William Creevy, an Irish-born soldier, enlisted in the US Army’s 1st Dragoons in 1850 and served until 1875. He participated in the Civil War, fought against Native American tribes, and witnessed historical events like Lee’s surrender. Discharged due to health issues, he spent his final years at a Soldiers’ Home, passing away in 1878.
Patrick Craven, an Irish immigrant, served in the Union Army during the Civil War but died of yellow fever in 1866. His wife, Mary Kilraine, displayed remarkable determination, appealing to President Lincoln for her husband’s release and later serving as a laundress in the army. She continued her life resiliently after his death.
On June 3, 1864, during the Battle of Cold Harbor, Union General Grant ordered a disastrous frontal assault on Confederate positions, resulting in approximately 7,000 Union casualties. Corporal Thomas Flattery was among the wounded and later died. The attack led to significant criticism of Grant’s tactics and jeopardized Lincoln’s reelection chances.
Michael Condon, an Irish-born soldier, served in the Union Army during the Civil War. After unauthorized leave, he and a fellow soldier attempted to escape Fort Point on July 4, 1867, but accidentally sat near a loaded cannon, resulting in their tragic deaths. Condon is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.
Patrick Hennessey, a 23-year-old Irish immigrant, joined the Union Army in 1864, participating in the ill-fated Battle of the Crater at Petersburg. Captured by Confederates, he was imprisoned in harsh conditions in Danville, Virginia. Hennessey succumbed to illness on February 8, 1865, and is buried in Danville National Cemetery.
Patrick Byrne, a Color Sergeant of Co. C, 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery, served bravely during the Civil War. He was wounded in April 1865 at the Third Battle of Petersburg but astonishingly recovered. After the war, he returned to Castleton, Vermont, where he lived a quiet life until his death in 1894.
Owen Bracken, born in Offaly, Ireland, celebrated his 100th birthday in Minnesota in 1920. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1847, eventually enlisting in the Civil War, participating in significant battles with Sherman’s army. After the war, he settled in Princeton, where he lived until his death in 1922, aged 102.
2 US CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS Today we paid a visit to the graves of these two soldiers who fought on
William Hume and his brother John emigrated from Birr, Ireland, to the US in 1852. John became a newspaper editor and political figure before his early death in 1881. William served in the Union Army, contracted typhoid fever, and died by jumping from a hospital window in 1862, leaving behind a family marked by tragedy.
On September 29, 1864, Samuel Belton Horne, an Irish-born soldier, displayed remarkable bravery at the Battle of Chapin’s Farm despite being injured. He delivered a crucial message after being crushed by his horse. Horne was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1897, recognizing his heroism during the Civil War, where he fought valiantly.
