With the work overload over past few weeks, two speaking engagements, considerable research time, family obligations and the passing of a good friend and attendance at his celebration of life, I have managed to miss my deadline for yesterday' blog. But as they say... better late than never!
Over the past few months, and indeed much longer, I have been privileged to be on the receiving end of many documents and tidbits, through research and even through emails and phone calls to and from followers of this site.
Today I shall mention two of these, and next week hopefully I can finally get to a few major events I have been privileged and honoured to have attended over past month or so.
I'll start with many communications with a fellow from California who is most interested in the 2nd Minnesota Infantry and the Feb. 1863 skirmish that involved 16 men against 125 mounted enemy. Noted in a recent blog and perhaps about 6 earlier, the event led to the awarding of 8 Medals of Honor, one being to James Flanagan.
Perhaps In the spirit of today's title, the commanding officer of the 2nd Minnesota gathered his regiment together after the battle and gave high praise to the 16 heroes.
Over the past few months, and indeed much longer, I have been privileged to be on the receiving end of many documents and tidbits, through research and even through emails and phone calls to and from followers of this site.
Today I shall mention two of these, and next week hopefully I can finally get to a few major events I have been privileged and honoured to have attended over past month or so.
I'll start with many communications with a fellow from California who is most interested in the 2nd Minnesota Infantry and the Feb. 1863 skirmish that involved 16 men against 125 mounted enemy. Noted in a recent blog and perhaps about 6 earlier, the event led to the awarding of 8 Medals of Honor, one being to James Flanagan.
Perhaps In the spirit of today's title, the commanding officer of the 2nd Minnesota gathered his regiment together after the battle and gave high praise to the 16 heroes.
While referring to 15 soldiers, some sources say the number was 16. Regardless, he clearly wanted to bring to the attention of the entire unit, the work that Flanagan and the others did. Moreover, he added that their brave action..."deserves to be remembered," and noted it was... "worth emulation by all."
Very high praise indeed!
In past blogs I made mention of Flanagan's parents being born in Ireland and James himself being born in Montreal, but at one point the information was less clear than it ought to have been. Many websites and other materials have James being born in Ireland, Some say Canada but without further narrowing it down to Quebec.
So the inquiry from California, leaning towards Montreal, made contact seeking confirmation of birth place.
Very high praise indeed!
In past blogs I made mention of Flanagan's parents being born in Ireland and James himself being born in Montreal, but at one point the information was less clear than it ought to have been. Many websites and other materials have James being born in Ireland, Some say Canada but without further narrowing it down to Quebec.
So the inquiry from California, leaning towards Montreal, made contact seeking confirmation of birth place.
Several spellings of the surname appear in various documents. But it appears that the one on his grave stone, matching the spelling on his Medal of Honor citation appears to be the correct one. But this of course sheds no light on place of birth.
An Ogdensburg New York newspaper in 1905 carried this notice under a heading of news from away. Note at bottom of page, without starting a new paragraph, the article goes right into another story. This one about a couple that, rather than dying... chose to get married.
The article had the same surname spelling as above noted. It also says that James was a life resident of the Town of Louisburg NY. But he actually moved there with his parents when probably less that 5 years of age.
The article had the same surname spelling as above noted. It also says that James was a life resident of the Town of Louisburg NY. But he actually moved there with his parents when probably less that 5 years of age.
With great help from the Victoria Genealogical Society this document and the following have been discovered. Under the NOTES section above, at lines 6 and 7 we see that James Flanagan was indeed born at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, while his parents came from Ireland. Several of James' siblings were born in the US after the family moved there shortly after his birth.
This is an 1870 census for the Town Louisville New York. Piece the upper and lower images together and they make sense.
In the lower portion, at line three, 5th column from the right, the place of birth for James, the son, is listed as being in Canada. His mother is listed above his name with an Irish birth. His father is not listed and possibly deceased. The other children are listed with NY births.
Now I move on to the 2nd story, out of New Brunswick...
A fellow there has noticed some of the work done to correct the old, misspelled and almost unreadable stone of Nova Scotia's Joseph Noil. His Medal of Honor was awarded for actions just after the US Civil War. Much has been said about Noil's story here in the past.
In the lower portion, at line three, 5th column from the right, the place of birth for James, the son, is listed as being in Canada. His mother is listed above his name with an Irish birth. His father is not listed and possibly deceased. The other children are listed with NY births.
Now I move on to the 2nd story, out of New Brunswick...
A fellow there has noticed some of the work done to correct the old, misspelled and almost unreadable stone of Nova Scotia's Joseph Noil. His Medal of Honor was awarded for actions just after the US Civil War. Much has been said about Noil's story here in the past.
In the 1960's the US Navy produced a series of recruiting posters. Joseph Noil was the first and only known black recipient of the MOH in Canada's history. Two others thought to be from Canada have since been shown to probably be non Canadian born or connected to Canada.
After many years of hard work and research several folks can be proud of our accomplishment to see the old grave marker for Joseph Noil on the left replaced by the very prominent and attractive new MOH marker, complete with the correct spelling of his name.
The NB man is most interested in black history and wants to take some steps in that province, and perhaps even more widespread to ensure that we remember the Noil story and take steps for it to be enduring for future generations as well. I have offered to play whatever role I can in these endeavors.
The NB man is most interested in black history and wants to take some steps in that province, and perhaps even more widespread to ensure that we remember the Noil story and take steps for it to be enduring for future generations as well. I have offered to play whatever role I can in these endeavors.
He has sent this document to me, not knowing that I have seen it in the past. It seems to be the ONLY document that has has ever surfaced indicating that, whilst from Nova Scotia, it says his hometown was in the town of Liverpool.
He asks if any other verification has yet been found. Sadly, many have looked, but I am unaware of any further confirmation, and would love to see it if it exists.
Still more to come on Sunday,
Bart
He asks if any other verification has yet been found. Sadly, many have looked, but I am unaware of any further confirmation, and would love to see it if it exists.
Still more to come on Sunday,
Bart
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