Civil War 3 Canadians

Civil War -3 Earl Plato
The 59th left the state to join the army at Washington, D.C. on November 23, 1861. The records show that they were attached to General Wadsworth’s command for the defences of Washington until March, 1862. The capitol was in danger from Lee’s Confederate Army just across the boundary in Virginia. Lincoln decided to take the offence. The 59th was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, General Casey’s Division, The Army of the Potomac. This is where our Civil War story of 23 terrible battles begins with the 59th N.Y. State Volunteers. I believe that it is a remarkable record for a volunteer regiment. Unfortunately we can only high light the major battles. They are as follows: Antietam, 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Siege and Fall of Petersburg, and Appomattox Court House. I have visited all these sites in past years.
Civil War researchers know what can happen when one record says that the 59th was at the First Bull Run. However, Official records of the War of the Rebellion for both the Union and Confederate Armies, a 128 volume set, published by the War Department states that the Battle of the First Bull Run was fought July 21, 1861 without the 59th present.
Furthermore, Arthur Candequist, Civil War Society historian, in a letter to me August 19, 1991 confirmed that the 59th N.Y. State Volunteers were not at the First Battle of Manassas or Bull Run. Remember the 59th did not enter active service until two months later. So?
I want to make a point with a look at this first major battle of the American Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run, even though the 59th was not there.
Next: 1st Bull Run and onwards with the 59th. Remember Canadians were there.
Just a “Sunday Outing” or so it appeared to be, the First Battle of Bull Run or Manassas. Remember the word “run” meant a small stream.
This first battle of the American Civil War was fought only thirty miles from the country’s capital, Washington, D.C. History recorded that ordinary civilians out for a Sunday excursion in their buggies thought that it “would be fun” to see an actual battle up close. They would watch the superior Union forces (superior only in numbers) send the Confederates “high-tailing” it down the road to the Southern capital, Richmond, Virginia. That’s not what actually happened.
I have walked this site of the historic battlefield. There are various monuments and imposing statues across the open fields. I could picture in my mind’s eye that Sunday, July 21, 1861. It was an unreal situation. Who would know what price was to be paid as a result of turning to war. Brother against brother, friend against friend, all would be changed forever that eventful Sunday.