David, Alfred is my 3rd great grandfather. He was born in 1837, rumored Three Rivers, Quebec. He married Sophia Elizabeth Carle of Three Rivers on 21 Mar 1858 in Batavia, Kane, IL and died 20 Oct. 1889 at Commerce, Polk, IA. My grandmother used to tell me stories about how he was call the "little French Darkie" because he was so short and dark complected. She also told me that he was found in New York at the age of fourteen living with a family (not sure who), but no other apparent relatives. I remember her saying that there was a distinct possibility that he could be part Indian because the part of New York he was in was an Indian settlement, but I have not substantiated that yet. I don't know if I believe it because of the following...

I now have a copy of his Volunteer Enlistment for the Civil War. I inherited all of my grandmother's family history when she passed away 8 years ago. It reads as follows:

State of Illinois, Town of Batavia

I, Alfred Short, born in the state of Canada aged 26 years, and by occupation a farmer, do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this 25th day of Dec, 1863 to serve as a soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of three years, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay,rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Alfred Short, to solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of American, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
Sworn and subscribed to at Pulaska Twn this 25th Day of Dec, 1863 before George Young, Capt. 52rd Ills. Inftry.

The next couple of paragraphs are difficult to read, but then it says: This soldier has: Blue eyes, Brown hair, light complexion, is 5 ft. 5 inches high.

That totally changed the way I had pictured him my whole life!

He was mustered in on the 8th day of January, 1864.

I also have his muster rolls, but they are from 1861-1862 so I don't understand the voluneet enlistment sheet unless he was re-enlisting as veteran volunteer. Anyway, May and June of 1862 he was on duty with teams to Tenn. River. April 6, 1862, he was wounded slightly in the right foot at the Battle of Pittsburg at Shiloh. He carried a springfield musket.

I hope this gives you some more info that you were looking for!