David Power Conyngham facts for kids

David Power Conyngham (born around 1825 – died 1883) was a talented journalist, a brave war correspondent, and a writer of novels. His books were mostly about Irish history or the American Civil War.

Life Story of David Conyngham

David Conyngham was born around 1825 near a place called Killenaule in County Tipperary, Ireland. His parents, John and Catherine Power Cunningham, were farmers who did quite well. He was related to another writer, Charles Kickham, through his mother's family.

David was part of a group called Young Ireland. This group wanted more rights for Irish people. After a big event in 1848, he wasn't seen for a while. It's not clear if he went to America then. But a few years later, he was writing articles for a newspaper called the Tipperary Free Press.

He arrived in the United States in April 1861. This was right when the American Civil War was starting. He joined the team at the New York Herald newspaper. He became a war correspondent, which meant he reported on the war from the battlefield. He often reported on the Irish Brigade, a famous group of soldiers. By this time, he spelled his name "Conyngham."

He went back to Ireland in December and got married to Anne Corcoran. By March 1863, he was back in the United States. He became a captain and worked as an assistant to General Thomas Francis Meagher. General Meagher was also a former Young Irelander. David Conyngham was with him at the Battle of Chancellorsville. He kept sending reports back to the Herald newspaper. Interestingly, his own brother, William, fought on the other side in the war! David was hurt during the Battle of Resaca and was praised for his bravery.

After the war ended, he became the editor of a newspaper called the New York Tablet. David Conyngham passed away from pneumonia at his home in Manhattan on April 1, 1883. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery (Queens).

David Conyngham's Books

David Conyngham's historical novels helped people feel more proud of their Irish heritage in the late 1800s. Here are some of his well-known books:

• Sherman’s March through the South (published in 1865)
• The Irish Brigade and Its Campaigns (published in 1867)
• Sarsfield (published in 1871)
• The O'Mahony, Chief of the Comeraghs (published in 1879)
• Ireland past and present (published in 1883)

About The Lives of the Irish Saints and Martyrs

This book was published in New York City in 1870. It tells the stories of many Irish saints, like Abban of Kill-Abban. Conyngham used old writings, such as the Martyrology of Tallaght and the Martyrology of Gorman, to write this book.

About Soldiers of the Cross

Soldiers of the Cross is a book about the brave chaplains (religious leaders) and women who worked as nurses during the American Civil War. When Conyngham tried to gather stories from the nuns who served, some groups didn't want to share their experiences. They felt it was more humble not to talk about their good deeds. David Conyngham died before he could finish publishing Soldiers of the Cross. A family member later gave the unfinished book to the University of Notre Dame. It stayed hidden in their records for over 100 years! It was finally edited and published in 2019.

Sources

• Holweck, F. G., A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924.