Thoughts about Oliver Case on Independence Day

“…we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”                        From The Gettysburg Address, given by President Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863.

I wish I knew more about Oliver Cromwell Case, Private, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but I don’t. This I do know…he was among over 600,000 Americans killed by other Americans between 1861 and 1865 in order to determine the real meaning of July 4, 1776. The southern states saw it as a second war for independence. The north saw it as necessary to preserve the Union. The fact is, as stated by President Lincoln, brave men consecrated the battlefields of the war far beyond anyone’s “power to add or detract” from their sacrifice.

Thank you, Private Case.

8th Connecticut Infantry Monument at the Antietam Battlefield

8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment Monument at the Antietam Battlefield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Oliver Case was killed near this spot on September 17, 1862. This was the “high water mark” for Union forces at the battle of Antietam. The 8th was alone fighting the Confederates as the remainder of Harland’s Brigade had failed to advance beyond the 40-acre cornfield.