A keenly intelligent student he was offered one of the three free scholarships offered by the University of Rochester when he graduated from secondary school in 1853.At the behest of his mother Patrick Henry turned down the scholarship and began working, as a marble cutter and mason. He remained at this trade until being accepted as a cadet at the U.S. military academy in Rochester (West Point) and would graduate at the head of his class in June of 1861.

O'Rorke was immediately a part of the Civil War action taking part in the battle at Blackburn's Run on July 18 and three days later having his horse killed under him at Bull Run. In August of 1861 he was sent to Fort Monroe and by the year's end was taking part in the Port Royal expedition which sailed on October 29, under the reign of General Thomas W. Sherman. O'Rorke showed rare skill and talent as an engineer officer, constructing the batteries on Tybee island and overseeing the reduction of Fort Pulaski. At Fort Pulaski he was employed in a reconnaissance role and upon the Fort's surrender on April 10, 1862 he was selected as one of the officers to receive the surrender.

In September 1862 O'Rorke became the Colonel of the 140th regiment of the New York volunteers. This regiment, which was placed in Warren's brigade, Sykes division, 5th corps, became one of the best on the Potomac, due largely it was said through the colonel's discipline and leadership. At Frederickburg O,Rorke's troops came under fire despite not being actively engaged, being held in reserve near the town. During the Chancellorsville campaign O'Rorke would for a time lead the entire brigade and during both battles would be duly promoted (becoming brevet major at Fredericksburg and brevet lieutenant-colonel at Chancellorsville).

The famed Battle of Gettysburg would be where the gallant O'Rorke would meet his tragic end. Called on to defend the strategic Little Round Top, which if lossed would had jeopardized the entire battle, O'Rorke led his troops bravely into the fray and was killed hitting his head upon a rock after sustaining a bullett wound in the neck.* He was posthumously given another promotion, to brevet colonel, and cited by the U.S. Army for "gallant and meritous service" at all of the battles he was engaged in. His wife entered the Sisterhood of the Sacred Heart upon his death.

*-O'Rorke's final stand is described in detail in a 19th century volume "History of the Civil War" by The Count of Paris.

1837-1863

If your surname is O'Rourke or one of its' variants or if you are friends with an O'Rourke, you owe it to yourself to buy this unique book.

Written, researched and edited by Irish-American Stephen Vincent O'Rourke this book is the first history of the family written by one of it's own.Higginson Books of Salem, MA is offering this title on a print-to order book as a softcover or hardcover.