Roots: The Mighty Meaghers

I wrote a book entitled Thomas Francis Meagher, Union Army, Brigadier General this year detailing this revolutionaries' adeventurous life of exile, escape and the battle leader of the Irish Brigade, American Civil War 1861-63.

Meagher gets way too much ink in the Irish-American press. How about Colonel Dennis O'Kane, 69th Pennsylvania, born in Derry, mortally wounded on 3 July 1863, repelling Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg and died the next day 3 July 1863. O'Kane was not a "Professsional Irishman" but a tavern keeper in Philadelphia. He was captain of the Irish Volunteers and Emmet Guards militia companies in the 2nd Regiment, Philadelphia militia!