" Let it be our bounded duty and work, to bind up the wounds and build up the waste of war. God has softened the hearts of those who here on both sides fought with heroic valor."

Bvt. Brig. Gen. William Noble

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - July 1, 1884

Contents

Introduction

17th Annual Reunion - 1883

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Gettysburg Reunion - 1884

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Gettysburg Reunion - 1889

Title

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Reunion Photographs

Shell Island, CT reunion

 36th Reunion Ribbon

The veterans of the Civil War, like veterans of wars both before and after, came together to remember and reflect on their years of service in a conflict that had become greater than anything they had done, or would do, again.

The men of the Seventeenth Connecticut formed an association (the Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Veterans Association) that came together every year on the anniversary of the unit's muster into US Service---August 28th.

In addition, the veterans of the 17th would come together on the field of Gettysburg on the 21st anniversary of the battle to dedicate the regimental monument on Barlow's Knoll.

To commemorate the events, the veterans association published souvenir pamphlets covering the events.

The pamphlets contain many interesting facts and vignettes, if one is willing to look for them. Anecdotes about many of the veterans reveal clues to their personalities, and the relationships they enjoyed with their comrades. The Gettysburg pamphlet lists places they lived, as well as facts about the regiment's participation in the battle not found in the official reports.

Once again, I am indebted to Ginny Gage for transcribing both pamphlets. Thank you again, Ginny! If anyone knows of the existence of any other reunion pamphlets, please e-mail me!

February 25, 2003

Thanks once more to the efforts of Ginny Gage, the 1889 Gettysburg reunion pamphlet is posted. The occasion for the 1889 reunion at Gettysburg was the dedication of the monument located on East Cemetery Hill. This reunion was held with the veterans of the 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Thanks, Ginny - again!