served, with 21 fatalities. Derby sent about 570 men to the front, with 62 fatalities.
    When the Civil War broke out at Fort Sumter, Connecticut residents did not believe it would last long. Their reaction to President Lincoln's first call for one regiment was strong and swift. The state legislature was not in session, but Governor William A. Buckingham called for volunteers. Buckingham, who was the head of a prosperous Norwich firm, pledged his own funds for equipment for the volunteers. The regiment was quickly filled with Connecticut volunteers. It was the one volunteer regiment from the entire Union force which came off the field of Bull Run in good order, largely due to the well outfitted condition of the regiment.
    The citizens were just as generous in their support as was their governor. Within just two weeks, three regiments were enrolled. Five times the quota signed up for the services. Keen disappointment was expressed by many who could not be accepted. The price ran as high as $50 for a place in the ranks.
    The interest was so strong that the Governor arranged with the federal government to accept two more regiments. He agreed they would enlist for three years. Even with a three-year enlistment, 24 companies had to be disbanded - with more than 2,000 eager volunteers unable to have the opportunity to serve at that time.
    The men and women of this area were active in the war effort. There was a segment of the Fifth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Company E, which comprised mainly of Seymour men. One of the diaries of Civil War soldiers made the following note:
    "Company E, Captain J. G. Beckwith, arrived May 17th, brilliant in red shirts, looking for all the world like a company of visiting firemen."
    The shirts had been made by area women for the use of company men.
    However, what most thought to be a brief emergency was to continue four long years. During that time, all those who wanted to volunteer had their chance to serve. And there was need for even more men, so that drafting measures were employed in the state.
    In a Derby town meeting of October, 1861, resolutions were passed to aid the war effort. The local treasury was instructed