Comment by Gerry Regan on May 30, 2013 at 9:48am

Maire, can you share with us your experience of the American Civil War? We're creating a discussion thread on the subject today, the 145th anniversary of the founding of Memorial (Decoration) Day.

Comment by Maire Flynn on May 30, 2013 at 8:08pm

Sorry, Gerry, I just saw this request. I discovered that my grandmother's grandfather served in the Civil War under Co. C, 5th US Artillery. Thomas was born in Ireland. Many of the peope he served with were also Irish.

 

Comment by Gerry Regan on June 3, 2013 at 9:59am

Thomas Flynn was the soldier then, Maire? Any artifacts of his remain in the family? He was part of a fairly elite force then, as the 5th U.S. Artillery was a part of the relatively small standing U.S. Army in existence since the end of the Revolution. The other Union Army units were volunteer regiments, raised by each of the states and mustered into Federal service.

Comment by Maire Flynn on June 3, 2013 at 11:50am

Thomas Close was my paternal grandmother's maternal grandfather. He was not part of a state volunteer force, but part of the Regular U.S. Army. He was a carpenter by trade at the time, but became an Artificer with the Army of the Potomac, serving with Capt. Ransom at Antietam, and Weir in Gettysburg. While at Gettysburgh, they were going from one battle after another, and arrived a bit late to land at the least-preferred site at the Corps of trees opposite Pickett's Charge. So many men were slaughtered there. Weir was haunted with guilt for telling his men to stand ground.   My Thomas served for 3 years. His wife passed away in 1862, Philadelphia, and they had a daughter home in Philadelphia. Thomas married a 2nd time when the war was over, and had more chidren, my ancestors.

I can submit the full combat service of who he served under, and which battles were fought. Generals Grant, Meade, and McCall were among them. So many Irish.  

Comment by Maire Flynn on June 3, 2013 at 12:05pm

Artificer Thomas James Close was an Artillery Officer during the U.S.Civil War, in the federal service, not the state volunteer army, to answer your first question.

 

Comment by Maire Flynn on June 3, 2013 at 12:11pm

In the photograph is the monument for The Irish Brigade of which I was fund raising while serving as President of the Irish Cultural Society of Delaware County Community College. Long title, no money. I brought Mick Moloney and fiddle player from Doire, Eugene O Donnell to play at a concert during March while I was a student there.

Comment by Maire Flynn on June 3, 2013 at 12:13pm

The only artifact from family history is oral history. Grandmom said "he rode a horse."

Comment by Gerry Regan on June 3, 2013 at 6:08pm

 "I can submit the full combat service of who he served under, and which battles were fought. Generals Grant, Meade, and McCall were among them. So many Irish. "

Maire, please do. This is a fascinating, stirring saga you've outlined here! Let us know how and if we might help, with illustrations or the like. Gettysburg 150 is only four weeks away.

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