DUNCAN and ROBERT McDONALD -- 34th INFANTRYONLY ONE COMPLETED HIS 2-YEAR OBLIGATION - Duncan and Robert McDonaldwere living in Champlain on land they had bought. They enlisted in the34th Infantry in 1861. Duncan was born in 1836 and Robert in 1818,both in Ireland. The men were mustered into Captain Davis Rich's CompanyD made up of men who enlisted in Champlain -- Duncan in May and Robertin September.They left for Washington in early July and, by September, the 34th waswest of Washington on the north shore of the Potomac River at SenecaMills, MD, but Duncan wasn't with them. He had remained in the capital.Just after the regiment went into winter quarters, Duncan was dischargedfor disability and sent home.Robert continued with his 2-year engagement. He was promoted corporaland then sergeant and after spending the winter on the Potomac at CampMcClellan, went to Virginia Peninsula. They had 75 casualties at FairOaks and 62 more in the Seven Days' Battles. On September 17, 1862, theregiment suffered 154 casualties at Antietam followed by 33 more atFredericksburg. That year, they had almost 90 men killed in action ormortally wounded.Just before the regiment were due to be mustered out, they had two morebattles -- Marye's Heights and Salem Church on May 3-4, 1863 where they3 men suffered injuries and 1 man was captured and taken South. A monthand a half later, the 34th was mustered out in Albany. Two weeksbefore he was mustered out he was reduced to the ranks because ofdestruction of clothing that belonged to the government. He wassentenced by a Regimental Court Martial to forfeit \$18.50 for thedestruction. We wonder what the tale is here.The two men settled up their affairs in Champlain in 1867 and returnedto St. John's, Quebec, about 30 miles to the north on the RichelieuRiver.
