The Wild Geese Today -- The Story of Erin's Exiles

A Little Sprig of Boxwood

Recently Pvts. Tony MacKenna and Cameron Robertson , from Co. B of the 28th MA Vol. Inf. American Civil War reenactment unit, which is based in England, visited Waterford in the Republic of Ireland in search of a 69th.N.Y.Vols. marker flag. They were disappointed in this search, however they found something even more interesting!

They visited the Granville Hotel in Waterford, boyhood home of Brig. General Thomas Francis Meagher, first commander of the Irish Brigade,and there they saw a group of mementos belonging to Meagher. While looking at the mementos, which consisted of a green uniform coat, a general's sash, Meagher's sword, sword belt, a flag with the inscription "5th.Regt." in white on the red upper portion, and "Irish Brigade" in red script on the lower white portion, a blue silk panel with thirty four stars from the national flag, and two decorations, they spotted a small object between the two decorations. It was a small faded sprig of boxwood tied with a red ribbon.

The picture shows a detail of this small and, perhaps, historic sprig. The story about the men of the Irish brigade wearing a sprig of boxwood in their caps at the battle of Fredericksburg is well known. Could this sprig, lovingly preserved for almost twenty years after Meagher's death by his widow, have been worn by Meagher at Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862? If not, why would his widow have preserved it through all those years? An intriguing question, one that perhaps can never be answered for sure.

What do you think? Are there any other sprigs of boxwood from this battle in existence? If you have any suggestions or comments please send them to the the 28th.M.V.I. and to The Wild Geese Today using the email icon below.

Thanks to The 28th Massachusetts, Co. B, for this story.

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RADIO KCLE(BURNE)

CLEBURNE, Texas -- Confederate Major General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was one of the finest commanders of the Confederate's western armies. Born in tiny Ovens Township, County Cork, Ireland, in 1828, he emigrated to the US in 1849 and settled in Helena, Ark. where he became a prominent and successful attorney. Enlisting as a private in 1861 he rose through the ranks to Major General. He fought in every major battle of the western theater up until the battle of Franklin in 1864 and his brilliant performance as a commander earned him the nickname, "Stonewall of the West." Cleburne was killed on Nov. 30, 1864 during Hood's disastrous attack at Franklin, Tenn.

Though he has been forgotten by many, Cleburne's name now lives on in a town's name and over the air waves of America. Down in Texas, in the town of Cleburne, they have a radio station with the call letters: KCLE. That is KCLE (burne). Long may his name live on the map and over the air, he deserves nothing less.

Cleburne's Proposal

In Jan. 1864, Irishborn Confederate General Patrick Cleburne (Mar. 17, 1828) proposed that blacks be enlisted in the Confederate Army with the promise that they would obtain their freedom at the end of the war. His proposal, which was signed by 13 other officers, was rejected by Gen. Johnston, who refused to even forward it to Richmond. A copy was forwarded to President Davis by another officer, however, and Davis also rejected the proposal calling it, "injurious to the public service that such subject should be mooted or even entertained."

Many believe that Cleburne, whose great skill at leading his troops earned him the sobriquet, "The Stonewall Jackson of the West," was passed over for promotion to Lt. Gen. because of this proposal, along with prejudice against him caused by his Irish birth. Cleburne was killed on Nov. 30, 1864 at the Battle of Franklin. On March 17, 1994 the reenactors of Cleburne's brigade placed a plaque commemorating his great service to the Confederacy on the home where he was raised, Bridepark Cottage, Ovens Township, County Cork, Ireland.

St. Patrick's Day in the Irish Brigade

Perhaps the most famous celebration that was ever held in the Army of the Potomac were the St. Patrick's day celebration of the Irish Brigade in 1863. Gen. Hooker, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, and his staff attended the Brigades' festivities. The food was said to have included ham, chicken, turkey, duck, a roast ox, and roast pig stuffed with turkey. (The lads of the Brigade must have done some serious "foraging" before this event!) Also on hand were eight baskets of champagne, ten gallons of rum, and twenty two gallons of whiskey. (So perhaps a "wee drop of the creature" was consumed.)

All manner of games and contests were enjoyed that day: a foot race, a hurdle race, a weight casting contest, catching a soaped pig contest, a sack race, a dance contest (jigs and reels, of course), and a wheelbarrow race. But the highlight of the day was that most popular of Irish events, a steeple-chase horse race.With a purse of $500 on the line, the competition was spirited with the purse being won by Captain Jack Gosson riding a horse named, "Jack Hinton," which was owned by Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher, the commander of the Brigade.

The celebration ended that night with theatricals and recitations, songs and toasts. It was a day that was long and fondly remember by the veterans of the Irish Brigade lucky enough to survive the war, though sadly they were few in number.


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