Introduction

Back in 1996 I read David Power Conyngham's book on the Irish Brigade. I had known OF the Brigade, of course, but didn't know ABOUT them until I read this book. I was taken immediately by the messianic aspects of the sacrifice that these Irish born and sons of Irish born immigrants made. Their efforts bought my acceptance into the mainstream of America, as well as that of all the approximately 32 million Americans of Irish ancestry. They did not fight and die to free black slaves, they fought and died to free the Irish.

The waves of Irish immigrants that came here as a result of two great cataclysms, the 1798 Rebellion (my family) and "An Gorta Mor", the Great Hunger of 1845-1847 were not welcome here. They were for the most part poor, uneducated, and Catholic. They lived as best they could in slums that reeked of disease and filth, and took ANY work they could get. This was the time of "No Irish Need Apply", and having fled famine and oppression, they met hostility, indifference and prejudice. Many immigrant Irish died working on the Grand Trunk and other high risk projects that slave holders refused to contract their labor force for. "Paddys" were desperate, numerous, and there was no financial investment in them … if they died, they were cheaply and easily replaced. It remained for them to show that they were worthy of being accepted into the "melting pot", and the outbreak of the War Between the States gave them the opportunity.

A remarkable man arose, and formed a unit to fight in their new country's time of trial. He told them that this would show the people of America that the Irish didn't just want a handout, but were willing to buy in with their most precious gift … their lives. Out of these immigrant lads he forged a bright and sharp sword that was to write its name large on the history of that conflict … The Irish Brigade. Beside the "Starry Banner" they bore into battle the bright green banner of Ireland, bearing the gold harp of their homeland, and ended the war the most decorated unit in the Army of the Potomac. They bought our acceptance … but they paid in blood. They took the highest rate of casualties of any unit their size, but they would not back down from a fight … they had something to prove.

The father of the Irish Brigade was Thomas Francis Meagher, known to the ages as "Meagher of the Sword". He was one of the leaders of the Irish Rebellion of 1848, was captured and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life penal servitude in Tasmania, from where he escaped and made his way to America. A leader in the immigrant community, he saw an opportunity for the Irish to earn acceptance by proving their devotion to the new home they had sought through immigration. He lead his warrior children well, and paid our "Blood Price".

I could not get this out of my head, and later that year I wrote "Blood Price". I did nothing with it at first, but at the urging of friends, I submitted it to a few sources. In 2000, it was selected by the International Poetry Society for inclusion in their anthology, "America at the Millenium: Best Poems and Poets of the 20th Century". It is my tribute and thanks to these men. I hope you like it.

From king's crown and slavery's collar
They burned to break away,
So they came in the coffin ship,
Losing thousands on the way.

They fled famine and oppression
With no more than what they wore,
And they struggled to America …
That far-off golden shore.

But doors shut in their faces,
And many more would die …
For signs on doors of workshops said:
"No Irish Need Apply".

They took work that even slaves were spared
For slaves had money's worth
But who would mourn another loss
Of one of Irish birth?

Then shots were fired on Sumpter
And the new land tore in two …
So Ireland's children gathered
To decide what they should do.

And Meagher said: "Our roots here
Have but scarce produced a bud,
But they will grow both strong and deep
If watered with our blood.

If our fire can burn bright enough
For America to see
The stuff that we are made of
Then our children will stand free!"

So they enlisted by the thousands
To fight, and bleed, and die,
And for once they found no signs that said:
"No Irish Need Apply"

At Bloody Lane, at Marye's Heights,
Their wild valor made men weep;
And they bought our piece of America …
Blood-red and six feet deep.

So did Erin's warrior children
Hallow Gettysburg's grassy sward;
And they sleep there now in glory
Where the Wolfhound lies on guard.

-William C. Jeans ©1998

copyright © 2001 Morrigan Consulting