IRISH BRIGADE STOPPED AT FREDERICKSBURG
Fredericksburg, Virginia (JFK+50) On December 13, 1862, the army of the United States launched an attack on Confederate positions on Marye's Heights near Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The Federal army included the Irish Brigade, led by Brigadier General Thomas F. Meagher*, who had been one of the leaders in the Irish rebellion of 1848. The General implored his men to fight..."today to preserve America, tomorrow to liberate Ireland."
Meagher's men were volunteers who had fled Ireland twenty years before their charge in the second Federal attack on Mayre's Heights. According to one of their officers, the men marched out from town "in glorious style, their green sunbursts waving. Every man (with) a sprig of green in his cap..." The Brigade was stopped just 30 yards from the Stone Wall.
"One of the most brilliant stories (of Irish history) was written by a band of 1,200 men who went into battle wearing a green sprig in their hats. They bore a proud heritage and a special courage, given to those who had long fought for the cause of freedom. I am referring, of course, to the Irish Brigade."
*Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867) was born in Waterford, Ireland & became a leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1848. He was convicted of sedition & sent to Tasmania from where he escaped to America, arriving in NYC in 1852. TFM became a U.S. citizen & after service in the Civil War served a Secretary of the Montana Territory.
SOURCE
"The Civil War: Rebels Resurgent," by William K. Goolrick, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1985.
The Irish Brigade at Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia (JFK+50) On December 13, 1862, the army of the United States launched an attack on Confederate positions on Marye's Heights near Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The Federal army included the Irish Brigade, led by Brigadier General Thomas F. Meagher*, who had been one of the leaders in the Irish rebellion of 1848. The General implored his men to fight..."today to preserve America, tomorrow to liberate Ireland."
Meagher's men were volunteers who had fled Ireland twenty years before their charge in the second Federal attack on Mayre's Heights. According to one of their officers, the men marched out from town "in glorious style, their green sunbursts waving. Every man (with) a sprig of green in his cap..." The Brigade was stopped just 30 yards from the Stone Wall.
Addressing the Irish Parliament in June 1963, President John F. Kennedy said...
"One of the most brilliant stories (of Irish history) was written by a band of 1,200 men who went into battle wearing a green sprig in their hats. They bore a proud heritage and a special courage, given to those who had long fought for the cause of freedom. I am referring, of course, to the Irish Brigade."
*Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867) was born in Waterford, Ireland & became a leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1848. He was convicted of sedition & sent to Tasmania from where he escaped to America, arriving in NYC in 1852. TFM became a U.S. citizen & after service in the Civil War served a Secretary of the Montana Territory.
SOURCE
"The Civil War: Rebels Resurgent," by William K. Goolrick, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1985.
The Irish Brigade at Fredericksburg
