Edward N. Kirk

For the Christian educator and pastor, see Edward Norris Kirk.

Edward Needles Kirk (February 29, 1828 – July 21, 1863) was a Quaker school teacher, attorney, and then a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Edward Needles Kirk
Edward N. Kirk, c. 1858
Born	(1828-02-29)February 29, 1828 Jefferson County, Ohio, US
Died	July 21, 1863(1863-07-21) (aged 35) Chicago, Illinois, US
Place of burial	Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois
Allegiance	United States Union
Branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861–1863
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	34th Illinois Infantry
Battles / wars	American Civil War Battle of Shiloh Battle of Stones River

Early life and career

Kirk was born in rural Jefferson County, Ohio. He was educated at the Friends' Academy in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, and subsequently taught school. He studied law for two years in Cadiz, Ohio, and passed the bar exam in 1853. He established a practice in Baltimore, Maryland. In the spring of 1854, he relocated to Sterling, Illinois. He married Marcella Cameron in Philadelphia on October 17, 1855. The couple had two sons. In 1858, with his business quickly prospering, Kirk built a large mansion, now known as the Paul W. Dillon Home.

Civil War service

At the start of the Civil War, Kirk recruited and organized the 34th Illinois Infantry, serving as the regiment's first colonel dating from September 1861. He saw duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. He commanded a brigade of four regiments during the Battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded in the shoulder on April 7, 1862, and eventually shipped home to recuperate.

Following his lengthy convalescence, Kirk returned to the field in late August, although he was still partially invalided. He and his men participated in parts of the Kentucky Campaign. He was appointed as a brigadier general dating from November 29, 1862. A little more than a month later, he was severely wounded in the hip during the Battle of Stones River near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the Minié ball lodging near his spine. He was transported to a field hospital and then eventually taken to the Tremont House in Chicago, where he died several months later.

Kirk's grave at Rosehll Cemetery

He is buried in the Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Chicago.

Battery Edward N. Kirk at Fort Stark in New Hampshire was named in his memory. His son, Edward C. Kirk, became one of Pennsylvania's leading dental surgeons and medical educators.

See also

• Biography portal
• American Civil War portal

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)