While on my recent research trip to the National Archives to continue the work of the Andersonville Irish Project, I took the opportunity for a return visit to Antietam with a view to a potential future research project focusing on that battle. One of my visits was to Antietam National Cemetery. It is particularly noticeable there just how frequently Irish American men were interred side-by-side, particularly in those sections relating to men from New York and Pennsylvania. In at least some instances, this seems to have been a result of the men having originally been buried close to each other on the battlefield. But it is also noticeable in some other sections, such as that dedicated to the United States Regulars. In this instance, it is indicative of the heavy Irish American presence in that branch of service. Wherever Regulars fought during the Civil War, there was always a significant Irish representation on the field. Below I share three images of side-by-side Irish Regular burials I encountered at Antietam, and the details of the men themselves. There are many more Irish in the Regular graves that surround them.
Grave 3521 John Rourke and Grave 3522 Charles McCaffery. John Rourke was a 23-year-old waiter when he first enlisted on 22nd September 1855 in New York. A native of Co. Roscommon, he initially served in Company E of the 9th United States Infantry. He re-enlisted while stationed in Walla Walla, Washington Territory. By the time of Antietam he was in Company G of the 4th United States Infantry. Wounded near Antietam’s Middle Bridge on 17th September, he died of injuries at Keedysville on the 21st. Beside him is Charles McCaffrey from Co. Tyrone, who had enlisted aged 22 in Boston on 27th July 1858. Charles served in both companies K and I of the 6th United States Infantry. Although Charles met his death on 17th September 1862 at Antietam, it was not as a result of enemy action. He was recorded as dying that day “at camp near Sharpsburg, MD” of Cholera.
Grave 3581 Timothy Griffin and Grave 3519 William Finley. Timothy Griffin was from Co. Kerry and was a 21-year-old laborer when he first enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio on 12th September 1855. Initially assigned to Company G of the 2nd United States Cavalry, he was still with a regular cavalryman in 1863 when he died on 7th July at Middletown, Maryland in the aftermath of the Gettysburg Campaign. Beside him is William Finley, from Co. Tyrone, who was also a professional soldier, on his second enlistment by 1862. William had first joined up as a 20-year-old laborer on 3rd September 1855 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving in Company C of the 10th U.S. Infantry. Although officially attached to Battery M of the 2nd U.S. Artillery at Antietam, he died on 17th September serving with his old company of the 10th in the fighting near Middle Bridge.
Grave 3504 Peter Hickey and Grave 3505 William McConnell. Peter Hickey was from Co. Waterford and was 21 when he first joined the Regulars, signing up on 26th December 1854-the day after Christmas Day-in New York City. He was in Company D of the 2nd United States Infantry at Antietam, where he died along with William Finley, having crossed the Middle Bridge. Beside him is William McConnell, who had not been a pre-war soldier. The Co. Donegal farmer had enlisted aged 21 at Norristown, Pennsylvania on 21st August 1861. At Antietam he fought as a member of Battery F of the 5th United States Artillery- he is recorded as dying at a nearby military hospital on 16th November 1862.
As of June 30, 1861 of 80 soldiers in Co. C, 2d U.S. Infantry (the “Regulars”) 33 were Irish. All but 15 were foreign born. One of the Irish was my great grandfather Patrick Breen, born In Co. Kerry about 1839. Like many of the foreigners he enlisted before the Civil War in 1855. He enlisted as a fifer but traded his fife for a rifle and finished his Civil War service as First Sargent, all in Co. C. He survived Antietam and many other Civil War battles. He was wounded at Gettysburg.
In my research into Patrick’s service I was struck by how many Irish contributed to the Union cause during the Civil War as you have noted over your many years of research into the Irish U.S. Civil War connection,
Patrick Breen was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and wrote several articles about the Regulars that were published in The National Tribune, Washington, D.C. under the heading “Recollections of a Regular.”
Thank you for focusing on the Regulars. My g-grandfather, Patrick Farrelly (Farley) from Cavan, fought with the 2nd Infantry, Co. C under George Sykes. They fought in 1st Bull Run, Gaines Mill, Fredericksburg and more. He survived, probably because his 5 years were up right before Gettysburg and rather than re-enlist, he returned to Ireland.
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Don Humphreys
September 30, 2024 11:18 pmHi Damian.
As of June 30, 1861 of 80 soldiers in Co. C, 2d U.S. Infantry (the “Regulars”) 33 were Irish. All but 15 were foreign born. One of the Irish was my great grandfather Patrick Breen, born In Co. Kerry about 1839. Like many of the foreigners he enlisted before the Civil War in 1855. He enlisted as a fifer but traded his fife for a rifle and finished his Civil War service as First Sargent, all in Co. C. He survived Antietam and many other Civil War battles. He was wounded at Gettysburg.
In my research into Patrick’s service I was struck by how many Irish contributed to the Union cause during the Civil War as you have noted over your many years of research into the Irish U.S. Civil War connection,
Patrick Breen was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and wrote several articles about the Regulars that were published in The National Tribune, Washington, D.C. under the heading “Recollections of a Regular.”
Regards.
Don Humphreys
Lois Farley Shuford
October 4, 2024 1:39 pmThank you for focusing on the Regulars. My g-grandfather, Patrick Farrelly (Farley) from Cavan, fought with the 2nd Infantry, Co. C under George Sykes. They fought in 1st Bull Run, Gaines Mill, Fredericksburg and more. He survived, probably because his 5 years were up right before Gettysburg and rather than re-enlist, he returned to Ireland.