The Civil War "Irish Brigade" Shirt

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

Key dates for the 2024 holiday shopping season

• December 13 at 2 pm Eastern: Our recommended deadline for domestic Christmas delivery via USPS. While we can't guarantee delivery, regardless of carrier, our hope is that if you order by December 13, USPS will have be able to get orders to domestic addresses by Christmas. This date is more conservative than the date published by USPS. We want to be sure that everyone gets their gift in time. Important: Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.
  
  
• December 19 at 2 pm Eastern: Orders for in-stock items received by 2 pm Eastern Thursday through Friday will ship the same day if you specify UPS 3 Day Select delivery. Important: Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.
  
  
• December 23 at noon: The last day to ship orders before Christmas. If you want to have something shipped overnight, call Lee Wright at 469-233-7712 by noon Eastern to find out whether that's possible and the shipping charge.
   
• Fulfillment will be closed from December 24 through January 1.

For personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds purchased after December 13

• If you purchase a personalized item, signed book, or Rare Find item after December 13 and want it delivered by Christmas, contact Lee Wright as soon as you make your purchase to see what the options are. (If it turns out that it won't get to you or the gift recipient by Christmas, we will give you an immediate refund and will also recommend alternative gifts.)

For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International 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.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

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If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

• When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
• If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
• If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

• Free shipping
• On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.
  
  
• US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 
  
  
• $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
  
  Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.
  
  
• $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
  
  

UPS 3 Business Day Select 

Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

• $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
  
  
• $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
  
  
• If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
  
  
• UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
  

For shipments to addresses outside the United States

We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

Charges

• Canada and Mexico
  
  
• Rate starts at $40.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

• Rest of the World
  
  
• Rates starts at $65.00.

Additional charges for all destinations

Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

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