John A. Joyce | |
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 Portrait of Joyce | |
| Birth name | John Alexander Joyce |
| Born | (1842-07-04)July 4, 1842 Sruhagh, Ireland |
| Died | January 18, 1915(1915-01-18) (aged 72) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Buried | Oak Hill Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service |  United States Army (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 24th Kentucky Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | |
| Alma mater | Highland Literary Institute |
| Spouse(s) | Katie M. (died 1902) |
| Children | 3 |
| Other work |
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| Signature | .jpg) |
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John Alexander Joyce (July 4, 1842 – January 18, 1915) was an Irish–American poet and writer. He served as a first lieutenant and regimental adjutant in theUnion Army. He was indicted for his role as Internal Revenue Service agent in theWhiskey Ring.
John Alexander Joyce was born on July 4, 1842, inSruhagh, Ireland, to Michael and Catherine Joyce. He moved toKentucky at an early age and grew up there. He graduated from Highland Literary Institute inMount Sterling, Kentucky in 1859. He then studied law.[1] After the war, he read law in the office of SenatorWilliam B. Allison inDubuque, Iowa.[2][3][4] He graduated from Senator Allison's office on November 8, 1864.[4]
As of April 1861, Joyce worked as a clerk of the circuit court inBath County, Kentucky.[4] On September 29, 1861, Joyce enlisted as aprivate in theUnion Army's Company I,24th Kentucky Infantry Regiment at Olympian Springs, a hotel and resort nearOwingsville, Kentucky. On December 1, 1861, Joyce was promoted to orderlysergeant of Company I. Joyce was promoted tosecond lieutenant on March 22, 1862, and promoted tofirst lieutenant for gallantry at theBattle of Shiloh on May 30, 1862.[4] Joyce was present at theBattle of Perryville on October 8, 1862, and was assigned as regimental adjutant on September 1, 1862.[4] On November 25, 1863, Joyce was at theSiege of Knoxville. He was recommended for promotion by GeneralMahlon Dickerson Manson for his actions in theBattle of Resaca. On June 27, 1864, Joyce was shot in the thigh at theBattle of Kennesaw Mountain.[4] He received an operation at College Hospital inNashville, Tennessee, in July 1864 and was sent to a hospital inLouisville, Kentucky. In fall of 1864, Joyce applied to be acolonel. On November 4, 1864, the War Department removed Joyce from service due to his injury.[4] Joyce was often referred to as "Colonel Joyce" but did not receive the rank.[5]
On November 1, 1866, Joyce moved to Washington, D.C.[1][3] He was offered a commission in theRegular Army, but declined.[1] Joyce joined theInternal Revenue Service and was stationed inSt. Louis, Missouri.[1] In October 1875, Joyce was imprisoned at a penitentiary inJefferson City, Missouri, for his part in theWhiskey Ring.[6] He was pardoned by PresidentRutherford B. Hayes in December 1877.[7] He later returned to Washington, D.C. Around 1910, Joyce became a clerk for theU.S. Department of the Treasury. He worked with the Treasury until his death.[1][8]
Joyce wrote biographies and poetry. He claimed to have writtenElla Wheeler Wilcox's 1883 poem that begins memorably, "Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Weep, and you weep alone."[9][10] He also published the following books:[1][11]
Joyce married Katie M., a clerk at the Treasury Department. She died in 1902.[5][12] Joyce had three daughters, Katie Darling (died 1886), Florence and Libby.[1][2][12][13] Joyce was aFreemason – a member of Columbia Lodge No. 3 in Washington, D.C. He was often referred to as the "poet of Washington".[1]
Later in life, Joyce was friends withChamp Clark who grew up near his boyhood home in Kentucky.[2]
Joyce lived at 3238 R St. NW in Washington, D.C.[11] Joyce died atProvidence Hospital in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 1915. He erected a monument of himself atOak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C. He is buried there.[1][2]
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