Sons of Leitrim
Gallagher
Francis
Sailor Profile: Francis Gallagher
Fireman, United States Navy
While many of his Leitrim neighbors joined the infantry, Francis Gallagher found his calling in the Union Navy. His service was physically demanding; as a fireman, he worked in the high-heat, high-pressure environments of steamships that were essential to the Union's strangulation of Confederate trade.
Early Life and Family
Born: Circa 1843 in County Leitrim, Ireland.
Marriage: On May 4, 1866, shortly after the war, Francis married Catherine Munday at the Church of the Nativity on Second Avenue, New York City.
Family Life: The couple settled in Brooklyn, eventually living at 295 17th Street. Francis was literate and signed his own name on his pension documents.
Children:
Catherine: Born 29 Jan 1872.
John: Born 17 Oct 1875.
Frank: Born 13 April 1878.
"Liam": Born 25 Dec 1880.
Mary Elizabeth: Born 28 Jan 1889
Naval Service: The Atlantic Blockade
Francis first enlisted on May 14, 1862, for a three-year term. He served on several critical vessels during the "Anaconda Plan" blockade of the South:
USS Flag: He spent 18 months on this steamer, patrolling the Carolinas and capturing Confederate blockade runners.
USS Weehawken: He served aboard this famous Passaic-class ironclad monitor until December 1864.
USS Pawnee: He served on this sloop-of-war until February 1865, receiving his discharge in Philadelphia.
The Ironclad "Dictator" and the Desertion Mystery
Just weeks after his discharge, Francis re-enlisted on March 29, 1865, as a Second-Class Fireman.
USS Dictator: He served on this massive, sea-going monitor.
The Record Error: A clerical error nearly tarnished his legacy; he was listed as a "deserter" in July 1865 because his discharge papers weren't processed correctly. This was eventually corrected by the Navy, and he was granted an honorable discharge dated September 1, 1865.
Later Life and Pension Struggles
In 1890, Francis applied for an invalid pension, citing failing eyesight, vertigo, and severe headaches—common ailments for men who spent years in the dark, vibrating engine rooms of iron ships.
His initial claim was rejected, but he persisted, finally receiving a partial pension of $6 a month in 1896. Medical reports from the time describe a man whose health had been broken by his years of hard labor and naval service.
Death: Francis died on December 16, 1901, from pyelonephritis (kidney infection) and chronic cystitis.
Widow's Pension: His widow, Catherine, applied for a pension in 1902. Though she struggled with the paperwork—incorrectly listing her daughter’s birth year—she was eventually granted $8 per month to support her family.
Service Timeline
Date Vessel Duty / Location
May 14, 1862 USS Flag Blockade Duty, Carolinas
1863–1864 USS Weehawken Ironclad Operations
Dec 1864–Feb 1865 USS Pawnee Coastal Patrolling
Mar 29, 1865 USS North Carolina Re-enlistment Station
May–July 1865 USS Dictator Fireman Duty on Ironclad
Sept 1, 1865 Honorable Discharge Final Release from Service
