Editor’s Note: This is the first biography to be featured of an Irish man or woman (living or deceased) who has made a difference in their community by their actions. Some individuals may be well known, while others may be lesser known to our readers.~ Editor

Michael Corcoran Born in Carrowkeel, , Co. ~ September 21, 1827 Died in Fairfax, Virginia ~ December 22, 1863

It has long been said that if not for the Irish, the might not have taken place or lasted as long as it did. Irish men were plentiful on both sides, Union and Confederacy, and cheered each other on when they met on the field of battle. Beginning with the Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór 1845-1852) Irish men began leaving Éire by the thousands. (Michael Corcoran was to be one of those emigrants.)

After receiving a good education Michael Corcoran (Ó Corcráin) decided to follow family tradition and enter military service. At the age of 19, standing 6’ 2” inches tall he joined the British sponsored Irish Constabulary, and was stationed at Creeslough, Co. Donegal. He soon became unhappy with the injustice towards the Irish people that he witnessed, and in 1848 he joined the Ribbonmen, an Irish nationalist movement. It did not take long before he came under suspicion of treason against Queen Victoria, forcing his resignation with the Irish Constabulary. Leaving Ireland he arrived in City in October 1849.

Michael found lodging at the Hibernian House across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In August of 1851 he joined the Irish Rifles, a company of the famed 69th New York State Militia (later the most famous unit of the Irish Brigade) as a private, soon was elected sergeant and then promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

He first met in May 1852 when the 69th provided a military reception for Meagher upon his arrival in New York City. Meagher, himself, was born August 3, 1823 in Waterford to a wealthy merchant family. His education came from the Jesuits developing a talent for oratory. Meagher was arrested for his participation in the Rebellion of 1848 and sentenced to Tasmania, Australia from where he escaped and made his way first to California. From there he headed east to New York City where he later acquired US citizenship.

Corcoran was elected Captain of Co. A in June 1853 becoming a US citizen in 1854. Later he was elected in August 1859. When he refused to obey orders and parade his regiment in 1860 in honor of a visit from the Prince of Wales - he was arrested and ordered to stand for court martial. The Civil War interrupted those proceedings, and so he volunteered to lead the NY 69th (which caused charges to be dropped against him). At the (Manassas) the Irish NY 69th performed gallantly; Corcoran was wounded & captured, and sent to a Confederate prison. He had been the one bright star in the battle for the Union and his reputation now soared. A year later he was part of a prisoner exchange (1862). Heading home he was presented with a sword, promoted to Brig. General and dined in the White House with President Lincoln. A New York parade in his honor was attended by over 500,000 people. Prison though had seriously harmed his health; he was weak and had lost much weight, as evidenced in the above photo in his new Brig. General’s uniform. His old friend Thomas Francis Meagher and he went riding on Meagher’s spirited horses Dec. 22nd. Appearing to suffer a stroke, he fell from his horse and soon died. He lies buried at Calvery Cemetery in Flushing, Queens NY next to his wife and his mother.

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