The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-12-11

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HEADQUARTERS % Rect. ETRAN0KR, I |
Caen. France, Nov. 7, 1870. |
Hallow-EFe was joyous time for the |
men OF the I'd Regiment stranger. For the |
caserne at Caen. The old wallis Of the bar |
racks echoed tho national songs Of ireland,
and awoke the curiosity Of Mobile and
Franc tireurs. The men were abuDdantiy |
supplied with fruit, and wet heads and
burnt faces too plainly indicated the nature |
of their pastire. Thanks to the forethOught |
Of the sergent-fOurier, the means for the
evenings amusement were worthy of the |
end. The serjeants' mess became feast
for the occasion. The toaat of - Dear Old
Ireland was drunk as Irish soldiers alone
can drink it. IT tears started to the eyes
of brave men, they were tears of love and
not of fear; tears that spoke the passion
of life but not the fear of death. 1t was
such scene as Davis would have loved to
picture-stern, calm aud patriotic. No
wild demonstration, NO thOughtless boast
ing, but the firm purpose of brave hearts
was imprinted on the demeanOr of all.
Ireland need not fear to entrust her honor
to such men. They feel the nature and
character of their position. Their words
are few but stern, and the calmness of the
conduct bespoke the character of their de-
termination. Permission had been granted
for an indulgence of time, and although the
| bugle sounded "light's out" still some
| lightsOme glimmerings were to be seen into
the small hours of the next morning. And
SO passed HallOw-Eve ut the headquarters
of the I'd Regiment stranger. 1t was an
occasion of festivity, and was enjoyed to
| the utmost extent consistent with perfect
discipline and order. To those latter
requisites the men of the corps have given
| willing and prompt obedience. There is
l NO 6ISenntRnt.
disobedience is unknown. An attempt at
| turbulence would be crushed in the bud.
| The men recognize the truism, that dis
cipline is the soul of success. They are
treated firmly but kindly. Their officers
want to be their friends and counsellors,
as we'll as their commanders. Everything
is working harmoniously. The men are all
fit for duty, and when moving or mixing
! with Franc tireurs and Mobiles look quite
picturesque, with the variety of uniforms
surrounding them. But those uniforms
| gave some work to the tailOrs of Caen.
The Government had forwarded the usual
French outfits, while in many cases box
after box had to be unpacked to find suit
able Il is for the men. In France the large
men are drafted into the cavalry and ar
tillery. But "un Grand Irlandaise had
to remain in the I'd Regiment stranger.
Some of our herculean men caused con-
sternatiOn and trouble in the Quitting de-
partment. The Quartermaster was pes
tered by the number of "too smalls" that
were continually asking for changes. Mel
Their CATERS, pantaloons, jackets nor great
coats could be found to encircle the proper
ton of some of the volunteers. A gigantic
medical student from Dublin is still with
out his uniform, and creates immense fun
by parading Caen, with long socks drawn
over civilian trousers, a la Connemara. But
special provision will be made for accom-
mediation of our big friends. All will be
uniformed and, it is expected, armed this
! week. The men are to have the ordinary
] Snider or Chassepot rifle. II they make
, the same proficiency in rifle practice as they
y have in company drill without arms, they
! NAV expect to take the field before long
+ On Yesterday the COmmandant du Plac
reviewed the National G uardSwho muster
f ed some 1000 guns. Neither in method o
: maneuvre can they equal the I'd Regimen
n Granger. They look to be what they ar
= soldiers of the. occasion; while the Iris
:. Volunteers look what they want to be-
= soldiers of the Line. 1t is no disparagemen
a to the National Guard to say this, for the,
a are neither accustomed to obedience or dis
a cipline, and without those essentials th
n best men must fail to present soldierl.
aopearance. But now that the Nationa
a Guard is mobilised it may improve. Ihos
men are to occupy the barracks with tn
Irish Volunteers. The company OF Franc
:, tireurs, to which alluded last week, hav'
l gone to the front; their departure wa
r made the occasion of a demonstration b.
ali the troops in Caen. They parted will
our men in the most cordial manner; tn
Irish Volunteers were the first to bid then
3 auieu. The men were at dinner whel
u the 'assembly" sounded, and in less tina,
ten min utes they were formed with opel
ranks facing inward, and gave the Franc
,ireurs a hearty cheer as they marched
through. The brave fellows generally re
sponded, and the walls literally shook witt
: cries of .fVive rIrlandaise," "Vive Ii
). France" Although the Irish Volunteer
8 took no part in the demonstration that fol
- lowed, yet they were everywhere recelve'
:; with enthusiasm wherever number Q
!! them were assembled. The French peopl
"a evidently think that Fenianism is at tn
y root of the formation of this I'd Regimen
stranger, for cries of "Vive la Fenian
were as general as those of Vive Ilrlan
y daise." The line of march was blocke
# witllzpeople, and one could only wonder
d see so many men out of uniform, and Franc
y lin the throes of existence. But, now tha
d the leuee en- nsasse is declared, things ma
If alter for the better. With artillery an
= small arms France is sure to win. 90
: grant that the Irish may contribute to tns
l. event, and perpetuate the cordial feelln
y with which Frenchmen now regard the pee