Most Irish-Americans were settled in the northern American states The Irish involvement in the war was prevalent from its very beginning, as the two first recorded combat deaths (suffered at
Fort Sumter in April 1861) were Irish born.
Danial Hough and
Edward Galloway (born in Tipperary and Cork respectively) were mortally wounded in the unfortunate explosion of one of the forts 100 guns magazines, that were set to end the siege and mark the Unions withdrawal with a 100 gun salute (a salute which was cut to 50 as a result of the accident). Hough died soon after and was buried in the parade ground, whilst Galloway died five days later. Irish-Americans living in the Union states often formed their own regiments, notably the
69th New York State Volunteers and
90th Illinois Infantry Regiment. The 69th New York Volunteers flew a
green flag with a golden harp on it, symbolizing Ireland. The green flag was carried in addition to the normal regimental and national colours, making the 69th probably the only regiment to carry five colors into battle during the American Civil War. After the
First Battle of Bull Run, the 69th New York Infantry was incorporated into a larger unit, the
Irish Brigade. At the 1862
Battle of Fredericksburg, the brigade charged up
Marye's Heights, suffering 41.4% casualties. During the
Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, the Irish Brigade held a
Catholic mass before facing
Pickett's Charge. The Irish Brigade was the subject of the original version of a song, "Kelly's Irish Brigade", after its commander,
Patrick Kelly. This has caused a dispute, with those who attribute the song to a known Confederate song of the same name (even sung to the same tune) though both are seen as of the time. Though the most prevalent and recognised of the 'Irish regiments', several other notable regiments that were largely composed of Irish immigrants also distinguished themselves in the field. For example, the
9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment (attached to the 5th Corp.) formed largely of Irish immigrants from the Boston area suffered the loss of 15 officers and 194 enlisted men in combat (as well as 3 officers and 66 enlisted men to disease) throughout the war and were central to many of its bloodiest battles. Initially led by charismatic
Colonel Thomas Cass (himself an Irishman, born in
County Laois), who died in 1862 after receiving wounds at the
Battle of Malvern Hill, notable engagements included
Mechanicsville,
Gaines's Mill,
Malvern Hill,
Second Bull Run and
Antietam. As well as notable involvements in a successful (yet possibly initially overlooked) holding action at
Big Round Top during the
Battle of Gettysburg, the regiment was also held supporting roles in the disasters of
Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville. The
28th Massachusetts also formed a largely Irish regiment during the war, it, however, fought below a green flag bearing the golden harp (similarly to the 69th New York). Even at the war's end, the Irish presence was felt during the tragedy of
Lincoln's assassination, as the man who organised the initial manhunt for
John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators (and would ultimately spearhead the capture of them all) James O'Beirne (born in
County Roscommon) a Captain in the
37th New York Infantry, who had been seriously wounded in the lung at
Chancellorsville, organised a huge countrywide hunt, and although not present for the final capture of Booth (an honour taken by
Lafayette Baker) his role was noted by then secretary for war
Edward M. Stanton. Initial enthusiasm to fight for the union was lessened by both spiraling casualties, the seemingly never-ending war, and crucially, the alignment between the war and the abolition of slavery, which produced large amounts of anger in Irish communities, due to a fear that freed slaves would take the jobs often held by poor immigrants in the North (particularly seen in the
draft riots of 1863).
Irish-Americans in Confederate service Although significantly fewer Irish lived in the
Confederate States of America, six Confederate generals were Irish-born, of whom
Patrick Cleburne was the highest ranking. Units such as the Charleston Irish Volunteers attracted Confederate Irish-Americans in South Carolina, the
24th Georgia Volunteer Infantry followed General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb, while Irish Tennesseans could join the
10th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. A company of the Washington Blues regiment of the
Missouri Volunteer Militia (later the
Missouri State Guard), commanded by Colonel Joseph Kelly, was the subject of a Confederate song, "Kelly's Irish Brigade". The
Louisiana Tigers, first raised by Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat, had a large number of Irish American members. Company E, Emerald Guard,
33rd Virginia Infantry of the Stonewall Brigade composed of Irish immigrant volunteers may have been first to make the infamous "
Rebel Yell" at
1st Bull Run, attacking 14th New York guns on Henry Hill. The Davis Guard, a company of mostly Irish-American men from the Houston and Galveston area, won a lopsided victory
Second Battle of Sabine Pass in 1863. They received the
only physical medals awarded by the CSA, made from polished Mexican silver coins and hung from green ribbons to honor their Irish heritage. In "The Irish at the Front," Michael MacDonagh notes that when an "uproarious" regiment of Irish soldiers in World War I (the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers, camped at Cambrai) broke into a chorus of
Dear Old Ireland: "It was not the first time that the song was heard on a field of battle. On that night in December, 1863, in the American Civil War, when the Federals and Confederates were bivouacked on the banks of the Rappahannock awaiting the dawn to commence the bloody fight for Fredericksburg, an Irish regiment in the service of the North sang the song as they sat by their camp fires. Was that a tremendous echo that can across the river? -- [...] The Irishmen of the North listened intently. Then it came upon them with wild surprise that the chorus had been taken up by an Irish regiment in the service of the South!" ==See also==