MANCHESTER, Conn. — At Wickham Park in Manchester Sunday, history repeated itself to tell a story of American division that reenactors say is more important than ever.

A battle of brothers came alive during the Civil War Weekend event, where reenactors brought the past into the present for hundreds of visitors.

Tom Connell, commander of the Confederates in New England Military Command, acknowledged the difficult nature of reenacting such a violent time.

Connell said, “A lot of people are like, 'Why would you want to recreate death?'”

But for Connell and many others, the reenactment serves a deeper purpose.

“When people come out and see the battles and see people falling. It’s driving home a point. This is something we don’t want to ever happen again,” he added.

Dan Hayden, director

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