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Article
The Irish in the Civil War
The Charger: Newsletter of The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
  • W Dennis Keating, Cleveland State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Keywords
  • Civil War,
  • Irish,
  • Ireland,
  • Irish-American,
  • Union,
  • Confederacy,
  • Confederate,
  • Army,
  • Units,
  • Battles,
  • Irish Brigade,
  • Meagher,
  • Sheridan,
  • Irish immigrant
Disciplines
Abstract

In this article, I will discuss the role of the Irish in the Civil War focusing on some famous units, primarily on the Northern side but also some in the South. I will profile the three leading Irish-American military leaders of the war – Thomas Francis Meagher of the Irish Brigade, “Little” Phil Sheridan of the Union, and Patrick Cleburne of the Confederacy. While “Stonewall” Jackson was of Ulster Scots-Irish stock, I am not including him. Seven Union and six Confederate generals were Irish-born. And I will discuss the conflict between the Irish immigrants and the Negroes, which erupted in the New York City draft riots of July, 1863.

Citation Information
W. Dennis Keating, The Irish in the Civil War, 30 The Charger: Newsletter of The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable (October 2008)