Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-06-04
Gen. EIengher md hls RrIrn.1.-

we reprint the singular letter of General NnagI,
resignlrg his commission. Truly he and bis tric.t
nave recaVed but poor return Tor their devotion
1t is The retura they ought to have expected
HEADQ'Rs IRISH BRIGADE,
HANG. CKs DIVISION, CoUCa's CoRPs
ARMY OF PoToMAC, May s. 1868
Major JOHN HANCOCK, AS. Adj Gen:
beg most respectfully to tender through you tot
proper authorities, my resignation bgigadiprrerrr
commanding what was ouce known as the Irish m.
ade. That brigade DO longer exists The asslut
the enemy's works on the 18Th December last rede,
it 10 something less than minimum regiment Of r.
try. For several weeks it remained IN this rybaUs..
condition Brave fellows from the cOuvaltsce car.
and from sick beds at home gradually reinforced n
handful OF devotCd men. Nevertheless il fail. tur.r
the strength proportions OF any thing Ike an n CIV
regiment. These facts | repEe3 ntel as seary end -
chilly it was N my power to do 10 O memorial ~
Secretary oiWar, in which mCm mortal | PRAYED ill.,
brigade which had Tendered such service and i1c,r
such dstres ing losses should be temporAry I'll .
duty in tie field So az 10 give it time aud oppor,gr,
Ia some measure to renew itself.
The mem0i ial was in vain. IL nevcr even was a..
nowltdged. The deprdssjon caused by thi, urgtfr..
and il nsi'erate treatment OF gallant rcmaar, q,
brigade that bad never failed 10 do it's Ga,y M
Literally and her0calv, almost unGUt me to remain
command. True, however, TO those who had ben ~,
to me-true 10 position which COnsdetcl s,ard pr
der the circumsances-I remained with what was .
OF my brigade, and though feeling that il was ID ng.
clfce ra her than victory that we were going, Lac
companied chem and led them through ali The op,n
tons CURED OF them at SCOTS Mills aud CEarc
louisville, beyond the Rappehannock.
A mere hand ul my command did lis duty at tho.
positions with fidelity and resolution which won 0-u
the admiration OF the army. 1t would be my CREATE
happiness, as it would surely be my highest honor o.
remain in the companiouship and charge OF such mn
but to do so any logger would be to perfeuate ra.
lie deception, in which the hard won honors Cl p.
soldiers, and in them the military reputation of 4.
old race would inevitably be involved and c0mprcma
| cannot be party to this wrong My heart. my cr.
science, my PRIDE all that is truthful mlutul, sine.
and just within me forbid it.
In rendering my resignation, however, as the bry.
der General in command of this poor vcstage and
OF the Irish Brigade, beg sincerely assure you @
my services, in any capacity that prove useful
freely at the summons and disposition Of the Goygr
mept of tie United States. That Government O.
the cause and the liberty, the noble memories and d
future it represents are, entitled unqucstoDaby a..
uneqlivocally to the life of every citszn WHO b
sworn allegiance to it, and partaken of lis gra
protection But, whilst l offer my own
to sustain this glorious good government feel it 10
my first duty to do nothing that will wantcnly imp.
the lives OF others, or, what would be still more vr
GUS and irreparable, inajct sorrow aud humiliation
race who, having lost almost everything cl-c Fl d
their character for courage and legally, ilv9ll
gift which for one, will not be vain or selfish
epdaDger. | have the honor TO be- most respec.'g
and truly, yours,
THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGuER
Brigader General Commandiug,