Civil War Union Brevet Major General. Born in Ireland, he immigrated to New York at an early age. When the Civil War began, in support of the Union he enlisted as a Private into Company I, 11th New York Volunteer Infantry in May 1861. Showing leadership and courage in battle, he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant of the 163rd New York Volunteer Infantry in July 1862. In February, 1864, he was appointed Colonel and commander of the 18th New York Volunteer Cavalry, part of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks' Army of the Gulf and saw extensive action in Louisiana during the Red River Campaign. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "gallant conduct at the Battles of Pleasant Hill and Campti", and Major General, US Volunteers, for "gallantry at the Battle of Moore's Plantation, 5th and 6th if May, and the Battle of Yellow Bayou, 19th of May, 1864, and for meritorious conduct during the retreat of the Army of the Gulf from Alexandria to Simmsport, La". After the war, President Andrew Johnson appointed him United States Marshal for the Northern District of Texas. On August 10, 1880, he left Fort Quitman Texas, for the Pecos on a stagecoach when it was attacked by a band of Apache led by War Chief Victorio. The coach managed to turn around and start for the shelter of the fort, when the Indians overtook the coach and fired into it, wounding Byrne in the hip and the back. He died four days later of gangrene.
Civil War Union Brevet Major General. Born in Ireland, he immigrated to New York at an early age. When the Civil War began, in support of the Union he enlisted as a Private into Company I, 11th New York Volunteer Infantry in May 1861. Showing leadership and courage in battle, he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant of the 163rd New York Volunteer Infantry in July 1862. In February, 1864, he was appointed Colonel and commander of the 18th New York Volunteer Cavalry, part of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks' Army of the Gulf and saw extensive action in Louisiana during the Red River Campaign. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "gallant conduct at the Battles of Pleasant Hill and Campti", and Major General, US Volunteers, for "gallantry at the Battle of Moore's Plantation, 5th and 6th if May, and the Battle of Yellow Bayou, 19th of May, 1864, and for meritorious conduct during the retreat of the Army of the Gulf from Alexandria to Simmsport, La". After the war, President Andrew Johnson appointed him United States Marshal for the Northern District of Texas. On August 10, 1880, he left Fort Quitman Texas, for the Pecos on a stagecoach when it was attacked by a band of Apache led by War Chief Victorio. The coach managed to turn around and start for the shelter of the fort, when the Indians overtook the coach and fired into it, wounding Byrne in the hip and the back. He died four days later of gangrene.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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