Irish Involvement In The Civil Waril Essays - Irish Brigade

Irish Involvement In The Civil Waril Essays - Irish Brigade Irish Involvement In The Civil Waril More than 170,000 Irish-born Americans fought under the flag of the United States between 1861 and 1865. Society in the United States had, up to that time, displayed a marked anti-Catholic sentiment, and most newly immigrated Irish occupied close to the lowest rung of the economic ladder, but this did not dissuade many from rallying to the colors at the beginning of the war. When President Lincoln made his first call for volunteers following the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the 69th NYSM (New York State Militia) was the second unit to leave New York City. The 69th served at 1st Bull Run under the command of then-brigade commander William T. Sherman; it then returned home and mustered out of Federal service. At this point, the decision was made to raise an Irish Brigade for government service. Many members of the 69th NYSM joined the new 69th New York State Volunteers (NYSV), the first regiment of the new Irish Brigade. Selected as commander of the Irish Brigade was Thomas Francis Meagher, a man of outspoken anti-English sentiments who had been exiled to Tasmania by the Crown for his activities in Ireland. Together with the 63rd and 88th New York regiments, the 69th NYSV joined the Army of the Potomac to pursue the war against the Confederacy. Beginning with the ill-fated Peninsular Campaign against Richmond, the Irish Brigade in general and the 69th in particular began building a reputation for hard fighting and courage, as well as lavish hospitality. Part of the renowned II Corps, the Irish often figured prominently in any advance and rearguard actions. More than one general was known to ask Where are my green flags?; the reference to the green regimentals of the Irish units is significant. The Irish Brigade went through perhaps its most valorous period between the Battle of Antietam (17 September, 1862) and the Battle of Gettysburg (1-3 July, 1863). This series of events, from its frontal assault on the Sunken Road at Antietam through the engagement with Kershaw's Confederates at the Wheatfield at Gettysburg, saw the Brigade reduced to a bare skeleton of its former strength. The Brigade had figured prominently in Burnside's disastrous attacks at Fredericksburg (13 December, 1862), during which the 69th lost some 75% of its strength, and by the time of Gettysburg the 69th NYSV numbered under 200 and was comprised of a mere two companies. General Meagher had also resigned his commission in protest when refused permission to return the Brigade home to for recruitment. Despite these hardships the Irish remained with the Army of the Potomac through the hard fighting under Grant, and took part in the surrender ceremony at Appomatox Courthouse in April of 1865. By the war's end various regiments from various states had passed through the Brigade at one point or another, but the same original three New York regiments had always served with the formation. Fresh infusions of manpower had increased their depleted numbers, but many of the best and bravest who had originally marched off to war from New York never returned. Throughout the war the units of the Brigade were hotbeds of Irish Separatist sentiment, and many of the original members had joined to gain military experience with which they hoped to return to Ireland and free their land from British rule. This dream, however, was not realized, for too many of those devoted to Irish nationalism lay buried along the eastern seaboard, casualties of the bitter years of 1861 through 1865.

5 Steps to Finding Success on Your Job Hunt

5 Steps to Finding Success on Your Job Hunt Struggling to find a job? Starting to despair? Feel like you’re doing all of the right things, but still not getting results? It’s possible that you are doing all the right things. But there are a few extra tricks you could still try to give yourself a little edge and improve your prospects on the job hunt. 1. Restrain yourselfIf you’re obviously overqualified for a position, resist the temptation to send your resume in anyway. You’ll look desperate. You’ll feel desperate. And the employer will toss your resume at first glance. If it’s obvious to you; it’s obvious to them. They’ll be worried that you’ll leave for a better opportunity at the drop of a hat- and, let’s face it, they’re probably right.2. Future-fit your resumeDon’t make your resume a simple list of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Target it for the job you’re looking for, not the ones you’ve had. And cra ft it individually for each position you apply for. Reframe your skills and experience to be a perfect fit. Describe your background and interests in terms this company will jump about. (When in doubt, study the job description and the company’s mission statement for clues.)3. Never assumeYou know what they say: to assume is to make an â€Å"a**† out of â€Å"u† and â€Å"me.† So don’t expect a recruiter or hiring manager to read between the lines of your resume. If you haven’t spelled it out as clearly and concisely as possible- enough to be noticed in a quick skim- then you’re assuming they’ll put more work into reviewing your application than they ever will.4. Branch outDon’t ignore a potential connection because you don’t think they’re directly in a position to help you. You never know who will be your next link to your big fish. Don’t underestimate or overlook anyone. The world is wide and the b roader your network, the better your odds.5. Don’t advertiseIt’s one thing to tell close circles of contacts and friends that you’re looking for a job. It’s another to broadcast it and have to conduct the rest of your search under the scrutiny of your entire social network. Instead, be savvy with your social media. Publicize any transition skill/new qualifications or certifications on LinkedIn. And start being a resource for current trends and information in your other feeds. If people start to see you as an asset, they might think of you spontaneously and come to you first with new opportunities.