Portrait photograph of Robert M. O'Reilly, circa 1870

A lengthy and active military career

.... For a time, O'Reilly was stationed at Red Cloud Agency, one of the first reservations established by the U.S. government, located in the northwestern corner of present-day Nebraska. This agency served as one of the centers of activity during the Sioux Wars of 1876-77. The government assigned troops to

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John J. Bonner papers, 1909-1945 (MC 49)

...er graduating from Roman Catholic High School. He transferred to the North American College in Rome, and was ordained there in June 1917. Upon his return to the United States, he was appointed assistant rector of St. Bridget’s Church (1917-18), left this post to serve as a U.S. Army chaplain

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Robert M. O’Reilly papers, 1862-1925 (MC 34)

...Washington, D. C., and chief surgeon for several units during the Spanish-American War. He also served as a delegate at the International Conference for the Revision of the Geneva Convention in Geneva in 1906. During his time as surgeon general, O’Reilly made significant improvements by elevating the status and personnel

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Francis B. Gallagher collection of Fenian Brotherhood records, 1862-1870 (MC 14)

The Fenian Brotherhood, the American branch of the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood, was established in 1858 with the goal of establishing an independent Ireland. As well as raising money and gathering arms to send back to Ireland, the Fenians also engaged in military activity against the British, leading two failed invasions

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