Pensions, Retirement and Old Age

Don Wickman, a local historian and civil war expert, will discuss his work in a March 17 research-in-progress seminar sponsored by the Center for Research on Vermont. Wickmans talk, "'We Are Coming Father Abra'am:' Writing a History of the 9th Vermont Regiment in the Civil War, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Lounge, Waterman Building.

When the 9th Vermont Regiment marched down Broadway in New York City in July 1862, the local press proclaimed it as the first regiment to answer President Lincoln's call for 300,000 volunteers. Two months later the Vermonters found themselves part of the Union garrison surrendered at Harpers Ferry. During the remaining three and a half years of their service, the regiment constantly worked towards the removal of that blemish on their record.

Wickman will describe the experience of writing the history of the regiment, intermixed with portions of the 9th Vermont story. He will explain why this history is not limited to the tale of one unit but rather encompasses those of the 1,878 men who served in its ranks and experienced the soldier's life as the 9th Vermont became one of the most traveled federal infantry regiments.

Wickman is a Vermont historian and author. He is the editor and compiler of the two-volume Letters to Vermont: From Her Civil War Soldier Correspondents to the Home Press and has written a large number of historical features for the Rutland Herald. He is recognized as the regional authority on the American Revolution site of Mount Independence in Orwell, Vt., and currently serves as the historical consultant for the Vermont Civil War Preservation Project.

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