Kane, John J. 1842-1926

KANE, MCNALLY BRADLEY, CATERN, DOWER, DAHL

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 10/19/2012 at 15:56:52

Emmetsburg Democrat
March 3, 1926
Page 1
EMMETSBURG, IOWA

Little Corporal
J. J. Kane Called
Made Memorable Record at
"Vicksburg. In Service Four
Years. Funeral to Be Held
Tomorrow at 9 O'clock.
John J. Kane, who was very ill for
a couple of weeks, died at his home
in this city early Monday morning.
The funeral will take place tomorrow.
Services will be conducted at
St. Thomas church. There will be a
military funeral.

Mr. Kane was born in the county
of Roscommon, Ireland, on Christmas
day, 1842. His age was 83. He
was three years old when his parents
came to the United States. They
landed at New. Orleans. His mother
died at that place. His father and
the family located at Oconomowoc,
Wisconsin in 1855. Mr. Kane grew
to manhood in that locality. When
the Civil War broke out he enlisted
in Company I, Seventeenth Wisconsin
Infantry serving during the entire
war. He fought in the battles
of Corinth, Champion Hills, Kenesaw
Mountains, Atlanta, and Savannah.
He made a memorable record in the
siege of Vicksburg which lasted for
forty-seven days. He was known in
his regiment as "Little Corporal
Kane," as his height was only five
feet, four inches. On May 19, 1863,
during the Vicksburg siege, he was
chosen to carry the colors. Several
of his color guard companions were
killed in the battle. "Little Corporal
Kane" picked up his regimental
flag and also an Irish flag belonging
to the Irish members of his regiment
and dashed forward openly and boldly defying the rebels. The flag of Wisconsin was also borne to the front. Many shots were fired but he
never faltered and he was not injured.
He was made a sergeant for his
bravery. He was under General
Sherman during the historic march
to the sea and was promoted to the
rank of second lieutenant. He attended
the grand review at Washington
in May, 1865. President Johnson
and Generals Grant and Sherman
were on the reviewing stand, Mr.
Kane knew General Sheridan well
and fought under him at Corinth in
1862. Sheridan was at that time only
a captain. After this battle Sheridan
was made a colonel. He was known as "Little
Phil."

At the close of the war, Mr. Kane
returned to Wisconsin where he was
married at Mapleton, on April 17,
1871, to Sarah McNally. A short time
later he came to Emmetsburg and
located on a farm west of this city.
Mrs. Kane arrived the following November.
Mr. and Mrs. Kane went to Camp Crook,
South Dakota, some years ago, remaining
for a season or two. Later they returned
to this community. They bought a home in
this city in 1908. Mrs. Kane died in
February, 1924. Mr. Kane is survived
by five sons and five daughters.
The sons are John of Cando, North
Dakota, Ed and Chas. of this place
and Robert and Joseph of Bowman,
South Dakota. The daughters are
Mrs. E. J. Bradley of Graettinger,
Mrs. Britt Catern of Camp Crook,
South Dakota, Mrs. James Dower of
Marengo, and Mrs. Emil Dahl of
Rehm, North Dakota. A son, M. P.,
died at Clinton, Iowa, a few months
ago and a daughter, Miss Katharine,
passed away in 1919.
In the death of Mr. Kane, a true
defender of our country in one of its
darkest hours and a sterling citizen,
has been called to his reward. He
was a lover of his home and family.
He was faithful as a husband, dutiful
and provident as a father and
warm hearted and staunch as a friend.
He was invariably good natured and
was among the most ardent of optimists.
He had no time for the pessimist
or the knocker. He was strictly
attentive to his church obligations
but he had due regard for the views
and the rights of the members of all
creeds. In this respect, he was a typical
American. He had good natural ability and with better opportunities in early life, he would most likely have distinguished himself in some
professional line of activity. His
long and honorable record as a soldier
and as a citizen shows that our
republic can, in time of need, look
forward with confidence to prompt,
cheerful and capable responses in every
walk of life whenever there are
earnest appeals for service and devotion.
The sorrowing relatives have the heartfelt sympathy of the residents of our community and county in their deep sorrow. His G. A. R.
comrades, only five of whom remain,
doubtless feel a keen personal loss
of companionship in the passing of
Lieuteuant Kane, better known as
the genial, witty, diplomatic "Little
Corporal," who so bravely carried the
colors forward in the face of deadly
fire in the siege of Vicksburg, on
May. 19. 1863, less than two months
before the decisive battle of Gettysburg.