With Civil War casualties in the ballpark of 700,000 (depending on whose figures you use), our goal is to make this deadly war to save the union more understandable and more personal. What was it like for Hatfield men, whether 18-year-olds or 40-year-olds, to leave their families and homes and march off to war?
For our farming community of just over 1,300 at the time, 108 men enlisted – or about 8% of the population. By war’s end, 24 of those men – nearly one-fourth – had lost their lives.
We have been greatly aided in our research by a 2005 Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project by Jeremy Bolduc of Hatfield on the “Hatfield Men Who Fought in the Civil War (1861-1865).” Using this detailed report, for instance, museum volunteer Linda Golash was able to tally the occupations of Hatfield’s Civil War soldiers.
So here’s the first data to paint the picture of the Hatfield men who fought to keep our country whole:
We will be showing a lot of exciting artifacts, both personal gear and documents, in our exhibit. Please join us Saturday mornings, starting in April, but if you want to be here for the fanfare (and food!) come on April 5, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and/or May 25, before the parade and after the ceremony at Town Hall!
P.S. If you have any Hatfield Civil War artifacts or documents you’d consider donating or loaning for the exhibit, please give me a call as soon as possible, shoot me an email or stop by Saturday or Tuesday mornings. (247-0308 / [email protected])