The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-03-17
THEDAY In THEARMY
HOW THE IRISH BRIGADE cELEBRAT
EDIT IN 1868.

~----N1S
ST. Patrick's day, 1868, was celebrat-
cd in our camp on the Rappahannock
with the usual gayety and rejoicing by
the few and fearless men composing the
Irish brigade Vast preparations had
been made, race course marked out,
and on every side, written in large, bold
characters, could be seen the announce
meDt:
! GRAND IRISH BRIGADE STEEPLECHASE,
To come off the 18th Of March, rain or shine,
by horses the property of and to be ridden by
commissioned officers of that brigade Inc
prizes are purse of $500; second horse to save
his stakes 2h mile heat, best two in three,
over four hurdles AZ feet high and five ditch
fences, including two artificial rivers Is feet
wide and 8 deep; hurdles to be made of forest
pine and braced with hoops.
The brigade quartermaster brought
from Washington for the banquet that
was to follow the race the following
moderate supply: Thirty five hams and
a side of an OK, roasted; an entire pig,
stuffed with boiled turkeys; an unlim-
4 tied number of chickens, ducks and
small game. The drinking materials
comprised baskets of champagne, 10
gallons of rum and 90 of whisky. A
! splendid bower was erected, capable of
containing some hundreds of persons,
for general invitation was issued to
all the officers of the Army of the Poto-
mac.
The evening previous to the races
committee was held on punch as TO who
was the best qualified to mix that i'm
portant compound. It was unanimously
agreed that the general and staff We're
the best judges, and therefore the most
proper to undertake it. ItFas ruled that
the matter be left entirely in their
hands,
The morning commenced with reli-
gious ceremonies, after which the differ
emit riders proceeded to dress themselves.
The dresses were snowy, but some rath-
er incongruous. One officer appeared
mounted in scarlet, the top of his head
crowned with a green smoking cap, the
present of his ladylove. The reason he
assigned for this peculiar taste was he
was from Galway and his family had
hunted with the Galway Blazers club
and dressed similarly. At II o'clock
the grand stand was crowded with gen.
erals, officers and about dozen ladies.
A concourse of at least 10, 600 had as
sembled to participate in the fun. Pre-
vious to the starting the course was the
object of attraction for spectators. Large
crowds of soldiers were congregated in
the vicinity of the interesting points,
which seemed to be, in their estima-
ton, where the leaps were highest and
bitches deepest. The nature of the
ground was favorable--a gently rolling
stretch of land, over which the course
ran mile and three-quarters in length
and at points about equal distance
/ from each other eight leaps had been
( erected or excavated. From the ground
whereon the stand was and where the
/ flags marking the track waved the hills,
here and there crested with a growth of
oak or cedar, sloped away toward the
Rappahannock, beyond which could be
seen the camp of Lees army. The bluest
Of the blue skies looked down on the
gayly dressed and eager crowds, on the
iashing hcrsemen, whose steeds pranced
| by the side of others on which were rid
ing gay and brilliant women, on the
I 1uiet hills, the peaceful river, the two
/ hostile armies.
The start was named for ii O'Clock.
Ten minutes before that hour the COM
mander in chief of the Army of the Po-
4 tomac Major General Hooker, attended
1 by all the members Of his staff, arrived
on the ground On the appearance of
the commander in chief he was greeted
with warm cheers, which he gracefully
acknowledged as he took his place ON
the grand stand.
Naturally the ladies added much by,
their vivacity and their picturesque cos
tunes, by their brilliancy and witchery,
/ TO the entertainments and amusements
IF the day. Fortunate citizens, dwelling
IN their quiet homes and having before
their eyes every hour of the day grace
full and lovely women, can have no idea
Of the chiyalrous emotions which swell
the heart of even the toughest soldier,
seeing ON rude camp covered hills the
| figures, the fair faces, which, it may
be, have not been looked on in these re-
gions and by these men for many, many
months. If the reader has any concep
tion of these things, he can then easily
imagine with what deep yet subdued
gladness the ladies were greeted by all.
When an opportunity offered, in
recognition of the hospitable greeting
accorded him, General Hooker proposed
three cheers for General Meagher and
his Irish brigade, God bless them!'
The following horses only, out of large
number entered for the first race, open to off
GERS of the Irish brigade, started:
General Meagher's gray horse Jack Hinton;
rider, Captain John Gosson; dress, crimson
! Jacket, sleeves breeches and white cap.
! Captain Hogan bay mare Napper Tandy
rider, Lieutenant Ryder; dress, blue Jacket,
white breeches, green cap.
Captain Martins bay mare Kathleen Ma
| vourneen rider, Captain Martin; solferino
Jacket, white breeehes, maroon cap
Captain Langdons black horse Niger Bill
rider, Lieutenant Byron; plaid jacket, white
oreeches. pink cap.
Quartermaster McCormick's bay horse
5harpsburg; rider, Lieutenant OConner; red
Jacket, white breeches, blue cap.
Major Mullholland's chestnut horse Major
rider Ouartermaster Wade: blue Jacket. white