|
|
|
David Ireland Story The David Ireland story is a proud and sad story of valor, heroism, love, and in the end tragedy. Buried in an obscure 135-year-old grave in Binghamton's Spring Forrest Cemetery, he is one of the Southern Tier's greatest Civil War heroes. He is also the most unsung. At one point in his career, Ireland gained great recognition for his ardent refusal to retreat under heavy gunfire, despite a lack of of ammunition that left the regiment with fewer than 200 cartridges when the battle ended. Ireland led his Southern Tier troops at Culp'sHill during the battle of Gettysburg. When the smoke cleared, the 137th was the victor . After Gettyburg, it is written of the 137th: alone and unassisted they held Culp's Hill during a critical point of the battle against a vastly superior force. No other regiment recruited in the Broome Co. area saw as much action as the 137th did. The story of David Ireland began in Forfar, Scotland in 1832 . It is not known when or why he came to the U. S., just that prior to the service he worked as a tailor in New York City. Then he enlisted in the 15th U. S. regulars, rising up to Captain. Before the 137th was mustered out in 1865, the Regiment watched as its Commander died a slow and painful death. But while he lived he provided his unit with the discipline, military expertise, and friendship they needed. Another battle that earned the 137th respect took place at Lookout Mountain in October 1863. It was the speed and strength of the 137th under Ireland's command that repelled a surprise attack and turned the tide of battle. Brigadier General George Greene, who oversaw five New York units including 137th, was wounded early in the battle, and from that point on Greene's Brigade was known as Ireland's Brigade. Even as ammunition ran low, Ireland kept bravely pushing to counter the attack; he refused to retreat. Before the end of the battle, they had to get ammunition from the dead. When the battle ended there were fewer than 200 cartridges in the entire unit. There is little known of Ireland's personal life, but here are some known facts. As a 29 year old recruiter, Ireland was well respected in his adopted American home town of Binghamton. While the war raged on in the south, he married 20 year old Sara Phelps in a peaceful ceremony performed by Horace Winston, pastor of the Congregational Society of the Village of Binghamton. The wedding was held in the home of Sherman D. Phelps, a respected town official and Sara's uncle. But the Ireland's love story was short lived, for he had to return to his regiment shortly after his August 26, 1863 wedding. In May 1864 he was wounded at Resaca Ga. and on September 10 of that year , after a painful bout with dysentery, he died in Atlanta, Ga. But while the 137th continued the march to the sea, Ireland's final march was a slow train ride bearing his casket to Binghamton. "It is a painful duty to announce the death of Colonel David," reported the Binghamton Republican three days after his death. In a letter to Mrs. Ireland, a doctor of the 137th wrote "his death produced a great shock to his Brigade ,who placed the greatest confidence in his fidelity and courage." Thus is the story of one of America's greatest unsung heroes, Colonel David Ireland. Submitted by Brian Swartz |