MUSCATINE, Iowa - Fellow soldiers Dennis O’Leary and Thomas Burke saw a great deal of hand-to-hand combat after they left their homes in Muscatine and entered the Union Army during the Civil War.

But they never saw the awards forged to honor their sacrifice on the battlefield.

Today, however, the dedication and loyalty of O’Leary’s descendants makes it possible for future generations to see those awards.

A ceremonial sword, created in Burke’s honor, and the Army Civil War Campaign Medal established in 1907 by War Department General Orders No. 12 for those who served with Union forces between April 15, 1861, and April 9, 1865, or in Texas, to Aug. 20, 1866, have been donated to the Muscatine Art Center by O’Leary’s great-grandson, Dennis Leonard O’Leary of Augusta, Ga., and O’Leary’s great-granddaughter, Sally Miller, of Muscatine.

The sword had been in their family for three generations before Dennis Leonard O’Leary and Miller donated it to the center last fall. Dennis O’Leary’s descendants said the sword was forged after Burke died and they believe it was given to their great grandfather because of his friendship with Burke.

The Old Veterans of Co. E 16 Iowa commissioned the sword which is inscribed with the words, “…to their 1st Lt. for his bravery at the Battle of Shiloh, Juka, Corinth and Vicksburg. 1st Lt. T.A. Burke.”

Burke and O’Leary were born in Bantry, Ireland, in the 1830s and later migrated to the United States, settling in Muscatine.

According to military records, Burke was 25 and O’Leary was 29 when they enlisted in the Union Army, shortly after the 16th Iowa Infantry was called into order on Sept. 17, 1861.

The men became part of Company E which included at least 14 more soldiers from Muscatine.

Burke, who became a first lieutenant, was wounded in the battle at Big Shanty, Ga., at the foot of Kenesaw Mountain. His leg was amputated on June 15, 1864 and he died 10 weeks later.

O’Leary returned to battle after the loss of his friend before his time as a Civil War soldier ended on July 19, 1865. He also returned to Muscatine and his wife Johanna Maher who he married in 1862. The couple had four children.

O’Leary died Aug. 7, 1912, at age 79 and is buried in Muscatine at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

O’Leary’s descendants don’t know if Burke ever married or where he is buried.

O’Leary passed Burke’s sword to the next generation of O’Learys and Dennis Leonard O’Leary’s grandmother, Mayme O’Leary, gave it to him. Dennis Leonard O’Leary intended to leave the sword to the Muscatine Art Center in his will, but when he learned more details about Company E’s strong Muscatine connection, he decided to bring the sword to the center in person.

“That sword belongs in Muscatine,” he said.

Dennis Leonard O’Leary received much of the historic information from Sally’s husband, Lee Miller, of Muscatine, who researched O’Leary and Burke’s military history.

Lee and Dennis Leonard O’Leary continued their research and learned more about the bronze Army Civil War Campaign Medal, which was established by War Department General Orders Number 12 for those who served with Union forces between April 15, 1861 and April 9, 1865 or in Texas, to Aug. 20, 1866.

The medal features the words, “With malice toward none, with charity for all,” inscribed around the head of President Abraham Lincoln and the ribbon is half blue and half gray.

Dennis Leonard O’Leary obtained a medal and donated it to the Art Center this month so it can be displayed with the sword.

“I figured after all these years, those soldiers are finally going to get a medal,” he said.

Military medals can be purchased by veterans, family members and collectors by contacting various suppliers.

Dennis Leonard O’Leary also sent his great-grandfather’s military records to Washington D.C. and the family will receive a framed certificate and Army Civil War Campaign Medal commemorating Dennis O’Leary’s service.

According to the American Veterans Web site, this display recognition is available only to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility and there are no exceptions.

Virginia Cooper, registrar of the Muscatine Art Center said the medal will be a welcome addition to the display of the sword and the center’s other Civil War artifacts.

“It’s nice when things come back home,” said Cooper. “It’s good for the O’Leary family because they know where that sword will be for generations and it’s good for the community.”

Cooper said she will be placing the medal with the sword display in the near future.

Contact: 563-263-2331 Ext. 323. E-mail

cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com