Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-05-14
Resignation Of General Meagher, &C.
HEADoR's. irish BRIGADE.
NCoCK' DIVISION, CoUCH S Corps,
ARMY OF THE PoToMAC, May 5, 1863. J

HANCoCK's DIVISION, CoUcHls Corps,
ARMY OF THE PoToMAo, May s, 1853.
jNajor John Hancoch, Asst Adjt. General:
[ beg most respectfully to tender through
you to the proper authorities my resignation
as Brigader General commanding what was
once known as the Irish Brigade. That brl-
gade no longer exists. The assault on the
enemv's works on the 9th December last re-
duced it to something less than a minimum re-
giment Of infantry. For several weeks 1t re-
NAMED in this exhausted condition. Brave
fellows from the Convalescent Camp and from
sick beds at home gradually reinforced this
handful Of devoted men. Nevertheless, it fail
ed to reach the strength or proportions OF any
thing like an effective regiment. These facts
represented as clearly and forcibly as it was
in nv power to do in memorial to the Secre-
tary of War, in which memorial prayed that
brigade which had rendered such services
and incurred such distressing losses should be
temporarily relieved from duty in the field, SO
as to give it time and opportunity IN some
measure to renew ITSELF
The memorial was in vain. 1t never even
was acknowledged. The depression caused by
this ungerous and inconslderate treatment OF
gallant remnant of q brigade that had never
once failed to do it's duty most llberally and
heroicay, almost untitled me to remain IN
command. True, however, to those who had
been true to me-true to position WHICH l
considered sacred under the circumstances
remained with W hat was lett OF my Drlgaoe'
and, though feeling that it was to oacrlhce
rather than to a victory that We were gong, [
accompanied them and led them through all
the operations required of them at SCOTS
Mills and Charlottesville, beyond the Rap
pahannock.
A mere handful, my command did its duty
at those positions with fidelity and resolution
which won for it the admiration of the army.
It would be my greatest happiness, as 1t would
surely be my highest honor, to remain In the
com onnanionship and charge OF such men; but
to do 50 any longer would be to perpetuate a
public deception in which the hard won honors
of good soldiers, and in them the military rep
utation of a brave old race, would inevitably
be involved and mpromised. | cannot be
party to this wrong. My heart, my conscience
my pride, all that is truthful, mantul, sincere
and Just within me, forbid it.
In rendering my resignation, however, as
the Brigadier General IN command OF this
poor vestige and relic Of the Irish Brigade, L
beg sincerely to assure you that my services IN
any capacity that can prove usetu, are 1reey
At The summons and disposition of the Gov
arnnoent Of the United States. That Govern
ment. and the cause, and the liberty, the no.
bic memories, and the future it presents, are
entitled unqu estionably and uneQulvocally to
the life Of every citizen who has sworn allie
giance to it and partaken of it's grand protec-
tion. h But whilst I offer my own life to sus-
tain this glorious good Government, teel it it
to be my first duty to do nothing that will
wantonly imperil the lives Of others, or, what
would be still more grievous and sss3eparable,
inaict sorrow and humiliation upon race who,
having lost almost everything else find IN Their
character for courage and loyalty an invaluable
gift which I, for one, will not be SO vain or