Cornelius O'Leary

Birth: August 15th 1840

POB; Tipperary, Ireland

Lived most of his life in Kings County, New York
Death: March 16^th, 1926
POD: Phoebus Virginia
Entered as a Pvt., one month later promoted to Cpl., then 2 months later promoted to Sgt.
Company" E" 88th New York State Volunteer (The Irish Brigade) 
He was white, black hair, blue eyes, 6' 1" tall, slender build
Commanded by Capt. Patrick Clooney
Enlisted: about December 10, 1861 at Fort Schuyler , NY
Discharged September 30, 1862
Disabled July 1, 1862
Shot through left hand, musket ball took off ring finger and permanently paralyzed 2 other fingers, damaged tendons in hand and arm to make it useless.
Contracted Malaria poisoning, life long illnesses, lung infections and heart troubles for the rest of his life
Treated at Lincoln Hospital, Washington, DC

Here are a few notes taken from his obituary:
Cornelius O'Leary, Civil War Hero and Irish Patriot Buried at Holy Cross

A survivor of Meagher's Irish Brigade and the only survivor of the Irish Papal Brigade. Funeral service was held at Holy Ghost in Fort Hamilton.. He was appointed postmaster of Lincoln Hospital in Washington, and was subsequently made a doorkeeper for President Lincoln at the White House. In about 1867 he was employed at the Wheeling W. VA. Custom House. Later in life he was employed at the Brooklyn City Railroad and stationed in the Fort Hamilton section.

 Holy Cross Cemetery