Altan (album)
Altan is the second (studio) album by Frankie Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (future founders of the Irish band Altan), originally released in 1987 by Green Linnet Records. The musicians appearing on this album are substantially those that became the early incarnation of the band Altan. The band later (retroactively) called "Altan" their debut album.
Credits.
Tracks 1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,13 arranged by Kennedy, Ní Mhaonaigh, Kelly, Curran.
Tracks 3,4,8,10 arranged by Kennedy, Ní Mhaonaigh, Kelly, Curran, Lunny.
All tracks are traditionals, except the following:
References.
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Frankie Kennedy
Frankie Kennedy (30 September 1955 – 19 September 1994) was a flute and tin whistle player born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was also the co-founder of the band Altan, formed with his wife Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. The popular "Frankie Kennedy Winter Music School" was founded in 1994 in his honour.
Biography.
Early life.
He had three sisters and one brother.
Kennedy's uncle was married to the daughter of Robert Cinnamond, a singer from Glenavy, County Antrim, who was a frequent visitor in his family home.
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />His memory of [Cinnamond] was as a gentle soul singing "Dobbin's Flowery Vale", a version that Frankie plays. And he had all those northern versions of songs. Frankie used to say, "really I have no tradition," but he had a connection with the tradition which he didn't know himself.
Kennedy became interested in Irish traditional music when he was 18 years old, through the music of Horslips, Planxty, The Chieftains, and The Boys of the Lough. He learned his Irish as a young man in Belfast's Cumann Chluain Árd and travelled frequently to Donegal to perform at local sessions in Gweedore with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
Marriage.
When Kennedy was eighteen he took a sixth form summer trip to the Gaeltacht of Gweedore in County Donegal. He went to a session one evening and there met a fifteen-year-old fiddle player named Mairéad, daughter of the session's leader Proinsias Ó Maonaigh. They were attracted to each other, and he wrote to her regularly after leaving Donegal.
He was advised by a friend that he should learn an instrument if he intended to court Mairéad, and so he got a whistle and taught himself to play. Later he learned the flute, a somewhat louder instrument, so that he could hear himself in sessions. His love for Mairéad coupled with perfectionist tendencies turned him into a well-respected flute player.
Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh married in 1981.
Forming Altan.
The new couple continued to play at sessions in Donegal, and this formed the basis for their musical partnership. They made their recording debut on Albert Fry's eponymous record in 1979 and later formed a short-lived group called Ragairne which also included Gearóid Ó Maonaigh, Ní Mhaonaigh's brother, on guitar, and was rejoined in 1981 by singer Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, later known as Enya.
Joined by bouzouki player Ciarán Curran and Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, now known as Enya, on synthesizer, Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh released a recording entitled "Ceol Aduaidh" on Gael-Linn records in 1983.
At the time, Kennedy and Ní Mhaonaigh were earning their living by teaching at St. Oliver Plunkett National School in Malahide, north County Dublin. But live performances in 1984 and 1985, particularly in the United States, convinced them that there was an audience for "no-compromise traditional music played with heart and drive," and they were persuaded to give up teaching.
During this time, the group added guitarist Mark Kelly and released in 1987 a record called "Altan", named after a lake in Donegal, although the name Altan wasn't used for the band on that release. But the band's musical momentum was building rapidly, and they would release three records in three years as Altan between 1989 and 1991. "Altan" was produced by Dónal Lunny, who subsequently appeared as either a producer or guest musician on every Altan album which followed.
Later life and death.
Kennedy was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a vicious form of cancer, in 1992. Despite his illness Kennedy continued to tour and record with Altan. The band released "Island Angel" in 1993, and continued to tour through 1994, the year of his death. Although Kennedy had experienced 18 months in remission, the cancer returned "full blast" afterwards. He died on 19 September at the age of 38 in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Kennedy is buried in Gweedore, County Donegal.
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />The flute-player Frankie Kennedy, of the traditional group Altan, was buried yesterday after a concelebrated Mass in Derrybeg Church, Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal, attended by hundreds of musicians from Ireland, Britain, the Continent and North America. The prayers were led by Father Gary Hastings in a Mass sung by members of Cor Chuil Aodha, led by Peadar O Riada. Raidio na Gaeltachta broadcast the Mass live, with overlays of the flute-player's music. Matt Molloy of the Chieftains led the communion with a slow air; Altan members Daithi Sproule, Paul Kelly, Dermot Byrne, Ciaran Curran and Ciaran Tourish blended with mazurkas from fiddler Johnny Doherty, and Paddy Glackin and Donal Lunny concluded on fiddle and synthesizer playing "Paddy's Rambles in the Park". With his flute on the coffin, Frankie Kennedy was saluted by Altan's playing of his own reel, "Harvest Storm".
Altan, in accordance with Kennedy's wishes, continued to record and perform after his death.
Legacy.
Flute style.
Kennedy was widely considered to be a master of the simple system flute. "Simple system" flutes are so named because they do not use a metal key system as complex as the Boehm system found on the Western concert flute; for the majority of notes played on the instrument the player covers the tone holes directly with his or her fingers rather than using a metal key. Simple system flutes are predominant in Irish traditional music.
Kennedy learned to play the flute in his birth city of Belfast, as part of a musical community which produced a number of well-known flute players, including Hammy Hamilton, Gary Hastings, Gerry O'Donnell, Desi Wilkinson, and Sam Murray.
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />It was a good time to be learning the flute there, because everybody had their own style. There wasn't anyone copying the next person – they ware all seeking music from the likes of Roger Sherlock, Cathal McConnell and Conal Ó Gráda, or going down the country. He just threw himself into the music. Frankie was also a huge rock and roll fan – Rory Gallagher, Van Morrison. He never played any of it. – he just loved going to hear different types of music.
Kennedy's style was characterised first and foremost by the music he played; most of the tunes originated from County Donegal, and his flute style corresponded well with the characteristic Donegal fiddle tradition. His recorded legacy is almost exclusively with his wife and Altan, although he did perform on Clannad's album "Banba".
His playing was smooth and somewhat less heavily ornamented than that of other popular Irish flute players like Matt Molloy. But like Molloy, the use of flattened "blue notes" for expressive purposes "was a strong feature of Frankie Kennedy's playing with Altan."
Kennedy played flutes made by Chris Wilkes and Patrick Olwell.
Frankie Kennedy Winter School.
Established in December 1994 in remembrance of Kennedy and with the intention of keeping both his memory and the music of County Donegal alive, the Frankie Kennedy Winter School (Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy in Irish gaelic) was an annual series of classes which was held for almost two decades in Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), County Donegal until the last edition occurred in December 2013–January 2014. In 2004 the school released a CD compilation of solo Irish flute played by a "who's who" of contemporary masters of the instrument, called "An Ghaoth Aduaidh/The North Wind", in honour of Kennedy. Kennedy's mother Agnes still attends the festival annually and is close to Mairéad's family.
Memorial.
St. Oliver Plunkett School, where Kennedy and Mairéad taught, planted a tree in their Garden of Peace in memory of Kennedy. The school's staff and pupils planted a Wild Pear, used to make flutes, in his honour. A plaque was also created, with the following inscription:
On the day of the planting ceremony over 400 of the school pupils, many past pupils and staff members put on a very special day-long marathon festival of music, song and dance. There was a three fold purpose. We wished to honour Frankie. We wished to celebrate his life in the way he enjoyed most, showing the joy and happiness that we can get from music, song and dance. Thirdly we wanted to raise funds for cancer research and the Hospice Foundation. We achieved our aims and had a marvellous day in the process. Mairead and Altan's Dermot and Ciaran came and played for huge audience who had gathered. It was at once a very poignant though terribly happy day.
Tributes.
Dozens of songs have been written and recorded about Kennedy, including the following:
References.
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Altan (band)
Irish folk music band
Altan are an Irish folk music band formed in County Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy. The group were primarily influenced by traditional Irish language songs from Donegal and have sold over a million records.
The group were the first traditional Irish group to be signed to a major label when they signed with Virgin Records in 1994. The group has collaborated with Dolly Parton, Enya, The Chieftains, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, and many others.
Origin.
As an 18-year-old young student and musician from Belfast, Frankie Kennedy used to travel to Gweedore, County Donegal on his summer holidays, learning Irish and playing traditional Irish music on Irish flute and tin whistle. There he met native 14-year-old Irish-speaker and musician Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, the daughter of musician Proinsias Ó Maonaigh from Gweedore and the two fell in love with each other but Ní Mhaonaigh being very young, an innocent friendship began. When she was 15, she was allowed to go to dances under her brother Gearóid Ó Maonaigh's watchful eye, and gradually Frankie Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh became a couple. They both took jobs as trainee teachers at St. Patrick's College in Dublin. In 1979, the two musicians made their recording debut as accompanists for the well-known Belfast singer and Gaelic enthusiast Albert Fry on his self-titled debut album. (In total, Ní Mhaonaigh and Kennedy would feature on the first three albums of Albert Fry.) Two years later, in 1981, Ní Mhaonaigh and Kennedy graduated from college and married when Mairéad was 21.
History.
Pre-Altan years: Ní Mhaonaigh & Kennedy.
Kennedy and Ní Mhaonaigh had moved to Dublin and were both teaching at St. Oliver Plunkett primary school in Malahide. At the time, they were also playing music in the folk clubs around Dublin. Ní Mhaonaigh had learned the Donegal style of fiddle-playing from her father. However, Donegal music was little known outside of the county at the time. Kennedy's repertoire included a number of obscure northern flute tunes drawn from his travels in County Tyrone and County Fermanagh.
In the early 1980s, Ní Mhaonaigh formed a (short-lived) band named Ragairne with Kennedy, Gearóid Ó Maonaigh (Mairéad's brother) and a then unknown musician from Gweedore, Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, later known as Enya. People became interested in their repertoire of Donegal tunes. The group's members contributed to Mairéad and Frankie's debut album, "Ceol Aduaidh" (which means "Music of the North"), produced by Nicky Ryan and released in 1983 by Gael-Linn Records. The album is a collection of Gaelic songs and Ulster jigs and reels.
After the release of their first album, Kennedy and Ní Mhaonaigh were invited to America, and they quickly realised there was a market there. They then took a career break from teaching, which ultimately became permanent.
The two started to tour with two additional members Ciarán Curran (on bouzouki) and Mark Kelly (on guitar), performing their first ever live concert as a four-member ensemble on 1 June 1985 at St. John's Church in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, this line-up – with no name yet – being the core of the future Altan band.
Inspired by the success of their debut effort, they began to work on a new group of ballads and jigs from the North. The result was the album "Altan", released in 1987 on the Green Linnet Records label, named after a lake which sits in the shadow of Errigal near Gweedore, County Donegal. In the Irish language, "altan" also means "stream". The album features many of the musicians who would later join the band.
1987–1994: "Horse with a Heart", "The Red Crow", "Harvest Storm", "Island Angel".
Shortly after the release in 1987 of "Altan", their second studio album, Ní Mhaonaigh and Kennedy named their ensemble "Altan" after the name of the album, the band's line-up remaining unchanged as a quartet including Kennedy on flute, Ní Mhaonaigh on fiddle and vocals, Ciarán Curran on bouzouki and Mark Kelly on guitar. Later on, Dublin's Paul O'Shaughnessy joined the band on fiddle, participating in the first three Green Linnet recordings (1989–1992).
In 1989, Altan released their debut album, "Horse with a Heart".
In 1990, Altan released "The Red Crow", which became the first of three Altan albums to win the "Celtic/British Isles Album of the Year" award from the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and Manufactures (NAIRD).
In 1992, Ciarán Tourish on fiddle & whistle and Dáithí Sproule on guitar joined the band for the "Harvest Storm" recording. With the arrival of Dáithí Sproule, Mark and Dáithí shared the role of guitarist, Mark touring with the band in Europe and Dáithí in the United States. In June 1992, Frankie Kennedy learned he had Ewing's sarcoma, a type of cancer that attacks bone structure. He endured surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy simultaneously continuing his work with Altan.
In 1993, the band released "Island Angel". "Billboard" cited "Island Angel" as the fourth-best-selling album of world music in 1994. In 1994, they were asked by US President Bill Clinton to perform at the White House on Saint Patrick's Day, and they played for him again on his visit to Ireland in 1998. Also, the President of Ireland Mary McAleese requested they accompany her on several State visits.
1994–2000: Kennedy's death, major label, "Blackwater", "Runaway Sunday".
While battling with cancer, Frankie Kennedy continued to steer the band to international recognition, negotiating with Virgin Records UK to sign the band. Frankie Kennedy died on 19 September 1994. After a period of mourning, the band resumed their touring as requested by Kennedy himself before he died. They became the first traditional group to be signed to a major label when they signed with Virgin Records.
Dermot Byrne, who had previously guested on accordion on two Altan recordings "The Red Crow" (1990) and "Island Angel" (1993), officially joined the band in 1994. The recording line-up became Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (vocals, fiddle), Ciarán Tourish (fiddle), Mark Kelly (guitar), Ciarán Curran (bouzouki), Dáithí Sproule (guitar) and Dermot Byrne (accordion) and remained unchanged until Dermot Byrne's departure in 2013.
In 1995, Green Linnet Records released Altan's first greatest-hits package titled "The First Ten Years".
In April 1996, Altan released "Blackwater", their first album on Virgin Records.
In July 1997, Altan released their next album, "Runaway Sunday", which featured their version of "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair", a song written by Mairéad's father and a favourite at all their live shows.
2000–2009: "Another Sky", "The Blue Idol", hiatus.
In 2000, the group released "Another Sky", their first album on the Narada label.
In 2002, "The Blue Idol" featured the vocals of American singer Dolly Parton, who became close friends with the group after she invited them to play on her 2001 album "Little Sparrow". The album garnered them the award for "Best Group" at the BBC "Radio 2 Folk Awards".
In 2002, Altan, along with other artists signed to Green Linnet such as Cherish the Ladies, sued for unpaid royalties. Most artists were paid and most claims were settled in 2006 as Compass Records (who would later sign Altan) bought the company.
In 2003, they released another greatest hits compilation CD called "The Best of Altan: The Songs".
In 2005, they released "Local Ground" which met with positive reviews.
Altan then went on hiatus. Some members released their debut solo album: Ciarán Tourish released "Down The Line" (2005), Dáithí Sproule released "The Crow in the Sun" (2007) and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh released "Imeall" (2009).
2009–2011: 25th anniversary.
In April 2009, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh announced that the band would be going into the studio in early May 2009 to record a new Altan album with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra just after a show on 7 May 2009 in Pornichet, France (near Saint-Nazaire).
In July 2009, Ní Mhaonaigh announced that Altan would also release their first DVD as the video recording of a concert on 14 August 2009 in the National Concert Hall (NCH), Dublin, Ireland (again with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra).
To commemorate their 25th anniversary, Altan released "25th Anniversary Celebration", a compilation album of studio re-recordings of previous material (plus one brand new song) with the contribution of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. It was made available in January 2010 in Japan (where it had its launch in December 2009 during Altan's Winter 2009/2010 Japanese tour), in February 2010 in Ireland and the UK and in March 2010 in North America.
After a few European dates in January, February and April 2010 and an extensive 18-date (March to April) tour of the United States, Altan launched on 23 April 2010 in Dublin, Ireland their 14-date "25th Anniversary" tour of Ireland which would run from April to June. During Summer 2010, Altan took part in a few European festivals. A 10-date tour of UK and Ireland took place in September 2010.
2011–2014: "Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen" and touring.
From April 2011 to January 2012, Altan recorded a new studio album titled "Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen".
After celebrating the launch of the 18th Frankie Kennedy Winter School programme on 29 November 2011 by performing a show taking place during the Liffey Banks Sessions at The Grand Social, Dublin, Ireland, Altan celebrated the New Year 2012, then forthcoming release of their new studio album "Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen" on the occasion of their performance on 1 January 2012 at Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy, Ionad Cois Locha, Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland during which they played some new tracks from it.
Exactly seven years after "Local Ground", Altan released "Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen", their new studio album of original material, on Compass Records in the US on 28 February 2012, in Europe & Australia on 8 March 2012, in Ireland on 9 March 2012 and in the UK on 12 March 2012. Started in April 2011, the recording took place in famous sound engineer & bass player Billy Robinson's Steeples Studios in Ramelton, Ireland and ended in early January 2012.
The album features "An Ghealóg", a song composed by Martin Tourish who would later join the band replacing Dermot Byrne, temporarily starting from the Autumn 2013 (mostly) German tour and permanently since Dermot Byrne's departure from the band in early 2014.
2014–2017: "The Widening Gyre" and touring.
On 3 June 2014, on their Twitter page and the Pledge Music website, Altan announced that they were working on a new studio album to be recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. The band had started rehearsing potential material for the album with the intention to perform some of these new pieces at various concerts over the summer.
While on a 5-show US tour in July–August 2014, the band – Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciarán Tourish, Ciarán Curran, Daíthí Sproule, Mark Kelly and Martin Tourish (replacing Dermot Byrne) – began recording their new album in Nashville, Tennessee.
In October 2014, Altan confirmed that their new album was being mixed and that they "hope[d] to have it [released] in the Spring of 2015", and that it would contain "loads of surprises".
On 5 November 2014, Altan published a snippet of a new track titled "White Birds" which was recorded with an undisclosed musical guest.
In late November 2014, Altan announced the names of some guest musicians who they collaborated with: Eddi Reader on vocals, Jerry Douglas (from Union Station and Transatlantic Sessions) on Dobro, Alison Brown, Bruce Molsky, Mike McGoldrick, Natalie Haas, Jim Higgins and Darol Anger.
On 5 December 2014, Altan took part in the Great British Folk Festival in Skegness, Lincolnshire, UK. During the show, Ciarán Tourish announced that they "have a new album almost finished [which] has been mastered" and about which they "can do any more with it [for] it's done" just before the band went into playing a new medley (taken from it) entitled "The Tin Key / Sam Kelly's Jig / The Gravediggers".
On 19 December 2014, Altan revealed the names of the final guests having participated in the recording of the new album: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Todd Phillips, Garry West, Julee Glaub Weems, Kenny Malone and Stuart Duncan and offered (for listening and downloading) a (very) short audio excerpt (18 seconds) of one new instrumental titled "Buffalo Gals".
In January 2015, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh explained why Altan called on Pledge Music's services in order to produce the new studio album and thanked all the pledgers for helping Altan with the fundraising campaign and for bringing it to completion (reaching, at that time, 101% of goal): "The music business is a changing world for professional musicians as ourselves. We depend more on live concerts to make our living. We can no longer depend on big record company funding to get our music out there, we have to do it ourselves. Now with your help we have funded our latest album which we are really happy with." She also stated that Altan have licensed the new album to Compass Records in the US, that Gary West of Compass co-produced it and that after 30 years recording studio albums, Altan "have taken a new approach with this one." The Altan Pledge Music pre-order page announced that all exclusive pre-orders would be fulfilled by 17 February 2015.
The band later announced that the new album would be released in Ireland on 20 February 2015, in the UK on 23 February 2015 and in the US on 24 February 2015, and would be titled "The Widening Gyre", taken from "The Second Coming", a poem by W. B. Yeats, the first Irishman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh revealed the album's cover artwork, by artist friend Édaín O'Donnell, who previously designed the "Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen" cover.
On 26 January 2015, Altan's official website published a presentation of their new studio album entitled anew "The Widening Gyre" giving many details about the new album: the new musical direction taken by the band, the album recording process and the participation of numerous guest musicians as well as the titles of some of the new tracks. The very same day, on their "Widening Gyre" iTunes page, Altan revealed the titles of the 14 tracks from their new studio album and released them for sale.
On 27 January 2015, on their "Widening Gyre" Compass Records page, Altan made available short snippets of their new tracks.
On 22 February 2015 in Charleston, WV (at Culture Center Theater, Mountain Stage Radio), Altan embarked on an extensive 25-date Winter/Spring North American tour which ended on 3 April 2015 in Greeley, Colorado (at the Union Colony Civic Center) visiting the Canada only twice: on 18 March 2015 in St. Albert, Alberta (at the Arden Theatre) and on 19 March 2015 in North Vancouver, BC (at the Centennial Theatre Centre).
Almost a year after the beginning of their extensive 25-date Winter/Spring 2015 North American tour, Altan embarked on 19 February 2016 in Northampton, Massachusetts in another extensive North American tour (but exclusively visiting the US), their 25-date Winter/Spring 2016 US tour which ended on 25 March 2016 in Spokane, Washington. An extensive (18-date) Spring 2016 UK tour followed in April and May 2016, including one Scotland leg and two England legs from 8 April in Hindhead, Surrey to 7 May 2016 in Stornoway, Scotland, including a London show at Kings Place on 9 April 2016.
Altan celebrated their 30th anniversary year with a Winter tour of Europe in January 2017, visiting The Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and France within this month. On this tour, the core of the band (made of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciarán Curran, Ciarán Tourish, Mark Kelly, Martin Tourish) is joined with a newcomer, John Joe Kelly on bodhrán. Altan have also announced for 2017 a 17-date US Winter tour in February and March 2017.
After more than 25 years as a band member (he had joined Altan in September 1991 for the "Harvest Storm" recording sessions), Ciarán Tourish (fiddle, backing vocals) left the band (for personal reasons) after the show Altan performed on 29 July 2017 in Lyon, France, at Les Nuits de Fourvière Festival. He was not replaced until fiddle player Clare Friel joined the band, at first as a guest musician for the Autumn 2022 and Spring 2023 US tours, then as a permanent member in July 2023.
2017–2024: "The Gap of Dreams" and touring.
On 23 February 2018, Altan embarked on a new (one-month) North-American tour.
On 2 March 2018, Altan released their new studio album entitled "The Gap of Dreams" which they had recorded in November 2017.
On 15 March 2020, Altan announced that their ongoing US Spring Tour 2020 had come to a halt because of the coronavirus situation and that they had been advised to return to Ireland as soon as possible. Altan's booking agency was due to reschedule all 9 remaining (15–29 March 2020) concerts for the following Autumn 2020 or next Spring 2021 but the pandemic prevented it. Nevertheless, it appears that Altan performed their last two scheduled shows in Ireland on 18 April 2020 at Copper Coast TradFest in Dunhill, County Waterford and on 24 April 2020 at Club Ceol Aislann in Kilcar, County Donegal. Besides, Altan's bus tour with Hammond Tours scheduled for 12–19 September 2020 might have happened as well.
After a unique 2021 show on 26 November 2021 at Áislann Chill Chartha, Kilcar, Co. Donegal and their annual week residence at Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair, Ghaoth Dobhair (also Co. Donegal) from 27 December 2021 to 1 January 2022, Altan resumed touring in March 2022, performing 3 shows in London and 3 shows in France this month, and another 6 shows in Ireland from March to October.
Two extensive (23-date) US Autumn and (15-date) US Spring tours ensued, respectively in October–November 2022 and March 2023 (after a unique show in Ireland on 3 February 2023 at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, Magherafelt, County Londonderry). These new US dates marked Altan's first shows in the US in two and a half years (since the aborted US Spring Tour in March 2020).
Since then, Altan embarked on a 4-show tour of Ireland in the Spring and Summer of 2023 and performed 2 shows in France: on 1 April 2023 at La Coursive (scène nationale), La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and with l'Orchestre National de Bretagne on 9 August 2023 at the Lorient Interceltic Festival, Lorient, Brittany.
Born in Glasgow with her family roots firmly entrenched in the Donegal Gaeltacht (Derrynamansher), fiddle player Clare Friel permanently joined Altan in July 2023. She is the first female member to join the band since Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh since the band's start. A former Gradaim Cheoil Young Musician of the Year winner, Clare Friel is from The (Anna, Sheila and Clare) Friel Sisters and from .
2024–present: new album "Donegal" and touring.
On 24 January 2024, Altan performed at the Glasgow Celtic Connections with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Scottish fiddle female quartet RANT." A 5-date tour of Ireland ensued: starting on 26 January in Dublin at Temple Bar Tradfest, it included concerts on 1 February with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Kildare at the C. Kildare St. Brigid's Cathedral and on 2 February in Galway at the Town Hall Theatre. It is due to include a performance on 23 February at the Belfast Winter Tradfest and to end on 3 March 2024 in Killarney at the Gathering Traditional Irish Music Festival. Altan is due to embark on a 15-date US tour on 8 March 2024 in Sacramento at Sofia Tsakopoulos Center, due to end on 27 March 2024 in Chicago at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
On 7 February 2024, it was officially announced the upcoming release on 1 March 2024 on Compass Records of Altan's new studio album entitled "Donegal". This is their first studio album to be released in 6 years. The announcement reads: ""Donegal" captures the essence of the region which has inspired Altan since the band's inception and further cements Altan's legacy as one of the great cultural treasures of Ireland."
Band members.
Recording line-up.
Since the arrival of accordionist Dermot Byrne in 1994, the band recording line-up has remained unchanged until his definitive departure from the band some time in 2013 and his lasting replacement since then by Martin Tourish (Ciarán Tourish's cousin). Incidentally, Martin Tourish wrote (but didn't record) the song "An Ghealóg" from the 2012 Altan studio album "Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen".
Since July 2023, the band recording line-up has become:
Touring line-up.
Based on the recording line-up, the band touring line-up may differ at times:
Legacy.
For almost two decades (from December 1994 to January 2014), a winter school of music called Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy (The Frankie Kennedy Winter Music School) was held each year in Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), County Donegal in honour of co-founder Frankie Kennedy.
Ni Mhaonaigh is regarded as one of the great female singers of Ireland, standing alongside Mary Black, Moya Brennan and Sinéad O'Connor.
Discography.
Altan albums.
Compilations.
Various artists live compilations featuring Altan
Notes.
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References.
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Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (; born 26 July 1959) is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish folk music band Altan, which she co


Madison, West Virginia
Madison is a city and former coal town in Boone County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,911 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Boone County.
History.
Madison was first established as Boone Court House. The town was renamed "circa" 1865, presumably for James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Other theories hold that it was named for lawyer James Madison Laidley or for William Madison Peyton, a pioneer coal operator, who was a leader in the movement which resulted in the formation of Boone County and for whom Peytona on Big Coal River was also named. Madison was incorporated in 1906.
The first courthouse at Madison, a log structure, was burned by Union troops early in the Civil War. The second courthouse, made of local brick, served until 1913, and a frame building was used by county officials for the next several years. The present Boone County Courthouse, occupied in 1921, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Madison is the "Gateway to the Coalfields," as it is located on a principal route through the southern coalfields. It occupied a strategic place during the Mine Wars. Miners twice rallied at the town ballpark in August 1921, to consider whether to continue their march to neighboring Logan and Mingo counties. Thousands of armed marchers passed through the town and surrounding region on their way to and from the fighting at Blair Mountain, which is located up Spruce Fork from Madison.
In addition to the Boone County Courthouse, the Madison National Bank building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The WV Coal Festival has taken place in Madison each June since 1994.
Geography.
Madison is located at (38.061816, -81.818216). The Little Coal River is formed at Madison by the confluence of its Spruce Fork and its Pond Fork.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Demographics.
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2010 census.
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,076 people, 1,299 households, and 881 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,428 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 2.3% African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.
There were 1,299 households, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.
The median age in the city was 42.1 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2000 census.
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,677 people, 1,191 households, and 783 families living in the city. The population density was 479.1 people per square mile (184.9/km2). There were 1,319 housing units at an average density of 236.1 per square mile (91.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.81% White, 4.18% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.26% of the population.
There were 1,191 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,911, and the median income for a family was $37,232. Males had a median income of $31,389 versus $23,160 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,309. About 18.2% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
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Leonard S. Echols
American politician (1871–1946)
Leonard Sidney Echols (October 30, 1871 – May 9, 1946) was an American politician who represented West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives from 1919 to 1923.
Echols was born in Madison, West Virginia. He attended public school. He graduated from the commercial department of the University of Kentucky at Lexington in 1894, from the Concord State Normal School, Athens, West Virginia in 1898, and from the law department of the Southern Normal University, Huntingdon, Tennessee in 1900. After all his formal education, he was admitted to the bar in 1900 and commenced practice in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1903.
Echols was the prosecuting attorney of Mason County, West Virginia in 1904–09 and assistant state tax commissioner for West Virginia in 1909–19. He was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-sixth and Sixty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923). While in Congress, he served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Navy (Sixty-sixth and Sixty-seventh Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1922 to the Sixty-eighth Congress and for election in 1924 to the Sixty-ninth Congress.
After leaving Congress, Echols served as a member of the committee on appeals and review of the United States Treasury Department from May 1, 1923, to September 15, 1924. He was a delegate to the Republican State convention in 1924, and the postmaster at Charleston, West Virginia 1925-1928. He resumed the practice of law and served as Referee in Bankruptcy and as special master in the United States District Court, Charleston, West Virginia. He died in Charleston, West Virginia in 1946 and was buried in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston, West Virginia.
External links.
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Dorothy Jung Echols
American geologist (1916–1997)
Dorothy Jung Echols (September 9, 1916 – February 4, 1997) was an American geologist known for her contributions to the field of micropaleontology and her participation in the The Deep Sea Drilling Project. She was a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University and remained active in the geoscience community until her death in 1997.
Biography.
Echols was born in The Bronx, but grew up and attended high school in Brooklyn. When asked about her career aspirations, she responded, "I like minerals." Echols received her Bachelor of Arts degree in geology from New York University in 1936, graduating with distinction. From 1934 to 1935, she served as the captain of the Varsity Swim team and was a member of the Women's Swimming Association, receiving the Florence Frankel medal for swimming. She later received her master's degree in Geology from Columbia University in 1938. Afterwards, she moved to Texas and secured a position at Republic Production Company, where she worked for three years as a paleontologist and micropaleontologist.
In 1941, she married Leonard S. Echols, a research chemist working for Shell. After the marriage, she left Republic Production Company and moved with him to New York. Together they had four children: Leonard S. Echols III, Jon Jung Echols, Lizette DePue Echols, and William Ring Echols. In 1942, they moved to St. Louis and built a home. Between 1946 and 1951, Echols worked as a geologic consultant for Pond Fork, an oil and gas company. By 1948, she was a Laboratory Instructor for Washington University in the Department of Geology. In 1951, she was hired as a research associate in the department to fill the position previously held by her colleague, Betty Nadeau.
Her husband, Leonard, passed away in 1963; at the time, he was Shell's chief engineer in St. Louis.
In January 1997, Echols was diagnosed with lung cancer, which led to her death on February 4, 1997.
Early life and background.
Echols' upbringing in The Bronx and later Brooklyn influenced her personality. Echols displayed a curiosity for the natural world, evident when she expressed her love for minerals at a young age. Her participation in swimming showcased her determination and ability to balance academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Her formative years instilled a fascination with the natural world, setting the foundation for her future in geology. Her early interest in minerals hinted at her inclination towards earth sciences. Beyond academics, Echols was an active swimmer, demonstrating discipline and resilience—qualities that would later define her scientific career.
Contributions to geology.
Echols became involved in the petroleum industry from 1938 to 1946, leading to her work on the The Deep Sea Drilling Project. During this time, Echols was one of the few female geologists working in the petroleum industry. She consulted on the Deep Sea Drilling Project as a shipboard Sedimentologist to gather information to help determine the age and processes of ocean basins. In 1948, Echols explained Wilcox's relationship with the Midway sea through time. Additionally, she discovered that the petroleum deposits were rich in that area due to the surrounding materials (basal sand, shale, etc.) and their interaction, which allowed the petroleum to seep into the sands and become trapped in an impenetrable seal of rock. Much of her career was spent in the field of micropaleontology, specializing in microfossils. Prior to American publication, Echols' research on new Paleozoic Ostracode genera and species was published in three Russian publications. These reports reclassified many species discovered in Russia and reclassified previously discovered genera and species. Echols was published in three separate reports in 1952 by Netskaia A. I., Polinova E. N. and Zaspelova V. S. Afterwards, she published an article in the Micropaleontology magazine, titled "Chalk crayons and microfossil contamination" alongside Harold L. Levin, first published on January 1, 1964. In May 1966, Echols discovered that holotypes previously classified as Cephalopoda were structurally incompatible with this classification and should be placed in the Monoplacophora based on cross-sectioning completed on fossils in the area. She found that no specimen collected indicated any structures evident of being classified a Cephalopoda. In 1956, Echols theorized that Ostracod carapaces moved during Fern Glen Formation because of currents moving over shallow areas. In 1961, Echols was involved in the discovery of an extinct species of Trilobite from the Kimmswick Limestone found in Missouri.
The project contributed biostratigraphic data about sediments underground, which provided an estimated paleontological age for many sediments.
In a 1948 publication co-authored with Doris S. Malkin, 'Wilcox (Eocene) Stratigraphy, a Key to Production,' Echols expanded the understanding of Eocene stratigraphy and its implications for petroleum geology. Their work examined the complex sedimentation patterns and stratigraphic sequences of the Wilcox Group, a geological formation known for its hydrocarbon potential. By interpreting the regional deltaic sedimentation and the stratigraphic history, they mapped out trends that informed petroleum production up until 1945 in the productive sands in the Wilcox fields that span Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
This research contributed to the academic field and had practical applications, influencing exploration and extraction strategies in the industry. Echols' work connected geological understanding with practical outcomes, integrating scientific research with industry applications.
Challenges as a woman in geology.
Echols, as one of the few women in geology during the mid-20th century, faced challenges due to the field being predominantly male. Her determination and expertise led her to make contributions, particularly in petroleum geology and micropaleontology. Her involvement in projects like the Deep Sea Drilling Project highlighted her skills and resilience in overcoming the gender biases prevalent in her field.
Contribution to the Deep Sea Drilling Project.
Echols participated in the The Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP), a scientific endeavor aimed at exploring the composition and structure of the Earth's oceanic crust by drilling and coring deep below the ocean floor. Initiated in 1968, the project provided direct sampling of deep ocean basins, representing a leap forward in oceanography and geology, and offered insights into Earth's geological past, including the history of its oceans, the development of its crust, and the processes that govern plate tectonics.
The project used the drilling vessel Glomar Challenger to recover samples of sediment and basaltic crust from various depths and locations across the world's oceans. These samples were crucial for testing and confirming theories like plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading, revealing the age and distribution of oceanic crust and providing evidence for past climate conditions by examining sediment layers.
Echols's role as a sedimentologist and micropaleontologist in this project involved analyzing the recovered cores for microfossil content—which includes the remains of tiny organisms such as foraminifera, diatoms, and coccolithophores. These microfossils are used in dating sediments and reconstructing past environmental conditions, thus aiding in understanding Earth's climatic and geological history.
The DSDP was foundational in establishing the field of paleoceanography—the study of ocean history through geology and paleontology and set the stage for subsequent scientific ocean drilling programs.
Echols's expertise in microfossils enabled her to contribute to the understanding of how these creatures' distribution and composition could indicate the presence and locations of petroleum reserves. Her insights helped shape the scientific community's understanding of sediment deposition and stratigraphic sequences, which are vital for hydrocarbon exploration.
Her efforts in the Deep Sea Drilling Project also contributed to a broader understanding of paleo-oceanography—the study of the history of the oceans in the geological past, with implications for both scientific research and the petroleum industry. Echols's work in geological research, coupled with her pioneering spirit as one of the few women in her field, left a mark on the sciences of micropaleontology and sedimentology.
Awards and achievements.
Echols was known for her presence on the deep sea drilling project and was one of the first female geologist working in the petroleum field. She was later listed as a noteworthy geological consultant by Marquis who's who.
In 1979, she and her close friend Doris Malkin Curtis, who had also participated in the deep sea drilling project, created a geological consulting firm named 'Curtis and Echols' to help with mapping deposition, which helped locate hydrocarbons.
In 1982, the year she retired, she received the Neil A Miner award from the National association of Geology teachers for her "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the earth sciences...".
This award is presented annually to recognize contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth sciences and for contributions to the fields of geology, geophysics, or earth science education. The Neil A. Miner Award acknowledged her work in the field and her passion for education, as evidenced by her teaching career at Washington University in St. Louis. Her commitment to advancing the understanding of Earth's geological processes and her role as a mentor to students in geology solidified her reputation in geological education.
Publications.
Echols published many pieces of writing throughout her years studying and teaching geology. Some of her most influential pieces are listed below.
In 1956, Echols took part in writing a journal called the Journal of Paleontology, specifically written in volume 30. She worked with John J. Gouty on Fern Glen (Mississippian) Ostracoda, Bruce L. Stinchcomb on Missouri Upper Cambrian Monoplacophora previously considered cephalopods, and Courtney Werner on Three Dimensional Graptolites in the Maquoketa Shale (Upper Ordovician) of Missouri. The writings in the journal describes the findings of Echols on the trips she took, including animal fossils located in their original habitats and various rock samples. Echols and Gouty, writing about their studies in fern glen (Mississippian) Ostracoda, divided the land into four pieces to allow for deeper research and collection of sedimentary samples containing Ostracods. Echols and Stinchcomb found fossils which were originally believed to belong to breviconic cephalopods, but were determined to actually be Monoplacophora belonging to the genus "Hypseloconus". The structure of the fossils seemed to have cone-shaped forms and appeared curved. Echols and Werner published their findings on what they had studied and identified in the Maquoketa shale of Missouri, which were a light brown coloured shale that contained varied fauna, including ostracizes, bryozoans, brachiopods, conodonts, pelecypods and quantities of pieces of unpressed and replaced graptolites that were preserved beneath it. The unpressed graptolites belonged to the genus Climacograptus and possibly the Climacograptus putillus Hall.
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23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion
United States Civil War military unit
Military unit
The 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion, often called "Derrick's Battalion", was an infantry battalion in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly in western Virginia (now West Virginia) and the Shenandoah Valley, and was usually part of a brigade commanded by John Echols or George S. Patton. By 1864, the brigade was usually part of a division commanded by Major General John C. Breckinridge or Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton.
From its organization in January 1862 until a reorganization in May of the same year, the battalion was commanded by Major David Stuart Hounshell. Shortly after the reorganization, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence Derrick was commissioned and became battalion commander. Derrick graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1861. Most of the battalion's men were from Virginia counties located along the Appalachian Mountains. An additional company was from West Virginia's Mercer County, and another company from North Carolina's Stokes County.
Battles at White Sulphur Springs, Droop Mountain, and Third Winchester were the most significant fighting for the battalion. Major William Blessing temporarily led the battalion in the Battle of Droop Mountain in 1863. After Derrick was captured in the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864, Captain Edmund S. Read temporarily commanded the battalion until Blessing returned from the hospital. Blessing commanded the battalion until the end of the war.
Formation and organization.
The 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion, also known as Derrick's Battalion or the 1st Battalion, was organized on January 15, 1862. It originally consisted of five companies commanded by Major David Stuart Hounshell. Several of the companies were originally part of an unsuccessful attempt to organize a regiment. The battalion was reorganized on May 21 of the same year. Clarence Derrick was commissioned lieutenant colonel and assigned command of the battalion on May 25. Derrick, who graduated from the United States Military Academy (a.k.a. West Point) in 1861, was previously adjutant to Brigadier General John B. Floyd.
Three more companies were added in the spring of 1863, completing the battalion at eight companies. Most of the men in the battalion were from the Virginia counties of Smyth, Tazewell, and Giles. One company was from Mercer County, which was located in western Virginia and became part of the new state of West Virginia. Another company was from Stokes County, North Carolina, which is located along the border with Virginia. Captains William P. Cecil and William Blessing became majors of the battalion. Cecil resigned in the spring of 1862. Blessing received his promotion on March 5, 1863. After Derrick was captured on September 19, 1864, Blessing commanded the battalion for the remaining portion of the war.
Early service.
Kanawha campaign of 1862.
Lieutenant Colonel Clarence Derrick commanded the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion. His battalion was also known as Derrick's Battalion or the 1st Battalion. Its first action as a unit came in the Kanawha Valley Campaign of 1862. At that time, the battalion was part of the Army of Southwestern Virginia, which was commanded by Major General William W. Loring. The battalion was in the First Brigade, which was commanded by Brigadier General John Echols.
On September6, Loring began a campaign to remove Union soldiers from the Kanawha Valley. His army moved north to Fayetteville, Virginia, where he attacked a Union brigade on September10 in the Battle of Fayetteville. Fayetteville was often called "Fayette Court House", and later became part of West Virginia. In this battle, Derrick's Battalion was detached to a flanking force that moved behind the Union fortifications at Fayetteville. The Union force escaped during the night, and Loring's army pursued it to Charleston.
In September13, the battalion fought the two-brigade Union army commanded by Colonel Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn in the Battle of Charleston. In this battle, the battalion was part of the First Brigade, which was temporarily commanded by Colonel John McCausland since Echols was ill. The battalion formed a skirmish line that led the attack on Union forces within the city. The Union army burned a bridge across the Elk River, and escaped to the safety of Ohio. During the entire campaign, the battalion had a total of 29 casualties—including two killed.
White Sulphur Springs.
During August26 and27, 1863, Derrick's Battalion fought in the Battle of White Sulphur Springs, which is also known as the Battle of Dry Creek. The battle took place at the intersection of Anthony's Creek Road and the James River and Kanawha Turnpike, which was about east of the town of White Sulphur Springs. Further west was Lewisburg, the Greenbrier County seat. Derrick's Battalion was part of a brigade normally commanded by John Echols, but temporarily commanded by Colonel George S. Patton. The brigade was part of the Department of East Tennessee, which was commanded by Major General Samuel Jones. Jones called his command the "Department of Western Virginia", and he was headquartered in Sweet Springs, West Virginia. Jones monitored a Union expedition toward Lewisburg that was led by Brigadier General William W. Averell. Jones was concerned for the safety of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, which was used to transport soldiers and supplies for the Confederate army.
Averell's Union brigade consisted of cavalry and mounted infantry, and totaled to about 1,300 men. The Confederate brigade led by Patton consisted of about 2,300 men. Derrick's Battalion, with additional men from the 37th Virginia Infantry Battalion, arrived at the battle after it began. Patton had become concerned about his left, and Derrick's Battalion arrived in time to reinforce that section of the battlefield. While Derrick made position adjustments, Major William Blessing led two companies of the battalion to the line of battle. Blessing's detachment helped repel a charge made by the 2nd West Virginia Mounted Infantry. The Confederate army successfully stopped Averell near White Sulphur Springs, and Averell was pursued back to a Union outpost in Beverly, West Virginia. Casualties for the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion were three killed and 18 wounded for a total of 21 of the 162 reported casualties for Patton's brigade.
Droop Mountain.
The Battle of Droop Mountain occurred in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, on November 6, 1863. In this battle, a Union brigade commanded by Averell defeated a smaller force commanded by Echols. Averell's objective was to move south past Droop Mountain to Lewisburg, West Virginia, where he would join another Union brigade moving from Charleston to Lewisburg, to drive out a Confederate force stationed there. The second part of his objective, which was the principal goal, was to advance further south and destroy a railroad bridge over the New River—which would make it difficult for two Confederate divisions commanded by Lieutenant General James Longstreet to return to Virginia from Tennessee. To protect Lewisburg and the railroad, Echols arrived at Droop Mountain with Patton as his brigade leader. He reinforced a smaller unit already at the top of the mountain. The smaller force was commanded by Colonel William L. "Mudwall" Jackson. As part of Patton's brigade, Derrick's Battalion was temporarily commanded by Major William Blessing. Echols placed Derrick's Battalion on his extreme right, putting the men on the right side of the road to Lewisburg at the summit of the mountain.
Averell placed artillery and one cavalry regiment on his left, and three mounted infantry regiments occupied the center. They needed to get past the mountain to continue toward Lewisburg. Averell planned an attack where a portion of his troops would divert the attention of the Confederates with artillery from the front and left, while a 1,175-man force would covertly flank Echols from the Union right (Confederate left). To counter the flanking maneuver (and pleas for help), Derrick's Battalion (except one company) was shifted to the Confederate left. The Union plan worked well, and eventually Confederate troops fled in panic. Derrick's Battalion had 5 killed, 26 wounded, and 29 captured for a total of 60 casualties. For all Confederate troops, 33 were killed, 121 wounded, and 122 captured for a total of 276 casualties. Echols' men escaped south before the Union brigade from Charleston arrived at Lewisburg, and Averell did not continue south to the railroad because of rumors that heavy Confederate reinforcements were arriving at the New River bridge. Although some historians conclude that Confederate resistance in West Virginia collapsed after this battle, the fighting may have simply shifted to the Shenandoah Valley.
Service 1864.
At the beginning of 1864, Echols' Brigade (with Patton listed as commander) continued to be part of the Confederate Department of Western Virginia. The brigade operated as a detached unit in West Virginia, including near the community of Beverly. In March, Major General John C. Breckinridge was assigned command of the department. The territory included Virginia west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and south of Stanton, Virginia, and the southern portion of the new Union state of West Virginia. By that time he had only 5,000 scattered troops to defend nearly of mountainous terrain.
Breckinridge became concerned about the increasing number of Union troops near his territory, so he began concentrating Confederate troops during early May. Among the troops concentrated near Staunton, Virginia, were Echols' brigade and a second brigade commanded by Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton. Derrick's Battalion, along with the 26th Virginia Infantry Battalion and 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, comprised Echols' brigade. The 2,150-man brigade was well armed and equipped as of May 6, and described as "soldierly and imposing". Working as a division commanded by Breckinridge, the two brigades moved north to Harrisonburg on May 13. Further north in the valley was a Union army commanded by Major General Franz Sigel.
New Market and east.
Breckinridge's Division, with cavalry, fought Sigel in the Battle of New Market on May 15. Derrick's Battalion began the fight near the Valley Pike concealed from Union troops. Derrick was the only Confederate West Point graduate in the battle. Included among the Confederate troops were cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (a.k.a. VMI). Defending from high ground and then taking the offensive, Breckenridge drove Sigel's larger force away. As part of this fight, Derrick's Battalion helped repel an attacking Union cavalry division commanded by Major General Julius Stahel. The battalion was also involved in a flanking maneuver that inflicted 45 percent casualties on the Union's 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Derrick's Battalion, which consisted of 579 men, had two killed, 75 wounded, and two missing for a total of 79 casualties. The Union defeat led to Sigel being replaced by Major General David Hunter.
After the battle, Breckinridge was ordered out of the valley and moved to Hanover Junction near the North Anna River, where he waited for additional Confederate troops. Breckinridge's assignment was to protect the rail junction. The junction was a vital part of the Army of Northern Virginia's supply lines, and Confederate troops arrived there before Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Potomac. Lee and Grant's armies had multiple skirmishes in the area that became known collectively as the Battle of North Anna, but no significant gains were made by either side.
The battalion's next significant fight was during the end of May and early June, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, where Breckinridge's Division reinforced the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by General Robert E. Lee. Here, Lee defeated Grant's Army of the Potomac. Breckinridge's Division repulsed a Union attack during the battle, but Breckinridge was injured when his horse fell on him after being struck by a cannonball. Casualties for the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion were nine killed, 15 wounded, and seven captured, for a total of 31.
Lynchburg.
On June 5, Union Major General Hunter defeated Confederate forces led by Brigadier General William E. "Grumble" Jones in the Battle of Piedmont. When news of the defeat reached Confederate General Robert E. Lee, he decided to send Breckinridge, and his division, back to the Shenandoah Valley. Echols' (including Derrick's Battalion) and Wharton's brigades began moving on June 7, beginning by boarding rail cars in Richmond. Five days later, Lee decided to send Lieutenant General Jubal Early's entire 2nd Corps to the Shenandoah to join Breckenridge. Anticipating an attack on Lynchburg, Breckinridge arrived there ahead of his troops on June 15. Arriving later at the Charlottesville rail station, Early received a message that Lynchburg was the probable point of attack for Hunter. Early used a limited supply of railcars to began sending his troops to Lynchburg. He arrived there with a small portion of his troops on June 17.
Breckinridge's original June 17 defensive fortifications were near College Hill on the western edge of the city, and they were designed to protect the city from incursions via the Salem Turnpike (from the southwest) and Forrest Road (from the west). Echols' Brigade (including Derrick's Battalion) was commanded by Patton, and it was placed on the west side of the city just north of the Salem Turnpike. After an inspection, Early moved all troops further west to protect the city from bombardment. He moved the division commanded by Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur to a fortification nearly southwest of the city with two pieces of artillery. Patton's men were repositioned adjacent to, and north of, Ramseur's Division. With additional artillery and troops added to Ramseur's force, the Union attack was repulsed. Further north near Forest Road, another Union advance was stopped. The Battle of Lynchburg became an artillery duel by nightfall.
Early resorted to some trickery during the evening of June 17 and early morning of June 18. He countermarched one regiment all night near the train station, and ran a yard locomotive back and forth on the rails. Although more Confederate troops were moving toward Lynchburg, the locomotive illusion gave the Union soldiers the impression that more Confederate troops were arriving immediately. After sunrise, skirmishing began again near Forest Road and the Salem Turnpike. Around 1:00pm, Early's men began attacking, and they pushed back the Union soldiers until they were surprised by a brigade hidden behind a hill. Although Early's men were driven back to their original fortifications, Hunter was now convinced he was facing a large Confederate army. That evening Hunter's army began a retreat west.
Early threatens Washington.
After the Battle of Lynchburg, Early pursued Hunter's army until June22. After the pursuit, Early and Breckinridge began moving down the Shenandoah Valley to attack Western Maryland. Lee had urged Early to threaten Washington, which would draw Union forces away from Lee's front near Richmond. For the month of July, the 23rdVirginia Infantry Battalion was part of Patton's (Echols') Brigade, in Breckinridge's Division, in Breckinridge's Corps, in the Army of the Valley District. Breckinridge was corps commander, Wharton was division commander, and Patton was brigade commander.
On July 9, Early's army fought in the Battle of Monocacy near the city of Frederick, Maryland, but Patton's brigade was not engaged. Early's army approached the north side of Washington DC on July 11–12 in the Battle of Fort Stevens, but withdrew and Derrick's Battalion did not engage. Early was pursued as he moved west back toward the Shenandoah Valley. On the morning of July17, Early and Breckinridge deployed in Clarke County, Virginia. Later in the day, Union pursuers skirmished with Early's troops near Snicker's Ford in what became known as the Battle of Cool Spring. Skirmishers from Patton's Brigade fought on July18. Union forces withdrew that evening.
Kernstown.
During the last week of July, a Union army led by Brigadier General George Crook occupied Winchester, Virginia. Cro