Meagher

Meagher, THOMAS FRANCIS, Irish patriot, was born in Waterford, 3d August 1823, son of a wealthy merchant who represented Waterford for several years. He had his education at the Jesuit college of Clongowes Wood in Kildare, and at Stonyhurst, and early devoted himself to the patriotic cause as a prominent and fearless member of the Young Ireland party. In 1848 he was sentenced to death under the 'Treason-felony' Act, but was sent for life to Van Diemen's Land instead. He made his escape in 1852, studied law in the United States, but on the outbreak of the war volunteered into the national army. In 1861 he organised the 'Irish brigade' for the Federals, and distinguished himself by his courage in the seven days' battles around Richmond, at the second battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Antietam. After the war he became secretary of Montana territory, and while taking measures as temporary governor to keep the hostile Indians in check, fell from the deck of a steamboat into the Missouri, near Fort Benton, and was drowned, 1st July 1867.