PATRICK O’RORKE 140th NY, KIA LITTLE ROUND TOP, 1913 COMMEMORATIVE PIN

$145.00 SOLD

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Item Code: 286-923

This bronze pin in the shape of a Maltese Cross, the emblem of the 5th Army Corps, bears a circular central panel on the obverse with celluloid photograph of Col. Patrick O’Rorke (also O’Rourke,) Colonel of the 140th New York Volunteers. In raised letters on the branches of the cross is, “Monroe Co. Civil War Veterans July 1913.” The pin is in place on the reverse, which bears a small maker’s mark in raised letters.

Patrick O’Rorke was born in Ireland in 1837, but brought to the U.S. when a baby and lived in Rochester, Monroe County, NY, from 1842. He attended West Point, graduating top of the class of 1861 and like the most talented graduates was posted to the Engineers. He saw action at Blackburn’s Ford, First Bull Run, the Port Royal expedition, and the taking of Fort Pulaski. In September 1862 he was appointed Colonel of the 140th New York, recruited in the Rochester area. After brief service in the 12th Corps, they joined the 5th Corps in November and saw light action at Fredericksburg under O’Rorke’s command and again at Chancellorsville, where he temporarily commanded the brigade.

At Gettysburg, as part of Weed’s brigade, the regiment was moving to support the Union left on July 2 when they were called out of the brigade column by General Warren and led by O’Rorke up and over the crest of Little Round Top to come up on right of Vincent’s brigade and slam into Robertson’s Texans of Hood’s division who threatened to flank the line. A fellow officer recalled that he, “exposed himself with the greatest gallantry, not taking the least advantage of the partial shelter which the rocks afforded. He was shot in the neck and dropped instantly dead without a word.” O’Rorke’s rapid actions on the right of the Union line on Little Round Top were as decisive as those of Joshua Chamberlain on the left. He was honored with bronze bust in relief on the monument of the 140th New York on Little Round, placed on the spot where he fell.

The pin is in excellent condition, with good clarity to the photograph and nice tones to the bronze, with good detail and just slight rubbing to the high points.  [sr]

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