The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-03
Communicated.

~ sh0 NV I'AfiAN W III uitlll tllN ltFl
curious 10 know the reasons why the
Ottawa Irish Volunteers" were dsban.
ded, and as each and every one will
doubtless feel justified in assigning his
own reasons. deem ii my imperative
duty 10 state, In as few words as pnss bic,
the causes that led 10 that result. The
freshmen in La Sale county having been
eye witnesses to the obstacles that impe-
ded the formation Of Volunteer Company
in Ottawa, determined To raise an Irish
Company. They did not deem it neces.
sary to consult the SdchemS of Ottawa, on
the subject; they asked no mans advice
their country called for their services, and
they cleerfully answered the call. But
no sooner was it known that an Irish
Company would be formed, than com
promSe was effected between The two RI
val Companies, then in embryo. Both
were merged in one; officers elected,
and the Company reported to the Cover
nor as being ready to march. Every
dll'l ~ p''NN"' ' ~ ''NlI ilG lsiAittS
we're impressed INTO the service. to cxpe-
dle the uniforms for this Company ev-
cry tavern was required for their reccp.
Ton wherever they passed, the cheers
/ of the men and the bright ewes Of tie la
dies followed them the Drummer aud
Fifer stood ready at their call, and tho
last not least, the harmonious music of
the Ottawa Band added life and spirit to
the paradcs ofIhis jusllyadmIred Company
But how Jared tho "Otawa Irish Vol
un,eers" during this time ! Uncheered,
unwelcomed and unaided, but not dis
mayed, they organized elected their Of.
fcers, and within one hour, the Captain
,Egan) was on his way to Springfield to
report himself to Col. Baker. lie left
Ottawa on Saturday night, and could not
reach Springfield until the Tuesday fol-
lowing had an interview with Col. Ba.
ker; was informed the Regiment was
lull. and there was no vacancy unles 5
Captain Carrots Company should de-
=. cline going with the Regiment; in which
ease the Irish Volunteers would be re.
ccivej. Thereupon Captain Egan start.
ed for Chicago lal,er few moments
/, consultation with his Company at Clta.
wa; on his arrival in Chicago lie called
on Captain Garrei-was informed by Mr.
Garrett that he declined going, and woulJ
, be happy 10 transfer his marching orders
. Egan, ON receip, Of his marching orders
, returned to Ottawa. On lis arrival IN
Ottawa. he discovered tia; one-half his
Company had lsfI Ottawa in consequence
of 10 provision being made for then
board aud the poor fellows who brought
nothing with them but their hrawGy arms
and stout hearts. had Ia leave IA town
where they could not obtain a meal OF
vicluils or nights lodging. Such wer,
some Of the causes that produced the dis,
membcrmen, uf the Company.
On the day after his return from Chi.
cago, the ompany was paraded and the
musrer.roll called three times in one day
.hirty.thsce men answered to ihei
u names: not one more could he added lC
the number, 5dd may as well observ,
here, en- PEASANT. that the conduct Of thu
= American ciUzens Of Ottawa. without ;
single exception, was OF such nature
that although we may be wiling to Tor
give. We can never forget the motives tha
prompted it.
) No matter how we acted, some folk,
were determined to turn up lheif arislo
cratic noses. If our tounlr, men IT fusct
: TO volunteer, it was said such men ough
no, 10 be allowed the privilege Of voting
al the polls. When organized aud read,
to march, il was remarked that they
would never dare to 90 into battle 9th
ers were charitable enough to say. tina, i
these Catholics went into Mexico, they
would be found fighting on The side o
the Mexicans.
Now, Mr.. Editor, ] would like TO sa,
few words to these good people, ct i,
= omne genuS by way Of rejoinder. Now
good people, lie, me premise to you tia
: II was not necessary for The character o
: good standing Of lrshmen in America
: that an Irish Company of Volun,ee.
should be formed in Ottawa. The con
d, duct OF our countrymcn in the RevoIu
d, tlonary and last war would plead our ex
: cuse on this occasion; add to this IN
G fact, not generally known in Ottawa, tina
+, one third OF the heroes who fought a
+. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma wcr
: lrishmen. VIII any man in Ottawa de
d ny this If so, | am ready with tn
: proofs. Chicago has sent an Irish Conn
= pany, and | presume every state in til
!. Union las sent an Irish Company +
e take a part in this Mexican war. Letus
4, for brevily sake, refer to the official des
l. patches OF General Taylor, and see wha
Y tho O's and Mack's have been doing ri
tho Rio Grande. Colonel Twiggs men
. tons, as taking par, in the gallan, charr
:, of Captain May, Corporal McCauley an
+, Sergeant McNaley. the latter of whom
was wounded. Major Alien says,
cannot pass over in silence the brave an,
, distinguished behaviour of SeIgeant.mao
y Moloney and Corporals Farrell and Nc