“The Irish in Pennsylvania Coal Country” | Interview on the “Transatlantic” podcast

Posted on by Jake Wynn
Transatlantic podcast episode with Jake Wynn Public Historian about Irish immigration in Pennsylvania

Join me, Fin Dwyer, and Damian Shiels on the “Transatlantic” podcast for a deep dive into how 19th-century Irish newcomers shaped coal mining communities in eastern Pennsylvania. From labor battles to cultural legacies, discover their enduring impact on the region’s history. Listen to the full story.

“Whiskey has cost me my own life” | An interview with John Lanahan of the 46th Pennsylvania

Posted on by Jake Wynn
Lanahan grave at Frederick Maryland Civil War

A haunting interview from 1861 reveals Private John Lanahan’s remorse after fatally shooting Major Arnold Lewis in a whiskey-fueled rage. Discover how an Irish immigrant’s fleeting moment of violence led to a shocking public execution – and a cautionary tale for other Civil War soldiers. Read the full story.

“He Died Like A Good Christian” – A Death From Typhoid Fever in the 96th Pennsylvania

Posted on by Jake Wynn

Twenty-two year old Private Patrick Kennedy died from typhoid fever on February 7, 1862 in Camp Northumberland, Virginia.