• The Irish in the Civil War

    By Robert H. Walter

    From the Battle of the 1st Bull Run, to the Battle of Fredericksburg. From the Battle of Chancellorsville, to the Battle of Yorktown and to the Battles of Fair Oaks, Gaine's Hill, Allen's Farm, Savage's Station, White Oak Bridge, Glendale, Malvern Hills, Antietam, Gettysburg, Bristoe's Station, the Harp of Érin was seen flying in the face of battle. The words “Erin Go Bragh” and “Faugh an Beallach!” were cried in battle. And “RIAMH ŊÁR DHRUID Ó SPAIRŊ LAŊŊ” was the motto. This was the Irish men Of the Irish Brigade showing that they were fighters. Though they were canal digger, coal miners, and track layers, they came to the call of Lincoln and rose up arms and put on the blue to help the Union in their Civil War. But the Irish also wore the gray of the Confederates; both sides were fighting for the same thing. Freedom from the British, and they both died for the same thing. Being free from the grip of the crown. But they weren’t north and south, Rebel and Yankee. They were brother and brother.