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!