Conlon, Micheal

Micheal Conlon

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company D, 10th Wisconsin Infantry

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

December 31, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Micheal Conlon lived in Lowville, Wisconsin. On December 27, 1859, he married Margaret Cassada in Columbia, WI. On September 21, 1861, about two years after his marriage, he enlisted with the Union army as a private. He mustered into Company D of the 10th Wisconsin Infantry on the same day. Private Conlon's records can also be found under the name "Micheal Conlin."

The 10th Wisconsin was organized in Milwaukee, WI. After its organization, the 10th WI had duty in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Their first major battle was the battle of Perryville in October 1862. After Perryville, they were sent south to occupy Nashville, Tennessee. At some point during this time, Conlon had a rank change to Corporal. This was his rank going into the battle of Stones River. The 10th Wisconsin occupied Nashville until December 26th, when they received orders to head south to Murfreesboro.

They arrived in Murfreesboro on December 30th, exhausted after their four day journey. They formed a position in reserve west of VanCleve Lane. They remained in this position until around 10am on December 31, 1862. Confederate forces had been in contact with Union forces south of the 10th Wisconsin's position since 6am, and they managed to drive them north into a V-shaped position along VanCleve and Wilkinson Pike. The 10th WI formed part of the right wing of the V-shape. The right wing held for as long as they could, however due to an amounting loss of resources, ammunition, and men, they fell into a retreat. The collapse of the right wing sent the union forces on the left into a retreat as well through the cedar woods. It was during this day that Corporal Conlon lost his life. He was one of 91 enlisted men in the 10th Wisconsin to lose their lives in service.

Micheal Conlon is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot N- 5413.