Celtic Troops

[Dmax90]

I've done some research but was unable to find any good information, but were there any Celtic troops (Scottish/Irish) that fought in the Civil War?

 

[John Hartwell]

There were a good many Irish-American regiments on both sides, and a few that claimed to be largely composed of Scots (one NY regiment began the war in kilts!). And, there were large populations of 'Scotch-Irish' all over the country, though usually associated mostly with the southern uplands. But "Celtic" is essentially a linguistic term, and really doesn't have relevance to the ACW.

'Google' "Irish regiments in the Civil War."

jno

 

[rpkennedy]

Yes. For the Irish in the Union armies, I would recommend Susannah Ural's The Harp and the Eagle.

For the Confederates, there was the 10th Tennessee, 24th Georgia, 1st Virginia Battalion and many of the Louisiana regiments from New Orleans had contingents of Irishmen.

For the Scottish, there was the 79th New York who marched off to war wearing kilts.

R

 

[Mdiesel]

Men of "Celtic" decent played a large role in the American Civil War. I believe Grant was of Scots Irish decent himself. It interesting to note that though those of "Celtic" decent would have hardly felt brotherly love for each other. Scots Irish Protestants had arrived in America earlier then most of the Irish Catholics and viewed the newcomers with a very Jaundiced eye!

 

[Championhilz]

I've done some research but was unable to find any good information, but were there any Celtic troops (Scottish/Irish) that fought in the Civil War?

Irish Archaeologist Damian Shiels has an excellent blog devoted to the Irish experience during the Civil War: http://irishamericancivilwar.com

 

[John Hartwell]

Patrick Young's Long Island Wins has a lot of excellent articles on Irish units in the Civil War.
http://www.longislandwins.com/colum..._for_the_irish_brigade_gettysburg_july_2_1863

jno

 

[Republican Blues]

I've done some research but was unable to find any good information, but were there any Celtic troops (Scottish/Irish) that fought in the Civil War?

Seriously? Google search the Irish Brigade.... or Wlm McCarters My Life in The Irish Brigade, or Martin Meagher, Tons of Irish, Scots, and Welsh served, on both sides.its impossible to not fined anything...

 

[Blessmag]

You mean the bagpipes were the north's answer to the Rebel yell?

 

[Republican Blues]

You mean the bagpipes were the north's answer to the Rebel yell?

Absolutely not.... the pipes were used only by the Calendonian Club of New York to escort the 79th NY down the streets of NY as they were leaving for Washington..

 

[4th-MSM]

On the Confederate side there was also "Kelly's Irish Brigade", which was actually part of Parson's Division of the Missouri State Guard. Here's a thread with more info on Kelly's Infantry:

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/irish-confederates.20216/

From BorderRuffian's post #10 of the thread linked to above:
http://www.pricecamp.org/kelly.htm

 

[dvrmte]

The vast majority of the Confederate army was composed of people of Scots-Irish descent.

I don't know if this quote is accurate but Robert E. Lee was supposed to have given this answer in response to being asked, who were the best soldiers.

"The Scots who came to this country by way of Ireland because they have all the dash of the Irish in taking a position and all the stubbornness of the Scotch in holding it."

 

[Scottish Rebel]

If you look at the heritage of prominent leaders on both sides you will see they are mainly of Celtic descent.(There are 7 Celtic Nations)
Jefferson Davis (Welsh),George Henry Thomas (Welsh),Stonewall Jackson (Ulster Scots),U.S. Grant (Ulster Scots),Patrick Cleburne (Irish), Phil Sheridan (Irish).
Reputedly, the South's white population was 75% Celtic at the outbreak of the A.C.W.
There is a very good documentary available, "How the Scots-Irish shaped America", it is narrated by Senator James Webb, there is a lengthy segment on the A.C.W.

 

[RobertP]

The American war most associated with the Scots Irish was the Revolution. King George himself is said to have called it a "Presbyterian War." http://theaquilareport.com/the-presbyterian-rebellion/

"The label "Presbyterian" was a much more ambiguous designation than it is at present. Employed broadly as a synonym for a Calvinist, a dissenter, or a republican, the term was used with considerable imprecision in the eighteenth century. Furthermore, it was used as a demagogic tool to inflame popular passions. The term Presbyterian carried with it the connotation of a fanatical, anti-monarchical rebel."

As for the history of the Scots Irish in America, including the Civil War, I'd suggest the book Born Fighting by James Webb.

 

[Will Posey]

If you look at the heritage of prominent leaders on both sides you will see they are mainly of Celtic descent.(There are 7 Celtic Nations)
Jefferson Davis (Welsh),George Henry Thomas (Welsh),Stonewall Jackson (Ulster Scots),U.S. Grant (Ulster Scots),Patrick Cleburne (Irish), Phil Sheridan (Irish).
Reputedly, the South's white population was 75% Celtic at the outbreak of the A.C.W.
There is a very good documentary available, "How the Scots-Irish shaped America", it is narrated by Senator James Webb, there is a lengthy segment on the A.C.W.

Years ago, in a discussion, I gave my opinion that the Celtic background of many Southerners influenced the movement toward secession and war. I was taken to task for that by a high-ranking SCV person, who claimed that Celts were barbarians but that Southerners were gentlemen. His comment amused me because it showed that he was undoubtedly a descendant (or wanted to be) of the British gentry, typically out-of-touch with common folk.

Will