New York's Fighting Sixty-Ninth: A Regimental History of Service in the Civil War's Irish Brigade and the Great War's Rainbow Division

by John Mahon

Overview

Formed in 1851 by Irish immigrants, the Fighting Sixty-Ninth has served with distinction since the Civil War. This is a complete, illustrated history of the regiment's service in the Irish Brigade and the Rainbow Division.

Functioning as the 1st Regiment, Irish Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac throughout the Civil War, the regiment made history at Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomatox. According to legend, an exasperated General Jackson cursed them as part of "that damn brigade."

Functioning as the 165th Infantry, 42nd Division (Rainbow Division) throughout World War I, the regiment helped turn back the last German offensive, counterattacked at the Ourq river, spearheaded one of Pershing's pincers at St. Mihiel, and helped break the Hindenburg Line in the Argonne Forest. Today, the regiment is known as 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry (Mechanized), New York Army National Guard.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786461042
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	12/06/2010
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John Mahon, a retired veteran, lives in Florida.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     
Unit Insignia     
Introduction     

1. Beginning     
2. Civil War, 1861     
3. 1862     
4. 1863     
5. 1864     
6. 1865     
7. Contribution of the Irish Brigade and 69th NYV     
8. World War I     
9. America Enters the War     
10. American Expeditionary Force     
11. American Expeditionary Force Arrives in France     
12. American Divisions Enter the Trenches     
13. Ludendorff’s Offensives of 1918     
14. Champagne Defensive     
15. Aisne-Marne Offensive     
16. St. Mihiel Offensive     
17. Meuse-Argonne Offensive     
18. Race for Sedan     
19. Armistice     
20. Homecoming, April 1919     
21. Combat Effectiveness     

Epilogue     
Notes     
Bibliography of Works Cited     
Reference Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

well-crafted writing style...Mahon vividly details the campaigns and camp life...thoughtful...highly recommended...straightforward approach”—The Civil War News; “well-written”—The Civil War Courier; “exceptional...invaluable...compelling”—Colorado Libraries; “this regimental history spans over nearly a century...originally formed by Irish immigrants in 1851”—Civil War Book Review.

From the Publisher

Mahon is a retired veteran now living in Florida. His lifelong fascination with military history--particularly that of the Fighting 69th--began during childhood walks with his father in New York City's Calvary Cemetery, the site of many fallen soldiers' graves. Drawing from a number of old and recently published volumes and government documents, Mahon traces the history of the 69th from its creation in 1851, through its service during the Civil War, combat during WWI, and its return from Germany in 1919.

Book News

...well-written...

Civil War Courier

...well-crafted writing style...Mahon vividly details the campaigns and camp life...thoughtful...highly recommended...straightforward approach...

Civil War News

...exceptional...invaluable...compelling...

Colorado Libraries

...well-written

The Civil War Courier

...well-crafted writing style...Mahon vividly details the campaigns and camp life...thoughtful...highly recommended...straightforward approach

The Civil War News