With military heros in some cases myths can grown up as the years go by. Not a bad thing but sometimes the real story behind the man or men can be more revealing. War is generally glorified as gallant warriors marching to war, drums, fifes and bugles playing all portrayed as having a wonderful time. This is an image that has been portrayed by the recruiting sergeant, the pied piper of the army throughout the ages. It appeals to the the young men who flock to join. It is not like that as millions would find out. In Colonel O'Kane I suppose we have a good example of the reality of it all. Looking at his war records from the archives is most revealing and answers many questions.
We know that the Civil War started in April 1861 when Fort Sumter South Carolina was fired on from Fort Moultrie, the secession of the South had started, the union of the United States was in peril. Men flocked to take sides. Many of the officers on each side would have been at West Point together and been personal friends but idealogies are funny things. Soon many would face each other in war. As in all wars the "troops" would be be recruited from many sources. Many recruited for each side would be newly arriving or lately arrived Irishmen fleeing or having fled earlier an Ireland in dire straits. Such a man was Dennis O'Kane.
Dennis O'Kane had obviously been interested in soldiering way before the Civil War started. We can only imagine his motivation for this choice. Now let us look at "his" Civil War. I do not propose to start looking at the various skirmishes and battles the unit was involved - that has already been well done, but at some background events that would affect his personal life. It should be remembered that we tend to think of our heroes as men of steel who are beyond human and physical frailities kind of modern day supermen. No so. They are very ordinary human beings. What does of course make them stand out is their absolute committment to the cause they follow and the persuit of a just cause even to their demise. Such a man was O'Kane. Let us look the highs and lows of his short war.

Denis O'Kane joined the 69th Regt. Pa. Infantry at Philadelphia on Aug. 19th 1861 for a three year enlistment. He was already a Lieut. Colonel and aged 43 which confirms his birth date of 1818 in Ireland. He had already been heavily involved in the various militias that had sprung up in and around Philadelphia and indeed Pennsylvania prior to the Civil War so he has knowledge of soldering and especially the leadership of men. He was educated and a man of standing in the extended Irish community in the city.

In the Field and Staff muster roll call for Aug.19th 1861 to Oct. 31st 1861 he is named but it is not stated whether he was present or absent. One assumes present as he had just joined the unit.

In a Field and Staff muster-in roll on Oct. 31st 1861 he is noted as being at Camp Observation Maryland. He had moved on from Philadelphia. Camp Observation was near Poolsville Maryland.

In the Field and Staff the muster roll for Nov. and Dec. 1861 he is shown as present after "recapitulation" and present for duty.

In the Field and Staff muster roll for Jan. 1862 to Feb. 1862 he is again marked as present after "recapitulation" shows him present for duty".

However in a medical report written at Philadelphia by David P. Boyer M.D. of 926 South 6th Street Philadelphia on Jan. 8th 1862 O'Kane is certified that "in consideration of the exhausted state of his system" his leave of absence should be extended another 20 days. This would leave him unfit for duty until 28th Jan. 1862 basically all of January 1862. Also is states that this is to extend his leave of illness thus we know that he probably took ill around 18th Dec. 1861.

We see that O'Kane's health would appear to have been satisfactory from the date he joined the unit on August 19th 1861 until it started to cause him problems in mid/late December of 1861 some four months later with the onset of the N. American winter. Here is a transcript of the medical certificate issued about O'Kanes state of health in Jan 1862.

Phil January 8th 1862.
This is to certify that I am professionally attending Lieut. Col. Dennis O'Kane and deem it advisable in consideration of the exhausted state of his system to extend his leave of absence twenty days longer.
David P. Boyer M.D.
926 South St.

It is also interesting to note that the doctor provided two copies of the document probably necessary for the regimental surgeon and his superior officer. I assume that Dr. Boyer was O'Kane's private physician and perhaps 926 South 6th St. was not too far from where O'Kane lived.

In the Field and Staff muster roll dated April 30th 1862 he is named but not stated whether he was present or absent. This would appear to have been the yearly muster roll as it is specifically dated April 30th.

In the Field and Staff muster roll for May and June 1862 he is marked as present.

In the Field and Staff muster roll for for July and Aug. 1862 he is marked as present.

In the Field and Staff Special muster roll on Aug.18th 1862 and he is marked present. This looks to be a special yearly muster roll call. He still holds the position of Lieut. Colonel.

In the Field and Staff muster roll for Sept. and Oct. 1862 he is marked as present.

However things started to go wrong for O'Kane in early Oct. 1862. On Special Order No.109 from Headquarters at Harpers Ferry dated Oct. 23rd 1862 a court martial is ordered for O'Kane on several charges. Here is a transcript of the charge sheet.

Head Qrtrs 2nd Corps.
Harpers Ferry Oct. 23rd 1862.

I. Before a general court martial of which Brig. Genrl. W. S. Hancock Volunteer Service is president conviened by virtue of service Order No. 22 from these headquarters of Oct.7th 1862 was arraigned and tried Lt. Col. Dennis O'Kane by the Penna. Regt on the following charges.Viz

Charge 1st. Violation of the 50th article of War.

Specification: In this that Lt. Colonel Dennis O'Kane 69th Pa. Vols. did remain absent from his regiment while it was on pickett duty without sufficient authority in all this at or near Harpers Ferry Va. on or about the 4th of Oct 1862.

Charge 2nd. Conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

Specification: In this that Lieut. Col. O'Kane 69th Regt. Pa. Vols. was much under the influence of liquor and did enter into a personal alteration with his Colonel J.O. Owen 69th. Penn Vols. using violent words and demonstrations all this at or near Harpers Ferry on or about the 4th of October 1862 and which charges and specifications the accused pleaded "not guilty"

After mature deliberation upon the evidence addressed the court found him Lt. Co. Dennis O'Kane of the 69th Penna. regt as follows.
Of the 1st specification of the 1st charge "not guilty".
Of the 1st charge "not guilty"
Of the specification 2nd charge "guilty" except the words "was under the influence of liquor and" but attach no criminality threat and of the 2nd charge "not guilty" and the court therefore aquits him.
II. The proceedings in the case of Lieut Col. Dennis O'Kane by the Penna. Vols are confirmed.
He will resume his sword and his duties.
By command of Major Gen Couch.
Signed J. A Walker aaJ.
Official Geo. A. Hicks aaJ.

What was this all about?. I feel that without doubt this was simply bad blood between Owen and O'Kane, I am aware of the story that Owen was said to have offended O'Kane's wife. Circumstantially probably as Mrs. O'Kane would be back in Philadelphia with their children and hardly at Harpers Ferry in the middle of winter at an army encampment. Probably both men did not hit it off to well in general and with liquor around it probably all ended up in a slanging match. Owen possibly hung around waiting to be offended, kept baiting a drunken O'Kane and he reacted. I feel it's as simple as that. It is fine to see that "mature reflection" maintained and all charges dismissed probably flagging up to O'Kane to modify his drinking habits and Owens to get his act together not to be vindictive....there was a war to be fought. I should think that Owens would feel rather sheepish about his actions. I feel that he was probably the instigator of the court martial. I note that he chose to place two charges against O'Kane one about not doing his pickett duty properly along with the 2nd about being insulted etc. The 1st to deflect the 2nd as being seen as personal!. To further sort the problem Owen a Welshman was promoted in what appears to be to be a classic "sideways" promotion away from O'Kane.
I have noted that in a few cases of court martials being instigated in the Civil War the actual written charges bore little resemblance to what actually what happened. I feel that this one of O'Kane versus Owens was a classic example of bad blood aided by beer but that would not sit well with the Army court so better to make it a disciplinary type of charge. Enough said.

However all did not go too badly for O'Kane. He was promoted as Colonel of the Regiment on 1st Dec.1862.

In the Field and Staff muster for Nov. and Dec. 1862 he is noted as being absent and a note made on the muster roll "Absent on sick leave for 20 days from Dec. 24th 1862".

The unit was at this time encamped near Falmouth Virg. It would appear that towards the end of Dec.1862 O'Kane's health had deteoriated very badly.
A medical report on O'Kane dated 20th. Dec.1862 by surgeon McNeil is interesting.

Lt. Col D. O'Kane of the 69th Regt. P.V. having applied for a certificate on which to ground an application for leave of absence I do hereby certify that I have carefully examined this officer and find that he is suffering from a severe attack of bilious dysentry- the result of exposure in the recent move to Fredericksburg and that in consequence thereof he is in my opinion, unfit for duty. I further declare my belief that he will not be able to resume his duties in a less period twenty days and further that a change is necessary to his recovery.
Doug M. Neil
Asst Surgeon 69th P.V.
Dated at camp near Falmouth this 20th day of Dec. 1862.

One point of interest is that it is suggested that to improve O'Kane's lot "a change is necessary". I assume to a unit perhaps in a better weather zone that around Falmouth in the winter!. It would appear not to have happened. I have a copy of a beautifully written letter probably written on O'Kane's behalf by an appointed soldier skilled in the art. I have no doubt this was dictated directly by O'Kane as I see too many expressions in the letter that only a Co. Derry man would use to this day. O'Kane he writes from Falmouth to Capt. E. Whittlery the adjutant of the 2nd Div. 2nd Corps asking that he could have 20 days leave on account of ill health. He states that he had not been absent a day from the Regiment from last winter and the recent exposure to cold had affected his health. He enclosed a surgeons report on him about his illness. He then states that he requires more comfort and attention for his recovery that he could obtain here. He then asks for early attention to his application.
The letter is very interesting. O'Kane's signature at the end of the letter is clear and in a well formed hand. The schools in and around Learmount and Upper Cumber did a very good job or was it extra education in his early years in Philadelphia. Just possible. Reading this letter is fascinating. The expression " I have not been absent from my regiment a day since last winter". This is typical of the turn of expression still heard in the Sperrin hills ie " not a day since" is used to amplify just how long a time a person been in continous favour, doing good or if used negatively just how long the wrong was!. The letter flags up to me that O'Kane at this time was very worried about his position due to his health and also coming so shortly after the courtmartial even though he was cleared he had his wrist smacked for drinking too much liquor!.

Head Qrts 69th Reg P.V.
Camp near Falmouth Va Dec. 20/62
Capt E Whitterly
Aag
2nd Div. 2nd Corps
Sir,
I respectfully ask for leave of absense for twenty days on account of ill health. I have not been absent from my regiment a day since last winter, and the recent exposure to cold has affected my health to such an extent, as appears by the enclosed surgeons certificate, as to require more comfort & attention for my recovery than I can obtain here.
Your early attention to this application will much oblidge.
Your Obd, servt.
D. O'Kane
Lt. Col. c'ming 69th P.V's

On Dec 24 1862 Christmas eve by Special Order No. 84 from the headquarters of the Right Grand Division near Falmouth Virg. a cover note to the surgeons on behalf of Major General Sumner is signed by Adjutant J. H.Taylor Chief of Staff and Adjutant. It is countersigned by 2nd brigade official Chas. H. Banis Capt and Adjutant. On the document it states and signed by D.Taylor the paymaster that O'Kane had been paid to Dec. 31st 1862. The medical certificate is interesting in that it states that O'Kane was "suffering from an attack of billious dysentry as a result of exposure on the recent move to Fredericksburg". He grants him 20 days leave on account of his sickness. The letter dated 20th Dec.1862.

In the Field and Staff Muster roll for Jan. Feb 1863 at Falmouth Va. he is marked at present it is noted that he was "Promoted from Lt. Colonel to be Col Dec 1st 1862. Vice. Owen promoted".

However O'Kanes health again causes him problems. He is obviously incapacited again. Here is a medical certificate dated Jan.18th 1863.

This is to certify that I have fully examined Lieut. Col. O'Kane of the 69th Pa Vol. and find him suffering from an exhausted condition of the nervous and muscular ststems. I further certify that he will not be fit for duty under a shorter a period than twenty days.
Chas.C. Bombaugh.
Act. Surgeon
U.S.A. General Hospital
Chestnut Hill
Jan 18th 1863

O'Kane would appear not to have recovered by early February 1863 and another medical certificate is obtained on the 2nd Feb. This one states.

This is to certify that Lieut Co. O'Kane of the 69th Pa. Vol. is not able to do military duty in consequence of a severe catarrh and irritation of the bronchia which entirely unfits him for active service at present.
David P. Boyer M.D.
926 South 6th St.
Feb.2nd 1863

David D. Boyer may well have been O'Kanes private physician. On the same date he obtained another medical certificate from the U.S.A. General hospital at Chestnutt Hill Philadelphia. This would appear to O'Kane's having to provide two certificates from independent sources. This certificate states.

This is to certify that I have carefully examined Lieut. Col. O'Kane of the 69th Pa.Vol. and find him still suffering from great dibility with severe catarrh and bronchial disturbance renderng him unfit for active service. I further certify that he will not be fit for duty under a less period than twenty days.
Chas. C.Bombaugh
Act Surgeon
U.S.A. Gen'l Hospital.
Chestnutt Hill.
Feb 2nd 1863.

In and Individual Muster-out roll from near Falmouth Va and dated March 27th 1863 it states that the "Muster-out to date Dec 1st 1862" and O'Kane was last paid Dec. 31st 1862. It remarks that O'Kane mustered out as Lt. Col. and promoted Col. Vice. Owen promoted M.O. to take effect this date Dec 1st 1862. Owen has been promoted to Brigadier General. Both men seem to have done well out of their altercation!. Martin Tschudy who joined the regiment the same day as O'Kane would also be promoted. To Adjutant to Major Jan 1st 1863 and to Colonel March 31st 1863. He would die at Gettysburg like O'Kane 3rd July 1863.

In an Individual Muster-in roll also of March 27th 1863 also from near Falmouth Va. it records that his Muster-in date was Dec.1st 1862 and he joined for duty and enrolled Dec 1st 1862. It remarks that he was promoted from Lt. Col. to be Colonel (Vice Owen promoted). Commissioned from Dec.1st 1862.

In a Field and Staff Special Muster Roll dated April 10th 1863 probably at Falmouth Va. he is named as being present and it is remarked that he was Promoted Col. 31st. Dec 1862 commissioned and mustered as such on March 27th 1863 by Lt. Rufus King 4th U.S.Art.

In a Field and Staff Muster for March and April 1863 at Falmouth Va. he is noted as being present.

In a Field and Staff Muster for May and June 1863 at Uniontown Maryland he is noted as being present.

In a Field and Staff Muster for July and August 1863 it is remarked that he was killed in action at Gettysburg July 3rd 1863.

However the saddest roll to read is that dated July 1st 1865 from Munsons Hill Va. at or towards the end of the war when in a Field and Staff Muster-out states that he was promoted Col. Dec. 1st 1862. Killed in action at Gettysburg Pa. July 3rd 1863.

When Dennis died at Gettysburg his widow Hannah lost no time in applying for a pension. To satisfy the authorities she would as part of her application need provide proof of her marriage to Dennis. The document below is quite fascinating.

Here is a transcript.
Learmount
Londonderry 8th Aug.1863
I certify the Rev'd Neil Devine who has given the annexed certificate of the marriage of Dennis and Hannah O'Kane Parish Priest of Learmount in parish of Upper Cumber Co.Londonderry Ireland and that where acts and deals in that capacity full faith and credit is due and ought to be paid.
J.M.Beresford J.P. D.L.
Co.Londonderry.

This document hand written by the local landlord Beresford who lived at Learmount Castle and was landowner and gentry farmer in the area was also a Justice of the Peace and a barrister. He like most landed gentry families had massive sway over his tenants and small farmers from whom he would got his rents. No doubt the O'Kanes in Ireland paid rent like everyone else. What appears to have happened is that Hannah applied to the United States government immediatley after Dennis's death for a pension. The government would look and find out just who was the local J.P.in O'Kanes former homeland. No doubt they had lists of landed gentry, barristers and J.P.'s. The States authority seemed to have sent the request for a marriage certificate to Beresford. Beresford then contacted the local priest Father Neil Devine who supplied the document. However Beresford had to authenticate just who Father Devine was.The above document basically states that yes, he Father Devine is trustworthy and thus the marriage certificate is authentic and he Beresford would appear to be annexing (enclosing) the said marriage certificate in some sort of official holder or perhaps a kind of diplomatic bag.
This document is interesting as it shows just how far the power of the landlord extended. If for instance O'Kane had left debts or had been involved in anti landlord or State activities then Beresfords reply may not have been so benine. However he had to be careful this was an era where the local priest basically controlled his flock and Beresford relied heavily on the local populace mainly Catholic in this case to service his estate. A kind of balance of power. It is interesting to look at the actual marriage proof document that the Rev'd Neil Devine supplies to Beresford and which Beresford talks of annexing to be forwarded to the the legal authorities in America.

Translation:
From the Testimony of reliable people it is clear that Denis O’Kane and Honor O’Kane (Hannah O'Kane) have been legitimately joined in Matrimony According to the rites of Holy Mother Church Around 1835.
Witnesses:
Francis O’Kane and Sara O’Kane
Given at Claudy 4th August 1865
Signed : Nigel Devine (Neal Devine)
Parish of Cumber Upper Learmount In the Diocese of Derry
Salutations of peace to all from my heart.

Records of births marriages and deaths in Catholic parishes were generally recorded in Latin as in the above document. However the quality of the recording Irish births, marriages and deaths is a very vexed question. The keeping of the records was generally left up to the local priest.Not a great idea and numerous records were simply not kept, lost or destroyed. Things would improve dramatically when the State took control of all records in the late 19th century. However it must also be stated that not all clerics were lax in their duty in this respect and it is thanks to such clerics that we have a record of the O'Kane marriage. The fact that the above record existed and were are able to shown on the Internet nearly 150 years later is nothing short of amazing.
In looking through the documents associated with Hanna O'Kane's pension application it is sad to see that she was apparently unable to sign her own name and simply put an X in the classic "her mark" statement seen so often as the signature of the Irish in Famine times documents.
When looking at the old pension applications for soldiers and their next of kin in the Civil Wat one never ceases to see just' how many documents had to be produced. The system was not a benine one!. In Hannah O'Kanes case it might be thought because of her husbands rank and his performance at the decisive battle of Gettysburg she would have access to her pension fairly quickly. Not so. She had the added problem of having to get proof of marriage from Ireland and in this she was very lucky to have a parish priest who took the trouble to provide it and a landlord who was so minded as to facilitate a quick despatch of the documents to the States. However though Hannah applied for her pension very soon after her husband was killed 3rd Aug. 1863 she only received her $30 dollar a month pension on March 17th. 1864. However it would have been back dated.

Dennis O'Kanes war was over. His beloved Union Army would go on to win the War of the Rebellion. His name would live on in America but sadly like so many Irish soldiers who fought for the Union and indeed the Confederacy their memory would go into oblivion in Ireland. They deserve better.

Observations: Reading the documents on Dennis O'Kane I obtained from the Archives have to someone on this side of the Atlantic been revealing. Perhaps the first notable entries were about O'Kane's health and would be expected. The history of the people from which he comes in the Sperrin hills of Derry and Tyrone is such that due to poor diet over decades the Irish of the Sperrin hills were left with great chest and lung weaknesses and tuberculosis was rampant in the mid 19th century and indeed this problem was not really solved until well into the 1950's. I have researched quite a few families from the area and it is common to find perhaps of say a family of six as many as three, four or even five would die at a young age or as teenagers from T.B. I feel it is possible that though O'Kane was putting forward the fact that it was the weather that caused his ill health in the move to Fredericksburg he was aware that he had inherent chest and lung problems. Yes the bad weather did not help but not all the regiment went sick. I think his writing a letter asking for a period of medical dispensation in Dec. 1862 saying that he had not missed being away from his regiment for the past year says a lot. He was concerned about the reaction of the regiment surgeons and his career. There may well have been a lot of chest and lung problems in the Irish soldiers in the regiment from Co. Derry and Co. Tyrone.
The quality of the letter is also remarkable. It is exceptionally well written and in a very good hand. I have looked at signatures of other private soldiers of the regiment and see in many cases examples of those who had a very basic education, they could just about scrawl down their name at the end of a document.
As regards O'Kane's letter being in a very good hand and well constructed one must keep in mind that though O'Kane would compose it, it was most probably written by a soldier in the regiment who was assigned to these tasks and O'Kane would simply read and sign it. It would also save him time for his normal duties running the unit.

Note. The transcriptions are as accurate as I can determine from the old documents which are nearly 140 years old and hand written and not all the handwriting was too clear!.

From a very old faded pay document detailing his pay, servants pay and allowances, also horse fodder allowance the following information is noted.The document is for the period May 1st 1862 until the end of August 1862 a period of four months we see that on 14th Oct. 1862 he signed for the monies received. We see that he was given allowances for two servants, clothing for the two servants, forage for three horses and subsistence for himself and the two servants. It is noted that his two servants were named James McLaughlin and John Casey. In total he collected $757.58 cents. O'Kanes basic pay was $80 dollars per month. It is interesting to see that the physical attributes of both McLaughlin and Casey noted. The usual height, complexion and eye and hair colour. From the names they were probably Irishmen.