It is indeed a very interesting fact that Historians have estimated that up to two million Irishmen left Ireland to join the armies of foreign countries in the hundred years after 1691, with half a million dying for France alone during this peiod. They were under sentence of death never to return. All of them forfeited everything-their homes, their families, their lands and estates.
War-battered dogs are we, Fighters in every clime; fillers of trench and grave , Mockers bemocked
By time. War-dogs hungry and grey, Gnawing a naked bone, Fighters in every clime-
Every cause but our own.
Emily Lawless, " With the Wild Geese "
By time. War-dogs hungry and grey, Gnawing a naked bone, Fighters in every clime-
Every cause but our own.
Emily Lawless, " With the Wild Geese "
"Coote Bahadur " Lieutenant General Sir Eyre Coote 1726-1786, born near Limerick Ireland
From the seventeenth century irish were serving in India in the forces of the British Honourable East India Company, which had slowly built up its strength first as a trading company and then an accompanying military body. It was totally seperate from the British Army. The son of the Reverened Chidley Coote, Eyre Coote entered the 27th Regiment of Foot. He first saw active service in the Jacobite rising of 1745, and later obtained a Captaincy in the 39th Regiment, the first British regiment sent to India. In 1756 a part of the regiment, then quartered at Madras ( now known as Chennai ) was sent forward to to join Robert Clive in his operations against Calcutta, which was reoccupied without difficulty.
From the seventeenth century irish were serving in India in the forces of the British Honourable East India Company, which had slowly built up its strength first as a trading company and then an accompanying military body. It was totally seperate from the British Army. The son of the Reverened Chidley Coote, Eyre Coote entered the 27th Regiment of Foot. He first saw active service in the Jacobite rising of 1745, and later obtained a Captaincy in the 39th Regiment, the first British regiment sent to India. In 1756 a part of the regiment, then quartered at Madras ( now known as Chennai ) was sent forward to to join Robert Clive in his operations against Calcutta, which was reoccupied without difficulty.
Coote was soon given the local rank of Major for his good conduct in the surprise attack of the Nawab's camp. Soon afterwards came the Battle of Plassey, which would probably never have taken place but for Coote's advice at the council of war; after the defeat of the Nawab he led a detachment in pursuit of the french for 400 miles under extraordinary difficulties. His conduct won him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the command of the 84th Regiment of Foot, newly raised for Indian service, but his exertions had seriously damaged his health. In 1759 Coote's Regiment arrived to take part in the decisive struggle between English and French in the Carnatic. He took command of the forces at Madras, and in 1760 led them in the decisive victory of Wandiwash ( January 22nd ). After a time the remnants of Lally's Forces ( an Irishman leading the French, see previous page ) were shut up in Pondicherry. For some reason Coote was not entrusted with the siege operations, but he cheerfully and loyally supported William Monson, who brought the siege to a successful end on January 15th 1761.
Soon afterwards Coote was given command of the British East India Company's forces in Bengal, and settled of a serious dispute between the Nawab Mir Cassim and a powerful subordinate. In 1762 he returned to England, receiving a jewelled sword of honour from the Company and other rewards for his great services. In 1771 he was made a K.B. In 1779 he returned to India as Lieutenant-general commandering chief. Following the policy of Warren Hastings, he nevertheless refused to take sides in the quarrels of the council, and made a firm stand in all matters affecting the forces. Hyder Ali's crushing and decisive defeat of Porto Novo struck the first heavy blow at Hyder's schemes. The battle was won by Coote at odds of five to one, and it is regarded as one of the British in India. It was followed up by another hard fought battle at Pollilur ( the scene of an earlier triumph of Hyder over a British Force ). On August 27th in which the British won another success, and by the rout of the Mysore troops at Sholingarh a month later. His last service was the arduous campaign of 1782, which finally shattered a constitution already impaired by hardship and exertions. Sir Eyre Coote died at sea whilst sailing from Calcutta to Madras with his wife,shortly before news reached India of the Treaty of Versailles which restored in full to the British the Indian territories for which Coote had fought so long. He was bueried at Madras. but before we end this chapter on this brilliant Irish soldier there are several facts which i would like to mention about this incredible Officer, which most people are not aware of.
At the Battle of Wandewash in 1760, where Coote defeated Lally, Coote adopted a two-deep line of Infantry as a battle formation, nearly half a century before Wellington did so. Eyre Coote is not as well known in the British Army History as Gough, who defeated the Sikhs, or Nicholson of the Punjab and Indian Mutiny, or Wellington of the Penninsular War. All were Irishmen. His reputation is secure as the irish soldier who defeated France and the formidable Hyder Ali and won for Britain supreme power in India. In the matter of tactics on the field, the noted military historian Sir John Fortescue writes ' he seems to have been one of the greatest masters of his own or any other time...He could handle ten thousand men with the ease and precision of a sergeant drilling a squad in the barrack yard ' In organising his army in Madras Coote was careful to reduce the chronic friction between the King's and Company's officers striving to be fair in assigning commands. Coote's impatience with civilian colleagues and his often imperoius and difficult temperament were not helped by his failing health in his later years. As a General he was to the Sepoys Coote ' Bahadur ', a persian word meaning bold, and in Hindustani a superlative meaning courage. Captain Innes Munro of the 73rd Foot ( later the Black Watch ) spoke of the respect granted to Coote by both Sepoy and European troops; " The soldier's friend, most dear to the soldiers he commanded for his personal bravery, his great likeability, and his affectionate regard for their honour and interests ". He had particularly commended a Highland Piper of the 73rd at the Battle of Porto Novo, with ' astonishing composure ' , continued to play as he marched up and down during the battle. Coote was the first British Commander to mention by name in his despatches NCOs and private soldiers, both British and Indian. Not until over sixty years later would General Sir Charles Napier ( another Irishman ) do the same.
Soon afterwards Coote was given command of the British East India Company's forces in Bengal, and settled of a serious dispute between the Nawab Mir Cassim and a powerful subordinate. In 1762 he returned to England, receiving a jewelled sword of honour from the Company and other rewards for his great services. In 1771 he was made a K.B. In 1779 he returned to India as Lieutenant-general commandering chief. Following the policy of Warren Hastings, he nevertheless refused to take sides in the quarrels of the council, and made a firm stand in all matters affecting the forces. Hyder Ali's crushing and decisive defeat of Porto Novo struck the first heavy blow at Hyder's schemes. The battle was won by Coote at odds of five to one, and it is regarded as one of the British in India. It was followed up by another hard fought battle at Pollilur ( the scene of an earlier triumph of Hyder over a British Force ). On August 27th in which the British won another success, and by the rout of the Mysore troops at Sholingarh a month later. His last service was the arduous campaign of 1782, which finally shattered a constitution already impaired by hardship and exertions. Sir Eyre Coote died at sea whilst sailing from Calcutta to Madras with his wife,shortly before news reached India of the Treaty of Versailles which restored in full to the British the Indian territories for which Coote had fought so long. He was bueried at Madras. but before we end this chapter on this brilliant Irish soldier there are several facts which i would like to mention about this incredible Officer, which most people are not aware of.
At the Battle of Wandewash in 1760, where Coote defeated Lally, Coote adopted a two-deep line of Infantry as a battle formation, nearly half a century before Wellington did so. Eyre Coote is not as well known in the British Army History as Gough, who defeated the Sikhs, or Nicholson of the Punjab and Indian Mutiny, or Wellington of the Penninsular War. All were Irishmen. His reputation is secure as the irish soldier who defeated France and the formidable Hyder Ali and won for Britain supreme power in India. In the matter of tactics on the field, the noted military historian Sir John Fortescue writes ' he seems to have been one of the greatest masters of his own or any other time...He could handle ten thousand men with the ease and precision of a sergeant drilling a squad in the barrack yard ' In organising his army in Madras Coote was careful to reduce the chronic friction between the King's and Company's officers striving to be fair in assigning commands. Coote's impatience with civilian colleagues and his often imperoius and difficult temperament were not helped by his failing health in his later years. As a General he was to the Sepoys Coote ' Bahadur ', a persian word meaning bold, and in Hindustani a superlative meaning courage. Captain Innes Munro of the 73rd Foot ( later the Black Watch ) spoke of the respect granted to Coote by both Sepoy and European troops; " The soldier's friend, most dear to the soldiers he commanded for his personal bravery, his great likeability, and his affectionate regard for their honour and interests ". He had particularly commended a Highland Piper of the 73rd at the Battle of Porto Novo, with ' astonishing composure ' , continued to play as he marched up and down during the battle. Coote was the first British Commander to mention by name in his despatches NCOs and private soldiers, both British and Indian. Not until over sixty years later would General Sir Charles Napier ( another Irishman ) do the same.
Private Albert D.J Cashier (right) Dec 25th 1843-1915, was infact a woman called
Nee Jennie Irene Hodgers. Nee was born in Clogherhead, County Louth, Ireland and travelled to the states as an immigrant with her family. Her story is certainly worth telling.
It is sometimes referred to as the ' best kept secret ' of the American Civil War. Nee served with Company G. 95th Illinois Regiment. The Infantry Regiment compiled an impressive record as hard fighting and oft-bloodied unit. In the Vicksburg Campaign it was among the 10 Federal regiments suffering the greatest casualties. In the Federal assualt of may 19th, 1863, the 95th Illinois was the only regiment of General James B. McPherson's XVII Corps to directly assail the Confederate defense line. Driving forward in the area 700 yards south of the Stockade Redan, the 95th Illinois crossed Glass Bayou, scrambled up a steep slope
Nee Jennie Irene Hodgers. Nee was born in Clogherhead, County Louth, Ireland and travelled to the states as an immigrant with her family. Her story is certainly worth telling.
It is sometimes referred to as the ' best kept secret ' of the American Civil War. Nee served with Company G. 95th Illinois Regiment. The Infantry Regiment compiled an impressive record as hard fighting and oft-bloodied unit. In the Vicksburg Campaign it was among the 10 Federal regiments suffering the greatest casualties. In the Federal assualt of may 19th, 1863, the 95th Illinois was the only regiment of General James B. McPherson's XVII Corps to directly assail the Confederate defense line. Driving forward in the area 700 yards south of the Stockade Redan, the 95th Illinois crossed Glass Bayou, scrambled up a steep slope
and weathered blistering fire to reach a point less than 100 yards from the enemy position. Here the unit remained until ordered to withdraw the following morning. In this action the unit suffered 62 casualties. A year later the 95th was engulfed in the rout of the Federal forces at Brice's Crossroads in Northern Mississipi. In the debacle the unit lost its Colonel, and three Captains who successively commanded the unit. The 95th Illinois returned to Memphis Tennessee, depleted and demoralised under the command of a captain its fifth commanding officer during this brief campaign. The 95th also participated in the ensuing Red River and Nashville Campaigns, closing out the war in operations at Mobile, Alabama. The Regiment is reported to have traveled over 9,000 miles in its three years of service. Private Cashier was one of those fortunate soldiers who apparently escaped the ravages of combat and desease. The record does not indicate that Nee was ever wounded, seriously sick, or captured during the war. Barely
Five feet tall, thin, laconic, private Cashier made no effort to mingle with peers, and preferred to sit apart from the others while smoking a pipe in contemplative silence. Members of the unit characterized Cashier as one who was always ready for duty, never sick and capable of enduring long marches. In return for assistance in tasks involving heavy lifting, Cashier would sew on buttons and mend torn clothing. At the end of the war Cashier was mustered out with the remainder of the regiment on August 17th, 1865 after serving for three years and 11 days in the ranks.
Settling down in Saunemin, a village lying 75 miles southwest of Chicargo, Illinois. Nee eked out a living with a variety of jobs. The years rolled by, transforming the youthful veteran into a bent sexagenarian. Nee continued to adhere to a hard working lonely life style; occasionally being jolted out of silence by brash youngsters shouting
" Drummer Boy, Drummer Boy " The old veteran would turn on the tormenters and rage " I was no drummer boy, i was a fighting Infantryman ". In the proceeding years Cashier had joined the Grand Army of the Republic- The largest organization of Union Veterans. In 1899, Cashier applied for a pension. Incredibly after being examined by three surgeons in connection with the claim was deemed eligible for a veterans pension.
In 1911, almost 50 years after the Vicksburg Campaign, Cashier was struck by an automobile. A physician summoned to the scene examined the old soldier , noted a broken leg, then looked for other injuries. Much to his astonishment he discovered that Cashier was a woman. She prevailed upon the physician to maintain her secret intact.
After this incident everything seemed to go down hill for this old veteran. Within three months failing health compelled her to reside at the Soldier's and Sailor's Home in Quincy, Illinois. Crippled and bedridden she still clung to the fiction of masculinity. Three years later a deteriorating mental condition led to her confinement in an insane asylum at Waterdown, Illinois. There she was finally compelled to wear female attire.
Albert D.J. Cashier passed away on the 10th October 1915. She carried to her grave the reasons why the disguise. The Grand Army of The Republic provided an impressive military funeral. Upon the headstone over her grave in Sunny Slope Cemetary was inscribed the same masculine name she carried into the battle and bore throughout her life. She left a small estate largely emanating from her military pension. In the absence of valid claims from relatives, the county treasurer still continues to hold these funds.
In the 1980's measures were taken to correctly identify the grave site. Visitors now find two headstones in Place-the original veteran marker and a larger memorial stone inscribed :
Five feet tall, thin, laconic, private Cashier made no effort to mingle with peers, and preferred to sit apart from the others while smoking a pipe in contemplative silence. Members of the unit characterized Cashier as one who was always ready for duty, never sick and capable of enduring long marches. In return for assistance in tasks involving heavy lifting, Cashier would sew on buttons and mend torn clothing. At the end of the war Cashier was mustered out with the remainder of the regiment on August 17th, 1865 after serving for three years and 11 days in the ranks.
Settling down in Saunemin, a village lying 75 miles southwest of Chicargo, Illinois. Nee eked out a living with a variety of jobs. The years rolled by, transforming the youthful veteran into a bent sexagenarian. Nee continued to adhere to a hard working lonely life style; occasionally being jolted out of silence by brash youngsters shouting
" Drummer Boy, Drummer Boy " The old veteran would turn on the tormenters and rage " I was no drummer boy, i was a fighting Infantryman ". In the proceeding years Cashier had joined the Grand Army of the Republic- The largest organization of Union Veterans. In 1899, Cashier applied for a pension. Incredibly after being examined by three surgeons in connection with the claim was deemed eligible for a veterans pension.
In 1911, almost 50 years after the Vicksburg Campaign, Cashier was struck by an automobile. A physician summoned to the scene examined the old soldier , noted a broken leg, then looked for other injuries. Much to his astonishment he discovered that Cashier was a woman. She prevailed upon the physician to maintain her secret intact.
After this incident everything seemed to go down hill for this old veteran. Within three months failing health compelled her to reside at the Soldier's and Sailor's Home in Quincy, Illinois. Crippled and bedridden she still clung to the fiction of masculinity. Three years later a deteriorating mental condition led to her confinement in an insane asylum at Waterdown, Illinois. There she was finally compelled to wear female attire.
Albert D.J. Cashier passed away on the 10th October 1915. She carried to her grave the reasons why the disguise. The Grand Army of The Republic provided an impressive military funeral. Upon the headstone over her grave in Sunny Slope Cemetary was inscribed the same masculine name she carried into the battle and bore throughout her life. She left a small estate largely emanating from her military pension. In the absence of valid claims from relatives, the county treasurer still continues to hold these funds.
In the 1980's measures were taken to correctly identify the grave site. Visitors now find two headstones in Place-the original veteran marker and a larger memorial stone inscribed :
albert d.j. Cashier
Co.G,95 ill inf civil war
born: jennie hodgers, in clogher head, ireland
1843-1915
Co.G,95 ill inf civil war
born: jennie hodgers, in clogher head, ireland
1843-1915
