Irish soldier in the American Civil War (1844–1930)
Private Michael Dougherty (10 May 1844 – 19 February 1930) was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Dougherty received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Jefferson, Virginia, on 12 October 1863. He was honored with the award on 23 January 1897.[1][2][3]
Biography
Dougherty was born in Falcarragh, Ireland, on 10 May 1844. He enlisted in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry on 8 August 1862. On the 12 October 1863, he performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor award. Taken as a prisoner of war on that day, he remained in various Confederate prisons until 12 April 1865.[4]
After his release from prison, he was sent to Camp Fisk, the parole camp set up four-miles outside of Vicksburg, Mississippi. On 24 April 1865, he was placed aboard the Mississippi steamboat Sultana along with almost 2,000 other recently paroled Union prisoners of war. On 27 April 1865, the Sultana exploded her boilers near Memphis, Tennessee, killing almost 1,200 people. Private Dougherty was eventually sent to Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, where he was discharged from the army on 27 June 1865.[5]
Following the war he married Rose Magee, a union which produced 12 children. He lived with his family in Philadelphia, working at the U.S. Mint. In 1908 he published his diary, which chronicled his experiences in Confederate prisons.[4]
He died on 19 February 1930.[citation needed]
Medal of Honor citation
At the head of a detachment of his company dashed across an open field, exposed to a deadly fire from the enemy, and succeeded in dislodging them from an unoccupied house, which he and his comrades defended for several hours against repeated attacks, thus preventing the enemy from flanking the position of the Union forces.[1][2]
See also
References
