Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-29
rneIr,.b Element In the Confeder"ey.

The January No. oil DohdnOe n"'' ~,
nrints a short article on The lrish EVE
ment in the Southern Coufederacy.N In
fins connection it prints the following ie''
ter from Hon. Jefferson Davis:
"BEAuyOIR, MISS, July6, 1886.
d" Daniel T.. O'S,dhvdn. Esq;
0Dear Sir,-The letters written To me
during the war were all lost or stolen
ahout or soon after the close; the reports
made by army commanders were many OF
them captured among the papers OF tue
Adiutant. General. These, and Others,
are being published by the United
states Government In the oinciai
record Of the war OF the Re
beIhop.' From these you will be able
10 extract information in regard TO some OF
the most eminent Irishmen who served In
the Confederate army. Among the most
gallant and distinguished officers in the ser.
vice was General Pat. Cleburne, who fell
while calamity leading a charge at Frank
lin, Tenn. Captain Mitchell, son OF the
marriott John Mitchell, was killed while serv-
Inc in the defence OF Fort Sumter, Charles.
ton harbor. Captain Atkins, who had
served in the army Of Garlbaldi, came 20
the Copfederacy. and In the first battle OF
Manassas served in the ranks OF Whelts
Louisiana battalion. For gallaptry and
GOOD conduct he was promoted to va
cancy created by the casualties OF that bat
tie, and served with great gallantry IN
subseQue engagements, until he was dis
abled by wounds, and was placed upon
special service at Richmond. After time
he was Informed OF the death OF his father,
and that the Interests Of his property and
Of his family required his return to Ire
land. He called upon me to announce the
fact. adding that he would not leave were
i, not that the surgeons had told him he
would never again be fit for field service.
Before taking his leave he said when he
reached home he would send his younger
brother TO take his place. Notwithstanding
the difficulties which then existed on ac-
count OF the blockade, in due time his
brother arrived and reported for duty.
"Of the elder Atkins, who died OF his
wounds after bis return TO Ireland. l have
vivid remembrance as he appeared near the
close OF the battle OF the First Manassas.
He was man about six feet four inches
high, broa0.shouldercd, gaunt-waisted,
hig.boncd. and with every indication OF
rover and activity. He was serving in the
ranks Of the Louisiana Tigers. As | rode
past spring giving small supply OF
water, and around which the men were
gathered with cups to catch 1t as il driined
ont, | saw Atkins, whom reco@.
uiZed, because on bis arrival he had called
upon me at NY office, standing with MS
hands crossed on the muzzle OF hi, rifle
with the air OF one who deGcd thirst a. he
had danger and fatigue, and he so I'M
dressed me that | spoke TO Major Wheat,
L.,Ig al md all him
if there was no place to which Atkins
could be properly assigned. lie tod me
there was vacancy CT captain. TO when
be thought the company would willingly
elect him. Suffice 1t to say that he fully
justified the impression he had created
upon me.
81 am sorry have no records to refresh
nv memory in regard TO the lriShmen who
performed gallant and valuable service in
our army, They were Of two classes -
those who were residing in the South be-
fore the war and those VINO, despite the
difficulties OF getting transportation. came
TO us to FIGHT for home rule; came at their
own expense, joined the army without
bounty, notwithstanding our poverty
and destituiion in all the material
OF war, served with patriotic fidelity
and Irish galIan,ry wherever they
were trieG. At page 22G and following OF
Volume III. Of "The Rise and Fall OF the
Confederate Government" you will tind
report o! the battle Of Sabine Pass. Tex
| where fOrty-four men, c0mmlnIed by
Lieutenant Bowling, all OF them lri'hmen
| achieved the most wonderful victory that
| believe is to be found in the annals OF mill
tary history. Respectfully and truly yours
"JEFFFRsON DAVIS