death by cracked skull

You could get killed in battle; you could die a slow, lingering death from your battle wounds or from disease; or a horse could fall on you and crack your skull. That’s what happened to General Michael Corcoran on December 22, 1863.

Irish immigrant, American Unionist

From The New-York Times December 26, 1863:

Military Arrangements for Gen. Corcoran’s Funeral.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, N.Y.S.N.G., NEW-YORK, Dec. 24, 1863.

SPECIAL ORDER, No.54. — The Major-General has heard with deep regret of the decease of Brig.-Gen. MICHAEL CORCORAN.

His remains will be received to-morrow by a company of the Sixty-ninth regiment, and will be escorted to the City Hall, where they will remain in the Governor’s room in charge of a detachment of that regiment until the funeral on Sunday next.

The funeral will take place from the City Hall under the direction of the National Committee of the Common Council, at 1 o’clock P.M.

The escort will be under the command of Brig.-Gen. EWEN, and will consist of the Twenty-second regiment, Col. ASPINWALL, the Sixty-ninth regiment, Col. BAGLEY, and a section of artillery from the Fourth regiment, to be detailed by Brig.-Gen. YATES.

The line will be formed on Sunday next, at 12 1/2 o’clock M., in the Park.

The officers of the division not on duty are requested to attend in uniform, with side arms and the usual badges of mourning.

The Commissary-General will issue the necessary ammunition upon the requisition of the proper officers. By order of

Maj.-Gen. CHAS. W. SANDFORD.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON, A.D.C.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE N.Y.S.N.G., NEW-YORK, Dec. 24, 1863.

SPECIAL ORDER No. _____._____ The foregoing Special Orders from Division Headquarters are hereby promulgated. The Twenty-second and Sixty-ninth regiments will appear as therein directed.

The Staff will assemble, fully equipped and mounted, at the Brigadier-General’s Headquarters, at 11 1/2 o’clock A.M. By order of

JOHN EWEN, Brig.-Gen.

HENRY M. VAN BEUREN, Aid-de-Camp.

You can read more about Michael Corcoran at The Washington Times

In January 1863 a mass was held in New York City’s St. Patrick’s for the souls of members of the Irish brigade killed in the war.

requiem for Irish Brigade