Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-09-17

being attached to the commissary depart
ment. AS we passed through Fairfax
few small houses were ablaze, reported
to have been set on fire by the retreating
Confederates and to contain some sick
men, but the men were saved, it was said
at the time.
Centreville was our next camping
ground. Snpperless and tentless, the
men gathered their blankets about them,
and were lulled to sleep by a pretty
smart shower. During the days here
uniformed visitors from other regiments
were frequent and active, endeavoring to
induce the men to demand their dis
charge from the army, their term of
service, it was contended, having expired.
These were quickly informed that if they
did not make themselves scarce they
would be handed over to Gen. Sherman,
the brigade commander. This put stop
to the missionary work of organized dis
organizers, and the first Bull Run was
made possible. Gen. Mcdowell himself
pointed to the "Forward-March" of the
Sixty-ninth when New York battery
was demanding and receiving its dis
charge almost in the presence Of the
enemy.
The men of the Sixty-ninth who EN-
gagged in this effective action were all pri-
Yates. The only officer who had an init
nation of it was the chaplain, Father
O'Reilly. The men held that the Seven
ty-first Regiment might demand its dis
charge under the circumstances, and
that, if such action should be taken by
them and have its denouncers, the men
and their action were sure to have de-
tenders and apologists. But, should the
Sixty-ninth demand discharge under the
same circumstances-on the march to
battle, under a plea of expiration of term
of service - they would be branded as
towards and be held guilty of treason to
the country and its cause; that the native
land of most of them would cry "Shame"
These privates recognized that they might
be in the Sixty-ninth by the sentiment
of birthplace, yet they were in the United
States army by the obligation of citizen
ship and knowledge of their duty to
the Union. Neither Ireland nor Irish
men nor America nor Americans would
be disgraced or dishonored by them.
On the morning of that fateful Sunday
in July, 1861, when the Sixty-ninth was
lined up to support Ricketts, Battery,
which was to open the battle of Bull Run
or Manassas, Gen. Sherman walked along
the left of the regiment and asked for
volunteers to scout and scour a hanking
woods.
"Who volunteers" he said.
NJ do, ""I do, came the answer quick
ly from every throat, as the men stepped
forward.
"You are the men like to command, Z"
spoke out the General, and he detached
platoon or so for the work.
Again, as the day advanced and the
Sixty-ninth was ordered to new posi-
ton, it got there after a run of more
than half an hour in blazing sun, cross
ing Bull Run, which was waist deep,
with a regimental front, scurrying through
long grass of the swamp lands which
fringed the Run, and crowding up the
bank beyond by a narrow path which
scarcely admitted two men abreast, and
dead and wounded. Lieut. Col. Hagger-
ty was among the killed. Three volleys
silenced the enemy, who made rapid
retreat from in front of the Sixty-ninth.
In little while Gen. Mcdowell and
staff rode up The General was a de-
lighted and delightful looking person
just then. His countenance was radiant
in smiles and lighted up with the fire of.
victorious battle. Gesticulating with head
and hand, he said:
81 thank you, boys; you have won the
day for me-"
The General was loudly cheered, a pri-
vate remarking: 81 would hurrah more
if it was sundown-it can't be much after
2 o'clock" and he looked up the sun,
blazing high i'll the heavens.
The Stars and Stripes and the green
flag had been carried side by side in tri-
umph thus far throughout the day and
were now flying high together in the
fresh Southern breeze. Gen. Sherman
at this time had the green flag lowered
and put away, saying: "This is an Amer
lean battlefeld-there is but one Ameri-
can flag" The force of the Generals
remarks was appreciated, however much
regretted, and there was accomplishing
compliance. II was said at the time also
that the removal of the green flag was
due in part to the fact that it subjected
the regiment to the special attentions of
the Southern forces. 1t made con-
spicious mark. The Stars and Stripes
remained the inspiration for the further
work of the day.
The rattle of distant and approaching
infantry firing and occasional cannon
shots passing uncomfortably close over
head caused Ricketts, Battery to Timber
up and make off at a mad gallop to
better position and the Sixty-ninth to
fall in quickly. Such of the men as
heard the private's remarks, following
Gen. McDowell's announcement of VIC
tory, were at once of opinion that sun
down was safer time to hurrah for the