The New York herald., 1864-08-22
Intole nee in n United states
Hospital.
TO THE EDITOR OF TuE HERALD.
McDoraALL GENERAL HOSPITAL, Y. s.

FoRT SCHUYLER, ~ Y. August 10, 1854 (
deem my duty cali (throush the medium your
cal Director, "whom may concern TO tho follow.
ing facts connection with this hospital
OF the sick and wounded soldiers who arrived here
Gently from Hampton Hospital, Fortress Monroe
man named McGraih. a native OF the county Dawn,
Ireland Catholic IN religion and citizen soldier OF tho
United States In Pennsyvania regiment Of volunteers
He carried stretcber from the boat 20 ward No
O. section b n this hospital On the night of his arrival
here Sunday, the 7th he asked the night at
attendance Michael MacDonpelD be could have the
benefit OF the ministry OF Catholic priest for - said ho
~ have chronic diarrhu OF the worst kind am worn
out and cannot live many days more" The nurse told
him there was Protestant minister and church here.
paid BY the government, but Catholic priest except
when specially for and desired by dying patient
the nexs morning following the night nurse informed me
OF the circumstance and said TO him the night nursel
sIt IL your duty and your business to 60 Immediately
aud report the mans wishes TO Dr. Sprague the
In charge. ne DR. Sprague Is not In his Office report
to the ocer OF the day, and you don't see him report
TO steward Post" the nurse went accordingly, ana
Dr. Sprague not being In his Office at the time, be re-
ported The case TO Seward Post Post said 81 not going
TO send for n Catholic priest" The nurse then went
TO tho officer OF the day and reported TO him.
He he officer OF the day) after consulting with steward
Post on the subject said 70 the nurse, Can attend TO
that matter al present" The night then sad Gve
pass for three hours, and will 20 my time
to wcstchester for Father Kslsena" Il was reused
On the following day lucsday the 9th went 70 see the
poor dying patriot veteran soldier myself. and In
vorsng with him he said q" caroesty desire the attend
OF Catholic priest for tempors a. well rs spirtus
reasons. have motheress children, who VIII be very
total orphans have considerable money with me-
priest for the benent Of my poor orphan cnildren.
earnestly desire and have the right 10 have tho attend
Catholic priest and the consultations OF the holy
religion which born, reared and desire TO die.
and bed under General Mcclellan and have been
faithful soldier and citizen Of the United States and
demand to be treated accordingly have seen bin
several times In the interval and ndng that the priest
had been sent for, he expected, by those who
should have done So wrote 10 the Rev. Father Kensea
myself on Thursday tho 1lth inst by mail requesting
his immediate attendance McGrath dcd about noon on
18Th, and before the priests arrival lmmedistely
bis death OF the hospital officials cot from of
his ioins California belt, and out Of II took money
which he put into his own poke, tuncountcd) In pre-
sencs " other officials time In the OF the
day the first official went back 70 the ward and said
those who present when he took the money out
OF tho belt and put II In his pocket, ITO you know how
much money that old man hadYp They replied, "No,"
ard then he ssd, why, he had Sl2e.n There "a some
suspicion that he bad moro On sunday, the l4th nst
the mortal romans OF the brave faithful Irish Catholic
soldier hcGrsth were carried o the Protestant church.
and the funeral service OF church In which no had
aith imposed upon departed soldier IL this tho time
I at all, TO behave 80 TO Irish catholic soldersS