Private E. Michael Burk (1847 – February 3, 1878) was an Irish soldier who fought in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

. Burk received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

, for his action during the

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, sometimes more simply referred to as the Battle of Spotsylvania (or the 19th-century spelling Spottsylvania), was the second major battle in Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's 18 ...

in Virginia on 12 May 1864. He was honored with the award on 1 December 1864.

Biography

Burk was born in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

in 1847. He joined the 125th New York Infantry in August 1862, claiming to be 18 years old. He was captured following the

Battle of Harpers Ferry The Battle of Harpers Ferry was fought September 12–15, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. As Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee's Confederate States Army, Confederate army invaded Maryland, a portion of his ...

, but was paroled the next day. After his Medal of Honor action, he remained in the hospital until his regiment was mustered out.Regimental Roster
/ref> Burk died on 3 February 1878 and his remains are interred at the St. Mary's Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burk, E. Michael 1847 births 1878 deaths 19th-century Irish people Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients Irish emigrants to the United States People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Union army officers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References