Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-03-17
THEDAYIN THEARMY
HOW THE IRISH BRIGADE CELEBRAT-
ED 1T IN 1868.

49, "eAASh uayi lOOci Wds CClSDIuJ-
ed 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, a race course marked out
and on every side, written in large, bold
characters, could be seen the announce
ment:
GRAND IRISH BRIGAHE STEEPLECBASE,
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 The
prizes are purse of $500; second horse to save
his stakes; 21a mile heat best two in three,
over four hurdles ~ feet high and five ditch
fences, including two artificial rivers 15 feet
wide and 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
side of an OK, roasted; an entire pig,
stuffed with boiled turkeys; an unlim-
tied number of chickens, ducks and
small game. The drinking materials
comprised s baskets of champagne, 10
gallons of rum and 22 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 q
committee was held on punch as TO who
was the best qualified to mix that i'm
portant compound. 1t was unanimously
agreed that the general and staff were
the best judges, and therefore the most
proper to undertake it. 1t was ruled that
the matter be left entirely in their
hands.
The morning commenced with reli-
gious ceremonies, after which the differ
ent riders proceeded to dress themselves.
The dresses were snowy, but some rath-
er incongruous. One officer appeared
mounted i'll scarlet, the top of his head
crowned with 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 Redies.
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 growth of
oak or cedar, sloped away toward the
Rappahannock, beyond which could be
seen the camp of Lees army. The bluest
If the blue skies looked down on the
gayly dressed and eager crowds, on the
dashing horsemen, whose steeds pranced
by the side of others on which We're rid
ing gay and brilliant women, on the
luiet 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-
tomao, Major General Hooker attended
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
Of 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 a 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, brooches and white cap.
Captain Hogan's bay mare Napper Tandy;
rider, Lieutenant Ryder; dress, blue jacket,
white breeches, green cap.
Captain Martins bay mare Kathleen Ma
rourneen; rider, Captain Martin; solferino
hcket, white breeches maroon cap.
Captain Langdon's black horse Niger Bill;
rider, Lieutenant Byron; plaid jacket, white
breeches, pink cap.
Quartermaster McCormict's bay horse
Sharpsburg; rider, Lieutenant O'Conner red
jacket, white breeches, blue cap.
Major Mullholland's chestnut horse Maior;
i ~ NITI -