69th New York Company K "Irish Zouaves" unit history
The 69th Infantry Regiment traces its Civil War honors through three units, the 1st Regiment of the Irish Brigade (69th Infantry New York State Volunteers (NYSV) (1st Regiment of the Irish Brigade)), the 182d Infantry New York State Volunteers (69th Artillery, serving as infantry, the 1st Regiment of Corcoran's Legion) and the 69th National Guard Infantry (State Militia). The Irish Brigade was noted for its ability to tackle tough missions. As one war correspondent said during the Civil War, "When anything absurd, forlorn, or desperate was to be attempted, the Irish Brigade was called upon."
The Prince of Wales ParadeIn 1860, Michael Corcoran was named Colonel of the 69th. He gained fame and notoriety when he refused to parade the regiment for the visiting Prince of Wales in protest of the British response to the Irish Famine. He was placed under arrest, but the charges were dropped when the bombardment of Fort Sumter began the Civil War
Bull RunThe 69th New York Militia was called up and sent to Washington in April 1861. After engaging in the assault in the First Battle of Bull Run, the regiment, along with the Fire Zouaves, formed the rear-guard of the Union Army and protected it as it made its retreat towards Washington. The commander, Col. Michael Corcoran, was taken prisoner during two charges at a Confederate artillery battery. Besides their colonel and second-in-command, the 69th sustained losses of 41 officers and men killed, 85 wounded and 60 prisoners.Thomas Francis Meagher, Captain of the regiment's Zouave company, was promoted to colonel.
The Seven DaysAfter 90 days service, the 69th New York State Militia was mustered out and re-enrolled as the 69th New York State Volunteers. Meagher proposed the creation of an Irish Brigade in which the 69th would form the first regiment. Meagher was promoted to brigadier general and given command of the new brigade. The "Irish Brigade", then 3,000 strong, saw heavy action during the Seven Days battles.
Malvern Hill and AntietamAt Malvern Hill, the 69th led the brigade in a charge against advancing Southern troops. The 69th forced the retreat of the famed Confederate Irish Regiment Louisiana Tigers, an event for which General Robert E. Lee gave the regiment its nickname, "The Fighting 69th". Later, in both World War I and in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 69th and the Louisiana Tigers fought side by side against a common enemy. At Antietam, General Meagher personally led the 69th as the Irish Brigade charged the Sunken Road. The 69th, already badly mauled, suffered 60% casualties.
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville The regiment was virtually destroyed in its uphill attack on the well-prepared Confederate positions on Marye's Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg, were they were they made it closer to the Confederate lines than any other brigade. At this battle they suffered more casualties than they had at Antietam. Afterwards, the audacity of the attack was saluted with a rousing cheer by the Confederate defenders. The day after the battle, the 69th was issued its famed "2nd Colors", one set of which were later given to the Oireachtas by John F. Kennedy on the centennial of the battle. After Chancellorsville, only 300 men remained in the regiment. General Meagher resigned as commander of the Irish Brigade, stating that "the brigade ceased to exist." The 69th's commander, Patrick Kelly was named as the new commander of the brigade. It was also around this time that the 69th was condensed into only company A and B with the zouaves being spread amongst the two companies.
GettysburgAt Gettysburg on July 2nd when brash Dan Sickles pushed his corps off the round tops he quickly found himself being overwhelmed by the Confederate forces. Seeing this General Hancock ordered his II corps to move to attempt to save Sickles. The 69th with the rest of the Irish Brigade, under orders from General Hancock were placed in the Wheatfield were they fought until they were overwhelmed and almost completely overrun. On July 3rd they were hit by the 57th Virginia in Armisteads Brigade were they were forced to fall back but rejoined the fight after reforming.
Petersburg & AppomattoxFollowing Gettysburg, the Irish Brigade ceased to exist as a functioning unit and was disbanded in June 1864. The depleted ranks of the 69th Regiment were filled with new volunteers and draftees from New York's Irish ghettoes. At the end of the summer of 1864, the 69th rejoined its Irish comrades as 1st Regiment of the 2nd Irish Brigade. The brigade served until the end of the war and was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. Out of more than 2,000 regiments that served with the Union Army, the 69th lost more men than all but six regiments.
Return and ReconstitutionThe regiment marched in the Washington, D.C. victory parade and returned to New York. All the regiments of the Irish Brigade were disbanded except the 69th, which remained part of the New York National Guard. The 69th remained a place of unity and culture for Irish Americans in the post war years. It was called into active service in 1898 for the Spanish American War, transported to Chickamauga, Georgia, Tampa, Florida and Huntsville, Alabama, but it did not see combat due to the brevity of that war. In 1916, the regiment was posted to McAllen, Texas along the Mexican border during the Punitive expedition.
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