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Irish Brigade In The Civil War: The 69th New York And Other Irish Regiments Of The Army Of The Potomac

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The Irish Brigade was the finest combat unit the Army of the Potomac possessed. Formed early in the American Civil War they would fight at 1st Manassas, Fair Oaks, Gaines Mill, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Petersburg and Appomattox. No other unit would lose more men in battle than the Irish Brigade.

Full of remarkably colorful characters, they were, almost to a man, agitators for Irish independence from Britain. Most of the brigade's leaders were known Irish revolutionaries so strident in their beliefs that the Federal Government would warn Britain there could be Union supported consequences in Ireland if Britain intervened on the Confederacy's behalf! The brigade's casualties were appalling. At Antietam, they would suffer 60% casualties attacking the Sunken Lane. At Fredericksburg, while attacking the stone wall at Marye's Heights, manpower would be reduced 84%, from 1600 to 256. At Gettysburg, they could muster only 600 men but fought in the Wheat Field under Winfield Hancock. In June of 1864, reduced to regimental size, they were incorporated into the 3rd and 4th brigades of the II Corps but would continue to fight in all of the war's battles until Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House.

This is the story of the most superb combat brigade fielded in the Eastern Theater of the war. The exploits of The Irish Brigade will simply astound. Decidedly nonacademic in its writing and full of warm, spirited antidotes, this is one of the better unit histories regarding America's Civil War I have found. You will not be disappointed.

This book gives an excellent overview of the movements and battles of the Irish Brigade during the War between the States. If you are interested in Civil War and/or the Irish in America, you will find this book interesting.