THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER.

293

of the Times correspondent, when describing the battle of Fredericksburg

:

"To the Irish division, commanded by General Meagher, was principally committed the desperate task of bursting out of the town of Fredericksburg, and forming under the withering fire of the Confederate batteries, to attack Mary's Heights, lowering immediately in their front. Never at Fontenoy, at Albuera, or at Waterloo, was more undoubted courage displayed by the sons of Erin, than during those six frantic dashes which they directed against the almost impregnable position of their foe.

"There are stories that General Meagher, harangued his troops in impassioned language on the morning of the 13th, and plied them extensively with the whisky found in the cellars of Fredericksburg. After witnessing the gallantry and devotion exhibited by his troops, and viewing the hill sides, for acres, strewn with their corpses, as thick as autumnal leaves,

the spectator can remember nothing but their desperate courage, and regret that it was not exhibited in a holier cause.

"That any mortal men could have carried the position, before which they were wantonly sacrificed, sacrificed, defended as it was, it seems to me idle for a moment to believe. But the bodies which lie in dense masses within forty yards of the muzzles of Colonel Walton's guns, are the best evidence what manner of men they were who pressed on to death, with the dauntlessness of a race which has gained glory on a thousand battle-fields, and never more richly deserved it than at the foot of Mary's Heights, on the 13th day of December, 1862."

John Mitchel's escape was a difficult and complicated affair. Though out on ticket-ofleave, he was closely watched, for he was considered—and truly considered—the most able, determined, and dangerous man of the "Young Ireland" party. But what can surpass the

art of man or woman? His wife went out to him, and carried her children with her; but this I suspect was a "blind," intended. to convey the impression that he had made up his mind to settle down, as a farmer, in Van Diemen's Land.

Mitchel's Journal speaks of one "Douglas," of a ubiquitous "Pat Smith," and of a man, or a myth, called "Nicaragua ;" but I suspect the three names designate one and the same person. He was sent out with a ship, by Irish sympathisers in New York, to carry off one, or all, if possible, of the state convicts.

"A new personage has appeared among us, dropped from the sky or from New York," writes John Mitchel, in his Journal, 13th of January, 1853.

"Guess who has come to Van Diemen's Land," says O'Doherty, drawing Mitchel into a private room, in Hobart Town.

Mitchel could not imagine who the "who"

was.

296

ATTEMPTED ESCAPE.

"Pat Smith."

Transported ?-For what?"

"No, my boy; commissioned by the Irish Directory of New York to procure the escape of one or more of us-O'Brien especially." A ship is on its way to Hobart Town. The state convicts meet to discuss the pro"life," they

ject. As O'Brien's sentence was

pressed him to accept the offer.

O'Brien declined. He had had his chance. He had made an attempt to escape from Maria Island, and had failed.

"This," said he to Mitchel, “is your chance. Besides, you have stronger motives to betake yourself to America than I have."

It was decided that Mitchel should make the attempt.

The ship was now lying in the harbour of Hobart Town.

He required a horse. He bought one from Mr. Davis, the police-officer and magistrate—a "white horse, half Arab, full of game."

"PLOT BLOWN TO THE MOON." 297

"I must tell you," said Mr. Davis-a most conscientious speech for a man selling

a horse-" if you attempt to put this horse into harness, he will smash everything. I do not know the precise work you want him to do."

"Merely to carry me on his back wherever I want to go, some time or other, probably on a long journey."

a

"Well," said Mr. Davis, "I know you ride

good deal, and you may depend upon Donald for that;" so the horse was purchased.

About a fortnight after this, Mitchel writes:"Our plot blown to the moon. Yesterday, we were informed, through a friendly resident at Bothwell, that Nicaragua's whole plan had been intimately known to the governor for a fortnight."

But as Mitchel was not personally impli cated, he did not forfeit his ticket-of-leave, and was therefore at large. He determined to wait no longer; but turn the Arab's head