An Cosantóir

In late 1919 he left for Dublin to become director of training for the Dublin Brigade. Later he was appointed a member of the GHQ staff and he was assistant chief of staff during the War of Independence. When the Provisional Government was set up at the start of 1922, he was appointed assistant chief of staff of the new National Army with the rank of lieutenant-general and given the task of training up the new army. By May 1922, O'Connell was in command of the 3rd Southern Division with the special Curragh area attached. The event of his military career that probably gave him most satisfaction took place on 16 May 1922 when, representing the National Army, he took over the Curragh Camp from the British. The enormous tricolour flown from the Water Tower on that day, measuring 150" x 243", remained in the possession of the O'Connell family for many years before it was given into the care of the army. O'Connell was also central to the incident that most people consider to be the opening engagement of the Civil War. It was O'Connell's kidnapping by the IRA detachment occupying the Four Courts that was apparently the last straw for the Free State authorities who ordered the bombardment of the building. After the Civil War O'Connell continued his military career, with most of it spent as GOC Curragh Command, although he was also the first OiC Military Archives. In 1926, the first overseas mission by an Irish Army delegation took place to the USA. This delegation was led by Major General Hugh MacNeill. Given the many links of history, heritage and personal connection between the Fighting 69th and Ireland, it is appropriate to remember the contribution made by Ginger O'Connell. This year is particularly appropriate, considering that it marks the centenary of his return to Ireland, bringing with him the soldiering skills he had acquired with the Fighting 69th; skills that he spread throughout the Irish Volunteers and which helped to transform the movement into a military force capable of fighting a war of independence. | 31 This year is the 50th Anniversary of US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's official visit to Ireland. During his visit to Leinster House in 1963, President Kennedy, on behalf of the 69th Regiment of New York, presented a flag, the actual Second Colour 'green flag' of the 'Fighting 69th' New York Volunteer Infantry, the First Regiment of 'Meagher's' Irish Brigade of the US Army of the Potomac (one part of the historic lineage of the 69th Regiment of New York) to the people of Ireland. [The First Colour green regimental flag was shot full of holes in battle, mostly at Antietam (Sharpsburg) on 17 September 1862 (the bloodiest single day in American history); the Second Colour was not delivered until the day after the heroic assault upon Marye's Heights at the Battle of Fredericksburg, 13 December 1862, or it might have suffered a similar fate.] This flag, which is displayed in Leinster House, is one of the most significant artefacts relating to the Irish experience of the American Civil War. The authors would like to thank Col James P Tierney (retd), Honorary Colonel of the Fighting 69th Regiment, for his valuable assistance in the preparation of this article. The Fighting 69th Muster roll for 1912 by permission of Col J Tierney (retd) Irish delegation to USA, 1924 Photograph of Irish Volunteers in Training Camp 1915, (L/R): Terence McSwiney, Richard Mulcahy, Michael O'Buachalla, John Brennan, J.J. O'Connell, Peter Paul Galligan, Mick Spillane, Dick Fitzgerald, Lardner and Mick Cremen. (BMH. CD.105.2.6) www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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