Individuals >> Halpine, Charles Graham ( Miles O’Reilly ) (1829-1868)

Journalist, Poet, Editor, Translator.

Charles Halpine emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1851. Once there, he supported himself by working in advertising and later as the private secretary to P. T. Barnum. He co-edited the Carpet-Bag in 1852 and, in 1853, he became a French translator for the New York Herald. At this time he compiled a collection of his previously published works. The collection was not met with a great deal of critical approval--Fitz-James O’Brien felt that Halpine ought to stick to publishing in newspapers (Monoghan).

Halpine next worked as a correspondent for the New York Times where he eventually became an associate editor. In 1857, he assumed the job of editor for the Leader and under his guidance the magazine saw an increase in popularity and importance. While maintaining his job as editor, Halpine also published numerous articles and poems. Monoghan explains that “his contributions to magazines and newspapers were clever and voluminous and brought him a large income. He was a member of a Bohemian group that included Fitz-Hugh Ludlow and Fitz-James O’Brien. He was a brilliant conversationalist; his stammer sometimes served his wit as when he announced that “Harriet Beseecher Be Stowe” had gone abroad to collect funds for the anti-slavery cause”. This Bohemian group was almost certainly Pfaff’s since Halpine is identified as one of the “others who rallied” at Pfaff’s (Maurice 396) and as one of the “Knights of the Round Table” of the “lions of Bohemia” (“In and about the City”).

Much of Halpine’s work grew out of his experiences during the Civil War. When the fighting began, he volunteered and soon became a staffer for General Hunter. He was repeatedly promoted for “gallantry and distinguished services” until he reached the rank of brigadier-general (Monoghan). Using various pseudonyms, most notably Miles O’Reilly, Halpine wrote letters and poems that were published in Northern periodicals. His “Sambo’s Right to be Kilt” was useful in calming white soldiers’ objections to the enlistment of black soldiers for a new regiment. He retired from the army in 1864 due to his deteriorating eyesight.

In 1866, Halpine was elected Register of the County and City of New York beating the candidate from Tammany Hall. He published Miles O’Reilly His Book in 1864 and Baked Meats of the Funeral in 1866. In 1868, Halpine died from an accidental overdose of chloroform.

[view works by this person]

References & Biographical Resources

Derby, J.C. Fifty Years among Authors, Books and Publishers. New York: G. W. Carleton and Co., 1884. [more about this work]

He is mentioned as one of the "brightest and most popular humorous men of the day," known to rally around the book store of George W. Carleton. Derby notes that "the noonday hour frequently found most of them at Pfaff's celebrated German restuarant, in a Broadway basement, near Bleecker-street, the rendezvous at that day of the so-called Bohemians" Derby also notes that his pen name was "Miles O'Reilly" (239).


Derby writes that he met Halpine, a "young Irishman," later known as "Miles O'Reilly" in 1854, when he was about twenty-five. The young writer brought him a letter of introduction from B.P. Shillaber of the Boston Post. "The substance of the letter gave me to understand that the bearer was an educated young Irishman who had been employed on the Post and alos on the Carpet Bag, a weekly humorous paper on which both of them had been associated. The letter also stated that the bearer was not only a brilliant writer on any subject, but a born poet and a real genius in wit and humor. After reading the letter I congratulated Charles G. Halpine, for such was his name -- better known a few years later as Miles O'Reilly -- on being in possession of so much literary talent. Young Halpine disclaimed any of the attributes which the letter conveyed; he thought it might be one of Mrs. Partington's last jokes" (426).

Derby published a book of Halpine's verses anonymous, at Halpine's request, "for the purpose, he said, of testing the public pulse as to his poetic talent, if he had any" (427). Halpine let Derby have the verses without copyrightm "if I would risk an edition at my onw expense" (426). "This little volume of poems was the beginning of Halpine's brilliant literary, military and political career" (427).

According to Derby, Halpine had no trouble getting editorial work at the Herald, Tribune, and the Times and was well-paid for his well-written editorials. Halpine was also "connected with several weekly semi-literary papers. His great versatility of talent enabled him to write on almost any subject" (427). Derby writes that Halpine was a "great favorite" of Horace Greeley, Henry J. Raymond, and James Gordon Bennett, the influential editors of the time (427).

During the Civil War, Halpine sided with the Union, "rendering good service with both tongue and pen, thsu illustrating in his own person the apothegm 'the pen is mightier than the sword;' for although he was a brave and efficient Federal officer, one song of his alone was probably more effectual in inducing the Irish element of the country to enlist in the Union army, than all the recruiting officers in the Empire city" (428). According to Derby, rousing the Irish was essential to building troops, as their prejudices prevented or impaired their involvement in the war and army (428). Halpine maintained a correspondence with Northern papers during the war under the pen name "Private Miles O'Reilly," and "was for a long time believed to be a genuine Milesian private soldier" (429). Derby reprints the song that Halpine wrote as Miles O'Reilly "which became very popular among the Irish, and produced a revulsion in the feelings towards the contrabands, who had been armed by the Federal authorities" titled "Sambo's Right To Be Kilt" on p.429-430 (429).

According to Derby, Halpine died unexpectedly in 1869. The following account was printed in the biographical sketch of Halpine that prefaced his poetical works, edited by his friend Robert B. Roosevelt, and published by Harper & Bros., 1869:

"Early in the last week of his life he had written his poem commemorative of the Irish Legion, and on his final Saturday he was at the office of the Citizen until about two o'clock, in gayer humor and more genial mood than usual, alhtough he was invariably a charming companion. Later he was attacked with violent pain in the head and he had recourse to chloroform. The apothecary, by a well-intentioned but unfortunate error, gave him a diluted article which had no effect, and which he detected as deficient in strength. Then he sent for more, and under the delusion that it was also weak or adulterated, while it was actually of full strength, inhaled too much of it and became insensible. Thus, by a mere accident, a most important life waws taken away from this public and at its period of greatest usefulness. He died ere more than half his natural term of activity had run, at the age of thirty-nine, at a period when his faculties were in their most perfect development" (430).

Aside from his poetry, Halpine also publised two humorous books called, "Miles O'Reilly, his book" and "Baked Meats of the Funeral." "Miles O'Reilly" Halpine, as Derby calls him, became so popular "among all classes of voters, that the year prior to his death he was elected to the important and lucrative office of Register of New York, by a majority of over 50,000 over the Tammany nominee" (432).

Colonel Forney, in his book, Anedotes of Public Men, reprints the Lines of Miles O'Reilly on the Downfall of Richmond and writes: "they are among the most beautiful productions in the English language; recalling the handsome features and royal gifts of Colonel Charles G. Halpine, who was endeared to so many during his life and who is still so sincerely mourned" (433).

Charles A. Dana recollected that during a farewell dinner for Henry J. Raymond in the summer of 1867, at the Athenauem Club before Raymond left for Europe, "Mr. Robert B. Roosevelt, so well known in the political and piscatory world, sang on that occasion to the tune of 'Jeannette and Jeannot' an impromptu parting song, written by the late Charles G. Halpine, so well known as 'Miles O'Reilly.' The song opens as follows: --

'To Raymond on His Travels.
(Air: Jeannette and Jeannot.)

'Oh, your boat is at the pier,
And your passage has been paid,
But before you go, my dearest dear
Accept this serande!
For with friendliness we burn,
And rejoicing come the rhymes,
To toast the health and safe return
Of him who rules the Times,--
To toast the heath and safe return of him who rules the Times.'

After Halpine had finished writing the song and the toasts had been drank, Mr. George Jones asked him if he had got it all down. The former quickly replied, 'yes, and more too" (360).

Derby notes that some of Halpine's earliest writings appeared in Shillaber's Carpet Bag. "Mr. Halpine was for a short time associate editor with Mr. Shillaber, where, the latter tells me, he learned to admire and respect his great genius. A more versatile writer, he says, he thinks he never knew, nor one who possessed more power -- often revealed in his strictures upon contemporaries -- which made him enemies; but they were afraid of him and rarely struck back. He was a ripe scholar, and hated the namby-pambyism of the literary press, and the feeble nothings, as he regarded them, of their contributions. He was a remorseless writer, and dashed among people right and left, impaling them upon his pen-point and showing them no mercy. As a poet he was brilliant and senuous; one poem -- 'An imperfect Hymn to the Types' -- was a really sublime effort. He was most fascinating in his manner, holding every one to his will, whether liking him or not, and a true friend where he became attached. He was very classical, had Horace at his finger-ends, and sported an alias for every phase of his writing. Resulting from the bitterness of his witticism, he was actually challenged to a duel, to come off in Canada, by one that he had excoriated" (411-412). [pages: 239,360,411-412,426-33]

"General gossip of authors and writers." Current Literature. 1888: 476-480. [more about this work]

Mentioned as one of the Bohemians at Pfaff's "gossiped" about by Rufus B. Wilson in a "reminiscent letter to the Galveston News." Listed here as Charles G. Halpine. [pages: 479]

"General gossip of authors and writers." Current Literature. 1888: 476-480. [more about this work]

Mentioned as one of the Bohemians at Pfaff's "gossiped" about by Rufus B. Wilson in a "reminiscent letter to the Galveston News." Listed here as Charles G. Halpine. [pages: 479]

Halpine, Charles G. The Life and Adventures, Songs, Services, and Speeches of Private Miles O'Reilly. New York Carleton, 1864. [more about this work]

[pages: 27(ill.), 40(.ill), 73(ill.)]

Haynes, John Edward. Pseudonyms of Authors: Including Anonyms and Initialisms. New York, 1882. [more about this work]

This text identifies the following pseudonyms: Lyrics by the letter H. (58), Miles O'Reilly (63), Private Miles O'Reilly (78). [pages: 58, 63, 78]

Hemstreet, Charles. Literary New York: Its Landmarks and Associations. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1903. [more about this work]

Listed here as Charles Graham Halpine. He was a friend of O'Brien's; Hemstreet mentions that Halpine was "the only literary man of the Seventh to return to New York." After his military experience, Halpine "resigned, and lived to make his name famous by his humorous sketches of army life supposed to have been penned by 'Private Miles O'Reilly'" (220). [pages: 220]

"In and about the City: Death of Charles I. Pfaff. Something about the Proprietor of the Once Famous "Bohemia."." New York Times. 26 Apr. 1890: 2. [more about this work]

The obituary identifies him as one of the "Knights of the Round Table" of the "lions of Bohemia." He is primarily identified here as Charles G. Halpine. [pages: 2]

"Literary Matters." New York Saturday Press. 13 Jan. 1866: 17. [more about this work]

Lukens, Henry Clay. "American Literary Comedians." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. Apr. 1890: 783-797. [more about this work]

[pages: 793-794]

Maurice, Arthur Bartlett. "Literary Clubland II: New York's Literary Clubs." The Bookman: A Review of Books and Life. Jun. 1905: 392-406. [more about this work]

He is described as one of the "others who rallied" at Pfaff's. His real name is given as Charles G. Halpine. [pages: 396]

Monaghan, Frank. "Charles Graham Halpine." Dictionary of American Biography. Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale, 2006. http://www.galenet.com/servlet/BioRC. [more about this work]

"Notes of the Week." New-York Saturday Press. 19 May 1866: 4. [more about this work]

The column notes that Private Miles O'Reilly (Halpine) is rumored to be writing about Jefferson Davis's life in prison. The column also reports that he is "anxious...to write the obituary of the Saturday Press" (4). [pages: 4]

Paine, Albert Bigelow. Thomas Nast: His Period and His Pictures. New York: Macmillan, 1904. [more about this work]

O'Reilly is mentioned as a frequenter of Pfaff's who, along with others, found Nast "amusing" and "took him to theatres and other cozy resorts and 'showed him the town'" (22).

Paine puts his name in quotation marks to suggest that "Miles O'Reilly" is a pseudonym, but he does not explicitly say so. [pages: 22]

Rawson, A. L. "A Bygone Bohemia." Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly. 1896. 96-107. [more about this work]

[pages: 103]

Seitz, Don Carlos. Artemus Ward (Charles Farrar Browne): A Biography and Bibliography. NY: Harper & Brothers, 1919. [more about this work]

[pages: 15]

Starr, Louis Morris. Bohemian Brigade; Civil War Newsmen in Action. New York: Knopf, 1954. 367 p. [more about this work]

Starr writes that in the days prior to the Civil War, like many others in New York, the "Pfaffians were exposed increasingly to the clamour of a world beyond their ken. Something like a revolution was afoot in the realm of journalism, a revolution that would lift these light-hearted pranksters from their subterranean retreat ad whirl them in its vortex. Soon O'Brien, Aldrich, Thomson, Williams, and Stedman, together with others in Clapp's happy coterie--Charles G. Halpine (who stammered to fame at Pfaff's, speaking inadvertantly of 'H-H-Harriet Beseecher Bestowe'), William Conant Church, William Swinton, E.H. House, Charles Henry Webb, a couple of artists, Frank H. Bellew and Thomas Nast: in all more than half of the identifiable clientele at the Cave--would take the field along with hundreds of other youths of like mind to participate in the greatest undertaking in the history of journalism" (9).

In early 1864, Halpine was one of a group of members of the press who were to "varying degrees" enthusiastic about the "Chase-for-President" movement (312). [pages: 9,312]

Wilson, James Grant and John Fiske, eds. Appletons' Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume III, Grinnwell-Lockwood. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1888. [more about this work]

Following his resignation from the army in 1864, Halpine took up permanent residence in New York and became editor and later proprietor of The Citizen, a journal that "advocated for reform in the civil administration in New York city". [pages: 53]

Winter, William. Old Friends; Being Literary Recollections of Other Days. New York: Moffat, Yard and Company, 1909. 407 p. [more about this work]

Charles G. Halpine edited "The New York Leader" when Clapp contributed to the paper after the end of the first "Saturday Press" (61).

Halpine was "widely known and much admired, in his day, as 'Miles O'Reilly.' Halpine's fame under his pen name occured during the Civil War (61). [pages: 61]