Michael Corcoran
| Michael Corcoran | |
|---|---|
Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Mick" |
| Born |
September 21, 1827 County Sligo, Ireland |
| Died | December 22, 1863 (aged 36) Fairfax, Virginia |
| Place of burial | Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held | 69th New York Militia, "The Irish Brigade" |
| Battles/wars | |
Michael Corcoran (September 21, 1827 – December 22, 1863) was an Irish-born American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a close confidant of President Abraham Lincoln. As its colonel, he led the 69th New York Regiment to Washington, D.C. and was one of the first to serve in the defense of Washington by building Fort Corcoran. He then led the 69th into action at the First Battle of Bull Run. After promotion to brigadier general, he left the 69th and formed the Corcoran Legion, consisting of at least five other New York regiments.
Corcoran was born in Carrowkeel, near Ballymote, County Sligo in Ireland. He was the only child of Thomas Corcoran, an officer in the British army, and Mary McDonagh. Through his mother, he claimed descent from Patrick Sarsfield, hero of the Jacobite Wars and leader of the Wild Geese.
At the age of 18, in 1846 he took an appointment to the Revenue Police, enforcing the laws and searching for illicit stills and distilling activities in Creeslough, County Donegal. He also joined a guerrilla group called the Ribbonmen.
On August 30, 1849, he emigrated from Sligo Bay to the U.S. and settled in New York City where he found work as a clerk in the tavern, Hibernian House, at 42 Prince Street in Manhattan owned by John Heaney, whose niece, Elizabeth, he married in 1854.
...
Wikipedia