The Catalpa Expedition. Zephaniah Walter Pease
famous exclamation, "Magnificent Tipperary!"
Mr. Harrington also took part in the Sepoy war, and then returned home with his regiment. He joined the Fenian organization in 1864 and was very active in enlarging its membership. In January, 1866, being in danger of arrest and desirous of freedom to take a more active part in the projected uprising, he deserted. Yet he remained in Dublin, was arrested on suspicion after the suspension of the habeas corpus act, identified as a deserter, tried and sentenced for life. He was described on the prison records as fairly stout, with brown hair, gray eyes, and a sallow complexion.
Robert Cranston was born in Stewartstown, County Tyrone, in March, 1844, and assisted his father on the farm previous to enlisting in the 61st Foot at the age of twenty. He joined his fortunes with the Fenian conspiracy and industriously assisted in "propagating the faith." Of his regiment at least six hundred were sworn members of the Fenian organization.
CHAPTER IV THE COURT-MARTIAL
The court-martials of the men with whom this story deals are of interest in so far as they exhibit the extraordinary efforts which were made to convict the conspirators. This is particularly striking in the case of Sergeant Darragh, who was court-martialed at Cork, February 21, 1866. In this case an informer went so far as to receive the sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church in carrying out a deception which was to result in the betrayal of those who accepted him as a friend. The notorious informer, Talbot, testified in all, or nearly all, of the cases, of the existence of the conspiracy.
The court-martial of Darragh throws light upon the details of the conspiracy as well as the methods of the spies of the English government, and inasmuch as it is an episode which has never been printed, liberal extracts from the proceedings will be given. The charges against Darragh were:—
First: "For mutinous conduct at Cork on or about the month of April, 1865, in that coming to the knowledge of an intended mutiny in her Majesty's forces quartered in Cork barracks, he did not give information thereof to his commanding officer."
Second charge: "For conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in having at Cork, on or about the month of April, 1865, joined a treasonable and seditious society, called the Fenian Brotherhood, having for its object the levying of war against the Queen, and the subverting of the government of the country."
When the prisoner was brought forward he handed to the President (Colonel Shute) a memorandum, stating that he had failed in procuring the means of employing counsel for his defense, and praying the Court to permit his solicitor, M. J. Collins, to aid him in the conduct of the case. The President said that the Court granted the application.
Colonel Addison was then examined, and swore that the prisoner had never at any time informed him of any intended meeting of soldiers in Cork barracks.
John Warner, the informer, was then produced, and, in answer to questions put through the deputy judge-advocate (Colonel Nugent), deposed: I was discharged from her Majesty's service in 1857, after coming from the Crimea.
Did you receive a pension?—Yes, sixpence a day, for the period of eighteen months.
Were you wounded at the Crimea?—Yes, in front of Sebastopol, in the month of August, 1855.
Did you join the Fenian Society?—Yes.
When did you first become acquainted with J. J. Geary?—In 1864, in the latter end of 1864, after being discharged from the militia in Kinsale—the City of Cork Artillery.
Are you aware whether he had any connection with the Fenian conspiracy? If so, what was that connection?—He was connected with the Fenian Society as a centre, which means a colonel of it.
After you were enrolled as a Fenian, did Geary give you any particular instructions for your guidance after you were enrolled?—Yes.
State what they were.
Prisoner. I object to that.
The Prosecutor (Col. Lane Fox) contended that the instructions the witness received for the carrying out of the conspiracy were not hearsay, and quoted an authority in support of that view.
Deputy Judge-Advocate. This is a statement of a third party in the absence of the prisoner.
Prisoner. I object to any instructions given by Geary. The witness can state what he did in consequence of any such instructions; but any instructions given behind my back, without my knowledge, I object to.
The court was cleared, and on being reopened it was announced the question was not to be put.
Examination by the prosecutor. You say you received particular instructions for your guidance from Geary. State what you did in consequence. — I got instructions from Geary regarding the oath. I was warned three weeks before I came up to the barracks to enroll men. I was called before the meeting for not going up to the barracks.
President. State what you did.
Witness. I came up to the barracks and met Darragh outside the gate. I asked him to go down to the North Main Street with me. He went with me to the North Main Street, to Geary's. We had some drink in the inside tap-room, and during the time there I asked would he become a member of the Fenian Society, and he said yes. Then we both went out in the back yard, and I repeated the oath to him, and he did so after me. I then gave him a Catholic prayer-book. He swore on that book to be a member of the Fenian Society. Then we came in and I introduced him to Geary as a member of the society. Geary shook hands with him. He said he was very glad to have one like him enrolled. That was all at that time.
Repeat as nearly as you can the oath which you administered to Darragh?—"I (John or James, whichever the case may be), do swear allegiance to the present republic now virtually established in Ireland; that I will maintain its independence and integrity at every risk, and I will obey the command of my superior officers. I take this oath in the true spirit of an Irish soldier at liberty to free my country. So help me God."
Did you know Darragh before that?—I did, in the regiment of the depot of the 2d Queen's.
Were you ever in the 2d Regiment?—I was. I volunteered from them.
Had you any facilities for enrolling men in the barracks?—Yes. I was told off for that special purpose, and a good many of the men knew me and would not stop me going in and out of the gate.
Were Geary and the prisoner previously acquainted when you introduced them?—I could not say they were.
Did they shake hands as if they knew each other?—They shook hands as a member should be introduced, in a manner.
Did you hear Geary give any instructions to the prisoner for his guidance?—Yes. He gave Darragh instructions in my presence to go about the barracks, and find out any men that would join the society and bring men down to Geary's house, but not to deliver the oath—to bring them to me or to himself. If I was not there he would swear him in. Accordingly he did, and the first man he brought was Butler to Geary's house.
How long was that after you swore Darragh in?—To the best of my belief from a fortnight to three weeks.
Did the prisoner say anything about any particular corps that he would work in?—Yes, he said he would wish to work in no other regiment but his own.
Did the prisoner bring any other soldier to you or to Geary to be sworn?—He took none to me but Butler. I cannot speak as to Geary.
Did you hear Geary give Darragh any instructions relative to taking the barracks?—Darragh told him the different parts, in my presence, which were weakest and the easiest to get in. He said if there were one or two men in every passage—enrolled men—they would be sufficient with a thousand outside to take it. I heard