Liam McAlister's Blog (18)

Brevet Brigadier General Peter John Sullivan

Born: March 15th, 1821, County Cork.

Died: March 2nd, 1883, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Emigrated from Ireland to the United States, on a date unknown, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. Served in the United States Army during the Mexican-American War.…

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Added by Liam McAlister on March 13, 2022 at 8:00am — No Comments

First Casualties

Fort Sumter in Charleston harbour was fired on by Confederate forces in the early hours of April 12, 1861, the bombardment continuing well into the following day. Fortunately for Major Robert Anderson and his garrison, there were…

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Added by Liam McAlister on April 11, 2021 at 2:30am — No Comments

Private Luke Quinn, USMC, Was He The First Casualty of The American Civil War?

When did the War begin and who was the first casualty?

The majority of historians will be able to answer these without hesitation, but, now I am going to throw, yet, another name into the mix!! Luke Quinn may be a name unfamiliar to many, but it deserves to be remembered along with the many other Irish that gave “the last full measure” between…

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Added by Liam McAlister on October 16, 2020 at 3:30pm — 2 Comments

"Their Stories, Our Heritage, Not Forgotten" Irish Heritage Week, 2020: 9th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry U.S.A.

According to the 1860 US Census the population of the State of Connecticut was home to over 50,000 Irish born immigrants, with many engaged in work as labourers in quarries and on railroad construction.

On the outbreak of the War many of these Irish rushed to join the ranks, enlisting for 3 months. Some of these, serving under officers like…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 23, 2020 at 12:30am — No Comments

"Their Stories, Our Heritage, Not Forgotten" Irish Heritage Week, 2020.Col. Ricard O’Sullivan-Burke; An Irish Patriot—On Both Sides of the Atlantic

Born in Kinneigh, Co. Cork, Ricard O’Sullivan-Burke received his early education in Dunmanway where he seems to have developed a keen interest in the military. At the age of 15 years, he enlisted in the South Cork Light Infantry (Militia) and served at the barracks in Bandon, Kinsale, Limerick and Dublin. However, within three years Ricard had…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 22, 2020 at 2:00am — No Comments

"Their Stories, Our Heritage, Not Forgotten" Irish Heritage Week, 2020; 5th Confederate Infantry Regiment

Memphis Tennessee was home to the 2nd largest Irish population in the South and on the outbreak of war, many rushed to the state colours.

Colonel Knox Walker was in command of 2nd TN. Infantry Regt, a.k.a. “Irish Regiment”. Early uniforms made by the ladies of the city consisted of a dark, 8 button, frock coat,…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 21, 2020 at 11:30am — No Comments

"Their Stories, Our Heritage, Not Forgotten" Irish Heritage Week, 2020. The Irish Brigade at Antietam

Led by the colourful, Brig-Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher, the Irish Brigade began Sept. 17th by crossing the Antietam at Pry’s Ford before joining the battle, like most of the II Corps, piecemeal. Gen. French trailed Sedgwick toward the West Woods before they veered southwards and the CS centre, where they encountered DH…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 20, 2020 at 7:30am — No Comments

"Their Stories, Our Heritage, Not Forgotten" Irish Heritage Week, 2020. 10th Tennessee Infantry, CSA; “The Bloody Tinth”

Originally organized at Fort Henry, TN., the 10th was comprised of men from the Nashville area, as well as, Humphreys, Giles, Davidson, and Montgomery counties of Tennessee. Initially serving at Ft. Henry the 720 men of the regiment were transferred to Ft. Donelson where it was part of Col. Heiman’s command which was surrendered in February…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 19, 2020 at 12:30pm — No Comments

'The Florence Nightingale of The Army of Northern Virginia'

Born on November 12, 1819, in Dublin, Mary Sophia Hill was the daughter of a physician, who, along with her twin brother, Samuel, spent part of their early lives living in England.

By late 1850, both Mary and her brother were living in New Orleans where…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 18, 2020 at 1:00pm — No Comments

An Irishwoman at War (Irish Heritage Week 2020)

Albert D.J. Cashier enlisted as a private in Company G, 95th Illinois Infantry in August 1862. Standing at 5 feet, 3 inches tall, he was…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 17, 2020 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Fr. John Bannon -- 1st Missouri Brigade, C.S.A. (Irish Heritage Week 2020)

In July 2013, I was honoured to give an oration at the graveside of Fr. John Bannon. The following, though long, is the text of my speech. Regards, Liam. (This post is part of a week-long series I've titled, 'Their Stories, Our Heritage, Not Forgotten', in honor of Irish Heritage Week 2020.) 

Commemoration…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 16, 2020 at 4:00am — 5 Comments

Battle of Mobile Bay: August 5, 1864

Fourteen Irishmen would receive the Medal of Honor for their actions during this battle.

The 14 men and their ships:

* USS Lackawanna:  Michael Cassidy; Patrick Dougherty -- both Landsman.

*…

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Added by Liam McAlister on August 6, 2020 at 5:30pm — No Comments

'If It Had Only Been For Ireland': John C. Mitchel Dies in Carolina

John C. Mitchel arrived in the USA in 1853 with his father, also, John. The elder Mitchel went on to become a, fiercely, pro Southern newspaper editor while John C. enlisted in the Confederate States army on the outbreak of America's Civil War, after initially working as an engineer on the railroads.…

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Added by Liam McAlister on July 20, 2020 at 5:00pm — No Comments

The Irish Serving With Custer at Little Big Horn (June 1876)

Downloadable below is a document I drew up back in 2011 in relation to the Irish that served in June 1876 with George Armstrong Custer.

Custer's…

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Added by Liam McAlister on June 25, 2020 at 5:00pm — No Comments

A Confederate Chieftain 'Crosses Over The River'

On May 3rd 1863 , General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, having crossed the Rappahanock River, was readying to fight again.

Earlier that morning, Lee ordered one of his two corps commanders, Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, to get around and…

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Added by Liam McAlister on May 10, 2020 at 10:30am — No Comments

Father Peter Cooney, CSC: Chaplain of 35th Indiana (1st Irish)

Reverend Peter Cooney, CSC

Born County Roscommon, Ireland: June 20, 1822/1832?

Died: University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA: May 7, 1905

Peter Cooney’s family immigrated to the United States, settling in Monroe, Michigan, when Peter was still a child. There Peter received…

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Added by Liam McAlister on May 7, 2020 at 12:00am — No Comments

Patrick Cleburne's Ireland

On the day following Christmas 1849, the barque “Bridgetown” finally docked in New Orleans and its 258 passengers disembarked. One of the cabin passengers was a 21-year-old Irishman who was destined to become the recipient of great admiration, devotion and loyalty especially during the last…

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Added by Liam McAlister on March 15, 2020 at 5:30pm — No Comments

U.S. Warship Comes to Queenstown, November 1863

In the 1860’s Queenstown (now Cobh) was a busy seaport and its townspeople were used to seeing naval vessels coming and going. Such was the case on the night of November 2, 1863, when the USS Kearsarge dropped anchor, to the east of the “Spitbank” lighthouse. In pursuit of the Confederate raider CSS…

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Added by Liam McAlister on January 25, 2020 at 10:30am — 3 Comments

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