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CANADIANS IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

© Mary M. Alward

Many people do not realize that 50,000 Canadians served in the American Civil War. Twenty-nine Canadian men were awarded the Medal of Honour. Four Canadian men were promoted to the rank of General in the Union Army. The great nephew of Canadian heroine, Laura Secord, served as a surgeon for a Georgia Regiment. Canadian women also served in the Civil War. Sarah Emma Edmonds was one of these women.

We have all heard stories of women who disguised themselves as men and took up arms during the Civil War. We've also heard stories of the nurses and civilians who tended to the wounded and dying soldiers to support whichever army they were loyal to. However, few have heard of Sarah Emma Edmonds.

Sarah was born in New Brunswick, Canada. She left her home to avoid an arranged marriage, disguised herself as a man, took the name of Frank Thompson and sold Bibles to support herself.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Sarah enlisted as a private in the 2nd Michigan Infantry. She fought at the Battle of First Bull Run and the Peninsula Campaign. During the battle of Fredericksburg, Sarah was the aide of General Orlando M. Poe. On at least two occasions, she dressed as a Negro woman and crossed Confederate lines.

In 1863, the 2nd Michigan Infantry was ordered to go to Kentucky. Here, Sarah became ill with malaria. She feared her true identity would be discovered, so she deserted. She later worked as a nurse for the United States Christian Commission and published an account of her activities as a nurse, soldier and spy.

When the war ended, Sarah married fellow Canadian, L.H. Sleeve. She had three children, which she raised in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana and Kansas. She fought for her Civil War pension, which was finally granted. She died in 1898, and was the only woman to be mustered into the Grand Army of the Republic as a regular member.

Why, you ask, would Canadians fight in the "war between the States?" There were many reasons. Some did it for the money. The US government offered good money to those who enlisted. For instance, the 2nd Michigan Infantry received $402. to enlist - a fortune at the time. Others wanted to fight the institution of slavery. Many homes in Upper and Lower Canada were stops on the Underground Railroad. These Canadians were willing to fight in defence of their beliefs, as were many free Blacks who jointed the United States Colored Regiments.

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