Lieutenant Charles Fearns and Saint Patrick’s Day 1862

March 17, 1862 marked the first Saint Patrick’s Day celebrated since the start of the war.  Like other celebrations in the north, the Irish in Mount Vernon, Ohio used the occasion to both honor their homeland and show support for their embattled adopted country.  Invited to participate in Mount Vernon’s festivities was Lieutenant Charles Fearns, then recruiting in town for the 50^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (which in April would be consolidated into the 61^st OVI).  Born in County Longford, Ireland, Fearns graduated in 1857 from the Theological Seminary of Kenyon College, located a few miles to the east of Mount Vernon in Gambier.  In December, 1861 Fearns received an appointment to recruit in Mount Vernon for the 50^th OVI, which was then being organized under Colonel Stephen McGroarty as an Irish regiment.

Mount Vernon’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebration began at 7:30 pm with an address at Woodward Hall given by local attorney and future congressman Frank Hurd.  Dinner (described as a “sumptuous banquet” by the Mount Vernon Republican March 20, 1862 issue) followed at Rogers Hall and the evening concluded with thirteen toasts and responses.  Besides toasts honoring Saint Patrick and Ireland, others were dedicated to “The Union,” “Our Adopted Country” and “The Army and Navy.”  Appropriately, Lieutenant Fearns delivered the response to the toast in honor of “The Army and Navy.”

After the 50^th OVI was consolidated into the 61^st that spring Fearns was appointed as a lieutenant in the 45^th OVI where he served as adjutant.  He was wounded in battle at Knoxville, Tennessee on November 18, 1863 and died the next day.  Fearns was buried at Kenyon College Cemetery in Gambier and was survived by his wife Sarah and their four year old daughter Jane.