The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-24
CoLUMBA'S RIFLE REPRESENTATIVES,
When and Where the Match Will
Take Place.
SKETCHES OF THE AMERICAN TEAM

Baearic Islands taught their boys TO be so expert
in the use Of the sling that the lads were obliged
10 bring down their food rom neighDoring tree
with a stone launched by their own hands or go TO
bed supperless The loss OF some able commander
who perhaps IN the moment OF victory, was
struck down by the arrow or bullet or some well
trained put obscure foe has frequently changed
the destnes OF a nation and given new direction
TO the progress Of more than one race among the
peoples Of the earth. comparatively modern
example or this truth is 70 be found
IN the battle or Aughrlm, where an enc
my's pal struck down st. Ruth In the
moment OF victory, aud lost TO Ireland the battle
and her cause at one and the same time, The
death OF Albert Sidney Johnston broke the back
bone OF the Coniederacy and cost them the great
battle OF Shiloh--one OF the most important en-
gagements fought during our civil war. The ride
mans bullet that laid Johnston low inflicted a
blow upon the Coniederates from which they
never recovered. Both Wolfe and Montcalm fell
victims to the skill or some steady sharp
shooter In the death OF the lormer England paid
price for the victory on the heights OF Ahra-
ham, and In the loss OF the latter France sus-
tanned perhaps more damage than In the defe az
OF her troops Had Major General Richard Mont
gomery not fallen by some skillully aimed bullet
before quebec, who can say that the whole Of
Canada would not nave been ourss
But yet what rack he at Quebec
W. 9es s2a Sa1 br ae fd nto co. n man nana
Among his en'mies a man.
The mighty Nelson himself was struck down In
the arms or victory by the subtle skill OF French
marksman. We read with enthusiastic admira-
tion OF the achievements accomplished by Robin
Hood, " lillian Tell and otner famous shots. The
battle OF Chew Chase was decided by the skill or
m English archer who slew the slayer Of Lord
Percy:-
had ham NJ hand mar NJ tru Stxv
An arrow of cloth ward engt ia the head drew he
Against Sir Hugh Montgomery then 80 right his shait
The gray goose qniils that were his hearts
In the LADY OF the Laken a remarkable PROOF
OF Douglas skill in archery is recited BY scott
He says that the chieltain's drst arrow centred
In the white -
And when the Doug as shot again
His arrow split The hrst IN TWAIN
II matters not under what aspect we consider
the question: skill in the OF prolectle weapons
must always exercise great influence upon the
desunes OF a people. 1t 49, therefore, OF the ut.
most importance that the use Of improved nre-
arms should be well known by every citizen
among us who possesses the privilege OF casting
vote or enjoys the right OF defending the soil oil
our great republic England has for many years
possessed an excellent national rlne range, where
the manly and W8riike art Of shooting may be prac-
tsed b. men from all grades or society who de-
The representatives, Of large standing army and
strong delegations from over 100000 volun: eer
troops contend annually for honors at the now
famous Wimbledon common
Here In America, where every man Is more or
less accustomed 10 the use OF arms, and where
we have 80 many thousands OF excellent short
range Shots the art or long range rine shooting
IL vet but IN IT'S infancy. The establishment OF the
National Rine Associations ranges at Creedmoor
Nr1W ard
bringing out American skill at the long range
butts and, although tne association u yet but In
ITS infancy IL is gratifying TO know that at its
ranges some Or the best shooting record has al
ready been done When the Amateur Rine CLUB last
year accepted tine challenge OF The irish ride team
there were those among US who laughed az the
seeming presumption Of our young and then I'M
trained rldemen. Yet the indomitaole pluck, per-
severance and energy displayed alike by the Ma
uonll Rifle Association and the Amateur Rifle
CLUB enabled the American team 70 wrest victory
from their veteran adversaries In contest that
was honorable and crediable 10 both part les. The
American team won the international match last
year by the superiority Of q siogle point only, and
it was natural and Just that they should accede to
the wishes or their IrIsa friends In accepting Ma
ior LeecA's challenge Tor return international
match, which Il to take place at Dolymount, near
tne historic battle aeld oil Contarf az Dublin, on
tne 29tn OF June next.
Tne readers OF the HERALD have been duly an
prised or the invitation extended BY the joint
committee OF the National Rine Association and
the Amateur Rife CluD to ali rinemen IN the United
states, asking them 10 participate in the contest
mat was had FOR the purpose o. selecting ma
tional team; also n the progress Of that contest
and the results when terminated In brn ging 10
the front tue representative rihemen, whose per-
sonal sketches are given. me American team
or last year acquitted themselves admirably and
with 50 much honor TO the country that it must be
pleasure FOR lovers Of the sport TO know that the
same gentlemen with one exception ony--that or
Mr.. l.. 4. HepDurn-wiil this year, too, represent
rnk FIRST RIFLExgS
that have left shores, a nody, TO strive
for victory abroad, and the best wishes OF taelr
Fellow citizens follow them ACROSS the great deep.
the leave mere Gnosr nSerng auSpSes az
thing that can contribute 10 command success.
"A nOtaDic feature In this match, and one which
must not be lost sight OF, Is that American made
guns are 10 be pitted, in the hands OF Americans,
against the best rnes, aud perhaps the best rine-
guns and ammunition, American mechanical and
inventive genius, represented By the celebrated
Remington and other Creedmoor rides, leaves
nothing 10 be desired.
Tne following snort personal sketches or the
American national rife team Will be found inter-
estnQ 10 al, who desire to know some hing or the
history OF the marksmen who are about 20 again
20 through the severe ordeal Of an international
COLONEL HENRY ALGER GnDERsLRBvB. CAPTAIN OF
THIS TEAM.
Colonel Gdersleeve born In Dutchess
county, New York, on the LIST OF August, lo40, and
therefore In the thirty-nfn year " MS age. In
personal ap pearance ne Is what might De termed
nne looking NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., above the
medium height, muscular and athletic He 10 per-
haps one OF the beat gymnasts IN New YORK lie
- the possessor Of me brown eye ana Well-
formed mead; wears his halr short and cultlVatea
dark mustacne Ia pttftdtre. His lather was .
considerable landowner In Duchess county.
Ioung 0lldersleeVe left home In MS nlbeentn year
70 attend the Poughkeepsle College, and renamed
there tll july 1904. About this time pc recruited
q company for the one Hundred and tHtleth
New YORK Nolunteers, and went 10 the war with
ths fe9ment as captain OF his company. he
served IN garrison duty az Baltimore aud AZ
various posts near that city until June. 1858,
when captain Gidersleeves regiment got
orders 10 Join the Army OF the Potomac I'M
der General Meade, which was effected In time
ior Gllaersesye TO participate In the battle Of
gettysburg. After the army returned TO virginia,
IN July, 1888, he received special orders 20 pro-
coed on detachmAnt at Rlkeria Islann Nam Ynrk