Historical Marker Honors Binghamton’s Heroes Of Gettysburg

By David Cleutz · Originally published August 2016 · p. 16

Dignitaries, historians and citizens gathered at Veterans Park in Binghamton on Thursday, June 23 to unveil a Historical Marker honoring Col. David Ireland and the 137th N.Y. Volunteers, heroes of Gettysburg. Here at Camp Susquehanna in September 1862, Capt. David Ireland of the 15th U.S. Infantry, newly named Colonel of the 137th N.Y., had organized and trained his volunteers. At Gettysburg on the night of July 2, they defended the extreme right of the Union line in the swale between the two summits of Culp’s Hill. Under attack on three sides by Confederate General George Steuart’s Brigade, despite being outnumbered 5-1, the men of the 137th N.Y. did not break and run. They fought as Col. Ireland had trained them – like regular army troops. Culp’s Hill was held, the Union line remained intact that night, and complete victory followed in the morning. New York State erected a monument in their honor at the site of their heroic stand. It says simply “The 137th Regiment of New York Infantry held this position July 2, 1863, and until the retreat of the Union Army.” Now after more than a century of relative obscurity, this marker honors them in their hometown. It reads “CAMP SUSQUEHANNA. Near this spot, Col. David Ireland trained the 137th NY. They defended the right flank on Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg, contributing to Union victory in the battle &

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, author David Cleutz, citizens Tom Haines and Bernard Mulligan. (Roger Luther) Civil War.” Funds to procure the marker were raised in one night at a fundraiser in Binghamton, hosted by N.Y. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and two citizens who had worked diligently to gain this honor for the regiment - Tom Haines and Bernard Mulligan. Lupardo and N.Y. State Senator Fred Akshar led the dedication ceremonies for the marker. They announced that a section of N.Y.S. Highway 434 near Camp Susquehanna would also be designated the Col. David Ireland & 137th N.Y. Highway, in further honor of this distinguished regiment. Among the speakers telling of Col. Ireland’s 137th N.Y. was Jay

Purdy of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, who had early supported the effort to procure the marker. Lupardo and Akshar unveiled the marker, accompanied by a musket salute and three cheers of “Hiphip-hooray!” from the assembled re-enactors of the 137th N.Y. Men of the SUVCW Col. David Ireland Camp #137 carried the colors of the regiment. At Gettysburg, Col. Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine had earlier on July 2 made a heroic stand at to protect the left flank of the Union line. Chamberlain survived the war and publicized his achievements in later years. The novel “The Killer

Angels” was based on their fight at Little Round Top, with the movie “Gettysburg” giving Chamberlain and his men mythic status. Protecting the right flank of the Union line, Col. David Ireland led the 137th New York to victory at Culp’s Hill that night, without getting that same legendary status. Sent west after Gettysburg, Ireland led the 137th N.Y. to another victory at Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, and Ringgold Gap. Monuments honor them on those battlefields. Sadly, David Ireland died of dysentery just days after leading his troops into Atlanta in September 1864. His body was sent home to his new bride to rest in Binghamton’s Spring Forest Cemetery. Unlike the 20th Maine, his regiment’s story would be little told. But noted historians now acknowledge their heroic stand. Noah Trudeau1 calls Ireland “the unsung hero of Culp’s Hill.” Edwin Bearss2 wrote “The regiment that does everything the 20th Maine does and is not high profile at Gettysburg – the 137th New York.” James McPherson3 wrote “The 137th fought just as courageously against superior numbers as the 20th Maine did.” And now, 153 years after their valor at Culp’s Hill, these upstate New York volunteers are honored in Binghamton at the site where they became soldiers.

In the surprise midnight battle of October 29 at Wauhatchie, Col. Ireland defended the left flank of John Geary’s White Star division against the flank attack of the Hampton Legion. His men fought back to back to hold off attackers from front, left, and rear. Though down to their last bullets, bayonets fixed, Geary’s little group had frustrated Longstreet’s attackers who withdrew back to Lookout Mountain. A month later, Col. Ireland led his men up the rugged slopes of Lookout Mountain, driving off the Confederate defenders. Three days later at Ringgold Gap, Col. Ireland’s men drove the last of the Army of Tennessee into Georgia. Later, Gen. Geary said “I have given you the credit of saving my division from rout or capture at Wauhatchie. As I passed your rear and noticed the vigorous attack that was made upon you, I exclaimed: My God, if the 137th gives way all is lost! But thanks to the coolness, skill, and courage of your commanding officer, and to your own determined will, you maintained your ground nobly, and the enemy was driven back to his mountain den.” Geary had led two brigades away from Culp’s Hill on July 2, only Greene’s Brigade remaining, leaving David Ireland to defend the end of the line. Had Geary been there that night, he should have given the 137th N.Y. that same credit. The men of the 137th N.Y. were farmers, craftsmen, canal boatmen, ordinary men that Col. Ireland had molded into an extraordinary fighting force. They didn’t ask for praise – they were just doing the job he had trained them to do. They did it well. As the 137th N.Y. monument at Gettysburg proclaims, “For its services in this and many other great battles of the war it holds a proud position in the history of the great rebellion”. With this Historical Marker, their hometown of Binghamton has honored them permanently. David Irelan and the 137th NY deserve the fame; they long ago earned the glory! References: 1. Noah Trudeau, Gettysburg – A Testing of Courage 2. Edwin Bearss – Fields of Honor – Pivotal Battles of the Civil War 3. James McPherson – Hallowed Ground – A Walk at Gettysburg Binghamton resident David Cleutz is the author of Fields of Fame & Glory – Col. David Ireland & 137th NY and Rebels in the Front Yard – Liberty at Gettysburg.