The Irish Brigade was an infantry brigade, consisting predominantly of Irish immigrants, that 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. They were known in part for their famous warcry, the "faugh a ballagh", which is an old Gaelic phrase, fág an bealach, meaning "clear the way". The formation of an Irish Brigade was authorized by the United States Secretary of War in September 1861. The brigade originally consisted of the 63rd New York Infantry, the 69th New York Infantry, and the 88th New York Infantry. In the fall of that year the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry and 28th Massachusetts Infantry joined the Irish brigade, giving it its desired complement of five regiments. The most famous battles the Irish Brigade fought was Antietam Sept. 17 1862, Fredricksburg Dec 11 to 15 1862 and Gettysburg July 1 to 3 1863. Tha brigade lost over 4000 men during the war. This total is larger than the number of soldiers who served in the Brigade at any single time. Eleven Brigade members were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Of the Five Officers who commanded the Brigade, three were killed or mortally wounded. Colonel Richard Byrnes (Cold Harbor), Colonel Patrick Kelly (Petersburg), and Brigadier General Thomas A. Smyth (Farmville). The Brigade was mustered out in June 1865. IRISH BRIGADE AT ANTIETAM Second Brigade, First Division Second Corps <b>...</b>