Ireland and the American Civil War

In the course of his speech during the visit of Michael Martin, Taoiseach to the White House today, US President Donal Trump made reference to the Irish who fought in the American Civil War in the 1860s. Fleeing Ireland from the Great Famine in the 1840s thousands of irish settled in some of the USA’s biggest cities. When the War broke out in 1861 more than 200,000 Irishmen joined both Union and Confederate ranks. The Irish were amongst the largest groups who participated and saw action in most of the major battles.

In 1936 the Strabane Chronicle newspaper reported on news of a statue to a Cavan man who had fought in the Civil War, General Philip Sheridan. The newspaper reported:

A bronze statute of General Philip Henry Sheridan, hero of the American Civil War, who was born at Beagh Glebe, near Virginia, Co. Cavan, has been erected in New York City. The statute of Sheridan is seven feet high on a pedestal which is six feet in height and is in the park in lower Manhattan at what has always been known as Sheridan Square, near Seventh Avenue and Christopher Street. There has been an official unveiling yet, however, due to the fact that the few living members of the Grand Army of The "Republic have shown preference for postponement until October 19.

The veterans have agreed that date would be most appropriate, it being the anniversary of General Sheridan's immortal dash over rugged country, hazardous gorges and hostile territory through the Shenandoah Valley to meet the advancing forces of the Confederate General, Jubal Early Sheridan turned an uncertain situation into a glorious victory for the Union forces that day.

Sheridan’s is just one of thousands of Irish stories from the war.

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )