John R. McNulty facts for kids
Lieutenant John R. McNulty (born 1832 – died January 11, 1912) was a brave soldier from Baltimore, Maryland. He was a hero for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
McNulty was a lieutenant in the 2nd Maryland Artillery, also known as the Baltimore Light Artillery. He made a very important shot with his cannon at the Battle of Old Town (U.S. Civil War 1864 Valley Campaign). This shot saved Confederate forces from being trapped by the Union Army. This happened while they were returning from raids in Maryland and Pennsylvania. They had burned Chambersburg, Pennsylvania as a response to the Union Army burning the Virginia Military Institute. This event was part of the Valley campaigns of 1864.
The Civil War in 1864
In 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early led campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. His goal was to protect the South's food supply. He also wanted to threaten Washington, D.C.. This was part of a bigger plan by Generals Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston. They hoped to make the Northern people tired of the war. They wanted to bring the fighting to Northern land. This would make the Union want to make peace.
McNulty's Brave Shot
During the Battle of Old Town, Maryland, Confederate forces were in trouble. They were blocked at the Potomac River by Union soldiers. There was also a Union armored train with troops and a cannon. Union forces were also chasing them from behind.
Lieutenant McNulty moved his horse-drawn cannon to a high spot. He was only about 200 yards from the armored train. Even with Union bullets flying around, he aimed his cannon. His first shot hit the train's boiler, causing it to explode! Union soldiers scattered in confusion.
Then, McNulty aimed a second shot. Amazingly, from the same distance, he fired right through an open window of the train's cannon car. This disabled the Union cannon. The last Union soldiers left the train. The Confederate soldiers quickly chased them. The Union troops then surrendered. This allowed the Confederate forces to return safely to West Virginia.
More Heroic Actions
Later, on October 9, 1864, at the Battle of Tom's Brook, McNulty showed his bravery again. When his unit, the Laurel Brigade, started to run, he saved and moved the Confederate cannons to a better position.
Even after that battle, McNulty managed to save one of his two remaining cannons. He had lost four cannons and 19 crew members at Tom's Brook. He strategically left one cannon behind to save the other from being captured by Union forces.
By the time of the Battle of Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, the Baltimore Light Artillery was too small to fight. This was the final battle for the Army of Northern Virginia. Even though he was always called "Lieutenant" in histories, John McNulty had been promoted. He held the rank of major by the end of the war.
Remembering a Hero
There is a memorial for McNulty and his unit at the Antietam National Battlefield. It lists many battles where the 2nd Maryland Artillery fought. McNulty survived 26 battles, unlike most of his fellow officers and soldiers.
The 2nd Maryland Artillery was formed in Richmond, Virginia, on August 17, 1861. It was made up of Maryland volunteers who supported the South.
After the war, McNulty lived in Baltimore, Maryland. He was involved in politics. He even served as a Presidential elector for James A. Garfield in 1881. In 1877, he moved to New York. He helped start the New York Coffee Exchange in 1882. John R. McNulty passed away at his home in Blauvelt, New York on January 11, 1912.
