Colonel Patrick Guiney - Great Essay

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As a soldier, he was beloved by the infantry, but "several officers and prominent North End Irishmen troubled Guiney at every turn" and the lack of political cohesion of the Irish-American community is illustrated by their treatment of the Colonel ("Colonel Patrick Guiney," Wild Geese Today, 2003). Still, Guiney put principle over narrow parochialism, and strove to lead his community, rather than fall prey to the temptations of racism and easy political victories by fanning the flames of prejudice against African-Americans.

One Irish-American, General Thomas Francis Meagher who sympathized with Guiney despaired at the divisions of the Irish community. Guiney was urged by General Meagher to condemn Irish-Americans who blindly followed the Democratic Party: "Democrats they remain until the day of their deaths, miserably and repulsively regardless of the conflicting meanings that name acquires through the progressive workings of the great world about them," he wrote (Samito 2007). Meagher's anger shows the level of opposition Irishmen like Meagher and Guiney were facing -- as well as a divided nation Meagher and Guiney faced a civil war within the Irish community of the north. Colonel Guiney had to withstand anti-Lincoln sentiment amongst the Irish even while he also faced anti-Irish opposition in north, despite his accomplishments and patriotism.

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The most notable military action of Guiney's career occurred in May 5, 1864, when the 9th joined in an assault against the Confederacy. As the attack dissipated, Confederates suddenly captured two Federal cannons and placed a Southern banner near the grey and blue. Guiney led his men into a in an effort to recapture the artillery, but powerful volleys of Confederate bullets drove them back. A bullet hit and destroyed Guiney's eye, blinding him instantly. Even more galling, Guiney's regiment had to retreat because it had lost twelve officers and 138 men "in a period of ten minutes. The regiment lost another 101 men during the battle" before it ended ("Colonel Patrick Guiney," Wild Geese Today, 2003).

Guiney nearly died of his wound, and its lingering effects were thought to be the reason for his early death at age forty-two. Yet before he died, and despite nativist prejudice against him, the Irish Catholic went on win appointment as an assistant district attorney in 1865 after the war. His bid to run for congress was cut short by the health difficulties that resulted in his early death. Public service and loyalty to the union defined him as a man and defined his career to.....

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