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Honor Col. Strong Vincent on July 8 at the Civil War hero's Erie grave

Tom Hansen
·2 min read

On July 2, 1863, 160 years ago, Colonel Strong Vincent led his brigade to help protect the right flank of the entire Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg.

His actions helped to lead the Army to victory and gained him his promotion to general, but his heroic actions cost him his life. After being mortally wounded at Gettysburg, he died on July 7, 1863.

On July 8, at 11 a.m., we will be honoring his leadership and sacrifice at the battle.

It is important to remember Col. Strong Vincent, as he is one of Erie's most noted citizens, with a school named after him and a bridge that spans the Bayfront Parkway dedicated to him.

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More: Erie native Hans G. Myers' book aims to give Civil War hero Strong Vincent his due

Many people don't know who he was, including alumni from the school.

Col. Strong Vincent, one of the Union Army heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. He was later named a brigadier general.
Col. Strong Vincent, one of the Union Army heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. He was later named a brigadier general.

This event not only helps us remember him and his actions during the Civil War. It helps us to learn what a influential man he was — leading his brigade into battle and into the history books.

The Civil War cost our country nearly 750,000 soldiers. That is almost equivalent to the population of Charlotte, NC.

We cannot change our history from the past. That is why it is up to us to educate ourselves about what really happened.

The grave of Civil War hero, Col. Strong Vincent, is shown July 1, 2021 at the Erie Cemetery.
The grave of Civil War hero, Col. Strong Vincent, is shown July 1, 2021 at the Erie Cemetery.

I have portrayed Col. Vincent since 2011 and have been a Civil War re-enactor since 2001.

Throughout the years, there has been a ceremony at his grave, most notably, 10 years ago, at the 150th anniversary of the battle and his death. I have spoken at his grave at each ceremony since 2003.

How I started portraying Col. Strong Vincent

I began portraying him after people noticed the resemblance I bear to him. I was speaking to a bunch of high school kids and I was told that when I talked about Col. Strong Vincent and gave his famous Gettysburg rally cry, "Don't give an inch boys! Don't give an inch!" people got goosebumps. They said I have his look and I should try and portray him. After getting the uniform and several years of studying him, I have refined my speech and I feel like I am Col. Vincent when I put on that uniform.

At the ceremony on Saturday, we will have some speakers, a prayer of rededication, re-enactors with rifle and cannon fire, and to finish, a representative of "Taps Across America," will play the haunting military bugle song "Taps."

Please feel free to join us at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8th at Col. Strong Vincent's grave in the Erie Cemetery and help us to remember one of Erie's heroes!

"Don't give an inch!"

Tom Hansen, of Corry, has been a military re-enactor for 22 years in an artillery unit and infantry, portraying Col. Strong Vincent for the last 12 years. He has also toured the cemeteries in the Corry area to record as many Civil War veterans' graves as he could find. He has served as a certified Little League Baseball umpire for 35 years and works at the Erie Home Depot.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Cemetery ceremony will honor Col. Strong Vincent on July 8