A newly discovered letter adds more details to the tragic story of Patrick Derivan from Lusmagh, Co. Offaly. A Civil War soldier we previously documented in December of 2024.
Richard Cusack, born in 1834 in Offaly and later settling in New Jersey, served as a sergeant in the 39th New Jersey Infantry during the US Civil War. A painted photograph captures him at ease with fellow soldiers in 1864. Cusack survived the war, passing away in 1901, and is remembered for his service.
HE RETURNED TO IRELAND AFTER HIS US ARMY SERVICE AND WAS A FARMER IN THE CLONAD AREA CLOSE TO DAINGEAN,
Thomas Claffey, a Union soldier from County Offaly, Ireland, served in the Civil War and was injured, losing his left leg. After the war, he lived as a farm laborer and entered the Milwaukee Soldiers Home in 1887. Claffey died in 1892 and was buried in Wood National Cemetery, leaving behind a family connection in Ireland.
