The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-01
.noersolr JnteQlgerrter.
THE IRISH BRIGADE.

which was one of the results OF their Celtic
origin, had been wasted through many centu-
ries, in savage feuds among themselves, or IN
fruit!ess resistance to their invaders-and When
at length it had become disciplined, under
Sarsfeld and St. Ruth, and acquired force
which might have yielded England the greatest
service in her ensuing wars, 1T was losI 10 ner
through the intolerance which prescribed the
religion of nation.
The laws of the period, which forbade Cath
olics to, bear arms under the English crown,
hlindly renounced ali the advantages to be de-
lived from their devotion, and compelled the
army of James H., when disbanded at the
Peace of Limerick, to pass over to the Cont
nent, and enroll under its various monarchs.
Almost every throne Of Europe prohted by
the bold hearts and stalwart frames OF the
buoyant sons of the Emerald Isle, except only
the one that still nominally claimed their allie
glance while repudiating their services. 1t
was in France, however, that James army was
found principally to re-asssmbleIowlng, prob
ably, to the greater sympathy OF the Hieernlan
and Celtic temperaments-and there formed
themselves into body, which soon became
distinguished under its title of the "Irish Bsi-
gade"
These gallant emigrants, who left behind
them all their social and domestic ties, carried
abroad, with their untarnished honor and their
indomitable courage, all their unconquerable
eayety and their undying love for their native
Country. Almost as deep, however, perhaps
was their love for their native music. 80
strong was it, indeed that they refused to
march to the French tunes, and on military
occasions insisted on the use of their national
airs qualification that was conceded to them,
though the same favor was denied the Swiss.
For this, however, there was reason. The
music of the "Ranz des Vaches'' awoke In the
breast of the latter such q passionate longing
for home. that it often led to desertion; while
in the poor Irishman, whose home,was lost to
him, no such danger was to be feared.
During the course of almost century the
Brigade was enrolled in the French army, and
had an honorable share in all the latters
brightest achievements in Flanders, Spain and
Italy. Many instances of its staunch fidelity
and.its daring, decisive courage might be quo
ted from the military records of those days;
but one especially may be selected, which, in
its singular combination Of the heroic and the
grotesque, must be regarded as very national:
Cremona, besieged by Prince Eugene, and
defended by the French, was surprised one
morning before dawn, and would inevitably
have been lost but for the promptitude of the
Irish. While the punctilious and ornate
Frenchmen were deliberately buttoning up
their regimentals, the former, at the sound of
their trumpets, jumped out of bed, and, simply
staying to buckle on their cross-belts and car
touch boxes, seized their guns and hurried to
the square, where, on forming in fighting order.
their commanders words, "Halt dress W
were, at least in one respect, superAuous-
Their indifference to appearances On this occa-
sion was all the greater that the period was
midwinter, and the city was near the Alps. In
this condition they were, charged by the Aus
trian Cuirassiers. 1t was steel coats against
night shirts; but the linen trade of Ireland
proved the more formidable of the two. The
Austrians were driven back and the French
had time to form and recover possession Of the
town. For this brilliant service the Brigade
was honored with the emphatic thanks of
Louis XIV, and also had their pay increased.
But these fearless fellows, as may be sup
posed, carried abroad to their new service not
only their courage and fidelity, but all their
exuberance as Irishmen. Their rollicking
spirit and love of fun were quite as great as
their love of fighting, and at times were so op-
nets of the French ranks had to make formal
complaints on the matter 1t was on one such
occasion that a great compliment was paid
them by the brave Duke of Berwick, who,
however had good reason to love chem for their
devotion to his father.
Marshal" said the King to him, "this Irish
Brigade gives me more trouble than all my
army put together"
"Please your Majesty" replied the Duke,
"your enemies make just the same complaint
of themp'
The idol of the Brigade was the celebrated
Marshal SAKE, whose great bravery, in union
with his jovial, mirthful temperament, gave
him a character that was so engaging and so
kindred to their own. 1t was in reference to
him that originated one of the blunders of
poor Pat, that has 80 often been repeated and
localized everywhere. The Marshal was woun-
ded in some engagement, and, moreover, it was
reported-in his back. None of the Brigade,
however, would believe it.
"When did he ever show his back to them ?"
was the general exclamation. "Wasn't it his
face they knew the most of, and wasn't it their
backs that he knew best?"
At last a.solution Of the mystery was hit
upcn: s . ..,.,:. -. -, :,,.4 :.
make the villins think that, on the contrary,
he was retreating, he buttoned his coat behind
him p
OF the anecdotes and jokes told of the Bri-
gade during their extended foreign oervice-
proofs of humor and lght-heartedness which
exile even could not subdue-the number is,
Indeed, legion. Gallo vanity forced them
often into the attitude of censors, and several
>of their repartees are excellent, and as full of
sense as they we're of pleasantly. Among the
mass of these is one that has been often re-
ferred to their sources-when Frenchman,
claiming for his country the invention of all
the elegancies, named, among other things, a
raf1e and Pat answered:
"We improved on tive put to it a shirt"
a., The sarcasm, however, was deeper and more
essentially Hibernian when, on his going some
where to dine after hearing great praises of
French cookery he saw pot Of soup brought
in with bit Of meat floating on the top Of it
upon which he pulled off his coat, and, being
asked why he did so, said:
'.Sure I am going to have swim for that
little bit of mate there"
Among the adventures recorded of the Bri
gade, one of the most amusing was an occur