"Two hundred and twenty-six men with ties to my hometown of College Point, Queens, New York took part in the Civil War. The majority claimed Germany as their country of birth, and twenty-four died in the service of their adopted homeland. Fifty years after the first shells fell on Fort Sumter, the village honored the remaining veterans, two of them my direct line ancestors Frederick and Joseph Dockendorf, 2nd New York Heavy Artillery. Both were proudly wearing their G.A.R. Medals when their photos were taken, but they were not the ones "made up of white enamel and encased in solid gold" received at the celebratory dinner. Regrettably, photos were not taken and none have been passed down as far as I know."

Thanks - great history. In 2002 Jim published the book, This Gunner at His Piece - College Point New York & the Civil War with Biographies of the Men who Served. -Editor