The smallest state to defend the Union and one far from the battlefront, Rhode Island’s stories of the Civil War are often overlooked. The Newport Historical Society will host the lecture Hidden History of Rhode Island and the Civil War with author Frank Grzyb to discuss some of these stories on February 6, 2014 at 5:30pm.
Civil War tales from the Ocean State are fascinating if little-known, from the city of Newport’s role as the temporary headquarters for the U.S. Naval Academy to a female openly serviing as a soldier in a Rhode Island infantry regiment. Few realize that John Wilkes Booth visited Newport to meet his supposed fiancée just nine days before he assassinated President Lincoln. The state also contributed several high-ranking officers to the Union effort and, more surprisingly, two prominent officers to the Confederacy. Frank L. Grzyb will investigate Rhode Island’s rich Civil War history during this talk.
Frank is a decorated army veteran from the Vietnam War having earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal. After working for a government research and development laboratory as a Personnel Management Advisor, Frank retired and pursued his passion for writing. He has authored four books including Rhode Island’s Civil War Hospital: Life and Death at Portsmouth Grove 1862-1865.This program takes place at the Colony House on Washington Square. Admission costs $5 per person, $1 for NHS members. Please RSVP to 401-841-8770.
