Unfortunately for this old story, the current issue of _Civil War
History_ has an article discussing the growth of the myth of the role of
the Irish in the CW. The story about the 24th Georgia comes from St.
Clair Mulholland's history of the 116th Pennsylvania (1899) and in turn
is based on an 1875 poem by John Boyle O'Reilly, first published in
1889.

See Craig A, Warren, "'Oh, God, What a Pity!": The Irish Brigade at
Fredericksburg and the Creation of Myth," _Civil War History_ 47:3
(September 2001), pp. 206-210 for the 24th Georgia against the Irish
Brigade.

Take care,

Bob

Judy and Bob Huddleston
10643 Sperry Street
Northglenn, CO  80234-3612
303.451.6276   [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Henry Wiencek
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 10:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ethnic visibility in Civil War south (IRISH)


I quote this description of the Battle of Fredericksburg from the
Time-Life book "Brother Against Brother": " ... General Thomas Meagher's
Irish Brigade came on at the double-quick, the men carrying a green flag
and wearing green sprigs in their caps to celebrate their heritage. By
chance, they faced a sector of the line held by the Irishmen of Colonel
Robert McMillan's 24th Georgia Regiment.  The Confederates recognized
their countrymen by their green emblems, and someone exclaimed, 'What a
pity. Here come Meagher's fellows.'  Then the Georgians took aim and
mowed down their fellow Irishmen."

This edition has no footnotes, unfortunately.
Henry Wiencek

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