Tank Tales: Vernon’s Civil War Monuments

This is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which touched every state and town, and Vernon was no exception. Companies formed and embarked by train and some Vernon soldiers never came home: 36 died, 72 were wounded, 14 went missing and 39 were captured. Vernon has two unique memorials to the Civil War, one in Talcottville and one in Rockville.

The Vernon Historical Society's newsletter article, 'The Last Full Measure Of Devotion: Vernon's Sacrifices in the Civil War'  by Jean Luddy, includes information on the battles our soldiers engaged in. 

Mount Hope Cemetery Obelisk

Vernon’s oldest memorial is at Mount Hope Cemetery in Talcottville, an obelisk at the highest point in the cemetery. The brownstone memorial monument was dedicated in 1869 and restored in 2008. The base of the monument’s front face bears a dedication reading, 'Erected to the memory of the soldiers from this place who gave their lives to their country in the War Against the Rebellion.' On the memorial are the engraved names of the eight men from the Talcottville area who gave their lives in the war. The family names are Stoughton, Hunn, Foster, Loomis, Brown and Bantley.
 
The cemetery itself was created by the Talcott family as a final resting place for family, mill workers and others in their community. The cemetery isn’t visible from either Main Street or Elm Hill in Talcottville and, indeed, most people don't know it exists. Until the recent addition of historical markers there were no signs indicating the cemetery's location, and the entrances double as private driveways.

Each Memorial Day the town of Vernon has two parades. The primary parade is in Rockville, but a day earlier one of the state's shortest parades takes place in Talcottville. Marchers begin at the Congregational Church and proceed to the monument where ceremonies are held. The parade usually includes Vernon's mayor, council members, the fire and police departments and veterans.
Employees of the town's cemeteries place flags by the graves of veterans from all wars. Civil War veterans have special metal stars to hold their flags.

Memorial Building & Civil War Museum

Our town hall, The Memorial Building at 14 Park Place, was built in 1889 as a memorial to those who served in the Civil War. On the second floor, the Sons of Union Veterans, a fraternal organization, have their headquarters and museum in the original rooms used by the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The building is significant architecturally because it is an example of a masonry building in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, and because of its well-designed interior details. The massive bulk of the structure with rock-faced brownstone first floor and window trim, heavy-arched entry, and slate roof and tower all follow the precedent popularized by architect H.H. Richardson (1838-1886). The preservation of the G.A.R. hall virtually untouched is unusual, perhaps unique, in Connecticut and is the longest continuously used Civil War veterans hall in the United States.

The New England Civil War Museum is the only museum in Connecticut devoted to the fighting men of the War of the Rebellion. The museum and its library work to convey the lessons of the American Civil War. They exist to perpetuate the memory of the Civil War and of those who helped to save the Union, through the preservation and display of relics of that war. The G.A.R. meeting room is handsome overall and the windows are spectacular.

For a longer article on our Civil War monuments with links to supporting websites and photos see The Tankerhoosen’s ‘Civil War Monuments.’

Tank Tales are from The Tankerhoosen website at www.tankerhoosen.info. Visit the site for information and stories related to Vernon’s Tankerhoosen Valley.