Irish Molly at Antietam: The Forgotten Heroine of the 88th New York

'...her unshaken resolve stiffened my backbone.'

Civil War photo of a camp laundress. She likely 
his the soldier's wife and those are their children.
Camp of 31st Pennsylvania Infantry near Washington, D.C.
(Library of Congress)

Women rarely served as soldiers in the Civil War, but their role in the war effort was undeniable. More than 21,000 Northern women took on essential duties—nursing the wounded, cooking for troops, and laboring as laundresses, seamstresses, and matrons. Their work sustained the army, yet history often overlooks their contributions.

One such woman stood out among the ranks, defying expectations and stepping onto the battlefield itself. Known as "Irish Molly," she followed Meagher’s Irish Brigade—particularly the 88th New York Regiment, where her husband served. When the brigade launched its fearless charge at Bloody Lane during the Battle of Antietam, Irish Molly was there, standing alongside the soldiers and cheering them forward despite the relentless gunfire.

Her presence did not go unnoticed. Thomas Livermore of the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers recalled hearing of her bravery: 

"I was told that a woman, who followed the Irish Brigade as a laundress or nurse, went up with it and, standing with it in the fight, swung her bonnet around and cheered on the men." [1]

Another eyewitness, Charles C. Hale of the 5th New Hampshire Infantry, offered a more vivid account: 

"As our first brigade was forming to relieve them, we saw 'Irish Molly' of the 88th New York—a big, muscular woman who had followed her husband through every campaign. She stood just to the left of their line, seemingly indifferent to the bullets flying around her. Jumping up and down, swinging her sunbonnet over her head, she cheered the Paddys on. As I caught sight of her through the drifting powder smoke, her unshaken resolve stiffened my own backbone immensely." [2]

Despite the dangers, Irish Molly refused to leave. When the Irish Brigade withdrew from the field that day, she walked beside them, helping the wounded. Her determination symbolized the spirit and resilience of the women who stood behind the Union army, whether tending to the wounded or—like her— standing amid the chaos of battle itself.

Though few names of women who served with soldiers in direct combat are remembered, the story of Irish Molly [*] offers a rare glimpse into the hidden heroines of the Civil War. Her legacy lingers in scattered accounts, reminding us that courage is not confined to the ranks of the enlisted.

This was one of the millions of forgotten stories from the Irrepressible Conflict.

Mac

═══ ⚔ 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒔 ⚑ ═══  

[*] Her name - Irish Molly - is likely a nickname from a popular song of the day - Irish Molly, O - a traditional Irish song of Irish and Scottish origin. The song was widely popular in North America in the early 19th century. It was first published by A.W. Aunner in Philadelphia around 1830. [3]

Works Cited

[1] Shiels, Damian. "Irish Molly' at Antietam". Irish in the American Civil War website - June 15, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2025.

[2] Hale, Charles C. "The Story of  My Personal Experience at the Battle of Antietam (Company C, 5th New Hampshire Volunteers)". John R. Brooke Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

[3] "Irish Molly O". Wikipedia,com website. Retrieved June 10, 2025.