Richard J. Curran
Encyclopedia
Richard J. Curran was an Irish-American surgeon, army officer and U.S. Republican Party
politician. He received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the American Civil War
. He was born in the town of Ennis
in County Clare
, Ireland
.
Curran immigrated with his parents to the United States
in 1850, and attended Harvard Medical School
, graduating in 1859. At the start of the Civil War, he raised two volunteer companies (designated A company & K company) from Seneca Falls, New York
, and joined the 33rd New York Infantry
, becoming regimental assistant surgeon with the rank of major
. He would receive the Medal of Honor for the Battle of Antietam
, where he was the regiment's only medical officer present in the field. When the 33rd New York was mustered out in 1863, he joined the 6th New York Cavalry, serving until the surrender of Robert E. Lee
at Appomattox.
Following the war, Curran opened a pharmacy in Rochester, New York
, where he also participated in local politics. He was elected to the New York State Legislature in 1891, and was subsequently elected Mayor of Rochester, New York in 1892, serving a two-year term. He was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was born in the town of Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
in County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Curran immigrated with his parents to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1850, and attended Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
, graduating in 1859. At the start of the Civil War, he raised two volunteer companies (designated A company & K company) from Seneca Falls, New York
Seneca Falls (town), New York
Seneca Falls is a town in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 9,347 at the 2000 census.The Town of Seneca Falls contains a village also called Seneca Falls...
, and joined the 33rd New York Infantry
33rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the Ontario Regiment, was an infantry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
, becoming regimental assistant surgeon with the rank of major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
. He would receive the Medal of Honor for the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
, where he was the regiment's only medical officer present in the field. When the 33rd New York was mustered out in 1863, he joined the 6th New York Cavalry, serving until the surrender of Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
at Appomattox.
Following the war, Curran opened a pharmacy in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, where he also participated in local politics. He was elected to the New York State Legislature in 1891, and was subsequently elected Mayor of Rochester, New York in 1892, serving a two-year term. He was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Rochester, New York)
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery in Rochester, NY. The cemetery is across Lake Avenue from Riverside Cemetery.- Notable Burials :...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Assistant Surgeon, 33rd New York Infantry. Place and date: Antietam, Md., 17 September 1862. Entered service at: Seneca Falls, N.Y. Born: 4 January 1838, Ireland. Date of issue: 30 March 1898.Voluntarily exposed himself to great danger by going to the fighting line there succoring the wounded and helpless and conducting them to the field hospital.