Description
Rare and desirable carte view of Irish immigrant, General Thomas Meager of the famed Irish Brigade. An Irishman by birth, he played a major role in the anti-British independence movement. In 1848, Meagher was captured for lecturing anti-British discourse in public. He was convicted of sedition against the British Crown and was sent to modern-day Tasmania, Australia, as punishment. Five years later he would make his escape arriving in New York City in 1852, settling in with the large Irish population already established there. Following the firing on Fort Sumter, Meagher began recruiting men through ads he posted in the New York Daily Tribune calling on all Irishmen to join the Union cause. On April 29, Meagher formed Company K of the 69th New York Regiment, serving as a captain. During the Battle of Bull Run, Company K would take heavy casualties. Meagher himself was knocked from his horse and was quickly picked up by a passing Union cavalry soldier who got him back to his regiment. While in the heat of battle, the flag bearer was killed, and Meagher picking up the flag uttered, “Remember Frontenez!” which was a famous battle cry used by the Irish throughout the Civil War. In September of 1861, Meagher began to recruit Irishmen to form a new Irish brigade, receiving a promotion by Lincoln to Brigadier General for his new Irish Brigade. Meagher would led his new Irish Brigade during the Battle of Seven Pines were they would distinguish themselves and earn a reputation as fierce fighters. They would fight during the Seven Days battle and Antietam along the Sunken Road where they would lose 540 men. Meagher would fall from his horse during the fray and receive a severe knee injury. Before the Battle of Fredericksburg, Meagher instructed his men to place sprigs of boxwood on their hats to symbolize their shared Irish heritage. Due to his knee injury, Meagher would remain in the rear of the line during the battle which led to skepticism of Meagher’s ability to lead the Irish Brigade. Following the Battle of Fredericksburg, Meagher would resign from his position and return to New York. In December of 1863, the Army rescinded Meagher’s resignation and assigned him to operate in the Western Theater of the war. Meagher was placed in charge of the Etowah District headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in September of 1864. On January 5, 1865, Meagher was relieved of his position in Chattanooga and was placed in charge of a division in the Army of the Ohio. In 1867, Meagher was traveling by steamboat on the Missouri River to Fort Benton. On the evening of July 1, 1867, Meagher fell overboard and reportedly drowned in the Missouri River. His body was never recovered. The circumstances surrounding his death grew suspicion, and theories developed around his death of possibly being murdered. This view shows the general wearing the medal which was presented to him by members of the Irish Brigade. The medal is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Very rare view of this famous general. Back marked by Gurney & Son.
