Name: History of the Rebellion in Ireland, in the year 1798, &c., containing an impartial account of the proceedings of the Irish revolutionists, from the year 1782 till the suppression of the rebellion. With an appendix to illustrate some facts. 2d ed. with considerable additions; and a pref. containing a reply to the observations of Sir Richard Musgrave, upon this work
Author: James Gordon (1750–1819)

Gunpowder Deposit Hidden in Bishop's Garden at Killala

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

Two hundred and eighty barrels of gunpowder were concealed partly under a hot-bed in the bishop of Killala's garden and partly in a vault under a corn-stand in the haggard, posing a repeated risk of catastrophic explosion to the town.

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A smaller fleet, destined toco-operate with the above, consisting of the three frigates which had before come with Humbert, carrying a landforce of two thousand men, anchored in the bay of Killala on the 27th of October, but on the appearance of some British ships of war, made sail with precipitation for France, without landing the troops, and escaped after a long chace. The commanders of these forces had orders to send the bishop of Killala and his family prisoners to France, and, if they should meet with opposition in landing, to lay the town in ashes. The cause of this unmerited severity was an unfounded opinion entertained by the French administrators, that the bishop had betrayed the town to the King's troops, together with a deposit of two hundred and eighty barrels of gunpowder, partly buried under a hot-bed in his garden, partly in a vault in the haggard under a corn-stand. The powder could not be concealed from the King's officers, even if the bi$hop had thought it his duty to attempt it ; but its removal was anxiously wished, since the town with all its contents had three times been in danger of annihilation by the approach of fire to this terrible mass, the shock of whose explosion must have had the most ruinous effect,
IRISH REBELLION". 339

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 166

As the companion tells it

Coming through Killala now, in Mayo. In 1798, this town sat beside a terrible secret. Two hundred and eighty barrels of gunpowder were hidden here, partly buried under a hot-bed in the bishop's garden, partly in a vault in the haggard under a corn-stand. Three times fire came near enough to threaten the whole town with annihilation. The shock of that explosion, people feared, would have been ruinous. The French believed the bishop had betrayed the town to the King's troops. That belief was unfounded. On the 27th of October, three frigates that had earlier come with Humbert returned to the bay of Killala, carrying two thousand soldiers. They had orders to send the bishop and his family as prisoners to France, and if they met opposition in landing, to lay the town in ashes. But British ships of war appeared. The French made sail for France without landing the troops, and escaped after a long chase. The powder could not have been concealed from the King's officers in any case.

Holt surrenders to the Earl of Powerscourt for transportation

Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1798

The rebel chief Holt eventually surrendered himself to the Earl of Powerscourt, agreeing to transportation, bringing an end to the band of robbers operating in the Wicklow mountains.

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banditti or their confederates, a greater nufnber of Romanists were put to death in the same neighbourhood hy the yeomen. Thus at Castletown four miles from Gorey, where four protestants were massacred in the night by Racket, seven Romanists were slain in revenge; and at Aughrim in the county of Wicklow, ten miles from the same town, twenty-seven of the latter were killed in consequence of murders committed on the former. Harassed incessantly by the pursuits of yeomen and soldiery, while the dreary mountains in the winter season afforded no shelter, the numbers of the banditti daily diminished : Placket was killed by capt. Atkins near Arklow, a brave young man, who had been a yeoman officer, in defence of his house; — Holt surrendered for transportation to the earl of Powerscourt; and these bands of robbers at length totally disappeared.
The burnings and plunderings, committed by these desperadoes, augmented in some degree the desolation caused in the counties of Wexford, Wicklow, and the neighbouring parts, by the ravages of rebellion. Such was the desolation that, together with a multitude of cabins, farm-houses, and gentlemen's seats in the open country, the towns of Carnew, Tinnehely, Hacketstown, Donard, Blesington, and Killedmond, were destroyed by fire; beside partial destructions in other towns, as Ross, where above three

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 118

Insurgent camps at Three Rocks, Lacken, Vinegar Hill and Gorey

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

The armies of insurgents stationed simultaneously within the county of Wexford at the posts of Three Rocks, Lacken, Vinegar Hill, and Gorey were estimated at no less than forty to fifty thousand men, almost all native Wexfordians.

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The armies of insurgents stationed at the same time within the county of Wexford, at the posts of Three-rocks, Lacken, Vinegar-hill, and Gorey, cannot be supposed, at the lowest estimation, to have consisted of less than forty thousand men ; indeed in the opinion of many who had an opportunity of seeing them, fifty thousand. From the strictest inquiries which I have heen able to make, I am convinced that almost all of these were Wexford ians, or inhabitants of the county of Wexford. The numbers mixed with them from other parts, doubtless not exceeding a few hundreds, were hardly discernible in the general mass : except that perhaps a thousand or more cf those inhabitants of the county of Wicklow, who co-operated in the attack of Arklow, retired with the Wexfordians, after their defeat to the station at Gorey.
Since the county of Wexford furnished at least, in this rebellion, forty thousand insurgents, and at the same time a considerable number of loyalists fit to bear arms, of whom not all were embodied or employed as they might, we cannot on probable grounds, estimate the number of males in this county, of the military age, at much less than fity thousand; whence we must infer a population of little less than two hundred and fifty thousand of both sexes, and all ages. Doubtless this county, naturally of so poor a soil as to be unfit for grazing^ and consequently

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 131

As the companion tells it

As you come near Vinegar Hill, you are passing through one of the great posts of the 1798 rebellion. In that year, insurgent armies were stationed at the same time across this county at Three Rocks, Lacken, Vinegar Hill, and Gorey. The lowest estimate puts their numbers at 40,000 men, and many who saw them thought 50,000 closer to the truth. Almost all were Wexford men, inhabitants of this county. The few from outside were hardly discernible in the mass, except that perhaps a thousand or more from County Wicklow, who had joined in the attack on Arklow, retired here after their defeat and joined the station at Gorey. The book that records this argues that if Wexford alone furnished 40,000 insurgents and still had loyalists fit to bear arms besides, the military-age men of the county must have numbered near 50,000, and the whole population of both sexes and all ages little less than 250,000.

Kindness of Mrs Hunte and Mr Alford to refugees at Arklow

Arklow · town · Wicklow · 1798

Despite the hardened hearts of many Arklow inhabitants toward fleeing loyalists, a Mrs Hunte took the author's family into her house for food and drink, and Mr Joseph Alford invited them to his house three miles away where other refugees were also sheltered.

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them; but, instead of this, they were afterwards formed into a pile in the yard of the barrack and burned. A man named Taylor, clerk of Camolin church, who made some scruple to surrender his arms was shot by the guard. After our admission, our situation was not so comfortable as we might have expected, for no refreshment could be procured by money for men or horses, and the hearts of the inhabitants in general seemed quite hardened against us. But, for my own part, I found very humane treatment. After remaining some time in the street, my family were courteously invited by a lady, to whom we were totally unknown, a Mrs. Hunte, into her house, where we were kindly refreshed with food and drink; and a gentleman, Mr. Joseph Alford, to whom we were equally unknown, coming accidentally where we were, insisted on our going to his house, three miles from Arklow, where we found a number of refugees, all of whom were treated with the most humane attention.
Gorey, meantime, was in a singular predicament— abandoned by the loyalists, while the rest of the inhabitants in fear and dubious anxiety remained closely shut within their houses, insomuch that all was in silence and solitude, except that an unprincipled female, frantic with joy at the flight of her imagined enemies, capered in an extraordinary manner in the street; and that a pack of hounds belonging to one of the fugitive

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 69

As the companion tells it

As you come through Arklow, this is a town that in 1798 saw loyalists fleeing here for safety. The author of this account found the inhabitants in general quite hardened against the refugees. No refreshment could be had for money, for men or horses. But he found humane treatment himself. After remaining some time in the street, his family were courteously invited by a lady to whom they were totally unknown, a Mrs Hunte, into her house, where they were kindly refreshed with food and drink. Then a gentleman, Mr Joseph Alford, to whom they were equally unknown, coming accidentally where they were, insisted on their going to his house, three miles from Arklow. There they found a number of refugees, all of whom were treated with the most humane attention. The account also tells how, before this, arms surrendered by others were formed into a pile in the yard of the barrack and burned. A man named Taylor, clerk of Camolin church, who made some scruple to surrender his arms, was shot by the guard.

Marquis of Huntley's Highlanders bring order to Gorey

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

On the arrival of the Marquis of Huntley with his regiment of Scottish Highlanders at Gorey, military plundering ceased entirely. The Highlanders refused to accept even trifles such as buttermilk without paying full value, astonishing the harassed local peasantry.

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the other troops in the business of depredation ^ and many loyalists who had escaped from the rebels, were put to death by these foreigners. — To send such troops into the country in such a state of affairs, was, in my humble opinion, a' wrong step in government, who cannot be supposed indifferent to the lives of loyal subjects. By what influence the plundering was permitted so long to the soldiery, in some parts of the country, after the rebellion was quelled, I shall not at present pretend to state. The publication of some facts, of which I have acquired information, may not perhaps be as yet safe. — On the arrival of the marquis of Huntley, however, with liis regiment of Scottish Highlanders, in Gorey, the scene was totally altered. To the immortal honour of this regiment, its behaviour was such as, if it were universal among soldiers, would render a military government amiable. To the astonishment of the (until then miserably harassed) peasantry, not the smallest trifle, even a drink of butter-milk, would any of these Highlanders accept, without the payment of at
doubtless, lord Kingsboro-ugh thought his conduct blameless, when he went, the day after his liberation from Wexford, to Mr. Cornelius Grogan's house, and took out of the stable two coach-horses to sell. But if we should find the attention of any general officer so absorbed in a system of plunder, as to leave him no leisure for lighting, perhaps we might think him not entirely blameless.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 120

As the companion tells it

You are coming through Gorey, a town in Wexford, and in 1798 it was a place where military plundering had run rampant. Before this, troops in the country had been engaged in depredation, and loyalists who had escaped from the rebels were put to death by these foreign soldiers. The author of this account called it a wrong step by government to send such troops into the country. On the arrival of the Marquis of Huntley with his regiment of Scottish Highlanders at Gorey, the scene was totally altered. To the immortal honour of this regiment, its behaviour was such as would render a military government amiable if it were universal among soldiers. To the astonishment of the peasantry, who had been miserably harassed until then, not the smallest trifle, even a drink of buttermilk, would any of these Highlanders accept without the payment of full value. The contrast was stark. The author notes that Lord Kingsborough, the day after his liberation from Wexford, went to Mr Cornelius Grogan's house and took two coach-horses from the stable to sell.

Panicked retreat from Castlebar to Tuam and onward to Athlone

Tuam · town · Galway · 1798

In the panic following the Castlebar defeat, royal troops fled thirty miles to Tuam on the same day, and continued retreating toward Athlone, with an officer and sixty men covering sixty-three miles in twenty-seven hours.

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A panic seemed still to operate on our troops, who made so quick a retreat as to reach the town of Tuam, thirty miles from the scene of action, on the night of the same day, and to renew their march, after a short refreshment, retiring still farther towards Athlone, where an officer of carabineers, with sixty of his men, arrived at one o'clock on Tuesday the 29th, having performed a march of sixty-three miles (the distance of Athlone from Castlebar) in twenty-seven hours. The artillery, lost by our army in this unexpected defeat, consisted of fourteen pieces,

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 138

Peace negotiation attempt stopped at Enniscorthy

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Taylor set off from Wexford on 14 June 1798 carrying a letter proposing prisoner exchange terms, but was stopped by the people at Enniscorthy and forced to return to Wexford without completing his mission.

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army might meet with the like good treatment that they did, otherwise, they feared reprisals might be made, and their destruction inevitable; which proposal was confided to my charge, and with which I was to proceed to the next commanding officers of the army, and to return with the answer with all convenient speed. I accordingly set off from Wexford on the 14th day of June, 1798, and proceeded as far as Enniscorthy, where I was stopped by the people, and not allowed to proceed any further, and obliged to return to VFexford the next day ; on which disappointment we felt our situation more alarming than ever, and experienced, in a greater degree, the consoling visits of Mr. Hay, who was truly concerned at this disappointment. Among the many attentions paid to us by Mr. Hay, he brought us letters that were directed to us, and had fallen into the hands of the rebels, which, if made public to them, would have proved our instant destruction, for which piece of service Mr. Play narrowly escaped with his life, as captain Keugh, who then commanded in Wexford, was very angry on hearing it from Lord Kingsborough, who inadvertantly mentioned Mr, Hay having done so ; and Mr. Hay was afterwards constantly prevented from visiting us, by order of captain Keugh. I never saw or heard of Mr. Hay having any command amongst the rebels, or did ever see him appear in arms, or

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 203

Proselytising accusations against schoolmistresses in Wexford

Bride Street · street · Wexford

Catholic children of the Wexford poor school testified that Mrs. Gibson and other visitors repeatedly attacked their religion, calling them idolators and spreading stories against priests, including that Father Corrin refused to attend a dying poor woman in Bride-street because she had no money.

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frequently repeated stories of the incontinency of priests, and of the sad fate of a young lady, who was so intimate with a priest, that her friends were obliged to use violence to separate them. She said that no people were more callous to the wants and necessities of the poor than priests, and instanced a case, that a poor woman had died lately in Bride-street without a priest, as Father Corrin would not attend her, because she had not money to give him. Ann Clements declared that Miss Hannah Jacob endeavoured to induce her to become a protestant, and pointed out several tests of scripture which, she told her, plainly proved that the doctrine of the Roman catholic religion was false ; and she believes that, had she not been withdrawn from the school, she would have become a protestant. She likewise declared, that when she asked Miss Jacob's permission to read the Roman catholic catechism for the ignorant Catholic children, Miss Jacob said, she would not permit false doctrine to be taught in that school ; she also declared, that Mrs. Gibson beat her severely for vindicating the Rev. Mr. Corrin, when his character was aspersed by one of the scholars, who now goes to church, and said she fought for her priest like a game cock, and desired the scholars to call her nothing else but the pet fox. That the protestant children, from the example of Mrs. Gibson, had frequent broils with the Roman catholics, par-
IX, NO. vi. 42

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 196

As the companion tells it

Along this street, the poor school in Wexford became the setting for a bitter dispute over religion. Catholic children who attended it testified that visitors again and again attacked their faith, calling them idolators and repeating stories against priests. Mrs. Gibson told the children of a young lady so intimate with a priest that her friends had to use violence to separate them. She said no people were more callous to the wants and necessities of the poor than priests, and gave a case: a poor woman had died lately in Bride Street without a priest, because Father Corrin would not attend her, as she had not money to give him. Ann Clements declared that Miss Hannah Jacob tried to induce her to become a Protestant, and pointed out several texts of scripture which, she told her, plainly proved that the doctrine of the Roman Catholic religion was false. Ann Clements believes that had she not been withdrawn from the school, she would have become a Protestant. She said that when she asked Miss Jacob's permission to read the Roman Catholic catechism for the ignorant Catholic children, Miss Jacob said she would not permit false doctrine to be taught in that school. She also declared that Mrs. Gibson beat her severely for vindicating the Reverend Mr. Corrin, when his character was aspersed by one of the scholars, who now goes to church. Mrs. Gibson said she fought for her priest like a game cock, and desired the scholars to call her nothing else but the pet fox. The Protestant children, from the example of Mrs. Gibson, had frequent broils with the Roman Catholics.

Rebel plan to seize Granard and attack Cavan

Cavan · town · Cavan · 1798

A rebel insurgency in Longford and Westmeath planned to seize Granard and then attack the town of Cavan, where stores of arms and ammunition were kept, nearly surprising the town before defenders arrived.

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metropolis. The united conspiracy had been embraced by multitudes i« the neighbouring counties, particularly in that of Longford, where men of property had espoused the cause. Their plan is said to have been to rise at the summons of their chiefs in the neighbourhood of Granard, to seize that post, and then with augmented hosts, to attack the town of Cavan, where considerable stores of arms and ammunition were deposited. They nearly surprised the former town ; a body said to consist of six thousand, but probably two or three thousand, inhabitants of the counties of Westmeath and Longford, very few of them armed with guns, advancing against it in the morning of the 5th of September, before any considerable force could be procured for its protection. Most critically, captain Cottingham of the Cavan and Ballyhaise yeoman infantry, arrived with eighty-five men for its defence, after an extremely expeditious march from Cavan, between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, when the rebels had come within sight of the town, under the conduct of Alexander Denniston, a yeoman lieutenant of the Mastrim cavalry, who had deserted his troop to join the insurgents.
Cottingham 's force, composed wholly of yeomen, consisted of only a hundred and fifty-seven infantry and forty-nine cavalry. He chose a strong position between the assailants and the town, on the hill on which Cranard is built; but

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 142

Rebel repulse at Summerhill by Colonel Gough

Summerhill · street · Meath · 1798

Rebels who had eluded pursuit from Trim were attacked at Summerhill near Culmullin by colonel Gough's force from Edenderry and forced to flee in precipitation, losing their plunder.

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On the night of their repulse they plundered the village of Carbery, in the county of Kildare, and marched the following morning by Johnstown to a place called Summerhill, near Culmullin, in the county of Meath. Here, after having eluded the pursuit of some parties of soldiery, particularly that of colonel Gordon, of the Inverness fensibles, who had marched to seek them from Trim, they were attacked by colonel Gough, with a body of troops from Edenderry, and obliged to fly with precipitation and the loss of their plunder. Totally disappointed in their hopes of assistance to their cause in the county of Meath, which had been so agitated by defenderism and rebellion, they by a circuitous and rapid march made their way to the river Boyne, which they crossed near Duleek into the county of Louth. Finding themselves overtaken on the 14th, by the cavalry of majorgeneral Wemys and brigadier-general Meyrick, who were pursuing them with two divisions of the army, they made a desperate stand between the Boyne and the town of Ardee. On the arrival of the infantry and artillery to the assistance of the cavalry, who had been endeavouring to keep the rebels at bay, they broke, and fled, with some loss, into a bog. Some of these adventurers directed their flight hence to Ardee, and dispersed ; but the main body, repassing the Boyne, marched with great celerity
216 HISTORY OF THE

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 107

Rebels pursued toward Shane's Castle and Randalstown

near Randalstown · town · Antrim · 1798

After abandoning Antrim, the defeated rebels were pursued with slaughter toward Shane's Castle and Randalstown, losing perhaps near two hundred men.

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town, which obliged the insurgents to abandon it, together with a six-pounder which they had brought with them, and two curricle guns which they had taken from the king's army. They were pursued toward Shane's-castle and Randalstown, with slaughter, and perhaps may have lost in all near two hundred. In this engagement colonel Lumley, of the 22d regiment of dragoons, and lieutenant Murphy, were wounded; cornet Dunn was killed ; and Lord O'Neil Av^as mortally wounded.* A small body also assaulted the town of Larne, but received a repulse from the garrison in the barrack, consisting of a detachment of the Tay fencibles, under a subaltern officer. Feeble attempts were also made at Ballymena and Ballycastle. — The main body afterward retired to Donnegar-hill, where, disgusted with their want of success and other circumstances, the greater part broke or surrendered their arms, and almost all of them dispersed, to which they were exhorted by a magis*- trate, named M'Cleverty, \vTho had been taken, prisoner by them.
On the day succeeding that of the rising in the county of Antrim, a partial insurrection corn-

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 98

Rebels take Wexford unopposed as loyalists flee by sea

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Rebels took possession of Wexford without opposition after the garrison's disorderly retreat through Forth and Bargy; loyalists tried to escape by ship but most vessels, manned by Romanists, returned them to the quays.

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I am sorry to have to add, that the troops in their progress, on this occasion, through the baronies of Forth and Bargy, are said to have proceeded in such disorder, that in case of pursuit, which was very strenuously advised hy one of the chiefs, they might have been destroyed by th rebel army ; while by the devastations com- TTiitted in their way, by the burning of cabins, and shooting of peasants,* they augmented the number and rage of the insurgents — who took possession of Wexford without opposition. A great number of loyalists in the town, who had not escaped with the retreating army, endeavoured to crowd on board the vessels in the harbour, to take refuge in Britain; but of these only a few effected their purpose, for most of the vessels being manned by Romanists, when the town was observed to be in possession of the rebels, returned to the quays from the mouth of the harbour, and relanded their people.
While the southern parts of the county of Wexford were in this horrible state of commotion, the northern, about Gorey, were also frightfully agitated. The retreat, already mentioned, of the yeoman cavalry from Oulart, early on the morn-

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 65

As the companion tells it

As you come through Wexford, this is the town the rebels took without opposition in 1798. The garrison had retreated through the baronies of Forth and Bargy in such disorder that one of the rebel chiefs advised pursuit, and might have destroyed them entirely. The troops burned cabins and shot peasants along the way, which only swelled the number and rage of the insurgents. Many loyalists who had not left with the army tried to crowd onto vessels in the harbour to reach Britain, but most of the ships were manned by Romanists. Once they saw the town was in rebel hands, those crews turned back from the mouth of the harbour, returned to the quays, and put their passengers ashore.

Rout of rebels continued at Hacketstown

Hacketstown · town · Carlow · 1798

The rebel force at Hacketstown, having rushed forward after a feigned retreat, was charged by Captain Hume's yeomen with such spirit that they were routed, losing about two hundred men while only one loyalist soldier was hurt.

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lieutenant Gardiner, and a body of yeomen under captain Hardy, being apprized of the approach of the insurgents, inarched out to meet them ; but on sight of the enemy, whose number appeared to be above three thousand, the troops retreated, lest they should be surrounded, and took refuge in the barrack. This> as the event soon proved, answered the purpose of a feint. The rebels, from joy of their imagined victory, raised a vehement shout, and rushing forward in the utmost confusion, were on the sudden arrival of captain Hume, with thirty of his yeomen, charged with such address and spirit as to be completely routed, with the loss of perhaps two hundred of their men ; while not one of the loyalists was hurt, except a soldier who received a contusion on the arm ; and lieutenant Gardiner, who was violently bruised by the stroke of a stone on the breast
While the rebellion was thus checked in its extension south-westward of the capital, exertions were made, and arrangements to suppress it, on the northern and western sides. In consequence of these arrangements, on the evening of the 26th, a large body of rebels assembled on the hill of Tarah, in the county of Meath, situate eighteen miles northward of Dublin, was completely routed, with the slaughter, we are told, of three hundred and fifty of their men, found dead on the field of battle, together with their

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 54

Thomas Elliot's narrow escape near Carlow

Carlow · townland · Carlow · 1798

Gentleman Thomas Elliot, riding from Carlow to his house three miles away, was fired upon twice by assembled peasants but escaped; when he returned with yeomen, the peasants fled but were spared, later returning quietly to their occupations.

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though of no importance in them selves, may assist to give the reader some idea of the state of the country on such occasions. A gentleman named Thomas Elliot, going from Carlo w, after the repulse of the rebels, to visit his house, three miles from the town, saw thirty or forty of the peasants, his neighbours, assembled in the road at the end of his avenue, whom he supposed to have met for mutual enquiries about news. He was advancing without apprehension of danger, when observing two guns levelled at him, he wheeled, galloped away, and fortunately escaped both shots. Hearing a shout from them, with a declaration that he might come to them with confidence of safety, he returned, and called to them to meet him without arms. Finding that they declined this proof of pacific intention, he again galloped away and escaped some shots. When he returned soon after with a body of yeomen, the peasants, expecting no mercy, fled to places of concealment ; but perceiving that, quite contrary to their expectation, their cabins were not burned, nor any severe punishment intended, they returned to their occupations, and remained perfectly quiet." A contrary conduct in this gentleman would have sent these and others to augment the rebel forces.
The defeats of the rebels at M onasterevan and Hacketstown, in the same morning with that at Carlow, were nearly as bloodless on the side of

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 53

Wexford prepares defences against rebels

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

As Wexford town went into a state of alarm following the Oulart massacre, fires were extinguished and thatched roofs stripped to prevent the disaffected inhabitants from firing the town as had happened at Enniscorthy.

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first news of the insurrection, but particularly after the slaughter of the North-Cork militia at Oulart on the 27th. The defence of this post, instead of a field-battle with the rebels, was now the object of the garrison. Among the modes of preparation for defence, adopted on this occasion, the fires were ordered to be extinguished, and the roofs of the thatched houses to be stripped, lest the disaffected inhabitants should fire the town, to favour the assailants, as those of Enniscorthy had done*
To disperse the insurgents, if possible, without battle or concession, or perhaps to divert their attention and retard their progress, an expedient was assayed by captain Boyd, of the Wexford cavalry. This officer had, in consequence of a resolution to that purpose of the sheriff and other gentlemen, on the 9,6th and 27th, from information or suspicion of treasonable designs, arrested Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey, of Bargycastle, John Henry Colclough, of Ballyteig ; and Edward Fitzgerald, of Newpark — all three gentlemen of the county of Wexford. Visiting them in prison on the 29th, captain Boyd agreed with these gentleman that one of. them should go to the rebels at Enniscorthy, and endeavour to persuade them to disperse and return to their homes ; but would not give authority to promise any terms to the insurgents in case of submission. Colclough, at the request

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 60

As the companion tells it

As you come through Wexford town, you're passing through a place that went into a state of alarm after the North-Cork militia were slaughtered at Oulart on the 27th of May 1798. The garrison shifted to defending the post rather than meeting the rebels in the field. Fires were ordered extinguished and the thatched roofs stripped from the houses, lest the disaffected inhabitants fire the town to favour the assailants, as those of Enniscorthy had done. An expedient was tried by Captain Boyd of the Wexford cavalry. He had arrested three gentlemen of the county, Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey of Bargycastle, John Henry Colclough of Ballyteig, and Edward Fitzgerald of Newpark, on suspicion of treasonable designs. Visiting them in prison on the 29th, Boyd agreed that one of them should go to the rebels at Enniscorthy and endeavour to persuade them to disperse and return to their homes. He would not give authority to promise any terms to the insurgents in case of submission.

Rebels pursue routed troops through Gorey

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

Fleeing troops from the defeat at Tubberneering were pursued through Gorey and fired upon from houses where rebels had taken position, causing loyalists in Gorey to flee once more to Arklow, abandoning their effects.

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head in a few minutes. His troops fled in the utmost disorder, leaving their cannon, consisting of two six-pounders and a smaller piece, in the hands of the enemy. They were pursued as far as Gorey, in their flight through which, they were galled by a fire of guns from some of the houses, where some rebels had taken their station. The unfortunate loyalists of Gorey, who a few minutes before had thpught themselv.es perfectly secure, fled, as many as could escape, to Arklow with the routed army, leaving all their effects behind.
While Walpole's division was engaged with the enemy, general Loft us, marching by a different road, that of Ballycannoo, and hearing the noise of battle, detached seventy men, the grenadier company of the Antrim regiment of militia, across the fields to its assistance. This body was intercepted by the rebels, who were in pursuit of the routed army, and almost ail killed or taken; and as near forty men of Walpole's division were lost, the detriment on the whole amount was considerable. Meanwhile, the genera], ignorant of the colonel's fate, and unable to bring his artillery across the fiekls, continued his march along the highway, and coming round by a long circuit to the field of battle, wa.s at last made acquainted with the event. He then followed the march of the rebels toward Gorey, and coming within view of theni, found them postec] on Gorey-hiil,

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 77

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Gorey, you are on the road troops fled down in 1798 after their defeat at Tubberneering. They left their cannon behind, two six-pounders and a smaller piece, and ran in disorder with rebels at their heels. As the routed soldiers tore through the town, rebels fired on them from houses where they had taken position. The loyalists of Gorey, who moments before had felt safe, fled with the broken army to Arklow, leaving everything they owned behind. General Loftus had been marching by a different road, through Ballycannoo, when he heard the sound of fighting. He sent 70 men, the grenadier company of the Antrim militia, across the fields to help. Rebels who were chasing the fleeing army intercepted them, and almost all were killed or taken. Near 40 men of Walpole's division were lost as well. Loftus, not yet knowing what had happened, could not bring his artillery across the fields, so he kept to the highway and came round by a long circuit to the battlefield. Only then did he learn the outcome. He followed the rebels toward Gorey and found them posted on Gorey Hill.

Arrest of lieutenant Esmond at Naas after Prosperous massacre

Naas · town · Kildare · 1798

Lieutenant Esmond, apparently unaware his role in the Prosperous massacre was known, joined Captain Griffith's troop at Naas and was arrested there.

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with much higher colouring, the terrified loyalists of the neighbouring towns and country, men, women, and children, who had abandoned their possessions to the rapacity of the foe, flocking into this place of arms with the troops who retreated from the inferior posts. The little garr rison of Claine arrived here in the morning, where lieutenant Esmond, taking his place in Captain Griffith's troop, apparently unconscious of the affair of Prosperous, was arrested. The troops who had fought at Kilcullen arrived not before nine in the evening; the fugitive loyalists who accompanied them were obliged to remain in the street all night, yet they fared much better than many people afterwards in similar situations, as they were supplied with provisions from the military stores while they continued in this town, which was during some time after jn a state of alarm.
In the action at Kilcullen, which had taken place at seven in the morning, the inefficacy of cavalry against embattled pikemen was two clearly shewn. A body of about three hundred rebels having taken post at the church of Old KilculleHj general Dundas without waiting for his infantry, ordered his cavalry, consisting of forty men of the light dragoons and Romneys to charge , and, in this service, three times repeated, they were repulsed with the loss of captains Er-: skine and Cooks, apd twenty privates, beside

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft

As the companion tells it

Naas, in Kildare, was a place of arms in 1798, where terrified loyalists from the neighbouring towns and country, men, women and children, abandoned their possessions and flocked in with the troops retreating from inferior posts. The little garrison of Claine arrived here in the morning, and with them came lieutenant Esmond, who took his place in Captain Griffith's troop, apparently unconscious of the affair of Prosperous. He was arrested. The troops who had fought at Kilcullen arrived not before nine in the evening. The fugitive loyalists who accompanied them were obliged to remain in the street all night, yet they fared much better than many people afterwards in similar situations, as they were supplied with provisions from the military stores while they continued in this town, which was during some time after in a state of alarm. The action at Kilcullen had taken place at seven in the morning. There the inefficacy of cavalry against embattled pikemen was too clearly shown. A body of about 300 rebels having taken post at the church of Old Kilcullen, general Dundas, without waiting for his infantry, ordered his cavalry, consisting of 40 men of the light dragoons and Romneys, to charge. Three times repeated, they were repulsed with the loss of captains Erskine and Cook, and 20 privates.

Dislodgement of rebels from Rathangan

Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1798

Rebels who had fortified the village of Rathangan on the Grand Canal with barricades and chains across the streets, and had committed murders there, were dislodged by lieutenant-colonel Longfield's forces, with about sixty rebels killed and no loyalist losses.

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As this victory laid open the communication of the metropolis with the northern parts of the kingdom, so other successful movements produced the same effect on the western side. On the 2^th, a little after eleven o'clock in the morning, a body of rebels, who had posted themselves in the village of Rathaagan, on the 'grand canal, in the county of Kildare, situate twenty-nine miles westward cf Dublin, had committed murders, and had fortified their post with barricadoes and chains across the streets^ was dislodged, and about sixty of them slaughtered, by a party under the command of lieutenant-colonel Longfield, of the royal Cork militia; -who advanced against the town with his
IRISH REBELLION. Q§

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 54

Durham Fencibles Evade Ambuscade near Balbriggan

Balbriggan · town · Dublin · 1798

An ambuscade of seven thousand men was placed north of Balbriggen in County Meath to destroy the Durham fencibles regiment on its march south, but Colonel Skerrett's dispositions allowed the regiment to pass without loss.

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disapproved of the evacuation of Arklow, and commanded the garrison instantly to return from Wicklow to their post, without even permission to taste any refreshment. It was augmented on the sixth by the arrival of the Cavan regiment of militia, and at one o'clock on the morning of the 9th by that of the Durham fencibles. The arrival of this regiment, one of the best disciplined in the service of his Britannic majesty, was extremely critical, as it prevented the taking of Arklow by the rebels, the consequences of which would in all probability have been so great • and disastrous that I shudder at the thoughts of them. This regiment had been most remarkably active and successful, in the preceding year, in the county of Down, in disarming the United Irish, and thereby preventing rebellion in that part. When ordered southward, on account of the insurrection in Leinster, an ambuscade of seven thousand men was placed in the county of Meath, to the north of Balbriggen, to surround and cut it to pieces on its march ; but by the excellent 'dispositions made by its leader, colonel Skerrett, it passed tbis formidable ambuscade without loss, and arrived safely in Dublin; whence, after much deliberation, and a delay dangerous at such a crisis, it was sent to Arklow ; carriages being wisely procured for the men, in the French republican fashion, that they might be brought unfatigued to the scene of

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 83

Enniscorthy largely ruined during the rebellion

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

The town of Enniscorthy suffered destruction during the rebellion, with much the greater part of the town being ruined by fire and plunder.

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hundred houses, mostly cabins, were consumed ; and Enniscorthy, much the greater part of which was ruined. Where a town remained any time in possession of the rebels, what houses escaped the flames were in general so damaged as to be reduced barely to the walls and roof; the door-cases, window-cases, bases, and surbases of the chambers and chimney pieces being destroyed, and the furniture broken, burned, or carried away. Most of the devastations by fire, perpetrated in the county of Wicklow, and the adjoining districts, had place after the cause of the rebels was become desperate, after they had been dislodged from all their posts in the county of Wexford, and obliged to take refuge in the desert mountains: whence we may infer that the object of these rebels, when their hopes of revolution were frustrated, was to render the country of as little value as possible to their opponents.
The devastation and plundering sustained by the loyalists was not the work of the rebels alone. Great part of the damage was committed by the soldiery, who commonly completed the ruin of deserted houses, in which they had their quarters, and often plundered without distinction of loyalist and croppy. * The Hessians exceeded

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 119

Final dispersal of rebels at Ballyboughal near Swords

Ballyboghil · town · Dublin · 1798

Hotly pursued by captain Gordon of the Dumfries light dragoons, the remaining rebel force was finally dispersed with some slaughter at Ballyboghil near Swords in County Dublin, ending this campaign.

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towards Dublin, perhaps with design to regain the Wicklow mountains. Being hotly pursued by captain Gordon of the Dumfries light dragoons, with a body of cavalry followed by infantry, they were finally dispersed, with some slaughter, at Bally boghil, near Swords, in the county of Dublin, whence they severally endeavoured, by devious ways, to jpeach their homes, or places of concealment.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 107

French distribute thousands of muskets to insurgents at Killala

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

According to colonel Charost's account to the bishop of Killala, five thousand five hundred muskets were distributed to insurgents at Killala, though these new mountaineer recruits proved awkward with firearms and of little effective aid to the French forces.

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quite insufficient, though, according to the account of colonel Charost to the bishop of Killala, five thousand five hundred muskets were distributed in the last mentioned place to the insurgents. These new levies of mountaineers were generally very awkward in the use of guns, and proved to be of no very effectual aid to the French, who had expected far more powerful assistance from the Irish. They had also expected to be immediately followed by additional troops and stores from France. Totally disappointed in the former expectation, and seeing little prospect of being gratified in the latter, they began to suspect that they had been sent on a desperate errand, as a forlorn hope, to annoy, not to conquer, the enemies of their country. Like brave and faithful soldiers, they resolved to perform their duty, even in this case, and to make every effort in their power against the British government, until irresistible necessity Should compel them to surrender.
General Humbert, having ordered, on the 1st of September, the troops left at Killala to repair to the main body, commenced a rapid march, very early in the morning of the 4th, from Castlebar, through Foxford, toward the town of Sligo, perhaps with a design of attempting to approach the county of Donegal, where the additional forces from France were expected to majce a landing. Lieutenant-colonel Crawford,

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 139

As the companion tells it

As you come through Killala, this town in Mayo was where the French landed in 1798 and armed the local insurgents. According to Colonel Charost's account to the bishop of Killala, five thousand five hundred muskets were distributed here to the insurgents. But these new recruits, drawn from the mountains, were generally very awkward in the use of guns and proved to be of no very effectual aid to the French, who had expected far more powerful assistance from the Irish. The French had also expected to be immediately followed by additional troops and stores from France. Totally disappointed in that expectation, and seeing little prospect of being gratified in the other, they began to suspect they had been sent on a desperate errand, as a forlorn hope, to annoy, not to conquer, the enemies of their country. Like brave and faithful soldiers, they resolved to perform their duty even so, and to make every effort in their power against the British government, until irresistible necessity should compel them to surrender. General Humbert, having ordered on the 1st of September the troops left at Killala to repair to the main body, commenced a rapid march very early in the morning of the 4th from Castlebar, through Foxford, toward the town of Sligo, perhaps with a design of attempting to approach the county of Donegal, where the additional forces from France were expected to make a landing.

Fugitives Trapped by Arklow Garrison Order

Arklow · town · Wicklow · 1798

An order was issued preventing anyone from leaving Arklow until the garrison had marched, endangering loyalist women and children who would have fallen into rebel hands had the rebels arrived as expected.

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conduct in the officer who commanded in Arklow when the garrison was preparing for flight ; orders were issued that no person should be permitted to quit the town until the garrison had marched; so that if the rebels had come, as they were every moment expected, the whole multitude of fugitive women and children of the loyalist party must have fallen into their hands. If this order was intended to prevent the intelligence of Walpole's defeat from being carried northward, it was quite nugatory, as that intelligence was conveyed by several different roads :* and to imagine that the commander proposed to delay the rebels in their pursuit of the garrison, by the incumbrance of this captive multitude, would 'be to charge him with both cruelty and folly. The condition? however, of the poorer fugitives, was altered greatly for the better by the evacuation of Arklow, where they had been starving. Oil their way to Wicklow they were unmercifully plundered by the soldiery, but on their arrival there they found a comfortable subsistence, contributed by the charitable inhabitants of that town and neighbourhood.
As major Hardy was ignorant of the great force of the rebels posted at Gorey, he highly

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 83

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Arklow now, a town on the Wicklow coast. In 1798, the garrison here was preparing to flee from the rebels. The officer in command issued an order that no person be permitted to quit the town until the garrison had marched. The rebels were expected at any moment. Had they arrived, the fugitive women and children of the loyalist party would have fallen into their hands. If the order was meant to stop word of Walpole's defeat from travelling northward, it was useless, as that intelligence was already carried by several different roads. To think the commander proposed to delay the rebels in their pursuit by the encumbrance of this captive multitude would be to charge him with both cruelty and folly. The poorer fugitives had been starving in Arklow, but the evacuation changed their condition greatly for the better. On their way to Wicklow they were unmercifully plundered by the soldiery. On their arrival there, they found a comfortable subsistence, contributed by the charitable inhabitants of that town and neighbourhood.

Grange spared harassment through magistrate's diligence

Grange · townland · Wexford · 1802

At Grange, eight miles from Enniscorthy, where part of the Kerry militia was quartered, horses for baggage transport were provided without disagreeable circumstances due to the exertions of the Rev. William Eastwood, a magistrate, and the prudent conduct of Lieutenant Mahon.

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horses of the farmers and peasants, pressed for the carriage of baggage, were brought to unreasonable distances, and severely abused, unless . money was given by their owners to procure better treatment. Sometimes the carts were lost, and various other inconveniences occurred. — > Where they halted in their inarch, the soldiers dispersed themselves over the neighbourhood, seizing horses of which they had no need, merely to force the owners to release them by the payment of money. — The accommodation of soldiers bil letted was also severely felt by some who were exposed to it from their situation; and money was extorted on this ground also. After some time, the grievance of pressing was redressed in great measure, perhaps partly by more attention to discipline, but certainly by the allowance of better hire for the transportation of baggage, by which the necessity, and consequently the pretence, of compulsive employment, was in a considerable degree removed. Yet the inconvenience has continued to be occasionally, sometimes severely felt, by the connivance of officers to the detriment of agriculture ; of the numerous instances of which, one happened in my neighbourhood in April, 1802, in the march of the Kerry militia from Enniscorthy, when the country was harassed in an extent of many miles : whereas at Grange, where a part x>f this militia was quartered, eight miks from Ennis-
£}£ HISTORY OF THE

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 31

Lord Kingsborough takes horses from Cornelius Grogan's house in Wexford

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

The day after his liberation from captivity in Wexford, Lord Kingsborough went to Mr Cornelius Grogan's house and took two coach-horses from the stable to sell, an act the author cites as evidence of the plundering culture among officers.

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doubtless, lord Kingsboro-ugh thought his conduct blameless, when he went, the day after his liberation from Wexford, to Mr. Cornelius Grogan's house, and took out of the stable two coach-horses to sell. But if we should find the attention of any general officer so absorbed in a system of plunder, as to leave him no leisure for lighting, perhaps we might think him not entirely blameless.
REBELLION". 241

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 120

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, this town was the scene of a telling incident in 1798. The day after Lord Kingsborough was liberated from captivity here, he went to Cornelius Grogan's house and took two coach-horses from the stable to sell. The author of the time saw it as evidence of a plundering culture among officers, so absorbed in spoils they had, as he put it, "no leisure for fighting."

Near-disaster in Castlebar from accidental night shot

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

The town of Castlebar narrowly escaped partial devastation from its own defending army when a shot unaccountably fired from a window at night, aimed at the Longford militia, sparked a tumult among the soldiery that was only calmed by officers' intervention before it could cause destruction of property and lives.

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The town of Castlebar very narrowly escaped at least a partial devastation from our own army, before the approach of the enemy was expected. A shot unaccountably fired from a window in the night, and said to be levelled at the Longford militia, excited a tumult among the soldiery, which, if it had not been speedily quieted by the exertions of the officers, might have caused the firing of houses, and a melancholy destruction of lives and property. Three or four hours after, or at two o'clock in the morning of the 27th, intelligence arrived of the advance of the enemy through the mountains. This, which is said to have been discredited at first, and pronounced impossible by our officers, was soon confirmed. The French were found to be, at seven o'clock, within two miles of the town, between which and the assailants our army was soon arranged in an advantageous -position. The great superiority of the royal

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 137

As the companion tells it

As you come through Castlebar, this is a town that nearly destroyed itself from its own army in 1798. A shot fired from a window in the night, said to be aimed at the Longford militia, roused the soldiers into a tumult. Officers quieted them before houses were fired and lives lost. Hours later, at two in the morning on the 27th, word came that the enemy was advancing through the mountains. Officers dismissed it as impossible at first, but by seven the French were within two miles of the town.

North-Cork militia and yeomen desert Wexford garrison

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

With rebel numbers swelling to fifteen thousand at Three Rocks and disaffected yeomen deserting, the North-Cork militia abandoned their post near the Wexford barrack, followed by Captain Cornock's yeoman infantry.

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The situation of Wexford, commanded by hills, rendered it indefensible against artillery, by a garrison of only six hundred men, when the increasing number of the rebels at Threerocks amounted to fifteen thousand, beside a strong force left at Enniscorthy. A number of disaffected yeomen deserted to the enemy ; many concealed rebels were with good reason suspected to be awaiting within the town an opportunity of co-operating with their associates without ; and, to complete, the distrust and depression of spirits, of the rest of the garrison, the North- Cork militia, who had been stationed near the barrack, quitted their post about half after ten o'clock, directing their march to Duncannon ; and were followed immediately, and soon overtaken, by Captain Cornock with his yeoman infantry, who retreated in like manner.* — These considerations
* In excuse of captain Cornock who is generally admitted *o have behaved well in the defence of Enniscorthy, his friends

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 63

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, this is where the 1798 garrison collapsed. The town sat under commanding hills, indefensible against artillery with only 600 men, while rebel numbers at Three Rocks reached 15,000, beside a strong force at Enniscorthy. Disaffected yeomen deserted to the enemy, and concealed rebels were suspected inside the town, awaiting their chance. Around half past ten, the North-Cork militia, stationed near the barrack, abandoned their post and marched for Duncannon. Captain Cornock and his yeoman infantry followed and were soon overtaking them in retreat. The distrust and depression of spirits did the rest.

Only two apostates from Killala joined the French

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

The narrative notes that the only Church of Ireland members who took arms for the French invaders at Killala were two drunken men who first publicly converted to Catholicism before joining the rebel cause.

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If necessity obliged the French, for the support of their enterprise, to adopt a plan of public plunder, one of the chief incitements to the unfortunate peasantry, in the country about Killala, to repair to the standard of these invaders, was the thirst of private pillage, the indulgence of which no efforts of their more civilised associates could prevent. Of this the despoiled loyalists of Mayo felt the sad effects through a large extent of country. Here, as in the south-eastern parts, which had already suffered by rebellion, protest^ ant and loyalist were terms almost synonimous. " The only persons of the established church who " took arms against their sovereign, in favour of " the invaders, were two drunken sots of Killala, " who thinking apostacy the fittest prelude to " treason, before they euibraced the French " party, did first publicly declare themselves " converts to the church of Rome.* That enmity " to the protestant religion entered into the 6( motives of the devastation in Connaugbt, u cannot with any shew of reason be denied, " since it is notorious that, except during the " indiscriminate plunder which took place at the *' capture of Castlebar, very few instances oc^
* Narrative of transactions at Killala, page !?•

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 153

As the companion tells it

As you come through Killala in Mayo, this is a town marked by the events of 1798. When the French landed, the peasantry in the country about the town flocked to their standard largely from a thirst for private pillage, something the more civilised French associates could not prevent. The despoiled loyalists of Mayo felt the effects across a large extent of country. Here, as in the south-eastern parts that had already suffered by rebellion, Protestant and loyalist were terms almost synonymous. The only persons of the established church who took arms against their sovereign in favour of the invaders were two drunken sots of this town, who, thinking apostasy the fittest prelude to treason, first publicly declared themselves converts to the Church of Rome before they embraced the French party. That enmity to the Protestant religion entered into the motives of the devastation in Connaught cannot be denied, since it is notorious that, except during the indiscriminate plunder at the capture of Castlebar, very few instances occurred.

Plunder of Killala by Militia Troops

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

After the battle, militia regiments that came to Killala's assistance behaved rapaciously, seizing property as their own, causing the town to grow weary and glad to see them depart to other quarters.

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The evils of civil warfare belong not exclu sivciy to the vanquished : the victorious party also must feel some portion of the general misfortune. In his relation of affairs subsequent to the arrival of the king's troops, the narrator says, " If the people of Killala were distressed to find " accommodation for the multitude of officers 4< that now poured in upon them, they experi- " cnccd yet greater inconvenience from the " predatory habits of the soldiery. The rcgi- " ments that: came to their assistance, being all " militia, seemed to think they had a right to " take the property they had been the means of " preserving, and to use it as their own, when- " ever they stood in need of it. Their rapacity " differed in no respect from that of the rebels, " except that they seized upon things with less of " ceremony and excuse, and that his majesty's " soldiers were incomparably superior to the Irish " traitors in dexterity at stealing. In conse- " quence, the town very soon grew weary of their " guests, and were glad to see them march off " to other quarters. It is but justice to the re- " giment that has remained at Killala ever since, " the prince of Wales'* fensibles, to acknowledge u that they always behaved themselves with the
* Narrative, &c. p. 1(3(3—168.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 163

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Killala, a town in Mayo that felt the mixed fortunes of 1798. After the battle, the king's troops arrived, and the people struggled to house the multitude of officers pouring in. But the militia regiments that came to their assistance proved worse than the rebels they had fought. They seemed to think they had a right to take the property they had been the means of preserving, and to use it as their own. The narrator writes that their rapacity differed from that of the rebels only in that they seized things with less ceremony and excuse, and that his majesty's soldiers were incomparably superior to the Irish traitors in dexterity at stealing. The town soon grew weary of its guests and was glad to see them march off to other quarters. One regiment, the Prince of Wales' Fencibles, stayed behind and behaved well throughout.

Rebel leaders of Enniscorthy named by Musgrave

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Sir Richard Musgrave names William Barker, a brewer and merchant of Enniscorthy, as a rebel general in the camp, along with Patrick Sutton and other locally prominent men who held rebel rank.

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" Mr. William Barker, a brewer and a merchant of Ennisf< corthy, was a general in the camp. Mr. Patrick Sutton, <s formerly a merchant, and well educated, held that rank ; and " his two sons, one of whom was educated for the bar, were *' officers there : one Kelly, an opulent farmer near that town, " a rebel officer, who has been hanged : the bloody Luke " Byrne, a malster, and his two sons, in opulent circumstances : ** Messrs. Codd'J and Walsh, shop-keepers, and reputed rich : *' Marineth, a farmer, was wealthy; Andrew Farrel was in good ** circumstances, and yet he was active in promoting the massa- " cres : Jeremiah Fitzhenry, married to John Colclough's sister, " was of the ancient family of the Fitzhenrys, in the county ** of Wexford : John Colclough, of a family highly respectable, " who had often represented the county, was well educated, *' and in good circumstances, disgraced himself by yielding to " the influence of fanaticism. He was the only papist that I " could learn of his family. Messrs. Garret and William " Byrne were rebel chieftains, and attended the camps." £ " Francis Codd, another person of the same name, >ras very loyal.**.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 188

Recapture of Ballina from rebel garrison

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

King's troops arrived at Ballina on 22 September 1798 and after a few discharges of cannon and musketry caused the rebel garrison and its French commander Truc to flee toward Killala.

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of these towns. Intelligence was received by these officers, on the 12th, of the fate of their army at Bailinamuk ; which intelligence was, for good reasons, concealed from the rebels, until they were informed by some of their own party, who had escaped from the slaughter. To account satisfactorily for the tardiness of the Ring's troops in their march to these posts, where the loyalists were in perpetual danger of assassination, I am not furnished with materials ; but they arrived not at Ballina till the 22d of September, about three o'clock in the afternoon, when after a few discharges of cannon and musketry, the rebel garrison, with its commander, a French officer, named True, fled toward Killala.
On the 23d of September, thirty-two days after the landing of the French army, and fifteen after its capture at Ball in am tick, a large body of troops arrived at Killala, under the command of major-general Trench, who would have been a day or two later in his arrival, if he had not been hastened by a message from the bishop of Killala, concerning the extreme danger of his family, and the rest of the loyalists in that town. " The peaceful inhabitants of Killala " were now to be spectators of a scene which " they had never expected to behold— a battle ! " a fight which no person who has seen it " once, and possesses the feelings of a human " creature, would choose to witness a second

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 145

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Ballina was held by a rebel garrison under a French commander in September 1798. The King's troops had been slow to march on these posts, where loyalists were in what the source calls perpetual danger of assassination. Intelligence had reached the officers on the 12th about the fate of their army at Ballinamuck, but this was concealed from the rebels until some of their own party who had escaped the slaughter told them. The troops did not arrive at Ballina until the 22nd of September, about three o'clock in the afternoon. After a few discharges of cannon and musketry, the rebel garrison, with its commander, a French officer named Truc, fled toward Killala. The next day, the 23rd of September, thirty-two days after the landing of the French army and fifteen after its capture at Ballinamuck, a large body of troops arrived at Killala under Major-General Trench. He would have been a day or two later but for a message from the bishop of Killala about the extreme danger of his family and the rest of the loyalists in that town.

Retreat of loyalists from Gorey amid rebel advance

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

As rebels approached, crowds fled to Gorey for protection, and the small garrison decided first to defend the town by barricading streets with carts, then abandoned it after news of the North-Cork militia's slaughter at Oulart.

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ing of the 27th of May, to Gorey, was followed by great numbers of people hastening to the town for protection, and carrying what they could of their effects with them ; many, however, through terror and precipitation, leaving all behind. As Gorey, consisting only of one street with a number of lanes, was garrisoned by no more than thirty of the North -Cork militia, under lieutenants way ne, and a number of yeomen;, assisted by an undisciplined crowd, some of whom were armed only with pikes, to abandon the town, and retreat to Arklow, nine miles to the north, in the county of Wickiow, was at first resolved ; but afterwards to defend the town was determined, carts and waggons being drawn by way of ramparts across the avenues and the street — the undisciplined men placed at the windows to fire on the approaching enemy, and the disciplined arranged about the centre of the town. In the evening arrived a reinforcement of the Antrim militia, under lieutenant Elliot, an experienced and excellent officer ; but as accounts of devastations and murders, received in the course of the day, seemed to indicate the approach of an army of rebels, the apprehensions of whom were rendered far more terrible by the news of the North- Cork militia slaughtered at Oulart, orders were issued to abandon the town, and retire to Arklow at five o'clock on the following morning, the 28th of May.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 66

As the companion tells it

As you come through Gorey in Wexford, this is the town where on the 27th of May 1798, crowds fled for protection as rebels approached, carrying what they could, many leaving everything behind in terror. The garrison was only 30 of the North-Cork militia under Lieutenants Wayne and a number of yeomen, backed by an undisciplined crowd, some armed only with pikes. They first resolved to abandon the town and retreat to Arklow, nine miles north in the county of Wicklow, but then decided to defend it, drawing carts and waggons across the street and lanes as ramparts. The undisciplined men were placed at windows to fire on the approaching enemy, the disciplined soldiers arranged about the centre. That evening a reinforcement of the Antrim militia arrived under Lieutenant Elliot, an experienced officer. But through the day came accounts of devastations and murders, and the news that the North-Cork militia had been slaughtered at Oulart made the rebels seem far more terrible. Orders went out to abandon the town and retire to Arklow at five o'clock the following morning, the 28th of May.

Rev. Pentland's Character Remembered in Killann Parish

Killann · townland · Wexford · 1798

James Bryan, a Roman Catholic resident of the parish of Killann where Pentland had served as minister, testified that he ran to try to save Pentland from being killed at Vinegar Hill but arrived too late, finding him already dead, and praised him as bearing an excellent, quiet character.

Read the passage

A. I am a Roman catholic, and live in the parish of Killann, of which Mr. Pentland was minister.
Q. What' was his character in the parish ?

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 181

Rivalry Between Wexford Rebel Chiefs Spares New Ross

New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

A private enmity between two chiefs of the Wexfordian insurgents prevented the seizure of the town of Ross, averting a dangerous extension of the rebellion into Waterford and Kilkenny.

Read the passage

The distinction indeed between Irish of aboriginal and English descent is, from the blending of the races, long since lost, as Dr. Duigenan, in his most excellent pamphlet already noticed, has observed, and as I also have observed in another work :f but would not other causes, of jealousy and dissension have arisen, and encreascd •with the prospect of success, among rival chiefs and rival armies, when, even in the recent insurrection, a private enmity between two chiefs of the Wexfordian insurgents prevented the seizure of Ross, and a most dangerous extension of the rebellion to the counties of Waterford and Kilkenny ?£ Supposing a most improbable continuance of concord, together with
* Leland's history of Ireland, book v. chap. 7» Also book v. chap. 3. Also Carte's Ormond, vol. i. p. 58Q.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 168

Battle at Kilcavan Hill

Kilcavan · townland · Laois · 1798

Rebels under Garret Byrne retreated to Kilcavan hill, a lofty eminence near Carnew, after failing to surprise Hacketstown. Combined royal forces under general Lake attacked with cannonade but did not force surrender; the rebel army marched that night to Vinegar Hill.

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not adviseable; for, after a cannonade on both sides, with little execution, and tremendous shouts of defiance from the rebels, with their hats raised on pikes, according to their constant practice, the general retired to Carnew, and Byrne's army, the same night, the £Qth of June, directed its march to Vinegar-hill.
During these transactions, the rebels who had remained in Gorey and its neighbourhood were gradually dispersing. A part of them retired to Wexforcl, bringing with them the prisoners who ' had been confined in the market-house of Gorey. These had been severely treated; they had been supplied with food only once in the twenty-four hours; cropped, pitch-capped, and exposed from the windows to the insults of the shouting multitudes on their march to attack Arklow. Some had been shot or piked to death. The mass of remaining rebels took their station on the hill of Ask, above a mile from Gorey, on the way to Arklow. After the battle at the last-named town, the royal army remained some days close within its quarters there, sending out patroles with great caution, at first to a very small distance, and afterwards gradually farther. At last a troop of yeoman cavalry ventured so far on the road toward Gorey as to approach near the rebel station on Ask hill. This post had been so thinned by perpetual desertions, that not more than about a hundred men fit for action^

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 87

Burning of Carnew

Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

After defeating Walpole's army, the rebels wasted time burning the town of Carnew and holding trials of prisoners accused of being orangemen before advancing to Gorey.

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who after the defeat of Walpole's army on 4th of June, had wasted their time hi burning the town of Carnew, in trials of prisoners for orange-men, the plundering of houses, and other acts of like nature, at. length collected their force at Gorey, and advanced to attack Arklow on the 9th, the only day in which that post had been prepared for defence. Their number probably amounted to twenty-seven thousand, of whom near five thousand were armed with guns, the rest with pikes, which gave them in some points of view the appearance of a moving forest, and they were furnished Avith three serviceable pieces of artillery. The troops posted for the defence of this, at that time, most important station, consisted of sixteen hundred men, including yeomen, supplementary men, and those of the artillery. The rebels attacked the town on all sides, except that which is washed by the river. The approach of that column, which advanced by the sea shore, was so rapid, that the picket guard of yeoman cavalry, stationed in that quarter, was in extreme danger, a party of the rebels having entered and fired what is called the fishery, a part of the town on that side, composed of thatched cabins, before they could effect their escape, so that they were obliged to gallop through the flames, while the main body of this rebel column was at their heels. So great was the terror of this troop of yeomen that most
IRISH fcEBELLIOST. 155

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 85

Charitable Reception of Refugees at Wicklow

Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1798

Poor fugitives from Arklow, who had been starving there and were plundered on the road, found comfortable subsistence contributed by the charitable inhabitants of Wicklow town upon arrival.

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conduct in the officer who commanded in Arklow when the garrison was preparing for flight ; orders were issued that no person should be permitted to quit the town until the garrison had marched; so that if the rebels had come, as they were every moment expected, the whole multitude of fugitive women and children of the loyalist party must have fallen into their hands. If this order was intended to prevent the intelligence of Walpole's defeat from being carried northward, it was quite nugatory, as that intelligence was conveyed by several different roads :* and to imagine that the commander proposed to delay the rebels in their pursuit of the garrison, by the incumbrance of this captive multitude, would 'be to charge him with both cruelty and folly. The condition? however, of the poorer fugitives, was altered greatly for the better by the evacuation of Arklow, where they had been starving. Oil their way to Wicklow they were unmercifully plundered by the soldiery, but on their arrival there they found a comfortable subsistence, contributed by the charitable inhabitants of that town and neighbourhood.
As major Hardy was ignorant of the great force of the rebels posted at Gorey, he highly

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 83

Clash between North-Cork and Downshire militia near Gorey

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

In April 1798, a detachment of North-Cork militia marching to Gorey attempted to attack a short-haired soldier of the Downshire militia, mistaking him for a rebel sympathiser, but were repulsed by his colleagues, resulting in a bloody conflict in which three officers and many soldiers were wounded.

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disengaged without a laceration of the hair and even skin. An insult of this kind attempted on a mistaken object in Wicklow, in April, 1798, was in danger of being followed by fatal effects. A detachment of the North- Cork militia, in their inarch to Gorey, meeting and beginning to maltreat a soldier with short hair, of the Downshire militia, who, being servant to an officer, was not at the time dressed in military uniform, were furiously repulsed by some of the Downshire soldiers, who ran to the rescue of their colleague, -and a bloody conflict would have ensued, if it had not been prevented by the extraordinary exertions of the officers on both sides, three of whom, beside many of the soldiers, were wounded in the fray.
Among the species of injuries to which men were innocently exposed, in the turbid state of the kingdom, preceding the grand insurrection, was this, that numbers of malignant persons, mostly, I suppose, perhaps all, of the united party, made it a practice to seize violently such 35 they thought proper, or were able, and to crop or cut their hair short, which rendered them liable to the outrage of the pitched cap of those who were, or rather pretended to be, strenuous partisans of the established constitution. Handkerchiefs, ribbons, and other parts of dress marked with the obnoxious colour, were torn or cut away from females unconscious of disloyalty,

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 43

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Gorey, this town marks the scene of a near-disaster in April 1798, when the kingdom was in a turbid state before the grand insurrection. In those days, numbers of malignant persons, mostly of the united party, made it a practice to seize people and crop or cut their hair short. This rendered anyone with short hair liable to outrage from those who claimed to be staunch partisans of the established constitution. A detachment of the North-Cork militia, on their march to Gorey, met a soldier of the Downshire militia who had short hair. He was a servant to an officer and was not dressed in military uniform at the time. The North-Cork men began to maltreat him, mistaking him for a rebel sympathiser whose hair had been cropped. Downshire soldiers ran to the rescue of their colleague and furiously repulsed the attackers. A bloody conflict would have ensued had it not been prevented by the extraordinary exertions of the officers on both sides. Three officers, beside many of the soldiers, were wounded in the fray. Handkerchiefs, ribbons, and other parts of dress marked with the obnoxious colour were torn or cut away from females unconscious of disloyalty.

Cruelties reported on Vinegar Hill during the rebellion

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Edward Hay reportedly expressed horror at barbarous proceedings being committed on Vinegar Hill by the rebels, and stated he would risk his life to stop them if present.

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reports that were circulated. Deponent has heard Mr. Hay express his horror and detestation of the barbarous proceedings of the rebels, and that he would lose his life, or put a stop to the cruelties that were committing on Vinegarhill, had he been there. Deponent remembers to have heard of an order for several prisoners to be sent to Enniscorthy, which order might have been complied with, had not Mr. Hay gained intelligence that they were to be put to death, and at the earnest request of the prisoners from the neighbourhood of Enniscorthy, Mr. Hay declared that he would make such representations to the principal inhabitants of Wexford, as to have them detained in goal, as their only place of safety ; on which occasion he has heard the prisoners express their utmost gratitude to Mr, Hay, whom they consulted on all occasions of distress, and from whom they received every possible comfort. Various reports were propagated which tended to rouze and irritate the passions of the people to revenge, that the army had committed the greatest excesses, which alarmed the prisoners very much, who consulted Mr. Hay about a proposal they had drawn up, to be forwarded to government, intimating their great danger, and hoping that the prisoners taken by the army might meet with the like good treatment that they did, otherwise reprisals might be made, and their destruction inevitable.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 201

As the companion tells it

You are coming near Vinegar Hill, the hill outside Enniscorthy in Wexford. In 1798 it was the scene of cruelties carried out by the rebels during the rising. A man called Edward Hay heard reports of what he called the "barbarous proceedings" being committed there and said he would have risked his life to put a stop to them had he been present. He learned that several prisoners were to be sent to Enniscorthy, where they were to be put to death. At the prisoners' own request he had them detained in gaol instead, as their only place of safety, and the prisoners expressed deep gratitude to him, consulting him in every distress. Reports were spreading at the same time that the army had committed great excesses, alarming the prisoners further. They drew up a proposal to forward to government, setting out their danger and asking that prisoners taken by the army receive the same humane treatment they had received, otherwise reprisals might follow and their own destruction would be inevitable.

Evacuation of Wexford garrison to Duncannon fort

Duncannon · town · Wexford · 1798

Colonel Maxwell was obliged to evacuate Wexford, sending deputies to notify the rebels so the town would not be treated as taken by storm; the army retreated twenty-three miles to Duncannon fort with loyalist refugees.

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obliged colonel Maxwell to evacuate Wexford ; and two deputies, counsellor Richards, and his brother, an apothecary, being sent to notify the evacuation to the rebels, to prevent them from act ing as if the town had been taken by storm, the army retreated to the fort of Dun cannon, twenty three miles distant, accompanied by such of the loyal inhabitants and refugees from other places as were apprized of the intended evacuation, and were willing and able to perform the inarch ; but, as the troops may be said to have stolen away from the .town, great numbers were left in the power of the rebels, merely by their ignorance of an intended retreat
allege that, seeing the retreat of the North-Cork militia, he thought it a retreat of the whole garrison, and that he was confirmed in that mistake by the erroneous information of a Mr. Jones. But captain Snowe seems to intimate, that the retreat was begun at least as soon by captain Cornock's men as by his. His words are these : (p. 16.) " I was preparing to *' march my men back to the barack, when the Scaraivatsh *' yeomanry, with their officers, and part of the North-Cork, " from the barrack, with an officer and Serjeant major, ad- •' vanced to the barrier 5 the men of the North-^Cork at the " barrier immediately joined them, and in spite of my utmost " endeavours, marched out along with them ;. some even " scaled the breast-work. Here 1 thought it my duty not to " abandon such a number of men. I therefore took charge " of them, and succeded in keeping them together on " the retreat, and preventing every species of depredation and " violence, not. a single instance of which occured, except the " taking of some horses from the adjacent fields, to mount some *' of the fainting and worn-out soldiers.'*

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 64

Gunpowder explosion in Gorey street

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

Gunpowder spilled on the pavement by the retreating militia in Gorey exploded when struck by a spark from a horse's shoe, singeing both horse and rider without fatal effect.

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gentry, expressed their feelings on the occasion by a hideous and mournful yell; and that six men who had been that morning, though unarmed, J taken prisoners, shot through the body and left for dead in the street, were writhing with pain — one of whom in particular, was lying against a wall, and, though unable to speak, threatened with his fist a protestant who had run back in to the town for something which he had forgotten. The yeomen returned in a few hours to Gorey, but immediately retreated again to Arklow; and one of them, in riding through the former, met with a dangerous accident; — a quantity of gunpowder had been spilled on the pavement by the militia in their hasty retreat, which, by a spark struck by one of the horses shoes, blew up, and singed both horse and man in a frightful manner, without, however, any fatal effects. As the rebels had bent their march toward the southern parts, Gorey remained unmolested, though destitute of defence. Filled as it was with a variety of goods, great part of which had been carried thither for safety from the neigh* bouring parts, it presented a tempting object of depredation ; but the pilfering of the lower class of the towns people was prevented by the better sort of Romanist inhabitants, who formed theniiselves into guards to protect the houses of their protestant neighbours ; and when a multitude of had assembled at some distance to

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 70

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Gorey, a town the road passes through, and in 1798 it saw a strange accident during the Rebellion. The yeomen had returned to Gorey but immediately retreated again to Arklow, and as they fled they spilled gunpowder on the pavement. One rider coming through struck a spark from his horse's shoe, and the powder blew up, singing both horse and man in a frightful manner, though with no fatal effects. That same morning six unarmed men had been taken prisoner, shot through the body and left for dead in the street. One of them, lying against a wall and unable to speak, threatened with his fist a Protestant who had run back into town for something he had forgotten. The rebels marched south, and Gorey was left unmolested, though destitute of defence. The town was full of goods carried there for safety from the neighbouring parts, and the better sort of Romanist inhabitants formed themselves into guards to protect the houses of their Protestant neighbours, preventing the pilfering of the lower class of townspeople.

Hearts of Oak Insurrection in Armagh, Tyrone and Derry

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1763

In 1763 an open but almost bloodless insurrection of men calling themselves Hearts of Oak took place in the counties of Armagh, Tyrone, and Derry, involving men of all religious sects.

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1 should think, appear from the disturbances which have had place at several times among the peasants of Ireland ; as the open, yet almost bloodless insurrection of men stiling themselves Hearts of Oak, in the year 1763, in the counties of Armagh, Tyrone, and Derry — men of all sects of religion indiscriminately ; the more bloody insurrection of the Hearts of Steel, ten years afterwards, in the counties of Antrim and Derry, mostly protestants, irritated to violence by exactions of rents and fines of leases on the estate of the earl of Donegal ; and the nocturnal outrages committed many years in the south by the JVhiteboys, particularly in the counties of Tipperary and Kilkenny. Neither is emigration to America, from an island which could easily maintain double the number of its present inhabitants by a due cultivation and improvement of its lands, a very favourable symptom. What revenue might Ireland contribute for the support of the British power under proper encouragements of industry, when under many discouragements her annual revenue to the crown has risen from less than ten thousand pounds, in the fourteenth century,* to near six millions, or six hundred fold, at the close of the eighteenth?
One of the happiest consequences reasonably expected to arise, in course of time, from the

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 169

Infantry disperse rebels at Kilcullen bridge

Kilcullen · town · Kildare · 1798

Retiring to Kilcullen bridge, general Dundas engaged the pursuing rebels with twenty-seven Suffolk infantry, whose musket volleys discomfited and dispersed the insurgent force.

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ten wounded, most of them mortally. Retiring to Kilcullen bridge, he attacked -the enemy, who had followed him thither, with twenty-seven Suffolk infantry in front, who, in three destructive discharges of musketry, discomfited and dispersed the rebels.
In my relation of this aifair I by no means intend any censure on the general; nor, if I were not indispensably bound to strict impartiality and truth, would I mention any circumstance, which might be wrested into a sinister sense against one whom I consider as an excellent officer and a. worthy man. A mistaken opinion of the force of cavalry against pikemen seems tohavebeen almost universal until experience brought conviction.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 52

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kilcullen, you are on ground where General Dundas retired to the bridge in 1798, pursued by rebels who had followed him there. He turned and attacked them with 27 Suffolk infantry, whose three volleys of musketry discomfited and dispersed the insurgent force. Ten were wounded, most of them mortally. The author of the record defends Dundas as an excellent officer and a worthy man, and notes that a mistaken belief in the power of cavalry against pikemen was widespread until experience taught otherwise.

Informer Nicholas Maguan of Saintfield reveals northern insurrection plans

near Saintfield · town · Down · 1797

The plan for a general insurrection in the north, intended to occur before the end of June, was uncovered particularly through the informations of Nicholas Maguan of Saintfield, county Down, prompting rigorous measures of coercion by government.

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civil power, followed the proclamation : and as the plan of each county was found (particularly by the informations of Nicholas Maguan, of Saintfield, in the county of Down), to be arranged for a general insurrection in the north, which was to take place before the end of June, the most rigorous and summary, modes of coercion were judged necessary.
The members of the Irish government, forced by the magnitude of the threatened evils, into a temporary violation of the political constitution, for its ultimate safety, authorized such modes of compulsion as must have wounded their own feelings. The houses and effects of those who produced not the arms, which by informations they were known or supposed to have in concealment, were consumed with fire by the troops, or otherwise destroyed ; and many persons, to force a discovery, were put to some species of torture, particularly that of the picket. The term of surrender and pardon was by proclamation prolonged from the twenty-fourth of June, to the twenty -fourth of July ; and such. were the effects of the measures pursued, that, excepting a partial, unsupported, and short-lived commotion, near the mountains in the county of Down, the intended insurrection was prevented 2 great quantities of arms were collected from the inalecontents, and order so restored throughout Ulster, that the administration of justice was

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 32

John Hunter Gowan garrisons Gorey

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

Magistrate John Hunter Gowan, previously rewarded by government pension for suppressing robbers, collected a body of men to garrison Gorey, after which fugitives returned from Arklow and the militia resumed their station.

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and plunder the town, they dispersed in a fright on the receipt of false news that the Ancient-' British Regiment of cavalry was approaching. At length John, Hunter Gowan, Esq. a magistrate who had in a most meritorious and successful manner exerted himself many years in the apprehending and prosecuting of robbers, and had been partly rewarded for his services by a pension from government of ] OOl. a year, collected a body of men to garrison the town. On the 30th and 31st of May, the greater part of the fugitives returned from Ark low to their homes, and the militia and yeomanry; who had abandoned Gorey on the 28th, resumed their station in it.
In the mean time the insurgents having possession of all the southern parts of the county of Wexford, except Ross and Duncannon, on the western border, began to turn their attention toward the north; and on the morning of the 1st of June, the beautiful little town of Bunclody, otherwise termed Newtownbarry, situate ten miles north-westward of Enniscorthy, was attacked by a great body of rebels, detached from their post of Vinegar-hill, an eminence at the foot of which the town of Enniscorthy is built The garrison, including yeomen and volunteers, consisted of about five hundred men, of whom about three hundred were militia, under Colonel Lestrange. of the King's county regiment The

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 71

As the companion tells it

Coming up on Gorey here in Wexford. In 1798, this town saw panic and then a kind of recovery. People who had been gathering to plunder the town dispersed in fright when false news spread that the Ancient British Regiment of cavalry was approaching. Then John Hunter Gowan stepped forward. He was a magistrate, a man who had spent years apprehending and prosecuting robbers, and had done so with such success that the government rewarded him with a pension of 100 pounds a year. Gowan collected a body of men and garrisoned the town. On the 28th of May, the militia and yeomanry had abandoned Gorey. But by the 30th and 31st of May, the greater part of the fugitives who had fled to Arklow returned to their homes, and the militia and yeomanry resumed their station in the town. In the meantime, the insurgents held the southern parts of Wexford except Ross and Duncannon on the western border, and were beginning to turn their attention northward.

Loyalists disarmed in the defence of Ross

New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

In the defence of Ross under general Johnson, loyal volunteers were disarmed for fear they would be mistaken for rebels by the soldiery since they lacked military uniform, unlike the successful arrangement at Arklow.

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so important a part, the best defence of a post in the whole rebellion was displayed. Here, among other good arrangements, the remnant of those loyalists who had been most injudiciously disarmed and dispersed in the first retreat from Gorey, were furnished with arms, and so posted as to gall the enemy with great effect. On men of this kind, who in the Latin phrase were fighting pro aris et fotis, much more dependance might be placed, in the defence of towns, than on the hired soldiers. In the defence of Ross, where the truly brave general Johnson commanded, a contrary conduct was observed. The loyal volunteers who might have been so posted as to avoid the danger of such a misconception, M'ere disarmed, lest, not being clothed in military uniform they should be mistakeriibr rebels by the soldiery. If the commanders of his majesty's forces, acting against the rebels, committed any small errors in their proper province, ample compensation was commonly made by the pen, in the dispatches to government published in their name, and other pieces of writing of a like nature. The numbers killed, if otherwise thair on paper, might have alarmingly thinned the? population of a county. I have taken much pains to make enquiry from various persons who had been on the scenes of action, and could never find ground to think otherwise, than that the numbers of men slain among the rebels, in
IRISH REBELLION. 2,6$

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 131

Major Hardy forces Arklow garrison back to its post

Arklow · town · Wicklow · 1798

After Walpole's defeat caused widespread panic, major Hardy forced the garrison of Arklow to return to its post, an action credited with preventing the abandonment of the entire line south of Dublin to the rebels.

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Whatever courage or ingenuity may have been possessed by numbers of individuals in these disorderly and unofficered bands, the rapid success of the Wexfordian insurgents, in the commencement of their ill-designed and illconducted warfare, and the delay of their suppression afterwards, are in great measure attributable to mistakes committed on the side of the royal forces. I reserve some particulars relative to some officers for another opportunity. The conduct and fate of Walpole are well known to the public. This gentleman, an extraordinary favourite of Lord Camden, is said to have been sent to the county of Wexford, with the' design, that he should reap the glory of conquest by the complete suppression of the rebels.— A panic (which certainly surprised me, doubtless from my. ignorance of military affairs) appeared to have seized our officers in general, after the slaughter of Oulart, and the taking of Enniscorthy. This panic had such effect after the defeat of Walpole, that if major Hardy had not forced the garrison pf Arklow to return to its post, all in that line to. the south of Dublin would, I believe, have been abandoned to the rebels; and how Dublin itself in that case could have stood against internal and external assailants, I leave to others to judge. In the gssaujt of Arklow, where general Skerrett acted

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 130

As the companion tells it

As you come through Arklow, the town stands in County Wicklow, and in 1798 it held a garrison that nearly abandoned its post. The Wexford insurgents had rapid success early in their rising, and much of that success, and the delay in their suppression, came down to mistakes on the side of the royal forces. After the slaughter at Oulart and the taking of Enniscorthy, a panic seized the officers in general. Walpole, a favourite of Lord Camden, had been sent to County Wexford with the design that he should reap the glory of conquest by completely suppressing the rebels. His defeat deepened the panic. After Walpole's fall, the effect was such that if Major Hardy had not forced the garrison of Arklow to return to its post, all in that line to the south of Dublin would have been abandoned to the rebels. The author of this account believed that Dublin itself could not have stood against internal and external assailants in that case. The assault of Arklow followed, where General Skerrett acted.

Military baggage requisitions harass the countryside near Enniscorthy

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1802

In April 1802, the march of the Kerry militia from Enniscorthy caused widespread harassment of the countryside for many miles, with horses seized and abused for baggage transport. By contrast, at Grange, eight miles from Enniscorthy, the exertions of Rev. William Eastwood and Lieutenant Mahon ensured horses were provided without disagreeable incident.

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horses of the farmers and peasants, pressed for the carriage of baggage, were brought to unreasonable distances, and severely abused, unless . money was given by their owners to procure better treatment. Sometimes the carts were lost, and various other inconveniences occurred. — > Where they halted in their inarch, the soldiers dispersed themselves over the neighbourhood, seizing horses of which they had no need, merely to force the owners to release them by the payment of money. — The accommodation of soldiers bil letted was also severely felt by some who were exposed to it from their situation; and money was extorted on this ground also. After some time, the grievance of pressing was redressed in great measure, perhaps partly by more attention to discipline, but certainly by the allowance of better hire for the transportation of baggage, by which the necessity, and consequently the pretence, of compulsive employment, was in a considerable degree removed. Yet the inconvenience has continued to be occasionally, sometimes severely felt, by the connivance of officers to the detriment of agriculture ; of the numerous instances of which, one happened in my neighbourhood in April, 1802, in the march of the Kerry militia from Enniscorthy, when the country was harassed in an extent of many miles : whereas at Grange, where a part x>f this militia was quartered, eight miks from Ennis-
£}£ HISTORY OF THE

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 31

Murder of Philip Annesly Near Mr. Bayle's Land

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Francis Bradley testified that he saw Mr. Philip Annesly in the custody of Andrew Farrel during the rebellion, and Annesly asked Bradley to save his watch and money as he believed Farrel was taking him to be killed. Annesly's body was later reported buried near Mr. Bale's in a ditch.

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A. I believe he is dead— it is so reputed in the country ; and that he lies buried near Mr. Bale's* in a ditch.
Q. Do you know Andrew Farrel, the prisoner?

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 176

Philip Roche's forces flee Lacken Hill

Lacken · townland · Wexford · 1798

The army marching from Ross surprised the bands of Philip Roche on Lacken hill, who fled in confusion leaving tents and plunder, splitting into groups heading to Wexford and Vinegar Hill.

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from Ross, vender major-generals Johnson and Eustace — who were to make the attack on the town of Enniscorthy. The march of the army from Ross was a kind of surprise to the bands of Philip Roche on Lacken hill, who fled in the utmost confusion, leaving their tents and a great quantity of plunder behind; and separating intotwo bodies, one of which took its way to Wexford, the other to Vinegar-hill, where the Wexfordiart insurgents were concentrating their force.
This now1* famous eminence, rather infamous as a scene of religious butchery, had, with the town of Enniscorthy at its foot, and the country far around, been in possession of the rebels above three weeks from the 2Hth of May. During all this time the face of affairs had been indescribably hideous. Horrors and incessant apprehensions of death attended the hapless protestaait* who had not effected their escape from the devoted ground : — they were every where seized ; a few put to death where they were discovered, but most of them dragged to Vinegar-hill, where, after a sham trial, often without any form of trial, they were shot, or transfixed with pikes ; many lashed, or otherwise barbarously treated before the final execution. To state with indubitable accuracy the exict number of .men thus butchered in this fatal spot I will not pretend to §ay; but it appears from unquestionable documents to have Men little short of four hundred.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 88

Plunder of Carbery village

Carbury · townland · Kildare · 1798

On the night of their repulse at Clonard, the rebel force plundered the village of Carbery in County Kildare before marching on toward Meath.

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On the night of their repulse they plundered the village of Carbery, in the county of Kildare, and marched the following morning by Johnstown to a place called Summerhill, near Culmullin, in the county of Meath. Here, after having eluded the pursuit of some parties of soldiery, particularly that of colonel Gordon, of the Inverness fensibles, who had marched to seek them from Trim, they were attacked by colonel Gough, with a body of troops from Edenderry, and obliged to fly with precipitation and the loss of their plunder. Totally disappointed in their hopes of assistance to their cause in the county of Meath, which had been so agitated by defenderism and rebellion, they by a circuitous and rapid march made their way to the river Boyne, which they crossed near Duleek into the county of Louth. Finding themselves overtaken on the 14th, by the cavalry of majorgeneral Wemys and brigadier-general Meyrick, who were pursuing them with two divisions of the army, they made a desperate stand between the Boyne and the town of Ardee. On the arrival of the infantry and artillery to the assistance of the cavalry, who had been endeavouring to keep the rebels at bay, they broke, and fled, with some loss, into a bog. Some of these adventurers directed their flight hence to Ardee, and dispersed ; but the main body, repassing the Boyne, marched with great celerity
216 HISTORY OF THE

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 107

Rebel retreat to Slieve Croob after Ballynahinch

near Slieve Croob · mountain or mountain range · Down · 1798

After their defeat at Ballynahinch, the main body of insurgents retired to the mountains of Slieve Croob, where they soon surrendered or dispersed to their homes.

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side. The insurgents, confused and distracted, retreated up the hill, and making a stand at its top, at a kind of fortification, defended the post for some time with great courage, but at length gave way and dispersed in all directions. Their loss appears, from the best account which I have received of this battle, to have amounted to about a hundred and fifty ; that of the royal army to about forty in killed and wounded, of whom two were officers of the Monaghan regiment, lieutenant Ellis wounded, and captain Evatt shot dead through the body. The main body of the insurgents retired to the mountains of Slyeeve- Croob, where they soon surrendered or separated, returning to their several homes; and thus, with the execution of their leaders, as elsewhere, and the discouraging news of the massacres of protestants in the south, terminated this very short and partial, but active and vigorous insurrection — in the course of which some slighter actions had taken place, particularly the attack of Portaferry by a strong party of men, on the llth, who were repulsed by the yeomanry posted in the market-house, under captain Mathews, and the fire of a revenue cruiser commanded by captain Hopkins, with the loss of about forty men. On the subsiding of this local rebellion in the north-eastern quarter of Ireland, another local rebellion, much inferior in vigour, and very easily suppressed, commenced in the opposite

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 100

Rebels debate strategy at Enniscorthy after taking the town

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

After capturing Enniscorthy, the rebels were divided and undetermined on their next move, with proposals to attack Newtownbarry, Ross, or Wexford, or to disperse home, until the arrival of gentlemen negotiators unified them.

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of Harvey, stipulated to go on condition of being permitted to bring Fitzgerald with him* On the arrival of these two gentlemen at Enniscorthy, about four in the afternoon of the same day, they found the rebels in a state of confusion, distracted in their councils, and undetermined in any plan of operations — some proposing to attack Newtownbarry, others Ross, others Wexford, others to remain in their present post, the greatest number to march home for the defence of their houses against orangemen. But when shouts, repeated from group to group, announced the arrival of the gentlemen prisoners, as they were called, from Wexford, the straggling multitude soon collected into one body. The rebel gentlemen's message being delivered with-* out effect, Colclough, a man of honour, retired with intention of re-entering his prison, according to his promise; but Fitzgerald remained with the rebels, and marched with them that evening to a post called the Three-rocks, two miles and a half from Wexford, which town they had, immediately after the arrival of the messengers, determined to attack. Three-rocks, which the rebels now chose for their military station, and where they remained until the following day, isthe termination of a long, but not high ridge, called the Mountain of Forth, separating the baronies of Bargy and Forth from the rest of the county.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 61

Rebels' poor marksmanship during the retaking of Killala

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

During the battle to retake Killala, rebels positioned behind stone walls fired deliberately at the advancing king's troops but, despite their favourable position, only managed to kill one corporal and wound one soldier, their shots going over the enemy's heads.

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" appeared to want animal courage, for they " flocked together to meet danger whenever it " was expected. Had it pleased Heaven to be " as liberal to them of brains as of hands, it is " not easy to say to what length of mischief " they might have proceeded ; but they were all " along unprovided with leaders of any ability."* What most surprises me is, that these peasants, after having been so long drilled under the inspection of French officers, should yet not know how to take aim at an enemy. In his account of the retaking of Killala, the narrator says, " we kept our eyes on the rebels, who seemed " to be posted with so much advantage behind " the stone walls that lined the road. They " levelled their pieces, fired very deliberately " from each side on the advancing enemy ; yet, " strange to tell ! were able only to kill one " man, a corporal, and wound one common " soldier. Their shot in general went over the " heads of their opponents, "f The Wexfordian insurgents, without any superintendance of French officers, learned, by experience of combat, in a shorter time, to level their guns with more fatal effect.
Beside religious bigotry and the expectation of spoil, the narrator of Killala assigns other motives as inciting the rustics of his neighbour-

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 161

As the companion tells it

Coming up on Killala in Mayo now. In 1798, this was the scene of a battle to retake the town from rebels who had held it with French support. The rebels took up position behind the stone walls that lined the road, what should have been a strong advantage. They levelled their muskets and fired very deliberately at the advancing king's troops from both sides. Yet for all that favourable ground, they managed to kill only one corporal and wound one common soldier. Most of their shots sailed over the heads of the men they were firing at. What struck the narrator was that these peasants had been drilled for a long time under the inspection of French officers, and still could not take aim at an enemy. He wrote that they "appeared to want animal courage" but "flocked together to meet danger whenever it was expected," and that they were "unprovided with leaders of any ability." By way of contrast, the Wexford insurgents, without any supervision from French officers, learned through combat to level their guns with far more fatal effect, and in less time.

Seizure of Colclough as hostage near Duncannon

Duncannon · town · Wexford · 1798

Colclough was seized as a hostage by panic-struck troops of captains Cornock and Snowe while travelling toward Wexford, and marched with them toward Duncannon before being dismissed.

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immediately to his house, and, accompanied by his wife, took the road to Wexford, with intention to re-enter his prison according to his engagement His detention there not heing then thought necessary hy the magistrates, he returned to his house, and taking his wife with him in a carriage, was going back to Wexford, as a place of safety under the protection of the king's forces — when he was met on the road by the panic-struck troops of captains Cornock and Sno we, Chastening to Dun(cannon. 'He was instantly seized as a hostage, at the instigation of the former, and carried with them, in their march, by these terrified men, who declared with oaths that they would shoot him whenever they should be attacked.* How far their fears were vain or well-founded, I cannot ascertain, as the peasants in those parts had not as yet risen in rebellion. f After inarching in this manner a considerable way, he was dismissed by the troops; and the insurrection extending to these districts soon after, he was appointed to a command among the rebels.
In the flight of the chiefs from the unbridled host which they had yainly hoped to command,

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 111

Skirmish at Tubbercurry as French advance guard approaches Coloony

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1798

The advanced guard of the French, having passed through Tubbercurry after a skirmish with yeomen guards, arrived at Coloony where they were subsequently opposed by colonel Verreker's forces from Sligo.

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The advanced -guard of the French having passed Tubbercurry, after a skirmish with some yeomen guards, " and arrived at Coloony, was opposed on the ,5th by colonel Verreker of the the city of Limerick militia, who had marched from Sligo for the purpose, with three hundred infantry, thirty of the Q4th regiment of light dragoons, and two curricle guns. The colonel found the enemy arranged for his reception between him and the town of Coloony. After a smart action of about an hour's continuance, he was obliged to retreat, with the loss of his artillery, to Sligo, whence he withdrew his little army to Ballyshannon. He has stated his loss of private soldiers at only six killed and twentytwo wounded. Himself and four other officers were slightly wounded, and one, ensign Rumley, slain. He was informed that the loss of the French exceeded fifty, of whom thirty were wounded. As colonel Verreker certainly proved

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 139

William Kirkwood's house exposed on the main street of Killala

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

Mr. William Kirkwood's house, the first after the bishop's residence, was situated fronting the main street of Killala and was exposed to peculiar danger during the battle as it was raked by a line of fire.

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The pursuit of the cavalry into the town " was " not agreeable to military practice, according to " which it is usual to commit the assault of a " town to the infantry; but here the general " wisely reversed the mode, in order to prevent " the rebels, by a rapid pursuit, from taking " shelter in the houses of the towns-folk, a cir- " cumstance which was likely to provoke indis- " criminate slaughter and pillage. The measure <i was attended with the desired success. A con- 66 siderable number was cut down in the streets, " and of the remainder but a few were able to " escape into the houses. Some of the defeated <c rebels, however, did force their way into " houses, and by consequence brought mischief " upon the innocent inhabitants, without benefit " to themselves. The first house, after passing " the bishop's, is that of Mr. William Kirkwood; " its situation exposed it on this occasion to " peculiar danger, as it fronts the main street, *£ which was raked entirely by a line of fire. A " flying rebel had burst through the door, fol- " lowed by six or seven soldiers: they poured a " volley of musketry after him, which proved
* Narrative of what passed at Killala, &c.

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 147

As the companion tells it

Coming through Killala in Mayo, you are on ground where the 1798 rebellion left its mark. During the battle here, the cavalry pursued the rebels straight into the town. This was against military practice, which usually left the assault of a town to the infantry. But the general reversed the order, hoping a rapid pursuit would stop the rebels from taking shelter in the houses of the townsfolk, which would have provoked indiscriminate slaughter and pillage. The measure worked as intended. A considerable number were cut down in the streets, and of the remainder only a few managed to escape into the houses. Some defeated rebels did force their way in, and so brought mischief upon the innocent inhabitants, without benefit to themselves. The first house after the bishop's was Mr. William Kirkwood's. Its situation exposed it to peculiar danger, as it fronts the main street, which was raked entirely by a line of fire. A flying rebel burst through the door, followed by six or seven soldiers. They poured a volley of musketry after him.

Athlone braced for attack after false report of French pursuit

Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1798

At Athlone, sixty-three miles from the French army, an attack was apprehended based on reports that the French had pursued General Lake's retreating army all the way to Tuam and taken it, prompting pickets and patrols to be sent along roads toward Tuam and Ballinasloe.

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canal made a progress of forty-four Irish, or fifty-six English miles in two days. Receiving here, on the 28th, very early in the morning, the disagreeable news of the defeat at Castlebar, he advanced to Athlone, where he was positively informed by many who had fled through Tuam, particularly a lieutenant of the carabineers, and captain O'Donnel of the Newport- Pratt yeomen, that the French had pursued the army of general Lake to Tuam, driven it from that post, and taken possession of the town. If such a pursuit had been possible to the French, after their exhausting inarch to Castlebar, even this extraordinary report might have been true, since general Lake, having lost his artillery and ammunition, thought the post of Tuam unsafe with panic-struck troops, many of them also disorderly, and judged a retreat expedient nearer to Athlone. Even on this town, sixty -three miles from the French army, which never moved farther in that line than Castlebar, an attack was apprehended, and pickets and patroles were advanced far on the roads to Tuam and Ballinasloe.
From these facts a judicious reader, acquainted with the state in which Ireland then was, where multitudes were prepared to rise in rebellion as soon as they should see any force in a probable condition to support them, may very probably be of opinion, that, if such a man as Cornwaliis

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 139

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Athlone, this is a town that feared for its life in 1798. On the 28th, after news of the defeat at Castlebar reached the area, many who had fled through Tuam brought alarming reports to Athlone. A lieutenant of the carabineers and Captain O'Donnel of the Newport-Pratt yeomen both said the French had pursued General Lake's army all the way to Tuam, driven it from that post, and taken the town. General Lake had lost his artillery and ammunition, and with panic-struck troops he judged Tuam unsafe and retreated nearer to Athlone. But Athlone itself was sixty-three miles from the French army, which never moved farther than Castlebar. Still, an attack was apprehended here, and pickets and patrols were advanced far on the roads to Tuam and Ballinasloe. The fear spoke louder than the facts on the ground.

Burning of Killedmond

Killedmond · townland · Carlow · 1798

Entering Scollagh Gap and driving off opposing troops, the rebels burned the small town of Killedmond just within the pass in County Carlow.

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prising strength of constitution, and a vigour of mind well worthy of a better cause. I have already said, that on their evacuation of Wexford, part of the rebels passed over Wexford bridge, the rest into the barony of Forth ; and that a body of the former, under Perry, in its inarch to the Wicklow mountains, committed the slaughter of bloody Friday. The main body of the latter, supposed to be fifteen thousand in number,' deserted by those leaders who were men of education and property, directed its march, under Father John Murphy, north-westward to Scollogh-gap — an opening in the great ridge of Mount-Leinster, which separates the counties of Wexford and Carlo w — with intention to penetrate through the latter county into that of Kilkenny, in the hope of being able to excite an insurrection there, particularly among the colliers about Castlecomer, who had been in a state of disturbance in the year 1793. Entering the gap, and driving before them some troops who attempted to oppose their progress, they burned the little town of Killedmond, immediately within the pass in the county of Carlo \v, ; and continued their march to Gore's-bridge, called also Newbridge, a neat village on the river Barrow, ia the county of Kilkenny, where they arrived in the morning of the 23d of June. A small body of men, consisting chiefly of a troop of the 4th dragoon guards, and a company of the Wexford
202 HISTORY OF THE

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 101

Burning of Ramsfort and Clonattin Houses near Gorey

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

Rebels burned only a small part of the town of Gorey and two gentlemen's houses nearby, Ramsfort and Clonattin. Clonattin belonged to Colonel Abel Ram, who was fighting against the insurgents.

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The rebels had burned only a very small part of the town of Gorey, and only two houses of gentlemen- in its immediate vicinity, those of Ramsfort and Clonattin; the former the mansion of Stephen Ram, Esq. the latter, that of colonel Abel Ram, of the Wexford regiment of militia. As the owner of the latter was bravely fighting against the insurgents, its destruction can cause no surprise, though it was much regretted by many among them, because his father and himself in succession had been remarkable for their humanity and generosity to their tenants. The very amiable character of the females who had dwelt in the former — lady Charlotte Ram, sister of the Earl of Courtown, and her daughters, who possess the disposition of the Stopford family — might have been expected to save it from the flames, since the veneration of the insurgents for a character cf extraordinary beneficence, even
162 HISTORY OF THE

Internet Archive historyofrebelli00gorduoft, Chapter 87

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Gorey, you are on ground touched by the rebellion of 1798. The rebels burned only a small part of the town itself, and two gentlemen's houses nearby: Ramsfort and Clonattin. Clonattin belonged to Colonel Abel Ram of the Wexford militia, who was fighting against the insurgents, so its burning caused no surprise. Yet many among the rebels regretted it, because his father and he had been remarkable for their humanity and generosity to their tenants. Ramsfort was the mansion of Stephen Ram, where Lady Charlotte Ram, sister of the Earl of Courtown, and her daughters had lived. Their amiable character might have been expected to save it from the flames, given the insurgents' veneration for extraordinary beneficence.

The stories, best first

Gunpowder Deposit Hidden in Bishop's Garden at Killala

Holt surrenders to the Earl of Powerscourt for transportation

Insurgent camps at Three Rocks, Lacken, Vinegar Hill and Gorey

Kindness of Mrs Hunte and Mr Alford to refugees at Arklow

Marquis of Huntley's Highlanders bring order to Gorey

Panicked retreat from Castlebar to Tuam and onward to Athlone

Peace negotiation attempt stopped at Enniscorthy

Proselytising accusations against schoolmistresses in Wexford

Rebel plan to seize Granard and attack Cavan

Rebel repulse at Summerhill by Colonel Gough

Rebels pursued toward Shane's Castle and Randalstown

Rebels take Wexford unopposed as loyalists flee by sea

Rout of rebels continued at Hacketstown

Thomas Elliot's narrow escape near Carlow

Wexford prepares defences against rebels

Rebels pursue routed troops through Gorey

Arrest of lieutenant Esmond at Naas after Prosperous massacre

Dislodgement of rebels from Rathangan

Durham Fencibles Evade Ambuscade near Balbriggan

Enniscorthy largely ruined during the rebellion

Final dispersal of rebels at Ballyboughal near Swords

French distribute thousands of muskets to insurgents at Killala

Fugitives Trapped by Arklow Garrison Order

Grange spared harassment through magistrate's diligence

Lord Kingsborough takes horses from Cornelius Grogan's house in Wexford

Near-disaster in Castlebar from accidental night shot

North-Cork militia and yeomen desert Wexford garrison

Only two apostates from Killala joined the French

Plunder of Killala by Militia Troops

Rebel leaders of Enniscorthy named by Musgrave

Recapture of Ballina from rebel garrison

Retreat of loyalists from Gorey amid rebel advance

Rev. Pentland's Character Remembered in Killann Parish

Rivalry Between Wexford Rebel Chiefs Spares New Ross

Battle at Kilcavan Hill

Burning of Carnew

Charitable Reception of Refugees at Wicklow

Clash between North-Cork and Downshire militia near Gorey

Cruelties reported on Vinegar Hill during the rebellion

Evacuation of Wexford garrison to Duncannon fort

Gunpowder explosion in Gorey street

Hearts of Oak Insurrection in Armagh, Tyrone and Derry

Infantry disperse rebels at Kilcullen bridge

Informer Nicholas Maguan of Saintfield reveals northern insurrection plans

John Hunter Gowan garrisons Gorey

Loyalists disarmed in the defence of Ross

Major Hardy forces Arklow garrison back to its post

Military baggage requisitions harass the countryside near Enniscorthy

Murder of Philip Annesly Near Mr. Bayle's Land

Philip Roche's forces flee Lacken Hill

Plunder of Carbery village

Rebel retreat to Slieve Croob after Ballynahinch

Rebels debate strategy at Enniscorthy after taking the town

Rebels' poor marksmanship during the retaking of Killala

Seizure of Colclough as hostage near Duncannon

Skirmish at Tubbercurry as French advance guard approaches Coloony

William Kirkwood's house exposed on the main street of Killala

Athlone braced for attack after false report of French pursuit

Burning of Killedmond

Burning of Ramsfort and Clonattin Houses near Gorey