Connecticut in the American Civil War facts for kids

The New England state of Connecticut played a big part in the American Civil War. It helped the Union Army and Union Navy by providing weapons, tools, money, and many soldiers. Several politicians from Connecticut also helped shape the government's plans during the war and the time after, called Reconstruction.

Connecticut Before the Civil War

Before the Civil War, many people in Connecticut were against slavery. Important figures like Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, were active in the abolitionist movement. Towns such as Farmington and Middletown were safe stops on the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.

Slavery in Connecticut slowly ended, starting in 1797. By 1820, fewer than 100 enslaved people remained. Slavery was fully outlawed in the state by 1848.

In the 1856 United States presidential election, Connecticut, like the rest of New England, voted for Republican candidate John C. Frémont. Republicans were against slavery spreading into new territories. Four years later, in 1860, Connecticut again supported the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln. About 58% of voters chose Lincoln.

In 1860, Connecticut had about 460,000 people. Most were white, but there were also about 8,600 Black people and 16 Native Americans. Over 80,000 white residents were born in other countries, with 55,000 coming from Ireland. While many still farmed, factories and trades became major employers. After slavery ended in 1848, many African Americans moved to cities for jobs, creating new neighborhoods like Little Liberia in Bridgeport.

Connecticut's War Efforts

William Alfred Buckingham was the governor of Connecticut. He was a rich businessman and a strong Republican. Even before the war officially started, he worked with other New England governors. He also warned the state militia to watch for any attacks. Connecticut was known for making machinery, especially cannons and guns.

When President Lincoln asked for soldiers after the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, Governor Buckingham quickly called up militia units. Banks eagerly loaned money to the state to help pay for the war until the state government could approve the funds.

Soldiers and Military Service

After Lincoln asked for volunteers, Governor Buckingham urged citizens to join state regiments. By the end of April 1861, Connecticut had formed three regiments, including the 1st Connecticut Infantry Regiment. These soldiers were expected to serve for only three months, as many thought the war would end quickly. The 1st Connecticut Infantry, led by Daniel Tyler, arrived in Washington, D.C., on May 10.

Connecticut provided 30 full regiments of infantry, including two made up of Black men. Two regiments of heavy artillery also fought as infantry later in the war. The state also supplied three light artillery batteries and one cavalry regiment.

Fort Trumbull in New London was a key place for organizing Union troops. Soldiers were recruited and trained there before going to war. The 14th Connecticut Infantry, trained at Fort Trumbull, played an important role in defending Cemetery Ridge at the Battle of Gettysburg. The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery (originally the 19th Connecticut Infantry) had many casualties in 1864 during the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg. The 9th Connecticut Infantry fought in the western part of the war and helped capture New Orleans, Louisiana.

The State Hospital in New Haven (now part of Yale-New Haven Hospital) became the Knight U.S. Army General Hospital. It treated 23,340 soldiers, with only 185 deaths.

Sadly, one of the first officers killed in the Civil War was Theodore Winthrop from New Haven. He died early in the war at the Battle of Big Bethel in western Virginia.

Connecticut military units suffered many losses. About 97 officers and 1,094 enlisted men were killed in battle. Another 700 died from wounds, and over 3,000 died from diseases. More than 400 men went missing, likely becoming prisoners of war of the Confederate Army.

Connecticut's Homefront Support

Connecticut's factories were very important for the war effort. The New Haven Arms Company provided the Union Army with the Henry rifle, designed by Benjamin Tyler Henry. Colt's Manufacturing Company, started by Samuel Colt in Hartford, supplied many handguns to the Union Navy. Pratt & Whitney in Hartford made machinery for companies that produced weapons.

Most of the brass buttons, belt buckles, and other metal parts for Union uniforms were made in Waterbury, known as the "Brass City." Shipyards in Mystic built ships for the Union Navy, including the USS Monticello (1859), USS Galena (1862), and USS Varuna (1861).

The popular war song Marching Through Georgia was written by Henry Clay Work, who lived in Middletown.

Notable Leaders from Connecticut

Many important military leaders came from Connecticut. Soon after the war began, Daniel Tyler was promoted to brigadier general. Other officers like Alfred Terry, Henry Warner Birge, and Robert O. Tyler also became generals.

Some Connecticut-born men who were already in the U.S. Army became leading generals early in the war. Nathaniel Lyon from Ashford was one of the first army commanders killed in the war, at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri. John Sedgwick from Cornwall commanded the Union VI Corps for much of the war until he was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Horatio G. Wright from Clinton, a long-time officer, took over his command.

Major General Joseph K. Mansfield from Middletown led the II Corps in 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam. Another general who died at Antietam was George Taylor, who had studied at a military academy in Middletown.

Joseph Roswell Hawley from New Haven commanded a division during the Siege of Petersburg and became a brigadier general in 1864. Other Union generals with Connecticut roots included Henry W. Benham from Meriden and Alpheus S. Williams from Deep River.

Andrew Hull Foote from New Haven was honored by Congress for his brave actions. He commanded a group of gunboats on the Mississippi River, helping to capture Forts Henry and Donelson and Island No. 10.

Civil War Attractions in Connecticut

The New England Civil War Museum is located in the Memorial Building in Rockville. It has collections from soldiers who fought in the war, including items from the 14th and 21st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry regiments. The museum also has a library with many books about the Civil War.

Fort Trumbull is now a state park. It has exhibits that show its history and role during the Civil War.

Civil War Memorials

Connecticut has over 100 Civil War monuments. In New Haven alone, there are eight. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is on top of East Rock in New Haven. It honors people from New Haven who died in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War. Other memorials in New Haven include the Broadway Civil War Memorial (1905) and the Yale Civil War Memorial at Woolsey Hall (1915). The Yale memorial is special because it honors both Union and Confederate soldiers.

Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport has a large Civil War monument and the graves of 83 Union Army veterans.

There are also monuments for Connecticut soldiers at battle sites in other states. For example, there is a monument for the 27th Connecticut Infantry at Gettysburg and a monument for Joseph K. F. Mansfield at Antietam.