"The Irish Ninth in Bivouac and Battle" by Michael H. Macnamara   Webmaster's note:  Michael Macnamara, a member of the 9th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, wrote his history of the regiment almost immediately after the War, when feelings remained very strong, without the passage of years to soften them -- you won't find any sentimentality about "The Blue & Gray" here.  He did not have the benefit of access to many records - which had not yet been published - and very often his description of events is limited to his own perspective.  Without a grasp of the bigger picture, his belief of what happened during battles is often terribly - and sometimes perplexingly - inaccurate.  Still, he offers a excellent glimpse into one of the North's "Green Flag" regiments, with lots of anecdotes. I've attempted to retain as much as possible the original spelling, punctuation and grammar of the author and publisher.     The IRISH NINTH IN BIVOUAC AND BATTLE; OR VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND CAMPAIGNS BY M. H. MACNAMARA LATE CAPTAIN NINTH MASS. VOLS. "Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause Bled nobly; and their deeds, as they deserve, Receive proud recompense.  We give in charge Their names to the sweet lyre.  The historic muse, Proud of the treasure, marches with it down To latest times." "He sunk to repose where the red heaths are blended; One dream of his childhood his fancy passed o'er; But his battles are fought, and his march it is ended; The sound of the bugle shall wake him no more." BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD. 1867. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by LEE AND SHEPARD, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts TO MADAM HARRISON GRAY OTIS, The Patroness of the Ninth Regiment AND THE LADY WHOSE PRACTICAL INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF THE FEDERAL SOLDIERS PLACES HER FIRST AMONG THE PATRIOTIC WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR.     BOSTON, March 11, 1867. MESSRS. LEE & SHEPARD,     GENTLEMEN : By your kindness I have been shown the proof sheets of Captain Macnamara's book, entitled " THE IRISH NINTH IN BIVOUAC AND BATTLE."  You have also done me the honor to request my opinion of its merits.     On account of my own intimate relation to the subject matter of the book, I feel disinclined to say so much in its praise as, under other circumstances, I would be glad to say.  But perhaps this relation should not, nor does it, deter me from expressing my approbation of its general historical accuracy. Respectfully,            Your obedient servant,                                   P. R. GUINEY,      Late Col. Ninth Mass. and Brevet Brig.-Gen Vols.   PREFACE. PROMPTED by a desire to show the world how well the Irishmen, exiled from their native land by the ruthless system of English law practised in Ireland, can serve their adopted country in the day of her trial, and being solicitous that the record of their services should survive the few who remain of "the Irish Ninth," and go down to the posterity of all who fought in its ranks, the author presents this volume to the public. The incidents and events which constitute the basis, and perhaps the value, of the following pages, were noted in a diary as they occurred, amid the varied scenes through which we passed during three years of active military service.  In addition to these personal facilities, we have availed ourselves of official data, obligingly placed at our disposal, in order to make the regimental roster unquestionably accurate. The author has also a subordinate purpose in presenting so much of a descriptive character.  He hopes in this manner to give the public some idea of the way in which the Irish soldiers turn the "horrors of war" into the most enjoyable of festivities, and to recall to the minds of his comrades some of the many happy scenes which he shared with them under the canvas in the far-off and sunny South. Go to Table of Contents Return to Home Page