Rank: Private
Unit: K Co, 2d Dragoons
Enlisted: August 14, 1854 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was 26.
Hometown: Mayo, Ireland
Occupation prior to enlistment: Carpenter
Campaign: Plains Indian War (pre Civil War)
Died: 5 September 1855
Age at death: 27 yrs
Cause of death: Killed in action
Location of fatality: Blue Water, Nebraska Territory (Lewellen, Nebraska)
Click to open a new window to view general location of Soldier’s fatality.
Note: Private McDonald’s death is cited in the book:
Also killed at in the same combat incident were Corporal Fink and Privates Lyell, Ryder, and Walsh. An additional seven Soldiers were wounded. They were conducting operations in the Sioux territory.