Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Juan Ochoa and the C.S.S. Alabama // Juan Ochoa y el C.S.S. Alabama

Juan Ochoa was a Seaman on the C.S.S. (Confederate State Ship) Alabama. He was born in Bilbao, Spain , in 1847 and was captured by the C.S.S. Alabama, while on the on the T.B. Wales, on November 10, 1862. He signed on the C.S.S. Alabama as an Ordinary Seaman and was promoted by Admiral Raphael Semmes to Able Seaman. He served in the famous Battle between the C.S.S. Alabama and the U.S.S. Kearsarge, on June 19, 1864 and was captured. He later moved to New Zealand and died on May 16, 1889. He is buried in Waikumete Cemetery , Auckland , New Zealand , Public Burial “A,” Row 1, Plot 70. Juan Ochoa was of Basque descent and was the only known Hispanic to serve on the C.S.S. Alabama under the famous Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Juan Ochoa fue un marino en el buque de guerra C.S.S. (Barco de la Confederacion de Estado) Alabama. Nació en Bilbao, España en el 1847 y fue capturado por el C.S.S. Alabama mientras estaba en el T.B. Wales el 10 de noviembre 1862. El se registro con el C.S.S. Alabama como un marino y fue promovido por el Admiral Raphael Semmes a marinero con experiencia. El sirvió en la famosa batalla entre los buques de guerra C.S.S. Alabama y el U.S.S. Kearsarge el 19 de junio, 1864 donde fue capturado. Luego se mudo a Nueva Zelanda, donde murió el 16 de mayo, 1889. Fue enterrado en el cementerio Waikumete en Auckland , Nueva Zelanda. Su tumba esta en el entierro publico ”A,” Fila 1, Lote 70. Juan Ochoa era de descendencia Vasca y fue el único Hispano de la cual se tenga conocimiento de haber servido en el buque de guerra C.S.S. Alabama bajo el famoso Admiral Confederado Raphael Semmes.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Miguel Pol, a Hispanic Confederate Blockade Runner // Miguel Pol, Un Hispano Confederado

Miguel Leon Pol was the Captain of a very small coastal Blockade Runner, out of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in 1861. He was a ship carpenter and had a small ship building business, in Bayou La Batre, as well as a small salt works and later at Pascagoula, Mississippi where he settled during the war. He was born in Palma, Island of Mallorca, Spain on April 11th, 1833 and died on September 4th, 1879, in Lockhart, Mississippi. He married Manuela Valverde (born April 14th, 1841 died in 1931). She was the daughter of Jose Antonio Valverde (born 1812, on the Island of Ibiza, Spain, died 1860/1861 ?) and Mary Jane Davidson. She was the daughter of William Davidson and Elizabeth Peters who was the daughter of Nathanial Peters. Miguel and Manuela are both buried in Greenwood Cemetery, in Jackson County, Mississippi. There is a photo of Miguel Pol which still exists and of his wife and children. He became an American Citizen on January 18th, 1858.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Miguel Leon Pol eran el capitán de un pequeño velero usado para evadir el bloqueo de la Unión desde Bayou La Batre, Alabama en el 1861. Eran un carpintero para barcos y tenia un pequeño negocio de carpintería para barcos y una pequeña fabrica de sal en Bayou La Batre y luego en Pascagoula, Mississippi donde se estableció después de la guerra. El nació en Palma, Isla de Mallorca, España el 11 de abril del 1833 y murió el 4 de septiembre 1879 en Lockhart, Mississippi. Se caso con Manuela Valverde (nacida 14 de abril 1841 y murió en el 1931). Ella fue hija de Jose Antonio Valverde (nacido en el 1812, en la isla de Ibiza, España, murió entre 1860 y 1861) y Mary Jane Davidson. Ella era la hija de William Davidson y Elizabeth Peters, quien fue la hija de Nathanial Peters. Miguel y Manuela ambos fueron enterrados en el cementerio Greenwood en el condado de Jackson, Mississippi.
Hay una foto de Miguel Pol la cual todavía existe de el con su esposa e hijos. El se hizo ciudadano Americano el 18 de enero del 1858.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Jose Comas Laramendi, A Cuban Confederate Blockade Runner // Jose Comas Laramendi, un Cubano Confederado.

      The Laramendi brothers of Oriente Province, Cuba ran the Union blockade from Cuba into the ports of New Orleans, Mobile, and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as well as in Florida at different times during the war. They had a small sloop named the San Quintin. They were never captured and both are buried in Cuba. Their surname has also been found as Larramendi.
Jose Comas Laramendi was the Captain of the blockade runner San Quintin. He married Paulina Rosa Batista (born 1865, died November 3, 1943). She is buried in Cauto, Oriente Province, Cuba. She was the daughter of Guiseppi Battista, of Florence, Italy and Luz Barra or Barras, of Cuba, daughter of Maria “La Ciboney” Barra or Barras. Luz Barra was one of the few remaining descendants of the Native Cuban Taino, Ciboney Indians. Jose Comas Laramendi was the son of Jose Comas and Teresa Laramendi. He is said to be buried in Jabaco, Oriente Province, Cuba. The family of Guiseppi Battista adopted the Spanish spelling of Batista, with one T.
Manuel "Manolito" Laramendi was the brother of Jose Comas Batistsa and served as his 1st Lt. on the blockade runner San Quintin. He married Alta Gracia (no surname found). He is buried in Oriente Province, Cuba.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Los hermanos Laramendi de la Provincia de Oriente en Cuba dirigían la balandra usada para evadir del bloqueo de la Unión desde Cuba hasta los puertos de Nueva Orleans, Mobile y a lo largo de la costa de golfo en Mississippi al igual que en la Florida varias veces durante la guerra. La pequeña balandra se llamada San Quintín. Nunca fueron capturados y están enterados en Cuba. Su apellido también ha sido encontrado como Larramendi.
José Comas Laramendi era el Capitán de la balandra San Quintín que era usada para evadir el bloqueo. Se casó con Paulina Rosa Batista (nacida en el 1865 y falleció el 3 de noviembre del 1943). Ella esta enterada en Cauto, Provincia de Oriente, Cuba. Fue la hija de Guiseppi Battista de Florencia, Italia y Luz Barra o Barras de Cuba, hija de María “La Ciboney” Barra o Barras. Luz Barra era una de los pocos sobrevivientes de los Tainos nativos de Cuba, Los Indios Ciboney. José Comas Laramendi fue hijo de José Comas y Teresa Laramendi. Se dice que esta enterado en Jabaco, Provincia de Oriente, Cuba. La familia de Guiseppi Battista adopto el Batista, deletreándolo como los Españoles, con una T.
Manuel "Manolito" Laramendi era el hermano de José Comas Batista y sirvió como su Primer Teniente evadiendo el bloqueo de la Unión en la balandra San Quintín. Se caso con Alta Gracia (su apellido no fue localizado). El esta enterado en la Provincia de Oriente, Cuba.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Joseph Alexander Calcina, A Hispanic in the Confederate Navy from Mobile, Alabama // Joseph Alexander Calcina, Un Hispano en las Fuerzas Navales de la Confederacion, de Mobile, Alabama.

Joseph Alexander Calcina was a member of the Confederate Navy and served as a landsman on the C.S.S. Gaines. He was then transferred to Battery Buchanan at Mobile Bay, Alabama. He was born on July 17, 1845 and died on died March 7, 1916. He was the son of Jose Calcina (born 1814, Spain, died December 11, 1874) and Delphine Raffin (born 1832), her father is listed as French and her mother is listed as being born in Louisiana. They married on November 19, 1844.
Joseph Alexander, married Margaret E. Simonson (born 1858, Alabama, her father was born in Norway and her mother was born in North Carolina), on June 23, 1875. Joseph Alexander was a Barber at 39 South Royal Street and lived at 86 St. Emanuel Street, in 1861, in Mobile, Alabama. Joseph Alexander Calcina enlisted on July 12, 1863, in Mobile, Alabama and was paroled on April 15, 1865, in Mobile. His father Jose Calcina Sr. was a founding member of the Spanish Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society, in 1871.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Joseph Alexander Calcina era miembro de la Fuerzas Navales de la Confederacion y trabajaba en el buque C.S.S. Gaines. Luego se transfirió a Battery Buchanan en la Bahía de Mobile. Nació el 17 de Julio, 1845 y murió el 7 de marzo, 1916. Fue el hijo de José Calcina (nacido 1814 en España, falleció el 12 de diciembre, 1874) y Delphine Raffin (nacida 1832). El padre de ella esta registrado como Francés y su madre nacio en Luisiana. Ellos se casaron el 19 de Noviembre, 1844.
Joseph Alexander se caso con Margaret E. Simonson (nacida en 1858 en Alabama, su padre nació en Noruega y su madre en Carolina del Norte), el 23 de junio del 1875. Joseph Alexander trabajo como barbero en la dirección 39 South Royal Street y vivía en el 86 Emanuel St., Mobile, Alabama durante el 1861.
Joseph Alexander Calcina se enlisto el 12 de julio, 1863 en Mobile, Alabama y despachado en libertad el 15 de abril del 1865 en Mobile. Su padre José Calcina, fue un de los miembros fundadores de el Spanish Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society, 1871.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Joseph Manuel Del Barco, A Hispanic Confederate Soldier from Mobile, Alabama // Joseph Manuel Del Barco, Soldado Confederado Hispano de Mobile, Alabama.

Joseph Manuel Del Barco was a Private in Company C, of the Alabama State Artillery (born 1820, Florida , died December 17th, 1877). He was the son of Manuel Del Barco, of Bilbao, Spain (born 1778, died May 5th, 1862), both are buried at Magnolia Cemetery, in Mobile . Del Barco Street , in Mobile , Alabama, is named after this family.

Joseph Manuel married Rose Ann Dorman on June 23rd, 1852. She was born May 2nd, 1833, died May 12th, 1921. She is buried at Catholic Cemetery, and was the daughter of Benjamin Dorman of New Haven, Connecticut and Azeline Noel, who was born in Cuba. Joseph M. Del Barco was a Clerk for T. McConnell and Company and is listed as living on Spring Hill Road, in 1861, in Mobile, Alabama. Manuel Del Barco had settled in Spanish Pensacola, Florida prior to moving to Mobile . The remnants of the Del Barco home on the corner of Del Barco Street and Spring Hill Avenue built in 1852, is still standing, as of the writing of this article.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Joseph Manuel Del Barco era un soldado raso en la Compañía C de la artillería de el estado de Alabama. Nació en la Florida en el año 1820, falleció el 17 de diciembre del 1877. Fue el hijo de Manuel Del Barco, quien era de Bilbao, España. Nació en el año 1778 y murió el 5 de mayo en el 1862. Padre e hijo están enterrados en el Cementerio Magnolia en Mobile. La calle Del Barco en Mobile, Alabama lleva el nombre de esta familia.

Joseph Manuel se caso con Rose Ann Dorman el 23 de julio, 1852. Ella nació el 2 de mayo 1883 y murió el 12 de mayo del 1921. Ella esta enterada en el Cementerio Católico. Fue la hija de Benjamin Dorman de New Haven, Connecticut. Su madre Azeline Noel nació en Cuba. Joseph M. Del Barco fue oficinista para T. McConnell and Company. Su dirección queda registrada en la calle Spring Hill Road en Mobile, Alabama en el 1861. Manuel Del Barco se estableció en la área Española de Pensacola, Florida antes de mudarse para Mobile. Los restos de la casa de Del Barco construida en el 1852 todavía están en la esquina de DelBarco y la avenida Spring Hill al escribir este articulo.









Sunday, August 7, 2011

Edouard Gardere, a Hispanic / French Confederate and the Cruzat Family of Louisiana and Alabama // Edouard Gardere, un Hispano / Frances Confederado y la familia Cruzat de Luisiana y Alabama.

Edouard Gardere was a member of the Spring Hill Cadets 89th Alabama Militia. His rank is unknown. He was born in 1847 and died on October 14th, 1878. He was the son of Edouard Gardere (born 1813, died November 24th, 1891, son of Francois Gardere and Elisa Riviere) and Eulalie Cruzat (born 1817, died September 8th, 1906), of New Orleans.
The Cruzat family originated in Louisiana during the Colonial period when Francisco Xavier Cruzat (born 1739), a Captain in the Spanish Army arrived in New Orleans, (later promoted to Lt. Colonel). He became Lt. Governor of northern Spanish Louisiana (the Illinois Country). He married Nicanora Ramos y Tibaldo (died April 20th, 1786, buried St. Louis, Missouri) of Cartagena, Spain and had Antonio Gertrudes Cruzat (born 1775, died 1854), who married Louisa Victorine Martin De Lino Chalmette (born 1777, died 1868), who were the parents of Eulalie Cruzat.
The 1st cousin of Eulalie Cruzat is buried at Catholic Cemetery, in Mobile Alabama. His name was Jose Ygnacio Cruzat (born 1791, died November 17th, 1847). He was the son of Jose Cruzat y Ramos (son of Francisco and Nicanora) and Maria Palao (both buried in Havana, Cuba). He had served in the Fixed Regiment of Louisiana, during the Spanish Colonial Period. Joseph Ygnacio married Alix Suzanne Coulon de Villiers (daughter of Marc Coulon de Villiers) and served for many years as Spanish Consul in Mobile, Alabama. He is buried in the Guesnard Plot, at Catholic Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.
The family of Edouard Garedere lived at 145 Conti Street, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1861. The family was in the sawmill and brickyard business.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Edouard Gardere fue miembro de Spring Hill Cadets 89th Alabama Militia. Su rango es desconocido. Nació en 1847 y murió el 14 de Octubre del 1878. El era el hijo de Edouuard Gardere (nacido en 1813 y murió el 24 de Noviembre del 1891, hijo de Francois Gardere y Elisa Riviere) y Eulalie Cruzat ( nacida en 1817, y murió el 8 de Septiembre e 1906, en New Orleans.
La familia Cruzat llego a Louisiana durante el periodo Colonial cuando Francisco Xavier Cruzat (nacido en 1739), un Capitán en la Milicia Española que llego a Nuevo Orleans, (después ascendió a Coronel). Se convirtió en Gobernador de el área norte de Louisinana Española (Illinois Country). El se caso con Nicanora Ramos y Tibaldo (murió el 20 de Abril del 1786, enterrada en St. Louis Missouri) de Cartagena, España y Antonio Gertrudes Cruzat (nacido en 1775 y murió en 1854), quien se caso con Louisa Victorine Martin De Lino Chalmette (nacida en 1777, murió en 1868), y eran los padres de Eulalie Cruzat.
El primer primo de Eulalie Cruzat esta enterrado en el Cementerio Católico en Mobile Alabama. Su nombre fue José Ygnacio Cruzat (nacido en 1791, murió el 17 de Noviembre del 1847). El era el hijo de José Cruzat y Ramos (hijo de Francisco y Nicanora) y Maria Palao (los dos enterrados en Havana, Cuba.) El había servido en el Regimiento Fijo de Louisiana, durante el período colonial español. Joseph Ygnacio se caso con Alix Suzanne Coulon de Villiers (hija de Marc Coulon de Villiers) y sirvió por muchos años en el Cónsul Español en Mobile, Alabama. El esta enterrado en Guesnard Plot, en el Cementerio Católico en Mobile, Alabama.
La familia de Edouard Garedere vivió en la calle Conti numero 145, en New Orleans, Louisiana en 1861. La familia se dedicaba al negocio de aserradero y fábrica de ladrillos .

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Diego Alvarez, Spanish Colonial Settler to Mobile, Alabama.

The Alvarez family descends from an early Spanish colonial settler to Mobile, Ala. by the name of Diego Miguel Alvarez (born approx. 1745 San Eligio, Oveido, Asturias, Spain, died April 2, 1820). He was the son of Pascual Alvarez and Lucia Cachero. Diego arrived in Mobile, on his own ship named the “Maria Luisa”.
He married Barbara Fernandez (born 1780, Mexico, died October 15th, 1850, buried at Alvarez Cemetery, Saraland, Ala.), daughter of Pedro Fernandez and Maria Barea of Medina, Mexico. Barbara Alvarez and Catalina Plock, were found by Francisco Fontanilla after their parents were murdered by Indians, in the present day Weeks Bay area of Baldwin County, and raised them with his wife.
Diego owned land in what is now downtown Mobile’s Bienville Square and received a land grant to what are now sections of Prichard, Saraland and Chickasaw, where he grazed cattle and ran a ferry over Chickasaw Bogue Creek. He was described as a “good looking man, who always wore a plume in his hat and always carried a Sword and two Pistols.”
Diego Alvarez was murdered at his home and there is a well known legend about his persistent and friendly ghost, in downtown Mobile. There are still many descendants of this family found in Mobile and the surrounding area and places named after the Alvarez family in Mobile County, including Alvarez Drive, in Saraland.

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Spanish Language In Alabama from the Colonial Period (1780-1813) to 1861.

The Spanish language has existed in Alabama, since the colonial period as individuals have immigrated and settled here, but the little Spanish community was never numerous nor concentrated. Once these individuals married an American, the language usually became extinct within the first generation. If it was indeed passed down, it became a “dead” language as only passive bilinguals had limited knowledge of it. I have also searched for any survivals of Basque, Galician and specifically Catalan, in the local area, with no success.
The Spanish language in Alabama from the Spanish Colonial Period (1780-1813) and the pre-1861 period, died out in the late 1940’s. This language was still spoken by grandchildren of the Spanish colonists as late as the Second World War. My research into “Alabama Spanish” shows that  the last fluent pre-1861 Spanish speaker died during this period.
I found and interviewed two grandchildren
of Colonial Spanish speakers. Both are in their
mid-eighties who are vestigial “rememberers” who, although they themselves cannot speak Spanish, they were able to follow a simple conversation in Spanish and answer questions posed to them. Both of them remembered parts of a popular children’s song which was sung to them by their grandfathers and one was able to remember parts of a popular “Decima” song he heard growing up. They pronounced the little Spanish words they put together in what can best be described as the atypical Caribbean Spanish whose beginnings were in the Canary Islands and southern Spain with a admixture of the northern Spanish dialects. There are about ten or so “rememberers” whose Spanish ancestors arrived between 1860 and 1900. I have been unable to find any other “Alabama Spanish” survivals. There has never been a study of this vestigial “Alabama Spanish,” and I fear that the last living memories of the men and women who left Spain and her colonies for a new life in Alabama will die with them.
The Spanish Ladino dialect still exists among
Sephardic Jews, who live and worship in Alabama, but I have been able to identify only one individual in Mobile who speaks it fluently. There is a small Sephardic community, in Montgomery, but they arrived after 1910. The Ladino dialect spoken by the original immigrants which is based on the dialect of the Island of Rhodes exists, but is presently in irreversible language death.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Confederate "Creoles of Color" of Mobile, Alabama 1861-1865.

There are a group of people that came into existence in Mobile, AL as a result of interracial marriage and or sexual relations, forced or consensual, which became known as the "Creoles of Color." The Catholic Church Registrars during the Spanish period have many such relationships and the children were generally given their freedom, by their fathers. These "Creoles of Color" were a bridge between the white and black (both slave and free) populations in Mobile, Alabama.
This community formed in 1819 the Creole Fire Company, which had as its founding members 5 Hispanic “Creoles of Color.” They were Rene Rafael, Vincent Chavana, Manuel Barcello, Augustin Joseph (Jose) and Francis Yrigoyen (born October 31, 1800, son of Miguel Yrigoyen and Constance Hugon). This company saw service in the War Between the States. The company was accepted as part of the Mobile Fire Battalion, for local Home Guard defense, at the onset of the Civil War.
The "Creoles of Color" were mobilized for the war on December 17, 1862 by the Mayor of Mobile Robert H. Slough, who issued a proclamation entitled "An Act authorizing the enrollment of the Creoles of Mobile." This Act authorized the enrollment of all male "Creoles of Color" between the ages of 18 and 50 to defend Mobile and the county. They were "requested and ordered" to appear before the Chief of Police within 10 days for registration and enrollment.
The Creole Fire Company, was accepted into Alabama State service on November 20th, 1862, by an Act of the Legislature, and was renamed the Native Guards on April 8, 1865. This unit served as a Home Guard force and helped do military guard duty as well as helping police the county, and of course, fighting fires. It was officially disbanded on April 12, 1865, but a few of its members left the city with the other Confederate forces and finally surrendered, with General Richard Taylor, at Citronelle, Alabama, on May 4, 1865.
The "Creoles of Color" who had existed since the earliest days of the French period, absorbed the Spanish members of the community to such an extent that almost all Spanish surnames have since "daughtered out." This community was among the last to preserve the French language in Alabama, and its last fluent speaker died in the mid 1960s.
There are still some French passive bilinguals, but no study of this language survival or what influence the language had from Spanish, English or African languages has ever been done. The "Creoles of Color" have always been an intriguing and misunderstood people and it is sad that no true study has ever been performed, on the richness they have bought to Alabama history. The main communities are found on Mon Louis Island, and the north eastern parts of Mobile County and the Weeks Bay area, of Baldwin County. There are many smaller communities, which exist in both counties and the "Creoles of Color" have inter-married into both the White, Black and Native American populations, in southern Alabama.
Their influence will remain a part of Alabama historically, linguistically and socially, for generations to come.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

Monday, May 23, 2011

John Kennedy Toole, Quote.

"Employers sense in me a denial of their values. They fear me. I suspect that they can see that I am forced to function in a century I loathe." - John Kennedy Toole (A Confederacy of Dunces).

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Spanish Guards, Mobile, Alabama Confederate Militia, 1863 to 1865.

The Spanish Guards Confederate unit of Mobile, Alabama was composed mostly of foreign citizens from Spain and her colonies, with a scattering of members, from other nationalities. It was organized, on November 6, 1863 and was composed mostly of merchants and “cradle and grave” members. It served solely as a local home guard unit.

There were other similar home guard units formed by French, British, Slavic and German nationals (The Mobile French Guards, The British Legation Guard, The Pulaski Rifles and The German Fusiliers #2). The Italian population joined the 21st Alabama Infantry, Company G, with their Spanish neighbors, due to the language similarity and a few can also be found in the Spanish Guard unit.

The City of Mobile had a foreign born population of approx. 7061 people,
out of a total City population of approx. 29,258, in 1860, which was composed mainly of newer French, Spanish, Slavic, German, and English immigrants (including Scots, Irish and Welsh). The State Capital and 1st Capital of the Confederacy located at Montgomery, Alabama even had its own unit composed of foreign born resident’s aptly named, “The Montgomery Foreign Guard,” who among its ranks had a lone Hispanic, although a few others did serve, in other Montgomery local defense units.

The Spanish Guards served as part of the Mobile County Reserves and saw service as Provost Guard and Scouts, in Mobile, and to a minimal extent, in Baldwin County. It was officially disbanded on April 12, 1865 although a few men evacuated with the other Confederate forces and surrendered with General Richard Taylor, at Citronelle, Alabama, on May 4, 1865.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

1st Alabama Artillery Battalion, Field and Staff Officer's.

Lt. Colonels - Robert Charles Forsyth and James Thomas Gee

Major - Joseph M. Cary

Surgeon - James T. Reese

Assistant Surgeon - Thomas Mattingly

Monday, April 4, 2011

New Episode of "Rosales' History of The South" (Show #7) / La Historia Del Sur Por Rosales (14 Minutes Long)

We did a new episode of "Rosales' History of The South", we will be talking about Jacob Osorio De Castro, a Spanish Sephardic Jew and a Confederate Soldier, as well a Corporal Frank Buckles, the last World War One Veteran, who recently passed away. You can listen to the show by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2011/04/05/rosales-history-of-the-south-episode-6-la-historia-del-sur-por-rosales-show-6
 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Jacob Osorio De Castro, Sephardic Jew and Confederate Soldier // Jacobo Osorio De Castro, Judio Sefardico y Soldado Confederado

Jacob Osorio De Castro was a Private in Company A, 1st Regiment Mobile Volunteers, Alabama (born Curacao, Dutch West Indies, approx. 1829, died 1894). He was a Sephardic Jew and an ardent supporter of the Confederacy. He arrived in the U.S in 1859 and settled with his wife in New Orleans. His only son, which he named David Jefferson De Castro was born in New Orleans in November 1861.

Jacob joined Company I, Orleans Guard Regiment, Louisiana Militia, where he served as a Private, until the fall of the city. He blamed the death of his infant son in 1862 and his daughter Clara De Castro in 1863, on the Union occupation. He refused to sign the Union Oath of Allegiance and evacuated to Mobile, Alabama.

He was the son of David de Jacob y Gomez De Castro (born Curacao, Dutch West Indies 1799, died June 24, 1841) and Gracia de Moises Aboab Osorio y Fereira (died January 19, 1869). Jacob Osorio De Castro later settled in Savannah, Georgia, where he is buried. Jacob was married Hannah Hoheb De Sola (born April 11, 1831, in St. Croix, Danish Virgin Islands, died April 15, 1897), daughter of Isaac Haim De Sola and Zipporah Hoheb.

Jacobs’ brother Isaac Osorio De Castro (born 1838, Curacao, died August 15, 1905, New Orleans, LA) served as a Private in Company A, 7th Battalion, Louisiana Infantry and is buried in New Orleans.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Jacob Osorio De Castro era un soldado en la Compañía A, 1er Regimiento de Voluntarios de Mobile, Alabama (nacido en Curazao, Antillas Holandesas, aprox. 1829, murió 1894). Él era un Judio sefardí y un ardiente partidario de la Confederación. Llegó a los EE.UU. en 1859 y se instaló con su esposa en Nueva Orleans. Su único hijo, que llamó David Jefferson De Castro nació en Nueva Orleans en noviembre de 1861.

Jacob se unió a la Compañía I, Regimiento de la Guardia Milicia de Orleans, Louisiana, donde se desempeñó como soldado, hasta la caída de la ciudad. Culpó de la muerte de su hijo recién nacido en el año 1862 y de su hija Clara De Castro en 1863, a la ocupación de la Unión. Se negó a firmar el juramento a la bandera de la Unión y se trasladó a Mobile, Alabama.

Él era el hijo de David de Jacob y Gómez de Castro (nacido Curazao, Antillas Holandesas 1799, murió 24 de junio 1841) y Gracia de Moises Aboab Osorio y Fereira (murió 19 de enero 1869). Jacob Osorio De Castro más tarde se estableció en Savannah, Georgia, donde está enterrado. Jacob se casó con Hannah Hoheb De Sola (nacida el 11 de abril 1831, en St. Croix, Islas Vírgenes Danesas, murió 15 de abril 1897), hija de Isaac Haim De Sola y Zipporah Hoheb.

El hermano de Jacob, Isaac Osorio de Castro (nacido en 1838, Curazao, murió 15 de agosto 1905, Nueva Orleans, LA), sirvió como soldado en la Compañía A del Batallón 7 de Infantería de Louisiana y está enterrado en Nueva Orleans.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Texas declares Independence from Mexico, in 1836.

Today is Texas Independence Day, Texas declared its Independence from Mexico, on March 2, 1836.  The Republic of Texas existed as Independent Nation bordering the United States and Mexico, from 1836 to 1846.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles, Last American World War One Veteran, Passes Away At Age 110.

Frank Woodruff Buckles (born February 1, 1901, died February 27, 2011) was the last surviving United States World War I Veteran. He was born in Bethany, Missouri, in 1901 and enlisted in the United States Army, in August 1917, at the age of 16. He was sent to Europe aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia (which was the ship which rescued the survivors of the Titanic, in 1912) and spent the War as a Motorcycle and Ambulance Driver. He served in the Army until January 1920. He was once again caught in war when Japan invaded the U.S. Territory of The Philippines, where he worked for a shipping company, in Manila. He was detained by the Japanese and held as a prisoner at Los Banos Prison Camp, from 1942 to 1945.  He returned to the United States and married Audrey Mayo, in 1946. He lived at Gap View Farm, in Charles Town, West Virginia, and was the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation. Frank Buckles reached the rank of Corporal during World War One and for his service was awarded the World War I Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal and he was also awarded by French President Jacques Chirac, the French Legion of Honor. His death signifies the true end of an era. May He Rest In Peace / Que En Paz Descanse.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Captain William M. Walker, Confederate States Army, Buried in Mobile, Alabama, 1863.

Captain William M. Walker, of the Confederate States Army, was buried in Church Street Cemetery, in downtown Mobile, Alabama, on September 10th, 1863. (He was born in Huntsville, Alabama on July 21st, 1821).

Monday, January 17, 2011

Martin Luther King Jr., Quote.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools". Martin Luther King Jr.

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If you love Southern History remember to listen to "Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show, you will LOVE IT ! You can click on this link to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Sons of Confederate Veterans // Los Hijos De Veteranos Confederados.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a non-racial, non-sectarian, historical, patriotic and genealogical organization composed of descendants of members of the Confederate Army including state and county militia, Navy, and Marine Corps. There were over 7,000 Hispanics of every shape and color, including Spaniards, Cubans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Filipinos from the then Spanish Colony of the Philippines and Sephardic Jews who served in the Confederate military (of which over 400 were Officers), and in many cases went back home after the war. If you are a new Hispanic immigrant, a Cuban exile or Mexican-American, or if you are descended from a Spanish / Hispanic family, especially here along the Gulf Coast or the Southwest border States, there is a really good possibility that you are related to someone who served in the Confederate military.

The Sons were organized in Richmond, Virginia in 1896 and are the direct successor of "The United Confederate Veterans" organization composed of actual Confederate soldiers and sailors. Membership in the Sons is open to all male descendants of any Confederate Veteran who served honorably in any branch of the armed forces between 1861-1865. Membership can be obtained either through a lineal direct ancestor or through a collateral line such as an uncle or cousin, but the connection must be proven genealogically. The minimum age for membership is 12 years old.

The organization is composed of the national headquarters at Columbia, Tenn. and then is divided into "divisions" by state. It is then further broken up in "brigades" which correspond to sub sections of each division and finally to the local "camp". There are approximately 900 camps nationwide and the organization puts out a quarterly magazine named "Confederate Veteran" which is full of information on the organization and its activities, plus articles on different aspects of the War Between the States. The organization also offers college scholarships, has its own credit card, and in many state license plates in the South.

The organization welcomes members of any ethnic group. For more information on how to join, you can email me at HistoryofTheSouth@yahoo.com.

 
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Los Hijos de Veteranos Confederados es una organización no racista y no sectaria. La organización es histórica, patriótica y genealógica compuesta por descendientes de los miembros del ejército confederado, militantes del estado y condados, la Armada y la Infantería de Marina. Más de 7,000 hispanos de todos los tamaños y colores-Españoles, Cubanos, Filipinos, Puerto Riquenos, Mexicanos y Judíos Sefardí-que sirvieron en el ejército confederado (mas de 400 fueron Oficiales), muchos lograron volver a sus hogares después de la guerra. Si eres un nuevo inmigrante hispano, exiliado Cubano, Mexicano-Americano, descendiente Español o familia Hispana, especialmente aquí en la costa del Golfo o los estados del suroeste fronterizos, hay muy buena posibilidad de que este relacionado a alguien que sirvió en el ejército confederado.

Los Hijos (The Sons) se organizaron en Richmond, Virginia en 1896 y son los sucesores directo de los "Veteranos Confederados Unidos", organización integrada por militares y marineros actuales de la Confederación. Membrecía a Los Hijos está abierta a todos los descendientes varones de cualquier veterano confederado que haya servido honorablemente en cualquier rama de las fuerzas armadas entre 1861-1865. La membrecía puede ser obtenida a través de un pariente directo o de una línea colateral, como un tío o un primo, pero la conexión debe ser comprobada genealógicamente. La edad mínima de ingreso es de12 años.

La organización se compone de la oficina nacional en Columbia, Tennessee y se divide en "divisiones" en cada estado. A continuación se organizan en "brigadas" que corresponden a las sub-secciones de cada división y finalmente en campamentos. Existen aproximadamente 900 campamentos en todo el país. La organización publica una revista trimestral llamada "Confederación de Veteranos", que está llena de información sobre la organización, sus actividades y artículos sobre diferentes aspectos de la guerra entre los Estados. La organización también ofrece becas para la universidad, tiene su propia tarjeta de crédito, y en varios estados del sur placas para el automóvil.

La organización da la bienvenida a los miembros de cualquier grupo étnico. Para obtener más información sobre cómo unirse pueden enviarme un correo electrónico a HistoryofTheSouth@yahoo.com.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Battle of New Orleans, Chalmette Battle Field, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, January 8th, 1815 // La Batalla De Nueva Orleans, Luisiana 8 de Enero, 1815.

The Battle of New Orleans occurred at Chalmette Battle Field, in Louisiana, on January 8th, 1815. It was the last major Battle of the War of 1812 and pitted United States Army troops under General Andrew Jackson, supplemented by white Creole Volunteers (French and Spanish), Free African Americans, Free "Creoles of Color", Native Americans (Choctaw and others) and Pirates led by Jean Laffite against a professional British Army led by  Commander Alexander Cochrane and Major-General Edward M. Pakenham. The forces met at Chalmette Battle Field, in Saint Bernard Parish just outside of New Orleans. The American forces were able to stop and defeat the British troops. The British suffered  2,042 casualties in total (291 killed, including General Pakenham, 1,267 wounded and 484 captured or missing. The Americans had a total of 71 casualties (13 dead, 39 wounded and 19 missing).

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If you love Southern History, you will love Rosales' History of The South" Radio Show, you can listen by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south

Spanish Colonial Mission, San Miguel De Linares De Los Adaes, Louisiana // La Mision Espanola, San Miguel De Linares De Los Adaes, en Luisiana.

The only Spanish Religious Mission set up in what is now the State of Louisiana was established on what ws then considered "East Texas", in 1716-1717 and named San Miguel De Linares De Los Adaes. It was closed in 1719 but reopened a few years later and remained open until 1773, when it was abandoned.

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If you love Southern History remember to listen to "Rosales" History of The South" Radio Show, you can click on this link to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south