Download - Wicklow \u0026 the American Civil War

$: Wicklow \u0026 the American Civil War$
Wicklow & the American Civil War

Damian ShielsRoundwood & District Historical & Folklore Society,

27 October 2015

www.irishamericancivilwar.com @irishacw

Ireland’s Forgotten Great War❖ 1.6 million Irish-born in the United States❖ 1 in 4 New Yorkers Irish-born❖ c. 200,000 Irish serve during the conflict❖ 18 Irishmen became Generals❖ 32 Irishmen became Brevet-Generals❖ At least 146 Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients❖ 1 in 5 Union sailors Irish-born❖ Irish-born death total likely c. 25,000– 35,000

❖ The largest War in history for many Irish counties


The Union Irish

❖ c. 180,000 served in Union forces

❖ 2 brigades: The Irish Brigade & Corcoran’s Irish Legion

❖ Ethnic ‘green flag’ regiments from a large number of states

❖ The majority served in non-Irish units

❖ 20% of the Union navy were men of Irish birth

❖ 12 Union Generals were Irish born

❖ New York had by far the largest Irish contingent, followed by Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts

❖ Disillusionment with the war from late 1862 onwards


The Confederate Irish

❖ c. 20,000 served in Confederate forces

❖ Only one full ‘green flag’ regiment, 10th Tennessee Infantry

❖ Many ‘green flag’ companies within regiments

❖ 6 Confederate Generals were Irish-born

❖ The highest ranking Irishman on either side was a Confederate

❖ Louisiana had the largest Irish contingent

❖ Irish more likely to accept defeat of the South than native born


Why did so many Irish fight for the North?


Why They Fought


Theatres of War

• The Eastern Theater• The Western Theater• The Naval War

Captain Robert Halpin❖ Born in Wicklow Town on 16th

February 1836

❖ Famed for his cable-laying and command of the SS Great Eastern in the 1860s and 1870s

❖ Ran the Union blockade in 1863 and 1864 on behalf of the European Trading Company

❖ Witness to the Battle of Mobile Bay?

❖ Died on 20th January 1894 at Tinakilly

www.irishamericancivilwar.com

Surgeon William Blackwood❖ Born in Hollywood on 12th May 1838

❖ Emigrated to the United States in 1850

❖ Qualified from University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1862

❖ Served in 149th PA and 48th PA during the War, helped with the tunnel at ‘Battle of the Crater’

❖ Awarded Medal of Honor for actions on 2nd April 1865


Sergeant William Jones❖ Born in Wicklow around 1836

❖ Emigrated to New York where he lived in Brooklyn and worked as a Stevedore

❖ Enlisted in the 73rd New York Infantry, Excelsior Brigade, in 1861

❖ Received the Medal of Honor for actions at Spotsylvania Court House in 1864

❖ Citation: ‘Capture of the flag of the 65th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.)’


In Search of Wicklow Soldiers


In Search of Wicklow SoldiersNew York Irish World 31 December 1904

❖ Miles Balfe of the Union Army

New York Irish World 8 December 1895

❖ Mary Furlong last heard from at the breaking out of the Civil War


William Ford, 2nd Colorado Cavalry

❖ Born in Wicklow around 1839

❖ Participant in the Colorado Gold Rush

❖ Served in Company A of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry based in Missouri

❖ Killed by ‘Bushwhackers’ in 1864


1883 Irish Pensioners


Ireland’s Forgotten Resource

❖ US Army Veterans 1861-1917: c.2,000,000

❖ US Navy Veterans 1861-1910: c. 26,000

❖ US Army Dependents 1861-1910: c. 1,280,000

❖ US Navy Dependents 1861-1910: c. 20,000


The Burden of Proof❖ Affidavits by prospective pensioner, friends, family,

acquaintance, employers, physicians

❖ Documents such as military discharges, marriage certificates, baptismal certificates

❖ Letter from soldiers

❖ Investigation files

❖ Expenses from funeral homes & undertakers


The Gleesons of Wicklow Town❖ John & Sarah married in Wicklow

Town, October 1847

❖ John born Ireland? 1850, Sarah Ann born Buffalo 1855

❖ Enlisted in September 1862 in 100th NY

❖ Captured at Drewry’s Bluff, VA on 16th May 1864

❖ Died a POW in Andersonville, GA, 7th July 1864


The Plucks of Wicklow Town❖ John David Pluck & Sarah Ost married

in Wicklow on 5th September 1854

❖ John emigrated to the United States alone and enlisted aged 30 in New York

❖ Died on 10th November 1864 of disease

❖ Mother-in-law gave affidavit saying he served in ‘Royal Irish Brigade’


The Mangans of Castlekevin


❖ Thomas Mangan and Sarah Connolly married in Castlekevin on 3rd February 1834

❖ Thomas Jr. born in Dublin in 1845

❖ Emigrated to the United States in 1865

❖ Enlisted in the U.S. Army aged 21 in 1866

❖ Served in Fort Sedgwick, Colorado Territory

The Keegans of Bray


❖ Joseph Keegan and Mary Burns marred in Bray on 11th September 1848

❖ Family emigrated to Philadelphia, Joseph enlisted in the 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry

❖ Captured on 9th May 1864 in Spotsylvania

❖ Sent to Andersonville POW Camp, Georgia

The Caffreys of Arklow


❖ Patrick Caffrey and Alice Cullen married in Arklow R.C. Church on 13th January 1819

❖ Son Hugh baptised in Dundrum Chapel c. 1842

❖ Enlisted aged 19 in Albany on 23rd October 1861

❖ Part of the 17th New York in first wave of the attack against the ‘Deep Cut’, Second Bull Run

The O’Neills of Kilbride


❖ John O’Neill and Mary Doyle married in Kilbride on 1st December 1855

❖ Three children, emigrated to relatives in Sparta, Crawford County, PA

❖ John enlisted in 49th New York on 20th January 1864 at age of 31

❖ KIA at Spotsylvania Court House, 10th May 1864

Aftermath & Memory❖ William Perry, born in Wicklow around

1839

❖ Served in 35th Massachusetts Infantry

❖ Suffered from a range of problems- mistral of heart valve, rheumatism, bronchitis

❖ 5 feet 6, blue eyes, grey hair, R.C.

❖ Admitted to National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Eastern Branch (Kennebec, Maine) 22nd April 1903 aged 64

❖ Died in home of heart failure and was buried there on 21st November 1904. Personal effects sold for $1.00


Aftermath & Memory


The Distant Past?


Acknowledgements

❖Sara Nylund

❖Jackie Budell


Download - Wicklow \u0026 the American Civil War

Top Related