He Wore the Blue, I Bear the Story: Martin Swick’s Civil War Journey

Schedule

Sat Aug 15 2026 at 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm

UTC-04:00
Location

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden | Alexandria, VA

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Learn the story of Martin Swick, a Civil War soldier who died in the Lee-Fendall House, told by his descendant, Brent Reidenbach.
About this Event

The Lee-Fendall House Museum operated as the Grosvenor Branch Hospital between 1863 and 1865. While the hospital treated about one thousand patients during those two years, 100 of those men died - including Private Martin Swick of the 126th Ohio & Private James Luman of the 122nd Ohio Infantry. Learn of Martin's personal life through his service during the American Civil War to his passing from his wounds all told by his distant descendant, Brent Reidenbach. Brent will also discuss his recently discovered findings on Private Luman's life and death at the Grosvenor Branch Hospital.

Brent Reidenbach was born and raised in west-central Ohio. Brent joined the military in 1993 and spent the next 11 years on active duty and 3 in the Virginia National Guard. Reidenbach then became a Department of Defense employee in 2004 and currently works at Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico. Brent has a passion for military history, specifically the Civil War. During a visit with his father in the summer of 1989, he visited the monument to the 126th Ohio and read Martin's name for the first time. After returning to the US from Germany around 2001, he began a search into Martin to determine how the two men are related. That research has led him to multiple discoveries over the years to include how Brent is related to Martin as well as identifying various locations associated with Martin's service. Through his research, Brent has also discovered connections to two other soldiers who served during the Civil War: John Wesley Swick of the 66th Illinois (Birge's Western Sharpshooters)and Benjamin Fisher of the 99th Ohio.

Tickets are $15 to the general public and free for museum members. Members please call at (703) 548-1789 to reserve your tickets. It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance as space is limited.

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Where is it happening?

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 17.85

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Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
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