69th PA Honor Guard fires three volleys in memory of Lt. Col. Peter McAloon, born in Gorteen in the parish of Kinawley, County Caven. He enlisted in the Civil War in 1861. He fought in battles at Cross Keys, Rappahannock River, Groveton and the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. He served as a major at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was mortally wounded at Lookout Mountain. His body was eventually brought back to Philadelphia and he was waked from Independence Hall on March 14, 1864. Also in memory of Cpl. John Dowdle and Pvt. Francis Shields.
An Honor Ceremony was held on December 7, 2013 at St. Anne Church and Cemetery recognizing the Civil War heritage of the parish featuring the 150th Anniversary of the death of Lt. Col. Peter McAloon.
McAloon was born in Kinawley, Co. Cavan. He enlisted in the Civil War in 1861. He fought in battles at Cross Keys, Rappahannock River, Groveton and the Second Battle of Bull Run. He served as a major at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was mortally wounded at Lookout Mountain. His body was eventually brought back to Philadelphia and he was waked from Independence Hall on March 14, 1864 and then buried at St. Anne’s Cemetery.
Honor ceremony began inside St. Anne Church
The program in the church included:
A welcoming by Rev. Edward Brady, pastor of St. Anne, Gathering prayer by Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, Keynote speakers State Rep. John Taylor, City Councilman William Green and Russ Wylie of the St. Anne Historical Committee.
The master of ceremonies was Civil War historian Anthony Waskie, Ph.D.
St. Anne Choir performed songs from the Civil War era.
Prayers were said by Sister Margaret Dorothy Duffy, whose order, the Sisters of St. Joseph, ministered to the wounded and dying in the Civil War; Rev. Thomas Higgins of the Philadelphia Archdiocese and Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald. A prayer for Lt. Col. McAloon was said by Msgr. Michael Flood whose grandmother was Mary McAloon, a sister of Peter McAloon.
After the program in the church, the Emerald Society Pipers led the 69th PA Honor Guard and those assembled in procession to the wintry graveyard where wreaths were laid at three graves. They were at the gravesite of Lt. Col. Peter McAloon; 69th PA veteran Pvt. Francis Shields and Cpl. John Dowdle.
The 69th PA Honor Guard gathers at the graves of Civil War soldiers buried at St. Anne Cemetery in Port Richmond, Philadelphia.
After the prayers and laying of wreaths, the 69th Pennsylvania Honor Guard fired three volleys, which was followed by the playing of “Taps”. The Emerald Society Pipers played “Amazing Grace” before the ceremony ended with the cemetery bell tolling thrice.
Russell Wylie, member of St. Anne Historical Committee, has been involved in projects during the past 25 years to gain recognition of Irish American patriots.
A reception followed in the church hall where there were history tables.
The Saint Anne Historical Committee members and advisors are to be commended for the reverent and outstanding ceremony honoring Irish patriots. The committee includes: Rev. Edward Brady, pastor of St. Anne; Cormac Brady, Louis Ferrero, Claire Gardiner, Thomas Lyons II, Kenneth Milano, Anthony Waskie, Russell Wylie and Drew Monaghan.
PA 69th Reenactor Bill Meehan and Eleanor Driscoll at the reception.
St. Anne Church is located at 1870 E. Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125.
Information about the history of Civil War soldiers buried in St. Anne Cemetery can be found in “Hidden History of Kensington and Fishtown” by Ken Milano.
Sherrie Dowdle has a photograph of her great grandfather Cpl. John Dowdle who was born in Schuylkill Haven, PA. He enrolled in military service at the age of 17 in 1861. During the war he was captured and sent to the infamous Andersonville Prison, GA. After the war he and his family made their way to Port Richmond and Kensington in Philadelphia. He died in 1910 and was buried in St. Anne’s Cemetery. Sherrie Dowdle is with her nephews Ethan Dowdle and Corey Dowdle.
69th PA Color Guard members Bill Meehan, David T. O’Daniel, and David Ashcroft.