Rank and
organization: Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army. Place
and date: Apache Pass, Ariz., 13-14 February 1861. Entered
service at: New York. Born: 24 June
1830, Ireland. Date of issue: 24 January 1894.
Citation:
Voluntarily took command of troops
and attacked and defeated hostile Indians he met on the way.
Surgeon Irwin volunteered to go to the rescue of 2d Lt. George
N. Bascom, 7th Infantry, who with 60 men was trapped by
Chiricahua Apaches under Cochise. Irwin and 14 men, not having
horses began the 100-mile march riding mules. After fighting
and capturing Indians, recovering stolen horses and cattle, he
reached Bascom's column and help break his siege.
The
President of the United States