The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-08-19

and Mcnamara we're killed. Describ-
ing the events OF that day Father Egan
said:
I'm the rear, corps field hospital
was established in an old deserted farm
house. Here the wounded were gather
ed. The ambulances came in drovcs
bringing in the wounded all day and
far into the night. Surgeons were busy
at work amputating broken limbs, men
were employed digging long trenches
where we buried our dead. All this was
fearful to see and it was awful to hear
the groans and screams OF our wounded
men, wrestling all night in their agony"
He took part in the awful scenes of the
now historic battle OF Spottsylvania,
which lasted from the Sth to the 10th OF
May. In the following month, June,
1864, the Ninth Massachusetts three
years service expired and they were re-
lieved from duty.
When making preparations to return
to Boston, General Griffin sent for
Chaplain Egan and begged him not to
leave the Catholics in his division with
out the services OF priest. Father
Egan replied that he did not like to re-
main in the army without being con-
ncctcd with it officially. The General
told him to write an application to Pres
idcnt Lincoln for a commission, that he
would endorse it and also sec that the
commander OF the army OF the Potomac
would also endorse it, This was event
ually done, and for some time he at
tended the general hospital at City
| Point, where all the wounded soldiers
were being taken care OF. Shortly after
this, he was attached to Gen. Grifiin's
staff, having full freedom to attend not
only the Catholics OF the Fifth army
corps but also those OF the Ninth army
corps; and SO remained until the close
Of hostiities.
Describing the surrender at Apo
mattox, he said: ut was interesting to
see union and confederate soldiers sit
ting i'll squads. talking over battles
overheard a rebel soldier, saying in a
loud, emphatic voice: 1T was that
Irish devil, Sheridan, that did the work
for you fellows. He was the only gen
cral you had who struck terror into us !;
but for him this war would not be over
yet; but now we are glad it is over, for
we have had enough Of it, Telling OF
his successful effort on one occasion to
save the life OF lali-wittcd German,
who was to be shot for dcscrton; he
said, "Ncxt morning at dawn ! went to
see the prisoner, saying to him:
"'Ho OH will not be shot to-day. Is dat
so, Fadcr?' he said to me very coolly.
After little he filled with emotion and
began to shed tears, the poor fellow re
alizing that his Lille was spared Viii
he said, 'Fadcr, | tank you very much,
you have saved mine life. want to go
to confession, and will be good boy
from dis out >" The chaplain complied
with his request and badc him good
bye
His patriotism was very marked
and as a sample OF its intcn-
sity, l quote few paragraphs
from his own pen. Shortly be-
fore the battle. asked Col. Quincy to
form his regiment into solid square so
that could address the men. He did
SO. l then spoke to them OF their danger
and cntrcatcd them 10 prepare for it by
going on their knees and making sim
ccrc act OF contrition for their sins, with
the intention OF going to confession if
their lives were spared. AS the rcgi-
mcnt fell on their knees, other Catholic
soldiers broke from ranks and joined us,
so that in less than two minutes
| had the largest congregation ! ever
witnessed before or even since. Hav-
ing pronounced the words of general
absolution. to be given in such cmer-
gcncics and danger, l spoke few
words OF encouragement to them, cx-
|
fighting iii just cause to preserve the
integrity Of the United States govern
mont, which had never committed an
act OF tyranny towards any OF its cit-
zcns; that they were fighting the battle
oi liberty, justice and humanity; not
only for those under our own govern
mcnt but for the oppressed OF all ma
tons; that the tyrannical and oppressive
governments of Europe were aiding and
abctting in every way possible the mis-
guided people OF the South in their re-
volt against the best OF governments (;
that England who largely fomcnted the
rebellion by her cmissarics in this coun-
try, hypocritically crying out against
the barbarity of slavery, was now aiding,
by her cursed, ill-gotten gold, the south
crn people to maintain in slavery 4,ooo,-
600 human beings. All this in order to
dcridc lis and break up our glorious
principle OF scli-govcrnmcnt, wrcstcd
from her tyrannical hand by the brave
heroes Of the revolution, who won for
us our inheritance of liberty"
Father Egan was hero but he never
knew it. His simplicity and modesty
prevented him from knowing his own
worth. One familiar with his career