Martin Thomas McMahon | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Martin Thomas McMahon | |
| Born | (1838-03-21)March 21, 1838 La Prairie,Lower Canada |
| Died | April 21, 1906(1906-04-21) (aged 68) New York City,New York |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1866 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel BrevetMajor General |
| Unit |  U.S. VolunteersArmy of the Potomac |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Martin Thomas McMahon (March 21, 1838 – April 21, 1906) was anAmericanjurist and aUnion Army officer during theAmerican Civil War. He was awarded the United States military's highest decoration, theMedal of Honor, for his actions at theBattle of White Oak Swamp. After the war, he held various legal and judicial positions in the state ofNew York. He briefly served as theMinister Resident to Paraguay and was aNew York State Senator for four years.
McMahon was born inLa Prairie,Lower Canada,[1] to a family of recent migrants fromWaterford,Ireland. The family moved to the United States when McMahon was an infant and settled inNew York. He graduated fromSt. John's College, Fordham, in 1855 and then studied law inBuffalo,[2] receiving hisMaster's degree in 1857.[1] After his schooling, he traveled west and worked as a special agent for thepost office on thePacific coast. He was admitted to theSacramento, California,bar in 1861.[2]
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he raised a company ofcavalry and was given the rank ofcaptain at the head of that unit. After learning that his company would not be sent to the front lines, he resigned his command and returned east, where he was appointedaide-de-camp to GeneralGeorge B. McClellan. McMahon remained with theArmy of the Potomac throughout the war, eventually rising to the rank oflieutenant colonel.[3] He served as aide de camp to William B. Franklin (May 1862- January 1863) and Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant General of the 6th Corps (1 January 1863 to August 1865), serving under John Sedgwick and Horatio G. Wright. McMahon was with 6th Corps commander John Sedgwick at Spotsylvania when Sedgwick was killed. McMahon was the author ofMaj. Gen. John Sedgwick - In Memoriam (1885).
Decades after the end of the conflict, on March 10, 1891, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of White Oak Swamp on June 30, 1862. His official citation reads: "Under fire of the enemy, successfully destroyed a valuable train that had been abandoned and prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy."[4]
McMahon's two older brothers were also officers in the war, both with the164th New York Volunteer Infantry. John Eugene McMahon (1834–1863) commanded the 164th before being injured; he later died of these injuries. Middle brother James Power McMahon (1836–1864) took over the regiment and led it until his death at theBattle of Cold Harbor.[2]
McMahon was mustered out of the volunteers on February 21, 1866.[3] On January 13, 1866,PresidentAndrew Johnson nominated McMahon for appointment to the grade ofbrevetbrigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and theUnited States Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.[5] On March 16, 1866, President Johnson nominated McMahon for appointment to the grade of brevetmajor general of volunteers, also to rank from March 13, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on April 10, 1866.[6] After the war, he was elected as a companion of the New York Commandery of theMilitary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
He received aDoctor of Laws degree from St. John's College, Fordham.[1] He wasNew York City'scorporation counsel for two years before becoming the United States minister toParaguay, a position he held from 1868 to 1869.[2] After returning to the U.S., he served as theReceiver of Taxes in New York from 1873 to 1885 and then worked as aU.S. Marshal for four years. During this time he became connected with theNational Soldiers' Home, of which he would serve as president for several years.[1]
He was a member of theNew York State Assembly (New York Co., 7th D.) in1891; and of theNew York State Senate from 1892 to 1895, sitting in the115th,116th (both 8th D.),117th and118th New York State Legislatures (both 7th D.).[1] He was elected a judge of theCourt of General Sessions in 1896 and held that position until his death.[2] He died suddenly in 1906 at his home inManhattan, one day after falling ill withpneumonia.[1]
He served as Minister Ambassador to Paraguay during theParaguayan War, also known as War of the Triple Alliance. He was a fierce champion ofFrancisco Solano López and wrote many articles very favourable to the Paraguayans.[7]
| New York State Assembly | ||
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| Preceded by | New York State Assembly New York County, 7th District 1891 | Succeeded by |
| New York State Senate | ||
| Preceded by | New York State Senate 8th District 1892–1893 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York State Senate 7th District 1894–1895 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
