Fighting Irish in the American Civil War and the Invasion of Mexico - by Arthur H Mitchell (Paperback)

About the Book

"As mid-19th century America erupted in violence with the invasion of Mexico and the outbreak of the Civil War, Irish immigrants joined in large numbers on both sides. History has honored the valor of many. This collection of essays examines the involvement of Irish men and women in American military life from 1840 to 1865"--

Book Synopsis

As mid-19th century America erupted in violence with the invasion of Mexico and the outbreak of the Civil War, Irish immigrants joined the fray in large numbers, on both sides. They sometimes were disruptive elements. In Mexico, a body of Irish artillerymen defected to the other side. During the Civil War, Patrick Cleburne stirred controversy in the Confederacy when he proposed enlisting slaves in exchange for their freedom. The New York draft riots, a violent insurrection by a predominantly Irish mob, raged for three days before Federal troops restored order. Despite turmoil and contention, the Irish soldiers who fought in the Union army contributed significantly to the preservation of the United States. This collection of essays examines the involvement of Irish men and women in America's conflicts from 1840 to 1865.

Review Quotes

"well written and carefully documented"-Civil War News

"A welcome contribution to the scholarship on the Irish in the U.S., Mitchell's anthology expands knowledge of Irish involvement in the Civil and Mexican-American Wars and enriches the Irish American historical narrative in the process. Mitchell's engaging, approachable anthology of Irish soldierly and associated involvements addresses evident gaps in the Irish American field...recommended"-Choice

"This book is a great source of information for those looking to understand Irish participation during these two major conflicts. The issues it explores are relevant to anyone looking to understand the involvement of Irish men and women in American conflicts from the late 1840s to the late 1860s."-H-Net Reviews.

About the Author

Arthur H. Mitchell is a distinguished professor of history at the Salkehatchie Campus of the University of South Carolina. He lives in Allendale, South Carolina.