Monday, January 20, 2014

Irish Brigade: The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!

Famed Irish Brigade in the Civil War 

The Fighting Irish! of Notre Dame: A History

Foreword

Notre Dame and the "Fighting Irish!"

While approximately 150,000 Irish served the Union during the Civil War (1861-1865), the most famous was its brigade, the Irish Brigade. When Union General Edwin Sumner prepared for battle he was known to ask: “Where are my green flags?” and that he once swore that “if the Irishmen ever ran from the field he would have to run as well.” Prior to battle, Father William Corby, later President of Notre Dame, would ride by the ranks of the Irish Brigade and give every man absolution. While charging into battle, the brigade shouted its battle cry, "Faugh a Ballagh!,” meaning “Clear the Way."

Notre Dame is known as the fighting Irish, but what is its origin? During the Civil War, the predominately all-Irish Brigade had a record unmatched in battle: 4,000 casualties, 11 recipients of the Medal of Honor, and 3 of its commanders killed in action. The Irish Brigade, known as the Fighting Irish because of its fighting prowess, was one of only ten "famous brigades" in the Union Army, according to the conflict's acclaimed statistician, William F. Fox. The following work is an introductory study about one of the finest unit's to ever engage in war.

The majority of the men that formed the Irish Brigade had recently arrived in New York, only to be frustrated by prejudice and elusive dreams. With boiling anxiousness to demonstrate their equality by way of bayonet and battlefield, Irishmen entered into the fray of the blue and gray. The sons of Erin donned the Union blue wool, and tramped from battle to battle without an ounce of concern. Although casualties were rising rapidly in their ranks, the Irish Brigade continued to fight like furies and they continued to fall without many worries.

Although 4,000 fell, many lived to tell, that the Irish had fought and it wasn't for naught. A nation once divided was now united, and though there was intolerance and indifference towards the Irish, President Lincoln believed that the Irish had made the difference, because, during the war, Lincoln once reached out and gently held the corner of the Irish colors, then kissed it and said, “God Bless the Irish Flag.” From antiquity perhaps we may still hear the Irish say, "Clear the Way," because we are here to stay. 

 
Introduction

Nearly one-third of the total Irish population who joined the Union Army resided in New York.

Approximately 150,000 Irishmen, most of whom were recent immigrants and not yet  U.S.citizens, joined the Union Army during the Civil War. Some joined out of loyalty to their new found home, while others hoped that such a conspicuous display of patriotism might finally halt the discrimination against the Irish. As the war dragged on and Irish casualties mounted, however, their sympathy for the Union cause began to flounder, and by the end of the war many had abandoned the Northern cause altogether. The majority of the nation's Irish resided in New York City, the recruiting base for many of the Empire State's 42,000 plus Irishmen who joined the Union military. But the determined soldiers who fought in the all-Irish units that comprised the “Irish Brigade” were known for their courage, ferocity and tenacity in battle.

Formed in November 1861, the Irish Brigade was largely recruited in New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Its initial regiments were the 69th, 88th and 63rd New York State Volunteers. Other units identified as part of the Brigade included the 29th Massachusetts, 116th Pennsylvania and 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiments. The Brigade fought in all of the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. It lost more than 4,000 men during the war. This total is larger than the number of soldiers that the brigade had in the field at any given time. Eleven Brigade members were awarded the Medal of Honor, and of the five officers who commanded the brigade, three were killed or mortally wounded. Colonel Richard Byrnes was mortally wounded at Cold Harbor, Colonel  Patrick Kelly was killed at Petersburg, and Brigadier General Thomas A. Smyth died at Farmville. Brigadier generals Robert Nugent and Thomas Meagher were both wounded, however. The brigade was mustered out in June 1865.

See also

Irish Brigade: A History
New York Civil War History
Excelsior Brigade
Iron Brigade

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Civil War Cavalry Weapons and Battles

Civil War Cavalry Weapons and Battles

The Union and Confederate Military


Foreword


Traditionally, cavalry was considered the “eyes” of the army, scouting, guarding supply lines, and screening the army’s flanks from the enemy. When required, the cavalry could also disrupt enemy communication and supply lines, provide a mobile striking force, or defend key terrain. The Civil War army, Union and Confederate, consisted primarily of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Occasionally, without even firing a rifle or wielding a saber, cavalry turned the tide of battle by providing reconnaissance. 
 
Cavalry played a prominent role in the outcome of many major battles and campaigns during the conflict and it was a critical component in the army organization. Cavalry often collected intelligence, such as enemy position and movement, and forwarded the vital information to the respective command, which allowed headquarters to respond accordingly with its infantry and artillery. Many Civil War battlefields may be viewed as a chess match, with cavalry retaining the position of the knights. The exigencies of battle were often met because cavalry was on the scene and it allowed the commanding general to be armed with precise intelligence to make an informed decision.
 
Cavalry generally fought dismounted, with every fourth trooper holding the horses of his comrades. Either mounted or dismounted, troopers might advance in two ranks, the first rank firing and, while reloading, the second rank advanced through the first. The maneuver was repeated until the objective was obtained. If forced to fall back, the troops could reverse the maneuver. Prior to the Civil War, mounted cavalry charges against infantry were not uncommon, but with the widespread use of the long-range rifled musket such assaults were often suicidal.
 
The Battle of Brandy Station involved nearly 22,000 cavalry and was the largest cavalry engagement on American soil.
 
The Union and Confederate Armies in the field were not just in the market for food and clothing, but animals were a major resource for the war effort. Prices for horses rose from $100 at the outset to $185 by war's end. The Union army exhausted approximately 500 horses per day by war's end so that despite efforts to supply the insatiable demand, the horse population in the Union dropped by nearly half a million. Mules were as much in demand as horses.

Introduction
 
Cavalry of the U.S. Civil War was an integral part and member of the "army organization." The cavalry branch was one of three principal branches that formed the army; the other two were the infantry and artillery. As the physical body has parts, and parts have functions, so did the Civil War army. The infantry was the legs that carried the body into the brunt of the fighting, while the cavalry was the eyes that could locate and direct the body prior, during and even after the battle (cavalry also fought, mainly dismounted), and the artillery was the arms that was capable of reaching out and touching the enemy from a distance. The body requires the legs, the arms, and the eyes in order to function perfectly. Remove an eye, the body suffers. Remove a leg, the body suffers. Remove an arm and a leg and the body suffers severely. Now what occurs when one has lost both eyes? So one member or part of the body is not more vital and significant than another part, but together, each part forms the unit, the Civil War army unit. A well-disciplined and trained body, army body, consisting of artillery, infantry, and cavalry working together with each member performing its respective responsibilities and roles, was the goal of both Northern and Southern armies. Most battles during the Civil War were lost because the body was absent or missing a "part" prior or during the engagement. On the other hand, one army was victorious during the battle because its body remained intact and functioned well. 
 
Absent Confederate cavalry prior to and during the initial fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg, according to many, was to blame for the Confederate loss of the entire three day battle itself. The writer does not espouse that view, but because many have embraced it in their writings, it merely indicates the prominence of cavalry.
At Gettysburg, Gen. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia, while Gen. JEB Stuart commanded the Army of Northern Virginia's only cavalry division. Stuart delayed his arrival at Gettysburg, causing, according to some staff officers, some words of rebuke from Lee to Stuart. "Well General Stuart, you are here at last?" Allegedly Lee's exact words.
 
For example, to demonstrate the importance of cavalry, let's examine a short conversation from the movie Gettysburg (1993) between Lee and Stuart. Although the following conversation never occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg, it is interesting nevertheless. Following the actual quotes are comments in the brackets.
 
Upon his arrival at Gettysburg, Stuart reports immediately to Lee at headquarters.
 
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: You wish to see me, sir?
General Robert E. Lee: [Lee nods and sighs; there is a short pause] It is the opinion of some... excellent officers that you have let us all down.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: [angry at the slight to his honor] General Lee, sir, if you will please tell me who these gentlemen are...
General Robert E. Lee: There will be none of that. There is no time.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: Sir, I only ask that I be allowed to defend my...
General Robert E. Lee: [raising his voice slightly] There is no time.
[Stuart looks stunned]
General Robert E. Lee: General Stuart... your mission was to free this army from the enemy cavalry and report any movement by the enemy's main body. That mission was not fulfilled. You left here with no word of your movement or movement of the enemy for several days. Meanwhile, we were engaged here and drawn into battle without adequate knowledge of the enemy's strength or position, without knowledge of the ground. So it is only by God's grace that we did not meet disaster here.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: General Lee, there were reasons...
General Robert E. Lee: [Lee holds up his hand to silence Stuart] Perhaps you misunderstood my orders? Perhaps I did not make myself clear. Well, sir... this must be made very clear. You, sir, with your cavalry, are the eyes of this army. Without your cavalry, we are made blind. That has already happened once. It must never, never happen again.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: [Stuart stares at the floor, then slowly draws his sword in token of his resignation] Sir... since I no longer hold the General's...
General Robert E. Lee: [suddenly furious, Lee pounds the table with his fist] I have told you, there is no time for that! There is no time!
[he pauses, takes a deep breath, and calms down again]
General Robert E. Lee: There is another fight comin' tomorrow, and we need you. We need every man, God knows. You must take what I have told you, and learn from it, as a man does.
[he takes Stuart's sword and replaces it in its scabbard]
General Robert E. Lee: There has been a mistake. It will not happen again; I know your quality. You are one of the finest cavalry officers I have ever known, and your service to this army has been invaluable. Now... let us speak no more of this.
[he turns and slowly walks away, then turns back to Stuart]
General Robert E. Lee: The matter is concluded. Good night, General.
[not knowing what to think of this show of mercy, Stuart snaps a crisp salute, and Lee returns it]
 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Civil War Cavalry Weapons, Battles, and Tactics

Cavalry Organization, Tactics, Military Weapons, and Battles
 
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."
 
Cavalry of the U.S. Civil War was an integral part and member of the "army organization." The cavalry branch was one of three principal branches that formed the army; the other two were the infantry and artillery. As the physical body has parts, and parts have functions, so did the Civil War army. The infantry was the legs that carried the body into the brunt of the fighting, while the cavalry was the eyes that could locate and direct the body prior, during and even after the battle (cavalry also fought, mainly dismounted), and the artillery was the arms that was capable of reaching out and touching the enemy from a distance. The body requires the legs, the arms, and the eyes, in order to function perfectly. Remove an eye, the body suffers. Remove a leg, the body suffers. Remove an arm and a leg and the body suffers severely. Now what occurs when one has lost both eyes? So one member or part of the body is not more vital and significant than another part, but together, each part forms the unit, the Civil War army unit. A well-disciplined and trained body, army body, consisting of artillery, infantry, and cavalry working together with each member performing its respective responsibilities and roles, was the goal of both Northern and Southern armies. Most battles during the Civil War were lost because the body was absent or missing a "part" prior or during the engagement. On the other hand, one army was victorious during the battle because its body remained intact and functioned well. 
 
Absent Confederate cavalry prior to and during the initial fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg, according to many, was to blame for the Confederate loss of the entire three day battle itself. The writer does not espouse that view, but because many have embraced it in their writings, it merely indicates the prominence of cavalry.
At Gettysburg, Gen. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia, while Gen. JEB Stuart commanded the Army of Northern Virginia's only cavalry division. Stuart delayed his arrival at Gettysburg, causing, according to some staff officers, some words of rebuke from Lee to Stuart. "Well General Stuart, you are here at last?" Allegedly Lee's exact words.
 
For example, to demonstrate the importance of cavalry, let's examine a short conversation from the movie Gettysburg (1993) between Lee and Stuart. Although the following conversation never occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg, it is interesting nevertheless. Following the actual quotes are comments in the brackets.
 
Upon his arrival at Gettysburg, Stuart reports immediately to Lee at headquarters.
 
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: You wish to see me, sir?
General Robert E. Lee: [Lee nods and sighs; there is a short pause] It is the opinion of some... excellent officers that you have let us all down.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: [angry at the slight to his honor] General Lee, sir, if you will please tell me who these gentlemen are...
General Robert E. Lee: There will be none of that. There is no time.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: Sir, I only ask that I be allowed to defend my...
General Robert E. Lee: [raising his voice slightly] There is no time.
[Stuart looks stunned]
General Robert E. Lee: General Stuart... your mission was to free this army from the enemy cavalry and report any movement by the enemy's main body. That mission was not fulfilled. You left here with no word of your movement or movement of the enemy for several days. Meanwhile, we were engaged here and drawn into battle without adequate knowledge of the enemy's strength or position, without knowledge of the ground. So it is only by God's grace that we did not meet disaster here.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: General Lee, there were reasons...
General Robert E. Lee: [Lee holds up his hand to silence Stuart] Perhaps you misunderstood my orders? Perhaps I did not make myself clear. Well, sir... this must be made very clear. You, sir, with your cavalry, are the eyes of this army. Without your cavalry, we are made blind. That has already happened once. It must never, never happen again.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: [Stuart stares at the floor, then slowly draws his sword in token of his resignation] Sir... since I no longer hold the General's...
General Robert E. Lee: [suddenly furious, Lee pounds the table with his fist] I have told you, there is no time for that! There is no time!
[he pauses, takes a deep breath, and calms down again]
General Robert E. Lee: There is another fight comin' tomorrow, and we need you. We need every man, God knows. You must take what I have told you, and learn from it, as a man does.
[he takes Stuart's sword and replaces it in its scabbard]
General Robert E. Lee: There has been a mistake. It will not happen again; I know your quality. You are one of the finest cavalry officers I have ever known, and your service to this army has been invaluable. Now... let us speak no more of this.
[he turns and slowly walks away, then turns back to Stuart]
General Robert E. Lee: The matter is concluded. Good night, General.
[not knowing what to think of this show of mercy, Stuart snaps a crisp salute, and Lee returns it]
 
Introduction
 
Traditionally, cavalry was considered the “eyes” of the army, scouting, guarding supply lines, and screening the army’s flanks from the enemy. When required, the cavalry could also disrupt enemy communication and supply lines, provide a mobile striking force, or defend key terrain. The Civil War army, Union and Confederate, consisted primarily of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Occasionally, without even firing a rifle or wielding a saber, cavalry turned the tide of battle by providing reconnaissance.
 
Cavalry played a prominent role in the outcome of many major battles and campaigns during the conflict and it was a critical component in the army organization. Cavalry often collected intelligence, such as enemy position and movement, and forwarded the vital information to the respective command, which allowed headquarters to respond accordingly with its infantry and artillery. Many Civil War battlefields may be viewed as a chess match, with cavalry retaining the position of the knights. The exigencies of battle were often met because cavalry was on the scene and it allowed the commanding general to be armed with precise intelligence to make an informed decision.
 
Cavalry generally fought dismounted, with every fourth trooper holding the horses of his comrades. Either mounted or dismounted, troopers might advance in two ranks, the first rank firing and, while reloading, the second rank advanced through the first. The maneuver was repeated until the objective was obtained. If forced to fall back, the troops could reverse the maneuver. Prior to the Civil War, mounted cavalry charges against infantry were not uncommon, but with the widespread use of the long-range rifled musket such assaults were often suicidal.
 
The Battle of Brandy Station involved 22,000 cavalry and was the largest cavalry engagement on American soil.
 
The Union and Confederate Armies in the field were not just in the market for food and clothing, but animals were a major resource for the war effort. Prices for horses rose from $100 at the outset to $185 by war's end. The Union army exhausted approximately 500 horses per day by war's end so that despite efforts to supply the insatiable demand, the horse population in the Union dropped by nearly half a million. Mules were as much in demand as horses.
 
See also