The Irish standard., 1897-09-04


in massed columns, determined to wedge |
in between us and the river. Had he
accomplished this, he would probably |
have captured large portion of the |
Army of the Potomac; and he was in
fair way to do so. when the green flag |
was unfurled to the breeze. A desperate
charge was made. and the hitherto VIC
torlous Confederates retired before the
intrepid advance Of the Irish Brigade
gallanty assisted by the brigade of Gen.
French. Both brig;.des charged with
most extraordinary courage and gained
very important point. Mcclellan,
speaking Of this afterward. said: This
gave an opportunity to rally our men
behind the brlgades Of French and
Meagher, and they again marched up
the hill ready to repuse ANOTHER at
tack Moore. in his Complete History
of the Rebellion" speaking of this same
fought bravely, charging at times up to
the lannon's mouth. and once dragging
off battery and spking the guns" At
this very critical point it may be said
with no great degree of Boosting that,
owing to the we'll known bravery of the
Irish Brigade and the confidence which
their reputation inspired in others, the
Army of the Potomac was saved. Had
not the ConfederateS received that time
iy repulse, they would have succeeded in
pressing between the Union army and
the river and passing round to the rear
of Mcclellan. Thus they could have
prevented his reaching his new base of
Supplies, which was in Il place CT safety,
. protected by the soldiers on the gun
, boats. who had been instructed as to the
part they wore expected to perform.
can not pass over at this point the
well known humorous and somewhat
witty reply of Capt. OShca. Of The Tam
many regiment, under peculiar circum-
stances. The captain had received orders
with his command to repair Il broken
bridge over the Chiekahcminy. One OF
McClcllan's aides rode up, Full OF anxi-
ETY.. and demanded:
w no commands mere.
| The captain, who suffered cunsidera-
! bly, at times. REPLIED
| "l-I-d-do'
81 want to know. sir. can artillery
pass over?"
'fe-yes. s-s-sir. if they arc f-fnyins
/ artll-l-lery." casting Il glance over the
! broken bridge Us he made the answer
| 1t very much astonshed many brave
know how it was possible that the men
and officers OF the Irish Brigade could
be so light hearted under grave and try
| ing circumstances; but it is IA characters
iatic CT 4 great people. of sound morali-
ty and manly urnlcvcmcnts, thus In
peril and in the face OF death to give
| these tokens of cheerful heart and yigor
OF mind. While the Irish Brigade was
! making its desperate charge. an occur
renee took place worthy Of notice here
| The first regiment ordered Up to check
4 Jackson WAS the Ninth Massachusetts,
then under command of Col. Cass. This
| was Il we'll known Irish regiment, and
| had for its captains, first, Father Soul
| ly. and later Father ligan. 1t fought
/ against fearful odds. Jackson having
| about 10000 men. Col. Cass was almost
in despair. when suddenly he saw the
rush of the Irish Brigade to assist and
| he cried cut to General Mengher:
"ls this the Irish Brigade, generate"
Eyes, colonel. we are hcrc!"
THANK Cod" said the colonel eve
are saved"
! The colonel, SO encouraged made an
other dash with what mon he had left;
| but he soon fell to fight no more-fell
at the post of honor" Many of our
men dropped in death during that battle
on the ground occupied later by the
| Confcdcratcs, and, as night came on,
! fighting ceased.