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Community Corner

To Arms! To Arms! The Civil War Comes to Sayville

Islip Grange hosts a Civil War re-enactment over the weekend.

The sound of musketry and the smell of gunpowder filled the air last weekend as Long Island’s own 67th New York Volunteer Infantry, along with their friends from the 14th Brooklyn Hospital unit and the 9th and 30th Virginia Infantries, CSA hosted a Civil War encampment and mock battle on the grounds of the located on Broadway Avenue in Sayville.

The soldiers camped on the grounds throughout the weekend in period style tents. In addition to the soldiers, many women were also dressed as villagers in period clothes. To lend an air of authenticity, there was also a blacksmith on hand, carriage rides were available, and a band from the Old Bethpage Village Restoration playing period music. Together, you could not help but feel as if you stepped back into the Civil War era.

was given by the men of the 67th and the 9th and 30th Virginia Infantries. The “Rebs” invaded old Sayville, much to the consternation of the villagers. As the Rebels took up positions in and around the Tuthill House, scouts from the 67th retreated back to the main unit to warn of the invasion.

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The 67th soon struck back as a mock battle ensued in the field north of the Tuthill House. After several rounds of volley fire from both sides, the rebels eventually retreated back to the house, where an urban battle (Civil War style) in the streets of the tiny community developed.

The fire from the rifles was loud and smoky, and many in the crowd could not believe how noisy the battle became as they watched the fighting unfold right beneath their eyes. Thankfully, the men from the 67th saved Sayville and its people from certain disaster.

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The event was sponsored by the Town of Islip and the admission was free. Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan and Councilman Gene Parrington were also in attendance. “The people who came to the Grange this weekend were in for a treat,” said Supervisor Nolan. “It was a beautiful weekend for town residents to learn a bit about their own rich history.”

During the Civil War, the Sayville community sent more than 30 of its young men to fight for the Union Army and Navy. Four of those young men never returned home.

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