The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-10-07

Luz uilSaue StoOu Ill COlullln OF reSl-
ments closed in mass. Father Corby
stood on a large rock in front OF the
brigade. Addressing the men, he ex-
planned what he was about to do, saying
that each one could receive the benefit
OF the absolution by making sincere
act OF contrition and firmly resolving
to embrace the first opportunity OF con-
tesslng his sins, urging them to do their
duty, and reminding them OF the high
and sacred nature of their trust as SOL
diers and the noble object for which
they fought. The brigade was standing
at order arms" AS he closed his ad-
dress every man, Catholic and nom
Catholic, fell on his knees; with head
toward the brigade Father Corby pro-
nounccd the words OF the absolution
The scene was more than impressive
it was awc-inspiring. Near by stood
a brilliant throng OF officers who had
gathered to witness this unusual occur
renee. and while there was profound
silence i'll the ranks OF the Second CORPS
yet over to the left, out by the Peach
Orchard and Little Round Top, where
Weed and Vincent and Haz1,t were
dying, the roar OF the battle rose and
swellcd and rc-ccloed through the
woods. making music more sublime than
ever sounded through cathedral aisle.
The act seemed to be in harmony with
the surroundings. There was not a man
i'll the brigade who did not offer up
some kind OF prayer. For many ii
was their last; they knclt i'll their grave
clothes. In less than half an hour
many OF them were numbered with the
dead OF July p
General Thomas Francis Mcapl,cr
was born in the City OF Waterford, Ire
land. where his father was respectable
merchant He was educated by the
)csui, fathers at Clongowcs and Stoncy-
burst. He early became a Jealous re-
pcalcr and joined the Young Ireland
party His fiery and imprisoned clo-
qucnce stimulated the people to hope
'or restoration OF their national rights
by force OF arms. In the spring OF 1913
William Smith O'Bricn and Mcaphcr
were sent as a dcputation to France TO
congratulate the French people on the
establishment OF the republic. On their
return they were received by an cntlu-
slastic meeting. and Mcashcr presented
to the Nationalists OF Dublin a tricolor
llag-grccn, white and orange. Early
i'll May lie was brought up for trial in
the Queens Bench at Dublin "ior cx-
citing hatred and contempt against the
Queen and melting the people to rise
in rebellion On the 10Th the jury dis
agreed, as in Smith O'Bren's trial on
the same occasion and on a similar
charge In July, Mcaghcr, O'Bricn,
Dillon and a few others took the field
III Tippcrary almost without plan OF
operations. The struggle was short but
decisive. Mcaghcr was one OF those ar
rested, and with Terence Bcllcw Nc
Manus and Smith O'Bricn was tried at
Clonmcl for high treason, found guilty,
and on Oct, 23 sentenced to be hanged,
drawn and quartcrcd The sentence was
subsequently commutcd to penal scrvi-
tudc for life. On July 20, IS4o, he was.
with his friends. 'Bricn and McManus,
sent to Tasmania, known also as Van
Dicmcn's Land, where he married the
daughter OF squattcr Early in 1852
he made his escape from the colony and
landed in New York in the latter part
OF May. He soon became distin-
gushcd and popular lecturer, studied
law, and was admitted to the bar in
New York in September, 1855. Shortly
after this he undertook an expedition TO
Central America and gave his expert
cncc in 4 series OF lectures. lie had
previously published a volume OF his
speeches on "rhc Legislative Tndepcnd-
encc Of Ireland" On the breaking out
ol the Civil War in 1901 he raised
company OF zouavcs for the Sixty-ninth
New York regiment, and, after the bat
tic OF Bull Run, formed an Irish Bri-
gadc, whicl, did gallant service in the
war. In February, 1862, he was made
brgadicr general. In the ensuing opcr-
ations his brigade specially distin-
g,lisllcd itself at Fair Oaks (Junc L.
1902, and in the manocuvrcs that fol-
lowed the Seven Days battle. At the
battle OF Antictam, his command played
prominent part Mcaghcr was himself
distinguished for his cool bravery. OIL
the 1000 men he led into action only
$50 appeared on parade next day. The
almost complete annihlaton OF the br-
gadc was effected at Charlottesville on
May 3, 1863, and Mcaghcr rendered his
resignation. He was Immediately ap-
pointed to the command OF the Etowah
district, which was ovcrrun by gucrril-
las. On the conclusion OF the war he
was appointed by President johnson
secretary or acting governor of Mon
tana, which position he held till his
death He was accidentally drowned in
the Missouri July I, 1867.
A sarcastic exchange notes the fact