Private Lucius Fox (Company I)

I found and purchased this image of Private Fox off of eBay a few months ago. It isn't everyday that you find something on there related to the 8th Connecticut that's affordable. So I almost had to buy it. I'm still looking for my g-g-g grandfather who served in Company G. If anyone sees anything belonging to a Michael Farley, please let me know.

Lucius Fox enlisted as a Private on September 27, 1861 in the small town of Washington, Connecticut. Washington is located in the northwestern hills of Litchfield County. Fox was one of twelve Washington men who served in the 8th Connecticut during the course of the war. Eleven served in Company I and one served in Company E. Company I was basically a company made up of Litchfield County men.

When Fox enlisted he signed up to serve three years. When the opportunity came to re-enlist as veterans in the winter of 1863, Fox declined. He finished his three year term on September 26, 1864 when he was mustered out.

Private William S. Reed (1861-1864)

I wandered into Preston City at around 6:00pm last night (April 7) after having some time to kill before my class at 7:00pm. As I drove into the center of town, I saw a cemetery to my left up on a hill. So I decided to check it out and see what I could find. Well I found not one but two members of Company G buried there. Phineas Davis and William Reed. But for today's post, we'll focus just on Reed.


William S. Reed resided in Preston City, Connecticut when the was broke out in 1861. At age 31, he enlisted for three years service on September 30, 1861 and was mustered into Company G, the "Stonington Company" that same day. He went on to serve at places such as New Berne, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Port Walthall Junction, Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. He was mustered out of the army on September 20, 1864, just a few days before the attack on Fort Harrison.

He died on May 19, 1905 at the age of 72. He was buried at Preston City Cemetery in Preston, Connecticut.

If you wish to visit Reed's grave today, its pretty easy to find. If you enter the cemetery at the main gate off of Shetucket Turnpike (Rt. 165), the grave is located just off to the left at the bottom of the hill. You're not able to drive to the grave, you'll have to walk up to it.

The National Colors

I wanted to apologize to my readers for taking such a long break. Graduate school has taken up quite a bit of my time. Now that the semester is winding down, I have a little bit more free time on my hands.

Today, I wanted to write very briefly on the present status of the 8th Connecticut's National Colors.

Thankfully the colors of the 8th Connecticut have been preserved and are on permanent display at the Connecticut State Capitol, located in the Hall of Flags. Two of their national colors are on display here. Also, nearby is their state colors. (Those will be shown in a later post.)

If you are looking for one of the regimental colors carried by any Connecticut unit, this would be the first place I'd look for them.

I apologize for the quality of the picture below. I think I might have to make another trip down there soon to try and get a better shot. When I do I will post it on here.

The Eighth Connecticut's National Colors, the one they carried at Antietam, is the one on the far left.