The "New Yorkers" attending Mass are the men of the 69th New York State Militia, a short service principally Irish regiment whose Colonel, Michael Corcoran, stands with his arms folded to the right of Father Thomas H. Mooney. Corcoran is actually taken prisoner at the First Battle of Bull Run and in his absence, the 69th will go home and be discharged at the end of its service. Thomas Francis Meagher will step forward and push for the creation of an Irish Brigade of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania regiments which he will command. Corcoran will return from captivity in the exchange of prisoners and raise a new group of regiments called Corcoran's Legion. The service photographed took place at Camp Corcoran in what is today, Arlington, Virginia.
The "New Yorkers" attending Mass are the men of the 69th New York State Militia, a short service principally Irish regiment whose Colonel, Michael Corcoran, stands with his arms folded to the right of Father Thomas H. Mooney. Corcoran is actually taken prisoner at the First Battle of Bull Run and in his absence, the 69th will go home and be discharged at the end of its service. Thomas Francis Meagher will step forward and push for the creation of an Irish Brigade of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania regiments which he will command. Corcoran will return from captivity in the exchange of prisoners and raise a new group of regiments called Corcoran's Legion. The service photographed took place at Camp Corcoran in what is today, Arlington, Virginia.