By Niall O’Dowd

Every year the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City is kicked off by soldiers from the Fighting 69th Regiment, reflecting the incredible linkage between the New York-based regiment and the history of the Irish in America.

As news trickled through last week that four members of the Fighting 69th had been killed in Iraq, it was impossible not to reflect on an army unit that first defined the term “Fighting Irish” in America. 

The regiment has not been called on to fight abroad since World War II, so their recent losses are all the more poignant. During the Word Trade Center massacre aftermath in 2001 the 69th were one of the first regiments on the scene, and they lost one officer on the day. 

Their headquarters at 25th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York City became a huge rallying point after those horrific events. A family bereavement center was set up there and thousands gathered outside.

For generations the “Fighting 69th” epitomized the courage and heroism of working class Irish who signed up for service in New York. Their heroism became known worldwide when a Hollywood movie, The Fighting 69th, starring Jimmy Cagney and Pat O’Brien, was a huge hit in 1940.

Soon the story of the Fighting 69th became known far and wide. It began in 1851 as an all-Irish militia, created in part to defend Irish neighborhoods from the “Know Nothing” bands of racist rabbles determined to drive the Irish from America.

The regiment was mustered into the New York State militia in 1851 and began its storied career. It received worldwide publicity in 1860 during the visit to New York by Britain’s Prince of Wales. The regiment point blank refused to parade past the prince, and their action made them folk heroes to millions of New Yorkers but angered the powers that be.

Soon after the regiment received its first banner, an orange sunburst on a green background. If you ever visit the Irish Dail (Parliament) in Dublin, hanging in pride of place right inside the main entrance is the original of that flag, donated by President John F. Kennedy to the Irish state during his visit in 1963.

The 69th were heroic during the Civil War. They were involved with every major battle fought by the army of the Potomac. They were cited for unparalleled bravery at Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and other battles. 

If you visit the Gettysburg battlefield today there is a monument to the regiment. An Irish wolfhound is depicted waiting for his owners to return. Lines of a poem from William Collins summarize their bravery on that day:

“Here, on the field of Gettysburg, Where treason’s banner flew,

Where rushed in wrath the Southern Grey to smite the Northern Blue, 

Where’er that Blue, by valor nerved, in serried ranks was seen, 

There flashed between it and the foe the daring Irish Green!”

It was at Bull Run that Thomas Francis Meagher — Meagher of the Sword, a leading member of the Young Ireland movement who had led an insurrection in Ireland — first came to prominence. Meagher led the charge into battle and despite having his horse shot from under him, continued to rally his men.

It was at Bull Run that the famous cry of the Fighting 69th “Faugh an Ballagh” was first used. It is Gaelic for “Clear the Way” and was heard many times since. 

All in all the Fighting 69th took part in 48 battles during the Civil War. No other regiment on the Union side came close.

The regimental tune is “Garryowen,” which became widely adopted throughout the army wherever Irish served. Indeed, there is a poignant description of General Custer and his men on their way to their rendezvous with death at Little Big Horn marching towards battle to the strains of “Garryowen.”

The Fighting 69th distinguished itself in both World War I and World War II. They saw heavy fighting in many different theatres of war during those conflicts.

The Fighting 69th has changed over the years. It is no longer exclusively Irish; indeed, those who died in Iraq were of other ethnicity. 

Yet the “East Side Kids” and “Hell’s Kitchen Angels,” as the regiment was sometimes called, continues to serve this country bravely and well. No doubt Thomas Francis Meagher would be proud.