Bernard McCarren

(1831 - 1870)
Home State: Delaware
Command Billet: Soldier
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 1st Delaware Infantry

Before the Antietam Campaign:
When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Co. H, 24th Pennslyvania Regiment of Captain Thomas A. Smyth. He was noted as being 5' 9" tall, light complexioned, blue eyes and sandy hair. When his three month enlistment ran out, he joined Captain George Price's Co. C, 1st Delaware Infantry. In September, 1861, McCarren was promoted to Corporal.

The remainder of the War:
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 3 July 1863 at Gettysburg, Pa - seizing a Confederate flag under fire. He was discharged in December of 1863 at Washington DC, where he was on detached duty. He promptly reenlisted and, on May 6, 1864, was wounded in the Battle of Wilderness. A musket ball was removed from his left scapula (shoulder blade) and he was hospitalized for 8 months. McCarren was mustered out of service on July 22, 1865, when he returned to Wilmington.

After the War:
McCarren died at the age of 39 from Dysentery and was interred in Wilmington's Old Cathedral Cemetery, which has since been paved over for a new roadbed.

References, Sources, and other notes:
Source: The Delaware Government Information Center, biographical sketch on delaware.gov - originally from Martin, Roger A., DelawareÌs Medal of Honor Recipients - much of the text above.

Birth State: IRELAND
Death Date: 6/20/1870 Burial Place: All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington, DE

« Search for Another Participant