While unrest was brewing in America, with differing regional goals and concerns, immigrants were flooding into this country. During the1840's and the 1850's millions of Europeans came to America to escape civil unrest and famine. However, because of the regional discord which was developing in this country in the 1800's, those who came to America's shores during this period were soon embroiled in the sectional rivalries. They were quick to identify with the areas where they settled. Thus, the newly arrived were soon to man the cannons and rifles that rang-out the Civil War in America.

All-Irish military units of soldiers were formed . Besides the Irish, there were also companies of Germans, Scandinavians and French. Among the Irish groups were the 69th, 88th & 63rd all of New York. There was also the Pennsylvania 116th , 28th Massachusetts, and Maryland's Eastern shore also had an Irish unit. The 69th, 88th, and 63rd New York, grateful to the new land which gave them opportunity, formed an entire Irish brigade following the Battle of Manassas. They carried their own flag, green and gold, and charged with a Gaelic Battle cry which meant, "Clear the Way!". At the Battle of Antietam many Confederate Irish soldiers were engaged in a heated conflict with this Northern Irish Brigade. So fierce and deadly was this battle, for both sides, that the site became known as Bloody Lane.

Like the Irish, the French also fought on both sides of the Civil War. Some of the Canadian French came to fight with the Cajun French of Louisiana. An all German Union unit under their leader, Carl Schurz, suffered a serious defeat at Freeman's Fort on Virginia's Rappahannock River. However, further south at Chattanooga Tennessee, another German unit helped clear the way for General Sherman's victorious march to the sea. A number of German units also served in the western war areas.

There were also fighting units of mixed nationalities. The 39th New York had men from Hungary, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia ,Germany, Spain and Portugal. Freed Blacks also fought for the union. The brave Irish Confederate General, Patrick Cleburne suggested that the South arm slaves and give them their freedom for serving in the war. The Southerners were afraid to do so. Later, however, when it was far too late, slaves were armed and some Blacks were to fight for the South.

While many newly arrived men eagerly enlisted out of gratitude for their opportunities, and need a need for employment, other immigrants did not wish to serve. A draft which allowed the rich to pay money not to serve angered the poor. Anti-draft riots occurred in some Northern cities. Despite this opposition, it is estimated that 20% of those in uniform, of both blue and gray, were foreign born. Nevertheless, military service did not give instant recognition to the foreign born. Despite their military service to the new land the stigma of poverty and "differentness" followed the new recruits. Germans were seen as stupid because of their accents. Language was an impediment for many foreign born. However, service in the wars won many from the Old World new acceptance in America because of their courage and bravery, and the greatest period of American Immigration followed soon after our Civil War.

Photo of Civil War medical tools (From the text "American Nation")

Photo of black soldiers in the union army

Soldiers boarding train (from the text "Railroads in the Days of Steam")

Map of the Missouri Compromise

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