Note 3 — Chapter I · New York.—Mr. Grinnell.—Search for Sir John Franklin.—Southern States.—The Negroes and their prospects.—Naval Academy at Annapolis.—Military Academy at West Point.—Shakers.—Boston.—Professor Agassiz.—Prairies and Glacial Action.—Coral Reefs in Florida.—Mr. Ticknor.—Shell Mounds in Florida.—Schools.—Dr. Howe’s Institution for the Blind.—Laura Bridgman.
Reading edition
The question respecting the proportion of foreigners in the armies of the North came under consideration.
It had been supposed that a large number of the troops consisted of men of foreign nationalities, but an investigation that had been made into the subject has proved that the alien strength of the army had been the subject of much exaggeration.
Upon the examination of the numbers it will be seen, however, that the composition of the forces deserves attention. Their classification was as follows:—
British Americans (volunteers from British possessions in N. America) 53,500
English 45,000
Irish 144,000
German 176,800
Men of unknown nationality 74,900
Negroes (about) 140,000
National Americans 1,523,000
National Americans include all emigrants who in consequence of having been five years in the States are entitled to become citizens.