Join the 2nd. Michigan Volunteer Infantry, "E" Company
Welcome to the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, "E" Company. Our unit was formed in 1992 by a group of people who all are amateur historians with a particular interest in the American Civil War (1861-1865). While we are Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada , we have many members residing in New York State.. The 2nd is a family oriented organization and we encourage our re-enactors to include their children so they can also gain a sense of history from our activities while sharing an experience with their parents. Just look at the the range of ages shown in our unit photograph on our home page.
We are very active creating a living history experience and the "Deuce" recreates the both the military and civilian aspects of this tragic time in America's history. We welcome you to join our group and we ask that you read the history of the unit. Then decide if our hobby is something you wish to enlist in during the late spring, summer, and early fall months. You will find support and comradeship so you and your family can enjoy what is a very fast growing hobby.
When people ask us why we are doing an American historical impression, we explain that between 30,000 and 50,000 British North American's (Canadians) served in the armies of the Union. Not only were there Canadians in the Union army possibly as many 10,000 Canadians, although the true number will never be known, who served in the armies of the Confederacy. Canadians should be proud to count and boast, that amongst our collective ancestors that we have 29 Congressional Medal of Honor winners. But it also our belief that our American cousins should also be proud of, and boast, of the 28 Victoria Cross winners they have in their nations history. Most, if not all, of those medals for bravery awarded while serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in World War I and in the Canadian Armed Forces in World War II.
When General U.S. Grant's Union Army captured Vicksburg, Mississippi, after a 47 day siege the news electrified the people of Windsor, Upper Canada. That night bonfires lit up the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River for miles on either side of the town. The reason being that many of the families in the area had fathers, brothers, uncles, and cousins serving in the army that captured it. Five thousand of the 50,000 Canadians serving in the Union Army would not live to see the final victory. One French-Canadian Union man after serving for three years would come home and ,in time, write our National Anthem.
Does history hold a fascination for you? Do you like camping out in spring, summer, and early fall? Do names like Lincoln, Lee, Jackson, Grant, Gettysburg, and Shiloh stir your imagination and interest in history? Do you want to participate in a family oriented living history lesson, teaching others about one of the great events in our history?
Contact us by "clicking "on the envelope
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