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Promoting Irish Culture and History from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Birth of James Joseph Quinlan, Union Army Officer

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James Joseph Quinlan, Union Army officer during the American Civil War, is born in Clonmel, County Tipperary on September 13, 1833.

Quinlan is appointed as Major of the 88th New York Infantry in December 1861. He becomes the regiment’s Lieutenant Colonel in October 1862 and is discharged in February 1863.

Quinlan receives America’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, on February 18, 1891, for his actions at the Battle of Savage’s Station in Henrico County, Virginia, the fourth of the Seven Days Battles (Peninsula Campaign). His citation states he “led his regiment on the enemy’s battery, silenced the guns, held the position against overwhelming numbers, and covered the retreat of the Second Army Corps.”

James Joseph Quinlan dies on August 29, 1906, in Queens, New York and is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York.

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Author: Jim Doyle

I am a descendant of Joshua Doyle (b. 1775, Dublin, Ireland), and have a strong interest in Irish culture and history, which is the primary focus of this site. I am a retired IT professional living in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. I am a commissioner on the City of Little Rock's Public Safety Commission (2024-Present) and a volunteer with Get Loud, Arkansas!, a 501(c)3 organization focused on voter registration. I previously served as a commissioner on the City of Little Rock's Arts and Culture Commission (2015-2020, 2021-2024, Chairman 2017-2018) and am the Past President of the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas (2011-2017).

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