What is a Michigan Irish militia company to do?

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At the start of the Civil War Michigan had several "Irish" militia companies. When it did not appear Michigan would form an "Irish" regiment, these militia companies were faced with a difficult choice; join a non Irish regiment, wait to see if at some point Michigan might form an Irish regiment, or find a slot in an Irish regiment in some other state. The Detroit Jackson Guards opted to leave their home state to serve in the war.

The Jackson Guards a.k.a. Detroit Jackson Guards (Detroit, Wayne County) was formed in 1860 by a group of patriotic Irish-American citizens from Detroit. They had an image of their namesake, Andrew Jackson, on their flag. They decided that they would wear gray uniforms with buff facings and some appropriate color trim befitting their name [green?]. Captain Mark McGraw was the first commander. In 1860 they were known to carry Minnie rifles.

Soon after the start of the Civil War the company believed they were selected for inclusion in one of the state’s first two regiments. James McGrath came to their armory and measured the men for uniforms. The McGrath supplied uniforms mirrored those of the 1st Michigan Three Month Volunteer Infantry Regiment and 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment to include dark blue 9-button roundabouts and dark blue trousers and caps. They also received dark blue overcoats with capes.

They were disappointed when they were not accepted in either of the first two Michigan Regiments. They were also unable to secure a position in any of the other regiments forming in Michigan in early 1861, so they traveled to Chicago to join the Irish-American Regiment currently forming there. They became Company A of the 1st Illinois Infantry Regiment (Mulligan’s Irish Brigade a.k.a. 1st Irish Brigade a.k.a. Irish Brigade of the West). Just prior to departing from Detroit, Captain McGraw was preparing to issue new “suits of clothing”, but if these uniforms were of the same style as their original uniforms, copies of the 9-button roundabout uniforms or a new style is not known.[ii]At the time of their departure Michigan had stopped issuing the dark blue 9-button roundabouts and was issuing dark blue 5-button sack coats, so perhaps the company obtained these.

The Mulligan’s Irish Brigade a.k.a. 23rd Illinois Infantry Regiment issued different uniforms to different companies. Mulligan’s Irish Brigade was issued M1855 rifled muskets by Illinois. When the Jackson Guards departed Chicago for the seat of war as part of the 23rd Illinois, a local newspaper stated that the 23rd Illinois Infantry Regiment wore dirty worn-out ‘country suits’ [This might indicate that the Jackson Guards have never received new uniforms from Illinois prior to departing Chicago].

Military Movement, Detroit Free Press, August 22 1860, p. 1, col. 2.
[ii] “Jackson Guard,” Detroit Daily Tribune, December 31 1861, p. 1, col. 6.
 
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This Detroit company seems to have not survived long enough to have to make a decision.

The Emmet Rifles a.k.a. Emmett Guard, a.k.a. Emmet Guard (Detroit, Wayne County) was formed in 1859. The Emmitt Rifles were considered to be an Irish company. The first company commander was Captain James Mackey. They used the same armory as the Shield Guards, however it is unknown if the two companies were connected, but with both companies being Irish, this would seem possible.

The 1860 Detroit City Directory called them a juvenile company. They carried rifled muskets and were in Class II of the Michigan Uniformed Militia. Their arms and accouterments were kept in good order.https://civilwartalk.com/#_edn1 The State did not accept companies of young boys for inclusion in the Michigan Uniformed Militia so in this case the term ‘juvenile’ most likely indicated that they were not under age boys, but young men less than twenty-one years of age. This is reinforced because other juvenile companies were put into the Special Class of the Michigan Uniformed Militia and they were in Class II.

They wore uniforms, which were not elaborate, but neat and appropriate.[ii] These uniforms are also referred to as fatigue uniforms.[iii] The Detroit Free Press gives additional uniform information and tells us that they wore very neat pattern gray coats and pants with a red stripe. The Detroit Free Press goes on to say that, their caps were gray and that they wore black shoulder belts. Michigan Uniformed Militia companies normally wore white belts at this time.[iv]

In 1860, they were armed with State issued Minnie rifles. The company was known for its many target shoots. In 1859, they gave out medals for marksmanship, a gold breast pin with “Emmett 98” on it was for first place and a silver pin was given for second place. The men probably wore these medals on their uniforms.
What became of the company is unclear. They disappear from newspaper reports before the start of the Civil War and probably disbanded some time during 1860.


“Anniversary of The Emmet Guard”, Detroit Free Press, September 18 1856, p. 1, col, 2.
[ii] Sherlock Guards, Detroit Free Press, September 18 1859, p. 1, col. 3.
[iii] Emmet Rifle”, Detroit Free Press, June 21 1859, p. 1, col. 1.

[iv] “The Military Review”, Detroit Free Press, October 27 1859, p.1, col. 1.
 
This company left the Michigan Uniformed Militia in protest over the Michigan Uniformed Militia discriminating against Irish militia companies. They appear to have been happy to set out the war as an independent militia company.

The Shield Guards (Detroit, Wayne County) was an Irish company that was active from 1853 to 1862 or perhaps even as late as 1863. They maintained an armory at 133 Michigan Avenue. In 1855, the Shield Guards was considered one of the top militia companies in the state.

In 1859, they withdrew from the State Uniformed Militia and returned their State owned arms. This may have been due to them being an Irish company and many Michigan ethic militia companies believed that the State Adjutant General was prejudice against ethic companies. Thereafter they were an independent company who provide not only their own uniforms but also their own arms and equipment. They were one of the State’s few successful independent companies. In 1860, James McDermott was the company commander.

The Shield Guards wore blue uniforms. One report indicated that they wore regimental caps and blue uniforms. Another report said they wore blue coats and pants but does not mention their head wear.[ii] A further report indicates that they wore exceeding handsome uniforms; this might indicate that their uniforms had additional facings, trim, lace or both.[iii] In a parade held in the summer of 1858 they wore white pants, which was semiofficial wear for the 1st Frontier Regiment. They probably wore their normal blue coats during this parade.[iv] The company was known for its shooting contests and they presented silver medals to the best shot. Perhaps these medals were worn on the uniforms of the winners.

They did not join any of the Michigan regiments leaving for war. Nor did they appear to have tried to join any regiment in some other state. They appear to have remained an independent company during the first part of the Civil War. Local newspapers stopped reporting on them in 1862 and they did not participate in the 1863 Fourth of July celebration and had probably disbanded by then.

“The Military Review”, Detroit Free Press, October 27 1859, p. 1, col. 1

[ii] “The Military Review”, Detroit Free Press, October 27 1859, p. 1, col.1.

[iii] “The Military Parade”, Detroit Daily Free Press, July 6 1853, p. 3, col. 1.

[iv] “The Procession”, Detroit Daily Free Press, July 25 1858, p. 1, col. 1 -8 (col.3).



 
Michigan did eventually form a regiment the newspapers called "The Irish-American Regiment". The 14th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a.k.a. the Sinclair Regiment a.k.a. The Irish-American Regiment, was mustered into federal service on February 13 1862 in Ypsilanti Michigan. However, I have found no indication that it was "Irish" in much more that part of the men were Irish-American.
 
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