Virtual Trivia · Archive

Question 30: A Lasting Legacy

What is the legacy of the Civil War? Mathew Warshauer, in his book Connecticut in the American Civil War, writes that after the Civil war, Americans confronted the largest postwar adjustment in history, even to this day. The outcome of the Civil War resulted in a strengthening of U.S. foreign power and influence, as the […]

Question 29: A Job to Do

Match these names with their occupation: Eddie Pickett William Buckingham Ned Armstrong Rose Greenhow Underground Railroad Station Master Soldier Spy Governor   Before enlisting, Eddie Pickett had been a painter in his father's woodworking shop. Rufus 'Boss' Pickett's Cabinet Shop was known for making high-quality furniture that was sold in both Ridgefield and in larger […]

Question 28: First Casualty of War

"Explosion of the Gun Whilst Saluting the U.S. Flag at Fort Sumter." From a sketch by B.S. Osborn, Special Correspondent of the "World." Illustration from New York Illustrated News, May 4, 1861, The first Ridgefield casualty was Joseph Hawkins, but he was not killed in battle. How did he die? Choked on a piece of […]

BONUS Question: Blamed for the Failure

As today is the 244th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield, we also have a bonus (off-theme) Battle of Ridgefield trivia question. Gold Sellek Silliman Of the generals who participated in the Battle of Ridgefield, which one considered retiring after the battle? Israel Putnam David Wooster Gold Silliman Benedict Arnold   The fault was not […]

Question 27: A Happy Birthday

Painting of Ulysses S. Grant's birthplace in Point Pleasant, OH. Which Civil War leader was born 199 years ago today, April 27, 1822. (On what was also the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield.) Robert E. Lee Ambrose Burnside Abner Doubleday Ulysses S. Grant Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, the eldest child […]

Question 26: The Most Violent Insurrection

Harper's Weekly illustration of the draft process. On July 14, 1863, Anna Marie wrote of an event where there were 12,000 men with various weapons setting fires to a building, destroying the Colored Orphan Asylum, burning two houses and a block of stores. What event was she describing? New York City Draft Riots On Saturday, […]

Question 25: Keep the Home Fires Burning

"Six and Eighty-Six Knitting for the Soldiers" etching from The Tribute Book by Frank Goodrich, published 1865. Goodrich was the son of author Samuel G. Goodrich of Ridgefield, aka Peter Parley. While the soldiers were fighting, which of the following were the people at home NOT doing? Paying a town bounty of $200 for the […]

Question 24: Pass/Fail

"The Connecticut Election" Hartford Daily Courant, October 5, 1865.   In the spring of 1865, the General Assembly passed an amendment to the state constitution removing the word “white” in determining who vote. Was this change accepted or rejected by the voters? Rejected     The change was overwhelmingly rejected by Connecticut voters, and it […]

Question 23: Soldier’s Heart

Dr. Jacob Da Costa identified what he called "Irritable Heart," a diagnosis that affected many Civil War soldiers and was similar to what modern physicians would call PTSD. After he returned home, Henry Parsons of Georgetown, Connecticut, who served in Company E of the 23rd Regiment, would not do something. What was it? Sleep in […]

Question 22: The Funeral of Christopher Olmstead

Patients in Harewood General Hospital, a purpose built pavilion-style hospital. Though not entirely sure why, it was discovered that patients had better outcomes in well-ventilated hospitals. On November 16, 1862, Anna Marie wrote in her journal of the funeral of Christopher Olmsted. Christopher was a member of the 17th Connecticut Regiment. What caused his death? […]