In ritardo, causa more di spedizione, mi arriva uno dei regali di mio figlio per il mio 65° compleanno, Una bella bandiera del 10° Tennessee, un reggimento formato nella Confederazione sudista solo da immigrati irlandesi.
Questa la storia dell'unità:
The Tenth Tennessee regiment was formed in Nashville in April of 1861. One of the commanders was Randal McGavock , a former mayor of Nashville.
McGavock helped recruit recent immigrants (mostly from Ireland) who had helped elect him as mayor of Nashville in 1858. Because of the large number of Irishmen, this unit was named the “Sons of Erin.,” another name for the country of Ireland.
McGavock paid to outfit the regiment. The Ladies Soldiers Friend Society Nashville sewed a green and gold regimental flag with an Irish harp and the words "Sons of Erin" and "Go where glory waits you" embroidered onto the flag.
This flag was left in Ft. Henry where it was captured by Federal troops in February 1862. The Tenth surrendered at Ft. Donelson and the enlisted men were sent to the prison at Camp Douglas, Illinois. The officers, including McGavock, were sent to Ft. Warren in Massachusetts. By September of 1862, all officers and men were exchanged for Union prisoners of war.
McGavock was killed in May 1863 in Raymond, Mississippi, during a battle. Of the original members of the Sons of Erin,” only four were still fighting in 1865 when the war ended. Of the 720 original volunteers, 121 were causalities--30 killed and 90 wounded.
La scritta che informa e decora la bandiera sarà ritenuta dai più molto retorica, ma mio figlio sa che sono cose in cui credo profondamente, per cui si tratta molto di più di un semplice regalo, ma di un fantastico tributo alle idee di suo padre. Vivere una continuità di questo tipo, per un padre, credo sia una soddisfazione che nulla può eguagliare. Non avrò solo discendenti ideali, ma anche reali. Almeno una cosa giusta nella vita l'ho fatta...
Piero Visani
