The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-03-22
Promoted to Brigadier Generalship by
Lincoln on Account of His
Record in Action.
At the Head of the Irish Brigade He Won
lmperishable Renown in the
Great Rebellion.

The 23d of April, 1861, will long be
remembered in the history of New
York. On that day, with Col. Michael
Corcoran Mt it's head, the Sixty-ninth
Regiment departed for the seat of war,
going at first to Annapolis, and then
to Washington, where they occupied
Georgetown College and the heights
surrounding it.
When leaving New York the rcgi.
ment was short one company. Before
a week had elapsed Thomas Francis
Meagher had not only recruited one
hundred men for this company, Of
which he became captain, but brought
with him to the front over two hun
dred additional recruits, says contrib
utor to the National Hibernian, of
Washington, d. G.
He Joined the regiment on May 23;
on the following day the whole COM
mand crossed into Virginia. and there
commenced Il career Of valor and brav-
cry never surpassed in the history of
war.
We cannot here follow the glorious
history Of the Sixty-ninth, nor that Of
the Irish Brigade or the Irish Legion.
In all their campaigns their bravery
and devotion were unsurpassed, and
they left behind them name that
will live forever in the annals of war.
Meaghcr took the principal part in
organizing the Irish Brigade. Though
he dearly loved the people of the South,
duty and patriotism alike compelled
him to cspousc the cause of the Union.
"Thc Republic" he said, chat gave
us an asylum and an honorable career
that is the mainstay OF human free
dom the world ovcr-is threatened
with destruction. 1t is the duty of
every libcrty-loving citizen to prevent
such calamity at all hazards. Above
all, it is the duty of us Irish citizens,
who aspire to establish n similar form
of government in our native land. 1t
is not only our duty to America, but
also to Ireland"
On December 20, Mcagher, who al
ready had been promoted to the ranl,
Of Colonel for bravery on the field
was nominated by President Lincoln
as Brigadicr-G General Of Volunteers
He was soon afterwards confirmed by
the senate, although an attempt had
been made to oppose him OH behalf of
Gen. Shields, who, when he heard It,
brave old veteran that he was prompt
ly stopped it.
"No, Mcagher," said he, ut the Gel.
ebratiOn which followed his appoint,
ment, "they can never estrangc us; VIC
love each other too well for that; we
have too many purposes in common
which bind our hearts together. We
look beyond this present dispute to q
glorious future for another land"
At the same celebration Gen. Mca.
CHER made glorious speech. The con.
Guiding paragraphs were as follows:
"Should survive, and the cause OF
the, American Republic prove success.
full, my soldiership shall not cease; for
having fulfilled my duty-and will
ing and proud one it will have been
/ shall still have one more duty to
perform, and that will be, for n sec
ond time, to risk my life in an effort
to give to Ireland her freedom.
"Should I fall in this conflict, other
men, better qualified in every respect
will survive, and they will not descend
into their graves until the effort
have spoken of shall be made. Bu
falling in the conflict, If it be the viii
Of God that it shall be so, have on'
desire, that those who shall have beer
the witnesses of my fidelity to tn
Irish Brigade-in its origin, in tn
camp, and on the field-shall writ
upon my gravestone, and nobler cpl