Commanding Boston's Irish Ninth: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Patrick R. Guiney, Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. (Irish Literary Bibliographies) [Hardcover]

Patrick R. Guiney (Author), Christian G. Samito (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Christian Samito writes in his introduction: In reading Guiney's words, one can have a fuller appreciation of what motivated civilians to volunteer to fight a war and of the privations they suffered in service to their country.These are the collected Civil War letters of Patrick Robert Guiney, an Irish immigrant from Country Tipperary who relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. When the Civil War broke out, Guiney volunteered to defend the Union and, quickly rose from First Lieutenant to Colonel, to command the ninth Massachusetts regiment. A fervent supporter of Lincoln and passionately opposed to slavery, Guiney felt that, in his service to his new country, he was doing his part to gain freedom for the slaves. Being politically outspoken, Guiney was often criticized for his views by other Irish-Americans. His letters reveal not only the experiences and thoughts of an Irish Catholic soldier, but also the hidden tensions within his immigrant community. His views and observations not only illuminate his personal independence of thought, but also the political landscape which he tried to improve.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Ninth Massachusetts Infantry, which saw duty with the Army of the Potomac, was composed primarily of Irish immigrants and their descendants who hailed from Boston. One officer, Patrick R. Guiney, eventually rose to command the regiment as a colonel prior to suffering a service-ending wound in 1864. He left a full record of his men's activities in his letters to his wife, Jeannette; the letters also reveal that Guiney's political views, which leaned toward Lincoln and the Republicans, were not shared by most of his fellow officers or men. Editor Samito has provided a rather detailed prolog and annotation for the letters, which tell us as much about Guiney as a husband as they do about matters at the front. Among the numerous collections of Civil War letters that appear in print, these are distinguished for the author's forthright discussion of political and military affairs. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries.?Brooks D. Simpson, Arizona State Univ., Tempe
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Christian G. Samito is editor of Commanding Boston's Irish Ninth: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Patrick R. Guiney, Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and History of the Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Fordham).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823218120
• ISBN-13: 978-0823218127
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,635,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, January 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Commanding Boston's Irish Ninth: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Patrick R. Guiney, Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. (Irish Literary Bibliographies) (Hardcover)

This compelling book truly transported me to the nineteenth century. Mr. Samito eloquently presented the words of this little known figure in a truly remarkable fashion. The history community is truly in debt to Mr. Samito for uncovering these long lost treasures of the nations past. Any history "Buff" worth their salt needs to read this book. I only hope Mr. Samito continues to produce works of this quality for some time to come. Ken Cooper

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the movie!, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Commanding Boston's Irish Ninth: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Patrick R. Guiney, Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. (Irish Literary Bibliographies) (Hardcover)

Mr. Samito's work is a careful examination of a tumultuous period in American history, and a compelling human drama. Would make a great movie- better than Braveheart or The Patriot!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the movie!, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Commanding Boston's Irish Ninth: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Patrick R. Guiney, Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. (Irish Literary Bibliographies) (Hardcover)

Mr. Samito's work is a careful examination of a tumultuous period in American history, and a compelling human drama. Would make a great movie- better than Braveheart or The Patriot!!