But it had never occurred to either party to consult Redmond on this critical matter.

Does anyone suppose that Sir Edward Carson had no voice in the staffing of the Ulster Division?
He had at all events received from the first a clear promise that all professional soldiers who had been officers in the Ulster Volunteers would be officers in the Division, and that any who had been mobilized should be restored to their associates in the Division.
General Parsons brought to this whole matter the fine principle that no man's religious or political beliefs should stand in his way.

He omitted to consider the effect produced on the situation by the fact that the Ulster Division had been actually allowed to exclude all Catholics, as such, and to accept no officer who was not politically in sympathy with Unionist Ulster.

Redmond had not the least wish to exclude either Protestants or Unionists; he wanted all Irishmen on an equality.

But he was bound by common sense and by a perception of realities to desire that Protestants and Unionists should not appear to monopolize the command.
Not one of the three brigadiers appointed was generally known in Ireland, personally or by his connections.