Memoirs of Joseph Holt, general of the Irish rebels, in 1798 (vol. 1)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Battle of Ballyellis: ambush with carts and pikemen

   Ballyellis · townland · Wexford · 1798

   At Ballyellis the rebels placed baggage and cars across the road with pikemen posted ahead; when cavalry charged, pikemen leaped from hedges causing confusion, and rebels fired from behind hedges and a park wall killing many including Captain Giffard and Adjutant Parsons.

   Read the passage

   "The rebels advanced to Tinnahely, and having turned off to Wingfield, burned the old mansion there, and then proceeded to Moneyseed, where our troops first got sight of them. From thence they pursued for two miles to a place called Ballyellis, where the rebels being closely pressed, placed their baggage and their cars in the road, and posted a number of pikemen in their front. As soon as our cavalry came in sight of them, at the turn of a road, they charged them with great impetuosity; but when they were within a short distance of them, the pikemen leaped over the hedges at each side, on which the horses in front were entangled in the cars ; and those in their rear pressing on them, a shocking scene of confusion ensued, both men and horses were involved and tumbled over each other. The rebels fired on them from behind the hedges and a park wall which was near, and while they were in this state of embarrassment, killed numbers of them with their muskets, and piked such of them as happened to be unhorsed.

   " Colonel Puleston, whose horse they shot or piked, was with difficulty saved by his men. Captain GifFard, of the Ancient Britons, and Mr. Parsons, Adjutant of the Ballaghkeene cavalry, who had served with reputation abroad, and about sixty privates of the military and yeomen were killed.

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 42

2. Battle of Ballyellis: Holt's ambush tactics

   Ballyellis · townland · Wexford · 1798

   Holt organized an elaborate ambush at Ballyellis, placing horses and cars across the road to obstruct cavalry, hiding musketmen and pikemen in hedges and dykes, resulting in a decisive rebel victory over royal cavalry.

   Read the passage

   of their respective corps, to form them twelve i798. deep, and then to wait for orders. The enemywere about a mile distant at this time. I then ordered five hundred of the best musket men to form my advanced guard, and one thousand pikemen to follow close. I next examined the road by which the enemy were to advance, and soon determined on the point where we would receive the enemy. I caused three horses in cars to be placed across the road, and fastened them securely, so as to obstruct the passage, and stationed one hundred musketmen behind them. I had one thousand musketmen in reserve. The hedges on each side of the road were thick and strong of crab and thorns, and the dykes were five feet deep, so that a man would scarcely appear above them. I ordered the pikemen to make passages in the hedges, so that they might easily retire, or advance as occasion should require : and soon had all my preparations complete. With my advanced guard I met the enemy, keeping all my other people out of sight, and commenced firing, and then we retreated as fast as we could, as I had directed, and every thing had the appearance of a panic.

   78 BATTLE OF BALLYELLIS.

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 37

3. Dixon incites massacre and panic in Wexford town

   Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

   During the panic and confusion in Wexford on 21st June, Thomas Dixon rode through the streets with a drawn broadsword upbraiding rebels for not killing all the 'hereticks' sooner, while his wife accompanied him armed and urging continued slaughter at the bridge.

   Read the passage

   During the scene of confusion which took place in Wexford on the 21st June, when a few loyalists entered the town, and created a panic which made the rebels fly in all directions, the sanguinary Dixon, who acted as master of the ceremonies in the horrid butcheries which had been committed in Wexford, and whose love for human blood and torture seems never to have been sufficiently satiated, " rode through the streets, with a broadsword drawn, and upbraided the rebels for their timidity and their dilatoriness ; and said, ' if you had followed my advice in putting all the hereticks to death three or four days ago, it would not have come to this pass.' " Mrs. Dixon, who, like her husband, revelled in the dreadful scenes of carnage over which he presided, and who more than once waded ankle deep in human gore, " accompanied him on horseback," on this occasion, according to Musgrave, " with a sword and a case of pistols; clapped the rebels on the back and encouraged them, by saying, ' We must conquer,' and she exclaimed repeatedly, ' My Saviour tells me we must conquer! '

   "They repaired to the bridge to stop the retreat of the rebels, but in vain, though Mrs. Dixon drew a pistol and swore vehemently that she would shoot anyone of them who would refuse to return with her to put the remainder of the

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 34

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Wexford, this town saw panic on the 21st of June 1798, when a few loyalists entered and the rebels scattered in all directions. Thomas Dixon, who had presided over the town's butcheries and whose appetite for blood was never satisfied, rode through the streets with a drawn broadsword, upbraiding the rebels and telling them that if they had killed all the "hereticks" three or four days earlier, "it would not have come to this pass." His wife, who revelled in the carnage and had more than once waded ankle deep in human gore, rode with him on horseback armed with a sword and a case of pistols, clapping rebels on the back and crying, "We must conquer," and "My Saviour tells me we must conquer." They went to the bridge to stop the retreat, and she drew a pistol and swore she would shoot anyone who refused to return, but the rebels would not turn back.

4. Holt hides in the haunted house on Montpelier Hill

   Montpelier Hill · street · Dublin · 1798

   Fleeing through fields to Hollypark, Holt took refuge overnight in the ruined 'enchanted' or haunted house atop Montpelier Hill, known locally as Bevan's Hill, said to be haunted by the ghost of a wife-murderer named Bevan.

   Read the passage

   * " On the crown of this hill is a lodge, falling to ruin, not having been inhabited for thirty years ; it is called the haunted house, and the hill, Bevan's Hill. Local tradition states that in this house, a man, named Bevan, murdered his wife ; and the peasanty will seriously tell you, that to the interrogatory ' who killed his wife?' an echo from this ruin will answer 'Bevan.'" — Angling Excursions of Gregory Greendrake, in Ireland, 1824.

   holt's escape through DUBLIN. 133

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 62

   As the companion tells it

   Along here on Montpelier Hill, Joseph Holt hid overnight in 1798, in a ruined lodge that had stood empty for thirty years. The locals called it the haunted house, and the hill itself they knew as Bevan's Hill. Tradition held that a man named Bevan murdered his wife in that house, and the peasantry would tell you that if you called out "who killed his wife," an echo from the ruin would answer "Bevan."

5. Ambush of cavalry near Ballyellis

   Ballyellis · townland · Wexford · 1798

   General Needham detached cavalry under Colonel Puleston to intercept rebels marching to Carnew. The rebels ambushed the pursuing cavalry, using carts and hedges, killing fifty-five including twenty-eight Ancient Britons without losing a man themselves.

   Read the passage

   the garrison of Carnew in their way. On the 30th June, intelligence being brought to the army encamped at Gorey, where General Needham commanded, of a formidable body of rebels being in motion, two hundred cavalry were detached, mostly regulars, partly yeomen under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Puleston of the Ancient Britons, supported by an excellent body of infantry. Tliis party of cavalry coming within sight of the rebels, and observing them in full march on the road to Carnew, ought to have watched their movements at a moderate distance, and sent advice thereof to the camp ; but instead of this, with a most unaccountable temerity, when they were unsupported by the infantry who had been recalled, they galloped after the rebels to attack them.* The latter finding a combat unavoidable, after running full speed to escape, rushed from the road into the fields, and placing themselves behind the hedges and walls on both sides of the way, poured a terrible fire on the cavalry; who, unable either to retreat or to annoy the enemy, pushed forward toward Carnew ; but by cars lying in the way, on which women belonging to the rebels had been carried, they were so retarded, and so long exposed to the guns of the enemy, that without killing one of their antagonists, they suffered the loss of fifty-five men slain, of whom twenty-eight

   * " Why the infantry, whose support might have prevented this disaster, had been recalled by General Needham I cannot tell. Perhaps the cavalry would not have been so rash if they had not supposed the infantry still at hand to support them."— A^o^e by Mr. Gordon.

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 40

6. Hunter Gowan's yeomanry parade a severed finger through Gorey

   Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

   Yeomanry captain Hunter Gowan marched triumphantly through Gorey with a human finger stuck on his sword point, parading through the streets before all the townspeople and later using the finger to stir punch at a public house.

   Read the passage

   '' On a public day in the week preceding the insurrection, the town of Gorey beheld the triumphal entry of Mr. Gowan at the head of his corps, with his sword drawn and a human finger stuck on the point of it.

   " With this trophy he marched into the town, parading up and down the streets several times, so that there was not a person in Gorey who did not witness this exhibition, while in the meantime the triumphal corps displayed all the devices of Orangemen. After the labour and fatigue of the day, Mr. Gowan and his men retired to a public house to refresh themselves, and like true blades of game, their punch was stirred about with the finger that had graced their ovation, in imitation of keen fox-hunters who whisk the bowl of punch with the brush of a fox before their boozing commences. This captain and magistrate afterwards went to the house of Mr. Jones, where his daughters were, and while taking a snack that was set before him, he bragged of having blooded his corps that day, and that they were as staunch bloodhounds as any in the world.

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 81

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Gorey, this is the town where, in the week before the insurrection of 1798, a yeomanry captain named Hunter Gowan rode in triumph at the head of his corps with a human finger stuck on the point of his drawn sword. He paraded up and down the streets several times so that every person in the town witnessed it, his men displaying all the devices of Orangemen. Afterwards Gowan and his men retired to a public house, and stirred their punch with that same finger, in imitation of fox-hunters who whisk the bowl with a fox's brush before drinking. Gowan then went to the house of a Mr. Jones, where his daughters were, and over a snack he bragged of having blooded his corps that day, calling them “as staunch bloodhounds as any in the world.”

7. Local legend of Bevan's murder echo on Montpelier Hill

   Montpelier Hill · street · Dublin

   According to local tradition recorded in a footnote, a man named Bevan murdered his wife in the ruined lodge on Montpelier Hill, and peasants claimed that an echo from the ruin answers 'Bevan' when asked who killed his wife.

   Read the passage

   * " On the crown of this hill is a lodge, falling to ruin, not having been inhabited for thirty years ; it is called the haunted house, and the hill, Bevan's Hill. Local tradition states that in this house, a man, named Bevan, murdered his wife ; and the peasanty will seriously tell you, that to the interrogatory ' who killed his wife?' an echo from this ruin will answer 'Bevan.'" — Angling Excursions of Gregory Greendrake, in Ireland, 1824.

   holt's escape through DUBLIN. 133

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 62

   As the companion tells it

   Along here on Montpelier Hill there's a ruined lodge, empty for thirty years and called the haunted house. Local tradition says a man named Bevan murdered his wife in that house, and the hill itself is known as Bevan's Hill. The country people would seriously tell you that if you call out who killed his wife, an echo from the ruin answers, Bevan.

8. Turret siege and burning at Clonard garden

   Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

   Rebels stormed a turret in the garden at Clonard where yeomen had taken refuge, drawing up the ladder to prevent pursuit; the rebels set fire to straw beneath, burning the turret, while twenty-seven rebels lay dead on the ground floor from the failed assault.

   Read the passage

   Jiilled in the attempt. Some fired through the floor, others drove their pikes through it, but without effect. The rebels persevered in the attempt with inflexible obstinacy, though twenty-seven of them lay dead on the ground floor. At last they set fire to a large quantity of straw under the turret, which was soon in flames.

   " Two of the besieged, Mr. George Tyrrell and Mr. Michael Cusack, were shot in endeavouring to make their escape by rushing through the smoke. The remainder eluded the vigilance of the rebels, and arrived safe to the main body, by leaping from a very high window, and passing under cover of a wall.

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 53

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through Clonard in Meath. Back in 1798, rebels stormed a turret in a garden here where yeomen had taken refuge, drawing up the ladder behind them. The rebels fired through the floor and drove their pikes through it, but could not break in. Twenty-seven of them lay dead on the ground floor before they set fire to straw beneath the turret and put it in flames. Two of the besieged, George Tyrrell and Michael Cusack, were shot trying to escape through the smoke. The rest got away by leaping from a high window and passing under cover of a wall.

9. Holt formally surrenders to Lord Powerscourt at Powerscourt House

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1798

   On 10 November 1798, Joseph Holt surrendered to Lord Powerscourt at his house, where he was received with condescension, welcomed, and given a sumptuous meal, marking the end of his time as a rebel leader in the Wicklow mountains.

   Read the passage

   Mr. Keigan sent in his name, adding that I was with him. Lord Powerscourt soon made his appearance, and with great condescension taking me by the hand, welcomed me to Powerscourt, and in the pleasing and graceful manner of a perfect gentleman, conducted me up stairs to a spacious drawing-room. Shortly after I was conducted to a sumptuous repast, which was prepared for me. After dinner the cloth was removed, and the table was furnished with wines of the finest quality, and excellent spirits. Of the latter I was a good judge; of the former I knew nothing, but I take it for granted.

   282 HOLTS RECEPTION BY LORD POWERSCOURT.

   Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 107

10. Battle of Vinegar Hill and executions in Wexford

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

    After the rebel defeat at Vinegar Hill on 21st June, Edward Roche's brother Philip Roche, a priest, was tried and executed with Keugh in Wexford on 25th June. Edward Roche was later tried by court martial in Wexford for aiding murders on the bridge.

    Read the passage

    After the defeat experienced by the rebels at Vinegar Hill, on the 21st June, Edward Roche did not take a very active part in the insurrection. His brother, Philip Roche, a Roman Catholic priest, was tried and executed with the rebel Keugh at Wexford on the 25th June. On the surrender of Edward Roche, in December, 1799, he was tried by a court martial in Wexford, on the charge of " aiding and abetting the murders on the bridge on the 20th June, 1798." " But," says Hay, in rather an obscure vindication, " his humane exertions appeared so meritorious before that tribunal, that he was acquitted of this charge, which could not possibly be, as he possessed command, had it not been perfectly proved,

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 32

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Wexford, this is the town where the aftermath of Vinegar Hill played out. After the rebels were defeated at Vinegar Hill on 21 June 1798, Edward Roche stepped back from the rising. His brother Philip Roche, a priest, was tried and executed here with the rebel Keugh on 25 June. Edward Roche himself was later tried by court martial in Wexford, charged with aiding and abetting the murders on the bridge on 20 June 1798. But as Hay wrote, his "humane exertions appeared so meritorious before that tribunal" that he was acquitted.

11. Boy mistaken for Holt's son killed by cavalry near Newbridge

    Newbridge · population centre · Wicklow · 1798

    A boy, son of a miller named Tom Howlet who lived at the Stamp-mill Bridge near Newbridge, was cut down and killed by a cavalry soldier who mistook his father's name (Howlet) for Holt's, an act of wanton cruelty that fuelled reprisals.

    Read the passage

    1798. out-posts, and then despatched a messenger to ascertain if my son had been killed. He soon returned with intelligence that my child was living, but that a boy had been killed, who was supposed to have been him. The child was met by a corps of cavalry, and was asked where he was going, he answered, he was seeking his father; they then asked his father's name, he said, Tom Howlet, which name sounding like Holt, one of the soldiers cut him down with his sword, cleaving his skull, and killed him on the spot. I knew and respected the boy's father many years; he was a miller, and lived at the Stamp-mill Bridge, near Newbridge. 1 regretted much that the poor child should have been sacrificed on account of the similarity of his father's name to mine. He was but eleven years old, exactly the age of my own son. These wanton, detestable, and abominable cruelties, excited feelings of animosity, ferocity, and revenge, and caused an increased shedding of blood, and the putting to death of many unfortunate victims, whose tender age and sex ought to have been sufficient to protect them from vengeance : it was my unfortunate lot to witness deeds perpetrated on both sides, at

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 83

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Newbridge now. In 1798, a small boy lost his life here to a mistake of names. He was eleven years old, the son of a miller called Tom Howlet, who lived at the Stamp-mill Bridge near this town. The boy was met by a corps of cavalry and asked where he was going. He said he was seeking his father, and when they asked his father's name, he said Tom Howlet. That name sounded like Holt, and one of the soldiers cut him down with his sword, cleaving his skull, and killed him on the spot. Joseph Holt, the rebel general whose own son was the same age, wrote that he knew and respected the boy's father for many years. He said the child was "sacrificed on account of the similarity of his father's name to mine." These wanton cruelties, Holt wrote, excited feelings of "animosity, ferocity, and revenge," and caused increased shedding of blood and the killing of many whose tender age and sex ought to have protected them.

12. Execution of a black trumpeter of the Ancient Britons

    Ballyellis · townland · Wexford · 1798

    A black trumpeter of the Ancient Britons captured alive by the insurgents at Ballyellis pleaded to be spared as a Roman Catholic, but was killed for the regiment's notorious excesses.

    Read the passage

    raanded by Lieutenant Colonel Puleston, of the Ancient Britons, of whom twenty were among the slain. The animosity of the people against this regiment, which they charge of being guilty of great excesses, may be instanced in the case of a black trumpeter belonging to it, who fell into their hands alive on this occasion. When seized upon, this man loudly declared that he was a Roman Catholic, and besought them to spare him for the sake of his religion. But his deeds with which he was upbraided were too recent and too notorious, and he obtained no quarter. The insurgents lost not a single man in this action, but they were foiled in their design upon Carnew, the garrison of which being alarmed by the retreating cavalry, had just time to secure themselves in a malt-house before the approach of the insurgents, who, after an ineffectual attack, marched off to Kilcavan hill." — Hay's History of the Wexford Insurrection.

    * Slievebuoy is a considerable mountain which rises conically south of Ballyellis, and nearly midway between it and the ancient city of Ferns. " It serves as a barometer to the peasants of this part of the country. Whenever the clouds rest upon its top, or, as they express it, * when Slievebuoy puts on his black cap rain may be expected.' "

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 43

13. Holt's confrontation with turncoat Buckly at Powerscourt

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1798

    At Powerscourt House the morning after his surrender, one of Lord Powerscourt's cavalrymen named Buckly mocked Holt as 'General Holt,' prompting Holt to expose Buckly as a former United Irishman who had sworn oaths on both sides.

    Read the passage

    ** I am very sorry I have not my muster-roll or papers about me, that I might be able to address you by your proper title and rank in my army. You know, Buckly, you were a United Irishman long before I was driven from my home, and my house burned. Do not now give yourself airs, my good fellow; your convenient conscience enabled you to swear on both sides. You came here to mock me, supposing me a miserable captive, but I would not

    holt's interview with buckly. 293

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 107

14. Lieutenant Tyrrell's defence of Clonard against thousands

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

    About 3000 rebels attacked Clonard, defended by only twenty-seven men under Lieutenant Tyrrell in a fortified house, delaying the rebels until reinforcements arrived from Kinnegad and Mullingar, forcing them to abandon the attempt.

    Read the passage

    *' From Prosperous," says Gordon, " the ill-associated confederates marched to Clonard, a village twenty-five miles westward of Dublin, on the river Boyne, with design to attack Athlone, and raise an insurrection in the western parts of the kingdom. Though they amounted perhaps in number to three thousand, they found so obstinate a resistance at Clonard from twenty-seven men under LieutenantTyrrell, a yeoman officer, in a fortified house, that they were delayed till the arrival of succours from Kinnegad and Mullingar,and obliged to abandon the attempt."

    Sir Richard Musgrave gives the following minute account of the gallantry displayed by this handful of loyalists, against a rebel force more than one hundred times their numerical superiors.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Clonard in Meath. In 1798, some 3000 rebels marched here from Prosperous, aiming to attack Athlone and raise an insurrection in the west. They met a defence from just 27 men under Lieutenant Tyrrell, a yeoman officer, holding out in a fortified house. That handful delayed the rebels until succours arrived from Kinnegad and Mullingar, forcing them to abandon the attempt.

15. Torture and death of a black trumpeter at Ballyellis

    Ballyellis · townland · Wexford · 1798

    During the battle of Ballyellis, a black trumpeter resisted death longer than others before being piked, and after he died a rebel cut off his ears for the gold rings, taking them as plunder.

    Read the passage

    A black trumpeter was most tenacious of life, 1798, he took more piking than five white men. Before he expired, a fellow cut off his ears for the sake of the gold rings, and put them in his

    adds that the rebels were subsequently attacked and " a number of them killed." But this probably refers to the proceedings on the 5th July.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 38

16. Ambuscade on road to Carnew and death of Ancient Britons

    Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Wexford and Wicklow insurgents marching on Carnew set an ambuscade, luring cavalry into gunfire from ditches and blocking the road with cars, killing about eighty including two officers, while the insurgents lost no one.

    Read the passage

    " The cavalry alone, however, as the infantry were recalled, came up with the insurgents on the road to Carnew. These feigning a retreat, having timely notice of their approach, suffered the cavalry to pass until they brought them into an ambuscade, where their gunsmen were placed on both sides of the way, behind the ditches to receive them. At the first discharge they were utterly confounded, and being unable to give their opponents any annoyance, they attempted to retreat in great haste toward Carnew. But here they had to encounter another part of the plan of the ambush, for the insurgents rightly conjecturing, that when foiled they would attempt getting off in that direction, had blocked up the road with cars and other incumbrances, they were for some time exposed to the fire of the insurgents, and lost about eighty of their number, among whom were two officers. Captain GifFard, of the Ancient Britons, and Mr. ■ Parsons, Adjutant of the Ballaghkeene cavalry ; the rest effected their retreat to Arklosv. The detachment was com-

    86 BATTLE OF BALLYELLIS.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 43

17. Holt raids Blessington, drives yeomanry into the church

    Blessington · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt attacked and captured the town of Blessington with about four hundred men, beating the yeomanry into the church and swept off cattle and valuables before abandoning the town before morning.

    Read the passage

    <* Holt, in consequence of a recent accession of strength, has become daring in the extreme. He last night attacked the town of Blessington, in the county of Wicklow, and carried it, beating the yeomanry into the church, J He, however, • thought it adviseable to abandon it before morning, taking with him all the arms, ammunition, and valuables, he could collect.

    " This man, who was formerly a revenue officer, would have surrendered with the rest of the rebels who accepted of the amnesty offered by Counseller Dobbs (a gentleman, whose conduct on this and several other occasions, deserves much praise), but for the circumstance of his having some militia deserters under his command ; § he refusing to surrender and avail himself of the proffered mercy, unless they were in-

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Blessington in Wicklow, you are in a town Holt seized one night in 1798. Joseph Holt, who had lately gained strength and grown bold, attacked with about 400 men and carried the place, driving the yeomanry into the church. He took all the arms, ammunition and valuables he could gather, then abandoned the town before morning. Holt had been a revenue officer. He might have surrendered under the amnesty offered by Counsellor Dobbs, but he had militia deserters among his men and refused to give up unless they were included.

18. Prisoners taken to Seven Churches (Glendalough) and threatened with death

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow · 1798

    According to a sworn affidavit, Joseph and John Thomson were taken prisoner near Glendalough's Seven Churches, accused as Orangemen, and driven to the base of the round tower where Wexford rebels demanded their death, but Wicklow rebels protected them as it was blessed ground.

    Read the passage

    County, yeomen, father and son, who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, say, That shortly after the patron of the Seven Churches, in June, 1798, they were taken prisoners by the rebels, and after some time they were brought to the Seven Churches, and kept prisoners in an old yard. When the Wexford rebels joined those of the county of Wicklow, they asked them, what they, the informants, and the other prisoners were? They received for answer, that they were bloody Orangemen. The Wexford men said, ' Why are you keeping them there? they should die.' They were then driven by a mob of the rebels to the butt of the steeple ; \the an-

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 20

19. Rebels defeated near Rathdrum, sister captured

    Rathdrum · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt's rebels attacked the Rathdrum yeomanry again but were beaten with losses including their second in command Hacket; Holt's sister was captured and brought into Rathdrum.

    Read the passage

    " The next day, the same officers, in scouring the country, 29. fell in with the rebels under their General, Holt, who again attacked them, and were again beaten, with the loss of four of their party killed (amongst whom was one Hacket, the second in command), and several of them wounded — the remainder fled precipitately, leaving their pikes, muskets, ammunition, and horses, as prizes to the gallant Rathdrum yeomanry, who brought them, together with Miss Holt, the General's sister, into the town of Rathdrum."

    " We are sorry to mention, that in the county of Wicklow, a small but desperate band of rebels, still continue to reject the proffered amnesty, and carry devastation through a part of that unhappy country." — Cowrier Newspaper, Bth Septemler, 1798.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Rathdrum in Wicklow, where Holt's rebels attacked the local yeomanry in 1798 and were beaten. Four were killed, including Hacket, who was second in command under General Joseph Holt. The rest fled, leaving behind their pikes, muskets, ammunition, and horses. The yeomanry brought all of it back into Rathdrum, along with Miss Holt, the General's sister, who had been captured. The fighting here was part of a small but desperate band of rebels in Wicklow who continued to reject an amnesty and carry devastation through the countryside.

20. Black flag massacre signal at Wexford bridge

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

    During the massacre of loyalist prisoners at Wexford, a black flag was displayed on the bridge, variously said to signify a 'black test oath' or serve as a signal by Thomas Dixon's band to murder Protestant prisoners.

    Read the passage

    * Holt's flag, I have been told, was made of green serge, about the size of a large pocket handkerchief ; on one side the letters J. H. were marked in yellow paint, on the other a rude representation of a harp. In the account of the attack by the rebels on Arklow, 9th June, 1798, Musgrave relates, that " each company [of the rebels] had a green flag or colour about two feet square, with a yellow harp in the centre. Some, however, were party-coloured, and equal in size to the King's colours." The signification of the black flag which was displayed on the bridge at Wexford during the massacre of the loyalists, who were in the power of the rebels, (20th June, 1798), has been variously represented. A lady, whose diary is quoted by Sir Richard Musgrave, states that Mr. Patrick Redmond told her " that the black flag meant that every one of that party had taken the black test oath." "The black flag," says Musgrave, " was carried in procession again on the morning of the 21st June, by Thomas Dixon and his band of assassins, as a signal to murder the rest of the Protestant prisoners." According to Taylor's History of the Rebellion, " In the evening [of the 20th June] Dixon assembled the murdering band, and immediately hoisted that harbinger of destruction the Black Flag, which had on one side a bloody cross, on the other the initials M. W. S., that is, ' Murder Without Sin,' signifying that it was no sin to murder a Protestant." In reply to these assertions, Mr. Hay says, "The black flag that appeared in Wexford on this day, [20th June, 1798], is among other things talked of with various chimerical conjectures, and its notoriety as denounc-

    90 HOLT BECOMES A REBEL LEADER.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Wexford, you're on ground where a black flag was raised on the bridge during the massacre of loyalist prisoners on the 20th of June, 1798. What it signified was disputed. A diary quoted by Sir Richard Musgrave records that a Mr. Patrick Redmond told a lady the flag meant every one of that party had taken a black test oath. Musgrave himself says Thomas Dixon and his band of assassins carried the black flag in procession on the morning of the 21st, as a signal to murder the remaining Protestant prisoners. Taylor's History of the Rebellion adds that the flag bore a bloody cross on one side and the initials M. W. S. on the other, said to mean, in Taylor's words, "Murder Without Sin," signifying it was no sin to murder a Protestant. A Mr. Hay replied to these assertions, calling the conjectures about the flag chimerical. Whatever its meaning, the flag flew over a day of killing in Wexford.

21. Burning of Mr. Allen's House

    Rathdrum · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt's men marched to and burned the house of Mr. Allen, a suspected United Irishman turned government sympathiser. Holt intervened to save Allen's daughter from assault by one of his own men, whom he killed, and protected the family, sending them to safety near Rathdrum.

    Read the passage

    I found her sister, mother, and aunt in the garden, on which I called a guard, and sent them off to a village near Rathdrum, where I knew the army would protect them. They were very grateful to me for my conduct to them. The house was now in flames, and some of my men were missing ; I enquired for them, and found they were endeavouring to force in an iron safe. I commanded them to come out, but

    BURNING OF MR. ALLF.n's HOUSE. 179

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 78

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Rathdrum. In 1798, Holt's rebels marched here and burned Mr. Allen's house. Allen had been a United Irishman who turned to the government's side. When one of Holt's own men threatened Allen's daughter, Holt killed him and protected the family. He found the women in the garden and sent them to a village near Rathdrum for safety. As Holt himself wrote, "the house was now in flames," and some of his men were still inside trying to force open an iron safe.

22. Defeat and disaster at the Boyne expedition

    near River Boyne · river · Kildare · 1798

    Holt recounts how Father Kearns persuaded rebels to abandon their strong position for an expedition to the Boyne, resulting in defeat, multitudes destroyed, taken and gibbeted. Holt blamed the priest's poorly conceived plan for this catastrophe.

    Read the passage

    1798. there; the next morning, about 300 men came to Harney's house, who were part of the poor wretches that escaped from the expedition to the Boyne, a scheme of father Kearns', ill conceived and worse executed, but so it is and always will be when too many heads are employed to direct a multitude; fools and cowards predominate, and as they are the decided majority of mankind, therefore, in times of trouble, when promptitude and vigour are required, delay and consequent loss of opportunity is inevitable, • — plans are always published and counteracted, and eventually the majority, nine times in ten, decide wrong. We left a strong country where we could have made a good resistance and obtained terms, and moved into an open one apparently for the express purpose of delivering ourselves into our enemies' power. We were defeated, multitudes destroyed, taken and gibbeted; the folly of our acts brought on its due punishment.

    To have proposed prudent measures, previous to our advance to the Boyne ; it would have produced certain death to any one. Father Kearns, who had most influence over the Wexford fugitives, having suggested that measure, and al-

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 65

23. Devil's Glen encampment burned by government forces

    near Devil's Glen · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    After Holt led a majority of the fugitives away from the Devil's Glen, the remaining camp was visited by soldiers and set ablaze, an event Holt witnessed from the grouse house on Luggelaw Mountain.

    Read the passage

    1798. hours. Early next morning I arose, and looking towards the Glen, I saw it in a conflagration. It had been visited by the destroyers shortly after I had left it, guided by the spies I had suspected. 14 May. Ou my kuccs I gave thanks to God for my escape, and felt refreshed, and strengthened, by this great and striking proof of His merciful interposition. I proceeded on, without design, and without object, not knowing where to go or what to do. At length, seeing a smoke rising from a glen, I crossed over towards it; and after proceeding a short distance, I found about seventy persons collected together cooking some fresh beef. They gave me a hearty welcome, and asked me to partake of their meal, which hunger had compelled them to make where they could find it. I was equally famished, for I had not tasted any food for twenty-four hours.

    A curious looking little fellow was the commander or chief of this party. Him they dignified with the title of Colonel Mac Mahon, and they seemed to adore him ; he appeared as a little king among them. Mac Mahon shortly after proposed to attack a house near Rathfarnham, where he said there was a great

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 18

24. Fierce fighting and burning of houses at Clonard

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

    Holt's attack on the garrison at Clonard was repulsed by a strong first volley; the rebels retreated after severe losses, and Holt set two small houses on fire to cover his retreat with smoke.

    Read the passage

    the conduct of my party. It made them hesi- i798. tate. Finding I could not get at the brave fellows on that side, I retreated and set two small houses on fire, the smoke of which kept us out of their view and fire. I then crossed

    from the house and formed a junction with them. After posting this reinforcement in the most advantageous situation to gall the enemy, he, with a few picked men, undertook to drive the rebels from the garden, which about four hundred of them still continued to occupy. Some of them were on a mount thickly planted with fir-trees, which afforded them a protection, and prevented them from being seen : the remainder were intrenched behind a pivet hedge. Lieutenant Tyrrell with great gallantry dislodged the latter, who fled to their friends on the mount.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming into Clonard in Meath, where Joseph Holt and his rebels attacked the garrison in 1798. The defenders' first volley was strong enough to make Holt's party hesitate, and he could not get at them. He retreated and set two small houses on fire, using the smoke to cover his withdrawal from the enemy's view and fire. The fighting was fierce, and the rebels took severe losses before falling back through the gardens and hedges around the town.

25. Holt's premonitory dream and ambush at Glenbride

    Glenbride · townland · Wicklow · 1798

    While quartered at a man named Quin's house in Glenbride, Holt dreamed his bed was on fire and woke his men just before an army ambush; several of his men were killed but Holt and others escaped by shooting their way out in the darkness.

    Read the passage

    to comfort the poor men these cold nights. ^798. Quin returned about twelve at night, without the spirits, saying there was none in Black Ditches, and returning me the money I had given him. He then said, *' I will go and bring home a cow, milk her for you, and boil the milk with an egg broken in it, which will be good for you; it will strengthen your heart." He went out, but did not return. I went to bed and fell asleep, and dreamed the bed was on tire about me, and in the excess of my agony of apprehension I leaped out of bed. I left the bed-room, and found nine of my men lying round a fire. I roused them up, and told them I had had a dream that foreboded no good. The men prepared themselves instantly, one of them went out and found a party of soldiers had surrounded the house, seven of whom fired at him, but all missed. I heard the shots, and I cried out, " We are sold, let us act like men, if taken we shall be hanged like dogs." Each of them examined his arms and reprimed his piece. I had a pistol in one hand, and a sword in the other. The first two men that made their way out of the house were Joseph Begly the Englishman, and James Donoghue from

    268 HOLT SURPRISED AND ATTACKED.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 103

26. Roche's trial and sentencing after surrender

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1799

    On his surrender in December 1799, Edward Roche was tried by court martial in Wexford on charges of aiding murders on the bridge on 20th June 1798, sentenced to transportation, and died suddenly before the ship departed, reportedly by poison.

    Read the passage

    Edward Roche, according to Taylor, appeared at his trial in ordinary clothes, with " two large gold epaulets and a silk sash and belt." He was sentenced to transportation, and, adds Taylor, " was accordingly sent to Newgate in Dublin with other convicts ; but before the vessel was ready to convey them to their destination, he, with some others, died suddenly; and it was thought they had taken poison."

    * In Holt's original manuscript, the following observation occurs: — "I never heard more of him till I was a State prisoner in the Castle of Dublin, and said John O'Neill taken ; the same young man (Pilsworth) was sent for to identify him, and state what he knew concerning Neil), and in presence of Major Sirr, he stated verbatim what I have related concerning him."

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 33

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Wexford, this is where Edward Roche faced a court martial in 1799. He appeared in ordinary clothes but wore two large gold epaulets and a silk sash and belt. He was sentenced to transportation, sent to Newgate in Dublin, but died suddenly before the ship sailed, reportedly by poison.

27. Ambush of Mr. Hume near Humewood

    Humewood · townland · Wicklow · 1798

    Mr. Hume, MP for the county, was waylaid by a detachment of Holt's party near his house at Humewood; shots were fired at him, one passing through his hat, but he escaped pursuit into the bogs and mountains.

    Read the passage

    " On Thursday [30], Mr. Hume,member for the county, as he proceeded to examine the state of the country near his house at Humewood, was waylaid by a detachment of Holt's party^ who fired some shots at him, one of which passed through the crown of his hat. The Humewood cavalry immediately went in pursuit of them, but the rebels, by their activity,

    * This is probably the affair described by Holt at p. 146. t See pages 147, 148.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 119

28. Glenmalure's legendary association with Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne

    near Glenmalur · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    Glenmalure, meaning 'the glen of much ore,' was long celebrated as the fastness of Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne, against whom Elizabeth I's forces struggled, and became the scene of many deeds of blood during the 1798 rebellion.

    Read the passage

    * " The wild vale called Glenmalure, [i, e. the glen of much ore,] has been long celebrated in a historic point of view, as the asylum and strong fastness of Teagh Mac Hugh O'Byrn or O'Bryn, upon whom Spenser recommended Queen Elizabeth to bestow so much trouble and expense in endeavouring to hem him in by a circuitous disposition of troops. In the unhappy disturbances of 1798, Glenmalure was the scene of many deeds of blood. Mrs. Tighe has taken advantage of the great interest which a republican party must always possess, in the romantic point of view, of a political question, in her beautiful little poem of 'Bryan Byrne of Glenmalure,' which is to be found amongst the fragments attached to her larger work ' Psyche.' " — Wright's Guide to the county of Wickloio.

    July 3.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 45

29. Holt evades Lord Powerscourt's cavalry on Three Rock Mountain

    near Three Rock Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Dublin · 1798

    Fleeing towards Dundrum, Holt crossed Butter Mountain, Glenasmoel and Three Rock Mountain; after a warning dream, he hid in thorn clumps as Lord Powerscourt's cavalry passed close by while searching for him.

    Read the passage

    face, and fell fast asleep. How long I slept there 1793. I cannot say, but it could not be long, when I was alarmed by dreaming that the heath and rock on which I lay were on fire. I jumped up and ran down the hill about two or three hundred yards, and sat down again, debating in my mind whether I should proceed or return. While I was thus musing, I heard a noise, and looking up, saw Lord Powerscourt's troop of cavalry proceeding across the mountain, and shortly after they passed over the very spot on which I had been sleeping. As soon as I perceived them, I hid between two thorn clumps, which were surrounded by some high heath, and they passed quite close without observing me. I then got up, and offered my grateful acknowledgments to Almighty God for this additional proof of his providential goodness, in miraculously giving me notice of the approach of my enemies. Lord Powerscourt told me afterwards that they were looking for me at this very time, but their information was vague and unsatisfactory ; indeed, I concluded no one could have been aware of my being there, and though the information was little more than a mere guess, it was nearly fatal to me. However, I escaped.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 104

30. James Rowsome shot and mutilated near Gorey

    Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

    During the loyalist retreat from Gorey on 22 June 1798, James Rowsome was captured by rebels; Priest Kearns shot him in the face, and he was left for dead but survived after crawling to Benough and later being treated at the military hospital at Bray.

    Read the passage

    Taylor, in his " History of the Rebellion in Wexford," mentions that on the retreat of the loyalists from Gorey on the 22d June, 1798, James Rowsome " was overtaken by Perry and his men ; knowing who he was, they were on the point of piking him, but Perry desired them to forbear, and leave him for those who were coming after. Priest Kearns soon came up with another body of rebels, and asked him his name : he told him, and then Kearns desired him to lie down till he should shoot him. Some of the rebels were going to dispatch him their own way, but Kearns prevented them, saying he would do him the honour to dispatch him himself. He snapped his pistol at him, but it missing fire, the rebels were

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 50

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Gorey, this is where loyalists retreated on 22 June 1798 and James Rowsome was overtaken by Perry and his men. They were about to pike him, but Perry told them to forbear and leave him for those coming after. Priest Kearns came up with another body of rebels and asked his name. Rowsome told him, and Kearns told him to lie down till he should shoot him, saying he would do him "the honour to dispatch him himself." His pistol missed fire at first, but Kearns shot Rowsome in the face. Left for dead, he survived, crawling to Benough and later being treated at the military hospital at Bray.

31. Two Prisoners Piked Near Seven Churches

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow · 1798

    Reinforcements brought Holt two prisoners, Marks and Chapman, captured near Ashford Bridge, who had earlier attempted to capture Holt after his house was burned; his men immediately piked them to death on the mountain above the Seven Churches.

    Read the passage

    . In the evening of this day I was reinforced with 140 men, who brought with them two prisoners, named Marks and Chapman, from Ashford Bridge. 1 had not time to try them, but I told the party they were two men who attempted to take me after my house was burned. When my men heard this they piked them immediately. This transaction took place on the mountain over the Seven Churches. It put the commanders of the army in a great rage when they found themselves out-maneeuvred, and

    * The prowess of the Shelmaller marksmen in the rebel ranks, has been already noticed in the note at p. 90. The appearance of the Shelmaliers with their guns gave extraordinary confidence to the insurgents, and when they had even a single cannon to support the Shelmalier long shots, {see page 181) the combination made the rebels confident of success. The fragment of a popular song of this period, whch I picked up last summer (1836) in a tour through the county of Wexford, asserts that

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 80

32. Whelp Rock stronghold in Glenmalure

    near Glenmalur · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt describes the Whelp Rock as a nearly unapproachable position between Ballylow and Lavarna, which he chose as his stronghold to withstand the King's army and yeomanry. He describes Glenmalure valley itself with its steep mountains and river.

    Read the passage

    The Whelp Rock is situated between Ballylow and Lavarna, in the centre of this dreary and inhospitable district, and was fixed on by me as a position almost unapproachable to the military; here I considered myself safe in my own little territory, and by judicious arrangements and prudent precautions, was enabled to hold out against the united efforts of the King's army and the yeomanry of the country for so long a period.

    This young woman went with me to Glenmalure : which valley is about two miles and a half long, and three quarters of a mile wide, a branch of the river Ovoca runs through it. On one side the mountains which bound it are nearly perpendicular, and in many places absolutely hang over it, apparently threatening to crush the spectator by the fall of the enormous masses of rocks, of which they are composed. It is a beautiful and interesting place. The new road from Donard and the county of Carlow to Arklow now passes through it.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 65

33. Burning of the barrack at Clonard bridge

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

    After forcing the strong gates of the barrack, Holt's men gathered straw and, after several attempts, succeeded in burning down the building at Clonard.

    Read the passage

    front of the barrack; the gates were very strong, i798. but we forced them and got several loads of straw, which, after great exertions, and several attempts, we set on fire, with the intention of burning the barrack, but our efforts had not the desired effect. We then forced off the ceiling with our pikes, and at last succeeded in consuming the building.

    We were shortly after attacked by the Flying Artillery. At the first discharge they killed eight of the fifteen men T had placed in a shrubbery, and they fired with such murderous effect that we were compelled to retreat. We were deficient in ball cartridge and ammunition, or we should certainly have been victorious on this occasion. Captain Perry and myself stopped with 500 men for some time, but finding success out of the question we retreated to Castle Carberry, where we halted and dressed our wounded.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Clonard now. In 1798, Joseph Holt's rebels attacked the barrack here. The gates were strong but they forced them, brought in loads of straw, and set it alight. The fire did not take at first, so they tore down the ceiling with their pikes and finally consumed the building. Holt said, "we were deficient in ball cartridge and ammunition, or we should certainly have been victorious." Right after the burning, the Flying Artillery hit them. Eight of fifteen men Holt had placed in a shrubbery were killed in the first discharge. He and Captain Perry held with 500 men for a time but had to retreat to Castle Carberry, where they dressed their wounded.

34. Cattle driven into bog gulf to build a crossing

    Robertstown · town · Kildare · 1798

    Facing an impassable gulf cut across a bog road, Holt ordered a great quantity of stolen cattle driven into the gulf to fill it, allowing the rebel army to scramble across and continue their march.

    Read the passage

    We had here to march by a road through a bog, across which a gulf was cut to render it impassable without a bridge, and we had no time to construct one. I had, therefore, recourse to an expedient which offered itself to my mind at the moment. We had taken a great quantity of cattle from a man named Wolfe, and others, and I ordered them to be driven with great precipitancy into this gulf, and this mass tumbling in filled up the gulf so as to enable some to scramble over, and the army following them, we crossed in safety and without delay. We halted at a village called Robertstown,| where, having

    * In the county of Kildare, about fifteen Irish miles from Dublin.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 51

35. Father Kearns hanged at Edenderry

    Edenderry · town · Offaly · 1798

    Father Kearns, described as a man of extraordinary stature and ferocity, was hanged at Edenderry along with Captain Perry on 21st July, 1798, following the rebellion.

    Read the passage

    Father Kearns was hanged at Edenderry, with Captain Perry, 21st July, 1798.

    The anecdotes which are recorded of Kearns excite but little sympathy for his fate. Sir Richard Musgrave relates that Mrs. Tyrrell having fallen into the power of the rebels at Clonard, offered her carriage and horses to General Perry. *' When they had proceeded about a mile. General Perry requested to join her in the carriage. Soon after a low fellow stopped it and got into it, saying, ' that he had a right to it, as it was he that first obtained it,' and notwithstanding the rank of General Perry he could not prevent his intrusion

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 50

36. Fortifying Glenmalure against military approach

    near Glenmalur · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt secured his position in Glenmalure by having his men roll great stones into the river at the west end of the glen, creating a thirty-foot-deep gulf across the road, and by throwing down the bridge at the east end to prevent enemy approach.

    Read the passage

    I next examined the most suitable position, and the best calculated for defence and retreat, for our camp having purchased experience by this time, I became cautious and provident. I examined the state of the road at each end of tlie Glen, and finding a kind of pavement at the west, I made my men roll great stones down the sides into the river, and thus closed the end effectually, by making a gulf across the road, which in twenty-four hours was thirty feet deep, so that neither man nor horse could penetrate on that side. I then went to the east and threw down the bridge, I thus secured my-

    144 MILITIA DESERTERS JOIN HOLT.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 66

37. James Kennedy of Navan hides Holt from soldiers

    Navan · town · Meath · 1798

    Kennedy hid Holt behind a heap of peas in his barn while two soldiers, unaware of the fugitive's presence, stopped by for milk and reported that the rebels were all killed or dispersed.

    Read the passage

    We arrived about sunrise ; Kennedy took me to his barn ; Katty wished to follow, but he ordered her into the house, and he placed me in a recess, behind a large heap of peas in the straw. As he was going out of the barn, two soldiers came up from Navan and saluted him. Kennedy asked them what news they had. They answered, *' The rebels were all killed or dispersed, we shall now get rid of these damned militia, who torment us so much, and be at ease. Come landlord," said they, *' give us a drink of new milk." They got the milk, lighted their pipes, and went their way.

    Then Kennedy brought me some new milk and spirits, which he and I drank, and he congratulated me on my escape hitherto, and he hoped I should now get safely over the rest of my road. He thought me a most fortunate man. Katty, who wished more for gossip than to get home, annoyed Kennedy so much, that he threatened to put her into a sack and throw her into the Boyne, adding, *' you old fool, you may travel all over the world safely, and no one will

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    Navan here in Meath, and back in 1798 it was the hiding place Joseph Holt ran to. James Kennedy took Holt to his barn and placed him in a recess behind a large heap of peas in the straw. Just as Kennedy was leaving, two soldiers came up from Navan and asked what news there was. They told Kennedy, "The rebels were all killed or dispersed," and asked him for a drink of new milk. They lit their pipes and went their way, never knowing Holt was feet from them the whole time. Kennedy then brought Holt milk and spirits, congratulated him on his escape, and said he hoped he would get safely over the rest of his road. A woman named Katty annoyed Kennedy so much with her wish for gossip that he threatened to put her in a sack and throw her into the Boyne.

38. Pursuit of Gowan toward Whaley's Abbey and Clone

    Clone · townland · Wicklow · 1798

    Gowan's forces, turned from their line of march, fled toward Whaley's Abbey, with Gowan dismounted twice before escaping on a third horse; Holt's men pursued as far as Mr. Coates' house at Clone.

    Read the passage

    We continued our pursuit, and seeing the rout they took, I called out, *' Boys, are there any of you who can swim?" In two minutes I had forty men in the river, holding up their muskets with one hand, and swimming with the other, they soon got over, and commenced firing on the flank of the enemy's line, whilst I kept up a fire on their rear. The valiant Hunter Gowan was now forced from his line of march, and being turned, took the road towards Whaley's Abbey. It gave me pleasure to see the gallant Hunter twice dismounted, but the third horse carried him safe off out of our reach. From that day he never headed a corps. I have heard he received a wound, but of this I am not certair, at all events, his vain boast of '• the sixpenny loaf" turned out a flam. We continued our chase as far as Mr. Coates' house at Clone, and then returned to Aughrim, where my men were very impatient to burn every loyal man's house.

    There lived in the town a sister of my wife, who came to me and requested me to save her house, which I promised to do, but never had a

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 85

39. Quin the informer's family killed by soldiers at Glenbride

    Glenbride · townland · Wicklow · 1798

    After Quin betrayed Holt's position to the army, soldiers fired a volley into the house at Glenbride, killing Quin's sister, her child, his cousin, and a servant boy, while Quin himself failed to claim his reward.

    Read the passage

    When we were all. out, the party of soldiers approached the door, and poured into the house a volley, supposing some of us might still be within. They shot Quin's sister and her child, his first cousin and servant boy. When Quin

    270 HOLT BURIES HIS DEAD. — MOVEMENTS,

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 104

40. Ambush and Skirmish at Greenane Bridge

    near Greenan · population centre · Wicklow · 1798

    Rebel forces marching to Cronebane were ambushed by yeomanry from Rathdrum concealed in burned house ruins at a cross-road; after an exchange of fire Holt called for surrounding the bridge of Greenane, and the yeomanry fled in confusion.

    Read the passage

    collected for me at Cronebane,* and I made my i798. arrangements with Colonel Matthew Doyle about going for it, and ordered out 300 of my best men for that purpose. We proceeded at dusk, and on passing down by a wood called the Flanker, I ordered the Antrim, Leitrim, and King's County companies to march near me, and observe a profound silence, keeping the advance about fifty yards before us. The road passed through a bog, and at the end of the bog there was a cross-road. Some time previous the yeomen had burned several houses at the end of this cross-road, and in the ruins of these a party of yeomanry from Rathdrum had concealed themselves in ambush. When we got within pistol shot of them, they gave us a volley, but not a man of us fell, though several were slightly wounded, and our clothes touched with their balls. I had a slight wound on the sole of my foot. I called out loudly, "Surround the bridge of Greenane, and we shall have them all !" We gave them a salute in return, on

    * Cronebane, on account of its copper mines, was a point at which the disaffected could, with less risk than at any other in the county of Wicklow, collect gunpowder, and transfer it to the insurgents.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 77

41. Burning of Ballybeg, Rev. Richard Symes's mansion

    Ballybeg · townland · Wicklow · 1798

    A party of about fifty rebels returned to Ballybeg, the property of the Rev. Richard Symes, after hearing yeomanry corps were to be stationed there, and burned the ancient family mansion of over a century's standing to ashes.

    Read the passage

    the depredations of Holt's and Hacket's gangs. Some days since, a party of these desperadoes, well mounted and armed, consisting of about fifty, not content with having before carried off the stock, and many things of value, from Ballybeg (the property of the Rev. Richard Symes), returned there as early as five o'clock on Sunday evening, having heard that some yeomanry corps were to be stationed there to protect it and the adjacent country, and in a few hours reduced to ashes, with the greatest part of its furniture, that ancient and respectable mansion, which has been the family residence upwards of a century. "f

    " On Sunday last. Hunter Gowan, Esq., and his corps, took post at Aughrim, in the county of Wicklow, with intent

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Ballybeg, in 1798, rebels burned the mansion of the Reverend Richard Symes. A party of about fifty men, well mounted and armed, had already carried off stock and valuables from the property. They returned at five o'clock on a Sunday evening, having heard that yeomanry corps were to be stationed there to protect the place and the surrounding country. In a few hours they reduced the house to ashes, along with the greatest part of its furniture. It had been the family residence for upwards of a century.

42. Casualty accounts of the Battle of Ballyellis disputed by historians

    Ballyellis · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Holt claimed 370 King's troops were slain at Ballyellis for the loss of only four wounded rebels, though the editor notes conflicting figures from Taylor, Gordon, Musgrave and Hay, ranging from 46 to 80 royalist deaths.

    Read the passage

    1798. The enemy who were cavahy, were sure they had it all their own way, and had but to push on and cut down all before them, and they advanced upon us bravely, but with too much confidence. When they reached the cars, I brought my musketmen round upon them, who fired on their rear with murderous effect, put them into disorder, and they finding themselves surrounded and falling in great numbers, were in a real panic. The pikemen now advanced through the hedges, and my reserve coming behind them, it was all up with the King's troops, and in less than twenty minutes, there were three hundred and seventy of them slain. Our loss was but four wounded.*

    * The affair of Ballyellls, in which several of " the Ancient Britons," a corps extremely hated by the Irish peasantry, were cut off, first gave Holt a military reputation, although his assertion as to the slaughter of so many as three hundred and seventy of the King's troops, is altogether improbable. For the purpose, however, of enabling the reader to institute a comparison between Holt's account and the statements before the public, extracts are subjoined from the histories of two writers on the loyal side (Taylor and Musgrave), and two (Gordon and Hay) whose accounts are considered to be favourable to the Insurgents.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 37

43. Destruction of Carnew after failed rebel attack

    Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Following their victory at Ballyellis, rebels attempted to seize the weakly defended town of Carnew but were repulsed after a two-day contest by its yeomanry, though the town itself was destroyed.

    Read the passage

    '■' The rebels taking advantage of this confusion rushed on them, piked and shot twenty-five Ancient Britons, eleven of the 5th dragoons and eight of the yeomanry, with two loyalists, who went out with the patrole, besides wounding many. The remainder passed on through Carnew, and by taking another route got back to Gorey. During this transaction, the Wingfield dismounted cavalry and infantry under the command of Captain Gowan, came up with the rebels, and having no particular uniform, the enemy thouglit they were part of their own forces; but the yeomanry seeing their opportunity, attacked them with great spirit, killed a number of them, and then retreated to Gorey, without the loss of a man. By the defeat of the patrole the rebels acquired a supply of arms and ammunition; and knowing that Carnew was in a feeble state of defence, they resolved on attacking it; but after an uninterrupted contest of two days they were repulsed by its gallant yeomanry, who killed a number of them, and drove the rest into the country. The town of Carnew was, however, destroyed." — Taylor s History of the Rebellion in Wexford.

    " II. A body of those rebels who had disturbed the county of Kilkenny, and fled through that of Wexford to the Wicklow mountains, finding their associates repulsed at Hacketstown, and seeing no prospect of success in that quarter, marched back, joined by many others, under the conduct of Garret Byrne, toward tlie county of Wexford, intending to surprise

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt

44. Devil's Glen described as insurgent retreat and scorched by burning

    near Devil's Glen · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    The Devil's Glen, noted for its wild beauty and Tottenham's road along the stream, sheltered dispersed insurgents after the 1798 rebellion who were burned out, leaving scorched tree stumps visible for years.

    Read the passage

    " A part of this wood suffered much immediately after the rebellion of 1798, to which sad period there is but too much reference by objects and circumstances throughout this county. It formed the retreat of some of the dispersed insurgents, whom it was found necessary to burn out, and the black and scorched stumps of the trees and underwood exhibit to this day a memorial of the event. The opposite mountain is but slightly sprinkled with a few trees, and on the beetling crags of rock may be seen the hardy and agile goat cropping his adventurous food, and imparting animation to the scene. The river Vartrey, that precipitates its waters into the glen at its head, flows through it in a very picturesque manner, forcing its course over and between large masses and beds of rock, and forming a variety of pools, eddies and streams; after a heavy fall of rain, it becomes a roaring, impetuous and sombre torrent, fretting between the opposing rocks, and speckling its dark and turgid waters with floating patches of white and yellow foam. The extremity of the glen opens upon a rude amphitheatre sprinkled with brushwood, through which the stream, relieved from its vexed passage, winds its more gentle and unobstructed way."

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 16

45. General Roche fires pistol at rebel soldier John Arundel

    near Wicklow Gap · pass · Wicklow · 1798

    General Roche drew a pistol and fired at rebel soldier John Arundel's head after Arundel questioned an order, the ball passing through the crown of his hat without injuring him, causing a rift with Holt.

    Read the passage

    1798. defended him, but the difference of opinion produced a strong indisposition to follow him in future, which was soon indicated by decided marks of insubordination. A man named John Arundel, belonging to my regiment, was the same evening ordered by the General to be placed on a certain duty. He remonstrated, saying he had been on guard all night, and thought the orders should have come through his commander, Colonel Holt, to whose corps he belonged, and who knew best what men had been on duty, and whose turn it was to take the guard. General Roche drew a pistol from his belt, and discharged it at the man's head ; the ball passed through the crown of his hat, but did him no injury.

    One CuUen, my standard bearer, told me of this business, and I immediately went to the General and found him sitting with Garrett Byrne, Captain Perry, and Colonel Fitzgerald. They requested me to sit down, but I declined, and then declared the object of my visit was to demand satisfaction for an outrage committed by General Roche, who interfered with my command, by giving orders to my people without passing them in the re-

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 35

46. Hacket shot near Arklow, head displayed on spike

    Arklow · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt's former associate Hacket, who had turned to robbery and plunder, was shot near Arklow and his head was fixed on a spike on a building in the town as punishment for his crimes.

    Read the passage

    1798. men to join him in robbing and plundering. 1 was glad to be rid of those inclined to go with him. His career was very short; he was soon after shot near Arklow, and his head fixed on a spike, on a building in the town, a just reward for his atrocious cruelties, and other misdeeds.

    I had great anxiety about my son, who was at this time at Aughavanagh, the yeomanry were nearly as anxious to get him into their power as myself; although he was but about twelve years old, he would be an object with them either to put to death, or to secure as a trap for me ; I, therefore, frequently removed him from place to place ; and, I now determined to go and see him at all hazards. I accordingly fired my signal, and passing Knockadrew into Imail, soon arrived at Aughavanagh, where I took up my quarters at Byrne's house, and kept for my own guard John O'Neill, of the Antrim, and three deserters from the King's County militia, knowing that they would not deceive me, as their situation, if taken, would be as bad as my own. My entire force at this time was reduced to about two hundred men, including about fifty cavalry, among whom was my brother, Jonathan Holt. I was very unwell, in addition to the dis-

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up along Arklow now, a town in Wicklow. Back in 1798, this place saw a grim end to a man called Hacket. He had been an associate of Joseph Holt, the rebel general, but Hacket turned to robbing and plundering. Holt himself said he was glad to be rid of those inclined to go with Hacket. Hacket's career of crime was very short. He was soon after shot near Arklow, and his head was fixed on a spike on a building in the town. Holt called it a just reward for his atrocious cruelties and other misdeeds. At that same time, Holt was carrying his own burdens. He had great anxiety about his son, who was at Aughavanagh. The yeomanry were nearly as anxious to get the boy into their power as Holt was to protect him. The son was about twelve years old, and Holt feared he would be an object for them to put to death or to secure as a trap for Holt himself. Holt frequently removed him from place to place, and now determined to go and see him at all hazards.

47. Holt's Battle of Aughrim against Hunter Gowan

    Aughrim · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt led his rebel force in an engagement at Aughrim against Hunter Gowan's yeomanry, taking position on Redena hill near the confluence of the two branches of the Ovoca, exchanging volleys before Gowan's forces retreated into the town and abandoned the barracks.

    Read the passage

    I had my battle of Aughrim, as well as General Ginkle, and in order to distinguish between them, I call it Holt's battle of Aughrim. I issued orders that the men should be silent and steady, and not leave their post or line of march on any account, reminding them of the mischiefs they had suffered from want of discipline, and the victories they had achieved by a contrary conduct. We advanced in quick time, and soon came in sight of Aughrim, where my gallant Hunter was lord of the ascendant at the head of his band of heroes, with whom he pro-

    VOL. I. o

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 84

48. Holt shelters with William Keigan before surrender

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1798

    Before surrendering, Holt visited the house of his old friend William Keigan, who received him cordially and provided refreshment; Holt met his wife there before setting out together to Lord Powerscourt's house.

    Read the passage

    mountain, through Kippure, and ascended 1798. Douse mountain, and so on to the corner of Lord Powerscourt's demesne wall, where I sat down, and looked about to see if any one observed me, and then 1 went to the house of an old friend, William Keigan ; he was at home and received me cordially, and here I met my wife. My worthy host brought me some refreshment, after partaking of which, we set out together to Lord Powerscourt's, where we arrived about seven o'clock in the evening, on the 10th day of No- Nov. 10. vember.

    Mr. Keigan sent in his name, adding that I was with him. Lord Powerscourt soon made his appearance, and with great condescension taking me by the hand, welcomed me to Powerscourt, and in the pleasing and graceful manner of a perfect gentleman, conducted me up stairs to a spacious drawing-room. Shortly after I was conducted to a sumptuous repast, which was prepared for me. After dinner the cloth was removed, and the table was furnished with wines of the finest quality, and excellent spirits. Of the latter I was a good judge; of the former I knew nothing, but I take it for granted.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 107

49. Hunter Gowan arrested and tried at Wexford, then discharged

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

    Charges of pillage and slaughter against Hunter Gowan were submitted to General Hunter, who sent Mid-Lothian cavalry to bring him prisoner to Wexford for trial, but the case collapsed when the prosecutor failed to attend and Gowan was discharged.

    Read the passage

    According to Mr. Hay, " Annesley Brownrigg, Esq. a magistrate of the county of Wexford, received nine-andthirty charges of pillage and slaughter against Mr. Hunter Gowan, and on the informations being submitted to General Hunter, he sent out a party of the Mid- Lothian cavalry to conduct him prisoner to Wexford, whither he was brought accordingly, and there it was determined to bring him to trial. Mr. Brownrigg returned home in the meantime to collect the evidence, but it was previously settled that he should have sufficient notice ; but on the day appointed for the trial, no prosecutor attending, Mr. Gowan of course was discharged.

    " An official letter had been despatched in due time, yet he did not receive it until it was a day too late. Whether the

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 82

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Wexford, this is the town where Hunter Gowan faced trial in 1798. A magistrate named Annesley Brownrigg had received 39 charges of pillage and slaughter against Gowan. The informations were submitted to General Hunter, who sent a party of the Mid-Lothian cavalry to bring Gowan prisoner to Wexford. He was brought accordingly, and it was determined to bring him to trial. Brownrigg returned home to collect the evidence, and it was settled that he should have sufficient notice of the trial date. But on the day appointed, no prosecutor attended. An official letter had been despatched in due time, yet Brownrigg did not receive it until it was a day too late. Gowan was discharged.

50. Landlord Burns Fourteen Tenant Houses and Shoots a Tenant in Wicklow

    Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1798

    After the proclamation of martial law, a man who had cheated Holt of his road-money became the first to burn houses in that part of county Wicklow, consuming fourteen of his own tenants' houses in one morning and shooting a tenant dead who could not pay rent, mocking the victim afterward.

    Read the passage

    1798. to make her a widow, and my children orphans. The cruelties of this man to others as well as to myself, were most notorious. He was the first that commenced burning houses in that part of the county of Wicklow, after the proclamation of martial law. In one morning he consumed fourteen houses of his own tenants. He went to one of them and demanded his rent, who promised to pay it in a week, as he had a piece of flannel which he should soon finish, and as soon as he sold it he would pay the rent. " I will give you a receipt in full — you are a rebel," said he, and drawing his pistol, shot him dead on the spot. It was very early in the morning, and the poor man was in his shirt, having just risen from his bed. Mr. — reinarked, *' I saved the rascal's wife the trouble of stripping him." This may be taken as a specimen of the acts of this man.

    I am not able to give any account of the early workings of the Rebellion, or its silent progress, when preparations were making for its breaking out, any more than any other casual observer.*

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 12

51. Rebel front rank of Shelmalier sharpshooters at Arklow

    Arklow · town · Wicklow · 1798

    In the attack on Arklow, the rebel front rank was largely composed of men from the barony of Shelmalier on the Wexford coast, expert marksmen from shooting sea fowl in winter.

    Read the passage

    To this I am enabled to add from the best authority, viz., a man who belonged to the rebel corps which carried the black flag in question, that the letters M. W. S. he believed liad no other meaning than MarAswzcw, Wexford, Shelmalier — as the men from that barony were considered, and always acted as sharp-shooters to the main body of the insurgents, (termed by him the " Irish army.") His statement is fully borne out by Musgrave, who tells us that " in the attack on Arklow, their [the rebels] front rank was composed of those who had fire arms, and who were mostly from the barony of Shelmalier, on the Wexford coast, where they subsist during the winter by shooting barnacles and other sea fowl, which makes them expert marksmen."

    The red cross, my informant said, he supposed was intended in memory of our Saviour's death upon the cross, but that he did not recollect it on his colours.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Arklow, this was the scene of a rebel attack in 1798. The front rank of the insurgent force was composed of men with firearms, mostly from the barony of Shelmalier on the Wexford coast. They were expert marksmen, having spent winters shooting barnacles and other sea fowl, and always acted as sharpshooters to the main body of the insurgents. One former member of the rebel corps said the letters M, W, and S on their black flag stood for Wexford and Shelmalier, reflecting the makeup of these fighters.

52. Rebels burn Carnew and garrison retreats to malt-house

    Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

    Fleeing cavalry alerted the Carnew garrison, who took shelter in a malt-house that had survived the earlier burning of the town by rebels. The rebels attacked ineffectually before marching on to Kilcavan hill.

    Read the passage

    were Ancient Britons. The rest cfFected their escape to Carnevv, and alarmed the garrison, wlio would otherwise have been surprised and cut to pieces, as they had taken no precautions of outpost or patroles. A malt-house, whicli had been spared from destruction when the rebels had burned the town, was the fortress into which the garrison had barely time to retire when the rebels appeared, who, after an ineffectual attack, in which they sustained some loss, pursued their march to Kilcavan hill." — Gordons History of the Rebellion 0/1798.

    Sir Richard Musgrave's account of this affair is as follows : —

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 41

53. Rumour of General Holt's death crossing Longford bog

    Longford · town · Longford · 1798

    At a farmhouse Holt was sheltered by two women who believed General Holt had been shot dead while crossing Longford bog, showing the widespread grief and rebel sympathy felt for their lost leader before Holt revealed his true identity.

    Read the passage

    When I awoke, I found my shirt and stockings beside me clean and well aired, and my shoes well cleaned. They asked me many questions about my misfortunes, and the actions I had been in. 1 was not a little gratified at the great commiseration and solicitude which they exhibited respecting General Holt, who, they said, had been killed. That many of the men they had seen had been much grieved, and felt very sorry for him, as he was a great loss to the cause. He knew how to conduct them, and they had great confidence in his bravery and skill ; but the poor General was shot in crossing Longford bog. '* A vourneen," added my pretty and kind-hearted young friend, ** he was a sore loss," and the tears started to her beautiful blue eyes.

    " Do not fret, my darling," said I, *' Holt is not dead, he is alive and well."

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    Passing through Longford, this is the town where a rumour of General Holt's death spread in 1798. Holt had taken shelter at a farmhouse in these parts. He woke to find his shirt and stockings clean and well aired, his shoes well cleaned. Two women asked him about his misfortunes and the actions he had been in. They spoke with great commiseration of General Holt, who they said had been killed crossing Longford bog. Many of the men they had seen were grieved at the news, feeling he was a great loss to the cause. He knew how to conduct them, and they had great confidence in his bravery and skill. The young woman, with tears starting to her blue eyes, said, "A vourneen, he was a sore loss." Holt answered her: "Do not fret, my darling, Holt is not dead, he is alive and well."

54. Successful ambush on King's River near Knockalt

    near King's River · river · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt's Leitrim light company crossed the King's River and attacked the enemy, who fled in terror; the rebels pursued them over four miles, capturing muskets, cartridge boxes, bayonets, and killing ten men.

    Read the passage

    The Leitrim light company instantly offered their services, I told them I should move to their support if I saw them pressed. They crossed the river in gallant style, advanced and gave the enemy a volley, which brought several of them to the ground. The cowards were so terrified that they did not return our fire, but sounded the trumpet for a retreat, and made off helter skelter. We pursued them more than four miles, when I ordered a retreat, and on our return we found the trophies of this affair were eighteen muskets, twenty-four cartridge boxes, thirteen bayonets, and ten dead men, the wounded I could not ascertain, nor the name of their gallant leader, whose conduct was deserving of much reprobation. Had he made the resistance he ought to have done, I must have retired in fifteen minutes from want of ammunition. We stopped on our return at Black Ditches, where I treated the men with some whiskey, which recruited our strength, and elevated our victorious spirits.

    At my entrenchments at Knockalt, I had the gratification of meeting my darling '* moving

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 69

55. Burning of the barrack and loyalist houses at Aughrim

    Aughrim · town · Wicklow · 1798

    After the battle at Aughrim, Holt's men burned the barrack completely along with every house in the town believed to belong to their enemies, though Holt protected his wife's sister's house and that of a supporter named Bolan.

    Read the passage

    1798. more difficult engagement to fulfil. There also lived there a man named Bolan, who sometimes sent me provisions, whether from regard or fear I cannot tell. I caused his house to be protected also, but, lest the army should burn it in retaliation, suspecting his loyalty, I broke every window in it, and wounded himself with a sword in several places. The barrack was completely consumed, and every house in the town that we believed to belong to our enemies. After taking some refreshment we returned to Ballyhorra ; about sunset we put out our pickets, and then retired to bed, that is, those who could procure a bed, but most of us bivouacked in the best way we could.

    Next morning early one of the pickets brought intelligence that a small party of the military were marching towards Tinnahcly. I immediately ordered out some cavalry, proceeded in pursuit, and soon came in sight of them. This party of the king's soldiers consisted of twentyfour men, with a commissary, fourteen cars and horses, and a gentleman of the name of Coates, who, with the commissary, were in a coach. 1 heard afterwards they were going to Tinnahely for wheat belonging to the said Mr. Coates.

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 85

56. Cave shelter and life among Protestant rebels in the Devil's Glen

    near Devil's Glen · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    Holt retired to a cave in a rock of the Devil's Glen with companion John Arundel, noting that a third of the fugitives sheltering there were Protestants driven into rebellion by oppression.

    Read the passage

    The night of the 12th of May, I retired to 12 May. the cave in a rock of the Devil's Glen ; a young man named John Arundel was my companion. Early the next day my kind friend Edward 13 May. Saul, brought me provisions. Refreshed by them, I walked out, and was anxious to hear the opinions and feelings of the people in the

    D 2

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 17

57. General Interrogates William Holt and Grants Him a Pass

    Aughrim · town · Wicklow · 1798

    General Jones (Quaere, St. John) questioned William Holt about his visit to his rebel brother, and, moved by his honest answers and Serjeant Jones's testimony, granted him a pass of safety rather than executing him as the law demanded.

    Read the passage

    The General looked at him for sometime without speaking, overpowered by his generous feelings. At length he recovered himself, and said, '* No, Holt, your life is not, shall not be forfeited ; it is much to be regretted that so fine a fellow as your brother should die the death which, I fear, eventually awaits him. He mercifully saved the lives of nine of his Majesty's soldiers yesterday, and sent them in safety to this place. He gave them a pass for their security, and 1 will do the same to you. I believe your story of your brother's misfor-

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 92

58. Holt away at Carnew when his house was burned

    Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

    While Holt was conducting business at Carnew, a troop of yeomanry raided his home looking for him, found letters they deemed treasonous, and burned the house down.

    Read the passage

    ultras, was a sort of apostacy, it was worse than the sin of popery itself. He, consequently, became what was then called a marked man. He was cursed with an over-loyal squireen for a neighbour. This little tyrant annoyed him in various ways ; he denounced Holt as one of the disaffected, and at length, when the rebellion broke out, he proceeded with a troop of yeomanry to his dwelling for the purpose of arresting him. The latter was away at Carnew on business ; the women fled as they saw their old enemy approaching, not calculating much on his forbearance, and the loyal band, after searching the place, found a few letters, which they construed into treason. They instantly set fire to the house, and Holt on his return home found but a heap of ashes, where he had so recently left a comfortable farm house and a large haggard of corn."

    The history of Holt is still kept alive in the memory of the Irish peasantry by various popular songs, especially one entitled "The Victim of Tyranny," which thus commences : —

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 3

59. Holt's emotional farewell meeting with his wife

    Bohernabreena · townland · Dublin · 1798

    Holt met his wife in a melancholy reunion after his escape, as an outlaw with a price on his head; she urged him not to despair of divine protection, recalling his many narrow escapes.

    Read the passage

    I now had the satisfaction of seeing my afflicted and beloved wife, our meeting was sorrowful, the sight of her was a gratification to me, a great one, but it was a melancholy meeting : I was an outlaw, a price was set on my head, my adherents were discomfited and dispersed, 1 was a poor forlorn wretched fugitive, with the bloodhounds stirred up by the hopes of blood-money in full cry after me. I indeed embraced her who was most dear to me on earth, perhaps for the last time. I told her I would surrender if his Majesty's pardon was proclaimed, and I did all I could to make her mind easy. I despaired of

    THE WIDOW KIRWAN. 137

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt

60. Wounded Treated After Greenane Skirmish

    near Glenmalur · valley · Wicklow · 1798

    After the skirmish, rebel forces returned to Glenmalure where Holt personally treated wounded fighters, including extracting a ball from a man's cheek and treating a woman named Ann Byrne shot through the arm.

    Read the passage

    We returned to Glenmalure, and called the roll, and found our loss trifling. One man named Corker came to have a ball extracted from his cheek ; I felt it with my finger, and having lanced the cheek, with the assistance of a new-invented probe, a goose-quill, I extracted the ball, and having done so, dressed the wound, and the man was well in a few days. I told him when he had a few more hits of this sort he would make a good soldier. A woman of the name of Ann Byrne, had a ball passed through the thick part of her arm. I examined and dressed it, and in fifteen days she was well. My own wound never prevented me from doing

    Internet Archive memoirsofjosephh01holt, Chapter 77