#OnThisDay 1862 The Irish men of the 9th Massachusetts Reg. were attacked & repulsed several waves made by Irish men in 1st South Carolina Reg. at the Battle of Gaines Mills. 1st S.C. Company K were called the ‘Irish Volunteers’. The 9th fought a strong rear guard action and saved by the Irish Brigade, Seeing the green flags of the Irish Brigade coming to the 9th’s aid, Lt. Col. Patrick Guiney, shook the hand of General T.F. Meagher and exclaimed,
“Thank God, we are saved.”
The Union army was pushed off the field and the Confederates won the day.
The Irish at War 