There was more ‘heavy fightin” and ‘heavy marchin’,'ahead for the brigade. In the withdrawal from Cedar Run it fought two major engagements and marched seventy-six miles in fifty-six hours, capturing two stands of colors, five guns, and 450 prisoners.

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Then on May 3, 1864 the Irish Brigade moved out of its winter encampment with ten field officers. Within six weeks six of these would be dead and the other four seriously wounded. Its losses were so great that it finally disappeared into the so-called Consolidated Brigade (2d and 3d Brigades joined together). But as II Corps historian Walker later wrote, ‘The Irish Brigade…was to the close of the war one of the most picturesque features of the Second Corps, whether in fight, on the march or in camp.’

This article was written byJohn F. McCormack, Jr. and originally published in the December 1998 issue of Civil War Times Magazine. For more great articles, be sure to subscribe to Civil War Times magazine today!

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