Francis Irsch

Held part of Gettysburg while the Army regrouped

Francis Irsch was born in Saarburg, Germany, on 4 December 1840. He served as a captain in Company D, 45th New York Infantry during the American Civil War.

At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on 1 July 1863, Irsch helped flank Confederate troops and capture prisoners. He also held part of the town against heavy odds while the Union Army rallied on Cemetery Hill. His Medal of Honor recognized these actions during the battle's first day.

He received the medal on 27 May 1892, nearly twenty-nine years after Gettysburg. The award was accredited to New York.

Irsch died in Tampa, Florida, on 19 August 1906 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery there. His citation preserves both his offensive action and his defense of part of Gettysburg as other troops regrouped.

Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in flanking the enemy and capturing a number of prisoners and in holding a part of the town against heavy odds while the Army was rallying on Cemetery Hill.