The Story of Joseph Pierce as Told by Irving Moy

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Joseph Pierce

Irving Moy, Civil War Reenactor

(Next post: Thomas Sylvanus Art Exhibition)

Men Surnamed Pang

In some circumstances Pang is considered a Chinese surname but there were Caucasians with that surname. During the Civil War, it’s not clear how many people surnamed Pang were Chinese.

Here is information about Charley Pang a confederate solider.

Confederate Private
1st Regiment, Louisiana Infantry, Company G
Prisoner of War
Post-war status unknown

Records of Louisiana Confederate Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands
Volume III
Andrew B. Booth
New Orleans, Louisiana, 1920
page 64: Pang, Charley, Pvt. Co. G. 1st La. Inf. En. —. Federal Rolls of Prisoners of War, Captured near Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 20. 1863. Forwd to Military Prison, Louisville, Ky., from Nashville. Tenn., Sept. 30, 1863. Transfd. to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill., Oct. 2, 1863.

Pang’s entry was transcribed at Association to commemorate the Chinese serving in the American Civil War.

Pang is in the National Park Service database.

Pang has an entry in The Roster of Confederate Soldiers, 1861–1865: Oadneal, Alfred N. to Rand, William H. (1996).

The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), September 5, 1883, had this court notice: “Second Recorder’s Court. Emma Brown, Pauline Harris, Mary Williams, Mathilda Pace and Charley Pang were fined $5 each for fighting.”

So far, no document or article identifying Charley Pang as Chinese has been found.

He was not the only Pang in the Louisiana infantry. There was Leon Pang. Here are two records at Ancestry.com.

Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Record
Name: Leon Pang
Enlistment Date: September 11, 1861
Enlistment Place: Camp Moore
Rank: Private
Military Unit: Thirteenth Infantry, Mu - R

U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861–1865
Name: Leon Pang
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Louisiana
Regiment: 13th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry
Company: F
Rank In: Private
Rank Out: Private

He had an entry in Records of Louisiana Confederate Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands, page 64: “Pang, Leon, Pvt. Co. F. 13th La. Inf. En. Camp Moore, La., Sept. 11, 1861. Roll June 30 to Oct. 31, 1863. Deserted, missing after passing Camp Dick Robertson. Rolls Nov., 1863, to Dec., 1864. Present. Roll to Feb. 28, 1965, Absent, captured near Nashville, Dec. 16, 1864.”

It’s not clear if Charley and Leon were related. They have not been found in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census.

Here are the records of four more Pangs.

Civil War Draft Registrations Record
Name: Pater Pang
Birth Year: abt 1819
Place of Birth: Virginia
Age on July 1, 1863: 44
Race: Black
Marital status: Unmarried (Single)
Residence: Knight, California
Congressional District: Northern
Class: 1

Name: John T Pang
Birth Year: abt 1826
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
Age on July 1, 1863: 37
Race: White
Residence: Gilmore, Greene, Pennsylvania
Congressional District: 24th
Class: 2

Name: Ira Pang
Birth Year: abt 1832
Place of Birth: New York
Age on July 1, 1863: 31
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Residence: Sterling, Macomb, Michigan
Congressional District: 5th
Class: 1

New York, Civil War Muster Roll Abstract
Name: Alexander Pang
Age: 24
Birth Year: abt 1838
Birth Place: Rensselaer, New York
Enlistment Year: 1862
Enlistment Location: Penn Yan
Muster Year: 1862
Separation Details: Discharged
Separation Date: February 1863

There is no evidence of anyone surnamed Pang who was Chinese and served during the Civil War.

(Next post: The Gettysburg College Journal of the Civil War Era)

Chinese Union Soldier, 1863 POW

The Daily Dispatch
(Richmond, Virginia)
June 17, 1863

From Fredericksburg.
There was nothing from Fredericksburg by last evening’s train except twelve Yankee prisoners captured at Falmouth. They were a motley set, including Irish, Dutch, and a Chinaman. A gentleman who walked over the course on the Stafford aide says there is not a Yankee about the old camping ground. A few worthiest tents are left standing, some bayonets dropped about in the old camps, cartridge boxes, “played out” uniforms, which would be valuable to a paper mill, tin cups, canteens with holes in them, a broken cannon wheel, &c., show that the large family which has been occupying the premises have carefully cleaned up everything valuable before leaving.

The Chinese Union soldier POW was John Tomney.

Tomney is in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.

(Next post: Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War)

Chon Ah Pon

Chon Ah Pon aka Charles Ponn / Poun aka Charley Marry

born late 1820s, China; died July 1, 1888, New York, New York

reportedly served three years with a New York volunteer infantry regiment
not found in the United States Federal Census records from 1840 to 1860

The Brooklyn City Directory 1868
Ponn Charles, candy, h 78 Water

1870 United States Federal Census

January Enumeration

New York Ward 14, District 6, New York, New York

“Charles Ponn”, age 42, born in China; candy dealer; wife, Mary; “169 Mulbery” was written next to his name; nine lines down was “John Affo”, 50, a Chinese-born candy dealer

June Enumeration

New York Ward 14, District 7, New York, New York

“Charles Pawn”, age 44, born in China; candy dealer; wife, Mary

New York Herald
September 14, 1870
“A Murderer at Large.”
The Notorious Chinaman, Quimbo Appo, Arraigned in the Tombs for a Villainous Assault.

Charles Poun appeared in the Tombs Police Court yesterday, before Justice Dowling, with a very bad black eye, cause by a blow of a hammer in the hands of the notorious Quimbo Appo, who about eleven years ago was tried and convicted of the murder of a woman and sentenced to be hung, but whose sentence was afterwards commuted to imprisonment for life. Appo has now had his liberty for about eighteen months, most of which time he has spent on the Island, Justice Dowling ridding the community of this dangerous character every time he was brought before him. Poun and Appo are both Chinamen, but the former is quite a respectable and industrious man, with whom Appo has been recently boarding. Appo has not only been living free of expense at Poun’s house, but he has compelled that individual to supply him with considerable quantities of candy, by the manufacture and sale of which Poun ekes out a living, and it was on account of Poun’s refusal to continue this generous treatment of the convict that the latter brought brute force to bear in an attempt to compel him. Poun, in making his complaint yesterday, replied to the questions Mr. Finlay, Justice Dowling’s clerk, that he was a Christian Chinaman, who was able to read and write in his own language and in English, having by perseverance taught himself without the aid of an instructor. Justice Dowling committed Appo for trial.

New-York Daily Tribune
September 15, 1870
(first column, third paragraph from bottom)
Quimbo Appo, who was tried and sentenced to death in 1859 for the murder of Mrs. Fletcher, but whose sentence was commuted to confinement in State Prison for ten years, was arraigned at the Court of Special Sessions yesterday, charged with having assaulted a fellow Chinaman named Charles Poun. The prisoner struck Poun with a hammer, inflicting a severe wound. Judge Dowling, in sentencing Appo, reviewed his past record, and remarked that he regarded him as one of the most dangerous characters in the city, and sentenced him to pay a fine of $50 and to serve six months in the Penitentiary.

1880 United States Federal Census

New York, New York, Supervisor’s District Number 1, Enumeration District 42: 100 Park Street
“Chales Penn”, age 54, born in China; idle; widower

The Evening Telegram
(New York, New York)
July 3, 1888
“Chon Ah Pon at Rest.”
He Was a Veteran of the War and the Matrimonial Field.
Two Wives Precede Him, While a Third Is Left Behind to Spend His Dollars.

Chon Ah Pon, whose name, rendered into English, is Charley Marry, a Chinaman by birth and education, an American by adoption, a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, and who had been the husband of three Irish wives, died on Sunday, and was buried to-day from his home, No. 383 Water street. [Charley Hee-Sing operated a boarding house for Chinese sailors at this address.]

Who says that the Chinese are not progressive?

He Starts in Business.

Chon Ah Pon came to America from his home in the Flowery Kingdom when he was six years old and before the war. He started a small confectionery store on Main street, Brooklyn.

Like all of his countrymen, Chon had a winning way which captured the smiles of the candy loving maids and the dollars at the same time, and so Chon prospered in the land of his adoption and grew rich.

But Chon was lonely in his little confectionery store and longed for some one to help him and keep him company.

His First Matrimonial Venture.

Of the many who came to purchase of the Chinaman’s sweets none pleased him more than a fair and buxom young Irish maid, and, after the usual consideration which all Chinamen give to any subject Chon proposed, was accepted and married.

It may have been on account of the many confections in his little store, or may be it was his dollars; but at all events Chon and his wife had a happy time and the coin continued to accumulate rapidly.

Wife No. 2.

Chon was perfectly happy until one day his young wife died suddenly, and Chon for a time was disconsolate, but soon became enamored of another of his customers, also an Irish girl and asked her to marry him.

She agreed provided he would join the Catholic Church and change his name to Charley Marry. This he agreed to do, and the marriage took place.

He Joined the Army.

Soon after the happy event the Civil War broke out, and Charley, like any good American Christian, shouldered his gun, joined a New York regiment and started for the front. He did good service through the war, and at its close returned to Brooklyn and again opened his business.

A Widower Once More.

But alas, for poor Mr. Marry! One day his second wife went the way of all flesh and he was again disconsolate. But, as on the first occasion, it only lasted a short time, for Charley gave up his business where be had made a fortune and came to New York to live.

The Third Mrs. Marry.

He was a member of all the Chinese societies in town and a good fellow generally. His charms succeeded in winning for him a third wife, also a daughter of the Emerald Isle, and his cup of happiness was again full.

But it did not last long. The husband of three wives, the Americanized Chinee, had to go.

Death Overtakes Him.

A short time since he made a trip to San Francisco, and when he returned he was in ill health, Mrs. Marry did all she could for him, but last Sunday, at the age of sixty-one, Charley Marry, or Chon Ah Pon, went to join his fathers, leaving a Mrs. Marry behind to mourn his loss and console herself with the thought that she was the possessor of a big pile of dollars, and there were no children to claim a cent from her.

The New York Times
July 4, 1888
“A Chinese Veteran’s Death.”
According to the Times Chon died poor and was buried at Evergreens Cemetery.

New York Herald

July 4, 1888
“Prominent Chinaman Dead.”
Chon Ah Pon, one of the oldest Celestials in New York, died on Sunday night and was buried yesterday according to the rites of the Roman Catholic church. The dead Chinaman was 61 years old and had lived in this country 25 years. He fought in several battles during the war of the rebellion. He was married three times, each time to an Irish girl, and leaves the last a considerable fortune. He was a member of all the secret Chinese societies in the city.

The Springfield Republican

(Massachusetts)
July 4, 1888
“His Third Wife Buried Him.”
The Funeral of an Americanized Chinaman Who Served in the War.

There was a notable gathering of Chinamen yesterday at No. 383 Water street to attend the funeral of Chon Ah Pon, who served in the War of the Rebellion. Chon came to the City of Churches when a boy of six.

When a young man he saved money enough to open a confectionery store in Main street, Brooklyn. Among his customers was an irish maiden, to whom he proposed marriage was accepted. They lived happily together for a couple of years, when she died. Knowing the bliss of matrimony he revolved to tempt fortune again. He boldly popped the question to another Irish girl and she said, “Yes, provided you become a Catholic and take a Christian name.”

He became converted, married the fair girl and called himself Charley Marry, The war, meanwhile, had broken out, and Marry shouldered his musket and fought during the “unpleasantness” like a good American Christian. At its conclusion he reopened his candy store in Brooklyn and perfect happiness seemed to be his. One day his second wife died and he was again broken hearted.

He left Brooklyn, and in  this city married another daughter of the Emerald Isle. She survives him, and owns a considerable fortune, which he bequeathed her. On account of his being a member of all Chinese societies and generally respected his funeral was largely attended.

The Daily Graphic

(New York, New York)
July 5, 1888
“Death of an Old Chinaman.”
He Fought for His Adopted Country and Left a Big Fortune to His Third Wife.

Chon Ah Pon, one of the oldest Celestials in this city, died on Sunday night at his residence, 383 Water street, and was buried from there to-day according to the rites of the Catholic Church, of which he was a member. He was sixty-one years old.

He came to this country from China when he was thirty-six years old, and started in the confectionery business on Main street, Brooklyn. He made money and married an Irish girl. They lived happily until she died. He did not long remain a widower, but took another Irish girl for his bride. She induced him to join a Catholic church in Brooklyn. He was baptized and adopted the name of Charles Maney [sic]. His second wife died about eleven years ago.

When the war broke out Chon went to the front, and fought bravely until the close of the war for his adopted country. After the war he started in business in Brooklyn again, and made a fortune, upon which he retired about seven years ago. He made a trip to San Francisco, after which he returned to this city, where be lived until he died. About six months ago he married for the third time. A comely daughter of the Emerald Isle was his bride, as usual. He leaves her quite a large fortune. He was a member of all the secret Chinese societies in New York. He had no children by any of his wives.

The Troy Daily Times

(New York)
July 9, 1888
Chon Ah Pon, a Chinaman who served in the war of the rebellion, and had married three wives in due succession, all Irish girls, died and was given a stylish funeral in Brooklyn the other day. He kept a candy store, and his American name was Charles Marry.

The Daily Picayune

(New Orleans, Louisiana)
July 11, 1888
In Water street the funeral of an Americanized Chinaman, named originally Chou Ah Pou [sic], has just been held with all the observances bestowed by the race on those held in highest esteem. Chou was brought from the Flowery Land to Brooklyn when he was 6 years old and by the time he had reached his majority was proprietor of a confectionery store. Among his customers was a pretty Irish girl who in Chou’s eyes needed no candy to make her sweet. She became Mrs. Ah Pou in due time, but only survived her wedding day two years. Chou mourned her sincerely, but sighed also in his loneliness for another companion. he proposed to another Irish girl. Become a Catholic and take a Christian name and O will marry you forthwith, said she. Chou was converted and took the quaint name of Charley Marry with his second wife, who took care of his store while he went to the war in which he fought from beginning to end. Some years after the war Mrs. Marry died and Charley was so disconsolate that he left Brooklyn and came to New York. Here he married another daughter of Erin, who survives him and inherits quite a little fortune thriftily saved by him. He belonged to all the Chinese societies.

The Evening Repository
(Canton, Ohio)
July 18, 1888
Chon Ah Pon, a Chinaman who served in the war of the rebellion, and had married three wives in due succession, all Irish girls, died and was given a stylish funeral in Brooklyn the other day. He kept a candy store, and his American name was Charles Marry.

Chon Ah Pon is in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.

(Next post: Chinese Union Soldier, 1863 POW)

John Akomb

1870 United States Federal Census
New York, New York
Ward 6, Election District 5
Boarding House
John Acom, 32, Cigar Maker, born in China
Kate Acom, 35, Keeping House, born in England

1880 United States Federal Census
New York, New York
62 Cherry Street
John Anderson, 50, Cigar Maker, born in China
Kate Anderson, 50, Seamstress, born in England

Three of following newspaper articles said John Akomb was also known as John Anderson. In the censuses, there was a John Acom in 1870 and John Anderson in 1880; both born in China. The articles said he had an English wife named Kitty and lived at 62 Cherry Street. Both censuses list an English woman named Kate whose nickname could have been Kitty. The 1880 census had the 62 Cherry Street address. Two of the articles said he was 46 so his birth would have been around 1832. The ages in the censuses would have put his birth in 1830 and 1838. Acom and Anderson, in the censuses, appear to be the same person and the subject of the articles. Evidence of his service in the Union navy has not been found.

The New York Times
August 11, 1878
“Pining for Their Poison”

The Sun
(New York, New York)
August 11, 1878
“Ten Cents Worth of Opium.”
Reviving Chinamen who were Arrested for Selling Unstamped Cigars.

Four Chinamen sat in the United States Marshal’s room yesterday, the pictures of wretchedness and despair. Their names were John Akomb, alias John Anderson, Ah Foo, Ah Soon and Ah Sin. They were arrested by Special Agent E. S. Stinson for selling unstamped cigars, and spent the night in a station house. All of them were thin-bodied and sunken-cheeked, with black, unkempt hair, and dull black eyes, nearly closed. Three of the four were suffering for the want of their accustomed opium, of which their imprisonment had deprived them. As they crouched in a corner of the office their dejection, attracted the pity of many who happened in and not a few expressed wonder that the Government could find no greater frauds to occupy the attention of its officers than these poor wretches who had been guilty of selling a handful of their miserable penny cigars without the requisite revenue stamps.

John Akomb was the spokesman of the party, for the others spoke little English. He said that he was 46 years of age, and had been away from China thirty years. He had been in England, Germany and France, and at one time served on the United States gunboat Massachusetts, Capt. Hudson, and was also on the Red River expedition in the capacity of cook. He said that he had a wife named Kitty, an English woman, at 62 Cherry street, and had three children that died.

He referred so piteously to his sufferings and that of his companions for their habitual opium that a sympathetic bystander volunteered to get him some of his favorite drug. Akomb with a piteous wail.

“We got no monee.”

“How much will it cost?”

“Ten centee.”

“Ten cents for three?”

“No; ten cent for one.”

“Where do you get it?”

“At 14 Baxter street—of Ah Que.”

“How shall we get it from him?”

“Show him this.”

Then Akomb produced from the folds of his worn vest a begrimed thimble, the metal of which could not be distinguished from the black coating that enveloped it.

“Show him that—he knows that,” and the confiding Akomb surrendered his “pony” to the custody of his sympathizing questioner.

Prevailing upon Marshal Strahan to detain the prisoners until his return, the opium missionary wended his way to Baxter street. The front building is a huge tenement house, and in the rear is a court surrounded by a pile of thickly inhabited tenements in which varied nationalities were represented. The premises of the opium vender were found without difficulty. They consisted of three rooms, or rather one room made into three. The larger room is about ten feet square and contains a little dilapidated furniture, dirty and forbidding. A table covered with matting stood against the wall, with a shelf attached to tho wall. This is the couch of the opium smokers, and in the centre of the table is a tray of utensils for opium smoking. A sleek cat lay drowsily curled up as if under the influence of the drug. The other two rooms are about the size of a small stateroom each, and in each were two bunks covered with matting, and with side-wall shelves to servo as pillows. These bunks will accommodate from two to four persons each. The only ventilation is through a small window about 18 inches square.

The occupants of the room yesterday were a cadaverous old Mongolian who looked as if a puff of air would blow him away, and two emaciated opium smokers—one in each room. Then there was a stout and almost comely Irish woman of about 25, not ill dressed, who evidently was on good terms with them all.

One of the smokers proved to be Ah Que, the opium proprietor. He was reclining on one of the bunks smoking one of his curious opium pipes. Taking a pot of the murky paste he dipped a long rod in it and rolled up a ball of the opium on the end of the rod. This he plunged in a burning taper and then rubbed it in the bowl of the pipe, a singular reed structure. Then he took a few vigorous whiffs, reclining on his side and enjoying the exhilaration of the drug as its fumes spread through the room and went out of the little window.

The other Chinaman in the bunk was evidently in a dull stupor from the effects of the opium, and looked dreamily and languidly at the new comers. Even the woman was apparently stupefied and dazed as though she, too, had partaken of the narcotic, and answered the questions put to her as though she was in a walking sleep. At first all were suspicious, and declared that they knew nothing of the men who had been arrested. They shook their heads and chattered their pigeon English, and nothing else could be got out of them. But the production of John Akomb’s thimble opened their mouths. Ah Que recognized it immediately, and it did not take him long to comprehend that it was to be filled. His price agreed with that of Akomb also, ten cents for the thimbleful.

He procured the drug from a chest in the corner, and covered the thimble neatly with a piece of foil. Then he got a curious little box and filled that with the paste for the other two Chinamen, took his thirty cents, and relapsed into a stolid enjoyment of his cigar.

Ah Que is evidently the capitalist of the Chinese colony in the opium trade, and his dingy apartments the favorite resort of the opium smokers. The old Chinaman of the flimsy anatomy remained suspicious all the time, but he finally nodded assent when the woman said:

“You know Johnny Akomb’s, Kitty?”

“Yes; she live Cherry street.”

“You tell her Johnny Akomb is in prison.”

“Yes; me send word.”

Then the opium missionaries found their way to the Marshal’s office again, and their appearance was the signal for a beam of joy to lighten the faces of the poor wretches who in their absence had been dozing in their chairs. Even the one who does not use opium looked happy as he saw the smiling faces of his fellow prisoners when they seized their precious prize. Johnny Akomb clutched his thimble eagerly, tore off the tinfoil covering, and licked with avidity the piece of foil before he threw it away. Then he tore off the whole cover and ravenously thrust the top of his tongue into the opium, rolling the sweet morsel in his mouth with an air almost ravenous. Ah Soon was only too eager to help him, and brought him a glass of water. Ah Sin likewise partook of his share unceremoniously, dipping a little stick into it and smacking his lips. They paid no attention to the little knot of curious spectators who watched them, but seemed only eager to have their gnawing hunger for the drug appeased.

When the Marshal called them soon after to go to Ludlow street jail, to which Commissioner Shields had committed them, they shuffled off submissively yet with an air of contentment, in strong contrast with their previous appearance.

New York Herald
August 13, 1878
Untaxed Cigars.
...John Acomb, one of four Chinese who were arrested a few days since, because unfamiliar with the law which requires all cigars sold to be sold from a box bearing an internal revenue stamp, was yesterday discharged by United States Commissioner Shields on his own recognizance. John gave a promise that he would never, in his ignorance, again offend, and that his first effort would be to purchase the Statutes at Large, and, although sixty years of age and blind, make himself familiar with their provisions. The cases of Acomb’s associates Ah Foo, Ah Soon and Ah Sin were reserved for a future hearing.

The World
(New York, New York)
August 13, 1878
“Four Melancholy Celestials.”
Arrested for Peddling Untaxed Cigars and Suffering for Opium.

Ah Sin, Ah Foe, Ah Soon and John Akomb, Chinamen, were arrested by Special Revenue Officer Stinsen on Friday on a charge of selling cigars upon which revenue tax had not bean paid. Saturday, after having spent a night in a police station, they were taken before Commissioner Shields and committed to Ludlow Street Jail, each in default of $250 bail, to await examination. Akomb, who says his Christian name is John Anderson, Sin and Foo were suffering for the want of opium. Ah Soon does not indulge in that narcotic. Akomb, otherwise John Anderson, has resided in this country and Europe for thirty years, serving as a cook and steward. He was steward on the United States gun-boat Massachusetts during the civil war. He was twice wounded, being severely injured. For some years he has been married to an Englishwoman, with whom he lives in Cherry street. He is afflicted with blindness, and can merely distinguish between daylight and darkness. He was very much affected when he appeared before the Commissioner, and said that he was well known to a large number of good citizens who would assist him if they were notified of the trouble that had overtaken him.

“I would like to get some opium,” he said, in pigeon English, “I feel so bad. Ah Soon can’t take it, but all the rest of us do.”

His face wore an expression of pain and he turned upon all present a look of supplication. Tears stood in his eyes and he leaned wearily upon the back of a chair. Commissioner Shields was sympathetic in his manner towards the miserable Mongolian.

“I will send for some opium,” said Akomb, and then a sickly smile passed over the faces of his companions. “I will send for it if some one will go,” he added.

“I’ll go,” said a gentleman who had been watching the proceedings.

“Thank you,” returned Akomb. “I’m much obliged to you. Yon take this thimble and go up to Baxter street. Go to 14 Baxter street, inquire for Ah Que and he’ll let you have the opium. Just show him this thimble and he won’t refuse you.”

The volunteer messenger took the thimble and started for Ah Que’s place of business. This he found with some difficulty. Ah Que was discovered in a small, dingy apartment, which was filled with offensive odors and into which the sunshine could scarcely creep. The opium dealer was reposing upon a Chinese bunk, his covering being grass matting. He was smoking a pipe of fantastic design, and as the stranger entered the room he partly raised himself from the couch and, withdrawing the pipe from his lips, ejaculated, “What you want?” The stranger told his story and exhibited the thimble. Ah Que leaned his chocolate-colored, hollow-eyed face towards the stranger and seemed to be suspicious.

“I am willing to pay for the opium,” said the visitor.

At that moment a door opened and a large, coarse-featured, white woman entered the room. “How do, do,” she said with a bow, and than then whispered to Ah Que.

“I knew Akomb,” said Ah Que. “Let me have the thimble.”

He rose from the bunk and unlocking a small, iron-bound chest, with a wooden spoon took some bleak, gummy fluid from a jar and put it in the thimble.

“That is for Akomb,” he said, “and this,” filling a little box with the opium, “is for the other two.”

He then wrapped the thimble and box in tin foil, and while he was doing so the stranger entered into a conversation with the woman.

“What does Ah Que do for a living?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she replied, rather tartly.

“Don’t he sell opium for a living?” he asked.

“Yes he does; there’s use denying it. That’s the way we make our living.”

The writer paid 30 cents for the opium and left the place. The joy of the three suffering prisoners was great at the return of their messenger, who received their repeated thanks for the interest he had manifested in their comfort.

John Kuo Wei Tchen, in his book New York Before Chinatown, wrote about 62 Cherry Street, which was mentioned in the Times and Sun articles.

At Ancestry.com, there is a 1879 New York City directory with a listing for Ah Come. Akomb may have been another spelling of Ah Come.

Further Reading

Chinese in the Civil War

Ruthanne Lum McCunn

Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War
National Park Service, 2015

(Next post: Christopher Wren Bunker)

Joseph Pierce

born May 10, 1842, China
arrived in America early 1850s
enlisted in Union Army, July 26, 1862
Company F, 14th Connecticut Infantry
wounded in battle at Antietam; fought at Gettysburg
promoted to corporal November 1, 1863
mustered out May 31, 1865

The 1860 U.S. Federal Census has China-born “Joseph Pearce”, age 19, as a member of Langdon J. Peck’s household in Berlin, Connecticut. Pierce was naturalized March 27, 1866.

Volunteer Enlistment

State of Connecticut, Town of New Britain

July 24, 1862

It’s not clear if “Jos Pierce”, found in the 1870 census, is the same person. At age 28, he was in Ephraim Peck’s household in Meriden, Connecticut. “Jos Pierce’s” birthplace was recorded as “Connecticut.”

According to the 1880 census, Pierce lived on Cook Avenue in Meriden, Connecticut, with his wife, Martha, and year-old daughter, Lulu. His birthplace was China and occupation engraver. The 1890 census is not available.

In the 1900 census, Joseph Pierce’s home was in Meriden at 17 Meridian Street. He continued work as an engraver. His birth date was recorded as “Jan 1849” and his birthplace as “Japan.” His two sons were Franklin, 17, and Howard, 15.

Pierce’s address was the same in the 1910 census. He was an engraver in a silver factory. Martha and Howard were with him. “Japan” was listed as his birthplace. Pierce passed away January 3, 1916, in Meriden.

Irving Moy did extensive research on Joseph Pierce and it can be read at the Association to commemorate the Chinese serving in the American Civil War.

Moy’s research on Joseph Pierce 1
Moy’s research on Joseph Pierce 2
Moy’s research on Joseph Pierce 3
Moy’s research on Joseph Pierce 4
Moy’s research on Joseph Pierce 5
Reader’s comment 7 (emails from a great granddaughter)

BOOKS

An American Journey
Irving Moy
lulu.com, 2010

Chinese America: History and Perspectives, 1995
Chinese Historical Society of America
Ruthanne Lum McCann profile of Pierce

Connecticut Yankees at Gettysburg
Charles P. Hamblen
Kent State University Press, 1993
Pvt. Joseph L. Pierce

Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander
Kent Masterson Brown
University Press of Kentucky, 2014
Joseph L. Pierce

History of the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

Charles Davis Page

The Horton Printing Co., 1906

photograph of Joseph L. Pierce

Pickett’s Charge: A Microhistory of the Final Attack at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863
George Rippey Stewart
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1991
Private Joseph L. Pierce

Senate

34th Congress, 1st Session, Ex. Doc. No. 99
Report of the Secretary of State, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate of April 24, calling for information relative to the coolie trade.
August 5, 1856
Captain Amos Peck mentioned

PERIODICALS

Meriden Daily Journal

(Connecticut)

September 19, 1887

Jos. Pierce, Veteran Soldier.

The War Record of a Well Known and Respected Meriden Resident.

The veterans of the Fourteenth C. V. Had a grand time at their reunion at New Britain Saturday and were handsomely entertained by the hospitable people of that city. The following officers were elected for the coming year: John A gibbets, New London, president; John C. Brostch, Middletown, first vice-president; S. H. Seward, Putnam, second vice-president; G. N. Bingham, Rockville, treasurer; Rev. H. S. Stevens, Washington, D. C., chaplain.

The New Britain Herald has the following to say of a respected Meriden veteran, Joseph Pierce, the well-known engraver:

“One of the most interesting features of the reunion was the presence of a Chinaman, named Joseph Pierce. Comrade Pierce was brought from China by Colonel Peck of Berlin, and enlisted in Company F, which was for the most part recruited from this city. Owing to race prejudice he was refused the privilege of serving his adopted country, but through the influence of his patron, Colonel Peck, he was enlisted. When, however, he was enrolled it was decided to employ him as assistant cook. This Mr. Pierce resented, and said that if he could not serve the country as a soldier he would not remain in the army at all. The colonel of the regiment in admiration of his manly pluck, acceded to his request and allowed him to remain in the ranks, where he proved himself a soldier of commendable bravery and pluck. He resides in Meriden at present.”

There were a number of interesting happenings at Saturday’s reunion. A souvenir of flowers and wild grasses, very artistically arranged on a large folio by Mrs. Pickett, wife of the general of the confederate army, was received. The lady picked the flowers at the reunion of the blue and gray at Gettysburg and forwarded them with a letter, which closed with the quotation “Blessed are the peacemakers.” The regiment responded with appropriate resolutions, ending with Grant’s dictum, “Let us have peace.” Another gift was a large decorated cake, sent by the Forty0ninth Virginia regiment. Major Gibbets of New London presented it to the daughter of the regiment, Miss Wadhams of Waterbury. A war horse which General Perkins rode twenty-five years ago at the battle of Antietam was present, and the veterans voted to buy it and turn it over to Lieutenant Colonel Moore of New Britain for safe keeping.

The National Tribune

(Washington, DC)
October 23, 1890

Chaplain H.S. Stevens, of the 14th Conn., says that recently there has appeared in several papers and in our own journal, under the heading, “Our Only Chinese Soldier,” a statement that Mr. E.D. Cahota [sic], once of the 23d Mass, was “the only representative of the Mongolian race among the millions of men thus facing each other in a struggle for life and death.” This statement is erroneous, for there was at least one other Chinaman among the boys who wore the blue and saved the Nation. The 14th Conn., whose record as to number and severity of battles engaged in, number of men lost by war casualties and hard campaigning experience, surpasses that of any other regiment representing our good State in the field during the war, had in its ranks a simon-pure Chinaman, brought to this country but a few years before, Joseph Pierce by name. His record, as officially given shows that he enlisted, a private, with Co. F, from Berlin, Conn., July 26, 1982; was promoted to Corporal Nov. 3, 1863, and was mustered out May 31, 1865, thus serving with the regiment its full term. Our “Joe,” as we all call him, was an apt, capable, faithful and brave soldier, and “did us proud.” He is living now, an intelligent and industrious business man and good citizen, and I had the pleasure of greeting him at the recent (Sept. 17 last) Reunion of our dear old regiment at Middleton, Conn. “Joe” is a great favorite with us, as was evident from the hearty, vociferous round of applause with which he was greeted by the boys as he entered the hall at our recent meeting, his bright eyes snapping and sparkling in his honest face as they were wont to years ago. Now, if other Chinamen served as loyally and as well among our Union patriots during the war, why may we not hear from them?

The National Tribune

October 30, 1890

Personal.
J.E. Standard, Co. G, 14th Conn., Welaka, Fla., having seen the mention of genuine Chinamen in the army, says he knew Joe Pierce as a true soldier. There was another Chinaman in the 27th Conn, named Antonio Dardell, who was brought from China by a Capt. White when quite young. Dardell served his time with credit, and now lives in New Haven.

The Boston Herald
(Massachusetts)
April 26, 1894

Is a Civil War Pensioner.
Yet Joseph Pierce Must Register as a Chinaman Under the Geary Law.
Meriden, Ct., April 29, 1894. An American citizen and a veteran of the civil war has been ordered to register under the Geary Chinese law. The instructions came from Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue Fox. The Chinaman is Joseph Pierce, who was born in Canton, China, and who has been in this country since he was 10 years old. He served through the war, and is now on the pension roll. He is loth to register as a Chinaman, yet, having no money with which to contest the matter, fears that he will be deported after May 1.

New York Daily Tribune
April 29, 1894

The Talk of the Day.
Joseph Pierce, an American citizen of Meriden, Conn., has been in this country since he was ten years old, served through the Civil War and is now on the pension rolls, but as he was born in Canton, China, he has been ordered by the Internal Revenue Collector of Meriden to register as a Chinaman, under the Geary act. Joseph naturally objects, as he fears his registration may lead to deportation after May 1.—(Philadelphia Ledger.

Buffalo Courier
(New York)
April 30, 1894

Joseph Pierce, an American citizen of Meriden, Conn., has been in this country since he was 10 years old, served through the Civil War, and is now on the pension rolls, but as he, was born in Canton (China) he has been ordered by the Internal Revenue Collector of Meriden to register as a Chinaman, under the Geary act. Joseph naturally objects, as he fears his registration may lead to deportation after May 1.

The St. Johns Herald
(Apache County, Arizona Territory)
June 28, 1894

Joseph Pierce, an American citizen of Meriden, Conn., has been in this country since he was 10 years old, served through the civil war and is now on the pension rolls; but as he was born in Canton, China, he has been ordered by the Internal Revenue collector of Meriden to register as a Chinaman, under the Geary act. Joseph objects.—Mining Industry.

Morning Journal and Courier
(New Haven, Connecticut)
September 18, 1895

Fourteenth C. V. Reunion.
An Interesting and Enthusiastic Meeting of Veterans Yesterday.
Waterbury, Sept. 17.—The annual reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers was held here to-day. This regiment saw some of the hardest fighting of the rebellion, a regiment which was plunged into the thickest of the fight at Antietam, thirty-three years ago to-day, three weeks after they left their homes in Connecticut, and a regiment which lost about as heavily in its service as any which went out from the Nutmeg state.

There were one hundred of the veterans present and many of them were accompanied by their wives, sons and daughters. President Knowlton presided at the business meeting and Chaplain Stevens of Washington, D. C., offered prayer.

… It was voted, on recommendation of the same committee, that the next reunion be held in Hartford on this same day next year.

After the business meeting, which ended shortly after 1 p. m., the veterans formed in line and, headed by the American band of Waterbury, had a very short parade, after which the men were photographed by Fred A. Stone, a son of a veteran of the regiment.

The line was resumed to the armory, where a banquet was served by the Waterbury veterans. Three long tables ran the length of the armory, and most of the seats were filled.

A few speeches were made. Mayor Kilduff, in a hearty way, welcomed the Fourteenth regiment to Waterbury, and, after complimenting the heroes of the Army of the Potomac, he extended to them the freedom of the city.

President J. W. Knowlton responded in behalf of the regiment. He read telegrams of congratulations from the Sixteenth, in reunion at Unionville, and from the Eighth at Hartford.

Chaplain Stevens and others spoke.

The membership of the society of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers includes men now living in …

Meriden— … Joseph Pierce …

Morning Journal and Courier
(New Haven, Connecticut)
September 17, 1896

Fourteenth Regiment.
Annual Reunion of Veterans in Hartford To-day.
The annual reunion of the Fourteenth regiment, C. V., will be held in Hartford to-day, which is the anniversary day of the regiment’s first battle at Antietam. The Meriden men who were in that regiment are: Joseph Pierce, John E. Durand, G. H. Doane, Lewis G. LaTour, William R. Grumley, F. L. Goss, A. F. Hall and E. B. Tyler and others. The regiment fought every battle beginning at Antietam to the close of the war, seventeen battles and eighteen skirmishes. The total loss of the regiment was 788.

Morning Journal and Courier
(New Haven, Connecticut)
September 18, 1896

Fight Their Battles O’er
Four Regiments Held Annual Reunions Yesterday.
… The ladies present included … Mrs. Joseph Pierce of Meriden. Mrs. Pierce is the wife of Joseph Pierce, the only Chinaman who went through the war. He was with the Fourteenth through the whole of the war, enlisting from New Britain. The maiden name of Mrs. Pierce was Martha Morgan of Portland in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have two sons. One child, a daughter, died at the age of sixteen.

The Evening Star
(Washington, DC)
July 28, 1899

Other Chinamen Pensioners.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
In your issue of the 25th instant was a communication giving the statement that “the first pension ever granted a Chinaman was issued today to Ah Yu of Shanghai, China.” Allow me this: Joseph Pierce, a Chinaman pure, I do not remember his Chinese appellative, a corporal of Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, served in the latter organization from July 26, 1862, to the general muster out, May 31, 1865. The regiment had an exceptional experience as to number and severity of battles engaged in, hardships of campaigns and casualties, and “our Joe,” as we all called him, was rarely off duty—a brave, capable and faithful soldier. He was granted a pension in 1891, and he well merited it. He resides in Meriden, Conn., a respected and worthy citizen. I knew him well in the service, and have known him well ever since.

A few years ago an article went the rounds of the papers, giving out that a certain man [Edward Day Cohota], name not remembered by me now, was the only Chinaman who served in the Union army during the war. I called down that article by giving a bit of the history of “our Joe.” It would not surprise me if we should yet be informed that still other Chinamen served, under other names than their Chinese patronymics, in our great war. If not, then let due honor be given “our Joe.”

H.S. Stevens
Formerly Chaplain, 14th C.V inf.
July 27, 1899

The New York Times
July 29, 1899

Chinamen Who Get Pensions
Ah Yu, Who Serve on the Olympia, Not the First on the Lists.
Washington, July 28.—The granting of a pension to Ah Yu of Shanghai, China, the other day led to a report that this sailor was the first Chinaman whose services had ever been rewarded in this way by the United States Government. Ah Yu served on the Olympia in 1897, and contracted a disease while in the service which entitled him to a pension.

The Rev. H.S. Stevens, who during the civil war was Chaplain of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers, denies that Ah Yu is the first Chinaman to receive a pension. He says that a pureblood Chinaman served under the name of Joseph Pierce as a Corporal in Company F, Fourteenth Connecticut, during the civil war. Mr. Stevens does not recall Pierce's Chinese name. Pierce joined the regiment on July 26, 1862, and served to the general muster-out on May 31, 1865.

“The regiment,” said Mr. Stevens, “had an exceptional experience as to the number and severity of battles engaged in, hardships of campaigns, and casualties, and ‘Our Joe,’ as we all called him, was rarely off duty–a brave, capable, and faithful soldier.”

Pierce, who now lives in Meriden, Conn., received a pension in 1891. Mr. Stevens says he thinks it probable that other Chinamen may have served under American names in the civil war.

St. Albans Daily Messenger
(Vermont)
January 20, 1900

How race prejudice will show itself, despite every honest endeavor a man may make to be broadly tolerant, generous, and fair with all his neighbors. Here’s a man who writes a New York paper about a Chinaman who served in the Union army during the civil war, says his Americanized name is Joseph Pierce, that he is an engraver in Meriden, Conn., seems to be rather proud of such an instance of good citizenship in one who represents a despised race, and then kicks it all over by concluding:

I would say further that Mr. Pierce, although a Chinaman, is one of the whitest men I ever met.

Although a Chinaman! There you have it. The words ran jauntily along, billing and cooing, and making quite a pretty ado over a yellow brother—when a pert little conjunction all unconsciously turned up its nose and sniffed and spoiled it all. Although! What a world of pig tails, nasty opium pipes, yellow finger nails, dead girl babies, puppies, joss sticks, rice, red paper, and lanterns is tucked away in that one word!

Richmond Times Dispatch
(Virginia)
October 12, 1906

Personal and General.
Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

The Wilkes-Barre Times
(Pennsylvania)
October 18, 1906

Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

The News and Courier

(Charleston, South Carolina)

October 21, 1906

Among those that attended the reunion of the 14th Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the army of the Potomac.

The Patriot

(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

October 23, 1906

Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

The Kalamazoo Gazette

(Michigan)

October 24, 1906

Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the army of the Potomac.

The Washington Times
(DC)
October 26, 1906

Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

Broad Ax
(Chicago, Illinois)
October 27, 1906

Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

The Syracuse Herald Magazine
(New York)
October 28, 1906

A Chinese Veteran.
Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

Weedsport Cayuga Chief
(New York)
November 3, 1906

The Hall of Fame.
Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut recently was Joseph Pierce of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

Auburn Citizen
(New York)
November 5, 1906

Among those who attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut recently was Joseph Pierce of Meriden, Conn., the only Chinaman that enlisted in the army of the Potomac.

Elkhart Daily Review
(Indiana)
November 13, 1906

The Hall of Fame.
Among those that attended the reunion of the Fourteenth Connecticut was Joseph Pierce, of Meriden, Conn. He had the distinction of being the only Chinaman that ever enlisted in the Army of the Potomac.

Military Images
July/August 2000
Cover: Joseph Pierce

page 1: Front Cover: Corporal Joseph Pierce, 14th Connecticut Infantry, Chinese-American veteran of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and beyond. For more on Pierce, see page 18. Carte de visit courtesy MI Senior Editor Michael J. McAfee.

pages 18–19: A Nation of Nations
by Michael J. McAfee

South China Morning Press

June 30, 2013

The Gettyburg redress

RELATED POST
Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee
The Story of Joseph Pierce

WEB SITES

14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

Reflections on the Civil War and Joseph Pierce
Joseph Pierce, the Story Continues

both by Irving Moy

Antietam on the Web

Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Army

Connecticut Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission

Chinese-American participation in the Civil War—Joseph Pierce

Corporal Joseph Pierce
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Marker Dedication Ceremony
Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, Connecticut
August 5, 2006

Find a Grave

Joseph Pierce

PennsylvAsia

Researching Chinese soldiers in American Civil War.

U.S. Department of Defense

Chinese Soldiers Fought in U.S. Civil War

Pierce is profiled in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.

Irving Moy will be at the 2015 Tucson Festival of Books to promote Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.

Irving Moy’s June 2018 presentation.

(Updated June 13, 2022; next post: John Akomb)

John / William Hang

 

Hang was known as John Ah Heng, John Ah Hang, John A. Hang, John A. Hong, William Ah Hang and William A. Hang.

He was born in China and died December 3, 1923 in Staten Island, New York. He served in the Union Navy. Ruthanne Lum McCunn has additional information about Hang at the Association to commemorate the Chinese serving in the American Civil War; she profiled Hang in “Chinese in the Civil War: Ten Who Served.”

U.S. Navy Pensions Index, 1861-1910
Name: John Hang
Publication: M1469
Pension Approval: Approved
File Number: 76462
Certification Number: 38665
Fiche Number: 37855
Archive: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Collection: U.S. Navy Pensions Index


New York, Grand Army of the Republic Records, 1866-1931

1910 New York City Directory
Hang Wm A cigars 500 Pearl

U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
Name: John Hang
Birth Year: abt 1839
Keyed Birth Location: Canton China
Birth Country: China
Birth City: Canton
Admitted Year: 1919
Age at Admission: 80
State: New York
County: Steuben
City: Bath
Branch: Bath Branch
Enlistment: July 24, 1863, New York, NY
Rank: L’man [Landsman]
Company and Regiment: US Navy
Discharge: September 30, 1864, Boston, Mass
Date of Admission: August 14, 1919
Date of Death: December 3, 1923, New York

Hang was recorded in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.

The New York Times
March 13, 1890
The heart of the Mott-street Chinaman apparently is becoming “allee samee muchee like” the hearts of white men. Charity is the latest virtue that the Celestials have shown symptoms of. Yesterday there was filed a certificate of incorporation for the Chinese charitable and Benevolent Association of the City of New-York. Its offices are to be at 16 Mott-street. Its trustees are Leung Jum, Mon Lee, Wong He Chong, Tom L. Lee, and William A Hang.

The Syracuse Journal
(New York)
March 20, 1890
The first Chinese corporation of New York State is the Chinese Charitable and Benevolent association of the city of New York, whose certificate has been filed and recorded by the Secretary of State at Albany. The objects set forth are to ameliorate the condition of the Chinese poor in New York city. The trustees for the first year are Lung Jum, No. 8 Mott-st.; Mon Lee, No. 5 Mott-st.; Wong He Chong, No. 19 Bowery; Tom L. Lee, No. 4 Mott st. and William A. Hang. No. 18 Pell-st. The signatures of these men are written in English, and are well executed.

The Missionary Review of the World
December 1890
The first Chinese corporation of New York State is the Chinese Charitable and Benevolent Association of the City of New York, whose certificate has been filed and recorded by the Secretary of State at Albany. The objects set forth are to ameliorate the condition of the Chinese poor in New York city. The trustees for the first year are Lung Jum, No. 8 Mott Street; Mon Lee, No. 5 1/2 Mott Street; Wong He Chong, No. 19 Bowery; Tom L. Lee, No. 4 Mott Street, and William A. Hang. No. 18 Pell Street. The signatures of these men are written in English, and are well executed.

The New York Times
August 17, 1904
Prosperous Chinese Arrested for Voting
Federal Authorities Say They Were Illegally Naturalized.
Others May Face Charges
“Mayor of Chinatown,” Tom Lee, One Prisoner—Other Two in Business In This City.

Three prosperous Chinamen, who have lived in this city for many years, were arrested yesterday and arraigned before United States Commissioner Shields in the Federal Building, charged with having voted at elections here although they were not legally entitled to vote, according to the naturalization laws which bar Chinese from citizenship privileges.

The three prisoners were Tom Lee of 18 Mott Street, who is better known as the “Mayor of Chinatown”; William A. Hang, a cigar manufacturer, of 500 Pearl Street, and Charles Foon Foos, a merchant, of 34 Mott Street. They waived examination, and were held in $500 bail each for the next term of the United States Circuit Court. In each case ball was furnished and the men were released.

Assistant United States District Attorneys Marx and Houghton, who have charge of the prosecution of naturalization frauds, declared that they knew of a number of other Chinamen who possessed alleged citizenship papers, and that these would be arrested as soon as the Federal authorities could gather them in.

In addition to laws passed in 1870 forbidding the further naturalization of Chinamen, more explicit statutes were passed in 1882. Messrs. Marx and Houghton proceeded against the three accused Chinamen on the authority of these stringent laws. Lee obtained his citizenship papers, it is alleged, in the Criminal Courts of St. Louis in 1876. Since his residence in New York the “Mayor of Chinatown” has taken quite an interest in politics, and has voted at every election, usually supporting the Democrats. In 1894 he was appointed a Deputy Sheriff, his commission bearing the signature of Under Sheriff John B. Sexton. The specific charge against Lee is that he registered to vote for an Assemblyman on Oct. 10, 1903.

William A. Hang also is in possession of a full certificate of naturalization, granted him by the County Court of Richmond, Ind., on Oct. 6, 1892. He is sixty-five years old, and came to this country forty-eight years ago. He greatly resembles Li Hung Chang. Charles Foon Foss got his citizenship papers from the Court of Common Pleas of Passaic County, N. J., on March 24, 1890.

Each of the Chinamen asserted that he had received assurances that he had a right to naturalization papers. They all assert that at the time no objection was made to their Chinese birth, and that they had never been barred from any voting place at any time. The men did not seem at all perturbed over their arrest, and expressed the opinion that they would not be punished very severely.

New-York Tribune
August 17, 1904
Chinamen Were Voters.
Three Arrested Show Regular Naturalization Papers.
That, notwithstanding the scrutiny of the election inspectors at the polls, Chinamen have been permitted to vote at elections in this city was the discovery made yesterday by Joel M. Marx, Assistant United States District Attorney. As a result, three sons of the Yellow Kingdom, one of them the “Mayor of Chinatown,” were arraigned before Commissioner Shields. They waived examination and furnished $500 bail.

Laws were first passed in 1870 to prevent the further naturalizing of Chinamen. These were supplemented and made more explicit by Chapter 126 of the Laws of 1882, of the United States Revised Statutes. Yesterday, Dempsey P. Meetze, special employee of the Department of Justice, arrested “Tom Lee,” the so called “Mayor of Chinatown,” at the latter’s restaurant, No. 18 Mott-st. The “Mayor’s” original Celestial name was Wung A. Lung, but this he had changed in 1890. Four years before that, in the criminal courts of St. Louis, Wung A. Lung secured his full papers, which entitled him to all citizenship rights. Since his residence in New-York Lee has taken an interest in politics, voting at every election, and is regarded as a political leader.

In 1894 he held a deputy sheriff’s commission, bearing the signature of Under Sheriff John B. Sexton. He obtained a passport in 1879, on which he made a protracted visit to China, where he enjoyed all the rights of an American citizen.

William A. Hang, a cigar manufacturer, of No. 500 Pearl-st., was also arrested. Hang produced a certificate of naturalization, granted by the County Court of Richmond County, October 6, 1892. On October 10 following Hang registered, stating at the time, as the records show, that he was born in China. To the officials of Richmond County Hang made the admission. Hang is sixty-five years old, and came to the United States forty-eight years ago. He has always voted, he says, in the VIIth Assembly District.

Eng Ten Lung, a Chinese merchant of No. 34 Mott-st., was the third arrested. His certificate of citizenship was granted by the Court of Common Pleas of Passaic County, N.J., March 24, 1890. Lung says that he, like Tom Lee and Tong Kee Hang, told the officials at the time he secured his papers of citizenship, that he had been born in China. Each insists that he was told he had a right to naturalization, and secured his papers accordingly . All three insist no objection was made by any one at the time because of his Chinese birth. Neither were they challenged at any voting place at any time.

The Sun
(New York, New York)
August 17, 1904
Raid on Chinese “Citizens”
Merchants Arrested for Courts’ Blunder—Tom Lee Dazed by Charge.

Three Chinese business men were arraigned before United States Commissioner Shields yesterday on the ground that they held citizens papers to which they are not entitled. They were held in $500 bail each for the United States Grand Jury.

Wang A. Lung of 18 Mott street, who had his name changed by the New York Court of Common Pleas in 1880 toTom Lee, and who is known as the Mayor of Chinatown, claims that he was naturalized in 1870 in the Criminal Court of St. Louis. William A. Hang, a grocer of New Brighton, Staten Island, says he was naturalized in Richmond county on Oct. 8, 1892. E. Teng Lung, a tea merchant of 34 Mott street, claims to have been naturalized in the court of Common Pleas at Passaic on March 24, 1890.

According to chapter 128 of the Revised Statutes, passed in 1870, and amended in 1883, Chinese aliens are denied the right of naturalization. How the various, courts came to grant certificates to these Chinamen Assistant United States District Attorneys Joel M. Marx and Clarence S. Houghton don’t pretend to say. They have instructed Dempsey Meetze and C.V.C. Van Dusen, special employees of the Department of .Justice, to arrest, all Chinamen holding naturalization papers. It is said that no Chinaman has ever before been arrested on this charge in New York.

The Mayor of Chinatown did not know what to make of his arrest yesterday. He has been in-this country for forty-eight years. In 1879 he went to China with all the glory that a United States passport can confer. For years he has been the “Tammany boss of Chinatown,” according to Mr. Marx. In 1884 he was appointed a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Clancy. He owns several stores and restaurants. For twenty-eight years he has been voting.

William A. Hang, whose name used to be Tong Kee Hang, and on whom Judge Stephen D. Stephens and Clerk C.A. Hort conferred citizenship on Oct. 8, 1892, has been voting ever since in the Seventh Assembly district at 15 Mulberry street in the presence of four election inspectors.

E. Teng Lung, when he first declared his intention of becoming a citizen, in Passaic, had his name changed to Eng Foong Poos, in which name he now rejoices.

The Evening Chronicle
(Spokane, Washington)
October 23, 1908
Chink Has Pension But Loses His Vote
New York, Oct. 23.—After having voted in New York city for 30 years, and while drawing a pension granted him on account of his services with Farragut during the civil war, William A. Hang will not be able to vote at the coming election.

His citizenship papers have been canceled by a decision of the courts, and unless the decision is reversed Hang will no longer be a citizen of the country in which he has lived for 50 years.

Hang is a Chinaman, and under the recent acts of congress he can not be a citizen of the United States.

The Evening Standard
(Ogden, Utah)
February 10, 1911
Chinaman Was in Civil War
New York, Feb 10.—The only Chinaman who is a veteran of the Civil war has written to President Taft for assistance in efforts to regain his citizenship. He is John Ah Hang, proprietor of a little cigar store in the New York Chinatown. His citizenship papers were cancelled in 1908.

Hang enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1862 and served also on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. He voted in New York until his papers were cancelled. Hang says that he is an old man now and that he wants to vote for one more president before he dies. In his letter, asking President Taft’s aid the veteran says that the record will show that he served with distinction and was honorably discharged.

The Logan Republican
(Utah)
February 10, 1911
Chinaman Appeals to Taft
Civil War Veteran Wants His Assistance to Regain Citizenship
New York, Feb 10.—The only Chinaman who is a veteran of the Civil war has written to President Taft for assistance in efforts to regain his citizenship. He is John Ah Hang, proprietor of a little cigar store in the New York Chinatown. His citizenship papers were cancelled in 1908.

Han [sic] enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn navy yard in 1862 and served under Farragut at Mobile Bay and also on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. He voted in New York until his papers were cancelled. Hang says that he is an old man now and that he wants to vote for one more president before he died [sic]. In his letter, asking President Taft’s aid, the veteran says that the record will show that he served with distinction and was honorably discharged.

New York Herald
February 10, 1911
Seeks His Citizenship.
Chinese Veteran of Civil War Lost Papers of Naturalization, Duplicates Being Taken Away.
William Ah Hang, a Chinese, who obtained United States citizenship papers in 1866 and who is in the tobacco business at No. 500 Pearl street, wrote to the Secretary of the Navy yesterday in an attempt to regain his citizen’s papers, which he says were illegally taken from him.

Hang served In the United States Navy in 1863 and 1864 as a landsman on board the Albatross and the Penguin. He holds an honorable discharge from the navy and took out citizenship papers in 1866. He lost them, and while living in Stapleton, S.I., in 1882 applied for duplicates. The papers were then dated 1882. In 1872 a law was passed prohibiting Chinese from becoming citizens.

Hang says that at the time Theodore Roosevelt was candidate for President an election inspector asked to see his papers. He told the Chinese that they were no good and took them away. Hang was ignorant of the law until recently, when friends took up the matter.

The Repository
(Canton, Ohio)
February 10, 1911
Chinese War Vet Wants Citizenship
New York, Feb 10.—(A.P.)—The only Chinaman who is a veteran of the Civil war has written to President Taft for assistance in efforts to regain his citizenship. He is John Ah Hang, proprietor of a little cigar store in the New York Chinatown. His citizenship papers were cancelled on a legal technicality in 1908.

Hang enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn navy yard in 1862 and served under Farragut at Mobile Bay, and also on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. He voted from New York until his papers were cancelled. Hang says that he is an old man now and that he wants to vote for one more president before he dies. In his letter, asking Mr. Taft’s aid the veteran says that the record will show that he served with distinction and was honorably discharged.

Salt Lake Telegram
(Utah)
February 10, 1911
Chinese Veteran of Civil War
New York, Feb 10.—The only Chinaman who is a veteran of the Civil war has written to President Taft for assistance in efforts to regain his citizenship. He is John Ah Hang, proprietor of a little cigar store in the New York Chinatown. His citizenship papers were cancelled in 1908.

Hang enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn navy yard in 1862 and served under Farragut at Mobile Bay and also on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. He voted in New York until his papers were cancelled. Hang says that he is an old man now and that he wants to vote for one more president before he dies. In his letter, asking President Taft’s aid the veteran says that the record will show that he served with distinction and was honorably discharged.

Seattle Daily Times
(Washington)
February 10, 1911
Chinese Veteran of Civil War Asks Aid
New York, Friday, Feb 10.—The only Chinaman who is a veteran of the Civil war has written to President Taft for assistance in efforts to regain his citizenship. He is John Ah Hang, proprietor of a little cigar store in the New York Chinatown. His citizenship papers were cancelled in 1908.

Hang enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1862 and served under Farragut at Mobile Bay and also on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. He voted in New York until his papers were cancelled. Hang says that he is an old man now and that he wants to vote for one more President before he dies. In his letter, asking President Taft’s aid the veteran says that the record will show that he served with distinction and was honorably discharged.

New York Herald
February 12, 1911
Chinese Veteran Wants to Vote
William Ah Hang After Service in Civil War Asks That Citizenship Papers Be Restored.
In a letter to Secretary of State Knox William Ah Hang, who has a tobacco shop at No.500 Pearl street and is the only living veteran of the civil war ,asks that citizenship papers obtained in 1867 after being honorably discharged from the navy be restored to him. They were cancelled by the United States District Attorney’s office in 1908. Up to that time he voted from New York. In his letter to the Secretary of State he says he wants to vote for one more President before he dies.

“I was in the navy four years,” he told a reporter for the Herald, “and was on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. I was in the fight at New Orleans when Farragut went into the harbor and was at Mobile Bay. I enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard when I had been in this country only two years. Here is my discharge.”

Mr. Hang exhibited a well worn document showing that he had been honorably discharged from the United States Navy July 24, 1866.

“I don’t like to fight very much,” he said. “No Chinese do until they are forced to it, I was not obliged to fight, but I wanted to become a citizen of this land, and its battles were my battles just as much as though I was born here instead of in China. I liked it in the navy, the ships were so clean and there was so much to do. When I came to New York to live it was not so nice. People were so crowded together.

“In the navy I learned much of American ways, more quickly than I could have in any other manner. I was with American men, working with them, and had to speak to them in English. I cut my queue off before I enlisted; in fact I did that as soon as I came to America, because I wanted to become a part of this country just as soon as I could.”

Salt Lake Evening Telegram
(Utah)
February 17, 1911
Chinese Who Is Civil War Veteran
New York.—In a letter to Secretary of State Knox John Ah Hang, who has a tobacco shop at No. 500 Pearl street, is the only living Chinaman veteran of the civil war, asks that citizenship papers, obtained in 1867, after being honorably discharged from the navy, be restored to him. They were canceled by the United States district attorney’s office in 1908. Up to that time he voted from New York. In his letter to the secretary of state he says he wants to vote for one more president before he dies.

“I was in the navy four years,” he said, “and on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. I was in the fight at New Orleans when Farragut went into the harbor and was at Mobile Bay. I enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn navy yard when I had been in this country only two years. Here is my discharge.”

Mr. Hang exhibited a well worn document showing that he had been honorably discharged from the United States navy July 5, 1865.

The Oregonian
(Portland, Oregon)
February 19, 1911
Chinese Seeks to Vote
Only Veteran of Civil War Petitions Taft for Citizenship
New York, Feb 18.—The only Chinaman who is a veteran of the Civil War has written to President Taft for assistance in efforts to regain his citizenship.

He is John Ah Hang, proprietor of a little cigar store in the New York Chinatown. His citizenship papers were cancelled on a legal technicality in 1908.

Hang enlisted in the navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1862 and served under Farragut at Mobile Bay and also on the Albatross, Penguin and North Carolina. He voted from New York until his papers were cancelled.

Hang says that he is an old man now and that he wants to vote for one more president before he dies.

The Saginaw Daily News
(Michigan)
February 22, 1911
In the Public Eye
New York, March 1.—John A. Hong of New York has asked President Taft to make some arrangement whereby he can vote. For many years, until the last election, Hong voted the Republican ticket.

In 1856 when he was fifteen years of age, a friend of Hong’s father brought the boy from China to put him in school in Brooklyn. Hong never saw home again. During the civil war he got a job on one of the Mississippi river fighting boats.

“I used to have to pass up the shells,” said Hong. “I never shot a cannon at the Johnny reds [sic], but I helped to load the guns. After the war I started a cigar store in New York and I’ve been running it ever since. When I went to vote at the recent election they told me I couldn’t vote, because a Chinaman couldn’t be naturalized.

“It seems to me a man ought to have something to say about running the government for which he offered his life. I’m as much an American as anybody else. In fact, I’ve entirely forgotten how to talk Chinese.”

The Muskegon News Chronicle
(Michigan)
February 24, 1911
This Chinaman a G.A.R. Veteran
John A. Hong of New York has asked President Taft to make some arrangement whereby he can vote. For many years, until the last election, Hong voted the Republican ticket.

In 1856 when he was fifteen years of age, a friend of Hong’s father brought the boy from China to put him in school in Brooklyn. Hong never saw home again. During the civil war he got a job on one of the Mississippi river fighting boats.

“I used to have to pass up the shells,” said Hong. “I never shot a cannon at the Johnny rebs, but I helped to load the guns. After the war I started a cigar store in New York and I’ve been running it ever since. When I went to vote at the recent election they told me I couldn’t vote, because a Chinaman couldn’t be naturalized.

“It seems to me a man ought to have something to say about running the government for which he offered his life. I’m as much an American as anybody else. In fact, I’ve entirely forgotten how to talk Chinese.”

The Tacoma Times
(Washington)
February 25, 1911
This Chinaman a G.A.R. Veteran
John A. Hong of New York has asked President Taft to make some arrangement whereby he can vote. For many years, until the last election, Hong voted the republican ticket.

In 1856, when he was fifteen years of age, a friend of Hong’s father brought the boy from China to put him in school in Brooklyn. Hong never saw home again. During the Civil war he got a job on one of the Mississippi river fighting boats.

“I used to have to pass up the shells,” said Hong. “I never shot a cannon at the Johnny rems but I helped to load the guns. After the war I started a cigar store in New York, and I’ve been running it ever since. When I went to vote at the recent election they told me a I couldn’t vote, because a Chinaman couldn’t be naturalized.”

“It seems to me a man ought to have something to say, about running the government for which he offered his life. I’m as much an American as anybody here. In fact, I've entirely forgotten how to talk Chinese.”

Evening Press
(Grand Rapids, Michigan)
March 1, 1911
The Barred Veteran
New York, March 1.—John A. Hong of New York is the veteran who has asked President Taft to make some arrangement whereby he can vote again. For many years, until the last election, Hong voted the Republican ticket.

In 1856 when he was fifteen years of age a friend of Hong’s father brought the boy from China to put him in school in Brooklyn. Hong never saw home again. During the Civil war he served on one of the Mississippi river fighting boats.

“I used to have to pass up the shells,” said Hong. “After the war I started a cigar store in New York and I’ve been running it ever since. When I went to vote at the recent election they told me I couldn’t vote, because a Chinaman couldn’t be naturalized.

“It seems to me a man ought to have something to say about running the government for which he offered his life.”

The Evening Leader
(Corning, New York)
December 4, 1923
Chinese Veteran, Former Bath Home Inmate, Dies
Bath, Dec. 4.—John Hang, said to be one of the few Chinese veterans of the Civil war, died yesterday in the Staten Island Hospital, New York. He was 86 years old and for several years an inmate of the Soldiers’ Home here.

He was taken with a heart attack two weeks ago when he went to Staten Island to visit his wife’s grave and was removed to the hospital.

Schenectady Gazette
(New York)
December 4, 1923
Chinese Veteran Dies.
New York. Dec. 3.—John Hang, said to be one of the few Chinese veterans of the Civil War, died today in the Staten Island hospital. He was 86 years old and for several years an inmate of the Soldiers’ Home at Bath. He was taken with a heart attack two weeks ago when he went to Staten Island to visit his wife's grave and was removed to the hospital.

The Troy Times
(New York)
December 31, 1923
Necrology
December
4 [sic]. John Hang, Chinese veteran of American Civil War, eighty-six.

Congressional Record

Senate
May 23, 2003
First and foremost, I would like to recognize the service of Asian Pacific Americans in our Armed Forces, especially as we celebrate Memorial Day. The history of Asian Pacific Americans in military service stretches from William Ah Hang, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War...

Hang is profiled in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.

(Next post: C.K. Marshall)