Michael O'Brien was born in Ireland, but his parents moved the family to the United States, possibly as a result of the potato famines of the late 1840's. At the time of the Regiment's formation he was 23 (The Adjutant General indicated he was 33, while Curtis indicates 23; based on his letters, the lower figure seems correct), and worked on his parents farm in Dearborn Michigan. Michael enlisted in company D on August 5, 1862 and was mustered into service on August 13, 1862.
According to the notes kept by his company commander, Michael was detailed to Quartermaster duty at 1st Coprs Headquarters on April 14, 1863. This duty may have kept him off the firing line at Gettysburg.
Regradless, Michael was a good soldier; he was promoted to
corporal in October 1863. He was killed in action at Spottsylvania
Courthouse on May 12, 1864. Orignally buried on the battlefield,
his remains now lie in the National Cemetery in Fredericksburg,
Virginia.
The "Jim" frequently mentioned in his letters was of
military age and may have been a brother. A James O'Brien enlisted
in Company D, 24th Michigan Infantry on February 27, 1865. It
is interesting to speculate that this is Jim enlisting in the
regiment in memory of his brother. I will be researching this
possibility.
Last Updated: 07/02/99
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