The People
One of the keys to understanding these very intimate and personal letters is to know of whom they speak. These people aren’t merely names on a piece of parchment, they were living, breathing, people with a story to tell of their own.
The Household
Cecil’s wife and coauthor of the letters. She took care of their farm, parented their daughter, and cared for her mother during the war.
Read moreFriends & Family
Sarah was Caroline’s aunt. She was a widow at the time of the Civil War, and Cecil and Caroline helped her manage her farm.
Read moreA shirt-tail relative and neighbor. Cecil worked in his smithy for a period of time and didn’t have very high regard for Edward.
Read moreEdward’s and Laura’s son, who occasionally helped Caroline with the farm-work.
Read moreA veteran of the 10th Connecticut Infantry who resigned in September 1862.
Read moreSoldiers
One of Cecil’s bunkmates. A good friend and Sergeant who served under him in the 20th.
Read moreA good friend of Cecil’s and corporal of Company I. A hard worker with a sense of humor.
Read moreA private from Mount Carmel. He was good friends with Ezra and saved his life.
Read moreA Sergeant in the 20th who only served for a few months before being discharged for disability.
Read moreSon of Edward and Laura, and wagoneer of Company I. Saved Ezra’s life at the battle of Peach Tree Creek.
Read moreA relative of Caroline’s and member of Cecil’s mess. Killed in action at the battle of Gettysburg.
Read moreA full list of soldiers from Hamden and the surrounding area in the 20th Connecticut.
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