The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-09-30

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at BanquSt
CHICAGO hlF.oeeaa,
II was present not long ago." said the
Colonel, "at banquet where an old
army officer Of English antecedents was
on the programme to speak to the sentl-
ment, The Irish in the Union Army
courageous and loyal Americans, they
were as true as the truest, as brave as
the brsVest.' This puzzled me greatly.
Why should an American OF English
descent be called upon 70 compliment
the Irish.Americansi Ibid not under
stand the situation until my friend, one
OF the hard fighters Of the war, arose 70
speak. His speech was simply little
story, and yet It stirred me as few
speeches ever did.
my friend OF English anteCedents sat
near the centre OF a long table, Almost
opposite him sat stoutly'built man who
would have been handsome butfoF the
fact that his eyes were slghtless. This
blind man received little attention ex.
cept from the men who sat on either
side OF him, both OF whom were Irlsh-
men and strangers TO the majority OF the
guests, When the toast was read, speak
ing In such enthusiastic terms OF the
Irish soldiers OF the war their faces
flushed, and they sat erect, looking
straight across at the man who was to
respond.
"My first surprise was In the manner
OF the speaker. knew him TO be one
OF the coolest and most unexcitable OF
men, but as he rose to his feet saw that
no was controlled by strong emotion.
He stood for a minute looking down the
line at the table, as II studying the
thoughts OF every man present. Then
he began In o quiet tone, saying that
when this toast was assigned to him he
was puzzled to know why he should be
selected above all others TO speak Of
Irish courage In the Union army.
"He said rs much 10 his wife, but, as
he said 1t, there came 10 bis mind an In.
cident OF his army lie that made the
whole matter clear TO him. Then he
proceeded To relate the story Of his or.
perienco at the turning point OF one Of
the herCest battles Of tho war. In the
midst OF a hsld,to.hand contest, where
everything depended on everynan do.
ing bis best, he received o blow that
sent him headlong to the ground. When
be regained consciousness no realized
that a terrific struggle was being fought
TO the death above him.
"The first objects to catch the eye were
two sturdy legs in blue-the legs OF some
one standing astride Of him. The owner
OF tho legs seemed 10 be bending this
way and that 10 shield hoprostrate OIL.
Ger from blows that were falling on his
own devoted head. The fight was over
the flag, which was torn into fragments
as the men struck and cut each other in
the fury OF their wild excitement, but
happen what might the one man stand
ing astride tho captain never moved bis
feet. The captain did not know who
this stout defender was until, In answer
to q demand to surrender, there came In
Irish brogue, To Halifax wild you'll
"He realized then that Pat Mcbride
was fighting against odds for the flag and
his captain. He realized, too, as blood
came dropping down In bis face, that
Pat was sorely wounded. He knew this
when In few minutes he was dragged
out from the heap Of wounded and saw
Pat fall down from loss Of blood. They
found wadded into Pats blouse that part
Of the Asg containing the stars, and Pats
only remark as they strove to revive
him was, BE gorra, saved the stars,
alas, that he could never see again.
"1his was in brief the story, but II
was told by a man who felt every word,
and was told so dramatically that at It's
close nearly every man at the table was
standing on his feet. AS the speaker
went on to pay his respects 10 the man
who had saved his life, and pictured
him as the ideal Of soldierly courage aud
loyalty, the blind man opposite stood
like one entranced, and as the speaker
closed, he plunged across the table, reck.
less OF glass and china, and with howl
OF EMULATION threw his arms about his
old captain.
1.-THE scene that followed Is simply in.
descrlbable. The story called out all the
noisy demonstrativeness Of the Irish ma.
ture. The speaker was overwhelmed
with congratulations and thanks. Lis.
tening 10 what was said, TO other stories
that this one called out, ] understood
why an officer Of English anteeendents
had been selected 10 speak Of the cour.
age and spirit Of the men Of Irish de-
scent in the Union army"