Captain Antoine Paulint

A Bibliography and Portrait Summary

There have been several printed treatments of the life and military career of Captain Antoine Paulint who fought in the French Army under General Montcalm during the French and Indian Wars. He later served in Moses Hazen’s regiment, a unit also referred to as “Congress’ Own”, during the American Revolution. He was granted land in Clinton County at the close of the war and was one of the founders of the community of Coopersville. He is interred in an old burying ground known as “Graves Acres” or the “Shute Cemetery” which is located in part of his original land grant.

For many of his descendants, especially those working with the family genealogy, gathering information on him, his family and his military career, is a never-ending project of passion and commitment. Below is a listing of the written works relating to Captain Paulint and information about the portraits that are know exist.

In 1940, the first account of his life and career was written by a descendant, Adela Peltier Reed. A very small number of hardcover copies were printed, almost all going to family members. A copy is in the public stacks at the Library of Congress in Washington.

In 1966, the second major piece written about the Captain was completed when Dorothy C. L’Esperance Hughes, another of his descendants, self-published a typewritten manuscript which also included various appendices with documents. This was printed in even smaller numbers than Reed’s 1940 work.

In 1973, a greatly condensed version of the original 1966 Hughes work was published in the journal; Colonial Genealogist (Vol. 6 No 3.). It was entitled “Captain Antoine Paulint, Veteran” and appeared on pages 391-392.

In 1978, the Hughes manuscript from 1966 was edited and published in another genealogical journal. This version contained changes made to the 1966 work; sometimes adding entire new sections of text while omitting large passages of supporting material at other points in the narrative. Also, the 1966 edition had more extensive appendices than this edition.

In 1984, Mrs. Hughes, in collaboration with other family members, published a genealogy of the Paulint family. This work contained 33 leaves when originally printed and appears to be an expanded version of the genealogical information included in the 1978 journal article.

In addition to the printed works cited above, there are three known portrait versions of the Captain.

Black and White Portrait – The first appeared on page 44 of Reed’s 1940 book. It was an etching which was supposedly taken from a group image. It was owned by Paulint descendants, the Bleau (Blow) family, who made it available to Mrs. Reed for her book.

Color Portrait – The second portrait is a color painting of Captain Paulint done by Dorothy C. Hughes. She used the etching in Reed’s book as its inspiration. This is the portrait shown in this post.

Dress Uniform Portrait – The third is the largest and most detailed of the existing images. It is a portrait of Captain Antoine Paulin in the dress uniform of the 2nd Canadian Regiment, 1783. He is wearing the medal of The Society of the Cincinnati, which he joined in 1783. The society was founded by General George Washington at the close of the Revolution and membership consisted of Colonial Army officers who had been invited to participate. This is a modern day portrait, commissioned by a descendent, Wilford L. L'Esperance III (1930-1982), and painted by Jose Centron of Cleveland, Ohio. Captain Paulin's face is based upon the 18th century engraving found in Adela Reed’s book.

Books/Articles

·         Memoirs of Antoine Paulint, Veteran of the Old French War, 1755 to 1760, Captain in Hazen's Second Canadian, "Congress' Own" Regiment, 1775 to 1783, Brevet Major at the Close of the Revolutionary War by Adela Peltier Reed. Published by Adela Peltier Reed and printed by The San Encino Press, Los Angeles. 1940 (61 pages) – Out of print

·         Captain Antoine Paulint and The American Revolution of Hazen’s Canadian Regiment “Congress’ Own”. Written and compiled by a descendant Dorothy C. (L’Esperance) Hughes 1966. Privately Printed. Typewritten manuscript. (110 pages) [including extensive appendices]. – Out of print

·         Captain Antoine Paulint, Veteran by Dorothy C. (L’Esperance) Hughes, Published in the Colonial Genealogist, vol. 6, no. 3 (1973): (pp. 391-392)

·         Captain Antoine Paulint of Hazen’s Canadian Regiment “Congress’ Own” and The American Revolution by D.C. Hughes. Published in the French Canadian and Acadian Genealogical Review Volume VI, No 1. Published in the Spring 1978 edition (pp. 17-51).

·         Genealogy of the Family of Captain Antoine Paulin: Captain in "Congress' Own Regiment" the Second Canadian Regiment of the American War of the Revolution, Enlisted in Quebec, Canada Nov. 1775, Mustered Out in Fishkill, N.Y. July, 1783. Compiled by Dorothy C Hughes. Printed in Amherst, Mass. 1984. (33 pages)

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·         Another excellent resource which contains information on Capt. Paulint and his unit is: Moses Hazen and the Canadian Refugees in the American Revolution by Allan S. Everest Published by the Syracuse University Press, 1976. (217 pages)

les Filles a Marier

les Filles à Marier

 

Before the "Filles du Roi" (King's Daughters) came to Québec beginning in 1663, a small group of  young French women called "les Filles à Marier" (or marriageable young girls) emigrated to Canada based solely on their willingness to marry when they arrived.  It is estimated that between the years 1634 and 1663, about 262 "Filles à Marier" arrived in New France.  They were mainly recruited and chaperoned by religious groups or wealthy individuals who had to vouch for each of them and ensure their good conduct and character.

 

Anne Antoinette De Liercourt [1634-1707] was a Filles a Marier. She was first married to Blaise Juillet dit Avignon [1611-1600], who was killed during an altercation with the Iroquois in April 1660. Widowed with four young children, Anne married Hughes Picard (1618-1707) just two months later, on 30 June 1660.  Anne and both of her husbands are my great grandparents.  I am descended from one of Anne’s daughters with Blaise Juillet and from two of her daughters with Hughes Picard. The Juillet connection descends through my maternal Gadway/Bruso line while the Picard connection is through my paternal Yelle/Boyea and Gervais/Jarvis lines.

 

Anne may have had a somewhat “randy” side as one historical account says that she had separated from Juillet during the winter of 1660. Blaise had supposedly left her after her "foolish escapade of Adam Dollard des Ormeaux". This report also says that Blaise died April 19, 1660 when he drowned while fleeing the Iroquois with the same Adam Dollard des Ormeaux. While his death is found in several other accounts, this is the only mention of her affair. With four small children, an affair which jeopardized her marriage and the only means of support for their young family, seems quite a risky and imprudent move on her part. No details exist explaining the reason for the alleged affair and subsequent separation. If she and Juillet did separate, the Church must have been unaware of the tryst as she was married to Picard shortly afterward with the full blessing of the local priest. While the “escapade” and separation add a colorful twist to her story, since it appears only in one short account while other details of her life reappear in many records, it may never have happened.

 The three lines that connect me to Anne de Liercourt:

                                                         Hughes Picard (1618 – 1707)

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Marie Anne Picard (1663 - 1697)

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Charles Diel (1688 - 1734)

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Eustache Diel (1724 - 1793)

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Andre Diel (1767 - 1831)

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Jean Baptiste Diel (1799 - 1889)

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Henry Yelle (1835 - 1912)

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Anna Yelle (1869 - 1951)

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Anna M Boyea (1893 - 1963)

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Gerald Kenneth Jarvis (1923 - 1972)

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Mick Jarvis

                                                         Hughes Picard (1618 – 1707)

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Marie Michelle Picard (1661 - 1710)

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Mathieu Gervais (1699 - 1753)

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Jean Baptiste Gervais (1723 - 1818)

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Francois Gervais (1768 - 1864)

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Pierre Gervais (1791 - 1883)

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Joseph (Amable) Gervais (1831 - 1906)

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David Jarvis (Gervais) (1856 - 1922)

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Edmund "Shirty" Jarvis (1884 - 1943)

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Gerald Kenneth Jarvis (1923 - 1972)

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Mick Jarvis

 

                                                  Blaise Juillet Dit Avignon (1611 – 1660)

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Mathurine Juillet (1651 - 1723)

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Marie Baudreau (1668 - 1736)

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Jean Baptiste Gadois (1697 - 1781)

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Charles Gadbois (1751 - 1822)

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Antoine Gadois (1786 - 1874)

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John Baptiste Gadway (Gadbois) (1806 - 1887)

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Matilda Addie Gadway (1839 - 1905)

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Frederick Bruso (1876 - 1944)

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Fern Margaret Bruso (1900 - 1952)

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Irene Loretta Baker (1926 - )

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Mick Jarvis

 

Filles du Roi, Filles a Marier and the soldiers of the Carignan Regiment in New France

Unlike the 13 English colonies, which grew quickly and began to turn a profit much sooner, France faced two major problems as it struggled to establish a viable colony in what is now Canada.  Very low population numbers and the constant threat of Indian attacks both contributed to early difficulties in the struggling colony.

To combat the Indian threat, France sent soldiers to New France to protect the settlements and to provide a sense of security for the colonists.  The Carignan Regiment sent several companies of soldiers to the New World.

Most returned to France after their service ended.  However, many chose to stay and a significant number of them married one of the "King's Daughters" or "Filles du Roi".

In efforts to increase the population, two waves of young women came to the colony.  The first, the "Filles a Marier" or "Marriageable Girls" came to New France after being sponsored by businesses or churches.  The goal was to have them arrive, marry and have families, thereby growing the colony.

This first attempt to increase the population was only a moderate success and it soon became apparent that a more aggressive approach was needed.

The French King soon began sponsoring young women; even providing a dowery and household supplies.  The "Filles du Roi" or "King's Daughters" was a much more successful  attempt at growing the colony.

With added security provided by the Carignan soldiers and more families having many children, the colony's population finally began to increase.

My family tree contains many members of all three of these groups.  So far, I have identified 57 "Filles du Roi", 18 "Filles a Marier" and 29 Carignan soldiers in my family.  In fact, 20 marriages were between a King's Daughter and a Carignan soldier!

Our family's roots in French Canada are deep and wide.  Some of the earliest Canadian families can be found throughout both my mother and father's sides of my tree. 

Most researchers with roots in French Canada  will, undoubtedly, find similar results.

 

 

Anne of Kiev

Anne is both my 30^th and my 28th great grandmother.  My connections are  through my great grandmother, Mary Bushnoe (wife of David Jarvis).  Anne's younger son, Hugh is connected through the Bushnoe or Bousquet line, back through the Guyon family for many generations and eventually the Beaumont family to Anne.  Anne's elder son, Philip, is connected through Mary Bushnoe's mother and the Emlaw and Maxfield families, eventually to various lesser noble families and on to the royal family.

Anne of Kiev was born around 1030 in what is now Russia.  She was the daughter of Yaroslav I and Ingred Olofsdotter, a Swedish princess.  It appears that she was the youngest of their four daughters.

She was married to King Henry I of France after his first wife died and he was unable to find a suitable bride within the western European royal families that was not closely related to him.

Anne’s father was a major power in Eurasia and his daughters were considered prime candidates to be consorts of ruling western European monarchs.  Her marriage to Henry I gave France a queen and had the added benefit of  forging an alliance between France and the Grand Duchy of Kiev. 

Her three sisters also married into the royal families in Norway, Hungary and Poland.

Historically, Henry I was a fairly inconsequential king.  He was illiterate and upon their marriage in 1051, he was only able to make his mark (an “X”) on the marriage documents, while the educated Anne signed her name, shown here.



Philippe I



Anne and Henry had two sons, Philip, born in 1052,  who would eventually grow to become Philip I or “Philip the Fair”, king of France.  He is my 27th great grandfather.  His reign was spent trying to strengthen the realm following the weak and ineffective reign of his father. 

Her second son, Hugh Magnus (“Hugh the Great”), born in 1057, became the Duke of Burgundy.  He is my 29^th great grandfather.  After his marriage and the birth of his daughter, Hugh was a leader of the First Crusade to the Holy Land.  He died in Turkey of wounds sustained in battle on 18 October 1101…. Another story for another time.



Hugh Capet

Anne’s husband, Henry I, died in 1060, prematurely senile and ineffective as king.  Their eldest son, Philip, a lad of 8, was named king with his mother acting as regent.  Anne was the first Queen of France to act in that role.  As an educated woman, Anne was somewhat of a curiosity in European royal circles.

Shortly following Henry’s death, Anne eventually became involved with Count Ralph III of Valois who was married at the time.  He subsequently divorced his wife and married Anne in 1062 They would remain wed until his death in 1074.  Ralph’s wife was so hurt and incensed over his involvement with Anne that she petitioned the Pope to excommunicate the couple.  The Pope eventually granted the petition and Anne and Ralph were exiled from the Church.

Her son, King Philip I, eventually forgave his mother her indisgretions. Following Ralph III’s death, she retired to an Abbey where she died in 1075.

So, my great grandmother, Mary Bushnoe is connected to Anne of Kiev through both her mother, Arminda Emlaw, and her father, Isidore Bushnoe.

I realize that making verified connections over this many generations can be problematic at best.  I have attempted to locate as many records as possible in building this branch of our family tree.  Still, it is enjoyable and, I believe, accurate and I love telling the stories.

Also, I have recently located a relative who has photos of David Jarvis and Mary Bushnoe (Anne’s 26^th great granddaughter - my great grandparents).  I will be posting them here when I have copies.

Father Edmond M. DePauw

My next article in the Chateaugay Historical Society quarterly newsletter will be the story of Father DePauw, a Flemish priest who came to America as a missionary.  He became the first permanent pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Chateaugay when it was established as an independent parish in 1863.  He served as pastor for 26 years, resigning in 1889 to return to his native Belgium.

His time in Chateaugay was marked by the tremendous growth of the local parish.  The congregation grew, the parish prospered, Father DePauw kept the company of high ranking officials in the Curia in Rome, befriended a nationally prominent, vocal, conservative, Catholic activist and led the local temperance efforts in town.

In all, a fascinating and complicated man who played a major role in the religious history of Chateaugay. 

To get the full story, check out the complete article that will be in the Fall issue of the Historical Society newsletter.  If you are not yet a member; $15 for individuals, $10 for seniors and students or $25 for families will buy a membership and guarantee the delivery of all four issues of our 16 page newsletters each year.

Check  out the Historical Society in the Archival Room of the Chateaugay Memorial Library.  We are open each Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 and each Saturday morning from 9-12 through October. Late Fall and Winter hours are by appointment.

Julius Welch (1844 - 1899) Civil War Veteran

With this year being the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, I have been reviewing the research I have been doing into my family history.  My last post here was a draft of the story of Isadore Bushnoe, one of my paternal grandfathers.  I am just finishing the chapter on Isadore's life and service in the Civil War and will be posting that soon. 

In the meantime,  this post is about one of my maternal grandfathers who lived in Clinton County and served in the 96th NY Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.  I've included background material about the Civil War to set Julius' service in perspective.

Julius Welch (1844-1899)

Julius Welch was born in Mooers, NY in 1844, the son of Timothy Welch and Polly Jewell Welch.  His father was 38 and his mother was 32 when he was born.  The 1850 US Census finds the family still living in Mooers where Timothy was farming. Six year old Julius had two sisters, 14 year old Laura and eleven year old Maria.

By the 1860 US Census, Julius was living in Altona at the home of his sister and brother-in-law; Russell and Laura Cook.  Julius’ older brother, Ira Welch, also lived with the Cooks at this time.   

Russell Cook is later found on the roster of the 96^th NY Infantry Regiment.  He enlisted as a Private in Plattsburgh on 24 February, 1864 at the age of 27.  Five days later on February 29, he was assigned to Company B.  He and Julius served together from the time  Julius was drafted  until both were discharged 6 February 1866.  Ira Welch was also drafted into the 96^th, serving in Company D.  He failed to return home with his brother and brother-in-law, having died in Virginia in 1866.

Julius Welch’s service in the “War of the Sixties” began on March 15, 1865 when the 24 year old went to Plattsburgh, NY and was processed as a draftee.  He became a private in the 96^th NY Infantry Regiment.  The 96^th , also known as the "Plattsburgh Regiment" or "McComb's Regiment", had seen action in Virginia and North Carolina from the onset of hostilities in 1861.  Julius would serve primarily with the occupation forces in Virginia during his tour of duty.

Prior to reporting for duty with the 96^th, Julius and Julia Maria Bell were married in Mooers on 25 March 1865.

Civil War hostilities had begun at Fort Sumpter, North Carolina on 12 April 1861.  The war would officially end 9 April 1865 with the surrender of Confederate general Robert E. Lee to Union commander, General Ulyssus S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Appomattox, Virginia.

Never before had our young nation faced a situation where citizen faced fellow citizen on the battlefield. 

The US population in 1860 was approximately 31.5 million (27.5 million were “free” citizens and the remaining 4 million, slaves). North and South mobilized a total of 325,000 soldiers or about ten percent of the total US population.  Confederate forces numbered 1,064,000 and Union troops 2,200,000.

Over 600,000 would die by the end of the war.  The Union casualties would include 110,000 killed in action with another 250,000 dead of disease, accident, etc.  On the Confederate side, 93,000 would be killed in action and another 165,000 dead of disease, accident, etc.  In addition to the 618,000 dead were 412,000 wounded (275,000 Union and 137,000 Confederate).

By the end of the war, over one million troops were either dead or wounded: fully one third of all troops committed to battle.  Add to the human cost the destruction and devastation in the border and southern states, the toll taken by the conflict affected the reunited nation for decades.

Life for the soldiers during the war was difficult and often too much to bear.  Although accurate figures were hard to compile, there may have been as many as 300,000 total desertions as the effects of the fighting and day-to-day living conditions took their toll.

There were many reasons for men leaving their units.  Troops were often poorly armed and equipped.  Food was also subject to scarcity.  Forced marches caused less fit soldiers to lag behind, providing an opportunity for the more disheartened to slip away and attempt to return home rather than catch up with their units.  Disease was common.  Soldiers left behind in campaigns to convalesce would sometimes take the opportunity to leave.  Distance and separation from families would lead Union troops to decide to leave if given the opportunity.  Southern soldiers were more likely to be fighting to protect their families than for the grand cause of the South.   As a result, concern for those back home would prove incentive for Confederate soldiers to slip away.  The recent movie, “Cold Mountain” showed a fictional account of just a situation involving a Southern soldier.

All in all, the conflict proved a difficult, costly and extremely traumatic chapter in American history.

Initially headquartered in Plattsburgh, the 96^th New York Infantry Regiment was also referred to as the “Plattsburgh Regiment” or as “Macomb’s Regiment”.  It was mustered in from 20 February to 7 March 1862 in Plattsburgh.  The ten regimental companies were recruited mainly from the following areas:

                                    Company A – Chateaugay

                                    Company B, C, D, H & K – Plattsburgh and surrounding area

                                    Company E – Fort Edward

                                    Company F – Chazy and Mooers

                                    Company G – Ticonderoga

                                    Company I – Warrensburg

The 96^th was initially assigned to the 1^st Brigade, 3^rd Division, 4^th Corps of the Army of the Potomac in March 1862.  Over the next three years, regimental assignments would include the Department of North Carolina and the Army of the James.

Service was primarily in Virginia and North Carolina.  Battles and campaigns included the Siege of Yorktown, the Seven days Battle and Proctors Creek, all in Virginia and Gardiner’s Bridge in North Carolina.

During Julius’ enlistment, he served in the occupation of Richmond which began 3 April 1865.  By 1 September 1865, Julius was promoted to Corporal by Colonel Stephen Moffit, Regimental Commander.  He was also part of the Department of Virginia occupation forces until the regiment was mustered out 6 February 1866.

In today’s army, a regiment is 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers.  It is made up of 2 or more battalions and is commanded by a colonel.  The 96^th was approximately the same size.  The combined number of dead and wounded stood at 230 or approximately 10% of its total complement. This is a rate less than the one third casualty rate of the combined Union and Confederate armies.  The Regiment lost 48 men killed in action (3 officers and 41 enlisted men), 22 men wounded (3 officers and 19 enlisted men).  In addition, 160 men died of other causes including disease and injury (2 officers and 158 enlisted men). The 206 men dead, (9 officers and 197 enlisted men) included 36 enlisted deaths of soldier in  the hands of Southern forces.

After completing his enlistment terms, Julius was honorably discharged at City Point Virginia on 6 February 1866.  His discharge documents describe him as 5’9”, with a light complexion, with blue eyes and light colored hair. 

He subsequently returned to his new bride in northern New York.  Since his brother-in-law Russell Cook was discharged on the same day, it is highly likely they made their way home from Virginia to Ellenburg together.  It is ironic to note that while one third of forces committed by both sides was either killed or wounded, the same held true for the trio of the Welch brothers and Russell Cook - two returned, one did not.

The 1870 US Census finds Julius and his young family in Ellenburg, New York.  The 26 year old farmer and his 22 year old wife have one daughter; Florence 3 and one son; Alverna 1.

By 1880, the census shows the family still in Ellenburg.  Julius, now 36  and Maria have 5 children: Florence age 13, Alverna age 11, Nettie age 8, Albert age 5 and Addie (Adah) age 2.  He is listed as still farming.

Julius died 29 August 1899 at age 55 in Ellenburg.  His obituary published in the Plattsburgh Sentinel on 8 September 1899 reads:

“Julius Welch, an old resident of Ellenburgh and one of our best citizens

 passed away to the other shore Tuesday p. m.  Mr. Welch was a veteran

 of the war of the sixties and had been a sufferer from chronic asthma

 for many years.  At last, his lungs became involved and the

 end came.  He leaves a large family and a large circle of friends

 to mourn his loss.”

The following resolution was published the same day:

ELLENBURGH CENTRE, Sept. 2

—Resolutions of McGregor Post, No. 463, G. A. R.: —Whereas death has again visited our membership and  moved therefrom our comrade, Julius  Welch late private of Co. A, 96th N. Y. Inf. therefore, Resolved, That as God in his infinite wisdom has removed from among us our beloved comrade Julius Welch, to his eternal rest and reward that we most humbly submit to his over-ruling power and Resolved, That the sympathy and condolence of the members of this Post with a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the bereaved family and friends; Resolved. That our charter be draped in mourning and a copy of these resolutions be entered in our minutes also furnished for publication in our county papers and the Chateaugay Record.

S. D. Mix Com.

Joseph Gibson Adj.

The family also had the following printed on September 8:

CARD OF THANKS

The family of the late Julius Welch wish through your paper to thank

 friends and neighbors for their kind ness and death of their

husband and father, also the Post for their attendance at the last

 sad rites. May Heaven's choicest blessings rest on all.

MRS. JULIUS WELCH

Isadore Bushnoe and the Civil War

With 2011 being the 150th annivesary of the beginning of the Civil War, I am doing research on my great, great grandfather who enlisted in the 14th New York Heavy Artillery.  This is the first entry regarding his military experience.  Part two will follow shortly.

           Isadore  Bushnoe (Buscaire) and the Civil War

This is the first draft of my account of Isadore's service in the Civil War.  It will be revised and amended as I gather more material.

He was born 27 May 1835 in Norton Creek, Quebec (then called "Canada East") and died 21 December 1901 in Chateaugay, New York. He enlisted in Parishville, St. Lawrence County, New York on 21 December 1863 for a period of 3 years.  He received a new recruit State Bounty of $75, $10 paid in advance and the balance of $65 paid when the unit was organized.  In addition, he received a $100 United States Bounty, of which $25 will be paid on the organization of the Regiment, and the balance when discharged from the Army. He also received one month's pay, $13 in advance. Rations, lodging and clothing were provided, and his pay started at the date of enlistment.  

He is listed in all official military records as “Isadore Buscaire” rather than “Isadore Bushnoe”.  He went by the latter name in his daily life.  I can only think he might have approached the enlistment officer and attempted to use the French version of his surname; “Bousquet” (which would have been pronounced “boose-kay” and the way the officer heard it or attempted to spell it became the official Army spelling…..just a supposition on my part

The immediate amount he received for enlistment was $10 on 21 December along with $13 for his first month's pay and another $90 upon unit formation and muster in on 29 December.  So, he was able to leave his family $113 (worth about $2000 in 2011) when he shipped out at the end of December.  He was also scheduled to be paid $75.00 (the rest of his federal enlistment bounty) upon his discharge in 1866.  That would equal approximately $1050 in today's funds.  For a farmer with a family, those amounts undoubtedly represented an impressive return for a three year enlistment.  The recruiters, no doubt, played up the money and played down the difficult conditions and hard fighting to follow as the unit was shipped south.  In addition, of course, he would be paid another $13 a month for the remaining 35 months of his hitch. (about $3000 today). Considering that the annual average income in 1863 was around $600, and his family’s was most likely well under that, these were considerable amounts of money.      

Isadore enlisted on 21 Dec, 1863 and, eight days later, was mustered in as a Private in Company M, 14th New York Heavy Artillery.  The Muster Roll Abstract lists him as a "farmer".  He had dark eyes, dark hair, light complexion and stood 5' 1 & 3/4" tall.  He gave his age as 22 (which would have made his birth year 1841) when enlisting but it appears that he was actually 28 years old (all other records seem to indicate he was born in 1835).  I have been unable to find a satisfactory explanation for this discrepancy.

I have been unable to determine why Isadore enlisted.  President Lincoln had signed the Enrollment Act into law in March of 1863.  Also called the Conscription Act, it required all male citizens ages twenty to forty five to be enrolled in the Army.  It also included any immigrants who had filed for citizenship but had not yet been granted it.

I have found no record showing that he had filed for citizenship as of 1863.  He may not have even been eligible for the draft but may have simply enlisted for the bounties that were being offered.  I am unable to determine which at this point.

The 14th filled out its muster rolls on 4 January 1864 and the unit was immediately shipped to New York City.  It had been assigned to garrison the forts at New York Harbor.  After nearly five months in New York, the 14th was ordered to the southern front in Virginia and all the troops were shipped to Warrenton, VA where they remained encamped until 2 May when they were ordered to March for the Rapidan River, a distance of some 30 miles.  The unit was in line formation during the Battle of the Wilderness (5-7 May) but only lightly involved.  They suffered only eight casualties, including two dead.

The Battle of the Wilderness was bloody and intense.  Union General Ulysses S. Grant threw all of his offensive weapons at General Robert E. Lee's forces.  Grant suffered over 17,500 casualties.  No doubt, although Isadore's unit was not heavily involved, the sounds of the intense fighting and the reports reaching the rear lines must have made the blood run cold for the soldiers of the 14th.

Throughout the rest of May, the 14th New York, now fighting as infantry, not as an artillery unit, saw heavier action throughout Virginia.  The week after the battle of the Wilderness, they were ordered on a fourteen mile march to Spotsylvania where they fought for from the 8th to the 21st of May.  Casualties rose (5 dead and 49 wounded) and this proved to be only a hint of things to come.

At this point, Isadore had been in the Army about six months and had only seen battle for about three weeks.  The Battle of Cold Harbor proved to literally be, "baptism by fire" for the 14^th New York.  Fought from 1 June until 12 June, this battle was a full frontal assault by Grant on Lee's forces.  The Union suffered a total of 12,737 casualties; the 14th suffered 119 killed, wounded or missing.  This battle was true trench warfare and conditions were deplorable.  Union troops caught between the lines were pinned down in their trenches often without food, water or medical care as the Confederate howitzers lobbed 24 pound shells into Union positions and sharpshooters on both sides picked off soldiers constantly.

A particularly graphic account came from Union artillery officer, Frank Wilkeson:  "Every corpse I saw was as black as coal. It was not possible to remove them. They were buried where they fell. ... I saw no live man lying on this ground. The wounded must have suffered horribly before death relieved them, lying there exposed to the blazing southern sun o' days, and being eaten alive by beetles o' nights."  (Grimsley, Mark. And Keep Moving On: The Virginia Campaign, May–June 1864. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2002).

The Seige of Petersburg followed the fighting at Cold Harbor and proved to be both costly to the unit and painful for Isadore.