New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-03
GENERAL MICHAEL KERwIN.

General Michael Kerwn Is man who, by MS
high character his credtable military record ana
his many years Of faithful service his party. has
we'll earned the respect and confidence OF his fellow
Republicans not only in this city. but throughout
the Empire State. No Republican worker has been
more active or more successful in building up the
party organization in this county. He showed what
could be accomplished by hard and persistent enort
when in the election OF last November his own dis
trlct the XXVIlIth. long Democratic stronghold,
was on State issues and almost on local ones car
ried by the Republicans This success was repeated
in the special Congressional election in the MYTH
District last January. when the XXVIIIth Assembly
District rolled up a majority OF 600 for Mr. Qugg.
the successful candidate.
General Kerwin's success as a leader Is 10 De
ascrbed 10 his marked executive ability. his uniag-
glng energy. his habit OF personally looking after
the smallest details of the work of organization and
his strong and attractive personality which wins
friendships and retains them. James G. Blaine wa,
quick to discern these qualities in General kerwn'
whose services in the campaign OF iSsi won ms al
indeel-muncipa. State and National the General
has been several years an active and aggressive
worker, unsparing Of his time. labor ana money IN
General Kerwin was born in County Wexford,
Ireland August 10, 1885, but at an early age was
brought to America by his parents. who settled In
Philadelphia. There he was educated ana grew
jority he joined a volunteer military company, and
on the breaking out of the civil War he RESPONDED
call for troops. He entered the three months ser
vice as "A private in the 2ith Pennsylvania Regl-
ment which formed q portion OF General Patter-
sons army then about 10 advance into virginia:
In September OF that year. after being discharged
at the expiration Of his first term, he was com
missioned captain in the 18th Cavalry In the fol-
lowing July he raised TO the rank or major
In June 1883 he appointed colonel. On october
~ Colonel Kerwin signal distinction by the
part he took In checkmat Lees scheme to turn
the t'nion right During 1864 Colonel kerwin led
his forces under General Sheridan. in the latters
operations with the Army OF the Potomac, Tor a
time being in command OF the Second Brigade or
Gregg's Division. In 1860 he was assigned TO the
generalshp OF the Third Brigade of fitzpatrick
Division He accompanied General Sherman during
the remaining portion Of the latter's march 10
Raleigh ~ e. receiving the surrender OF that city
at the head OF his brigade.
Nfter the surrender OF Johnston General kerwln
was placed i'm command of the post at Fayetteville.
seven counties being under his control. He man
aged the affairs of his department with marked abi-
itv on conclusion of hostllitles General kerwin
returned 10 Philadelphia. whore In the latter part
OF July NJ was mustered out OF service. having
served in the Union Army from the opening TO the
close OF the war
AS Il Journalist General Kerwn for years labored
zealously and effectively 10 break up what had been
known as the solid Irish Democratic vote. when
had long been manipulated by selfish and unscrupn-
ous bosses 10 the detriment Of the name and true
interests of the Irish American people. The services
which he and few others gave In this direction be-
came first strlkngly manifest In 1884. when thou-
sands OF Irish Americans were made TO see their