Greenwich in the American Civil War facts for kids
The town of Greenwich, Connecticut played an important role in the American Civil War. About 437 men from Greenwich joined twenty-six different Connecticut army groups, called regiments. These brave soldiers fought in many big battles for the Union (the North). Some of these battles included Bull Run, Gettysburg, and the siege of Petersburg. About half of the Greenwich soldiers served in two main groups: the 10th Connecticut Infantry and the 17th Connecticut Infantry.
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Greenwich Before the War
Before the Civil War began, Greenwich was a small town where most people worked on farms. Its population was a little over 6,500 people. Most people in Greenwich and Connecticut supported the Union side. However, some people in Greenwich were not fully against the war. This was because Greenwich traded a lot with the Southern states.
Many people in Greenwich and Connecticut were against slavery. They were called anti-slavery advocates. But not everyone felt the same way about slavery. Some working men worried that if slaves were freed, they would compete for jobs. The last enslaved people in Greenwich were freed by 1823. Long before the war, freed slaves lived and worked alongside white people on farms in Greenwich. They often did the same jobs and earned the same pay.
Greenwich Joins the Fight
When President Abraham Lincoln asked for volunteers to protect the Union after the attack on Fort Sumter, men from Greenwich were ready to join. In October 1861, the town of Greenwich offered a special payment, called a bounty, of $100 to new recruits. This was for those who agreed to serve for nine months in the Union Army.
By 1863, the war was still going on, and people in the North were getting tired. So, Greenwich increased the bounty to $300 for each new soldier. These soldiers had to serve for three years. If someone couldn't fight, they could pay $300 for someone else to take their place.
Greenwich Soldiers in Action
Greenwich men served in twenty-six different Connecticut regiments. A few also joined groups from New York. These soldiers fought in almost every major Civil War battle. This included battles like First Bull Run, Antietam, Second Bull Run, Cold Harbor, and Gettysburg. They also fought in the siege of Charleston and the trench battles at Petersburg. About half of the Greenwich soldiers served in two main infantry (foot soldier) groups: the 10th Connecticut Volunteers and the 17th Connecticut Volunteers.
The 10th Connecticut Volunteers
Many people from Greenwich were part of the 10th Connecticut Volunteers. Company I, which is a smaller group within the 10th regiment, was made up entirely of men from Greenwich. Their first leader was Major Daniel Merritt Mead. Major Mead led the first group of about fifty-five young men from Greenwich into the Union Army. Their average age was 21. In Company I, there were twelve pairs of brothers, three pairs of brothers-in-law, and three pairs of fathers and sons fighting together.
The 10th regiment fought in battles along the coast early in the war. This led to the siege of Charleston. Later, the 10th fought in the trench battles around Richmond. They earned praise from important Union generals, including Ulysses S. Grant. The 10th regiment was still active at the very end of the war. They helped block Confederate General Robert E. Lee's attempt to escape from Virginia. The 10th was also present at Appomattox Court House when Lee surrendered to Grant. By the end of the war, the 10th regiment had fought in twenty-three battles and many smaller fights.
Here are some of the major battles the 10th Connecticut Volunteers fought in:
- Roanoke Island, North Carolina (February 1862)
- New Bern, North Carolina (March 1862)
- Siege of Charleston, South Carolina (July to October 1863)
- Drewry's Bluff, Virginia (May 1864)
- Darbytown and New Market Roads, Virginia (October 1864)
- Fort Gregg, Virginia (April 1865)
- Appomattox Court House, Virginia (April 1865)
The 17th Connecticut Volunteers
The 17th regiment was made up of men from Fairfield County, Connecticut. Company I of this regiment was also entirely from Greenwich. The 17th regiment's first job was to be reserve troops in the Fredericksburg campaign. After that, they fought in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
In the late summer of 1863, the 17th was sent to Morris Island to help with the siege of Charleston. They fought in the trenches in front of Fort Wagner, which was Charleston's strongest defense. The 17th finished their service in Florida, fighting in major battles at Welaka, Saudners, and Dunn's Lake.
African American Soldiers from Greenwich
African Americans from Greenwich also fought in the Civil War. They served in two Connecticut regiments: the 29th and 31st volunteer infantry. Both of these groups were formed in the last year and a half of the war. This was when the Union needed many new soldiers. Twenty-four African Americans from Greenwich served in the 29th regiment. Twelve more served in the 31st regiment.
Famous Greenwich Soldiers
Nicholas Fox
Nicholas Fox was the only Civil War soldier from Greenwich to receive the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award for bravery in battle. Mr. Fox earned this medal for his courage in the Battle of Fort Hudson in Louisiana on June 14, 1863. During the battle, Nicholas Fox bravely ran through dangerous enemy fire to bring water to wounded Union soldiers who were very thirsty. He fought with Company H, which was the Greenwich unit of the 28th Connecticut Volunteers. When he passed away, Nicholas Fox was one of only 31 Connecticut soldiers to have ever received the Medal of Honor.
Captain Frank Munford Kelly
In 1861, when he was just seventeen, Mr. Kelly joined the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This group was known as the Ellsworth Avengers. Because of his bravery, he was quickly promoted to Sergeant, then Second Lieutenant, then Adjunct, and finally, Captain. He took part in most of the important battles of the Civil War. These included Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Antietam, and Bull Run. During the war, Captain Kelly served as an aide de camp (a personal assistant) to Generals Grant, Meade, and Ingalls. He was also a close friend of General Custer.
Charles A. Bing
Charles Bing joined the 6th Connecticut Volunteers in 1861. He served for twenty-seven months as a private in the Union Army. In October 1861, Mr. Bing was part of one of the first major Union attacks along the coast against the Confederacy. This attack involved sixteen thousand Union soldiers and seventy-seven naval ships. It successfully raised the Union flag at Port Royal in South Carolina. At that time, this was the largest battle fleet ever put together by the United States.
Greenwich's Civil War Legacy
The town of Greenwich sent a total of 437 men to fight in twenty-six Connecticut regiments during the Civil War. This was about seven percent of the town's population. Sixty-nine men from Greenwich gave their lives for the Union during the war. Nine were killed in battle or died from their wounds. Two were missing in action. Another fifty-eight died, mostly from diseases. Also, forty-four Greenwich soldiers were captured by the enemy.
In 1890, the town of Greenwich built a monument to honor its Civil War soldiers. This monument still stands today at the corner of Putnam Avenue and Maple Street. On its sides are carved the names of battles where Greenwich men fought. The monument has the words "To her loyal sons who fought for the Union" written on it.
Today, many street names in Greenwich also remind us of the town's Civil War soldiers. These include Mead Avenue, Lockwood Road, Reynolds Place, Husted Lane, Mills Road, Ferris Drive, Peck Avenue, and Scott Road.
Images for kids
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Major Daniel M. Mead
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Greenwich Civil War Memorial
