28th Massachusetts 4th Irish Brigade

[Tomsche]

My monthly entry to the A Regiment a Month blogproject, more Union troops to put those Confederates where they belong: in their place 

http://tomsche69.blogspot.com/2011/06/regiment-month-part-2-more-union-troops.html

[Brian Smaller]

Very nice. Love the greatcoats.  What manufacturer are these mate?

[Trooper]

A very crisp paintjob on those sons of Erin. The 28th Massachusetts was actually the largest regiment of the Irish Brigade, which also included the 63rd, 69th, 88th New York, and the 116th Pennsylvania. Their most celebrated action was at the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th 1862, when they charged Confederate defences on Marye's Heights At that time they were part of the 1st Division of 2nd Corps under Maj. Gen Winfield Hancock. It is reported that on that day the 28th were the only unit in the brigade to carry it's Irish colour. Ironically the defenders of the heights were also Irishmen serving in a Georgia regiment.

However, one small point, the greatcoats should actually be in sky blue wool, and not grey as depicted here. Sorry.

Faugh-a-Ballagh.

[Tomsche]

Very nice. Love the greatcoats.  What manufacturer are these mate?

They are Foundry`s matey

[Tomsche]

However, one small point, the greatcoats should actually be in sky blue wool, and not grey as depicted here. Sorry.

Aye, I know, but that made the whole unit look just plain `wrong` as I`m not subtle enough a painter to blend those colours in with the trousers  yet contrast them enough, so in the end I went for a more `greyish blue` as they sometimes seem to appear in colour plates.

[Trooper]

Having painted a greatcoated Federal unit myself, I know exactly what you mean. It just don't look right. I figured you had used a little artistic licence. Shame the photo colours don't show that to better effect.

[Colonel Tubby]

Very nice, I admire your aim at a Regiement a Month- one day I will turn my attention to ACW!

[Gluteus Maximus]

... so in the end I went for a more `greyish blue` as they sometimes seem to appear in colour plates.

One of the constant problems the troops faced was poor quality clothing. The term "shoddy" originated in the ACW and came from the practice of contractors making clothing in very poor quality material. Cheap dyes, extreme weather conditions and cost-cutting contractors meant that the regulation shades of blue were often not seen on campaign.

In other words - they look great whatever the shade of their greatcoats 

[VonMoltke]

Very nice painting!