New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-20
st. Pn,rIel.,s Disqualification I'm the irish
Rrignde-Gen. Meaghcr Master Of Cere-
monics-Thc Programinc-Enth"sf"
Reception Of Gen. Hooker-The hnCes'
HR.nopARrHps ARMY OF TBH Po1os1o'{
Thursday, March lS, 1858

EIrignde-(sen. Meaghcr Mssser"' WV
monics-Thc Programmc-Enth"sf
Reception Of Gen. Hooker-Thc Rn'es'
From Our Special Correspondent 49,, 1877
Amy or THB PoTonAo, Tuesday night March H. 1901
The anniversary Of St. Patricks Day, in honor OF
the Patron Saint Of ireland, was to-day oeieor'eu
by the Irish Brigade commanded by Gen. messne'
in manner that does full credit TO Inc merry feaI"ua
hilarious temperament of the merry sons Oh EriA'
Tia ,ame spirit that presided at Benbrook, LINER
;cL and Eontepoy. animated and inspirited the fes-
,vi,es of the day. for the Irish character In Ould
Erin or America IN war as in peace, If ever the
same-his spirit unbroken aud his muscles never
tired.
The preparations for the proper celebration Of the
day we're appropriate and ample. suitable and
spacous chapel had been erected from canvass ana
UNIQUELY ornamented with evergreen wreaths,
festoons and bouquets new aud elegant Vest,
ment had been purchased by the men, 70 DC presenieu
70 their Chaplain, Rev. MIR. Corby. The vine with
foliage and fruit the lamb and the cross that CHAR
scterize the Vestmept, elaborate, rich and ee-
CANT. O o,.,o.L
a. N. with the celebration OF Grand Mass 1eco a
| named by martial music. Gen. Meagher and stan,
althe regiments of his Brigade, and hunareds Vi in'
Az the close of mass the Rev. Father O'Hagan,
cbaplan of the 4th Excelsior, preached sermon lot
| eloquent
in illusions that touched and moved the hearts OF his
auditors. <c
Meagher had invited many guests, had collected OF
the field prepared for the races Ihe course was
fraction over mile in length in an open level held.
II was broken by four hurdles each feet high, and
four bitches, each feet wide and feet deep. On
the north side Of the course were erected three
patforms that in the middle about ~ feet high, was
Tor the accommodation Of the umpire and his asso-
Il. ,tia yxutA ,nID
members of the press The stage on the left, feet
high was exclusively for ladies. and similar one
on the right for the ufe of the bands OF music TWO
being present. the l27th Penn. and Eth n. y.
Most prominent of all men was Gen. Meagher,
uho without doubt was master Of ceremonies. a
white staple hat smashed in at ono side green era
vat with large beau and wide flowing ends, and a
rosette of blue ribbon brown coat, white gloves,
white silk velvet half breeches, and high yellow-soP
boots, completed his uniform; he rode a sprlghlly
bsv horse, and carried IN his band long lashed
whip His form was seen everywhere In Incredible
short periods Of time, and above all noise and confu
sion rang the voice Of the gallant Inch commander
At III o'clock tho crowd was immense, covering
acres OF ground around the platform. just before
the course was cleared for the first race Gen
and staff rode on the field. When the Commander
n.Chief appeared on the stage he was greeted py
three tremendous cheers, which were immediately
repeated with redonbled force, and "hger."
I A glass Of wine was passed 10 Gen. Hooker, and
he was called upon to drink to toast. Raising bis
Il glass. he exclaimed: "The Irish Bngads-God bless
them" lie proposed and led three cheers for the
irish Brigade, and again unbonnded cheers sounded
over the field for the Commander ln-Chief.
At THE stage Of the proceedings. Gen. Meagher re.
ceived dispatch from the knights Of ST. Patrick
, | in New-York, who send their Greetings 70 the
Irish Brigade representing the spirit Of lrshmen on
tho batte.feds Of America.
Wnen all was ready, the bugle sounded the
= charge" and away dashed five men, well mounted,
and attired in the costaIne Of ancient lreland-the
d contestants ia the race.
Az the first hurdle three Of the riders pitched
beadlong over the heads OF their horses; one ran
. round the hurdle and but one horse eaped 1t with
bis rider In position. The endorsed men scrambled
up mounted snd dashed after the champion OF the
race The bitches and hurdles were gotten over,
n into or around the Glanced, and four of the
ia riders came in, led by Capt Gossen, riding Gen.
Meagber's gray horse. After an interval of half an
hour, Gen. Coldwel, umpire OF the races, announced
that all the competitors would enter the second
0 hest.
The second beat went of much better than the
FIRST All cleared the first hurdle in fine style, but
some Of the horses boled the bitches and in
scattering. Capt. GosseD again led the second in
the heat fifty yards. The Judges therefore, awarded
the prize of 800 TO " Meaghers gray" The best
time made was three minutes
A second race was then proposed. in which any
one might enter by depositiDg IS in Gen. Aeaghers
old White hat.h Con Hooker proposed that the
officers on the platform make up IN additional purse,
twothrds TO the first and one-thrd to the second in
the Paymaster had bsen round the gentlemen should
1t show II forth accordingly" Gen. Hooker set the
II example by depositing in the cold hat" valuable
/. "greenback," which 1t was announced wonld be
~ taken at par. Gems Hancock, Couch, Howard.
70 Sully, Berry, Ward, and Birney, and Cola Inpas
and Won Setback also contributed literally. Six
horses were entered, and the prlzsmoney was All
n nounced to be $l36.
Al the blast of the bugle the six riders dashed
away at an equal pace; all cleared the hurdle and
the ditch that came next The race Was moro sUual
and interesting than the first, though little sorrel
animal proved too good mettle for the other Ave.
v The first heat made in 2:55, and won by Count
Won Blucber riding Col. Won Schacks sorrel horse.
Lieut.; Wade. with Col. Ksllsys horse came In
second.
The second heat started and ended the same as
the first Won Schacks horse making 1t in $3.50 with
ont an effort The Judges accordingly awardo
, twothirds Of the purse 10 Won Schacks horse, and
4 the balance to Col Kelley's. To those who knew
the rider Of the successful horse TO be Count Won
Butcher, the;grandson Of "Oh Blucher," the race
had additional interest Times have indeed changed
r when q descendant Of g Old Butcher" can win n
burde.raco on St. Patricks day, in the camp Of an
American army.
The races having ended, Gen. Meapher invited lis
guests to accompany him to Brigade Headquarters,
where " sandwiches" and "punch' had been pro.
vided for thousands. Here, glasses and speeches,
and toasts, and music as in tho days Of aud lang
syne," went freely round, and all were merry and
gay.
party at headquarters to pay their respects to the
host.
During the races, tho platform on the left was
covered with the cheer and beauty OF the lovely sex.
For the many ladies who now visiting their hus-
bands In the army are present at oil public demon.
strations to enliven and sanctify with the sunlight
of home that beams from their faces. OF course tie
greatest crowd was around this platform. Ambu-
lances had been provided TO take the ladies' TO
Olar'a RITZ Unare nr0y n