In the Footsteps of the Irish Brigade

 

Travel in the footsteps of the Irish Brigade with Park Ranger Frank O'Reilly in this recording of one of the park's most popular annual programs.

These videos were recorded live during the 2019 program. Special thanks to John Kanaster who filmed these videos on his iPad and has allowed the park to use his footage, making this program available for all our visitors.

 

Part 1

 

Duration:

23 minutes, 41 seconds

Join Ranger Frank in this recording of the walking tour, "In the Footsteps of the Irish Brigade." This section begins at the Irish Brigade Monument, where the famed brigade gathered to begin their march through the streets of Fredericksburg to battle. The regiments in the Irish Brigade, connected though their shared heritage, shared a goal that transcended the war: to prove themselves true Americans.

 

Part 2

 

Duration:

13 minutes, 24 seconds

Here, in the second stop of the tour, the Irish Brigade begins their march through Fredericksburg. In just a few blocks, the men heading into battle see the damage inflicted on troops making their way out. What is it like to march forward when you see the injured going back?

 

Part 3

 

Duration:

12 minutes, 12 seconds

Follow along with the third stop on the journey of the Irish Brigade with Ranger Frank. The Irish Brigade paused as Confederate artillery pounds down the Fredericksburg streets. While some streets offer cover, others give the enemy artillerists clear views of the marching soldiers. From here, the brigade and its commanders need to move carefully if they are even going to make it to the open fields in front of the Sunken Road.

 

Part 4

 

Duration:

10 minutes, 48 seconds

As the Irish Brigade moves to the outskirts of Fredericksburg, they can more clearly see the danger ahead. For the fourth stop on the tour, Join Ranger Frank to discuss the Irish Brigade's last moments of relative safety, before they begin their trek across the open fields of battle.

 

Part 5

 

Duration:

13 minutes, 36 seconds

The tour continues, as the Irish Brigade reaches the last major hurdle before the final open field in front of the Sunken Road: a millrace, or water channel, runs along the outskirts of town. The Confederate army dismantled the foot bridges, so Union troops are forced to either cross very slowly on single planks remaining from the bridges or slog through the water. Bottlenecks, delay, disorganization; the worst is yet to come.

 

Part 6

 

Duration:

18 minutes, 36 seconds

This is the last stop of the tour, covering the final actions of the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Fredericksburg. This battle would mean the end for the Irish Brigade as a fighting unit. What the shattered brigade left behind is a legacy that helped secure a place in a new America for themselves, their families, and the Irish throughout the Union.