29th April, 1862.
Dear Sir—As you will perceive by date at the head of this, Mr. O’Brien has remained here a week longer than he at first intended. This delay has enabled me to communicate with Skibbereen. Donal Oge (Dan McCartie,) sends by him a letter to you. You will have read in the Irishman before this Rossa’s letter. Its terseness and pointedness has settled the whole thing. * * * * * * *
Another “B” of mine, William Walsh, of Cloyne, accompanies Mr. O’Brien. He is a shipwright and is compelled to emigrate, there being no work for his trade in Cork. He is an honest, earnest young man; he intends joining the Phœnix Brigade, in the hope of learning something that he could turn to good account, should opportunity ever offer here.
Fraternally and faithfully yours,
B. Dillon.
I have not printed the whole of that letter. Where I make star-marks: * * *, reference is made to some newspaper fighting I was engaged in at the time. Nearly every one belonging to the fight is dead—except myself—and I don’t want to keep it up in these “Recollections” of mine.
Michael O’Brien comes before me again, in a letter of introduction he has to John O’Mahony from Mr. O’Connell. These are the words of it:
Cork, May 1st, 1862.
Beloved Brother—This will be handed to you by brother Michael O’Brien, who has held on here as long as he possibly could. He has been out of employment for the last five months; and you can conceive what he mentally endured all the time. Seeing he could get nothing to do here, he at last resolved to turn his face to New York, in the hope of better fortune. Above all things, he desires to acquire military knowledge in the Phœnix Brigade. He will tell you, himself, why he was first thrown out of employment; and you can rely upon what he says, as he is genuine unsophisticated honesty itself, and as firm as a rock.
Yours fraternally and affectionately,