Michael Dougherty (soldier)

Michael Dougherty
Born (1844-05-10)May 10, 1844
Falcarragh, Ireland
Died March 19, 1930(1930-03-19) (aged 85)
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Buried at Saint Mark's Roman Catholic Churchyard
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1862 - 1865
Rank Private
Unit Company B, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry
Awards Medal of Honor

Private Michael Dougherty (May 10, 1844 to February 19, 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]

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 and his remains are interred at the Saint Marks Roman Catholic Churchyard in Pennsylvania.

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

  1. 1 2 "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Michael Dougherty". Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Medal of Honor: Private Michael Dougherty, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry". Irish in the American Civil War. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
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