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HEBRON — Peter Hammond, of Norway, recently spoke to the Hebron Historical Society about the daily living conditions of Civil War Union soldiers.
Hammond spoke at the May meeting of the society, covering all aspects of their encampments, including clothing, equipment, food and medical facilities. Upon 
enlistment, each soldier was issued just one set of clothing, which had to be used continuously in all temperatures and weather conditions. This included wool socks, a wool shirt and an overcoat. Each soldier had to carry about fifty pounds of equipment and personal items.
Hammond detailed the graphic reality of the soldiers’ living conditions. Local streams and ponds were often used for drinking water and washing with total disregard for sanitary practices. A main food staple was a “hardtack” biscuit to supplement soups/stews provided. Medical assistance to soldiers was mainly limited to wounds to their extremities and amputations accounted for about 75% of surgeries in the field and these had a nearly 70% success rate.
Considering the difficult living conditions, some soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor just for re-enlisting at the end of their scheduled service.
On Tuesday, July 26, the historical society, in a special program with the Minot Historical Society, will host author Mark Alan Leslie talking about the Ku Klux Klan proliferation in Maine in the 1920s, based on his novel, “The Crossing.” It will be at 7 p.m. at the West Minot Grange Hall, 186 West Minot Road, Minot.
The rest of the Hebron Historical Society’s upcoming schedule includes:
June 14, Board of Directors meeting, 4 p.m., Hebron Town Office.
June 28, Membership meeting and election of directors, 7 p.m., Hebron Town Office.
July 12, Board of Directors meeting,4 p.m., Hebron Town Office.
PHOTO: Peter Hammond speaks to the Hebron Historical Society at its may meeting.(Submitted photo)
