The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-01

main truck. In n few moments the Irish
symbol was run up alOft, and proudly the
dear old flag futtered in the breeze 1t
seemed like bird of golden plumage. that
had been long imprisoned. and snapped its
folds in a sort OF triumphant glee Wild
cheers rang out from a thousand Irish
thrOats, and many a tear-dimmed eye
gazed on the famous banner as it proudly
iloated on the air, and, from its glorious
altitude, seeming to symbolic poor Ire
lands future.
What wild thoughts animated the hearts
of those exiled heroes as. they gazed upon
that Haunting flag, the world will never
know; but that glorious moment will never
pass from the minds of those that live to
keep it cherished in the sanctuary of their
memory.
The next day the regiment arrived at
Fortress Monroe, and. after discriminating,
marched at once to Hampton, Va. Moth
ing Of interest occurred upon the route.
The next day we changed our camp, to
make room for other troops. which were
continually arriving, and moved distance
of two miles, TO Il place i'll the vicinity of
Newmarket Bridge, Va.
On March q the regiment formed part
OF grand reconnaissance to Big Bethel,
under command of Gen. Porter, where
they discovered II nest Of rebels about 800
strong. After a sharp contest they were
driven from their works, leaving their
dinners behind them in their hasty fight.
The same night we returned to camp,
after marching a distance of 20 miles.
Early on the morning of Friday, April
4, the regiment left Hampton, en- route
for Yorktown, throwing out skirmishers
during the march. The enemy left their
Notifications after firing n few shells
That night we reached CockletOwn, and
camped there, having marched about IS
miles. We were very tired, and soon
afterwards all hands gladly lay down and
slept.
Early the following day the regiment
continued the line of march, and about
O'Clock arrived in front Of the enemy's
works before Yorktown, when they opened
fire upon us, doing, however, little or no
damage.
Cos. ID and were thrown out as Skin
mishers, and advanced 10 within 400 yards
Of the enemy's works, which kept up u
heavy and continuous fire. II was not
however, until the enemy opened upon
them with some very large guns, casting
shell and shot around, that they thought
il advisable TO retire
They remained that night in n ravine,
close 10 the eneGny's works, and conld not
pitch their tents, as they would attract
attention. The shells throughout the
night flew among them rather thick. with
out, however, doing any HARM though one
man WAS killed and four wounded in the
next regiment Gen. Mcclellan passed us
here for the first time on the Peninsula
and was received with great enthusiasm
On the night of April 6 the 9th was
ordered out TO dig intrcnchments close to
the enemy's works. The men labored
with cautiousness and silence, and fully
succeeded in their undertaking. With
the morning sun the enemy perceived, to
their establishment and chagrin Il fine in
trcnchnent, with good breastwOrks dug
out and thrown up under the very mmz-
zlcs OF their guns. They, however. did
not seem to appreciate it as well AS our
selves, and began Smelling us in Il pro
miscuous' manner. II rained extremely
hard the next day, and 80 men from
each company in our regiment were de-
tailed for picket duty.
IN THE TRENCHES AT YORKTOWN.
This was quite an uncomfortable iob.
but our lads obeyed the order with
alacrity. During the day the firing be
tween our artillery and that of the enemy
was pretty heavy. and large number of
our party We're killed. \ continuous rain
extended over that and the whole of the
following day, with 10 prospect of clear
ing up. The shells from the enemy burst
around us on every hand, some close TO
our regiment, but doing little or no dam
age. For some days the men were kent
very busy at work in the trenches. the
enemy hrng occasionally, but never de-
terrIng our men from the pursuit of their
honest ayocatiOEs. Sometimes in the
night we would be aroused from our re-
pose by the loud thunder of the encmy's
cannon, and the shrek of shells. that
would pass in, over, and around our camp.
scattering men and matter with the ut
most nonchalance and impunity. The i'm
pudence OF these shells was unparalleled: