19
- Written by Emlyn Duemmler
The Historical Society of Easton will celebrate the 151st Anniversary of the Civil War on Saturday, July 21 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm with a Civil War Encampment Day at the Bradley-Hubbell House located at 535 Black Rock Turnpike, Easton. Soldiers and civilian re-enactors from Company F of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, a not-for-profit, living history and preservation organization will portray the original 14th CVI’s daily life and activities.
Of all the regiments Connecticut sent to the Union armies in the Civil War, the most famous was the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. The regiment marched and fought with Lincoln’s Army, the Army of the Potomac, and participated in 34 battles and skirmishes. The 14th Connecticut lost more men killed in battle, in proportion to its size, and captured more prisoners, cannon, and battle flags than any other Connecticut regiment.
The re-enactment will provide a glimpse into the daily life of the 14th CVI starting with a military drill and firing demonstrations, preparation for the noon meal on an open fire pit as well as a presentation of camp skills such as rifle loading, knapsack, and blanket rolling. Civilian women will present how the home front helped the North win the war and demonstrate medical care and family life during the conflict. Additionally, period children’s games will run throughout the day.
Music of the period will be highlighted at 1:00 pm with vocal pieces led by Jen Eastman-Lawrence that depict the popular mood and sentiment of the antebellum, war-time, and post-Civil War periods. Following the musical performance, a brief discussion about the origins of modern baseball from its roots in the venerable folk game of town ball will be led by Jeff Lawrence. “The Massachusetts Game,” one variant codified in 1858, will be demonstrated on the Bradley-Hubbell grounds and open to public participation.
A popular misconception of the Civil War is that it was fought exclusively by white Anglo-Saxons, but many ethnic groups took part in this great struggle. Few people are aware that the Chinese were among them and the highest ranking of those, Joseph Pierce, fought with the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Irving Moy will present a program about Pierce’s Civil War experience along with Gary Horton, retired teacher and historian.
Join the Historical Society of Easton and Company F 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on Saturday July 21st and learn how soldiers and civilians lived during this critical era in American history.
Company F is unique in offering both the military and civilian aspects of the Civil War Era. For more information about them visit their web site: www.cof14thcvi.com.
Admission to the day-long event is $5 per person.
The program’s sponsor, The Historical Society of Easton manages two historic properties: the Adams Schoolhouse (c. 1850) and the Bradley-Hubbell House and Farmstead (c. 1816) listed on the National Register. For more information call the Society at (203) 261-2090, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the web site: http://historicalsocietyofeastonct.org.
Civil War Living History Event Schedule for July 21, 2012
10:00 am (Public access) Camp life of the Union soldier, civilian presentations*
11:00 am –12:00 pm Camp life of the Union soldier, civilian presentations, and military drill and firing demonstrations
12:00 pm Soldiers and civilians prepare for their noon meals
1:00-2:00 pm Camp life of the Union soldier, civilian presentations, and knapsack vs. blanket roll presentation
1:00 – 1:30 pm Music of the Late Unpleasantness: Led by Jen Eastman-Lawrence, this set of vocal pieces will highlight the popular mood and sentiment of the antebellum, war-time, and post-war periods.
1:30 – 2:30 pm The Grand Old Game: A brief discussion about the origins of modern baseball from its roots in the venerable folk game of town ball, led by Jeff Lawrence. "The Massachusetts Game," one variant codified in 1858, will be demonstrated and open to public participation.
2:00 – 3:00 pm Camp life of the Union soldier, Civilian presentations, and Joseph Pierce presentation: The Chinese were among the soldiers fighting in the Civil War, and the highest ranking of those fighting was Joseph Pierce, who fought with the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Irving Moy will present a program about Pierce’s Civil War experience along with Gary Horton, retired teacher and historian.
Military drill and firing demonstrations
3:00 pm Event ends
* Civilian Presentations
Civilian women will be presenting throughout the day on how the home front helped the North win the war, nursing and medical care on the battlefield and the United States Christian Commission.
There will also be period children games. Marge Bucholz, a member of the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery Civil War Reenactors who collects and reproduces Civil War era toys, comes to the event and the children's period games run throughout the day in the civilian area.
The soldiers will be drilling young civilian recruits from the public.
Easton resident Emlyn Duemmler is a volunteer publicist for the Historical Society of Easton.
