The will present "The Story of the 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry" at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.
The volunteer infantry was an African-American regiment, known at the time as a "colored" regiment. Dr. Charles (Ben) Hawley, a descendent of a member of the 29th infantry, will be conducting the presentation.
Admission is $5 for non-members and $3 for members. The Naugatuck Historical Society is located at 135 Water Street. For more information call 203-729-9039.
Here's a description from the historical society:
From the beginning of the Civil War there were many who advocated allowing African Americans to fight.
Controversy ensued, as much in Connecticut, as anywhere in the nation. Join Ben Hawley for a discussion of the creation of the 29th Connecticut, and how Governor William Buckingham bravely stood up against those within the state who opposed a black regiment.
Learn how the 29th Connecticut was formed in New Haven, the appointment of only white officers, and the men’s parade march from the Green to the waterfront, where they boarded the ship Warrior to travel south.
Hawley will discuss briefly the 29th’s battle experiences and some of the soldiers who stood out. As well as two men from Naugatuck who served with the 29th.
Here's an excerpt on Hawley's biography from Central Connecticut State University:
Ben Hawley is a Connecticut native and member of the Descendents of the 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry (Colored). His great-great-grandfather, Orrin B. Hawley, was a member of the 29th.
Ben is also a member of B Company, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment based in Washington, DC. He was one of twenty Civil War Reenactors invited to march in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade.
A Civil War Reenactor with B Company since 1991, he has traveled extensively, speaking to groups about Blacks in the Civil War.
