The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-12-28
the IRISH BRIGADE
Sketch Of the Gallant 69th Of
New York.
Corcoran's Snub to the Then
Prince of Wales.

Among the many military organiza-
tions in New York fifty years or more
ago, there were several companies ex-
clusivelN of Irishmen. In two Of
only by men who were born in Ire
land, but there were other Irish COM
panies where the term "Sons of Ire
land" included American born de-
scendants of Irish parents. These
independent companies paraded on St
Patrlck's Day. but We're also always in
line on Washington's Birthday. on the
Fourth Of July and on other public
holidays when the regularly organized
militia paraded. Each company had
its meeting room, where tho freedom of
Ireland was always the favorite theme.
The Irish organizations grew rapid
ly. and in 1851 were consolidated and
cd the numerical designation So
For seven years the regiment -four
ished and became r good military
body. III 1858 the regiment was re-
organized as an artillery regiment do
ing duty as infantry. and when the
Civil War broke out in 1861 It, was
looked upon as one of the most regi-
mental organizations in New York.
Michael Corcoran was the colonel
of the regiment. He and his regi-
mcnt came into public notice when
the Prince of Wales, now King Ed
ward VII. visited this country. There
was a military parade in his honor.
in which the 69th was ordered to take
part by the general commanding the
division. Corcoran refused to order
I out his regiment for the occasion, say
ing that Irishmen We're not Interested
in the celebration, and for this diso-
bedience Of orders he was placed in ar
rest, but he was never tried. He was
/ released in time to ride at the head
of his regiment when it marched away
to the front, in May, 1861.
| ip tCI III vi SClNICC IvI WHICH IhS
saith enlisted was three months, but
in that time it took part in the bat
ties of Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run.
Many members of tho 69th were cap
tured in the latter bloody fight, tho
colonel being one Of the number. The
regiment returned from the front in
| A,,c ,ct ,v,1 fn,,, q
mustered out of the service an order
was issued by the War Department
for the organization of an Irish bril-
gade. Under this call eight hundred
members of the 69th enlisted for three
years in the seth Regiment New York
Volunteers. and went to the front UNI
Nugent. with James Kelly as lieuten-
ant colonel and James Cavanaugh as
major. The other New York regi-
me1lts in the brigade We're the 63rd
and 6Sth. The 2Sth Massachusetts
and the 116th Pennsylvania were add
ed TO the Irish Brigade, with two
Hogan and Mcmahon
Although most Of it's original war
members were in the Irish Brigade.
the 6ath was rapidly recruited. and
when it re-entered the service for the
second time in May, 1862, 1t marched
away from the old armory one thous-
and strong. The term of enlistment
was for three months, and when tho
regiment was mustered out the men
followed the example of their COM
rades and re-enisted for tho war;
as the 69th New York National Guard
Artillery, or the 1921 New York Vol
unteers. choosing the first in order to
keep their favorite numerical designa-
ton.
Tho old 69th was again recruited
to it's full strength and enlisted for
thirty days when Lees forces invad-
ed Pennsylvania, in June, 1863. and
again for the three months in July
1864.
The brigade fought in twenty one
battles, and a number of lesser en-
gagements, and while our army was
defeated in a number Of those battles
and driven from the field, the e9th was
neccr routed nor thrown into q panic
In it's long term it lost IL officers
and 246 men killed, total 259, while
Sc men died Of disease, accident, etc
and Sc died in prison, OF starvation
and exposure, while confined in Il
treeless Enclosure, without shelter
winter or summer. It's total deaths
were 4O1, while it's wounded mum
bercd 53s, and its missing 2o4, MAX
ing a. total OF LAO, a number fer great
err than were ever present with the
regiment at any one time. A number
of it's missing later returned to its
ranks, but most Of them were never
accounted for and were no doubt