Irish Brigade (Union army)

Irish Brigade
ActiveSeptember 1861–July 1865
Country United States
BranchUnited States U.S. Army (Volunteer Infantry)
TypeInfantry
SizeFive regiments
63rd New York Infantry
69th New York Infantry
88th New York Infantry
29th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (formally)
28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment
116th Pennsylvania Infantry
Nickname(s)Irish Brigade
Motto(s)Riamh nár dhruid ó spairn lann "Who never retreated from the clash of spears"
ColorsGreen
MarchGaryowen
EngagementsAmerican Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Brig. Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher

The Irish Brigade was an infantry brigade, consisting predominantly of Irish Americans, who served in the Union Army in the American Civil War. The designation of the first regiment in the brigade, the 69th New York Infantry, or the "Fighting 69th," continued in later wars. The Irish Brigade was known in part for its famous war cry, the "Faugh a Ballaugh" which is an anglicization of the Irish phrase, fág an bealach, meaning "clear the way" and used in various Irish-majority military units founded due to the Irish diaspora. According to Fox's Regimental Losses, of all Union army brigades, only the 1st Vermont Brigade and Iron Brigade suffered more combat dead than the Irish Brigade during America's Civil War.