Customer Reviews

Irish Rebels, Confederate Tigers: A History Of The 6th Louisiana Volunteers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the author of this book, it is not my place to review it. However, I thought Amazon customers would be interested in what some published reviews have said about my book. Here are some quotes from reviews of Irish Rebels, Confederate Tigers, with the publication noted: "Irish Rebels, Confederate Tigers ....is a full-blown regimental history of a Confederate regiment that stands second to none in the Confederate Army. Raised in New Orleans, this unit fought from First Manassas to Appomattox Court House....IRCT is a first-rate regimental history...There is no published history of the unit so the author had to dig hard and long to come up with many scraps of material to put this work together. He writes a smoothly flowing narrative....you can get to know the men and care about them....It is one of the best this reviewer has seen in a long time."--Mike Cavanaugh, in Civil War News, April 1999.

"James P. Gannon, a former Wall Street Journal editor fascinated with the role of Irish immigrants in the Confederacy, takes his place with other distinguished military historians by adopting, and even improving upon, this classic literary form....This is careful history, backed by more than 100 pages of notes, individual biographies and source material....meticulous research...." --Duncan Spencer, The Washington Times, Aug. 29, 1988.

"James Gannon makes this unit come alive. The book is that rare work which combines the prose of a good novel with the solid research of a piece of classic history. Gannon is a former editor of the Wall Street Journal and the Des Moines Register. His journalist background is evidence on every page." --Gary Joiner, The Shreveport (La.) Times.

"Gannon's book is one of the best I have ever seen on the history of a Civil War regiment. The listing of members is a great research aid for any family historian. This beautiful hardcover volume...contains 388 pages with photos and illustrations and maps." --Damon Veach, The New Orleans Times-Picayune.

This book is a fascinating and intriguing account of the 6th Louisiana. While Gannon named his book Irish Rebels and covered the majority Irish members, he does give due to the Louisianians and other immigrants who made up the regiment. I was grateful to see this as my ggggrandfather was one of those members in a company from outside of New Orleans, Company C, the St. Landry (Parish) Light Guards and to see the action his unit took part in on paper was a great experience. It gave a story to my grandfather's participation in the War I never knew!

A very personal portrayal of a predominately Irish brigade from New Orleans fighting for the south. The enigma is that this regiment had the highest percentage of Irish in any brigade plus they were linked with the famed Wheat's Tigers plus they fought in Virginia during the entire Civil War. This is particularly impressive since New Orleans was captured so early in the war and the 6th Louisiana virtually became orphans in regards to State support. Much like the famed Kentucky Brigade. Gannon is a excellent writer that through intensive research provides flowing first hand accounts particularly from the brigade priest and Captain Ring. The high point of the book is the close up look at where the brigade participated in major campaigns and battles. They were a key part of the Valley Campaign, particularly Port Republic, the Seven days, Cedar Mountain, both Bull runs, Gettysburg, Early's Valley campaign including the threat to Washington and the disasters at Cedar Creek and Fort Steadman. The best gem in the book is the section on the capture of Rappahannock Station, which was an isolated bridgehead for Lee's army located on the north side of the river. This fascinating break down in strategy and command is very well focused and told in detail because the luckless 6th is one of the 3,000 troops that virtually get overwhelmed and captured in a sudden attack by large numbers. This little told event precedes Grant's arrival but seems to reveal problems in southern command caused by the lost of key officers and the strain of a long war on the Confederate supplies. The sadness of the brigade is captured as it is progressively whittled to only 50 odd survivors at Appomattox.

I stumbled onto this book while researching my family history, and was absolutely taken with the story of these men. Gannon is a gifted writer with a reverence for his subject, respect for the facts and sources, and a warm narrative style. This book is a treat to read, and in doing so you will not only develop a personal interest in the lives of these brave Irish men, but you will understand how their lives impacted the nation we have become. Irish Rebels is a marvelous story, told by a master!

I really cannot write a review for this book because I didn't read it all. I bought the book because it contains the names of my great grandfather and his brother, my great great uncle, both from Opelousas, Louisiana. I have been into family genealogy for the past six years and this book will come in handy for research and adding notes.

The Irish may have been treated like "social rejects" by the general population at that time but they sure would fight.

I felt I was in the back seat with the New Orleans Irish slugging it out in over 25 battles in Northern Virginia. As a reader, I brought an unusal perspective to this ride, I had studied military history at West Point and my great, great grandfather, a 1853 Irish immigrant, was a Sgt in Company I of the 6th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, 3X POW and 2XWIA, I was able to trace the particular battles he likely was taken prisoner in and those he was wounded in. My great aunt, still alive, recalls being told about Sgt. Thomas Flanagan, he was wounded, this book coroborated what she recalled. WHAT A BOOK!

Now if I can just find a book describing what my great, great uncle, Union seaman Xanophon Hoskins, did as a member of the crew of the USS Pensacola in taking New Orleans during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Jackson, my ride through Civil War history will be complete.

Great regimental history and story of the 1st LA "Tiger" Bde. To learn more about the "orginal" Tigers, Wheat's 1st Louisiana Special Battalion, read: The First Louisiana Special Battalion: Wheat's Tigers in the Civil War.

James P. Gannon details a fascinating 6th Louisiana Volunteer regiment in this book. The men who served are detailed so that the reader comes to know each one. This is a great title not only for civil war buffs, but for genealogist's as well, as it contains a roster with details on each man. These Irish lads served the Confederacy with everything they possessed and their tale is served well by Mr. Gannon. This book makes fascinating reading and I highly recommend it! It's become an integral part of my Irish history collection!