However, as America looked to exploit the west men were now needed to fight the native Americans who stood in the way of expansion. From the Union Army’s Irish Brigade to the 24th Georgia Volunteer Infantry and Louisiana Tigers on the Confederacy side, which were heavily Irish influenced.Īt the end of the civil war thousands of men found themselves unemployed as the peace time army scaled back. Irish the immigrant soldiers incorporated their own national identity into the ranks of many of the units in which they served.
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Many joined of their free will, as they fully accepted America as their new homeland, but others were forcibly drafted into service by the controversial Enrolment Act of March 3rd, 1863. Over 200,000 Irishmen served in the American Civil War, 1861-1865 and they comprised 21% of the post-war US army. It’s estimated that up to 200,000 Irish Americans fought in the American Civil War, with 150,000 on the Union side and approximately 30,000-40,000 on the Southern Confederacy side. It provided a secure employment and 3 meals a day. To many Irish immigrants the military offered an escape route out of poverty and anti-Catholic prejudice. (2)Īs the American nation grew, Irishmen fought and died in every major battle and conflict. Since their formation Irishmen have played a pivotal role in the American armed forces.Īt the battle of Lexington on April 19 th, 1776, when 400 minutemen and revolutionary militia drove back the British at the Old North Bridge and began the American War of independence over 100 Irishmen were in their ranks. Irish service in the US military Irishmen fought on both sides, but predominantly for the Union in the American Civil War
(1)Īs the 7 th Cavalry rode into battle, the 600 men under Custer’s command included 103 Irishmen and 34 of those would die on the battlefield with their commander.
On the two fateful and bloody days of the 25 th and 26 th June 1876 Native Americans from the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes inflicted a significant defeat on the United States Army’s iconic 7 th Cavalry, led by the most flamboyant and famous soldier of his age, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. The battle of Little Big Horn, also known to the Lakota Sioux and other Native Americans as the battle of Greasey Grass, is usually referred to as Custer’s Last Stand.
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