IRISH-AMERICAN-L Archives
Archiver > IRISH-AMERICAN > 2007-02 > 1171745508
From: <>
Subject: Re: [IRISH-AMER] Jeremiah O'Brien - American Revolution
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:51:48 -0500
References: <8f1801c752d1$1a7caf90$4e1ecac6@jean>
In-Reply-To: <8f1801c752d1$1a7caf90$4e1ecac6@jean>
Many thanks, Jean. Glad to see news of "Jeremiah O'Brien" / Diarmuid Ó
Briain
Born in Maine, like many of his Irish-American compatriots "Jeremiah
O'Brien" (i.e., Diarmuid Ó Briain) and his brothers did not speak English.
Like the Americans troops from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts at
the Battle Of Bunker Hill who cursed the climbing Highlanders in the
language they understood (i.e., Irish Gaelic), Diarmuid Ó Briain's language
was Irish. The English reported that the American cursing in Irish had a
very bad effect on the morale of the Highland troops, given that a just
curse in those days was believed by the Gaeil (both Irish and Scottish
Gaeil) to be absolutely effective, and the Highlanders knew darn well they
were fighting for tyranny against freedom! Back to "Jeremiah" - several (if
not most) of the 13 States put a Navy to sea during the Revolution (New York
was occupied by the British and could not). But "Jeremiah" and the New
Hampshire Navy were the first. His crews were Irish-speaking. When
"Jeremiah" needed to communicate with members of his crew who didn't speak
Irish, he used a colored flag system to give commands.
Le gach dea-ghuí / Best, - Jerry
Jean wrote:
1. Privateer Jeremiah O'Brien (1744-1818) was born in Maine and became a
staunch supporter of the Revolutionary cause. On June 2, 1775, he led a
raiding party, which included his four brothers, that seized the British
warship "Margaretta" in Machias, Maine. The event took place five days
before the Battle of Bunker Hill and is considered the first naval battle of
the Revolution. O'Brien and his brother John was soon commissioned as
privateers (ship captains authorized to seize enemy ships).
This thread: