Damian Shiels's Blog, page 42

Michael Casey: The Dublin Emigrant & Civil War Veteran Who Met President Roosevelt

Previous posts on the site have looked at Irish veterans of the American Civil War in the 20th century (see for example here and here). As their numbers dwindled, many newspapers ran stories about local old soldiers, who were transformed into cherished heroes with the passage of time. Many of these articles are factually flawed, but they serve as reminders of just how far into the 20th century living memory of the American Civil War survived. One such story was that of Dubliner Michael Casey, a Famine-era emigrant who sacrificed much for the Union cause during the 1860s. He lived long enough to become a 1930s guest at The White House, where he shared a few words with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Civil War Veterans on their way to meet President Hoover in 1931 (Library of Congress)

CIVIL WAR SOLDIER DIES HERE AT 94

Michael Casey, Veteran of 33 Battles, Found Dead at Son’s Home

Michael Casey, 94, veteran of 33 Civil War engagements and sole survivor of the 32nd Illinois regiment which fought in the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, died yesterday at his home, 622 Emerson street.

He was found by a maid in his home where he had lived with his son, Michael Casey, Jr., engineer in the Interior Department, when she went to call him for his breakfast.

Mr. Casey’s death came less that 24 hours after his election to the Board of Managers of the temporary Soldiers and Sailors Home at Ninth street and Pennsylvania avenue south-east. He had gone there Saturday night with his son.

Born in Ireland in 1840, he came to this country in 1848 with his mother to settle on a strip of farm land near Newton, Ill., which his father had located several years before.

REMEMBERED FAMOUS DEBATES

He marked the beginning of his affiliation with the Democratic party by one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, when Douglas told the crowds that Lincoln had on socks that he had worn all his life. The people, according to Mr. Casey, laughed and all but a few left before Douglas completed his talk and Lincoln began to speak.

Although he was not old enough to vote that year, he was an enthusiastic Democrat, and in 1864 he cast his first vote for the party and Gen. George McClellan.

Mr. Casey enlisted in the 32nd Illinois Regiment with his father in October, 1861, and fought alongside of him until the elder man died from an illness contracted at Shiloh. 

FOUGHT IN WESTERN AREA

From ’61 to ’65 he fought in battles at Lookout Mountain, Vicksburg, Birds Point, Jackson, Fort Henry and Pittsburgh Landing, where he was one of 80 men assigned to gunboat duty. 

When his enlistment expired in December, 1864, he returned home and re-enlisted, this time with his brother, who died and was buried at Nashville, Tenn.

After the war he became a construction engineer for various railroads in the West, subsequently becoming a rancher in Wyoming. He came to Washington about a year ago to live with his son.

A cane with a silver plate given him by the Maryland Sons of Civil War Veterans on his 93d birthday anniversary attracted the attention of President Roosevelt when he was at the White House recently. 

“It should have been a shillalah,” the Chief Executive said after looking at the stick. 

MEMBER OF G.A.R.

Mr. Casey was an honorary member of the Helen Spencer Mussey Tent of the Union Daughters, the Gen. Beck Circle of the Ladies of the G.A.R. and the Cushing Auxiliary of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He was a member of Lincoln Camp, No. 2, Sons of Union Veterans, and the G.A.R., Kit Carson Post.

He is survived by his son and three grandchildren, Patricia Day of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Mary and Theresa Casey of Washington.

Funeral services will be held at his home tomorrow, followed by requiem mass at St. Gabriel’s Church at 10, Burial will be in Olney, Ill., on Thursday. (1)

The National Cemetery at Shiloh, where Michael Casey and his Father Saw Action (Library of Congress)

Although newspaper articles regarding ageing Civil War veterans can be notoriously inaccurate, it is possible to verify much of what Michael relates about his life. Indeed we can even trace the arrival of the Dublin emigrant in the United States. As Michael outlined, his father Mathew paved the way for the rest of the family’s arrival in America. The remainder of the Caseys landed in New Orleans aboard the Independence from Liverpool on 15th May 1848. The passenger list records Catherine (40), her daughter Catherine (7) baby Mary (erroneously also recorded as Catherine on the ship’s register), Michael (5) and Mathew (3). They were listed as coming from Ireland with the intention of travelling to Illinois. The 1850 Census finds the reunited family in Newton, Jasper County, Illinois, where Mathew worked as a farmer. By 1860 they had moved on to St. Marie, also in Jasper County, where Mathew now worked as a laborer. By the eve of the Civil War the eldest two children, Catherine and Michael, had moved out of the family home. (2)

Michael did enlist with his father Mathew when war came. Both were recorded as natives of Dublin, with Mathew, at 5 feet 9 1/2 inches, standing somewhat taller than his son, who was 5 foot 3. They both became Privates in Company K of the 32nd Illinois Infantry, which saw action in a number of the major battles of the Western Theater. As Michael described in the 1930s, his father did not survive his service. Mathew died while at home on furlough on 5th May 1862. Michael stated that when his term of service expired he re-enlisted, this time with his younger brother. This was indeed the case- Michael (who was now recorded as 5 feet 5 inches!) once again donned Union blue on 15th February 1865, becoming a Corporal in Company B of the 155th Illinois Infantry. His younger brother Mathew Jr. enlisted on the same day, as a Private in the same company. The regiment served in garrisons along the line of Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and all its fatalities were as a result of disease. Unfortunately one of them was Mathew Jr., who died 22nd March 1865 at Nashville. Having lost both his father and brother to the war, Michael mustered out with his regiment on 4th September 1865 at Murfressboro, Tennessee. (3)

From 1865 Michael’s mother Catherine received a pension based on her husband’s service during the war. She never strayed far from the place where she first put down roots in America; the 1880 Census finds the 65-year-old widow still living in St. Marie, now accompanied by 37-year-old Michael, who was working as a laborer. In 1883 Michael was granted a pension based on his own service in the Union army. (4)

By the time Michael Casey died in 1934 the Dubliner had been in the United States for more than 86 years. More than 69 years had passed since the war in which he had lost both his father and brother. The Famine-era emigrant had lived long enough to become one of the last cherished veterans of a war fast fading into memory. His story serves as a reminder of just how far into the 20th century the repercussions of the American Civil War could be felt.

(1) The Evening Star; (2) New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1850 Census, 1860 Census; (3) Illinois Muster Roll Database; (4) Pension Index Cards

References

U.S. Federal Census 1850

U.S. Federal Census 1860

Michael Casey Civil War Pension Index Card

Mathew Casey Civil War Pension Index Card

Washington D.C. The Evening Star 5th November 1934. Civil War Soldier Dies Here At 94.

National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902; National Archives Microfilm Publication: M259; Roll #: 28.

Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

Filed under: Dublin, Illinois Tagged: 155th Illinois Infantry, 32nd Illinois Infantry, Famine Era Emigrants, Irish American Civil War, Irish in America, Last Union Veterans, Oldest Irish Veterans, President Roosevelt Irish

Dependents: Portraits of 50 Irish People in New York Poorhouses, 1861-1865

On 4th August 1865, an Irish emigrant woman from Cork City gave birth to a baby girl in New York. The child -Mary- had been dealt a tough start to life. Her mother was a pauper, and Mary had entered the world in Richmond County Poor House. Mary’s brother and sister were also paupers, and her mother was described as ‘intemperate’- there were no details regarding her father. Circumstances allowed Mary to be discharged from the Poor House on 12th May 1868, but by 3rd November 1871 she was back in her birthplace. At least she was being given some education, as by 1875 she was able to read. Poor House staff noted that ‘she will soon have to go to service’ and remarked that ‘this child bids fair to be a good servant she is being taught all the requirements of the institution.’

Underground lodgings for the poor of New York around 1869. Many people who ultimately ended up in Poor Houses would have been familiar with such scenes (Library of Congress)

This vignette of Mary Brown’s life is drawn from the records of residents in New York Poor Houses and Alms Houses. From 1875 State law required that institutions record details of individuals in their care on a standardised form to be sent to the State Board of Charities. The form recorded a number of details about the individual, their parents, their origins and also of the cause of their dependence. It also offered an opinion on the prospect of them escaping dependence in the future. A number of the 1875 records deal with individuals first admitted in earlier decades- making it possible to explore some from the 1860s. The fifty people I decided to look at were all born in Ireland, and all had been admitted to New York Poor Houses and Alms Houses between 1861 and 1865. In selecting them, I chose those whose place of origin had been determined to at least county level.

What is immediately apparent among the group is the dominance of older people. There were often catastrophic consequences for individuals who in later life found they could no longer make a living. The concept of ‘old’ is very different to ours- two of those in this sample who were admitted partially as a result of ‘old age’ were only in their 40s. Also notable is how social status did not necessarily protect you from the Poor House if you found yourself alone- for example Bridget Rowley’s father had been a minister, Rose McHegan’s father a distiller and Esther Turner’s father a gentleman (and Esther herself a teacher), yet all ended up in institutions. Similarly it is interesting how a number of those supposedly at the lowest strata of society, such as laborers, had managed to educate themselves and become literate. Aside from old age, a number of illnesses recur among the sample. Chief among them are blindness and rheumatism, which put an end to the working capacity of a number of the group. Other common causes which led to admission were things such ‘insanity’, paralysis and alcohol dependence.

The records show just how precarious life could be for immigrants in 19th century New York. There are a number of cases where both a husband and wife were in the Poor House; perhaps most poignant are the references to people who had siblings or children who were alive and remained self-supporting, but who clearly could not offer charity to their own family members. This is something I have come across repeatedly in dependent parent pension files- children who had married and started families of their own were simply unable to spare money to assist their parents, so precarious was their own financial position.

In the stories below are some especially heartrending examples of hardship. We meet people like Mary Hill, another woman who on the face of it should not have found herself in a Poor House- her father had been a physician. Yet we learn from her record that her father had placed her in the Poor House soon after they arrived in the United States from Co. Meath. Ann Bean from Cork had been just a girl when she went into the Poor House, also shortly after her arrival from Ireland. A single woman who appears to have spent much of her life in institutions, she was recorded in 1863 as suffering from ‘puerperal insanity’ which can develop after childbirth. You will find brief descriptions of the circumstances of each of the 50 people I looked at below, based on their Poor House records. Each individual is listed chronologically according to the date of their original admission. If you are interested in learning more about Poor Houses and Alms Houses in the United States and their history you can read an essay by Dr. David Wagner on the topic here. For more on New York Poor Houses by county see here.

Monroe County Poor House in Rochester, New York (New York Public Library Record ID 726064)

James O’Rourke, Co. Limerick. Admitted to Albany City Alms House, 7th June 1861.

James was recorded as a 40 year-old widower when he was admitted. He had spent his working life as a tailor, and in 1861 had one surviving child. His father in Limerick had been a farmer; James had received some education as he was able to read and write. The cause of his dependence was recorded as insanity, from which it was felt he would not recover. Despite this it was still felt that he may be able to do some farm work in the future. It was said that his ‘insanity is supposed to have been cause in this case by excessive drinking. Is very violent at times exacting much of the attendants time to keep him quiet. Is not unclean in person or habits. It cannot be learned that any other member of the family were insane.’

Ellen Griffin, Co. Waterford. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, June 1861.

Ellen was recorded as a 60-year-old widow. Her father and mother, both from Waterford, had been a farmer and housekeeper respectively. Ellen also listed her profession as housekeeper, and she had two living children. Her cause of dependence was rheumatism and destitution. Unable to perform any laborer, her entry records that she would later spend four months in Kings County Hospital. It was felt at the time that she would probably always remain dependent.

Jane Redding, Cork city, Co. Cork. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 27th September 1861.

Jane was a 30-year-old single woman when admitted. Her father had been a steward. Jane had some education growing up in New York, as she was able to read and write. She had spent her own working life as a domestic, but was now laid low as a result of rheumatism. Despite this, she was still able to carry out house work, but was nonetheless categorised as permanently dependent.

Elizabeth White, Dublin city, Co. Dublin. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 8th January 1862.

Elizabeth was a 50-year-old widow. Her father had been a merchant, a fact which undoubtedly helped her to gain an education, as Elizabeth could both read and write. Elizabeth worked as a domestic, but like Jane Redding was now afflicted with rheumatism. The main labor she could now pursue was sewing. Elizabeth was classed as being permanently dependent.

Bridget Rowley, Roscommon town, Co. Roscommon. Admitted to Columbia County Poor House, 4th February 1862.

Bridget was a 52-year-old married woman when admitted. Her father had been a minister, suggesting the family had some means. Her education was described as ‘common.’ Bridget was a housewife who in 1862 had one surviving child. She was classed as being dependent because of her ‘intemperate habits’ of which there was ‘but little chance for any change.’

Mary Foley, Co. Sligo. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1st May 1862.

Mary was a 14-year-old girl when admitted. She had no education; her parents who were also both from Sligo worked as a farmer and housekeeper. By 1862 she was sick and destitute, but remained able to perform housework. It was felt she had a very good chance of recovering from dependence. It seems she was not with her parents at this time, as it was noted that ‘This womans relatives are all in Ireland. She is entirely without education, but can now perform any kind of domestic work.’

Ann Sullivan, Longford town, Co. Longford. Admitted to New York city Alms House, 27th August 1862.

Ann was a 49-year-old single woman. Her father had been a laborer in Ireland, and she worked as a domestic. Ann was illiterate, and had become dependent as a result of destitution. Capable of general house work, she was classified as permanently dependent.

Cornelius McCarthy, Co. Tipperary. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 1st October 1862.

Cornelius was a 63-year-old married man when he was admitted. Cornelius had a common school education, and worked as a carpenter. His father had been a farmer. The reason for his admittance was old age and destitution- it was reported that he had been an inmate of Poor Houses for a total of eight years. In the remarks it was noted that ‘C. McCarthy is husband of No. 26 [his wife]- both drunkards‘.

John Haley, Co. Galway. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 3rd October 1862.

John was a 54-year-old married man when he was admitted. In Ireland his father had worked as a farmer. John himself was as a laborer, but could no longer make a living as he was now blind. He was recorded as permanently dependent.

James McCormick, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 8th October 1862.

James was a 39-year-old single man when he was admitted. His father had been a farmer, and James had received some education as he was able to read and write. James himself was an ostler, or stableman and had become a naturalized citizen. He was admitted as he was partially blind, and it was felt he would remain permanently dependent.

Anne McMullan, Co. Down. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, December 1862.

Anne was an 80-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father in Co. Down had been a farmer. Anne was recorded as having no occupation and no education. The cause of her dependence was given as old age and destitution, from which she was given no prospect of recovery.

Peter Finnerty, Ballymore, Co. Westmeath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1862.

Peter was an 83-year-old widower when he was admitted- the oldest man in the sample. In the time since he had not become a naturalized citizen. He worked as laborer, and was unable to read or write. He had three children who were still living and was admitted as a result of old age and destitution. It was felt he would likely remain dependent. It was remarked that ‘This man’s children being in poor circumstance are unable to provide for him.‘

Margaret McNeely, Co. Antrim. Admitted to Sullivan County Poor House, 1862.

Margaret was a single-woman of unknown age when she was admitted. Her father had been a farmer and Margaret could read but was unable to write- she had engaged in housework as her livelihood. Her age appears not to have been recorded because Margaret was unable to tell them it. Her dependency was apparently a result of insanity, and it was recorded that she would always remain dependent. It was remarked that ‘This woman has been in the Poor House the greater part of her life time, and has to be kept confined as she is very violent.’

Bridget Nolan, Co. Westmeath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1862.

Bridget was a 5o-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had been a farmhand, and Bridget was a housekeeper. She was illiterate. The cause of her dependence, from which she was given no prospect of recovery, was paralysis.

Mary Traynor, Newry, Co. Down. Admitted to Sullivan County Poor House, 1862.

Mary was a 38-year-old married woman when she was admitted. Able to read, Mary could not write. Her occupation was recorded as housework- she had one child living from her marriage. Her dependence was recorded as being a result of insanity. She had spent two years in the Utica Asylum- although she was able to do house work every day her prospect of escaping dependency was classified as improbable. She was described as ‘a very mild and quiet and clean in her person and habits.’

Catherine Grievens, Ballymore, Co. Westmeath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 7th January 1863.

Catherine was a 44-year-old married woman when she was admitted. In Ireland, her father had been a Westmeath farmer, while her mother, who kept house, was originally from Longford. Her cause of dependence was ‘old age and destitution.’ Catherine was able for light domestic work, but it was felt she would probably remain dependent. In the remarks it was noted that ‘This woman is the wife of No 45 [indicating her husband was also in the Alms House]. He is performing light duties in Hospital department such as his condition will permit, as is her case, she doing domestic work at Almshouse.’

The New York Alms House Buildings on Blackwell’s Island (New York Public Library Record ID 706081)

Bartley Haley, Co. Sligo. Admitted to Monroe County Alms House, 13th March 1863.

Bartley was a 50-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had arrived in St. John’s, Canada from Ireland before moving on to New York. He had worked as a laborer, and although he was able to read he couldn’t write. His father had also worked as a laborer. He was admitted as a result of consumption, for which he had also been a patient in St. Mary’s Hospital. He was given no prospect of recovery from his dependence.

James O’Harra, Co. Limerick. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 14th June 1863.

James was a 40-year-old married man when he was admitted. He was a laborer, as his father had been before him. He could read but not write and had never become a naturalized citizen. The cause of his dependence was recorded as a ‘rupture.’ He was thought able for light farm work, but the potential for his recovery was deemed improbable. It was noted that ‘J. O. Harra is a chronic pauper. He is husband to No. 34′ [suggesting his wife was also in the Poor House].

Rose McHegan, Galway, Co. Galway. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 27th August 1863.

Rose was a 59-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had been a whiskey distiller, suggesting he may have had some means, but despite this Rose was unable to either read or write. She had worked as a domestic during her lifetime. She was admitted as a result of old age and destitution, and it was felt she would remain permanently dependent.

Ann Bean, Co. Cork. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 1st October 1863.

Ann was 23-years-old and single. She was not a naturalized U.S. citizen, and could neither read nor write. She was single and worked as a domestic, but was also recorded as having one living child. She was employed in the Monroe County Alms House and by 1875 had been an inmate of Poor Houses for 12 years. She was said to have no prospect of recovery from her cause of dependence. It was noted that she first entered the Poor House system shortly after her arrival in the United States, and that she suffered from ‘Puerperal Insanity’- a mental illness that follows childbirth. The catalogue of hardships she had clearly faced in her young life since leaving Ireland are difficult to comprehend.

Mary McCarthy, Co. Offaly. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 1st October 1863.

Mary was a 49-year-old married woman when she was admitted. She had landed in Quebec before making her way to New York. Her father had been a farmer- Mary worked as a housekeeper. Her education was described as ‘academic’. Admitted as a result of old age and destitution, Mary had already been an inmate of Poor Houses for several years. She was given no prospect of recovery. It was recorded in the notes that ‘M. McCarthy is wife of no. 25 [her husband was also an inmate].’

James Mahon, Co. Wicklow. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 9th October 1863.

James was a 44-year-old married man when he was admitted and was now a naturalized citizen. His father had been a laborer, but James seems to have been at least somewhat upwardly mobile, as he was a blacksmith. The cause of his dependence was blindness- form which it was felt he had no prospect of recovery.

Daniel Sullivan, Co. Cork. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 21st November 1863.

Daniel was a 55-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had arrived in Quebec before moving to New York five years later. Again, despite his time in the U.S., Daniel had never become a naturalized citizen. He worked as a laborer, as his father had before him. He was not illiterate- although unable to write Daniel was able to read. The reason for his dependence was recorded as old age and destitution. He was still able for farm work, but it was thought he would remain dependent. It was noted that he ‘has no blood relatives in this Country.’

Patrick Carr, Co. Galway. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 26th December 1863.

Patrick was a 67-year-old widower when he was admitted. He was naturalized U.S. citizen who could read but couldn’t write. He worked as a laborer -as his father- and had one child living. The reason for his dependence was as a result of a crippled knee; he was given no prospect of recovering from his dependence in the future.

Mary Hill, Kinnegad, Co. Meath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1863.

Mary was a 53-year-old single woman when she was admitted. Her father had been a physician so was presumably a man of at least some means. Despite this Mary only appears to have had a partial education; she was able to read, but not write. Mary was a housekeeper, but was admitted as a result of old age, destitution and impairment of the mind. She remained capable of light domestic work, but it was felt she would remain dependent. In the remarks it was recorded that ‘This woman states when she came to this Country she was placed in a poor house by her father, since deceased. Can learn nothing as to ancestors.‘

James White, Co. Galway. Admitted to Ontario County Poor House, 1863.

James was a 75-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had emigrated via Quebec before traveling on to New York. He was a laborer, as his father had been before him. Despite his unskilled position he was able to read and write. James had already spent a year in New York’s Poor Houses before this date. It was felt that his state of dependence was ‘fixed.’

Catherine Quinn, Dublin, Co. Dublin. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 20th January 1864.

Catherine was a 50-year-old widow when she was admitted. She was able to read and write and had worked as a tailoress- her father before her had been a carpenter. The cause of her dependance was Eryspielas (also known as St. Anthony’s Fire, an acute infection) and debility. She was able to work at sewing.

James Foy, Co. Cavan. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 16th March 1864.

James was a 42-year-old married man when he was admitted. A laborer, he had become a naturalized citizen and was able to read and write. He was described as being of intemperate habits, and although he was able to help around the ward it was felt that he would remain permanently dependent.

Esther Turner, Trim, Co. Meath. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 27th April 1864.

Esther was a 71-year-old married woman when she was admitted. Both her parents were English- her father, whose occupation was recorded as a ‘gentleman’, was from Salisbury and her mother was from Rockport. Esther could read and write and had worked as a teacher. Everything about her background suggested she should have avoided the Alms House, but she found herself there nonetheless. The cause of her dependence was blindness. It was felt she had no chance of recovery.

Mary Schackion,Co. Kerry. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 18th May 1864.

Mary was a 28-year-old single woman when she was admitted. Her mother had been from Kerry, while her father was a Co. Clare carpenter. Mary was unable to read or write and had worked as a domestic. The cause of her dependence was rheumatism, from which it was felt she was unlikely to recover.

Sarah Hanlan, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 5th August 1864.

Sarah was a 40-year-old married woman when she was admitted. Her father had been a laborer- Sarah, who was illiterate, worked as a domestic. The cause of her dependence was listed as destitution and rheumatism. She was classified as permanently dependent and may have been abandoned by her spouse- it was noted: ‘husbands residence unknown.’

Hugh Kelly, Co. Down. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 19th November 1864.

Hugh was a 63-year-old single man when he was admitted. Like his father, Hugh was a laborer, but he was also able to read and write.The cause of his dependence was rheumatism and destitution- it was felt he would remain permanently dependent.

Inmates of the Poor House on Randall’s Island, East River, New York, forming in line for dinner, 1875 (New York Public Library Record ID 692408)

Michael Cox, Crosshill, Co. Roscommon. Admitted to Orleans County Poor House, 20th December 1864.

Michael was a 56-year-old widower when he was admitted. Described as having a ‘good education’, Michael’s father had been a Tyrone farmer, his mother was from Leitrim. Michael had made his living in America as a farmer and had become a naturalized citizen. The cause of his dependence was given as insanity and it was recorded that he was unable to labor. He was classified as likely to remain dependent.

Mary Quinn, Cavan town, Co. Cavan. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1864.

Mary was a 58-year-old single woman when she was admitted. She was a housekeeper- her father had been a farmer. Mary was able to read, but was now recorded as ‘very nearly blind’. She had no prospect of recovery and was unable to perform any labor. It was remarked that ‘This woman has been growing blind for the past twenty seven years so much so that she is very nearly totally so now.’

Mary A. Kirby, Belfast, Co. Antrim. Admitted to Columbia County Poor House, 15th February 1865.

Mary was a 55-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had worked as a laborer. Mary’s education was described as ‘limited’, and she had spent most of her life engaged in housework. She had two surviving children. Admitted partly as a result of sickness, she was given no prospect of escaping dependency.

Ellen Norton, Kildare, Co. Kildare. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 17th February 1865.

Ellen’s parents had both been from Co. Mayo. Her father had worked as a laborer, and Ellen was a domestic. She was unable to read, and no head money had been paid for her. The reasons for her admittance were destitution and partial paralysis. Although she remained able to sew, she was regarded as being permanently dependent.

Lawrence Smith, Co. Sligo. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 6th March 1865.

Lawrence was a 40-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had not as yet become a naturalized U.S. citizen. In Ireland his father had been a laborer, as was Lawrence. Lawrence was also able to read. The cause of his dependence was the fact that he was ‘diseased’ and had a stiff knee, making him unable to work. He was classified as permanently disabled.

Daniel Hayden, Co. Tipperary. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 21st April 1865.

Daniel was a 46-year-old married man when he was admitted. The reason for his admittance was recorded as insanity and destitution. He was described as capable of light work, but was permanently dependent. It was recorded that Daniel was ‘quite incapable of giving any reliable history of himself.’ He also spent time in a lunatic asylum.

Edith Delahunty, Co. Dublin. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, April 1865.

Edith was a 61-year-old widow when admitted. Her father had been a storekeeper, and she had engaged in housework. Edith was able to read and write and had one child living. Despite her surviving child it was noted that she was homeless and destitute, and was able to perform only light labor. It was felt that she would probably remain dependent.

Margaret Berry, Co. Sligo. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 16th May 1865.

Margaret was 83-years old and widowed when she was admitted- the oldest woman in the sample. It was unknown how long she had been in the United States as Margaret was unable to tell anybody. The reason for her cause of dependence was described as ‘insanity’ and she was deemed to be unable to perform any labor. It was determined that she would remain dependent, and recorded that staff were unable to learn anything of her past history.

Catherine Reynolds, Sligo town, Co. Sligo. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 29th July 1865.

Catherine was a 61-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father, a laborer, had been from Mayo, her mother  from Sligo. Catherine herself had worked as a domestic, but was unable to read or write. The reason for admittance was described as old age and destitution. She was classed as permanently dependent.

Ellen Clary, Ballinamona, Co. Tipperary. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 12th August 1865.

Ellen was a 61-year-old single women when she was admitted. Her father in Tipperary had been a farmer. Ellen was illiterate, and had spent her working life as a servant- blindness and destitution had forced her into the Poor House. She was listed as permanently dependent.

John Shay, Co. Cork. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 26th August 1865.

John was a 48-year-old single man when he was admitted. John worked as a laborer, as had his father before him. He was able to read, but unable to write. He was admitted as a result of Bright’s disease of the kidneys, which meant he was unable to work. John was given no prospect of recovery.

Bridget Hughes, Mohill, Co. Leitrim. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 1st September 1865.

Bridget was a 55-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father in Ireland had been a farmer and Bridget had been a housekeeper. She was now blind and had no home. She was described as ‘permanently dependent.’

Patrick Haud, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 11th September 1865.

Patrick was a 65-year-old widower when he was admitted. He had become a naturalized citizen. In Carrickmacross his father had been a wheelwright. Patrick had been a farmer but was admitted due to old age, deafness and general disability. He was described as permanently dependent.

Catherine Brown, Aghada?, Co. Cork. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

Catherine was 50-years-old and widowed when admitted. She had been in New York for 8 years. Her father was recorded as being a farmer from Co. Limerick. She was unable to read or write and was a housekeeper by profession. She had one child. Her cause of dependence was described as resulting from old age and destitution. It was determined that she would remain a dependent.

Timothy Donovan, Co. Cork. Admitted to Ontario County Poor House, 1865.

Timothy was a 57-year-old widower when he was admitted. He had landed in Quebec before making his way to New York 12 years later. He had worked as a laborer but had a problem with drunkenness. The reason for his dependence was described as intemperance. He remained capable of doing light work around the house, but it was felt he had ‘no hope’ of recovering from his dependence.

John Dunn, Co. Dublin. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

John was a single 40-year-old when he was admitted. Now naturalized, he outlined that his father had been a shoemaker from Co. Dublin and his mother was from Co. Offaly. He could read and write and worked as a laborer. However he was now completely unable to support himself, due to ‘paralysis and impairment of mind.’ He had previously been in Kings County Hospital, and it was felt he would most likely remain a dependent. It was remarked that ‘This man states he has seen none of his relatives for three years. His mind is very much impaired, beside being paralysed: produced he says from inebriation.’

Bridget McGee, Banbridge, Co. Down. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

Bridget was a 55-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had been a farmer in Banbridge- Bridget was herself a housekeeper. She was able to read and write and had three children living. The cause of her dependence was old age and destitution- she was completely unable for any work and was given no chance of recovery. It was noted that ‘This woman had three children alive when she came to the country but has received no intelligence from them for the past five years.’

Mary O’Connor, Co. Galway. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

Mary was a 65-year-old widow when she was admitted. She could read but could not write. Her father had been a stone mason; Mary herself had no listed occupation. She had one living child. The cause of her dependence was old age and destitution- it was thought should would most likely remain dependent.

References

New York. State Bord of Charities. Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1835-1921. series A1978. Microfilm 225 rolls. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. Accessed via ancestry.com

NYPL Digital Gallery Record ID 726064

NYPL Digital Gallery Record ID 692408

NYPL Digital Gallery Record ID 706081

Filed under: New York Tagged: Great Famine Emigrants, Irish American Civil War, Irish emigration, New York Alms Houses, New York Irish, New York Poor, New York Poor Houses, Poor Law System

The #ForgottenIrish of Co. Cavan

The latest #ForgottenIrish story concentrating on Cavan is now available on Storify. It joins Cork, Kerry, Donegal and Galway on Storify, with Sligo to follow shortly. Storify also has a piece looking at Civil War Pensioners in Ireland. If you would like to read the Cavan Storify you can do so by clicking here.

Filed under: Cavan, Digital Arts and Humanities Tagged: Cavan American Civil War, Cavan Emigrants, Cavan War Veterans, Digital Arts & Humanities, Forgotten Irish, Irish American Civil War, Irish Emigration History, Irish in American

The #ForgottenIrish of Co. Galway

The latest #ForgottenIrish story is now available on Storify. It forms part of the continuing effort to raise awareness in Ireland of the c. 200,000 Irishmen who fought in the American Civil War, and their families. As with the previous Storify stories it is based on a Twitter tweetathon. So far #ForgottenIrish has covered Cork, Kerry and Donegal with Cavan and Sligo to follow in the coming days. If you would like to read the Galway Storify you can do so by clicking here.

Filed under: Digital Arts and Humanities, Galway Tagged: Forgotten Irish, Galway American Civil War, Galway Military History, Irish American Civil War, Irish Diaspora, Irish Famine Emigrants, Irish Veterans, Soldiers from Galway

‘I Hope…To See You Once More And Then I Would Die Contented’: An Irish Mother Writes to Her Son

Bridget Burns married her husband William in Ireland on 18th August 1840. When her husband died eight years later, he left Bridget a widow and their only child, Henry, fatherless at the age of six. By the time 1861 came along, Bridget and her son were living 125 Greenwich Avenue, New York. On 19th August that year 19-year-old Henry enlisted, becoming a Private in Company D of the 59th New York Infantry. With that act, Bridget became one of tens of thousands of Irish mothers who spent each day on edge, waiting for news from the front. Over the course of the war Henry regularly corresponded with his mother; he sent his letters to neighbour Catharine Farrell who read them out to the illiterate Irishwoman.

Henry, always keen to hear from home, felt his mother didn’t write to him enough and chastised her for it- at one point in 1863 telling her that ‘there is no excuse for you not writing.’ Still he was grateful when letters did arrive, and especially for the occasional boxes he received, especially if they contained alcohol! As the years passed and the war dragged on, Henry’s term of enlistment began to draw to a close. In December 1863 he decided to take advantage of the financial bounty offered to those who re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteers- and earn himself a furlough home into the bargain. When he got home to New York, he noticed a lot of his friends were marrying their sweethearts. On his return to the army, he wondered if he should have done the same with his girl Ann; he wrote to his mother asking her to tell Ann to ‘have good patance I will be around there one of the days.’ He had a photo of himself taken that April, and cheekily asked his mother to check with Ann see if she ‘receved that beutifull likeness of mine.’

It seems probable that as well as reading Bridget the letters from her son, Catharine Farrell also wrote the responses for her friend. On 22nd June 1864 the two women sat down to write this letter to Henry, who was now engaged with the Army of the Potomac in the Overland Campaign:

New York June 22 1864

My Dear Son,

I sit down to answer your kind and welcome [letter] which I received on the 11th and I am sorry to hear that your cough is so bad but I hope it is better before this and I hope that this will find you in good health as this leaves me and all friends in at present thanks be to God for his mercy to us    Dear Henry I wish to let you know that I sent you that candy in A small box and A small bottle of hot drops for your bowls [bowels] I hope you have it before this for I made no delay in sending it I sent it the day I got yours and the[y] charged me one dollar and 10 cents for postage but no matter what costs it is    When you write again I hope that you will let me know if it does you any good and if it does I will send you plenty more

My Dear son I am sorry to hear that you have such bad times as you have I wish I was near enough to you to give you your hot rum and oysters but I hope withe the help of God that this war will be soon over and that will be speard [spared] to me to see you once more and then I would die contented. Mrs. Finnen feels very bad she had not A letter from John in five weeks since he moved from Harpers Ferry when we last he[a]rd from James he was in the same please [place] at Sandy Hook    Mr and Mrs Farrell and the Children are all well and send there loved in the kindest maner to you and Kate wants you home to give her her gin     Mrs Finnen Anne and Hugh sends there best respects to you and likewise others that I have not time to mention wishes to be remembered to you     As I hope you will excuse this letter it was wrote in A hurry and I hope you will Answere it the first opperthunity you get so I have nomore to say at present I remain your affectionate Mother until death Bridget Burns

125 Greenwich Avenue

Dear Henry write as soon as you can for I will be very uneasy until I hear from you again

Johnny MGinn is in Co. B 59 and I want you to find him for I know he will be glad to see you

The very day that Bridget Burns dictated this letter to her son in New York, his regiment was going into action at Petersburg, Virginia. A few weeks afterwards Bridget and Catharine Farrell would once again sit down together, looking at the very letter they had sent that 22nd June. On a blank section of paper at the back of the returned letter the following was written:

HdQrs 59th N.Y. Vet Vols

Near Petersburg

July 15 1864

Mrs. Burns,

Henry Burns of Co D was mortally wounded on June 22, 1864 and died of his wound at Campbell U.S.A. Hosptl Washgtn D.C. on July 6, 1864.

I am Madam,

Very Respectfully

Horace P. Rugg

Lt. Col. 59th N.Y.V. Vols

A Minié ball had struck the upper third of his left femur on 22nd June. He arrived in the hospital in Washington on 3rd July, but it was too late- his fate was sealed. Henry would never read the letter his mother had sent him. Bridget Burns became just another of thousands of Irish mothers- those whose wish to see their child one more time would go unfulfilled as a consequence of the American Civil War.

*None of my work on pensions would be possible without the exceptional effort currently taking place in the National Archives to digitize this material and make it available online via Fold3. A team from NARA supported by volunteers are consistently adding to this treasure trove of historical information. To learn more about their work you can watch a video by clicking here.

References

Henry Burns Widow’s Pension File

New York Adjutant-General Roster of the 59th New York Infantry

Filed under: New York, Women Tagged: 59th New York Infantry, Great Irish Famine, Home Front American Civil War, Irish American Civil War, Irish Diaspora, Irish Veterans, Mothers American Civil War, New York Irish

‘I Hope…To See You Once More And Then I Would Die Contented': An Irish Mother Writes to Her Son

Bridget Burns married her husband William in Ireland on 18th August 1840. When her husband died eight years later, he left Bridget a widow and their only child, Henry, fatherless at the age of six. By the time 1861 came along, Bridget and her son were living 125 Greenwich Avenue, New York. On 19th August that year 19-year-old Henry enlisted, becoming a Private in Company D of the 59th New York Infantry. With that act, Bridget became one of tens of thousands of Irish mothers who spent each day on edge, waiting for news from the front. Over the course of the war Henry regularly corresponded with his mother; he sent his letters to neighbour Catharine Farrell who read them out to the illiterate Irishwoman.

Henry, always keen to hear from home, felt his mother didn’t write to him enough and chastised for it- at one point in 1863 telling her that ‘there is no excuse for you not writing.’ Still he was grateful when letters did arrive, and especially for the occasional boxes he received, especially if they contained alcohol! As the years passed and the war dragged on, Henry’s term of enlistment began to draw to a close. In December 1863 he decided to take advantage of the financial bounty offered to those who re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteers- and earn himself a furlough home into the bargain. When he got home to New York, he noticed a lot of his friends were marrying their sweethearts. On his return to the army, he wondered if he should have done the same with his girl Ann; he wrote to his mother asking her to tell Ann to ‘have good patance I will be around there one of the days.’ He had a photo of himself taken that April, and cheekily asked his mother to check with Ann see if she ‘receved that beutifull likeness of mine.’

It seems probable that as well as reading Bridget the letters from her son, Catharine Farrell also wrote the responses for her friend. On 22nd June 1864 the two women sat down to write this letter to Henry, who was now engaged with the Army of the Potomac in the Overland Campaign:

New York June 22 1864

My Dear Son,

I sit down to answer your kind and welcome [letter] which I received on the 11th and I am sorry to hear that your cough is so bad but I hope it is better before this and I hope that this will find you in good health as this leaves me and all friends in at present thanks be to God for his mercy to us    Dear Henry I wish to let you know that I sent you that candy in A small box and A small bottle of hot drops for your bowls [bowels] I hope you have it before this for I made no delay in sending it I sent it the day I got yours and the[y] charged me one dollar and 10 cents for postage but no matter what costs it is    When you write again I hope that you will let me know if it does you any good and if it does I will send you plenty more

My Dear son I am sorry to hear that you have such bad times as you have I wish I was near enough to you to give you your hot rum and oysters but I hope withe the help of God that this war will be soon over and that will be speard [spared] to me to see you once more and then I would die contented. Mrs. Finnen feels very bad she had not A letter from John in five weeks since he moved from Harpers Ferry when we last he[a]rd from James he was in the same please [place] at Sandy Hook    Mr and Mrs Farrell and the Children are all well and send there loved in the kindest maner to you and Kate wants you home to give her her gin     Mrs Finnen Anne and Hugh sends there best respects to you and likewise others that I have not time to mention wishes to be remembered to you     As I hope you will excuse this letter it was wrote in A hurry and I hope you will Answere it the first opperthunity you get so I have nomore to say at present I remain your affectionate Mother until death Bridget Burns

125 Greenwich Avenue

Dear Henry write as soon as you can for I will be very uneasy until I hear from you again

Johnny MGinn is in Co. B 59 and I want you to find him for I know he will be glad to see you

The very day that Bridget Burns dictated this letter to her son in New York, his regiment was going into action at Petersburg, Virginia. A few weeks afterwards Bridget and Catharine Farrell would once again sit down together, looking at the very letter they had sent that 22nd June. On a blank section of paper at the back of the returned letter the following was written:

HdQrs 59th N.Y. Vet Vols

Near Petersburg

July 15 1864

Mrs. Burns,

Henry Burns of Co D was mortally wounded on June 22, 1864 and died of his wound at Campbell U.S.A. Hosptl Washgtn D.C. on July 6, 1864.

I am Madam,

Very Respectfully

Horace P. Rugg

Lt. Col. 59th N.Y.V. Vols

A Minié ball had struck the upper third of his left femur on 22nd June. He arrived in the hospital in Washington on 3rd July, but it was too late- his fate was sealed. Henry would never read the letter his mother had sent him. Bridget Burns became just another of thousands of Irish mothers- those whose wish to see their child one more time would go unfulfilled as a consequence of the American Civil War.

References

Henry Burns Widow’s Pension File

New York Adjutant-General Roster of the 59th New York Infantry

 

Filed under: New York, Women Tagged: 59th New York Infantry, Great Irish Famine, Home Front American Civil War, Irish American Civil War, Irish Diaspora, Irish Veterans, Mothers American Civil War, New York Irish

Witnesses to History: A Memento of a Missing Man

The Witnesses to History series aims to connect an object or document which still exists today with the story of the people behind the item. Following the first post, which featured the 170th New York Bounty List, I was contacted by reader Cathy Nicholls in England. Some 40 years ago in Brooklyn, Cathy had purchased a most beautiful bone object which referenced a soldier of the Irish Brigade, William Higgins. Cathy had never been able to find out much about William , and had often wondered what his fate had been. Intrigued, I sought to find out more about this man and his family, and by so doing uncover the story of the people behind the pendant- and what became of them.

The William Higgins Pendant. Obverse to left, Reverse to right (Arrangement by Sara Nylund after original photograph by Cathy Nicholls)

The front or obverse of the bone pendant bears the symbol the United States and of Ireland, while the obverse gives us  the soldier’s details- Wm Higgins, Co. I, 69th Regt N.Y.V. Irish Brig. It is attached by a ring to a perforated 3 cent piece. I would be interested to hear from readers who may have come across any similar items; was it purely a decorative object to mark William’s membership of the Brigade, or was it intended for use as an Identity Disc? Was it made for him or did he produce it by his own hand? Whatever the circumstances, more than 150 years after it was created, it serves as a lasting physical reminder of this man’s life- perhaps the only one that still exists today.

What then of the owner? William Higgins was born in Ireland- it has as yet not been possible to establish where. On 20th June 1847 he married Irishwoman Hannah McAuliff in Hartford, Connecticut. The 1860 Census shows the couple had by then moved to New York, where they lived in District 1 of the 19th Ward. William is listed as a 35-year-old day laborer, with his wife Hannah (39) and three daughters- Eliza (11) and Margaret (9) – both born in Connecticut (Margaret on 10th May 1851 in Middletown)- and Hannah (2), who had been born on 27th November 1857 in New York. It is possible the couple had at least one other daughter, Mary, born around 1850, but if so she did not survive. (1)

William began his military career on 4th January 1862 when he mustered in as a Private in Company I of the 69th New York Infantry. Although he is recorded as having been 30 at the time, he was probably a few years older. William was transferred to Company A of the regiment on 12th June 1863, shortly before the Battle of Gettysburg. This provides an interesting timeline for the production of the bone pendant; it can only have been made in these 18 months when he was a member of Company I- perhaps ordered or fashioned in the early months of 1862, as the Irish Brigade completed its training and prepared to go into action for the first time that summer. (2)

William spent less than a year in Company A before being again transferred, this time to Company F, in early 1864. It was with that Company that he marched off to begin the Overland Campaign with the Army of the Potomac. The last mention of William Higgins was when he was reported missing in action on 5th May 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness. What happened to him? (3)

In 1865 Hannah Higgins began the application process to receive a Widow’s Pension based on her husband’s service. Writing from her then home at 749 Second Avenue, New York, she had one major problem- William’s body had never been recovered. All she knew was that he had never been seen again after the Wilderness. Hannah turned to one of her husband’s former comrades, Denis Cleary, for help. Denis had also been a Private in the 69th New York at the battle. He remembered seeing William go down during the fight, struck by a bullet in the right groin. He recalled how he ‘saw said Higgins shot…he standing along side of him at the time and also saw Higgins after the action while the U.S. forces were retreating…Higgins was then lying on the ground in a helpless condition…a few moments after the woods were set on fire and the grass and brush in the vicinity was burned consuming the bodies of many of the wounded.’ (4)

The dense undergrowth and tinder dry conditions of The Wilderness had created one of the most gruesome events of the entire American Civil War. Many veterans of the battle would later recall the plight of wounded men, caught helpless in the face of an advancing tide of fire that would eventually engulf them. One of the soldiers doomed to such an unimaginably horrible fate was William Higgins.

Hannah Higgins would received a pension based on her husband’s service until her death in 1892. It seems likely that the bone pendant, perhaps left at home during a furlough sometime after William had changed Company, was passed on to one of William’s daughters. It would eventually find its way to an auction house where it caught Cathy Nicholls eye, leading her to purchase it. That decision would ultimately lead to the discovery of the Higgins family story. William’s pendant is one of the most attractive Civil War era objects I have come across- the horrific end experienced by the man who once owned it one of the most sobering. (5)

Battlefield Artist Alfred Waud’s depiction of Union attempts to save the wounded caught in The Wilderness fires (Library of Congress)

*Very special thanks to Cathy Nicholls for bringing this object to my attention and for her permission to reproduce images of it here.

**None of my work on pensions would be possible without the exceptional effort currently taking place in the National Archives to digitize this material and make it available online via Fold3. A team from NARA supported by volunteers are consistently adding to this treasure trove of historical information. To learn more about their work you can watch a video by clicking here.

(1) Widow’s Pension File, 1850 Census, 1860 Census; (2) NYAG Report; (3) NYAG Report; (4) Widow’s Pension File; (5) Ibid.;

References & Further Reading

US Federal Census 1850

US Federal Census 1860

New York Adjutant General. Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York for the Year 1893. 

William Higgins Widow’s Pension File WC96262

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Civil War Trust Battle of The Wilderness Page

 

 

Filed under: 69th New York, Irish Brigade Tagged: 69th New York Infantry, Battle of Wilderness, Civil War ID Disc, Civil War Objects, Civil War Widow's Pension, Irish American Civil War, Irish Brigade, Overland Campaign

The #ForgottenIrish of Co. Donegal

The latest #ForgottenIrish story is now available on Storify. It forms part of the continuing effort to raise awareness in Ireland of the c. 200,000 Irishmen who fought in the American Civil War, and their families. As with the previous Storify stories it is based on a Twitter tweetathon. So far #ForgottenIrish has covered Cork and Kerry, with Galway to follow in the coming days. If you would like to read the Donegal Storify you can do so by clicking here.

Filed under: Digital Arts and Humanities, Donegal Tagged: American Civil War Donegal, Civil War Widow's Pensions, Donegal Civil War, Irish American Civil War, Irish at Andersonville, Irish Medal of Honor, James McKay Rorty, Vicksburg Campaign

A Visual Look at Irish Veterans in the G.A.R.: Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88, Staten Island (1)

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a Union veteran organisation originally founded in 1866. It would eventually become a significant lobby group with major political clout, particularly when it came to veterans affairs. In the State of New York, a number of G.A.R. Posts bore the names of Irishmen who served in the conflict; examples included G.A.R. Post #567 which was named for Thomas Francis Meagher and G.A.R. Post #69 named for James Shields in New York City, and G.A.R. Post #28 in Buffalo named for the McMahons of Corcoran’s Irish Legion. I am interested in how many Irishmen joined these posts, and what their military service history and social profile was. I hope to explore these questions graphically in a number of future articles on these ‘Irish-named’ G.A.R. Posts. This first one looks at some of the statistics for Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88, which was established in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York.

The statistics for the graphics below are taken from the Descriptive Book of Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88 from 1st December 1873, which provides details on a total of 46 Post members. The graphics below focus on breakdown by nationality, job-type and residence. A follow-up piece will examine the service of the men, looking at details such as length of service and branch of service. All the graphs have been generated in Excel based on a database I have created of the Post’s members. (2)

The % percentage breakdown by birthplace of the men in Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88. Ireland dominates with 18, followed by the United States by 16. The other countries were England (6), Germany (4), France (1) and Unknown (1). (Click on image for larger view)

The Professions of Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88 members. (Click on image for larger view)

The professions of the Irish-born members of Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88. It is dominated by Laborers, followed by Clerks and Painters. (Click on image for larger view)

The locations where members of Thomas Francis Meagher Post #88 lived. Note that two of the men gave their address as aboard the USN vessel ‘Fern.’ (Click on image for larger view)

Percentage breakdown of where the Irish-born members of the Post lived. Based on 13 men who lived in Tompkinsville (72%) and 5 who lived in New Brighton (28%). (Click on image for larger view)

References

Descriptive List of Grand Army of the Republic Thomas Francis Meagher Post#88, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York.

Filed under: Grand Army of the Republic, New York Tagged: G.A.R. Post #88, Grand Army of the Republic, Irish American Civil War, Irish Civil War Veterans, New York Irish, Staten Island Civil War, Thomas Francis Meagher, Tompkinsville Civil War

The Civil War Letters of Captain James Fleming, Part 2: With Hawkins’ Zouaves at Newport News

In the first of the James Fleming letters the man from Larne, Co. Antrim described his emigration to Canada in 1857 and the first weeks of his new life across the Atlantic. We join him nearly four years later. Now settled in New York, James writes home to Ulster to tell his family of his ‘change of business’- he is now an officer serving with the 9th New York Infantry in Virginia. The letter, written from Newport News, Virginia, describes camp life and the beauty of the Virginia countryside. James writes of his hopes of starting a farm following his two year term (although he expects the war to be over in a matter of weeks) and of his desire to get back to Larne for a visit. At one point he interrupts his letter to go out on evening drill, returning afterwards to complete his correspondence. Having not written to his family in nine months, the 26-year-old is full of inquiries about those at home, and also of assurances that he will be in more regular contact in the future.

When James wrote this letter on 12th August he had been in the army for three months, having mustered in as a Second Lieutenant in Company I on 4th May 1861. The 9th New York Infantry was commanded by Colonel Rush C. Hawkins and was known as ‘Hawkins’ Zouaves’ based on the brightly coloured North-African inspired uniforms they wore. It mustered in on 4th May (James was one of its original members) and was designated the 9th New York on 13th May. Following training, it left New York for Newport News on 6th June, arriving in Virginia on the 8th of that month. (1)

The Camp of the 9th New York- Hawkins’ Zouaves- at Newport News, Virginia in 1861. James Fleming wrote his letter home to Larne from here that August (Library of Congress)

New Port News

Virginia

Augst 12th 1861

My Dear Father Mother & Brothers,

Dear Mother I suppose you have heard before this time of my change in business. I have given up my old occupation for that of soldiering. I have joined the American Army for 2 years and so I am United States Commissioned Officer. I hold the rank of Lieutenant in the 9th Regiment of U.S. Volunteers (or New York Zouaves). We are at present camped on Virginia soil on the banks of the James river a beautiful place and a very desirable place at present for government to hold, as it commands the mouth of the river, we have fine bathing good fishing and plenty of oysters and we enjoy ourselves first rate we have been here for two months and I may say had nothing to do as yet there has been several fights and our side has always been victorious for so far the inhabitants have all cleared off on our arrival and left everything that belongs to a farmer behind them. Tell Alex if I was any way near him I could give him a couple of good colts as any man could wish to own. I went out the other day with 2 of my men and got 2 very handsome ones we had some trouble in Breaking them but the ride first rate at present they are rising 3 year old. I have 2 three year old, 1 about 5 year old & also a mule hard to tell its age so you see I have as many as will start farming when my 2 years are up. I have spent the most of 4 months already as time will roll. I will give you a little of camp life we landed here early in June on a beautiful Saturday morning pitched our tents in as fine a field of what as I have seen since I left old Larne it was up to my [shoulders] so you can judge of its height – as I am a good 6 feet. We remained there until Sunday morning struck out tents and went a little further south into a fine field of Indian Corn and pitched them there the same day that took us the most of that Sunday by the time we had all finished both officers & men were ready for a rest so spent the first Sunday in Virginia we got our pickets posted and our sentries. Pickets are a company of men sent out about 1 ½ to 2 miles to guard against an enemy approaching and on account of so many hogs & cattle running lose we were alarmed 3 times that night all called out by the long roll of the drum waiting to see the enemy but none has come as yet. At daylight in the morning drum beats to get up, at 5 o’clock the roll is called to see that all men are present, then they perform police duty which is cleaning out their tents and brushing in front of them to half past 6 they have for swimming and washing themselves at 7 they turn out for drill which last to 8 ½ o’clock then they have from that time unto 6 in the evening for any sort of amusement they wish some go a fishing and some into the woods & some reading & such ways they pass their time at 6 pm turn out for drill which lasts for one hour and half then supper all go to bed at 9 o’clock turn out at 4 so you can see pretty much how time is spent. I have been out with several scouting parties and has taken a great many small trophys such as Brooks (?) ornaments but too troublesome to keep & so when we get tired of them we pitch them away –

Dear Mother you can see that we are not overpowered with work and then the officers have much less to do only superintend the men working and so Dear Mother I almost know what you will say when you read this but I can assure you that [I] would not give my present occupation up for anything that I know of. I am content and in good health as content as possible could be away from home and also my health was never better I am stout & strong. I left word at my old place to have any papers or letters forwarded to me that would arrive but I hope not away for the last 4 months. I hope this will find you all enjoying good health and hopes with the blessing of God to see you all again as it will be my first trip at the expiration of my time as I am longing to see some of my old friends again about Larne. I had a letter from Mary Ann a few days ago she mentioned you were all well and she also mentioned she was writing home but I do not know whether she mentioned about my movements or not as I only expected I would remain in the army for 3 months and was delaying writing to you to the expiration of that time as it was expected that the 3 months volunteers would quell all disturbances but they had very little to do but a great many of them volunteered for 2 years some for 3 also some for during the war but its not expected to last longer than the 1st of Sept or Oct at the outside as we have two hundred thousand men in the field at present and has taken one of the strongest batteries that the rebels held and I may say that we have only to take 2 more which will leave them without a stronghold. Dear Mother this I may say has been the reason of not writing to you sooner but I can assure you never for one moment did I forget my Dear Parents & Brothers at home but I can assure you I will not neglect so long in writing again as you may expect to hear from me often during my stay in the army which I know it will give you all pleasure to get & which I hope Dear Mother you might forgive me my seeming neglect in not answering your last as I believe you have not got any word from me now for 9 months which I am sorry that I let such occur. I am very desirous of getting a letter from home as I have not got any in some time and does not know how my Brothers are doing or how my Father is getting along in the Nursery if he could only see the Peach, ?, Grapes etc growing here he would be astonished we have some nice fruit out here you will be surprised when I tell you that the Blackberry here is looked upon as a nice dish but then we have a great many sorts of Berrys here which is very nice. Dear Mother give my love to all of my old friends I suppose when Tomy Rankin next home he gave you all of the news give Anny and him my kind regards also her sister & mother not forgetting Mrs M Rankin & sister and all of my enquiring friends also any of my young friends that may think me worthy of a thought as I often, when I am all alone think of the pleasant days spent in Larne and wonder if I will ever meet them all again as I can fancy myself walking into Larne some time off, and meeting some of my old acquaintances and having a good shake of the hand but 5 or 6 years I dare say will make a great change some left some married & the young about growing old & yet when I look back I can only think it a few short weeks since I left her shores and since that time I have had good health and never wanted a friend which I may thank the giver of all good gifts for and hopes I will always have an overseeing eye to guide me and protect me from all harm. Dear Mother I feel rather uneasy about not getting any papers or letter they may have been sent to New York to me & not forwarded from that, but I hope that my Brothers are all well hoping that Henry is still continuing in good health as I feel rather uneasy about him on account of not getting any papers as he used to send them often when I was in New York. I suppose that Andy is still enjoying home happiness or rather happiness at home. I would not be at all surprised to hear that he had got married or some such desperate action – but I think he will follow in Thos’ footsteps and be afraid to do anything of that sort until he sees old age staring him in the face and then remorse will probe him to take such a step as for Alex & Agnes I suppose they are enjoying that quiet happiness which is only to be found in a loving wife and a happy mother which I think Agnes would make and for poor old Tom I suppose he is going to live his days out by doing one day & undoing the next. I hope that he & Agnes are raising a family which will do credit to the name of Flemming hoping they are both enjoying that great blessing good health as for Malcolm & Marianna I hope they are well and erased from their memory that speck of the past and living only for each other as I hope she will make a loving wife & good mother. Send her or give her my warmest & kindest love as many a happy day I spent with them as I know she will be glad to hear that I am well and doing well. I hope yet to see Malcolm & her in a better position than they ever occupied as their is no position so as what we work for & then we know how to appreciate it, and now, how is Sally enjoying her wedded life or what sort of a man has she got as I have not been able to get any news concering him or how he is circumstanced as I would feel sorry if she had not made a good match as she was well deserving of a good Husband.

Dear Mother I hope that you and father are enjoying health and happiness and hopes to see you enjoying manys the happy day yet. I hope you will both be spurd to see all of your children gathered around you again as I expect that at the expiration of my 2 years If I am spared at that time that Mary Ann & family will accompany me home on a visit. Dear Mother have you had any word from my aunt lately as they were talking very much about coming home during this summer but I think that they are too much afraid of spending what little they have but it may do them much good and it may not but its well guarded at present. I would not be much surprised if it would get well spent yet for her they were both very well when I left New York and have received several papers from Thos and one letter which he states they are all well. Aunt Peggy was only home a short time before I left she was well and looked well stout & healthy looking how is my uncle and family getting along or has he got any work to do yet that letter that the girls wrote to my aunt done them a great deal of harm about my uncle drinking etc as she would have sent him something more but for that letter. Now Dear Mother I must finish as it wants only a short time for to go out with my company for Evg drill. If you could only see the field of corns where we camped in you could not tell it from the road along the shore quite level and all hamped down the soil here is quite sandy you might search for one day and not get one stone as large as a hens egg, there’s the dream. I must finish when I come in. Dear Mother I have returned from my drill & will now finish. How is Sam or is he still living with you yet. I hope that he & Margaret are well. They are several more of my old wellwishers that I cannot recollect at present. Give them my regards Phelix & maty (?) how are they getting along and the lady that kept the small grocery store below that with the 3 daughters how are they – Tell Tom Rankin if he is at home I would like he would write one or Anny as it would give me great pleasure to get a letter from her or Tommy. Tell my Brothers to write me regular so I will give you all of the news as I go along. Dear Mother I will count the days & watch the post to I get word from home. Tell Malcolm I would like to get a few lines from him as I have looked long for one from him as I hope he can spare that length of time to devote to his absent brother as it would give me great pleasure to get one. I am getting a sketch of myself which I forward to you in this letter but will not be finished for 2 days yet which will delay the sending of this off. Dear Mother I will finish for the present and hopes that the course that I am persuing at present will not fret or vex you as I can assure you that I am much better pleased than any business ever I was employed in before healthier and better in every respect. Goodbye for the present and May God Bless you all in the sincere prayers of your affectionate son James.

My address will be

Lieut Jas H Flemming

9th Regiment United States Volunteers

New Port News

Fortress Monroe

Virginia

America

(2)

*The next set of letters will follow James as he continues his service in the 9th New York Infantry in North Carolina. Note that some punctuation has been added to the letter above for ease of reading. Sincere thanks are due to Louise Brown for sharing these letters of her ancestor, which she has also transcribed, with readers of Irish in the American Civil War.

(1) New York Adjutant General, New York State Military Museum; (2) Louise Brown Transcription;

References

New York State Adjutant General. Rosters of the 9th New York Infantry and 16th New York Cavalry.

New York State Military Museum Unit History Project: 9th Infantry Regiment Civil War.

Filed under: Antrim, New York Tagged: 16th New York Cavalry, 9th New York Infantry, Antrim Civil War, Irish American Civil War, Irish Diaspora, Larne History, Larne Veterans, Ulster Civil War Veterans