Brannigan, Felix (MOH), 1LT

Served in the Civil War as a Private in Company A, 74th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 2, 1863.  Three other 74th New York soldiers had volunteered to perform the dangerous reconnaissance, which was requested by Union General Hiram G. Berry, and was done in the night after Stonewall Jackson had crushed the Union Army of the Potomacâ??s Right Flank.

Without the Rebels discovering them, the four soldiers heard the accidental shooting of General Jackson by his own men, and were able to return with that information, as well as information about the location of the Confederate troops.

When they returned to Union lines they had heard the General Berry had been mortally wounded, and one of his last request were that the scouting party be rewarded. His Medal was issued on June 29, 1866. The three other 74th New York scouts were Private Joseph Gion, Sergeant Major Eugene P. Jacobson and Sergeant Gotlieb Luty, all of which were awarded the CMOH for this act as well as well.

Private Brannigan would subsequently receive an officerâ??s commission, and finished the War as First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 103rd United States Colored Troops.