The state herald., 1900-02-23
BRILLIANT SOLDIER.
TRAGIC END OF A. GREAT AND
BRAVE HERO.
Gen. Thomas Francis Mesgher, Whose
Life il Recalled by the Finding a
His keputed Remains In Montans-
Ouce Condemned to Death.

OF zen. 1nOmaS FRANCIS MeaBner, reu-
ders timely an account Of this brilliant
and patriotic Irishman, who met with
such tragic end.
Gen. Meagher was born in Water
ford. Ireland. in 1923. On leaving col
lege he entered at once into the then
prevailing excitement regarding the
repeal movement" becoming an en-
thusiastlc member, then powerful
leader in the party Of young Ireland"
which counted in It's councils such dis
tinguished men as John Mitchell, Devil
Reilly. Thomas Davis, W. Smith
O'Brien, John Martin, McManus,
O'Gorman and Dillon. Meetings, brill
liant poems and speeches, voicing Ire
lands wrongs and Great Britain's ty-
ranny, soon brought trouble to Meagh-
er and his companions, until the dis
turbances, becoming more and more
serious, eliminated in arrest and trial
for treason.
1t seems hard to believe that as late
as 1S4S so barbarous sentence as that
pronounced upon Meagher and his
friends could find supporters: 1.-The
prisoners to be hanged, drawn and
quartered. their bodies to be disposed
of according to the will of the Queen"
A CHASTITY prospect truly and one cal
culated to shake the strongest nerves.
BY special act of royal clemency this
sentence, after some time, was COM
muted to transportation to Van Die
mems Land for life. In his address to
the court prior to the passing of the
sentence Meagher In an eloquent and
dignified manner explained his posi-
tion and justified his actions. =
Il do not despair OF my old country,
her peace, her glory. her liberty! For
that country l can do no more than bid
her hope. To lift this island up to
make her benefactor to humanity in
stead Of being the meanest beggar In
the world. to restore her to her native
power and her ancient constitution.
this has been my ambition. and my
ambition has been my crime. Judged
by the law Of England. l know this
crime entails the penalty OF death, but
the history of Ireland explains this
crime and justifies 1t. Judged by that
history, am no criminal-you lad
dressing Mr.. McManus, you address
ing Mr.. O'Donohue), are no criminal.
deserve no punishment; we deserve
no punishment Judged by that his-
tory the treason of which stand con-
victed loses all It's guilt: is sanctified
as duty. will be ennobled as a sacri-
fice."
The district allotted to Meagher in
Van Dieman's Land. under privilege
OF ticket-of-leaye. was a mountainous
region with Lake Sorel at its highest
point. On the shore Of this lake stood
the cottage in which he lived. spending
his time In horseback riding. sailing on
the lake and reading. Here John Nit
chell and his wife visited him and here
on occasions chance guests appeared.
relieving his loneliness. When tired
Of the solitude he would ride into the
convict settlement OF Hobart town. In
this part Of the world shortly before
his escape he married n beautiful Aus
tralian.
Meagher's escape from Van Dlemnn's
Land. having some time before sur
rendered his parole. his thrilling nd
ventures at sea in an open boat. days
spent upon a desolate island, his sub
sequent arrival In New York and his
lectures throughout the country are
facts well known.
On the outbreak OF the war OF 1861.
after mature and careful deiiberation.
he set himself TO the task Of organix-
ing n brigade for the defense OF the
Union. The Sixty-ninth New York
Volunteers and two Massachusetts,
regiments formed the command which
he took into the field. and as a briga-
der general Meagher served his adopt
ed country with gallantry and de-
votion which proved the depth and sin
certify OF his love for his adopted land
From their first battlefield
Of Fair Oaks through the engagement
at Gaines Mills. Antietam. Malvern
Hin and other notable fights down to
the field OF Chancellorsviile, which
proved fatal to no many brave men.
the Irish brigade OF New York fought
brilliantly and steadfastly. earning for
themselves an eny:able position In his.
tory. Almost decimsted on the last
named field. the remnant Of the gallant
brigade sought through their general
temporary release from active duty. In
order to recover their strength and MI
up the gaps In their ranks. A petition
to this effect. sent by Meagher to the
Secretary OF War. was utterly Ignored
and the troops kept In active service.
Despairing Of favorable consideration
for his exhausted men. Mcagher ten
dercd his resignation. This was ac-
cepted. though his desire TO still fur
ther serve the government was recog-
nised by nn appointment TO the mill
tary district OF Etowah. with head
quarters Mt Chattanooga Faithful
performance Of duty In this place led
to his being placed as secretary OF
the territory Of Montana. where. In the
intcrrcgnum which enrued on tho re-
tiremcnt Of Gov. Edgcr,on. he was for
considerable period the acting chief
executive.
Here he began preparations to raise
troops to nght the Indians who were
nj that time haraasing the inhabitants
Of Fort Benton on the upper Missouri.
and for this purpose travelled TO the
latter place 10 oversee the arrival of
arms and munitions. After n thirty
hours ride, ON horseback he reached
Fart usnton July 1 1867 exhnttatsd