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Major · U.S. Army

James Quinlan

Major James Quinlan, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 29, 1862 at Savage Station, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War June 29, 1862Born in Ireland

Major James Quinlan was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 29, 1862 at Savage Station, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 88th New York Infantry. Quinlan was 28 years old.

The medal was presented on February 18, 1891, 28 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Quinlan was born on September 13, 1833 in Clomwell, County Tipperary, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Quinlan died on August 29, 1906 in New York, New York, at the age of 72. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.

Quinlan is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Led his regiment on the enemy's battery, silenced the guns, held the position against overwhelming numbers, and covered the retreat of the 2d Army Corps.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War, Battle of Savage's Station.

Places

  • Born: County Tipperary — map
  • Died: Queens — map
  • Buried: Calvary Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. September 13, 1833
    Born in Clomwell, County Tipperary, Ireland
  2. June 29, 1862
    Act of valor — Savage Station, Virginia
    Age 28. 88th New York Infantry
  3. February 18, 1891
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. August 29, 1906
    Died in New York, New York
    Age 72.
  5. Resting place
    Calvary Cemetery
    Woodside, New York

Biography

James Joseph Quinlan (September 13, 1833 – August 29, 1906) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Savage's Station. Quinlan, was appointed as major of the 88th New York Infantry in December 1861. He became the regiment's lieutenant colonel in October 1862, and was discharged in February 1863. After the war, he became a companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Quinlan was buried at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York.

From the Wikipedia article “James Quinlan”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More Civil War recipients from New York

JL John W. Lloyd Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1864 Peter Kappesser Private · Army Civil War · 1863 TM Thomas J. Murphy First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 JM John McGowan Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1862 William H. Raymond Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 LA Lester Archer Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.