Although the sesquicentennial commemoration of the U.S. Civil War began last year, next month is the 150th anniversary of the organization this site commemorates. On August 28, 1862, the 17th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service at Camp Aiken (now better known as Seaside Park) in Bridgeport.
Recruiting for the regiment began in July 1862 following the call for 300,000 more volunteers for 3-years service (or the war). Unlike other regiments raised in the state the 17th was a truly local regiment. The boys and men that enlisted, helped along by the impending threat of a draft, a stagnant local economy and the promise of more than one enlistment bonus depending on the town came from Fairfield County and Fairfield County (primarily) alone.
Over the next 3 years I’ll be doing my best to add a snapshot, if you will – of what the regiment was up to 150 years ago. I can’t (and won’t) promise that it will always be there every day, or most days, even…but I’ll try my best.
Look for the feature box over the top of this section for news of 150 years ago.