William B. McGrorty

Name: William B. McGrorty Company: Field & Staff Resigned.
Birth Date: August 16, 1825 Place: Inver, County Donegal, Ireland	Mustered In Date: December 20, 1861 Rank: Quartermaster Age: 36 Residence prior to military service: Ireland (1826); Vermont (1849); St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota (1860) Vocation prior to military service: Contractor (1860)
Death Date: February 16, 1865 Place: La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin Burial: Unknown	Mustered Out Date: September 15, 1864 Rank: First Lieutenant/Quartermaster Age: 39 Residence following military service: [description] Vocation following military service: [description]

William B. McGrorty Biography and Civil War Narrative

William B. McGrorty was born August 16, 1825, in Inver, County Donegal, Ireland. He married Bridget, born about 1826 in Ireland. In 1857-1858, McGrorty served as a member of the Minnesota state house of representatives, 2nd District.

At the time of the 1860 U.S. Census, William B. McGrorty was living in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, with his family and working as a Contractor. Their children in 1860 were Bridget (age 11, born in Vermont), Mary M. (age 6, born in Minnesota), Wm. B. Jr. (age 4, born in Minnesota), Frances E. (age 2, born in Minnesota), and Walter W. (age 5 months, born in Minnesota).

McGrorty enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment on December 20, 1861, and served as the regimental Quartermaster.

During the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, on October 3, 1862, Quartermaster McGrorty went into town to procure rations for the regiment. That morning the 5th Minnesota had been posted about four miles southeast of Corinth at a crossing of Tuscumbia Creek. The Confederates were approaching the town from the west. As the day progressed, the sounds of battle grew nearer and more distinct until they indicated that fighting was taking place between town and the position of the 5th Minnesota. McGrorty reported to General Rosecrans the position of the 5th Minnesota. Rosecrans responded by issuing an order for the 5th to retire into the town. McGrorty, with an escort of Cavalry, brought the order to the regiment, which then proceeded under the cover of darkness into town where they bivouacked for the night. The following day the regiment played a significant part in the Battle of Corinth.

On September 15, 1864, Quartermaster McGrorty resigned his position, which was later filled by Francis G. Brown from Company K.

William B. McGrorty died by accidental drowning in the Mississippi River on February 16, 1865, in La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, at the age of 39. His widow, Bridget McGrorty, continued to live in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1880 she lived with children Mary (age 25), Wm. B. (age 24), Francis E. (age 21), Walter W. (age 19), and Jeraldine B. (age 17). In 1900 she lived at 313 Somerset with two daughters: Eugene (age 38) and Geraldine (age 33). Son Walter (age 41) also lived in St. Paul, while Wm. B. (age 46) lived at the Rochester State Hospital in Olmsted County.

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