Book: Ridgeway

S >> Scian Dubh >> Ridgeway







CHAPTER VII.


While the children of Ireland were engaged in defending the flag of
the Union during the late civil war, and sealing with their blood
their fidelity to the great Republic, they were, also, acquiring a
knowledge of arms and a warlike hardihood, which tended, on the
cessation of hostilities, to render the Fenian organization more
formidable than it could possibly have become, had peace pervaded the
land from the inception of the Brotherhood to its triumph at Ridgeway.
All through this gigantic struggle the hand of the Irish patriot and
exile was prominently observable. Not a field had been fought from the
firing of the first gun at Fort Sumter to the surrender of Lee's army,
on which their blood had not flowed in rivers. Look at Murfreesboro,
Corinth, Perrysville, Iuka, Antietam, Chickahomany, Winchester, Fort
Donaldson, Island Ten, Shiloh, Lexington, Bull Run, Carnifex Ferry,
the Rappahannock, the Mississippi, the Cumberland, the Potomac and
Fredericksburg, "where one-half of Meagher's Brigade are still
encamped _under the sod_," and we have evidence of the truth of this
assertion, the most ample and complete. Amidst these scenes of
terrific carnage, the warlike genius and matchless personal bravery of
many a distinguished Irishman were eminently conspicuous; while the
latent fires that had previously lain dormant in the breast of others,
leaped forth into a glorious conflagration, that commanded the
admiration of every true soldier and evoked the recognition of the
Commonwealth at large. Amongst this latter class stood pre-eminently
forward, the present President of the Fenian Brotherhood throughout
the world--GENERAL JOHN O'NIELL, a brief sketch of whom we introduce
here for obvious reasons, drawn from authentic records in our
possession, as well as from the current newspaper literature of the
day:

"To the Irish reader," observes a contemporary, well informed upon this
subject, "and especially to that portion of our people, who are
conversant with the past history of their country, and feel a
patriotic pride in its glorious records, as well as a fervent hope for
their renewal in the future--there is no name fraught with memories
more inspiring than that of O'Neill--the princely house of Ulster, the
champions of the Red Hand, who, for centuries, in the struggles of the
nation against the Saxon invader, led the hosts of their people to
victory, and only succumbed at last when poison and treachery, and
chicane had accomplished what force failed to effect; for their valor
was powerless against the dagger of the assassin, as were their
honesty and open-heartedness against the bad faith of England's
perjured tools. Like many a noble and ancient Irish house, its scions
are to-day to be found scattered through the world, in every walk of
life. But though its banner no longer floats over embattled hosts,
there is magic still in its associations; and when men speak of the
O'Neill, the Irish heart leaps fondly towards the historic name and
the proud recollection of the days when Hugh and Owen stood for the
rights of their people and native land, and dealt the assailants of
both those sturdy blows which so well justified their claim to the
blazon of the 'Red Hand.'

"In our own day, too, the old blood has vindicated its inherent force
and purity, and has found a worthy representative in the subject of
our present sketch--GENERAL JOHN O'NEILL,--whose name, in the future
history of the Irish race, will be as inseparably linked with the
struggles of the present generation for national independence, as are
those of his ancestors with the efforts made by our people in the past
against English tyranny and usurpation. As this noble and patriotic
Irishman is now occupying so much of the public attention, and his
political conduct meeting with that cordial endorsement which is a
just tribute to his bravery and patriotism--whether on the bloody
fields of the South, routing a Morgan, or assuming the command of his
colonel, or, with thirty men repelling the attack of a regiment; or,
with his gallant band of Irish soldiers, chasing the 'Queen's Own' at
Ridgeway--a brief review of his career will not be devoid of interest
to all who desire to preserve a record of those who have deserved well
of their country. Within the limits of such a sketch it would be
impossible to do adequate justice to the character of a man like
General O'Neill, and we can only assume to glance at the many
attestations of his bravery and gentlemanly bearing which should have
a public record, as they are from men of high position, and are of
importance in illustrating the estimation in which he has always been
held by his superior and brother officers. No man can produce a more
unsullied one, or one better calculated to confirm his title to the
high position in which his countrymen have placed him.

"General O'Neill was born on the 8th of March, 1834, in the townland
of Drumgallon, parish of Clontibret, county Monaghan, Ireland. At his
birth he was an orphan, his father having died a few weeks previously.
The early part of his existence was spent with his grandparents in his
native place. Bred up in a country, every hill and river and plain of
which was linked in story with the deeds of the mighty men of old, it
is not to be wondered at that the mind of young O'Neill seized with
avidity every incident of the past connected with the condition and
history of his fatherland, or that the bias of his future life was
given by his meditations as he rambled along the slopes of Benburb, or
traced the victorious steps of his ancient sept, through the classic
region where his schoolboy days were passed. That it should be so is
only natural; for he is a kinsman, as well as namesake, of the great
Hugh O'Neill who, with his fearless followers, swept over Ulster and
defeated so many of England's greatest generals, and brought the heads
of some of her pets to the block. And there is no doubt but that some
of her favorites of to-day shall be made to bite the dust ere the
General has done with them.

"General O'Neill is a man of calm temperament, but a firm will, which,
when excited, however, is stern and inflexible; uniting with this a
good education and gentlemanly address, with a mind bold, independent
and decisive. His person partakes of the character of his mind for if
the one never succumbed in the council, the other never bent in the
field. Few could imagine from his modest exterior the latent, fire and
energy which burn in his bosom. His manner is as unassuming as his
mind is noble; quiet, yet impervious to flattery or laudations, he
seems at the same time to pay due regard to popular opinion, without
in the least permitting it to influence him in the discharge of his
duties.

"While he was yet quite young, the family of General O'Neill emigrated
to the United States, and his mother settled at Elizabeth, N.J., where
she still resides. He did not follow them until 1848, when he was
fourteen years of age. Having devoted some time to the completion of
his studies here, he determined to engage in commercial pursuits, and
for some time travelled as agent for some of the leading Catholic
publishing houses. In 1855 he opened a Catholic Book Store in
Richmond, Va., and while residing there became a member of the 'Emmet
Guard,' then the leading Irish organization in that section of the
country. The inclination thus manifested for the military profession
soon proved to be the ruling passion in the mind of the young
Celt,--checked only by the repugnance of his family towards the
soldier's life; for, in 1857, he gave up his business and entered the
Second Regiment of U.S. Cavalry--a regiment which has since furnished
the most distinguished officers who have figured on both sides during
the late war.

"In the Regular Army, O'Neill rose steadily by his good character,
bravery and aptitude, no less than by his education and invariable
gentlemanly conduct. But though he has since filled positions of high
responsibility, he has often declared that one of the most pleasurable
emotions of his life was experienced when, for some meritorious act,
he received, from his commanding officer, his warrant of Corporal.

"At the outbreak of the war, the regiment with which he was serving
was recalled from California, and on the organization of the army
under McClellan, was attached to the Regular Cavalry Division, which
took part in the principal battles in the campaign of the Peninsula,
during which O'Neill was in command of Gen. Stoneman's body guard.
After the withdrawal of the army from the Peninsula, he was dispatched
to Indiana, where he was retained for some time as instructor of
cavalry, drilling the officers of the force then being raised for the
defence of that portion of the Union against the incursions of the
Confederate guerillas. He subsequently entered the 5th Indiana Cavalry
as Second Lieutenant, and served with that regiment, during 1863, in
the operations against the Southern leaders in Kentucky, Tennessee,
Indiana and Ohio. In these expeditions, which, whether in the nature
of scouts, reconnoisances or advances, generally took the shape of
sharp running fights, Lieut. O'Neill's skill and daring not only
attracted the attention of his commanding officers, but further
enlisted the enthusiasm of the men, insomuch that, when one of those
_sorties_ was ordered, the first question asked was always--'Is
O'Neill to lead it?'--and if the answer was in the affirmative, no
matter how jaded the men might be, volunteers in any number were ready
at once.

"There is no greater instance of personal bravery, or gallantry equal
to any emergency, than that related by Archbishop Purcell, of
Cincinnati, in his account of O'Neill's encounter with Morgan, the
famous guerilla; and as many of our readers have not read the partial
account given in Mr. Savage's 'Fenian Heroes and Martyrs,' it may
prove of interest to them, as his encounter with Morgan is more
generally spoken of than understood. Archbishop Purcell says:--

'There is a remarkably brave officer suffering from diarrhoea,
contracted in a three month's chase after Morgan, now in St. John's
Hospital, in this city--Lieut. O'Neill, of the 5th Indiana Cavalry.
His mother resides in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Her adventurous boy
enlisted in the regular army at the time of the Mormon excitement in
Utah; was afterwards sent to California; was made Sergeant for
distinguished services on the Potomac; employed on a recruiting tour
in Indiana, and promoted to a Lieutenancy in the famous 5th Indiana
cavalry.

'Respecting his encounter with Hamilton's rebel force, in May, the
Indianapolis papers spoke of the exploit of Lieut. O'Neill, and a
detachment of his company, as one of the most daring and brilliant
achievements of the war. The Lieutenant has kindly furnished us with
the following interesting account of the part he took in the defeat of
Morgan. The authorities here have recommended him for promotion to the
rank of Major.

'INCIDENTS OF THE FIGHT WITH MORGAN, AT BUFFINGTON'S ISLAND, ON THE
20TH OF JULY.

'On the night of the 19th, about 10 o'clock, Gen. Judah, with his
cavalry and artillery command, left Pomeroy for Buffington. The
General sent First Lieutenant John O'Neill, of the 5th Indiana
cavalry, with fifty men, ahead, with instructions to try and open
communications with the militia, said to be in close proximity to the
island. The Lieutenant was delayed by losing the road during the
night, and did not arrive till about an hour and a half after
daylight. He then learned that the militia had been skirmishing with
the enemy during the night, and that Gen. Judah's advance had been
ambushed, the morning being foggy; and the General's Assistant
Adjutant General, Capt. Rice, with some twenty-five or thirty men and
a piece of artillery, and Chief of Artillery, Capt. Henshaw, had been
captured and sent to Gen. Morgan's headquarters on the river road,
some thirty miles ahead of him, on the enemy's left flank. The
Lieutenant at once resolved to recapture what had been taken; and,
with his Spartan band, kept steadily on. Several parties tried to stop
him; but a volley from the "Sharp's" carbines of his boys invariably
drove them back. At length he came on Morgan, with two regiments and a
body guard of one hundred men. The Lieutenant halted his men suddenly,
at an angle of the road, within one hundred and fifty paces. He gave
the command "ready," and intended to have given them a volley; but
seeing some of his own men in front, he did not fire, but commanded
"forward," and dashed in amongst them. If he had fired, every shot
must have told, he was so close. Morgan, with his two regiments and
body guard, ran without firing a shot. All our prisoners were
released, and about thirty of the enemy taken. Some were killed and
wounded. The Lieutenant pursued Morgan about two miles clear off the
field, and captured three pieces of artillery, which he carried off
with him. This was the last of Morgan on the field. The Lieutenant
cannot tell how many he killed or wounded, as his fight was a running
one, extending over four miles; but the surgeon in charge of burying
the dead and looking after the wounded, reported that most of both
were along the river where O'Neill had been.'

"The above, from Archbishop Purcell, is an unquestionable testimony of
the daring and audacity of the subject of this sketch in the field.
The _National Journal_, in giving an account of the same battle, says:

'Lieutenant O'Neill, of the 5th Indiana Cavalry, now appeared by
another road, with but fifty men, and charged two different regiments
so desperately that they broke and left our captured guns, officers
and men in our possession.'

"The _Louisville Journal_, after relating an instance of O'Neill's
personal bravery, says:

'Lieutenant O'Neill is the same who, about two weeks ago, while out
with Col. Graham, on the Tennessee side of Cumberland, with twenty men
as an advanced guard, came up with Hamilton, having two hundred men
drawn up in line--charged and ran him thirteen miles, and with his own
hand, while ahead of his men, killed five--two of them with the
sabre.'

"To go into detail, and give a minute account of the many instances of
gallantry, pluck and determination displayed by the subject of our
sketch, would be beyond the scope of our present purpose, as they, at
the same time, would only tend to multiply instances, without lending
any additional proof. But we cannot, as it directly bears on his
letter of resignation, with accompanying letters of endorsement from
distinguished Generals, pass over that singular and noble proof of
unexampled bravery--his assuming the command of his Colonel Butler,
when the latter showed signs of cowardice.

"The affair took place at Walker's Ford, on Clinch River, in East
Tennessee, where the division to which O'Neill's regiment was attached
was stationed, to dispute the passage of the Southern troops, which in
large force occupied the adjacent country. O'Neill had only a few days
before rejoined his command, after the illness incurred in his chase
after Morgan, and was at breakfast when the alarm was given that the
enemy had surprised the advanced guard, and were attacking in force.
Springing on his horse, he rallied the company of picked men he
commanded, and for a long time held the advancing forces of the enemy
in check, to give time for others to form line of battle. But the
enemy were rapidly getting in rear of the Union troops, and O'Neill
fell back on the main body of his regiment, just in time to hear his
Colonel cry out, 'Oh, God! all is lost! save yourselves, men, the best
way you can. Nothing is left us but retreat!' 'Not by a long sight!'
shouted O'Neill, as, sword in hand, he dashed in front of the mob of
soldiers, upon whom panic and the example of their commander were
rapidly doing the work of disorganization. 'Men,' continued he,
turning to them, 'all of you who mean to _fight_, fall in with me.'
The effect was almost miraculous. About one hundred and fifty of the
fugitives rallied, and with these he drove back the advancing columns
of the enemy, saved the day, and, though severely wounded in the
action, remained master of the field.

"Of this attack, a correspondent of the Indianapolis _Daily Journal_,
of January, 1864, says:

'The rebels, finding we were retreating, determined to drive us into
the river. About three hundred mounted men came over the hills,
charging Company "A," 65th Indiana, and three companies of the 5th,
commanded by Col. Butler and Capt. Hodge. Our boys began to waver. The
Colonel tried to rally them to no effect, when O'Neill rode up and
took command. Taking a Henry rifle from one of the 65th boys, he
commenced firing, at the same time yelling at the men to charge them,
which they did. For about five minutes it was the most frightful scene
I have ever witnessed. Out of the three hundred Confederates, only
about _twenty_ went back mounted, the balance being killed, wounded,
and dismounted. A rebel officer, afterwards taken, admitted the loss
of twenty killed and forty wounded in the charge. This so effectually
checked them, and convinced them that a charge would not pay, that we
very easily held our ground until the wagons and guns had crossed the
river. But our brave Lieutenant, O'Neill, received a wound in the
thigh while we were making our last stand. He rode out all day, never
seeking shelter, cheering his men. When other officers had given up
all as lost, he replied, "Not by a long sight." He met with a hearty
response from the men. We afterwards learned that we were fighting
three brigades, among them the "Texan Rangers."'

"There is no nobler instance of daring or pluck, or of presence of
mind, or decisiveness of character, equal to any crisis, than this.
But what is the sequel? The Colonel, narrow minded as he was cowardly,
was piqued at young O'Neill's gallantry in repelling the attack, which
at once stamped himself with cowardice, and lowered him, as a
consequence, in the estimation of his brother officers. After the
battle he sent a report of the officers and non-commissioned officers
whom he recommended for promotion, _omitting the name of O'Neill_.
This was a direct insult to the man who displayed the most bravery,
and had saved them from a watery grave, a fiery death, or, worse than
all, an ignominious surrender. It at once aroused all that was stern
in his nature--to have such a coward offer him an insult. He went to
the Colonel, and demanded if it was true that he had sent the names of
certain officers to the Governor for promotion, and noncommissioned
officers for commissions over him, and omitted his name altogether.
The Colonel replied in the affirmative. 'Then,' said O'Neill, 'I shall
never serve another day in your regiment.'

"We give these particulars in detail, as well as his resignation, not
only on account of its boldness, but as some people try to put a
different construction on the fact of his sending in his resignation
at that time. Conformably with his determination, he went to his
quarters, where, after a fortnight, he prepared his resignation, and
sent it to headquarters. In the interim, the Colonel sent one day to
know if he would drill the regiment. O'Neill sent back to know if it
was an order or a request; on being assured it was the latter, he
complied. He was expecting to be arrested every day; but the Colonel
was too much of a coward, as he was afraid the consequences would be
rather unpleasant. After a few weeks, his resignation was sent to
headquarters, with letters of disapproval--but endorsing his
complaints, and testifying to his bravery and efficiency--from Gens.
Sturges and Stoneman. Comments on these letters would be superfluous,
as they speak forcibly for themselves.

"CAMP NEAR PARIS, KENTUCKY, April 7th, 1864.

"Sir: I have the honor herewith to tender my resignation as First
Lieutenant of Company 'I,' 5th Cavalry, 90th Regiment Indiana
Volunteers, on account of promotions in the regiment, which have
placed men over me whom I cannot consistently serve under. Some of
them, Captains, have been Sergeants in the same regiment since I
have been First Lieutenant; and while I have a high regard for these
officers personally, I can never allow myself to be commanded by
them in the field.

"I served in the regular army nearly four years, in Utah,
California, and on the Peninsula: as private, Corporal, Sergeant,
and acting-Sergeant-Major, and have been in the regiment, as
Lieutenant, sixteen months.

"The enclosed copies of letters from Generals Hodson, Judah and
Stoneman, with others from the present Colonel of my regiment, and
the former, Colonel Graham, recommending me to Governor Morton, for
the position of field-officer in one of the regiments being
organized in Indiana, will show that I am not undeserving of
promotion in my own regiment, and that I have some cause to be
dissatisfied with not receiving it, and with having officers placed
over me whom, in point of military knowledge and experience, I
cannot regard as my superiors.

"I certify, on honor, that I am not indebted to the United States
on any account whatever, and that I am not responsible for any
government property, except what I am prepared to turn over to the
proper officer on the acceptance of my resignation, and that I was
last paid by Major Haggerty to include the twenty-ninth of February,
1864.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"JOHN O'NEILL, First Lieut., Co. 'I,' 5th Ind. Cav.

"Rather a bold epistle this! He tells his commander squarely he will
not serve under officers whom he considers his inferiors in military
knowledge. We shall now give the accompanying letters to which he
refers, from Generals Sturges, Judah and Stoneman, which furnish
unquestionable proof of his ability and military capacity. These
letters, from men of fine military experience, are very high references
of O'Neill's ability. The following is that from Major-General
Stoneman:--

"HEADQUARTERS 23D ARMY CORPS, March 8th, 1864.

"I knew Lieut. O'Neill well on the Peninsula, and as a brave and
worthy officer, in whose judgment and capacity I had the greatest
confidence. I hope he will receive the promotion to which his merits
entitle him, that of a field-officer in a colored regiment.

"GEORGE STONEMAN, Major-Gen., Com'g. Corps.

"That from General Judah is equally as commendatory. If the one refers
to his bravery on the Peninsula, the other testifies equally to his
daring during the war:--

"HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, 23D ARMY CORPS,
In camp near Mossy Creek, Tenn., March 7th, 1864.

"It gives me pleasure to state that, from personal observation, I
deem Lieut. John O'Neill, of the 5th Indiana Cavalry, one of the most
_gallant_ and _efficient_ officers it has been my duty to command.
His daring and services have been conspicuous, and I trust he may
receive what he has so ably merited--his promotion.

"H.M. JUDAH, Brig.-Gen., Com'g. Division.

"The following endorsement, written on the resignation by General
Sturges, when forwarded to the headquarters, shows that if merit,
military and personal, could meet with its reward, Lieut. O'Neill
should get speedy promotion:--

"HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
PARIS, KY., April 7th, 1864.

"Disapproved and respectfully forwarded.

"This is an excellent officer--too valuable, indeed, to be lost to
the service. He was severely wounded near Tazewell, under Colonel
Graham, last December, and is estimated as one of the best officers
of my command. This is not the only resignation which has been
offered on account of the promotions of inferiors having been made
in the 5th Indiana Cavalry over the heads of superiors, based upon
political or other considerations, and altogether regardless of
merit. By this system junior and meritorious officers find
themselves cut off from all hope of advancement, and compelled to
serve subordinate to others for whose qualifications they can
entertain no respect.

"While, therefore, I disapprove his resignation for the public
good, I would respectfully urge that some policy be initiated
or recommended by which officers can see the way open for their
advancement according to merit.

"Respectfully,

"L.D. STURGES, Brig.-Gen. Com'g.

"The following was the reply from Headquarters:--

"HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,
KNOXVILLE, TENN., April 16, 1864

"Respectfully returned from this Headquarters, Cavalry Corps, to
Lieut. John O'Neill, 5th Indiana Cavalry.

"There appears to be no remedy for the evil referred to by General
Sturges.

"By command of

"MAJOR GEN. SCHOFIELD.

"R. MOORE, Ass't. Adj't. Gen.

"Such attestations of the bravery, military skill and high moral
character of General O'Neill, coming from his companions in arms, from
the public press, and from Generals of experience and high position,
form a record of which any man might be proud. Comment on them is
unnecessary, as they speak forcibly for themselves. Of his noble
spirit, decisiveness in the hour of danger, ability, pure character,
and gentlemanly bearing, we have produced overwhelming testimony; but
as he is now before the public in so very prominent a manner, it is
necessary that the people should know minutely his every act and the
nature of the man under whose leadership the Irish Nationalists in
America are about to renew the good old fight for loved Erin's
disenthralment. No matter whether on the field or in the drawing-room,
his calmness of deportment and gentlemanly bearing are the same. The
simplest child he would no more offend than the most powerful man.
Uniting with such gentleness and heroic bravery, precise military
knowledge, and a pure patriotism, may not Irishmen hope that in him
they have found the man who is destined to lead them on to victory and
liberty. In whatever sphere he moves, he is universally endeared to
all; for

Copyright (c) 2007. knowncrafts.net. All rights reserved.