Designates a portion of the state highway system as the "Col. David Ireland Memorial Highway"

Title of bill

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system as the "Col. David Ireland Memorial Highway"

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill provides that a section of New York State Route 434 in Binghamton will be renamed the "Col. David Ireland Memorial Highway."

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill adds a new section to the highway law to designate the section of Route 434 from Pennsylvania Avenue to South Washington Street.

Section 2 provides for the installation and maintenance of signage to be undertaken by the New York State Department of Transportation.

Section 3 is the enacting clause.

Justification

On July 2, 1863 at Little Round Top in Gettysburg, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine Infantry fought valiantly to hold the Union line. Their exploits are well-known, even inspiring a famous scene from the 1993 movie Gettysburg.

What many people aren't aware of is that night at Gettysburg, Colonel David Ireland and the 137th NY Infantry experienced a similar assault from Confederate troops at Culp's Hill. Under the cover of darkness and despite suffering more than 130 casualties, the regiment preserved the Union's hold on Culp's Hill, greatly contributing to victory in the war's decisive battle. Even lesser known: before heading off to battle, Colonel Ireland and the 137th NY trained on the south shores of the Susquehanna River in Binghamton.

Unlike Colonel Chamberlain, who went on to serve as the Governor of Maine and the President of Bowdoin College after his service to the Union Army, taking his heroic story with him; Colonel Ireland died from dysentery in 1864 before the end of the Civil War.

In the year before his death, the 137th NY went on to fight courageously in several other battles, and as a result was memorialized with monuments at Gettysburg and throughout the South. However, one key place with no memorial to recognize their heroism is their 'hometown' where they trained.

The designated section of highway is just west of the Camp Susquehanna site, and is perpendicular to the South Washington Street Bridge; where this bridge is currently located, a former covered bridge stood and was used by the regiment as a point of access to the downtown area. In addition to renaming a portion of Route 434, a historical roadside marker will be installed near the site of Camp Susquehanna to honor the heroic sacrifice of Colonel Ireland and his regiment.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately.