The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-03

Celebration of St. Patrick's Day in
the Irish Brigade.
GEN. MEAGHER MASTER OF CEkEMoNlE>-
THE PROGRAMME-ENTHU hE
CEPTION OF GEN. HOOKER-THE
RACES
lence of the N. y. Tribune.

TUESDAY MIGHT, udiCu ~, 1cOo)
The anniversary of St. Patrick's Day, in
honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland, was
to-day celebrated by the Irish Brigade,
commanded by Gen. Meagher, in man
ner that does full credit to the fiery zeal
and hilarious temperament of the merry
sons of Erin. The same spirit that pre-
sided at Benbrook, Limerick and Fontenoy,
animated and inspirited the festivities Of
the day, for the Irish character, in could
Erin or America, in war as in peace, is
ever the same-his spirit unbroken and his
muscles never tired.
The preparations for the proper celebra-
ton were appropriate and ample suit
able and spacious chapel had been erected
from canvass, and uniquely ornamented
with evergreen wreaths, festOons and bOu-
quets A new and elegant Vestment had
been purchased by the men to be present.
ed to their Chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Corby.
The vine with foliage and fruit, the lamb,
and the cross, that characterize the Vest
ment, are elaborate, rich and elegant.
The exercises of the day commenced at
s O'Clock, A. ~, with the celebration Of
Grand Mass, accompanied by martial mu-
sic. Gen. Meagher and staff, all the regi-
1neHtS Oh Ills DTlBdOe, ana UuuuIeuS oi
/ invited guests were present.
At the close of the mass, the Rev. Faith
er OIIagau, Chaplain of the 4th Excelsior,
preached sermon for the occasion, elo-
quent, and patriotic, and Astounding in
illusions that touched and moved the
hearts of his auditors.
At 105 o'clock the immense concourse,
for Gen. Meagher had invited many guests,
had collected on the field prepared for
the races. The course was a fraction
over Il mile in length, in an open level
field. 1t was broken by four hurdles,
each four feet high, and four bitches, each
eight feet wide and four deep. On the
north side OF the course were erected
three platforms that in the middle about
twenty feet high, was for the accomoda-
ton OF the umpire and his associates,
celebrities who might be present, and for
members OF the press. The stage on the
left, six feet high, was exclusively for
ladies, and Il similar one on the right for
the Use OF bands of music, two being
present, the 127th Pennsylvania and 18th
New Jersey.
Most prom nent of ali men vas Gen.
Meagiier, wi.o without doubt was master
~
smashed IN st one side, green cravat with
large bow and white flowing ends, and a
rosette OF blue ribbon Oh a brown coat,
white gloves, white silk velvet hale
breeches, and high yellow-top boots,
completed his uniform; he rode a very
sprightly bay horse, and carried in his
hand Il long dashed whip. His form was
seen everywhere in incredibly short pc
RODS Of time, and above all noise and
confusion rang the voice of the gallant
Irish commander
At II oclocE, the crowd was immense.
covering acres Of ground around the plat
/ form. Just before the course was cleared
1or the first race, Gen. Hooker and staff
rode on the field. When the Commander
in-Chief appeared on the stage he was
/ greeted by three tremendous cheers, which
were Immediately repeated with redoubled
force and a s. tiger"
! \ glass OF wine was passed to General
! Hooker, and he was called upon to drink
toast. Raising his glass, he exclaimed ::
"The Irish Brisade-God bless them"
| He proposed and led three cheers for the
Irish Brigade, and again unbounded cheers
sounded Over the field for the Commander
in-Chief
at this stage of the proceedings, Gen.
| Meagher received a dispatch from the
! knights Of St. Patrick in New York,
| who sent their Greetings to the Irish
Brigade, representing the spirit Of Irish
men on the battleiields Of America.
When al was ready, the bugle sounded
"the Charge and away dashed five men,,
well mounted, and attirel in the costume
of ancient Ireland-the contestants in the
race.
At the first hurdle, three of the riders
were pitched headlons over the heads of
! their horses; one ran round the hurdle,
! and but one horse leaped it with his rider
| in position. The endorsed men, scrambled
up, mounted, and dashed after the cham
| pion Of the race. The bitches and hurdles
were gotten over, into or around, as it
CHANGED, and fOnr of the riders came in
led by Capt. GOsSen, riding Gen. Meagher' s
| gray horse. After an interval of half an
hour, Gen, Coldwell, umpire of the races,
announced that all the competitors would
enter the second heat.
The second heat went off much better
than the first. All cleared the first hurdle
| in fine style, but some of the horses bOlted
lu0 uIJCuCS ctuu CtIIlc III SCaUCCAihS' NoPO.
Gossen again led the second in the heat
fifty yards The judges, therefore, award
ed the prize of 500 to 'Meagher's gray. u
The best time made was three minutes.
A second race was then proposed, IN
which any one might enter by depositing
S. in Gen. Meagher's "old white hat. y
Gen. Hooker proposed that the officers on
the platform make up an additional purse,
twO-thirds to the first and one-third to the
second in the race, best two in three.
Meagher replied s." If the Paymaster had
been round the gentlemen should show it
forth accordingly" Gen. Hooker set the
example by depositing in the "old hat" a
valuable ''greenback," which it was an
nounced would be taken at par. Gems.
Hancock, Couch, Howard, Sully, Berry,
Ward and Birney, and Coils. Ingals and
Won Setback also contributed literally.
Six horses were entered, and the prize
money was announced to be $1S6.
| At the blast of the bugle the six riders
dashed away at an equal pace; all cleared