“In answer to your question concerning the action of the Irish in Atlanta during the war, I have obtained the following facts: The priest here at the time was Rev. Father Hassan, a born Irishman. Of course he took no immediate part in politics. When the agitation came up leading to secession, the Irishmen of Atlanta were almost a unit against it, but, after the ordinance was passed, they accepted the command of the state. Immediately upon the passage of the ordinance the native Georgians appeared on the streets wearing cockades; and the _Intelligencer_ appeared next morning with the inquiry: ‘What’s the Matter With the Irish That They are not Wearing Cockades?’ “The answer came during the day: ‘We fight; but do not flaunt ribbons.’ “And before the day was over the Jackson Guards, composed of eighty-five Irishmen, was organized, made up from the clerks of the stores of John Ryan, Meyers and Hayden. They elected as captain, William O’Halloran, one of the bravest soldiers that ever lived. His deafness interfered with his service, however, and James H. Neal, brother of Capt. T. B. Neal, now of Atlanta, was elected to the captaincy, with Dennis S. Meyers, John Keely, Peter Fenelon and John McGhee as lieutenants. This company went through the war hardly ever missing a battle, and when hostilities were concluded, the remnant came back home—eleven men out of the eighty-five, who had gone to the front. In thus directing the action of the Irish people of Atlanta, Father Hassan was prominent. The policy was to be true to the Union while it lasted; but when the state spoke—it then became their duty to do what they could.” Gen. Clement A. Evans, one of the best and bravest officers of the Confederate army, sends the following: “It is a pleasure I have in answering your letter to say that I am proud of my Irish blood and wish that it may flow on forever. You are to take part in an interesting occasion at Nashville designed to bring before our American people the value of the generous, brave, honorable Irishmen. Your familiarity with our American history will serve you well; much of it was made by Irish valor. “In our Confederate war the Irish were on both sides, winning distinction in both armies—and it is not at all strange that the two Irish sides were both right. No other people on earth except the Irish can espouse opposite sides and both be right. A brave and true Confederate Irishman was captured near Manassas Junction by a scouting party of soldiers. He chanced to be dressed in no uniform and betrayed by no sign that he belonged to any particular side of the pending military issue.