120
●
(CIVIL WAR—PHOTOGRAPHS.)
Collection of photographs and papers
of Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, including a signed CDV.
14 photographs
(12 cartes-de-visite, one cabinet card, and one tintype), Autograph Letter Signed, 2 patri-
otic covers, ribbon, and 2 clippings; various sizes and conditions.
Vp, 1861-93
[6,000/9,000]
Michael Corcoran (1827-1863) was one of the great Irish-American heroes of the Civil War.
Born in County Sligo, he came to New York in 1849 and soon joined the all-Irish 69th New
York Militia, reaching the rank of colonel by 1859. He was also active in the Fenian
Brotherhood and other Irish nationalist causes. In 1860, he was court-martialed for refusing to
march his regiment for the visiting Prince of Wales, but was restored to his command at the
outbreak of the Civil War. He led the 69th New York at Bull Run, where he was captured
and spent a year in Confederate prisons. He could have been exchanged earlier, but refused to
take the parole oath. Upon his release, he was promoted to Brigadier General in July 1862
and formed the Corcoran Legion, a brigade of mostly Irish-American New Yorkers which
served at Gettysburg and elsewhere. He died from a fall from his horse in December 1863.
This collection contains a rare signed carte-de-visite of Corcoran; we are aware of no others at
auction. The carte-de-visite was produced by D. Appleton at their 445 Broadway location,
setting the date at 1863. Other highlights include: Autograph Letter Signed from Corcoran to
his adjutant general requesting a commission for John J. Duff as captain in Corcoran’s brigade,
Astor House, New York, 29 September 1862 * Patriotic cover with engraved portrait of
Corcoran captioned “Sons of Erin! Let the watchword be Corcoran! Rescued if living, avenged
if dead!” * A handsome cabinet card produced by Matthew Brady circa 1893 * Engraved
ribbon titled “Welcome! Brigadier-General Michl. Corcoran,” 7
1
/
2
x 2
1
/
2
inches * and 11 other
cartes-de-visite, each with a different image of Corcoran.
I...,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59 61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,...194