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The Civil War "Irish Brigade" Shirt

The Civil War "Irish Brigade" Shirt

Regular price $ 34.95
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Historical Background Behind the Design

What became known as the Irish Brigade was formed almost entirely by Irish-Americans from five units: The 63rd, 69th and 88th New York Infantry Regiments, and eventually the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and the 28th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry, a group famous for yelling “Faugh a Ballagh,” a Gaelic battle cry meaning “clear the way.”

In September 1862, the Irish Brigade helped lead the pursuit of the Confederate rebels in the bloody Battle of Antietam. While heavy casualties were claimed on both sides, the Union was able to force Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to abandon his invasion of the north, retreating back to Virginia.

The Irish Brigade unfortunately also took part in the doomed Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, where it lost two-thirds of its forces in a resounding Confederate victory. But despite those losses, the men weren’t too tired to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. 

According to a website dedicated to the 28th Massachusetts, the men kept up their “boisterous, rollicking” traditions, including a Grand Irish Steeple Chase, which attracted the attention of the whole army at their camp, as well as several traveling reporters.  According to the website, Col. St. Clair Mulholland, of the 116th Pennsylvania, recalled the festivities, saying, “This time-honored national anniversary was observed with all the exhaustless spirit and enthusiasm of Irish nature."

The Irish Brigade’s forces also played prominently in July 1863 during the second day of the decisive Battle of Gettysburg. The group fended off rebels who were set to overwhelm the entire Union position.

Gettysburg was largely considered the turning point in the Civil War, as well as for the Irish Brigade. By then the brigade had lost the majority of its remaining soldiers. Irish-American support for the war began to wane, too.

The Irish Brigade fought several more campaigns in the south after Gettysburg, but it officially disbanded in June 1864 due to heavy losses among the troops.

 

 

 Source: US Department of Defense

Our exclusive design recognizes the "Irish Brigade's" contribution during the Civil War.

The shirt: Your choice of fabrics and colors:

  • Army green — 100% cotton. Grown, knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA. 5.4 oz.  Sizes: S - 4X. See size chart. If you want a thick t-shirt, get this one.
    Note: We suggest ordering one size larger than you normally wear. (This shirt runs small.)

  • Forest green — Our standard 4.3 oz. poly-cotton shirt that gets rave reviews for being so soft. It is very high-quality and long-wearing. It's also our thinnest and lightest. Lots of people love them, which you can see in the reviews, but if you judge t-shirt quality based on weight or thickness, do not get this one. Instead, get the 100% cotton shirt above. If you're looking for our softest shirt, the one people rave about, this is the one. Sizes: S - 3X. See size chart.

  • Vintage green — WILL NOT BE REPRINTED IN THIS COLOR — 100% heavyweight cotton shirt. Vintage look; no two are exactly alike. Imported. 5.3 oz. Sizes: S - 3X.

This design is also available in a double knit bomber jacket with your namecrewneck sweatshirt, women's v-neck shirt, small posterbookmarkmagnetsticker with the same design, and "The Irish Brigade" sticker.

Also available, The Civil War "Iron Brigade" Shirt.

Thanks to Mark and Ben for the photos.


Design © 2018 Larry Stuart Studio.

Shipping

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Learn more about shipping here.

All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

Made by America

Nearly everything we offer is designed by us and made in America.

Our original designs are based on our nation’s history and our love of American history. Read more about other things we've created, including The History List, History Camp, and The Pursuit of History, in addition to The History List Store.

All original designs are copyrighted by The History List.

Every product that is made in America states that in the product description and includes the "Made in U.S.A." graphic. There are a relatively small number of items where we’ve not been able to find a manufacturing partner here in the States, but we continue to look.  

Our nation’s historyOur original designs

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Customer Reviews

Based on 229 reviews
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G
Gerald T.
HistoryNerds T-shirt

Love the Irish Brigade shirt. Just ordered another shirt that commemorates Pearl. Well done!

S
Steven W.
My Irish Brigade Shirt

Comfortable- reliable- received quickly and without any issues. Great job and I will shop with you again!

E
Ellen G.
Civil war brigade shirt

The shirt is really nice love the color

A
Aidan S.
This shirt is awesome!

My 3x Great Grandfather fought in the 69th NY and won the Medal of Honor at Fredericksburg. Awesome to have something like this to represent him.

D
Dennis O.
Irish Brigade t-shirt

Love the shirt! Great fabric and wonderful fit.

2
2-gun B.
Must have for Irish

Nice T with great message. Not sure about the color. Was hoping for a wee more green.

A
Aaron S.
Absolutely Love It

This shirt is awesome. It was a gift for my son who is a huge history buff. He was so excited when he saw it! Looking through the rest of the inventory for Christmas ideas.

S
Sean O.
The Irish Brigade tee shirt

The tee-shirt is everything advertised I love the color and how the back of the tee-shirt is set up it was everything I hoped for