Van Meagher: Van Diemen's Land

After spending some time in Van Diemen’s Land as a "ticket of leave" prisoner, Meagher married a local woman who also gave birth to a son, Thomas Francis III. In 1852 Meagher escaped Van Diemen’s Land on a rowboat. He spent a few days at sea before he was picked up by an American vessel, and from there made his way to New York in the United States. From there he became a strong voice in the New York, where he was self-proclaimed to practice at the New York Bar where he got involved and active in the movement Irish independence. He gave many public speeches during his time in New York, and his gifts for speaking would soon to make him a celebrity of New York. After the death of his first wife Catherine Bennett in 1854, Meagher met Elizabeth

The Union army was in retreat but Meagher's Guards and the 69th Irish saved the army from destruction by their courageous charges into enemy fire. Meagher was ripped from horseback due to a rifled cannon-ball but, jumping to his feet, he waved his sword and shouted, "Boys, look at that flag and remember Ireland and Fontenoy." He was rallied out with his militia regiment in 1861, and he proposed to the Federal leaders that he be granted permission to form an Irish Brigade. He personally saw to the forming of it and was commissioned to do so, originally, from three regiments, the 88th Irish New York Regiment, the 63rd New York Irish Volunteers and Corcoran’s old 69th New York Irish Volunteers. Later, the Brigade increased to six Regiments, with many Waterford men serving under Meagher in the Brigade. The Brigade was assigned to Sumner's Division initially. Meagher's commission as a brigadier was soon granted early the next year. General Lee forced the Federal troops to retreat down the peninsula and during the retreat, the Irish Brigade were called upon, again and again, to stop the Confederates in their advance. At Gaines's Mill, the Irish Brigade held up a whole division and until the main Federal army had fled and reached

He returned to duty as his resignation was rejected, and held minor commands in the Western theater. His resignation was finally accepted on the 15th May, 1865. Meagher held many different positions in the Federal Army for the rest of the war. He fought through the Civil showing his bravery and showed the greatest valour, for which he was promoted to promoted