Patrick Naughton was born around 1826 in Ireland. He eventually immigrated to America and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. He supported the Democratic Party. He remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War. According to a local writer, his Unionism demonstrated that “in the opinion of Irishmen, Democracy does not mean Secession, but on the contrary, a love of the Union and a sacred regard for their obligations to their adopted country.”

 

In 1861, he organized the Irish Dragoons, and he received a commission as the unit’s captain. In December 1861, the Dragoons became part of the 5^th Iowa Cavalry. The regiment took part in the siege of Corinth, and he resigned on June 9, 1862. He applied for a federal pension in July 1862 and eventually received one.

 

He returned to the Union army later that year, receiving a commission as captain of Company C of the 10^th Missouri Cavalry. He remained in the army until at least June 1864, and he died sometime afterward.

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