Hidden US Civil War masterpiece is rediscovered

teadoir: The 69th was one of the few units to march off the field of Manassas in order, forming the rear guard. They were mentioned in dispatches by Sherman. They did not have "their tails tucked between their legs".

citizen69: Wheat's Tigers of Louisianan, the Hibernian Rifles of Virginia and a lot of Georgia Units were Irish, not Scots Irish. You seem to have missed the point that Cotton Ships often took back loads of immigrants during the Great Hunger, and they "weren't here for generations". Thanks for playing though

Actually, I would like to see a picture of this painting.

Most of the Irish who fought for the North had just stepped off the boat at New York and were handed a Union uniform. The Irish that fought for the South (mainly Scots-Irish) had lived there for generations and were fighting for their homeland.

I don't need a passport to go to Virginia.

The only thing missing in the picture is their tails between tucked between their legs after being whipped time and time again in battle. Meagher was an idiot that led this brave soldiers to their death time and time again. My ancestors that fought with Cobb's Brigade at Battle of Fredericksburg which also had plenty of Irishman who wore the grey and destroyed the 69th that day. I have no idea why Irishcentral and Irish America Magazine only tells one side of the story of Irishmen who fought in the Federalist invasion of the South on top of over stating the greatness of the 69th. If you look at their history, the only success they had was forming the rear of a retreat at First Battle of Manassas or slowing down the Louisiana Tigers (Irish Regiment) at Malvern Hill, other than that they pretty much took heavy casualties and retreated.

I read an article which stated during the last days of the war in order to rout the last of the Confederates the North brought in Irish and Scottish regiments. This was BECAUSE the North had a hard time getting the Northern soldiers to be as vicious as needed to be. They brought in the Irish and Scottish regiments because they were the most vicious of anyone and had no qualms doing what needed to be done ?

My old outfit the 71st New York, was there also at 1st Bull Run and were involed in providing the rear guard as Union forces withdrew to Arlington and Washington. Sadly the 71st Infantry after 142 years of service to the state and the nation, was deactived from the New York Army National Guard in August, 1993, during the downsizing of American military might during the Bill Clinton years. Well done on the redicovery of this famous painting and "69th New York, continue to march"!

How wonderful that such a historic painting, important to both Ireland and America, has been found and restored. Many Americans forget the many foreign troops who have helped America get free and remain free. For all their help we are grateful to the Irish and others who have left their blood on American ground.

My son served in the 69th NY (NYNG), including being detached to another NY Regiment for service in Afghanistan. His Maternal Great-Grandfather served in the 69th during the First World War, fresh off "The Boat" from Galway. Irish soldiers have been a mainstay in many Armies of the world, particularly the United States! During the American Civil War, Irish regiments fought on both sides! My Grandmother's uncle fought and died at Gettysburg, in Ohio outfit, and some other Irish relatives fought for the South, in several Virginia regiments! The 69th NY, although practically destroyed (like most early Civil War regiments) it served with gallantry! They continue to do so today, with deployments to Iraq (2004-05) and Afghanistan (composite platoon assigned from 69th NY to 108th New York(2007-08). The 69th is on schedule for a battalion level deployment to Afghanistan sometime within the next year. "The Pride of New York", the 69th NYNG, continues to represent all that is good with the Irishmartial spirit! Oh, and to the fellow who said "the south won at Bull Run, ("First Manassas"): Nobody actually won that "battle"! Both sides just found out that the Civil War was not going to be any romantic picnic!

Meagher was an alcoholic and the Irish suffered the highest percentage of white casualties in the Union Army because they were issued smoothbore muskets (meaning an effective range of 50-75 yards versus 600 yards for rifled muskets) and used as cannon fodder. When they ran low on Irish to sacrifice they created the United States Colored Troops who took the place of the Irish in absorbing the heaviest casualties. Citizenwhy - simply, STFU

The Irish were brave in this battle, but the South, with the rise and dominance in the USA of the right wing, the Dixiecrats turned Republicans, the Neo-Confederates (League of the South), the libertarian-laissez faire billionaires and their acolytes, and the fundamentalists who want a theocracy, the South has finally won the American Civil War, which never ceased to be fought. The fight over the debt ceiling is their latest attempt to destroy the Union, and it may succeed. Ironically, they are using the party of Lincoln to destroy the Union.

Niall,I slammed you for allowing on IC that atrocious item about how to use Irish profanity in conversation-an all time low by Irish Central in my opion,so in fairness,thank you for Hilda Higgins's excellent coverage of the re-discovery and restoration of Louis Lang's magnificent painting 'The Return of the 69th Irish Regiment' This is worthy of Irish Central and all that it should stand for, ie,the celebration of all things Irish, not that afore-mentioned offensive suggestion, that Irish men and women are so inarticulate, that resorting to gutter-language will make them more attractive or interesting!

The Irish soldier never shrank from the line. At Bull Run and later battles, they were torn to shreds by a rain of bullets. Desertions in battle were very rare. Desertions (by the wounded) were more common as a Confederate MIGHT kill you - but the Hospitals certainly would.

all fights but their own - contributions to others not fully appreciated. few know or care, cast aside and deemed crazy by beneficiaries.