The National tribune., 1888-07-19
MEAGHER,S MEN.
The Famous Irish Brigade at the Gettysburg
Keuuiou


The Famous Irish Brigade at the Gettysburg
Reunion.
Among the many interesting events which
tTanspired upon the ever memorable field of
Gettysburg during the recent Reunion of
the veterans of both armies, Union and Con-
federate, none attracted more attention than
did the memorial ceremonies on July 2, 1853,
of the survivors of the famous Irish Bril-
gade in defeating and presenting to the
Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Assoeia-
ton, on behalf of the State of New York, a
monument erected to the memory Of the New
York commands Of the brigade who fought on
many holly contested fields for the pTeserva-
tion of the Union and in the cause of uniyer-
sal liberty.
The brigade, in their special train, arrived at
the depot q little after o'clock D. IN. on the
evening of the lst Sunday Quarters for the
entire command had been previously engaged,
and the efficient staff of the brigade made the
men as comfortable as possible. A great many
people had assembled at the depot to get a
glimpse at the remnant of surviving veterans of
Meagher's InVincibles. Col. NJ. E. Urell, of the
ID Regiment, National Guard, District Of Co.
luHbia, recognized many an old cOmrade,
among them his friend. Lieut.. Dennis Sulli-
yan, QuaTterm2ster OF the Add Regiment dur
ing the war, and now Vice-Presdent of the
Veteran Association of the Irish Brigade. Col.
Urell had come from Washington with Capt.
Harrison's Union Veteran Corps list company },
which he commanded for several years in
fact, he was the organizer of this splendid body
Of men, composed as il is Of veterans of all arms
OF the service and Of the navy. The other Off
GERS are First Lieut.. Frederick A. Thompson
and Second Lieut.. Williams. This command
had with it the famous drum corps of Kit Car
son Post No. ,, Department OF the Potomac.
Seeing that the Irish Brigade had with them
no uniformed body of armed militia, Col. Urell,
IN the name of Capt. Harrison, rendered the
services Of his command in escorting the bTi-
gade en- route TO the monument. This offer
was cordially accepted by Comrade Sullivan, in
the name Of the brigade and arrangements
were accordingly made. Early on the morn
ing Of the ID the corps marched from their
camp near CHIPS Hill, and met the brigade at
the Church of st. Francis Xavier In the town
Of Gettysburg, where high mass was being cele-
brated, the entire brigade being in attendance
at the sanctuary. Upon entering the sacred
precincts where the solemn and impressive
services were progressing, a grand and beauti-
full spectacle met the eye. Here the survivors
of THAT famous phalaux so often led 20 victory
by the chivairic Thomas Francis Meagher, on
Bonded knees, with battle-torn standards in
hand, were engaged IN solemn prayer. The
yestments Of the clergy and their attendants,
blended with the seni-military habilments of
the brigade, the chanting Of the Reverend
Fathers the singing Of the splendid choir,
augmented By celebrated musicians brought
from New York for this occasion, made the
sight one never TO be forgotten. Never was
sOlemuity more solemn nor imprcssiyeness
more impressive. True to their God and to
their adopted country, these noble sons of a IA
nous race were here assembled in devoted wor-
snip 70 the God Of battles, Offering thanksgiY-
ing To Him who had spared the lives of but few
Of the many who had fought Tor the prescrva-
60 d. III 4 I r
sal liberty, aud VINO had carried the National
emblem side by side with the green flag, facing
unilinchingly the slaughter and carnage Of
scores OF CORY fields.
The service at the church having been con-
cludcd, the brigade was formed, the escort of
| Washington veterans wheeled into liue, and
the entire command proceeded by the Mum
masburg road to the point Of dedication.
| While en- route to the monument several dis
tinguished officers Of the late war, among whom
may be mentioned Gems. Augur. Carr aud
Hunt, passed along the road, and their prox-
Unity to the command being made known, the
brigade saluted them in good aud ancient style
Upon arrival at the monument, which stands
exactly in the center Of the ground occupied
by the brigade p years ago.
The program, which was quite extensive
consisted Of religious services, ala address By
the Chairman, Gen. Augent songs by distin-
| guisbed artists; Grafton by Gen. Burke; poems
( by William Collins and William Geoghegan
/ presentation Of monument to the Gettysburg
! Monument Association By Col. Brady; response
/ by Gettysburg Monument Association; bene.
/ diction.
The Grafton by Brig.-Gen. Denis F. Burke
! U. ). V, was masterpiece Of It's kind, and IL
/ II a complete history of the famous Irish Bri
! gade was given. The General in feeling terms
which brought tears TO many eyes, referred L
/ the gallant services Of the two Chaplains Of the
! brigade, the Very Rev. VIM. Corby, G. S. G.
4 and Rev. Thos. Outlet S. J., who were present
/ at the ceremonies Of dedication. The musi
/ clans, Mrs. Florence Rice Knox, Miss Rita Z
| Bronson and Prof Edward Maloney, with organ
accompaniment sang beautifully Gems
| ROb't hugent and Jas. D. Brady, and othe
/ famous soldiers Of that Spartan band of Irisl
I heroes, were present, and made appropriate an'
/ feeling remarks. Gen. Brady brought Will
him from his home in Petersburg Va, the frs
/ flag presented to the 63d Regiment Irish Bri
gade, by the ladies of New York. This is
beautiful green silk flag, with the names 0
battles IN which the gallant sd participated
/ beautifully embroidered on it, the harp Thereon
being still in good state of preservation
After the ceremonies of dedication some splen
did groups Of surviving officers of the brigade
and other participants, were taken at the monu
ment 10y the photographer engaged for tina
purpose
The monument, which is one Of the fines
and most costly of the many erected on tn
battlefield has been heretofore described, an
views Of the same extensively published, henc
no further description is necessary.