Artifact of the Quarter | September 2018

18th Connecticut Ribbon

Among the artifacts added to the exhibition in the Lodge at Cool Spring is a ribbon for the 18th Connecticut Infantry’s reunion at Mystic Island, Connecticut, on Aug. 20, 1890. Regarded by historian John Niven as “a typical Connecticut three-year regiment,” approximately 65% of the men who served in the regiment were either farmers or factory workers prior to the conflict.

Five years prior to the regiment’s gathering in Mystic Island, chaplain William C. Walker released the unit’s history—“History of the Eighteenth Regiment Conn. Volunteers in the War for the Union.” Of the Union defeat at Cool Spring Walker penned simply: “The result greatly disappointed the officers and men generally, and all felt mortified and chagrined at the result.” The regiment, which suffered six killed and 26 wounded, was one of 14 Union regiments engaged at the Battle of Cool Spring.