View source for John Corcoran

May have been John, son of Catharine Corcoran [name of father not given] who was baptised on 21 June 1851 in St. Gregory’s Church, Longton, Stafford, although that would make his age 22, not 21, on enlistment 8 October 1873.

Corcoran had blue eyes, dark hair, a ruddy complexion, was 5′ 8″ tall, previously employed as a bolt maker.

He served several terms in confinement during his single 5-year enlistment in the regiment.  Being incarcerated [for being drunk on main guard duty] at Fort Lincoln at the time of the battle certainly saved his life. Company C, one of Custer’s doomed five companies, lost three officers and 36 enlisted men at the Little Big Horn. Additionally, four enlisted men were wounded one whom, Private James C. Bennett, died of his injuries on 5 July 1876 on the steamer Far West.

Was discharged on 8 October 1878 at Camp J. G. Sturgis, Dakota Territory, a private. Character “intemperate but otherwise an excellent soldier.”

John Corcoran is recorded as a Teamster, Sturgis, Dakota Territory, age 29. Born England. Father born Ireland. Mother born England [1880 Census].

His fate is not known.