Canadians in the Civil War

Civil War-4 Earl Plato
At first the North (Union) gave a valiant effort but the South (Confederates) prevailed. Retreating Union soldiers and frightened civilians headed back to Washington. An important bridge broke down
at this time. Famed Civil War historian, Bruce Catton wrote: “... the carriages tried to drive through the wreckage at the same time army wagons and guns were coming along, and there was one of the grandest traffic jams in American history.”
The Union army retreat became uncontrollable. Fortunately in this initial battle the Confederate army was almost disorganized by its victory as the Union army was by its defeat.
The reasons the Confederates under General G.T. Beauregard didn’t pursue the retreating Union army and enter Washington are still argued. One thing seems to stand out. Organized supply lines, which a trained Confederate Quartermaster’s Corps should have in place and didn’t, might have made the difference.
The famed southern General “Stonewall” Jackson received his nickname here. During the height of the initial Union attack on the Henry House Hill it was Jackson’s brigade which held the line. Another Confederate officer trying to rally his men pointed to Jackson’s men and shouted, “Look! there’s Jackson, standing like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians.” He was called “Stonewall” Jackson from that time.
The 59th: As stated, the 59th was stationed in fortifications surrounding and protecting Washington, D.C. The regiment was moved out to various locations in northern Virginia.
So far the 59th had not been in any battle but now the 2nd Army Corps had orders. They were about to experience the horrors of war as part of the Maryland Campaign of September 6 to 22, 1862.
Civil War historian, Bruce Catton wrote, “... was probably the bloodiest single day in the entire Civil War.”
Next: The Battle of Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862.
To you Civil War buffs I would suggest you look up the Battle of South Mountain, if you haven’t done so. I wrote two articles about this early Civil War battle in which the importance of having a good Quartermaster Corps present and used properly was pointed out. The 59th was there. Canadians were now joining the Union Army in greater numbers. Writer’s Note: Submit your Canadian surname to the Civil War genealogical groups and hopefully find your name attached to a Civil War unit. That’s what I did with a little help from an American relative.
It is hard to believe that just a few days after the debacle of South Mountain a second battle would ensue so quickly.