General Michael Corcoran (1827-1863)

General Michael Corcoran (1827-1863) December 22, 2009

Michael Corcoran was an IrishAmerican general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He led the 69th New York Regiment, the Fighting 69th, into action at the First Battle of Bull Run. Corcoran also led the regiment to Washington, D.C. and served in the Washington defenses building Fort Corcoran. Born in Sligo, he emigrated to America in 1849. He enlisted as a Private in the 69th New York Militia. By 1859 he was appointed colonel of the regiment. The regiment was a state militia unit at that time composed of citizens, not soldiers, and was involved in the maintenance of public order. On October 11, 1861, Colonel Corcoran refused to march the regiment on parade for the 19-year old Prince of Wales, who was visiting New York City at the time, as a protest to the ineffective British response to the Irish Famine. Corcoran was removed from command and a court martial was pending over that matter when the Civil War began. Corcoran also became involved in Democratic politics at Tammany Hall: he could deliver the Irish vote. He became district leader, a member of the judicial nominations committee, an elected school inspector for his ward, and a member of the Fourteenth Ward General Committee. With the outbreak of war, the court martial was dropped and Corcoran was restored to his command because he had been instrumental in bringing other Irish immigrants to the Union cause. He led the 69th to Washington, D.C. and served for a while in the Washington defenses building Fort Corcoran. In July he led the regiment into action at the First Battle of Bull Run. During the battle he was wounded and taken prisoner. When he was exchanged, he set about recruiting Irish volunteers for the Union. On December 22, 1863, while riding alone, his horse fell on him and he died from a fractured skull at the age of 36.
(Adapted from Wikipedia)

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