LIEUT. COL. Richard Fitzgibbons

His parents, Edmond and Johanna, left Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, and emigrated to Montreal where Richard, one of six children, was born in 1836. They subsequently moved to Albany and NYC before settling in Bridgeport. In younger years he had a variety of jobs including work aboard a steamer between NYC and France, and as a messenger for the Adams Express Co. He recruited a company for the First Regiment C. V. and was commissioned captain in April of 1861. After serving at Bull Run the regiment was mustered out on July 31, 1861 and Fitzgibbons decided to join the Ninth regiment as a Lt. Col. He was in command of the Ninth from June 24, 1863 to Oct. 26, 1864, when he mustered out. After the war he married Miss Nellie Barnum, also of Bridgeport. Two brothers, Thomas and John, served in the Ninth Regiment as well.