Windham – For its final meeting before the summer break, the Windham Historical Society presents a free talk from local historian George Belden, who will speak on “Windham in the Civil War” on Monday, April 18, at the Windham American Legion, Post 674.
Using the 1866 monument on the village green as his starting point, Belden compiled a list of every Windham boy who gave his life for the Union cause. He then began researching each of them, following him from the day he enlisted until he made the ultimate sacrifice.
Windham soldiers fought at Shiloh, had a heated battle with Morgan’s Raiders, collided with Indians in Kansas, helped Sherman burn Atlanta, marched with James A Garfield, and endured the horrors of Andersonville Prison.
Belden will also tell the story of Major Laurin Woodworth, the only Civil War commander to come from Windham, who later went on to serve several terms in the United States House of Representatives.
Rare pictures of actual artifacts associated with the Windham soldiers will make this talk a visual and oral treat.
Belden’s talk marks a starting point for the Windham Bicentennial, which will culminate with an epic four-day festival on the Township green in the village the last weekend of July.
This meeting is co-sponsored and hosted by the Windham American Legion, Post 674, located at the eastern village limits on Route 303.
Doors open at 6:30, with the talk commencing at 7 PM. The free talk is open to the public of all ages.
For further information, please contact Society president Lynnea St John at 330-326-6061, or lynnya45@yahoo.com .
