Sold For $963
*Includes Buyers Premium
Irish-born Union general (1827–1863) who was a close confidant of President Abraham Lincoln. He led the 69th New York into action at the First Battle of Bull Run (where he was taken prisoner), famously formed the 'Corcoran Legion' of Irish volunteers, and died before the war's end when he was thrown from a runaway horse in Fairfax, Virginia. Civil War-dated ALS signed “Michael Corcoran, Cpl. 69th Reg't N.Y.S.M.,” one page, 8.25 x 10.75, May 26, 1862. Addressed from Salisbury Confederate Prison, a handwritten letter sent to a “dear friend,” in full: “At my request Capt. McIvor wrote to you on the 20th inst. At which time I had been unwell, but am now perfectly recovered, thanks to Divine Providence. All the officers who were confined at Richmond have been removed to this place. We left there Thursday the 15th. Inst. at 8 a.m. and arrived here Saturday the 17th at 1 p.m. I found here Capt. McIvor, Lieuts. Bagley & Gannon with 47 non-Commissioned officers & privates of our Regt., 8 all in excellent health. This will be handed to you by Color Sergt. John Murphy of our Regt., who with others will give you much more information than I could communicate and especially on the limited space permitted to prisoners.
You may rest assured that no circumstance which has transpired since my imprisonment has afforded me so much consolation as the release of the brave men who have been amongst the first rally to the defence of their Country’s Flag. Those of the 69th have been for the most part either badly wounded or taken prisoners in making the last stand around their Colors. Amongst the latter is the bearer also John Cotter whom I appointed 2nd Color Sergt. on the day of the 21st of July and Private James Gaynor of Eng. Corps who also shot down the man that killed Col. Haggerty. The names of the others who stood by the Colors will be gievn you by bearer, as space will not permit me to give them here, but all are deserving of much credit.
Among the prisoners is a man named Thos. McGuire of Eng. Corps who neglected to apply for a certificate of membership at the time of the distribution of Funds among the families of absent soldiers, he not desiring to draw as he expected to return within the three months. And during his confinement his wife has not received any assistance. He appears a respectable, quiet man, and if there remain any way of making some recompense I hope he may receive it.” In fine condition, with scattered tiny areas of ink erosion.
Leading the 69th into battle at Bull Run on July 21, 1861, Colonel Corcoran was injured and captured and imprisoned in Richmond, and later moved to Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, and to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he was later exchanged for a Confederate Colonel in August 1862. Shortly thereafter, Corcoran dined with President Abraham Lincoln, was elevated to Brigadier-General, and asked to recruit a new legion of Irish. Returning as a hero to New York, he assembled Corcoran’s Irish Legion.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
