Canadians in Michigan regiments.

[major bill]

Canadians made up a large portion of the Michigan men who served in the Civil War. For example 27% of the black soldiers from Michigan were actually Canadians. It was reported that Michigan "sent scores of brokers to crimp for recruits in Canada." Many more Canadian born Michiagn residents fell under the "declarent aliens' 1864 amendment to the draft law that could deprive ""declarent aliens" of their political rights and deport them if the refused to be conscription. It has been estimated that 10% of the Michiagn men (8,717 men) who served in the Civil War were born in Canada.

 

[Legion Para]

Forty-nine Canadians served in the 24th Michigan and saw action at McPherson's Woods on July 1st. Over half of them were killed, wounded or captured in the day's fighting.

 

[Pat Young]

Canadians made up a large portion of the Michigan men who served in the Civil War. For example 27% of the black soldiers from Michigan were actually Canadians. It was reported that Michigan "sent scores of brokers to crimp for recruits in Canada." Many more Canadian born Michiagn residents fell under the "declarent aliens' 1864 amendment to the draft law that could deprive ""declarent aliens" of their political rights and deport them if the refused to be conscription. It has been estimated that 10% of the Michiagn men (8,717 men) who served in the Civil War were born in Canada.

Great point. The Canadians seem to break down into five distinct groups:
1. Men born in Canada, but who had immigrated to the United States and become citizens.
2. Men born in Canada, but who had immigrated to the United States and sworn an intending citizen affidavit but who had not yet become citizens.
3. Men born in Canada, but who had come to the U.S. as "sojourners" and had not intended to become citizens.
4. Black Canadians who saw the war as an opportunity to free their families in the South.
5. White Canadian men recruited in Canada.

BTW, in looking at the Irish Brigade, a fair number of the men were born in Canada to Irish parents.

 

[Tom Elmore]

When discussing Canada, it is helpful to identify what part. Either Canada West (prevalent English Protestants); Canada East (prevalent French Catholics); New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; or Newfoundland.

Among 98 Canadians that I have identified by name at Gettysburg, their origin (when known) breaks down as follows:

Canada West: 13 (includes one from Kingston, one from Bolton, and one from Russell)
Canada East: 19 (includes four from Montreal and one each from Compton, Three Rivers, Stanstead, St. Sylvester and Prince Edward Is.)
New Brunswick: 11
Nova Scotia: 3
Newfoundland: 2 (includes one from St. John's)
Not further identified: One from East Hamburg.

Four of the Canadians are known to have been transplants from Ireland, while one was originally from Scotland.

 

[Northern Light]

When discussing Canada, it is helpful to identify what part. Either Canada West (prevalent English Protestants); Canada East (prevalent French Catholics); New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; or Newfoundland.

Among 98 Canadians that I have identified by name at Gettysburg, their origin (when known) breaks down as follows:

Canada West: 13 (includes one from Kingston, one from Bolton, and one from Russell)
Canada East: 19 (includes four from Montreal and one each from Compton, Three Rivers, Stanstead, St. Sylvester and Prince Edward Is.)
New Brunswick: 11
Nova Scotia: 3
Newfoundland: 2 (includes one from St. John's)
Not further identified: One from East Hamburg.

Four of the Canadians are known to have been transplants from Ireland, while one was originally from Scotland.

I am not quite sure why Prince Edward Island is lumped in with Quebec in this breakdown, as it was a colony in its own right.
The areas of Quebec mentioned were predominantly English speaking, some Loyalist and a lot oF Scots immigrants.
At this period it was often much easier and less expensive for Irish immigrants to come to the British North American colonies that it was to go the the US, but it was a often conduit for many to move on to the "Boston States", as the New England states were often called.