Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1908-07-04
SOLDIERS
OF the Cross and Crucifix Were
United on an American
Battlefield.
Graphic Story From Historic
Shiloh Told by Veteran
Writer.
Late Lamented Father Ryan a
Witness of a Pathetic
Reunion.
DEATH CLAIMED ANOTER HERO

A writer in the ALDERMAN, pub
lished in Boston, who was a corre-
spondent for a London daily journal
during the civil war, gives a graphic
story of the union of a brother and
sister on the battlefield of Shiloh
coupled with story of the character
of the Rev. Father Ryan, the Poet
Priest of the South. The writer says
in part:
Father. Ryan's orderly came run
ming in with the news that the Union
forces led by Sheridan were attack
ing. The mists that concealed the
Federal troops were lifted and Sher-
idan at the head of his regiment
could be plainly seen advancing. The
orderly, whose name was Miles Dris-
coll, had just been intrusted with i'm
portant dispatches. so he hurriedly
grasped our hands and knelt for a
blessing from Father Ryan. Driscoll
was not yet twenty-one. Six years
before he came from the Glen of
Aherlow. He had earned the conf
dence of his Colonel by his valor and
his kindly nature.
When the battle ceased our tent
was within the Federal lines and we
narrowly escaped being captured.
learned that Col. Sullivan was dan
gerously wounded From an ambu-
lance squad | learned that Father
Ryan was administering to the
wounded in the battlefield. l found
him. What a ministering angel he
was; how well his labors gave testi-
mony that the love the Southern sol
diers bore for him was deserved!
approached and grasped his hand.
He did not recognize me. He APP
peared as if he had lost the human,
that the spiritual alone possessed
him.
"Oh, Gracious Cod" he exclaimed,
will not this sacrifice satisfy thy
wrath. Look with pity on thy erring
people" The scene was appalling.
But 10! the strangest of all appeared.
Struggling up the crimson crags was
a girlish form with a small lantern
in one hand. The nuns garb in
which she was attired was nigh torn
to shreds, and the crucifix which was
suspended from her girdle was wet
with the blood of the wounded, while
she held the sacred emblem in her
trembling hands and asked forgive
ness of Him whose blood was shed
on Calvary for all. She hurriedly
approached the priest and said ooh,
Father Ryan, come at once, there is
a soldier in gray dying in yonder
thicket and he is craving to see you
before he dies. Come for mercy's
sake" The good priest beckoned
l.. I ,g,1
the thicket There lay Miles Driscoll
the orderly, his life-blood ebbing
slowly. Father Ryan, he muttered
family, 81 was afraid you would not
come. The doctor ordered the am
bulance not TO wait for me; that
death would claim me soon. Father,
send the news to my mother. May
God comfort her. Send her this
scapular; | got it from my sister
Eileen from the Convent in Balti-
more" He ceased talking.
The good priest told me to make
a note that Miles Driscoll of the Glen
of Aherlow was killed today. As he
repeated the name the nun gave a
scream and sprang forward and
looked into the wounded mans
eyes and exclaimed, "Oh, Miles, my
brother, is it your" and swooned
away. The dying soldier raised on
his elbow and looked with daZed and
far off look at Father Ryan and faint
ly said: What voice is that | heard?
Whose eyes looked into mine? Answer
me, Father Ryan, where is she?" The
good priest was holding the swooning
sister in his arms, the voice seemed
to bring her back to consciousness
and she knelt by the side of the dying
boy. and kissing his pallid lips she
whispered: miles, am here" A
strange light came into his eyes and
eagerly he asked her: What. Eileen,
are you soldering, too?" The effort
was too much for him and he sank
back again and closed his eyes while
the tears of the anguished sister fell
on his brow Again his strength
seemed to return. Reaching out, he
grasped her hand and said: "Oh,
Eileen, / am so glad you are come,
Kiss me, darling, see the clouds
are falling over the Galtees. ! hear
the birds singing in the woodland
near the old home. Mother is wait.
! ing for me at the old boreen and lit
tie Willie. who has slept so many
years in the old churchyard, is with
her, and they are beckonoing for me
to come. Pray for me. Eileen; kiss
me. for must CO." Resting his head
on her bosom his spirit passed away
Father Ryan could not speak for a
time, then raising his hands to heav-
en-. he exclaimed: "Oh, Mother Ire
land, how gloriously your fame Il
earned by these soldiers of the SWORD
and of the crucifix.
RARE OLD CHURCH