Daily Blog

The kids are back in school and I get a breather!

9/10/2017

In keeping the blog as up to date as I can, it seems that several others aspects of my research and other duties are falling far behind.

Thus I have decided to take a two week breather... to deal with some of these pressing matters.

I shall return on Sunday, September 24th with hopefully some exciting news on the Douglas Munro story, a major Ontario development and efforts moving forward on a new memorial in Minnesota.

In the mean time please use the search engine on this site and type in any of the following names to revisit their tales of heroism. Each of these heroes,all Medal of Honor, and Victoria Cross men were either born or died in the last or next week of this month, at some point in history. or failing that, performed their bravery on a date in that span of time, or awarded their medal in that span of time.

Medal of Honor recipients... James Allen, Charles Asten, Frank Bois, Robert F Dodd, John Everetts, James Flannigan, Phillip Moore and Charles MacGillivary.

Victoria Cross recipients... Billy Bishop, Leo Clarke, Alexander Dunn, Joseph Kaeble, John Kerr, Phillip Konowal, Thain McDowell, Claude Nunney, John Patterson, Frederick Peters, Herbert Reade and Arthur Richardson.

I hope you will take some time to review a few of these stories.

cheers,
Bart

We are a nation of immigrants. This importance can not be understated!

9/4/2017

How timely a message for all of us across North America!

It was from Farnham, in Canada East, way back in July 1843 that Alonzo Pickle was born. A city today, but a mere village in those days, is and was located about 50 Km south east of Montreal, in what is now known as the province of Quebec.

Alonzo would be one of about 50,000 British North Americans fighting for the cause during the War Between the States. He would earn his keep on the very battlefield of Gettysburg on his 20th birthday. Two years later, he'd earn a Medal of Honor in another famous battle, even though it took the authorities another 30 years to make the award. Unlike many, he actually lived to receive it.

His service to country would be through a most historic unit... The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The very regiment that would be the first ever, in the history of the country and the war, to enlist for the Union cause.

Over 60 others from British North America also served with this regiment. Such service qualifies each and every one of them, and many thousands more, to be among those noted in the title to today's blog.

A past blog told how these men and the rest of the regiment fighting at Gettysburg, according to a past President of the United States, also had a right to claim that they were 'Saviors of the Nation." Powerful words!

I apologize for the poor quality of the image, but it is the best I have located so far, and shows Sgt Alonzo Pickle proudly wearing his Medal of Honor and the Corps Badge of the Army of the Potomac, on its left.

Over the years there were several models of the MOH. This appears to be the "Gillespie" model not used before 1904, and thus he would be aged 61 or over.

While the US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard medal is different than these, the above are for the Army. The Left and right models are in what appear to be their original presentation boxes. Unusual as most of the boxes have disappeared over the years. At the left is the first model used from 1861-1895. At center is the same medal but a different suspension ribbon and used from 1896 till 1903. At right is a new design, the Gillespie model, of the Medal of Honor used from 1904 till 1944.

Note in the box of the third model the small MOH 'knot" to be worn on less formal occasions. Look closely at the above image of Alonzo and it may well be what he is wearing above his Medal of Honor.

Almost 125 years have passed since Alonzo Pickle was awarded his medal. And a month ago on 3 August the US government again recognized this Sergeant and his role as an immigrant in the United States so many years ago. A role that helped to keep his adopted country together, and thus his proper place in the nation's, and Canada's heritage and culture.

About 150 guests, officials and other dignitaries gathered to witness this and two other important events. Each, destined in the years to come, to no doubt become part of American and Canadian heritage as well.

And here was the stage for the three events.

It is called the Marquette Plaza and is located in downtown Minneapolis Minnesota, within the 12 block area of Nicollet Avenue known as the Nicollet Mall. This multi storied commercial tower houses several clients. I think one entire floor is now housed by Homeland Security's local field offices of the United States Customs and Immigration Services. The week long and very busy move back in April, saw the USCIS offices fully up and running by 1 May. On 3 August they had a formal Grand Opening Celebration.

Within this Celebration there was a very impressive Citizenship hearing and swearing in of five new citizens of the United States. At the same event, the ceremony room was going to be dedicated to an immigrant who joined the US military and went to war for his adopted country, gave blood on many a battlefield and came home with a Medal of Honor. And of course that fellow was Quebec born Sergeant Alonzo Pickle.

At... https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/uscis-facilities-dedicated-memory-immigrant-medal-honor-recipients

the USCIS has a web site that briefly notes that for several years they have honoured some of the Medal of Honor recipients who were not born in the US... thus we have immigrants being honoured by the very department dedicated in part, to them.

How incredible appropriate!

The site lists 29, but I think there are a few more. There are at last 2 for Canadians, PEI born Sgt Charles McGillivary in Florida and now of course Quebec's Alonzo Pickle in Minneapolis. The site also notes that there were more than 700 foreign born recipients. The number may be as high as about 750.

The site also says that the facilities at each of these locations are dedicated in the name of those listed. While I think there are a few buildings honouring some of these heroes, I believe it is not the facility, but in fact the ceremony room within the facility, were new citizens are sworn in, that are being so designated.

Regardless, we should all salute the USCIS for recognizing what so many others have not. That a significant number of Non-Americans also earned the nation's most highest of awards for bravery. One in five in the entire history of the medal. It was one in 4 during Civil War days!

This dedicated blogger has been following the Minneapolis story since back in mid April. Initial contacts with USCIS Minneapolis offices included the request to consider having some Canadian input into the dedication services. Because of the move to be made and shaking out the new office, the dedication needed more time to arrange, including any thoughts of Canadian participation.

At the same time I also made contact with authorities at the Canadian Consul General Office in that city. Over the weeks and months many contacts were made with both offices and much information from my research was provided to both, not only on Sgt. Pickle, but the entire story of Canadian involvement with the Medal of Honor. No doubt both often cursed yet another email from Bart on the matters at hand. But soon wonderful news came that Canadian participation was most welcome.

Then came 3 August.

About 150 dignitaries, government officials, bureaucrats, department staff, and guests would gather. They would become witness or participant in the grand opening, and the dedication of a room for a hero. Perhaps of most importance, the day would become the first day of a new life as Americans citizens for five very special people.

Leading up to the Naturalization ceremony, Leslie Tritten would make opening remarks and introduce those participating in the events to follow. Ms. Tritten is the Director of the Minneapolis/St Paul Field Offices of the US Customs and Immigration Service.

In her remarks the Director indicated that the 5 permanent residents of the US, having been investigated, interviewed and approved, live in the area covered by the office, and have evidenced good moral character and are supporters of the principles of the Constitution and forms of government of the United States.

Those gathered heard that Justin Reh from Burma, Regan Greer Birr from Canada, Manasi Ramachandran from India, Javier Sanmiguel from Mexico and Alinasir Ahmed Hussein from Somalia were all being recommended to the court for the administration of the Oath of Allegiance as required by law, so that the applicants can be admitted as Citizens of the United States.

Director Tritten further claimed that... "You are the reason we are here today and it's most fitting that you be a major part of this Grand Opening."

Remarks include the Director's statement that "we are a national of immigrants. This importance cannot be understated. We are a better country for our immigrants and it will be an even better country after our five candidates take the Oath of Allegiance."

She then called upon the attending court officials, under the direction of US District Court Judge Donovan Frank to open his court in that very room to conduct the swearing in ceremony.

The 934th Airlift Wing Colour Guard then sharply marched in and presented the colours for the event. The National emblem was then sung by former officer Melinda Howe, who worked with the Supervisory Immigration Service branch of the USCIS.

Here we see Judge Frank having the 5 new citizens repeating their oath of allegiance. First in line is Justin, then Regan, Manasi, Javier and Alinasir. The new citizens were then handed some paperwork, no doubt including a citizenship certificate that by now is probably prominently displayed in 5 homes in the greater Minneapolis area today.

The court then came to a close and events of the day then turned to the dedicating of the Ceremony Room in the honour of Quebec born Medal of Honor recipient Sgt Alonzo Pickle.

Addressing the new citizens, officials and guests is Khawar Nasim who is our Consul General of Canada, at Minneapolis Minnesota. To his left, and beyond one of the most worldly recognized symbols of immigration, sit Director Leslie Tritten and US District Judge Frank. Just off to his left is a wonderful poster noting the brief history and heroism of Medal of Honor recipient Alonzo Pickle.

Here is the display that will probably be mounted in this very room for all to see in the future. Unfortunately the photographer was unkind to the judge for obvious reasons.

Here is a better image of the lower portion, and somewhat easier to read.

Canadian Consul General Nasim gave thanks for the opportunity to participate in the day's events, an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the deeds of Sgt. Pickle, and congratulated the USCIS on the opening of a new office in Minneapolis. He noted that the Canadian office has operated there for 47 years and stood by to welcome them, to their new neighborhood. He suggested that if the Americans came for neighborly advise, the Canadians would try not to discuss hockey. Hehe.

He congratulated the 5 new citizens, and noted that his office learned of the event through my contacts and had assistance from me with regards to the Pickle history and the more widened history of over well over 100 Canadians, or those with connections to Canada that touch on the story of the Medal of Honor. He even gave the URL of this website in his remarks, which was most appreciated.

The Consul General added that "Alonzo Pickle’s personal history speaks to the incredibly close and numerous bonds between Canadians and Americans and more specifically Canadians and Minnesotans. We have a shared history, familiar culture, and shared values.
Together, we have forged a bilateral relationship that is the envy of the world including:
-- the largest trading relationship in the world. One that is fair and balanced with the US having a slight surplus with Canada;
--a profound commitment to good stewardship of our shared environment; including the iconic Boundary Waters and Great Lakes,
--security cooperation at the border; and our long-standing commitment to protect our North American homeland and address global threats,
- and of course the bonds of family and friends.

We are proud to be here today, honouring the life of one Canadian-American, and offering our congratulations both to the USCIS on your new office opening, and to the new Americans whose naturalization ceremonies we have all been privileged to witness today.

Thank you once again for including us, and welcome to the neighbourhood!

Just prior to the reception open to all, there was a formal Ribbon Cutting for the new offices. Canada's Consul General is at far right. At far left is Director Leslie Tritten and beside her is Judge Frank. I have not obtained any comments from others participating, nor the identity of the three remaining officials in the above picture.

But before moving on, I would like to note that with the Canadian official actually cutting the ribbon of an American office, is this a first for both countries???

On a final note staff at the Canadian Consul General's office at Minneapolis were most helpful in putting me in contact with Regan Birr, shown here.

If you can see the tear in her eye it was while reading the very oath of allegiance that has now made this professional engineer and accomplished competative athlete a US Citizen.

It was a privilege to chat with her on the phone a few days back, though we both wished time was available for a longer chat. But she did have time to say that the citizenship ceremony was the 2nd most important day in her life. Her wedding being the first.

Regan is from Saskatchewan, where her earlier formal educational years also involved a lot of sports, even at the competitive level. She was an accomplished player at Ringettes and softball and was a fierce competitor at the provincials annually as a curler.

After completing her degree program she felt a move to the US might have greater potential in the engineering field... and I suspect a strong and growing interest competing nationally, and FOR THE US... at international events. One she would not be eligible for without citizenship.

An example of her compassion, recognition of service to country, and a heart of gold, can be found in her actions action when the disease of Lupus struck close to home.

She has taken an active advisory and advocacy role in the world of Lupus and even started her own Lupus Research Foundation, and raised thousands to help reach a cure for those inflicted.

I encourage you to take a few minutes right now to visit her site at... http://www.mizunomoves.com/whats-new.shtml and add your support for the work she and her team are doing.

And speaking of teams I want to thank the offices of the USCIS at Minneapolis, and the offices of Canadian Consul General in the same city for keeping me informed as the above ceremonies came closer to fruition, and working with me to see that Canada was indeed on the platform with our friends south of the border for the important events of 3 August, and to further acknowledge with thanks, the supply of much information from both offices and some great pictures as well.

And finally, I am out of words... till Sunday

I always welcome comments at the site, though time and other site problems sometimes make it difficult to acknowledge same.

cheers, again, till Sunday,
Bart

September 03rd, 2017

9/3/2017

A few unexpected issues have eaten up time and prevented today's blog to be competed. It will be done and posted by Wednesday...

Sorry all!

Bart

News on a couple of fronts to share today.

8/27/2017

I seem to never be at a loss for bringing news stories to the blog. I am working on several as I write and even more are bubbling away on my stove.Thus justifying why it never gets cleaned. Today's deal with recent headlines on the net and in the press.

The first story involves the very regularly repeated statement in the press that the current, seemingly never ending War in Afghanistan is the longest war in US history. While it certainly seems never ending, it was going on for over 2 decades before the US had boots on the ground starting some 17 years ago. The last three supposedly as non combatants.

But the US was at war for a much longer period many years before that. And they'd even been at it since back in the mid 1700's in their push for more land.

Ask any native American historian and he or she can tell you about those battles. And no doubt they will give you an earful about how they,. and the white man each lost over 20,000 warriors between about 1840 and 1890 in the Indian Wars.

A period somewhat longer than 17 years!

And a period that saw over 70,000 combatants in well over 1400 battles and skirmishes. Complete with atrocities ON BOTH SIDES.

Like so many things in history, when we talk about the horrendous situation in Afghanistan, and years of taking its toll, let's not forget the seemingly forgotten white man's battle with the natives for their own purposes.The above map shows just a few of those battles and the white man's encroachment on those lands over many decades.

Regular blog readers will recall the stories here about the very first Medal of Honor, by date of deed, and how it went went to an Irishman, for bravery in battle... with the natives.

Moving along, the second story is about recent press regarding the demand by the people of Virginia to have returned a Civil War battle flag held by the people of Minnesota. Above is the very battle flag and it belonged to the Confederates' 28th Virginia Infantry.

During the 3rd day of battle at Gettysburg the First Minnesota captured the flag from the Confederates and their state has held it ever since Civil War days, despite the oft repeated demand, request and even a guise to just let them borrow it back for awhile.

The First Mn. as told in many blogs of late lost about 275 men on the Gettysburg battlefield on the 2nd and 3rd days of battle. The captured flag was one of the trophies of those horrendous days and they, nor their state of late have no intentions to give it up.

Back in 1887, some 2 decades and more, after the war ended, there were several requests from Southern states to have their flags returned. Some got them, while others did not. In April of that year the Adjutant General, with support from the Secretary of War, appealed to the President for support on the flags being returned. He argued that flags at DC were collecting dust and ought to be returned. The president was not initially against the idea, and somehow it got out that approval was given to make it happen. Trouble is, firstly, all flags were not being discussed, just those at DC, and not saying no, does not mean yes.

Word was sent to all state officials saying they could be released. Then The Grand Army of the Republic and others created such a stir that it probably played a role in the President not getting re-elected. But he ordered that all efforts to return the flags cease.

Union officials for the most part argued that the flag would cause too much discontent back in original states. They represented such grief for the horrors of years gone by, and the nation had healed. Returning them would only reignite the fires of days past.

Even the former President of the Confederacy agreed with the President of the United States in 1887. Here's what he had to say in a Ohio Paper in July of that year...

In a column full of short tidbits of news, Davis is quoted in the last paragraph. The battle would last another 100 years and more, one side demanding actions to get it, governors of Virginia and Minnesota agreeing to disagree on who is entitled to the historic flag. Various officials saying it must be returned and as many say it must not. To this day the Civil War seems to still be alive but confined to a drawer at the Minnesota Historic Society's premises where the precious treasure that many men fought and died for, has been preserved and awaiting the next demand regarding ownership.

A very exciting story about preserving the history of both the Canadians and the Americans will appear in this space next Sunday. It is the culmination of a lot of very hard and dedicated work and I hope you will join me to learn about it next Sunday.

Till then,
Cheers,
Bart

More on the Recognition due the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry for their Civil War Bravery!

8/16/2017

Last Sunday's blog briefly described the suicide mission the regiment was ordered to take in the dreadful Gettysburg battle of 2 July 1863. The men were forced to charge downhill into an enemy five times their numbers. All this in order to gain a few minutes time until more reinforcements could arrive to save the day.

Well folks, the First Minnesota not only saved the battle, but in the eyes of many, they actually saved the Union Army and the nation.

None other than President Calvin Coolidge said in 1928 that... "So far as human judgement can determine, Colonel Colvill and the eight companies of the First Minnesota are entitled to rank as saviors of their country."

It is difficult to imagine these 262 heroes getting a higher praise from any authority. The 262 marched, then ran and then charged into the valley of death, taking fire from three sides. Cannons on the left, cannons on the right, cannons in front of them... you probably remember the poem, from another day many decades earlier. 262 went into Gettysburg's valley of death. Only 47 came out.

On Sunday I mentioned that in this battle, not one of the 262 men was awarded a Medal of Honor for his bravery. Not One! Two would get the medal for the famous charge on the third. But those actions are not the subject of this blog.

After Fredericksburg, Canadian born George Morgan, who had risen in ranks with the unit from Private to Lt. Colonel, was promoted to Colonel of the Regiment. When he was further promoted to Brig, General, Lt Col. Colville was promoted to Colonel and commander of the regiment. He would lead the 262 men into the battle of 2 July at Gettysburg.

Wounded and knocked off his horse, he struggled to get to a ditch and role into it to get out of the hale of bullets whizzing through the air. He passed out and was later discovered by a soldier looking for his wounded brother. That man, with aid of yet others carried Colonel Colvill away to safety.

Any student of the Medal of Honor story will know that dozens, if not hundreds of officers were awarded Medals of Honor while leading or rallying their men into battle, and even doing so while wounded. Dozens if not hundreds of others were also awarded a Medal for rescuing their commander from certain death at the hands of the enemy.

But not a Medal for this officer, nor his rescuers. Same thing for the Lt. Colonel of the unit in the same battle, when he was shot down. Same for the Major, also a Canadian, and another captain, and the adjutant and a handful of other captains and Lieutenants. In not one case was the rescued or the rescuer awarded a Medal of Honor. Yet at the same time and throughout the history of the medal may others were for doing basically the same thing, and so awarded.

On 3 July The First Minnesota were front and center during the famous General George Pickett's charge. Not far off was the very high water point of that battle. The place where the Southerners advanced the most before being driven back. And the point were Alonzo Cushing gave his life manning the cannons, and about a year ago finally getting his due recognition with the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor. It took over 150 years!

Cpl, later Sergeant Irvine of the First, is shown after that battle of the 3rd, with his unit's colours. He carried them bravely near the end of the battle, though wounded that day, and until mustered out about 8 months later.

But he only got the colours after Corporal Henry O'Brien was wounded in the hand. A shot that also broke the very shaft that held the colours.

And O'Brien got them when John Dehn was wounded, and before Dehn came Stevens, and Nason and Densmore and Ellet. Five of these falling with in a 15 minute period on 2 July.

Clearly you can see now how important the colours are when the enemy had made them a priority target.

O'Brien would be awarded the Medal of Honor, as would another soldier by the name of Sherman, for the capture of an enemy flag, both actions on 3 July. But that said all the rest of these heroes risking their lives and being shot down, All have been ignored as candidates for nomination for the Medal, one created, in part, for just such occasions.

In Irvine's image above, note that the bottom of the flag shaft has been broken away and thus not the normal 9 feet high. Note also that the soldier, whilst wearing a sword, would be very challenged to use it as he needed both hands to manipulate the flag when sending directions to the rest of the regiment. Note further how battle ridden and tattered the flag is from numerous bullet or shrapnel hits.

Before leaving this blog I want to give honourable mention to Sergeant John Densmore who was born at Maguadavic New Brunswick and served with the First and its Colour Guard. As noted he was one of those wounded at his job.

First he was wounded in the knee but he kept going. Over the nest 50 yards he would get wounded 4 more times before dropping. A bullet tore his thumb off. Then he'd take a chest wound that would go right through his body. Then a shot to the right thigh, then a face wound that entered from the left, exited through the right and took most of his jaw en-route. Five wounds, an advance of 50 yards and no Medal!

A year earlier another unit colour bearer was shot and killed. And another colour bearer was shot so bad his leg had to be amputated. He died soon after. Neither got a Medal.

Clearly all of this suggests that the methods used to award these medals had many a flaw. Many have been robbed of their rightful place on these honour roles and someone in the Medal of Honor world should identify this issue and take steps to have it thoroughly investigated with the hopes that some of these heroes can finally received their just rewards.

It is never to late to correct wrongs.

Lets see who will take action on this!

Note:

I will be doing some further research next week and will not be doing a blog on Sunday. I shall return on the 27th.

cheers,
Bart

262 men proclaimed "saviors of the nation" yet 154 years later, not one has received the Medal of Honor for those deeds!

8/13/2017

I continue today with more details about the famous First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The very unit, that was first of about 2 dozen in the state... and the North... to answer President Lincoln's call for volunteers in 1861.

Of about 1,000 men when the war started, it's massive losses saw only 262 stepping forth on day 2 of the 3 day slaughter known as the Battle of Gettysburg. At day's end that number would be reduced by almost 85% to an incredible 47 left still on their feet.

As mentioned in an earlier blog, when Union Major General Hancock found a 1/2 mile or larger gap in the line of his troops near Cemetery Ridge, shown above, he had to act ... and fast.

If the approaching Southerners from the west could breach that gap and turn either left or right they would instantly gain the advantage and could mow down the Union men just as if they were back home at the bowling alley. They'd first get the first two, then the next two and on and on and on.

While reinforcements were en-route to aid the general, he needed ten or more minutes to hold the ground till they arrived. He therefore gave his famous command to the First Minnesota.

He ordered the Regiment's Colonel to immediately charge down the slopping grade at the Southerners. He well knew, as did the Colonel..and every man... that the order was nothing short of a suicide mission. Few were expected to survive. But the sacrifice had to be made to hold the line.

At the top of the sketch above you can see the small village of Gettysburg. If you follow the main route called the Tanneytown Road south bound, you can see it runs almost parallel to the Cemetery Ridge. The sketch shows the First Mn. at the top of three dots, early in the morning. By mid day the regiment was further south, and by late afternoon it was at the bottom dot when the order to charge was issued.

The men formed up in two files and started moving, then doubling...without first firing... but just moving on to their target as quickly as possible. Soon they would be in full charge and firing as they went.

The slaughter was horrific. The 262 man regiment was advancing on well over 1000 men from several units. The men and officers of the First dropped like flies some moaning from wounds, others having taken the last breath of life, as their brothers just charged on with no time to stop and try to give any aid.

The Colonel would drop from wounds, then the Lt. Colonel, then the command was taken over by Major Mark Downie, a Canadian, but within 50 steps or so, he too would be knocked off his feet from two wounds to the arm, a bullet through his foot, and a wound to the chest. The adjutant fell and was joined by several other captains and Lieutenants and most of the men.

It was no doubt when the unit fixed bayonets for the final charge that those left standing terrified the Southerners who soon went into retreat. The First, or should I say what was left of them, then moved back to regroup and prepare for an expected counter-charge, but it did not come that night.

I believe this is one of the paintings hanging in the state capitol building and was commissioned by the state National Guard. It depicts the First Minnesota in the July 2 charge. Note the men having to step over their comrades and the colours front and center and being carried by a Colour Guard Sgt, Cpl or Private member, who is unarmed as he needs both hands to handle the 9 foot mast carrying the flag of his unit, state, or nation.

As noted in past blogs, the carrying of the colours is a very high honour awarded to any member of the guard. The job is to use this as an identifier in an otherwise perhaps very crowned battlefield. It tells all where THEIR regiment is if and men get separated. It is also used to give various directions or signals and is a cherished possession of the unit. It is a great morale booster to capture the enemy's and most destructive if your own is lost.

And it is a very dangerous job. The carrier is front and center and is a major target for the enemy. If a flag is downed, this could confuse the men about the where they are and where they are supposed to be. It could cause delays and confusion that could well result in the enemy catching the men stumbling about, off guard and thus easier targets.

To kill the carrier, or to capture his flag is usually awarded with a Medal of Honor. About 700 I do believe where so awarded over the entire 150 plus years of the medal's existence.

From the various sources consulted, I have calculated that there were 64 Medals of Honor awarded for actions during the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg. Of these, 29 were for the saving of the soldier's own unit flag, retrieving one captured earlier by the enemy, or planting it on enemy territory. defending the flag.

On 2 July, 12 medals where awarded for capturing an enemy flag. Two for retrieving the unit's own flag and only 1 for defending the unit's own flag.

Looking closer at these numbers, NOT ONE OF THE FIRST MINNESOTTA soldiers was awarded a Medal of Honor for their actions during the horrendous charge of 2 July. Not one!

They lost 85% of their enlisted and commissioned members, and saw their colours knocked down five times on that day alone, retrieved and carried on till the next day's battle were yet more incredible bravery finally resulted in ONE Medal of Honor for saving the colours and another for capturing an enemy's colours.

It was just a few days less than a full year earlier that the Army Medal of Honor was born. Eligibility called for..."gallantry in action and other soldier like qualities." The award was for men, not officers, but the latter were included with changes by March of 1863.

Since none were awarded for the 2 July actions, are we to assume that no one in the entire regiment that day was involved in any gallantry in action? Had no one shown any soldier like qualities?

You and I were not there. But I found some folks who were! Let's see what they had to say.

Lt. Lochren, who fought with the unit on the 2nd wrote that... "every man realized in an instant what the order meant, death or wounds to us all, the sacrifice of the regiment to gain a few minutes time and save the position, and probably the battlefield. And every man saw and accepted the necessity for the sacrifice."

Captain Henry Coates, one of the company commanders in the battle wrote that... "Every man in the regiment did his whole duty. The accompanying loss of the killed and wounded shows the severity of our loss."

Major General Winfield S Hancock, would later write that...
"the superb gallantry of the men saved our line from being broken. No soldiers on any field, in this or any other country, ever displayed grander heroism." This from a man who would be a Presidential nominee some 15 years later.

And some 48 years after that, a fellow named Calvin Coolidge, while not a Presidential Nominee... but in fact the President of the United States... attended the dedication of a monument for Colonel Colvill. And in front of an audience of some 20,000 he commented about the historic First Minnesota.

Among his words of praise can be found the line that..."In all the history of warfare, this charge has few, if any equals and no superiors. By holding the Confederate forces in check until other forces came up, it probably saved the Union Army from defeat."

He would continue with... " It was an exhibition of the most exalted heroism on apparently insuperable antagonist." He then added that when Colonel Chamberlain of the 20th Maine, who's unit also showed incredible heroism that very same day... at Little Round Top, was later revisiting the site, ... and that the First Minnesota "had it much tougher." Chamberlain later received the Medal of Honor. Collvill did not.

I have more, but you get the point. Many of the members of the First Mn. showed all of the prerequisites, and perhaps more during many of the actions taken during that charge.

Yet, while all above show that a Medal of Honor surely must have been earned by many, it is nothing short of a travesty to the unit, the medal and all that wear one today, that not a single medal, was awarded to them for their actions on July 2nd.

By Wednesday I shall return with more in this very point.
Bart

More on the Nation's Savior's and Serious Recognition Still Due!

8/9/2017

The last blog had to be cut short and so today's will pick up where I left off on Sunday last.

There I mentioned that as many as 160 British North Americans served with the 20th Maine during the Civil War. Many of these would have fought at Gettysburg where the regiment's famous downhill charge, almost without ammunition, has been well recorded in US History.

Today's blog with cover a brief part of the history of the First Minnesota in the Civil War. Some 65 British North Americans served in this unit and many of these would have also been fighting against the Confederates at Gettysburg. (There were no doubt Canadians also fighting here and serving with the Confederates as well.)

On day 2 of the 3 day battle some 100,000 soldiers would face each other in duels at the Devil's Den, Little Round Top, the Wheat Field, Peach Orchard, Cemetery Ridge, Trostle's Farm, Culp Hill, and Cemetery Hill. Twenty thousand of these boys and men would either be killed, wounded, missing or taken prisoner. Who knows the numbers that would die from wounds in the weeks, months and years to come as a result of these 3 bloody days. A battle later to be claimed to be the 10th worst in the entire war.

You have read in this space about many of the Canadians serving with the First Mn. One of these of course being Alonzo Pickle, who earned his Medal of Honor at Deep Bottom Va. a year after the above battle. But he still fought at Gettysburg. As did many other Canadians. Many of these very soldiers held Non Commissioned Officer ranks, many at the senior level. Many more would also served as commissioned officers, and within the First Mn. and the 20th Maine. Clearly these men were leaders, as well as followers.

(Days ago Sergeant Alonzo Pickle was honoured in Minneapolis as briefly noted in past blogs. More to follow in the weeks to come on that ceremony.)

Having already introduced you to some of those serving with the First Mn. it is time to briefly mentioned another hero from the First Mn. This hero who was born about 50 Km south of Montreal in the municipality of Henryville, population... about 2,000.

Horatio Bingham, shown above, joined the First Mn. in the Fall of 1861 as a 2nd Sergeant. Within 2 months he was promoted to Sergeant. But soon he took ill, and a disability caused him to leave the military. But by early 1864 he rejoined and served briefly with the 2nd Minnesota Cavalry as a commissioned officer. He would hold several different titles until just after the Civil War ended, and then took another release. But he would re-enlist a 3rd time, but this time in the regular army as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd US Cavalry.

As either a Lieutenant or Captain, sources confusing, he would be stationed out of Fort Phil Kearney in Wyoming. It would be from here that he was ordered out with a squad of mounted infantry and other troops to come to the aid of a wood-gathering party who were under attack from natives.

In the process of this he came across a handful of natives and with only a few men gave chase, but soon realized that he had been led into a trap. He and one of his men were killed. The following day his Colonel retrieved his body. It was riddled with at least 50 arrows. Clearly this was a message to the military to leave the natives alone.

I have located no information of any posthumous awards for this officer. But the next time you go to the area of the Charleston Harbour have a look at Fort Moultrie and a battery named in honor of this brave Canadian hero.

Moving back to Gettysburg, here is a map in the late afternoon on 2 July 1863, the 2nd of the 3 day battle. The Northern troops are shown in blue and the Southern soldiers on red.

After the First Minnesota left the area of Little Round Top they would join with the rest of their and other Battalions pushing the Confederate battalions back towards the Emmittsburg Road. Very soon Union General Hancock (above left) realized that he had a major problem on his hand. A gap had developed in the advancing line that could be exploited by the enemy.

Other troops were expected to arrive as reinforcements but there would be a delay. However the gap had to be instantly filled or the battle could well have been lost. (An event that could have literally changed the results of the entire war.) So he turned to Colonel William Colville (above right), commander of the First MN, and ordered his 8 companies of men on a suicide mission. The orders were to advance on a brigade FIVE TIMES his size and take their colours. The general did not expect many of the men to live through the charge but desperately needed just 5 minutes before the reinforcements would arrive to help out.

So the First, once commanded by Ontario born Brig. General George Nelson Morgan, charged forward with what they had. Just 262 men! They faced about 1,500!

In the above map, look for the Confederate General Wilcox's name. It's in red. Now look to the right and you will see the line running from top of page to bottom, sort of, all blue and showing the Union forces. Immediately in front of Wilcox's name you can see the gap in the blue line that needed to be filled.

The downhill charge would last only about 15 minutes. But when it was over 215 union soldiers lay dead or dying on the battlefield. That's almost 85% of the men going into battle just a few minutes earlier. It has been claimed that the losses to the regiment where so high, that there was no parallel in history. (At that time.) And Canadians were in those ranks.

The following day the regiment would loose another 17 men either killed or wounded.

They would be near the centre of the line when Pickett's charge closed but finally got halted in its tracks and pushed back. During that battle on July 3, 1863 the First lost their Regimental Commander, a Battalion commander and then the unit command fell to Major Mark Downie, shown here.

Chatham New Brunswick born Downie would only hold command for a few minutes before he too fell from 2 wounds to his arm, a bullet through his left foot and a serious wound to the chest. Disability caused a release but before the war ended he returned and again commanded the regiment as a Lt. Colonel till stricken from service at war's end. He would be dead from health conditions resulting from wounds within 14 years. NO information can be found on any medals being awarded to him, though I believe others with similar service received the Medal of Honor.

On Sunday I will end this mini series on the First Mn. with another soldier most deserving of a MOH, but instead just forgotten to history.

Like so many others Canadian and otherwise.

Bart

Many of First Minnesota Infantry were called the nation's savior, but who remembers this today?

8/6/2017

But first yet another correction. Sharp eyes have reminded me that while attempting to correct information about John Hanna in the last blog, the correction actually compounded the problem.

The Pottsville Presbyterian Cemetery in Schuylkill County Pa. has claimed that a John Hanna buried there, served in the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry. As does another entity's website. But with assistance, this blog discovered and later argued, successfully in the end, that the fellow with that service is buried in Philadelphia Pa. In updating my blog last week, the letters all got jumbled up in my computer and came out reading Florida. Sorry folks. The 95th vet is buried at Philadelphia. Period!

John Hanna's Medal of Honor was awarded for his services as a Funeral Guard for the late President Lincoln in April 1865.

Just about 2 years earlier many in another regiment...the First Minnesota...would become the saviors of the nation.

But they have not shared the same level of fame that Colonel Chamberlain's 20th Maine have. Both regiments fought at Gettysburg and where involved in very similar actions, on the same day and almost the same piece of real estate. And the First Minnesota was almost annihilated in nothing short of a suicide charge. Few where expected to survive.

The First Mn. was the first regiment from the state.. and the country to sign up with the feds for service in the war. What a dreadful cost they would be called on to pay!

Had things gone different on July 2 1863, there may have not been a Confederate need to launch Pickett's famous charge the next day. The war could have come to an end much sooner and troops from the Confederate States of America could have soon been in the White House.

In past blogs I wrote about the 20th Maine and how they had to conduct a downhill charge, almost out of ammo, and with fixed bayonets against Confederates. The South wanted to take the hill's high ground, known as Little Round Top, for obvious tactical reasons.

The above map looks confusing, and to many it is. Northern troops are in blue, Confederates in red. At bottom right you see a string of blue running up and to left. And across from the line of blue are the Confederates. But they also have troops at the END of the line of Union at bottom right. A most dangerous situation for the north.

It was this scenario that caused the North to immediately send the 20th Maine into the history books with their very costly down hill charge. But they did drive the Confederates off and saved the day. Books and movies tell the tale and thus fame has come to the unit, though not for a moment do l suggest it is not deserved. And within this unit could be found some 160 British North Americans, though I am not sure how many fought with the unit at Gettysburg.

In the Fall of 2013 I spent three weeks on a research trip to DC and Gettysburg. The above images are on top of Little Round Top. At the left you can see looking down the hill to a modern service road. At center marks the spot where the men went over the hill and at right I am standing at its side.

On the side of this memorial, located just a few yards away from the above marker, are the names of soldiers who died holding the high ground with the 20th Maine. Though difficult to see, the name of Alexander Lester (AKA LEXTER) is engraved on the marker. He was from St John NB, was wounded, taken prisoner and died days later and is buried at Gettysburg. His name appears at bottom of the Canadian flag I am holding. (There are over 1,000 markers, memorials etc at the various locations of the 3 day battle here.)

Other duties have called me away from the computer, so I must close. I will return on Wednesday, if not earlier, to bring you details of major heroism within the First Minnesota on 2 July 1863.

Bart

More facts surface about Canadians in the Civil War's First Minnesota, and thus this blog's delay!

8/1/2017

Not long ago in this space you hopefully read the several columns written on John Hanna from Nova Scotia. He was one of the 29 First Sergeants selected to provide the 24hr/ about 2 week funeral guard protecting the remains of slain President Abe Lincoln, on his final ride by rail from DC to Springfield for burial in 1865. (the very rail funeral car was built in part, by Canadian MOH recipient James Allen.)

For this honor he and 28 others was all awarded a Medal of Honor. But these were all effectively canceled with the Purge of 1917. I have recently received well over 100 pages of text regarding the purge, a matter that I have often said was illegal. Once read I will being bringing the results to this space.

Regardless, you will hopefully recall this image from the internet, shown in recent blogs.

This website provides a wonderful picture of the Hanna Grave in a Pennsylvania cemetery. It however gives the wrong information that the remains are of a John Hanna that served in the 95th Pa Infantry. While the name is right, the service is wrong. The John buried there is from Nova Scotia and served in three regiments, none being the 95th. He died 126 years ago Monday of this week, and was buried there several days later. The soldier of the same name and served in the 95th, is buried at Philadelphia.

Evidence that the Nova Scotia man is buried there, and the 95th man in Philladelphia was supplied to cemetery officials in Pa and after much thought and consultation agreed with this blog's findings, (with help from others.)

Three separate emails have been sent to the link shown above requesting clarification of source of information and at same time the providing of verifiable information reputing the above 95th claim. Not one of these has been answered. Last week I wrote a 4th email, this one to the site administrator. I have yet to hear from them but hope that I will soon and with a confirmation that the site with fix this error. Once corrected, family, researchers, historians and others will again be able to rely on the site's listing.

Because of the confusions involved it was easy to understand how the mistake occurred. But it is less understood why it seems to take more time than necessary to resolve.

Let's now leave Pennsylvania behind and head 1000 miles North West to Minneapolis Mn. Recent blog's have told you of many military connections, including the Medal of Honor, between Canada and the US and in particular... Minneapolis.

Depending on the sources, between 1100 and as many as about 1800 British North Americans served in Minnesota Regiments during the Civil War.

Some time ago I came into possession of a list of Canadians in the First Minnesota Infantry. Canadian born Medal of Honor recipient Alonzo Pickle of this unit is being honoured at the same ceremony that several new Americans will be taking their oaths as new citizens tomorrow. But our connections go much deeper.

The list includes details of 59 Canadians in the same unit as Sgt Pickle. A careful study of this famous regiment's incredible fact filled website produced another 5 that I found. I may have missed several others.

These men, and in some cases just boys who lied about their age, came from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. I probably missed a few more from central Canada and the west.

There were 4 sets of brothers...one with 6, four of these serving in the First Mn., one set had 3, another had 2 and a cousin to boot. And one had a father and son, and the boy's mother as well who served as a hospital matron.

One of the 8 original companies of the regiment was started up by Ontario born George Morgan as noted in the past. With promotions from Pte to Colonel in the regiment he would command it for some time before a promotion to Brig. General moved him to an upper level of command outside the regiment. His own son, also a Colonel but in the cavalry, would be awarded the MOH for bravery during the Indian Uprisings.

A past blog noted that another Canadian officer in the unit, took command of the regiment at Gettysburg when his Col and Lt Col where struck down. While he was rallying and moving the troops onward in midst of battle, he too would be struck down, would recover and later return to the unit as a colonel. His Gettysburg actions ought to have seen him recommended for the MOH.

That man's name was Mark Downie and he was from Chatham NB. He is shown above as a Captain, while other unit officers stand at the rear.

This is Downie's Corps badge noting that he was in the First Minnesota and that his Corps was part of the Army of the Potomac.

Cpl Elvin Hills and brother Jonas from New Brunswick are shown here. A third brother, Henry, served in the 2nd Mn Light Artillery. Note their cap badges.

Here's a commissioned officer's cap badge from the unit. It seems to be in reverse to the men's badges.

There is a cute story about one of the Montreal soldier's in the regiment who had moved to the state many years before the Civil War. His name was Brisette and after locating to the US many years before the CW, worked in a rough and troubling undeveloped area simply called the slough, He found himself working in the whisky business with a fellow that only had one eye and wore a patch.

At one point, so the story goes, he was writing to a friend who needed to know where to send a return letter. The soldier told his friend to just call it the Pig's Eye. That was it's nick-name at the time. By the late 1830's the area became a little more reputable and changed its name to... to St Paul.. which appears to have stuck!

Then of course there is the sad story of George Boyd from St Stephen NB. He moved to the US as a youth, took citizenship, worked as a harness maker and even an assistant foremen in the fire department. When the Civil War started he signed up and soon rose through the ranks to Sgt, 1st Sgt, 2nd Lt, and 1st Lt all while soldiering with the First Minnesota Infantry. Then remustering into another regiment he was promoted, to Captain, and held that rank till finally leaving the military in 1866.

Many of the 50,000 Canadians who fought in the war, were wounded, reported missing, taken prisoner, and actually died during the war, or after from wounds suffered in battle. So too with many of those with the First Mn. George would be one of the later!

George was a Lieutenant when his unit fought in the historic battle on day 2 of the slaughter known as Gettysburg. He took a severe wound to the leg that made him suffering considerably for the rest of his life.

About a decade after the war, George was in a small boat on the Mississippi in the area of Minneapolis where he landed from the swift moving river's currents. But being lame, when he stepped out of the rocking boat at shore line, his leg gave way and down he went into the water. It was only 6 inches deep, but being unable to get up, minutes later he was dead from drowning. His body soon washed over the falls and was later discovered. Such a dreadful fate for a soldier that had endured so much in the very battle that made his regiment famous. More on that battle in the very next blog.

This is a picture George Boyd as a Captain. He proudly wears his corps badge on his chest. And below are better images of that very badge while still a Lieutenant.

Many of the Canadians who served with the unit went on to very rewarding careers on many fronts, Quebec born Sgt Amos Jordan moved to the US as a teen and by the time the CW started he was working as a printer. He served with the First Mn and ended the war in another unit. Soon he'd find work as the telegraph operator for the Daily Tribune. Later he'd be the night editor for the Bismarck Tribune and still later the managing editor for the Minneapolis Tribune..

And Hospital Steward James Kirkham from Bathurst Ontario ended up after the war as a Representative in the Minnesota Territorial Legislature. Prior to his service in the First Mn, many a year earlier he actual also fought in the Mexican War.

And a fellow named Napolean Dana was probably very happy he did. It would be Kirkham that raced out into deadly territory to rescue the wounded Dana and actual saved his life to fight another day.

That he did.....with the First Mn., a unit he also ended up commanding.

On Sunday I hope to bring another blog on this unit and get into some of the incredible bravery on the very battle fields of Gettysburg. Action that resulted in the very highest of highest praise for the regiment, that of course included more than 60 from north of the border.

Till then, make sure you check out the news tomorrow to read about the Alonzo Pickle ceremony, and the new Citizens being sworn in at Minneapolis.

And if you want to see another side of leadership in the US of A, have a look at this video. It is an incredible story of bravery, and a very moving speech by America's Commander in Chief. It shows a side many would think long hidden.

Here is the link...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsBI37Nm7KM

back on Sunday...
Bart

Recent blog requires 2 corrections!

7/27/2017

They say that when you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything!

So I have been caught, not for the first time..making things.

My last blog brought you brief comments about the dedication ceremony to honour Canadian born Alonzo Pickle in Minneapolis in the days to come. He is a Medal of Honor recipient, and one of about three dozen who have so far been, or about to be honoured by the US Customs and Immigration Service for their bravery.

Most fitting that the department is the one to honour these men, since that very agency serves the immigrant population. Some 750 of these over the years were awarded with the Medal of Honor.

By mistake I noted the ceremony will take place on the August 9th at the USCIS new complex in Minneapolis Mn. Trouble is, I misread my notes and gave you the wrong date. That service will take place on the 3rd.

In addition I made reference to the Canadian offices of the Consulate General, also in Minneapolis, as one who reports to our Embassy at Washington DC. I have now been informed that the office actually reports to folks at Ottawa and not DC

Sorry folks.

At the above ceremony several new US citizens will be taking their oath of citizenship. Congratulations to all.

cheers till Sunday,
Bart