Thomas Foster Gallagher

He was a merchant in New Alexandria, PA and longtime member of the Pennsylvania Militia, rising from Lieutenant to Brigadier General. He enrolled and mustered as Colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves on 2 July 1861. He was captured with most of his regiment at Gaines' Mill, VA on 27 June 1862 and held at Libby Prison in Richmond, VA. He was exchanged and returned to duty about 14 August, and was assigned to command of the Brigade.

He was severely wounded in action near Turner's Gap on South Mountain on 14 September 1862.

He was discharged for wounds on 12 December 1862. He was commissioned Colonel of the 54th Regiment, Pennsylvania Emergency Militia of 1863 to defend the state from the Confederate invasion. He served with them from 30 July to 17 August 1863, and may have had a part in the capture of John Hunt Morgan's raiders. He was honored by brevet to Brigadier General of Volunteers on 13 March 1865.

He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1867-1868 and had service in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

His service from Heitman1 and Bates.2 His picture from Uriguen.3 Details from John Newton Boucher's History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania (1900). His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Elizabeth McBride (1831-1891) and they had 7 children.

01/17/1822; Greensburg, PA

11/04/1883; New Alexandria, PA; burial in New Alexandria Union Cemetery, New Alexandria, PA