Capt. Charles McAnally held the highest decoration of any soldier in the 69th.
He had worked his way up through the ranks.
He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour for his bravery
in the Civil War.
When I started looking at this soldier's life I did not really anticipated
just what a story would unfold or
how much interest and indeed
how much help I would receive from interested parties
in the States. His life itself would merit a book or indeed a movie. Without doubt Charles
McAnally epitomised just what a soldier should be, a great friend and a terrible enemy. Neither fear or the giving
of quarter were
in his mindset.
I recall as a young man reading the book by A. A.
Hoehling called
They Sailed into Oblivion. The statement
has never left me. It was an account of twenty
great shipping mysteries
and offering some reasons for why the disasters happened
and what happened the crews and
passengers. Both crew and passengers
sailed away with great
expectations of reaching their destinations and
ultimately be be able to return to their home,
homelands or kinfolk. To be reunited again.
When I started to read about the Irish famines, of "An Gorta Mor",
of "Black 47" of looking at the history of the 69th. Penn. Vols. was
when the
expression started to return to my mind. This statement could
so easily be applied
to the greater percentage of the emigrants
who left Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries for the United States, Canada,
Australia,
New Zealand or South Africa. Countless
thousands of them Sailed into Oblivion never to return to Ireland or
keep contact with their kinfolk. Perhaps no group could this
be applied to so fittingly were the
men who left Ireland prior, and during the famine periods of the mid
19th century
than the men who went and fought the good fight in the American Civil War
1861-1865, the greater
percentage of them for the Northern cause in the Union army but we
should not
forget many also fought for the Confederacy. The greater percentage
of them fought
with idealism
and perhaps thought they were contributing to their new country be
it the cause
of the North or the South. Not too many of the rank and file soldiers
would know the
politics and reasons for the war. However a great percentage of
the officers and particularly
the Irish ones knew exactly what the war was about.
My research on to the Catholic farmers of the Sperrin hills of Counties Derry and Tyrone seem to have
them falling into two
categories, those families who had literally been in the Sperrins
for countless generations and never
did inhabit the lowlands and those families who were dispossessed
during Plantation and
Penal times. It is known to me that one family were dispossessed from
good lands around
Cookstown Co Tyrone circa 1795 and had to literally "flee to the mountains".
However to the
older generations in the Sperrins to this day they are kind of seen
as "blow in's"!.
The McAnallys or McNallys would be from the townland of Glenviggan
on the
Tyrone Derry border about 6 miles to the west of
Draperstown. They would appear to have been one of the original
families and I have no
doubt that they would have been there
for perhaps two or three centuries.
Glenviggan is an area of high bog and rock with not a lot of naturally
fertile land. The hill farmers of the area would have to rely as
they still do on raising sheep as their main income. They had to be self sufficient in all aspects.
In McAnally's era the roads would be little
more than cart tracks
wending their way through the valleys to the local villages. Families
would be fairly
large and unless the farm was fairly large there would be problems
supporting
them. A man and wife who had say three or four sons
had a problem as the childen
reached their early teens.
There would be little work for them apart from
perhaps labouring to local farmers or perhaps repairing roads and such like.
Secondary education was not just an option irrespective of the abilities of
the young man or woman. The
main aim of the better class farmer ie one with more land
(it had all to do with the
number of acres owned and its quality) would endeavour to have a son
or daughter become a priest or an nun.
This was success to them. The parents took on a mantle of greater
"respectibility" a word that
is greatly used in rural Ireland but whose meaning I have
never been able to find !. Perhaps
a higher standing in the community and lets be honest families
who had clerics in the loop would find themselves
reasonable well off. They aquired bigger and better houses and life style
etc...such is the will of the Lord!.
The options for young men in "normal " times when the crops especially the staple potato crop
were good were limited.
In a period of poor harvests there would be problems. When
a famine happened the existence for a family their friends and relations
would become dire. There were two options. Stay
at home and face starvation and death or emigrate to wherever they
could afford the fare to.
This is what happened. Thousands emigrated from the Sperrin hills to
the United States and equally to
the great cities of England and Scotland, Liverpool
and Glasgow in particular. However as now with the massively improved
education
system after about 1950 the young people can receive excellent education.
Many go on to higher level education and farmers in the high Sperrins
accept that
having doctor, an engineer, a pilot, a professor among his siblings is
kind of normal. Others who go and learn trades such as plumbers.
electricians etc have no problems
getting employment as they now
have their own transport and many think nothing of going to
Belfast or Derry for their days work. However it is prudent not
to be around the still narrow and poorly surfaced roads
early morning or around 6 pm when these guys go or return.
The roads are still narrow and you just might be hit
by the BMW of a local farmers son!.
Let us see if we can picture Charles McAnally's lifespan.
In the Old Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia in Section M. Range 10 Grave 56
the following two people are noted. These are the parents Elizabeth and Thomas McAnally of Charles
McAnally the M.O.H. soldier whose lifespan we are investigating.
Elizabeth McAnally April 1st. 1863 aged 54 Years.
Thomas McAnally Oct.13th 1891 aged 82 years.
There was an obituary notice in the Philadelphia Public Enquirer 1st April 1863.
McANALLY- On 31st ultimo. ELIZABETH, wife of Thomas McAnally, in the 54th year of her age. The relatives and friends and family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the residence of her husband, Seventeenth and Montrose Streets, between Carpenter and Christian, this afternoon, at 1 o'clock. To proceed to Cathedral cemetery. Funeral services at St. Theresa's Church.
The Old Cathedral Cemetery is at 48th and Lancaster St. Philadelphia.
St Theresa's
was at Broad and Catherine St. Father Hugh Lane was priest
at that time and may
have conducted the funeral Mass.
Charles, Elizabeth's son was already in the 69th. and in the thick
of the fighting.
However
when his mother died he was given 12 days compassionate leave starting
April 12th. 1863 to attend his mothers funeral. However there was a war
on and he failed to make it back
in time for her funeral but was allowed to stay
and sort out her affairs and also comfort his father.
Peter McAnally his younger brother had also decided to join
the army and enlisted aged
19 March 6th. 1863 like his brother he was also in Co. D.
Thus we see Mrs. McAnally
having two sons in Co. D. of the 69th. in the thick of the 1863 campaigns.
The stress
on her must have been great. Did it contribute to her early death ?.
We shall never know.
We do not know if Peter was given compassionate leave for her
funeral as his brother was. No doubt because of his brother
being a 2nd. Lieut
by Sept. 18th 1862 Peter found himself upgraded
to Sgt. by Oct. 31st 1864.
The dates in the obituary give very important information. We
can work out from the death
date of Mrs. McAnally
that she would be born 1809 and most certainly local to Glenviggan.
Her husband was also born in 1809.
When did the family leave Ireland?. The date of 1853 is believed to be
accurate. They would
have survived the 1847 famine.
We know that Charles was aged 28 circa 1861 when
he joined the 69th. in Philadelphia. This would have
his birth as 1833 in Ireland, May 1833 is mentioned
in one census record. His brother Peter who
was to join
the 69th. in 1863 was 19 in this year. This would mean that
Charles was 19 when they
emigrated and Peter just 8 years old. We know there was
also a brother called Edward who was a third son and emigrated
with parents and brothers Charles and Peter. Edward is listed in the 1910
census of Philadelphia living in the 22nd ward aged 76. This would
have his birth year as
1834 and a year younger than Charles. He was living with his brother Peter
and some of his
family.
Thus he was born in Ireland 1834. Thus he was a year younger than
Charles and 18 when the family emigrated.
They would also be many others from the Sperrins Hills and other areas of
Co. Derry and particularly from the area between Draperstown
and Broughderg
who headed for Philadelphia. Most likely on arrival in Philadelphia
they would find kith and kin or at least kinship
with emigrants already there. The family would start their journey
perhaps joining the coach
from Draperstown to Derry joining the ship in Derry and then the perilous
five or six week crossing of the N. Atlantic.
A very dangerous journey. It is also possible that the family joined a ship in Liverpool for the trans- Atlantic
voyage.
For a young teenage Charles McAnally in the growing city
of Philadelphia prior to the start of the
Civil War there would be much excitement.
He would meet many new nationalities and make new friends
amongst the hundreds of Irish pouring into the city. He would soon find work.
His younger brother Peter aged about 8 arriving in Philadelphia would
encounter a very different regieme.
It would be a lot different from
the old school at Broughderg crossroads.
No longer would he have
to bring turf for the fire or his penny per
week to help
pay the teacher. It is more likely that school was a winter persuit as he may well have to help with farm chores in the
summer. His old school would be a mile
away from his Glenviggan home and take about 15 minutes to walk to. It is possible the he could have attended the school at
Altaeskey but I am of the opinion it was to far to walk and Broughderg was his choice.
His new school in Philadelphia would probably be
in a street of houses. His new school friends would
be of many nationalities.
His old school friends back home were
mostly Quinns, Bradleys.
Conways, Donnelly's, McCullaghs, McNallys, O'Neills. The image to the right
is of a neighbour of the McAnallys a Peter Pat Conway from Broughderg.
Peter Pat was born in 1845 two years prior to the 1847 Great Famine. He would have been aged
about 6 or 7 when Charles McAnally set off to America with his family.
No doubt they knew each other and most certainly Peter Pat would have
played with
McAnally's younger brothers. Charles brother Peter in particular was most
certainly known to Peter Pat Conway as they were
almost the same age. They would most certainly would have been
at school together and visited each
others houses.
The photo to the right was taken of Peter Pat taken in 1938 standing in
front of his turf stack
at his farm at Broughderg when Peter Pat was aged 93. He lived another 9
years and died in 1947. He is buried at the old chapel at Broughderg
about two miles from
his home.
The above image to the left is that of the current chapel at Sixtowns which
was opend in 1853. The building work would have started circa 1852
the year
that the McAnally's set off for America. No doubt they had heard
talk of its being built
and indeed no doubt subscribed to its cost. This is where Capt. Charles
McAnally's
grandparents would be buried towards the end of the 19th century.
This was then as it is today
the chapel attended by the McAnally/McNally descendant families.
When Charles McAnally reached Philadelphia he would meet for the first time
Spanish, Greeks, Germans and numerous other nationalities.
He would be meeting his first Afro-Americans. This was a very
different but exciting
world for a young man. His parents probably would be surprised to find a
developing city
which had quite a lot or religious tensions between the "native" Protestant
Americans
descended from previous waves of emigrants. The newly arriving
Catholic Irish would
not be too popular. They were generally deemed to be poorly educated,
carry disease, be ignorant
and of course very poor. True indeed but this is not the choice of any
human being.
Perhaps the reader should become enlightened about these circumstances
by looking
at the "why" word to gain knowledge of their plight.
The McAnallys would have know of the tensions between
Catholic and Protestant in Ireland but living in the high Sperrins they
would have been then as now in an almost
100% Catholic society.
So not a particular problem to them in the middle 19th century.
Back home at best he would have visited the village
of Draperstown and just maybe Cookstown
about 12 miles away. Travel
would be by horse
and cart or pony and traps. Draperstown would be about six miles away
and the closest village.
In Philadelphia McAnally's father would no doubt have quickly found
employment quickly
in the various Irish businesses or taverns in the city. This was a city
where the Irish had to stick together.
The young Charles aged about 19 and with money in his pocket may well
have come across a slightly older Dennis O'Kane as he
later started "learning to
drink" in the taverns of Philadelphia.
No doubt he would have
known of or probably visited O'Kanes liquor store in Quince St.
and partook of some "refreshment"!.
We know from the dates available that Charles left Glenviggen aged 19.
He would not have
had any education
apart from what he got in the local school. He would not really
be qualified for much
beyond the general jobs he would find in the Philadelphia of the time,
in the steel mills, as a bar tender etc.
However by the age of 19 in Ireland he would have had plenty
of experience in farming mostly then as indeed now
with cattle but mostly with sheep.
This ability would stand him in good favour in Texas many years later.
However Charles at 19 seemed to have got a job in the grocery trade.
He no doubt learned this trade fairly quickly. Again this ability like
his farming experience would serve him well in later life.
There would be numerous Irish owned taverns and stores in Philadelphia
so perhaps Charles
would be well employed in the years from his arrival until his late 20's when
the clouds of Civil War would be forming all over N. America.
Things would soon change for ever.
There would be lots of
employment
for young ladies as milliners and dressmakers. There would be the
excitement for the
young men in the pre Civil War atmosphere. They could actually become
soldiers, have a nice blue uniform, be fed and incredibly
paid at the same time. There would be no need to find the next meal.
It would be all done for them. What a great life for a young man. But alas
there was a price to pay!.
Like O'Kane McAnally seemed to have become involved
in soldiering for many reasons.
Like O'Kane he seemed to have found
his way into units that would soon evolve into the 69th Penn.
Vol. Infantry. By 1861 people with Confederate sympathies in
north Delaware not too far from Philadelphia were
were making their presence felt by burning Union homes in the area. These
events would cause some panic in Philadelphia. The city and environs
started to look to arming themselves. Various units would form up.
Young men would
no doubt join up to protect their city and families.
McAnally did just this
and by April 15th. 1861 McAnally was a private soldier
in Captain Harvey's Montgomery Artillery that manned Fort Mifflin.
Harvey was an Irish officer also from
Co. Derry just like the young McAnally.
His next military move was into the 24th. Penn. Regt. where
he served for about three months.
Various transfers of both units soldiers and officers took place
over a short period
as the situation changed. The result was that the 69th. evolved
in a more stable state
with McAnally and Harvey in D. Co. of the newly forming 69th. Regt.
Numerous others from Co. Derry would join this Regt. Many were
known to each other. They would be fighting
in the main under the command of Irish officers.
Charles McAnally was engaged in many battles and skirmishes. He was not
the luckiest soldier
around and seems to have collected more than his fair share of wounds.
However he was certainly a survivor. He was also an enthusiast as he and
Capt. Harvey of Co. D. another Derry man took a train trip from
Philadelphia to Danville in August 1861 to recruit soldiers from the
scores of young Irishmen working in the
steel rolling mills which were numerous in the area. These mills were
very busy making rails etc for the
numerous railways as the country opened up especially to the west.
It is noted that one of the young soldiers he recruited was a John
McWilliams another Derry man. More than likely a neighbour
or a neighbours son from back home.
Some 30 soldiers would be recruited for Co. D. on this train trip. Looking
at the names in this unit
I am of the opinion that because of the
names listed - common in Co. Derry and
Tyrone - to this day McAnally's hand is certainly seen in
the selection of his fellow
Co. Derry and Co. Tyrone countrymen. It is likely
that he probably knew some of them personally.
That Charles was lucky is certainly true. Here are some of his adventures.
In 1861 even before the war really got going in Aug. 1861 he was wounded in an accident at camp in Philadelphia, a pistol shot to his right leg apparently as the result of two junior rankers having an altercation. The term "friendly fire" had not been yet invented!.
McAnally enlisted into the 69th at Philadelphia on Aug. 19th. 1861 aged 29. He has been in one
of the militia units earlier.
He was noted as being a clerk by trade. He was assigned to Co.D. of the Regiment. He would do his basic training and be mustered in. Soon
he would see action.
Quick promotion would follow and by Sept. 1st. 1861 he was 1st Sergeant. On the 16th Sept of the same year he was promoted to
2nd Lieut and to 1st Lieut. May 1st 1863.
On the 24th. Sept. 1861 whilst on a night patrol at Munson Hill Va.
he was hit with a rifle shot below the right knee.
He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg in July 3rd 1863 receiving a
sabre wound
to the head.
At the battle at Spotsylvania Court House Va. for service there on 12th. May 1864 he received his Medal of Honour Citation that:
In hand to hand encounter with the enemy captured a flag was wounded in the action but continued in action until he received a second wound.
This was wound to the left shoulder and buckshot wounds to his head and face.
He was shot below the knee at the battle of Cold Harbour on June 3rd 1864. Surgeons wanted to remove his leg. However he persuaded them not to amputate. I feel from looking at his photo he may well have had a subsequent walking problem which probably got worse as he got older.
McAnally was promoted to Capt. of Co. G of the Regt. Oct. 4th. 1864.
Charles McAnally was not a man to be meddled with. He was obviously held in great esteem by his fellow soldiers. A private soldier took it upon himself to pen the following letter to a newspaper well read and supported by the Irish mostly in the Philadelphia area.
Messers. Editors,
Knowing that you are always willing to give
a fair show in your popular and excellent paper to contributions from
your various subscribers especially the soldiers—I take the present
opportunity to render a few lines from Hatcher’s Run.
In the forenoon of
the 25th. inst, there was quite a sensation produced in this
Regiment by the presentation of a beautiful sword , sash, and belt
to Capt. McAnally commanding, by the men of the Regiment.
The sword is a very costly one bears the following characteristic
inscription
—Presented to Captain Charles McAnally (Commd’g) as a token of respect for his gallantry in many a hard-fought battle, by the men of the 69th. Pa. Vet. Vols. March 1865”
The presentation was conducted by Captain James W. Garrett and Lieut.
Geo. P. Deichler, Co. I, but before it ended an order was received from
Brigade headquarters to pack up and be ready "to move at a moment’s
notice.” This threw the whole thing into delirium, and, in about half an hour,
after, the camp was clear of all hands, and the Regiment with
those other of our Brigade ordered out to the "Run” where an engagement
was entered on between the enemy and a portion of the
2nd. and 5th. Corps. The main part of the action commenced
about 5 o’clock, P.M. and lasted till 7 PM. during which time a
heavy cannonading was kept up and almost an incessant roar
of musketry. This regiment, under the command of Captain McAnally,
was in a most dangerous position from beginning to end; yet, from the
superior management on the part of our Commander came out with far
lighter casualties than was anticipated. The casualties were
as follows:
1st. Lieut. George P. Deichler (a brave soldier) Co. I,
wounded; his wound is a dangerous one, being in the abdomen,
where he received a similar one at the battle of Ream’s Station,
August 25, 1864.
Co A. Private Geo. Udall, killed.
Co C. Sergeant Connell McGlinchey wounded in the knee/
Private Daniel Watson, wounded in the thumb.
Sergeant Chas. Rodgers, wounded in the
abdomen.
Co G. Private Jas. Friel wounded in the leg.
George Friel, wounded in the hip.
Co K. Privates Patrick Welsh wounded in
the ankle, Geo. Boyd, wounded in the leg; Wm. Wallace wounded in
the breast; Wm. Winters wounded in the hip and George Elliot
wounded in the left cheek.
Capt McAnally is a brave soldier, he has been in every battle and
skirmish that this regiment
has been in since its first appearance in the field
and it is hoped that he will soon
be placed in a higher position to that which he now holds,
for it would give universal gratification.
I am, very respectfully, Yours etc etc.
Signed: A Private Soldier.
Sgt. Peter McAnally brother to Charles survived the war and mustered
out July 1st. 1865
and would appear to have gone back to Philadelphia.
We know for certain that he had a brother
Edward who did not join the Army but would appear to have
stayed at home
in Philadelphia.
I also think
there were
other family members but I have no detail.
On the 2nd. August 1897 over 30 years later McAnallys exploits
were recognised
and he was awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honour a no mean achievement. It had been
approved
by the President on 22nd July 1897.
The image on the left are the ruins of the old National School at Broughderg
Co. Derry a mile from Glenviggan McAnally's townland. This school was built
by money provided
by the local families and opened in 1841. This would be the only
school within
walking distance for a young Charles McAnally who would have been
about 6 years of age in 1841 when the school opened.
His first teacher would have been a Mrs. Quinn whose
husband a local farmer played a major part in the building of the school.
This was an era when the
local population in this part of the Sperrins had to finance its own
educational system it was most certainly not be as good as the
system of schools in O'Kanes
parish. In the case of schooling in certain parts there was in many cases good cooperation between
the local small farmers of either religion and the local landlords who in many cases subsidised buildings
and gave small plots of land.This
aspect of education was as still is as now a complex subject. Where there was a more mixed population of Catholics
and Protestants
there the result would be a better education system. If the populace was say near 100% Catholic as in the Sperriins
area
the populace wanted little to do with the landlords and choose to do their own thing and establish their own schools
and churches.
The above is an image of the formal muster out of the 69th. Penn. Regt.
The photo
was taken at Munson Hill Va. after the war ended but for logistical reasons
and fear of another Mexican war the unit was kept in service a few extra
months. Most officers can be identified as follows. There are 9 soldiers.
From the left:
1. Unknown private soldier.
2. Unknow officer.
3. Seated Major James O'Reilly born Belturbet Co. Cavan 1835.
4. Lt. Col. John H. Gallagher ( who had command of three companies
of the 106th Regt. which
were attached to the 69th. after 1864. Note this identification is not 100%.
5. Seated Colonel William Davis born Cork Ireland and a one
time officer in the 69th. New York Regt.
6. Adj. Anthony W. McDermott a first generation Irish - American from Philadelphia who
later wrote a history of the 69th. Penn. Vol.
7. Probably Capt. John McHugh.
8. Surgeon F. F. Burmeister an American from Philadelphia promoted
into the
69th. as full surgeon from the 75th. Pa.
9. Capt. Charles McAnally Congressional Medal of Honour holder.
Capt Co.G of the 69th. Born Glenviggan townland, Six
Towns Road, Draperstown Co. Derry.
Ireland.
There are two flags visible in the photo in front of the tent. The one
on the left is the
Stars and Stripes and the one on the right is a second green Irish flag of 1864
that replaced the original green flag. According to handed down
history this flag
had the State Seal of Pennsylvania on one side and three Irish symbols
on the other, a round tower, an Irish Wolfhound and
a sunburst on the other. Neither flag survives as now.
By 1865 the war was over. After a few extra months in a quasi standby
situation in
case there were renewed problems with Mexico the old veterans went
their own ways.
Charles remained in the employment of the Government acting
as their agent
in the identification of the graves of Union Soldiers buried in
Louisiana and having the bodies transported north.
He handled the documentation. This work would be basically that of a
clerk a term he used in his later paper work about his
trade or profession.
No doubt
that the newly freed slaves provided the physical work
of digging, transportation etc.
This job would not last indefinatley and as far as is known Charles
was employed for about four years
at this task between 1865-1869. It is possible that McAnally got the job
as a "favour" for his service perhaps in the gift of some of the
the senior officers.
I suppose to get any sort of employment after leaving the Army
was an achievement. There would be thousands
of ex soldiers in the job market as we say now. In Louisiana he was
working for
Capt. James Wall Scully of the QM Corps. of the U.S. Army in Louisiana.
Scully was Irish born
and who knows maybe it was he who had a hand in getting McAnally the job.
Scully had received promotion when he joined the 10th Tennessee Vols. He
had started his
army career as a Sergt. in the 1st U.S. Artillery. Maybe he already knew
McAnally from
earlier times. What I think we are seeing is "the old boy league" or
"buddy connections"
starting to kick in. Ex Union soldiers would also have to "look out for each
other " in the Confederate South.
However after Louisiana McAnally turns up in a remote area of Texas
called Blue Junction
in Burleson County which is
about 30 miles east of Austin Texas, he would be about 32 years of age,
and carrying a lot of war wounds. What took him from Louisiana west
to rural Texas?. He would not have
amassed a lot of money to enable him to buy land. Let us look at the
scenario into which he arrives.
In the census of the Western District of Burleson County Texas at the
Blue Branch township (now known as Blue) of the Yegua Creek on the
26th. of August 1870 the following people noted as being at house No.79.
Nathanial Meeks. Farmer. Aged 36. White. Male. He is listed as being from
Tennessee.
Martha Meeks. "keeps house". Aged 30. White. Female. From Illinois.
William Meeks. Aged 13. White. Male. Born in Texas. "works on farm".
Chloe Meeks. Aged 4. White. "at home". Born in Texas.
Nathan Meeks. Aged 3 months. White. "at home" Born in Texas.
Alex. Woodcough. Aged 25. Farmhand. White. "works on farm".
From Georgia. Cannot read or write.
In an adjacent farm No. 80 we find.
Benjamin A. Veach. Farmer. Aged 34. From Alabama.
Fannie Veach aged 30 wife of Benjamin said to be "keeping house"
originally from
Tennessee. Could not read or write.
William Brison. Aged 45. No occupation. Unknown where from
and insane.
Viola Owens aged 3. White. said to be "at home". Born Texas.
Martha Meeks. Aged 20. Said to be "at home" and originally from
Tennessee. Could not write.
We see Fannie Veach mentioned for the first time as the wife of
Benjamin A. Veach. Looking at the names she was probably the
sister of Nathanial Meeks and Meeks was her maiden name.
It would be fair to assume that the Martha Meeks living along
with the Veach's would
be a younger relative of Fannie Veach nee Meeks.
There is no sign of the name McAnally in this 1870 census. However
sometime shortly after the census was taken
McAnally seems to have arrived in the area. One can only guess as to how
he came to be in this remote area of Texas. There had to be some reason.
Did he know the
Meeks back in Tennessee?. Perhaps. We do not know at this juncture.
However it is noted that William Meeks was aged 13 in 1870 and born Texas
which would suggest Nathanial Meeks had already
been at least 13 years in Texas!.
It would appear that Benjamin A. Veach died
sometime after August 1870 a very young man aged about 34
leaving Fannie free to remarry.
McAnally wasted no time and on
the 23rd of August 1871 about a year later Charles McAnally applies for
a marriage license to marry Mrs. Fannie Veach in Burleson county.This
marriage would probably be at
her home which was probably the Veach farm.
On Aug 25th 1871 Charles and Fannie are married by the
Rev. E. E. Blackwell
an "Ordained minister of the Gospel" who signed the document and
returned it to
to the Burleson county record office for confirmation and recording.
The circumstance of this romance and marriage are intrigueing.
It should be noted that
McAnally was a carrying old war wounds and could only do limited
agricultural
work.
So his links to the Meeks could be more based on friendship that his
ability to perform much manual labour for them. Carrying the wounds he
had received in the Civil War
McAnally must have been basically "carried" by the Meeks I
should think and there
was probably an arrangement whereby say the grazing of McAnallys farm
was made
available to the Meeks for a small return.
Charles put his
material welfare before his religion that's for sure something
that would not go down well with his Catholic
relatives in Philadelphia and certainly
not back home in Ireland. But did he tell them?. Perhaps not.
This marriage was most certainly a Protestant ceremony.
The image to the left is of the marriage certificate of Charles McAnally
and Mrs.
Fannie
Veach. Courtesy of the records of Burleson Co. Courthouse in Caldwell
Texas.
Fannie McAnally as she now is appears to have died in 1881.
She was to die young like her first husband Benjamin Meeks aged 41.
It may be that she died on the birth of a 2nd child, we
shall never know the circumstances. I feel that
they did in
fact farm
from about 1870 until Fannie died in 1881 a period of about 10 years.
No doubt Charles McAnally
would have put the farming skills he learned
in Co. Derry to good use. The rolling Texas countryside around Burleson
Co. would be similar to that of the Sperrin hills and valleys he would have
known
in his youth. However a lot warmer!
One thing that is of interest is that in the land records held
in the Registry of Land held in Giddings the county
seat of Lee County there are land records which show that on Aug. 20th
1879 Charles McAnally purchased about 100 acres of land for $112.50 cash
and a promissory note
for another $112.50 at 10% interest. The actual deed was dated 25th. Dec.
1879. What is interesting is that
both he and his brother are shown as holders of several parcels of land
in the county. Had he a brother in Texas with him or was he buying land
in his brothers name
for his brother back in Philadelphia?. Who knows. However in 1911
at least one parcel of
land was sold off by the sheriff. This would suggest McAnally had simply
walked off and left the ownership open. Probably McAnally did not honour the promissory note.
Did the sheriff check in 1911
that McAnally was already dead?. Did he find out from his wife still alive
in Austin?. So many questions.
Looking at the dates it would appear
Fannie
had her daughter when she was about 32 years of age.
In the 1880 National Census Charles and Fannie and daughter "O"
are listed as being in
Lee County Texas. Why a different county?. It is unlikely that
he moved
home but probably
due to the fact that that around 1874 a special county called
Lee county
was being
formed up by taking parts from adjacent counties Burlescon included.
If we look at the Burlescon Census of 12th. June 1880 we find the following
entry.
Charles McAnally. White. Male. Farmer. Aged 40. From Ireland. Father
and mother born in Ireland.
Fannie McAnally - his wife - aged 40. White. Born in Tennessee. Her father
was born in
Mississippi and her mother in Tennessee.
O. McAnally daughter. White. Female. Born Feb. Aged 4 months.
After Fannie's death circa 1881 in Lee county McAnally moves further west,
to Austin. He may
well have inherited the farm Fannie herself had inherited
when Benjamin died. He probably probably sold it
and set off for his next adventure!.
McAnally would appear to have moved into Austin to seek
employment. What could he really do?. His life takes more twists and turns.
There would be a path to Henry Hoftheintz's family quite prominent
members of the
German community
in the area.
Between 1850 and 1875 a building later to be named the
Hoftheintz-Reissig
building was erected. It was built of white Texas ashlar limestone and is
of late 19th century commercial
architecture. Here Henry
Hoftheintz
would run his dry goods store. The building was two stories. The shop
was on the ground floor
and the Hoftheintz residence on the top story. There were also
two outbuildings linked to the
main building, a carriage house and a Sunday house. These structures
were used
as warehouse space and quarters for those who came into Austin for
Sunday services.
The building still stands in a restored condition and
operates as an upmarket diner as now called Moonshine, a patio bar
and grilI. Is situated at 600 E. 3rd St.
It is probably Austins oldest
building. The image just below to the left is an much earlier "restored"
version of the building. A descendant relative advises that in
later years when the
Ressig's took over the business they built a much "grander" house across the street from the
business.
It is known that Hofheintz had set up and developed his own business.
However
we find early on the business is referred to as the Hofheintz - Ressig building.
Who were the Reissigs?. Research
at this stage shows that a family of Ressigs left Germany (Prussia) in
the middle 19th century and made their way to the Austin area of Texas.
This family had as known members Julia,Juliana or Julius, Augusta, Herman and
Robert (twins), and Adolph. Adolph was known in Austin
as "Dutchy" because of his German origins probably from the
German "Deutsch" meaning German and Anglified to "Dutchy".
In a Washington Co. Texas marriage certificate of 1836-1909 Vol. 4 page 8
issued
Oct. 28th. 1871 a marriage is noted between a J. Ressig and an F. Preanes.
Now there seems to be confusion about the name Preanes, Peaver
or Peauer and the spelling of.
Names from Europe would not be too easy for Texans to get their tongue
around
so no
doubt there were attempts to "write down names as heard" just as in
the case of
Irish ones. So did Julia marry a gentleman whose name had been mis-spelled?.
On 17th. June 1876 we find Henry Hoftheinzt marries a Juliana (Julia) Peauer
in Travis Co. Texas probably the lady mentioned above.
So one assumes she had seperated from her
first husband or he had died. Henry had already been married with a family.
Henry
had been born in Germany Oct. 3rd 1882. He died aged 58 in 1880 so
Julia and himself
had been married only 4 years. Julia would be 37 when Henry died.
She was still a young woman.
Adolph Reissig alias "Dutchy" Reissig Julia's brother had already
married Henry Hoftheintz's daughter
Catherine. They are listed in the 1880 Travis Co.
census as aged 36 and 26 respectively. He and Catherine lived their
lives in Austin. Sadly Dutchy later died from T.B.
Catherine died in Austin Jan. 8th 1929 having been born Dec. 8th 1854.
Both buried in the Oakwood Cemetery Austin.
It was Adolph Reissig "Dutchy" a tailor by trade and by marrying a Ressig
effectively added his name to the store as
Hoftheintz-Reissig.
It is worth noting a few things on "Dutchy". He was a tailor by trade and
a very good one. He was noted for his fine coats and his skills were in
much demand in the Austin of the period. He would become Charles
McAnally's brother in law.
Dutchy had some interesting "customers". One in particular is worth noting.
This was Ben
Thompson who was the Marshall in Austin. "Old Ben" as he was called
was something of an
enforcer and it is noted that a descendent stated that he had killed some
32 men in the
enforcing of the law. In 1966 an interview with Dutchy's son Herman
Henry Reissig
in the papers in The Austin History Center states." He made
(Adolph "Dutchy" Ressig became Charles McAnallys brother in law) lots of
clothes for Old Ben Thompson. Ben was City Marshall
here for a long time. Well he used to have my father (Dutchy) make a
pocket
on the side of his trousers to fit a certain gun he carried at the time.
My father could'nt speak very good English. Ben Thompson used to call
him Dutchy. He would come in and say. "Now Dutchy you got time to make
a pair of pants for me?. And my old man of course he was always ready.
He liked him- he liked Ben Thompson".
Dutchy was indeed a wise man as well as being a good tailor!. "Old" Ben Thompson certainly introduced a new meaning to "Hot Pants" with his secret gun pouch in his trousers!. The image to the left above is of Ben Thompson probably in clothes made by Dutchy Reissig.
1881-1882
In the Austin City Directory a Mrs. Julia Hoftheintz is noted as being a
resident
at the N.E. corner of of Cypress (now 3rd St.) and Red River. This was
the home of
Adolph (Dutchy) Reissig and also the address of the Hoftheintz-Reissig store.
What was she doing here?.
I feel probably working at the store with Adolph (Dutchy) her brother.
I feel also
that she appreciated that as she was now widowed
she may well have started to plan for her future. Somewhere
about this time she met
Charles McAnally.
March 11th. 1881.
Julia sold her share of the Hofheintz- Reissig business
to her late husband Henry
Hoftheintz's children. Had she met McAnally and they had decided that
it would be a good idea to buy a boarding house?. A joint venture perhaps?
Dec. 18th. 1882.
Charles McAnally still had an eye for the ladies
and he married Julia Hofheintz on this day in Austin Texas - Travis County -. This would be her third
marriage and his 2nd.
As to the circumstances as to how McAnally and Julia met
and end up marrying
it is difficult to imagine. McAnally arriving in Austin as an ex
Civil War soldier carrying severe
wounds, having already been married and widowed would hardly be
the stuff that
romance is made of. Several circumstances could be envisaged. Perhaps
he found work in the Hoftheintz-Reissig store while Julia was still there
and they became lovers? Did she fall for his no doubt talents to tell
stories
and was he also dining out on his list of stories of deeds
of gallantry for the Union in the Civil War?. One can only guess.
Julia and McAnally's marriage certification is validated by
Fritz Tegener. Now just who was Fritz Tegener?
He was
the man
noted in Texas history
as being part of the pro-Union force that was formed up in the
Comfort township of Texas - west of San Antonio
to oppose the Confederate army?.
He was part of the "Treue der Union" "True to the Union" group that
was heavily defeated in a surprise attack at Neuces. The image to the left
is a memorial
to the group and is situated in Comfort Texas N.W. of Austin. Many
of this small band were killed, or murdered by the
Confederate forces. Some escaped including it would appear Fritz Tegener.
He Tegener was at a time referred to as "Major Tegener". I kind of think
that McAnally and Tegener were
very radical Unionists and consequently soul mates with common
ground.
Could Tegener perform wedding ceremonies?. I feel that if it is the
same man
he could basically choose to do
so in the Texas of the time. However as now it is not known
for certain if Tegeners link to McAnallys marriage
was to do with his Civil Administrative duties or if he
actually performed the service.
Nevertheless it was
a Civil ceremony. More problems for McAnally with the
folks back home in Philadelphia and in Ireland!. A copy of the marriage
certificate is shown to the left.
Census records show that there were no children
from this marriage.
Fritz Tegener would appear to have a character somewhat like that of McAnally.
Stories did the rounds in Texas that he had married a Susan Eveline Benson in Kerr Co.
Texas on 21st. Dec. 1858 prior to the Civil War. They were known to have two daughters
Mary Augusta Texanna Tegener born 24th Aug. 1859 and Emilia Mexico Tegener born March 23rd 1862.
Fritz then turns up afterwards taking place in the battle of Nueces which took
place Aug. 10th 1862. This was a bloody confrontation between a bands of Confederates and the pro-Union
group "Treue der Union"
made up of quite a few Germans. Fritz survived the engagement. However Fritz Tegener did not seem to
hurry home to his wife and family back in Texas and his wife Susan assumed that he must have been
killed at Nueces and she then married Frederick "Fritz" Schladoer. Tegener then returned to find
his wife had remarried. However things seem to have been resolved and Tegener married Augusta Struck
on Oct. 16th 1866 in Travis Co. They went on to have a family who are listed at bottom of page.
July 19th. 1883
Charles McAnally makes his first pension application from
Texas. His doctor is a Dr. Frank McLaughlin no doubt either Irish or Irish
American. McLaughlin describes the nature of Charles
wounds on the application. He also states that McAnally had been
living in Texas for 14 years.
1887-1888.
In the Texas State Archives in the Austin City Directory Listings in these
years Charles McAnally is
listed as a stonemason residing at 609E 11th St.
Also listed at the same address is Robert Reissig a labourer aged 40.
Robert was his wife's brother. It is said that Robert worked as
a stonemason
during the week and went back to his farm at the weekends. Another slant on the
relationship between Robert Reissig and McAnally would be did McAnally
set up
a stonemasons busines and consider Robert to be his labourer albeit Robert
was the actual stonemason. McAnally would not be capable of the physical work associated
with being a stonemason nor would he have the required skill only attained after
a long apprenticeship.
It is thought that Robert lived with Julia for about a year.
I am sure there would be some
interesting exchanges between Charles and Robert and
Julia three very different people!.
Feb. 27th. 1889.
Charles McAnally is noted as living in East 11th St. Austin Texas and a stonemason.
1890
In a special census held in Texas on this year Charles is noted as residing
at 609 East 11th St.
Austin Texas.
1891-1892.
Charles still listed in the census but now working in the grocery trade and still linked to
the same address. A change of business or work perhaps.
It is of interest to note that his place of residence was 609E 11th. St. and his work
was at 613E 11th. St. There was only a house or building between his home and his work.
This would suit him as his mobility would be poor due to his old war wounds.Charles mother was long dead in
1891 but his father Thomas died Oct 10th 1891 in Philadelphia at 1121 Christian St. He was buried in the old Cathedral
Cemetery Oct 13th 1891. Did he go to Philadelphia for his fathers funeral?. We shall never know but we know that
he was in Philadelphia by 1894.
1894.
Charles McAnally was in Philadelphia by Jan. 1894 and gave his brother
Peter's Germanstown address (the family home may well have been sold after his fathers death)
above in another pension application. This is his second application he
included three affidavits from people
who know him. He would need to contact people who were in the Philadelphia area.
He turns to some of his old soldier buddies.
Colonel William Davis
Michael Kelly formerly an enlisted man in Co. D.
Timothy O'Connor again a former enlisted man with Co. D.
It is interesting to note that in one of his later pension applications
he states that
he had to ride his horse this past few months as he could'nt walk very well.
On July 24th 1894 he was living at 305 Missouri. Ave Washington D.C.
I feel that he only went
to this address to visit whoever was living there to sort out his M.O.H.
application.
I feel this was only a short stay event and no way was he
connected in owning or living there on a long term basis.
From here he would appear to have applied for his Medal of Honour
and this was later granted to him
by the President on 22nd. July 1897.
June 30th. 1895.
In a report dated as above of the Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers it states that
Charles McAnally Co. D. 69th. Pa. Inf. rank noted as Sergeant who had served 47 months, had been
born in Ireland was aged 59 had had a G.S.W. to right knee and rheumatism, was a clerk by trade and also a widower.
Further down the listing it gives his correct rank as Captain.
Thus we know he was in Philadelphia and close to his family in June 1895. He was claiming to be a widower!.
There would be a better chance of getting visits
from his family in Philadelphia.
The most telling thing confirming his health was the information he gave in his pension application in
Jan 1894 in which it is stated that
he had to ride his horse this past few months as he
could'nt walk very well.
I feel that this is a very important piece of information. It
might be fair to conclude
that after he reached Philadelphia by Jan 1894 he was
in such a state that he was not able to
withstand the journey back to Texas.
Just how long he stayed in Philadelphia and why and when he left to go to the Hampton Va. facility we as now do not know.
May 22nd. 1897.
Charles McAnally is noted as being in an National Home
for the D.V.S. (Disabled Volunteer Soldiers). This home was at
Hampton Va. (Elizabeth City) right down
at the S.E. end of the state near Newport News.
July 22nd. 1897.
Charles McAnally received his Medal of Honour from the President.
Julia Reissig McAnally is listed as living at 609 E. 11th St in the census of
1893-1894, 1895-1896, 1897-1898, 1898-1899 and 1900-1901.
June 4th. 1900.
Julia McAnally living at 609 E 11th St. Austin Texas. She is noted
as Head of Household,
as a white female, born Oct. 1842 aged 57,
a widow, no children, born
in Germany, parents born Germany immigrated 1871 was 29 years
in the U.S. She was a landlady and could write and speak
English. She owned her home
free of mortgage.
Interesting she gave her status as widow as we know Charles
was still alive on the 8th. June
a few days later. (see below). She also states she
was the head of the household
basically dismissing the existence of either an equal
or a husband.
June 8th. 1900.
A census carried out in the Elizabeth City (Hampton)
Southern Branch of National Homes for Disabled Volunteeer Soldiers
shows the following.
Charles McAnally. An inmate. White. Male. Widower. Born 1834 in Ireland.
Age 64. In America 48 years. Clerk by profession.
Could read, write and speak English.
We have a scenario written within days of each other that she was a widow in Austin Texas,
a landlady and owned her own home while some days later he is noted as being in a DVS home
in Elizabeth City Va. He is noted as being a clerk. Interesting as might suggest he was
acting as a clerk in the home or that his last job in the grocery trade in Austin was a clerk which is possibly
due to his wounds was the only job he could do.
Interesting to see that in this year they both indicate their spouses
are dead.
1907-1908.
Mrs Julia McAnally still listed as being resident at 609 E. 11th St. Austin
in the census.
Sometime between the 1907-1908 census and 21st April 1910 she would
appear to have left
or more likely sold her
boarding house and took up lodgings.
April 21st. 1910.
Julia McAnally (the spelling of name varies as it still does in Ireland!) is
noted in Austin
Texas Travis Co. as living at 1004 Olive St. Dwelling No. 220 family 227.
She is listed a being a lodger
female, white, widow, no children, born Germany, parents born
Germany. Immigrated 1871, primary language English,
works as seamstress from home. OA (working on account).
Jan. 12th. 1920.
Austin Travis Co. Texas. 1300 Sabine St. Julia McAnally lodger white,
female, widow, aged 77. Living with Augusta
Klein a widow aged 61 and Augusta's son Otto a
stonemason and one more lodger.
We now see her as a lodger and again states she is
a widow. This was not her sister Augusta.
Julia did use the surname
McAnally
through the rest of her days, and is so recorded in the 1900, 1910, and
1920 census, and on her death record in Travis
County. The census taker recorded the name as McNally
in 1900 and 1910, McAnally in 1920. In the death record the name
is recorded as McAnally.
The death certificate of Julia McAnally shows up a lot of interesting
information relative to her and indeed
her links to Charles McAnally.
Aug. 16th 1922.
Julia died at the City Hospital Austin Texas Aug 16th. 1922 aged 79.
(See image to the left).
She had been born
in Germany Oct 2nd 1842. Both her parents were German.
Her occupation at death noted as "retired".
Aug. 17th. 1922.
Julia was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin on the 17th Aug. 1922.
The undertaker was a firm by the name of C. B. Cook Austin Texas.
There is as now no grave marker.
The Doctor who attend he prior to death was Dr. Z. T. Martin M. D. He had
attended her on the 8th Aug. 1922 and again on the 16th August
1922. She died of numerous complications associated with old age.
Her death certificate signed by Dr. Martin 19th August 1922. The person
who informed of her death was H. H. Reissig ( her nephew Herman H. Reissig)
son of Julia's brother Adolph and and his wife Kate Hofheintz Reissig.
Julia
McAnally is
buried in Section 1 Lot 6 of the Oakwood Cemetery. Her name is missed
out on the Website records for the cemetery. This information
from the Reference Library, Austin History Center at
the Austin Public Library. The image to the left is of Julia Hofheintz
McAnally sometime in the 1860's.
As to when Julia and Charles divorced or seperated is difficult to determine.
It would be fair to assume that
sometime after 1890 and I feel that
it may well have been because of his behaviour that Julia was the one
who instigated the proceedings if indeed it was a divorce but I tend to think
it was a
seperation. However this is
a personal opinion. She would then earn her livlihood by running
her B & B and later as a seamstress at several lodging houses in Austin.
It is known that Charles's father Thomas died Oct. 13th 1891 aged 82
in Philadelphia.
I feel that Thomas his father
must have known to some degree what his son's
exploits were in Texas. He couldn't but not. It is of interest to note
that Charles parents
grave was opened for inspection Oct. 26th 1893 two years after
Charles father
was buried there. Reason unknown.
Peter McAnally who was Charles brother was also a 69th. Penn Vet.
Peter and brother
Edward lived at the time at 323 West Sheldon Ave. Germanstown
Philadelphia.
Note: Though McAnally would have been raised Catholic in Ireland
he would have had a major problem in Texas.
If he had of gone for Catholic ceremonies they would probably
have had to be carried out by a Mexican Catholic priest in a Mexican
Catholic church. This would not have been very acceptable to his
Protestant wives and certainly not at all
popular with the Southern white Protestants he
worked with and the families of his wives.
Because it has been so difficult to trace what happened Charles McAnally
after
his pension ended in 1905 many false leads have been followed and the
trail goes cold. However
if the reader looks at the image clicked from above which shows a 1902 era
photo of the old veterans at the Hampton Va. home for Disabled Volunteer
Soldiers they may see a likeness to
McAnally (the old bearded soldier on the right in the front row
standing with the aid of two sticks). Personally
I see similarities with that of the Charles McAnally on
the right hand side of the 1865
muster out photo. If you have any comment please leave in Guest Book.
Thanks. Please use click-back to come back to Website.
June 4th 1905
However the last payment of Charles Mcanallys pension was made on June 4th 1905
and that is where the trail
on Charles seems to run cold. His name was dropped
off the pension list in Jan 19th 1909. (Secton 4719) pension agent John King.
I would not read too much into the date 1909 as probably
the agency sorting its paperwork. I feel that June 4th. 1905
is the pertinent death date. This is the date he last received
a pension payment whilst at the
Old Soldiers Home in Hampton Va. He is noted as being
discharged from the home on March 7th 1905 and last paid at the
Home in Dec.1904.
What does one read off the above statements. They are confusing.
However the most positive and possibly
accurate is that he was last paid at the Home on March
7th 1905 and last payment on
June 4th 1905. So where was he between March 7th. 1905 and June 4th. 1905?. Three months approx.
A scenario is that: He was discharged in March 1905 into someones custody.
He certainly could not fend for himself.
But to whom was he discharged to the care of?. Perhaps into the care
of his folks in Philadelphia who were still fairly young. But could they
cope or indeed want him?. I personally
think not. He was a very ill man and he sure had baggage from his
marriages that
Catholic relatives in Philadelphia or Ireland did not want to come to
terms with.
Was it to an Old Soldiers Home near Philadelphia perhaps the Washington D.C area.
Possibly and he would be close
enough for visits from his Philadelphia relatives on a "quiet" basis
and no "scandals" getting back to Philadelphia.
Did Julia Hofheintz McAnally still relatively young - she did not die
until 1923 - hold a candle for her lovable ex Army M.O.H. soldier
ex husband. This is possible as it is somtimes noted that McAnally
was buried
in Texas. If she did bring him home it was most certainly a low key
ceremony
and little fuss. There would be no headstone. Not the ceremony that
an M.O.H. hero would normally receive.
In the course of this research to date the city of Austin Master Burial
records have been
viewed line by line between Jan. 1900 through Dec. 1903 and Jan 1904
through Dec. 1911 and NO sign of a burial of Charles McAnally.
If McAnally had gone back North even after the war there would
no doubt be some resentment as to his Irishness despite his war record.
Attitudes would not
have changed totally in the short period 1861-1865. Maybe this is yet
another reason
why he choose to go to Texas.
Charles McAnally as we know received the Congressional Medal
of Honour the highest
award and recognition that can be paid to any soldier, airman
or navyman in the service
of the United States. This is still the situation to this day.
His name is recorded in many of the listings of award winners some
of whom are household names. This was no mean achievement for a small
farmers son from the high Sperrin hills of
Co. Derry. An image of the medal he would have received is shown above left.
In one of his pension applications he states that he had
bad pains and had to use his horse to get around. Did
he die as so many old soldiers did long
forgotten and be buried in an unmarked grave
in a remote corner of a city cemetery?
Lets hope not and some day his grave will be found.
At this juncture he is without final trace. He deserves better, he had truly Sailed into
Oblivion.
Charles McAnally epitomised like Dennis O'Kane and many other soldiers
from Co. Derry and Tyrone and all over Ireland
the spirit of the Union Army and what the United States is about. I drive
often through
the Sperrin hills of Derry and Tyrone across the county's plains,
hills and valleys and through
their cities, towns and villages and until recently knew little about
the hundreds of
brave young men who left there in poor times, in bad times, in dreadful times
to
seek better times but
thought little of giving their lives so that a great nation to be would not
fragment, would stay United and be the United States of America.
Some additional personal notes on the McAnallys:
Charles McAnally:
In the original muster roll for D Co. of the 69th its
states that
Charles was aged 26. He was 5ft. 6ins. tall, he had a red complexion,
blue eyes, dark hair, born in Derry Ireland, a clerk by trade.
He was discharged by reason of his
promotion to 2nd Lieut. Sept. 17th 1862. He would now be full officer rank.
He would then go
on to fight in numerous battles eventually mustering out of the Army
at the end of the war in 1865.
Peter McAnally: Younger brother to Charles above:
Enlisted March 6th. 1863 aged 19. He was 5ft.4ins. tall, fair
complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, from Derry Ireland.
On Nov. 6th. 1863 he was mustered in by Captain Shurtz at Washington D.C.
Peter would appear to have gone back to Philadelphia after the war.
He died
there 11th Dec.1917. He was buried in the New
Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia in Lot M-115-2W.
He would have been 73 years of age. The New Cathedral Cemetery is at 2nd.
Street and Butler in Philadelphia. Here is his obituary notice.
McAnally. Peter Sgt. Co. D. 69th. PVI. McAnally, Dec. 11. Peter husband of the late Ellen McAnally. Relatives and friends Santa Maria Council No. 263, K. of C. Employees of Midvale Steel Works invited to Funeral Saturday 8:30 AM 326 E. Chelten Ave. Germantown. Solemn Requiem Mass, Saint Vincent de Paul's Church, 10 AM. Interment New Cathedral Cemetery. Auto Funeral.
Note: After his Civil War service Peter McAnally settled down married
Ellen in 1878 and ended his working life as a Superintendant at the Midvale Steel Works.
This mill would
employ a lot if Irish workers. One Thomas Moohan the grandfather
of Bill Meehan
one of the current 69th. researchers and enactors worked there.
Peter was in good hands!.
Interestingly the K. of C. ( the Knights of Columbus or as is known
in Ireland as Columbanus)
was basically an organisation that ensured that Irish emigrants
into such places
as Philadelphia got fair employment by firms in the city especially
ones where
there was Irish ownership and influence. Small world!.
It is known from Peters obituray of 1917 it states that his wife had died some 21 years earlier ie
circa 1896.
Peter McAnally's family was well documented in both the 1900 and 1910
census. Here is the detail.
Here is the 1900 census Philadelphia.
Peter McAnally born June 1845 aged 53 married 22 years, born Ireland,
father and mother both born Ireland.
Mary Agnes McAnally daughter born May 1879 21 single born Pa.
Nellie Marie McAnally daughter born Dec. 1880 aged 19 single born Pa.
Joseph F. McAnally son born March 1886 aged 14 single born Pa.
Regina E. McAnally daughter born May 1887 aged 13 single born Pa.
Here is the 1910 census Philadelphia.
Peter McAnally born June 1845 aged 65 widowed, born Ireland,
father and mother both born Ireland.
Nellie Marie McAnally daughter born Dec. 1880 aged 29 single born Pa.
Joseph F. McAnally son born March 1886 aged 24 single born Pa.
Regina E. McAnally daughter born May 1887 aged 22 single born Pa.
Edward McAnally brother aged 76 Born Ireland.
In the 1910 census we find that Mary Agnes McAnally is no longer listed so we could assume she had left home perhaps to marry. However we find Edward the third brother listed as being aged 76 and living with the family. In neither the 1900 or 1910 census do we find any reference to Charles McAnally the soldier.
Nellie McAnally head of household owns home free of mortgage, female, white, aged 38 single, born in Pa,
father born in Ireland mother in Pa. Has no occupation.
Joseph McAnally male, white, aged 34, single, born in Pa father born in Ireland mother in Pa.
These would appear to be the Nellie and Joseph of the 1910 census.
We know that he was during the 1900 census in the old soldiers
home in Hampton Va.
It would appear likely at this juncture Charles may have left the
Hampton home circa 1905 but what happened him?
As McAnally seemed to have found himself amongst Germans
in Austin and Prussians at that. One wonders just how they coped
with each other.
Strange bedfellows indeed. Fritz Tegener and his family
were in fact German born into Texas. Here are some notes on Fritz
from the 1860 Federal Census.
Fritz Tegener;
Fritz Tegener age 47 born in Prussia and father also born
in Prussia and mother in Saxony. Occupation listed as farmer.
Augusta Tegener wife aged 39 born Mecklenburg Prussia.
Keeping house. (This was Augusta Struck his 2nd wife.)
Gustav Tegener son aged 12.
Fritz Tegener son aged 10.
Therese Tegener daughter aged 8.
Hilmar Tegener son aged 5.
Notes:
With thanks to some fine folks in Travis, Lee and Burleson counties in Texas who
helped me with so much information. Appreciated. Thanks to y'all.
Much information on Charles McAnally's marriages and life in Texas
obtained and given me by Terry Carpenter. Many Thanks.
Information on Peter McAnally from Bill Meehan
69th Penn.Vol. Re-enact unit. Many Thanks.
The image of MOH scoll and MOH medal courtesy of
HomeofHeroes Website. Thanks.
The image of "Treue Der Union" monument courtesy of BAT@wingedmammal.com.Thanks
