The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-10
From the Troy Wing, August 7.
.sLlbertY Of Conael encs,,-Gen Wool.

From the Troy Wing, August 7.
sLiberty OF nscIsncs"-Gen Wool.
As act of Justice to the military service, the Secreta
~ of War. and myself am induced to notice an article
published in the Boston Atlas and other papers, headed
Liberty of Conscience-the Secretary OF Warn-rea-
ting 10 the of Private Daggan, of the 4th artillery
1t not tue asserted by the editor OF the Atlas that
Private Duggan punished for refusing TO attend
church, is true that the set aside by
the Secretary Of War For dIsobedence of ORDERS and
leaving his company without permission, he was sub
ec,ed TO the payment OF fine OF about five dollars and
this is all the punishment he has received The follow
ing letter TO The Secretary, however exhibits true his
tory OF Duggan's
WASHINGTON, July 5, 1851
SIR: have the honor, agreea5y to your (verba) re-
quest TO report my action in the OF Private Duggan
4th artillery, who tried Fort Columbus by gen.
era martial ordered by Brevet Brgadier General
Wabach The proceedings of the were
10 General Waibach who declined acting in the case
and them 10 myself for decision returned the pro.
ceedngs to the General with instructions in which
observed that, nasmuch Duggan exhibited far more
spirit OF characterization than religious scrupes thought
he deserved punishment. AT the same Time suggested
that. excepting fine OF five dollars, the sentence be
mlled. The General still declined acting in the case,
and returned the proceedings 10 me- with reques, that
would submit the case 10 higher authority for decis
This declined 10 do, and issued the enclosed or
der (Which RENTED the with the exception OF
the fine of five dolsrs) informing General Wabaeh by
letter that II be desired TO have the question settled by
higher authority, whether not Catholic should at
tend Protestant church, his application would sub
NIT the question But the one OF that char
acter. The punishment inflicted not on account Of
his religious scruples, but Tor refusing TO apply his
commanding officer for permission 10 stay away from
church, AID for leaving his company without permits
sion.
! am, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
JOHN f. WOOL.
II proper however, TO remark that previous TO re-
ceving The letter of the Secretary OF War; dated the 18th
of July, that portion also OF the sentence imposing fine
OF FIVE dollars per month RENTED BY this remis-
sion Duggan subjected only to fine of five dollars
The following is my reply TO the Secretary
HEADQUARTERS Eastern DIVISION
Troy, IN. } July 49, 1851
SR bad the honor this day TO receive your commu
ncation of the 18th instant In thereto would
enclose orders showing my action in the OF Pr-
vale James Duggan-the soldier presume, alluded 10 as
having been punished for refusing 60 church Al
low me to say that he not punished for refusing to
60 TO church, as you will perceive by examination OF
the order No, IL BY special order No. 80 you will also
observe that have remted the residue If hs sentence
The only punishment he received was fine OF about
1--WE dollars.
have the honor to be, sir, your obedien, servant,
JOHN +. WOOL.
There was no evidence before the court except the sim
Pile declaration OF Duggan TO of the Witnesses that
he was Catholic From the testimony OF Col Gardner
| have no doubt that had Diggan communicated TO the
Colonel tina, on account, OF his religious scrupes he
could not conscienously attend Protestant, church. he
would have been excused. But this he would no, do
and left his company For this act of disobedence and
and for nothing else approved SO much
of the sentence as imposed fine Of FIVE dollars
From the remark OF the editor OF the Atlas upon the
letter of the Secretary of War; il might be inferred that
the officers OF The army, well myself are in,oerant
and would "punish for declining to give up to his
officers in the army his religious belief" am gra,hed
to mud the editor exhibiting towards the Catholics and
especially to The lsb those tolerant feeling. which no
less become bis head than his heart But Weld not to
MN or any one else IN feeling and sympathy for people
who have suffered more from oppression and bad govern
ment than any other the face OF the globe Far from
IT. Indeed. would extend to them to the fullest extent,
the guarantees of the constution-civ and religious
liberty.
JOHN T. WOOL, u. S. A.