Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Cavan, Ireland, prior to the Civil War he was a successful New York City, New York lawyer in strong support of the Union. Once the war erupted, he was appointed Brigadier General, US Volunteers by President Abraham Lincoln in August 1862 and assigned duty first in New York City, then in Washington DC. In December 1862, he was given command of an independent brigade detached from the VII Corps. The brigade was assigned to Yorktown, Virginia, where he stood in ready command but did not enter in any actions. In March of 1863, he was relieved of his command and was appointed the United States District Judge to the Court of Alabama. On the bench of the District Court, he served until the war's end and through Alabama's reconstruction, resigning in 1874. He returned to New York City and resumed the practice of law until his death.

Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Cavan, Ireland, prior to the Civil War he was a successful New York City, New York lawyer in strong support of the Union. Once the war erupted, he was appointed Brigadier General, US Volunteers by President Abraham Lincoln in August 1862 and assigned duty first in New York City, then in Washington DC. In December 1862, he was given command of an independent brigade detached from the VII Corps. The brigade was assigned to Yorktown, Virginia, where he stood in ready command but did not enter in any actions. In March of 1863, he was relieved of his command and was appointed the United States District Judge to the Court of Alabama. On the bench of the District Court, he served until the war's end and through Alabama's reconstruction, resigning in 1874. He returned to New York City and resumed the practice of law until his death.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith