The Irish Brigade at Fort Schuyler
B-Deck, South Wing
Despite suffering through the anti-immigration "Know Nothing" movement over 160,000 Irish born soldiers fought in the Union army during the Civil War. They fought in predominately "Yankee" regiments and in units composed of their own countryman. There were famous Irish American outfits including the 37th NY "Irish Rifles," "Irish 9th Massachusetts, 69th Pennsylvania, and 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry regiments. None fired the imagination of Irishman and Yankee alike as did Brigadier General Thomas F. Meagher's "Irish Brigade." The name was not chosen merely to describe the nationality of the men who would comprise this body of men; it was also chosen in honor and remembrance of the men who had gained such a stainless reputation for Irish valor in the preceding century, and to serve as a reminder of the standard to be upheld. The brigade, composed of the 63rd, 69th and 88th New York Volunteers, was later augmented by the 28th Massachusetts and 116th Pennsylvania Volunteers. This unit assembled and trained at Fort Schuyler, before marching south to participate and distinguish themselves in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
Most of the men of the brigade were from New York City, though a fair number came from outside of Manhattan Island. Part of the Sixtyninth's Company F was from Brooklyn, and many of the men of Company K were from Buffalo. Company D came all the way came from Chicago. Two companies of the Sixty-third were from Boston, while another was from Albany. Most of the Eighty-eighth's men enlisted in New York City, but Brooklyn contributed men to Companies D and I and a number of Jersey City men joined Company G. The men who filled the ranks of the Irish Brigade were from all walks of life and social classes. Attorneys served in the ranks alongside brick-layers. Some were landless tenant farmers from the old country, who were reported to have been recruited shortly after exiting the immigrant landing point at Castle Garden, and who spoke only Irish Gaelic. The majority of the rank and file was, however, urban workmen.
The Irish Brigade Association, based at Fort Schuyler and the 69th New York Historical Association continue to honor these Irishmen with this exhibit.
