The Rev. William Corby CSC

07/31/2024

The quiet town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, unexpectedly became the setting for the pivotal moment of the American Civil War in July 1863. Despite their confidence, the Confederates faced numerous challenges that ultimately led to their downfall, including inadequate leadership, manpower, industrial resources, cultural miscalculations, and the unyielding determination of the Union forces, particularly those from Pennsylvania who fiercely defended their homes for the first time during the war. The following account provides a detailed analysis of how these factors contributed to the Confederate defeat over the course of the three-day battle.

In July 1863, the peaceful town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania enjoyed a beautiful day, with little excitement in the town. The residents went about their business in a calm and friendly manner, conte…

03/17/2024

11/29/2022

On this giving Tuesday please consider our friends The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina

Hello my name is Michael G. Chiaramonte. I am the curator of The American Militar… Michael Chiaramonte needs your support for Donate to help preserve history

10/07/2022

Identification shield worn by Sergeant Thomas Wood (Woods). Sgt. Woods was a member of Company "B", 69th New York National Guard. This unit would later become the 182nd New York Infantry, part of Corcoran’s Irish Legion.

Woods was born in Ireland around 1827[1] and arrived in the United States prior to 1850.[2] He married Margaret Begnan at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan on October 13, 1850.[3] By 1860 he was making a living as a butcher. He and his wife, along with their two children Patrick and Elizabeth, resided in the 18th Ward of Lower Manhattan.[4] In November of 1861 Thomas and Margaret would have another child, Thomas Frances.[5]

As the American Civil War unfolded, Woods made the decision to enlist. On September 18, 1862, Woods enlisted in the 69th New York National Guard.[6] On November 17, 1862, he was officially mustered in as a Sgt. in “B” Co. 69th N.Y.N.G. This regiment was organized by Col. Mathew Murphy as the first regiment of the Corcoran Brigade, also known as Corcoran’s Irish Legion. The regiment left New York state on November 10, 1862, to serve at Newport News, VA. The unit first served in Corcoran's Brigade, part of Peck's Division, Department of Virginia. Then in December 1862 at Suffolk, as part of Murphy's Brigade, Corcoran's Division.[7] Sgt. Woods and the 69th N.Y.N.G spent most of their time guarding Federal naval yards at Portsmouth and Norfolk.

In January of 1863 Confederate Brigadier-General Roger Atkinson Pryor would move 1,800[8] men towards Suffolk, VA. His hope was to disturb Union activity in the region. Early in the morning of January 30[9] Brigadier-General Corcoran ordered his men to march in the direction of the enemy. The men of the 69th N.Y.N.G were both anxious and eager to see their first combat. Their energy led them to be boisterous and the men had to be ordered to keep quiet, as to not alert the confederate soldiers that were in close proximity. Sgt. Wood and the men of Co. “B” slogged through the mud for nine miles before reaching the enemy. Brigadier General Corcoran first sent in his cavalry and artillery, who took heavy fire. Corcoran than ordered the 167th Pennsylvania into the fight. However, they were in a shambles due to the wounding of their commander. It was time for Sgt. Woods and the men of the 69th N.Y.N.G to see the elephant. They advanced through the blackness of the early morning….

“Moving into a gully near the unfortunate 167th Pennsylvania, the Legion came into range of the Confederate artillery, and were ordered to lie down. Trees and houses were ripped apart during the ferocious barrage that followed…. In defense of the Pennsylvanians, the fire under which they had been exposed was extremely heavy, as the Legion were finding out. A piece of spiraling shrapnel struck the canteen of the 69th’s Captain Michael Kelly, carrying away his elbow. 30-year-old Sergeant Thomas Woods took a shell fragment in the stomach, killing him.”[10]

This action would be known as “Deserted House.” It was the first combat for the 69th N.Y.N.G but the last that poor Sgt. Woods would see.

Sgt. Woods now rests in Hampton National Cemetery in section D number 3182.[11]

Margaret would apply for a widow’s pension for her and the three children on March 19, 1863.[12] She would receive a pension of $8.00 a month, which is about $108[13] in today’s money. Sadly, Margaret would die on July 4, 1864.[14] The children and the pension were then transferred to the custody of Mary Ann Grimes.

Let us never forget the sacrifice of Sgt. Woods and his family for their adopted country.

02/22/2015

A Few Artifacts Reflecting The Irish and Their Participation In The American Civil War On Display At Our Sister Site The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina, Please Check Out The Link Provided.

https://www.facebook.com/TheAMHM

10/11/2014

Rev. Corby's Desk and Chair that he used during his term as President Of The University of Notre Dame

09/10/2014

This four part series will show it was due to the very fact that they were Irishmen whom possessed a unique background, making them predisposed to greatness in battle. In essence there are four driving forces that will explain why the Irish fought with great success during the American Civil War. These driving forces are: religion, acceptance, Irish Nationalism and the Irish culture. This week we will focus on how religion influenced the Irish in battle?

In the mid-nineteenth Ireland was under oppressive English rule and suffering from famine. Many young Irish men fled their homeland to America in quest of a better life only to end up in the middle...

03/17/2014

Happy St. Patricks day

12/22/2013

150 years ago today one of the most important figures in Irish American history perished, Brigadier-General Michael Corcoran. Michael Corcoran died while making social calls for the Christmas holiday when he fell from his horse, Capt. David Power Conyngham describes Corcorans death saying "While stationed near Fairfax, General Corcoran resolved to celebrate the Christmas holidays of 1863 in splendid style, and had invited several guests for the occasion — among them General Meagher, who was spending a few days with him in camp. Immediately before Christmas he had ridden from his headquarters to the station with General Meagher, and on his return back had ridden the general's horse, a very spirited animal. He was somewhat in advance of his staff, and going rather hard at the time; suddenly he was seen to fall from the horse, and on his officers coming up they found him senseless, merely breathing. Whether he fell off in a fit or was killed by the fall is not known. He died in the course of the following night." (1) Here is a little bit more information on about this great Irish American hero;

Corcoran was born in Carrowkeel, county Sligo Ireland and was a member of the Irish Nationalist Guerrilla force known as the Ribbonman. His ties to this group were eventually discovered in 1849 so he immigrated to New York City in order to avoid capture. To gain a position in society he joined the 69th New York State Militia as a private. This would not last as “his military passion and his previous knowledge of military tactics were a great advantage to him.” (2) Corcoran moved up in rank and became a Colonel. It was in this capacity that Corcoran became a hero to the Irish Nationalist, as well as the overall Irish immigrant population of New York. He chose not to parade his men in front of the Prince of Whales upon his visit, saying that “as an Irishman he could not consistently parade Irish-born citizens in honor of the son of a sovereign, under whose rule Ireland was left a desert and her best sons exiled or banished.” (3) His action resulted in a court-martial. However, it was overturned due to the need of good officers to fight in the Civil War. Corcoran resumed his rank in the 69th New York and was present at that Battle of First Manassas, where he was captured. Corcoran spoke of this later by saying, “I did not surrender until I found myself after having successfully taken my regiment off the field, left with only seven men and surrounded by the enemy.” (4) Corcoran was eventually exchanged over a year later, and was received back with acclaim. He was given the rank of Brigadier General and put in command of his own troops, known as Corcoran’s “Irish Legion.” The first battle of the Legion took place during the Battle of Deserted House Virginia. Although not one of the biggest battles of the war, Corcoran demonstrated calmness under fire and his men showed how they admired Corcoran by following his every commanded under intense battle conditions. Sadly this would be Corcoran’s last major battle as he was killed later that year when he fell from his horse. Even though Corcoran’s life was cut short his legend and the Prince of Wales incident continued to inspire men, especially those of his Legion who were fighting for Uncle Sam as well as Irish pride.

1) Conyngham, David Power. The Irish Brigade and Its Campaigns. (New York: Fordham University Press, 1994.) 540
2) Ibid 537
3) Ibid
4) Ibid 538

Image of Brigadier-General Michael Corcoran provided by The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina care of Michael G Chiaramonte

06/28/2013

Anyone know of any Irish Brigade events next week in Gettysburg?

02/28/2013

From my friend The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina

One page letter in period ink written by Col Robert Nugent, Colonel of the 69th New York Infantry Regiment. Document written to Quartermaster General Chester Arthur- Later to become the 21st President of the United States.

GENERAL ROBERT NUGENT - Post-civil war brevet-Colonel and Captain 16th Infantry, U. S. A., formerly major and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 69th New York Volunteers, was a native of Kilkeel, county Down; was in all the battles of the Brigade, except Antietam, when he was absent, sick, until Fredericksburg, when he was wounded by a rifle ball in the groin, his pistol, which was shattered, saving his life; was Acting Assistant Provost-Marshal-General of New York for a considerable period, during which he administered a dangerous and important office with dignity and honor. He commanded the Irish Brigade after General Meagher's resignation. He was a very dignified commander and an officer of high executive ability and undoubted gallantry. (Coyningham, 547-548)

Service;

Residence was not listed; 37 years old.

Enlisted on 4/20/1861 at New York City, NY as a Lieut Colonel.

On 4/20/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 69th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 8/3/1861 at New York, NY

On 8/5/1861 he was commissioned into US Army 13th Infantry
He was discharged for promotion on 11/1/1861

On 11/1/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 69th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 11/28/1863

On 10/30/1864 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 69th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 6/30/1865 at Alexandria, VA

Promotions:
* Lt Colonel 4/20/1861 (As of 69th NY Inf)
* Capt 8/5/1861 (As of 13th RA Inf)
* Colonel 11/1/1861 (As of 69th NY Inf)
* Brig-General 3/13/1865 by Brevet

Other Information:
born 7/27/1824 in Kilkeel, Co. Down, Ireland
died 6/20/1901 in Brooklyn, NY

Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886) was the 21st President of the United States (1881–85). Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield,

In 1860, Arthur was appointed to the military staff of Governor Edwin D. Morgan. The office was a patronage appointment of minor importance until the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, when New York and the other northern states were faced with raising and equipping armies of a size never before seen in American history.[22] Arthur was given the rank of brigadier general and assigned to the quartermaster department. He was so efficient at housing and outfitting the troops that poured into New York City that he was promoted within the state militia to inspector general in February 1862, and then to quartermaster general that July. He had an opportunity to serve at the front when the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment elected him colonel early in the war, but at Governor Morgan's request, he turned it down to remain at his post in New York. The closest Arthur came to the front was when he traveled south to inspect New York troops near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in May 1862, shortly after forces under Major General Irwin McDowell seized the town during the Peninsula Campaign. That summer, he and other representatives of northern governors met with Secretary of State William H. Seward in New York to coordinate the raising of additional troops, and spent the next few months enlisting New York's quota of 120,000 men. Arthur received plaudits for his work, but his post was a political one, and he was relieved of his office in January 1863 when Governor Horatio Seymour, a Democrat, took office.
Arthur returned to his law practice in 1863 and the firm of Arthur & Gardiner flourished. Even as his professional life improved, however, Arthur and his wife experienced a personal tragedy as their only child, William, died suddenly that year at the age of three. The couple took their son's death hard, and when they had another son, Chester Alan Jr., in 1864, they lavished attention on him. They would also have a daughter, Ellen, in 1871. Both children survived to adulthood. Arthur's political prospects improved along with his law practice when his patron, ex-Governor Morgan, was elected to the United States Senate. He was hired by Thomas Murphy, a hatter who sold goods to the Union Army, to represent him in Washington. The two became associates within New York Republican party circles, eventually rising in the ranks of the conservative branch of the party dominated by Thurlow W**d. In the presidential election of 1864, Arthur and Murphy raised funds from Republicans in New York and attended Abraham Lincoln's inauguration in 1865.

Content of letter;

Irish Brigade
Headquarters 1st Regt
New York 30 Sept 1861

General Arthur
Dear Sir,

Will you please let the barn have an order for twenty men to remain for tonight at the barracks in City Hall Park. Recruited and mustered for D Company of my Regiment.

Very Truly Yours
Robert Nugent
Col 1st Regt

Part Of The "Torn Between Two Shores The Irish In The American Civil War" Exhibit — at The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina.

12/13/2012

150 years ago today during the Battle of Fredericksburg, Major General Ambrose E. Burnside assailed Marye's Heights with nine divisions totaling 30,000 men. Amongst these soldiers where the men of the Irish Brigade, that consisted of the 63rd New York Infantry, the 69th New York Infantry, and the 88th New York Infantry; also the 28th Massachusetts and 116th Pennsylvania. The gallant men of the Irish Brigade charged up Marye's Heights and were met by a Confederate force strongly intrenched behind a stonewall. One unit behind that wall was the 24th Georgia, a unit composed of members that came from heavily Irish populations in Georgia, they were led by Col. Robert McMillian Sr., who was born in county Antrim, Ireland. When Col. McMillian saw the green flag of The Irish Brigade begin to make it up the hill; he is said to have exclaimed "Oh God, what a pity! Here come Meagher’s fellows." The 24th George poured devastating shot into their fellow countryman who despite the rage of battle kept charging up the hill and, were applauded for their bravery by their Irish Brothers behind the wall in grey. Please take a moment today to think about these men and the sacrifice they made for there new adopted land. Faugh a Ballagh!!! and Erin go Bragh!!