Francis Cusack was born in 1843 at Limerick, Ireland. The date of his immigration to America is unknown, but sometime after his arrival while working as a clerk, he enlisted at the age of 19 into the 11th. New York Cavalry, as a Corporal in Company A; on January 13, 1862 for a period of three years.

After completing his three years of service with the 11th New York Cavalry, records reveal that on January 23, 1864 he reenlisted as a private at Washington D.C. for an additional three years, with the same Company A. He was then promoted to the rank of Corporal, on April 15, 1865.

 

Original Kirkbride Buildings at Callan Park

Hospital for the Insane
With the consolidation of the 12th. New York Cavalry Regiment and four companies of the 11th. New York Cavalry, by Special Order Number 63 on June 16, 1865, however, Cusack was mustered out of military service as a supernumerary,  meaning a number beyond what is necessary, usual or required; at Memphis, Tennessee on July 21, 1865.

Records reveal that Company designations for the 11th New York were changed during January 1864 from Company A, to that designation which the organization was changed to from Captain Bennett’s Company, “Scott’s 900 Cavalry” in June 1862.
 

Callan Park Hospital For the Insane, Leichhardt, NSW Photo taken 1900
It was named "Scott's 900" in honor of Thomas A. Scott of Pennsylvania, the Assistant Sec. of War.   Records further reveal that Cusack was absent on detached service to the Soldier’s Home in the District of Columbia on August 31, 1863, was reported absent on furlough on December 31, 1864 as well as on February 28, 1865, was absent on scouting duties at Germantown, Maryland on April 30, 1865, was undergoing treatment for “diarrhea” on March 14 and 15, 1865 as “Frank” Cusack,  was again being treated for “hemorrhoids” on April 15th and 16th. and for “piles” on April 21 through 23; after which he was  returned to duty.

After the close of the war Cusack again enlisted, in the regular U.S. Army, and was finally discharged with honor on December 1, 1871.   After leaving the U.S. Army Cusack returned to Ireland where he met and married wife, Ann Riordan, age 32, at Limerick, Ireland and they had four children.   Eventually Cusack migrated from Ireland to Australia.
After arriving in Australia and using his discharge papers as evidence of service, Cusack submitted an application for an Invalid Pension through the U.S. Consul at Sydney, Australia, on November 15, 1893.

The reason he gave was that he was unable to work due to his now being almost totally blind. Francis Cusack died at Callan Park Hospital for the Insane at Leichhardt, New South Wales, on November 18, 1894; at 52 years of age.

On his death certificate, Number 178, it stated his occupation was that of a shopkeeper and that the cause of his death was due to “general paralysis”.

Ann Riordan Cusack, his widow at age 45, applied for a Widow’s Pension after his death having three surviving children.

She was granted her Widow’s Pension, certificate number 441907, at a sum of $12 a month until her death; on June 29, 1923.

Francis Cusick was buried at the Rookwood Necropolis Cemetery in the Roman Catholic Portion, grave number 1352/3/4; where a headstone has been placed.

 
 
The former home of Francis Cusack
11 Bercrombie Street
Sydney
New South Wales
 

“11th Cavalry Regiment, Scott's Nine Hundred; First United States Volunteer Cavalry”

Adjutant General’s Report, New York -  National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 New South Wales Index, 1894, Reference Number 07117

“New York in the War of the Rebellion”, Frederick Phisterer, 1912.

New York State Archives -  Rookwood Cemetery Records

 U.S. Pension Records - U.S. Pension Papers, Washington. D.C.

  “The Story of a Cavalry Regiment, "Scott's 900," Eleventh New York Cavalry, from

        the St. Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico, 1861- 1865”, Thomas West  

        Smith, Veteran association of the Regiment, 1897

Royal Australian Historical Society Library Collection Files