Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Murphy and Officers of the 170th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion, 1863 (Library of Congress)

For one of the Legion’s soldiers, making his way back to the brigade in late December from New York, festive cheer seemed a million miles away on his journey to Virginia. The fallout from the great battle at Fredericksburg was everywhere:

While returning to Newport News the sounds of wailing and of grief followed me; in the same car with me, from Jersey City, on the night of December 23d, were several afflicted fathers and brothers sorrowing for their dead and wounded sons and relatives, and hastening to seek them at the scene of  strife or in the great hospitals which now fill the city of Washington. A wife, also, with a baby in her arms, sought her husband. She saw his name in the newspapers, as “seriously wounded;” but despairing sadness had set it’s work on that poor woman’s brow. It was, indeed, to me a melancholy, dismal midnight journey: my thoughts in such companionship were none of the brightest. (2)

‘A’ Company of the 170th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion, 1863 (Library of Congress)

The contrast of such misery with the Irish Legion’s camp at Newport News could hardly have been starker. The men had gone to extraordinary lengths to make the brigade’s first Christmas away from home a memorable occasion. The white tents of the soldiers had been transformed; trees of differing sizes had been dragged into the camp to create the impression that it had become a forest, while bowers festooned the walkways. Triumphal arches of greenery, some up to thirty feet high, were erected between the tent lines and decorated with giant stars made of holly. The men had dug up different coloured clay to create decorative motifs, some bearing mottos such as ‘Erin-go-Bragh.’ Each Company street had used green and red berries to spell out their designation- Companys A and K of the 69th New York National Guard Artillery had particularly excelled themselves. One eyewitness declared that ‘without any exaggeration I believe such a camp and such a fairylike scene were never seen before and may never be again.’ (3)

The remarkable efforts of the Irishmen drew visitors, such as officers from the gunboats  Ironsides and Galena, who marvelled at the transformation of the camp. As the Christmas spirit took hold, those lucky enough to receive Christmas boxes from home tucked into their gifts with glee. At midnight on Christmas Eve mass was celebrated by Father Dillon at General Corcoran’s headquarters, an event attended by all the officers of the brigade. A choir accompanied the ceremony with Lieutenant Tom Monahan on the violin, with singing from Dr. Dwyer, Lieutenant E.K. Butler and Lieutenant Tom Canton. After the mass Corcoran gave each of those present a glass of Irish whiskey to celebrate the occasion. (4)

Officers of the 164th New York Infantry and 170th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion, 1863 (Library of Congress)

Christmas Day brought the main celebrations. The 25th December 1862 was surprisingly warm and pleasant in Newport News, making everyone eager for the gala events to come. At ten o’clock in the morning all the regiments of the brigade assembled to hear mass, presided over by Father Gillen of the 170th New York. There followed a programme of sporting events that were fast becoming typical of Irish regiments. The amusements began at 11, and took the following order:

• Horse racing, open to all horses, the winner to receive a silver cup, the second to receive a prize, and also the third; the owner of the last horse in the race to pay a basket of wine.
• Sack racing.
• Catching a shaved pig by the tail.
• Wheelbarrow racing, blindfolded.
• Foot-racing, &c, &c. (5)

The horse race was to take the form of mile heats, and was the best of two out of three. The runners and riders for the horse race were as follows:

• ‘Bull Run’, a dapple grey owned by General Corcoran and ridden by James Davidson. Colours: Brown jacket and black cap.
• ‘George Washington’, a sorrel owned by Lieutenant-Colonel Reid and ridden by Captain Rowley. Colours: Red breeches, striped jacket.
• ‘Brown Tom’, a bay owned by Lieutenant-Colonel Reid and ridden by Lieutenant E.K. Butler. Colours: Green jacket, red cap.
• ‘Blue Bird’, a bay owned by Lieutenant-Colonel J. McMahon and ridden by the owner. Colours: Blue jacket, white cap.
• ‘Charlie’, a bay owned by Lieutenant-Colonel J.C. Burke and ridden by Captain Phelan. Colours: Red jacket, black cap.
• ‘Sweepstakes’, a grey owned by Adjutant R.G. Newall and ridden by the owner. Colours: Striped jacket, grey cap.
• ‘Zipp’, a bay owned by Lieutenant Tracy and ridden by the owner. Colours: Black jacket, white cap.
• ‘Black Thorn’, a black stallion owned by Dr. Regan and ridden by Dr. J.C. Wall. Colours: Black jacket, red cap. (6)

‘Blue Bird’ entered the race as the strong favourite, and virtually everyone placed their money on Lieutenant-Colonel McMahon’s bay as a result. The men of the Legion lined the course as the moment for the off arrived, joined by numerous naval officers and men from Fortress Monroe. Some twenty ladies, visiting the camp, were also in attendance. When the horse set off ‘Blue Bird’ sped into an early lead, much as was expected:

As they neared the breastwork Col. Burke’s ‘Charlie’ was creeping up fast, followed by ‘Zipp’ and ‘Black Thorn,’ the others close at hand on the go and in that position until they strike the heavy ground, when ‘Charlie’ takes the lead, with ‘Zipp’ second, followed closely by ‘Black Thorn,’ and the favorite, the others well up, and in that position they came to the winning post, with ‘George Washington’ and ‘Bull Run’ bringing up the rear. (7)

After a quick sponging off it was time for the second heat- in a reversal of fortune ‘Bull Run’ steamed home in first, ‘Brown Tom’ second and ‘George Washington’ third. This time ‘Sweepstakes’ brought up the rear. ‘Bull Run’ came top of the pile again in the third heat, and as a result won the race. General Corcoran was once again victorious in the next race, a one mile dash in which his bay, ‘Roarer’ (Rider: Captain Doran, Colours: Red jacket and black cap) beat off stiff opposition from Captain McEvily’s bay ‘Pontius Pilate’ (Rider: Captain McEvily, Colours: Black jacket, white cap). (8)

Guard Mount, 164th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion (Library of Congress)

It was now the turn of the enlisted men, who took to the field for the sack race. There were numerous falls and tumbles, before the soldiers of the 155th New York eventually came out victorious. The pig, ‘Mr. Porky’ was the next attraction, with the unfortunate animal being pursued by the entire compliment of the Irish Legion before finally being captured. The sporting festivities ended with the wheelbarrow race, after which everyone returned to their quarters. (9)

That evening one of the social organisations in the brigade, the ‘Monks of the Screw’, organised Christmas dinner for the General and his staff (another of these organisations within the Legion was known as the ‘Rum Racker’s Club’). The function of the ‘Monks of the Screw’ was described as follows:

‘…its object is to promote good fellowship by wit and song. Its weekly meetings are the greatest solace to the members after the tedium of camp life. One rule is that each member promises that he will never drink alone; another, that every member must compose a song and sing it. It is almost as easy to catch Jeff Davis as to get admission to membership.’ (10)

170th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion, 1863 (Library of Congress)

At nine o’clock in the evening the meal began, with some eighty officers of the Legion present, along with six officers from the Ironsides and some of the ladies. Lieutenant-Colonel Reid of the ‘Monks’ occupied the chair, with General Corcoran seated to his right and Father Dillon on his left. The menu was impressive:

BILL OF FARE

Oyster Soup

Raw Oysters

Turkey, Chicken, Tongue

Roast Beef

DESSERT

Plumb Pudding

English Cheese

FRUIT

Raisins, Almonds, Apples

LIQUORS

Bourbon, Brandy

WINE

Champagne, Sherry (11)

 After the food the toasts began. The first was to General Corcoran, and the ‘Monks’ accompanied this by singing ‘He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.’ The General returned the compliment- more toasts followed, to Father Dillon, Brigade Quartermaster J.B. Kirker, Dr. John Dwyer, Colonel Mathew Murphy, the 69th and the Irish Brigade. Perhaps the most unusual toast was to Jefferson Davis, although this was tongue in cheek, as the salutation was performed with empty glasses and in silence. The party continued until four in the morning, when everyone sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ and then made their way back to their quarters. (12)

Men of the 164th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion (Library of Congress)

The Christmas celebrations of Corcoran’s Irish Legion in 1862 must surely rank as some of the most impressive of any unit during the Civil War. Although many of the officers and some of the men of the brigade had seen combat in other units, for the majority of Legion their baptism of fire had still to arrive. The wait would be over within the month, when Corcoran’s men went into their first fight at Deserted House on 30th January 1863. Michael Corcoran had spent his first and last Christmas with his brigade; he would die on 22nd December 1863 following a fall from his horse. Many of his officers and men would follow him before war’s end, particularly following the Legion’s transfer to the Army of the Potomac in 1864, where it sustained horrific losses during the Overland Campaign. These events were still in the future during the joyous celebrations of December 1862. Dr. John Dwyer of the 69th New York National Guard Artillery wrote the following song specifically for the event, in an attempt to capture the spirit of the occasion:

HURRAH FOR THE SIXTY-NINTH, MY BOYS

Air- “The Young May Moon”

Hurrah for the 69th, my boys-

The brave old 69th my boys:

Once more we all meet,

Our old friends to greet

And present our campaign laurels, boys.

We’ve proved our old Celtic blood, my boys,

And fought by field and flood, my boys;

Let no one then dare,

To say that we fear,

‘Tis not in our language at all, my boys.

CHORUS

Hurrah for the flag of green, my boys-

The richest ever was seen, my boys,

Long, long may it wave,

The Union to save,

Entwined with the Stars and Stripes, my boys.

And when we have done with the South, my boys,

With our regiment gallant and stout, my boys,

We’ll be off to the East,

To give England a taste,

Of fighting on our own hook, my boys,

For now that we’ve handled the gun, my boys,

We’ll make the Saxon churls run, my boys;

Then over the sea,

To set Ireland free.

We’ll do it by hook or by crook, my boys.

CHORUS

Hurrah for the flag of green, my boys-

The richest ever was seen, my boys,

Long, long may it wave,

The Union to save,

Entwined with the Stars and Stripes, my boys. 

For our General brave let us shout, my boys,

And now that we have him about, my boys,

To take the command,

We’re all here on hand,

To conquer or die for our country, boys,

And here on this jovial night, my boys,

We’ll drink to that Isle so bright,

Where the shamrock so green,

For ever is seen,

The emblem of Irishmen true, my boys. 

CHORUS

Hurrah for the flag of green, my boys-

The richest ever was seen, my boys,

Long, long may it wave,

The Union to save,

Entwined with the Stars and Stripes, my boys.

Officers of the 170th New York Infantry, Corcoran’s Irish Legion (Library of Congress)

(1) New York Irish American 17th January 1863; (2) New York Irish American 10th January 1863; (3) New York Irish American 17th January 1863, New York Irish American 10th January 1863; (4) New York Irish American 17th January 1863; (5) Ibid.; (6) Ibid.; (7) Ibid.; (8) Ibid.; (9) Ibid.; (10) New York Irish American 10th January 1863; (11) New York Irish American 17th January 1863; (12) Ibid.;

References

New York Irish American 10th January 1863. The Corcoran Legion.

New York Irish American 17th January 1863. The Corcoran Legion.

Brigadier-General Michael Corcoran (Library of Congress)

Corcoran’s Legion was made up of four New York regiments (five were initially raised, but the 175th New York did not serve with the Brigade). These were the 69th New York National Guard (182nd New York), 155th New York, 164th New York and the 170th New York. Although a number of the Legion’s soldiers had previous combat experience, notably in the 69th New York State Militia at First Bull Run, in early 1863 the majority had yet to ‘see the elephant.’

Michael Corcoran and his men had been sent to southern Virginia and the Union outpost of Suffolk, which guarded the western approaches to the Federal naval yards at Portsmouth and Norfolk. Here they formed part of the VII Corps, consisting of three divisions under the command of Major-General John J. Peck. On their arrival, Brigadier-General Corcoran assumed command of the 1st Division.

The lead-up to the Legion’s first fight began on 25th January. On this date Confederate Brigadier-General Roger Atkinson Pryor began an advance towards Suffolk at the head of some 1,800 troops, hoping to disrupt Union activity in the area. Crossing the Blackwater river, by the 29th he had closed to within ten miles of Suffolk, halting at Kelly’s Store. Peck ordered Corcoran to take a force of 4,800 troops and drive back the Rebels. The Sligo man’s force included a sizeable portion of his Legion- the 69th New York National Guard, the 155th New York and two companies of the 164th New York; the remainder of the 164th New York and the 170th New York did not participate in the expedition. (1)

All was now set for the Irishmen’s baptism of fire. At 1 am on the morning of 30th January Corcoran commenced his march towards the enemy. Many of the men in the Legion could not contain their excitement, trying to burn off their nervous energy by singing as they marched. Orders came down for the 69th and the 155th to keep silent so as not to alert the enemy to their presence. Conditions were harsh on the rain-sodden roads, and during the nine-mile trek a number of the men lost their footwear to the mud and were forced to proceed without them. Corcoran initially brought his command to Nansemond County Poor House, where he halted his men for a ten minute rest; he then advanced on Kelly’s Store and the Rebel positions. (2)

The Confederates had set up a defensive line astride the Suffolk road, a half-mile to the west of Kelly’s Store near the ‘Deserted House’ which would later give the battle its name. Corcoran’s advance guard of cavalry and artillery were the first to run into these positions shortly before 4am, and the fight commenced. The Rebel artillery had ranged the approach road and so were able to maintain a deadly fire on the advancing Federals, who quickly sought to bring their own cannon into the fight. At 5.15am, Corcoran decided to order up his infantry, initially calling up the 167th Pennsylvania Militia. They failed to obey the instruction, forcing the Irish General to ride to their position to investigate the delay. He found that their Colonel had been seriously wounded in the barrage, and the unit was now in a hopeless state of confusion and disarray. He turned next to his own men, the 69th New York National Guard and 155th New York (with the two 164th New York companies attached); the Legion’s first taste of action was at hand. (3)

The Virginia countryside was still shrouded in early morning darkness as the Irishmen advanced, moving along the road which cut through woods on either side. Some tried to remain light-hearted- Private Thomas Burns, a 19-year-old Corkman in the 69th, told his comrades jokes as they pressed forward into the unknown. Moving into a gully near the unfortunate 167th Pennsylvania, the Legion came into range of the Confederate artillery, and were ordered to lie down. Trees and houses were ripped apart during the ferocious barrage that followed. Some of the virtually leaderless Pennsylvanians now attempted to retreat- in the process one individual incurred the wrath of Captain Eugene O’Sullivan of the 164th New York, who he nearly knocked over in his eagerness to escape. Exhibiting that there was often no love lost between the Irish and their fellow immigrants, O’Sullivan roared: ‘You Pennsylvania Dutch son of a gun! If you don’t go back at a double quick, I’ll put this sword to the hilt in you!’, a rebuke which appeared to have the desired effect. (4)

The Battle of Deserted House, Virginia, 1863- click to enlarge (War of the Rebellion Atlas- Baylor University Libraries Digital Collections)

In defence of the Pennsylvanians, the fire under which they had been exposed was extremely heavy, as the Legion were finding out. A piece of spiralling shrapnel struck the canteen of the 69th’s Captain Michael Kelly, carrying away his elbow. 30-year-old Sergeant Thomas Woods took a shell fragment in the stomach, killing him, while 28-year-old Private William Campbell was mortally wounded, struck in the leg and abdomen. Campbell had time to pull out his prayer-book which he gripped in his hand as he died. 44-year-old Private Andrew Grimes of the 164th also took a shell wound, becoming that regiment’s only fatality of the battle. The position was especially exposed for those on horseback, as General Corcoran discovered when a shell carried away the horse of the man beside him. A quick death was not to be the lot for all those struck in the Legion’s ranks. 40-year-old Private Thomas Stone likely knew he was done for when a shell struck him in the intestines and groin- he was administered to by Donegal native Father Paul Gillen, and died some four hours after he was hit. The shell that crushed the pelvis and abdomen of 35-year-old Private Cornelius Coleman caused even more suffering for this Irishman, who spent four days in silent agony before his death four days later. The realities and horrors of war in 1860s America had come home to the men of the Legion. (5)

Just after 6am Corcoran decided to clear the artillery from his front, and ordered a bayonet charge. This was led by the 30th Indiana and 130th New York, while the other regiments of Corcoran’s command, including those of the Legion, advanced behind in successive waves. Some thirty Rebel prisoners were taken by the Federals; the 69th New York’s Postmaster Ferris got involved in a footrace trying to catch one escaping Confederate, but found that he was hampered as a result of having lost his shoes on the march, and so his better-shod quarry escaped. Sergeant Julius Phillips of the 155th New York was more fortunate, capturing three of the enemy, while Private Henry Rice and Corporal Patrick Lenehan of the 69th New York brought in two more. The outnumbered Confederates fell back some two miles, before deciding to make a stand with some artillery and infantry. The 69th were again called to action to support a Federal battery, and successfully contributed to the repulse of a Rebel infantry attack. The pursuit was suspended at this point, and the exhausted men halted for some much-needed breakfast. Although a further advance led to some sharp skirmishing, Corcoran decided to call a halt and return his command to Suffolk. The Legion’s first fight was over. (6)

Prior to their withdrawal, the men of the Legion took the opportunity to explore the mornings battlefield. Privates Terence McMurry, Tom McLoughlin and Pat Ward of the 69th New York were delighted to happen upon an abandoned house with the breakfast table set, and were quick to take full advantage. General Corcoran had a less pleasant experience upon entering the Mulholland House in search of a cup of coffee, discovering floors awash with blood from the Confederate field hospital that had been located there. The Federal surgeons had set up under some trees by the road-side where they had undertaken the unpleasant task of dealing with the wounded. Among those who had limbs left behind on the Battlefield of Deserted House were two members of the 69th; 19-year-old Private Eli Pitts, who had his leg amputated at the thigh, and 35-year-old Private John Kearns, who lost his arm. (7)

The Battle of Deserted House was a sideshow in the American Civil War, but it had a lasting impact on the members of Corcoran’s Irish Legion. The reminiscences of one witness just two weeks after the fight illustrates the profound impact of this first action:

And now that this battle of Deserted House is fought and won, what does it amount to? The Legion has gained honor and glory, but what is honor and glory? I believe, with Falstaff, that ‘honor will not set a broken leg.’ What is to make up for the sufferings of the wounded? What for the distress of the deserted wives and children of the unhappy men who have fallen on both sides? Who will solace them? Who will feed them? Where the romance of a soldier’s life lies, I have yet to find out. Anything but romance may be now seen in the funeral processions through the streets of Suffolk, and in the miseries of the cold, dreary hospitals, where the surgeons have to go through seas of red tape to get the smallest necessary. I know one who is trying in vain, for the past four months, to get a broom for his hospital. Oh, that the movers of this war had themselves to participate in the active duties of warfare, we would then soon have an end of it. (8)

The fighting at Deserted House would be all but forgotten following the devastating losses sustained by the Brigade during the 1864 Campaign, but for the families of the dead, and the injured and maimed, it would be an ever-present for the rest of their lives. The Corcoran Legion losses at the engagement were as follows:

69th New York National Guard Infantry

Company B- Sergeant Thomas Woods (Killed- shell wound to stomach), Private Eli Pitts (Wounded- leg amputated at the thigh, discharged), Private John Kearns (Wounded- arm amputated, discharged)

Company C- Private Thomas Stone (Killed- shell wound to intestines and groin), Private William Campbell (Killed- shell wound to leg and abdomen)

Company D- Private Cornelius Coleman (Killed- shell wound to hip and abdomen), Corporal James Meehan (Wounded- shell wound to arm, discharged), Corporal John D. Cassidy (Wounded- shell wound of hand, also later wounded at North Anna), Private Patrick Ryan (Wounded- bullet wound of thigh, later killed at Boydton Plank Road)

Company E- Private Phillip Griffin (Wounded- slight wound of foot, later wounded at Petersburg)

Company F- Captain Michael Kelly (Wounded- shell wound of right elbow joint, discharged disability 1865)

155th New York Infantry

Company B- Sergeant Patrick Walsh (Wounded- slight wound and contusion of left knee, Veteran Reserve Corps, 1865), Sergeant Richard Wallace (Wounded- slight contusion of both knees)

164th New York Infantry

Company I- Private Andrew Grimes (Killed- shell wound of arm and side)

Company F- Private Daniel Schneider (Wounded- compound fracture of leg) (9)

(1) Official Records: 139-41, (2) Official Records: 136, New York Irish American, Steel 2001: 87-88; (3) Official Records: 136-7, New York Irish American, Steel 2001: 93; (4) New York Irish American, AG Report, Official Records: 137; (5) New York Irish American, Official Records: 167, Steel 2001: 93; (6) New York Irish American, AG Report; (7) New York Irish American, Official Records: 137; (8) New York Irish American; (9) New York Irish American, AG Report;

References

Wills, Brian Steel 2001. The War Hits Home: The Civil War in Southeastern Virginia

New York A.G. 1902. Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for the Year 1901

New York Irish American 14th February 1863: The Battle at ‘Deserted House’. The ‘Corcoran Legion’ in Their First Fight

Official Records Series 1, Volume 18, Chapter 30. Report of Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran, U.S. Army

Official Records Series 1, Volume 18, Chapter 30. Report of Col. William McEvily, One hundred and fifty-fifth New York Infantry