Michael Keegan was born in Ireland. He came to America in 1852. He served in the Civil War as a Union soldier with the 2nd Cavalry, which was later redesignated Company E, 5th Cavalry. He fought at the battles of Bull Run, Stones River,and many other battles.After the war he tried civilian life,but just did not like it. He re-enlisted into the army and joined the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer to fight Indians. He was ordered to stay and watch the supply wagons on June 25, 1876 and lived while Custer and his comrades were massacred at Little Bighorn.In December that same year, chronic rheumatism led to his discharge from the Army. For the next 10 years, he lived in soldiers' homes until he moved to a boarding house in Chicago in 1886. Pvt. Keegan lived to be 74 years old and passed away in 1900 from cancer. He was buried in Evanston's Calvary Cemetery in an unmarked paupers grave. For 99 years he would lay in rest there until Veterans campaigned to rebury him with the honors he deserved. On Veteran's Day, November 11, 1999, Michael Keegans remains was reburied at Fort Sheridan near three of his comrades from the 7th Cavalry, John Hackett, Philipp Spinner and August B.Siefert. Chicago's Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums with Civil War re-enactors from the 8th Illinois Cavalry as Pallbearers following, marched Keegan to his final resting place. Also following was color gaurds,the real-life soldiers from the active Army 7th Cavalry out of Fort Hood, and a crowd of 250 people, including re-enactment figures playing President Abraham Lincoln and his wife. At the grave site prayers were said and flowers were laid and three Civil War cannons were fired as a salute, followed by musket volleys from the Infantry re-enactors. Then Taps was played. The BBC, CLTV Chicago, and ABC were all there to tape his reburial for the news. Rest in Peace, Michael.
Michael Keegan was born in Ireland. He came to America in 1852. He served in the Civil War as a Union soldier with the 2nd Cavalry, which was later redesignated Company E, 5th Cavalry. He fought at the battles of Bull Run, Stones River,and many other battles.After the war he tried civilian life,but just did not like it. He re-enlisted into the army and joined the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer to fight Indians. He was ordered to stay and watch the supply wagons on June 25, 1876 and lived while Custer and his comrades were massacred at Little Bighorn.In December that same year, chronic rheumatism led to his discharge from the Army. For the next 10 years, he lived in soldiers' homes until he moved to a boarding house in Chicago in 1886. Pvt. Keegan lived to be 74 years old and passed away in 1900 from cancer. He was buried in Evanston's Calvary Cemetery in an unmarked paupers grave. For 99 years he would lay in rest there until Veterans campaigned to rebury him with the honors he deserved. On Veteran's Day, November 11, 1999, Michael Keegans remains was reburied at Fort Sheridan near three of his comrades from the 7th Cavalry, John Hackett, Philipp Spinner and August B.Siefert. Chicago's Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums with Civil War re-enactors from the 8th Illinois Cavalry as Pallbearers following, marched Keegan to his final resting place. Also following was color gaurds,the real-life soldiers from the active Army 7th Cavalry out of Fort Hood, and a crowd of 250 people, including re-enactment figures playing President Abraham Lincoln and his wife. At the grave site prayers were said and flowers were laid and three Civil War cannons were fired as a salute, followed by musket volleys from the Infantry re-enactors. Then Taps was played. The BBC, CLTV Chicago, and ABC were all there to tape his reburial for the news. Rest in Peace, Michael.
