Mrs. Mary Ann
Lewis Bronson: A Visit from a Civil War Doctor’s Wife
Continuing the Simsbury Historical Society’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War, on February 5th at 2 p.m. the Society will host a “first-person” account by a Civil War
doctor’s wife. Based on 44 unpublished family letters written by her great-great grandfather, Dr. George Bronson, who was the hospital steward of the 11th Connecticut Volunteers, Mary Lou Pavlik will assume the role of her great-great grandmother.
“Mary Ann Bronson” will share her opinions and
observation of the War, beginning with the departure of the Connecticut Regiments from the docks of New York City on December 17, 1861, bound for Maryland. The audience will find Dr. Bronson a keen observer of the 1862 Battle of Antietam, where he writes “I do not know the name of the creek, but I have named it the ‘Creek of Death.’ Such slaughter I hope to never witness again.” The letters then trace his journey to his final destination of Richmond in 1865, where his regiment is the first to enter the Confederate capital as it falls to the Grand Army of the Republic. Upon learning that General Lee has surrendered,
George writes to Mary Ann, “A good man has fallen.” (Ellsworth Visitor's Center, 10 Phelps Lane)
