The Irish Brigade

Written in 1862, The Irish Brigade celebrates the coming together of Ireland and America in defence of the Union. As the second verse makes clear, 'when traitors, unholy, conspired to pull down the flag of the free, the brave sons of Erin [Ireland] desired the vanguard of freedom to be'. The Irish Brigade was formed in September 1861 by Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher.

Comprised chiefly of infantry regiments from New York, including the noteworthy 69th Infantry Regiment, as well as regiments from Boston and Philadelphia, the Brigade’s troops were predominately Irish–born or first and second generation descendents and maintained a strong sense of Irish national identity.

The Brigade, as mentioned in the song, was present at the First Battle of Bull Run, and went on to take part in campaigns at Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg to name a few, suffering heavy losses during the course of the war.