Cogan Daughters

Upper Left to Right: Tess Coogan (never married), Agnes Coogan Fox, Alice Coogan McKinney, Ann Coogan Bolen Carroll, Dora Coogan Nash, Mary Coogan (never married - taught Indians), Nell Coogan Callahan, Katy Coogan Sheeran, Margaret Coogan Fox.  Margaret married George Fox, Agnex married his brother John.

Michael Cogan's Birthplace - Castledermot, Ireland

Some scenes from Michael Cogan's birthplace, CastleDermot, County Kildare, Ireland, Kilkea Castle, a granite Celtic cross and the remains of an old abbey. 
Castle Dermot was the site of the earliest known Irish Parliament in 1262. Castledermot is about 75 km. from Dublin, in southeast Ireland.

 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MCGEE

B. F. McGee at The Big House at age 90

Benjamin Franklin McGee was born in Plantersville, Alabama in 1830. 

B. F. McGee married Virginia Oden in 1855 and they relocated to Childersburg, Alabama, where her family had settled. A farmer and veterinarian, he fought in the Civil War in the 30th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Like most confederate soldiers, he joined and fought under the leadership of friends and relatives. His wife’s relative and neighbor, Lt. Henry Penn Oden, organized the company and was his commanding officer. B. F. McGee entered the Confederate States Army as a sergeant in February, 1862.

Henry Penn Oden would be killed at Vicksburg, early in the War. B. F. McGee would be paroled, but would join the 30th Alabama again and fight on until the end of the War when his regiment surrendered in North Carolina in May, 1865.

Michael Cogan

MICHAEL COGAN was born in 1834 in Kildare County, Ireland. After time spent in the Far East during the Sepoy Rebellion, he returned to Ireland. He responded to Abraham Lincoln’s call for volunteers and at the age of 23 joined Company B, 4th Cavalry Regiment New York on August 29, 1861. The 4th Cavalry was also known as ‘Dickel’s Mounted Rifles.’ He was promoted to full sergeant and transferred to Company A, 6th Regiment RC on August 24, 1863.

He fought in the Shenandoah Valley and was injured during the battle where General Shields turned back Stonewall Jackson. When he had recovered and reported for duty, he was transferred to the 6th New York.   His regiment fought under General Meade at Gettysburg. 

According to family history, Sgt. Cogan was nearly always sent out with a scouting party, and had many narrow escapes. At Kelly’s Ford, his horse was shot while crossing a river. It reared back and fell pinioning Mr. Cogan under him. His two companions saw the horse fall and as it was the only roan horse in the company, knew that it was Mr. Cogan. They pulled the horse to one side, got him out unconscious but still alive. His breast was crushed by otherwise he was unhurt. In three days he escaped from the hospital and rejoined his regiment. Mr. Cogan used to say drowning was an easy death.

At another time, he and his comrades in the scouting party, were taken prisoners, and were confined for three days in a small Methodist church with a belfry. Helping each other, the three friends climbed into the belfry and listened to the shouts of the Confederates. They heard them call that the Yanks were coming and to get the prisoners out. They were ordered out, but the boys in the belfry lay very quiet. One poor fellow below was too badly hurt to move and without a word the Rebel drove his bayonet in him. Soon the Union soldiers were in sight and the boys rejoined their regiment. After the war one of these follow prisoners went north to live the other lived in the south. Mr. Cogan’s regiment also took part in the Peninsular campaign.