To the Irish-American community, to Civil War historians and to local history in general, and to all who care about truth, heritage, and the stories of those who came before us, we lost one of our greatest champions. Joseph G. Bilby passed away this week, and with him, we lost more than a man. We lost a voice. A bridge. A keeper of memory.

For decades, Joe was a guiding force, a proud Irish-American, a Jersey original, and a storyteller whose work made the past come alive. He gave dignity and depth to the men of the Irish Brigade and the New Jersey regiments, many of them immigrants, laborers, and outsiders who shed blood for a nation that did not always understand them. Because of Joe, their names will not fade.

His death leaves a hole in our shared community, the kind of absence that echoes. For those of us who walked battlefields beside him, collaborated on a project with him, laughed with him, or simply read his words, the grief is deep. Joe didn’t just write history. He protected it. He shared it. And he made sure it belonged to everyone, especially those whose stories had been overlooked.

Joe’s contributions to Irish-American and Civil War history were monumental. His landmark book, “Remember Fontenoy!: The 69th New York and the Irish Brigade in the American Civil War,” published in 1996 and later reissued as ”The Irish Brigade,” brought renewed attention to the bravery and sacrifice of Irish immigrants in the Union Army. It remains a foundational text for Irish-American military historians and Civil War scholars alike. Joe gave voice and honor to these men who fought under the green flags, often dismissed in life, but immortalized in his pages.

Many also knew Joe through his long-running column “Black Powder, White Smoke” in the popular tabloid monthly Civil War News, where he combined deep knowledge, sharp commentary, and love for black powder arms, Civil War firearms, and historical accuracy.

Joseph G. Bilby was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1943. He received his BA and MA degrees in history from Seton Hall University and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s First Infantry Division in Vietnam (1966–1967), and later in the Army Reserve. He spent much of his professional career with the New Jersey Department of Labor and taught military history at the college level. A respected lecturer, Joe appeared on the History Channel’s “Civil War Journal," Discovery Channel’s “Discovery Magazine,” and Ireland’s RTE network.

Among his many notable works are “Three Rousing Cheers,” “Forgotten Warriors,” “Civil War Firearms,” “A Revolution in Arms,” “Small Arms at Gettysburg,” “Freedom to All” and “Monmouth Courthouse: The Battle that Made the American Army.” He co-authored “Remember You Are Jerseymen” with William Goble and was a member of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association (NJCWHA) and served on the N.J. Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, becoming the editor for all of their publications including “New Jersey Goes to War” and “New Jersey’s Civil War Odyssey.” With Harry Ziegler and myself, he co-authored “Hidden History of New Jersey,” “350 Years of New Jersey History: From Stuyvesant to Sandy,” “On This Day in New Jersey History,” and “Hidden History of New Jersey at War.” Joe was a prolific writer, co- authoring with Ziegler their most recent book in February 2025, “New Jersey in the Jazz Age.”

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One of my favorite memories with Joe came while we worked on ”New Jersey Goes to War: Biographies of 150 New Jerseyans Caught Up in the Struggle of the Civil War.” We had a running bet about the biggest scoundrel among the 150 we profiled. Joe’s pick was Willie McGee, a drummer boy in the 33rd New Jersey from Newark who somehow conned his way into a Medal of Honor. I argued for Alexander D. Hamilton, a lieutenant in the 2nd N.J. Cavalry who stole Jersey City’s entire treasury after the war and fled to Mexico with a showgirl to start his own republic. Joe won the bet with a grin, he told me, “Scamming the Medal of Honor trumps trying to start your own country.”

I’ll never forget one night in Gettysburg when I asked him to sign a copy of “Remember You Are Jerseymen.” Without hesitation, he scribbled, “Thanks for writing this book and letting me put my name on it! – Joe Bilby.” That was his humor, his humility, and his heart, all in one line. This became a running joke on all his future books.

Joe’s contributions will not soon be forgotten. He touched so many lives, not just through his writing, but through his kindness, wit, and willingness to help others. He was a generous mentor, a brilliant historian, and a beloved friend. He will be missed and not soon forgotten.

To honor Joe’s life and legacy, please consider making a donation in his name to the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey at Sea Girt, a place he donated countless hours to guiding researchers, curating history, and inspiring others. In doing so, you’ll be supporting the preservation of the very history Joe worked so passionately to protect, and ensuring future generations continue to learn from the past he so vividly brought to life.

Rest in Peace, Mr Bilby.