The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-30
SPLENDID DISPLAY OF BRAVERY.

Clle etiTtH, lIlcluQlnS Cnelr OWN
SPLENDID DISPLAY OF BRAVERY.
The Irish Standard is extremely
proud Of the grand record made
by the Kellys and Burkes and
Sheas'' in the American army and
navN during the present conflict with
Spain. Unlike the foreign horde that
stigmatized them as the "Popes Irish,"
it cannot be said of them that they are
'lnvincible in peace and invisible in
war" Men of the fighting race have
been conspicuous for their salantry in
every battle ON sea and land in the
Spanish-AmeriCan war, as we'll as in the
battles of the revolution and the war of
1912. of the Mexican war and the late re-
bellon. An imperishable roster of men
with Irish names appears in the Ameri-
can annals, and in every engagement OF
the present war where daring deeds were
are to the fore. 1t is unnecessary to give
list Of them as they are easily recalled.
The lrish-Americans fighting under
The stars and stripes against Spain
would prefer to use their rifles and to
draw their swords against their heredi-
tary enemy, which has prosecuted their
race for seven long centuries. They can
not forget that in the days Of the
ONeills, when their forefathers were
trying to eXpel the English invaders
from the Irish shore, the Spaniards came
to their assistance. When it was treason
for a priest to be found in Ireland, and
price was set on his head, Spain afforded
him refuge. When their sires were de-
prived of education by British law, they
found it in Spain, where they attended
school and reached the highest positions
in the country. The brave Patricio Mon
tejo, the Spanish admiral crushed by
Dewey in Manila bay is the descendant
OF an illllstrious Irish exile, who found
home from English oppression in hos
ptable Spain. Recalling these historical
facts. the IrishAmericans in our army
and navy, fighting for Cuban independ-
ence, must lament that the foe is not
England instead Of Spain. Perhaps, in
the course of human events, they may
have an opportunity of settling accounts
with England. Capt Drum, who was
killed at Santiago. remembered the per-
tidy OF England, and almost with his last
breath uttered Il protest against an Ang-
glo-American alliance
To give a sample of Irish galantry in
the present war, we reproduce the fol-
lowing account of the naval battle of
July 3 by Capt Paul st. Clair Murphy,
of the Brooklyn, as he told it to corre-
spondent of the Associated Press:
When all did their duty manfully, it
is a difficult matter to select individuals
for special mention. There are some,
however, who deserve to be brought to
notice by name for conduct that dis
played in a conspicuous manner courage,
intelligence and devotion to duty Dur
ing the early part of the action a car
board forward six-pounder, and in the
effort to withdraw it the case became de-
tached from the projectile, leaving the
latter fast in the bore and impossible
to extract from the rear.
Corporal Robert Gray. of the port
gun, asked and obtained permission to
attempt to drive out the she'll by means
of the rammer. TO do this it was neces-
sary to go out on the gun. hanging over
the water, and the undertaking was full
OF difficulties and danger the latter due
in great measure to the blast of the
cight-nch turrct guns firing overhead.
The gun was hot. and it was necessary to
cling to the Jacob ladder" with one
hand while endeavoring with the ether
to manipulate the long hammer.
After brave effort he was forced to
give up and was ordered in. Quarter
gunner Smith then came sent by Exec
utivc Officer Mason. and promptly placed
himself in the dangerous position out
side the gun port where he worked and
failed, as the corporal had done. Neither
had been able to get tho rammer into
the bore, and there seemed nothing left
to do but dsmount it.
AT this jlncture Private McNeal. one
of the gun crew, volunteered to go out
and make a final effort. The gun was
so important. the starboal1l battery being
engaged. that as fororn hope he was
permitted to make the attempt. He
pushed out boldly and set to work. The
guns OF the forward eight-inch turret
were firing. almost knocking him over
board. and the enemys shot were COM
ing with frequency into his immediate
neighborhood. 1t was at this time that
the chief yeoman was killed on the other
side Of the deck. McNcal never paused
in his work. The rammer was finally
placed in the bore and the shell elected,
and McNeal resumed his duties as coolly'
as If he had done Il matter of everyday
routine.
THE non-commissiCned officer. First
Sergt. Manning. Sergts. Bristow. Mon
tair. Ingalls, and McDevitt. and Ccrporals
Dittmeyer. Doyle and Gray. showed en-