Robert Nugent ( officer ) Brigadier General Robert Nugent ( June 27 , 1824 – June 20 , 1901 ) was an Irish - born American U . S . Army officer during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars . He served with the Irish Brigade ' s 69th Infantry Regiment , from its days as a National Guard unit and into its incorporation into the Union Army at the start of the war , and was one of its senior officers at the First Battle of Bull Run . When the unit was originally mustered out of service , the 90 - day enlistment terms having expired , Nugent accepted a commission as a captain in the regular army . He was immediately assigned to the 13th Infantry Regiment whose commanding officer , Colonel William Tecumseh Sherman , personally requested . Taking a leave of absence to return to New York , he assisted Thomas Francis Meagher in organizing the Irish Brigade . The newly reformed 69th Infantry Regiment was the first unit assigned to the Irish Brigade and , with Nugent as its colonel , he led the " Fighting 69th " at the Battles of Fair Oaks , Gaines Mill , Savage Station , White Oak Swamp , Glendale , Malvern Hill , and Antietam . Nugent was wounded , shot in the stomach , at the Battle of Fredericksburg and was eventually forced to resign his command . He was appointed acting assistant provost marshal for the southern district of New York , which included New York City and Long Island , by the US War Department . An Irish Catholic and Democrat , his appointment was thought to assure the Irish - American population that conscription efforts would be carried out fairly . The " Irish - American " , a popular Irish - language newspaper , wrote that the selection was a " " wise and deservedly popular one " " . He did encounter resistance from city officials wanting remain uninvolved , however by mid - June had reported to his superior officer and provost marshal general Colonel James Fry that conscription efforts were " " nearing completion without serious incident " " . Understanding the seriousness of the situation , he attempted to keep the draft selections quiet and in isolated parts of the city . In Manhattan however , lotteries were placed in the heart of Irish tenement and shanty neighborhoods where the draft was most opposed . In the ensuing New York Draft Riots , Nugent took command of troops and attempted to defend the city against the rioters . Despite issuing the cancellation of the draft , the riots continued for almost a week . His home on West 86th Street was looted and burned by the rioters during that time , his wife and children barely escaping from their home . Upon breaking into his house , furniture was destroyed and paintings of Nugent and Meagher were slashed , although Corcoran ' s was reportedly left untouched . On October 28 , he was relieved of his post and succeeded by General William Hayes . He returning to active duty , he assumed command of Irish Brigade in November 1864 , shortly after the death of Brigadier General Michael Corcoran , and was present at the battle of Battle of Spotsylvania , the Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign s . As its last commanding officer , he and the Irish Brigade also marched in the victory parade held in Washington , D . C . following Lee ' s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse . Later years . Nugent was brevetted Brigadier General for distinguished leadership of the 69th Regiment on March 13 , 1865 . The veterans of the Irish Brigade were honorably discharged and mustered out three months later , Nugent remained in the regular US Army for the next twenty years . A formidable " Indian fighter " during the Great Plains Wars with the 13th and 24th Infantry Regiments . In 1879 , he retired at the rank of major and resided in New York where he was involved in the Grand Army of the Republic , the War Veterans ' Association of the 7th Regiment and an honorary member of The Old Guard . Death . He became ill in his old age , complications arising from his wounds suffered at Fredericksburg , and remained bedridden for two months before his death at his McDonough Street home in Brooklyn . In accordance with his last wishes , he was buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery .