The Civil War and its roots in religion

SHARON — Christ Episcopal Church in Sharon hosted a program on Monday night, Sept. 30, about religion in Litchfield County during the Civil War. 

Peter Vermilyea, historian and teacher at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, spoke in the church’s parish hall before an audience of about 30 people.

He said Litchfield County’s religious history was an integral part of U.S. Civil War history. 

The author of “Hidden History of Litchfield County,” Vermilyea captivated the audience with tales about religious figures who occupied pulpits in Sharon and neighboring towns. 

These priests and ministers gave sermons reiterating the fact that being a patriot and a good Christian man went hand in hand. 

“True patriots need only to pray for victory,” the historian said, referencing a saying that was popular during the Civil War. 

Religion was an especially divisive issue in Litchfield County leading up to and during the war, he said.

The Litchfield native talked about the religious motivations of Connecticut’s 19th Volunteer Infantry, a regiment created in 1862 and based in Litchfield at Camp Dutton. 

He said a majority of soldiers enlisted with the belief that the “preservation of the Union itself was a holy enough cause.”

“Apostle Paul’s military metaphors become the basis for sermons all across the North, extolling the virtues of a Christian soldier. What’s a Christian soldier? A man who fights for both his Lord and his country.”

Speaking of another area of interest, Vermilyea said he and the students in one of his classes at Housatonic Valley Regional High School created a website, ProjeCT 29, that has research and stories about the African-American men from Litchfield County who joined the 29th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. 

Vermilyea was invited to speak by the church’s Bicentennial Committee, headed by Tanya Waugh, as one of a series of events celebrating the 200th year since its consecration. 

The talk was preceded by a prayer from the Rev. Dr. Martha Tucker before attendants enjoyed a potluck dinner. 

Christ Church Episcopal will continue events as it prepares for the official date of the church’s bicentennial on Nov. 24.