Terry Jones describes the military service and trials of Thomas Meagher from his escape from Tasmania to his service in the Civil War. Meagher was very proud of his Irish background; he lectured and promoted the image of Irish- Americans and ideals of democracy. Moreover, over 100,000 thousand Irish- born men fought on both sides during the Civil War. Meagher’s story is one of pride and of American dreams of democracy and freedom. Meagher sought to change perceptions about Irish- Americans. There were groups such as the Know Nothing Party, Order of the Star Spangled-Banner, and other nativists groups who discriminated against the Irish. NINA signs were commonplace in the north in the antebellum period. Many Americans treated the Irish …show more content…
Battle after battle from the Peninsula Campaign to Malvern Hill, these Irish soldiers displayed extraordinary bravery in over whelming odds of failure. In ironic twist of fate, the Irish Brigade fought against a Confederate brigade, the Louisiana Tigers, made up of many Irish-born soldiers. During this bloody combat, Meagher asked for additional rifles because the rifles given to him were defective. General Sumner reluctantly resupplied Meagher. Sumner grew to respect the Irish brigade; he explained in the Seven Days, Where are my Green Flags?” Lincoln respected the Irish Brigade and was conscious of their contributions on the battlefield. At a presidential inspection at Harrison’s Landing, Lincoln extolled, “God bless the Irish …show more content…
In fact, the Confederates under Colonel Robert Mc Millian defended the attack of Meagher’s men without hesitation. After the battle of Marye Heights, the 69th New York loses are close to one thousand troops, and the brigade drops in number from around 1,500 to 500 men. The battle was similar to Pickett’s Charge, and the battle shoed the futility of war. Meagher’s troops found the Irish flag bear at the end of the battle with the Irish flag draped around him. Moreover, he died of a gun shot through the heart. The Irish Brigade continues to fight in the war at the Battle of Fredericksburg where the Brigade only numbered around three hundred men. Meagher complains about the Irish troops being worn out; he will ask for permission to go back to New York and recruit more Irish troops. Meagher’s request was denied; he resigns over recruitment issues and arguments with General Hooker. The Irish Brigade fights at Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg. In each of these battles several officers were killed in battle. During Lee’s retreat from Richmond through Farmville, the last general to be killed in the Civil War would be the Irish – American, Colonel Thomas