The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-23
The. Irish Element in the
Confederacy.

Freeman IS Journal, of Jan. Is, 1851,
from which the following is taken:
The January number of Donaboe's
Magazine prints short article on
.sThe Irish element in the Southern
Confederscy." In this connection it
prints the following letter from Hon
Jefferson Davis
BEAUvo1R, Miss July 6.
Daniel E. O'SulIivan, Esq.
"Dear Sir: (: The letters written to
me duriDg>the war were all lost or
stolen about or soon after the close !;
the reports made by army command
ers were many Of them captured
among the papers of the Adjutant
General These, and others, are be-
ing published By the United States
Gouernment,in in the official record OF
the WAR of the Rebellion From
these you will be able to eaxct in
formation in regard to some of the
most eminent lrisbmen who served
in the. Confederate Army. Among
the most. gallant and distinguished
officers in the service was General
Patrick Cleburne, who fell while gall
laotly leading charge at Franklin.
Tenn. Captain Mitchell, a son Of the
patriot John Mitchell, was killed
while serving in the defence of Fort
Sumter. Charleston harbor Captain
Atkins, in the first battle Of Ma
masses. served in the ranks Of
Wheat's Louisiana Battalion. For
gaIlantry and good conduct he was
promoted to vacancy created by
the casualties of that battle, and
served with great galIaptry in subse-
quent engagements, until he was dis
abIed by wounds, and was placed
upon service at Richmond After a
time he was informed Of the death Of
his father, and that the interest Of
his property and Of his family re:
quired his return to Ireland He
called apon me to announce the fact,
adding that be would NOT leave were
it not that the surgeons had told him
he would never again be fit for field
service. Before taking his3leave, he
said when he reached home he would
send his younger brother 10 take his
place Notwithstanding the difficult
ties which then existed en- account Of
the blockade, in due time his brother
arrived and reported for duty
.eOf the elder Atkins. who died Of
his wounds after his return 10 Ire
land, have vivid remembrance, as
he appeared near the close Of the bat.
tie Of the first Manassas. He was a
man Of about six. feet four inches
high, broad -shouldered. gaunt waist
ed, big boned, and with every indi-
cation Of power and activity He
was serving in the ranks of the
Louisiana Tigers AS / rode past a
spring giving smal1supply.of wa
ter, and around which the men were
gathered with cups to catch it as it
drained out, / saw Atkins, whom |
recognized, because on bis arrival lie
had called upon me at my Office,
standing with his hands crossed on
the muzzle of his rife with the air
Of one who de6ed u,irst as he had
danger aud fatigue, and he so Inn
pressed me that spoke to Major
Wheat. commanding the battalion,
and asked him if there was no place
to which Atkins could be properly
assigned He told me there was a
vacancy of captain, to which he
thought the company would willing
,ly elect him Suffice to say that he
fully justified the impressions he had
created upon me-
'.I am sorry / have no records to
refresh my memory in regard to the
Irishmen who performed gallant and
valuable service in our army. They
were Of two classes-these who
were residing in the South before the
war and those who, despite the diff
culiies Of getting transportation,
came to US to fight for hone rule,
came at their own expense, joined
the army without bounty, and, not
withstanding our poverty and desti
tuition in all the material Of war,
served with patriotic fidelity and
Irish gallahtry wherever they were
tried AT p 226 aud following Of
vol. 2 Of The Rise and Fall of the
Confederate Government you will
find report of the battle of Sabine
Pass, Tex. where forty-four men.
commanded by Lieut.. Bowling, all of
them Irishmen, achieved the most
wonderful victory that | believe is to
be found. in the annals Of military
history.
Respectfully and truly yours,
"JEFEERsoN DAVIS "