Theodore's World

Thanks for the heads up on this WT. I will order it after Christmas. It sure sounds interesting. The Fighting 69th Infantry Division of New York was famous for it's exploits in both WWI and WWII.

I wonder if Sean Michael Flynn is any relation to the Errol Flynn family. Errol's son was a journalist in Vietnam. He was taken prisoner in Cambodia and disappeared forever.

"We all have heard of Meagher's men, and Corcoran's brigade.
Though fools may flout and bigots rave, and fanatics may cry,
Yet when they want good fighting-men, the Irish may apply,
And when for freedom and the right they raise the battle-cry,
Then the Rebel ranks begin to think: No Irish need apply "

As the threat of civil war loomed over the nation, Thomas Francis Meagher, joined the 69th New York State Militia. This was a ninety-day regiment that first saw action at First Bull Run and was under the command of Colonel Michael Cocoran. The colonel was captured and spent more than a year in a Confederate prison. When the ninety-day enlistment expired, Captain Meagher returned, with his regiment to New York.

Shortly after his return, Meagher began raising a unit of Irish volunteers to serve for a term of three years. This unit would eventually become the 63rd, 69th and 88th New York Voluntary Infantry Regiments. The 69th and 88th regiments were organized at Throgs Neck, New York and enlistments primarily occurred between early September through mid-November, 1861. The 63rd New York was organized at Staten Island, New York. Meagher was appointed brigadier general and took command of the Irish Brigade on February 5, 1862. During the spring of 1862 a non-Irish regiment, the 29th Massachusetts was added to strengthen the Brigade during the Peninsula Campaign.

After the Civil War these regiments, or what was left of them reverted back to their individual states.

I don't know what happened to the 63rd but the 69th is still a vital regiment. But this is where it all Started.

The attrition rate for the Irish was so great, after severe losses at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, the Brigade had to be reformed, and was.

It was said that the only reason the South lost the war was because they didn't have enough Irishmen.

All of these Regiments were all VI's, volunteer Infantry.

Finally a report from a Captain of the Fighting 69th.

Camp near Falmouth, December 22, 1862

In compliance with general orders received December 21, I hereby certify that the Sixty-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers entered the battle of Fredericksburg, on December 13, 1862, commanded by Col. Robert Nugent, and 18 commissioned officers and 210 rank and file, in which the above numbered regiment lost 16 commissioned officers and 160 rank and file, leaving Capt. James Saunders, Lieutenant Milliken, and Lieut. L. Brennan to bring the remnant of the regiment off the battle-field.

JAMES SAUNDERS
Captain, Comdg. Sixth-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers

Tom, I wonder now too. I never knew about that regarding the son of Errol Flynn.

Mark this is soooooo good. Thank you so much! Nick really liked reading this, he loves history and of this time period espeically.