1860\'s CIVIL WAR CDV PHOTO OF UNION ARMY GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN IRISH BRIGADE For Sale

This period, albumen CDV Photo measures approx. 2 1/4\" by 3 3/4\" and is mounted on its original, square corner card mount (overall size of mount is 2 1/2\" by 4\"). This is a heavily retouched, vignette bust portrait of General Corcoran that was enhanced with engraved elements. There is a facsimile signature in the negative that reads \"Michael Corcoran\".

The portrait depicts Corcoran wearing the double breasted, frock of a Union Army Officer with epaulets as well as an interesting sash and a large medal both of which most assuredly have something to do with either the New York Militia or his place as an Irish American in the Fenian Movement.

Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran was born in County Sligo, Ireland; Sept. 21, 1821. He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary at 19 years old and became a double agent for a secret Irish society wanting the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. After Corcoran’s brief stay in the Royal Irish unit, he immigrated to New York and became a leader among his fellow Irishman and a member of the Tammany Hall political faction, he also began a lifelong involvement in the Fenian Movement dedicated to the overthrow of the British government in Ireland.

He enlisted and quickly rose to command of the 69th Regiment New York State militia, a regiment composed of mostly Irish Catholics. In 1860, Col. Corcoran made his national reputation as the champion of the Irish in America, when on Oct. 11, 1860, President Buchanan invited the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of England) to visit New York where a ball and military parade was given in his honor. Corcoran refused to order the 69th Regiment to march in the parade which honored “a sovereign under whose reign Ireland was made a desert and her son’s forced into exile”. For this act of military disobedience he was placed under arrest by New York authorities and ordered court martialed. His subsequent trial created much excitement among America’s Irish. The case was pending when the Civil War broke out in April, 1861 with the bombardment of Fort Sumter.

Due to the importance of Corcoran’s military abilities his proceedings were squashed and the 69th, with Corcoran as their Colonel and Commanding Officer, was one of the first units to march in defense of the Union. This band of officer’s and men would become the foundation of the greatest fighting unit in American military history, the “Fighting 69th” a unit that would extend it’s history into WWI and WWII. The regiment would show their fighting spirit in the first major battle of the Civil War - “Bull Run” on July 21st in a meadow, across the creek they met the fierce Louisiana Tigers and “under a most deadly fire assisted in breaking the enemies lines”. The 69th was led by Col. Corcoran screaming their Gaelic battle cry of “Faugh A Ballagh”. While leading the charge, Corcoran was shot in the leg but stayed in command, two color bearers were killed. In all the 69th rallied and charged three times. Other Union troops in this part of the battle retreated, but the 69th held their ground until some escaped but the colors and Corcoran were captured. The unit suffered 192 killed, wounded and captured, and that day began the fateful day of the “fighting 69th”.

Corcoran was imprisoned for 13 months, he was promoted to General in Absentia. He was finally exchanged in August 1862 and his triumphant return from captivity brought a series of popular ovations and testimonials. In New York, over 600,000 people, the largest crowd in the city’s history attended the public celebration. Corcoran now was a national hero. Here Corcoran was presented with two swords which in the inscriptions read “In Remembrance of the 11th of Oct. 1860 by the Irishmen of his unit”. Newspapers worldwide reported the events of this day. Corcoran when receiving the swords, in his acceptance speech stated “it is an American sword, the work of American art, the gift of American citizens, the weapon of an American solider”. Corcoran returned to the battlefield where he would die after being thrown from his horse on Dec. 22, 1863, but the fighting spirit of the 69th New York went on as it does today.

This rare and wonderful CDV Photograph is in excellent condition. The Image exhibits sharp focus, strong contrast and rich tonality. Both the Albumen Photograph and the Card Mount are clean and crisp and very well preserved.

A very rare and original, 1860\'s CDV Photograph of Union General Michael Corcoran and a fantastic addition to any collection!!

Be sure to check out this seller’s other sales for a number of rare Civil War CDV Photographs which are also being offered for sale this week on !!

Click Here to Read More About the Fascinating Life and Civil War Service of General Michael Corcoran.

Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at buyers request. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.

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Important Notes about Shipping Charges:

The amount quoted for Shipping & Handling is calculated by and is equal to the EXACT amount charged by the Post Office plus a $1.00 \"packing fee\" - the $1.00 fee is our only compensation for the virgin packing materials we use on all of our professionally packaged boxes as well as our cost for the salaried help that does most of our packing - as I am sure you can see, we make NO profit on the Shipping charges and, in fact, our costs are usually greater than the $1.00 fee. Please contact us if there are any issues regarding the cost of shipping.

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