The National tribune., 1901-07-25


| That splendid array of men in all the
glorious paraphernalia of war, firm, self
reliant and cheerful, struck US with ad-
| miration. We thought no longer of the
fugitives: we harbored no more pictures
of despair; and as we gazed upon our
green flag, side by side with the starry
banner-the sVnburst and the eagle-we
| felt that victory would crown the Nations
arms and shed her glory upon the 9th
The result of the battle Of Bull Run did
not in the least affect the spirits of our
regiment. Send us against them, and
well turn the tide; we'd whip them to
submission, If only half supported were
the remarks they made; and they per-
formed their duties with the same alac-
rity and cheerfulness as if the battle of
Bull Run had never been fought.
The Nation rapidly recovered from the
effects of that disastrous battle, and made
immediate preparations for strengthening
the defenses Of the Capital, which caused
the 9Th again to receive marching orders,
which came on the morning Of July %.
AT an early hour tents were struck, bag
gage wagons loaded, and the regiment On
the road. We marched through Wash
iEgton late in the afternoon, crossed the
Potomac, and moved directly to that part
of Arlington known as the Lee estate"
which then belonged to the Commander
in-Chief of the Confederate forces. Night
came on as we continued our march; and
as we moved along the roads through the
woods our progress was hailed with loud
cheers from regiments encamped on our
line of march and immense bonfires had
been prepared for our reception, as the
fame of the Irish 9th had preceded US.
These fires extended along the whole
route to Arlington, some being in dense
woods, only visible through one grand
opening where the regiments were eu
camped, and presented spectacle mos
sublime. The forms Of men reflected
in the red light Of the fires, the clash and
glitter of arms, the loud shouts Of well
come and every conceivable expression of
enthusiasm, made the scene alike grand
and affecting. The route to Arlington was
one grand ovation; and as we left the
gallant regiment behind, we could hear,
floating upon the night wind, the ghostly
echo Of Three cheers for the Ninth"
Our men were delighted and surprised,
proud to know that thus early their mer-
its as Irishmen and gallant soldiers were
recognized. As they marched along their
tread became more determined; their col
umns seemed more compact, and satsfac-
ton gle Imcd on every countenance.
At a late hour we halted in a wood
at the rear Of Arlington House Uee's
mansi0nl, where, fires being lighted, we
made a hasty supper, and, spreading our
blankets, soon in sleep forgot the fatigue.
of the day.
We awoke from the enjoyment of a
most comfortable nights sleep to behold
the sun glimmering in through the inter
stices Of the trees, and to hear the birds
chirping their morning melodies from the
branches above our heads. 1t was early
morning, and scarcely any one had risen,
for the bugle had not yet sounded the
reyeille, and until its raging blast is heard
nv hn al. h.. -.
until, like Rip Van Winkle, he wakes in
another age, and looks around him upon
other scenes A few of the officers had
risen, drawn from their blankets by the
| beauty of the morning; and, in imitation
Of these admirers Of nature, we arose and
joined them, when it was PROPOSED that
search should be made for some habita-
tion, where, by the expenditure OF u few
dimes, we might achieve the morning meal
This weighty and important proposition,
having been duly considered, was adopt
ed, and in few moments we were work
ing our way along a fOOtpath through the
wood, which, we sincerely trusted, would
lead to some local habitation," we cared
not whether with or without a name. We
| followed the path for some distance and
Suddenly found ourselves on the verge of
the wood, and directly before us a large,
solld, square-looking building, architectu-
! rally plain, the surface covered with a
/ kind Of rough cement There was moth
| ing inviting in the appearance of the
building, but the scenery by which it was
surrounded at once filled US with admira-
| ton.
1t stood upon high hill, from the base
Of which run undulatiug valleys, dotted
! here and there with patches of green
wood, and likewise interspersed with rich
fields in an advanced state of cultivation,
The view from the front OF the mansion
was supremely beautiful, the scenery be-
ing the only pleasing characteristic. The
| house itself looked more like a huge pub
lie building than the residence of a pri-
vate gentleman.