Edward Francis Cashel
Part of
Cashel family bible.
Edward Francis Cashel,
Edward, born Co.Tipperary, Ireland, bapt 14 June 1840.
Descendant
through
Blennerhassett
of
Edward III.
He grew up
Mullinahone,
Co.Tipperary.
Emigrated to America:
He went to America in 1860 or earlier.
He is
listed
in [US Census, 1 June 1860]
as living with his uncle
William Kickham
and family in
Georgetown,
Washington, D.C.,
he is listed as a "miller".
Fought in American Civil War, 1861-65:
Edward was living in Washington, DC (capital of the Union, the North)
when
American Civil War
broke out Apr 1861.
He signed up to fight for the North.
He
enlisted as a
private
in the Regulars.
He was in
Company G
(also called
Battery G)
of the
2nd Regiment,
US Artillery
(U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade).
He
enlisted at
Washington, DC,
8 May 1861, age 20
(right at start of war, he was volunteer, no conscription at this time).
Listed as blue eyed, brown haired, with ruddy complexion, at 5' 10 1/2" tall.
Enlistment incorrectly states
Georgetown
as his birthplace.
Rather it was where he was living.
Enlistment lists his occupation as a "miller".
An estimated 200,000 Irish fought for the North, and 30,000 fought for the South.
He was only a private, but was in an important Federal unit,
which saw action in many of the biggest battles of the war.
See
Civil War battles of Edward Francis Cashel,
July 1861 to Nov 1863.
The North's campaign did not start up again after winter 1863-64 until May 1864.
Edward's 3 years were up that month.
He was honorably discharged at
"the Wilderness",
VA on May 8, 1864, for
reason of Expiration of Term of Service.
This was the day after the
Battle of the Wilderness
(May 5 to May 7, 1864).
His military records say
he was in the hospital at the time of his discharge.
Though in 1864 letter he says he was never wounded.
He wrote a
letter on 20 May 1864 to his father George Cashel
in Ireland.
The war is still on,
but his 3 years are up:
"I have just returned to Georgetown from the Army in which I served 3 years. I was sworn in for 5 years, but Congress passed an Act that all persons who enlisted in 61 were to serve only 3 years".
In 1864 he is
staying again in Georgetown, DC,
with
"Uncle William and Aunt Jane".
He said:
"I have been in a great many battles,
and thank God I never received a scratch or wound in the whole campaign".
He was in 3 of the
biggest battles of the war
(Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Antietam),
front line, and some N lost, amazing no injuries.
He
asks "what William and Blen are doing".
"Hoping you, brothers and sister enjoy good health"
(mother obviously dead,
and since this is apparently the first contact since he signed up in 1861,
she prob. died before 1861).
While Edward was away, Battery G was dismounted in June 1864 and
sent to Washington.
It had no more active service in the Civil War
[Simpson, 1896].
Edward did not stay a civilian for long.
He rapidly
re-enrolled again, July 27, 1864,
at Fort Cass, Arlington, VA,
signing up for another 3 year period,
again
with Battery G, 2nd Regiment, US Artillery.
American Civil War ended May 1865.
|
Stayed in army after war, 1865-70:
Edward deserted for one day, July 31, 1865, and was
apprehended August 1, 1865.
He was restored to duty without trial.
The 2nd Regiment, US Artillery, was assembled at
Fort McHenry,
Baltimore, Maryland,
in August, 1865,
and sailed from there for California via the
Isthmus.
The 2nd Regiment arrived
San Francisco
Sept 1865.
Set up headquarters at the
Presidio,
San Francisco
[Simpson, 1896].
Battery G were based
at Alcatraz Island, San Francisco.
Edward was
promoted to Corporal
(just above Private), 1 Jan 1867.
He was honorably
discharged from his 3 years service on July 27, 1867
at Alcatraz Island, San Francisco.
He immediately signed up for another 3 years service, July 27, 1867,
again with Battery G.
He was
promoted to Sergeant
1 Sept 1867.
Goes to Alaska, 1868:
He was sent with Company "G", 2nd Regiment, US Artillery, in 1868
to the new US territory of
Alaska.
He had rank of quarter master
sergeant.
Would need some education (maths) to hold that post.
[Foreman, 1935]
says that
after U.S. purchase of Alaska 1867,
Eli Lundy Huggins
(joined 2nd Artillery Feb 1866)
received orders to conduct "Battery G" from their post at
Alcatraz Island, California,
to Kodiak, Alaska.
The first U.S. troops arrived at Kodiak spring 1868.
Huggins joined them 6 June 1868.
[US Census, 1900]
says Edward arrived in Alaska June 1868.
Alaska background:
Russia established
settlements in Alaska
in the 18th century.
See
Russian colonization of the Americas
and
Russian America.
Alaska was
purchased by U.S. from Russia 1867.
It was inhabited at this point by a few thousand Russian settlers
and the natives.
Relations between Russians and natives
varied from exploitation
to trade
to friendly inter-marriage and conversion to Christianity.
A Russian fort
and small Kodiak village existed at Kodiak
when the Americans arrived 1868.
Edward served at Kodiak under Eli Lundy Huggins.
Battery G built the new
Fort Kodiak
at the
pre-existing Kodiak village and Russian fort.
The aim was
"to prevent, in the absence of any organized civil government,
any abuse by the settlers, traders and fishermen upon the natives of the Island,
and second, to keep in check and overawe, by an exhibition of military force,
the more barbarous natives
of Kenay
and Alaska Peninsula,
who visit Kadiac [Kodiak] for purposes of trade."
[Huggins, 1874].
A letter of Aug 1868, sold in a stamp auction 2004,
calls it "Kodiak, Alaska Territory, Russia America",
"the only known letter addressed to Russia America".
William Kickham
writes a letter to George Cashel, Feb 1869.
He says:
"I had a letter from Edward .. he is at Fort Kodiak, Alaska Territory".
Edward's letter was posted Alaska Dec 1868, sent by steamer to
"San Francisco, California"
(note he names the state - George mightn't have heard of
San Francisco, then just a small town)
and then E across the continent to Georgetown, DC.
"the letter was over 50 days coming here".
Huggins stayed with Battery G at Fort Kodiak until June 22, 1870
when he was assigned to
St. Paul Island, Alaska.
Edward did not stay in contact with home.
His brother Blen went to the great expense of actually going to the US to look for him in 1870.
Blen received a
dispatch from
US War Department,
addressed to him in New York City, 9th July 1870:
"In reply to your communication of 29th June 1870, I have the honor to inform you that
Edward F. Cashel, Qr.M.Sgt, of Co.G, 2nd Regt US Artillery .. [is with his Co. at]
.. Fort Kodiak, Alaska Territory".
Leaves army 1870, stays in Alaska:
Edward was honorably discharged as
Sergeant at
Fort Kodiak, July 27, 1870 for Expiration of Term of Service.
He left the Army.
Battery G left Fort Kodiak Sept 1870.
Fort was abandoned by army, but village continued and became
Kodiak city.
Troops were sent to
a number of other places in Alaska,
but by end 1870 all these bases (including Fort Kodiak) were closed
except for Sitka.
Huggins rejoined Battery G
at the Presidio,
San Francisco, November 19, 1870
[Foreman, 1935].
Edward stayed in Alaska.
He lived Kodiak, 27 July 1870 - 15 May 1871 [pension records].
|
Edward
mar 4 Sept 1870
to
Marre-a Olgin
[Marre-a Alexandrova Olgin,
thus spelt in [Cashel family bible]].
She is possibly Ol'gin,
think NOT Mare-a or Maria or Mariia,
think NOT Alexandrovia or Aleksandrovno.
She was a Russian settler in Alaska.
She was
born 30 Mar 1848
(18 Mar according to the Julian calendar
used in Russia)
in Kodiak,
dau of Aleksandr Vasil'iev Olgin
(or Aleksandr Vasil'Evich Ol'gin)
and
Irina Platonova Bushkovskii
(or Irena).
Native American ancestry:
Her grandmother was apparently
Aleut
(Native Alaskan).
[Marti Murray] says
she had the designation
"Creole",
which would mean a combination of Russian and Native.
Some Russian settlers left after America bought Alaska,
but many stayed.
Marre-a was
Russian Orthodox.
They married in the
Russian Orthodox church.
[Marti Murray]
lists Edward as "Protestant", but think this is not true.
He was born Catholic.
He had his children baptised in the Russian Orthodox church though.
[Russian Orthodox church records]
say they mar
23 Aug 1870
according to the
Julian calendar.
This is 4 Sept 1870 new style.
NOT 25 Sept.
Church record
says they mar in
Kodiak Island parish
(this is probably the
Church of the Holy Resurrection,
Kodiak, Alaska).
Mar cert is apparently in Russian.
They
possibly married
on
Spruce Island
in Kodiak parish.
Edward and
Marre-a
lived on
Unga Island
(the largest of the
Shumagin Islands),
Alaska,
20 May 1871 - Apr 1874 [pension records].
They lived Kodiak, Apr 1874 - 1878 [pension records].
They (and later just he) lived Unga, 1878 to at least 1907 [pension records].
Edward worked as an agent for the
Western Fur and Trading Company
(estab 1877).
He is
listed as a "Storekeeper" in Unga for them
[Reeve].
He later worked as an agent for the Alaska Commercial Company
(which purchased the
Western Fur and Trading Company
1883).
He was their agent as at 1884.
Gold was discovered on Unga Island in 1884
and there was a boom for many years.
Marre-a dies, 1884:
Marre-a died 12 April 1884,
Unga Island
[pension records],
age 36 yrs.
[Russian Orthodox church records]
say "Mariia Keshal"
died
1 Apr Julian
(which is 13 Apr new style).
They say she died
in Belkofski
parish.
Belkofski is just W of Unga
(see
map).
Belkofski parish might include Unga.
After his wife died 1884, it looks like Edward failed to give the children a proper education.
He was able to read and write himself,
but his children Sarah and Edward are both listed as illiterate
in the 1900 census.
[Reeve]
lists Edward as "well educated" and "hard drinker".
He applied for U.S. Army pension, 31 July 1893.
He applied
for U.S. Army pension, May 24, 1895.
From
here.
He applied for U.S. Army pension, April 8, 1898.
See US army pension record.
From
here.
Filed 24 May 1898, and 18 Oct 1907,
[NA.US] T289.
He is
listed
at Unga in
[US Census, 1900],
lists him as "trader",
former occupation "miller".
It
incorrectly states he was born D.C.
He was a pensioner on the U.S. Army pension roll, #1037181, living Unga,
as at 1907.
Edward dies, 1909:
He died Dec 1909, age 69 yrs,
on Simeonof Island, Shumagin Islands, Alaska
[Reeve],
[Nancy von Konsky],
think NOT Unga.
Edward and Marre-a
had issue:
-
Mary Cashel,
or poss. Maria Mary Cashel,
would be after mother
and grandmother,
born Kodiak Island,
1 Sept 1871
[Cashel family tree],
or poss. 5 Sept
[pension application],
[Cashel family bible],
NOT 25 Sept,
[Russian Orthodox church records]
say born 19 Aug Julian,
which is 31 Aug new style,
[Russian Orthodox church records]
say bapt Kodiak Island parish, 26 Aug Julian,
which is 7 Sept new style.
- Agnes Cashel,
or poss. Agnia Agnes Cashel,
note Agnes is a Cashel family name, it is her aunt's name,
born Unga Island,
19 Oct 1873
[pension application],
or 18 Oct
[Cashel family bible],
[Cashel family tree],
NOT 20 Oct,
[Marti Murray]
says born Kodiak Parish,
7 Oct Julian,
which is 19 Oct new style,
grave says born 1872,
[1900 census] says born Oct 1863, which is obvious error for Oct 1873,
mar Adolph Garn
and had issue.
- Ereena Cashel,
born April, 1875, on Kodiak
[Cashel family bible],
would be after grandmother Irina,
she is not listed in Edward Cashel's list of living children in
his pension application 1898.
- Sarah Cashel,
born 24 Apr 1876
(12 Apr Julian)
[pension application],
[Cashel family bible],
NOT 29 Apr,
NOT 1875,
born in Katmai
("Katmai Settlement, Kodiak
Parish"),
listed as "Sara" in
[US Census, 1900],
[Russian Orthodox church records] say she was bapt
Kodiak Island parish, 19 Apr 1876
Julian
(1 May new style),
mar 7 Sept 1891, Unga [her age 15, him age 32]
to Andrew Berg [born 14 Oct 1858]
and had issue.
-
Edward Cashel,
Edward Francis Cashel,
born on Unga Island, March 18, 1881
[pension application],
[Cashel family bible].
[Marti Murray]
says born 7 Mar 1881 Julian,
which is 19 Mar new style.
[US Census, 1900]
says born July 1882.
[1910 census] says born [illegible month] 1882, and age 27 in April 1910.
Month looks a bit like March but then should be age 28.
He looks like "Ed. F. L. Cashel"
in 1930 census.
Edward's baptism in Ireland in 1840.
Edward Cashel living with his uncle
William Kickham
at Georgetown, D.C., in 1860 census.
See full size.
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco.
Photo 2006.
From here.
See terms of use.
See also satellite view.
Eli Lundy Huggins, Cashel's commander at Kodiak 1868-70.
From here.
Unga Island
The incredibly remote location of
Unga Island, Alaska
(home of Edward Francis Cashel).
From
Bing Maps.
See also
Google Maps.
Unga Island is now uninhabited.
Map of Unga Island from
2006 plan.
Note locations of Apollo mining camp and Unga village.
See modern
satellite view
of the abandoned
Unga village in the SE.
The Cashel children and their Olgin relations.
Unga, Alaska, c.1887.
From
Alaska's Digital Archives, Alaska State Library.
Michael Z. Vinokouroff Photograph Collection,
reference ASL-P243-1-113. Used with permission.
See
larger
and
larger
and
full size.
The part Native American Cashels:
Extract from 1930 census entry for
Agnes Cashel.
It lists her race not as "W" (white) but as "In" (Indian, Native American)
and her children as "Mxd" (mixed race).
This is rather inaccurate. Her father was entirely Irish.
Her mother was part Russian, part Native American.
Agnes might only be 1/8 Native American.
See
full size.
As far as we know, the Irish family and the American family
were last in contact in 1870,
and then again not until 2002.
Blen Cashel
made an extraordinary (for anyone not rich) trip to America in 1870 to try to find his brother Edward.
It is almost certain that they never saw each other again.
In 2002, 132 years later,
the Internet brought the two sides of the family together again.
Edward Francis Cashel's
family back in Ireland
had so little news of him
that his brother Blen
went to America in 1870
to try to find him.
Blen got to New York, where the US War Department
told him
that his brother was in "Alaska Territory",
an impossible distance away.
He almost certainly never saw his brother again.
It is thought that after this last contact in
1870, Edward was never heard of again by the family in Ireland.
It was known that he married a "Russian girl"
and that was it.
Snapshot of
my website in 1999.
For many years, this was all the family in Ireland knew about Edward.
But then, in 2002,
his descendants discovered my website,
and the two sides of the family made contact again after 132 years.
References
Sources yet to be consulted
- Family trees:
-
"Edward Cashel"
in
Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s,
which includes early Alaska.
- Alaska:
-
U.S. Army. Adjutant General's Office. Post Returns, Fort Kodiak (Alaska); June 1868 - Sept. 1870,
Reel 585 of [NA.US] Microcopy 617.
Also
University of Alaska Anchorage,
Archives and Manuscripts Department,
Historical Manuscripts,
HMC-0253j.
- Eli Lundy Huggins:
- Kodiak and Afognak
Life, 1868-1870,
edited by Richard A. Pierce,
Alaska History No. 20,
Limestone Press, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 1981.
See here.
- "Men and Things in Alaska",
The Citizen, Minneapolis and St. Paul, November 26, 1874.
Various members of the family are buried in graveyards in
Douglas and
Juneau, Alaska.
A useful plan of the graveyards in Douglas, Alaska.
Posted at
findagrave.com
by
Jennifer Wirawan.
![[Cashel family bible]](Alaska/bible.other.jpg){kind=link}
![[Cashel family bible]](Alaska/bible.front.jpg){kind=link}
