It seemed strange that Jackson could die, he had survived danger so long. It was at the closing of his grave on the hill at Lexington that his deep loss was felt in the whole South. “The man was so much needed. He had the mark of victory upon him, and his presence in the fight lent faith to the cause everywhere.” A flower of the South had fallen, never to rise again. At a dedication of a Jackson monument sometime afterwards in New Orleans, Father Hubert prayed, “God, when thou did’st decree that the Confederacy should not succeed, thou had’st first to take thy servant, Stonewall Jackson.” Such was the brief career of a poor orphan boy,—of a Christian and patriotic soldier,—of a descendant of an Irish immigrant, “who achieved the last and greatest of his successes in dying for his country. He perished doubly a martyr, and in his last breath attested the righteousness of the cause which he sealed with his blood.” SOME IRISH CONTRIBUTIONS TO EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY. _Paper read before the American Irish Historical Society, January 8, 1910, at its twelfth annual meeting at Hotel Plaza, New York City._ BY MICHAEL XAVIER SULLIVAN, PH. D. When in the course of time a new nation has become firmly established and has taken its place among the powers of the world and leisure is afforded men to look back to the early days of their country in an historical way so dear to man’s heart, it is pleasing to the student to find that the race from which he springs has played a prominent part even in the early days of his nation. It is in such a spirit of pleasure that we find ourselves convinced on making but a preliminary survey of our early history that in the foundation, the creating, the strengthening, and maintenance, of this great republic, the Irish race from which you and I spring has done its duty and has done it well. In speaking of the part the Irish race has played in this great land I do not intend to indulge in self gratification, nor to give the Irish greater praise than they deserve nor to take from others in extolling those in whom ran the blood that runs in you and me. Every race that played its part in creating the American nation should be given its meed of praise, but in loving our land for what it has been to us and for what it has inspired, we are but the greater patriots in giving just praise to that race from which we spring for its noble duty in the cause of justice and of freedom. The present paper does not purport to be a detailed study but merely touches on the high points of the Irish contributions to early American history. In February, 1903, Miss Linehan[5] read a paper before the Connecticut Historical Society. This paper contains an excellent account of the earliest immigration of Irish to this country. From her paper may be quoted: