FRIENDS OF FORT TRUMBULL

WELCOME CIVIL WAR REENACTOR

TO SEPTEMBER MEETING

“I’m free; praise the Lord. I’m free; I’m no longer bound. No more chains holding me…I’m free!” On Sept. 27, 2012, The Friends of Fort Trumbull will hear these words spoken as reenactor Kevin Johnson returns with a portrayal of Civil War soldier, William Webb.

To capture this tumultuous time in our history, Johnson will present a portrayal of Private Webb, an actual soldier, who was a native of Hartford, recruited in 1863 to serve in the Twenty-Ninth (Colored) Regiment. “Webb” will arrive wearing a historically accurate uniform of his regiment.

What was it like to be a black man fighting in a country so racially divided? He will tell us of his recruitment and training, the work his regiment performed in Virginia, and the traumatic final battles of the Civil War, about which Johnson as Webb says, “We had to gain courage; we had to be men.”

Despite the prevailing attitude that “Black men were thought of as nothing”, these men fought bravely and valiantly to ensure this opportunity to be free.

Kevin Johnson, who is an employee of the State Library’s History and Genealogy Unit, based his presentation on extensive research done at the State Library. After over 400 performances, Johnson has said, “I had no idea that almost 14 years later, I would still be sharing the story of Private Webb.” For more information on Webb, Johnson, and his performances, visit his blog: www.wmwebb.wordpress.com. Additional information about the State Library and the Museum of Connecticut History can be found at http://www.cslib.org/.

The performance will take place at the Fort Trumbull Conference Center, at 90 Walbach St., New London, at 7 p.m. In the past five years, only one person has received a standing ovation at Friends meetings; that person was Kevin Johnson! This is a performance not to be missed. The public is invited and new members are always welcome. Seating is limited.