The New York herald., 1874-09-23
CREEDMOOR.
Tho Competing Rifle Teams-Practfcc,
Shooting and the Prospects of the In
ternntiOMal Mntch.

Tho Competing Rifle Teams-Practicc,
Shooting and the Prospects of the In
ternatiOnal Match.
Glorious weather favored the practice OF the
Irish and American rife teams at Creedmoor
yesterday, preparatory to the great International
contest on Saturday. Few events in the sporting
annals OF this country have created such universal
interest as that which in day or two will deter.
mine whether the heroes of Wimbledon viii carry
across the Atlantic the palm of superiority as
rinemen. Opinion Is somewhat divided on the
subject. Indeed, there Is every reason to believe
that the famous Irish team will have un-
worthy opponents to contend against, ana, as
matters now stand sporting men who thoroughly
understood the situation would, in their own
Characteristic parance, say 1t was ''an even
thing" The American marksmen have not been
idle since the challenge Grst issued and there
is little use in disgusting the fact that the team
selected to meet their Irish competitors comprises
some of the best rifle shots on this continent. 1t
is dle therefore, to Overrate the skill OF the Irish
team when drawing comparisons with their COM
petitors on this side OF the water, Tor they have
been hard at work since the season opened at
Creedmoor As previously intimated, the match
win be an exceedingly close one. TO
be sure, the lame of the Irish team pre-
ceded them, but their American brethren have
never had similar chance TO distinguish them
selves, and 1t Will be not at all surprising-Ir the
u
should the team selected this side divide the
honors with their Irish cousins. Under all the cir.
cumstances splendid exhibition OF skill may be
looked forward to on saturday next; and as the
affair is one OF those Dooe contests which genuine
sportsmen anticipate with both pleasure and
pride, the result Will be awaited with no little
anxiety by the community on both sides OF the
'big pond"
Practice commenced before noon yesterday, both
teams firing from ranges at 800, 900 and 1OO6 yards
distance fifteen irsh shots at eaca; the mem.
natipn
ns1 naon %'sn sna csps sSs Rss RRSys ky ks sp1s: 1
Dakin, colonel Bodlne, Lieutenant Colonel Glider.
sleeve. Leutenant Fulton, J. I. b. Collins L. L.
sion on which the Irish rnemen used their own
weapons, and 1t was generally expected they
would make mucn finer display than on Satur-
day last, when Remington rifles were placed in
their hands for the first time. Although the sun
shone forth brilliantly, it was by no means wnat
an experienced marksman would call good day
for rifle shooting, especially at long range, for,
apart from the shifting character of the wind, a
strange mirage played havoc with the targets,
shooting of either team could scarcely be regarded
as fair criterion of their respective skill. De-
SIDES. Sides But to set aside all doubts on the the
subject, 1t may, perhaps, be as well TO state that
the American team made the highest score. At
the long range the Irish rifemen displayed much
more accuracy than at shorter distances; but 1t
was only day OF practice comment at this stage
is hardly necessary. large attendance wit
messed the exhibition yesterday, including many
prominent officers OF the National Guard: but
noticeable among the throng might be observed
parcel of that ubiquitous fraternity known as
'bettng4 men," who, happily ignorant OF the
somewhat slight difference between fifteennch
see how things were. To them ''burs eye" has
an agricultural significance, and caring little
for national reputation theyare simply on the look.
out Tor what they cal! a chance to make an
honest penny. The result OF their observations
Yesterday must have been as clear to them as
Newfoundland fog. Indeed, any opinion hazarded
on the result Is worthless After peasant and
profitable practice the party returned to the city
by the evening train.
To morrow the two teams will again resume
practice at CreedmOor, and on Saturday next the
great International contest VIII be decided.