New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-27
GEN. JAMES SHIELDS POST.
\ NAME AND NUMBER DEAR TO IRISH
VETERANS.
THE CAREER OF IT'S PATRON Sandstone
THING ABOUT TIE RECORDS IN WAR
AND PEACE OF ITS MEMBERs.


Grand Army Post of this city which bears both a
name and number dear to the lrishmen and their
descendants who fought to preserve the country is
General James shields Post No 60 II holds its regu-
lar meetings the second and fourth Tuesday even
ings Of every month in the Florence Building at No.
20 Second-ave
The soldier for whom this Post named came to
this country from Ireland at the age Of twelve and
learned the trade Of printer He studied law and
settled in Illinois, and I'm 1-43 elevated 10 the
supreme bench of the state. During the Mexican
war he became a brlgader-gene dangerously
wounded at CerrO CortO. and at the battle OF Chapul
tepec he shot through the body and left for dead
upon the field. lie brevetted a major general for
eallantry in action, aud his return to his llihOs
home served United states senator from lof915o5
He removed to Minnesota, and when it was admitted
as state into the Union General Shields was chosen
one OF its first senators in Congress-
At the breaking out OF the War Of the Rebellion
General Shields was one Of the first TO offer his ser
vices to his adopted country, and President Lincoln
commissioned him byiGaher-general Of volunteers
His campaign against "Stoncwall" Jackson, whom he
defeated at Winchester in 1862 and his operations in
West Virginia are part of the history Of the war;
After the restoration Of peace General Shields made his
home in Missouri, and sent to the United states
senate from this State, thus achieving the unprece-
dened honor Of representing three different states In
the highest branch OF the National Legislature.
THE BIRTH OF TIE POST.
General James shields Post was organized and mus
tered into the Grand Army Of the Republic by General
Henry a. Barnum, OF WadswOrh Post NO ~, as Post
No. 1O5. Assisting General Barnum were the follow
Ing staff officers Comrades John Coonan and John
Kerr Of Cameron Post No 20; J. y. Joel, OF sumner
Post No. - Thomas J. O'Donoghuc. Of John A. Raw
lns Post 40. so. and samuel Mccoy, Of Abraham
Lincoln Post. 40. 10. At the second encampment OF
the Post a committee appointed to Arrange an ex-
change Of numbers with the then Post "60, because
Shields Post chiefly composed Of comrades WHO had
served in the G0th Regiment OF New-fork Volunteers
and in tie famous Irish Brigade, commanded by Gen
cral Thomas Francis Mcagher. The proprleV OIL the
change was recognized by the other Post ana
the Department officials, ana Shlcds fO7I Has oNo'
since been known 90.
lis first commander was Patrick X. Morgan, who
entered the army a. captain of Company ID, r7h New"
York Volunteers September 10. l70l, one OF the most
noted regiment, OF lcaglers Irish Brigade captain
llorrau was first wounded AT the battle Of Savage
station and aftorward in ono Of the memorable charges
of Meaghers Brigade at Mar''s Heights. FrederlcK'
Lurg December -, l-G2. lie was discharged the io
lowing year on account of disability, the result OF
wounds from the effects OF which he died In this
city.
The second commander and the first adiutant Of
shield, Post was John Beattie. who Joined the army
a. adiutan; Of the lG4th Ncw-York Volunteers Cor
coran Lclion), August 30, 1862. AZ the batue OF
SpottsylvaniG May, 1@di he was seriously wounded
by a gInshot and again at Petersburg. Va June ~
lot he struck by pieces OF shell In the head ana
knee which rendered him unfit for further service and
ne was DISCHARGED. lie elected commander OF
shields Post December T. 1-7O. and was reelected
IA that position for five successive terms lie died
March g. 1-7j, while still holding the office OF com
mandcr The third commander, who was the Posts
second ahjuiant. was Edward j. Stapeton brave
honorable and officer Of the 22d Regiment Of
PENNSYLVANIA Volunteers, in which command he served
with distinction.