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Irish-American Charlestonians and the Civil War Irish Charlestonians loyally supported the Confederacy, and several Charleston Irish-American companies joined the Confederate Army. The Charleston Meagher Guard named for a famous Irish-American soldier, changed its name to the Emerald Light Infantry when Meagher became a general in the Union Army. McGowan's Brigade was the first Confederate colors to enter Gettysburg. The Irish Volunteers fought valiantly in numerous battles. It is said they were the first company to volunteer for the duration of the war. William H. Ryan, a native of Charleston, served as first lieutenant of the Irish Volunteers and then as captain of the Charleston Battalion. He was a hero of the Battle of Secessionville but was killed in the brutal assault on Battery Wagner. Irish Charlestonians also served on the submarine Hunley, which one historian claims was designed by an Irishman, J. R. McClintock. The crew of the ironclad Chicora included a McCarthy, a McGovern, a McQuinn, a Noonan, a Scanlon, a Conrad, a Cleary, and a Kelly. Captain John C. Mitchell of the First Regiment, S. C. Artillery, was an Irish-American whose dying words at Fort Sumter on July 20, 1864, inspired his comrades: "I willingly give my life for South Carolina. Oh, that I could have died for Ireland." The Charleston Irish community was especially proud of the Irish Volunteers. The students at the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy made a flag, which the bishop, Patrick N. Lynch, presented in the Cathedral. It was described as follows:
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