It's a Hardtack Life

Soldiers camping out in front of the Wilton Historical Society can only mean one thing: the Civil War has come to Wilton.

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War’s start, the Wilton Historical Society will host a series of living history events through May. The re-enactments and lectures should highlight both well-known leaders and lesser-known soldiers.

 “I want to show the grueling lifestyle of a soldier and give a sense of what an individual soldier went through,” said Dan Kinley, a member of the Wilton Militia, and society board member.

Kinley will don his Union uniform on three Sundays, April 3, 10, and May 1. He plans to answer any questions people might have about the Civil War, and of course a soldier’s life. The 14th CT Regiment will participate in the re-enactment, which will include military drills and firing demonstrations, and even a meal prepared over an open fire.

The recently opened exhibit “America’s Civil War Retrospective” features a large private collection on loan from a local resident. It’s filled with paintings, photographs, maps, newspaper articles and memorabilia.

Weapons on display include an 1850 Louis Comfort Tiffany-designed officer’s sword, early pistols, and more modern revolvers. Visitors can also see artillery shells and cannon balls. A cross section of one cannon ball allows a glimpse into its interior and shot.

As the war progressed so to did the lethality of its weapons. A hand grenade on display speaks to the modernization of weapons during the conflict.

Karl Dolnier, a society board member and captain of the Wilton Fire Department, has an extensive collection of firearms. His talk “From Bunker Hill to Baghdad” on April 17 will highlight firearms from the Civil War to more modern rifles and pistols.

Although tactics, strategy, and weapons changed during the war, uniforms didn’t. In fact, aside from their appearance, they weren’t that different than those used during the American Revolution. Except for one thing. Soldiers carried a gum blanket, or poncho.

It was a crucial piece of equipment because it helped keep soldiers somewhat dry. While uniforms come in all weights and camouflage patterns today, Civil War uniforms only came in wool.

“As I describe to fifth graders all the time, it doesn’t matter if it’s nice outside. If you’re hiking 10 to 15 miles all day in this wool uniform, you’re going to be wet or damp,” Kinley said.

And dehydrated. Scarce water supplies affected many battles, perhaps most famously during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg when Joshua Chamberlain repulsed the Confederates at the battle of Little Round Top, Kinley said.  

“The Confederates couldn’t get any water, or at least not enough. By the time Chamberlain said fix bayonets and charge, the Confederates were exhausted,” Kinley said.

Another Wiltonian, David Petre, will lecture on his self-published book “The Civil War: A Student Handbook.” Petrie will discuss his great-grandfather’s role as a soldier, his involvement in eight major battles. He’ll also tell of his grandfather’s survival of imprisonment in the notorious Andersonville prison.