The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-09 00:00:00

ANUETA _IL

At Antietam, on the 17th September, the PRE-
SIDENT of the United States, surrounded by the
representatives of all nations, and hundreds of his
most celebrated countrymen, performed a cere-
mony which well commemorated perhaps the
greatest event of the mighty war of which even
then there remained wrecks around them. On that
day, amidst prayer and thanksgiving, the cemetery
c)ntaining the dead of Antietam was conse-
crated. Tl'e event the distinguished assembly
were met to celebrate will ever find in the
American heart a thrilling response. It was
exactly five years before that General M'CLELLAN
in command of a Northern army, hastily gathered,
and numbering 87,000 men, attacked the Confede-
rates posted upon the position of which the ceme-
tery forms part, and after a struggle, rarely equalled,
compelled the invading army, in the confusion of
defeat, to evacuate the State of Maryland. The
strength of the Confederates under LEE has never
been accurately given. Accounts differ widely—a
difference in a measure due to the fact that during
the engagement LEE'S army was largely reinforced.
The most probable estimate places the Confederate
strength at 60,000 men. LEE asserts that he com-
menced the action with 40,000, while M'CLELLAN
estimates the number at upwards of 97,000.
Those who recall the days preceding the great
Battle of Antietam shudder when thinking on the
train of disasters which had befallen the Federal arms.
The mighty force so carefully drilled, so magnifi-
cently equipped, which INI‘CLELLAN had led over the
Peninsula when marching on Richmond, striken
by seven days of hard fighting, had been compelled
to re-embark, leaving the country strewn with
dead. At Cedar Mountain General BANKS had
sustained a disastrous repulse, and General POPE,
after a series of desperate actions, had been driven
behind the defences which covered Washington.
Throughout the South it was loudly asserted and
fully believed that Maryland was Confederate in
every feeling, the sentiment of her people being
smothered beneath the weight of Northern armies.
Baltimore had given to this unmistakable ex-
pression. Thousands of Marylanders bad joined
the Confederate ranks, and the song that touched
to the quick those exiles from their State was often
heard at the Confederate bivouack, one of the
sweetest inspired by these stormy times—

"Maryland, my Maryland."

The dash and gallantry of the Confederate sol-
diers filled both themselves and their commanders
with the greatest confidence. The extraordinary
skill and military aptitude of the people were
seen in their judgment in selecting leaders.
When LEE crossed the Potomac to ctrry the
war into thy' enetny's country he brought with
him an army whose morale had been established
by many victories, who thought itself invincible,
and who entered Maryland firmly believing that the
whole State would rise in response to the call.
LEE'S first step was to publish an appeal to
Marylanders, and it was not fur many days after,
that even a doubt crossed his mind the Con-
federacy was mistaken in the general feeling
of the people. MiCLELLAN had to form bis army
as he marched, and he moved on in ignorance and
dread of the designs of his skilful opponent. It was
not till he began to feel the weight of the enemy in
front that he knew be was in the right direction.
On the 10th September LEE evacuated Frederick,
retiring on Antietam. A copy of LEE'S order '
of march, dated the previous day, fell into
M'CLELLAN'S hands on his arrival at that town,
which gave the Federal General a clear insight into
his opponent's plans. LEE was surprised at the
vigour and discernment of the steps immediately
taken by M'CLELLAN. He detached HILL and
LONGSTREET to check the quick ad vance of the
Federals, aid on the 14th was fought the first
action, in which General RENO and 1,500 Union
soldiers fell in carrying the heights on which
these generals were posted. On the afternoon of
the 15th M'CLELLAN halted on the east bank of
the Antietam. The Confederate army had crossed
the stream and were arrayed for battle on the opposite
side. M'CLELLAN had brought his great foe to
bay, and the two mighty armies on the evening of
the 15th September of the eventful year 1862
stood facing each other to decide the destinies
of a continent. It was then that M'CLELt„iN
received the PRESIDENT'S last command and
benediction : " God bless you and all with
you ; destroy the rebel army if possible." The
16th was devoted to perfecting the arrangements ,

THE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER
CHALLENGE TROPHY.

The LORD PROVOST then said—l receive with
great gratification the custaly of these trophies for
the current year. Having been gained in honour-
able competition by our countrymen, they are,
I think, properly lodged in the capital of Scot-
land. Last year it was my privilege to be cus-
todicr of the Elcho Shield, which unluckily has
been lost to us for the present year by a single
point ; but we cannot regret that which is
taken from us by such able and honourable op-
ponents. It is pleasing, however, to think that the
Scotch Volunteers have shown such skill in arms
as against their English competitors. It may per-
haps be said that we Scotchmen are apt to get a
little boastful on these points. I can only reply to
any sarcasm of that description that we are a small
nation, only one-sixth of the number of the English
nation, but an ancient nation distinguished in all
ages for courage, loyalty, integrity, and skill in
arms, and it is a matter of pride to us that we'

TIIE SIN. LON DO

for the impending battle ; but the loud roar
of the artillery, which scarcely ceased, might have
: deceived a listener into the belief that the
action raged. Indeed, before night the battle
had commenced, for MEADE, fording the stream
far on the Federal right, established himself on
the other bank, crushing the opposition the Con-
federates cffered. So close was MEADE'S contact with
the enemy that the piequebts of both armies in the
dark intermingled on ground destined in a few hours
to be piled with American dead. During the night
General MANSFIELD'S corps crossed the stream to
support MEADE, whilst the Confederates sent
STONEWALL JACKSON with his renowned division
to hold this post, considered the key of the position.
The morning of the 17th dawned on the long lines
of the blue and the grey, and night closed on those
lines still fronting each other on ground strewn
thick with dead and wounded men. Fourteen long
hours of a summer's day had witnessed the varying
fortunes of the most hotly-contested field ever seen
in America. It will readily be believed that the
divisions of MEADE, DOUBLEDAY, and RICKETS,
forming HOOKER'S corps, carried the post only with
fearful carnage, when it is said that JACKSON de-
fended it with the STONEWALL division, and they
carried it only after a moment of victory to be them-
selves dislodged by the fresh supports of the enemy.
Then came MANSFIELD gathering up the shattered
divisions as his corps swept on to the fatal spot, and
again the Federal cheers rang out as they stood
victorious on the ground. Their triumph was
but momentary. Both MANSFIELD and HOOKER
fell, and their corps staggered back under
an avalanche of destruction. Again the tide
of Federal victory seemed to flow as the
divisions of RICHARDSON and FRENCH came
up. But once more the Federal efforts proved
vain, for two Confederate divisions the one
from Harper's Ferry, the other from their
right—again turned• the fortunes of the day.
SEDGEWICK was killed, and RICHARDSON covered
with wounds. Night was falling on this fearful
contest when General FRANKLIN'S corps, fresh from
Pleasant Valley, arrived at the double, and the
lines of blue were hurled for the last time on their
Confederate foe, when they carried the position,
and kept it. It was on this spot that the great
interest of the Battle of Antietam centred, and
when night put an end to the contest it fell on two
shattered and exhausted armies, for Greek had there
met Greek, and every effort of skill and valour in
the attack had been foiled by the skill and valour of
the defence. But M'CLELLAN gained his object.
There was an end to the Confederate invasion of
Maryland, and the broken and discomfited ranks of
the hitherto triumphant Southern army sought
shelter in its own State of Virginia. The
ground, then, on which the PRESIDENT Stood on
the 17th ult. was sacred soil. It had been con-
secrated by the blood of the flower of the Federal
Army; men there had given their lives in thou-
sands, rushing into the jaws of death, inspired by
patriotic ardour. 'The bones of these men were
beneath the feet of those assembled, and it was to
commemorate their noble self-sacrifice, that the dis-
tinguished in the States were there assembled. More
of sorrow than of triumph must have filled the
minds of the crowd, for it cannot be forgotten that
it was by American hands the victims of Antietam
f ell.—Anglo-American Times.

This trophy, won by the Scotch Twenty in the
International Enfield match at Wimbledon, was, in
terms of the conditions of the match, consigned for
the year to the charge of the Lord Provost of Edin-
burgh, who appointed that its place of keeping
should be the National Museum of Science and Art
there. The uncovering of the trophy took place on
Saturday evening at 5 o'clock, in presence of the
Queen's Edinburgh Rifle Brigade, who marched to the
Museum after inspection in the Queen's-park by the
Lord Provost, the Midlothian Rifles from Leith, and
a large assemblage of spectators. Tho Lord Provost

wore the uniform of Lord-Lieutenant of the county
of the city, and was attended by the civic officers.
The International trophy is a beautiful work of art
executed by Messrs. Elkington and Co., Birmingham,
exhibiting on one side of the pedestal Minerva and

a pacific and on the other Mars with a warlike
group, and bearing the badge of the National Rifle
Association with the mottoes—"Si vis pacem, para
helium," and " Defence, not Defiance." The Irish
trophy, which is also annually competed for by th e
highest marksmen of the three countries, and was
won in 1867 by Mr. Hay, of the London Scottish,
with a score of 65, an elegant work of art, and ex-
hibiting a traditional incident in the history of one
of the Irish kings, was placed alongside, and both
were covered by the Union Jack as the Volunteers
entered. The covering of the pieces having been
withdrawn, the band of the Queen's Brigade played
" Scots Wha Hae," and the " Conquering Hero."
The Master of LOVAT, Captain of the Scottish
Twenty, then, addressing the Lord Provost, said—
The object for which we are assembled to-day is
one of great interest to all the Volunteers of the
country—namely, the celebration of the victory
which we Scotch have gained after a severe struggle
over our friends and opponents in England and Ire-
land. I look on this competition as one of great
importance and immense service to the Volunteer
force of this country. The first thing to be desired
in any regiment, whether regular or volunteer, is
efficiency in discipline and drill, but without each
man knowing how to use his rifle drill and dis-
cipline would be of little use before an enemy.
Nothing keeps up the efficiency of our Volunteers
as good shots so much as competition, and no one
knows how soon our volunteers may be called on to
defend the public. This match, my Lord Provost,
originated with Captain Mackenzie, my predecessor
in the captaincy of the Scotch Twenty, and Captain
illiams, the leader of the English Twenty; and
after Lord Elcho had presented his noble shield for
competition among the small bore shots it was
thought proper to raise by subscription a trophy to
be competed for by the Volunteers. After great
exertions on the part of Colonel Lindsay and others
who interested themselves in the matter this noble
work of art was procured, and it was presented for
the Volunteers of the three countries to compete for.
By the rules of the match the competition must be
held at Wimbledon, when the match has been
won by England, and in Scotland, when it has been
won by Scotland. In 1868 the competition will
take place at Edinburgh, and I feel sure that what
the Scotch were able to do under a hurtling sun at
Wimbledon they will be able to do again on their
own ground. I know Captain Field will bring
down the best 20 that England can produce, and
that Capt. Hopkins will bring a plucky band from
Ireland. For my own part, I engage to bring for-
ward 20 who I hope will enable Professor Archer,
the director of this Museum, to be the permanent
custodier of this beautiful work of art. I have also,
in the absence of Mr. Hay, the winner of the Irish

trophy, to hand it over to your Lordship's custody
for the year. I hope that next year another trophy
will be added to the group, namely, the Elcho
Shield, which was lost this year to Scotland by only
one point.

Four of the Scotch Twenty, including Angus
Cameron and his brother, then carried the inter-
national trophy through the lines of Volunteers, the
band playing " The Garb of Old Gaul," followed
by a pibroch from the bagpipes.

WEDNESOAY EVENING, OCTOBER 9, 1 t 7.

should still be able to maintain our fame. (Cheers.)
It is also a matter of pride to us that we also
maintain our skill in honourable competition
and our ancient loyalty to the Sovereign, and
that while sister countries are agitated by miser-
able insurrectionists within the circuit of Scotland
loyalty alone prevails. (Cheers.) His lordship
concluded by complimenting the Queen's Brigade
on the proficiency in battalion movements which he
had that afternoon witnessed.

The presentation then took plac3 of cups to such
of the Scottish Twenty as were present, including
the Master of Lovat, Angus Cameron, and others.
Three cheers were then given for the Queen, and
the same compliment was paid to the Lord Provost.
The band then played the National Anthem, and as
the audience were dispersing the pipers of the
Highland companies played in the hall and galleries.

victory as granted. Nothing could be more clear
than that the victory was HERRING'S, and the prize
at his disposal, subject to the conditions laid
down in the articles. Mr. HOLMES suggested what
he considered fair remuneration, and hence arose
the charge of bribery and corruption. Mr. HOLMES
merely discussed a proposition advanced by one of
the English members of the committee, stating
at the time that if the English members pre-
ferred it, he was in favour of the whole going to
charities; each competitor paying his share
of the expenses from his own pocket as
allowed and audited by the committee. There
appears to be little doubt in the minds of those
influenced only by upright and honourable motives
as to who was the conqueror. The articles of
agreement were, that the committee should consist
of five engineers—'. two English to be appointed by
the said SAMUEL CIIATWOOD, two Americans or
others to be appointed bythe said SILAS C. HER-
RING ; the four thus appointed to appoint a fifth,
who shall be a French engineer, the decision of the
majority to be final on all points." To these
was added a secretary, thus making six gen-
tlemen. Of these six, Messrs. MALLETT and
FAIRLIE, the engineers appointed by Mr.
CIIATWOOD, hold opinions at variance with those
of the other four—at variance with common
sense, as well as in direct contradiction of the
resolutions drawn up by themselves. They
make a muddle, stirring up the mud in a stream
that ought to be perfectly clear, in hopes in the
confusion of swimming off with the prize. But the
first article bars this, which provides that the deci-
sion of the majority should be final. The Telegraph
has certainly one way of putting it, which condenses
into a sentence the spirit that actuated Mr. CHAT-
WOOD'S nominees. These are the correspondent's
words :—" They decline to hear M. DOULIOT'S re-
port (the French engineer elected by themselves),
feeling certain as to which side it would tend, and
formally withdrew from the committee." A course
more self-condemnatory could not have been taken,
or a more absurd reason advanced. They elect a
man expressly to award the decision, and then be-
cause they know that decision will be adverse,
withdraw from the committee, refusing to hear it.
Why, two babies could not have adopted a more
childish course. It would better have become
them if they had pulled out their pocket handker-
chiefs and had a good roar over the result. As M.
DOULIOT has reported strongly in favour of the
HERRING Safe, we presume this question will be
settled ere this appears in print. We propose next
week to discuss the pamphlet termed " Fighting
Fire," which gives some interesting facts relating to
the history of the Safe manufacture, and a curious
account of the rise of the great firm of which
SILAS C. HERRING is the senior partner..— Anglo-
American Times.