Daily Blog

Time to move on, but not before thanking so many!

5/29/2016

Over the past many years, including the 3 most recent, I have been talking quite a bit and working very hard to see the above left image transform into the vastly improved right image of Canadian Joseph Noil's marker.

The results of this work coupled with that of so may past and present serving military members, organizations, and individuals have brought Joseph Benjamin Noil's story not only alive again, but put it into the homes of literally millions.

This is very important to not only the extended Noil family of today, but to all who have stepped forward today, in days long gone, but also those of the future in both the United States and Canada. Men and women who have worn our uniforms and kept our homes and families safe.

We owe it to them to pledge continuing the following of these footsteps to identify unmarked markers, damaged or unreadable markers, and do something about it. In doing so we will be proving, rather than just talking, that we understand the debt we owe those who came before us, and we will show our gratitude.

In so doing we should also remember that so often the peace and enjoyment our families enjoy today did not arrive at our doorsteps through the end of a pen. They probably came through the end of a gun.

It was exactly a month ago today that Nova Scotia Hero Noil's new marker was unveiled. It took 134 years, so John Logan would not be very happy.

His name should come to mind tomorrow... Memorial Day in the US. But when created 149 years ago... Major General John A Logan was the President of the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternity often mentioned in this space.

One of General Logan's first orders of business, back in 1868 was an ORDER to all his members that they were to go out and get... the choicest of springtime flowers on 30 May each year. (A day that would see them in bloom all across the country.)

He continued with... We should guard the graves with sacred vigilance... let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."

He would call the day... Decoration Day. That day is still alive, and falls tomorrow, though it has morphed from 30 May to the last Monday of the month and is now called Memorial Day.

And it is a day taken very seriously at many military and other cemeteries across the country.

This is the national Arlington cemetery at Washington DC, just a few miles away from where Joseph is buried. The army, navy, marines, coast guard, and the air force place OVER 250,000 grave decorating flags that will be removed I believe the day after. I believe many are also placed by the US Coast Guard at Saint Elizabeths and probably now at the Noil marker as well.

In last week's blog I mentioned that not only where flags and wreaths placed at the foot of the new Noil Marker, but flags of both Canada and the United States were also presented to the Noil family with documents noting both were flown in honor of this navy hero.

A flag of Nova Scotia was also sent to Saint Elizabeth's by the provincial government. Letters were also forwarded for presentation by both the Honourable Tony Ince, NS's Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs as well as from The Honourable Kent Hehr, the Canadian Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

Minister Hehr (top image) noted that the efforts of all concerned was commendable and gave thanks for pursuing this important work and service. Adding that... we remember Mr. Noil and all our service men and women who have fought for the freedom we enjoy today. The years of efforts that resulted in today's ceremony should be an example to all of us of the importance to honour with dignity our fallen soldiers.

Nova Scotia's Minister Ince, (also shown above) acknowledged Noil's heroism and ... makes me... as an African Nova Scotian extremely proud. Proud to say that Joseph Benjamin Noil came from NS... and that... to recognize his act of bravery with a Medal of Honor is of historical significance.

The story of Nova Scotia has more chapters to be written and in those chapters we must make every effort to educate ourselves. Educate ourselves about the contributions and sacrifices African Nova Scotians have made in Nova Scotia and abroad. I believe Benjamin Noil deserves to be included in those chapters.

These Ministers and other officials have been noted here, and in the last two blogs, thanking myself and others for the work done to bring this story to a new beginning. I too would like to add a few comments about a few of the many that have been of incredible help in moving this story forward.

The two roses of the left and right above are Doctor Suryabala Kanhouwa and Frances McMillen respectively. Both are historians who have done much work on the research of Elizabeths' very long history and varied medical roles going back to Civil War days. Suryabala and Jogues Prandoni (middle) have contributed much to the history and documentary record of the hospital's archives. While not working with the two women, Jogues and I have been exchanging information of the Noil story going back to 2009.

The women here probably also helped with the sorting out of another veteran buried at the hospital for years under a marker identifying him, erroneously as being a Medal of Honor recipient. The hospital's incredible efforts over the past few years, coupled with some of the same group that worked on the Noil story finally got that matter also resolved.

Lt Colonel David Devenney (on left) is the Public Affairs Attache in Washington and stationed at the Canadian Embassy. Like his counterparts over the past decade and more, he has shared and received much information over the past few years from me regarding the extensive Canadian involvement in the US military going back to Civil War days and even before. This of course includes the incredible part fellow Canadians have played in the whole story of the Medal of Honor.

To the right are shown Bill Sweeney, Maureen Jais-Mick and of course Rear Admiral William Truelove. Bill is a board member of the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the US and came from the Boston area I believe, to represent our society at the unveiling. Bill has been a member, as I, for many years and has done more than his part to help will society research and organizational matters. He has also helped in identifying lost graves and even placed a marker for one of the 6 Americans who earned the Victoria Cross.

Maureen has become one of my new DC buddies. She and I have exchanged hundreds of emails I am sure, over the past few months re the unveiling, and so much of the background work that brought us to that event. She has been most professional even though I had no doubt been a real pain in constant search of commitments re dates of events and certain aspects of the service that, under her very careful watch came off fabulously. And it is now part of US and Canadian history.

The Admiral's bringing word from the embassy was most appreciated, and as feedback coming my ways proves, did an excellent job with heart-wrenching comments about Nova Scotia and our hero, and Canadians in general serving in the US uniforms of today and the past.

Don Morfe and Gayle Alvaraz of the Medal of Honor Society also played instrumental roles in finding the grave, sharing in the research and exchanging information. So did Laura Jowdy at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society who has always been such a gem of information and so willing to share it with me and others searching the millions of questions associated with all these recipients.

The US Coast Guard, the Navy, the press and so many more played roles. You know who you are and I thank you.

Over the years I have tried to bring to the press the important roles these Canadians have played and have had many small successes. This Noil case has stunned me with the numbers of possible viewers and readers. And to each of you in the press, thanks ever so much and please keep in mind that there is so much more that can be done to keep these stories alive.

On a final note, please give just 5 more minutes and click on this link. I think you will be glad you did.

here it is...

https://www.google.ca/search?q=little+girl+paying+taps&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=GHFLV57dK42EjwPFhpZo

see you next week,

Bart

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It took over 130 years to pay Joseph Noil his rightful dues, and millions have now witnessed us getting it right.

5/22/2016

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Many times over the past three years I have brought you stories about Nova Scotia born Joseph Noil, who went off to sea with the US Navy and was awarded a Medal of Honor for saving the life of one of his shipmates. At death in March of 1882 he was buried under the wrong name, without military honours due him, and without mention on his marker that he was awarded the highest of awards for bravery in the US military.

On 29 April of his year, the efforts of many individuals and organizations culminated in the performance of an impressive unveiling ceremony in Washington DC where Joseph rests. The new marker corrects the errors above noted.

A few days back I brought you the first of 2 blogs about the event. I left off with the introduction of Doctor Tanya A Royster, Director of Behavioral Health in DC. The cemetery is at the Saint Elizabeth's hospital property, and as such, is one of her responsibilities.

In her brief welcoming comments, Doctor Royster, (2nd from left, above) noted that "We righted a wrong today and restored Seaman Noil to his rightful place in history. We are privileged to have cared for him and so many others who sacrificed for our country."

Mike Caldwell, at far right in the above image, and also here to the left, is the Chief Operating Officer of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

Both I and St Elizabeth's made contact to request that he bring the best wishes of the foundation and of course its parent, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. This most exclusive club is one where membership is limited to only actual Medal of Honor recipients.

Mr. Caldwell gave a little history of the medal and noted that while over 43 MILLION have served on active duty in the US military, only 3,495 had received the MOH. (That folks, means that for about every 12,300 serving, only one got the medal.)

Mentioning the criteria required for the earning of such an award, Mr. Caldwell noted that... "The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. And, that's exactly what Joseph Noil did when he saved the life of one of his fellow sailors."

Caldwell added that 748 Medals of Honor where awarded to navy men.

He further carried the message so often noted in this space that there were at least 760 medals going to men that were not born in the United States. That's one in five folks. (Actually slightly less than five.) And the numbers are 1 in 4 during Civil War days.

(My research shows that in the 760 about one in less than 8 came to a Canadian or recipient with connections to Canada.)

Mr. Caldwell further stated that there are only 76 recipients still alive today and that each works... "to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal and to educate and inspire citizens across America to live by the values embodied in the Medal... courage and sacrifice, commitment and integrity, citizenship and patriotism. They are part of Joseph's family of whom he would be proud as they strive to build a better nation, one citizen at a time.

Caldwell ended with.... Joseph Benjamin Noil, we thank you for your service, for your courage, for your example. And, we salute you."

At the bottom of the above picture are several members of the Greater Washington DC 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association. These re-enactors, like hundreds of thousands of others across the US gather on regular basis to practice and give re-enactments of various battles and perform other military ceremonial duties. They take their work very seriously and often their equipment and uniforms are historically correct originals. (Lesser numbers do the same in Canada and one of these groups helped me with a ceremony for Buckley years ago, and mentioned above.)

The sergeant shown is probably H Crawford who played a most emotional TAPS during the service. A very close look at the man beside him is needed. I believe this is the man who may not be a man at all..but a woman who plays a woman disguised and who came forth to serve, like hundreds of others, during CW days. (Some even from Canada, and noted in past blogs.)

Captain Ross Sargent of the US Coast Guard's office of Military Justice no doubt wanted Joseph Noil to get some of his own military justice. Justice he got on 29 April of this year.

This officer, pictured above, thanked the selfless folks who made the event a reality and noted that risking one's life to save another on the verge of being lost is the most noble, heroic act a person can do... and that heroes deserve proper recognition."

Being stationed at the CG HQ ... "a few hundreds yards that way..." Captain Sargent told of how the HQ building became dedicated to Douglas Munro from British Columbia. He then read from the general order describing fellow Canadian Joseph Noil's deeds and even provided some additional insight into that day back so many tears ago at Norfolk when Noil rescued his teammate.

"He was down in the ship when the man overboard call was sounded. Seaman Noil ran up on deck (where other shipmates were presumably,) he found a rope, and jumped off the side of the ship. I research how high the ship's railing sat above the water and found it to be 16-18 ft, depending on the ship's loading condition. That's a long way down into almost frozen water, in howling wind and sleet. But Seaman Noil... at 5 ft 6 inches tall, jumped in when no one else did. Finding the shipmate under the curved bow of the ship, he held the nearly unconscious man above the water till rescued. This is self sacrifice... that is exemplary sacrifice... and as such...must be memorialized.

The officer continued with... To paraphrase President Lincoln, future generations may not remember what we say here, but they MUST remember what Seaman Noil did so bravery, there, in icy Norfolk Harbor, 144 years ago.

May his selflessness, for the sake of his fellow man, inspire us all."

Regular followers of this blog will remember Rear Admiral William Truelove, the former commander of the Canadian Navy on the west coast for several years. Not long ago he took up his new assignment as the commander of the military team at our Canadian Embassy there in Washington DC.

Several months ago I contacted the embassy to advise that the service would be taking place though dates where yet to be announced. I asked that the Ambassador participate in the ceremony. I later learned that duties prevented attendance that day but that his top military officer on site would be sent. That is when I was most pleased to learn that this was Rear Admiral Truelove.

As I did for the Bourke ceremony at Victoria years ago, I asked the Canadian Embassy to fly a flag in honour of Joseph Noil and have it presented at the ceremony. They most graciously agreed and did so.

Rear Admiral Truelove was born at Liverpool Nova Scotia. Many feel that while evidence is yet to be located, they still feel that Joseph also came from Liverpool.

The Admiral noted how fitting it was that he had the opportunity to eulogize Noil, certainly a Nova Scotian, and a navy man as well, and to ... ensure that his act of bravery is rightly recognized."

He thanked the work we in the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States have done as... "we begin a new chapter wherein future generations will be able to bear witness to Noil's bravery and our common recognition of it."

In Canada, we pride ourselves in remembering our fallen. Captain of the Hold Joseph Benjamin Noil was indeed a Canadian, and we see him as our hero too.

Rear Admiral Truelove also gave notice to Douglas Munro from Vancouver. He noted how interesting it is that on the west side of the DC campus is where the Munro US CG HQ building stands, and Munro was from the West of Canada. And from the East of Canada comes Noil who rests now on the east side of the same campus. And both heroes are Medal of Honor recipients.

Most in attendance that day, would not know it till told by the Admiral that the Canadian motto of course is... A Mare Usque ad Mare... from sea to sea.

He ended his brief remarks with... Today we have fellow countryman serving side by side around the world. I want to pause on this point and, to those in uniform, thank you and your families for not only your service but your unwavering support of Canada. I ask that we all share a thought to those serving our nations on the front lines.

It has been my pleasure and honour to stand before you as we recognize the name and actions of one on my hometown's own sons. May his memory live on and may he rest in peace.

Later in the ceremony, as shown in the picture above, the rear Admiral presented the flag flown over the Canadian Embassy to Mrs. Bernadette Ricks a direct descendant of Joseph Noil, She was also given a letter acknowledging that the flag was so flown.

Both I and Saint Elizabeth's both also asked the US CG if they would fly a flag in honour of Noil and have it for presentation at the ceremony. They complied with it and a letter being presented to Mrs Ricks by Vice Admiral Robin Braun who is the commander of the Naval Reserves in the United States.

Admiral Braun spoke briefly about the many many many decades of naval service in the US, around the clock and around the world. She also stated that with these brave Americans were others.

"We have been blessed by those who were not Americans, and nevertheless, served out country and the cause of freedom. We are here today to properly recognize the life and service of just such an individual. A man, not born on American soil, but who died in service to our country, and whose final resting place is here on American soil.

The Admiral spoke of service to fellow shipmates and how each man or woman always had the back of his or her fellow mate. Not just today and tomorrow... but always. She said that ... by honouring Joseph Benjamin Noil, and rededicating his headstone, we are not only correcting a wrong..we are highlighting and reinforcing the eternal bond which exists between shipmates...past, present, and those yet to come.

While noting that 134 years later the navy still had Noil's back.... the name and deeds of our shipmate... are never forgotten... here in America..or in his native Canada.

Mrs. Bernadette Ricks is the ggg granddaughter Of Joseph Noil. She and one of her daughters came to DC to participate in the ceremony. They were only found just weeks before the event, and did not know where he was buried or that he was a Medal of Honor recipient. She has received wide media and family attention over the past month and has spent some considerable time spent wiping tears of joy from her face.

Bernadette shared family stories of service to the veterans, death in the family from serving family members, of having such a large family of descendants to carry on the name of Joseph and the incredible honor we have all done for her and her family. Many of us in return tell her the honour is not ours to keep but hers to share with the family of today.

Bernadette has shared also her belief that there is a thread that runs through her family, and if the family follows that thread they will learn where it is that they can go.

Good food for thought for those in the world of genealogy.

Tammi Lambert , Director of the DC Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and Doctor Royster are show here unveiling the new beautiful marker supplied by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. A naval honor guard are to the rear.

Quite some time ago I brought you a few blogs about the fact that I obtained from the US Government many certificates known as the Presidential Memorial Certificates containing the names a several dozen MOH men from Canada. This one is the one I got with Joseph Noil's name of it. Note it was signed by President Bush. One with the Obama signature on it was given to the family at the ceremony. If you have relatives that served in the US forces just google PMC and you will get to the site to order one of these. They are free.

There is still more to this story that I want to add... but this blog is already far too long. I will end the Noil ceremony next weekend...

Bart

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"Geography has made us neighbors, history has made us friends. Economics have made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those who nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder."

5/18/2016

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It was 47 years ago yesterday when retired and famed PT 109 Captain John F. Kennedy addressed the Canadian Parliament at Ottawa's House of Commons. That is when the then serving President of the United States gave the above memorial quote to Members of Parliament, all of Canada, and indeed the United States.

Less well know, but along the same lines comes a quote two weeks ago from an official of the Naval History and Heritage Command, Communications and Outreach Programs, of the United States Navy.

If you read between the lines, you might assume that he too echoed President Kennedy's thoughts. His thoughts were perhaps on the relationship, the comradery, the respect, friendship and togetherness and trust between the citizens of both nations.

He said that..."immigrants from all over the world, of every religion, and of ethnicity, join the United States military and go on to serve their adopted country honorably, often heroically, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice.

They have been doing so for as long as our country existed.

Here is the story of one such immigrant from our neighbor to the north who came to America 150 years ago, served in the Navy, was awarded our country's highest military honor, but who's bravery went unrecognized for 130 years at his last resting place."

This official and many more from the civilian and military worlds spoke in the highest of esteem about Nova Scotia born Joseph Noil, a recipient of the US Medal of Honor.

The speakers, and many more in the audience on 29 April at Washington DC, and those that could not be there, were joined by literally millions from across North America who read the news stories, read incoming emails, watched their TV sets or perhaps heard about the story on radio. The internet alone carried almost 60 hits.. and who knows how many face-book, twitter and other social media sites brought the world the story of how this man risked his life to save that of another shipmate.

Among many of the worker bees behind this project is the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the US, of which mention is often given in this space, and of which I am the lone Canadian member.

One of the goals of our society is to help find close to 400 "lost graves" of MOH recipients anywhere in the world. MANY MANY MANY have been found over the years, but there is much more work to be done. (You can do your part by letting me or the society know about the MOH grave you might know about. We are also interested in learning of graves that are almost unreadable or fail to identify the hero as a MOH recipient.)

Over many years I have been thrilled and honoured to have played roles, in some cases minor, in others, major, in the locating of graves of some of these heroes. So too in the arranging of new marker placement and the organizing of, and conducting of public ceremonies to unveil the markers and help to bring the story of these heroes back to life again.

Dennis Buckley and Benjamin Youngs are both Canadian Medal of Honor recipients and have had mention many times at this site. They are both Ontario boys. Dennis from Lindsay and Benjamin from Zorra.

Like Joseph Noil, Dennis Buckley was buried under a marker that spelled his name wrong for over 140 years. When found a new marker was arranged and a ceremony held in Georgia where he is buried. The following year a monument to him was unveiled in his home town. His old Georgia marker is at left, and above with the corrected one, at right. It was unveiled in April of 2007.

In Benjamin's case, his California marker, like many in his family, simply had the names and dates of birth and death. Benjamin's had no indication he was a Medal of Honor recipient. Again the old is on the left and the new on right. It was unveiled in May of 2010.

In May of 2013 the new Canadian Commonwealth War Graves marker was unveiled in Victoria BC for long time BC resident Rowland Bourke. He was was awarded the Victoria Cross and actions about 2 weeks earlier would also end up with the awarding of the Distinguished Service Order for his heroism in 1918 in Belgium. Use the search engine at this site to read the many blogs done about him.

Rowland in later life would joke that the only reason he got the medals was because he was "too blind to get out of the way." A reference to the fact that he was completely blind in one eye. The Canadian army and navy refused to allow him to enter their ranks, as did the United States services. So he went to England and signed up with the navy there.

Below this is the very weathered marker for Joseph Noil. You can read US Navy at the bottom but it is most difficult to read the misspelled NOEL above. To the right is the new marker... oops. It comes later.

This is as good as a pictorial can be, to illustrate the obstacles US officials at Saint Elizabeths' Cemetery, Veterans Affairs, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, veterans groups, the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the US and others, including several individuals faced in the search for this Nova Scotia hero. Somewhere in the above or adjacent fields of graves rests the man... but where?

I have emails back to 2009 on Joseph, others had been looking a lot longer. But then pieces of the puzzle started to unravel. Over the years evidence began more focused, experts were consulted, more clues came in and ultimately it was decided by those who make such decisions, that we had indeed located the marker... even though the name was misspelled. Steps where taken to have a new marker made, officials took various leads and a ceremony was in the works that resulted in history being made on 29 April when the new marker was unveiled.

I believe it was back in the 1960's that the US Navy produced some recruiting posters. Joseph was featured on one of these.

Here the poster image is used on the front of a 4 page program, telling a little of Noil's history and the events of the day on the 29th.

As there are no known actual photographs of Joseph, the image is an artist's rendering of him and the event leading up to the awarding of the Medal of Honor. Note the image has our hero wearing the medal around his neck.

It must have been quite a long night before the ceremony for Bernadette Ricks, the GGG Granddaughter of Joseph Noil. Her daughter Krisette had arrive at Philadelphia at just 2 a.m. from out of state. Two hrs later the two women were mobile again en-route by cab and train to DC and only arrived at Saint Elizabeth's about 30 minutes before the ceremony started.

Once all the dignitaries and audience were seated and quieted down Master of Ceremonies... Lieutenant Commander John Schafler began the ceremony. He is from the Head Quarters of the US Coast Guard and comes from the very complex named after Vancouver BC born Douglas Munro, the only MOH recipient in that branch of the US Military.

Members of the US Coast Guard then posted their colours, and this was followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada by Crystal Jones-Johnston from Saint Elizabeths and Julia Eaddy from the Canadian Embassy. These national anthems were quite beautifully performed and received a warm reception from all within earshot.

Joseph smiled!

The colours where then withdrawn and followed by the US Navy's Chaplain Gregory N. Todd's invocation.

Doctor Tanya A Royster, the Director of the DC Department of Behavioral Health then welcome the audience to the cemetery. While a very historic grave yard, it is nevertheless an area not generally open to the public.

The doctor noted that it was hoped that the ceremony could have taken place many months earlier, but several matters, including receiving and mounting the new marker, weather and administrative matters required the ceremony being delayed. She noted that this was perhaps a blessing in disguise. It was not until about 3 weeks before the event that direct descendants of Joseph Noil were actually found.

Family that knew of the lineage but not where he was buried, nor that he had EVEN BEEN AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR.

This is getting long, so I shall return on Sunday with more about the ceremony.

Hope you will join me again then.

By the way, comments are always welcome, though workload sometimes presents problems in acknowledging in a timely fashion...

cheers

Bart

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Sunday post delayed till Wednesday

5/15/2016

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Computer..then printer screw ups have eaten most of my day and whilst now fixed, the leg work still needed to be done for today's blog remains unfinished. The blog should appear on Wednesday.

Sorry for the delay, but anyone with a computer knows that these machines work when they want to... not when we want them to.

Please don't tell my machine I said that!

Bart

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Sam continues to make history...

5/8/2016

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Several blogs have told of Sam's claim of American birth when he was clearly a Canadian. Mention was given of his exploits in the US Navy before the Civil War and service on board a supply ship that serviced the needs of fleets in some of the major ship to shore battles during that war. We left off with the telling of how the Korean war..or skirmish, as some call it, started back in 1871. This could be said to have really started by actions back in 1866.

That's when 21 men on the Steam Ship General William Sherman had entered Korean waters with claims that they wished to trade British goods picked up in China. Of course at that time Koreans wanted nothing to do with trade outside of their country. They told the ship to either wait for higher instructions from Korean officials, or immediately leave their waters.

But the ship ignoring the instructions, a matter taken by the Koreans to be an act of war. It sailed upriver to the capitol and was fired upon and returned fire en-route. Many of the crew were killed and the vessel was finally set afire by floating barges lit for such purposes. The remainder dove into the water, came ashore and were either beaten or tortured to death.

This is the side-wheeler SS General early in the US Civil War.

Over the next few years several attempts to learn what had happened to the crew were made. One vessel had to turn back due to weather. Another because of tides. A further attempt to gain information on June 1 1871 resulted in two American warships turning back when fired upon. But they would return on the 10th, with almost triple the number, and little thoughts of turning back.

One of the fleet returning was the USS Colorado, Admiral Rogers commanding. And on his crew was a fellow named Sam. On the 9th the fleet sent about 650 marines and sailors ashore to capture or destroy several smaller forts and a larger one they would later call the Citadel.

Navy vessels were always expected to have about 1/3rd of the crew trained for landing parties and Sam was one of these. He would go ashore and be part of the action as the Koreans in the smaller forts would either be captured, killed or retreated. This partly no doubt due to their antiquated weaponry including resorting to flintlocks, shotguns, spears and rocks.

Naval Lieutenant McKeen led the ground party in which Sam was a part. When the officer was the first to arrive at the Citadel he was shot and instantly killed. Sam would be at his site trying to save him. That battle would be over in about 1/2 hour. But in that time the enemy commander was killed, his 2nd in command and about 20 others were taken prisoner and about 250 were killed. McKeen, one other sailor and one Marine were the only American deaths, though there were many wounded. One of the dead had 17 spear wounds.

A few days short of eight months later Sam would be awarded with the medal of honor for his bravery at the side of his officer commanding. Eight other sailors and 6 US Marines would ultimately be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions that day as well.

These medals were the first awarded for actions with the enemy of a foreign power. Though 7 years earlier several medals including some coming to Canadians, were awarded for ACTIONS on foreign lands..or waters in this case... during the sea battle off the shores of France during the famous sea battle of the USS Kearsarge and CSS Alabama, mentioned often in the space. (The shoreline war grave of three sailors in that action is located at Cherbourge. One of the three buried is a Canadian sailor from that battle.)

Sam would continue serving in the US navy for about another decade and then, after almost 30 yrs of service he would leave there to work as a Quartermaster on various vessels plying the Great Lakes. Still not losing his sea legs he would then start a new career as a light-keeper at at least three different Lighthouses.

The last of these was at the Grand Marais Lighthouse along the south shores of Lake Superior and some 75 miles west of Sault St Marie, as shown to the left. He would man the light here from about 1898 to 1904.

When first built the light stood 43 above seawater. It was later raised to 62 ft... and that no doubt took many steps to climb, no matter the time of day or conditions of the climber or weather. Sam would be the first light keeper to light up these lights. The job was so new that they had not even bothered to build a shelter for the keeper.

That was left to Sam to sort out. The shanty above was built with his own hands... and whatever lumber he could scrounge from the beach or elsewhere. When he retired in 1905 due to health, his replacement was stunned to see the quarters he had to now occupy. Ultimately the new quarters above were built. The new keeper is shown with his son at above left. And medal of Honor Hero Sam is shown at the right, probably with the "new"quarters being built in behind him.

Sam passed away in late 1905 and lay at rest in Illinois.
As you can see below, his old marker was replaced several years ago with the newer Medal of Honor marker and as you can see he did actually have a last name. And that was Rogers.

Many years ago the old marker was replaced with the newer Medal of Honor type of marker that you have often seen at this site.

And now, as Paul Harvey used to say,... that is the rest of this story.

Bart

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Sam is still sailing...

5/1/2016

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New visitors to this site might want to have a look at the five previous blogs about Sam. He was recently verified as being a Canadian even though numerous enlistments in the US Navy pre, during and after the Civil War claimed he was born in the state of New York. And so did his death certificate. But evidence has shown he was born about 60 km north of Montreal Quebec.

Sam's travels with the navy saw him participating in the saving of over 1200 coloured folk heading towards slavery, capturing the ship that became famous in the Trent Affair, involved in the destruction of key forts in the Mississippi River area and, in the last blog we see him still in the stores supply business and feeding the ships the ammunition and other goods en-route to tackle Vicksburg.

The silencing of about 175 Confederate guns at Forts Jackson and St Philip were noted last week, as was the fall of New Orleans soon after. Then the march, or should I say in Sam's case... the sail towards Vicksburg continued.

But before getting the entire flotilla of Union vessels up that far, some had been left to tackle the Ellis' Cliffs. Located about 160 miles up the Mississippi River, and still another 80 to the ultimate target... Vicksburg. These cliffs rose some 250-300 ft. above sea level and on top stood powerful concealed Confederate batteries that posed a threat to vessel movement up the Mississippi River. But the Confederate guns soon proved to be of little concern to the flotilla of about a dozen 13 inch very dangerous mortar ships. While most vessels could not raise their cannons to deal with such a high target, it was a breeze for the mortarmen.

Then came the sail to Vicksburg and one of the famous battles of the Civil War! Much has been written in this space about that battle in the past. Many Canadians served on the dozens of warships and army units in that battle.

Use the search engine at this site to discover some of these. Look for stories about soldiers Frederick Rock and Thomas Higgins... a fellow that was so brave, THE ENEMY were the ones who nominated him for a medal. Also look for the blog on sailor Frank Bois. All three would bring Medals of Honor back to Canada for bravery at Vicksburg.

And so would Sam. But that would come, not for his deeds at Vicksburg, but after service on may more ships and many more years would pass. It would happen 6 years after the Civil War was over, and during the Korean Expedition of June/July 1871.

Sam would still be wearing the uniform of a US Sailor, still in the supply business, but now as a Chief Quartermaster. As such his name would be recorded in the history books forever.

This next chapter in his life could be said to have started in September of 1866... without him.

This photo is of the SS General Sheridan, named after the famous Union General, and taken about 1864. It is a 187 ton side-wheeler tin clad made for brown water work. Unlike the usual USS ships this SS stood for a steam ship rather than a warship. Tin clad meaning it was very lightly armored, and brown water reflecting is role on the inland rivers rather than the blue watered war vessels designed for ocean travel.

The Sheridan began first as a Confederate blockade runner named the CSS Princess Royal but about half way through the Civil War she was captured by the Union, refitted and sent off to her duties along the Mississippi River. Possibly even getting supplies with Sam's fingerprints on them at some point. By war's end, the renamed ship was sold off and turned into a merchant trading vessel for private concerns, but one still rather heavily armored and dangerous if you made her mad.

There are many versions of events in September of 1866. what happened and why, but regardless it ended badly for the General.

Her crew of 21 had taken on supplies from British merchants in Japan and gone to Korean on a supposed??? trading mission. Traveling along a river towards the capital city they were stopped and asked why they had come to an area where the world well knew was not interested in trading with outsiders. Goods were offered by the ship, but these were refused as was the order of the day. A few supplies were allowed to be taken on board but instructions were given not to go forth. In fact the General was ordered to either leave or sit to await further instructions from superiors at the Korean capital.

Disregarding the orders, the ship moved forward till almost at the capital. Several incidents between ship and shore took place and clearly the Koreans felt this was an act of war. Firing became heavier and ultimately the General was set afire by shore actions and launched burning rafts. Those not already dead on board dove into the water, were taken ashore then beaten and or tortured to death.

For several years US warships attempted to find out what really happened. Bad weather turned some back, others got close but no answers.

In 1871 five US warships were sent determined to sort the matter out.

Sam was on one of these, and that comes next Sunday!

Bart

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Time to move on, but not before thanking so many!

It took over 130 years to pay Joseph Noil his rightful dues, and millions have now witnessed us getting it right.

"Geography has made us neighbors, history has made us friends. Economics have made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those who nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder."

Sunday post delayed till Wednesday

Sam continues to make history...

Sam is still sailing...

Author;
Bart Armstrong, C.D.,
Recipient, Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

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Time to move on, but not before thanking so many!

It took over 130 years to pay Joseph Noil his rightful dues, and millions have now witnessed us getting it right.

"Geography has made us neighbors, history has made us friends. Economics have made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those who nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder."

Sunday post delayed till Wednesday

Sam continues to make history...

Sam is still sailing...

Author;Bart Armstrong, C.D., Recipient, Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

Archives

Categories

Author;
Bart Armstrong, C.D.,
Recipient, Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers