Edited Appleton's
American Image Copyright©
2001 by VirtualologyTM
CORCORAN,
Michael, soldier, born
in Carrowkeel, county Sligo, Ireland, 21 September, 1827; died near Fairfax
Court-House, Virginia, 22 December, 1863. He was the son of a captain in the
British army, received a good education, and was appointed in the Irish
constabulary at the early age of eighteen, but resigned his commission from
patriotic tootives in 1849, emigrated to the United States, and settled in New
York City, where he obtained a clerkship in the post-office, and afterward in
the office of the city register.
He entered
the 69th regiment of New York militia as a private, rose through the successive
grades, and in August, 1859, was elected colonel. When the militia paraded in
honor of the Prince of Wales in 1860, he refused to order out his regiment, for
which he was subjected to a trial by court-martial that was still pending when
the civil war began.
Upon
the first call of the president for troops, Colonel Corcoran led the 69th
regiment to the seat of war. It was ordered into Virginia, built Fort Corcoran
on Arlington heights, and fought with impetuous valor at the battle of Bull Run,
21 July, 1861. The colonel was wounded and taken prisoner, and was first sent to
Richmond, and afterward taken to Charleston, Columbia, Salisbury, back to
Richmond, and to other places, being kept in close confinement for nearly a
year. With some other national officers he was reserved for execution in case
the U. S. government carried out its threat of punishing the crews of captured
privateers.
He was
offered his liberty on condition of not again taking up arms against the south,
but refused to accept it on such terms. An exchange being finally effected, 15
August, 1862, he was released, and commissioned brigadier-general, dating from
21 July, 1861. He next organized the Corcoran legion, which took part in"
the battles of the Nansemond river and Suffolk, during April, 1863, and held the
advance of the enemy upon Norfolk in check. In August, 1863, the legion was
attached to the Army of the Potomac. General Corcoran was killed by the falling
of his horse upon him while he was riding in company with Gen. Thomas Francis
Meagher. -- Edited Appleton's
Cyclopedia American Biography Copyright©
2001 by VirtualologyTM
Research Links
Civil
War Union General Michael Corcoran
Caldwell, George. Caldwell, John Curtis. Cameron,
Robert. Campbell, Charles. Campbell, William. ...
Michael
Corcoran
... Michael Corcoran was embroiled in ... was subsequently countermanded, and
Corcoran was
exchanged in August ... was promoted to brigadier general retroactive to the day
...
Salisbury
Confederate Prison
... Months Imprisonment in Richmond, and Other Southern Cities by Brigadier
General
Michael Corcoran, the Hero of Bull Run. Philadelphia: Barkley and Co., 1862 ...
CATHOLIC
ENCYCLOPEDIA: Michael Corcoran
... Michael Corcoran. ... engagements, and while in camp at Fairfax Court House,
Virginia,
General Corcoran was thrown from his horse and died the same day ...
Description: (Catholic Encyclopedia)
The Wild Geese
Today -- The Irish Brigade Honored at ...
... Above left, Michael Corcoran left his imprint on ... the 155th NY joined
Major General
Winfield Scott Hancock's II ... with the rest of the Corcoran Legion and the 8th
...
Penn
Special Collections-Keffer-Civil War Figures
... Michael, General Corcoran's Release March / composed and dedicated to Brig.
Gen.
Michael Corcoran and the gallant 69th NY Regiment by MB Clark, Philadelphia ...
Columbia Rifles
Articles: "Playing Paddy Right: Part 2"
... of New York City and, as the Fenians' military commander, Brigadier General
Michael
Corcoran (until his death in 1863). The Brotherhood was popular among Irish ...
11th
PA Cav--Battle of Deserted House & Official Report
... approbation. I am, major, with high respect, your obedient servant, MICHAEL
CORCORAN,
Brigadier-General, Comdg. at Battle of Deserted House, Va. Maj. BB FOSTER ...
This Week in the Civil
War April 12,1863
... General Michael Corcoran has been chomping at the bit to see some action
ever since
his brigade of New York Irishmen was shipped to Suffolk last December. ...
155th
NYVI History
... Irish brigade known as Corcoran s Irish Legion commanded by Brigadier
General Michael
Corcoran Other Irish regiments in the Corcoran Legion included the 164th ...
