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. He succeeded in escaping on board a ship from Dublin to America, arriving in New York City on 7 November 1848. Within a week he was appointed a proof reader on the "New York Tribune". In January, 1854, Savage became involved with John Mitchel’s first American newspaper, "The Citizen". In August of that year he married Louise Reid, daughter of Samuel Chester Reid, a sea captain, who according to T.F. O’Sullivan, had the distinction of designing the present form of the American flag. In 1856 Savage published his "'98 and '48" in addition to his "Fenian Heroes and Martyrs" and "Picturesque Ireland". In 1857 Savage went to Washington, where he became the principal leader writer on the "States Journal". He wrote a tragedy entitled ""Sybil"" which was then produced in various parts of America, and would later be published in 1850. In 1860 he published "Our Leading Representative Men", containing sketches of Presidential candidates in 1861. One of these sketches he expanded and published it as a "Life of Andrew Johnson". According to T.F. O’Sullivan, Savage is said to have joined the 69th Regiment and to have taken part in the Civil War on the side of the Federal Government. 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. Various editions of Savage’s poems have been published in America. His finest poem O’Sullivan says was ""Shane’s Head"." Savage played a leading part in organising the Fenian movement in America, traveling through the United States on their behalf. He was proposed by President Johnson as United States Consul in Leeds but the appointment was never made. He became very popular as a lecturer. In 1879, Saint John’s College, Fordham, Westchester County (later to become Fordham University, and the Bronx) conferred on him the honorary degree of LL.D.  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.