Canadians and the Civil War

Ackworth, John P. -- Name also given as Joseph P. Ackworth. 179th New York Infantry. Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Blamey, Richard W.--also appears as Blaney and Blanney. List in the Pensioners' Roll for 1883. Most likely a Civil War veteran. In the 1880/81 City Directory, he is listed as a fireman residing at 77 Park N. According to the [Hamilton] Post Office Staff Directory for 1882 (History and news of interest to Hamilton Post Offices (microfilmed scrapbook)) he was a letter carrier. The City Directory for 1883/84 confirms this. Robert W. Blamey died on April 27, 1883 (Vital Statistics M937 Roll 1). The 1885/86 City Directory shows his widow residing at 45 Park N.

Breckinridge, W. -- Commander of GAR post in (at least) 1893.

Breslin, John -- name appears on the roster of the famous all-Irish 28th Massachusetts Infantry.

Burrow, William -- Left Hamilton for Cincinnati in 1861 along with William Stewart and during Kirby Smith's raid joined a militia regiment.

Butler, Richard -- Vice-Consul and commander of the GAR post in (at least) 1919 and 1922.

Cameron, John Robson -- Born in Perth, Canada West in 1845, moved to Detroit prior to the war. Served with a Michigan regiment. Following the war, was active in the newspaper industry and eventually found his way to Hamilton, where he was editor of the Spectator. Died in Hamilton in 1907. (See more below)

Campbell, Alexander -- A partner in the book firm Campbell, Holt & Angell, he enlisted in the Federal army in St. Louis, Missouri. He died "four or five years" prior to 1908.It is unclear where he is buried.

Carman, James -- born in Hamilton, Canada c. 1842, he enlisted as a Private with the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry at Pittsburgh on August 5, 1864. The following particulars were noted at the time of his enlistment: age, 22; height, 5'8"; hair, dark; complection, fair; eyes, grey; occupation, clerk. His name does not appear on the muster out roll, which suggests that he was a deserter. [source: Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 (Pennsylvania State Archives)]

Clark, James -- name appears on the roster of the 28th Massachusetts Infantry.

Clarke, Percy -- Name also given as Peleg Clarke. Was a 2nd Lt. with the 5th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. There was a Peleg Clarke, Jr. with the unit serving in company I.  Buried in Hamilton. (Also listed as Peleg Clarke)

Cochrane, James -- He is mentioned in the June 15, 1861 Hamilton Spectator, which claims that he serving with a Michigan artillery unit as a veterinary surgeon.

Cooke, William Winer -- Born in Mount Pleasant, Canada West. Attended school in Hamilton for a while. Served with the 24th New York Cavalry during the latter stages of the war. Following the war he enlisted with the 7th Cavalry and was killed along with Custer at Little Big Horn. His body was returned to Canada and buried at the Hamilton City Cemetery at the Winer plot. His name was subsequently adopted for the GAR post established in Hamilton.

Additional Information:

Born: May 29, 1846

United States Army Officer. Served as 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant of the 7th United States Cavalry. A Canadian who served under General Custer and was killed with him at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He wrote the last message received from General Custerm which was a note to Captain Frederick W. Benteen to bring the pack train up to him quickly. William was born in Mount Pleasant, near Hamilton, in Brant County, Ontario, Canada, the son of Alexander Hardy Cooke and Angeline Augusta Winer Cooke. He attended school in Hamilton, and joined the 24th New York Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War in 1863 at Niagara Falls, New York. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on January 26, 1864, and 1st Lieutenant on December 14, 1864. He was wounded during the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Mustered out on June 24, 1865, he immediately joined the 1st Provisional NY Volunteer Cavalry, and applied for a regular army commission. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 7th US Cavalry, on July 28, 1866, and promoted to 1st Lieutenant on July 31, 1867, at Fort Harker, Kansas. He served as Regimental Adjutant from January 1, 1871 until his death in June 1876. Brevetted Captain, US Volunteer on March 2, 1867, for service at Petersburg, Va in June 1864, brevetted Major, US Volunteers for service at Dinwiddie Court House in March 1865, and brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, US Volunteers for service in the battle of Sayler's Creek in April 1865. He participated in the Washita Campaign of 1868, the 1873 Yellowstone Expedition, and the 1874 Black Hills Expedition. During the Battle of the Little Big Horn, in June 1876, he accompanied Lt. Col. George A. Custer and the Regimental Staff with Custer's column, and was killed with Custer on Last Stand Hill. His body was buried on the battlefield, and exhumed and reburied in June 1877, in the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Cemetery. His body was later exhumed again and reburied in the:

Hamilton Cemetery
Hamilton
Ontario, Canada
Plot: Plot 63, Christ Church Section

Search Amazon for William Cooke

Diamond, Andrew J. -- Name also given as Hudson J. Diamond. Served with a New York Heavy Artillery unit. Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Doolittle, Charles E. -- Born in Plainsville, Ohio, he served with an infantry unit during the war. Came to Hamilton in 1880 and was influential in developing Hamilton's steel industry. It is not clear how long he remained in Hamilton; he died in Plainsville, Ohio in 1923. [from the Dictionary of Hamilton Biography, vol. 1]

Doyle, Captain -- A Captain in the Federal army, he is said to have been a former resident of Hamilton and editor of the Hamilton Evening Times. (Hamilton Spectator; August 26, 1863/August 27, 1863/September 1, 1863)

Fleming, Tom -- Left work in a Hamilton print office to serve in the war.

Freed, Augustus Toplady -- born in Beamsville, worked for various Canadian and American newspapers prior to the war. Joined a New York regiment and then the 27th Connecticut Infantry. Returned to Hamilton after the war and was on the staff of the Spectator for many years. Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Gaston -- GAR post commander in (at least) 1898.

Goldsmith, Gustave G. -- A resident of Hamilton and employed with the G.W.R., he left the city after the outbreak of the war and enlisted with the 1st Michigan (3 months). He was killed at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. (London Free Press; August 6, 1861)

Holmes, Charles -- was apparently a member of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry.

Holt, Erastus D. -- Possibly born in Connecticut, but later moved to New York. In about 1858, Holt moved to Hamilton where became a partner in the book firm Campbell, Holt & Angell in Hamilton. Served with the 6th Massachusetts Infantry (3 months) early in the war before joining the 49th New York Infantry as a private. Through the course of the war, he rose in rank, eventually becoming the unit's Lt. Colonel (brevet Colonel). He died shortly before the war's end of wounds sustained in Battle near Petersburg, Virginia.

Jagoe, J. F. -- 14th Michigan Infantry, Company B. Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Jolley -- He was the son of James Jolley, a harness-maker, who supposedly rose to the rank of Colonel during the war, and according to the Hamilton Spectator from May 30, 1917 "is still living in the western states."

Kappele, Daniel -- A native of Germany, he had emigrated to the United States, settling in New York State. In 1862, he enlisted with the 160th New York Infantry and served until the end of the war witout injury. Sometime after the war, he moved to Hamilton where he found employment at Sanford Manufacturing Co., and was a prominent member of the local German community. He was also for many years commander of the local G.A.R. post. He died on August 1, 1915.

Law, James -- His obituary appears in the January 13, 1863 Hamilton Spectator. It states that he left Hamilton a year prior to the war and found himself in New Orleans at the outbreak of the conflict. Served with the CSA for 18 months. Apparently returned to Hamilton after being discharged, dying shortly thereafter.

Looney, William J. -- Served with the 18th Illinois Infantry.

Lovell, Joseph N. -- A conductor with the Grand Trunk, elected first commander of the post.

Maingy, Robert Alexander -- Born Isle of Guernsey. He was married in Ancaster and probably lived there as well as Hamilton and Toronto before moving to the United States. At the time the war began, he was residing in Schuylkil Co., PA; he served with a company during the early months, then in 1862 evidently enlisted with the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D. He is reported to have died in Camp at Falmouth, VA on November 24, 1862 and shortly thereafter his obituary appeared in the Hamilton Spectator that he had died "in camp" at Fredericksburg. Sadly, several months previous his daughter's marriage notice had been published in the Hamilton Spectator; she married on Mr. O'Reilly, who would later be elected mayor of Hamilton. Maingy's death is noted on the following web site:

Mallory, William--born c. 1825 in North Carolina into slavery, in 1859 he managed to escape to Canada and settled in Hamilton. He states in his book Old Plantation Days that when war began he returned to the United States, enlisted, and fought in the Battle of Bull Run (presumably the first battle on July 21, 1861) as a private. He eventually rose to the rank of Colonel--one of the few African-Americans to do so during the war--by the time of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863). Following the war, he returned to Hamilton, purchased property on John Street and established a business there. Despite becoming a respected citizen in Hamilton, Mallory evidently decided to return to the United States as a missionary.

Mitchell, W. H. -- Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Mottashed, Joseph -- Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Monaghan, Colonel William -- U. S. Consul who came to Hamilton in 1889, and soon after organized the GAR post. He died in Manila on April 13, 1900, a Captain in the U. S. Regular Army. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland and served with an Ohio regiment during the war.

Nixen, William -- Left work in a Hamilton print office to serve in the war.

Rankin, Richard -- name appears on the roster of the famous all-Irish 28th Massachusetts Infantry.

Rawlin, Thomas -- name appears on the roster of the famous all-Irish 28th Massachusetts Infantry.

Roberts, Albert -- Captain with a Tennessee regiment with the CSA. Appointed U.S. Consul to Hamilton in 1885 and seems to have served in this capacity until 1889 when Colonel Monaghan, who would be instrumental in forming the GAR post, came to the city. He was active in the American newspaper industry. See also (See more below)

Robertson, John F. -- Buried in Hamilton.

Ross, L. M. -- Served as a surgeon in the Army of Virginia of the Federal army. (Hamilton Spectator; January 17, 1863)

Slater, John -- A native of Yorkshire, England, whose residence upon enlistment was Hamilton. Served with the 142nd Illinois Infantry for approximately 100 days, the duration of the unit's existence.

Smith, Anson E. -- Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Stevens/Stephens, Nelson -- 25th U.S.C.T., Company B. Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Stewart, William -- A native of Kentucky, he had moved to Hamilton prior to the war. In 1861, he, along with a friend, left the city for Cincinnati, Ohio. During the raid by Kirby Smith, Stewart joined a militia unit and was subsequently wounded in battle. He would eventually return to Hamilton, and established an architectural firm.

Stiff, James -- Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Tomes, William -- 6th U. S. Cavalry, Company M. Buried in Hamilton at the Holy Sepulcher [formerly Rock Bay] Cemetery.

Townsend, Gilbert -- Probably born in England; his obituary appeared in the December 4, 1862 Hamilton Spectator. He died at Fairfax Court House, Virginia on November 29, 1862 and a funeral was held in Hamilton on December 4.

Trumbull, George -- 13th New York Infantry, Company F. Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Williams, John -- Name appears on the roster of the 18th United States Colored Troops regiment.

Williard, Henry H. -- Buried in Hamilton City Cemetery.

Wilson, George -- A member of the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry, Company H.

Winer, William D. -- Probably born in Hamilton; educated in Hamilton and attended University of Toronto where he received a medical education. Moved to Chicago where he established a medical practice. Upon outbreak of the war, he joined the 23rd Illinois Infantry ("Irish Brigade") as a surgeon. His death in 1872 or 1873 was as a result of a great fire in Chicago. He was the uncle of William Winer Cooke and is buried in the Hamilton City Cemetery.

John Robson Cameron was a very interesting character. He was named after his mother's step father, John Robson. His mother's half brother, another John Robson,  became the 9th premier of the province of British Columbia. John Cameron received his education in Perth, Ontario and in Quebec, and then became a "printer's devil"  which led to his lifelong career in the newspaper business. 

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, the Camerons were living in Detroit Michigan and young  John joined the Union Army in Michigan. The unit has not yet been documented.  When the war ended he returned to Detroit, got a job with the newspaper, and married Sarah McCallum. They had two children, Archibald Duncan b. March 19, 1867, and Mary Euphemia b. January 2, 1869.

When Mary was still an infant, John's wife Sarah died.  The two children were taken in by the maternal grandparents, and John went to Sarnia where he joined the 1st Ontario Rifles which was part of the expeditionary force going to the Canadian west (Manitoba) to suppress the Riel Rebellion. Because of his previous military experience he became General Wolsley's aide-de-camp. (This was probably an unofficial status. There are several references to this in biographies, but no confirmation in military records.) By the time the 1st Ontario Rifles arrived in the west, the rebellion was pretty well over, and John Cameron mustered out in Winnipeg.

In Winnipeg, John joined with another former soldier to found a newspaper.  The owner was a Mr. Luxton, and John was the first editor, printer and press man. Thus the Winnipeg Free Press was born.  It was in Winnipeg where John Cameron met and married his second wife, Rebecca McIvor. According to family oral history (may or may not be true), Rebecca was at the time the only unmarried white girl in the settlement, and their daughter May was the first white child born in Winnipeg. John went from the Free Press to a series of newspapers.  Finally he found himself at the Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator, and eventually became editor-in-chief.

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        In the year 1826, on a plantation in North Carolina, I, ex-slave Col. William Mallory, first saw the light of day. For seven years I was allowed to remain with my parents, brothers and sisters, and was then sold to a Frenchman from Virginia by the name of LeBlanc. He was a half-brother to Simon Legree, whose character has been so well portrayed by Mrs. Harriet Beecher-Stowe in her story of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." From the day I was sold to LeBlanc up to the present--a lapse of sixty-two years--I have neither seen nor heard of any of my relatives, and there are many more men and women now under the protection of the British flag who have been forced to undergo the same cruel separation from parents and relatives through the same accursed cause--slavery.

        My first knowledge of slavery came to me when I was a little toddler. A white man was brought to me by my parents, and I was told by them that he was my master. As time passed on I thought it was strange that I should have to call him master, and I thought it stranger still that he should be allowed to whip the negroes till the blood flowed.

        I remained with Mr. LeBlanc until the marriage of his daughter, on which occasion I changed owners and became the property of the son-in-law, Mr. Susten Allen, a member of the White House at Washington. For fourteen years I remained with them, being assigned to the position of body-servant to my master, who, like many others at that time, was too lazy and indolent to wait upon himself. During my stay with Mr. Allan I attended every session held at the White House, and in my capacity as body-servant was admitted to the House on all occasions. It was there I first heard of Canada as a land where slavery was unknown, and where the negro could live free and untrammeled.

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        I had no education, and no opportunity was given me of procuring any. All that could be learned by the average slave was that which could be gathered from listening to and treasuring up the scraps of conversation we could overhear when our owners were talking together. Having heard so much of this grand country which lay to the north, I became imbued with the resolution to improve the first opportunity and try to find my way to it and freedom.

        Many acts of brutality on the part of my master and his overseers occurred during the fourteen years I stayed with Mr. Allen, and one in particular impressed itself on my mind and showed to me the vital necessity of escaping to freedom if I ever wished to call my life my own. On one broiling hot day in midsummer my master called a poor slave out of the cane-field, and for no appreciable cause had an overseer shave his head and afterwards flog him with his blacksnake whip. After the flogging a tight-fitting cap, lined with tar and pitch, was placed on the poor fellow's head, and he was compelled to stand in the hot, torturing sun until he fell to the ground. A few strokes of the lash not serving to revive him, an examination was made, when it was found that the poor slave was dead. His lifeless body was coolly kicked into a corner of the fence and left there until sundown, when some of his fellows were sent to give him a hurried and unblest burial.

        Another poor slave was whipped until he couldn't stand because my master caught him in the act of prayer; and a white man, caught teaching the slaves to read and pray, was shot down like a dog.

        policeman, a "guardian of the peace," was what may be called the public whipper. He received a fee of fifty cents per head for every man, woman, boy or girl he flogged. This fee was in addition to his regular salary as a constable, and he found constant employment. I have seen children taken from their parents with as little compunction as one would exhibit in taking the calf from the cow. I have seen the young woman sold to the

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buyer, and he in turn would traffic in her charms; the young man taken from his wife and sold to a buyer from a distant part of the States; and one old woman's son was taken from her, tied by a rope around his neck to the pommel of his new owner's saddle, and compelled to leave his poor old mother, probably never more to see her alive.

        Hundreds of acts of equally brutal a nature could be told had I the inclination to indulge in a recital of all the horrible events I saw during the days of my captivity, but my book is not intended to deal with the lives of slaves at large, but purely a personal narrative.

        Late in the fall of the year 1860 the opportunity of escaping-- so long watched and patiently waited for--offered itself, and in company with three other slaves I started upon my perilous journey. Necessity compelled that our road should be far removed from the highways, as large handbills, offering rewards for our capture, were freely distributed, and to be seen meant to be taken and returned to our former homes and punished terribly as an example to the other hands on the plantation and as a warning of the fate that awaited any who desired to take their liberty out of the hands of their oppressors.

        We three travelled continually onward towards Canada and freedom, sometimes being hounded from swamp to swamp and bush to bush, and frequently being compelled to ford and swim streams in our efforts to throw the dogs off our tracks. On one occasion, about three months after having started on the hunt for that God-given gift--Liberty, we were nearly overtaken by a pack of hounds, and were compelled to strike out across country and each man shift for himself. Having been in my youth a remarkably rapid runner, I soon left my companions far behind, and I cannot say whether they escaped, were captured, or died from starvation and exposure.

        I was now forced to continue my way alone, and under those circumstances was it to be marvelled at that the country through which I passed should appear, to my eyes, to be

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the most dismal on the face of the earth? To add to my sufferings and discomfort I had to encounter the rigors of winter weather. The ice, sleet and snow were unknown quantities to the slave, who had never before ventured so far north from the place of his birth, and the experience was by no means a pleasant one, unprovided as I was with clothing suitable for cold weather. My means of subsistence consisted of everything that I could in any way obtain, and many a meal have I had from men of my own nationality who endangered their own safety in order to appease the pangs of hunger which assailed me.

        One night, after having journeyed all day long, I saw a house standing by itself in a small clearing, and after having taken a close survey of the surroundings and having seen nothing of an alarming nature, I made bold to go to the door and ask for something to eat. A white man answered my summons at the door, and on making known my wants he invited me to enter his house and rest myself while he procured me something to eat, at the same time telling me he was an Abolitionist and a friend to all colored men. The only other occupant of the place at that time was the little child of the man, a girl about three years of age. The man busied himself preparing my meal, and my attention being taken up by the antics of the child, my entertainer managed, unknown to me, to send word to a couple of slave hunters who were in his neighborhood, that there was an escaping slave at his house. Imagine my surprise, when, after having watched the child at play for some time, I accidentally raised my eyes towards the front door, to see the doorway filled by the forms of the two slave-hunters with rifles levelled at my breast, and at the same time hear a stern command to remain where I was on peril of my life.

        Quicker than thought was my action. Not waiting to reply to them, I suddenly reached forward and raised the little child from the floor, and holding her between my body and the rifles of my pursuers, I backed to the rear door of the house, darted into the yard, dropped the child to the

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ground, and ran for the woods at top speed, but, unfortunately, I did not escape unhurt, one of the marksmen being kind enough to leave his card in the shape of a wound along the tips of my fingers, where his rifle bullet hit me.

        After dodging and doubling about the bush for a long time they gave up the search for me, and I was enabled to procure some rest in a clump of bushes, which afforded me a safe hiding-place. Soon after entering my retreat I heard a sound somewhat resembling a cough, and, peering out from the bushes, I saw a colored woman who appeared to be trying to find something or somebody. After having watched her actions for some time, I determined to make my presence known to her, with the result that I found I was the one she was searching for. Her name was Taylor, and she was the wife of the man who owned her. Their place of residence was near enough to where I had been betrayed an dso nearly captured to allow of them hearing the rifle shots, and surmising that some poor slave may be running away, she set out from home to endeavor to be of some assistance.

        I was afraid of another trap, but became assured after a time that I had nothing to fear from Mrs. Taylor. She and her daughter, a fine, grown young woman, took me to the house, bound up my wounds, hid me in an out-of-the-way place, fed, clothed and cared for me till I was in fit condition to take the road again and shift for myself.

        Previous to starting out from the plantation of Mr. Allen I had secured a revolver which at times stood me in good stead, and to which I was fortunate enough to cling through all my vicissitudes, and which trusty weapon I still possess.

        After leaving the hospitable roof of the Taylor family my way led along the banks of a small river, and as I was fortunate enough to secure a boat which some one had left moored to a tree, I was able to proceed much more comfortably upon my journey. For some nights I followed the river course, being compelled to secrete my boat in the daytime and betake myself to the bush or some hole in the rocks until night made it safe for me to stir abroad again. One day

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soon after leaving Taylor's house, I was terrified to see a small boat, containing three men, coming down stream and heading directly for the spot in which my best friend at that time--my boat--was hidden. In a few minutes they again appeared to view with my boat in tow, and I was again reduced to the necessity of walking. On the following Saturday night I resumed my tramp as soon as darkness settled down. I followed the river bank, keeping a sharp lookout for means of conveyance by water, as it left no trail, and I was soon favored by fortune in the shape of another boat which I unhesitatingly confiscated to my own use.

        In the morning (Sunday) I left my boat and struck off through the country on foot. I was now in the State of Pennsylvania. I walked on all day, and at night I was near the borders of Pittsburg.On going to a farmhouse I found some kind friends in the persons of the farmer and his family. Their name was Butler, and as Mr. B. was fond of music he asked me could I play an instrument. Fortunately I could play a little on the violin, and as there happened to be one in the house I was enabled, in a small measure, to repay him for his kindness to me. He insisted on my remaining all night, and after a sleep in a comfortable bed, he gave me a hearty breakfast and I again resumed my tramp much refreshed. I travelled all day Monday, meeting with no hindrances, and at night I again found shelter.

        On the Tuesday morning I passed through a small village and chanced to meet two men on horseback. They stopped me and wanted to know who I was and where I was going. I gave a fictitious name and stated that I was going on an errand. My questioner wasn't disposed to credit my story, and charged me with being a runaway slave. I denied the soft impeachment and offered to go back with them to the village to prove the truth of my story. My little scheme to deceive them wouldn't work, and one of the men dismounted in order to secure me, but the sight of a dirk in the hands of a powerful young colored man induced him to remount his horse and gallop off towards the village. I was

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now in rather a hazardous position, for my late interlocutor would certainly rouse the villagers and a chase would be the result. I made use of my abilities as a runner, and soon found shelter in a nearby swamp. As it was the springtime of the year, and I was well towards the north, the waters of the swamp were none too warm, and a cold drizzling rain did not add any to my comfort. For the greater portion of the day I was compelled to wade waist deep in muck, water and ice, and my sufferings were excruciating in the extreme. I had no food, and at night I left the swamp and found my way to a farmhouse, where I procured something to eat.

        By this time I thought it passably safe to travel by day and rest at night, and I took advantage of any shelter that offered itself. Before I got far from the village previously mentioned, I one night took refuge in a barn and made myself a bed in the hay-loft. Soon after composing myself to rest, a man entered the barn with his team, fixed the horses for the night and ascended the steps of the loft in order to throw down some hay for the animals. In groping around in the dark for the fodder he accidentally grasped me by the leg. I thought it was all up with me, but luckily I managed to escape from the barn and again entered the swamp. The farmer soon aroused the neighborhood, and as soon as the dogs could be loosed they were set upon my trail. By this time I had secured a good headway in the swamp, and could hear the noise of my pursuers and the baying of the hounds behind me. They followed me across the morass, for I couldn't throw the dogs off my scent. Seeing a barn in a clearing I made for it, and decided to leave my fate to Providence.

        My pursuers soon arrived at the building and were going farther into the swamp when one of the men suggested that the barn be searched. Accordingly, one of the dogs was sent in, and after sniffing about for a while he went out without discovering me. They were about to go on again when another man suggested that "Bull" be sent in, and if any one was in the building he would rout him out. "Bull" entered,

stayed sniffing about for a time and then retired. My pursuers were then satisfied that no one was in the building, and they departed to continue the search elsewhere.

        I continued to hide in barns and outhouses for some weeks longer, and many hazardous ventures and hairbreadth escapes-- which I hope to relate fully in a future work I am contemplating-- fell to my lot before I at last got into the hands of the Abolitionists, who conducted me, by means of the "Underground Railway" to Canada, where I could freely and gladly sing:

Soon after crossing the line into Canada I found employment on different farms and gardens, and eventually arrived at Hamilton, in which city I decided to remain. About this time Mr. Abraham Lincoln was nominated and elected to the Presidency of the United States.  Hardly had the

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election been ratified when the fire of sedition, which had been for years smouldering and quietly spreading over the Southern States, burst out in all its fury.

        Victory for the North in the Presidential campaign had been agreed upon by the Southerners as the signal for immediate action, and the result was that this great nation became embroiled in a disastrous conflict.  discussion grew warmer and warmer, President Lincoln saw that slavery--which was the root of the trouble--would have to be abolished in order to bring the matter to a focus. Accordingly, he caused to be released from bondage some three thousand of slaves in the District of Columbia, and, in addition, offered freedom to all colored men who would join and serve in the Northern Army. He, by this means, instituted the measure of Emancipation, which brought the dispute to its real issue--a fight for or against slavery.

        The proclamation offering freedom to the negroes was issued in 1863, and the result was that fourteen millions of slaves in the Northern States were set at liberty. Many of them immediately entered the army and contributed not a little to the ability of the North to carry on the war.

        On the day he signed the proclamation, President Lincoln, after hours of hand-shaking with visitors to the White House, remarked: "My signature looks a little tremulous, but my resolution is firm. I told the Southerners that if they did not return to their allegiance and cease murdering our soldiers I would strike at the pillar of their strength. The promise shall be kept, and not one word will I ever recall."

        On the surrender of Richmond the President visited that city, and it was then that his tender heart was gladdened, for he saw some of the first signs of the benefits of his proclamation regarding emancipation. Hardly had his presence in the city become known before hordes of freed negroes thronged about him with wild eyes of delight, endeavoring to express in their simple way their thanks to the deliverer. In 1864 the colored men of Baltimore presented him with a beautifully bound copy of the Bible. The book

was edged with a band of pure gold, and a massive plate of the same precious metal adorned each cover. On the front plate was engraved the figure of Lincoln in the act of removing the shackles from the limbs of a slave, and at his feet was a scroll with the word "Emancipation" engraved thereon. On the back plate was inscribed the following:

        "Presented to Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, the friend of universal freedom, from the loyal colored people of Baltimore, as a token of respect and gratitude."

        But a terrible calamity was impending. While all the North was rejoicing over the return of peace, and celebrating the anniversary of the fall of Sumter, the assassination of Lincoln was consummated. John Wilkes Booth was the unhappy assassin, and he chose this occasion as the most fitting opportunity of carrying out his fell purpose. The President was at Ford's theater, attending the performance, in company with his family and some friends, when this fiendish assassin, by a scheme, secured admission to the President's box, placed a pistol to the back of Lincoln's head and pulled the trigger. Soon the dread news was made public, but of all the grief-stricken people none were more cast down than the negroes--for whom it might truthfully be said Abraham Lincoln died. That night thousands of freed slaves walked the streets, wringing their hands and expressing their despair by loud cries of distress.

        It was desired by many that Lincoln be laid to rest in Washington, but other opinion prevailed, and he was interred in Illinois. In that State, in one of the cemeteries of Springfield--the town in which many of his most happy days were spent--the body of the good President lies.

        On the next page will be found a poem to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. It has been composed by me, and I take this opportunity of presenting it to the public, at the same time placing on record my small tribute to the memory of the man whose glorious career was so fearfully ended by the hand of the grim monster--Death.

                         Celestial Choir, enthroned in realms of light;
                         Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I'll write.
                         While Freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms
                         She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.
                         See mother Earth her offspring bemoan,
                         And nation gaze at scenes before unknown.

                         Famed by thy valor, for thy virtues more,
                         Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!
                         Proceed, great chief, with Virtue on thy side;
                         Thy every action let the goddess guide.
                         A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine
                         With gold unfading, Lincoln, be thine!

                         From this low vale of sorrow and of strife,
                         With honors laden, and in full of time,
                         To realms of joy and heights of bliss sublime
                         Great Lincoln has winged his raptur'd way
                         And walks with Angels in the blaze of day.

        When the American war of the Rebellion broke out I returned to the States and took up arms on behalf of my poor, downtrodden race, and against the slave owners and men of the South. The first battle in which I was engaged was the famous battle of Bull's Run, where I took my place in the ranks as a private and bore my share of the brunt of battle. There had been a great deal of opposition to the use of colored men as troops, and it was not until July, 1862, that that objection was removed. It was then that Congress authorized the employment of colored men as soldiers, and from that time until the close of the war Victory seemed to follow the colored troops.

        The History of the American War mentions time and again the gallant conduct and undaunted men maintained by the colored regiments during this terrible period of strife, when the hand of brother was lifted against brother, and when father and son opposed each other on the bloody field of battle. At the close of the year 1862 the number of colored troops in the field was one hundred and fifty thousand.

        At this time I secured my promotion to the rank of Colonel, and had an opportunity of showing my ability at the battle of Vicksburg. After the battle we pressed on towards New Orleans, which city was captured, thus opening up the Mississippi River district. At New Orleans we were hemmed in on all sides for a long time, but after a series of sharp skirmishes with the enemy we were relieved from our unpleasant predicament. On leaving the vicinity of New Orleans we were engaged in a number of minor battles with the Confederate troops. No fighting of any importance fell to my lot after that until the great battle of Gettysburg took place.

        In that great affair one hundred thousand men bore arms for the North, and the Confederate army was represented by a force of ninety-seven thousand men, two hundred and eighty cannons and a large contingent of cavalry. It was at this fight that I had the honor of assisting in the capture of two thousand five hundred Confederate troops and

twelve stands of colors. The loss to both sides was great--two thousand eight hundred and thirty-four men on the side of Freedom giving up their lives that day, thirteen thousand seven hundred and thirty-three men were wounded, and six thousand two hundred and forty-three were reported missing--in all, making a grand total of twenty-three thousand two hundred and ten men who shed their blood that the flag of Freedom should float proudly over the nation. The Confederate loss was estimated at twenty-eight thousand men, five thousand of whom were killed, and the remaining twenty-three thousand wounded and missing.

        This great and decisive battle practically ended the war. Such sights as I saw on that memorable day will never be effaced from my memory, and I lay claim to the great honor of being the only Black Colonel who assisted to gain the great victory won on the field of America's Waterloo--Gettysburg.

                         Hail! bright auspicious day;
                         Long shall America
                         Thy praise resound.
                         Joy to our native land--
                         Let every heart expand--
                         For Lincoln is at hand
                         With glory crowned!

                         Hushed by the din of arms!
                         Henceforth the olive's charms
                         Shall war preclude.
                         These shores a head shall own--
                         Unsullied by a throne--
                         Our much lov'd Lincoln,
                         The great, the good.

        The last struggle in connection with the war occurred in the month of May following the Battle of Gettysburg. The fight was short, sharp and decisive, and took place on the Rio Grande near Santiago. Soon afterward we received our honorable discharge from further military duty. We had

taken part in an honorable struggle for supremacy, honorably had we conducted ourselves, and honorably were we rewarded with the consciousness that we had assisted in liberating millions of our brethren from bondage and had freed them forever from the hand of the oppressor and the whiplash of slavery. It is no wonder that Victory perched upon our standards and that white-winged Peace could at last fold her wings and rest over the whole nation.

At the close of the war I returned to Canada and resumed my residence in Hamilton. Bringing back with me some hard-earned money, I invested in a piece of property

Page 17

on John street south, where for a number of years I carried on a business in hay, straw and wood. I became interested in the welfare of the colored race as a nation, and wished to forward their spiritual as much as their physical welfare. I have always held a prominent position in the Church, and about twenty years ago I was appointed by Bishop Nazareh as a missionary. I have served in that capacity under the three succeeding bishops--Disney, Hawkins, and our present Bishop C.O. Washington.

        Some years ago a number of colored missionaries organized an expedition to Africa, and I was honored by receiving an appointment as a member of the mission band. On our way to Africa the vessel stopped for a time at the Grand Canary Islands, and I, with a companion, had the extreme pleasure of seeing the splendors contained within the of the world-famous Roman Catholic Cathedral there situate. Our guide was one of the priests connected with the Cathedral, and he very kindly spent considerable time showing us everything of importance in and about the sacred edifice.

        Our mission to Africa is being prosecuted with great vigor, and the natives of that benighted country are rapidly becoming Christianized through the efforts of missionaries of our own color.

        The success of our work in Africa caused me on my return home to endeavor to enlist the sympathies of my brethren in this great work of evangelization, and with that end in view I issued the following

"To the Colored People of Canada:--

        "The time has come when we should put our shoulders to
"the wheel and go forward and assist in Christianizing
"and evangelizing the colored people of dark Africa. If
"Africa is to be civilized, it must be done by our own race.
"Now this can be done by educating our race so they will go
"forward as if to the cry of battle; when we will take our

Page 18

"Bibles in our hands, as we did in the days gone by of
"slavery, when we shouldered our muskets and fought for
"freedom. We have lawyers, doctors and ministers in our
"ranks. Then, why not assist the white people in doing
"this great and noble work? I propose raising money for
"the purpose of sending some of our own race to that
"country, and I ask for your co-operation, as well as your liberal
"and hearty support."

        Previous to my trip to Africa the Northwest Rebellion broke out and I immediately placed myself in communication with the Minister of Militia, Sir Adolph Caron, whose letter to me relative to the matter I still have in my possession.

        Quite recently I evolved a missionary scheme for the elevation of my race, and in connection with that scheme I was presented to Sir Oliver Mowat, while the Legislature was in session at Toronto. Hon. J.M. Gibson, member for Hamilton, was the gentleman who kindly presented me to Ontario's Premier, who heartily endorsed my missionary scheme and assisted it in a pecuniary way.

        Soon afterwards I went to Ottawa, and through the medium of Mr. Alex. McKay and Mr. Ryckman--members for Hamilton--I was presented to the late Sir John Thompson, Premier of Canada. He also took a favorable view of my scheme, and assisted financially and otherwise. Before leaving Ottawa I was invited to address the House, and was fortunate enough to be able to hold the attention of my audience from the commencement to the close of my speech.

        On the death of Sir John Thompson I lost a friend of inestimable value. He, in conversation with me, expressed great interest in my welfare, and told me that on his return from England he wished me to call on him, as he had never before had an opportunity of conversing with a man who actually had gone through the trials and tribulations incidental to the life of a slave.

        The photo-engraving on the front of the cover of this book is a correct representation of myself when presented to

Page 19

the honorable gentlemen mentioned above, and also as when I addressed the House on that occasion.

        Among other pleasant memories in the time when Sir John A. Macdonald was returned to power. I was appointed on a deputation to confer with Sir John, at the Royal Hotel, on the walls and means to secure his re-election, which end was gained, and he remained in power from that time till he passed way from earth.

        When the Prince of Wales came to Canada and visited Hamilton I was appointed Marshal for the day, in company with four white citizens; and when Princess Louise came to Hamilton I was again distinguished by being appointed a Marshal, and later in the day I was again highly honored by being presented to Her Royal Highness by the late Judge Sinclair and John Calder, Esq. Her Highness graciously extended her hand to me and conversed with me relative to my race and its well-being. I told her I had been a slave, but had escaped, and had won freedom under the British flag. She congratulated me on my escape, and expressed deep regret that a race, represented by such an intelligent man as I, should ever have been enslaved.

        All of this only goes to show that the colored man, by honesty, industry and sobriety, combined with self-respect, may hold up his head and move on terms of equality with the white people in this fair country of Canada.

 During my period of servitude with Mr. Allen my abilities as a runner were often called into requisition in order to assist my master in levying tribute on the pockets of other planters. Many a time have I been called to get out on the road and run a couple of hundred yards against a champion from some other plantation, and never--up to the time of my escape from  bondage--was I headed by an opponent. My record as a pedestrian was added to on the occasion of the Battle of Bull's Run, when it was reported that I actually outrun the bullets!

Page 20

        The name of the famous battle should be changed from "Bull's Run" to "Everybody's Run," for on that day Northerners and Southerners run and didn't know what they were running for or where they were running to.

        I once heard a gentleman say that he had been told by a colored man that he would rather be enslaved than free. I say there's a large mansion on Hamilton Mountain already fitted up for the reception of him, or any other colored man, who would wish to again bear the burdens and suffer from the brutality of slavery and slave-owners. I would rather exist on one meal a day, as a free man, than live in luxury in bondage.

        I have heard it remarked by white men that a colored man couldn't go into business the same as his white brethren. Look in the States! The black man is to be found in Congress (a representative from both races), in drug stores, wood and lumber dealers, judges, lawyers, doctors, professors in colleges and universities, ministers of the gospel, and many negroes--in both Canada and the United States--have been the recipients of high distinctions at the hands of the white man.

        The best organ ever made in Canada was built in Kingston, Ont., and the maker was a negro.

        Amongst the sad pictures of slave life that may be presented to my readers, the saddest was that of slave women pleading with their masters (and erstwhile husbands) not to sell their children. Some of the children sold by their combined owner and father could hardly be distinguished from the white people. All pleadings were in vain. Either the father had no regard for his offspring, or he had a heart of adamantine properties. No man with one grain of soul could

Page 21

sell his own flesh and blood! Was it not the acme of cruelty to rob a female of that priceless jewel--virtue--and then tear from her already bleeding heart that which would serve, in a measure, to sear over the wounds inflicted on her by her ruthless owner? Can such dastardly acts go unpunished? I tell you these men will all be rewarded for their deeds and misdeeds, and full measure for measure will be extracted from each and every one of these miscreants on the last great day when the trumpet shall sound and the grave give up its dead.

        During the war the regiment with which I was connected was ordered to Georgia. While en route I was appointed as scout to the expedition, and on one of my excursions for signs of the enemy I fell in with my former owner, Mr. Allen. He was hiding from his pursuers, and taking compassion on him, I assisted him to escape. Since the close of the war I have seen him once, when he assured me that if slavery days were ever again to return to the States, and he should ever again become an owner, the slaves on his plantation should be ruled with the rod of mercy, and that harshness and cruelty would be unknown quantities within his domain.

        Some people treat my race with respect, while others have the old feeling that was rampant in the South, but every honest colored man and woman deserves the respect and proper consideration due any gentleman or lady.

        The course of procedure followed out in making a good negro-hunter out of a dog in the South was about as follows: They would take a hound pup of any breed--the larger the breed the better for the purpose--shut him up closely and not let him see a negro until he was old enough to be "sicked on" to any desired object. Then he was made to chase the slaves "in fun," and if he caught his man he was rewarded with pieces of raw meat. The slave used in the training

Page 22

process would be compelled by the dog's trainer to resort to all the artifices that an escaping slave could use to throw a dog off the scent, such as climbing trees, walking in water, doubling on his own track, etc., in order that the dog might become thoroughly proficient in his business. The dog's reward was always a liberal supply of raw meat, while the poor slave's reward was invariably an application of rawhide for not running more swiftly.

        The Stars and Stripes is the emblem of America. The stars are all right, but the stripes have been most infernally excruciating to millions of my brethren.

        John Brown died endeavoring to liberate the slaves. His work did not stop the work of liberation, for God raised up thousands who only waited for the opportunity of doing something in that cause.

        I could name several Presidents with whom I was personally acquainted, but I merely make mention of the name of Lincoln, as he was the one who liberated four millions of slaves--my brethren--when the Constitution of the United States declared that we were a free and independent race.

        Col. Mallory is back in Hamilton again. After lecturing in St. Catharines he paid a visit to Washington in company with a colored friend to see about a pension. On returning to New York, it is said, Col. Mallory thought it would be a good idea to have a ride on the elevated railway,

Page 23

and with that end in view presented himself at the ticket office and procured the necessary pasteboards without the agent seeing his hands or face. Col. Mallory and his friend took seats.

        Shortly afterwards the conductor put in an appearance.

        "You can't travel in this car," said he.

        "Why not?" asked Mallory.

        "Because colored people are not permitted to ride."

        "I bought my ticket, and I intend to stay where I am," replied the Colonel.

        "You'll have to get out!"

        "I am not going to get out."

        "I will put you off!"

        "I dare you to anything of the kind."

        "I could throw off half a dozen like you!"

        "You'd better pause before you act. If you throw me from this car my fall will shake the British Empire and involve two great nations in war. I am a subject of Queen Victoria, so you had better beware!"

        The superintendent of the line happened to be on board, and hearing the rumpus he stepped into the car.

        Mallory explained the position to him, and that official "called down" the conductor and gave Mallory and his friend passes over the whole system.

        It is a dangerous thing to fool with Mallory when lie is on his diplomatic travels.

        At the regular meeting of Mount Albion Lodge of Freemasons the brethren presented to Col. Wm. Mallory a handsome gold watch as a mark of recognition for the gallant stand which the Colonel has always taken in the interests of the African race, both here and in foreign lands, wherever their rights are assailed. The Colonel was much affected by the presentation, and hopes somehow, sometimes and somewhere to prove his gratitude by acts as well as words.

Original Document

Alexander Belanger, a native of Caconon, Canada East, enlisted with the 15th Maine Infantry a month prior to the war's end. Many thanks to Odile Williams for sending me this and other documents pertaining to Alexander Belanger.

Original Document

James Ryerson was still a boy when he left Norfolk Co., Canada West to serve with an Ohio Cavalry regiment. Not long after joining the unit, he was wounded and was discharged as a result. Later in life, he was U.S. Consul in Galt, Ontario, and faithfully served his adopted country in this capacity well into old age.

Newspaper Clipping

Source: Brant Expositor

William Harvey Taylor was born June 20, 1845 in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada to George Washington and Loretta Lane Taylor.

While a young man, the Taylor family migrated to Grundy County, Iowa, where both parents died in 1858. Two of the older Taylor daughters were married, so the younger children went to live with them. They were the John Young family and the Alexander Thompson families, both of Grundy County.

I know William Harvey Taylor served in the 1st Iowa Cavalry, Company G. This is the information on his grave stone, and we have his Uniform medal which includes his Regiment and Company along with his name, his GAR ribbons from attending the GAR encampment in Denver in September of 1905, and the buttons off of his uniform. As well, we have a letter he wrote from Arkansas on December 28, 1863, while camped on the banks of the Arkansas River. The letter was sent back to Iowa to his brother, George Holmes Taylor, who had served in the 6th Cavalry from October 15, 1862 until December 8, 1863. The letter indicates that William was in Arkansas with another brother, Henry Palmer Taylor, who also served in the 1st Iowa Cavalry, Company G. In addition to William and Henry Taylor, also serving in 1st Iowa Cavalry, Company G were the two brother-in-laws I mentioned earlier, John Young and Alexander Thompson.

Source: Randy Taylor Horton

EDWARD WILLIAM THOMSON (1849-1924).

Thomson was born in Peel County, Upper Canada, and received his education at Trinity College School, Weston, a school later attended by the Osler brothers.

From 1864 to 1865 he served with the Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War, and in 1866 in the Queen's Own Rifles during the Fenian Raid. For a time he followed his avocation as Dominion Land Surveyor, then as civil engineer, ultimately taking up journalism.

Thomson was chief editorial writer of the Toronto Globe, 1879-1891, and from 1891-1901 editor of The Youth Companion. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (1909), and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1910).

Thomson's first book contained a number of fugitive short stories under the title, Old Man Savarin and Other Stories (1895, 1922), among them are "Little Baptiste," "McGRath's Bad Night," "Old Man Savarin," and "Boss of the World." These are excellent yarns, full of life and laughter. Without sacrificing the action of his stories he took great care with the characterization. He had a penchant for adventure in which courage and gallantry played a conspicuous part. Whether he writes in "plain prose," or in the habitant dialect popularized by Drummond, there is always a fine bouquet to his humor. The Many-Mansioned House and Other Poems (1909) contains several creditable verses. For many years Thomson desired complete Canadian independence, Canada to become an autonomous British nation, the sovereign of Great Britain taking the title, King of Canada.

[source: Pierce, Lorne. An Outline of Canadian Literature. Toronto: The Ryerson Press, 1927.]

1. A DESERTER GETTING HIS DES[S]ERTS -- On Wednesday last an American deserter came to town, all dressed in his uniform of blue. He said that he had been a three months' volunteer, had served that period, and afterwards re-enlisted for the war, but had deserted and come to Canada. This story obtained for him but little sympathy. He was at once denounced as a perjurer and a poltroon, and driven first out of one house and then another. The men and boys even caught the feelings of disgust that were being expressed towards the rascal, and in crowds they hooted and hissed at him all along the streets, and finally we believe ran the fellow out of town, the last being seen of him he was making tracks along a side line in the country. Served him right. May deserters, whether they be Yankee or British, receive like sympathy everywhere. --

Chatham Planet [source: The Globe, September 14, 1861]

The Courier du Canada contains a paragraph relative to the Commander of the Southern forces, which we here translate. "The grandfather of General Beauregard, Commander of the Southern army, was a Canadian. His name was Pierre Toutan, and he emigrated to New Orleans, from [..]atiscan, in the district of Three-Rivers. At New Orleans he made a fortune, and rapidly acquired considerable influence among the French population of Louisiana. As a reward for his political services, he obtained for his son an admission, as a cadet, into the Military Academy at West Point. The son figures in the books under the name of Pierre G. Toutan. In the meantime he purchased an [est]ate near New Orleans, which he called Beauregard. When his son obtained his commission as an officer in the army, he cast aside the humble name of Toutan, adopted the more aristocratic one of de Beauregard; and thenceforth subscribed himself Pierre Toutan de Beauregard."

[source: The Halifax Evening Reporter August 15, 1861]

At the hospital, Alexandria, Virginia, of typhoid fever, on the 10th ultimo, in the 16th year of his age, Master H. A. Graham. Deceased was the youngest son of Mr. Michael Graham, of the township of Brantford, C.W.

The Above youth was enticed away from his parents by a strolling Yankee Company who were exhibiting, in Brantford, pictures of the American war. He was taken to Lockport, and there enlisted on the 9th [of] June last. He was then ordered to Washington, where he was taken ill, and in a few days died in the hospital at Alexandria of the above disease. We deeply sympathise with the bereaved parents in the loss of their young son, and trust it will be a warning to young Canadian boys to remain at home, and let the Yankees get men in their own country to prosecute their murderous war; for there is no doubt, had young Graham remained at home he would have been alive to-day -- Brantford Courier

[source: The Quebec Mercury; August 12, 1864]

One J. F. Clifford, at present serving in the United States army, writes from the camp of the 7th Ohio Regiment at Strasburg, Virginia, that James Carroll, supposed to have some friends residing in Hamilton, fell fighting by his side in the late battle near Winchester, on the 23rd ult. Carroll left some personal property, which is in possession of Clifford. Should this meet the eye of any relative of Carroll's, he can see the letter, and obtain the address of Clifford by calling at this office.

[source: The Hamilton Daily Spectator; April 5, 1862]

Mr. James Cochrane, who left this city some five months ago, has been engaged as a first-class Veterinary Surgeon, in the Michigan Artillery--In writing to his brother Edward, from Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, he mentions that on the 8th instant, the camp was visited by a severe hail storm. Some of the hailstones were so large that several of the men were injured by their fall. The camp is composed of 18,000 troops.

[source: The Hamilton Spectator; June 15, 1861]

We have had occasion to remark on the efforts made by Federal agents to enlist Canadians for their army, but the still continue their endeavors, and in a manner the most objectionable possible. Not content with flaunting the Federal uniform in our faces, and trying to seduce our young men to fight in their behalf, the Northern agents have attempted to seduce our soldiers from their allegiance to Queen Victoria. Was have noticed these attempts previously, but a case came under our observation yesterday which shows that these agents appear determined to carry on their work in despite of all law. We saw one of the soldiers of the [Prince Consort's Own] Rifle Brigade, (under the influence of liquor) in the company of a person, clothed in the uniform of the Federal army, who took him into a disreputable house on King street. The soldier seemed to wish to go away, but his companion appeared to insist on his accompanying him. No one, under the circumstances, can have any doubt as to the motive of the Yankee, and it would be well if a strict look-out were kept on those recruiting agents. We make this incident public because we believe the intention was to induce the soldier to desert, and to put the military authorities on their guard against similar proceedings.

[source: The Hamilton Daily Spectator; September 12, 1862]

Our obituary column this morning contains the announcement of the demise of Mr. James Law, of this city, after a short illness.

The deceased was well and favorably known as a young man of much promise. Being fond of seeing the world, he left for the Southern States the summer before the war broke out. And finally settled down in New Orleans; but did not remain there long, for an opportunity presented itself for his entering the Confederate army, in which he saw much service during a campaign of eighteen months. He was in several important battles, and narrowly escaped in the six days fighting before Richmond.--

Having obtained his discharge, he returned home, encountering considerable difficulty on the way, and was gladly welcomed by all who knew him. His premature death is greatly lamented, for he had endeared himself, by his kindness of heart and genial manners, to all with whom he was brought in contact.

[source: The Hamilton Daily Spectator; January 13, 1863]

PERSONAL--Dr. L. M. Ross, formerly of this city, and for some time connected with the Medical Department of the Army of Virginia, is about to join the Chinese contingent army, under General Bargovine, as Surgeon, for which his experience in the U. S. Army renders him well qualified. No young Surgeon has had more ample opportunities than Dr. Ross, and his many friends in Hamilton will be glad to hear of his good fortune, and to join in wishing him a safe journey to the scene of his future labors and a long and successful career after his arrival there.

[source: The Hamilton Daily Spectator; January 17, 1863]