http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/springfield-civil-war-part-2-gettysburg-and-underground-railroad
Springfield in the Civil War - Part 2 Gettysburg and the Underground Railroad Submitted by VT Journal on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 3:02pm By GLORIA DUFIELD The Shopper SPRINGFIELD, VT - This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address. Historical Societies nationwide are remembering this time in our nations history by offering exhibitions and presentations. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in early July 1863 with casualties for both sides at close to 50,000. Abraham Lincoln’s dedication speech at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery near the battle site would become known as the Gettysburg Address. The Springfield Art and Historical Society’s "Returning Fire - The 150th Anniversary of Springfield, Vermont in the Civil War" exhibit demonstrates how far reaching the war was at the time and the role that many Springfielders played. The 1860 census for Springfield has the town population at 2,958, which is comparable in size to Gettysburg, PA at the time of the battle. It is estimated that 355 men would serve from Springfield with the majority in Company A of the 3rd Vermont and the 16th Vermont. Wheelock Graves Veazey, as mentioned previously, would have the greatest involvment in the war. Lizzie Chase in her letter from April 1861 stated that although Veazy’s friends from his New Hampshire home town encouraged him to join them, he choose to stand with the Green Mountain Boys. He would command both companies listed above and would earn his Medal of Honor at Gettysburg for his leadership of the 16th of Vermont on their first day in service and the role they played in Pickett’s Charge which would end the 3 day battle. Veazy would achieve the rank of Colonel and go on to become the Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R (Grand Army of the Republic) a civil war veteran’s organization. The exhibition also includes information on the Underground Railroad in Springfield. The only known safe house was located along the river near what is now the parking lot of the Springfield Recreation Center. Noah Safford, who was an inventor of a straw cutter, had traveled south and had become a strong anti-slavery proponent. It was his daughter, Rebecca, who offered the only evidence of their home being a railroad stop by writing of food on occasion being brought to their barn at night. Her husband, John C. Holmes, would join the 16th Vermont, and her wedding gown c. 1859 is currently on display. The Civil War exhibit at the Miller Art Center was originally launched in 1998 and has been updated with many new pieces and research for 2013. In addition to the items mentioned previously, you will find a list of all Springfield enlistees, soldiers’ biographies and period photographs. The current display was lead by volunteers Emily Stringham, whose great, great uncle was a Springfield Civil War soldier, and John Swanson, whose Veazy medals are on loan for the exhibit. They were assisted by interns Courtney Page, Jenn Stein, Larry Bolduc, Abby Garaffa, Julia Stein, Bryne Sidney, Katie Stokarski, McKenna Goodrich, Maddi Macie and Danielle Marasa. The 1998 exhibit was created by Amanda Page with interns: Janet Kraft and Janet Gendron. “Returning Fire” runs through the summer. For more information visit http://www.springfieldartandhistoricalsociety.org. Featured GLORIA DUFIELD The Shopper - See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/springfield-civil-war-part-2-gettysburg-and-underground-railroad#sthash.ZiNZGIdg.dpuf
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