To the Fallen

Monument to the Irish Brigade, City Dock, Fredericksburg. I have been in communication with the City Council of Waterford, Ireland regarding the location of the sword carried by a favorite son of Waterford, General Thomas Francis Meagher, at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Gen. Meagher commanded the Irish Brigade during the battle. I took some photos of the monument to send on as a thank-you for the gracious help I received. The monument was erected by my reenactment regiment, 28th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, Company B, in December 1995. It reads:

"While posted here, in the early morning hours of December 13, 1862, the men of the Irish Brigade placed sprigs of boxwood in their caps in honor of their Irish heritage. Later in the day they took part in the futile assaults against Confederate positions on Marye's Heights. At the end of the battle the Union dead closest to Confederate positions wore sprigs of boxwood in their caps."

(List of casualties by regiment)

"TO THE SONS OF ERIN. WHO PUT GOD, COUNTRY, AND DUTY BEFORE SELF. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICE THEY MADE FOR OUR FREEDOM. ERIN GO BRAUGH."