Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-15
TIE LYTERN17 1ONAL RIFLE MATCH.

TIE INTERIM T1ONAL RIFLE MATCH.
The steamer City Of Chester, which sailed from
New York on Saturday the 9Th inst, took out the
American rife team, which is to meet the Irish
team in friendly contest at Dublin in about a
month. The match at Creedmoor last year was
close and exciting, and the result was victory
for the Americans by score Of 934 out Of a pos
sbe 1880 points. The score Of the Irish team was
only three points less; and on the day following
the match the captain Of the team addressed a let
ter to the American press returning his acknowl-
edgements for the courteous treatment he had re-
ceived, and conveying TO American rifemcn an
invitation TO a return match at Dublin ia 1870.
The invitation was promptly accepted in the
friendly spirit in which it was offered, by the
President of the Amateur Rifle Club; and prep1-
ratons were soon after commenced for selecting a
representative teen and securing the funds neces-
sary for ammunition and the expenses of the jour
ney. A very handsome sum was subscribed for
these purposes; and fifteen narksmen entered for
the -four competitions which were arranged TO de-
eide on the American representatives.
The team as finally selected comprises five men
who were ia the team Of 1874, and four new ones.
The former are Henry Fulton, john Bodine, Hen
Iy A. Gilderslecyc, Thomas 5. Dakin and George
W. Yale; and the latter are Roswell c. Coleman,
Ardon V. Garfield Jr., Leslie c. Bruce and l..
NJ. Ballard. Major Fulton served in the army
with the Dist New York Cavalry, and spent sever
al months in LIBBY Prison in 1864. After the
close of the war he, with his regiment, was dis
patched to Colorado to fight the Indians. He has
haan I'D To In pdp a rifle from boy hOn1
In 1873 he recorded the highest score ever made
on the range up to that time-nineteen out of a
possible twenty points. In the international con-
test last year his was the best score-l7l out of
possible $50 points. He uses Remington ride.
and IN shooting lies on his back, resting his gun
on the formed by crossing the legs. Col. Hen
nv A. Gildersleeve, the captain of the team,
served in the army with the l50th Regiment Of
New York Volunteers, and gained honorable dis
tinction in Sherman's command on the march to
the sea. He has had good experience with the
rifle, adopts Major Futon's position, and in the
contest last year scored l55 out of a possible 1S0
Col. John Bodine has had over thirty years con-
slant experience in rife shooting, and his score
was l5S last year. 1t was his final shot which
gave the victory to the American team. George
w. Yale is Superintendent of the Sharpe Rifle
Company, and uses that rifle. His score was l57
last year. Gen. Thomas S. Dakn served with
distinction in the army, and Is now Major General
of the Second Division of the National Guard. He
is scientific marksman, though he has not had
much practice at long range. His best score is
Isl out of 1870. Roswell c. Coleman has had no
experience previous to this year, but has scored
as high as las, and is President of newly organ
lied rifle club at Albany. Ardon V. Garfield, Jr.,
is another amateur, and his best thus far is
l39. Leslie e. Bruce is one of the proprietors of
Turf, Field and Farm. He has made handsome
scores n short range, but has not had much expe-
rience in long grange. l.. NJ. Ballard, the last man
in the team, has had some short range practice.
All the members of the team are New Workers,
and with two exceptions all are natives of that
State.
The New York Times, which publishes these
and other interesting particulars concerning the
members of the team, gives also the conditions of
the contest, which are essentially the same as
those of the match last year. 1t is stipulated that
the American team is to be composed exclusively
of rilemen born in the United States, and their
rifles are to be of bona tde American manufac-
ture The Irish team is to consist of men quail
fed to shoot in the Irish eight at Wimbledon, and
their rifles are to be of Irish manufacture. Each
team is to consist of not more than eight nor less
than six men. at the option of the Americans; the
ranges are eight, nine and ten hundred yards and
the number of shots fifteen at each range by each
competitor, bulls eyes counting four points, CEN
tres three and cutters two.
A great deal of interest is felt throughput Great
Britain in the approaching contest, and the Amer
lean team are sure of cordial and hospiable re-
ception. Whether they are successful in retain
ing the honors which were SO closely won last
wear or not, the affair promises to be very pleas
ant and the members of the American team carry
with them the good wishes of host of friends.