Irish Brigade

In the early morning of December 13, 1862, while posted here with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac, the men of the Irish Brigade placed sprigs of boxwood in their caps in honor of their Irish heritage. Later that day, they took part in the futile assaults against Confederate positions on Marye's Heights. After the battle, the Union dead closest to the Confederate positions wore sprigs of boxwood in their caps. The brigade's losses were 69th NY, 10 killed, 95 wounded, and 23 missing; 88th NY, 17 killed, 97 wounded, and 13 missing; 63rd NY, 2 killed, 38 wounded, and 4 missing; 28th MA, 14 killed, 124 wounded, and 28 missing; and 116th PA, 7 killed, 67 wounded, and 14 missing.

Fredericksburg, Virginia · United States