Catlin Civil War draft register,1862

Catlin held two draft registration drives in 1862 and 1864. (courtesy of the Catlin town historian)

The Record of Officers, Soldiers and Seamen, Composing the Quotas of the Troops Furnished to the United States by the Town of Catlin, 1865 (courtesy of the Catlin town historian)

Page from the Record of Officers, Soldiers and Seamen, 1865 (courtesy of the Catlin town historian) This ledger contains information on those from Catlin who served during the Civil War. It includes birthdates and places, names of parents, enrollment and muster dates, bounties paid, and service information such as promotions and wounds received.

Blanket carried during the Civil War

This wool blanket carried by Frederick A. Matthews of Catlin carried this blanket during the civil war. He was living with his parents on a farm in Catlin when the Civil War began. He ran away and tried to enlist but his father paid to have him brought home because he was just a teenager. He officially enlisted in the 89th New York Infantry in March 1864. In September, he was promoted to corporal. Matthews was discharged from service on August 3, 1865 and returned to Catlin.

Exclusionary flag, 1862-1863

The number of stars on a Civil War-era exclusionary flag represented the number of states that remained in the union. After the war, this flag was flown at the Soldiers and Sailors Reunion picnics honoring local veterans held at Palmer’s Grove in Catlin from 1882 to 1915. (courtesy of the Catlin town historian)

Picnic drawing by Eva Kimble, 1915

Each year from 1882 to 1915, Catlin’s Civil War veterans and their families gathered for the Soldiers, Sailors & Citizens picnic at Palmer’s Grove, also known as the Picnic Woods. They spent the day enjoying music played by local bands, speakers, and a picnic dinner. The annual event was canceled in 1916 because of an outbreak of polio and was never held again. (Image courtesy of the Catlin town historian)