Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-08-16
THE DUGGaN CASE.

y + 4 S f Il u 4 4 4 FaF
TO The rDrroRs on rHE Bosros rosr.
As al act oustics to the military ssr.ics the Secretary Of
War. and myself induced to notice an article published
in the Boston Atlas and other papers, headed Libsry of
Cou'ciencs-he Secretary Of War;. relating to the case of
private Duggan, Of the 9Th artillery.
s not true, as asserted, that private Dusgan was pun
ished for refusing attend church nor 10 true that the
sentence was set aside BY the Secretary Of Ws For dis
obedeQce Of ORDERS and leaving bis company without pe,ms
on ne was subjected to the payment Of fine Of about Eve
dollars and this oil the punishment be has received The
following letter to the Secretary Of War; however, exhibits
true history Of Duggan's case
T WAsaIssTos, JrIr s. 1851.
Sra: have the honor. sgreeaby your vsrbs) request,
to report my action in the Of private Dussan 4th ar
ey, who tried at Fort Columbus BY general court
martial ordered BY Bsvet Brgsder General Wslbach The
proceedings Of the court we're transmitted 20 Gen. Wslbsch
Who declined acting in the case, and sent than mysfor
decision returned the proceedings the General with IN
sucons in which observed that nssmuch q Dusgan ex-
hibted far more spirit Of characterization than religious
scruples thought be deserved punishment AT the same
time suggested that, excepting doe Of 6vs dollars the
sentence DO RENTED The General st declined acting in
the case, and returned the proceedings to with equest
that would submit the higher authority for decon
This declined TO do, end issued the enclosed ORDER (which
RENTED the sentence with the exception Of The ne OF Eve
dollars, informing Gen. Wslbsch By letter. thst If be de-
sired TO have the question settled BY higher authority whether
or not Catholic should attend Protestant Church. his
application would submit the question. But the case un-
der consideration was not Of that character The pun
but for refusing to apply bis commanding officer for per-
mission to stay swsy from church, and Tor leaving his COM
psny without permission. s's as,ssay NJ 49, I'm
LAM very respectfully, your ossdi.e. :sI.anl
John T.. WOOL
however, remark that previous TO receiving
the letter Of the Secretary Of the 18th Of July,
had RENTED that portion also Of the sentence imposing ne
Of Ave dollars per month The following my reply 70 the
Secre,ary's letter:
HHADaUAafKRs EAsrEas DrvrsroS,
TRor, On. W JULr Is, 1851.
Sra had the honor this day receive your communica-
ton Of the 18th instant In thereto woud enclose
two orders showing my action in the Of James
Duggan the soldier presume allrded 10 having been
punished foI refusing to 70 church Aowe say hat
be was not punished for refusing 90 chuch as YOU will
perceive by examination Of the order No H. BY special
order No 80 you will also observe that have RENTED the
residue Of his sentence The only punshmsns which be re-
ceived was fine Of about FIVE dollars
have the honor to be, cir, your obedient servant
si JOHN e. WOOL.
There evidence before the court except simple de-
cIaaton Of Duggan Of the Witnesses that he was
Catholic From the testimony Of Col Gasdner have no
doubt that had Duggsn communicated the colonel that on
account Of bis religious scruples be could
attend Protestant church. be would have been but
this he would do and left his company For this act Of
olsooedence ana insuoordinaton, and nothing else,
proved Of 90 much Of the sentence imposed ne Of Eve
dollars. I.
From the remarks Of The editor Of the Atlas upon the letter
Of the Secretary Of War might b inferred that the officers
Of the army, well myself intolerans and would
"punsh for declining to give up TO bis officers in the
army his religious belief" am satiGs 10 find the editor
exhibiting towards the Catholics and especially the isb
those tolerant feelings which less become head than his
heart But yield him, any else, in feeling and
sympathy for people who have suffered from oppres
sion and bad government than any other the face Of the
globe. No, far from it. would, indeed extend to them,
the fullest extent the guarantees Of the consuoncivi
and religious liberty
JOHN E. WOOL, U, d. Army.