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CIVIL WAR.
- Thread starter 68jk09
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Don't forget the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry . . . the Fire Zouaves, made up almost exclusively of New York firemen (before the era of FDNY). Here are a couple of articles about them:
http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_New_York_Infantry
http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/fire-zouaves-a-picture-is-worth-1000-words/
http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_New_York_Infantry
http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/fire-zouaves-a-picture-is-worth-1000-words/
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For every soldier killed in combat, two died as a result of sickness or disease. Seems like the camp was more dangerous than the battlefield. Try and find Ken Burn's series on the Civil War.
Thanks Chief/Raybrag for the Civil War info. There is a good print by Dan Troiani - NY's Bravest - available at civil war print shops.
"It was the first major contest in what was supposed to be a short war. The conflict between the Union and Confederate armies got underway on the steamy morning of July 21, 1861, near Manassas Junction, Virginia, with a Northern assault that seemed to foretell a Union victory. However, throughout the morning Southerners fought desperately against the onslaught in what one called "a whirlwind of bullets" and bought precious time that enabled reinforcements to reach the field. As the summer sun rose into the afternoon, the Union victory was in doubt despite the valor of its untested troops.
Among the units badly bloodied that day was the colorful 11th New York Volunteers---made up of firemen from the City of New York---whose legendary commander, Elmer Ellsworth, had been killed just weeks before. Now under the command of Col. Noah Lane Farnham, the unit fought doggedly for hours in the heat and dust, even fending off a charge of cavalry commanded by J.E.B. Stuart. But with casualties of almost 425 killed, wounded and missing, the Fire Zouaves were finally forced back. Among the mortally wounded was Farnham, who was assisted off the field by Capt. Jack Wildey and some of his men. Returning to the fight, Wildey and his band of firemen fell in with their comrades from the 69th New York, a solidly Irish regiment who were likewise in desperate straits. The firemen and Irishmen from the city fought bravely side by side to stem the Confederate tide. At one point, as the Southerners overwhelmed the 69th's color guard and seized its magnificent green regimental flag, the firemen, with Captain Wildey in the lead, rushed forward and saved it from capture. No regiments fought with more courage at First Bull Run than the Fire Zouaves and their brethren from the 69th New York. That courage 140 years ago reflects the bravery which the men of the New York Fire Department are renowned for to this day."
"It was the first major contest in what was supposed to be a short war. The conflict between the Union and Confederate armies got underway on the steamy morning of July 21, 1861, near Manassas Junction, Virginia, with a Northern assault that seemed to foretell a Union victory. However, throughout the morning Southerners fought desperately against the onslaught in what one called "a whirlwind of bullets" and bought precious time that enabled reinforcements to reach the field. As the summer sun rose into the afternoon, the Union victory was in doubt despite the valor of its untested troops.
Among the units badly bloodied that day was the colorful 11th New York Volunteers---made up of firemen from the City of New York---whose legendary commander, Elmer Ellsworth, had been killed just weeks before. Now under the command of Col. Noah Lane Farnham, the unit fought doggedly for hours in the heat and dust, even fending off a charge of cavalry commanded by J.E.B. Stuart. But with casualties of almost 425 killed, wounded and missing, the Fire Zouaves were finally forced back. Among the mortally wounded was Farnham, who was assisted off the field by Capt. Jack Wildey and some of his men. Returning to the fight, Wildey and his band of firemen fell in with their comrades from the 69th New York, a solidly Irish regiment who were likewise in desperate straits. The firemen and Irishmen from the city fought bravely side by side to stem the Confederate tide. At one point, as the Southerners overwhelmed the 69th's color guard and seized its magnificent green regimental flag, the firemen, with Captain Wildey in the lead, rushed forward and saved it from capture. No regiments fought with more courage at First Bull Run than the Fire Zouaves and their brethren from the 69th New York. That courage 140 years ago reflects the bravery which the men of the New York Fire Department are renowned for to this day."
There are a lot of Civil War individual firefighter stories, from NYC as well as Philadelphia, Boston, DC and other cities. Most NYC firefighters served in the 11th, 73rd and 5th NY Regts. Veterans who survived became members of the paid department. Daniel J. Meagher served as a private in the 5th NY. He later won the James Gordon Bennett Medal for Valor:
"Daniel J. Meagher, foreman, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, on the second of May, 1878, at No. 28 East Fourteenth Street, acted promptly on seeing Mrs. Sarah Freeman hanging out of a fourth-story window. A ladder raised was found to be too short, although held by hooks and stood on the stoop. Ordering the ladder to be raised quite erect, and away from the building, Meagher went up, stood on the top rung, told her to be calm and hold her limbs rigid, and then to drop. As she fell he caught her, and passed her safely to John P. Flood, fireman of his company, who despite a sprained foot, aided in the rescue."
Let us not forget firefighters who also served their country in military uniforms in WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Gulf War, OIF/OEF and all other conflicts.
[url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F60717FA3E541B728DDDAA0994DA405B8985F0D3]http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F60717FA3E541B728DDDAA0994DA405B8985F0D3[/url]
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F2081EFA3D5A137B93CAAB1789D95F4D8784F9[/url]
http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/dmeagher.html
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F60717FA3E541B728DDDAA0994DA405B8985F0D3
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If you check out Borders you can find that book in the bargain area. The price is 19.99
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