Colonel Edward Harland

I thought the best way to start out a blog about the 8th Connecticut was to mention a little about their beloved first commander, Edward Harland.

Edward Harland was born in Norwich, Connecticut on June 24, 1832. He graduated from Yale University in 1853 and was admitted to the bar two years later. When the War broke out Harland helped organize a infantry company, which would eventually become Company D of the 3rd Connecticut Volunteers. Harland would serve as its Captain and commanding officer. He went on to serve with them at the First Battle of Bull Run. After the battle, the 3rd Connecticut was disbanded. Harland wishing to continue his service set about raising a new regiment. That regiment would become the 8th Connecticut.

He was commissioned as Colonel of the 8th Connecticut on October 5, 1861. He would serve with the regiment through Burnside's coastal operations in eastern North Carolina. In North Carolina he would be present at the battles of Roanoke Island, New Bern and at the Siege of Fort Macon. In mid-1862 the 8th was moved to Virginia where it was placed in the newly formmed IX Corps under Burnside. At this point Harland recieved command of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the IX Corps. The brigade consisting of the 8th Connecticut, the 11th Connecticut and the 4th Rhode Island. His brigade spent a month doing picket duty in Fredericksburg. With the impeding Confederate invasion of Maryland, Harland's brigade were sentin pursuit of Lee's army. The brigade while present at the Battle of South Mountain was not actively engaged, it was held in reserve. A few days later at the battle of Antietam, Harland distinguished himself as a brigade commander during the "Final Assault." After the division commander, Brig. General Isaac Rodman was mortally wounded during the attack, Harland took command of the division and led it well. While the attack eventually failed, Harland won enough merit to be promoted to Brig. General on November 29, 1862.

The brigade would see minor action later that year at the Battle of Fredericksburg. While the brigade was moving towards Marye's Heights late in the day, Harland watched Fairchild's brigade suffer from several friendly fire volley incidents. Harland realizing the attack fruitless and daylight almost completely gone ordered his brigade not to advance. In effect saving many lives.

Harland led his brigade during the Siege of Suffolk. After the siege had been raised he was transferred to North Carolina where he would command the Sub-District of Pamlico and later the defenses at New Bern. He remained in New Bern until January of 1865, when he was given command of a brigade under Major General Jacob Cox and led it at the Battle of Wyse Fork.

On June 22, 1865, Harland resigned from the Army and returned home to Norwich where for many years he would become active in the Grand Army of the Republic. He also served in the state legislature, and as the State's Adjutant General. Edward Harland died in Norwich on March 9, 1915. He was buried in Yantic Cemetery, near Norwichtown, Connecticut.