So, How Was It? Civil War Encampment at the Seymour Historical Society

The Seymour Historical Society hold numerous events throughout the year. The most recent event was their annual Civil War Encampment. 

The 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Company F set up camp at the historic Katharine Matthies house on West Street in Seymour for the day to show attendees how Civil War soldiers and civilians lived off the battlefield.  

Main attraction

One of the highlights of the day was the weapons demonstration. As you can see by scrolling through the photos, the soldiers were in formation as they explained the different methods of firing (by rank, by company, by row). 

Daily life

Each soldier set up their tent around the yard with their own personal collection of gear. 

Inside the house was the hospital. After seeing some of the tools that were used at the time, I am even more grateful that I live in the present time. 

It is very difficult to imagine what life must have been like back then. We have no idea what war on our own soil is like, and probably would not be able to stand living in a world without air conditioning and electronics. 

Learn something new everyday

I learn something new every time I attend an event such as this one. This time, I learned about the insignia that was used on soldiers uniforms and on equipment and flags. 

The 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Company F were assigned to use the three leaf clover that you can see in some of the pictures. This symbol was used to help identify who each person and each company or battalion was. It made maneuvering the troops much easier. 

More to explore

Besides the weapons demonstration, there was also a cook who fed the Volunteers a traditional Civil War style meal of corned beef and cabbage stew. He was very eager to show his recipe and pass on a little knowledge to anyone who was interested. 

On the other side of the house, some women volunteers were busy talking about what their roles would have been in the olden days. Creating care packages and ripping bandages were necessary to the war efforts, along with maintaining the home and family while the men were gone. 

Would I attend again?

I had a lot of fun at this year's encampment. This was the first year that I have attended this event at the Seymour Historical Society, but I am sure it will not be the last time.