The New York herald., 1874-09-28
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY 1B74TRIPLE

yne nring parJleB rom, interruption. As the pre-
parations to begin proceeded the bosterous con-
versatlon gradually ceased. and the immense
assemblage waited with bated breath for the shot
which should announce that the match. was
entered upon. Impatient OF waiting for the
Americans, the Irish, with characteristic pluck,
began tue contest The distribution OF the marks
men was as folows:-Captaln Walker, J. Rugby
and J. b. Hamilton occupied 16; J. Wilson, J. X.
Miner aud E. Johnson, IT; H. Fulton, j. Bodine
and L. L. Hepburn, 10; Colonel Gildersleeve, G. W.
Yale ana 7. S. Dakin. 20.
THE FIRST SHOT,
Captain Walker, OF the irish. was the first to
move ont ana take up position. The Captain is q
dne looking man, over six feet in height and heav
lily built. He fires lying face downwards, his
rifle held firmly in the left hand, both
elbows resting on the ground. This position
In active service would have the advantage OF al
lowing the rifieman fire with the least exposure
OF his body. It also enables him to sweep the
ground In front, and could be used by huntsmen or
soldiers with advantage. For mere target shoot
ing 1t may be questioned whether 1t affords the
steadiest support to the rine. 1t Is favorite pO
sition with rinemen Oi all classes When Captain
Walker moved out and TOOK up his position all
eyes we're centred on target 16 There was
a cessation of conversation, as the result was
looked forward to anxiousy. But no nag re-
sponded to the shot, and mingled murmur OF
regret and satisfaction ran through the assembled
throng. 1t was evident that two parties having
diverse interest In the result were present. and
as the day advanced they gradually drifted in the
direction OF their respective friends. The murmur
Of satisfaction that ran towards the American tar
gets when no response was made to the first Irish
shot burst into applause, which was speedily sup
pressed by the efforts Of Coonel wingate, captain
OF the American team, aided by the good taste OF
the people themselves. While this was occurring
on the right Dr. Hamilton mad taken up position
and fred. Immediately the white disk hid the
bull's eye from view, and the friends Of the Irish
team Immediately gave vent to their feelings in
loud applause. Major Leech, Of the irish
team, was obliged to follow Colonel Win
gates example, ana appeal to those
present not to disturb the marksmen by any mark
of applause or OF dspleasure. Tue appeal was
good humorediy received and very generally ac-
ceaed to; but as the firing now became general
along the line partial manifestations OF satisfac-
ton were continued from time to time by the ire
pressble spirits on both sides. But alter while
the frequency with which the white disk was
called up became 0mewhat monotonOus, and the
crowd settled down to watcn the progress OF the
match, which from the opening shot seemed to
pronounce in favor OF the Americans.
When Captain Walker rose from his first unlucky
shot he quietly proceeded to load, simply stopping
to exchange word with Mr.. Rigby. 1t was evil
dent from the quiet gravity of the Irish team that
they were exceedingly annoyed az the inauspicious
beginning; but the Captain on his second shot
scored centre, and Q bulbs eye with his third.
1t was hoped that all danger of misses were now
at an end, as he had secured the elevation, but
the sixth shot also passed the target without
eliciting any reply. Tne shot was watched with
close interest, and murmured 'He's missed
agaln". ran through the crowd, but with tones OF
voice that conveyed difet tent meanings. This sec
ond lesson admOnlsned the Captain to
greater care, and ne closed his score
with four centres and five BULBS eyes,
making total Of fory-six. As the 500 yards range
was the lavorlte American range, the low average
made by the Captain damaged seriously the
chances OF an Irish victory. But 1t Is worthy Of
note that the misses made 10y the Captain were
probably caused bY the mirage on which the
Americans counted with such well founded hope
Mistake In his elevation was, evidently, the
cause or the misses as his shooting shows very
slight deviation The shots in the centre and
bulbs eye are well put on and show splendid line
shooting. BY reference to the diagram below 1t
win be seen that The moan deviation of the shots
which struck the target is very slight, all the
shots being centrally grouped
Captain Walkers Score at Eight Hun