Rank: Private
Unit: E Co, 2d Cavalry
Enlisted: December 15, 1866 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was 21.
Hometown: Kerry, Ireland
Occupation prior to enlistment: Tailor
Campaign: Plains Indian War (post Civil War)
Died: 23 May 1867
Age at death: 21 yrs
Cause of death: Killed in action by Indians
Location of fatality: near Bridger’s Ferry, Dakota Territory,
Notes: He was sent to Jefferson Barracks in Missouri for initial training before heading out to join his company which was stationed at Fort Casper, Dakota Territory (now Wyoming). A wagon train was put together at Fort Laramie to take the recruits there.
“On May 23, Troop E was called upon to come to the rescue of a wagon train in the vicinity of Bridger’s Ferry. The Indians were trying to surprise the train by sneaking through a gulch that ran into the river just below where the train was corralled. They were so intent upon their scheme that they did not notice the approach of the troop. As they started to charge the train, the troop galloped right among them, breaking up the attack and killing several. Two men of the troop were killed in this action.”