New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-14
IRISH BRIGADE HEROES
REVIEW 69TH REGIMENT
1hirty-fNe Meagher Veterans
JOin in Celebration of Fred
eriCkSburg Battle.
CARRY SHOT-TORN FLAGS
Led by Lieut.. Col. j. j. Smith
of Civil War Fame -
Trophies Presented to
Young Guardsmen.

,-,ropcb the smoke and thunder OF five
,,.ad, charges up Marycs Hill at tn"
a,1c of Fredericksburg fifty years aso
.,ordav the men Of Meagher's 1rish
p5eado went through one of the most
soroic actions Of the Civil War. At the
or.t charge 1915 men carried their shot
,o-,, hattie flags up the hill. When night
s,u a; OF them lay dead on the field of
laughter. and subsequent battles carried
q many more. Thirty-lve who still sur
Two the continuous toll which the last
sfv years have exactcd against the
ro,nnant carried those same battle
shredded war flags into the armory Of the
OH Regiment last night, when they gath
cred 70 review their younger comrades Of
these mere peaceful times
Tho gallant thirty-fve. several Of whom
umped on wooden legs as result Of
their nghting days. and all Of whom
.ozed through eyes dimmed ny the years
,bey bore. were led by Colonel ]. J..
Smith. OF Cleveland. who was lieutenant
ooIonel OF the 6gth. which was one Of the
rn,,s Of Ncachcr's Irish Brigade. Still
Straight a. am arrow despite his years,
and with a military bearing that might
serve as an eXemplar at a war college,
colonel smith led his comrades through
,be macs Of a fun rcgimental review
with all the air Of command of his
younger days
First Battle Flags Were In.
The flags they carried were presented
10 the Irish Brigade by thirttfour promi-
pent American born citizens Of New
York. Of whom the only survivor is Levi
P. Morton. They arrived at Fredericks-
burg on the night before the battle, and
we're first unfurled to lead the charges
through the slaughter Of Marye's Hill
The first part Of the ceremonies last
night at the seth Regiment armory CON
sisted Of evolutions by the regiment,
which went into battalion formation, and
then reeimcntal formation for review.
Through the ranks the veterans were led
by Colonel /. ID Conley. commanding
the regiment Then they returned TO
their places and the regiment passed be-
fore them in review.
AZ the end OF the review a number o.
presentations Of trophies were made.
The coloneIs cup went to Company +.
for the highest score in the inter-com-
pa1y rife match. The Kemp trophy was
given over 10 the care Of Company L. for
having the largest number present az
gtHsral practice Company + carried off
the 0'DonohUc trophy for qualifying the
highest percentage Of enlisted men.
strength based on total present and alb
-;ene al general practice at Peekskill, Sep
enber g. while the Emmet trophy was
given TO the same company for making
he highest figure Of merit on the same
occasion
De, orations for Long Service.
Then came the presentation OF state
deoora lions for long and faithful service
These awards were as follows: Class .,
ior.y years. Chief Musician William
Byae uon-commissioned STAFF; Class o.
,trtaiy-fve years. Musician William Far
~, Company !. and Musician Michael
f, Farrell Company J; Glass 6. twenty
sears, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Heaiy,
aed; Major Philip +. Revilie, field, and
Private Daniel Maher. Company x; Glass
a. fifteen years, Quartermaster Sergeant
FFaacis J. Eagan. Company l, and. under
Class s, twelve members Of the regiment
%, the ten-year medal.
After these ceremonies came 'trooping
u the line with colors." When the gray
haired veterans bore their trophies, the
Tags OF the bloody days Of the Civil War,
through the ranks. Lieutenant John Nc
Grath. one Of the thirty-hve veterans,
came an the way from San Francisco TO
Join his comrades in the cermonies OF last
night.
Tonight they Will be entertained at the
atmory as tho dinner guests Of the active
members OF the regiment.