July 26, 1864---Chang and Eng

JULY 26, 1864:          

The Idaho Statesman published its first edition, including a “News of The Weird” piece about Chang and Eng Bunker, the world-famous Siamese Twins and their lifestyle.  Joined at the sternum and at the liver, the two men yet managed to have remarkably normal lives.

Born in Siam (Thailand) in 1811, Chang and Eng promoted themselves as human oddities. After becoming wealthy, they married two Southern Belles, the Yates sisters, and maintained separate homes a mile apart in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina (one would host the other on alternating days). They were naturalized American citizens and converted Baptists, who jointly owned several businesses, a plantation, and slaves. One had ten, and the other eleven, children. Each had a son that served with the 15th Virginia Cavalry and both of these sons received wounds during their service.

Although Eng himself had been drafted and was willing to serve the Confederate cause, Chang was exempted as a Conscientious Objector. Chang felt that serving in the war violated the Buddhist precepts he still acknowledged. When Eng appeared at his local draft board bringing Chang along perforce, the local Board immediately exempted both. Eng often wore a Confederate uniform in public, but Chang refused. It is an interesting What If to consider what role the two men would have filled had they both been willing to join the army.  It is an even greater What If had one been a Unionist.

After the war, they denounced the government for emancipating their slaves. They lost a fortune in worthless Confederate bonds. However, they remained well-respected citizens of Mount Airy, N.C., known for their personal integrity. The brothers died in 1874 when Chang, a heavy drinker, developed pneumonia and died. Eng survived him by several painful hours.

Chang and Eng have over 1,500 descendants today, among them Alex Sink, former C.F.O. of the State of Florida, the great-granddaughter of Chang. George F. Ashby, the President of the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1940s was Eng’s grandson.