Canadians in the Civil War Links


During the course of my search for information on Canadians in the American Civil War I have come across many excellent and informative sites. They are listed in no particular order.

Web Sites With Information on Canadians Who Served in the War



Iowa in the Civil War -- prior to the Civil War many Canadians emigrated to the United States, and many ended up on the ever expanding frontier. Some went as adults, others as children; many of those who were of age when the Civil War broke out naturally decided to fight for their "adopted country". This site has a number of rosters for various regiments from Iowa; two units, the 14th and 27th Iowa Infantry Regiments, have rosters that indicate the soldier's nativity.

Vermont in the Civil War -- this is an excellent site promoting the important role that this small state played in the American Civil War. Many Canadians living in Lower Canada, as well as some from the Maritimes, enlisted in Vermont regiments.

28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry -- The 28th Massachusetts Infantry was initially an all-Irish unit. After sustaining numerous casualties at Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, Frederiskburg and Gettysburg, the regiment to recruit almost any man it could find. As of mid-1863, Canadians began to join the unit. This site has a searchable roster of the original 28th.

Roster of the Twentieth Massachusetts -- Like the 28th Massachusetts, the 20th Massachusetts, the so-called Harvard Regiment, was eventually forced to seek out recruits from outside the state. Dozens of Canadians ended up serving with the unit, and about six of them lost their lives. This site provides a searchable roster which is very useful.

Old Canada Road -- I just recently found this site and truly hope there are more like it out there. It deals with the migration of French-Canadians from Lower Canada to Maine prior to the Civil War. There is also a page dedicated to many of the men who later would serve in Maine units in the war.

The Veterans -- this page has information on men who served in the Civil War and later in life came (or returned) to Canada and were buried there.

James McGarry -- this page has a very interesting biography of James McGarry, a man from Niagara, Canada West who served with the 1st New York Vol. Engineers. Note this link is broken and I am in the process of finding the new address, if there is one.

Anderson Ruffin Abbot MD -- This page is a biography of Anderson R. Abbott, a African-Canadian who who served as a surgeon during the war.

102nd United States Colored Troops -- In 1863, the United States officially started to form Colored Troop units, and one of those was 1st Michigan Colored Infantry Regiment, which soon after became the 102nd United States Colored Troops. This page lists biographical information about some of its men. There are two men with a connection to Canada: Solomon King who was born in/near Buxton, Canada West, and Benjamin Mathews, who briefly served with the unit, who died there in 1864. For an article about the 102nd click here

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System During the Civil War, thousands of Blacks served with the U. S. Navy; among them were some 300 with came or returned from British North America.

Franklin County, NY Civil War Records This site lists several thousand names of men from the county that served in the Civil War; unlike most resources pertaining to New York, it actually indicates (when possible) the soldier's birthplace. In toalt, I found just over 400 soldier of Canadian birth.

Known Burials of Veterans of the American Civil War in London, Ontario, Canada This site contains a considerable amount of information about men (and a woman) from London, Ontario who served in the Civil War. Also some information about the GAR post that existed in the city between 1891 and 1911.

Southwestern Ontario Civil War Round Table A small but dedicated group of Civil War buffs from Ontario, Canada. Site contains some information about Canadians who served in the Civil War.

Other Civil War Sites of Interest

The American Civil War Tim Harrison's impressive website which covers a number of topics, including causes of the war, leaders from both sides, and the nature of battle, to name a few. The site contains numerous useful links, hence well worth visiting.

Civil War Mysteries Do you have an image of an unidentified Civil War soldier and would like him identified? This is the site that will try to get this done for you.

Note: there are several more pages that need to be listed here. They will be listed shortly when time permits.