“ARE THE GREEN FLAGS READY?” RECRUITMENT OF THE IRISH BRIGADE IN THE CIVIL WAR

Abstract

This thesis argues that the Irish Brigade’s reliance on the Irish-American communities of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia was crucial to its continued existence throughout the Civil War. The Irishmen continued the tradition of their forefathers in fighting within their adoptive country’s army, but the brigade had further appeal to the Irish-American community: its promise to fight for Irish Independence upon completion of the war in the United States. Several decisions made by the brigade’s leadership, coupled with heavy losses on some of the bloodiest battlefields of the war meant the Irish Brigade was in a constant struggle to refill its ranks. This thesis examines these factors that translated to reluctance within the Irish-American communities to send more men to fill its ranks.