Officer McWatters' earnest love of, and reverence for the free
institutions of the United States, are something extraordinary, it
would seem. Reared in the north of Ireland, and having resided in
London long enough to thoroughly understand the miseries of the
subject-classes of that great metropolis and of England, Officer
McWatters was prepared, when he landed on our shores, to render at
least due appreciation to republican institutions; and when the late
civil war broke out, he entered into the conflict against secession
with all his soul. His anxiety to go to the front at the breaking out
of the rebellion, and take a soldier's place in the struggle, was only
equalled by the bitter regret that he was prevented doing so by
untoward circumstances. But what service to the country he was thus
forbidden to do upon the field, he fully rendered, in various forms, in
his capacity as a most active and enthusiastic patriot at home. Officer
McWatters was not of that "noble home guard," so justly and severely
ridiculed at the time, who urged others on to the war, and felt
satisfied with their achievements in so doing; but he was ever alert in
the discovery of ways and means to serve the government, perhaps more
effectively than if he had been in the ranks on the field, or had
headed a regiment in battle; for if Officer McWatters had gone to the
field, such are his temperament, popularity, and capacity, that he
could not long have held a position second to that of many men who
gained distinction and led New York regiments and brigades--to say
nothing of superior leaders.
He was of the number of those (few, indeed, they may properly be said
to have been), who, in the early part of the rebellion, took anything
like an adequate preview of its results. It appears that, early in the
war, he wrote a letter to the press, in which is clearly stated his
opinion, that the war "can have no less result than the abolition of
negro slavery." He was prepared for this: implicitly believing in it,
he ordered his conduct thereby, and throughout the contest manifested
an enthusiasm proportionate to the mighty victory for humanity which he
so clearly foresaw was to be won.