THE FIRST CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE
Battle Flag of the First Corps (Polk's Flag)
The units comprising the First Corps were drawn from the organization of Department No. 2 (or the Western Department) of the Confederate States, which held responsibility for defending the area between the Tennessee River and the Mississippi River. It contained soldiers previously from the Army of Mississippi, the predecessor of the Army of Tennessee.
COMMAND HISTORY
Confederate General John Hood, Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham, and Major general Patrick cleburne
Command under Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk commanded the First Corps from November 20, 1862 – September 29, 1863. He assumed command on November 26, 1862, and held it (with minor interruptions) until his relief on September 29, 1863, and subsequent arrest on October 23.[1]The First Corps participated in the Tennessee Campaign from June–October 1863 under Gen. Braxton Bragg.
Command under Maj. Gen. B. F. Cheatham
Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Cheatham
Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Cheatham commanded the First Corps four times, during the periods September 29 – October 23, 1863, from December 2–27, 1863, then August 31 – September 2, 1864, and lastly from September 28, 1864 – February 23, 1865. This last posting was the only period which he was not in "temporary" command of the corps.
Command under Maj. Gen. P. R. Cleburne
Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne at the battle of franklin
Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne commanded the First Corps temporarily from August 31–September 1, 1864.
Units added
Units added
- On October 31, 1863, a portion of the Third Corps, Army of Tennessee was added to the First Corps
- On November 4, 1863, the "Reserve Corps" of the army was added
- On April 10, 1865, all remaining forces in the state of Georgia were added.
Command under Lt. Gen. W. J. Hardee
Lt. Gen. W. J. Hardee
Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee commanded the First Corps four times, during the periods October 23 – December 2, 1863, again from December 27 – August 31, 1864, a third time from September 2–28, 1864, and lastly from February 23 – April 26, 1865. On that date the corps, along with the rest of the Army of Tennessee, were surrendered by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.
IRISH CONFEDERATES IN THE WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION
There were many Confederate infantry companies formed at the beginning of the war and designated themselves “ Irish”. As an example, in the city of Charleston, South Carolina there were two Irish companies, Co C “Irish Volunteers”, later Co H, 27th SC Infantry, and Co K, 1st SC Infantry. There is one known Charleston Irish Confederate of the 27th SC buried in Elmira. He is Pvt. John Flynn and he is buried in Plot # 20. Most every Confederate state had several “Irish” companies. However, there were only two Irish Regiments in the Army of the Confederacy.
One regiment was formed in Tennessee and the other in Georgia. The Tennessee Irish Regiment was the 10th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment formed in Nashville in April, 1861. The 10th Tennessee was also known as the “Bloody 10th” for the heavy loose the regiment sustained in the Battle of Fr. Donaldson which was located along the Tennessee – Kentucky border. Of the original members of the 10th, only four were still fighting in 1865 when the war ended. The 10th was noted for their flag “Sons of Erin”
One regiment was formed in Tennessee and the other in Georgia. The Tennessee Irish Regiment was the 10th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment formed in Nashville in April, 1861. The 10th Tennessee was also known as the “Bloody 10th” for the heavy loose the regiment sustained in the Battle of Fr. Donaldson which was located along the Tennessee – Kentucky border. Of the original members of the 10th, only four were still fighting in 1865 when the war ended. The 10th was noted for their flag “Sons of Erin”
Image of the Georgia Brigade's 24th Georgia infantry
The more famous and most recognized Confederate Irish Regiment is the 24th Georgia. The 24th Georgia “Irish Regiment” was organized in late June and early July 1861.and was composed of men from the north Georgia mountains and foot hills region. The 24th Georgia was commanded by Brig. General Thomas R. R. Cobb and was known as one of the very best regiments in the Confederate Army. The 24th is probably best known for Irish fighting Irish in the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
On 13 December 1862, Union forces under the command of Gen. Burnside were ordered to attack the fortified position of Confederates on Marye’s Heights. Behind the stone wall near the crest of Marye’s Heights was the 24th Georgia “Irish Regiment” among other regiments. This was a suicide attack ordered by Gen. Burnside. The New York “The Fighting 69th” Irish Regiment attacked up the heights against the 24th Georgia. The result of the Irish against Irish fight was devastating for the 69th New York. Of the 1,200 New York Irish who made the attack, 545 were killed, wounded, or missing. The 69th was from New York City. It is known as “The Fighting 69th” a name said to have been given by Robert E. Lee.
The more famous and most recognized Confederate Irish Regiment is the 24th Georgia. The 24th Georgia “Irish Regiment” was organized in late June and early July 1861.and was composed of men from the north Georgia mountains and foot hills region. The 24th Georgia was commanded by Brig. General Thomas R. R. Cobb and was known as one of the very best regiments in the Confederate Army. The 24th is probably best known for Irish fighting Irish in the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
On 13 December 1862, Union forces under the command of Gen. Burnside were ordered to attack the fortified position of Confederates on Marye’s Heights. Behind the stone wall near the crest of Marye’s Heights was the 24th Georgia “Irish Regiment” among other regiments. This was a suicide attack ordered by Gen. Burnside. The New York “The Fighting 69th” Irish Regiment attacked up the heights against the 24th Georgia. The result of the Irish against Irish fight was devastating for the 69th New York. Of the 1,200 New York Irish who made the attack, 545 were killed, wounded, or missing. The 69th was from New York City. It is known as “The Fighting 69th” a name said to have been given by Robert E. Lee.
24th Georgia Irish Regiment Flag
This famous Irish encounter is well documented in numerous books, paintings, and in the acclaimed Civil War movie “Gods and Generals”.
The 24th Georgia “Irish Regiment” was comprised of ten companies:
Co A “Independent Volunteers” from Banks County
Co B from Hart County
Co C from White County
Co D “Hiawassee Volunteers” from Towns County
Co E “Rabun Gap Riflemen” from Rabun County
Co F “Gwinnette Independent Blues” from Gwinnette County
Co G from Hall County
Co H “The Currahee Rangers” from Franklin County
Co I “Glade Guards Volunteer Rifles” from Hall County
Co K “McMillan Guards” from Habersham County
There were 382 Georgia Confederate soldiers confined and died in the Elmira Prison. They are buried in the Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, New York. Of these 382 Georgia men, 23 were in the 24th Georgia Irish Regiment.
Note: Co H “Currahee Rangers” were from Franklin County. The name “Currahee” became famous as the cheer / war cry of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The history of Easy Company is documented in the movie “Band of Brother”. Currahee Mountain is located on the training base of the 506th outside the town of Toccoa, Georgia.
The 24th Georgia “Irish Regiment” was comprised of ten companies:
Co A “Independent Volunteers” from Banks County
Co B from Hart County
Co C from White County
Co D “Hiawassee Volunteers” from Towns County
Co E “Rabun Gap Riflemen” from Rabun County
Co F “Gwinnette Independent Blues” from Gwinnette County
Co G from Hall County
Co H “The Currahee Rangers” from Franklin County
Co I “Glade Guards Volunteer Rifles” from Hall County
Co K “McMillan Guards” from Habersham County
There were 382 Georgia Confederate soldiers confined and died in the Elmira Prison. They are buried in the Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, New York. Of these 382 Georgia men, 23 were in the 24th Georgia Irish Regiment.
Note: Co H “Currahee Rangers” were from Franklin County. The name “Currahee” became famous as the cheer / war cry of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The history of Easy Company is documented in the movie “Band of Brother”. Currahee Mountain is located on the training base of the 506th outside the town of Toccoa, Georgia.