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Five Canadian Women Ask Two Tough Questions And Change Canada's History... For The Better!

10/15/2017

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It took years to set the scene. Years were women were ignored, pushed aside and generally kept "in their places" according to the men of the day. Years battling with city hall, and various provincial legislatures and then even with the politicians and courts at Ottawa.

But they and their followers did not give in to the draconian, stupid and outright silliness of the day. You've  probably heard about it, read it in books and perhaps, with some hope, studied it in school.

Here are those two historic questions. Issues that led to a decision forcing the men to begrudgingly remove their blinders and finally see the light of day. A light that shall never stop shining for all Canadians, regardless of gender.
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For years women's groups and individuals had been seeking the opportunity to better serve their communities in various aspects. This included membership in the decision making bodies, the local, provincial and federal ministries,  departments etc. These of course included the Senate of  Canada. 

While many women had received nominations for the senate the men of the day  came up with a bagful of excuses why such appointments could not be made. Fin ally they rested on an old British case that claimed that women were in fact  not persons, and it was only PERSONS who could be  appointed to the senate.

Up until 1949, the final court of the land... the Supreme Court, was actually the Privy Council in London. So the five women spiriting the action, having exhausted all avenues within Canada to get some common sense from  the powers to be in Canada, decided to take matters to the Privy Council. Thus, the above letter.

The historic decision was handed down on October 18, 1929 , a portion of which is shown here...
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The five women who fought the case to the highest level were of course later better known as the Alberta Five and the Famous Five. The names of  Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Henriette Muir Edwards and Louise    McKinney shall hopefully be implanted in the hearts and minds forever  of all Canadians for their service to Canada.
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On Oct 18 1999, the 70th anniversary of the Privy Council decision,  this memorial of the Famous Five was unveiled at Olympic Plaza in Calgary. An identical memorial was unveiled a year later, to the day, at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.
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This memorial to the famous Five is on the grounds of the Legislature in Manitoba.
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This close-up of the above image depicts Nellie McClung  telling the world that women are obviously persons. Despite  the wide spread and paternalistic views of many men at Ottawa and elsewhere back in the apparent dynasaur age of 1929. 

Fifty years later, in 1979 the short lived Conservative government of Joe Clarke left Canadians with a wonderful legacy. That of the Persons Awards.

The story has been told in past blogs here, but the gist of it was that a new award was created to honour five women each year that were nominated from individuals  and groups  across the country, to receive an award in honour of their work to better the lives of Canadian girls and women, in a wide range of activities.

In that year the nominations were so plentiful, and the credentials so high, that the committee had great trouble in selecting only 5. In fact they couldn't, and so for the first year ever of the awards, they held an elaborate ceremony at Ottawa and presented not five... but 7 awards. This happened again in 2004. On 16 other occasions a total of 6 awards were made. In all others, now totaling 39 years, 5 medals were awarded each year. The current total, from  my calculations shows that 247 awards have been made.

Most, but not all occurred on October 18th, and at Rideau Hall. Several years ago a new grade of classification was created and known as the Youth Person's Award. There  has also been one if not more times when a male has received the award.

Many years ago the Persons Awards morphed by name into the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case.
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This image is of the actual Persons Award. It is quite impressive and measures 2 1/2 inches across, and depicts images of the five suffragettes. Up to 1989 and possibly beyond, it came with a simple white suspension ribbon and was worn around the neck.
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Years later the unimpressive ribbon was replaced  as shown above.
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Next week, not on the 18th for unknown reasons, but on the 19th at Rideau Hall these five women and one youth will be presented with the Persons Award. Their numbers are included in the 247 above noted. If you go to the Governor General's website, you can read the bio's of these most accomplished Canadians. Here is the site ... http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/gg/recipients-en.html

Lets hope that someone at the Status of Woman offices and those of the Governor General realize that next year marks the 40th year for this award and that something special will be created for the celebrations in 2018.
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Back in 1992, after a year of advocacy, the efforts of 3 Victoria BC area women paid off with the 9 March 1992 press release issues by MP Mary Collins, the Minister responsible for the Status of Women ministry.  They and thousands of supporters across the country called for the government to create a month to celebrate the importance of Canada's foremothers and their incredible deeds throughout our nation's history.

Kathryne Armstrong, a member of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of the Persons Award and many many other awards, certificates and the like over some 40 years of advocacy, served as the honourary Patron of the group of three. She and Lynne Gough, as chair, and Cathy Blazkow, and others later joining, sought out national support for the month. One started by Gough and calling originally only for a week of celebration and limited to the province of BC, but expanded by Armstrong, my late mother, to a  month and nation wide.

The Collins press release noted the creation of the month of honour effective in October of that year, now 25 years ago. She advocated that it was to be a ..."time or recognition and celebration of women's contributions to our history as a nation and our people. Her speech writers of course did not think to add in the very release that the month's creation came about after a lengthy coordinated advocacy by Armstrong, Gough, Glaskow and others.

A month to honour women, yet the very proponents could not even be mentioned.  HMMMM!

This snafu is not lost on that minister alone. It continues to this day. Go to the website of the Status of Women and look for the names of these three women and be prepared to look for a long time. I could not find any of them. Nor even the fact that we now celebrate the 25th yr of the very month of celebration.

The above site continues with the notice that we should...
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I would ask those in that office how I can make my claim as above requested to "claim my place in history", for these three women, and, as further requested in the above notice, how I can ...make their mark also at that site.

Questions that really ought not to have to be asked 25 years later.

Enough for tonight,

See you next week, with an important story of a military woman I'll bet you have never heard of before.

Bart
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Fifty Thousand Thank You's and MORE! Part Three

10/8/2017

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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

We need to give thanks to the Almighty who brings us the rains needed to feed the crops we eat daily. Rains needed to feed our trees that clean our air and shelter us from sweltering heat. Rains that give us our drinking water, provide us a means of transportation and shipping and a place for our children to go and play with the rest of the neighbourhood kids.

But in many parts of the world, recent down pours have also caused us loss of lives, property, and a way of life that will affect millions for the rest of their lives.

My last column ended with the rather flippant comment that I did not want to rain on the parade of a wonderful group of Ontario volunteers and supporters for their  work. Incredible work that now quite rightly has become part of North America's heritage.

And so it should be!

This work, literally carved in granite, puts a new breath of life into the 150 year old fact that British North Americans numbered about 50,000 and probably more, fought and shed their blood, and in many cases their lives in the 4 year  slaughter known as the US Civil War.

My blogs noted that the work done by so many, under the direction of the re-enactor group known as The Blues and Grays of Montreal were actions worthy of praise from all sides.

I did however note that this week I will be talking about some of the facts of the story that need clarification. However such should not take away from the massive  efforts and the beautiful as well as important monument they created to the men and women of so many years past. Stories that most today do not remember, or worse yet probably never knew.

Setting the stage,  a retired teacher involved in the efforts noted that the CW details were  not well known and the hopes of the group were to obviously make them much more known. Another former teacher and now senior government official in a department that surely ought to have known much  better, admitted that he did not know anything about the CW involvement.

From the massive web, newspaper, radio and probably tv coverage of the event, tens of thousands, if not considerably more learned of the Canadian involvement in the war. This is great. But problematic is the fact that  in much of the media coverage, the statistics quoted and the verbiage used was flawed.

Old and outdated materials and opinions ought not to be the basis of research. But the press often takes little time to do their own homework, and thus their stories become the new story, twisted and wrong that it may be. When a group launches a project like that in Ontario, it is therefore incumbent on them to be very careful about the materials provided to those they know will be running with it.

As regular readers know, for more than  18 years I have been researching the Canadians and those connected to Canada that earned the American Medal of Honor. Actually my research is even older and dates back into late  1980's and early 1990's. Some of that work touched on numbers in total fighting for the cause on either the North or Southern side.

Had I simply rested on figures of the day, my number of MOH recipients coming back to a Canadian or one with connections would still be at 54, yet as of just two weeks ago they rose to 118. The numbers, details and facts change in some cases almost weekly, so to rely on old materials from 30 or more years ago is incredibly flawed.

In various forums, be it public talks, my association with many groups and individuals, the media and well over 400 stories in this space, my work has been recognized by many as THE source in North America, for  MOH materials on the Canadians. Others have shared with me the belief that I have delved further into the research of the MOH from the Canadian prospective, than any other in either Canada or the US.

That said, I wish I had learned earlier of the work being done in Ontario. I would have been thrilled to have assisted the group in their work. My site is well known, yet they did not reach out to me. When I learned about a month ago of their efforts, I contacted them, but things were already poured in concrete, as the saying goes.

My concerns are with regards to the numbers of Canadians fighting, the numbers that rose to the rank of General, the numbers being awarded the Medal of Honor, the verbiage used in many cases and some blatant wrong details to boot.

Of concern is the wide spread erroneous information, and the issue of who does what to fix this. This blog will offer corrections, but much more is needed by others to follow up on this. After reading this you can do your bit by looking at the news coverage via the web, and passing on to those outlets what is said at this site.

To begin one story tells of a fellow named HIFFLING who earned a MOH. His name is HIGGINS and his fascinating story is told on this site.  Most press coverage called the medal the CONGRESSIONAL Medal of Honor. There is no such thing. It is the MEDAL of Honor...period. Most repeatedly say the individual  wins, or won or was given a medal of honor. Not so. None were GIVEN it, nor was there a single case of anyone WINNING it. These medals were awarded. Period.

Media coverage often quoted direct info from the Blues and Grays that the those fighting came from Ontario east. Not so. Many, including a few MOH recipients,  had connections or came from all across the country.

Coverage also indicated that in CW days the medal had to be earned for bravery in front of the enemy. This is 100% wrong. Check my early blogs on the creation of the medal and the verbiage used back in late 1861 and early 1862. Read it carefully. It says that requirement was not the only qualifier.

Most of the media and others have quoted the fact that either four or five men rose to the rank of General while serving in the Civil War.  With some 583 Generals serving for the North, it's not difficult to see that getting accurate figures re the Canadians is difficult.

Factoring in how the name is selected  also can complicate matters. Do we limit these to just those born in Canada, or add those who at some point, be it before or after the war, lived in Canada? Do we consider those that had medals purged, be that action as illegal as it was and duly noted on this site in the past? Factor in also how recent is the research you base your numbers on?

One of the standard research tools relied on by many is the  exhaustive research done over probably more than a decade by Tom Brooks from Ontario. Aided by a DC man by the name of Ed Milligan, and before the days of computers and email, they poured over archival records of the US government for  OVER 3,500 DIFFERENT UNION REGIMENTS ETC. Their herculean task was to get names, dates and places of birth, units served in and other materials, where available for any with Canadian connections. From this work they identified 4 who became Generals. They wrote about this in the early 1990's. But that was over 30 years ago, and is thus now quite out of date. Many a year ago I had the privilege of being in contact with both men about their work. Both have sadly passed away since. It is unknown what happened to their massive cabinets full of information.

As of about 2 weeks ago my numbers of Canadian Generals reached NINE, and all born in Canada. When at 8 about a month ago, I spoke to the Ontario group, but they had moved too far forward on the project to amend that appearing on the memorial being created. One claiming only 5 Generals. The press stories on the September monument's  unveiling widely quoted that there were only either 4 or five. 

Moving on, the media  widely circulated that there were only 29 Canadian CW Medal of Honor recipients born in Canada. Other using the same number saying they "came" from Canada, which is not the same as being born here. A few used the number 34. Of the standard, but wrong number of 29, two in fact were NOT born in Canada. One was from England and another was  from France. But each should clearly be included in the Canadian numbers.

Dealing with this category we must again consider birth, relocating before or after the war, and purged medals.

My years of research, updated just weeks ago,  have identified 118 recipients from or connected to Canada. Looking only at the Civil War numbers, there were 66 from that era. Not 29.

Of these most would discount 14 that had their names removed from the honor role as a result of the ILLEGAL purge. Being thus removed does not equate to the medals NOT BEING ISSUED. And from the 66 some may want to remove another 14 who were either in the country after birth or after the war. So if you chose to remove these 28, you still have another 38 born in Canada. That's about a third higher than the press would have you believe.

Moving on, but still with numbers, there is some debate about the number of Canadians who fought in the CW. I have seen numbers of between 33,000 and 64,000. Sir John A MacDonald himself quoted 40,000 while Nova Scotia's Joseph Howe had the number at 50,000.

Whatever the number, with some 250,000 British North Americans living in the US at the time, you can be assured  the numbers were not insignificant. In fact one quote says that of all the nations involved in the war, (30 nations according to one source,) the Canadian contingent was the fourth largest.

Tom Brooks numbers were at 53,000 probably also giving consideration to the 1869 Gould study of about 53,500. A 1919 Grand Army of the Republic quote had the number at 64,000 but in 1920 a respected historian placed the number at 48,000. One of the Ontario groups had the number at "over 50,000." And the Blues and Grays web site has the number being estimated at 40,000 and elsewhere on same site as being "over 50,000."  But the memorial says the numbers are at 40,000 plus. That's  a drop of probably real  numbers by about 25%. Most in the media carried the low number of about 40,000.

And finally the group's website and most if not all of the press quote the memorial unveiled as being the first national memorial  representing those who went south. A few added the caveat..that it was the first SIGNIFICANT national memorial. The later I tend to agree with.     
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I would like to leave you with these images. Clearly they shows a memorial, though not significant, compared to the new Ontario one, but nevertheless a memorial... the first probably in the country to my knowledge, that gave tribute to the Canadians, it notes over 50,000 that served in the Civil War.

The South Western Ontario Civil War Round-table, possibly with assistance from the American Civil War Historical Society and others, unveiled this monument at Rockton Ontario's Westfield Heritage Center in August of 1998, predating the Cornwall Ontario monument by 19 years.

While I continue to salute the work done by the Blues and Grays of Montreal, facts, as someone once said.. are still "stubborn things."

See you next week.

Bart
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Fifty Thousand THANK YOU's and MORE! Part Two

10/1/2017

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Statistics tell us that during the 1861-65 US Civil War some 2.8 million service men and women served in the North's Union forces. During the war, and since, according to statistics, about 1,525 Medals of Honor where awarded to these men... and one woman.

But what these numbers do not include is about 900  medals that were purged in 1916-17. Though illegal, as oft noted in this space, at least 350 (of the 900) need to be really added to the above, making the totals closer to 1,900 medals for Civil War actions.

Ignoring the purged medals in the calculations, do not equate  to their never being awarded.  Regardless of the prevalent numbers found on the net, many by folks who ought to finally step forth and acknowledge this.

These numbers would mean about  475 medals per year of fighting were awarded.

Moving forward to the US's War in Afghanistan, now the nation's longest lasting war ever, is in its 16th year and only 16 Medals of Honor have being awarded. That's one a per year, versus  the Civil war rate of 475 per year.

Granted, the criteria of today is much more stringent, as it should be. But with the 1917 Purge, and the creation of a pyramid of about 80 other medals for bravery that culminate with the highest of course being the MOH, something  seems to be very wrong in the way heroism is being recognized in the US of A. 

Now onto another matter, but still with Afghanistan and closer to home. As a result of the work I have been doing in this space and elsewhere, I had the incredible privilege of be invited and attending one of the most  emotional ceremonies of recent memory.

Here in Victoria yesterday some thousand or more serving members of the Canadian Forces, our Reserves and  Cadets, veterans, families and loved ones representing some of the 163 Canadians  who lost their lives in aid of Afghanistan, politicians, the clergy and more  attended, with one thing in mind.

That being the culmination of the creation and unveiling of the first ever monument in Canada to honor our 40,000 plus, in or out of uniform, who served, and those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we all enjoy.

I will bring you a column on this in the weeks to come, but in the mean time  check the web for many stories of the event and please also visit the Greater Victoria Afghanistan Memorial Project's web site for great background information at ...    https://vicafghanistanmemorial.ca/     and the site   https://www.facebook.com/victoriabcbuzz/  to see an actual video of the 90 minute ceremony.

If you are anything like me, it will bring tears to your eyes as you feel the emotional pain of the families of the 163 heroes. You cannot help but notice the twitching as some of the vets struggled to stand..or sit.. and also deal with their daily  physical pain caused from service  in Afghanistan and perhaps elsewhere.  Yet they still stand ... and sit as tall as possible to show their pride in services given and the price others paid for mankind.

More on this in a later blog, but now I return to last week's subject of another war and time.
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Picking up on that blog, we now travel  just short of  5,000 km east from Victoria and should arrive at or near Cornwall Ontario, some 75 km south of the midway between Ottawa and Montreal.

From Ontario eastward came the bulk of more than 53,000 British North Americans who fought in the US Civil War. Some of these were actually living in the US and yet more even came from Western Canada all the way out to the west coast of the country, though most may not know this.

From Ontario east over the years there have been many Civil War buffs who, like tens of  thousands in the US have at one time or another been involved in what has become known as re-enactors who relive the battles and military lives of many a regiment, both Northern and Southern.

Many a father fought against son, brother against brother. Those actually lost to CW battle deaths, injury and disease would eclipse those lost in all American wars up until the days of Vietnam. The job (hobby)  of the re-enactor is to portray those stories and keep alive the great heroism and  heritage of these men and women. Stories that  unfortunately most have no knowledge or have completely forgotten about.

One of these re-enactor groups is the Montreal based  Grays and Blues (G's and B's,)  who don't pick sides or play politics on who was right or wrong. They represent the men and the battles. And on 16 September, they represented a very special niche of participants. Those from British North America.

And they did this  in a very big way. One gathering much notice in the press and thus, taking incredible  strides to remind the public of this forgotten part of our past. In so doing each and every one of them, and their hundreds of supporters have all now become part of the history of both Canada and the United States. Their footprint... cast in black and grey granite... will be a show place and tourism stop for many a decade to come, for Canadians, Americans and others from around the world.

And so it should be!

Among those who played a special role in the event, about to be revealed, is Mr. Stewart Irvine, shown below at front left, and who is the Vice President of the G's and B's of Montreal. Next to him is Robert McLachlan, the association's President.  
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True to their name Irvine is dressed as a Sergeant and wearing the Blue uniform of a Northern unit while McLachlan is dressed in the uniform of gray, representing  a Southern Confederacy Colonel.

The B's and G's have been around for about 12 years. Several years ago Irvine suggested that it was time the group considered  playing a role in the creation of a monument honouring the massive Canadian involvement in the Civil War and to have it  ready for unveiling during our 150th year of celebration as a country.

Soon the idea gained acceptance and over about three years designs were selected, costs evaluated, funding programs put in place, a location selected and no doubt many were running in all directions to do their bit to see the project come to fruition. 

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Here is the artist's rendition of the gorgeous memorial planned. The center obelisk would stand 12 feet high. It would note that there were 40,000 plus that went south to join the war effort. On the left would be a 2 ft. by 7 ft. memorial that lists major donors. On the right, and of same size,  would be listed the 29 Medal of Honor recipients, the names of four Canadian Generals serving in the war and a few other more prominent Canadians  also who served. All would be made from black granite. Two benches would allow for seating to view the 3 memorials while gray Granite bricks containing names of other donors or representing one who a donor wished to honor, would line  the pathways you see coming up to the obelisk from the center, left and right.

According to the association, this would be the only national memorial to the Canadians.  A memorial to honour 40,000 plus, when at the very time of the war, those serving in the military within the Canada of the day,  only themselves numbered about 40,000. While not an official delegation from Canada, the numbers reflect the fact that after the numbers involved in WWl and WWll, those of Civil War days was third in number from Canada heading off to war, be they official or otherwise. And one must ask..how many memorials  do we have across the country for those serving in both World Wars?

In 2013 the association finally selected a site for the memorial, one close to the border, yet with easy access and appropriate to the cause.  The proposal was well embraced by Long Sault Ontario's Lost Villages Historic Society and the  Lost Villages Museum complex at  Ault Park. With a dozen buildings dedicated to the history of the area, what better location and clientele could there be?

This site is dedicated to the history of 9 communities that disappeared when the area needed to be flooded to make way for the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. One of the sites lost to history included the farm owned by a fellow named John  Crysler. While having nothing to do with the auto maker, he owned, lived and farmed on the land that the Battle of Crysler's Farm on November 11 1813 was fought. A battle that should also be given thought to,  annually on November 11th.

Many groups and individuals came forth to assist with the work to be done. In the above April 2017 group photo, Jim Brownell sits on Robert McLachlan's right. As President of the  Lost Villages Historical Society it is believed he was one of the three to sign an agreement to go ahead with the creation and mounting of the memorial. Two over from him, and with pen in hand is  Andrew Martel of Martel and Sons Inc, who I believe actually made the memorials, and also signs the agreement to do so.
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Here we see McLachlan at the site about a year ago. Presumably he was giving a talk about the ceremony in the works and possibly seeking further public support for the memorial.

On 16 September the Blues and Greys of Montreal were joined by the above mentioned groups, no doubt local, provincial and federal politicians, possibly attendance from the US, veterans, the local Sea Cadets, members of the some local and probably provincial and federal politicians and bureaucrats, members of the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders and others in a crowd of some 250 to witness history taking place.
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Here we see the proud Sea Cadets with their Colours, the Canadian flag, the US and also the Confederate Stars and Bars of CW days.
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Here we see the unveiling of the wonderful and historic memorial's. Note the Flag poles to rear also flying both the Canadian and American flags. A site not often seen within Canada.
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Though difficult to read, at the top it gives the number of Canadians that went south being at 40,000 plus. To these need to be added  a minimum of another 10,000 and probably more.
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Again not a good quality image, but nevertheless, it shows over 2 dozen very happy, and quite rightly proud to be standing before this new memorial in honour of so many well over 150 years ago. Thousands are now looking down on them and thanking them, and all those who aided them in creating this memorial destined to stand for decades and hopefully more.

Decades that will hopefully continue to keep these men's and women's stories alive. The above re-enactors, and all those not in the picture, that played a role in this work deserve a very warm thanks from the people of Canada and the US for what they have done. They have created what could have been created in the years and decades before, but no one came to the plate.

Two things before I sign off.

First, please visit the site at...  https://www.gofundme.com/honour-canadians ...    to see a short but very good video of the work done by the Grays and Blues of Montreal.

While not wishing to rain of the G's and B's parade tonight, I do want to mention that they and I are in disagreement about some of the numbers mentioned above. I will bring brief note to that effect next week, but in the mean time please look them up on the net and give them a big hug via the email. They deserve it.

Cheers,
Bart
 

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Fifty Thousand THANK YOU's and MORE!  Part One.

9/26/2017

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As the column on the far right of this page shows, I have been bringing you stories of Canadians, and those with connections to Canada, that went off to aid the American North in saving the nation in the bloodiest of wars it has fought to this day. That of course being the UNCIVIL WAR of 1861-5.

Over 400 blogs have mostly brought you tales of the heroes being awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions dating back to that war. My research shows the number of recipients from all wars, having grown from 54 about 18 years ago, and are now  hovering at 118. Sixty Six of these are  from the Civil War, (though 14 of the 66 were not born in Canada).

These Civil War men mostly wore the uniforms of the army, the marines, sharpshooters, cavalry, light and also the heavy artillery. But many others served with the navy on several dozen different war vessels of the day. Since CW days, several have had ships named after them. One having  six so named, another having 3 such honours. One honoured was a woman.

One recipient served in both the army and navy. He was awarded a medal for each service and different battles, but history does not generally list him with the 19 double recipients it widely circulates. (There were at least 21, as duly noted in past blogs.)

These Medal of Honor deeds have been performed  across the US, in the air above Canada, and in Canadian waters, in Belgium, Cuba, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Portugal and Vietnam.

A prominent Canadian from Nova Scotia witnessed what is widely reported, but wrong,  to be the first shots of the Civil war with the shelling of Fort Sumter. While at the other end of the war..the end... another Canadian private served on the honor guard for General Grant at the Appomattox Court House surrender of General Lee.

A civilian from Vancouver island witnessed one of the  most famous naval battles in the CW, that of the Monitor and the Merrimac Little did he probably know of the dozens of Canadian connections to that battle, deaths as a result of it, and some later Medals of Honor.

Another of the famous CW naval battles occurred in France. Medals of Honor came home to Canada from that battle. A Canadian Confederate victim of that battle lays at rest at waters edge there to this day.

Millions tour Vegas and probably Lake Meade annually. How many know the story of the Canadian MOH at the base of the lake?

How many known of the Canadian coronet player wounded at Antietam who would years later compose the music for "O Canada."  How many know of the Canadian general in the CW who was one of the founders of a political party, and one of the nominators for Abe Lincoln to run for office. What about the Canadian MOH man who helped build the Lincoln Touring Car, later turned into his Funeral Car, or another from Canada awarded a MOH for his service on the President's funeral guard.

Lets not forget the Canadians who caught John Wilkes Booth, shot famed Confederate General JEB Stuart, and  caught famed spy Belle Boyd.

Canadian Medals of honor came home from CW battles in over 30 different locations. Thee include both Bull Run's, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Salem Heights,  Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg Mobile Bay, Fort Fisher and Monocacy. Though we fought in many more places than these as well. 

It is mind-boggling when you come to realize that there were over 3,500 Union and 1,500 Confederate units of varying size  that came to do battle in over 10,455 different operations spread across 23 US States and beyond.

The blogs on this site have concentrated on but a handful of these heroes all. Those that were awarded the Medal of Honor. But clearly there were tens of thousands of others that also did their duty and in many cases, more.

In the United States today there are apparently 718 Confederate markers and memorials and monuments honouring the Confederates, though of late some of these are being pulled down. For the Union forces the US  Na tional Parks Services claim that there are thousands of such reminders of Civil War actions across the US.... with over 1,400 at Gettysburg alone.

In  Canada, the very nation that was the fourth largest of all nations to have their citizens participating in the war,  there are about but a dozen such memorials. All but one, to to my knowledge, is in recognition of a single hero.

I know of only one recognizing more.

But that all changed on September 16th!

A day destined for  history books  in both Canada and the United States.

And that story will be brought to you on Sunday.

till then,

Bart
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Probably not a word, but I am still suffering from vacationitis...

9/24/2017

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Still sorting out some details but expect to be blogging tomorrow or Tuesday..

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

9/10/2017

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

9/4/2017

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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.    
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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.
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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.
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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!  
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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???
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  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



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September 03rd, 2017

9/3/2017

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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
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News on a couple of fronts to share today.

8/27/2017

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

8/16/2017

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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.    
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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
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