During this sesquicentennial year of the American Civil War everyone from privates to the President (Lincoln, that is) will be at the Civil War Living History Day on the grounds of Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Road., Oct. 6. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Several members of Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry will portray the original regiment, give firing demonstrations, set up their camp and its accoutrements, and answer questions for the public. Of all the regiments Connecticut sent to the Union armies in the Civil War, the most famous was the 14th.
The regiment marched and fought with Lincoln’s Army, the Army of the Potomac, and participated in 34 battles and skirmishes.
The 14th lost more men killed in battle, in proportion to its size, and captured more prisoners, cannon and battle flags than any other Connecticut regiment. More information about Company F is available at www.cof14thcvi.com.
Company F is unique in offering both the military and civilian aspects of the Civil War Era. In addition to presenting the life of the common soldier, Bill Mellow, a retired pastry chef, portrays a company cook, and demonstrates period cooking over an open fire. Its civilian re-enactors present the contributions of the US Christian Commission and those of the home front to the success of the Union armies.
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. However, 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, who portrays Cpl. Pierce, explains why he participates with his fellow Civil War enthusiasts, “Though our living history events and classroom presentations where our audience can see and touch the uniforms and equipment and be able to hear and ask questions about the contributions of both civilian and military and events that shaped that conflict, we hope to spark an interest where they will want to learn more about the Civil War and ultimately our Nation’s history.”
Also appearing at Shelton History Center will be Steve Wood of Claremont, New Hampshire, who bears an uncanny resemblance to President Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln will review the troops and make a speech or two. One of them might be the Emancipation Proclamation, a plan that Lincoln revealed after the Union victory at Antietam in Maryland in September 1862 that freed slaves in the rebellious states. Mr. Wood’s interpretation of Lincoln has been featured in New Hampshire Magazine, and on both NH Public Radio and WCVB in Boston.
Several civilian women will be presenting throughout the day on the effects the war had on the home front and the work that was done at home to support the North.
Children will be able to play the kinds of games that youngsters enjoyed in the 1860’s. Representatives from Civil War Monument, Inc., Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Wooster-Russell Camp #22, and the 20th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and Ladies Auxillary will be in attendance.
Admission is $5.00/person or $15.00/family. Proceeds benefit the Shelton Historical Society and its programs. The Shelton Historical Society owns Shelton History Center, a museum complex of six historic buildings located just north of the Huntington Green, and strives to provide programs of historical interest to the community. For more information or directions, please call (203) 925‑1803 or visit www.sheltonhistoricalsociety.org.
