"TODAY TO PRESERVE AMERICA, TOMORROW TO LIBERATE IRELAND"

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.  

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

"FIGHT TODAY TO PRESERVE AMERICA, TOMORROW TO LIBERATE IRELAND"

JFK HONORS IRISH BRIGADE 

Fredericksburg, Virginia (JFK+50) On December 13, 1862, the Union army launched an attack on Confederate positions on Marye's Heights near Fredericksburg.

The army of the United States included the Irish Brigade, led by Brigadier General Thomas Francis 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 fled Ireland twenty years before their charge in the second Union 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 30 yards from the Stone Wall.  

President John F. Kennedy was the first President of Irish descent.  He also was the first President to visit Ireland during his term of office. In his visit of June 1963, the President addressed the Irish Parliament and presented the flag of the Irish Brigade.  

JFK said...

"One of the most brilliant stories (of Irish history) was written by a band of 1200 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. 

General Robert E. Lee, the great military leader of the Southern Confederate forces, said of this group of men after the battle...

'The gallant stand which this bold brigade made on the heights of Fredericksburg is well known. Never were men so brave. They ennobled their race by their splendid gallantry on that desperate occasion. Their brilliant, though hopeless, assaults on our lines excited the hearty applause of our officers and soldiers.'"

*Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867) was born in County Waterford, Ireland & studied at Stonyhurst College.   TFM became an Irish nationalist & led the Young Irelanders in the Rebellion of 1848.  Convicted of sedition, he was sent to Tasmania but escaped in 1852 & came to the U.S.  TFM joined the U.S. Army in the Civil War & rose to Brigadier General.  After the war, he served as acting governor 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

JFK HONORS IRISH BRIGADE

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1796

JFK HONORS IRISH BRIGADE IN ADDRESS TO IRISH PARLIAMENT

Fredericksburg, Virginia (JFK+50) 153 years ago today, December 13, 1862, the Union army 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 Francis 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.  

President John F. Kennedy was the first President of Irish descent.  He also was the first President to visit Ireland during his term of office. In his visit of June 1963, the President addressed the Irish Parliament and presented the flag of the Irish Brigade.  

JFK 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. 

General Robert E. Lee, the great military leader of the Southern Confederate forces, said of this group of men after the battle...

'The gallant stand which this bold brigade made on the heights of Fredericksburg is well known. Never were men so brave. They ennobled their race by their splendid gallantry on that desperate occasion. Their brilliant, though hopeless, assaults on our lines excited the hearty applause of our officers and soldiers.'"

SOURCE

"The Civil War: Rebels Resurgent," by William K. Goolrick, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1985.

The Irish Brigade at Fredericksburg

THE IRISH BRIGADE

THE IRISH BRIGADE ATTACKS STONE WALL AT FREDERICKSBURG

Fredericksburg, Virginia (JFK+50) 152 years ago today, December 13, 1862, the Union army launched an attack on Confederate positions on Marye's Heights near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Federals were led by General Ambrose E. Burnside while the Rebels were commanded by General Robert E. Lee. 

The Irish Brigade, led by Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher, who had been one of the leaders in the Irish rebellion of 1848, implored his men to fight..."today to preserve America, tomorrow to liberate Ireland."

Meagher's men were volunteers from New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. Having fled Ireland 20 years before they now charged 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 Irish Brigade was stopped just 30 yards from the Stone Wall.  

Of 12,300 Federal soldiers killed in the battle, two-thirds fell right there and  of the 1200 Irish soldiers who attacked, 545 were killed, wounded or missing. As the victorious General Lee surveyed the scene from the heights, he said:

"It is well war is so terrible else we should grow too fond of it."

The Flag of the Irish Brigade bears a golden sunburst over Erin's harp and a bank of shamrocks.

President John F. Kennedy was the first President of Irish descent.  He also was the first President to visit Ireland during his term of office. In his visit of June 1963, the President of the United States addressed the Irish Parliament and presented the flag of the Irish Brigade.  

JFK 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. 

General Robert E. Lee, the great military leader of the Southern Confederate forces, said of this group of men after the battle...

'The gallant stand which this bold brigade made on the heights of Fredericksburg is well known. Never were men so brave. They ennobled their race by their splendid gallantry on that desperate occasion. Their brilliant, though hopeless, assaults on our lines excited the hearty applause of our officers and soldiers.'"

SOURCE

"The Civil War: Rebels Resurgent," by William K. Goolrick, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1985.

IRISH BRIGADE

December 13, 1962


Fredericksburg, Virginia (JFK+50) The Union army launched an attack on Confederate positions on Marye's Heights near Fredericksburg, Virginia today.


The Federals were led by General Burnside while the Rebels were commanded by General Lee. 

In the final assault, the "Irish Brigade" made it to within 30 yards of a stone wall at the base of the heights.  


At this point, Confederate infantry fire stalled the Irish advance. 


 Of 12,300 Federal soldiers killed in the battle, two-thirds fell in front of the stone wall.  


Of the 1200 Irish Federal soldiers who attacked, 545 were killed, wounded or missing. 

As the victorious Lee surveyed the scene from the heights, he said:


"It is well war so so terrible else we should grow too fond of it."

President Kennedy was the first President of Irish descent (both parents were Irish-Americans).  He also became the first President to visit Ireland during his term of office. 


In his visit of June 1963, the President addressed the Irish Parliament & presented the flag of the Irish Brigade.  


Here are some of his remarks on that occasion.

"Mr. Speaker, Prime Minister, Members of the Parliament:


I am grateful for your welcome & for that of your countrymen.

One of the most brilliant stories of that day 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. 


General Robert E. Lee, the great military leader of the Southern Confederate forces, said of this group of men after the battle:


'The gallant stand which this bold brigade made on the heights of Fredericksburg is well known. 


Never were men so brave. They ennobled their race by their splendid gallantry on that desperate occasion. 


Their brilliant, though hopeless, assaults on our lines excited the hearty applause of our officers a& soldiers.'"