The Civil War's Valiant Irish

This story opens in Ireland with two sets of twins setting out for America. The females, Nellie and Molly McCarthy, from County Cork become nurses, enabling the author to bring Abraham Lincoln into the tale. The males from County Cavan, cousins of Phillip Sheridan, immigrate—Matt Smith to the Confederacy, Brian Smith headed north. Matt serves as a scout for JEB Stuart, Brian ultimately joins the Irish Brigade. Other main characters from the Union: Sheridan, Father Corby, Meagher, Nugent, O’Kane, and O’Rorke —from the Confederacy: Cleburne, JEB Stuart, Stonewall Jackson, Early, and Mahone, sharing their involvement in 40 of the major battles (Including Fredericksburg and Gettysburg), Andersonville Prison and the New York City riots.
Almost 200,000 Irish-born wore either Grey or Blue. Even self-described Civil War buffs will learn little-known facts, such as the exploits of O’Kane and the 69th Regiment of the Philadelphia Brigade.
The use of the fictional Smiths and McCarthys enables the author to take his readers into the thoughts, feelings, and decisions of the great Civil War notables.