Today In Irish History

June 1: TODAY in Irish History:

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Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher

Snippets of Irish History by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks 

Conor is a Chicago based Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

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1798: “Rebels Continue in Force”

Lord Castlereagh

The military situation during the 1798 Rebellion is summed up in the following communication from Lord Castlereagh:

” The rebels still continue in force in the Counties of Wicklow, Wexford, Kildare, Carlow, Meath, and King’s County; it is difficult to bring them to any decisive action. They commit horrid cruelties, and disperse as soon as the troops appear. Should the insurrection confine itself within the present limits, a short time will dispose of it. There are some unpleasant appearances in certain parts of the North, but as yet all is in fact quiet in Ulster, Munster, and Connaught. . . . The spirit of the country rises with its difficulties. Should the rebellion prove only partial, aided by the reinforcements expected from England, I look with confidence to the issue, which, if fortunate, cannot fail to place this kingdom, and of course the empire, in a state of security much beyond that in which it has stood for years past.”

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READ: Biography of Lord Castlereagh

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1850: Irish Immigration

US Census conducted on this day indicates that almost four million of the total population are ethnic Irish. Almost one million were born in Ireland. The New York census indicated that 134,000 New Yorkers, 26% of the city population were born in Ireland.

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READ: Excellent short article on Irish Immigration to U.S.

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1862: Irish Brigade at Battle of Fair Oaks

The Irish Brigade is involved in combat at the Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines).

Conor Cunneen on The Irish in the American Civil War

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In his report  on Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines), General Thomas Francis Meagher writes of the events of June 1:

The Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers had to display itself in opening before they reached their position on the railroad which was exposed to the unobstructed fire of the enemy from the woods, forming a semicircle in front of the line on which the regiment was deploying. In other words, the line of battle of the Eighty-eighth was the chord of resistance to the arc of the enemy’s fire. At the central point of the chord there stood a farm-house, which during the action was used as a hospital for the wounded of the regiment specially detailed at this point any other of either army who were wounded in proximity to it and who could be brought in……

The officers and men of the regiment stood and received the fire of the enemy whilst they delivered their own with an intelligent steadiness and composure which might have done credit to, and might perhaps have been looked for in, the mature troops of more than one campaign. The creditable and memorable conduct of the Sixty-ninth on this occasion was, in my opinion, owing in a great measure to the soldiery bearing and fearless tone and spirit of Colonel Nugent, who, standing close to the colors of his regiment, over and over again repeated the order to fire on the enemy. The fire of the two regiments, in a word, was so telling, that the enemy, although in considerable force and evidently bent on a desperate advance, were compelled to retire, leaving their dead and wounded piled in the woods and swampy ground in front of our line of battle.

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1879: Tyrone-born Senator James Shields

Death of County Tyrone born Senator James Shields.  The Democrat Shields served as a U.S. Senator for three different states: Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. In addition to his political career, he also fought in the Mexican-American War and also the Civil War where he led the 2nd Division of the V Corps, Army of the Potomac. Official Congressional bio of James Shields.

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1922: Formation of RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary)

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) is officially formed to police the new state of Northern Ireland. Many former RIC men joined the new force which meant that a police force that would eventually become almost totally Protestant started out with about 40% Catholic membership. See RUC website.

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Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish

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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humorist IrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. If you spot any inaccuracies or wish to make a comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the comment button.

Visit Conor’s YouTube channel IrishmanSpeaks to Laugh and Learn.

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