March is an important month... Part ll

Last week I shared with you some of the latest tidbits sent my way from  a regular follower of these blogs. He had discovered the image, that l brought you of the CSS Georgia. As a result of getting that image I did some digging and came up with the image of the iron rails used during Civil War days on ships that became the first ever "ironclads."

This brought me to sharing more of the story appearing in past blogs about the famous 8-9 March 1862 battle of the CSS Virginia (aka Merrimack) and the USS Monitor at Hampton Roads.

Last week I briefly mentioned that over the years I had found numerous connections with Canadian sailors and even one soldier in this battle. Some were mentioned including the fact that two of the Canadians would later in the war be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions elsewhere.

Many of the current books, websites and more will tell you that Montreal born sailor James McIntosh earned his Medal of Honor during the battle on Mobile Bay. Often referred to as the Fort Morgan battle, it was fought on 4 August 1864.

This is what most current sources say about the McIntosh medal. But there is more to the story. Like so many other cases, a careful look into the files, and the constant search for the earliest of records often show that dates and times and events even change ever so slightly. But yet enough to clearly tell a different story.

Captain Jenkins was the ship's Commanding Officer. From the above you can see that he had earlier recommended many sailors for the highest of honors. But at that time gave few details of their actions. In the above report to his superiors, and through them to the Department of the Navy and on up to even higher authority he again recommends the highest of rewards to the men, and even lays out particulars of over 2 dozen so recommended.

At page 458, note very carefully the 2nd line wherein the Captain states that the recommendations are not only for the battle at Fort Morgan but also..."in conflict with the rebels previously..."

Many of the men listed in the report has served no doubt on several ships. Captain Jenkins included a reference to the USS Cumberland, as seen above in the matter of McIntosh. It therefore seems fair to assume that the actions while on that ship, are included in the actions while on the USS Richmond 2 years later, and for which his medal was being recommended... and awarded.

While this does not make the sailor a double recipient it sure seems to make him an awardee for two different battles.  

Moving on, this Friday I hope all readers will stop for a few moments to reflect on the entire story of the Medal of Honor. Over the years about 3,500 medals have been awarded for bravery to men, and one woman, from over 30 countries around the world. One in five was born outside of the US.

And to each, a moment to reflect is in order.

It was 154 yrs ago Friday March 25th, that youthful Jacob Parrott, shown above, the youngest of the six escaping members of Andrews Raiders, would be presented with a Medal of Honor by the Secretary of  War. The other five would then also be so honoured and all would then be off for about a 15 minute meeting with President Abraham Lincoln. (A past blog in this space tells how I had shaken President Lincoln's hand... sort of.  About 5 times removed I believe.)

I was most proud and humbled to have the opportunity of interviewing a direct relative of Jacob a few years back and some of that interview was noted in this space previously.

Whilst Jacob was the first to be presented with the medal, a few others earned theirs, before the Raiders. The very first by date of action, was Doctor Bernard JD Irwin, an Irishman, who spent his last days of life in Ontario. 

Back next Sunday...

Bart