Re-Enactors Bring Civil War to Life

Hundreds of re-enactors continued Connecticut’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the U.S. Civil War Saturday, with ceremonies and demonstrations at Central Connecticut State University and Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain.

The re-enactors come from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. They portrayed units from Connecticut, West Virginia and Maryland.

Duke Breon, of Woodbury, who portrays a corporal in the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery, said he enjoys participating such events. He’s been a re-enactor for about 15 years, and says when they aren’t demonstrating or educating others about the Civil War, they are studying more about themselves.

“I really enjoy this,” Breon said.

Waterbury resident Martin Spring, portraying a private, says part of the reason he does it is to honor an ancestor of his, Charles Spring, a Newtown resident who fought in the Civil War. Martin Spring said a number of his ancestors fought in the Civil and Revolutionary wars.

The 2nd Connecticut has about 65 members and commemorates the artillery unit that left from Litchfield to fight in the Civil War, said Victor Scalora, a Newtown resident who portrays a captain.

Scalora says the members perform living histories throughout the state in schools, as well as participating in re-enactments. The 2nd  plans to go to Virginia this summer to participate in a re-enactment of the first battle at Manassas.

The activities at Central and Stanley Quarter Park continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.