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Written by: David Minshall
On 26 September 1874, the great long range rifle match took place between American and Irish riflemen at the National Rifle Association range at Creedmoor, USA. The final scores were America 934 and Ireland 931. The next day Major Leech, the Irish rifle team captain, addressed a letter to the New York Herald, in which he expressed his thanks “for the lavish kindness and hospitality which has been extended to us since our arrival in New York.” He further noted that “All the arrangements were of the most perfect and satisfactory character, and the American team won with the most brilliant score ever recorded in an international match.”
Leech’s letter concluded with a new challenge: “Finally, I have once more, on the part of the Irish riflemen, to throw down the gauntlet to one more peaceful battle with the American riflemen, on the same terms upon which the match was shot at Creedmoor; the return match to be shot in Dublin in the month of June, 1875; the team to consist of not more than eight or less than six men, at the option of the Americans.”
The challenge to the Americans was formally presented by Major Leech at a meeting of the NRA Board of Directors on 6 October. The challenge was accepted and a joint committee of the National Rifle Association and Amateur Rifle Club established to make the arrangements for the international match, which was to he shot in Ireland in June 1875.
In February 1875 a committee meeting resolved that a subcommittee be instructed to make such changes in the plan for the selection of the American team for 1875 that in their judgement seemed best. The New York Times (20 February 1875), and other newspapers, published the report of the subcommittee on the selection of the American team.
THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH
The Committee Making Necessary ArrangementsThe joint committees of the National Rifle Association and Amateur Rifle Club held a meeting yesterday afternoon, Col. George Wingate, the President, in the chair. The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the American team to shoot the international match at Dublin, Ireland, in 1875, consist, of a captain and nine men, who shall be selected from native born citizens of the United States, as follows:
First – The standing of competitors shall be determined from four consecutive scores of forty-five shots each, each score made in a single day, (without sighting shots,) consisting of fifteen shots at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards.
Second – The members of the American team of 1874 shall be allowed to stand upon the four scores made in their four last competitions at Creedmoor in 1874, ending with the Bennett match, provided they signify their election so to do, in writing, to the Secretary of this committee on or before the 1st of April, 1875.
Third – All other competitors shall be required to shoot in four competitions, at times to be hereafter designated. The nine competitors, including the members of the team of 1874, standing upon their scores, who show the highest aggregate in their four scores thus made, or upon which they stood, as above provided, shall constitute the team for 1875, and be given their rank thereon, respectively, according to their scores, subject, however, to the following provision: That such members of the team of 1874 as do not receive a place upon the team of 1875, under the foregoing rules, shall be allowed to challenge an equal number of the said team of nine, as above selected, commencing with the ninth man, to two competitions, to be under the direction of this committee, and the victors in these two competitions shall be members of the team.
Fourth – Should any vacancy or vacancies occur in the team, as thus selected, before the day of sailing, it or they shall he filled by placing therein the competitor or competitor whose score or scores are next in order of merit as shown at the end of the four competitions above provided.
Fifth – The captain shall he chosen by a majority vote of the nine men constituting the team as soon as practicable after their selection, in accordance with the conditions herein provided.
Resolved, That this committee elect as Superintendent of Firing a practical rifleman, who shall act us captain of the team until the captain is elected.
Resolved, That the team of 1875 shall he required to engage in such private practice on the range as this committee may direct.
Name Scores Total Henry Fulton 159 168 171 158 656 John Bodine 156 158 158 152 624 H.A. Gildersleeve 153 154 155 143 605 T.S. Dakin 142 158 139 147 586 G.W. Yale 142 150 162 127 581 L.L. Hepburn 133 156 149 142 580 On motion of Col. Gildersleeve, a committee of three, consisting of Col. Gildersleeve, A. Alford, and Gen. Woodward, was appointed to select the line of steamers for the conveyance of the team.
Research Press Digest 2024 is an historical record of the
formative years of international long range target rifle shooting.
It tells the story of
Creedmoor and the international matches
during the 19th century; their rise and demise,
and the revival of the Palma Match in the early 20th century.
