[1] On 11 March 1848 he wrote a letter which appeared in The Nation newspaper stating: "A the period, I trust, is rapidly approaching when the skill and valour of our citizen soldiers will be put to the test, I am induced, on the part of a large number of students of the different professions, to suggest the immediate organisation in Dublin of a society on the basis of the Ecole Polytechnique of Paris.

In April 1848, Savage and John de Courcey Young produced a provocative publication called The Patriot, which was at once suppressed and seized by the British Government.

27 Eden Quay, it was decided to appoint a subcommittee of five "to ascertain and report on the best method of the members of the Club arming themselves individually.

From Dark Donegal To sea-beat Cape Clear, From Achill's west isles To Ben Heder's head A young nation smiles Round Liberty's bed.

Meeting John O'Mahony, the two organised an attack on the barracks at Portlaw, County Waterford, but were not successful and had to withdraw for want of adequate forces.

During this time he wrote inspiring War poems, one of which, "The Starry Flag", was written during May 1861, on board the United States transport Marmion as she sailed up the Potomac through the massed batteries of the enemy.

Savage played a leading part in organising the Fenian movement in America, traveling through the United States on their behalf.

[5] John Savage died in his sixtieth year at his summer residence at Laurelside, near Spraigueville, Pa., on 9 October 1888, leaving a widow and an adopted daughter.