#OnThisDay 1922 Monaghan IRA, led by Matt Fitzpatrick, stopped a train of 16 USC policemen. A fire fight ensued leaving 4 USC officers & Fitzpatrick dead. James Craig demanded 5000 troops to rescue them & it delayed the evacuation of British troops from Ireland.
#OnThisDay 1921 After waiting for over a week, the 2nd Cork Brigade ambushed a troop train at Drishaneberg, Cork. One British soldier was killed & 15 others captured but later released. The Volunteers collected their 15 rifles & 700 rounds of ammunition.
#OnThisDay 1820 Colonel Theodore O’Hara was born in Kentucky. Both his parents were from Ireland and fled during the 1798 Rebellion. O’Hara joined the US Army & fought in the during the US-Mexican War, distinguishing himself at the Battle of Churubusco (Possibly against the Irish San Patricios). He later joined the Confederate Army at the outbreak of Civil War but due to tension with his superiors, he never got to command men. He is best known for his poem “Bivouac of the Dead”.
The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat
The soldier’s last tattoo;
No more on life’s parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame’s eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
#OnThisDay 1932 The Army Comrades Association, better known as ‘The Blueshirts’ was formed. It was a quasi-fascist paramilitary group that acted as bodyguard for Cumann na nGaedheal from attacks by the IRA. It was later led by General Eoin O’Duffy. It planned to march on Dublin like the Italian Blackshirts but obeyed the Government’s ban. It was strongly opposed to communism and fought for Fascist leader General Franco in Spain. It merged with another party to form @FineGael.
#Ireland #History
#OnThisDay 1921 Captain W.L. King, commander of F Company Auxiliaries, shot two IRA men Patrick Kennedy (dead) & James Murphy (who died 11 Feb) & dumped their bodies in a park in Drumcondra, Dublin. Murphy was found alive & gave his testimony saying that in Dublin Castle, King put a bucket on their head & then shot them before dumping them on the other side of the city. King was tried & acquitted of murder. King was also responsible for the killing of Clune, Clancy and McKee on Bloody Sunday in November 1920.
The Irish at War 