Lanark Era
Lanark, Ontario, Canada
Wed., May25, 1904    

In Ramsay, Sunday, May 15th, Andrew Graham. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, of Scots descent, in 1852, and afterwards his father moved to Scotland. He came to Canada in 1870 and then to Connecticut, USA, after which he moved to Lanark. He next lived in Almonte for 12 years before moving on to a farm in Ramsay. Twenty-five years ago he married Miss Mary M. Syme, of Ramsay. A family of four children survive: James S.; Peter T. and Miss Mabel A., at home; and Miss Jessie J. Graham, who married Mr. Milton Stanley of Carleton Place. His wife predeceased him seven years ago.

     "At the battle of Fredricksburg where our fellows under Burnside were slaughtered by the Johnnies," said Private Conlin of the Eighty-eighth New York, "The Irish brigade was ordered to charge up Marye's heights, a perfectly absurd and most murderous undertaking. The enemy were behind stone walls, and, notwithstanding the fact that the men with sprigs of green on their hats fell nearest the stone wall, we Irish were driven back like troops that preceded us. Our only glory was that we came nearest to the wall and left many brave fellows with green sprigs in their caps to testify how desperately we fought for Old Glory on that fatal day.
     "General Meagher, who commanded the brigade, led us in person and inspired both officers and men by his gallantry. Our company was commanded by a brave but eccentric captain. He was well read on Irish history and the military record of the Irish in Europe. After our repulse, and while reforming for another dash, the captain reminded us of the glorious feats of arms performed by the Irish brigade in the services of France, and that we must not disgrace the record. 'Victory or death, boys, this time,' said he, waving his sword, 'and remember Fontenoy!'
     "In this company was a long, gawky New Yorker named Bill Wall, who had never read of Ireland. He knew probably that such a country existed. Bill was tough of speech and had a most provoking New York drawl. As the captain concluded his spirited and inspiring address and we were about to take up the trot step, Bill drawled out, 'Say, cap, who the t-h-e h- was t-h-a-t, a-h, V-o-n T-i-n H-o-y?'
     "Fortunately for us, the order to retire instead of to charge was just then passed along, as not a man in the company could have kept up the charging step, so convulsed were we all with laughter both at the captain's disgust and Bill's unsophisticatedness. It cured the cap, too," concluded Private Conklin, "of his highfalutin speeches to the boys on the firing line."