Union Monuments, New York Infantry

Irish Brigade
63rd, 69th and 88th New York Infantry

The monument to the New York regiments of the Irish Brigade is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue, just inside the Rose Woods. (see map)

The Irish Brigade was one of the legendary units of the Civil War. Three of its regiments were from New York and the other two were the 28th Massachusetts and the 116th Pennsylvania. With its numbers horribly thinned at Antietam and Fredericksburg, the three New York regiments could barely muster two weak companies each. But the Irish Brigade was still a force to be reckoned with when they were thrown in to support Sickles' badly beleaguered Corps in the fight of July 2.

From the monument:

The brigade entered the battle under command of Colonel Patrick Kelly 530 strong, of which this contingent, composing three battalions of two companies each, numbered 240 men. The original strength of these battalions was 3,000 men. The brigade participated with great credit to itself and the race it represented, in every battle of the Army of the Potomac in which the Second Corps was engaged, from Fair Oaks, Jule 1, 1862, to appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.

14th New York Ind'pt Battery. In memory of Capt. James Mc.K. Rorty and four men who fell at the bloody angle July 3, 1863. The battery was mustered in December 9, 1861, as part of the Irish Brigade. it was detached therefrom and at Gettysburg was consolidated with Battery B, 1st N. Y. Artillery.

The Irish Brigade was the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division of the 2nd Army Corps . It's New York regiments were:

63rd New York Infantry: Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Charles Bentley until he was wounded on July 2nd. Captain Thomas Touhy then took command. The 63rd brought 112 men to the field in two companies (A and B) and lost 5 killed, 10 wounded and 8 missing. See more on the 63rd New York Infantry

69th New York Infantry: Commanded by Captain Richard Moroney until he was wounded on July 2. Lieutenant James J. Smith then took command. The 69th brought 75 men to the field in two companies (A and B) and lost 5 killed, 14 wounded and 6 missing. See more on the 69th New York Infantry

88th New York Infantry: Commanded by Captain Denis Francis Burke, it brought 126 men to the field in two companies (A and B) and lost 7 killed, 17 wounded and 4 missing. See more on the 88th New York Infantry

The Irish Brigade at Gettysburg also included the 28th Massachusetts Infantry and the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry.

One of the memorable moments of the battle came as the men of the Irish Brigade knelt while the Brigade Chaplain, Father William Corby, stood atop a boulder and pronounced general absolution to the men.

They then launched themselves into the maelstrom of the Wheatfield, charging across into the Rose Woods and the Stony Hill. The Confederate advance was temporarily halted just a it threatened to overwhelm the entire Union position, although the brigade was flanked by Confederate Reinforcements advancing from the Peach Orchard and forced to withdraw across the bloody Wheatfield.

The monument was dedicated on July 2, 1888. It was sculpted of green malachite by former Confederate soldier William R. O'Donovan, who fought at Gettysburg. It's front consists of an ornate bronze front, ornamented by a 2nd Corps trefoil, the numbers of the three New York regiments, the Seal of the State of New York, and a harp flanked by American flags. At its foot lies an Irish wolfhound, a symbol of honor and fidelity.

Father William Corby attended the dedication, held a mass for the veterans and blessed the monument. “We have unveiled this pile, and it will stand to perpetuate the fame of those heroes. To keep their memory green in the American heart, this Celtic Cross has been erected. It is an emblem of Ireland, typical of faith and devotion, and the most appropriate that could be raised to hand down to posterity the bravery of our race in the great cause of American liberty.”

The Irish Brigade is also honored by a monument at Antietam.