GRANT, ULYSSES S., Lt. General. Autograph note signed ("U.S. Grant Lt. Gen."), Washington, D.C., 7 February 1865, comprising sixteen lines and signature on two panels of integral blank leaf of an ALS from Major General Robert Scott to Major General Henry Wager Halleck, 1 1/2 pages, 4to. GRANT RECOMMENDS THE DISCHARGE OF GENERAL T.F. MEAGHER, COMMANDER OF THE "IRISH BRIGADE," FOR DRUNKENNESS Scott reports to Grant as requested by Halleck, "what I know in reference to the report that Brig. Genl. T.F. Meagher...was intoxicated at Annapolis....During the recent embarkation of his command....I saw him on board the steamer Ariel ...I became convinced from his appearance, manner and conversation that he was too much under he influence of liquer to attend to duty. I called upon him to explain what orders had been given to his troops...but he seemed incapable of understanding....I cannot be mistaken in my belief that Genl. Meagher was drunk...." On the verso, Grant writes in a bold hand: "I would respectfully recommend that Brig. Genl. T.F. Meagher, for the condition of his command in coming from Tennessee to Annapolis, and for his condition in receipt of orders for their further movement be mustered out of the service....." Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867), exiled from Ireland to Tasmania for his activities in the independence movement had escaped to America and became a leader in the Irish-American community. Appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers in command of the famed "Irish Brigade," which he raised in New York, he led it through the Peninsular Campaign, at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, after which the unit was so severely decimated that it was dissolved). He then served with Sherman at Atlanta and commanded a provisional division. Perhaps because of the incident described here, Meagher resigned his command in May 1865. In 1867, while serving as Territorial Secretary of Montana, "during a drunken spree...he presumably fell from the deck of a steamboat into the Missouri River under mysterious circumstances and was drowned" (E. Warner, Generals in Blue , p.318). The document is especially interesting in light of persistent rumors of Grant's own over-indulgence in drink.
GRANT, ULYSSES S., Lt. General. Autograph note signed ("U.S. Grant Lt. Gen."), Washington, D.C., 7 February 1865, comprising sixteen lines and signature on two panels of integral blank leaf of an ALS from Major General Robert Scott to Major General Henry Wager Halleck, 1 1/2 pages, 4to. GRANT RECOMMENDS THE DISCHARGE OF GENERAL T.F. MEAGHER, COMMANDER OF THE "IRISH BRIGADE," FOR DRUNKENNESS Scott reports to Grant as requested by Halleck, "what I know in reference to the report that Brig. Genl. T.F. Meagher...was intoxicated at Annapolis....During the recent embarkation of his command....I saw him on board the steamer Ariel ...I became convinced from his appearance, manner and conversation that he was too much under he influence of liquer to attend to duty. I called upon him to explain what orders had been given to his troops...but he seemed incapable of understanding....I cannot be mistaken in my belief that Genl. Meagher was drunk...." On the verso, Grant writes in a bold hand: "I would respectfully recommend that Brig. Genl. T.F. Meagher, for the condition of his command in coming from Tennessee to Annapolis, and for his condition in receipt of orders for their further movement be mustered out of the service....." Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867), exiled from Ireland to Tasmania for his activities in the independence movement had escaped to America and became a leader in the Irish-American community. Appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers in command of the famed "Irish Brigade," which he raised in New York, he led it through the Peninsular Campaign, at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, after which the unit was so severely decimated that it was dissolved). He then served with Sherman at Atlanta and commanded a provisional division. Perhaps because of the incident described here, Meagher resigned his command in May 1865. In 1867, while serving as Territorial Secretary of Montana, "during a drunken spree...he presumably fell from the deck of a steamboat into the Missouri River under mysterious circumstances and was drowned" (E. Warner, Generals in Blue , p.318). The document is especially interesting in light of persistent rumors of Grant's own over-indulgence in drink.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
