Sons of Leitrim
Moran
Mathew
Soldier Profile: Mathew Moran
Co. A, 1st Georgia Volunteer Regiment (Olmstead’s)
Mathew was a member of one of the most distinctly Irish units in the Confederate service. Known as the Irish Jaspers, these companies were the pride of Savannah’s immigrant community. For Mathew, the war was not fought on the rolling hills of Virginia, but amidst the salt air and massive brick walls of the Georgia coast.
Early Life and the Savannah Irish
Born: Circa 1836 in County Leitrim, Ireland.
A New Life in Georgia: While his arrival date is lost to time, Mathew had established himself in the Savannah area by the summer of 1861. Signing his name as "Mathey Moran," he joined the local volunteers as the South prepared for a naval invasion.
Military Service: The Defense of the Coast
Mathew enlisted on July 25, 1861, initially for a one-year term.
The Irish Jaspers: He was mustered into Company A of the 1st Georgia Volunteers. This unit, along with the Irish Volunteers (Company E), formed a powerful Irish bloc within the regiment under the command of Lt. Colonel Rockwell.
Fort Pulaski: Mathew’s service was centered around the vital coastal defenses, most notably Fort Pulaski. He is recorded on guard duty as early as August 1861, standing watch over the entrance to the Savannah River.
The Toll of the Siege
In April 1862, the war changed for Mathew. As the Union army besieged and eventually captured Fort Pulaski with rifled cannon, Mathew’s commitment deepened; he transitioned from a short-term volunteer to enlisting for "three years or the war."
Sickness and Sacrifice: The swampy, humid conditions of the Georgia coast were as dangerous as the Union navy. Mathew is listed as sick in June 1862.
The Wound: Though the specific engagement is not named, Mathew was wounded in October 1862. The injury was severe enough to require long-term hospitalization, marking the beginning of a long decline in his health.
Final Days
Mathew remained in the service even as his strength failed. His final records show a payment of $44 given to him on May 6, 1864—a soldier’s final wages.
Death: Mathew Moran died just two days later, on May 8, 1864.
Legacy: He gave his life in the defense of his adopted city, far from the green fields of Leitrim, leaving behind a legacy of service in the ranks of Georgia’s "Irish Jaspers."
Service Timeline
Date Event Location / Detail
July 25, 1861 Enlisted (1 Year) Savannah, GA
Aug 31, 1861 Guard Duty Oglethorpe /Fort Pulaski
Apr 1862 Re-enlisted (3 Years) Coastal Georgia
Oct 1862 Wounded in Action Admitted to Hospital
May 6, 1864 Final Pay Received $44 Paid
May 8, 1864 Deceased Savannah Area
