Civil War group talks Andersonville

Newton — Come and enjoy the October Meeting of the Colonel Henry Ryerson Civil War Round Table on November 21, 2017, 7:30 pm, at our meeting location at Bristol Glen, 200 Bristol Glen Drive, Newton, New Jersey. Come through the main entrance and the receptionist will direct you to the Town Hall meeting room. Admission is free.
Charles Maraziti of Boonton will present an audio-visual program about a local Civil War hero who survived the notorious Andersonville prison entitled “Corporal Charles F. Hopkins: Andersonville Survivor, Medal of Honor Recipient, Boonton Resident.”
The program will focus on Maraziti’s ancestor, Charles Fern Hopkins, a Civil War veteran from Boonton who served under General Philip Kearny with the First New Jersey Brigade. Hopkins survived battles only to be captured and incarcerated in Andersonville Prison in Georgia, from which he managed to escape twice.
Hopkins is also a recognized hero of the “Underground Railroad,” helping to transport runaway slaves to freedom in the north. Following the War, he served as Boonton’s mayor and in various other civil capacities. Maraziti’s presentation will include a display of Hopkin’s Medal of Honor certificate, his ceremonial sword, and other historical items.
Charles Maraziti (named after Charles Hopkins), has been a Boonton/Boonton Township resident his entire life. He became interested in the history of his ancestor at an early age when his mother told him stories about her grandfather. When he retired from banking he started giving presentations about Hopkins’ life to historical societies, museums, Civil War organizations, and library groups.
The Colonel Henry Ryerson Civil War Round Table provides educational programs, tours, and fellowship for individuals interested in the Civil War Era. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information please call Jennifer at 973-948-4724 during the day, or check out the Round Table’s website at www.ryersoncwrt.com