Sept. 3, 2025, 7:00 pm
Gates Hall, 4107 Lake Road, Pultneyville, NY

As the new school year begins, the Williamson-Pultneyville Historical Society (W-PHS)  will step back in time as its program season begins with a Civil War Program. The title of David Malgee’s captivating presentation at the September 3rd (W-PHS) Program is “Too Brave a Man to Live: The life and death of Col. Eliakim Sherrill, an area American Civil War soldier.”

Although Sherrill was a humble tanner, farmer and hometown hero of note, he was also a U.S. Congressman, New York State Senator and Colonel of the 126th New York Infantry. While mortally wounded at Gettysburg, he remains something of a footnote in history. Malgee will speak on Sherrill’s private and public life, as well as his short military career, which ended at Gettysburg on July 4, 1863.

Sherrill was a resident of Geneva, NY at the time of his death. During his 12-month tenure in the army, he was seriously wounded in the face yet returned to command his regiment only to be placed in command of the Union brigade known as the “Harper’s Ferry Cowards.”  Sherrill was placed under arrest by General Hancock on July 2, at Gettysburg, and restored to brigade command just in time to be mortally wounded during Pickett’s Charge.

Malgee, a noted, respected Civil War authority and collector will also display a number of Col. Sherrill’s personal items at the September 3rd program, including his uniform, saddle blanket and various accoutrements that he wore during the Gettysburg Campaign. Mr. Malgee been heavily involved with history and historic preservation with such groups as The Gettysburg Foundation, American Battlefield Trust, National Museum of Civil War Medicine and Adams County Historical Society.

This W-PHS program is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.