Battle Flags of the Fighting Irish

In October 1860, the 69th Regiment, New York State Militia, an Irish unit headquartered in New York City and led by Colonel Michael Corcoran, refused to march in a parade for the visiting Prince of Wales, the Queen’s son, to protest the British monarchy’s failed policies in Ireland. On March 16, 1861, the regiment received a special flag, known as the “Prince of Wales” color, from the local Irish-American community to honor and celebrate this controversial public display of defiance. The “Prince of Wales” flag, in green silk, proudly included the Fenian sunburst and an inscription commemorating the disobedient act. It's only battle was First Manassas.

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Is that because they were militia, no longer sent to the front? Or were militia disbanded ( is that a word? ) and members put into different volunteer units? Makes you a little glad the flag at least survived! Very cool flag and history- always surprising how much goes into these, gee whiz.
 
Jackson Guards, Company G, 1st Arkansas.

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Always get distracted by these, " Ladies of..... ", thinking of the entire process, the weeks or months behind that patch. Fund raisers, creation, the ceremony- this was some group's very big deal.
 

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Great thread Legion Para! Here is some artwork by Don Troiani featuring Irish battle flags.

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The 37th New York Volunteers "Irish Rifles"

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"Brothers of Ireland" The Irish Brigade led by General Meagher (in his green velvet suit) rushes to relieve the 9th Massachusetts (Irish) at the battle of Gaines' Mill. The Irish brigade had removed their coats because of the heat and fought in their shirt sleeves.

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"Sons of Erin" Father Corby blesses the Irish Brigade as they attack the Sunken Road at Antietam.

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"Clear the Way" The 28th Massachusetts Infantry of the Irish Brigade in the attack on Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg.
 

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Is that because they were militia, no longer sent to the front? Or were militia disbanded ( is that a word? ) and members put into different volunteer units? Makes you a little glad the flag at least survived! Very cool flag and history- always surprising how much goes into these, gee whiz.
I believe the 69th New York State Militia later became the famous 69th New York Volunteer Infantry of the Irish Brigade.... or at least many of the men in the 69th NYSM then enlisted in the 69th NYVI when their enlistments expired.
 
Although not a flag, I thought I would still include General Cleburne's sword which was presented to him by the 15th Arkansas. The hilt contains a shamrock and the scabbard an engraved Irish harp.


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Is that because they were militia, no longer sent to the front? Or were militia disbanded ( is that a word? ) and members put into different volunteer units? Makes you a little glad the flag at least survived! Very cool flag and history- always surprising how much goes into these, gee whiz.
At 1st Manassas, the 69th was only a state militia unit, under a 90 day enlistment. After the Union loss there, it was realized that this was going to be a long haul, so 3 year regiments were formed. The 69th Militia formed the nucleus for the 69th NY Volunteer Inf. under a different general and a brand new flag.
 
At 1st Manassas, the 69th was only a state militia unit, under a 90 day enlistment. After the Union loss there, it was realized that this was going to be a long haul, so 3 year regiments were formed. The 69th Militia formed the nucleus for the 69th NY Volunteer Inf. under a different general and a brand new flag.
Mike Corcoran, the commander of the 69th NYM, was captured during 1st Bull Run. Thomas Francis Meagher launched the effort to organize Irish Brigade with the 69th NYV as the core unit in the fall of 1861. Meagher, a famous Irish revolutionary, had commanded the Zouave company of the 69th NYM.
 
Seriously give-you-chills article on the Irish at Gettysburg. Some lyrical stuff, almost believe an Irishman wrote it.

" As the Irish Brigade paused near Cemetery Hill before they went into battle, the soldiers saw the flags of immigrant regiments that had once had nearly a thousand men each that could now muster fewer than two hundred. The absence of so many comrades, now lying in graveyards in Virginia and Maryland or suffering in hospitals, foretold what lay ahead for more than a third of the Irishmen that day. "

http://www.longislandwins.com/colum..._for_the_irish_brigade_gettysburg_july_2_1863
 
Seriously give-you-chills article on the Irish at Gettysburg. Some lyrical stuff, almost believe an Irishman wrote it.

" As the Irish Brigade paused near Cemetery Hill before they went into battle, the soldiers saw the flags of immigrant regiments that had once had nearly a thousand men each that could now muster fewer than two hundred. The absence of so many comrades, now lying in graveyards in Virginia and Maryland or suffering in hospitals, foretold what lay ahead for more than a third of the Irishmen that day. "

http://www.longislandwins.com/colum..._for_the_irish_brigade_gettysburg_july_2_1863
Thanks.
 
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Notre Dame’s Civil War Chaplains with two officers from the Irish Brigade at the Union Army camp at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, Summer 1862. Sitting: Captain J. J. McCormick; James Dillon, CSC; and William Corby, CSC. Standing: Patrick Dillon, CSC, and Dr. Philip O’Hanlon. Photo by Alexander Gardner, official photographer of the Army. Original glass negative is housed in the Library of Congress.

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Not sure if anyone has mentioned them yet but Company I of the 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment was composed of mainly Irish immigrants that lived in the port city of Mobile, Alabama. The left flag is their later one which was said to be a "Stars and Bars" style flag that had an image of George Washington on it and the right is their first "Irish flag" from what I've read.
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The second one I have for you was one from Company B, "Montgomery Guards", 21st Alabama Infantry Regiment.

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These are modern reconstructions from accounts of the originals as neither of these are in the Alabama Department of Archives' collection of flags.
 
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