Robert Nugent

Brigadier General Robert Nugent (June 27, 1824 – June 20, 1901) was an Irish-born American U.S. Army officer during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Civil War Service He served with the 69th New York Infantry Regiment, from its days as a militia unit and into its incorporation into the Union Army at the start of the war, and was one of its senior officers at the First Battle of Bull Run. When the unit was originally mustered out of service, the 90-day enlistment terms having expired, Nugent accepted a commission as a captain in the regular army. He was immediately assigned to the 13th Infantry Regiment at the personal request of its commanding officer, Colonel William Tecumseh Sherman. Taking a leave of absence to return to New York, he assisted Thomas Francis Meagher in organizing the Irish Brigade. The newly re-formed 69th Infantry Regiment was the first unit assigned to the Irish Brigade; as its colonel, Nugent led the "Fighting 69th" at the Battles of Fair Oaks, Gaines Mill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. Nugent was shot in the stomach at the Battle of Fredericksburg and was eventually forced to resign his command. The US War Department appointed him acting assistant provost marshal for the southern district of New York, which included New York City and Long Island. It was thought that, as an Irishman and Democrat, his appointment would assure the Irish-American population that conscription efforts would be carried out fairly. The Irish-American, a popular Irish-language newspaper, wrote that the selection was a "wise and deservedly popular one". He did encounter resistance from city officials wanting him to remain uninvolved, but by mid-June he had reported to his superior officer, provost marshal general Colonel James Fry, that conscription efforts were "nearing completion without serious incident".