Leinster Express Saturday, 3rd May 1862
MILITARY AFFRAY AT KILCULLEN The peace and order of the usually quiet little town of Kilcullen have been rather disturbed on the last three or four Sunday evenings by the visits of numbers of soldiers from the Curragh Camp. The Sunday evening service, held in the Parochial School, was outraged on two occasions by the uproarious shouting and singing of these half tipsy warriors, as they turned out of the numerous public-houses, of which, by the way, there are just a baker's dozen in the town. On last Sunday evening there was something almost approaching a military affray between the men of the 19th and 87th Regiments A number of the first-named corps were turned out of a public- house in which they had quarrelled. A tipsy bandsman of the 87th, who was passing with a few of his comrades, shouted “Hurrah for old Ireland.” “Hurrah for wigs on the green,” expressing at the same time his intense desire for a fight. His desire was fully gratified, and in a short time had he not taken shelter in a house he might have had more than he liked. The scene that ensued was most disgraceful: the street was filled by an excited crowd, in the midst of which soldiers with their coats and hats off were freely exchanging blows. The conduct of a corporal of the I9th, named O'Shea, was most praiseworthy, while that of two others was quite the reverse. Head-Constable Evans, with his party was present, and though pressed by some of the soldiers to interfere, wisely declined doing so, as the affair was confined to the military. Had the number of the " Fág an Bealach " been at all equal to their opponents the affray would have been severe. 19th Regiment of Foot 87th Regiment of Foot
The 19th (The Green Howards) The 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot was an infantry Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. regiment of the British Army.
Kilcullen Bridge 1861
Troops relaxing at the Curragh Camp 1861