212 
J-uly 3 
T HE RI FLE. 
THE IRISH AMERICAN MATCH. 
The great contest between Ireland and America has 
been a second time decided in favor of this eountry. 
Creedmoor has beaten Dollymount 967 to 929. 
It is to the infinite honor of the Americans that this 
glorious victory has been obtained fully as much by 
the virtues of self-management and self-denial as by 
consummate skill in the use of their weapons and 
coolness in the hour of trial. The great-hearted hospi- 
tality of the Irish capital and the splendid reeeption of 
their American cousins by the most demons'.rative and 
generous people on the face of the_ earth might well 
have overset the balance and disturbed the calmness 
of nerve so imperatively required in a contest where 
everything hung on a sure eye and a steady hand. Bu 
the Americans were masters of their own, possessed 
their souls in patience, and when the supreme moment 
came they were found equal to the demand made upon 
their matchless qualities of skill and firmness. Victo- 
ries in two such contests are a fitting prelude to our 
great Centennial in which aU nations shall contend, all 
in honor, all in love, but each hoping the best for the 
dear country that he represents. 
The telegram from our special correspondent is in 
substance the same as that received by the dailies. 
[Telegraph from our Special Correspondent.'^ 
Dollymouxt, xe.vr Dcblix, June 28. 
The day opened unfavorably, the weather being hazy 
with a low, shifting wind. The Lord Mayor of Lon- 
don, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and the Lord ^layor 
of York, and a large number of noblemen and gentle- 
men with many Americans came here from all parts 
of the United Kingdom, purposely to see the great con- 
test or on visiting tours, were present. The crowd 
was immense, not less than 30,000 were on the ground. 
There are four targets as at Creedmoor. The Irish won 
the choice for position; and selected Nos. four and five 
on the right. GJldersleeve, Henry Fulton and Bodine 
fired at No. 2. Yale, Dakin and Coleman at No. 3. 
IVilson, McKenna and Johnson No. 4. Hamilton, Pol- 
lock and Wilson No. 5. A detachment of the Fiftieth 
acted as markers . 
800 YABDS. 
Dr. Hamilton, (Irish) opened fire at 11 o’clock on the 
target at 800 yards, with a centre shot, scoring three. 
Col. Gildersleeve, (American) followed with a centre. 
The next two (Irish) shots, McKenna and Milner were 
misses. Bodine’s seventh shot was a miss. 
At the close of the 800 yards range, both sides 
were confident, the score being so close. As it was the 
Irish gained a single point, the score showing 338 for 
Ireland, and 337 for Americans. 
THE XrXE nUSDEED YARDS. 
At two o’clock the wind rose slightly, and the 900 
yards contest opened. The crowd now became demon- 
strative against the Irishmen. Gildersleeve, Fulton 
and Bodine made each four bull’s eyes. McKenna made 
a miss in his second and an outer in his first. Bodine 
made nine bull’s eyes in succession. On the close of 
the 900 yards the excitement was tremendous, and the 
crowd cheered the Americans while they hooted their 
own countrymen. 
On the announcement of the score, Americans 327, 
Irish 292, the excitement was irrepressible. The crowd 
surged in on the range, and the Dublin police had to 
use force to drive the people back. After half an hour’s 
delay order being restored the shooting recommenced at 
THE THOUS-AST) YARDS. 
It was now a quarter past four. The sun, which up 
to this time had been obscured burst suddenly out, and 
Fulton opened. Yale made the first bull’s eye, and 
t hen there was a miss. By five the crowd kept increas* 
ing, and ever 3 - American bull’s eye was cheered up- 
roarlousl}'. The Irish shot wildly’, and a succession of 
shots proved to be mere random firing. Milner missed 
his third shot, the crowd groaning vociferously. When 
he missed his ninih shot the uproar on the Irish side of 
the ground was tremendous. The eleventh shot he 
missed also, producing'consternation. Hamilton scored 
a succession of threes. 
The Americans were cooler than their competitors, 
though complaining of the uproar and confusion. Gil- 
dersleeve’s score was splendid, though inferior to Wil- 
son and Hamilton. 
Hamilton, McKenna and Pollock closed with bull’s 
eyes, Wilson with a centre and an outer, and Milner 
with centres. Johnson scored eight centres in succes- 
sion, and proved himself the best of the Irish team at 
Maior Henry Fulton 
57 
46 
161 
R. C. Coleman 
4K 
53 
156 
Col. John Bodine 
59 
51 
163 
Gen. T. S. Dakin 
55 
51 
164 
Total 
327 
303 
967 
TUE ims 
U TEAM. 
800 
900 
1000 
Yards. Yards. 
Yards. 
Total. 
Wilson 
50 
55 
163 
Hamilton 
54 
51 
161 
McKenna 
44 
51 
149 
Milner 
37 
41 
133 
Johnson 
58 
54 
50 
163 
Pollock 
51 
49 
IGl 
Total 
292 
299 
939 
Total for American Team 
Total for Irish Team 
Americans over their opponents . . 
.. 38 
j*.-. 
The American 
Team 
Afloat 
1000 j’ards . 
THE ROPES BROKEN THROUGH. 
The ropes were broken by the people near the close, 
Fulton and Bodine not yet having finished. Fulton 
missed the target through the disorder. 
As at Creedmoor, Bodine fired the last shot, though 
it was not here, as there, a crisis. The crowd kept 
coming in, but Old Keliable lies still and silent. A puff 
of smoke, and the crack of his rifle is heard, and his 
bullet flattens in the bull’s ey'e. 
Major Leach addresstd the people, and declared him- 
self beaten, and the Americans the first shots in the uni- 
verse. 
He then called for three cheers for Col. Gildersleeve 
and his men, which were not veiy heartilj' given; but 
when called for b)' a man in the crowd they were given 
with tremendous enthusiasm, the crowd bursting in to 
shake hands with the Americans amid vociferous cheer- 
ing. 
CoL Gildersleeve replied, returning thanks to Ireland 
for her inexhaustible hospitalili’, and acknowledging 
the entire fair play and open field that was shown them. 
He was proud of the victory gained, and conceded that 
he could not have lost to better men. 
There was some political sentiment in the unpopu- 
larity of the Irish Team, and when Col. Gildersleeve 
called for cheers for the Irish Team, there came no re- 
sponse except from the Americans present. 
In the hotels and clubs the Irish defeat is admitted as 
thoroughly deserved. The constitution of the team is 
condemned, together with their neglect of practice to 
enjoy festivity. It is a fact that the Irish Team prac- 
ticed together for the first time yesterda}', firing just 
five shots each. Milner laj'S the blame for his failures 
on a foul rifle, and says he never shot more carefully in 
his life. His companions agree with him there, and 
blame John Eigby, who coached ililner. Hamilton 
blames the hustling crowd, and declares that while 
firing at the thousand yard range he narrowlj’ escaped 
firing into a policeman’s leg. All blame something or 
each other, and the whole population is positivel}' fierce 
with them. 
After the return to Dublin, which was a triumphal 
march the whole way, the Lord Mayor entertained the 
team at a grand banquet, at which the same splendid 
hospitality was displaj'ed and what was more flattering, 
there was the same profuse exhibition of hearty ap- 
proval and affection. 
The Irish riflemen admit the superiority of the Amer- 
icans throughout the match. The American team used 
breech-loaders — Fulton, Bodine, Dakin, and Coleman 
shooting with Remington, Gildersleeve and Yale with 
Sharps rifles. The Irish team all used Rigby’s muzzle- 
loaders. 
THE SCORE. 
THE AEEKICAN TEAM. 
800 900 1000 
Yards. Yards. Yards. Total. 
Col. H. A. Gildersleeve 56 56 5-2 161 
G. W. Yale 57 52 61 160 
(from our SPECIAL CORRESPOSDEXT.) 
After the hnstle and the hurry of the few weeks cast, the gentle- 
men who are to represent the American side of the great Interna- 
tional Match of 1775, arc off and free from the perplexing worriment 
of preparation in which they have been living for the p.ast two 
months, at least. Their voyage really opened on their stepping 
aboard the steamboat which was to convey them to the City of 
Chester. From the stone pier at the Battery they stepped from the 
solid land to the floating residence on which they were destined to 
pass a week or ten days. All were on h md promptly, each snr- 
ronnded by a group of personal frienos. and every one smiling and 
happy, in anticipation of the long voyage and the cheeiing prospect 
of victory or at least an honorable flght In addition to the throng 
of personal friends there was the host of general well-wisiitrs, 
memoers of the club and Rifle Association, all anxions to do what 
they could to make the “send-off ’ a hearty one. and it was in reality 
a characteristic American God-speed. The day was flne, there was 
time snflicient for the embarkation, and the two fine steamboats each 
loaded with ladies and gentlemen, cavorted abont the immense sea- 
going steamer, as if unwilling to give up their freight, or any portion 
of it to the uncertainty of an ocean trip. The main bulk of the 
baggage had been put on board the steamer at h;r pier, and only a 
few hand packages were left to indicate that on travel they were 
bent. Gen. G. S. Dakin, with a load of Brooklyn friends, were on 
the steamer "Xeversink” while the remainder of the team and the 
other guests who were to accompany the party abroad, were on the 
N. K. Hopkins. The passage down the bay, and as far as the Nar- 
rows, was marked by a general jollification on both the boats. 
Bands of music were present and lent their aid, while a battery of 
c tnnon on either boat made the interlndes noisy with volley upon 
volley of rattling good-byes. The steamer was in gala trim with 
flags and streamers, and in compliment to the smaller craft, as well 
as in obedience to her own convenience of not sinking the bar at 
Sandy Hook before high water, ran under reduced headway, allow- 
ing the party of friends to pass and repass her, and view her im- 
mense proportions. It was a grand occasion, and all were satisfied; 
the riflemen that they bad the confidence and support of so many 
earnest friends, and the friends that they had this last opportunity 
of indicating to the champions their best wishes and earnest desira 
for success. The department of the interior had been placed in 
good charge, and in the cabin below, the heat of the day fouad 
agreeable antidotes in the iced punch, iced cream, champagne, ete. 
When the iast moment had nearly come, all hands crowded in o the 
lower cabin, and Col. Wingate, on behalf of the stay-at-homes and 
the riflemen and citizens of America generally, bid the team good- 
bye. It was the first time in the history of the world, he reminded 
his hearers, that a similar representation of armed Americans bad 
crossed the ocean to engage in contest of any kind on British soil. 
In an international sense it was a remarkable event, while to the 
riflemen and to the rifle shooting interest it was a notable event in 
that it opened up the prospect of a long series of international rifle 
matches; each no doubt would be provocative of a spread of the de- 
sire to excel in this form of manly sport, nsefnl alik* in the field of 
pleasurable competition and possibly in an emergency to be turned 
to such effective use in the grim reality of war. Those who were 
compelled by business or other engagements to remain at home, 
could but extend to the gentleme-t about to go abroad, their earnest 
hopes of success and a happy and pleasurable voj age across and a 
quick and safe return. They should watch for the flashing of the 
word of victory along the ocean wires, and with confidence in the 
men selected, they again embraced this last opportunity to bid them 
God-speed. Col. Gildersleeve responded to • the bumper drank to 
the success of the American team, and nsed a few moments in 
thanking the American p-ublic for their generous response in com- 
ing forward with the requisite funds to enable the team men to go 
across without personal embarrassment He was happy in the fact 
that the team was selected from several classes of business men, 
active men of affairs, and he wished earnestly that the love ol the 
rifle and its use should spread to all citizens and become an univer- , 
sal enjoyment and accomplishment. In place of being an incentive j 
to and aid in war, it was rather an averter of such a catastrophe. If 
we are known in fact to be a nation of rifle shooters, any foreign 
power would more thoroughly respect the Monroe doctrine and 
keep hands off, than by any amount of congressional talk and di- 
plomatic intrigne. Liberally published scores of good work from 
innumerable nfle ranges would be the most peaceful literature, 
more tranquilizing to a belligerently disposed nower abroad than 
any amount of the most pious Sunday-School-peace-society-nniver- 
sal-loveism tracts. But on the brink of the departure of the first 
ttansatlantic rifle team, be it a success or the reverse, it most per 
force be a reason of rejoicing. It is the most agreeable mixture of 
work and play imaginable, and with the eyes of two continents upon 
them, the Team may safely be left to do their very best. 
The whistles tooted, the signal for the getting on board of all 
contemplating the European trip, and the getting on shore of all 
not de signing such. The interchange was not of the most graceful, 
