General John J. Coppinger (1838-1909)

Today marks the death of General John Joseph Coppinger, an Irish-American soldier who served in both the Papal Army and the Union Army. Born in Cork, Ireland, he joined the 1,400 Irishmen who answered Pope Blessed Pius IX’s call for volunteers to defend the Papal States. He served in Italy from 1860 to 1861 and was decorated for bravery on several occasions. In 1861 he went to America to join the Union Army, along with several other Irish volunteers such as Myles Keogh. During the war, Coppinger served as a staff officer and commanded a cavalry regiment. His division commander, General George A, Custer, praised him “an officer… of the highest order…. As a soldier I consider him a model.” After the war, Coppinger stayed in the army, rising to the rank of Colonel. During the Spanish-American War he served as a Major General of volunteers. General Coppinger’s funeral Mass was held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and was buried under a Celtic cross at Arlington.
(From the Wild Geese Website)