"The Fighting 69th" 69th New York State Volunteer Infantry: The Most Famous Irish Regiment

Pat Young

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Featured Book Reviewer
Joined
Jan 7, 2013
Location
Long Island, NY
69th ny flag.JPG

The flag of the 69th NY 1861-1862

The 69th New York is one of the most famous regiments of the Civil War. Although it claims a lineage from the 69th New York State Militia as well as some personnel the two units were not identical and the 69th NYSM continued to exist throughout the war.

The following information comes from the NY State Military Museum:
https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/69thInf/69thInfMain.htm

History

Mustered in: September 17 to November 17, 1861
Mustered out: June 30, 1865

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
This regiment, Col. Robert Nugent, originally recruited under special authority from the War Department, was turned over to the state September 2, 1861, and organized in New York city as one of the regiments of the Irish, or Meagher's, Brigade, November 2, 1861. It was mustered in the service of the United States for three years between September 7 and November 17, 1861. A large number of the members of the 69th Militia joined the regiment, on their return from their three months' service, and the majority of the men were recruited in New York city, Company D, however, principally at Chicago, Ill.; Company F partly at Brooklyn, and K partly at Buffalo. June 12, 1863, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of two companies, A and B. In February, 1864, this battalion returned from its veteran furlough with six companies, A, B, C, F, G and K; Band F being the former Companies B and A; the others being newly organized. At the expiration of its term of service, those entitled thereto were mustered out and the regiment retained in service.
The regiment left the state, November 18, 1861; served at Fort Corcoran, D. c., from November, I861; in the Irish Brigade, Sumner's Division, Army of the Potomac, from December, 1861; in the same, 2d, Brigade, Richardson's, 1st Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March, 1862; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out, under Colonel Nugent, June 30, I865, near Alexandria, Va.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 8 officers, 154 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 5 officers, 94 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 2 officers, 149 enlisted men; total, 15 officers, 397 enlisted men; aggregate, 412; of whom I officer and 63 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. volume II.
Sixty-ninth Infantry.—Cols., Robert Nugent, William Wilson; Lieut.-Cols., James Kelly, James E. McGee, John Garrett, James J. Smith; Majs., James Cavanagh, John Garrett, Richard Moro-ney. The 69th, the 1st regiment of the Irish brigade, was the outgrowth of the 69th militia (q. v.) and contained members from New York city, Chicago, Il1., Brooklyn and Buffalo. It was mustered into the U. S. service at New York city Sept. 7 to Nov. 17, 1861, for three years, and left for Washington on Nov. 18. It was stationed at Fort Corcoran near Washington and became a part of the Irish brigade under Gen. Meagher in December. At the time of the general advance under Gen. McClellan in March, 1862, the Irish brigade became the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, and moved to the Peninsula in April after having its first encounter with the enemy at Rappahannock Station, Va. The part taken by the brigade in the siege of Yorktown was not especially prominent, but its prompt action at Fair Oaks helped to save the day, and during the Seven Days' battles it was constantly in action, the 69th alone losing 208 in killed, wounded and missing. At the second Bull Run the division arrived too late for the battle but at Antietam the Irish brigade was in the midst of the fight at the "Bloody Lane," where the loss of the regiment was 196 in killed, wounded and missing out of 317 engaged. After the battle the regiment was withdrawn to Charlestown, W. Va., and then moved via Snicker's gap and Hartwood Church to Fredericksburg, where it again suffered severely in the desperate but unsuccessful assault on Marye's heights, the total loss being 128. The winter was passed in camp near Falmouth; the regiment was prominent in the Chan-cellorsville campaign and again at Gettysburg; then fought at Auburn and Bristoe Station; shared in the Mine Run campaign; and went into winter quarters near Brandy Station. The loss of the regiment was so severe that in June, 1863, it became necessary to consolidate it into two companies. In Dec. and Jan., 1863-64, a large number of these tried soldiers reenlisted and upon their return from veteran furlough received the addition of many new recruits, which insured the continuance of the regiment in the field as a veteran organization. The regiment bore a heavy part in the battles of the Wilderness and Cold Harbor; lost heavily in the first assault on Petersburg; remained in position before Peters-burg during the long siege; was active at the Weldon railroad, Strawberry Plains, Reams' station, Hatcher's run and the Appo-mattox campaign, and was finally mustered out at Alexandria, June 30, 1865. The 69th lost the greatest number of men killed or wounded of any of the New York regiments. It ranks 6th in total loss among all the regiments in the Union army and 7th in percentage of loss to total enrollment. The total number enrolled was 1,513, of whom 261 died from wounds and 151 from other causes, 63 dying in prisons.

You are invited to post materials related to this Irish American regiment as well as to discuss all aspects of its life in this Regimental History thread.
 
The presentation of the regimental flag to the 69th NY was a communal celebration in New York's Irish community.

69th ny flag.JPG

From the NY State Military Museum:

This green silk flag features an embroidered harp in the center surmounted by a Fenian sunburst. Below the harp is a length of embroidered shamrocks. Above the harp is a scroll with embroidered "1st REGt IRISH BRIGADE."Along the bottom is another scroll with embroidered "RIAM NAR DRUID O SBAIRN LANN" or, "Who Never Retreated Clash of Spears," from the ancient tale about Ossain.

On November 18, 1861, a group of New York City Irish-American ladies presented this green silk “Irish Color” to the 69th New York Volunteers. The presentation occurred outside Archbishop John Hughes’ home on Madison Avenue. Reverend William Starrs, Vicar-General, delivered an address in Hughes’ absence, the Archbishop was in Europe at the time, and Colonel Robert Nugent accepted the flag from Mrs. Samuel Chalfin, on behalf of the ladies.

The 69th New York Volunteers carried the flag throughout most of 1862 including during the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, the Peninsula Campaign, and at the bloody battle of Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862. During this battle, eight color bearers were wounded and Captain James E. McGee distinguished himself for, “picking up the green flag, the bearer of which had been carried from the field wounded, and bearing its folds aloft throughout the battle.”

On December 2, 1862, Captain McGee brought the flag back to New York City and the color was retired.

https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/btlflags/infantry/69thInfRegColor2013.0022.htm
 
Flag Symbolism:

The Green Field of the flag identifies this as an Irish regiment. Green has been associated with the "Emerald Isle" for hundreds of years. Green was also a communal color, with Irish Catholics symbolized by the color green while Ulter Protestants typically symbolized by the color orange.

The Gold Harp has long been the heraldic symbol of Ireland dating back at least to the 13th Century. It is believed to have symbolized the importance of music and bardic poetry to Irish culture.

The Shamrock is associated with St. Patrick and is a symbol of Ireland. Wearing a Shamrock was often seen as a nationalist gesture during the long British occupation of Ireland. St. Patrick supposedly used the Shamrock as a teaching aid in explaining the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish. While it came to be associated with the indigenous Catholic Irish it has also been used in non-sectarian syombolism as well.

The use of the motto "RIAM NAR DRUID O SBAIRN LANN" is interesting. English was not the official language of the United States and immigrant units typically put mottos in their native languages on their flags. While it is likely that only a third of the men of the regiment were native Irish-speakers, the inclusion of their country's ancient language was both a nationalist statement and agressively anti-Nativist.
 
The Flank Marker of the 69th:

69th flank.JPG

From the NYSMM:

This cream colored silk flank marker carried by the 69th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry features 1.25” long metal bullion fringe and an embroidered inscription, “1st.. REGT. IRISH BRIGADE/69th.. /N.Y.S.V.” Captured by the Confederates at Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862, reclaimed by Union forces and eventually turned over to the War Department, this marker remained in Federal hands until 1905 when the authorities turned the flag over to New York State for inclusion within the Battle Flag Collection. Upon the reverse is the remnant of a glued paper label with barely legible, handwritten numerals. The numerals may correspond to the official, itemized register of flags maintained by the War Department. (1995.2087)
 
Here is the website of the 69th NY in Manhattan.

The 69th Armory preserves the memory of the regiment's Company A which traces its origins to the 18th Century, the 69th NYSM, 69th NYVI, as well as various successor infantry and artillery units, some of which bore different numerical designations.

http://www.sixtyninth.net/armory.html
 
Two quick things. The aggregate battle losses run around one thousand. Any idea on it's losses from disease? What were it's total enlistment? Some run around four thousand for the war. That's like fifty percent losses...
 
Any truth to the claim that R. E. Lee named them?
Their unit history:
Afghanistan Campaign
Hindu Kush 2009
RC East 2012
RC South 2012
Iraqi Campaign
Baghdad 2005
Radwiniyah 2004
Taji 2004
World War II
Okinawa, Japan 1945
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 1944
Makin Island, Kiribati 1943
World War I
Meuse-Argonne, France 1918
St. Mihiel, France 1918
Château-Thierry, France 1918
Champage, France 1918
Rouge Boquet Chausailles, France 1917
American Civil War
Appomattox, VA 1865
Petersburg, VA 1864
Gettysburg, PA 1863
Chancellorsville, VA 1863
Fredericksburg, VA 1862
Antietam, MD 1862
Yorktown, VA 1862

Manassass, VA 1861
Unit patches:
il_570xN.1073652326_5eg6.jpg

200px-69TH_INFANTRY.png
 

Attachments

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Any truth to the claim that R. E. Lee named them?
Their unit history:
Afghanistan Campaign
Hindu Kush 2009
RC East 2012
RC South 2012
Iraqi Campaign
Baghdad 2005
Radwiniyah 2004
Taji 2004
World War II
Okinawa, Japan 1945
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 1944
Makin Island, Kiribati 1943
World War I
Meuse-Argonne, France 1918
St. Mihiel, France 1918
Château-Thierry, France 1918
Champage, France 1918
Rouge Boquet Chausailles, France 1917
American Civil War
Appomattox, VA 1865
Petersburg, VA 1864
Gettysburg, PA 1863
Chancellorsville, VA 1863
Fredericksburg, VA 1862
Antietam, MD 1862
Yorktown, VA 1862

Manassass, VA 1861
Unit patches:
View attachment 138281
View attachment 138284

The rainbow on the patch comes from their incorporation into the 42nd Infantry Division whose symbol was the half rainbow. It supposedly adopted because its units came from 26 different states and Adjutant Douglas MacArthur said the division stretched like a rainbow across the United States. The quarter rainbow was adopted at the end of World War I to represent the half of the devision who had been killed or wounded in Europe.
 
The 69th has many monuments and memorials. A new bust of Thomas Francis Meagher will be unveiled in Brooklyn this summer. In 2006 a monument was erected in the Irish County Sligo (my ancestral home). Mayor Bloomberg travelled from New York to Sligo to dedicate it:

69th  ireland.JPG
 
Bloomberg's office released parts of his speech. The monument mixes the history of the 69th NYSM and 69th NYVI as well as successor regiments.

http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-m...nt-new-york-s-fighting-69th-ballymote-ireland

“The Fighting 69th – like Ireland itself – has left its mark on New York City in so many ways,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Four years ago, at the dedication of the Irish Hunger Memorial in Lower Manhattan, President Mary McAleese reminded us of the old proverb, ‘Those who drink the water should remember with gratitude those who dug the well.’ Today, we remember all those members of the Fighting 69th who helped America dig and preserve a deep well of freedom – may it flow forever strong. On behalf of the people of New York City, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the people of County Sligo and all the people of Ireland for giving a home to this beautiful monument – and for giving more than we can ever say to our city and our nation.”

The memorial, a large copper cylinder that incorporates steel from the World Trade Center, is etched with moments from the life of Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, a commander of the Fighting 69th during the Civil War. The Fighting 69th, composed largely of Irish immigrants, fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, including Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Brigadier General Corcoran became one of the Civil War’s most revered heroes. When he returned to New York City after months of captivity in the South, enormous crowds attended a parade in his honor on Broadway. After his death, his body lay in state in City Hall.

The Fighting 69th continues to be known for its valor and bravery in battle, accepting some of the most dangerous assignments in Iraq. Nineteen soldiers for the 69th have been killed in action in Iraq, and more than 50 have been wounded. New York City residents Wilfredo Urbina and Firefighter Christian Engeldrum, both members of the Fighting 69th, were killed in an ambush on November 29, 2004. The road linking the Green Zone in Baghdad to the airport has been nicknamed the “Route Irish,” in recognition of the brave soldiers of the 69th who defend the treacherous highway. In response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in September 2001, the Fighting 69th rushed to the scene. One member, Firefighter Gerard Baptiste, died while saving others in the World Trade Center.

Today, the presence of the Fighting 69th is still very much alive in New York City. A statue of Father Duffy, the 69th’s chaplain during World War I, greets millions of people each day in Times Square. The magnificent armory on Lexington Avenue at 26th Street still serves as the Regiment’s home. At Old St. Patrick’s Church in Lower Manhattan, there is a plaque honoring the Fighting 69th and Corcoran, who attended daily mass there. And in Calvary Cemetery, in the thriving Irish community of Woodside, Queens, rests many Fighting 69th leaders, including Corcoran.
 
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