The Fourth Alabama Painting by Don Troiani

Third Brigade, First Division

Colonel M Corcoran

Colonel M Corcoran, commanding the 69th New York State Militia

Sixty-ninth New York State Militia

Arrived at Washington D. C. on 4 May, 1861 and mustered in United States service for three months on 9 May, 1861

COLONEL M CORCORAN
Captain T F Meagher was assigned as special aid to Colonel M Corcoran on 21 July, 1861.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL R NUGENT
Captian J Haggerty was acting lieutenant colonel on 21 July, 1861, as Lieutenant Colonel R Nugent had been disabled by a violent fall prior to the first battle of Bull Run.

MAJOR A J BAGLEY
Adjutant J McKeon was acting major on 21 July, 1861, as Major A J Bagley did not accompany the regiment to Washington D. C., and was not present at the first battle of Bull Run.

Company A Irish Fusiliers: CAPT. J HAGGERTY
First Lieutenant T Kelly was commanding the company on 21 July, 1861, as Captain J Haggerty was assigned as acting lieutenant colonel.
Company B: Capt. T Lynch
First Lieutenant W M Giles was commanding the company on 21 July, 1861.
Company C: CAPT. J CAVANAGH
Company D: CAPT. T CLARKE
Company E: CAPT. P KELLY
Company F: CAPT. J BRESLIN
Captain J Breslin was accidentlaly severely wounded in the right shoulder on 17 July, 1861, and was not present at the first battle of Bull Run.
Company G Mechanics Guard: First Lt. W Butler
First Lieutenant W Butler was commanding as Captain F Duffy resigned at Georgetown D. C. on 17 May, 1861.
Company H: CAPT. CAPT. J KELLY
Company I: CAPT. J P MCIVOR
Captain J P McIvor joined the regiment as a private at Washington D. C. and two weeks prior to his capture at the first battle of Bull Run was appointed captain. First Lieutenant J Coonan was commanding on 21 July, 1861.
Company K Irish Zouaves: CAPT. T F MEAGHER
The company was assigned to replace the Brigade Lancers and was assigned at Arlington Heights, Virginia. First Lieutenant E K Butler was commanding the company at the first battle of Bull Run as Captain T F Meagher was assigned as special aid to Colonel M Corcoran prior to 21 July, 1861.
Company L: FIRST LT. R DALTONin May 1861.
Unlettered Company Corps Engineers: CAPT J QUINLAN

Sources

"This splendid body of men – presented a very striking appearence, indeed each man being uniformed in a reddisg grey flannel blouse, and having a large forest axe slung over his back. Lieutenants D' Hommergue and McQuade accompanied the Engineers, both being officers of the Corps."

The last days of the 69th in Virginia: A narrative in three parts with a portrait, by Thomas Francis Meagher, Captain Company K (Irish Zouaves)

"When, in May, 1861, the government determined to occupy Arlington Heights and Alexandria, a force of about eight thousand men crossed the river for that purpose, and each command immediately commenced the erection of strong earthworks on their several positions. To the Sixty-ninth was assigned the hill nearest the Aqueduct-Bridge, and commanding the road leading westward to Fairfax Court House."

"In his consultation with Colonel Corcoran – on the day before the Sixty-ninth left New York – Meagher ascertained that, as the 'Brigade Lancers,' (which command was attached to the sixty-ninth,) could not go with the Regiment, there was a vacancy of one company, 'F', to be filled. This was the opportunity Meagher wished for, and he took immediate steps to organise the required company. It had been arranged between himself and Colonel Corcoran that the new company should be designated the 'Irish Zouaves,' and wear the Zouave uniform."

Memoirs of Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher: Comprising the leading events of his career, chronologically arranged, with selections from speeches, lectures and miscellaneous writing, including personal reminiscences, by Michael Cavanagh

"In passing the Sixty-ninth New York regiment, I came up with captain Thomas Francis Meagher, whose Zouave company formed part of it. He was mounted, but wore a plain undress uniform instead of the gorgeous one already described."

Memoirs of Henry Villard, journalist and financier, 1835–1900, in two volumes, Vol. I 1835–1862

"Led by a company of engineers, then drummers and fifers, followed by Corcoran, with the chaplin, doctors, and Meagher, who had been detailed as a special aide, the 69th was finally going to war."

"Sherman's immediate concern, however, was that he might be fired on by the Union soldiers who would be advancing on his right, especially as two of the companies in the 69th were wearing gray uniforms."

Thomas Francis Meagher and the Irish Brigade in the Civil War, by Daniel M Callaghan

"Meagher's men were attired 'most picturesquely' in blue jackets and vests, those of the officers being heavily braided with gold, the non-commissioned officers' and privates' with crimson, the braids being worked into trefoils at the corners and intersections.Meagher's men wore pants of regulation grey, with crimson and gold stripes and their kepis were adorned with the number of the regiment in a wreath of shamrocks."

The Irish brigade in the Civil War: The 69th New York and other Irish of the Army of the Potomac, by Joseph G Bilby

"In this rough and dangerous pioneering, the Engineers of the 69th, under the command of their high-spirited young Captain, did quick and clear work, splendidly maintaining their character with the regiment for usefulness, promptitude and boldness."

"The line of march was taken up about noon. The corps of engineers led the van, under the command of Captain Quinlan, Lieutenants D'Hommergue and M'Quade, followed by an improvised drum-corps, playing the old familiar inspiriting airs. After these came Colonel Corcoran and staff-officers, including Capatoan T F Meagher, actin as major in place of Major Bagley, who had remained in New York; Captain Haggerty, acting as lieutenant-colonel in place of Colonel Nugent, who had been injured some days previously by a fall form his horse; and Captain J H Nugent, acting as adjutant."

The Irish brigade and its campaigns: with some account of the Corcoran Legion, and sketches of the principle officers, by David Power Conyngham

"This fort was named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel James Haggerty of the 69th New York State Militia, who died of wounds received at the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)."

"This fort was named for Colonel Micheal Corcoran of the 69th New York State Militia, whose soldiers constructed the fort in May 1861. Fort Corcoran, with its auxillary works Forts Bennett and Haggerty, was established to secure the Virginia emnd of the Aqueduct Bridge and to provide points of support for the Union Army."

Mr Lincoln's forts: A guide to the Civil War defenses of Washington D. C., New Edition, by Benjamin F Cooling II and Walton H Owen II

New York in the War of Rebellion, 1861–1865, Volume 1, byFrederick Phisterer

James Haggerty of Tìr Conaill, Irish patriot, American hero, by James H McLaughlin (Historian, County Donegal Association of New, Inc.)

Notes

The 69th New York State Militia was organised at New York City and was ordered to proceed to Washington D. C. on 20 April, 1861. The Brigade Lancers was a cavalry company and was not assigned to the 69th New York State Militia. The regiment was orderedto Annapolis, Maryland, on board the steamer James Adger at 6.30 PM on 23 April, 1861, and arrived on 26 April, 1861. The 69th New York State Militia was assigned to duty guarding the railway depot near Annapolis Junction, Maryland, and was relieved by the 5th New York State Militia on 3 May, 1861 (See the 5th New York State Militia). The regiment proceeded to Washington D. C. on 4 May, 1861, and encamped at Georgetown College, Georgetown D. C. The 69th New York State Militia was mustered in United States service for three months on 9 May, 1861. The Irish Zouaves, under the command of Captain T F Meagher, was organised at New York City on 22 April, 1861, and was ordered to proceed to Washington D. C. via Baltimore, Maryland, on 22 May, 1861. The company and reported to Colonel M Corcoran at Georgetown D. C. and was assigned as Company K on 23 May, 1861. The 69th New York State Militia was ordered across the Potomac River, via the Aqueduct Bridge, Georgetwon D. C., on 24 May, 1861 (See the Occupation of Arlington Heights and Alexandria). The regiment was assigned to duty constructing Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Virginia, near the Aqueduct Bridge, Georgetwon D. C., and was originally known as Fort Seward in honor of Secretary of State W H Seaward. The 69th New York State Militia, the 5th New York State Militia, and the 28th New York State Militia were temporarily assigned as the Aqueduct Brigade, under the command of Colonel D Hunter, in May 1861, and the 69th New York State Militia was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Virginia (See the Aqueduct Brigade). The Third Brigade, First Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, under the command of Colonel W T Sherman, was ordered to proceed to Vienna, Virginia, via the Georgetown Turnpike and the Leesburg Stone Roads, at 2 PM on 16 July, 1861. Colonel W T Sherman was ordered to proceed between Fairfax Courthouse and Centreville, Virginia, to Germantown, Virginia, at 5.30 AM on 17 July, 1861, and was ordered to proceed along the Warrenton Turnpike to Centreville, Virginia, at 7 AM on 18 July, 1861. The Third Brigade, First Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, arrived at Centreville, Virginia, at 9 AM on 18 July, 1861, and was in reserve during the battle at Blackburn's Ford, between 12 PM and 4 PM the same day. The 69th New State Militia was ordered to proceed along the Warrenton Turnpike to the Stone Bridge, on the Bull Run River, between 2 and 2.30 AM on 21 July, 1861. After the first battle of Bull Run the regiment was ordered to retreat to Centreville, Virginia, and was ordered to Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Virginia, via Vienna, Virginia, under the command of Acting Major T F Meagher, at 3 AM on 22 July, 1861. Colonel M Corcoran was captured at the the first battle of Bull Run. The 69th New York State Militia was ordered to return to New York City via Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 24 July, 1861, and arrived on board a steamer via Perth Amboy, New Jersey, under the command of Senior Captain J Kelly, on 27 July, 1861. The regiment was mustered out at New York City on 3 August, 1861.

The 69th New York Infantry organised with members of the 69th New York State Militia and was mustered in United States service for three years between 7 September and 17 November, 1861. The 69th New York State Militia, under the command of Colonel J Bagley, was mustered in United States service for three months on 26 May, 1862, and was mustered out at New York City on 3 September, 1862. The regiment was assigned to duty for thirty days between 22 June and 25 July, 1863, and for ninety days between 6 July and 6 October, 1864.

On 27 March, 1861, W T Sherman proceeded to St Louis, Missouri, and was appointed colonel of the 13th United States Infantry on 14 May, 1861 (See the United States Battalion Infantry). Colonel W T Sherman resigned as president of the Fifth Street Railroad and was ordered to Washington D. C. Lieutenant General W Scott, United States Army, assigned Colonel W T Sherman to inspection duty between 20 and 30 June, 1861, and assumed command of the Third Brigade, Firts Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, formerly under the command of Colonel A Porter, on 30 June, 1861. Colonel W T Sherman's brother, J Sherman, was assigned as a volunteer aide de camp on the staff of Major General R Patterson, commanding the Army of the Upper Potomac (See the Army of the Upper Potomac).

Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Virginia, was constructed by the 69th New York State Militia in May and June 1861 and was named after Colonel M Corcoran. Fort Corcoran, with auxiliary works Fort Bennett and Fort Haggerty, was constructed to secure the Aqueduct Bridge, Georgetown D. C. (See the United States Corps Engineers).

Reports

OFFICIAL REPORT NO.26: Series I, Volume 2 (S# 2), Chapter IX, pp. 371–372
Captain J Kelly, Sixty-ninth New York State Militia