Why this War?

I sometimes question my involvement on CW forums as a Canadian participant, but since 50,000 Canadian men and women crossed the border in order to support their individual causes, I like to think that I'm here on their behalf.

My life-long passion for the ACW began the first time I saw the movie, “Shenandoah” and it instilled in me something that is somewhat of a mystery, even today. But back then, I inherently understood that this war was about something that destroyed families living within the ‘boundaries of one nation,’ and that alone made me want to learn more.

There was very little information to be had, as American history and in particular the war between the states, was not something that Canadian schools focused on, so I found myself rambling through the town library on Saturday mornings, looking for horse-related material, and anything on the ACW that I could comprehend, at such a young age. This proved to be an impossible task so begrudgingly, I set aside my curiosity for several more years.

During my mid teens, I managed to talk some friends (they tolerated my ‘nerdiness’) into driving to Gettysburg for a long weekend, and this at long last cemented my deep interest in the ACW. Although I was not quite old enough to truly appreciate and understand what happened at Gettysburg in 1863, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was standing on sacred ground.

For years I struggled with why Americans killed Americans and how it came to be that families could be split down the middle by their intense loyalties to cause. What motivated and sustained those courageous soldiers when suffering and death became something they lived and breathed every day of their lives, year after year? I had to know.

I love history, in particular American history, and specifically the ACW. The journey of discovery from Gettysburg to now has been a thrill in itself. From little known bits of information to the well known has been great fun, hugely stimulating, and well worth the ride. And my study of this unique time in history is not only full of exploration and wonder, but it’s also flush with humour and literary genius.
It’s a haunting war that should never be forgotten because it shaped Americans and showed the people of the U.S. how even the closest of allies can be ripped apart by controversial issues. It changed the path of American history forever.

The most noble ideal can be such a fragile thing but the greater tragedy is to allow people to die in vain. We must never forget the 600,000+ people who died for their individual causes otherwise they lie in senseless graves.

History provides unique insight into human nature and by insisting that we see the world through the eyes of those who have been before, only then can be confront and recognize the complex nature of humanity, and understand that human achievement is also peppered with human failures that have often spawned cruelty and barbarity, since time began. The ACW was no different. Heroes sprang forth who we still revere today, and the not so great who are still vilified in many ways.

It is only through the study of history that we can come to terms with moral questions and concerns, and create a tapestry into which we can weave our never-ending quest for truth, liberty, and all that is good.

Very nice post. Glad you are on forum and share your thoughts on the Civil War.

Great post, Dawna--that should be published as an essay somewhere. By the way, my wife is from Toronto and we both reenact--we even had our boys in the hobby at one point, and they are dual citizens (Canada/US). My wife was doing some family research, and it turns out that her great grandfather had a brother who left home in Toronto and joined the Union army. He survived the war. (He was quite a character--after the war, he went out West seeking adventure and fortune, and he certainly found the former, if not the latter. When he died, he had 7 bullets embedded in his body from his various encounters. Not sure how many were from the war...) So, please share any further thoughts or information you might have about Canadians and the Civil War--you have an interested audience here for sure.

Very well said.

Wow! Beautifully insightful, Dawna.

Let me echo Lee's remarks, An extremely interssting and informative post. Thanks for sharing your words.

Mulejack

Thank you for sharing your story.

That is great. You have some of the same thoughts that inspired me to write my stories about the Civil War.

Thanks very much everyone for your comments and CB I've written a blog on "Canadians in the CW" but I'm not sure if it would be too long to post on this forum, as it includes the 24 MOH recipients, and as much information on them as I could find. I could split the post and make it an easier read, if that might be helpful and there's an interest.

I know Toronto well as it's always been my city of choice for entertainment and even though I'm not a big city person, I enjoy Toronto for what it is - a beautiful, cultural, and well laid out city. Your wife's great grandfather's brother does sound like an interesting character who lived life to the fullest!

Jojotater - I've been looking through your link and you appear to be an amazing writer.

Dawna--if your blog in online, please post the URL link to it. I'm sure many of us would like to see it. There are probably many Canadians interested in the war. My wife's uncle in Toronto is a big Civil War buff for example. After listening to me talk about it for years, he got "the bug."

Why, thank you Dawna. My short story "The Red Pond At Shiloh" will be free again tomorrow 1-27-12 for Kindle. If you don't have a kindle the app is free at Amazon.

CB:

Approximately 50,000 Canadians fought in the American Civil War and of these, as many as 200 enlisted for the South. Also, about 400 Canadian women disguised themselves as men and fought bravely for their causes, their identities only revealed upon examination of a wound, or discovery at death. These women went out of their way to avoid medical treatment if at all possible, and some even suffered and died, rather than bear that their fellow soldiers have knowledge of their gender.

The reasons that Canadians crossed the border and offered support to their American counterparts were varied , and often times Canadian involvement had more to do with where they were living at the time. For example, many Canadians were living in New Orleans when war broke out, so it was obvious that their loyalties would stay with the South. A sense of adventure for some men, while others simply found themselves drifting over the border and finding a better life as a soldier in the ACW, than the lives they had left behind. And to be sure, for some men it was strictly about money.

Dr. Solomon Secord, a more famous Canadian and great nephew of Laura Secord, a Canadian heroine (your wife will know who Laura Secord is); left his home in Kincardine, Ontario and travelled to Georgia where he enlisted in the 20th Georgia Infantry as a surgeon. The irony of this is that Dr. Secord was a known abolitionist and in years prior, he was almost hanged in Georgia for speaking out against slavery. But Dr. Secord had many friends in Georgia and so the paradox in this seemed to quickly disappear!

Dr. Secord was captured at Gettysburg and became a prisoner of war in Maryland. He managed to escape and joined up with his regiment in Tennessee, but he finally left the war in October, 1864, returning to his home in Ontario.

Dr. Secord was a highly respected doctor in the community and when he died in 1910, a monument was erected in his memory. The belief is that this is the only monument to a Confederate officer in Canada.

Noteworthy also is that two Canadians of the 20th Maine were killed during Col. Joshua Chamberlain's charge down Little Round Top - Alex E. Lester from Saint John, New Brunswick, and George Leach, Fredericton, New Brunswick, who later died from his wounds in a Confederate prison. Your wife may have heard of Sara Emma Edmonds, who was also from New Brunswick and she left home to act as a spy for the Union army. I feel a slight connection to these Canadian soldiers since I too was born on the east coast of Canada (Cape Breton Is.) making me a direct neighbour!

I have a few letters of Canadian soldiers writing home and I thought I would include one with this post:

Fredericksburg, Virginia
May 20th, 1864

Dear Wife:

I will try and write a few lines to you as I lie here on my back, suffering all I can endure. It is hard work to write so that you can read it, but I thought you would rather see my own hand writing on the paper than any other. They all say I am getting along well. I have lost both my legs just just above the knees and am very weak; but by the blessing of God I hope to live through it. Pray for me, dear wife. Many kisses to the children and much love to all.

From your suffering husband.

David Nickerson, Company H, 22nd Massachusetts Volunteers

That is a powerfully emotional letter written by that soldier. Another history gem from this site.

Mulejack

That was great. It seems the Canadians were as varied in their reasons for fighting as the Americans. This is just another facet of a very complex conflict. It reminds us that the reason for the war and the reason for fighting can be very different things.

Does history tell us if the poor soldier recovered?

Jojotater:

Mr. Dickerson was moved from the field hospital in Virginia to Harewood Hospital in Washington where he died on May 24th. He left behind his widow and two small children.

If there's an interest in this, I have many soldiers letters home on file, and I would be happy to share them.