Return of the 69th (Irish) Regiment, NYSM, from the Seat of the War, New York

Lang's “great historical picture” depicts the return of the 69th Regiment, New York State Militia, to New York City in the first year of the Civil War after a three months' tour of duty in Washington, D.C., and Virginia. The unit was organized into a regiment in 1851, and on April 23, 1861, eleven days after the attack on Fort Sumter, left New York in response to President Abraham Lincoln's call for 75,000 militia. It mustered into federal service in Washington, D.C., on May 9 and fought in the first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) on July 21, where its commander, Colonel Michael Corcoran, was captured by the Confederates. Three days later, the regiment concluded its tour of duty and returned to New York.

Lang's view from Bowling Green depicts the debarkation of the regiment from the steamer “John Potter” at Pier No. 1, North River, at the foot of Battery Place on the morning of July 27, 1861. Castle Garden, originally constructed as a fort, is visible at the extreme left, and at the right is the Washington Hotel at the corner of Broadway and Battery Place with cheering Irish dignitaries on the balcony. The regimental parade marched up Broadway to Union Square, and then down Fourth Avenue to Grand Street, where they deposited their arms at the Essex Market Armory.

The regiment mustered out of service on August 3, 1861, and resumed its position as an artillery regiment in the state militia doing duty as infantry. It was succeeded by the 69th Regiment, New York Volunteers, organized in New York City for three years' service (or duration of the war) as one of the regiments of the Irish Brigade in November 1861. Many members of the 69th Militia joined the regiment for their new war service.