Irish Brigade Monument at Antietam National Battlefield

Irish Brigade Monument
29th Massachusetts Infantry, 63rd New York Infantry
69th New York Infantry, 88th New York Infantry

Dedicated:

October 25, 1997

Location:

Base of the Tower at Bloody Lane

Map Number:

Map 1, Position 60

Monument Photo

Monument Text

IRISH BRIGADE
Formed in November 1861, the Brigade was
largely recruited in New York, Massachusetts
and Pennsylvania. Its initial regiments were the
69th, 88th and 63rd New York State
Volunteers. Other units identified as part of
the Brigade included the 29th Massachusetts,
116th Pennsyvlania and 25th Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry Regiments. The Brigade
fought in all of the major campaigns of the
Army of the Potomac. It lost over 4,000 men
during the war. This total is larger than the
number of soldiers who served in the Brigade
at any single time. Eleven Brigade members
were awarded the Congressional Medal of
Honor. Of the Five Officers who commanded
the Brigade, three were killed or mortally
wounded. Colonel Richard Byrnes (Cold
Harbor), Colonel Patrick Kelly (Petersburg),
and Brigadier General Thomas A. Smyth
(Farmville). The Brigade was mustered out in
June 1865.

BRIGADIER GENERAL
THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER
The Irish Brigade commander was born in Waterford City Ireland on 23 August 1823, a well educated orator, he joined the young Ireland movement to liberate his nation. This led to his exile to a British Penal Colony in Tasmania Australia in 1849. He escaped to the United States in 1853 and became an American citizen. When the Civil War broke out he raised Company K, Irish Zouaves, for the 69th New York State Militia Regiment which fought at First Bull Run under Colonel Michael Corcoran. Subsequently Meagher raised the Irish Brigade and commanded it from 3 February 1862 to 14 May 1863 til later commanded a military district in Tennessee. After the War meagher became Secretary and Acting Governor of the Montana Territory. He drowned in the Missouri River near Fort Benton on 1 July 1867. His body was never recoverd.

Granite from County Wickslow, Ireland

IRISH BRIGADE AT ANTIETAM
Second Brigade, First Division Second Corps, Army of the Potomac
On 17, September 1862, the Brigade crossed Antietam Creek (9:30 a.m.) at Pry's Ford. As it formed at the edge of a cornfield Father William Corby, Chaplain rode along the line, giving absolution to the soldiers. The 69th New York occupied the right then the 29th Massachusetts, the 63rd and 88th New York crossing the cornfield, the command encountered a rail fence which was torn down under severe fire an opposing Confederate column advanced within 300 paces of the brigade . After several volleys, the Irish Brigade charged with fixed bayonets. At 30 paces it poured buck and ball into General George B. Anderson's Brigade (2nd, 4th, 14th and 30th North Carolina Infantry Regiments) which fell back to "Bloody Lane". After fierce combat its ammunition exhausted the Irish Brigade was relieved.

The Irish Brigade Losses Were		Killed	Wounded	Missing	Total
69th New York	Officers	4	6		10
	Enlisted Men	40	146		186
88th New York	Officers	2	2		4
	Enlisted Men	25	73		98
63rd New York	Officers	4	5		9
	Enlisted Men	31	160	2	193
29th Massachusetts	Officers
	Enlisted Men	7	29	3	39
	Staff Officers		1		1
	Enlisted Men
	Total	113	422	5	540
Close up of Plaque

Irish Brigade Monument 29th Massachusetts Infantry, 63rd New York Infantry 69th New York Infantry, 88th New York Infantry

Irish Brigade Monument
29th Massachusetts Infantry, 63rd New York Infantry
69th New York Infantry, 88th New York Infantry