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Advantage to enlisting as an American rather than as a Canadian in the Union army during the Civil War?

Advantage to enlisting as an American rather than as a Canadian in the Union army during the Civil War?

Posted: 28 Nov 2013 1:56PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello,
Could someone tell me please what advantage, if any, would there have been for my g-grandfather to have stated on his Union enlistment card in Oct. 1861 that he was born in Calais, Maine rather than in Ireland? Prior to his enlistment, he and his family were living in New Brunswick, Canada to which he returned following the Civil War and then he eventually lived at the Old Soldier's home in Togus, ME for a few years, returned to New Brunswick, and then eventually died in Salem, MA.

My best evidence for his birthplace is from the 1851 Canadian Census which clearly states that he and his parents were born in Ireland. What were the rules/regulations for Canadians to volunteer in the Union army circa Oct 1861? Was it advantageous for him to state that he was born in the U.S. when he joined up rather than in Canada? Was it advantageous for him to be an American enlistee for later pension benefits which he collected?

Thanks!

Re: Advantage to enlisting as an American rather than as a Canadian in the Union army during the Civil War?

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 4:20PM GMT
Classification: Query
It's difficult to say why his birthplace was recorded as Maine rather than Ireland; it might not have been his choice, rather that of the enlisting officer. From the outset of there war there "Canadians" (British Subjects) who went to fight in the war, and this contributed to a growing crisis that had the potential of bringing Britain into the war. For a person to leave "Canada" and enlist would have been illegal, but very little was done about it; it was only at the end of the war when "crimping" in Canada became a serious problem that the Foreign Enlistment Act was really enforced (I believe). Best source for this would be Robin Wink's "Civil War Years".

Re: Advantage to enlisting as an American rather than as a Canadian in the Union army during the Civil War?

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 4:52PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you so much for shedding light on this subject. I've wondered for years, so your answer was indeed very helpful. Thank you for the reference too!

Best,
Colleen
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