Originally organized as the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteers, the "Irish Dragoons" were to be a squadron of cavalry commanded by Captain James A. Galligher, and attached to the New York-based Irish Brigade. When President Lincoln issued manpower quotas to the several states, Pennsylvania requested their men be returned in order to help fill the quotas. A full regiment was raised, re-numbered as the 117th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, aka the 13th regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry. Originally recruited and organized at Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania beginning in December 1861, they were mustered in for three-years service under the command of newly promoted Colonel James A. Galligher. The unit's commanders were Colonel James A. Galligher, Colonel Michael Kerwin, Lieutenant Colonel Peter C. Shannon, Lieutenant Colonel Garrick Mallery. Colonel Michael Kerwin was active in Fenian affairs aftern the Civil War and spent time in English prison for his activities there. He was also very active in the command structure of the Fenian raids into Canada immediately after the Civil War. He spent the remainder of his life in politics in New York City. Lieutenant Colonel Garrick Mallery wrote extensively on studies of Indian rock writing in the western states. Lieutenant Colonel Peter C. Shannon became a territorial judge and lawyer in the western states. Sergeant Daniel G. Caldwell and Private MKichael Dougherty were recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Physical description: xiv, 302 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm