I thought I would start of today's blog by showing you how far I have travelled to continue my research about the Canadian Medal of Honor recipients. According to Google maps I travelled some 2,881 miles one way, to get here at Gettysburg PA.
I have received several comments of late about this work, but in most cases have not gotten back to the writers. I am incredibly busy and ask for some indulgence for the next few weeks as I am on the go all day, and still have problems with both the computer and my handheld tablet. They have been, at the least, very challenging, so please expect delays in postings and response to comments.
I have received several comments of late about this work, but in most cases have not gotten back to the writers. I am incredibly busy and ask for some indulgence for the next few weeks as I am on the go all day, and still have problems with both the computer and my handheld tablet. They have been, at the least, very challenging, so please expect delays in postings and response to comments.
For those who missed yesterday's blog, it noted that Wednesday began with the unveiling of an 80 brick memorial to the 80 living Medal of Honor recipients at the time the idea was created to make this memorial. My interest in this of course is that Sgt. Peter Lemon, born at Toronto, is the last living Canadian MOH recipient and above you can see his name inscribed at lower left. To the right we see the town Mayor at the podium and standing at the far left front row, are Bruce Crandall and his companion "Huey," and Pat Brady. Sitting are Don Ballard, Joe Jackson and Harold Fritz. Standing at rear are Allen Lynch, Brian Thaker, Bob Ingram and Leo Thorsness. Google any of these names and read of their incredible heroism resulted in their being awarded the Medal of Honor. Note each wearing the medal suspended by a blue ribbon around their necks.
I was very honoured to talk most briefly to each recipient and many eyes rolled when I mentioned my long task at researching the Canadian men. And more to the point, the very long history between Canada and the US forces... including MOH history.
The son of one of these men told me an incredible story. It began with the words... "Here. shake my hand." I did as directed, Then came the story. I had already shaken his father's hand. That man once many many years ago shook the hand of a very very very old MOH recipient... who at the age of seven, shook the hand of President Lincoln. So those who know me will now understand why I have not washed my right hand for awhile.
One of the goals of coming to Gettysburg was to visit the cemetery where it is said that there are no less than 27 Canadians buried. These are KNOWN Canadians. There are many unknowns buried here and it is fair to say that some of them may also be Canadians. A past column suggested that there may have been upwards of 700 fighting here and if so, the casualty rate may also be well above 27.
Mr Wills, the prominent Civil War Gettysburg lawyer was instrumental in the creation of the military cemetery that stands today and it is believed to still conduct burials. it is the current resting place for over 7,000, and some 3,512 are Civil War soldiers. Of these almost 1,700 are the remains of unknown heroes who fought and died for the North. It is said that there are no Confederate soldiers buried here. The original plans called for all men being equal, none shall be segregated by colour, unit, state or rank. But very soon one state said no no... we must have are own section, then came along another with similar demands and another and another and so today the cemetery... is in a large semi circle broken down by state, with no regard to rank however. The men were buried as they were brought in and so a researcher with lots of time can have a look to see who may well have died before his neighbour.
I was very honoured to talk most briefly to each recipient and many eyes rolled when I mentioned my long task at researching the Canadian men. And more to the point, the very long history between Canada and the US forces... including MOH history.
The son of one of these men told me an incredible story. It began with the words... "Here. shake my hand." I did as directed, Then came the story. I had already shaken his father's hand. That man once many many years ago shook the hand of a very very very old MOH recipient... who at the age of seven, shook the hand of President Lincoln. So those who know me will now understand why I have not washed my right hand for awhile.
One of the goals of coming to Gettysburg was to visit the cemetery where it is said that there are no less than 27 Canadians buried. These are KNOWN Canadians. There are many unknowns buried here and it is fair to say that some of them may also be Canadians. A past column suggested that there may have been upwards of 700 fighting here and if so, the casualty rate may also be well above 27.
Mr Wills, the prominent Civil War Gettysburg lawyer was instrumental in the creation of the military cemetery that stands today and it is believed to still conduct burials. it is the current resting place for over 7,000, and some 3,512 are Civil War soldiers. Of these almost 1,700 are the remains of unknown heroes who fought and died for the North. It is said that there are no Confederate soldiers buried here. The original plans called for all men being equal, none shall be segregated by colour, unit, state or rank. But very soon one state said no no... we must have are own section, then came along another with similar demands and another and another and so today the cemetery... is in a large semi circle broken down by state, with no regard to rank however. The men were buried as they were brought in and so a researcher with lots of time can have a look to see who may well have died before his neighbour.
The cemetery entrance gate is suitably marked and as you enter there is a very large flag pole. When I asked why the flag was flying at half mast I was told it was because of the horrific shootings at the Washington Naval Yard that left over a dozen killed and another 6 or more wounded. Original reports of using an automatic rifle were reduced to the use of a shotgun and a handgun seized from one of the law enforcement victims. The case screems for serious demands for better treatment of those suffering from mental issues and for better gun control, the first issue being well on the hot seat in Toronto and Vancouver recently. The third image is a row of graves and shows the curve in this portion of the line of markers.
I was told that when the term is unknown, this could mean one of two things. The soldier's name may be lost but at least his regiment is known. Thus, the image to the left listing his unit. But many others could not even be traced to a unit... and thus simply a number was assigned... as shown on the right.
Like so many of the MOH soldiers I am researching, the records are most vague about where the men came from. Archibald McPhee was a 28 yr old soldier in the 111th NY Infantry and died in 3 July 1863... the day of General Pickets famous charge . He was from Canada, but where, the records fail to show... so far. In the middle is the marker for 18 year old John Stottard of the 110 Pa. infantry. He was from Newfoundland. and died on 2 July 1863. Henry Curry was only 18 when he was shot dead on July 1. His name was misspelled and his unit info inscribed is wrong, but dead he still was. His home was in from Nova Scotia.
B. (possibly Bernard) Hogan was from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick and was 37 years old, an old man in terms of average service age in the CW and died in late July from Gettysburg wounds. Mr Ashley, unknown first name or unit, was from Quebec and died on 3 July. William Almas was 18 and serving with the 7th Michigan when he was shot down on 3 July.
I have about 1/2 of the pictures of the known Cdns here and must return later in my trip to get the rest. Most of the names were originally provided to me by one of the re-enactment groups from Ontario but unfortunately I did not think to bring their name along. I will credit them at a later date. While descriptions of where they were supposed to be buried were given... you still need to do lots of stumbling about to find them.
Thank goodness I had the excellent service of Mrs. Joanne Lewis, a wonderful trained town and battlefield guide. In fact she is one of those not only licensed to act as a guide in a very stringent market or experts, but is responsible for the licensing, after training , of others in that business. She also has an association with the great folks at the Main Street Gettysburg Society of you read much praise in my last blog. They and Joanne deserve much more.
I shall return with lots more on Monday but keep in mind, like today's and Wednesday's the others on this trip may get posted rather late in the day.
cheers from Gettysburg.
I'll be in Washington DC when we next meet.
Bart
B. (possibly Bernard) Hogan was from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick and was 37 years old, an old man in terms of average service age in the CW and died in late July from Gettysburg wounds. Mr Ashley, unknown first name or unit, was from Quebec and died on 3 July. William Almas was 18 and serving with the 7th Michigan when he was shot down on 3 July.
I have about 1/2 of the pictures of the known Cdns here and must return later in my trip to get the rest. Most of the names were originally provided to me by one of the re-enactment groups from Ontario but unfortunately I did not think to bring their name along. I will credit them at a later date. While descriptions of where they were supposed to be buried were given... you still need to do lots of stumbling about to find them.
Thank goodness I had the excellent service of Mrs. Joanne Lewis, a wonderful trained town and battlefield guide. In fact she is one of those not only licensed to act as a guide in a very stringent market or experts, but is responsible for the licensing, after training , of others in that business. She also has an association with the great folks at the Main Street Gettysburg Society of you read much praise in my last blog. They and Joanne deserve much more.
I shall return with lots more on Monday but keep in mind, like today's and Wednesday's the others on this trip may get posted rather late in the day.
cheers from Gettysburg.
I'll be in Washington DC when we next meet.
Bart
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