Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Publication Title

The Charger: Newsletter of The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable

Keywords

Civil War, Irish, Ireland, Irish-American, Union, Confederacy, Confederate, Army, Units, Battles, Irish Brigade, Meagher, Sheridan, Irish immigrant

Abstract

In this article, I will discuss the role of the Irish in the Civil War focusing on some famous units, primarily on the Northern side but also some in the South. I will profile the three leading Irish-American military leaders of the war – Thomas Francis Meagher of the Irish Brigade, “Little” Phil Sheridan of the Union, and Patrick Cleburne of the Confederacy. While “Stonewall” Jackson was of Ulster Scots-Irish stock, I am not including him. Seven Union and six Confederate generals were Irish-born. And I will discuss the conflict between the Irish immigrants and the Negroes, which erupted in the New York City draft riots of July, 1863.

Volume

30

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