- Joined
- Jan 7, 2013
- Location
- Long Island, NY
Many of you know that Thomas Francis Meagher commanded the Irish Brigade that he founded. In the Spring of 1863 he left the brigade when he was refused permission to recruit replacements for his men lost at Antietam and Fredericksburg. He was replaced by Col. Patrick Kelly who had commanded a company of the Fighting 69th NYVI. He was commanding the 88th NYVI of the Irish Brigade at the time that he took command of the brigade. He led his men at the Wheatfield at Gettysburg. The brigade lost 37% of its men there. After the battle he returned to command his regiment.
In December 2018 I visited his grave at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, NY, the site of the 69th's monument.