Canadians in the Civil War Earl Plato
Just bought another Civil War magazine this month. This is an article inspired by the title, ‘High Tide at Gettysburg’.
Six times I have gone to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the ‘High Water Mark’ of the American Civil War. Why? I am a Canadian. What would draw me again to those terrible bloody years (1861-64) of American history? On a visit to Westfield Heritage Village near Hamilton, Ontario we saw a marker mounted on a granite boulder. It stated that over 50,000 Canadians fought in the Civil War. I knew this historical fact from years back. That’s one reason I wrote a series of articles. through the eyes of a Canadian. The American Civil War - 1861-1864 - is considered one of the world’s most devastating wars as it pertains to the sheer number of military loss of life and casualties. It killed some 360,000 Union soldiers and 258,000 Confederates and uncounted civilians on both sides. It left 500,000 men - North and South - with wounds and scars they would carry all their lives. More than 50,000 Canadians participated in this “blood bath” with the great majority serving on the side of the North (Union) against the South (Confederacy). I started my series at Gettysburg. Why? The picture of the monument to the 59th New York State Volunteers is there. It is here that this regiment and others held up against “Pickett’s Charge.” In previous articles some years ago I followed the 59th throughout the war. Again, you family researchers, use the government War Department records. Today the Internet offers great sites to help you find your way. Find a Civil War Site and just type the name of the relative and what follows may amaze you. I did and was thrilled to find a relative. Gettysburg is an ideal place to start for a real close look at this horrendous war. “Gettysburg had everything,”
American H.S. Commanger once wrote. “IT was the greatest battle ever fought on the continent. Gettysburg boasts more heroic chapters than any other battle. Yes, it was the high tide of the Confederacy.” Once again I thought about the outcome of those three days. Another American historian, Glenn Tucker, wrote, “Some historians believe Lee and the Confederacy ought to have won at Gettysburg.” He adds that he seeks no scapegoat. The Confederates made some mistakes in timing and failed to make the best us if their artillery. Tucker claims that the decisive factors were in small part luck and in large part individual character often of subordinate commanders.
I definitely agree. Who helped hold the line on that fateful day of Pickett’s Charge?” Look up my favourite union officer, ….. Hancock . He did an outstanding job at Gettysburg and you know what? The 59th New York Volunteers were under his command. A monument testifies to their involvement there.