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| Fort Sumter |
"Let it be forever remembered that the greatest crime committed since the crucifixion of our Saviour, was wantonly and willfully committed in behalf of American Slavery!" an editorial declared on April 13, 1861, one day after Southern bombardment commenced on the federal fort in Charleston harbor.
Cannon roared again Tuesday morning, this time at the state Capitol to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening hostilities that would last four years and claim the lives of 5,354 Connecticut men.
The ceremonial cannon-firing launched a four-year-long series of lectures, exhibits, re-enactments and other events coordinated by the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission.
Addressing a small audience gathered for the event, commission Co-chairman Matthew Warshauer said the people of Charleston had marked the event at 7 a.m. this morning with their own cannon-firing.
"We are the Northern response," Warshauer said.
The Central Connecticut State University professor, author of a new book about Connecticut's role in the war, introduced Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who welcomed spectators to a "celebration of the Civil War."
"That may sound strange," Malloy said, "but it did form a more perfect union."
Malloy recounted the state's crucial role in the war. Connecticut sent 47 percent of its able men to fight, and it also supplied guns, ammunition, uniforms, tents and other supplies. Connecticut women worked tirelessly to support the soldiers in the field.
Both Malloy and Warshauer referred to the passions that have subsequently frequently divided the nation, but ultimately never broke it apart, even up to the partisan fury in Washington, D.C. today.
"Let no one divide us," Malloy said. "Let us come together."
The governor then addressed the seven batteries arrayed at the edge of the parking lot.
"Gentlemen, man your guns!" Malloy shouted.
Union and Confederate reenactors loaded charges into seven guns facing the wide lawn sloping into Bushnell Park. The ear-splitting boom and sulphurous clouds of smoke gave spectators a just a slight idea of the violence Civil War soldiers faced routinely.
Sources: http://www.courant.com
