Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher: his political and military career

by W. F. Lyons

BRIGADIER-GENERAL

THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER

HIS POLITICAL AND MILITARY CAREER;

WITH SELECTIONS FROM

HIS SPEECHES AND WRITINGS.

BY

Capt. W. F. LYONS.

 

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GLASGOW: CAMERON & FERGUSON,
WEST NILE STREET.
LONDON: 12 AVE MARIA LANE.

GLASGOW:

DUNN AND WRIGHT,

PRINTERS.

DEDICATION

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Meagher was a soldier before he girded on the sword. He was a soldier in tho cause of liberty from the time when he stood upon the battlements of Antwerp, as he describod in that famous speach, delivered in Dublin, July 28, 1846, when he stigimatize the sword, because "at its blow a giant nation started from tho waters of the Atlantic, and by its redeeming magie, and in the quivering of its crimson light, the crippled Colopy sprang into the attitude of a proud Republic-prosperous, limit- less, and invincible!" The fortunes and the honour of the brayo nion of his race who took up arms all the world over, "in any good cause at all," were always dear and near to his heart.

In sympathy with this feelins, therefore, I dedicate this volume to

The Irish Soldier Everywhere.

W. F. LYONS.

New York, December, 1869.

CONTENTS.

	PAGE
Introduction,	7
CHAPTER I.
His early Career— The Revolutionary Movement of 48.	9
CHAPTER II.
Meagher's Social and Personal Character— His Wit and Courage,
CHAPTER III.
Convict Life in Van Dieman's Land— Escape, and Arrival in America,	37
CHAPTER IV.
Meagher as a Soldier— He raises and takes command of the Irish Brigade,	41
CHAPTER V.
The Boston Speech at the Music Hall,	50
CHAPTER VI.
The General at the head of his Brigade—Appointment by President Lincoln, and Confirmation by the Senate— The First Battle,	68
CHAPTER VII.
The Brigade goes into Action with eclat—Perils of the Rear-guard—Meagher in the thick of the Fight,	84

CHAPTER VIII.
	PAGE
The Battle of Chancellorsville - Decimation of the Brigade—Meagher's Farewell,	91
CHAPTER IX.
The Etowah Command-Dolence of Chattanooga—Recognition of Meagher's Services,	93
CHAPTER X.
His Career in Montana Territory-Icagher appointed Secretary and Acting Governor-He lights the Politicians—Raising the Militia—Journey to Fort Benton—His Death,	101
APPENDIX.
Speech on the Transportation of Mitchel,	112
Speech on American Benevolence-Irish Gratitude,	118
Speech at the Mitchel Banquet in the Broadway Theatre, New York, January, 1854,	120
Lectures in California,	126
John Philpot Curran,	139
Catholicism and Republicanism,	142
Extracts from Holidays in Costa Rica,	148
Meagher's Last Hours,	183