Sons of Leitrim
Wrenn
Peter
Soldier Profile: Peter Wren
Co. D, 37th New York Volunteer Infantry
Peter served in the 37th New York, famously known as the "Irish Rifles." This regiment was a pillar of the Irish presence in the Union Army, composed primarily of tough, immigrant laborers who became famous for their discipline, their fierce bayonet charges, and their green regimental flag.
From Mohill to Manhattan
Born: Circa 1829 near Mohill, County Leitrim.
A New Life in New York: Long before the war began, Peter had already begun building a life in America. On December 1, 1853, he married Catherine, establishing a household that would soon be tested by the outbreak of the Rebellion.
The Call to Arms: On May 9, 1861, shortly after the fall of Fort Sumter, Peter left his young family to enlist for a two-year term. He was officially mustered into Company D on June 7, 1861.
The Service of the "Irish Rifles"
Peter’s regiment was in the thick of the most grueling battles in the Eastern Theater. As part of the Army of the Potomac, they earned a reputation for tenacity under fire.
The Peninsula Campaign: Peter fought through the muddy marshes of Virginia, seeing action at Williamsburg and the desperate struggle at Fair Oaks.
Chancellorsville and Beyond: Peter remained with the colors through the carnage of Fredericksburg and the tangled woods of Chancellorsville. Having completed his two-year commitment, he was mustered out with his company in New York City on June 22, 1863—returning home just as the war's tide turned at Gettysburg.
Family and Legacy
After trading his rifle for the life of a civilian, Peter returned to Catherine and their children. His service ensured that his sons grew up in a preserved Union.
The Sons of a Veteran: Peter and Catherine raised two sons who reached adulthood:
John (born 1854): Born just a year after his parents' marriage, he was a young boy when his father went to war. Though he later married, records suggest he left no descendants.
Peter (born 1860): Named for his father, he was just an infant when Peter Sr. enlisted.
The Widow’s Claim
The rigors of a two-year campaign—marked by forced marches, poor rations, and the damp air of the Virginia camps—often left veterans with lingering health issues that shortened their lives.
The Pension Application: Following Peter’s death, Catherine filed for a widow’s pension on January 23, 1891. Filing from New York, she had to navigate the federal bureaucracy to prove Peter’s honorable service and their long marriage—stretching back to that winter day in 1853—to secure her final years.
Service & Family Timeline
Date Event Detail
c. 1829 Birth Near Mohill, Co. Leitrim
Dec 1, 1853 Marriage To Catherine in New York
May 9, 1861 Enlistment 37th New York Infantry (Irish Rifles)
1861–1863 Campaigns Fought from Fair Oaks to Chancellorsville
June 22, 1863 Discharge Mustered out in New York City
Jan 23, 1891 Pension Widow's application filed by Catherine
