The Irish Brigade in 1862 Introduction The Irish Brigade would come to be one of the most extraordinary brigades that would be produced during the American Civil War on either side. Additionally, it is remarkable how a collection of regiments that were made up predominately of Irish immigrants and Irish Americans could fight so heroically for a country that was new to them. Perhaps no year gives a better depiction of the type of fighting unit this was than the year of 1862, which included their participation in major battles such as the Seven Days Battles, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. The Peninsula Campaign The Irish Brigade would get its first taste of action as a collective brigade during the Peninsula Campaign and would establish itself as a force to be reckoned with. Heading into the Peninsula Campaign, the Irish Brigade consisted of the 69 th, 63 rd, and 88 th New York regiments under the command of Thomas Francis Meagher. The Irish Brigade took no part in the action during the initial phase of the Peninsula Campaign, yet this would change as they arrived at Tyler’s Farm on May 11, The Battle of Fair Oaks would begin on May 11, and the following is a description from Tucker about the Irish Brigade’s engagement in the battle. Confederate General Johnston initiated the battle, yet the Irish Brigade would take part on the second day of the battle. The 69 th and 88 th New York regiments would be called upon to reinforce Union forces, and upon doing so drove back the Confederate combatants with several deadly volleys and then overtook a Confederate defensive position with fixed bayonets. 2 After Fair Oaks, the Irish Brigade would be repeatedly called upon during the ensuing Seven Days Battles, as described by Tucker. Leading up to Malvern Hill at the end of the Seven Days Battles, the Irish Brigade (with the new addition of the 29 th Massachusetts) would continually help McClellan execute a successful retreat throughout multiple battles. During Malvern Hill, the Irish Brigade would be called to reinforce Porter’s Fifth Corps which would end in the 68 th and 88 th New York driving the 10 th Louisiana (which consisted of many Irishmen) away after engaging them in brutal hand-to-hand combat. 3 1 Daniel M. Callaghan, Thomas Francis Meagher and the Irish Brigade in the Civil War (Jefferson: McFarland & Company Inc., 2006), 54; Phillip Thomas Tucker, "God Help the Irish!": The History of the Irish Brigade (Abilene: McWhiney Foundation Press, 2007), Phillip Thomas Tucker, "God Help the Irish!": The History of the Irish Brigade (Abilene: McWhiney Foundation Press, 2007), Antietam The Irish Brigade would build upon its reputation earned during the Peninsula Campaign at the Battle of Antietam, yet at a great cost. Joseph G. Bilby offers an account of the Irish Brigade during Antietam. The battle commenced on September 17th, with the Irish Brigade positioning itself in the middle of the Federal lines along with the rest of the Second Corps. The divisions of Second Corps were sent off one at a time, with French’s Third Division and Richardson’s First Division (which contained the Irish Brigade) veering straight into the Confederate center where the enemy was sheltered behind a sunken road. The First Division gathered in an area protected from Confederate fire, having the Irish Brigade taking the far right. The Irish Brigade then proceeded to march towards the road without yet firing a volley, and they would then be meet by the 16 th Mississippi who had left their cover. The 16 th Mississippi had taken out the 63 rd New York, but the remainder of the brigade effectively got rid of the rebels by returning fire. Meagher had the brigade continue onwards towards the sunken road, hoping to fire several volleys with buckshot and then follow it with a bayonet charge. After firing upon the rebels, the Irish Brigade could not get off a successful charge and would consequently take on heavy causalities. Caldwell’s brigade would soon relieve the remnants of the Irish Brigade. Consequently, the brigade was greatly reduced due to casualties.4 4 Joseph G. Bilby, The Irish Brigade in the Civil War: the 69th New York and Other Irish Regiments of the Army of the Potomac (Conshohocken: Combined Pub., 1998), Fredericksburg The Irish Brigade’s final battle during the year of 1862 was in the Battle of Fredericksburg, which would further add to the brigade’s staggering death toll. The following account from Seagrave gives a good depiction of the Irish Brigade’s actions at Fredericksburg. After the Battle of Antietam, Abraham Lincoln had replaced George B. McClellan with General Ambrose E. Burnside. During November Burnside had his men camp on the other side of the Rappahannock River, apparently to take winter quarters as the Confederates were heavily fortified on a hill overlooking Fredericksburg on the other side. Yet it was Burnside’s decision to make an attack on the Confederate position head-on during December. By December 12, the Irish Brigade (along with the rest of the army) had moved into Fredericksburg to begin an attack on the 13 th. By this time, the Irish Brigade had an increase in numbers by the addition of the 116 th Pennsylvania and the 28 th Massachusetts. On December 13, the Irish Brigade was sent behind the other brigades of its division to charge the hill controlled by the Confederates, with R.R. Cobb’s Georgia Brigade (which had many Irish immigrants) firing behind a stonewall. The Irish Brigade made their suicidal charge and took on heavy casualties. No one was able to make it past the stonewall, and very few made it back alive. With that being said, their charge won the admiration of both sides alike, including Generals Lee and Pickett. 5 5 Pia Seija Seagrave, The History of the Irish Brigade: A Collection of Historical Essays (Fredericksburg: Sergeant Kirkland's Museum and Historical Society, 1997), Officers of the 69 th New York at Fort Corcoran Officers of the 69 th New York State Militia, Fort Corcoran, Va” Library of Congresss Photo Depiction of the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Fair Oaks “Genl. Meagher at the Battle of Fair Oaks Va., June 1 st 1862” Library of Congress Civil War Photo. Map of Irish Brigade (the Brigade on the Left Under Richardson) Attacking the Confederates at the Sunken Road in Antietam Hamill, John. “Antietam – II Corps Attacks, The Sunken Road.” (Copyright 2008) Accessed April 9, 2013, Depiction of Cobb’s and Kershaw’s Men Behind the Stone Wall at Fredericksburg, Who 9 Opened Fire onto the Irish Brigade During their Suicidal Charge 9 9 Redwood, A.C. “Cobb’s and Kershaw’s Troops Behind the Stone Wall” Library of Congress Photo.