Love of gain or honor did not influence him to enter our army... it was a desire to serve his country and do his duty that induced him to leave his peaceful avocations, gird on his armor and join his companions in the risk and hardships of a life in the army.

From the eulogy of Augustus E. Bronson

Introduction

September 1862

October 1862

November 1862

December 1862

January 1863

February 1863

March 1863

Augustus Bronson Eulogy

Born December 27, 1835

Died July 5, 1863

Among those who offered up their lives for the defense of our country on the bloody battle field of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was Augustus E. Bronson, of Company "C," 17^th Regt. C. V. No truer soldier or more faithful citizen ever went out from our town than A. E. Bronson. Love of gain or honor did not influence him to enter our army, and those who knew him best testify that it was a desire to serve his country and do his duty that induced him to leave his peaceful avocations, gird on his armor and join his companions in the risk and hardships of a life in the army. At the first call for troops for three months service at the commencement of the war, he was one of the first to respond, and as a member of Company "C," 3r^d Regt., C. V. he participated in the first great battle of the war, Bull Run, and was taken prisoner, carried to Richmond, Va., confined a while there and removed to other prisons within the rebellious states, and was finally, after an imprisonment of nine months, exchanged and he returned to his native state.

When Captain James E. Moore, his former loved commander, on July 22^nd, 1862, started a new company for three years of the war, Bronson, in company with his brother, enlisted under him and went out as 3^rd Sergt. of Company "C," 17^th Regt. C. V. His frequent letters published from time to time in the Jeffersonian, have faithfully recorded the events that have transpired in the Regiment, and our readers will miss his interesting letters. We have lost a valued correspondent; he fell bravely fighting at Gettysburg, Penna., July 1^st-shot in the head, and died on the following Sunday. His brother-in-law, Mr. Truman Judd, started last week after the remains, which arrived here last Friday morning and were escorted by a few friends to his father's residence in Starr's Plain. At two o'clock the same day a large procession followed the remains to the church, where the funeral discourse was preached by Rev. Mark E. Rude of Georgetown. Elder A. N. Gilbert of Danbury made the opening prayer and a few closing remarks.

1. E. Bronson was a professor of religion from early boyhood, and ever held in respect everything pertaining to religious things. When last April his state was in danger of placing herself in hostile attitude to the general Government by the election of a man to the Governorship of the State who was not in sympathy with the efforts being made to save the Union, Bronson sent home for publication an appeal that did much to save at least this town from disgrace. That appeal, with its eloquence and burning words is a part of history. It proved the heartfelt earnestness of the writer; it was one of the best and most effective documents published during that ever-to-be remembered campaign.

But he is gone; his body reposes among his native hills. The spot where it lies is sacred and will ever be held in grateful remembrance by his appreciative countrymen. He lived a patriot and died a patriot; his bereaved friends have the sympathy of all true loyalists. In his death his country loses a brave and valiant soldier. But

Note: The above was printed in the HISTORY OF THE SEVENTEENTH CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - REGIMENT as compiled by William Henry Warren of Company C ,1862-1865, February 1901 - Volume Two, Eighth Edition