Andrew Philip Caraher

"Company A was recruited during the autumn of 1861, and most of its initial membership mustered into service on December 13, 1861. Many of the men of this company were originally recruited from the shoe factories of Lynn, Massachusetts, with another large contingent being common laborers from East Cambridge, Cambridgeport, and Boston. The first commander was Captain Andrew P. Caraher of Lynn. Caraher was promoted to Major on July 26, 1862 [prob actually 15 November 1862] , and later wounded at both Chantilly and Fredericksburg before being discharged on account of his wounds on September 20, 1863."
(from 28th Mass site)

He was appointed Major, then Lt Colonel, Veteran Volunteer Corps, in September 1863. "He was later captured and imprisoned in the infamous Libby prison, and broke his men out through a sewer". He was appointed Colonel of the 2nd US Volunteer Infantry 18 February 1865.

He was comissioned 1st Lieutenant, 43rd US Infantry, 28 July 1866, transferred to the 1st US Infantry in April 1869, and to the 8th US Cavalry in December 1870. He was promoted to Captain, USA, 15 January 1873.

He later fought Indians in Kansas and was stationed at Fort Union, New Mexico and Fort Clark, Texas, "where he died in Langtry when on horseback patrol, from wounds which he received to his groin during the Civil War. At that time, he was involved in the Geronimo Indian Campaign".

Source: Roster, Company A, 28th Massachussetts Infantry - online from their reenactors; and
Heitman, Francis Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army 1789-1903, Washington, US Government Printing Office, 1903.

Thanks particularly to Greatgrandson Philp E. Cushman for additional information, including his correct middle name and later Army service history quoted above. Mr. Cushman relates "My grandmother, Marie Cushman, was one of his daughters, her maiden name: Marie Caraher, and when I was a very young boy, she would talk with me about her recollections about life as a little girl when stationed at Fort Clark with A.P. Caraher - - - her dad".

11/2/1829; Armagh, IRELAND

4/4/1885; Langtry, TX; burial in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX