Canadian of the Civil War Memorial
WE DID IT!
Our many thanks to all whom have worked with us over the last 4+ years to bring this memorial into a reality.
Shown here are the very elated members of the Gray and Blues of Montreal (GBM), along with their friend and co-conspirators form the American Civil War Historical Recreation Society (ACWHRS) at the monument unveiling, Saturday September 16th, 2017.
Why Honour 40,000 Canadians
who fought in the
American Civil War?
Part of Our Heritage - GBM's Aim and a Worthy Cause
Our aim is to preserve the memory of more than 40,000 of our ancestors from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI & Newfoundland – who joined, fought and over 7,000 were killed or died of wounds, during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
The American Civil War is a lesser known part of our heritage, and should be remembered. Now, the FIRST ever significant Canadian Monument was dedicated in 2017 to preserving the memory of the more than 40,000 of our Canadian ancestors who volunteered during the American Civil War.
A war that was fought between neighbours, friends and relatives - in either the United States, or the Confederate States, of America.
A war that brought about the birth of another nation: Canada.
The origins of the 40,000+ Canadian (BNA) individuals serving in the US Civil War (1861-1865); The breakdown by province of the 29 Individuals (Federal) who won the US Medal of Honor; and the 5 Officers who became Generals (Federal), are as follows:
Ontario (Canada West) - 19,000 - includes 6 Medal of Honor Winners
Quebec (Canada East) - 9,000 - includes 8 Medal of Honor Winners & 3 Generals
Nova Scotia - 4,000 - includes 3 Medal of Honor Winners & 1 General
New Brunswick - 4,000 - includes 2 Medal of Honor Winners
Prince Edward Island (Britain) - 500
Newfoundland (Britain) – 500 - includes 2 Medal of Honor Winner
British Columbia - 1,000
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta (Then called “Rupert’s Land) - 2,000
Other parts of Canada combined = 8 Medal of Honor Winners & 1 General
(The above numbers from the various “Canadian/BNA Regions are “approximate, but reasonable” as many of the Federal (US) or Confederate (CS) enlistment records have long since been lost or destroyed. During the US/CS Civil War, the majority (but not all) of Canadians / BNA fought on the Federal (US) side. I.e. Approximately 36,000 on the Federal (US) side and 4,000 on the Confederate (CS) side.)
The American Civil War is a lesser known part of our heritage, and should be remembered. Now, the FIRST ever significant Canadian Monument was dedicated in 2017 to preserving the memory of the more than 40,000 of our Canadian ancestors who volunteered during the American Civil War.
A war that was fought between neighbours, friends and relatives - in either the United States, or the Confederate States, of America.
A war that brought about the birth of another nation: Canada.
The origins of the 40,000+ Canadian (BNA) individuals serving in the US Civil War (1861-1865); The breakdown by province of the 29 Individuals (Federal) who won the US Medal of Honor; and the 5 Officers who became Generals (Federal), are as follows:
Ontario (Canada West) - 19,000 - includes 6 Medal of Honor Winners
Quebec (Canada East) - 9,000 - includes 8 Medal of Honor Winners & 3 Generals
Nova Scotia - 4,000 - includes 3 Medal of Honor Winners & 1 General
New Brunswick - 4,000 - includes 2 Medal of Honor Winners
Prince Edward Island (Britain) - 500
Newfoundland (Britain) – 500 - includes 2 Medal of Honor Winner
British Columbia - 1,000
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta (Then called “Rupert’s Land) - 2,000
Other parts of Canada combined = 8 Medal of Honor Winners & 1 General
(The above numbers from the various “Canadian/BNA Regions are “approximate, but reasonable” as many of the Federal (US) or Confederate (CS) enlistment records have long since been lost or destroyed. During the US/CS Civil War, the majority (but not all) of Canadians / BNA fought on the Federal (US) side. I.e. Approximately 36,000 on the Federal (US) side and 4,000 on the Confederate (CS) side.)
Here is some Historical Perspective
Canadian Recipients of the Medal of Honor
|
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. This award is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.
29 Canadians serving for the Union Army were given this highest military award, for personal acts of bravery, above and beyond the call of duty - an honour worth remembering. |
|
Shown are examples of 12 Canadian-born individuals who received the U.S. Medal of Honor.
Canadians who became Generals in the Union Army
The men listed here were all born in Canada and moved to the United States, where they joined the Union Army and later attained the rank of General - the promotion of which must be granted approval by the President of the United States (Abraham Lincoln).
Jacob Cox - Major-General : Born - Montreal, QC
John Franklin Farnsworth - Brigadier General : Born - Compton, QC
Martin Thomas McMahon* - Brevet Major-General : Born - LaPrairie, QC
John McNeil - Brevet Major-General : Born - Halifax, NS
John Curtis Gilmore* - Brigadier General : Born - Canada (Exact location unknown)
* For their actions during the American Civil War, McMahon and Gilmore were both awarded the highest military decoration ever bestowed by the United States of America, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Jacob Cox - Major-General : Born - Montreal, QC
John Franklin Farnsworth - Brigadier General : Born - Compton, QC
Martin Thomas McMahon* - Brevet Major-General : Born - LaPrairie, QC
John McNeil - Brevet Major-General : Born - Halifax, NS
John Curtis Gilmore* - Brigadier General : Born - Canada (Exact location unknown)
* For their actions during the American Civil War, McMahon and Gilmore were both awarded the highest military decoration ever bestowed by the United States of America, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Did you know...
... that Calixa Lavallée, composer of our National Anthem "Oh Canada" fought for the Union Army during the Civil War?
Born in Sainte-Théodosie (now Calixa-Lavallée since 1974), a little town near Verchères, Québec in 1842, he signed up with the 4th Rhode Island as a musician, did his training at Camp Greene *, and fought and was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Antietam.** He attained the rank of Lieutenant, and was released from service in 1862.
One can only imagine if his experience in the Civil War influenced in any way his future musical compositions.
* Database of French-Canadian and Franco-American Participants in the Civil War
** Canadian Encyclopedia
Born in Sainte-Théodosie (now Calixa-Lavallée since 1974), a little town near Verchères, Québec in 1842, he signed up with the 4th Rhode Island as a musician, did his training at Camp Greene *, and fought and was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Antietam.** He attained the rank of Lieutenant, and was released from service in 1862.
One can only imagine if his experience in the Civil War influenced in any way his future musical compositions.
* Database of French-Canadian and Franco-American Participants in the Civil War
** Canadian Encyclopedia
