Before the Antietam Campaign & 28th MA Vol Inf
"Company A was recruited during the autumn of 1861, and most of its initial membership mustered into service on December 13, 1861. Many of the men of this company were originally recruited from the shoe factories of Lynn, Massachusetts, with another large contingent being common laborers from East Cambridge, Cambridgeport, and Boston. The first commander was Captain Andrew P. Caraher of Lynn. Caraher was promoted to Major on July 26, 1862 [prob actually 15 November 1862] , and later wounded at both Chantilly and Fredericksburg before being discharged on account of his wounds on September 20, 1863."
(from 28th Mass site)

The remainder of the War:
He was appointed Major, then Lt Colonel, Veteran Volunteer Corps, in September 1863. "He was later captured and imprisoned in the infamous Libby prison, and broke his men out through a sewer". He was appointed Colonel of the 2nd US Volunteer Infantry 18 February 1865.

After the War:
He was comissioned 1st Lieutenant, 43rd US Infantry, 28 July 1866, transferred to the 1st US Infantry in April 1869, and to the 8th US Cavalry in December 1870. He was promoted to Captain, USA, 15 January 1873.

He later fought Indians in Kansas and was stationed at Fort Union, New Mexico and Fort Clark, Texas, "where he died in Langtry when on horseback patrol, from wounds which he received to his groin during the Civil War. At that time, he was involved in the Geronimo Indian Campaign".

Andrew P Caraher