Sir,—I note your recent article on ‘The American Civil War and Irish Nationalism’ (HI 4.2, Summer 1996). Your readers may be interested to know that there is a re-enactment regiment of the American Civil War currently recruiting in Ireland, North and South. The 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was the fourth regiment of the Irish Brigade which fought on the Union side, and was composed mainly of Irish immigrants from the Boston area. Formed for some time, it is one of the regiments in the Southern Skirmish Association (SOSKAN) based in England and has only recently started to recruit in Ireland. We carry a reproduction of the 28th Massachusetts’ regimental colour, a harp and sunburst on a green background.
Our first event in Ireland was a small affair on 4 July 1996 in the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, but this year it is hoped to bring over more than 100 re-enactors to stage events in the Folk Park over the 4 July weekend and also to take part in the 4 July parade in Belfast. I am the recruiting sergeant for Ireland so if any readers are interested in re-enacting this period of history, either as Union or Confederate, they are welcome to contact me.—Yours etc.,
CAMERON W. ROBINSON
25 Princetown Road
Bangor
Co. Down
Tel: (01247) 472860