Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Del Boy Were the Irish immigrants accepted into America at the time specifically to fight the Confederates? Did they not sway the balance? I have heard this scenario put forward, and it could explain the Irish attitude MM describes. |
I dunno about swaying the balance because the Union always outnumbered the Confederacy by at least 2-1 and often it was 3-1. However when the draft was announced many of those recruited were Irish immigrants drafted right off of the boat. Incidentally the Irish fought for both sides, there was a famous moment at Fredericksberg where a Confederate Irish Brigade fired on a Union Irish Brigade -both units consisted mainly of immigrants from Cork, Ireland. One of many tragic events of that epic struggle...
This conscription amongst the Irish community caused a fury against the US Government, the Union Army, Black people and anything else associated with the war effort. It was this anger of the Irish in NYC that led to the great Draft Riots in NYC in July 1863 a riot that was so bad Lincoln had to order Meade (whom had just won a Major Victory Gettysberg 3 days before) to stop pursuing Lee and execute a March at the double-quick right into lower Manhattan to squash it.