American Civil War Brevet Brigadier General, Medal of Honor Recipient. An Irish immigrant, he was issued the award on January 20, 1891 for his actions as a captain with Company C, 37th New York Infantry, US Army, at the Battle of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines), Virginia. He joined the US Army in April 1861 as a private and was seriously wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. He recovered and by the end of the war, he had risen to the rank of major. Following President Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, he became involved with the apprehension of the conspirators who were part of the plot. From his services, he was brevetted to the rank of brigadier general in September 1865. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For extraordinary heroism on May 31 & 1 June 1862, while serving with Company C, 37th New York Infantry, in action at Fair Oaks, Virginia. Captain O'Beirne gallantly maintained the line of battle until ordered to fall back."
American Civil War Brevet Brigadier General, Medal of Honor Recipient. An Irish immigrant, he was issued the award on January 20, 1891 for his actions as a captain with Company C, 37th New York Infantry, US Army, at the Battle of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines), Virginia. He joined the US Army in April 1861 as a private and was seriously wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. He recovered and by the end of the war, he had risen to the rank of major. Following President Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, he became involved with the apprehension of the conspirators who were part of the plot. From his services, he was brevetted to the rank of brigadier general in September 1865. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For extraordinary heroism on May 31 & 1 June 1862, while serving with Company C, 37th New York Infantry, in action at Fair Oaks, Virginia. Captain O'Beirne gallantly maintained the line of battle until ordered to fall back."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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