Confederates

Unfortunately, Confederate records are not as detailed and complete as those of the North, so it is much more difficult to determine how many Canadians fought for the southern cause. It has been estimated that the number was 10,000, but this number is suspect since it has never, to my knowledge, been backed with a source. I would not be surprised if the number of Canadians was much smaller -- this despite the fact that Canadian public support was with the Confederates. I hope that in the future research with expand the few names that I have listed below. Of course, if any one has any information, I would like to hear from you. Send your e-mail to: cancivwar@yahoo.com

Blackader, William Hill was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia and served with the 1^st Regiment, Richmond Howitzers. [TV]

Bray, John Lang was born in Kingston, Canada West and served as a Surgeon with a Confederate unit. [TV]

Bridgford, David B. I am including this man on this list until I have done further research. I am not sure about his connection to Canada other than the fact that his father was a British officer who served as Lt. Governor of Upper Canada [Canada West; Ontario]. David Bridgford was a merchant in New York prior to the war and served as a Captain in Company B, 1^st Virginia Battalion Regulars ("Irish Battalion") and then later as Provost Marshall for the Second Corp and subsequently the entire Army of North Virginia. [LC]

Davidson, Thomas Benjamin although no unit is given in the obituary, I am fairly certain that this man was serving with a Confederate unit. The obituary from The Nova Scotian, August 15, 1865 reads: "At Atlanta, Georgia, on the 3^rd of June 1864 [?], from the effects of wounds, Thomas Benjamin, second son of the late James Davidson, Esq., of Louisiana, formerly of Nova Scotia."

Goldring, George obituary in The Quebec Gazette from October 23, 1862: "In Chicago, on the 13^th September, on his way home from the Southern Army, third son of Henry Goldring, Esq., formerly of England, and son-in-law of George Hanson, Gardener, all of Toronto."

Rion, James Henry was born in Montreal, Lower Canada on April 17, 1828, but it is likely that his parents were not permanent residents of the city. He seems to have grown up in South Carolina where he attended school, practiced law and served as a colonel in the militia. He served briefly with the 6^th South Carolina (Colonel), then joined the 7^th South Carolina Battalion (Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel), during which time he briefly served as commander of the 22^nd South Carolina. [LC]

Robinson, William George was born in Canada but lived in Wake Co., North Carolina. He graduated from the USMA and served with the US Army before becoming Lt. Colonel (later Colonel) to the 2^nd North Carolina Cavalry. Was wounded and captured at Gillett's Farm and in 1864 joined the Navy Department. [LC]

Secord, Solomon was born in 1832 in Stoney Creek, Upper Canada then a small village to the east of Hamilton. He served with the 20^th Georgia Infantry as a Surgeon and was captured at Gettysburg. A monument was erected in his honour in the small town of Kincardine, Ontario [Canada West] on the shores of Lake Huron.

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LC -- Robert K. Krick: Lee's Colonels: A Biographical Register of the Field Officers of the Army of North Virginia.

TV -- Web Site dedicated to Civil War veterans who are buried in Canada. http://oocities.com/Heartland/Valley/9931/cwvets.htm