THE IRISH SOLDIER IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 372, 4 June 1880, Page 9

THE IRISH SOLDIER IN AMERICA.

General B. F. Butler lectured in New York on Sunday evening for the benefit of the Irish Famine Relief Fund. His subject was the Irish Soldier in America," and in the course of his remarks he said : Irish soldier respects and loves his religion. He takes his priest to all places, and I say it that in the war the Catholic clergy were always instruments of good and never of evil, and that is more than can be said of some other sects, though I make no charges. I would call to mind another organisation which was found in every hospital, fighting disease and death. Delicately nurtured holy women, they passed through every oamp "unharmed. It is wonderful to see strong men become as little children in the hands of these angels of eaith. £ Dy u a mofclier ovres a son > many a sister a brother, and many a wife a husband to the ministration of these wonv?n. It made no difference to them whether it was general or private who was before them, infidel or Christian, learned or ignorant : all alike were tended by these bisters of Charity. (Applause.) Is it wondeiful then thatmen of the same race should go to do battle calmly as to a nighfs repose ? Passing by many another organisation, let me call your attention to a single battlefield where for four hours the existence of the Army of the Potomac depended on the valor of a single regiment, the .Ninth Massachusetts. Jackson was trying to wedge himself in between our army and the river, and Iben came the battle of Malveru Hill, where Meagher's corps coverrd themselves with glory forever. It was necessary to hold Game's Mills to allow the Union Army, all dispirited, to get to Han icon's Landing. It was a terrible- position, for the Ninth was left to the brunt of an attack by the whole of Jackson s corps of Lee's army. All the afternoon .it was a series of charges and counter charges, with men following the green sunburst until that emblem was indeed red with the blood of Irishmen, a* it must be again and again before Ireland becomes one of the galaxy of nations. The commander of that gallant Ninth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers fought in thirty-six battles, a proud record, and finally in time of peace he died from the effects of his wounds. 1 know it is a fact that many young Irishmen went into the war as a school to be ready to stake a blow for Ireland when the time comos and make it what it once was— the honor of princes and kings. But they shall be kings of our own choosing, and it is the piayer of many au Irishman I know on this platform that the time may come when he shall be able to strike the blow, and may that time come soon before the arm shall have lost its strength and the eye its brightness