Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-10-11
Presentation of sword Carried
by Gen. Thomas Francis
Meagher.
Irish Brigade and Confederate
Flags Among the Priceless
Treasures.
SET FOR LIKCOLN's BIRTHDAY

The sword carried throughout the
civil war by Gen. Thomas Francis
Meagher, commander of the famous
Irish Brigade, will be presented to
Notre Dame University on Lincoln's
birthday, February IL, by the Cen
erals nephew, Senator T. ]. Walsh,
of Montana, of which State Gen.
Meagher was Governor at the time
of his death in 1867. Senator
Walsh will make the presentation
in person, in speech to which Rev.
John Cavanaugh, President of the
University, will respond, and an
appropriate programme will give
setting to the occasion.
The battleflag of the Irish Brigade
and the Confederate flag captured
by Meagher's men during the second
days fighting at Fair Oaks have
been for number of years among
the treasures of Notre Dame Uni
versity, and Rev. William Corby,
Chaplain of the brigade, lies buried
in the University cemetery. Con-
spicuous among the pictures upon
building is one by Paul Wood. rep
Iesenting the brigade before going
into the fight at Gettysburg, under
fire but on their knees, to receive
the general absolution given by
Father Corby, as he stands upon a
large rock with his hands extended
over their reverently bowed heads.
The green flag was given to Notre
Dame by Gen. James ID. Brady. 1t
hangs near the main entrance of the
main building, and on it, in letters
of gold, to match the gold of the
Irish harp and intertwined sham
rock, are inscribed the names of the
baTfnes. through which it was cal
ried-Yo Yorktown Fair Oaks, GSi(
Mill, Savage 5tati6 6l1, Co. Ia
Bridge. Giendaie. 1llens Farm.
Malvern Hill, Antietam, Gettysburg,
Fredericksburg. Charlottesville and
Bristol's Station.
The captured Confederate flag
also has history. For years after
tie war 1t hung in the sleeping room
OF Gen. Meagher's widow When
she broke up her home she gave 1t
irto the care of Austin e. Ford, as
President of the Irish-American
Union. The union had possession of
other of Meagher's relics, and sent
some of them as presents to the city
of Waterford, his birthplace, and OF
which corporation his father had
been Mayor. But the captured Con-
federate flag the union had expected
to present TO the First Georgia Regi-
nent, against whose breastworks
brigade rushed in vain at
and in whose ranks
had fought the Irish Jasper Greens, OF
Savannah. Negotiations had ALREADY
begun with the Jasper Greens for
this purpose when President Cleve-
lands "battleflag order" regarding
tie return of captured banners,
aroused such hostility in the North
bat the Irish-American Union feared
to return this Confederate flag, as II
might be construed as a recognition
Of the Confederacy on their part, so
Il was handed over TO the unions
President, Austin E. Ford, Ito do
with as he in his judgment NIGH
Prof. James Edwards, now deceased,
who had charge of the historical
archives OF America at Notre Dame.
Meagher's life was romantic. His
famous speech ION the Sword and
his patriotic efforts in behalf of Ire
lands freedom brought about his
exile TO Tasmania Like John Boyle
O'Reilly, he escaped and made his
way to America. In New York he
practiced law and engaged in news
paper work, and when the war broke
ont enlisted in the service of the
Union and rose to the rank of
General. He died as Gov
ernor of Montana in 1857.
The personal and historical connec-
tion between Notre Dame and the
irish Brigade will make February 12
mex. an intensely interesting day at
that university, when Meagher's
sword takes its place between the
flag beneath which ne fought and the
flag he captured from a worthy foe.