The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-12-17
THEIR SPLENDID GALLANTRY
They Faced the Withering Fire of
the Rebel Batteries.
BULL RUN RUsSELL'S EULOGY
They Ennobled Their Race on the
Historic Occasion.

Fredericksburg Is located in fertile
valley on the right bank OF the Rappa-
hammock, SO miles north of Richmond.
The Rappahannock at this point is skirt
ed by low crcsts of hills, which, on the
, northern bank, run parallel and close to
the river, and on the opposite side stretch
backward from the river. and leave q
semi-circular plain six miles in length,
and from two to three in breadth. en-
again approach the river. Immediately
above the town the bluffs are bold and
bare of trees.
On this range and between these spurs,
in December, 1862, the Confederate army,
under Lee 20, 600 strong. was posted. Tho
command of Gen. l.ongslrcet occupied
that portion of the range in the immedi-
ate vicinity of Fredericksburg his right
resting on Maryc's hill, on the crest of
which was posted Col. Walton's far
famed Washington artillery. This range
OF hills was SO completely commanded
that Cen longstrect the day before re-
ccivcd the report from his chief of artil-
lery Col Alexander. that I'VE will comb
ii az with Il fine comb. a chicken could
not live on that field when we open
fire."
Burnside. who succeeded Mcclellan in
| command of the Army Of the Potomac,
crossed the Rappahannock on the 18th of
| December, and prepared to give battle
| the next day, Il delay which gave Lee
| time to bring Jarkson's corps to his as
,, sistancc. AS Lee was strongly intrenched
he did not wish to oppose the crossing
of the river. The attack on the Confed-
crate left could only be made on Marye's
heights. The dreadful engagement and
the charge of the Irish brigade in thus
described by Gen. Thomas Francis Mea-
Cher the commander of the Irish bril-
gndc in his report to Gen. Burnside:
a little before s o'clock Saturday, tho
18th inst, we received orders to fall in
and prepare instantly to take the field.
The brigade being in line. ! addressed,
separately in each regiment, Il few words,
reminding it of its duty and exhorting it
to acuuit itself OF that duty bravcly and
nobly to the last. Immediately after the
column swept up the street toward the
scene of action, headed by Col. Robert
Nugent, of the G9th, and his veteran regi-
men-cvcry officer and man wearing q
sprig of evergreen in his hat, in memory
of the land of his birth.
And in their caps, tho all around
No tree or shrub was seem
They w0re-hcavcn knows from whence
procured
Each man, II sprig of green.
Emerging from the street-having
nothing whatever to protect 1.-THE bri-
gade encountered the full force and fury
of the encmy's fire. and, unable to resist
or reply to 1t, had to push on to the mill
race, which may be described as the
first of the hostile dcfcnses. Crossing
this mill race by means of a single
bridge, dvcrging to the right, we had
to dcpIoy into line of battle The Goth,
under Gen. Nugcnt, being on the right,
had to stand its ground until the rest of
the brigade came up and formed
directed Col Nugcnt to throw out
two companies as skirmishers on the
right flank This order was being car
ricd out when the other regiments of the
brigade, coming up with I; brisk step,
and dcploying in line of battle, drew
down upon themselves a terrific fire.
Not long they stand in waiting
The bloody strife's begun!
Hark! From the rivers further side
Rings out the signal gun.
Nevertheless, the line was beautifully
and rapidly formed, and boldly ad-
vanccd, Col. Nugcnt leading on the right,
Col. Patrick Kelly, commanding the 8Sth,
being next in line. both displaying u
, courageous soldiership.
Maj Joseph O'Neill, commanding the
G3d, was as true that day as he has ever
been. His command took position on the
left of the center of the line. The center
was assigned to the 2Sth Massachusetts,
commanded by Col. Byrne, this regiment
having in its position the only green flag
under which the Irish brigade had the
privilege that day to advance against the
enemy.
On the left appeared the 10th Pennsyl-
vania. A new regiment, it had but re-
Gently joined the brigade, but it's conduct
from Bolivar heights, where it was first
associated with the brigade, to the pres
ent moment when it's gallantry is placed
on record. it has proved itself worthy of
tho cause into which it threw itself with
so much enthusiasm.
Thus formed, under the unabating tenn
pest and deluge of shot, the Irish brigade,