Civil War Union Army Brigadier General. Born the son of an officer in the British Army, he emigrated to the United States in 1849. In 1859, he was appointed Colonel of the 69th New York Militia and but lost the position the next year, when he refused to parade the regiment before the Prince of Wales, who was visiting. At the beginning of the Civil War, he was commissioned Colonel in command of the 69th New York Regiment, Union Army and was instrumental in enlisting other Irish immigrants into the Union Army. He participated with gallantry in the First Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, was wounded and taken prisoner. He was kept in the Confederate prisons for thirteen months and then exchanged in August, 1862. Returning North, he was promoted Brigadier General and raised a brigade of four regiments, known as the Irish Legion. Taking command, he rejoined the Army in Virginia in November, 1862. The following year, while in camp at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, he was thrown from his horse and died from the effects of the accident at age 36.
Civil War Union Army Brigadier General. Born the son of an officer in the British Army, he emigrated to the United States in 1849. In 1859, he was appointed Colonel of the 69th New York Militia and but lost the position the next year, when he refused to parade the regiment before the Prince of Wales, who was visiting. At the beginning of the Civil War, he was commissioned Colonel in command of the 69th New York Regiment, Union Army and was instrumental in enlisting other Irish immigrants into the Union Army. He participated with gallantry in the First Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, was wounded and taken prisoner. He was kept in the Confederate prisons for thirteen months and then exchanged in August, 1862. Returning North, he was promoted Brigadier General and raised a brigade of four regiments, known as the Irish Legion. Taking command, he rejoined the Army in Virginia in November, 1862. The following year, while in camp at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, he was thrown from his horse and died from the effects of the accident at age 36.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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