James P. Sullivan

James P. Sullivan was a Sergeant in the 6th Wisconsin Infantry / Company K.

Antebellum

• Irish ancestry, family came through Canada when he was 3
• Lied about age on enlistment papers
• Nicknamed J.P. or Pat during by family
• Slight in stature

War Career

• Enlisted on June 21, 1861 in the 6th Wisconsin Infantry / Company K
• Nicknamed "Mickey," known for his humor and good disposition
• Sergeant
• Wounded in action at the Battle of South Mountain
• Discharged on December 18, 1862
• Re-enlisted on February 19, 1863
• Wounded in action at the Battle of Gettysburg
• Taken to same hospital to recover as Hugh Tolty
• Mustered out on January 22, 1864 when term expired
• Re-enlisted on January 23, 1864
• Wounded in action outside of Petersburg
• Mustered out on June 15, 1865

• Did not enlist at original meeting of Lemonweir minutemen
• Wednesday after 2nd meeting on May 8, he and friends Rescun W. Davis and James L. Barney went to nearby Bill Steward's farm to enlist with John St. Clair, first to arrive at muster with this group
• Called comrades the "Greenhorn Patriots," he was one of the "Jumping Jesus Christers" on the "bob-tail part of the line"
• Known in war days as "Mickey, of Company K"
• Injured twice, once when hit with ramrod during ceremonial firing of blanks

Family

• Lied about age (subtracted years) when marrying 2nd wife

Sources

• Dawes, Rufus R. Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers. Marietta, OH: E.R. Alderman & Sons, 1890. Print. (Page 47)
• Wisconsin. Adjutant-General's Office. Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Volume 1. (Madison, 1886). (Page 536)

Other Sources

• "Mickey of Company K," Mauston Star newspaper (January 8, 1885)
• "Old Company K," Milwaukee Sunday Telegraph newspaper (May 9 and 16, 1886)
• An Irishman in the Iron Brigade: Civil War Memoirs of James P. Sullivan, Sergt., Company K, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers William J.k. Beaudot and Lance J. Herdegan
• Herdegan, IBiCWaM, 52