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Research in Other Countries => US Lookup Requests => United States of America => US Completed Requests => Topic started by: effrenata on Monday 15 April 24 22:18 BST (UK)

Title: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Monday 15 April 24 22:18 BST (UK)
I can't find the correct Hugh H  Hannay on the NPS Soldier Database.
Born in Belfast, Ireland 1835 and died in New York 1874 as Hugh H St Aldenheim (an alias).
In 1860 he's in Covington, Kentucky.

His Civil war service provided by his widow’s pension application(s) are attached.
Enlisted at Wartrace, Tennesee 14 Jul 1863
1st Brigade, 1st division, Res C or 4th army corps under General Whittaker (Walter Chiles Whittaker)
Shot in the leg at the Battle of Chickamauga 20 Sep 1863 and taken to Chattanooga Hospital
Wounded in cheek at Battle of Kennesaw 27 Jul 1864 (? 27 June was actual date)

I presume he was in the Army of the Cumberland but what is the regiment?
Is it worth paying US$80 for the complete pension record?
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: Ashtone on Monday 15 April 24 23:29 BST (UK)
United States Civil War Pension Files Index card for him, dated 1884. Service: Aide-de-Camp, US Vols.

Background: General Whitaker commanded the 1st Bde, 1st Div, Reserve Corps; and the 1st Div, IV Corps. Neither are a regiment, as such.

On March 26, 1862, Gordon Granger was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers and commanded the Cavalry Division, Army of the Mississippi. He conducted cavalry operations in central Tennessee before his command was merged into the Army of the Cumberland, becoming the Reserve Corps.

You probably know this already, but there's an 1867 marriage for Hugh in Brooklyn.
Hugh H. St. Aldenheim to Mary J Leonard. Groom's state/country is Scotland.
Marriage notice in the New York Herald (6 Sept 1867)

1875 death notice in the Weekly Examiner (Belfast) for him as H.H. Hanway St Aldenheim.

Perhaps there are no army enlistment records for him if he really was an aide-de-camp? Looks like he was a photographer when he died.
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Tuesday 16 April 24 02:17 BST (UK)
Thanks, Ashtone.
Yes I know about those records and fairly sure the Scotland birth is not the truth.
I think the James Hannay he's with in 1860 is his brother and probably born in Belfast.
In 1865 James was working for a newspaper and absconded with $3000 when sent to New York to buy a printing press (see attached pdf) I think Hugh was also involved as in 1868 he takes out a 6 year lease on a property in Brooklyn at $600 per year.
So an aide-de-camp wouldn't have enlistment records? The second application says his rank was Captain.
I'm a bit puzzled why his wife applied twice - 2nd husband had died? but May C Folsom's death in 1895 has her as married, not widow.

Cathy
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 16 April 24 09:21 BST (UK)
Just linking to the previous thread on this chap to avoid duplication of research:

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=881058

Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: Ashtone on Tuesday 16 April 24 13:39 BST (UK)
So an aide-de-camp wouldn't have enlistment records? The second application says his rank was Captain.

Officers were entitled to a confidential assistant, known as an aide-de-camp. The aide's duties included writing and delivering orders.  This was a position of responsibility since he knew troop positions and where officer quarters were located. Many times, aide-de-camps were family or trustworthy friends.

Aide-de-camps moved with the general assigned to wherever he went, even if he was transferred. So, it makes sense that Hugh followed Gen. Whitaker to the IV Corps (or "4th Corps", as described on the wife's pension requests).

I'm not seeing any obvious army records for Hugh, unless he served under an alias? Perhaps he pivoted into an aide-de-camp role due to his clerical background -- and who he knew. (I note his occupation on the 1860 census was "clerk").

Have you checked to see if Fold3 have any records for Hugh?
Apparently...the Compiled Service Records (Fold3.com) of volunteer Union soldiers are available online.
"In the future, these records will be made available at no charge through the National Archives website".
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Thursday 18 April 24 20:31 BST (UK)
Thank you for that explanation. I'm waiting for Anzac Day (25th April) for free access to Fold3.
Apparently Gen. Walter Chiles Whitaker was a heavy drinker - interesting because Hugh Hannay St Aldenheim's death certificate has D. potatorum as cause of death (delirium tremens). Perhaps they were drinking buddies?

Cathy
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Thursday 25 April 24 02:16 BST (UK)
Quote
Have you checked to see if Fold3 have any records for Hugh?
Apparently...the Compiled Service Records (Fold3.com) of volunteer Union soldiers are available online.
"In the future, these records will be made available at no charge through the National Archives website".

Attached is what I found on Fold3. The certificate number is blank - does that mean his widow was denied a pension?
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: Ashtone on Thursday 25 April 24 21:15 BST (UK)
The certificate number is blank - does that mean his widow was denied a pension?

Normally a Certificate number meant the pension request was approved. See this document for guidance: https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/genealogy-fair/2018/3-villaseran-handout.pdf
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Saturday 27 April 24 07:20 BST (UK)
I can't find any complied service records on Fold3 for Hugh H Hannay - just the pension file.
Looks like I might have to pay the $80 for the complete pension record.
Thanks for the help though.
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: Ashtone on Saturday 27 April 24 15:28 BST (UK)
Looks like I might have to pay the $80 for the complete pension record.

Who's charging $80 for the pension record?  :o 
And because I'm curious: Why is it so important to confirm if Hannay was an enlisted man, or not? Particularly as you're willing to spend a whopping $80 for a record.
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Monday 27 May 24 05:13 BST (UK)
I just want to confirm as much as I can about his civil war service. As there is no CMSR then the complete pension file may give more information.
https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEPostnRowId=1-29XS&SWEView=GPEA+Product+Catalog+Category+Detail+View+FFO&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov&SWEPostnApplet=GPEA+Product+Catalog+Category+Form+Applet+FFO (https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEPostnRowId=1-29XS&SWEView=GPEA+Product+Catalog+Category+Detail+View+FFO&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov&SWEPostnApplet=GPEA+Product+Catalog+Category+Form+Applet+FFO)
I've already got the pension documents packet (NATF 85B) but the complete file (NATF 85D) may give more information?
Title: Re: American Civil war query - Hugh H Hannay
Post by: effrenata on Friday 12 July 24 08:01 BST (UK)
The complete pension file contained six pages written by Hugh Hannay confirming his arrival in 1857 and the time he spent in Toronto & Cincinnati, so it was worth getting. He lists all the battles and commands he served under. Some excerpts: Upon 29 lines I had met the enemy – that is pitched battle and in over 150 skirmishes – and yet in all was only wounded twice – on Sunday 20th Sept at Chickamauga I was shot in the ankle. On 27th July at Kennesaw’s bloody pinch – a bullet slashed my cheek but not to hurt much. Once was my horse shot dead under me, twice was another wounded and twice I have lain beneath a horse’s weight. Once I was stunned by a solid shot that passed so close over me that I was crushed down as if by a thousand pound weight and over two years a roof was not over my head at night – except perhaps a tent and often not even that….
I resigned my position and went to Stevenson, Alabama – to rest and recruit my worn out body – but rest was not for me – of this in some other place…
I was presented with a very handsome address by the officers & men and by a small gold medal. I was a volunteer without pay and was made very liberal offers as to appointments in the Regular Army – but refused for the sake of one – at a distance – will that one ever be – or can I ever hope – yet all looks dark indeed…
Rather cryptic!
The 2nd pension application was rejected on the grounds that the claimant’s husband was not in the military or naval service of the US but was a civilian employee - hence the absence of a CMSR.