In one of my first blog posts here, I shared the sad story of John Lanahan back in December 2016.
The Irish immigrant joined the United States Army during the Civil War and his life ended on a gallows outside of my adopted hometown of Frederick, Maryland on December 23, 1861. You can read that original story here.
Thanks to my friend Damian Shiels, a renowned historian of the Irish experience during the American Civil War era, I can now share more of the story.
Shiels came across an interview that John Lanahan (referred to in the article as “Lannigan”) gave just hours after he shot dead Major Arnold Lewis of the 46th Pennsylvania near the regiment’s encampment in Darnestown, Maryland on September 23, 1861.
The article appeared in the New York Herald on September 28, 1861.
In the article, the journalist reports on Lanahan’s appearance and the conditions of his incarceration within the army camp.
This is followed with an extensive interview with the young 23-year-old from Tipperary who had found work in the iron furnaces and rolling mills of Scranton, Pennsylvania before joining the Union Army.
This is a fascinating primary source that sheds much light on the personality and the immense regret Lanahan had following his drunken actions against his superior office. “Whiskey has cost me my own life and that of another, whose life I hold more than my own,” Lanahan told the reporter.
Several months later, on December 23, 1861, Lanahan ascended a gallows in front of thousands of Union soldiers on the hills above Frederick, Maryland as an icy wind blew. He was hanged and was buried in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Frederick, where I stumbled upon his grave and his story as a history student at nearby Hood College.
Huge thanks to my friend Damian for sharing this fascinating document that further elaborates on the sad story of John Lanahan:
Darnstown, Md.,
September 24, 1861
The Shooting of Major Lewis, of the Pennsylvania [Forty] Sixth Regiment – Interview with the Murderer – His Appearance – His Statement of the Circumstances Connected with the Shooting, Etc.
JOHN LANNIGAN, THE MURDERER OF MAJOR LEWIS, OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FORTY-SIXTH
I have just had an interview with the murderer, John Lannigan, through the courtesy of the Provost Marshal, Captain Stone, of the 5th Connecticut regiment. In company with your correspondent were Lieutenant Rufus Choate, of the 2nd Massachusetts regiment; Mr. Schell, Leslie’s artist, and the Provost Marshal.
We found the prisoner shackled, lying in a tent alone upon a bed of hay. The bed was not very deep, but the hay was dry. The prisoner’s dinner was brought in while we were present. It consisted of rice, potatoes, and plenty of wholesome roast beef, well cooked and savory. A large dipper of cool water was also among the luxuries of the condemned man’s dinner. He declined to eat.
PRISONER IN CONFINEMENT – HIS APPEARANCE
The prisoner was confined in a large tent in the precincts of the Provost Marshal. It is of the Sibley style, extended. Upon arriving at the tent, observing there were no conveniences for being seated, we laid ourselves down upon the hay, hard by the feet of the unfortunate man.
We had a good look at him, and in a few moments found that he was in a conversable humor.
Lannigan does not look like a desperate man, although he has an eye that dos not always appear clear or self-assured. It is rather more subdued than vindictive; rather more calm than fiery. So far as we could observe, Lannigan, freed from undue excitement from extraneous causes, might prove a useful and obedient soldier.
No malice is apparent in his features – in the turn of his lips, the appearance of his eyes, the tone of his voice, the contour of his countenance. He looks more like a hard working, laboring man, who has had some little education, an advantage enhancing a naturally intelligent mind.
HIS CONFESSION – HIS FAMILY – HE IS READY TO DIE, BUT GRIEVES FOR THE FATE OF HIS VICTIM
Lannigan made the following statement –
“I was born in Ireland, in the county of Tipperary. I am 23 years-old; have a mother and seven brothers; no father or sisters living. My mother lives with two of my brothers, near Syracuse, NY. Their names are Patrick and David Donnivan.
My other brothers are named Michael, who is at work in Danville, PA; Thomas, at Scranton, Luzerne County, PA; William, near Pittsburg, PA., in Brownstown, Allegheny County; Richard, who is in the 5th United States artillery, Battery A, stationed at Washington; James, who lives in England, and is a miners in the north part of that island. My brother Patrick, and the youngest one, David, are with my mother at Syracuse.
As I have said, I have helped to support my mother from my wages, while at work at the rolling mills [in Scranton] and while in the army.”
CAUSES FOR SHOOTING MAJOR LEWIS
“I had no motive for shooting the major. I blame the Captain of my company (Fitzgerald) more than I do the Major. The Captain reported to the Major that I had been in two fights that day, and was always disorderly.
I had but one trouble that day. It was with one of my comrades. He gave me some talk, and I kicked him. This was after I had paid 50 cents for a canteen of whiskey at a brick house just above the Union House, in Rockville. The whiskey made me ugly.
The Major ordered me to be tied to a wagon. After I found that I was tied I know nothing more than getting myself loose, grasping a musket from a comrade, loading it from my own cartridge box, and firing it at the Major.
I had nothing against him. I never knew him before he ordered me to be tied. The whiskey made me mad. Am more sorry for him than I am for myself.” (here the prisoner wept profusely).
I know my fate, and am ready and deserve to receive it; but I should like to see my brother Richard before I die. I have nothing to send to my mother. She wrote to me five weeks ago, and said she wanted me at home.
I am not in the habit of getting intoxicated very much. Liquor has the effect of making me ugly. The 50 cents I paid for the whiskey has cost me my own life and that of another, whose life I hold more than my own. A comrade and my brother Thomas will tell all I have to say. Father Doherty has been here. He came from Rockville.”
Lannigan has been at work in an iron rolling mill in Scranton, PA. He enlisted in the 8th Pennsylvania three months’ regiment, and went through the “Patterson campaign.”
He re-enlisted, and says he has had no reason to find fault with the treatment he has received in the army, either in his first or last enlistment. He dies from the gratification of the passion of a moment, and may his fate be a warning to others.
Lieutenant Betts, Company A, Connecticut 5th, relieved the prisoners in his religious relations by procuring the presence of the esteemed Father Doherty of Rockville.
The sentence is death, but the mode and manner of execution are deferred until the approval of the sentence is received from Washington.
Read more about the Civil War and the Irish experience in the Coal Region
“Revolutionary Disloyalty” – A coal miners’ rebellion in Schuylkill County during the Civil War
Major Joseph Anthony | Civil War veteran and mining superintendent
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