The 27th RegimentConnecticut Volunteer Infantry is a Civil War re-enactment group based in Connecticut. The group began in 1990 when a few experienced re-enactors from New Haven County decided that they would band together and re-create a Civil War Regiment from their part of the state.

The original 27th was raised in the late summer of 1862 in answer to President Abraham Lincoln's nationwide call for Volunteers to serve nine months.

This nine-month enlistment, unlike the usual three-year enlistments, induced many older, married men to answer the call. This is evident by the fact that the average age of the 27th Connecticut was 27 years old, about six years older than the average age of Union soldiers in general.

In its nine months of service, the 27th fought in the three biggest battles in the eastern theatre of the war. First at Fredericksburg, Va., in December of 1862 where they lost 110 men killed, wounded and captured. Their second battle was Chancellorsville, Va., on May 1, 2 and 3, 1863. On May 3rd, eight out of 10 companies making up the 27th were captured after fighting a fierce delaying action holding back Rebel forces so the Union army could reorganize itself. Finally, the 27th embarked on their last campaign which culminated with the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. Here, in the late afternoon of July 2nd, the 27th entered the battle with a total of only 75 men out of the original 829 who had joined just nine months earlier. In the portion of the battle known as "The Wheatfield," 35 men were killed, wounded or captured.

On July 18, 1863, what was left of the 27th was released from the Army of the Potomac and sent back to New Haven to be discharged. On the way home to Connecticut, they were reunited with 279 men who were captured at Chancellorsville, and had been paroled by the Rebels.

The Regiment passed into history on July 27, 1863. In its nine months of service the Regiment lost 533 men who were killed, wounded, captured, died of disease, etc… out of 829 enrolled.

The present-day 27th Connecticut Volunteers has quickly grown to be one of the largest re-enactment groups in New England. Aside from participating in all the major re-enactments in Connecticut and in several eastern states, members of the 27th have also spent time working for Turner Productions on the Motion Pictures "Gettysburg," "Andersonville," and "Gods and Generals."

Among some of the 27th's other accomplishments are working with A&E Cable Network on their documentary series "Civil War Journal," and modeling for the first-day issue envelopes of the U.S. Postage stamp Civil War series. A number of members have also posed for renowned Civil War artist Don Troiani, of Southbury, Conn.

The 27th is also proud of the fact that during the course of a typical year they participate in Living History demonstrations throughout New England, and speak in many Schools, Historical Societies, and Clubs. In so doing they keep alive the memory of the brave men they represent.