The Washington herald., 1914-03-17

REV. FATHER "M. COHbN, u - Z.
CFrom photograph taken after the war;
Father Corby was the best-known chap
lain OF the Irish Brigade. His memory is
perpetuated in a remarkable statue on
the field of Gettysburg, in memory of the
stirring scene when he gave absolutiOn,
under fire. to all who fought there, Cath
olic and Protestant, Federal and Confed-
crate.
religious purposes by the Irish Brigade.
st. Patrick's Day was anticipated for
many a day by the Irish Brigade and
great preparations were made for its Gel
ebration. officers were specially detailed
TO attend to arranging the program and
providing the means of entertaining
guests with proper refreshment. The
bsndnasters rehearsed special music. the
singers IN the ranks-and there were
many-practiced their best songs. and the
dancers trained to outdo their mates in
contests at jigs and reels
But before all. the members Of the
brigade remembered that they were TO
do honor to good ST. Patrick. and to re-
member their religious duty before turn
ing 10 the frolics of the day.
Mass in Camp.
The mass with which the days celebra-
tion began-like all masses in camp-was
Hl-UlS impressive ONllIE " It's LllllNdlN
setting The rubriCs OF a military mass
do not differ essentially from other
masses but the surroundings. the Cele-
bratiOn in camp. the congregation. COM
posed OF officers and soldiers. rank and
file. each one armed as for dress pa
rade. the officers carrying dress swords
at their belts and wearing the fun uni
form of their rank, the Cavalrymen car
rying their sabres and wearing spurs
Iii,
ton Of the feet. the infantry soldier in
tidy uniform with glittering bayonet-
all lent color to the scene.
On the order being given to Fall in"
for mass all the regiments formed and
marched under their respective officers
to the hall. Here the priests in their
rich embroidered vestments began the
mas.
There being no organ the liturgy was
sung without accompaniment. There
was beauty in the full rich voice of the
soldiers.
At the most solemn parts of the mass
the soldiers presented arms and on the
parade cannon doomed. Many a man
among the worshippers must then have
thought of those who. before another
St. Patricks Day, would have Culmi-
mated the sacrifice which all surely Of
fered at this mass. to lay down their
lives II necessary Tor the nag.
The military mass over. free rein
was given 10 fun and frolic. The occa-
sion was Graced by large numbers OF
people including many women who came
TO share for the last time in the soldiers
festivities i'm camp. for an order had
been issued that they must leave the
front. The program of sports included
a foot race. half mile: casting weights, 10
to "a pounds; catching soaped pig. to he
the prize of the man who held il: hurdle
race. half mile: wheelbarrow race, the
to be bIindfOlded and limited
to six soldiers of the Irish Brigade;
jumping in sacks, 50H yards; dancing con-
test. Irish reels, jigs and hPrnpipes.
Cash prizes were awarded i'm each event !
One accident occurred during the hur- |
die raCe-a captain being thrown from
his horse in a collision and slightly in |
jured. His horse was killed.
The intellectual powers of tire officers |
were displayed at a banquet that fol- |
lowed the sports in speeches, toasts and |
poetiCal selections. The division COM
Gen. John c. Caldwell. made a
speech which was eloquent and patri-
otic. Surgeon Laurence Reynolds, poet