The New Jersey Civil War History Association will lead a tribute to soldiers who died in the Civil War.
By: Josh Appelbaum
A local living-history group will pay tribute Monday to soldiers from the Cranbury area who fought and died in the Civil War.
The New Jersey Civil War History Association will lead a wreath-laying ceremony at a monument to the 14th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers Company H, located behind the First Presbyterian Church, at 11 a.m. Monday. Company H comprised men from Cranbury and surrounding areas.
The ceremony will precede the Cranbury Lions Club Memorial Day parade, which will begin at 1 p.m. on South Main Street at Station Road. The parade will feature local veterans, a marching band, decorated bicycles, antique cars, floats and local organizations, as well as an appearance by the Company H re-enactors.
The history association portrays the members of the company, which at the battle of Monocacy outside Frederick, Md., delayed Confederate troops enough to prevent them from invading Washington, D.C., in July 1864.
Bob Bisaccio, president of the association, said he hopes the community will come out to the event to pay tribute to all soldiers of wars.
The ceremony will focus on Company H, and all members of the association portraying the soldiers will be on hand to honor them.
"We will be doing roll call, fire volley, play period music on pipe and drums," said Mr. Bisaccio, who portrays Corp. Charles Sherman. "We will also have guest speakers."
Mayor Becky Beauregard will be one of those speakers, along with members of the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society and the Lions Club.
This is the fourth consecutive year Company H re-enactors have presided over the wreath-laying ceremony. Mr. Bisaccio said the ceremony began about 10 years ago, but has not always been well attended.
"The problem is that word never gets out," Mr. Bisaccio said. "Hopefully the town will come out to partake in this."
Mr. Bisaccio characterizes the battle of Monocacy as the finest moment of men from Cranbury.
"Monocacy was one of the pivotal battles of the war, especially for the 14 Regiment," he said.
He said the group will use proceeds from re-enactments to rededicate a monument to Company H at Monocacy National Battlefield on July 7, 2007, the 100th anniversary of the erection of the original monument.
Monday’s ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church will pay tribute to about 25 members of Company H, most of whom are buried near the monument.
Mr. Bisaccio said he looks forward to the opportunity to honor the patriots of Company H each year.
"It’s really a wonderful event," he said. "It’s a very moving experience."
The following roads will be closed for the annual Memorial Day parade, according to the Cranbury police:
At 12:30 p.m., South Main Street between Station and Old Trenton roads. Cranbury Neck Road between South Main Street and Wynnewood Drive. All of Symmes Court.
At 12:50 p.m., North Main Street, Plainsboro Road, Maplewood Avenue, Park Place East and West, Westminster Place, Scott Avenue and School House Lane.

