The first bible in this group is an 1862 pocket testament in very good condition. The volume has hardcovers wrapped in brown cloth with an embossed scrollwork design throughout and “TESTAMENT” done in gold on the spine. Inside the front cover is a period pencil inscription that reads “PRESENTED TO GEORGE A. HUBBARD BY HIS FELOW FRIEND CHAPLAIN STEAVENS.” The next page is also inscribed in period ink “GEO. A. HUBBARD 14 REGT. CT. V. CO.B MIDDLETOWN, CONNECT.” There is another inscription in period pencil on the opposite page that reads “THOMAS GLEASON COMPANY B 14 REGIMENT OF CONNCECT. (??) OF MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT 1863.”

The second Bible in the group is a little larger in size and contains both the Old and New Testaments. It was printed by the American Bible Society in 1857. The exterior covers are worn but are holding together well. There is a broken brass clasp on the edge. Corners of the cover are bumped. Page edges have a worn gold surface. Inside the front cover in pencil is “HUBBARD MIDDLETOWN” and “A. B. HUBBARD, WATERBURY.” The opposite page has a period ink inscription that reads “FATHER DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANUARY 18^TH, 1863 VERY HAPPY IN THE LORD.” Below this in period pencil is “RELIC OF MR. CULLISONS RAID, MIDDLEFIELD 1864.” Just inside the back cover is “PLEASE RETURN-CHAS. J. HUBBARD, FARM HILL.”

The 14^th Connecticut holds the distinction of being the only regiment from the state to remain with the Army of the Potomac from Antietam through Appomattox. The regiment was part of the 2^nd Corps and played a part in all the major engagements of that Corps from 1862 to the wars end.

George A. Hubbard was born on December 26, 1841. He was living in Middletown when he enlisted as a Sergeant in Company B, 14^th Connecticut Volunteers on August 20, 1862. He was stunned by a shell at Fredericksburg and was wounded in the arm during Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg. On January 4, 1864 he was reduced to the rank of Private due to illness. While recovering from this illness he returned to Middletown and was married. Private Hubbard was mustered out on May 31, 1865. After the war he remained in Middletown where he raised a family. He died there on October 17, 1915.

Not much is known about Thomas Gleason. He was born in Ireland in 1844 and was working as a painter in Middletown when he enlisted as a Private in Company B, 14^th Connecticut Volunteers on August 5, 1862. Gleason served throughout the regiment’s service until the Wilderness where he was wounded in the leg on May 6, 1864. The record states the he deserted on April 18, 1865. Most likely he was still recovering from his wound when Lee surrendered and never reported back to the regiment but further research is needed.

Chaplain Henry S. Stevens who presented the pocket testament to George Hubbard was appointed Chaplain of the 14^th Connecticut on August 21, 1862 and remained with the regiment until he was discharged on December 22, 1863.

It is thought that Hubbard received the small testament from Chaplain Stevens and then passed the Bible on to Gleason when he was wounded at Gettysburg. The date of “1863” below Gleason’s name leads to this assumption. The larger Bible is from George Hubbard’s family. The Charles J. mentioned in the back was George’s brother and the A. B. Hubbard mentioned in the front was George’s nephew and the son of Charles J. As of this date nothing in known about the “CULLISON’S RAID” mentioned in the front of the book.

This little book went through some of the hardest battles of the war with two brave soldiers of the Nutmeg States most famous regiment.

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