My name is Damian Shiels and I am a professional archaeologist who specialises in ‘conflict archaeology’, particularly where it relates to Ireland. I currently work with a commercial archaeology company, Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd, but have also spent time as one of the curatorial staff at the National Museum of Ireland where I worked with the military collections and in the preparation of the Soldiers and Chiefs military history exhibition. I am not a historian, although I have spent much of my career around historical documents and interpreting them from an archaeological and museum standpoint.
I have had a long standing interest in the Irish experience of conflict regardless of period or location, and the American Civil War is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating topics in this sphere. The sheer scale of the Irish involvement in the conflict and its affects not only on the soldiers at the front but the Irish civilians at home have captivated my attention. Although the Irish experience of the Civil War is a relatively popular topic in the United States, there remains little understanding in Ireland of either the event itself or how it impacted on the Irish in America or indeed the Irish in Ireland.
This blog has been set-up to fulfill a number of aims. I hope to tell the stories of Irish men and women caught up in the Civil War in an engaging and informative manner, along the way providing information on different people, units and places. It is also intended that resources for those interested in the Irish experience will be built up over time, to act as an aid for those who wish to find out more (check out the ‘Resources’ tab at the top right of the site to see what is currently available). Finally I hope the site makes some small contribution to raising awareness in Ireland of the Irish experience of the American Civil War, particularly in light of the 150th anniversary.
If you would like to contact me please email me at:
irishamericancivilwar@gmail.com
This looks to be a very interesting blog. Good luck with this endeavor!
Many thanks George, I hope you enjoy it!
Hi,
I’m hoping you can tell me a reference for the following in your blog post on Rowan. I’m hoping to locate the original correspondence:
“On 10th April Rowan was able to report to Welles from off Cape Henry, informing the Secretary that he was at sea having been delayed somewhat by an easterly gale. ” Thank you!
Hi Laura,
No problem at all- that correspondence (and all the correspondence in the Rowan post) are from the ‘Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion; Series I – Volume 4: Operations in the Gulf of Mexico (November 15, 1860 – June 7, 1861); Operations on the Atlantic Coast (January 1, 1861 – May 13, 1861); Operations on the Potamac and Rappahannock Rivers (January 5, 1861 – December 7, 1861)’. That particular report is to be found on page 243. If you want to access an online version of these records you can find them at the ‘Making of America’ site at http://dlxs2.library.cornell.edu/m/moa/ which is an excellent resource- a search for Rowan should so the trick. I hope this is of some use, and I if I can be of any more help please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Dear Damian,
Thank-you for all your amazing work on the Irish in the American Civil War! I am writing a history of the Portland, Maine Irish and have now also started writing a history of the Irish in Portland during the Civil War which I hope to complete in a few months (a side book!). Many interesting Portland Irish fought in the Civil War, including John E. Anglin, son of Cork City emigrants, and second-youngest Medal of Honor winner; Patrick R. Guiney; 1st Lt. Michael C. Boyce, killed at Gettysburg; and Thomas O’Dea, who did the famous Andersonville Prison image.
Well, keep up the good work! I have not seen Susannah Ural Bruce’s book, how does it rate? Thanks.
Hi Matthew,
Many thanks for your kind words! Your book sounds really interesting, and I would love to review a copy of your civil war one when it is finished, and read the stories of some of Maine Irishmen. Susannah’s book is one of the best I have read on the topic of the Union Irish- she travels beyond the battlefield to explore the motivations behind the men who fought and why they did it- their dual loyalties to the Union and Ireland really comes across, as does the Irish community’s declining enthusiasm for the war from late 1862 onwards and their overwhelming support for McClellan and the Democrats in the 1864 election. I strongly recommend it. I hope you have continued success with your books!
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Hi Damian,
Been doing genealogical work on my Kelly’s… I have a possibly related Great Uncle I’m tracing. The information states he was in the 99th NYV and I’ve verified this. I have mailed away to the National Archives to receive his whole file… My hope is that the file will provide actual birthplace or will have information that I can use to link him as the man I believe he might be…
Do you know of any other resources where I can look for more information on Civil Soldiers and their records, etc.?
To imagine the children of dear Holy Erin landing in American after centuries of oppression and experiencing the recent genocide of British created famine always wells up emotion especially when I think that these men were then thrust into a war… A war they fought willingly to gain the respect of their new nation either Blue or Grey and most importantly to prove as Celts we do not fear death as it is just a continuum…. but we do fear the yoke of our own slavery that was inflicted by the british…
Hi Jimmy,
The information you get from the National Archives should provide with you with all the direct information on your Great Uncle. I would recommend you check out the New York State Military Museum website if you haven’t already done so though, it is a fabulous resource with information on all of the New York units. The 99th New York page has their history along with the battles they engaged in and casualties they suffered, along with newspaper clippings relating to the regiment and a roster of all the men of the unit. It also has a suggested reading list. You can find it at http://dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/99thInf/99thInfMain.htm. I hope this is of help- I would be interested in finding out how you get on with your research!
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Dear Damian, I am trying to gain information on Lt Col james Quinlan. He was born in Clonmel, Ireland and a member of the 88th Irish Brigade. I am trying to find out if he is related to me as my family came from that part of Ireland. Where do I find his military service records?
David Quinlan
Hi David,
Thanks for getting in touch. David Power Conyngham has brief biographies of the main officers at the end of his Irish Brigade history which would be worth checking out if you haven’t already done so- there is a link to the online version of his work on the ‘Books’ page of this blog, and James Quinlan is included. The National Archives should hold his Compiled Military Service Records and you can order these remotely- check out http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records.html#nwctb-list for more details on this. His pension records should also be available from this source, and once you specify who you are looking for and his service details they should be able to get the material for you for a fee. I hope this is of some use, but if you have any other queries don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Hello Damian, How are you doing ? Been a like a coon’s age since I last had a chance to talk to ye.
During some research here in America / Baltimore dealing with the First bloodshed of the Civil War we have found out a number of Irishmen Killed on April 19th, 1861. Some of the names as follows were; Robert W. Davis age 36 from County Tyrone, Ireland, a man known as only Flannery, William Maloney age 25, John McGann, John McMahon, & a Michael Murphy. These men we plan to research further to find out more details about them in the near future.
Hi Patrick,
How are you? Great to hear from you! That is some fascinating research I would be interested in finding out more about them when you have had a chance to get more details. As you can see I have thrown myself into the Civil War these days in anycase! I was up at the exhibition recently and all is still looking good there, they are getting a lot of visitors through which is good. Be sure to keep in touch!
Talk to you soon,
Damian.
Hi Damian,
I was going back thru your blogs again to find your writeup about the 69th NY and Ken Powers and Myself that you had written about the ” Soldiers and Chiefs” exhibit but i couldn’t find it. I was hoping to save and print out a copy. Remember how you and Lars made a comment about how much “stuff ” I had relating to the Civil war that I could practically have my own museum. Well since Late 2007, I have been exhibiting a large number of my artefacts and documents at ” The Baltimore Civil War Museum” and I actually have a title with the Museum as a whole as Curator. I also organize Living History Programs and for the past 10 months was in charge of the Gift / Book store too. As of late we have been averaging around 110 or more vistors per day with tour groups of 40 to 80 + persons on weekends and occassional weekdays too. We have a facebook page ” Baltimore Civil War Museum” too which i have been updating from time to time.
I hope to hear back from ye soon,
Patrick
Great blog! Added you to my roll: http://www.soldierstudies.org/blog
Many thanks Chris! I have also added yours to my roll, looks good!
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Epic site!
Many thanks Joseph! Glad you enjoy it.
Damian.
Happy Birthday! Love the site. Thanks.
Hi Denis,
Many thanks!
Damian.
Damien, Learned about your blog from a comment your father made on mine, http://www.mahermatters.com. This is wonderful! You have really set an example of all a blog can be. I’ll be back! Thank you.
Janet
Hi Janet,
Many thanks for your kind words! Your blog looks really interesting I am looking forward to reading it, and if I can be of any help please dont hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Damian,
Came across your blog today and am enjoying reading your posts! Irish involvement in the Civil War is certainly a rich and fascinating topic. I wrote my senior thesis in college on Irish involvement in the Civil War Draft Riots in New York City and have been interested since. Looking forward to future posts!
~ Emma
Hi Emma,
Many thanks! The Draft Riots are a fascinating topic, I hope to have a few posts about them over the coming months. I had a look at your blog as well it looks like an exciting project I look forward to reading how you get on!
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Hi Damien, I recently came across your site and I think it’s fantastic. I have returned to college to study tourism but I have a keen interest in both irish and american history. Most of my viewers to my blog are from America and I would like to mention your website if that was cool with you? Hope to hear from you soon
Sinead
Hi Sinead,
Glad you like the blog and many thanks for your kind words! That would be no problem at all please do- what is your own blog I would love to have a look?
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Hi Damien, that’s great. My Blog is http://speccy-four-eyes.blogspot.com/
terribly nerdish posts on tourism news in Ireland though I also tend to gravitate towards any heritage news/attractions as I think the two are very much married to each other.
Anyway’s I will send you the link to the post once I have it up on the blog
Thanks
Sinead
very interesting… Im the author of “The Irish and English in Italy’s Risorgimento” and mention the connections of Ireland and the US Civil War on my blog http://50yearsinitaly.blogspot.com/2011/02/ireland-and-italy-share-common.html
and
http://50yearsinitaly.blogspot.com/2011/10/italys-risorgimento-and-american-civil.html
Hi Damien, I am looking for Croghan as a surname within the civil war, It had many anglecised versions from MacConnCruachan, including crohan, croughan. I know some of us served in the war of independance like Col George Croghan buried at Fort Croghan. I wondered if on your travels in time you had met a few of my spiritual ancestors. I would be grateful for information regarding any of my tuatha. Most were skilled tradesmen – blacksmith, farriers, with some educated men and a few biataghs who were exiled for Fenian ways or dispossed by landlords. Any help would be gratefully assisted. Go Ndeireagh Dia Leat Mo Chara, Conan Mac ConnCruachan (Conan Croghan) Roscommon Town, Co Roscommon, Ireland
Hi Conan,
Your best starting point is to look at the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database here: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/. I had a quick look and 37 men with the surname Croghan served in the army so you could take it from there to see if you can find out more about them- the database is an excellent starting point so let me know how you get on!
Kind Regards,
Damian.
Hi Damian
Thanks for an enthralling Lecture tonight and look forward to seeing you again soon..Brilliant
Regards, Robert Reid South Tipperary Military History Society
Hi Robert,
Many thanks for your kind words I am glad you enjoyed it! I had a fantastic evening and really enjoyed meeting everyone- your society deserves every success!
Kind Regards,
Damian.
I found your site just today and I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner! All of my Civil War veteran ancestors—the Reillys, Cavanaghs, Burns, and McDonoughs–would be very pleased with it.
Many thanks for your kind comments! Do you know much about their service in the Civil War? I would love to hear their stories!
Hi there! Apologies for the delay in replying–I do know a bit about their service, they served in regiments from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. One of them was killed (and is buried) at Gettysburg, one was in the officer’s prison at Andersonville and came home after a prisoner exchange, and the others mustered out after a mercifully uneventful tour. Unfortunately that’s pretty much all I know.