Memorial Day: Recalling Those Irish-Americans Who Gave Their Last Full Measure - The Wild Geese2024-03-29T08:09:56Zhttps://thewildgeese.irish/forum/topics/memorial-day-recalling-those-irish-who-gave-their-last-full-measu?commentId=6442157%3AComment%3A24081&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Susan,
Thank you for the c…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-06-01:6442157:Comment:956352014-06-01T03:24:32.288ZTom McGrathhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/TomMcGrath
Hi Susan,<br />
Thank you for the connection, I have known of your dad for a long time and did in fact read his book. I spoke with him on Friday and we are pledged to get back in touch soon. He informs me they will be traveling "up north" soon.<br />
When he was researching for the book he spoke with my aunt Marie O'Day Robert in Cohoes and she contacted me at that time. Marie was my mother's older sister & my godmother.<br />
They were granddaughters of John F. O'Day brother of Simon. Please keep in…
Hi Susan,<br />
Thank you for the connection, I have known of your dad for a long time and did in fact read his book. I spoke with him on Friday and we are pledged to get back in touch soon. He informs me they will be traveling "up north" soon.<br />
When he was researching for the book he spoke with my aunt Marie O'Day Robert in Cohoes and she contacted me at that time. Marie was my mother's older sister & my godmother.<br />
They were granddaughters of John F. O'Day brother of Simon. Please keep in touch.<br />
This is quite the vehicle Gerry Regan has rolling on history's highway. Hello Tom,
It appears that we…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-05-27:6442157:Comment:950872014-05-27T12:10:52.884ZS Ryanhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/SueRyan
<p>Hello Tom,</p>
<p>It appears that we are related. I found your entry while researching Simon O’Day, who is my great-great Uncle, and son of Michael O’Day. My father, Robert Keating, is the grandson of Sarah Jane O’Day, born in 1860 in Cohoes and who was the youngest sister of Simon O’Day. Our family shares the same story of Simon and his sacrifice for our country. My father also found the incorrectly labeled headstone after many years of searching. He wrote a book, “Carnival of Blood” which…</p>
<p>Hello Tom,</p>
<p>It appears that we are related. I found your entry while researching Simon O’Day, who is my great-great Uncle, and son of Michael O’Day. My father, Robert Keating, is the grandson of Sarah Jane O’Day, born in 1860 in Cohoes and who was the youngest sister of Simon O’Day. Our family shares the same story of Simon and his sacrifice for our country. My father also found the incorrectly labeled headstone after many years of searching. He wrote a book, “Carnival of Blood” which is a regimental history of Simon’s, 7<sup>th</sup> NY Heavy Artillery Regiment. My father keeps a very detailed family history and has much more information regarding the O’Day family which you may find interesting. He would like to contact you.</p> Mr. Hurley, I appreciate your…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-05-25:6442157:Comment:948802014-05-25T20:18:40.555ZJames McKinleyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/JamesMcKinley
<p>Mr. Hurley, I appreciate your insight and enjoy reading your posts, and I agree with your point # 1 above. Nevertheless, I take exception to your point # 2 and the verbiage "Our enemy the Confederate States of America." I think nowadays you have to look at the American Civil War, (as well as the Irish Civil War of the 1920s), in the context of the times as Mr. Paul Burns has done at…</p>
<p>Mr. Hurley, I appreciate your insight and enjoy reading your posts, and I agree with your point # 1 above. Nevertheless, I take exception to your point # 2 and the verbiage "Our enemy the Confederate States of America." I think nowadays you have to look at the American Civil War, (as well as the Irish Civil War of the 1920s), in the context of the times as Mr. Paul Burns has done at <a href="http://www.sligoheritage.com/archconfedirish.htm" target="_blank">http://www.sligoheritage.com/archconfedirish.htm</a>. Were the 40,000+ Irishmen who served in the Confederate cause our enemies? </p> Gerry,
I noted in a previous…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-05-25:6442157:Comment:950372014-05-25T19:23:47.253ZTom McGrathhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/TomMcGrath
Gerry,<br />
I noted in a previous discussion back in the time of our beginning, my ancestor Gunnery Sgt. Simon O'Day, born Co. Clare, near Ennis. He followed the rest of his family to America after the death of his young wife and 2 children. He enlisted in the army at the start of the Civil War to cement his relationship with his new citizenship. He was promoted several times and saw much action, wounded twice and met his death in the terrible fighting at Cold Harbor, Va. He lies with many comrades…
Gerry,<br />
I noted in a previous discussion back in the time of our beginning, my ancestor Gunnery Sgt. Simon O'Day, born Co. Clare, near Ennis. He followed the rest of his family to America after the death of his young wife and 2 children. He enlisted in the army at the start of the Civil War to cement his relationship with his new citizenship. He was promoted several times and saw much action, wounded twice and met his death in the terrible fighting at Cold Harbor, Va. He lies with many comrades in the National Cemetery, Cold Harbor, Va.in a mis marked grave as his reward. We had numerous other family members in that first test of America's unity as a nation, I fear history may repeat itself.<br />
<br />
My Great Uncle William Burns, Seaman USN, was among the first casualties of WW1. His ship was blown up while in port, believed by saboteurs. Born in Cohoes,NY of Irish born parents he is buried in St.Agnes' Cemetery that city.<br />
<br />
1st cousin Peter Fonda, Spec. US Army, KIA early Nam, 22 yrs old. Born and buried Saratoga Sprgs, NY.<br />
<br />
Members of my family have served in all of America's engagements throughout time, and in Ireland's. My father with 4 brothers were in the US Navy WW2, all made it home after serving in the Pacific right up to the surrender of Japan, brothers on Korean & Viet Nam duty, we have several of yet another generation in the Middle East at present. I am proud to call myself a United States Marine officially discharged with honor more than 55 yrs ago, but still serve as a member of the Marine Corps League.<br />
<br />
We salute all who serve now and in the past, 2 of my grandsons hung American flags on all the poles along the highway in front of our property, about two city blocks. God Bless America.<br />
Blackthorn John, we have a marketplace o…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2013-06-03:6442157:Comment:241962013-06-03T20:25:13.859ZGerry Reganhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/ger_regan
<p>John, we have a marketplace of ideas (and evidence, where available) here on WG. So please don't hesitate to promote both your ideas and your work.</p>
<p>John, we have a marketplace of ideas (and evidence, where available) here on WG. So please don't hesitate to promote both your ideas and your work.</p> Me either Joe. Thanks. I have…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2013-06-03:6442157:Comment:241942013-06-03T18:47:56.245ZJohn W. Hurleyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/JohnWHurley
<p>Me either Joe. Thanks. <span style="font-size: 13px;">I haven't read this book I just found it, but it looks like it would be helpful:…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Me either Joe. Thanks. <span style="font-size: 13px;">I haven't read this book I just found it, but it looks like it would be helpful:</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harp-Eagle-Irish-American-Volunteers-1861-1865/dp/081479940X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370277781&sr=1-1&keywords=081479940X" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Harp-Eagle-Irish-American-Volunteers-1861-1865/dp/081479940X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370277781&sr=1-1&keywords=081479940X</a></p>
<p><br/>Cavanaugh's memoir of General Thomas Francis Meagher will also explain it:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Gen-Thomas-Francis-Meagher/dp/1113818913/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370277853&sr=1-9&keywords=Memoirs+of+Gen.+Thomas+Francis+Meagher" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Gen-Thomas-Francis-Meagher/dp/1113818913/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370277853&sr=1-9&keywords=Memoirs+of+Gen.+Thomas+Francis+Meagher</a></p>
<p><br/>John Devoy's "Recollections of an Irish rebel: The Fenian movement. Its origin and progress. Methods of work in Ireland and in the British army,"<br/>Will also be of great help but I couldn't find any on-line version.</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>John</p> I'm not much for engaging in…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2013-06-03:6442157:Comment:242522013-06-03T17:19:23.974ZJoe Mc Gowanhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/JoeMcGowan
<p>I'm not much for engaging in blogs John. Patrick Sarsfield's comment comes to mind when he died fighting with the French on another battlefield, I think it was in Flander's: 'Would that this were for Ireland'. <br/>Such a sad history we have had and so many might have beens...<br/>It is such a great thing that our diaspora have such an interest in the homeland. Beir bua is beannacht (Wishing you victory and blessings) </p>
<p>I'm not much for engaging in blogs John. Patrick Sarsfield's comment comes to mind when he died fighting with the French on another battlefield, I think it was in Flander's: 'Would that this were for Ireland'. <br/>Such a sad history we have had and so many might have beens...<br/>It is such a great thing that our diaspora have such an interest in the homeland. Beir bua is beannacht (Wishing you victory and blessings) </p> Joe, I understand how you fee…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2013-06-03:6442157:Comment:242492013-06-03T16:11:57.673ZJohn W. Hurleyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/JohnWHurley
<p>Joe, I understand how you feel, honestly, but you just haven't read up on it enough to understand. These men FOUNDED the IRA of 1916. They had every intention of going home to fight for Ireland, but they died fighting in America because America had been such a good ally to them by providing them freedom and safe haven away from home. They themselves claimed that they were fighting for both Irish freedom and American freedom, not I.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">And I do feel that it…</span></p>
<p>Joe, I understand how you feel, honestly, but you just haven't read up on it enough to understand. These men FOUNDED the IRA of 1916. They had every intention of going home to fight for Ireland, but they died fighting in America because America had been such a good ally to them by providing them freedom and safe haven away from home. They themselves claimed that they were fighting for both Irish freedom and American freedom, not I.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">And I do feel that it is highly insulting to those men who died doing this to claim that because a man born and raised in Ireland who has sworn to fight for Ireland died in that fight for Ireland in the IRA regiment of the United States, that he is not "entitled" to be considered an actual IRA man somehow because he didn't die fighting *in* Ireland. It sounds like that is what you are saying. Are you? Please see my post (with the Fenian symbols) above and then read up on IRB/IRA leader John Devoy (as only one example) to understand the historical veracity of my assertion. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Thanks,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">John</span></p> Hi Gerry,
I'm the only person…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2013-06-03:6442157:Comment:243302013-06-03T16:03:20.080ZJohn W. Hurleyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/JohnWHurley
<p>Hi Gerry,</p>
<p>I'm the only person that I know of (apart from actual IRB members themselves) to assert this point in writing so other people will probably not be familiar with it. And I'm sorry if this comes across as a plug but I have actually published the proof or evidence for it in my book which you can search through for FREE here:…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hi Gerry,</p>
<p>I'm the only person that I know of (apart from actual IRB members themselves) to assert this point in writing so other people will probably not be familiar with it. And I'm sorry if this comes across as a plug but I have actually published the proof or evidence for it in my book which you can search through for FREE here:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shillelagh-Fighting-John-W-Hurley/dp/145053841X/ref=la_B002K8S34K_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362248019&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Shillelagh-Fighting-John-W-Hurley/dp/145053841X/ref=la_B002K8S34K_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362248019&sr=1-1</a></p>
<p>The monument of the Irish Brigade at Gettysburg is replete IRB/Fenian symbolism as was the flag of the 69th:<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/57438765?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/57438765?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p> Still think you're stretching…tag:thewildgeese.irish,2013-06-03:6442157:Comment:240822013-06-03T15:53:55.336ZJoe Mc Gowanhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/JoeMcGowan
<p>Still think you're stretching a point John. While many of the members of the 69th may indeed have sympathies with the Irish Republican Army unless you can show that some of them actually came over here and fought with the IRA it is a big jump to say that people in the Union army with such sympathies died fighting for Irish freedom. It does a disservice to the IRA here who did actually die fighting for Irish freedom or indeed the captain of the 'Jacknell or 'Erin's Hope' who did attempt to…</p>
<p>Still think you're stretching a point John. While many of the members of the 69th may indeed have sympathies with the Irish Republican Army unless you can show that some of them actually came over here and fought with the IRA it is a big jump to say that people in the Union army with such sympathies died fighting for Irish freedom. It does a disservice to the IRA here who did actually die fighting for Irish freedom or indeed the captain of the 'Jacknell or 'Erin's Hope' who did attempt to strike a blow over here! </p>