James Brady (soldier)

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Col. James Dennis Brady (April 3, 1843-November 30, 1900) is an obscure figure of the American Civil War and of his time. Recently discovered family letters (142 pages) span more than 27 years. In total there are 87 letters: 47 from James, 34 from his sister Annie, 3 from Sister Mary Joseph, 2 from his brother Joseph and 1 unknown.

James was one of five children born to the Irish immigrant parents of Bartholomew and Elizabeth Brady, in Portsmouth, Virginia April 3, 1843. His parents died in the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic, which claimed the lives of approximately 10% of the Portsmouth, Virginia population.

[edit] Civil War accomplishments

He enlisted March 9, 1861 as private in Company A, 37th New York Volunteers, “Irish Riffles”, Irish Brigade commissioned as Lieutenant then Adjutant, promoted to Captain, Major, Lieutenant and Colonel of the regiment and last named officer honorably mustered out of service May 26, 1865, claiming to be the youngest colonel in the Army of the Potomac; he fought in all the great battles in which the Irish Brigade was engaged, Commanded “The Color Company” in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 17, 1862, four notable injuries including being wounded in the head while leading his company in the assault of the Irish Brigade upon Marye’s heights; in the leg in the second day of the battle of Fair Oaks, the morning that General Howard lost his arm; wounded in the mouth at Malvern Hill and again wounded in the arm at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864 in which he a shot passed through his abdomen. Personally complimented by General Hancock at the battle of Fredericksburg on the afternoon that General Zook was mortally wounded (Brady was with him).

[edit] Entrepreneur

James Brady returned to Virginia after the war taking home the colors (flag) of the Irish Brigade, as was the tradition. Later donated the flag to Notre Dame who have written a book on the flag called “Blue for the Union, Green for Ireland.” Elected Clerk of the Court in Portsmouth, President Hayes appoints James Collector of Internal Revenue, successful run for the Senate in 1875 that was overturned due to the “Ballot Box stuffers” scandal, James writes “..There is nothing that discourages me”, elected member of the Forty-ninth Congress, Representative of VA and “held many other positions of emolument and trust, both in State and Federal Government.” “Seriously considered for the Vice President nominee on the Republican ticket.”