Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-21
THE RETURN OF THE JAsPERs.
Intereating Description OF the Trip
TO CkarIestOn-Graphi Account OF
the PIeasures-Kloquent Address
from General n. r. Jackson.

The Irish Jasper Greens returned from
their trip 70 Charleston Saturday, thoroughly
delighted with their experiences. A brief
account OF their visit has already been given
in the News, but as many pleasant little In
cideuts were not known at the time, we
present this morning connected account Of
their arrival In Charleston and entertain
ment whilst there by the hosPitable soldiery
Of that city. The speech of Gen. Henry K.
jackson, Of which bare synopsis only was
given in the Charleston papers, was such an
eloquent effort, and the desire being gen.
eral to see 1t in full, we have the pleasure
Of giving it also. Our special correspondent
says:
Among the many pleasant incidents that
have occurred in the history OF the Irish
Jasper Greens, none will be longer or more
pleasantly remembered than their visit to
Charleston. Never before have they been
more Hospitality entertained than by the
Montgomery Guards and the citizens of
Charleston generally.
The heavy rain under which the company
left at 3:l5 p. N. Wednesday, was no index
as to the manner In which the journey was
made. the entire trip was passed in jollity
and merriment, and without an unpleasant
incident.
The company was met on its arrival In
Charleston by the Montgomery Guards, its
hosts, the Irish Volunteers, Irish Rifles, the
Sumter Guards aud Carolina Rife Battalion,
who, despite the inclement weather, turned
out in large numbers to greet the visitors.
This tribute to the military Of Savannah
should be remembered, and a. some future
time daily reciprocated. The Jaspers were
escorted to the armory of the Montgomery
Guards, where collation. was spread.
Captain j. 4. Redding, the whole souled,
genial and patriotic commander of the
Montgomery Guards, in g few, eloquent
remarks, welcomed the Jaspers to Charles
ton, and referring to the fact of the
Montgomery two visits to Savannah as
the guests OF the Jaspers, said that the long
for day had arrived; the Jaspers
were happy. He then extended welcome,
thrice hearty welcome, to the Jaspers.
Captain Flannery responded briefly, and
called on Private P. ]. O'Connor to reply in
behalf of the company, which he did elo-
quently. His remarks were received with
applause, and made him at once the most
popular member Of the corps.
After the collation, the Jaspers proceeded
to the Pavilion Hotel, and soon were
wrapped in the arms of Morpheus.
ST. PATRICK's DAY.
Early in the morning the Jaspers were
out, refreshed by their evenings rest. 1t
was soon learned, with regret, that their
gallant commander was confined to his room
by illness.
The unpropitious weather of the day pre-
vious continued, and in heavy rain the
company, under the command of Lieut.
James McGrath, marched TO the armory of
the Montgomery Guards. where one
of the most pleasant and unex-
pected incidents OF the trip oc
CURED. Capt. Redding, In behalf Of the
Montgomery Guards, presented the Jaspers
with a massive and beautiful gold medal.
The medal is formed OF heavy gold cross
rifles on a green badge, adorned with a min
iature Irish harp, with gold badge attached
bearing this inscriptions
MONTGOMERY GUARDS, CHARLESTON, 8. c.,
IRISH JASPER GREENS, SAVANNAH,
Charleston, s. c., March II, 1881.
On the reverse the words:
"Target of Honor"
The medal was received by Private j. A..
O'Byrne in a few appropriate and happy re-
81.
MES were marched to the Citadel Green,
where were already assembled the Irish
Volunteers, the Irish Rifles and the several
civic societies. The arrival of the Jaspers
was greeted by the firing OF fifteen guns by
the Lafayette Artillery, who were all out In
uniform. 4 very heavy shower Of rain com
ing up, the armory of the Sumter Guards
was kindly placed at the disposal OF the
military, who sought shelter. Here another
surprise was IN store for the Jaspers.
Captain D. F. McCabe, Of the Irish Vol
unteers, presented the Greens with another
magnificent gold medal. Captain McCabe,
in presenting the medal, stated that 1t was
with great pleasure that the Volunteers had
heard of the coming of the Jas
pers, and it was with regret that
the pleasure was deprived them
by the action of the Montgomerys in
arranging entertainments for their entire
stay, asserting that they, the |. VS., had re-
membered their visit to Savannah as the
guests of the Jasper Greens. 1t was only
left them to present this souvenir, and to
assure the Jaspers that the Volunteers well
coined them to Charleston.
On this gold medal was engraved the coats
of arms of the States of Georgia and South
Carolina, with an Irish harp in the centre,
on which is inscribed the motto "Ctdd MILE
FdLthe." On the badge supporting the
medal, which is surmounted with crossed
rifles pendant to a leaf of shamrock, is a
fac smile of the Jasper Monument on South
Battery, with the words, Don't let US fight
bears the inscription, "Irish Jasper Greens
of Savannah, from the Irish Volunteers OF
Charleston, March II, 1881"
Lieut.. McGrath, In accepting the medal,
made very happy little speech. The rain
ceasing the line was reformed and proceed
ed to the Cathedral where Pontifcal High
Mass was celebrated. Right Rev. Bishop
Lynch preached very eloquent panegyric
upon St. Patrick. After mass the Jaspers
and Montgomerys marched to the armorY OF
the latter and were dismissed, the proposed
excursion being postponed until next morn
ing. The remainder of the afternoon
was devoted to sightseeing. Many
of the Jaspers visited Hibernian Park,
a very beautiful resort, a short dis
lance from the city, where the Irish
Volunteers were having shooting contest.
Here, as well rs everywhere in Charleston,
the Jaspers were enthusiastically received.
AT THE BANQUET.
At SIX o'clock In the afternoon, the JAS
pers again surrendered themselves to the
tender mercits OF their hosts. Military
Hall, where was spread the banquet, is the
largest hall In Charleston. 1t is an impos-
ing building, devoted entirely to military
purposes. On the occasion of the visit
ton In '76 this building was In
the hands of the colored military
of Charleston. Lately It has reverted to
the Fourth Brigade South Carolina Volun-
teers, and is now its headquarters. The
interior OF the hall was very beautifully
decorated Festoons and wreaths of flow
ers, moss and evergreens were hung by the
deft hands Of some Of Charleston's fair la
dies, and It's appropriate here to state that
a great deal of the enjoyment of the trip
was due to the ladies. Their beauty and en-
chanting smiles have made impressions on
the hearts Of some OF the young members OF
the Jaspers that neither distance will dim
or time efface.
We feel that we have neither time nor
qpaee to do justice to the decorations Of the
hall, and win merely mention few of the
principal features. At the head Of the table
and immediately to the rear of Capt. BEDDING
was suspended a gas jet, which blazoned
forth the name of "Jasper.n The entire
hall presented picturesque scene, and re-
iected credit on the taste OF the parties who
decorated it.
Among the many distinguished gentle
Col. @. L. Walker, ex-Capt. A. G. Magrath,
Jr., of the Montgomery Guards, Col. e..
Lamb Buist, and many others whose names
we were unable to ascertain.
As all were seated, Gen. II. r. jackson
appeared In the hall In the uniform OF the
Jasper Greens, and was greeted with tumul-
tuous applause. After the suostantials
were disposed of and the wine began to flow,
Captain ]. f. Redding announced the
first regular toast, and so the order OF toasts
as published in Friday mornings NEWS,
Id ho