Thought you’d escaped, eh? I found the rest of Great Grandfather’s notes of his tour of Europe for April, 1903. I would inflict them on you this morning, but no chance, Buckaroos. The world that existed in the early days of a new century are interesting, as we all know from experiencing our lurch into the 21st one. Feelings have risen with the disturbances across America. I have not given much attention to the activities of the Irish side of the Socotra Clan, since they did not leave a lot behind. That is quite a contrast with the other side of the Irish family, who dined out for decades on what might be largely imaginary accounts of his fight for the Confederacy.

This morning I read that a town in North Carolina had approved an initiative to pay reparations for the awful bane of slavery. I just wanted to get this straight just in case someone comes to the door asking for cash, check or money order to compensate people live today for things that happened to people long ago. I am of the opinion that we paid at the office, but that seems a complicated concept in these strange days. Our side of the family served the Union after being here for thirteen years. Their involvement with the Peculiar Institution was from afar, and an account of my Great great grandfather’s enlistment in Mr. Lincoln’s army should count for something.

We all seem to be trapped in some mad time machine that someone else is operating. This is the story of a big kid with tousled blonde hair, born across the sea, who felt an urge to serve his new nation. I will publish the complete Grand Tour of Europe, 1903, presently.

The Civil War stuff is hard to uncover. While buzzing back and forth from Virginia to Michigan settling my folk’s estate, I crossed Ohio many times. Once, bored by the Turnpike, I stopped in red-brick Fremont to do some research on the 72nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. I wanted to get some texture of what life was like for the boys in blue, and what they paid for their country. I hit pay-dirt in the form of a testament sworn before an officer of the Buckeye State.

Here we go, back to the depths of the winter of 1862, along the big rivers of Middle America. There are a bunch of young men, preparing to go see The Elephant. That is what they thought of the War, a vast creature of unknown origin and unmitigated fury. These were young men who had no role in the slavery of other human beings, except to risk their lives to end it. Here is how it looked to people who were there:
Section: Civil War- 72nd OVI
Hayes Presidential Center
File Under: LOCAL HISTORY
The State of Ohio, Sandusky County

Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County, personally appeared James Foley, late Private, in the 72nd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.VI), who, being duly sworn, says and declares as follows:
“I, James Foley, enlisted in Company H, 72nd Regiment O. V. I., under Colonel (later General) R. P. Buckland, on the 23rd day of January 1862, as private, Company K, and at the organization of the Company I was chosen Regimental Teamster, which position I held during the Battle of Shiloh in April, 1862, and in the sieges of Corinth, Vicksburg and Jackson. I served through my re-enlistment in 1864, and did not return to the unit from my veteran’s furlough in April of that year, before the battle at Brice’s Crossing in order to care for my fiancé, Barbara.
The story of my service is much like that of every other boy-o in the 72nd. I was born in County Kerry, back in the Old Country. Before the war broke out, I was a laborer. I enlisted on the 23rd of January 1862, in Cincinnati. We left there in early February to march to Columbus, the state capital, where we arrived at 1:30 in the morning. They billeted us in the American Hotel.
On Feb’y 6th, Sunday morning, we went out to Camp Chase where we found the officer of the prison guard to report to. On the 9th, I went to town with my mate Bill Richards, and got Colonel Buckland’s horses shod. On the 10th I signed the roll and commenced drilling with Co. K, 72nd O.V.I.

On the 11th, I drew uniform and gun (Enfield rifle). On the 12th and 13th, I recall nothing of any account but drill. On the 14th, I was detailed for Guard, 2hrs on and 4 off at the prison. It was very cold and I frosted my feet. 15th-18th there was nothing but drill and more drill. On the 18th, I received orders to be ready to march in the morning with eight days of rations. 19th up at 8 o’clock, packed up, went with some of the boys about 2 miles and stole some milk, 6 A. M. started for Columbus, mud ankle deep, left Columbus 11 A. M. on rail cars for Cincinnati. Arrived there between 7 & 8 P. M. and embarked aboard a steamer for Paducah, Kentucky.

I slept on the lower deck, quite cold.

On the 20th, we arrived at Louisville about 1 P. M. disembarked and marched around the rapids and embarked on another boat.
21st, when I got, up this morning I found the boat tied up to bank at Carrolton, Ind. taking on coal. I got off and went after water. We left Carrolton about 2 P. M. and I sat up quite late watching the scenery go by. 22nd, got up this morning and found the boat tied up at Shawneetown, Illinois, on account of fog, soon left and we arrived at Paducah Kentucky at 2·o’clock P.M. The 23rd, Sunday, we disembarked and pitched our tents just a little way out of town.

24th had company drill and dress parade. The camp was called “Camp Buckland” after our Colonel. On the 25th, drilled all forenoon and in the afternoon went down town and went through the fort, the first I ever saw, and then came back to camp very tired, wrote some letters.

26th I was detailed for guard but didn’t feel very well, but I stuck it out all day. 27th drilled all forenoon, lay in camp and talked fight all afternoon with the boys. Last night around one o’clock was waked up and received from the Quartermaster six rounds of cartridges, was expecting an attack from King’s Cavalry and remained up all the rest of the night but nothing happened.
28th feeling bad, sore throat, in the afternoon went with Lieut. Cook and some of the boys and
and some of the boys and shot at a mark. March 1st was a pleasant day and had sauerkraut for dinner, this afternoon Lafe Holcomb and Frank Fowler came to the Regiment and they brought letters from home.

On the 2nd, rained all night last night, today is Sunday, did not go out of my tent, am detailed for picket guard for tomorrow, getting cold. 3rd, got up this morning and found the ground frozen. After breakfast, started off on picket, marched out about three miles, and at night came near shooting a Dutchman of Co. “D.” Joe Bowers and I were on Guard together, this fellow was told to join us, but he got around us somehow, and when we saw him coming out of the woods we thought him a rebel and I came near shooting him.
4th, arrived in camp this morning tired and sleepy, ate my breakfast and ate my breakfast and went to bed. Forenoon quite pleasant but afternoon, cold and snowing.
5th cold and in Camp all day.

6th, about 10 A.M. received orders to get ready to embark on boat to go up the Tennessee River, pulled down some tents and was ready by noon. Frank Fowler and I went with the Lieutenant down to the boat and picked out a good berth below deck but the gray-back lice were thicker than hell. The 72nd OVI came aboard about 5 P.M. and during the night another Regiment came aboard.
6th, Up the river and reported to Gen. Smith 80 miles up and stop here until further orders. In coming up the river today, came by Fort Henry, the river was thick with boats, it is reported that we are going to Pittsburgh Landing where we expect to have a fight with 40 thousand Rebels. We are all ready for them.”
That is all that survives of his daily existence in the war that ended slavery. He was lucky. He lived, and made the difficult decision to stay to care for his lovely fiancé when his first three years were up. For anyone who considers my family to have a debt to pay to someone today, I will consider it. But not seriously, of course.

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