John A. Joyce

John Alexander Joyce (July 4, 1842 – January 18, 1915) was an Irish–American poet and writer. He served as a first lieutenant and regimental adjutant in the Union Army. He was indicted for his role as Internal Revenue Service agent in the Whiskey Ring.

Early life

John Alexander Joyce was born on July 4, 1842, in Sruhagh, Ireland, to Michael and Catherine Joyce. He moved to Kentucky at an early age and grew up there. He graduated from Highland Literary Institute in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, in 1859. He then studied law. After the war, he read law in the office of Senator William B. Allison in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Senator Allison's office on November 8, 1864.

Career

As of April 1861, Joyce worked as a clerk of the circuit court in Bath County, Kentucky. On September 29, 1861, Joyce enlisted as a private in the Union Army's Company I, 24th Kentucky Infantry Regiment at Olympian Springs, a hotel and resort near Owingsville, Kentucky. On December 1, 1861, Joyce was promoted to orderly sergeant of Company I. Joyce was promoted to second lieutenant on March 22, 1862, and promoted to first lieutenant for gallantry at the Battle of Shiloh on May 30, 1862. Joyce was present at the Battle of Perryville on October 8, 1862, and was assigned as regimental adjutant on September 1, 1862. On November 25, 1863, Joyce was at the Siege of Knoxville. He was recommended for promotion by General Mahlon Dickerson Manson for his actions in the Battle of Resaca. On June 27, 1864, Joyce was shot in the thigh at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He received an operation at College Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, in July 1864 and was sent to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. In fall of 1864, Joyce applied to be a colonel. On November 4, 1864, the War Department removed Joyce from service due to his injury. Joyce was often referred to as "Colonel Joyce" but did not receive the rank.