THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER
by Danny Allsopp
If ever the Fates of mythological fame ever weaved the extraordinary destinies of men, the Waterford born Thomas Francis Meagher would have to rank up there with the best of them.
Even Waterford itself had a colourful history: from the Deisii chieftain, Aengus who had his scuffle with Cormac Mac Art; to Aengus and his clan being exiled, but assisted the Munster King to gain territories in what is now known as Waterford to the outside world. Saint Mochuda, in the first part of the 7th century, thanks to the King of the Deisii, established a church at Lismore in Waterford. The Danes arrived at Waterford in the early 10th century and established Viking settlements mid-century. Brian Boru, in the early part of the next century even utilised the Norsemen from, amongst other places, Waterford, to man his ships to raid parts of Britain.
From Waterford's remarkable history, we see the birth of Thomas Meagher 3rd August 1823. His father was a successful merchant and mayor which resulted in Thomas being well educated at Clengowes by Irish Jesuits and at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire. In 1843 he was a law student in Dublin and became a skilled orator and debater.
He also joined the Repeal Association to pursue Ireland's independence, but in 1845 became more involved with the more militant wing called Young Ireland. This new wing would split with the older Association's more peaceful stance, precipitated by Meagher's 'sword speech' at the Peace Resolutions debate between the two factions; this debate lasted for two fierce days in 1846. The renowned Dan O'Connell's son, John, interrupted Meagher's speech declaring that he could not listen to his words and would leave. However, rather than have O'Connell leave, Meagher and his leading associates and other members of Young Ireland left instead.
These revolutionaries seeking independence for Ireland from Britain did not go unnoticed by the British Government. The Government acted and arrested Meagher and his colleagues, William Smith O'Brien and John Mitchel on charges of sedition in an attempt to prevent these men from starting a possible rebellion. Fortunately, for Meagher and O'Brien, the British did not stack the jury, which was their usual practice. As a result, these two patriots were not convicted. When it was Mitchel's turn, the prosecution this time made sure there were no Catholics or independent-minded Protestants. Consequently, Mitchell was sentenced to 14 years transportation beyond the sea; the trumped-up charge was treason, but in reality, he was a believer in freedom for Ireland.
The Irish papers became even more revolutionary with their articles with the editors of three of the main newspapers being arrested and warrants being issued for Meagher and O'Brien. In 1848, the leaders of Young Ireland then rebelled with force with the view of ridding Ireland of British rule. Sadly, the rebellion was put down and Meagher, along with other leaders of the movement were sentenced by the usual British ludicrous trials.
Meagher was sentenced to death but commuted the punishment to life transportation to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). Other leaders were issued the same sentence: O'Brien, Mitchel and others as gentlemen prisoners. They sailed on the Swift and arrived in Hobart in October 1849. Collectively, they were men of standing, intellectuals and had the desire to return as soon as they could to either Ireland or America, where there was plenty of anti-British opinions. Meagher married Catherine Bennett whilst on parole in 1851. They had a son in 1852, but he died at just four months old.
Some of the rebels stayed, but in Meagher's case, he escaped to New York in 1852. Whilst in Tasmania, he wrote under the name of O'Meagher the words that this place 'has not separated me from my beautiful sad old country. I am still with her.' Catherine would later join him; however, she returned to Ireland an died at Waterford in 1854. Meagher would marry again to Elizabeth Townsend in 1856.
The American Civil War started in 1861, and by this time, Meagher was a well-respected lawyer and newspaper editor for his founding paper, the Irish News in the Irish-American community. He helped raise a company of the 69th New York State Militia and held the rank of captain. They fought at the first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) in July 1861 with Meagher and his men being praised for their battle gallantry.
That is quite something considering the Confederates forced the Union Army to retreat in defeat. Meagher was a clever fellow and saw this war as an ideal opportunity for his fellow Irishmen to gain military experience that may later be utilised in gaining Ireland's freedom. He can be quoted as saying: 'Today it is for the American Republic we fight, tomorrow it will be for Ireland." He also realised that America protected the Irish from British persecution.
Meagher would eventually become a Brigadier General for the infantry Irish Brigade. Whilst this brigade was mainly Irish, the ranks were also strengthened, as time went by, with new Irish immigrants and non-Irish from Massachusetts. One may have expected some shortfall in their unity with the veterans, but Meagher's experience came through by appealing to the pride of each of his collection of men; this worked very well. Later on, he highly praised the Massachusetts men for their bravery in battle. The 116th Pennsylvania also joined the Irish Brigade. General Meagher made a point of coming out and personally welcoming non-Irish regiments to his brigade. Unfortunately, as the war progressed, regiments were re-shuffled, and the Irish Brigade's strength was reduced to less than a regiment. In disgust Meagher resigned.
He and his brigade fought in some of the fiercest battles of this war: Bull Run as mentioned above, but also the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Antietam incidentally saw the highest number of deaths in a day than any other battle in one day of this war.
After the Civil War, Meagher went on to become the acting governor of Montana Territory. On 1st July 1867, he mysteriously drowned after falling from a steamer that was docked at Fort Benton Montana into the Missouri River; his body was never found.
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