By David Kilby, Staff Writer
JAMESBURG – President Abraham Lincoln held a mock press conference detailing the situation in the country right before the Civil War on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall of the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg on Gatzmer Ave.
The Civil War between northern and southern states began at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, April 12, 1861, 150 years ago this year.
The event was sponsored by the Jamesburg Historical Association and was free and open to the public.
President Lincoln was played by Robert Costello of Piscataway, who was queried by members of the audience performing as reporters from newspapers that existed in 1861, such as the New York Herald, The Washington Post and The Jersey Eagle.
”He (Mr. Costello) did an outstanding job,” said Stephen Philpitt, treasurer of the association, who attended the event. “I would say he looks like and sounds like Lincoln.”
”It was interesting,” said Bernie Long, who attended the event. “Abe Lincoln certainly knew his stuff.”
He said Mr. Costello knew his historical facts and was well-versed in the whole historical backdrop.
Some questions given at the press conference included, ‘What was the status of the U.S. forces in 1861 at Fort Sumter’, ‘What was the financial status of the country when Lincoln took office’, and ‘What changes did Lincoln make in government.’
President Lincoln said at the start of the Civil War there were only 16,000 Union army personnel and the army would have to recruit a total of 75,000 in the event of war.
He also took the liberty to say that 2 million Union soldiers would eventually serve in the war.
”There were a lot of questions about what he did to try and stop the war,” said Elliot Stroul, vice president of the association.
He was also asked if there were any African Americans in the army, and he responded not in the Union Army but they did serve in the Union Navy, Mr. Stroul said.
Mr. Stroul played the part of Maj. Alexander Strong and he was accompanied by Dale Borsuk who played Capt. Anderson Slade, chaplain of the Union Army.
Free-will financial donations, and donations of nonperishable food items were accepted to benefit the Deacon’s Food Pantry at the church.
The Jamesburg Historical Association also had memorabilia available for purchase as well.
A reception with light refreshments followed the mock press conference.
The association is a New Jersey not-for-profit organization that works toward education and preservation of Jamesburg’s history and the James Buckelew Mansion on Buckelew Ave., home to the borough’s founder.
Mr. Buckelew built the coach that transported President Lincoln to and from the Trenton train station and statehouse when the president visited New Jersey in 1861.
The next event the association will participate in will be the State History Fair May 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Allaire State Park in Farmingdale.

