Bio-hazard

No, nothing toxic in sight, it just seemed like a good attention gathering headline. Brian Downey noted yesterday that he's received a lot of help lately from genealogists fleshing out some of his Antietam personalities. Maybe there's something in the water, or the weather patterns of late, because I have been the fortunate recipient of a good deal of aid from family historians as well.

Patty Millich has been unrelenting in her search for information on her ancestor, Francis McAtamney, and the officer who enlisted him into the 6th US Cavalry, Lt. Albert Coats. Coats has appeared here over the last week, and Frank will once we track down a few more clues.

John Herberich has amassed an amazing amount of research on his ancestor of the same name who served with the 4th US Cavalry during the war, and has been kind enough to share his work. It has been very helpful as I try to follow the two regiments in the western theater during the war.

Ranger John Hoptak had a post recently that caught my eye because it mentioned one of the original officers appointed to the 6th US Cavalry, Hugh McQuade. Through the comments from that post, I've come into contact with two of McQuade's descendants, John Hayes and Hugh T. McQuade, who have been very generous in sharing what they've learned about their ancestor. Hugh too will be featured later this month.

Interacting with people about their ancestors is one of the most rewarding things about this blog, and definitely one of the things that I enjoy the most. Thank you all again for your help!