Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-10
AN IRISH VEST.

The Historical Curiosity NOE seen at tn e
MercU Hospital Far tn Market Hail.
Sketch OF hugh O;Neu, Earl of Tyrone.
The beautiful satin vest, nearly three
centuries old, which the Mother Superior
Of Mercy hospital lately received from a
friend in Ireland, can now be seen at the
table of the Immaculate Conception par
tsh in Market hall. 1t was worn by George,
the son of Prince Hugh O'Neil, earl IF
Tyrone, baron of Dungannon, and captain
general of the Irish army during the reign
of Queen Elizabeth. The valiant deeds
performed by the O'Neil in the cause of
native land form one of the most interest
ing chapters of Irish history. He meas
ured swords with some of England's best
generals and vanquished them. He had
spent seven years in organizing his forces
and when we'll armed and equipped he de-
clared open warfare against Elizabeth and
renowned the title of earl, which she had
bestowed upon him. Marshal Bugnal,
with a large army, was sent to put down
O'Neil, but the latter met him at the yell
low Ford and completely routed his army,
killing Bugnal with twenty-four of his
chief officers and 1000 men.
Ths remainder of the British force was
put to flight, leaving considerable spoils
on the field, including $4,000 pieces of
gold, their warlike stores. all their arms,
all their artillery and provisions of every
kind, the victory costing O'Neil only 200
men killed and 600 disabled.
Elizabeth then sent against him her
favorite, the Earl of Essex, who had given
evidence of military genius by his achieve
ments in battle, but he also completely
failed of conquering The Irish rebel. Es-
sex wrote to her majesty in
palliation of his inability to suppress
the Irish instruction the following
memorable words, which are as true to-day
as they were when written: "The Irish are
stronger, and handle their arms with more
skill, than our people. They are obstinate
ly opposed to the English government;
they endeavor to shake off the yoke, and
would etface every vestige Of it. The
queen then set price upou ONeiI's head,
and Essex was recalled and shortly after
lost his head upon the block through the
Vaccinations OF his enemies, who charged,
among other things, that his mission to
Ireland had proved an utter failure. re-
ward of two thousand pounds sterling was
offered to any one who would deliver
up alive the body of the O'Neil.
and half the amount was offered for his
cunning head He was too willy and power
ful foe to be apprehended and so good
Queen Bess" offered him and his allies a
general amnesty with the free exercise of
their religion and the peaceful enjoyment
of their estates provided they would lay
down their arms. This they did and
thus ended the military career of the re-
noWned Irish soldier. The Queen,
however, did not long survive
the honorable surrender of O'Nell;
his continual and successful warfare
and the loss of Essex, whom she loved, if
the "Virgin Queen" had been susceptible
to the gentle passion, FASTENED her death
During the succeeding reign the ONeips
with several others of the Irish nobility,
few to the continent, the event being
known in history as "The flight of the
Earls.'
There are other dis inguished warriors
among the O'Neirs such as Shane 0'Neil,
the victor of Benburb, whom Napoleon
pronounced the greatest general in Europe
because of his plan of that battle.
Enough has been said to show
that the vest now on exhibition in
tbs fair belonged to no ordinary man, and
this necessarily brief sketch has been
hurriedly dashed off for the information
of those who visit Market hall this week
for the purpose of aiding the good Sisters
of Mercy to pay off the debt of $4,000
which hangs over the institution they con-
duct in S outh Minneapolis.