An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Delaware hero remembered on St. Patrick's Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affiars
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The thundering booms of cannons roared over the echoes of stomping feet; charging ahead into a ferocious battle. They pressed forward, forcing their way through the dismal fog that camouflaged the tattered country side. The sounds of bagpipes wailed over the raging battle and faintly, through the fog and smoke, the flag of the Irish Brigade waved beside the glorious Stars and Stripes.

The battle described is the Civil War Battle of Farmville, the last major battle the Army of the Potomac fought.

The Irish Brigade is noted for their valiant combat during the Civil War, said Master Sgt. James Ralph, 512th Airlift Control Flight Air Reserve technician. The Irish Brigade and the 2nd Delaware regiment were both members of the 1st Division of the 2nd Corps.

The Irish Brigade was commanded by Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Smyth, a local Delaware resident, said Russ Pickett, former Army Sergeant.

General Smyth was born in the parish of Balleyhooley, county of Cork, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1832, said Mr. Pickett, who is a self-proclaimed enthusiast and avid researcher of Delaware history. General Smith received his education in Ireland and worked on his father's farm until immigrating to Philadelphia in 1854. He later moved to Delaware.

"General Smyth raised a company at the beginning of the Civil War, which became one of the companies in the all-Irish 24th Pennsylvania Infantry," said Mr. Pickett. "However, this regiment only served three months and was disbanded."

After that, he was appointed major of the 1st Delaware Infantry, said Mr. Pickett. General Smyth was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the regiment in December 1862 and then colonel in February 1863.
"The regiment's baptism of fire began with the order to charge the Rebels' defensive position in the sunken road at Sharpsburg," said Mr. Pickett. "A Rebel observer reported that the Confederate fire 'brought down the enemy as grain falls before the reaper.'"

Of the 650 members of the regiment that went into the charge, only half were left in the ranks after they were forced to retreat, said Mr. Pickett. Their next battle was in December at Fredricksburg.

"Once again, the 1st Delaware was ordered to make a suicidal charge, this time against the Confederate position in front of Marye's Heights," said Mr. Pickett. "The unit's formations collapsed before the barrage of fire and, seeking any cover, the men were not able to retreat until nightfall hid them from the view of the Rebel riflemen."

At the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the 1st Delaware, being part of Colonel Smyth's Brigade, avenged the slaughter at Marye's Heights when they helped to repulse the Rebel charge on the battle's third day, said Mr. Pickett. This day has become known as "Pickett's Charge."

"Colonel Smyth's valor in battle led to his promotion to brigadier general on Oct. 1, 1864," said Mr. Pickett. "He commanded his brigade in the battles of Deep Bottom, Gravelly Run and Hatcher's Run. General Smyth was active in the pursuit of General Robert Lee's army in its retreat toward Appomattox Court House."

On April 6, 1865, when General Smyth made his last entry in his diary, he was commanding the 3rd Division of the 2nd Corps. His last entry stated, 'Ordered to march at 5 o'clock a.m. At 6 o'clock assaulted the enemy's works.'

The attack on the fortifications at High Bridge was successful for General Smyth's unit, said Mr. Pickett. "(General) Smyth's troops crossed the span and pursued the retreating Confederates toward Farmville, Va."

As General Smyth rode along the skirmish line during this final battle, a sharpshooter's bullet struck him in the left side of his face, said Mr. Pickett. The bullet knocked out a tooth and continued into his neck, fracturing a cervical vertebra and driving a fragment of bone upon his spinal cord, resulting in complete paralysis. General Smyth was taken to a nearby house where a hospital had been established.

The next day, he was transported by ambulance to Army Col. R.P. Burke's home, said Mr. Pickett. General Smyth died the next day, April 9, 1865. His remains were sent to Wilmington, Del., where he was buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.
"(General) Smyth, as fate would have it, was the last Union general to die during the Civil War," said Mr. Pickett.

U.S. servicemembers, including Dover Airmen, serve their country proudly, in this time of war. Any day, any Airman can be called to the front lines. Saturday is St. Patrick's Day, a great day for the Irish as many song lyrics state. As Dover Airmen celebrate this year's Saint Patrick's Day, take a moment to reflect on General Smyth's call to duty and payment of the ultimate sacrifice for America and for Delaware.