The Battle-fields of Ireland, from 1688 to 1691

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. Drowning of Nial-Caille in the River Callan

   Callan · town · Kilkenny

   Nial-Caille, last monarch of Ireland of the house of O'Neil, drowned in the River Callan in Kilkenny while attempting to save an attendant who had fallen in during a campaign to expel the Danes and Normans. His death caused the crown of sovereignty to pass from the house of O'Neil for over a century.

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   [27] Nial-Caille, the last monarch of Ireland, of the house of O'Neil, after having defeated the Danes and Normans in several engagements, was drowned in the river Callan in Kilkenny, while engaged in raising the country for their total expulsion. One of his attendants having fallen into the river, he was trying to save him, and in the attempt lost his own life. The crown of sovereignty passed from the house of O'Neil, and it was not until the reign of Bryan, more than a century after, that the Danes were finally extirpated.--(See McGeoghagen's History of Ireland.)

   [28] On seeing this, the king gave orders for his left to move in the same direction, and sent the remainder of the baggage to Dublin. (Memoirs of Berwick, p. 397, vol. i.)

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 20

2. Fall of Athlone Deals Irish Cause a Crippling Blow

   Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1691

   Athlone, the key fortress on the Shannon, fell to Ginckle's forces, a loss described as almost irreparable to the Irish cause. Its capture opened the province to the invader after a long and tenacious defence.

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   From its central position on the principal river of the country, Athlone, at any period of the war, was of the utmost importance to either belligerent; its loss to the Irish cause was, at this particular crisis, a misfortune almost irreparable. It was the main link in that chain of fortresses which the Irish generals had early recommended as a base of operations, from which they could indefinitely prolong the war, and eventually roll back the tide of invasion. Their successful defence of it since the battle of the Boyne had tended to strengthen that belief, for, notwithstanding the incessant assaults of the enemy, not a link in the chain had been broken, and every attempt to sever it had resulted in his repulse or discomfiture.

   Well has the Shannon been termed the "principal feature of the island:" nay more! in a military sense it is the key to it. Though most of its principal garrisons are approachable by roads at all seasons; yet, by reason of its high winter floods, rising towards the beginning of October, and scarce ever receding until the end of May; with its islands and adjacent callow lands completely inundated, it appears throughout its whole length a chain of extensive lakes, completely hiding its main channel, and greatly limiting the number of assailable points throughout the intervening period. The possession of Limerick, too, by the native army, deprived the invader of the advantage of any craft, save such as could be improvised in the interior, and against the action of cannon these were almost or totally unserviceable. There were, therefore, only five or six months of the year during which the invading army could prosecute a vigorous campaign along its environs, and with its garrisons in a proper state of defence, with the native army lying conveniently behind them, and the other three provinces open to its incursions at will, all the power of England alone were incompetent to the reduction of the country.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 18

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Athlone, the town on the Shannon that was the key fortress of the war. From its central position on the principal river of the country, it mattered more than almost anywhere else to whoever held it. The Irish generals had early recommended a chain of fortresses as a base of operations, from which they could indefinitely prolong the war and eventually roll back the tide of invasion. Athlone was the main link in that chain. They had held it since the battle of the Boyne. Notwithstanding the incessant assaults of the enemy, not a link had been broken, and every attempt to sever it had resulted in his repulse or discomfiture. When it fell to Ginckle's forces in 1691, the loss to the Irish cause was, as the book puts it, a misfortune almost irreparable. Its capture opened the province to the invader. The Shannon has been well termed the principal feature of the island, and in a military sense it is the key to it. Its high winter floods, rising towards the beginning of October and scarce ever receding until the end of May, made it appear throughout its whole length a chain of extensive lakes. There were only five or six months of the year during which the invading army could prosecute a vigorous campaign along its environs. With the garrisons in a proper state of defence and the native army lying conveniently behind them, all the power of England alone were incompetent to the reduction of the country.

3. Rapparee attack repulsed and avenged at Philipstown

   Philipstown · townland · Kildare · 1690

   The Rapparees attacked Philipstown but were initially repulsed and driven through the country, before turning on their pursuers, killing 120 of them, then returning to burn the town and kill 200 more soldiers sent against them.

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   Each army having thus adopted its plan of action, a furious desultory war soon raged along the whole lines, from north to south. The Rapparees, under the guidance of the soldiers sent among them, formed in two lines: one of these moved along between the English army and the eastern coast, harassing the militia in its rear, and ravaging the country up to the gates of Dublin; while the other hung around its encampments, interrupting communication, disconcerting its movements, destroying its forage, and driving large herds of cattle beyond the Shannon. Their courage and hardihood were surprising. They now attacked larger bodies of the enemy, and raids and skirmishes, terminating in loss of life on both sides, were of daily--almost hourly, occurrence. If the enemy lost less in men--as we are assured he did, on the testimony of his own annalist--he paid the balance in booty, for to this the attention of the Rapparees, even in the heat of battle, was principally directed. An instance or two of their manner of proceeding will better illustrate their service at this time than pages of general detail.--As the English army extended northward, pursuant to its design against the Irish quarters, the regiment of Lord Drogheda occupied Kilcormack Castle, in the King's County, as an escort to the supplies daily arriving and passing on northward. The forage growing scarce around that station, the commander, Colonel Bristow, billeted his men on Balliboy, a few miles distant, in a plentiful district, and scoured the country in all directions. After a few days the town was well stored with provisions for the winter, and the greatest vigilance was exercised against a surprise from the Rapparees, who were reported to be about in the neighborhood. From a steep hill behind the town, which commanded a view of the country around, a constant lookout was kept up through the day; and every evening, before retiring to rest, the hedges and brushwood were searched, and the guards doubled through the night. Notwithstanding all this vigilance, the Rapparees got within the lines and concealed themselves in the hedges around the town; where they remained three days without food, and exposed to the severity of the weather. At length, on the third night, when the very quiet that prevailed awakened suspicion, a lieutenant and twenty men were sent out, who beat up all the hedges, and even those where the Rapparees lay concealed, without detecting any sign of them; and retired for the night free from apprehension. In half an hour more the town was fired at both ends; this was a signal to the Rapparees at a distance, who flocked in from all directions. The soldiers were driven to the hill, where a fight raged all night between them and one body of the Rapparees; while another, in their sight, rifled the town, brought off a large booty of provisions and horses, and secured them before morning. The next day they attacked Philipstown, but were repulsed and driven through the country; when turning on their pursuers, they killed one hundred and twenty of them, returned and laid the town in ashes, and killed two hundred more, sent against them. No place was free from their assaults:--Clonmel, Cashel, Mountmellick, and Mullingar, were attacked by them in such quick succession, that the British soldiers were kept marching and countermarching to meet assaults either feigned or real, until the winter set fairly in, and the grand movement of Ginckle seemed yet as remote as ever.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 15

4. Repulse at Lanesborough ford

   Lanesborough · town · Longford · 1690

   Douglas sent 3,000 horse and foot to force a passage of the Shannon at Lanesborough near Lough Ree, but found the ford entrenched and defended, and after a vigorous attempt were repulsed with considerable loss.

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   On receipt of this answer, Douglas lost no time, but, erecting his batteries over against the castle, opened a heavy cannonade. The garrison replied with a spirit and vigor that astonished the besiegers: their guns were dismounted, their works demolished, and several of their men and their best gunner were killed. Again and again they trimmed their works and renewed the enfilade, but with a like result--the castle was impregnable to direct operations. Seeing this, Douglas ordered a detachment of 3,000, horse and foot, to force a passage of the river at Lanesborough, about ten or twelve miles to the north of the town, at the head of Lough Ree. On their arrival there they found the ford intrenched on the opposite side, and a strong body of troops drawn up to receive them; and after a vigorous attempt to force a passage, they were repulsed with considerable loss, and the project was abandoned. On their return they were beset at every point by those desultory bands that traversed the country, and harassed up to the camp, losing many men and horses on their way. The unsoldierlike conduct of Douglas now began to have its effect. He had marched as if to certain victory, devastating every thing in his path, and making no preparation for a sustained siege. Owing to his sanguinary character, the people, both Catholic and Protestant, now shunned his camp; his provisions and provender were soon consumed, and he had to send out foraging parties daily, to levy on the surrounding country. But these were ambushed at every available point by the Rapparees, who also burned and destroyed in their turn; so that his subsistence soon became precarious, and his situation more like one besieged than one besieging. In this critical condition, he determined to force a passage across the river at a ford below the town; but in this he was also foiled; for the governor, apprised of his intention, had it protected by strong earthworks, and the project was abandoned as desperate. For seven days the siege continued with unabated vigor on the part of the besiegers, but with a like result; every succeeding day rendered success more hopeless. It was now reported that General Sarsfield was advancing from Limerick with a strong force to raise the siege. Whether this report was true or false, the narratives of the times do not affirm; but Douglas accepted it as true, and shaped his conduct accordingly. Not deeming it prudent to remain any longer before the town, he decamped on the night of the 26th, abandoning his heavy baggage, and avoiding the highways, lest he might encounter the enemy on his way.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 12

5. Siege and Fall of Ballymore Fort

   Ballymore · town · Westmeath · 1691

   Ginckle besieged the Irish-held fort of Ballymore, defended by Colonel Ulick Burke with 800 soldiers, 260 Rapparees and refugee women and children; after storming the outer castle and hanging its defending sergeant, and a fierce cannonade, the garrison surrendered unconditionally on 7 June 1691.

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   Ginckle, impatient of delay, and not wishing to lose time in storming the castle, into which Burke had thrown a sergeant and fifteen men, deployed to the northward, and, erecting his batteries, directed a heavy fire against the fort. But as the great body of the lake intervened, no impression could be made from that direction, and it was found necessary to reduce the castle, which commanded the narrowest part of the lake, and also the pass leading into the fort. It was accordingly stormed, carried after an obstinate defence of two hours, and the gallant sergeant hanged in sight of the fort, for an "obstinate defence of an untenable position." This obstacle being removed, eighteen guns and four mortars were brought to bear against the fort, until eight o'clock in the morning, when the firing ceased, and Ginckle demanded a surrender, the summons being accompanied by a threat, that if it were not vacated within two hours, the garrison would share the fate of the sergeant, which they had just witnessed. Colonel Burke denied its authenticity, asserting that Ginckle would not set his signature to such an atrocious order, and demanded the summons in writing. The form was soon complied with, the threat was repeated over Ginckle's signature, but leave was granted for the women and children to depart or share the fate of the garrison. Burke next stipulated for permission to withdraw the garrison, as the non-combatants were determined to share their fate; but this being refused, the firing was resumed on both sides, and continued without intermission until noon, when the Irish gunner being killed, and the sand-walls of the fort completely beaten down, Burke displayed a flag of truce to the assailants. Ginckle, greatly incensed by the obstinacy of the defence, refused to notice the signal, and the cannonade was continued until seven o'clock in the evening, when a storming party and boats being ready to cross the lake, Burke again displayed his flag, surrendered unconditionally, and Colonel Earl, at the head of eight hundred troops, took possession of the fort. The booty of the captors was considerable, consisting of four hundred and thirty sheep, forty cows, fifty horses, a quantity of oatmeal, the arms of the garrison, two pieces of artillery, "_but no powder_." The loss of life was inconsiderable on either side; the threat of the English general was not put in execution;--the men of the garrison became prisoners of war, and the women and children were sent beyond the Irish lines, in conformity with the usage of the times.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 16

6. Skirmish at Pennyburn kills de Momont and Major Taaf

   Pennyburn · townland · Derry · 1689

   Colonel Hamilton was sent to occupy Pennyburn near Derry with 200 men and was attacked by a much larger force; a rescue by de Momont and Major Taaf's cavalry drove the enemy back into town but both officers were killed.

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   On the 21st of April, Colonel Hamilton was ordered from General Ramsay's headquarters to occupy the village of Pennyburn, about a mile below the town, in the direction of Culmore; and taking with him a guard of 200 men, he proceeded to the execution of his order. As he passed within sight of the town, he was assailed by the enemy, amounting to 1,500 foot and 300 horse; but he gained the village, and occupying the houses and adjacent cover, he kept up a fire, while he dispatched a messenger to de Momont's quarters for assistance. It happened that the Irish cavalry were out on a foraging expedition; there being only a guard of forty troopers and the same number of horse dragoons in the camp; and with this force de Momont and Major Taaf rode at once to the rescue. On reaching the scene of action, they found Hamilton still disputing the possession of the town with the enemy's foot, while their horse were drawn up with their right resting on the river to receive them. A fierce conflict ensued; the enemy broke and fled into the town, but de Momont, Major Taaf, and seven of their command, were killed, and "there was not a man left who was not either wounded or had his horse shot under him."[13] The loss of the enemy is not stated, but judging from the vast superiority of their force, and its hasty retreat, it must have been much greater.

   Pennyburn was then occupied by the royalists, and reinforced from the encampment at Boom Hall[14] to the number of 500 men, and a second attack, after such a signal defeat, was little apprehended. But as that position brought them within cannon range of the city, the enemy, conscious of its importance, determined to risk another effort to dislodge them before it could be secured by intrenchments. Accordingly, on the 25th, they sallied out with a force of 8,000 men, and endeavored to surround this detachment. The Irish disputed every inch of the ground, but were forced back to the last houses in the village, and were on the point of retreat, when Ramsay appeared in the rear of the enemy, and assailed them with great vigor. Other reinforcements arrived; the action continued from nine o'clock in the morning until seven o'clock in the evening, when the enemy retreated in confusion. In this sally de Pusignan was killed, Brigadier Pointy was wounded, and Berwick received a contusion, which he tells us was the only hurt he ever had, though his after years were spent in continual warfare.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 6

7. St. Ruth rallies his troops on the Sabbath morning

   Aughrim · parish · Galway · 1691

   On the morning of the battle, St. Ruth, wearing a splendid uniform and white plume, rode along the Irish lines delivering an impassioned address that, together with the chaplains' exhortations, roused the troops to enthusiasm before the fighting began.

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   On the other hand, the scene passing in the Irish camp, while no less inspiring, was highly characteristic of the people and the cause they advocated. 'Twas the dawn of the Sabbath morning, and its advent was solemnized by those religious observances, the preparations for which had been made through the preceding night. And those ceremonies being ended, the troops were drawn out in the same order of battle in which they had, for the last two days, been awaiting the arrival of the enemy. As they stood in their mingled uniforms of red and green, with colors advanced, and their old battle-flag, bearing the emblem of an early civilization, and standing out above the long line of tents that formed the background, they made a most gallant show, which the import of the hour and the associations of the day and place rendered deeply solemn and impressive. In this order they remained through the early hours, the deep calm of determination settled over all; but as the morning advanced the silence was at length disturbed by the stirring notes of preparation. The shrill tones of the trumpet sounded along the hill, and was followed by a long roll of drums, when St. Ruth, equipped in a splendid uniform, and bearing "a snow-white plume in his hat," rode along the lines, and in a few impassioned words impressed on all the significance of his address on the preceding day, to which the chaplains added their exhortations and appeals, that touched the springs of many a harrowing and many a hallowed memory. The effect was electric. The history of centuries passed before them: the solemn ceremonies they had witnessed: the attested chivalry of their leaders: and the gallant bearing of their general, kindled the fire of heroism in every breast; the silence was broken, acclamations loud and prolonged rent the air, amid which, St. Ruth retiring, took post on the crest of the hill, and, surrounded by his staff, looked eagerly for the enemy through the passing clouds that still intercepted the two armies.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 19

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through the parish of Aughrim, where on a Sabbath morning in 1691 the Irish camp held a scene no less inspiring than anything passing across the field. The troops had spent the preceding night preparing religious observances, and once those ceremonies ended, they were drawn out in the same order of battle they had kept for two days, waiting for the enemy to arrive. They stood in mingled uniforms of red and green, with colours advanced, and their old battle-flag bearing the emblem of an early civilization standing out above the long line of tents behind them. The import of the hour and the associations of the day and place made it deeply solemn. Through the early hours they held a deep calm of determination. As the morning advanced, the silence broke. The shrill tones of the trumpet sounded along the hill, followed by a long roll of drums. Then St. Ruth, equipped in a splendid uniform and bearing a snow-white plume in his hat, rode along the lines. In a few impassioned words he impressed on all the significance of his address from the preceding day. The chaplains added their exhortations and appeals, touching the springs of many a harrowing and many a hallowed memory. The effect was electric. The history of centuries passed before them. The solemn ceremonies they had witnessed, the attested chivalry of their leaders, the gallant bearing of their general, kindled the fire of heroism in every breast. The silence broke, and acclamations loud and prolonged rent the air. St. Ruth retired, took post on the crest of the hill, and surrounded by his staff, looked eagerly for the enemy through the passing clouds that still lay between the two armies.

8. Summary of the Siege of Derry's losses and duration

   Derry · street · Tipperary · 1689

   The siege of Derry, though of little military significance, was of great political and religious import; the garrison was reduced to 3,000 effective men and losses totalled roughly 7,000 for the defenders and 3,600 for the besiegers.

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   The investing force was 5,000 men, four siege-guns, two mortars, and two field-pieces. From this force 400 dragoons marched with the Duke of Berwick to Enniskillen, and during the siege they received but 2,500 additional troops, making the entire force 7,500 men. The weather was continually unfavorable to siege operations, and, excepting in the amount of rations, the besiegers endured far more suffering than the besieged. The bombardment continued at intervals from the 21st of June to the 28th of July; but during the last week there had been an almost entire cessation of hostilities, to admit of negotiations. On the estimate of the Reverend George Walker, who has left a journal of the siege, the ball and mortar, great and small, thrown into the town up to the 22d of July, was 587. After this there was but an occasional shot until the siege was raised. This fell short of fifteen shots a day, and about one every two hours, admitting them to have been fired in regular succession. During the siege the garrison had been reduced to 3,000 effective men, while the besiegers retired with 3,500--showing a loss to the defenders of 7,000, and to the assailants of 3,600.

   The Duke of Berwick, who was present in all the skirmishing that took place up to the 21st of June, and who afterwards became a prominent character in the great wars of the continent, had certainly no inducement to magnify this episode in his life, by underrating the Jacobite forces; nor is it to be credited that the Reverend George Walker has given an overestimate of the besieged. Whatever were the privations of the non-combatants,--and they must have been great--it does not appear from his journal that the defenders were, for any considerable time, on an allowance much below that of soldiers in ordinary warfare. We find that in two or three instances they were obliged to resort to the boiling of salt hides for a substitute; and to eating "dogs and cats, etc.," now considered a luxury, though thrown in by Williamite writers to shadow a picture dark enough from any perspective.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 7

9. William Encamps at Townley Hall

   Townley Hall · monument · Meath · 1690

   At the very hour William drew up his forces at Townley Hall on 30 June, the combined English and Dutch fleets were being destroyed by the French at Beachy Head, a coincidence highlighting the precarious balance of the wider war.

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   The consequences of "the Boyne" are too well known for comment; what a reversal of that day's events might have done, it is painful to contemplate. A suspension of the battle for a week--even for a day--would have changed the whole complexion of the war, and turned the finger of destiny. The very hour that William drew up at Townly Hall, on the 30th of June, the combined fleets of England and Holland had been almost utterly destroyed by Admiral Tourville at Beachy Head: and as he crossed the Boyne next day, the combined armies of the League, under Prince Waldeck, had been overthrown at Fleurus by the French army under the renowned Marshal Luxemburg. While James was hastening to Dublin to quit his dominions forever, the fleet of Admiral de Seignelay was unmoored, waiting a favorable wind to sail for Ireland to destroy William's transports round the coast; the fleet of Tourville was riding triumphant at the mouth of the Thames, and "there were not," says Hume, "ten thousand armed men in all England." There, disaffection was on the increase, the Jacobite cause was gaining strength, and it was not easy to decide, even with the loss of the Boyne, which was at that moment in the more critical plight--the victor or the vanquished.

   Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 11

10. William Rallies the Enniskilleners

    Old Bridge · street · Tipperary · 1690

    With his forces in desperate straits crossing the river, William personally rode to the head of his Enniskillen troops and asked what they would do for him; though they initially advanced, they soon fled across the river, deserting him.

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    William's situation was now desperate. His Danish and Dutch horse were scattered and swimming in the river; his infantry were hardly able to bear up against its current; the Irish cavalry lay on his front, and their infantry had opened with effect on his flanks. But he was equal to the emergency, and his gallantry at this trying moment would go far to erase a very dark record. Making his way to the head of his Enniskilleners, now about to advance, he asked promptly "What they would do for him?" They cried out with one impulse that they would follow where he led, and hastening forward after him, they threw themselves between their infantry and the Irish cavalry, now reformed on the bank above them. The sight of these troops, their own countrymen, protecting the foreign mercenaries of William, roused the spirit of vengeance in the breasts of the Irish, and, wheeling as before, they swept forward in one compacted mass. The Enniskilleners did not await the shock, but turned and fled across the river, deserting their general at his greatest need; nor could they again be rallied until the battle was decided.[31]

    William, on being deserted by the Enniskilleners, again rode through his infantry and reformed their disordered ranks. The Danish and Dutch rallied, and formed round his person, and, with the desperate resolve to do or die, he pressed resolutely forward.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    Along here at Old Bridge in 1690, William's situation was desperate. His Danish and Dutch horse were scattered and swimming in the river, his infantry struggling against the current, the Irish cavalry on his front and their infantry firing on his flanks. He rode to the head of his Enniskilleners and asked what they would do for him. They cried out they would follow where he led, and pressing forward they placed themselves between his infantry and the Irish cavalry reformed on the bank above. The sight of these troops protecting foreign mercenaries roused the Irish, who wheeled and swept forward in one compacted mass. The Enniskilleners did not await the shock but turned and fled across the river, deserting their general at his greatest need, and could not be rallied again until the battle was decided. William then rode through his infantry and reformed their ranks. The Danish and Dutch rallied round his person, and with a desperate resolve to do or die, he pressed forward.

11. William's furious retreat and devastation toward Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1690

    During his retreat from Limerick after the failed siege, William's forces murdered peasants and burned homes, leaving the fertile district between Limerick and Clonmel a scene of death and desolation.

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    Before retreating he set fire to his hospital, in which there were many invalids; but the Irish soldiers issued from the city, suppressed the flames, and saved the wretched victims. It is hard to credit, even on the authority of historians distinguished for wide research and cautious investigation, an act of such cold-blooded atrocity; and yet his conduct, during his retreat, was of a character that would seem to corroborate it.[50] "The curse of Cromwell" was repeated, the peasantry were murdered, their lands laid waste, and their homes given to the flames; so that the fertile district between Limerick and Clonmel was a scene of death and desolation. Committing the command of the army to the Count de Solmes, with Ginkle as second in command, he proceeded under escort to Waterford, whence, accompanied by Prince George of Denmark, and the Dukes of Ormond and Wurtemberg, he sailed for England.

    Though the theme of many a glowing eulogy, William's campaign in Ireland was not such as to exalt his name, either as a statesman or a soldier. The victory of the Boyne, had he taken that advantage of it which a great military mind would not have failed to take, might have led to the total suppression of the war within a month; and his short sojourn among the Irish representatives of that day, marked only by pusillanimity and cruelty, shows him entirely devoid of statesmanship. If, without dividing his army, after his first success, he had turned aside from the capital, and pressed the rear of the retiring army, he could have gained some of the passes of the Shannon, or perhaps have anticipated the enemy at Limerick, and ended the war without another blow. The truth is, his career, in this connection, was a very inglorious one. His doubt and hesitation after the Boyne were scarce less remarkable than those of Schomberg, which he so severely censured. Through indecision and delay, he gave his enemy time to recuperate for that memorable siege which checked his career, jeopardized his chance of eventual success, and sent him back to his newly acquired kingdom, to be humiliated before his Parliament; divested of nearly all popularity, and humbled before his courtiers by an aspiring subject.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    As you come near Clonmel in Tipperary, the road passes through country that saw William's retreat in 1690. Before falling back from Limerick, he set fire to his own hospital, with invalids still inside. Irish soldiers came out from the city, suppressed the flames, and saved the victims. Then on the march, the curse of Cromwell was repeated. Peasants were murdered, their lands laid waste, their homes given to the flames. The fertile district between Limerick and here became, in the words of the source, "a scene of death and desolation." William handed command of the army to the Count de Solmes, with Ginkle as second. Under escort he went to Waterford, and from there, accompanied by Prince George of Denmark and the Dukes of Ormond and Wurtemberg, he sailed for England. The book is harsh on his whole Irish campaign. His victory at the Boyne, had he pressed the rear of the retiring army without dividing his forces, might have gained him some of the passes of the Shannon or let him reach Limerick first and ended the war without another blow. His doubt and hesitation after the Boyne were scarce less remarkable than those of Schomberg, which he had severely censured. Through indecision and delay, he gave his enemy time to recover for that siege which checked his career. He went back to his kingdom humiliated before his Parliament, stripped of nearly all popularity, and humbled before his courtiers by an aspiring subject.

12. Ginckle Celebrates Boyne Anniversary Amid Athlone's Ruins

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1691

    After occupying the ruins of Athlone, Ginckle buried his dead and marked the anniversary of the Boyne with bonfires and volleys of gunfire proclaiming his conquest.

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    Ginckle betrayed no undue haste in following up his adversary; although his previous movements were indicative of a persistency scarce admitting of a moment's cessation. Athlone being once in his possession, he determined to make it his base of operations against the remaining province, and to hazard no advance until he saw it in a proper state of defence.--With his army drawn up on the ruins of the Irish town, he awaited the disappearance of St. Ruth, and when no longer apprehensive of renewed hostilities, he withdrew it again across the river to its encampment. The burial of his dead claimed his earliest attention, and this day being the anniversary of _The Boyne_, the evening witnessed its first celebration in all the pomp and circumstance of war. Bonfires blazed on the adjacent hill-tops; the names of William and Mary were duly glorified, and peals of musketry and salvos of artillery continuing far into the night, "proclaimed their conquest to the vanquished Shannon." His sick and wounded were next sent to Dublin and placed under the care of the most eminent army surgeons, while all that could contribute to the comfort of the hale, became subject of immediate requisition. On the 2nd, Paymaster Robinson arrived at the camp with several "cart-loads" of specie, and the whole army received full arrear of pay, and further promises of reward and booty, while pressing demands were made on the Lords-Justices for reinforcements to fill up its ranks to the regular standard. After this day, magazines, stores of ammunition, food, provender, and liquors began to arrive hourly, and one-half the army, divided into relief parties, were vigorously at work clearing away the _débris_ of the siege; repairing breaches, raising ramparts, while reinforcements, now pouring in from all available posts, were placed in their allotted regiments and subjected to hasty and rigorous discipline. The garrisons left in their rear, and those along the Shannon, which had been abandoned by the Irish, were manned with native militia, and four of St. Ruth's cannon were mounted on carriages and added to his already enormous train of artillery.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 18

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athlone, you are moving through a town that Ginckle made his base of operations in 1691 after taking it. With his army drawn up on the ruins of the Irish town, he awaited the disappearance of St. Ruth before withdrawing his forces back across the river to their encampment. The burial of his dead claimed his earliest attention, and that day being the anniversary of the Boyne, the evening saw its first celebration in all the pomp of war. Bonfires blazed on the adjacent hilltops, the names of William and Mary were glorified, and peals of musketry and salvos of artillery continuing far into the night, in the words of the source, "proclaimed their conquest to the vanquished Shannon." His sick and wounded were sent to Dublin under the care of the most eminent army surgeons. On the 2nd, Paymaster Robinson arrived with several cart-loads of specie, and the whole army received full arrears of pay, with further promises of reward and booty. Magazines, stores of ammunition, food and liquors began arriving hourly. Half the army worked clearing away the debris of the siege, repairing breaches and raising ramparts, while reinforcements pouring in from all available posts were placed in their allotted regiments. Four of St. Ruth's cannon were mounted on carriages and added to Ginckle's already enormous train of artillery.

13. James II's royal entry into Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1689

    James proceeded to Dublin where he was met by the corporation and mayor tendering the keys of the city, and by the Primate at the castle gate, amid a grand ceremonial procession culminating in the sighting of the motto 'NOW OR NEVER; NOW AND FOREVER' above the castle gate.

    Read the passage

    one wild and prolonged cheer, deep and fervid, burst from the hearts of the multitude. The die was cast, and their adherence to the discrowned monarch was sealed and irrevocable.

    Immediately after his arrival in Dublin,[10] James proceeded to the construction of his cabinet, the leading members of which were Tyrconnell, Mountcashel, General Nugent, and some of the French officers that formed his escort. He at once issued a proclamation, offering pardon and protection to all who would retire peaceably to their homes, and again announced his unalterable determination to maintain the civil and religious liberty of all religious denominations. The army, however, demanded his earliest attention, for, whatever was its enthusiasm, its real condition was far from encouraging. The gentlemen who bore the expense of the first levy were unable to continue the drain on their slender means, and the soldiers were suffering much privation. It was necessary also to organize a force sufficient to meet events that might now be daily expected, and accordingly the king at once appealed to the country. More than one hundred thousand men, almost simultaneously, offered their services; "but," says Hume, "not two in every hundred were provided with muskets fit for service; the rest were armed with clubs and sticks tipped with iron," and he found himself compelled to decline the service of all but about twenty thousand.[11]

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Dublin, where in 1689 James II made his royal entry. The corporation and the mayor met him, tendering the keys of the city. At the castle gate the Primate received him, and above that gate hung the motto: NOW OR NEVER; NOW AND FOREVER. A wild and prolonged cheer, deep and fervid, burst from the multitude. The die was cast, and their adherence to the discrowned monarch was sealed and irrevocable. After his arrival, James proceeded to the construction of his cabinet, the leading members of which were Tyrconnell, Mountcashel, General Nugent, and some of the French officers that formed his escort. He issued a proclamation offering pardon and protection to all who would retire peaceably to their homes, and again announced his determination to maintain the civil and religious liberty of all religious denominations. The army demanded his earliest attention, for whatever its enthusiasm, its condition was far from encouraging. The gentlemen who bore the expense of the first levy were unable to continue the drain on their slender means, and the soldiers were suffering much privation. More than 100,000 men almost simultaneously offered their services, but not two in every hundred were provided with muskets fit for service; the rest were armed with clubs and sticks tipped with iron. He was compelled to decline the service of all but about 20,000.

14. Siege of Kinsale and fall of the New Fort

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1690

    Kinsale was defended by two forts, Castle Ny and St. Charles; the Old Fort was destroyed by an accidental explosion killing 200, and the New Fort capitulated on 15 October after a gallant defence, its garrison allowed to march to Limerick.

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    On the surrender of Cork, Marlborough turned his attention to Kinsale, which is about twelve miles distant by land, and sixteen by water, and which had, in the mean time, been invested by a portion of his land force and his navy. The town was defended by two forts--Castle Ny and St. Charles--named respectively the Old and New Forts; the former having a garrison of 450 men, and the latter one of 1,200; and both being better provided in guns and material than the fortress just surrendered. But the Old Fort had been blown up by accident on the 3d, causing the death of two hundred of its garrison and the capture of the remainder; so there was now but the New Fort to resist the united efforts of the army and navy of Marlborough. The defence, however, was a gallant one, and marked by deeds of great personal daring, both of the men and commandant; but, being cut off from succor both by land and sea, they capitulated on the 15th; being allowed to depart with their baggage and arms, and to join their countrymen at Limerick. As this fort was impervious to the enemy's cannon, and might have held out, while its provisions lasted, a suspicion of treachery attached to its governor, and it is intimated by more than one of our annalists that he must have been bribed by Marlborough, who was impatient of delay, as he had pledged himself before his departure from England to reduce both Cork and Kinsale within a month; but the accusation is not sufficiently authenticated by any, while it is liable to doubt, on the consideration, that a soldier base enough to accept a bribe would not have scrupled to turn over his command to the enemy, which might have been as easily accomplished. The loss of life, with the exception of those blown up at Castle Ny, did not exceed four hundred on each side, but the Irish army lost heavily in prisoners at Cork, few of whom survived their subsequent sufferings; and the loss of those two maritime stations to their cause was incalculable.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Kinsale lies ahead, defended by two forts: Castle Ny, known as the Old Fort, and St. Charles, known as the New Fort. Both were better provided with guns and material than the fortress of Cork that had just surrendered. The Old Fort, garrisoned by 450 men, was blown up by accident on the 3rd, causing the death of 200 of its garrison and the capture of the remainder. That left only the New Fort, with 1,200 men, to resist Marlborough's army and navy together. The defence was a gallant one, marked by deeds of great personal daring, both by the men and the commandant. Cut off from succour by land and sea, they capitulated on the 15th. The garrison was allowed to depart with baggage and arms, and to join their countrymen at Limerick. A suspicion of treachery attached to the governor. The fort was impervious to the enemy's cannon and might have held out while provisions lasted. More than one annalist intimated that he must have been bribed by Marlborough, who was impatient of delay, having pledged himself before his departure from England to reduce both Cork and Kinsale within a month. But the accusation is not sufficiently authenticated, and it is liable to doubt: a soldier base enough to accept a bribe would not have scrupled to turn over his command to the enemy, which might have been accomplished as easily. The loss of life, excepting those blown up at Castle Ny, did not exceed 400 on each side. The Irish army lost heavily in prisoners at Cork, few of whom survived their subsequent sufferings, and the loss of those two maritime stations to their cause was incalculable.

15. Berwick's night raid on Donegal town magazines

    Donegal · town · Donegal · 1689

    Berwick marched rapidly to Donegal town where enemy forces from Ballyshannon were forming magazines, attacked at daybreak, killed many, burned the magazines, and departed with 1,500 head of captured cattle.

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    Berwick left Derry on the 21st, and, at the head of his four hundred dragoons, marched rapidly to the town of Donegal, where three hundred of the enemy from Ballyshannon were forming magazines. He approached their position in the night; attacked them at daybreak; killed many, forced the rest to the shelter of the castle; burned the magazines; and marched off with a booty of 1,500 cattle. Being shortly after joined by two regiments of horse and four battalions of foot,[19] which swelled his command to 1,200 men, he advanced, and on the 6th of July formed an encampment at Trellick, about nine miles north-east of Enniskillen.

    On the 13th, he advanced with a party to reconnoitre the country and the fortifications of the town, when he was ambushed by a force of two hundred foot and one hundred horse, and attacked with great vigor. But notwithstanding the suddenness of the onset, he turned on them; killed all but six of the infantry; drove the horse within their intrenchments, and returned with a captain, a lieutenant, two pair of colors, and the arms of the slain.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up toward Donegal town. In 1689, Berwick left Derry on the 21st and rode at the head of four hundred dragoons, marching rapidly to this town. Three hundred of the enemy from Ballyshannon were here, forming magazines. He approached their position in the night and attacked them at daybreak. He killed many, forced the rest to the shelter of the castle, burned the magazines, and marched off with a booty of 1,500 cattle. Shortly after, he was joined by two regiments of horse and four battalions of foot, which swelled his command to 1,200 men. He advanced, and on the 6th of July formed an encampment at Trellick, about nine miles north-east of Enniskillen. On the 13th, he advanced with a party to reconnoitre the country and the fortifications of the town, when he was ambushed by a force of two hundred foot and one hundred horse, and attacked with great vigour. But notwithstanding the suddenness of the onset, he turned on them, killed all but six of the infantry, drove the horse within their entrenchments, and returned with a captain, a lieutenant, two pair of colors, and the arms of the slain.

16. Dublin Castle Issues Proclamation of Amnesty

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1691

    The Lords-Justices issued a proclamation from Dublin Castle offering pardon and pay to Irish soldiers, colonels, and governors who surrendered, though the book decries it as insincere and ultimately violated.

    Read the passage

    The Dublin commissioners had not yet taken cognizance of the situation, and, as usual, after such events, were preparing another of those parchment manifestoes, which, under a specious verbiage, were meant to delude the people, and to affect their cause as fatally as bomb or bullet. It was a proclamation of _amnesty_, and began with:--"Since it hath pleased Almighty God," &c., &c.--It offered pardon to all private soldiers;--with pay for their horses and furniture,--who within three weeks would surrender themselves to the commander-in-chief; and to colonels who would surrender their regiments, and to governors who would surrender their garrisons within the same period; and to such of the inhabitants of Limerick and Galway, in particular, as would be instrumental in delivering up said places, pardon and _possession of their estates_,--"_where it could be done_;" and that all such soldiers, captains, colonels, governors, etc., should be received into their Majesties' service and pay; and that "_as soon as their Majesties' affairs would permit_," a Parliament would be called, when they would endeavor to secure their protection from "religious persecution," etc.--It praised the mildness of the English Government,--as the proclamations of to-day do,--denounced the tyranny of France,--another favorite theme.--It was given at the Castle of Dublin, July 7th, 1691, signed by Porter and Coningsby, and ended with--"God save the King and Queen."

    With this was issued, by way of supplement, an address from Ginckle himself; more brief and more pertinent, offering rewards to deserters from the royal army, who would renounce their allegiance, and take service under his standard. To soldiers serving without pay, as those of the Irish army had been for several months, this twofold inducement of amnesty and reward was a terrible temptation; but it had little or no effect. The defection caused by St. Ruth's misconduct before Athlone had already done its worst, and the desertion rather tended to O'Donnell behind them, than to Ginckle in their front. Others, preferring a middle course, had joined the Rapparees, and the rest, true to their antecedents, resolved to retrieve their cause in the field, or depart the country forever.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 18

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this city was where a proclamation of amnesty was issued from Dublin Castle on July 7th, 1691, signed by Porter and Coningsby. It began with the words "Since it hath pleased Almighty God." It offered pardon to all private soldiers who within three weeks would surrender to the commander-in-chief, with pay for their horses and furniture. Colonels who surrendered their regiments and governors who surrendered their garrisons within the same period were offered the same. To inhabitants of Limerick and Galway in particular, those who would be instrumental in delivering up those places, it promised pardon and possession of their estates, but only "where it could be done." All such soldiers, captains, colonels, and governors were to be received into their Majesties' service and pay. The proclamation promised that "as soon as their Majesties' affairs would permit," a Parliament would be called to secure protection from religious persecution. It praised the mildness of the English government and denounced the tyranny of France, and it ended with "God save the King and Queen." The book from which this story comes describes the proclamation as one of those parchment manifestoes meant to delude the people under specious verbiage, and to affect their cause as fatally as bomb or bullet. Alongside it, Ginckle issued his own address, more brief and more pertinent, offering rewards to deserters from the royal army who would renounce their allegiance and take service under his standard. To soldiers serving without pay, as the Irish army had been for months, this twofold inducement of amnesty and reward was a terrible temptation. But it had little or no effect. The defection caused by St. Ruth's misconduct before Athlone had already done its worst, and desertion tended toward O'Donnell behind them rather than to Ginckle in their front. Others took a middle course and joined the Rapparees. The rest, true to their antecedents, resolved to retrieve their cause in the field or depart the country forever.

17. Judge Daly and Lord Riverstown arrested for treason at Galway

    Galway · city · Galway · 1691

    A close inquiry into the failure of a planned Irish advance revealed that the English general had been in communication with members of the Irish Senate; the treason was traced to Judge Daly and Lord Riverstown, who were arrested and conveyed in irons to Galway.

    Read the passage

    Ginckle now drew in his lines, and retiring to winter-quarters, began to make extensive preparations for an early campaign in the spring. But he had scarcely retired when he was apprised of a designed attack on his whole line, and drew out his army to meet it. Nor were his precautions unnecessary; for no sooner had he made his disposition, than the Irish generals made a simultaneous advance against the principal posts approaching the river. But finding their movements anticipated on all hands, and some of their garrisons seriously threatened in their rear, they retired after a series of engagements that resulted in no advantage to either, and the British army also retiring, a temporary quiet succeeded. As it was hoped that this movement, which had been matured in secrecy by the Irish generals, would have resulted in great advantage to their cause, its failure filled them with indignation and alarm. They saw that they had been contending not only against the enemy on their front, but against treachery in their rear. A close inquiry revealed the fact that the English general had been in communication with members of the Irish Senate, and the treason being traced to Judge Daly and Lord Riverstown, they were arrested and conveyed in irons to Galway. These events ushered in the month of February: the _rôle_ of the last year was repeated; active preparations along the English line, and great expectations along the other: but the Rapparees increasing in numbers and activity, continued their predatory warfare without cessation, "watching all opportunities of advantage," says Story, "killing our men by surprise in a great many places, but especially keeping correspondence with the protected Irish in all parts of the country. They stole away our horses, sometimes in the night, and often in the noonday, when our men least expected it; by which means they recruited their own horse considerably, and did us no small disservice; nor is it probable, unless they had made use of some such ways, they could have brought any body of horse into the field worth taking notice of in the succeeding campaign."

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Galway, you pass a city where two men were brought in irons in 1691. The English general Ginckle had retired to winter quarters, preparing for a spring campaign, when he learned of a designed Irish attack on his whole line. He drew out his army to meet it. The Irish generals made a simultaneous advance against the principal posts approaching the river, but found their movements anticipated on all hands and some of their garrisons seriously threatened in their rear. They retired after a series of engagements that resulted in no advantage to either side, and the British army also retired, leaving a temporary quiet. The Irish had matured this movement in secrecy, hoping for great advantage to their cause. Its failure filled them with indignation and alarm. They saw they had been contending not only against the enemy on their front but against treachery in their rear. A close inquiry revealed that the English general had been in communication with members of the Irish Senate. The treason being traced to Judge Daly and Lord Riverstown, they were arrested and conveyed in irons to this city. These events ushered in February. Active preparations continued along the English line, with great expectations on the other side. But the Rapparees, increasing in numbers and activity, continued their predatory warfare without cessation. "Watching all opportunities of advantage," says Story, "killing our men by surprise in a great many places," and keeping correspondence with the protected Irish in all parts of the country. They stole horses, sometimes in the night, and often in the noonday, recruiting their own horse considerably and doing the English no small disservice.

18. Mountcashel's Troops Embark from Cork for France

    Cork · city · Cork · 1690

    Lord Mountcashel and his six thousand troops, described as the flower of the Irish army, marched to Cork where they embarked for France in exchange for Lausun's brigade, departing early in May.

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    Knowing, through his English agents, that the earliest possible attention of the Prince of Orange would be directed to his affairs in Ireland, King James was now making active preparations. While the levies lately made were undergoing that hasty discipline which the duty of the hour made obligatory, he sent Tyrconnell to the French court to solicit the assistance so long promised, and so unaccountably delayed. Men there were at his call for any purpose, and to any amount, but he lacked money, small-arms, artillery--in short, every thing that could render their service available. Through the exertions of Tyrconnell, a French contingent was immediately put in readiness, and, towards the end of April, a force of six thousand men, with a park of artillery, consisting of ten pieces, under the command of the Duc de Lausun, arrived in Ireland. But this was the extent of the French king's bounty, for the money, clothing, provisions and arms, on which James had calculated so long, and which alone could enable him to put the requisite number of troops into the field, were still withheld. Had the troops now sent been of the regular French army, and given in good faith, they would have been a great acquisition to King James. But the French king did not allow his generosity to outrun his discretion. He was then engaged in a war with the allies, which severely taxed the population of his own kingdom, and so the troops sent to Ireland were a heterogeneous body consisting of French Huguenots, Germans, and even English Protestants, taken prisoners on the Continent, and offered pardon on condition that they would serve under the standard of King James. It is said that at least one-third of de Lausun's force was so constituted, and of this, the number of desertions that took place while they remained in Ireland, and the unwilling service performed by the rest, would afford ample corroboration. Nor were the discordant elements of which this force was composed, nor its want of devotion to the Irish cause, nor the eccentricities of its general, the only drawbacks consequent on this accession. Ireland had been represented, as indeed it would seem to be, inexhaustible in men who wanted but arms and discipline to become excellent soldiers. Louis wanted men at the time, and, taking advantage of this information, stipulated for an equivalent to the force which he sent over with de Lausun. On the other hand, King James thought that he would engage the French king and nation more earnestly in his cause, by the introduction of French troops into Ireland, and, as a matter of course, the terms were accepted. All things considered, it did not seem an unwise act, and might even be an advantage to his cause, had he not been as poor a diplomatist as he had lately proved himself a statesman. Any number of armed men would have been better than the same number without arms; and 'tis said that it was optional with him to send his equivalent either in disciplined soldiers or in raw recruits. But his pride prevailed over his judgment; and, perhaps ashamed to make a poor display in the eyes of the French king and people, he resolved to send over Lord Mountcashel and his command in exchange. This general, who had escaped from Enniskillen in December, was now at the head of six thousand troops, designated by the annalists of the period as "the flower of the Irish army," and had all seen service in the events of the preceding years. They were accordingly marched to Cork, where, embarking on board the fleet of Chateaurenaud, which brought over the brigade of de Lausun, they bade adieu to their own country, and arrived in France early in May.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 9

    As the companion tells it

    Cork lies ahead. In 1690, Lord Mountcashel marched six thousand troops to this city to embark for France, in exchange for a French brigade that had arrived weeks before. King James was making active preparations. He sent Tyrconnell to the French court to solicit assistance long promised and long delayed. He had men but lacked money, small-arms, artillery, everything that could render their service available. Through Tyrconnell's efforts, a French contingent was readied, and toward the end of April a force of six thousand men with ten pieces of artillery under the Duc de Lausun arrived in Ireland. But this was the extent of the French king's bounty. The money, clothing, provisions and arms on which James had calculated were still withheld. The troops sent were not regular French army. Louis was engaged in a war with the allies that taxed his own kingdom. Lausun's force was a heterogeneous body of French Huguenots, Germans, and English Protestants taken prisoner on the Continent, offered pardon on condition they serve under King James. At least one-third of the force was so constituted, and desertions and unwilling service corroborated this. Louis, knowing Ireland seemed inexhaustible in men who wanted only arms and discipline, stipulated for an equivalent. King James thought French troops in Ireland would engage the French more earnestly. It was optional to send disciplined soldiers or raw recruits, but James's pride prevailed, and he resolved to send Lord Mountcashel and his command. Mountcashel, who had escaped from Enniskillen in December, was at the head of six thousand troops described by the annalists as "the flower of the Irish army," all veterans of the preceding years. They were marched to Cork, embarked on board the fleet of Chateaurenaud, which had brought over the brigade of de Lausun, bade adieu to their own country, and arrived in France early in May.

19. Second battle at Pennyburn kills de Pusignan

    Pennyburn · townland · Derry · 1689

    The defenders sallied out with 8,000 men to retake Pennyburn from the reinforced Irish garrison; the battle raged from morning until evening before the enemy retreated, and de Pusignan was killed in the fighting.

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    Pennyburn was then occupied by the royalists, and reinforced from the encampment at Boom Hall[14] to the number of 500 men, and a second attack, after such a signal defeat, was little apprehended. But as that position brought them within cannon range of the city, the enemy, conscious of its importance, determined to risk another effort to dislodge them before it could be secured by intrenchments. Accordingly, on the 25th, they sallied out with a force of 8,000 men, and endeavored to surround this detachment. The Irish disputed every inch of the ground, but were forced back to the last houses in the village, and were on the point of retreat, when Ramsay appeared in the rear of the enemy, and assailed them with great vigor. Other reinforcements arrived; the action continued from nine o'clock in the morning until seven o'clock in the evening, when the enemy retreated in confusion. In this sally de Pusignan was killed, Brigadier Pointy was wounded, and Berwick received a contusion, which he tells us was the only hurt he ever had, though his after years were spent in continual warfare.

    As the next attack was the last of that series of "brilliant assaults" so greatly extolled by the eulogists of the Williamite cause, it is here transcribed entire from the Memoirs of the Duke of Berwick, who was himself an actor in the affair which he so simply, yet so graphically, describes:

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 6

20. Sir Neale O'Neil Defends the Pass of Slane

    Slane · townland · Meath · 1690

    The Pass of Slane, expected by James to be William's first point of attack, was neglected until late at night when Sir Neale O'Neil and his dragoons were sent to occupy it. O'Neil fortified the pass with entrenchments on both banks of the river.

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    As William had the advantage of ground--that is to say, the northern bank of the river was steep and firm down to its margin, while the southern side was low and broken--James had thrown his army well back towards the hill of Donore, and during the interval had made the following disposition: His centre, about 8,000 men of all arms, was arranged in two lines; one, comprising the musketeers and pikemen, under Major-General Dorrington and the Marquis de Hoquincourt, was placed in the intrenchments along the river, and the other, composed of the exempts, under General Nugent and Taafe, Earl of Carlingford, in the broken ground behind it. For the support of these the infantry regiments of Tyrconnell, Parker, and Gordon O'Neil, and the dragoons of Lords Clare and Dungan, were held between a small village and the hill of Donore, as the ground nearer to the river was low, and commanded by the enemy's artillery. His right wing, about 3,000 men, of whom but eight battalions were infantry, rested near the town of Old Bridge, opposed to William's left, under the command of Lieutenant-General Hamilton and the Duke of Berwick. His left, composed of the French troops under the Duke de Lausun and M. de la Hoquette, stood about a mile from his centre, in the direction of Slane; while that important Pass, which, he tells us in his Memoirs, he expected to be William's first point of assault, and which lay three miles from his centre, by the course of the river, was entirely neglected until late at night, when, at the urgent request of his generals, it was occupied by Sir Neale O'Neil and his regiment of dragoons. A strip of moor-land, extending from Old Bridge to the Pass of Slane, ran behind his right and centre, traversing the base of Donore round to the southeast; and behind this, but well drawn up against the hill, he held a reserve of nearly 3,000 infantry and cavalry, the former under Sir Charles Carney, and the latter under Sarsfield and Brigadier-General Maxwell.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the Pass of Slane was a position James expected William to strike first in 1690. James tells us in his Memoirs that he looked for the Pass to be the first point of assault. Yet it lay three miles from his centre by the course of the river, and it was entirely neglected until late at night. James had drawn his army back towards the hill of Donore. His centre of about 8,000 men of all arms sat in two lines along the river. Musketeers and pikemen under Major-General Dorrington and the Marquis de Hoquincourt held the intrenchments. Behind them, exempts under General Nugent and Taafe, Earl of Carlingford, stood in broken ground. Supporting infantry regiments of Tyrconnell, Parker, and Gordon O'Neil, and dragoons of Lords Clare and Dungan, waited between a small village and the hill of Donore. His right wing of about 3,000 men rested near Old Bridge under Lieutenant-General Hamilton and the Duke of Berwick. His left, French troops under the Duke de Lausun and M. de la Hoquette, stood about a mile from the centre in the direction of Slane. But the Pass itself, that important point, was left unoccupied until the generals urged action. Only then, late at night, Sir Neale O'Neil and his regiment of dragoons were sent to hold it. A strip of moor-land ran from Old Bridge to the Pass behind the right and centre. Behind that, against the hill, James kept a reserve of nearly 3,000 infantry and cavalry, the infantry under Sir Charles Carney, the cavalry under Sarsfield and Brigadier-General Maxwell.

21. Surrender of Galway on honorable terms

    Galway · city · Galway · 1691

    Following the defeat at Aughrim, Galway surrendered on honorable terms after an exchange of hostages, as the Williamite advance continued toward the Shannon.

    Read the passage

    But time passed on. Galway surrendered on honorable terms after an exchange of hostages. The passes of the Shannon were abandoned one by one down to Limerick, where the final stand was made, during which Tyrconnel, after years of faithful service, "died apparently of a broken heart." The city, though twice betrayed by General Clifford, made a most gallant defence, and its surrender wrested a treaty from the enemy, as glorious to its defenders, as its violation was infamous to the victors.--O retributive justice, how slow is thy finger on the dial!

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    As you come into Galway, this is the city that surrendered in 1691 on honorable terms after an exchange of hostages. The defeat at Aughrim had broken the Jacobite cause, and the Williamite advance pressed on toward the Shannon. The passes were abandoned one by one down to Limerick, where the final stand was made and Tyrconnel, after years of faithful service, "died apparently of a broken heart." Galway itself was twice betrayed by General Clifford but made a gallant defence, wresting a treaty from the enemy.

22. The Break of Dromore

    near Dromore · town · Down · 1689

    On 14 March, General Richard Hamilton crossed the Bann and attacked the entrenched Williamite forces of Lord Mount Alexander at Dromore-Iveagh, routing them completely. The engagement, known as 'The Break of Dromore,' resulted in the loss of the enemy camp, four hundred slain, and a disgraceful flight.

    Read the passage

    The task was, however, performed to the satisfaction of the general: the enemy were found strongly intrenched at Dromore-Iveagh, on the north side of the Laggan, to the number of 8,000 men, under the command of Hugh Montgomery, Lord Mount Alexander. It was soon decided to attack them; so breaking camp with the dawn, on the morning of the 14th, Hamilton crossed the Bann and advanced boldly on their position. The cavalry regiment of Montgomery advanced to meet him, but after the first charge of Hamilton's dragoons they fell back in confusion on the main body, and his infantry having also crossed the river, a general attack was ordered. The enemy, however, did not wait the assault, for Montgomery himself running away, his men followed the example, and a complete rout succeeded. The Irish remained masters of the encampment. Montgomery continued his flight to Hillsborough, into which he threw a few companies, and ordering the bulk of his forces to Coleraine, embarked at Donaghadee, and sailed for England. This was the first time the forces of "The Council" met the Irish in the field. They had been organizing and levying on the country for months; they were well armed; had an intrenched position of their own selection, behind a deep and rapid river, and the result was the loss of their camp equipage, four hundred slain, and that disgraceful flight known in the history of the period as "The Break of Dromore."

    After stopping here for a day to rest his men and secure the advantages of his victory, Hamilton pushed on to Hillsborough, the headquarters of the Council, while Sir Arthur Rawdon advanced rapidly from Lisburn to its relief, at the head of 4,000 men. Rawdon, however, only arrived in the vicinity to find the place in the possession of Hamilton, and to see its paroled garrison making their way home across the country. On learning that Rawdon was in the neighborhood, the Irish troops advanced to meet him, but he, ordering his men to make the best of their way towards Coleraine, abandoned them to their fate, and, like Mount Alexander, embarked for England.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

23. The Irish Army's Final Stand and Retreat from Donore

    Donore · town · Meath · 1690

    The Irish cavalry made repeated desperate charges near Donore, described as being enveloped in dust and smoke for over half an hour, before falling back and eventually retreating from the hill on King James's order, bringing off their standards and artillery.

    Read the passage

    While the events just described were transpiring on the river, Count Schomberg continued to hold de Lausun inactive, wearing slowly round by his right; and as the Irish centre retreated on Donore, he had reached the termination of the lowland, and thrown forward his cavalry on the road leading to Dublin. King James, on seeing this, got alarmed for the safety of the capital--should Schomberg get the start of him,--so directing de Lausun to defend the road, he issued an order for a general retreat, and, taking the regiments of Brown and Purcell as an escort, withdrew from the field and pursued his way to Dublin. On receipt of this order, "the Irish army retreated" from the hill, bringing off all their standards and artillery;[33]--they crossed the lowlands to the north of Donore;--and the Boyne was lost.

    It was six o'clock in the evening. The infantry soon reached the town of Duleek, the French bringing up the rear, and formed in line of battle behind the river Nanny. The cavalry arrived soon after, and had just crossed the river as Count Schomberg drew up and formed on the other side. Both armies then remained facing each other for over an hour; the Irish, seeing that the enemy did not advance, began to retire, and Schomberg followed. The Irish halted and reformed again, in a long ravine, near the village of Neal; the enemy also halted, but did not attack; and in this posture night settled down on the two armies. It was now nine o'clock; the Irish resumed their march, and the enemy following no farther, they continued their way unmolested towards Dublin. William remained on the field. Some say that sorrow for the death of Schomberg was the cause of his not pressing the foe. It might have been caused by a lack of artillery, as his train had not crossed the river. Perhaps he might have been apprehensive that the garrison of Drogheda would issue out and capture or destroy it in his absence, as they might have done during the latter events of the day; but whether it was one of those causes, or a combination of them, now matters but little; he had won the Battle of the Boyne, and it was enough for a day.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 10

24. William's army arrives before Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    On 8 August William's army of nearly 38,000 appeared east of Limerick while De Lausun decamped westward to Galway and sailed for France; on the 9th William positioned his forces between St. John's Gate and King's Island.

    Read the passage

    On the 8th of August, this army appeared within view of the city, on the eastern side, while de Lausun, who had, during the interval, occupied the position already indicated, on the western side, decamped, and marched his command to Galway, whence he shortly after sailed for France. On the 9th, William approached the city slowly and cautiously, bearing the Irish outposts before him, and took up his position between St. John's Gate and King's Island, within cannon range of the wall. His lines were soon extended to the right and left; the latter position being occupied by the Danes, who are said to have expressed great satisfaction at the sight of an old Danish fort that had escaped the changes of seven centuries, and reminded them at once of the sway of their ancestors over the island--and, mayhap, of the king by whose valor their power had been eventually overthrown.

    Tyrconnell was still commander-in-chief of the Irish army, but the military conduct of affairs within the city mainly devolved on Sarsfield and the Duke of Berwick; and as William sat down before their walls, the latter requested Tyrconnell to place the cavalry at his disposal, and that he would cross the Shannon, make a circuit of the country in William's rear, destroy his magazines and supplies up to Dublin, and so reduce him to the necessity of decamping. In referring to this proposition in his Memoirs, the Duke says: "As all the towns in the country were open, and without defence, I was morally certain of succeeding in my enterprise; and as to getting back, which was objected, the knowledge I had of the country had already suggested to me by what means it might be effected. I had no doubt of making my way into the North, and returning to our quarters by Sligo." But Tyrconnell, fearing to part with all his cavalry at such a critical moment, represented to him that it would leave the river between Limerick and Kilaloe exposed, and as they were the only protection against a flank movement of the enemy in that direction, he discountenanced the adventure.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are on ground where William's army arrived on the 8th of August 1690, appearing on the eastern side of the city. De Lausun, who had been holding a position on the western side, decamped that same day and marched his command to Galway, whence he shortly after sailed for France. On the 9th, William approached the city slowly and cautiously, driving the Irish outposts before him, and took up his position between St. John's Gate and King's Island, within cannon range of the wall. His lines were soon extended right and left, the latter position occupied by the Danes, who are said to have expressed great satisfaction at the sight of an old Danish fort that had escaped the changes of seven centuries. Within the city, Tyrconnell was still commander-in-chief of the Irish army, but the military conduct of affairs mainly devolved on Sarsfield and the Duke of Berwick. As William sat down before the walls, Berwick requested Tyrconnell to place the cavalry at his disposal, proposing to cross the Shannon, make a circuit of the country in William's rear, and destroy his magazines and supplies up to Dublin. The Duke wrote in his Memoirs: "As all the towns in the country were open, and without defence, I was morally certain of succeeding." He had no doubt of making his way into the North and returning by Sligo. But Tyrconnell, fearing to part with all his cavalry at such a critical moment, argued it would leave the river between Limerick and Killaloe exposed, and he discountenanced the adventure.

25. Assault on the windmill near Derry kills Ramsay

    Derry · street · Tipperary · 1689

    Ramsay attacked a windmill position near Derry to secure ground for the siege but was driven back with heavy losses including his own death; a second attempt by Wauchop also failed against a heavily entrenched position.

    Read the passage

    "They sent us word from Dublin that they were dispatching artillery to us; for which reason we thought it right to possess ourselves immediately of such posts near the town as might be of use in pressing the siege. With this view, Ramsay, with his troops, on the 6th of May, attacked a windmill, which stood on an eminence at half-cannon shot from the town, and behind it was a bottom in which he meant to encamp. The enemy defended themselves with great bravery; and, at last, the whole town sallying out upon him, he was driven from his post and obliged to retire. Ramsay himself was killed, with about 200 men; several officers of distinction were made prisoners. Wauchop took the command of Ramsay's troops, and resolved upon another attempt to make himself master of the mill; but the enemy, apprised of the importance of it, had covered it with a great intrenchment, which our troops could never force, and we sustained a further loss of several officers, and at least a hundred men." * * * "After this experience, we assembled all our troops, consisting of twelve battalions and fifteen or sixteen squadrons (about 2,800 men), and encamped opposite the front of the place, behind a rising ground, at the distance of a long musket-shot; and we left on the other side of the river two battalions that had been stationed there. A few days after, six large pieces of cannon--four guns and two mortars--arrived: there were thirty in the town. We had, in all, not more than five or six thousand men; the besieged had ten thousand, well armed. About the same time arrived M. de Rosen, with some French engineers and matrosses to begin the attack. As I was not pleased with the business, any more than with the new general, * * I asked for the command against Enniskillen, and obtained it, and left the camp on the 21st of June, with four hundred horse dragoons, and marched to Cavan Park."

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 6

26. Balldearg O'Donnell Camps Between Tuam and Athenry, Refuses Aid

    Tuam · town · Galway · 1691

    The self-styled Pretender Balldearg held court with a large force between Tuam and Athenry but refused St Ruth's requisition for troops or any action against the enemy.

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    Being now invested with entire military control, St. Ruth caused the garrisons of the Upper Shannon to be dismantled, drew in his outposts, and made speedy requisitions for men and munitions. Jamestown and Lanesborough were at once abandoned; Shannon Bridge, Banagher, and Portumna were each reduced to a nominal garrison; Galway sent a regiment, and Limerick all that could be spared from its defences, which were few, for the enemy had still ten thousand regulars, and a strong force of militia in Munster, and a desultory warfare, fierce and incessant, raged throughout the counties of Cork and Kerry, down to the vicinity of Limerick. A requisition for troops was also made on the _Pretender_, _Balldearg_, now holding court between Tuam and Athunree, surrounded by a force variously estimated at between eight and ten thousand. But this redoubtable chief would neither furnish the required levy, nor make any movement to discomfort the enemy; preserving at once his masterly inactivity and his worthless person.

    With his scouts and pickets well advanced towards Athlone, St. Ruth established his quarters in Ballinasloe, to await his reinforcements, and to give his troops that rest so necessary after the toils and privations of the last month.--That Galway was Ginckle's objective point scarcely admitted of a doubt; but then there were other routes to it, as practicable, though not so direct, as that on which St. Ruth had taken up his position, and he determined to hazard no further movement while the intentions of his adversary remained a matter of conjecture. Here, then, we will leave him to the duties now imperative: to recruit and resuscitate his army, and restore that spirit and discipline so necessary to the coming event, and return to take note of what was transpiring in the English camp.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 18

27. Connaught Tower's defiant defence at Athlone Castle

    near Athlone and Bigmeadow · townland · Roscommon · 1691

    The Connaught Tower at Athlone Castle continued to command the broken bridge arch and fly its flag despite relentless bombardment, remaining the last significant defensive structure standing before it finally fell.

    Read the passage

    Such was the condition of the besieged on the morning of the 26th, and all that day the bombardment continued with increased fury. Towards evening the bastion opposite the ford was beaten down so as to be passable to horse and foot, and the battery which protected it was completely silenced; the castle was deemed no longer tenable, and Ginckle contemplated an assault in force on the following morning. Preparatory to this, he resolved to try once more the passage of the river, in order to create a diversion on the Irish rear while putting his design in execution; and, having lately received information that a ford had been discovered to the north of Lanesborough, which might be easily crossed in the face of the small garrison stationed there, had dispatched a strong force to that place, with orders to approach it in the night, and having captured the town, to make a demonstration on the enemy's left, while he himself, with the main body, would storm the bridge and fords on their front. But the design was communicated to General Wauchop, and he immediately sent a regiment of cavalry to the assistance of Colonel O'Reilly, who commanded there, with orders to defend the place to the last extremity. The troops of Ginckle had started on their expedition on the night of the 25th, under direction of a guide, and, after making a wide detour to the north-east, approached the ford with great caution on the night of the 26th; but, arriving there, they found the opposite side strongly intrenched and the Irish cavalry drawn up to oppose them. They, however, tried to force their way through, but being routed with severe loss, they returned, and reported that it would take the whole army to cross there, so the project was finally abandoned. Nor was this his only disappointment. The morning of the 27th broke over a scene as startling as unexpected, for in its light he beheld that the Irish battery above the bastion had been repaired and strengthened, and that the castle which he expected to find abandoned had been put in a better state of defence than before. An opening had been made in the western wall, through which rocks and beams had been conveyed to the top of the breach, and firmly imbedded there, while its one solitary tower, the Connaught Tower, still commanded the broken arch, and displayed its flag as proud and defiant as ever. He was therefore obliged to forego his intention for that day, and direct his whole force to the total destruction of the citadel before risking an assault on the bridge. To the five batteries already at work two more were now added, and an incessant storm of shot and shell was directed all day on the castle and the houses beyond it. Three times during the siege the town had been set on fire; the population had fled to the suburbs, and nothing having life remained within the walls but the gunners behind their crumbling earth-works, and the soldiers laboring to check the flames extending in all directions.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 17

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Athlone and Bigmeadow stood the Connaught Tower, the last stronghold of the Irish defence in 1691. By the evening of the 26th, the bombardment had beaten down the bastion opposite the ford and silenced the battery protecting it. The castle was deemed no longer tenable, and Ginckle planned a full assault for the morning. He also sent a strong force north to cross a ford near Lanesborough, but the Irish cavalry under Colonel O'Reilly routed them with severe loss, and that project was abandoned. When the morning of the 27th broke, Ginckle found the Irish had repaired and strengthened their battery above the bastion. They had opened the western wall, hauled rocks and beams to the top of the breach, and embedded them there. The one solitary tower, the Connaught Tower, still commanded the broken arch and displayed its flag as proud and defiant as ever. Ginckle was forced to abandon his assault for that day. He added two more batteries to the five already firing, and directed an incessant storm of shot and shell at the castle all day. The town had been set on fire three times during the siege. The population had fled to the suburbs, and nothing living remained within the walls but the gunners behind their crumbling earthworks and the soldiers labouring to check the flames spreading in all directions.

28. De Lausun withdraws to the Clare side

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    Having lost the confidence of the Irish leaders, De Lausun withdrew his men, military chest, and artillery from Limerick city and encamped across the river on the Clare side, remaining an inactive spectator.

    Read the passage

    De Lausun, who had become quite disgusted with the condition of affairs to which he had so largely contributed since his arrival, now lost no opportunity of effecting his recall, by representing the Jacobite cause as hopeless. Arriving at Limerick, he at once pronounced the place untenable; commented on the forlorn condition of the troops; the dilapidated state of its defences; ridiculed the idea of holding it against the army of the Prince of Orange; and in the excess of irony, declared that "his master could take it with roast-apples." Sarsfield and Berwick thought differently. It was their principal depot of provisions and military stores; one of the few ports of entry that now remained in their possession, and being moreover the key to the defences of the river, its loss would be soon followed by the total subjugation of the island. They accordingly set their minds on holding it to the last extremity, and being joined in this resolution by the governor, De Boïsselau, they at once set about strengthening its fortifications. De Lausun, finding that his motives were understood, and that he no longer possessed the confidence or respect of the Irish leaders, withdrew his men, military chest, and artillery from the city, and encamped within view of it, on the Clare side of the river, where he remained an inactive spectator of the events that succeeded. But whatever were the motives of De Lausun, the strait to which the city was at this time reduced could hardly be underrated. The provisions of the garrison were quite inadequate to the maintenance of such a force for any considerable time; its ammunition was nearly exhausted, and there were only nine guns, and those of inferior calibre, on its walls. The late reverse had opened up all the country to the east of the Shannon to the arms of William, and on the southern side, round to Cork, there was hardly a fortress capable of offering a day's resistance. The forts of Kilkenny and Clonmel, in the interior, which had been dismantled during the war of the Confederacy, had been neglected during this, and could hardly retard his march from the seaboard longer than to comply with the forms of capitulation. Commerce, which had been hitherto carried on briskly between this city and France, ceased as the risks increased; the shipment of military stores was suspended; and operations in the field had become utterly impracticable. The treasury, too, was empty. The sum of 50,000 pistoles which the king left with Tyrconnell, was soon expended; the troops had become clamorous for pay, and private contributions were no longer to be obtained. The king's Catholic subjects throughout the eastern counties, were beset by the soldiers of William, and the king once departed, the entire Protestant population transferred their allegiance. Still every motive of pride and interest impelled the Irish leaders to more determined resistance, for there was now no alternative between success and total ruin. They had indicated the Shannon as the proper base of operations during the earlier stages of the war, and now that they were driven to it as a necessity, its defence became doubly imperative. Should they now fail to defend it successfully, their former importunities would be looked on as the effect of a weak and vacillating spirit, and the king would be more than justified in having rejected their counsel. All these considerations stirred them to renewed action, and the work of preparation was carried on with vigor. In consequence of their straitened means, one of their first measures was a reduction of the garrison. All the cavalry, and 8,000 infantry were retained for the defence; a few regiments were distributed at the different forts along the river up to Lanesborough, and the rest were sent to live on the country, subject to immediate service when called on.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 12

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are moving through a city that in 1690 became the last great stake of the Jacobite cause. The French commander De Lausun arrived here and pronounced the place untenable, mocking its dilapidated defences and declaring that his master could take it with roast-apples. Sarsfield and Berwick thought very differently. Limerick was their principal depot of provisions and military stores, one of the few ports of entry still in their hands, and the key to the defence of the river Shannon. They resolved to hold it to the last extremity, and joined by the governor, De Boïsselau, they set about strengthening the fortifications. De Lausun, finding his motives understood and his confidence with the Irish leaders gone, withdrew his men, his military chest, and his artillery from the city. He encamped within view of it on the Clare side of the river, and remained there an inactive spectator of what followed. The straits of Limerick were severe. Provisions were inadequate, ammunition nearly exhausted, and only nine guns of inferior calibre stood on its walls. The treasury was empty, the 50,000 pistoles the king had left with Tyrconnell already spent. Commerce with France had ceased, and the troops were clamorous for pay. Yet the Irish leaders stirred themselves to renewed action, retaining the cavalry and 8,000 infantry for the defence and sending the rest to live on the country, subject to call.

29. James II lands at Kinsale

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1689

    James II arrived at Kinsale on 12 March 1689 with an escort of thirty-three war-ships, accompanied by the Duke of Berwick, French officers, and twelve hundred guards, beginning his campaign to reclaim his kingdom.

    Read the passage

    The Jacobite cause in Scotland was still hopeful, for there, Viscount Dundee kept the field, and refused all terms of compromise, while in Ireland three provinces remained steadfast in their allegiance, and the adherents of William in the other province, though still obstinate in the course they had adopted, were unable to keep the field. The Earl of Tyrconnell, faithful to his trust, animated the people by word and example, and "retained," says the Duke of Berwick, "all the kingdom in obedience;" so James, at last, rousing himself from his apathy, determined to assume the management of affairs in his Kingdom of Ireland. The state of the country demanded his presence; the people clamored for it; and the French king hastened it by his counsel, and gave promise of adequate military support. Accordingly, James set sail from France, under an escort of thirty-three war-ships, and arrived at Kinsale on the 12th of March, 1689. He was accompanied by his son, the Duke of Berwick, M. de Rosen, M. de Momont, M. de Pusignan, de Lery, Boïsselau, Lestrade, Guidon, and about one hundred French officers of different grades, and twelve hundred of his guards, who had joined him in his exile.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    Kinsale, the town ahead in Cork. In March 1689, this is where James II came to begin his campaign to reclaim his kingdom. The Jacobite cause was not lost. In Scotland, Viscount Dundee kept the field and refused all terms of compromise. In Ireland, three provinces held firm in their allegiance, and William's adherents in the fourth province could not keep the field. The Earl of Tyrconnell held the people by word and example. The Duke of Berwick said he "retained all the kingdom in obedience." James roused himself from apathy and determined to manage affairs in his Kingdom of Ireland himself. The people clamored for his presence. The French king hastened it by his counsel and gave promise of adequate military support. James set sail from France under an escort of 33 war-ships and arrived on the 12th of March 1689. He was accompanied by his son, the Duke of Berwick, M. de Rosen, M. de Momont, M. de Pusignan, de Lery, Boïsselau, Lestrade, Guidon, and about 100 French officers of different grades, and 1,200 of his guards who had joined him in his exile.

30. Tyrconnell's Return to Galway with French Ships

    Galway · city · Galway · 1691

    Three French ships escorted the Duke of Tyrconnell into Galway harbor in January 1691, raising hopes among the Jacobite army that had been fulfilled by his mission to France. The arrival was welcomed with joy, though the promised support proved disappointing.

    Read the passage

    Towards the middle of January, 1691, three French ships entered the harbor of Galway, as an escort to the Duke of Tyrconnell, who, it was confidently believed, had succeeded in the object of his mission, and the tidings of his arrival were received with general manifestations of joy. To the soldiers this news was particularly gratifying. He left them victors, it is true, but victors over a city in ruins;--exhausted in military resources, worn out by fatigue, without clothing or pay, and living on the bounty of a greatly impoverished country. They had borne their privations with cheerfulness, restored and strengthened their city, maintained their flag against overwhelming numerical odds at every post of their frontier; and believing their services about to be rewarded, their enthusiasm knew no bounds, and they looked to his arrival in Limerick with the happiest anticipations. They had been led to expect a full arrear of pay, a complete outfit of clothing, arms equal to their need, and a powerful French auxiliary, that would enable them to turn the tide of war, and wrest the conquered provinces from the grasp of the invader. They were bright hopes;--the brighter for being so long deferred--but, like those of the previous years, they were doomed to cruel disappointment. It soon became known that the only money he brought was about £8,000, to be distributed as a present donation; that the clothing received was not only insufficient, but entirely unfit for wear--their old regimentals being preferable;--and that, instead of the expected auxiliary, he was accompanied but by Sir Richard Nagle and Sir Stephen Rice,--who had been sojourning in France,--and a few of those military adventurers that in all ages appear wherever hostilities in any cause offer a road to ambition. Furthermore, it was found that the Duke of Berwick, who had performed signal service to the cause, and who shared the popular favor with General Sarsfield, was ordered to France, and that the latter was to be placed in a secondary position to another French general,--the Marquis de St. Ruth,--who had been appointed to the command of the army. Serious discontent soon became manifest at this neglect of a general whose unceasing activity, through the darkest period of the war, had kept the army from entire dissolution, and saved the Jacobite cause from irretrievable ruin. Besides, it was believed that the experiment of placing French generals over native troops had proved too disastrous to be again repeated, and, notwithstanding the high military reputation of St. Ruth, the news was received with great disfavor, and in the army created a spirit of disaffection that it required but a breath to fan into mutiny. That Sarsfield himself felt deeply humiliated, we have abundant evidence in the records of the period; nor did the title of Earl of Lucan, nor the commission of lieutenant-general which was borne to him by the deputy, entirely reconcile him to his altered condition. The unbounded confidence reposed in him during the interval of Tyrconnell's absence, had invested him with almost plenary powers, which had been exercised with a discretion and ability that pointed him out as the man for the time; public sentiment was undisguisedly in favor of continuing those powers; and his own heart responded to the wish, for he saw there were elements of success around which he, and only he, could call into action. His humiliation was the greater on this account: that though irrevocably bound to serve his king and country in any position, however subordinate, it greatly impaired his future efficiency; and the new appointment was viewed by all as another fatal step in the downward tendency of the Catholic cause.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 16

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Galway, this is the city where, in January 1691, three French ships sailed into the harbour escorting the Duke of Tyrconnell back from France. His arrival was met with joy by the Jacobite soldiers, who had held their ground through privation, without clothing or pay, and had rebuilt their city and held their frontier against overwhelming odds. They expected him to bring a full arrears of pay, a complete outfit of clothing, arms, and a powerful French auxiliary that would turn the tide of war. Those hopes were soon crushed. The only money he brought was about £8,000 as a gift donation, the clothing was so unfit for wear that the old regimentals were preferable, and instead of the expected auxiliary force he was accompanied only by Sir Richard Nagle, Sir Stephen Rice, and a handful of military adventurers. Worse still, the Duke of Berwick, who had served the cause well and shared the soldiers' favour with General Sarsfield, was ordered to France, and Sarsfield himself was placed under the Marquis de St. Ruth, a French general appointed to command the army. This news was received with great disfavour. The soldiers believed that putting French generals over native troops had already proved disastrous. Sarsfield, though given the title of Earl of Lucan and the rank of lieutenant-general, felt deeply humiliated, and his demotion was seen by all as another fatal step for the Catholic cause.

31. William Arrives and Meets Schomberg at Lisburn

    near Lisburn · town · Antrim · 1690

    William of Orange, accompanied by numerous nobles and generals, arrived at Lisburn where Schomberg had been awaiting him since the fall of Charlemont, and the two commanders' relationship soured over Schomberg's tardiness.

    Read the passage

    The report that de Lausun had landed in Ireland with a French army, tended to hasten these preparations, and to swell the proportions of the designed armament. Pending the prince's departure, large bodies of English troops were shipped to the garrisons of Ulster, and as Schomberg had expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of his English and Anglo-Irish troops in the field, a new army, consisting of foreign adventurers--Dutch Danes, Scandinavians, Swiss, and French Huguenots; some, no doubt, induced by religious fanaticism, but many by the higher pay in the English army, and the promise of subsequent plunder, flocked to his standard. On the 6th of June, William's grand park of artillery and ordnance stores arrived at Carrickfergus, and on the 14th he himself, accompanied by Prince George of Denmark, the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, the Dukes of Ormond and Wortemberg, the Earls of Oxford, Portland and Scarborough, Generals Mackey and Douglas, and other notables, arrived and proceeded to Lisburn, where Schomberg had awaited his arrival since the fall of Charlemont.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 9

32. St. Ruth's Horse Confiscation on King's Island

    King's Island · townland · Limerick · 1691

    St. Ruth summoned the gentlemen of the surrounding country to Limerick, ostensibly for counsel, but had them assemble on King's Island where soldiers surrounded them and forced the surrender of their horses for army use. The gentry, though tricked, took the ruse in good humor.

    Read the passage

    After a hasty inspection of the frontier and the condition of the troops, St. Ruth directed himself to the work of reconstructing the army, and his first movement for that purpose tended to raise him greatly in the estimation of the soldiers. Notwithstanding the exertions of the Rapparees through the winter and spring, there was still a deficiency of cavalry horses, and to remedy this defect became a matter of the first necessity. He at once issued an order to the gentlemen of the surrounding country to assemble at Limerick to take counsel on the state of the nation, and for other purposes. They felt highly pleased at the courtesy extended; and in order to pay all possible respect to this champion of their cause, came armed and on horseback; making, notwithstanding the general depression, a most gallant show. The meeting was held on King's Island, the soldiers being drawn around it, to render the proceedings more solemn and impressive. After a spirited address in French, on the duty of allegiance and patriotism; and the sacrifice that all should be prepared to make for their country, he ordered them to dismount and surrender their horses for the use of the army. Remonstrance was useless, and any attempt at resistance would be less so, for the soldiers, closing in on all sides, showed them that the _émeute_ was preconcerted. They bowed in resignation, seemed to relish the joke exceedingly, and were deeply impressed with his capacity to deal with coming events, while he extended to them the acknowledgments of his distinguished consideration.

    The disbanded soldiers were next called into service, and on the 15th of May, the Duke of Tyrconnell issued a proclamation ordering the Rapparees to retire behind the Shannon and hold themselves subject to another levy. They obeyed with promptitude, and the required number being selected, the rest scattered or returned to their former haunts. But they were no longer able to perform any considerable exploit, and their after-fate was tragical in the extreme: prices were set on their heads; the trade became exciting and profitable: they died on the mountains and by the wayside, prowling like wolves, and fighting like tigers to the last.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 16

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to King's Island, in 1691, St. Ruth pulled off a trick on the local gentry that they never saw coming. He had been inspecting the frontier and the condition of the troops, and turned to rebuilding the army. The problem was cavalry horses. Despite the exertions of the Rapparees through the winter and spring, there was still a shortage, and St. Ruth saw fixing that as a matter of first necessity. He issued an order to the gentlemen of the surrounding country to assemble at Limerick to take counsel on the state of the nation, and for other purposes. They felt highly pleased at the courtesy. To pay all possible respect to this champion of their cause, they came armed and on horseback, making, despite the general depression, a most gallant show. The meeting was held on King's Island, soldiers drawn around it to make the proceedings more solemn and impressive. St. Ruth gave a spirited address in French on the duty of allegiance and patriotism, and the sacrifice all should be prepared to make for their country. Then he ordered them to dismount and surrender their horses for the use of the army. Remonstrance was useless, and resistance less so, for the soldiers closed in on all sides, showing the whole thing was preconcerted. They bowed in resignation, seemed to relish the joke exceedingly, and were deeply impressed with his capacity to deal with coming events, while he extended to them the acknowledgments of his distinguished consideration.

33. Crom Castle besieged by Mountcashel

    Crom Castle · castle · Fermanagh · 1689

    Mountcashel invested Crom Castle on the eastern side of Lough Erne, carrying the outer works by 30 July and opening a cannonade upon the castle before being distracted by an approaching relief force.

    Read the passage

    The town had been abandoned, on his approach, and on the 28th he advanced and invested Crom Castle, on the eastern side. By the 30th he had carried the outer works, and driven the enemy within the walls, though not without considerable loss, and at once opened a cannonade upon the castle. While here, he received word that Colonel Berry was advancing on him by way of Lisnaskea, with eight hundred regulars, followed by the united forces of Wolseley and Hamilton. Without discontinuing the operations against the fort, he withdrew a part of his command about two miles to the eastward, and took post at Newtownbutler. Learning that the enemy's forces had all united, and were too powerful to meet in the open country, he sent Colonel Anthony Hamilton, with O'Brien's regiment of dragoons, to hold them in check, while he himself prepared for a retrograde movement to Belturbet. The troops of Hamilton were drawn into an ambush by Berry, near Lisnaskea; their commander was wounded, his next in command killed, and in a retreat which was ordered, two hundred and thirty were slain or taken prisoners. Mountcashel, on hearing of this disaster, advanced with his own regiment of horse; arrested the retreat and repulsed Berry; but seeing Wolseley, with a force of 8,000 men, close in Berry's rear, he took up his retreat to Belturbet. Berry and Wolseley moved forward rapidly; Mountcashel closely pressed, and considering resistance safer than flight, at last drew up his men about a mile to the south of Newtownbutler, and hastily formed in line of battle.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 7

34. Enniskillen as stronghold and refuge of Williamite partisans

    near Enniskillen · town · Fermanagh · 1689

    Enniskillen, originally the stronghold of the Maguires and later held by Sir William Cole after 1641, became the chief rendezvous of Williamite partisans in the south-west, who held out there until the relief of Derry due to its exceptional natural defences amid the lakes of Lough Erne.

    Read the passage

    The name "Enniskilleners," has now become nearly obsolete, and is only applied to a regiment of dragoons in the English army, kept up in perpetuation of the part they took in the ruin of their country; but at the time of the Revolution it was applied without distinction to the partisans of William, who, when driven before the Jacobites, took refuge within the town of Enniskillen, and held out until the relief of Derry, to which it was next in importance. It is a place of great natural strength, and has many historic memories dating farther back than the unhappy events that have given it such unenviable notoriety. It was originally the stronghold of the Maguires, who held it for centuries against each successive invasion, but had passed into the hands of Sir William Cole, after the civil war of 1641. It stands on a river connecting the upper and lower waters of Lough-Erne, which, lying from the north-west to the south-east of the County Fermanagh, and connecting with Lough-Oughter on the south, extends over a distance of more than forty miles. These lakes and their tributaries, studded with islands innumerable, render the country for several miles a labyrinth almost impassable to all but the natives. There is not, perhaps, in the world, for the same extent of country, a place so well adapted to insurgent warfare. In such a country the people of La Vendée would have exhausted all the resources of the French Directory; and the wonder is, not why Galmoy could not take it, but how he even approached it, in the face of such overwhelming odds.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

35. Failed English attempt to force the ford near Lanesborough

    Lanesborough · town · Longford · 1691

    Ginckle dispatched a strong force to cross a newly discovered ford north of Lanesborough at night, but found the position defended by Irish cavalry under Colonel O'Reilly and was routed with severe loss.

    Read the passage

    Such was the condition of the besieged on the morning of the 26th, and all that day the bombardment continued with increased fury. Towards evening the bastion opposite the ford was beaten down so as to be passable to horse and foot, and the battery which protected it was completely silenced; the castle was deemed no longer tenable, and Ginckle contemplated an assault in force on the following morning. Preparatory to this, he resolved to try once more the passage of the river, in order to create a diversion on the Irish rear while putting his design in execution; and, having lately received information that a ford had been discovered to the north of Lanesborough, which might be easily crossed in the face of the small garrison stationed there, had dispatched a strong force to that place, with orders to approach it in the night, and having captured the town, to make a demonstration on the enemy's left, while he himself, with the main body, would storm the bridge and fords on their front. But the design was communicated to General Wauchop, and he immediately sent a regiment of cavalry to the assistance of Colonel O'Reilly, who commanded there, with orders to defend the place to the last extremity. The troops of Ginckle had started on their expedition on the night of the 25th, under direction of a guide, and, after making a wide detour to the north-east, approached the ford with great caution on the night of the 26th; but, arriving there, they found the opposite side strongly intrenched and the Irish cavalry drawn up to oppose them. They, however, tried to force their way through, but being routed with severe loss, they returned, and reported that it would take the whole army to cross there, so the project was finally abandoned. Nor was this his only disappointment. The morning of the 27th broke over a scene as startling as unexpected, for in its light he beheld that the Irish battery above the bastion had been repaired and strengthened, and that the castle which he expected to find abandoned had been put in a better state of defence than before. An opening had been made in the western wall, through which rocks and beams had been conveyed to the top of the breach, and firmly imbedded there, while its one solitary tower, the Connaught Tower, still commanded the broken arch, and displayed its flag as proud and defiant as ever. He was therefore obliged to forego his intention for that day, and direct his whole force to the total destruction of the citadel before risking an assault on the bridge. To the five batteries already at work two more were now added, and an incessant storm of shot and shell was directed all day on the castle and the houses beyond it. Three times during the siege the town had been set on fire; the population had fled to the suburbs, and nothing having life remained within the walls but the gunners behind their crumbling earth-works, and the soldiers laboring to check the flames extending in all directions.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 17

36. Ginckle's army musters before Garbally and Liscappel

    Garbally · townland · Galway · 1691

    Ginckle's formidable army of some 30,000 men, with over thirty artillery pieces, stood between Garbally and Liscappel awaiting a favourable moment to advance on the Irish position.

    Read the passage

    Of Ginckle's artillery perhaps no accurate estimate can now be given,--some historians rating it at over thirty pieces, and others as low as twelve; while Story, who was present at the battle, is unaccountably silent on the subject. This, however, is well attested by all:--that at Ballymore, before his battering-train arrived, he had eighteen field-pieces and three mortars; that at Ballyburn he was joined by Wurtemberg and Nassau, with a force of seven or eight thousand men, who, from the important positions held by them through the winter, must have had a park of artillery not less than eight pieces. And that the number was further increased after the siege of Athlone by four of the captured guns, which were mounted on carriages and taken to Aughrim. From the beginning to the end of the war he had cannon at will; and this is beyond a doubt:--that while he might have had over forty pieces, he had certainly not under thirty; and with this immense train, and an array of 30,000 men, computed at 23,000 foot and 7,000 horse, he stood between Garbally and Liscappel, awaiting but a favorable moment to advance on his expectant adversary.

    It was really a formidable host, and wholly composed of veterans, both officers and men: of Dutch, Danes, and Prussians, who had seen service on many a continental battle-field; of French Huguenots, whose bravery is generally conceded, and whose undying hatred of their own sovereign, rendered that service the most acceptable which was found under his most deadly enemies; of Scotch, whose native hardihood is proverbial; of English veterans, who, while well fed, are not wanting in many of the soldierly qualities; and of Irish Protestants, now well inured to war, and who, if not the most brave, were certainly not the least zealous, for to them were chiefly to appertain the lands and livings of the country, which had now, even more than liberty or religion, become the wager of battle. With perfect harmony in his councils; with an army which, for numbers, appointments, and appliances combined, was never equalled in the country since its first invasion; with the prestige of a recent victory, and excited to the highest enthusiasm that promised reward or religious frenzy could inspire; Ginckle now approached that field whereon was to be decided the destiny of three kingdoms, the fate of one of the oldest dynasties of Europe, and the liberty or thraldom of a race coeval with European history.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 19

37. Hamilton's dragoons ambushed near Lisnaskea

    near Lisnaskea · town · Fermanagh · 1689

    Colonel Anthony Hamilton's forces, sent to hold off the enemy near Lisnaskea, were drawn into an ambush by Colonel Berry; the commander was wounded, his second-in-command killed, and 230 men were slain or captured in the ensuing retreat.

    Read the passage

    The town had been abandoned, on his approach, and on the 28th he advanced and invested Crom Castle, on the eastern side. By the 30th he had carried the outer works, and driven the enemy within the walls, though not without considerable loss, and at once opened a cannonade upon the castle. While here, he received word that Colonel Berry was advancing on him by way of Lisnaskea, with eight hundred regulars, followed by the united forces of Wolseley and Hamilton. Without discontinuing the operations against the fort, he withdrew a part of his command about two miles to the eastward, and took post at Newtownbutler. Learning that the enemy's forces had all united, and were too powerful to meet in the open country, he sent Colonel Anthony Hamilton, with O'Brien's regiment of dragoons, to hold them in check, while he himself prepared for a retrograde movement to Belturbet. The troops of Hamilton were drawn into an ambush by Berry, near Lisnaskea; their commander was wounded, his next in command killed, and in a retreat which was ordered, two hundred and thirty were slain or taken prisoners. Mountcashel, on hearing of this disaster, advanced with his own regiment of horse; arrested the retreat and repulsed Berry; but seeing Wolseley, with a force of 8,000 men, close in Berry's rear, he took up his retreat to Belturbet. Berry and Wolseley moved forward rapidly; Mountcashel closely pressed, and considering resistance safer than flight, at last drew up his men about a mile to the south of Newtownbutler, and hastily formed in line of battle.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 7

38. James Crosses the Boyne and Encamps at Donore

    Donore · town · Meath · 1690

    On 29 June King James crossed the Boyne at Drogheda and drew up his army on the heights of Donore overlooking the river, awaiting the approach of William's forces.

    Read the passage

    On the 23d, William's artillery having arrived, he moved forward. The same day King James retired to Ardee, where he was met by his train, and drew up in a strong position in the direct route between William and the capital. William, still advancing, crossed the mountains between Newry and Dundalk, and, observing the situation of the Irish army, divided his own into two bodies for the purpose of flanking it, or forcing it into the plain, where his great numerical superiority would render victory certain. Seeing this, King James continued gradually to fall back; on the 29th, he crossed the Boyne, at Drogheda, and, drawing up his army on the heights of Donore, overlooking that river, he there awaited the enemy.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 9

39. James II's triumphant entry into Cork

    Cork · city · Cork · 1689

    From Kinsale James proceeded to Cork, entering amid great rejoicing, where Tyrconnell gave account of his stewardship and was raised to Duke, with McCarthy created Lord Mountcashel for his service as 'Pacificator of Munster.'

    Read the passage

    The people, who expected to see this imposing array of ships pour out its thousands of armed men on their shores, were greatly disappointed; but the arrival of the king banished every other consideration. His adversity awakened all the sympathies of their nature, and he had an abiding-place in every heart. From Kinsale he proceeded to Cork, which he entered amid the greatest rejoicings. After the usual formalities, of which religious ceremonies formed the most solemn and imposing part, he received from the deputy an account of his stewardship. It exceeded even what he had been led to expect, and as a mark of his approval, Tyrconnell was raised to the rank of Duke, and McCarthy, "_The Pacificater of Munster_," was created Lord Mountcashel, and honored with a seat in his cabinet. After a short delay here, the king proceeded to the metropolis. His route through the country was one continued ovation. Crowds of people lined the wayside, invoking blessings on his cause, while religious ceremonies, pledges, and addresses of loyalty, arrested his way at every step of his route. The city of Dublin, proverbial in all times for taste and elegance, and which had never witnessed the advent of a king since the days of Henry II., exhausted every effort that art or fancy could suggest, to grace the royal pageantry. The corporation, headed by the mayor, in all the pomp of office, went forth to meet him, and tender him the keys of the city. Farther on, and near the portals of the castle, the Primate, crowned with the triple tiara, and holding in his hand the emblem of redemption, awaited to receive his obeisance, and bestow the benediction. As he approached the august dignitary, a general halt of the procession took place, and even the multitude, that surged like a closing sea behind, hushed their acclamations, and bent in lowly reverence, until the king, rising from his genuflection before the cross, and, bareheaded, offered them his parting acknowledgments. Then, as the national flag, standing out above the castle-gate, revealed to him the terse and significant motto:

    "NOW OR NEVER; NOW AND FOREVER,"

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Cork, this is the city James II entered in 1689, coming from Kinsale amid the greatest rejoicing. The people had expected to see an imposing array of ships pour out thousands of armed men on their shores, and they were greatly disappointed. But the arrival of the king banished every other consideration. His adversity awakened all the sympathies of their nature, and he had an abiding-place in every heart. After the usual formalities, of which religious ceremonies formed the most solemn and imposing part, he received from the deputy an account of his stewardship. It exceeded even what he had been led to expect. As a mark of his approval, Tyrconnell was raised to the rank of Duke. McCarthy, called in the source "The Pacificater of Munster," was created Lord Mountcashel and honored with a seat in his cabinet. After a short delay here in Cork, the king proceeded toward Dublin. His route through the country was one continued ovation. Crowds of people lined the wayside, invoking blessings on his cause, while religious ceremonies, pledges, and addresses of loyalty arrested his way at every step. The city of Dublin, proverbial in all times for taste and elegance, and which had never witnessed the advent of a king since the days of Henry II, exhausted every effort that art or fancy could suggest to grace the royal pageantry. The corporation, headed by the mayor, went forth to meet him and tender him the keys of the city. Near the portals of the castle, the Primate, crowned with the triple tiara and holding the emblem of redemption, awaited to receive his obeisance and bestow the benediction. The multitude hushed their acclamations and bent in lowly reverence until the king, rising from his genuflection before the cross, offered his parting acknowledgments.

40. Limerick's weak fortifications before the siege

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    On his arrival after the Boyne, Berwick found Limerick had only a wall without ramparts and a few miserable towers without ditches, though the garrison worked to strengthen defences before William's siege.

    Read the passage

    The city of Limerick, at the time of William's invasion, consisted, as it does at the present time, of three distinct divisions, or towns. One of these was on the right bank of the Shannon, in the County Clare; one on the left bank, in the County Limerick; and the third on King's Island, which is formed by the branching of the river about a mile above the city. The part on King's Island was known as the Englishtown; that on the Limerick side was designated the Irishtown, and two bridges connected that on the Island with the other two sections,--one bridge leading to each.[41] Holding a commanding position between the most fertile portions of two loyal provinces, and standing at the head of ship navigation, the military advantages of this city could scarcely be overrated; but the well-known loyalty of the people, the great difficulties that beset the king, and the exhausted state of his exchequer, through every phase of this war, had caused it to be neglected; and its defences were not at all in keeping with its strategic importance. It had, according to the Duke of Berwick, on his arrival there after the Battle of the Boyne, "no other fortification than a wall without ramparts, and a few miserable towers without ditches." But the month that had since elapsed had not been wasted; the old walls had been strengthened, and such new works devised as were allowed by the means at the disposal of the generals. The troops worked with a will corresponding to the exigency, the people shared their means cheerfully with them; and the gallant defence made during the preceding war against the arms of General Ireton, imparted hope and courage as the crisis drew near. The cursory view of this period to which these pages are limited, will not admit of a more minute detail of the disposition which had been made to meet the impending contest, than the following imperfect summary: A covered way had been constructed round the wall, to protect the soldiers in passing from point to point; St. John's Gate--the principal one of the city--which opened towards the south-east, had been strengthened on the outer side by a redoubt and some angular palisades filled with earth, and on the inner side by a fort called "The Black Battery;" a bastion had been erected near the bridge connecting the English and Irish town; and an earthen fort constructed on King's Island, the guns of which flanked the counterscarp, and raked the eastern front of the wall as far as the main gate. A tower on the southern angle of the wall mounted three guns; the redoubt opposite St. John's Gate mounted two; there were two on the bastion near the bridge, and the fort on King's Island, probably mounted two more.[42] Eight thousand infantry manned those works; some regiments of dragoons occupied the island; the rest of the cavalry were disposed on the Clare side of the river, some below the city, at Annabeg, and some in the direction of O'Brien's Bridge, above it,--the branch of the river that separated the towns was easily fordable, and there were many fords on the main channel between that and Kilaloe.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are moving through a city that in 1690 was caught badly unprepared for war. When the Duke of Berwick arrived here after the Battle of the Boyne, he found Limerick had, in his own words, no other fortification than a wall without ramparts, and a few miserable towers without ditches. For all its commanding position at the head of ship navigation on the Shannon, standing between two fertile provinces, the city had been neglected through every phase of the war. The loyalty of its people, the difficulties besetting the king, and his exhausted exchequer had all left it dangerously exposed. But the month that followed was not wasted. The old walls were strengthened and new works devised with whatever means the generals had. A covered way was built round the wall so soldiers could pass from point to point under cover. St. John's Gate, the principal gate opening south-east, was reinforced with a redoubt and angular palisades filled with earth on the outer side, and a fort called the Black Battery on the inner side. A bastion went up near the bridge connecting Englishtown and Irishtown, and an earthen fort on King's Island flanked the counterscarp and raked the eastern wall. Eight thousand infantry manned these works. The people shared their means cheerfully, and the memory of the gallant defence once made against General Ireton gave them hope as the crisis drew near.

41. Local tradition of St. Ruth's grave beneath thorn trees

    Aughrim · parish · Galway · 1691

    The people of the locality near Aughrim, guided by tradition, point to a few stunted white thorns to the west of the hill towards Loughrea as the resting place of St. Ruth's ashes.

    Read the passage

    The next day Ginckle encamped on the heights of Kilcommodon and buried his dead. The Irish slain, who strewed the hill and lay scattered over the country for miles, were stripped and left unburied, to be "devoured by the wild dogs and birds of prey." The country people fled the vicinity of the British army, and retired to the woods and mountains as their only refuge. The body of St. Ruth, according to the English annalist, was stripped and thrown into a bog. A more recent and better authority says, that "by tradition well attested, his ashes lie in the roofless church of Athunree, beside those of Lord Galway, who fell upon the same field of battle." There is, however, reason to doubt both, and the writer is aware that the people of the locality where the battle was fought, directed by tradition, point to a few stunted white thorns, to the west of the hill, towards Loughrea, beneath which, they say, rest the ashes of this great but unfortunate general.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through the parish of Aughrim, you are near ground where the Battle of Aughrim was fought in 1691. The Irish dead were left scattered over the country for miles, stripped and unburied. St. Ruth, the French general commanding the Irish forces, was killed on the field. One account says his body was stripped and thrown into a bog. Another places his ashes in the roofless church of Athunree, beside those of Lord Galway, who fell on the same field. But the people of the locality, guided by tradition, point instead to a few stunted white thorn trees to the west of the hill, towards Loughrea. Beneath those thorns, they say, rest the ashes of this great but unfortunate general.

42. Loutrell surrenders Dublin's government to Protestants

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1690

    Colonel Simon Loutrell, military governor, released prisoners and surrendered the government of Dublin to the principal Protestant inhabitants before withdrawing the Irish garrison to Leixlip.

    Read the passage

    After the departure of King James from Dublin, Colonel Simon Loutrell, then military governor, in pursuance of the royal order, released all the prisoners, and, assembling the principal Protestant inhabitants, surrendered the government of the city into their hands. Those parties having constituted a provisional governor until the arrival of the Prince of Orange, Loutrell withdrew the Irish garrison from the city, and marched to Leixlip, where he was joined by Tyrconnell and De Lausun, and took up the route for Limerick. In the mean time, the French troops had been partially disbanded. One half of them, under De la Hoquette, had marched towards Cork to avail themselves of transportation to France; and the other, under Brigadier De Surlaube, brought up the rear of the Irish army, and followed De Lausun to Limerick.

    Berwick, who had remained for some days with a body of cavalry between Drogheda and Dublin, to retard the immediate advance of the enemy on the capital, soon after took up his march for the general rendezvous, whither he had been preceded by the other division leaders, and in a short time an army was assembled there exceeding by some thousands the force that participated in the Battle of the Boyne. This, according to the estimate of the Duke of Berwick, consisted of 4,000 cavalry, still in good condition, and 16,000 infantry, of which only one half were armed with muskets.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 12

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you're in a city that changed hands in 1690 after King James departed. Colonel Simon Loutrell, the military governor, followed the royal order and released all the prisoners. He then assembled the principal Protestant inhabitants and surrendered the government of the city into their hands. Those Protestant inhabitants constituted a provisional governor until the arrival of the Prince of Orange. Loutrell withdrew the Irish garrison from Dublin and marched to Leixlip, where he was joined by Tyrconnell and De Lausun, and took up the route for Limerick. The French troops had been partially disbanded by then. Half of them, under De la Hoquette, marched towards Cork to find transportation to France. The other half, under Brigadier De Surlaube, brought up the rear of the Irish army and followed De Lausun to Limerick. The Duke of Berwick had remained for some days with cavalry between Drogheda and Dublin to retard the enemy's advance on the capital. He soon marched to the general rendezvous, where an army was assembled exceeding by some thousands the force that fought at the Boyne. By Berwick's estimate, it consisted of 4,000 cavalry in good condition and 16,000 infantry, only half of whom were armed with muskets.

43. O'Driscoll's march through Ballineen and Inniskeen

    Ballineen · town · Cork · 1690

    Burning with revenge for the death of his kinsman, O'Driscoll marched rapidly along the line of the Bandon River, passing through Ballineen and Inniskeen and scattering several English settlements on his way to Castlehaven.

    Read the passage

    The soldiers sent into the interior of Cork and Kerry also performed signal service to the Irish cause. Mounted upon the small surefooted horses of those mountainous districts, they traversed the country in all directions; organized the farmers and Rapparees; established lines for running the produce of the country to the general depot at Limerick; and then attached themselves to the forces of Colonels McCarthy and O'Driscoll, who still held the country against the incursions of the enemy. This Colonel O'Driscoll was a brave and intrepid soldier. He commanded a regiment of his own tenantry at the siege of Cork; but having no faith in English treaties, he refused to accede to the terms of Marlborough, and, at the head of his regiment of four hundred men, fought his way through the English lines, and reached the open country to the north-west of the city. Here he learned that his son, or kinsman(?), "young Colonel O'Driscoll," had been slain in an attempt to retake Castlehaven, which had been captured by the British; and that the country around was despoiled, and the people flying in dismay to the mountains. Burning with revenge, he marched rapidly along the line of the Bandon, passing through Ballineen and Inniskeen; scattering several English settlements as he passed; and turning westward, bore directly for Castlehaven, took it by storm, and put the whole English garrison to the sword. Other places were retaken in quick succession, his force increasing with each success; and being joined by Colonel McCarthy, they attacked the forces of Tettau, under Eppinger, Cox, and Coy, again drove them from the interior, and the reduction of the country was, for that time, abandoned.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 15

44. Siege of Birr Castle by Duke of Berwick

    Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 1690

    Berwick attacked Birr, the enemy's most advanced post, capturing the outer works of the castle but was delayed by inefficient guns, allowing English reinforcements under General Kirke to arrive.

    Read the passage

    After the departure of the Luttrells and Purcell for France, and the restoration of harmony in the councils of the Irish Senate, Sarsfield and Berwick directed their attention to the military affairs of the nation, which were in a very disheartening condition. The defences of the city were repaired, the garrisons along the frontier were strengthened and reinforced, and detachments sent into the counties bordering on the Shannon, to co-operate with the Rapparees in levying contributions of corn and cattle for the support of the army. The sieges of Athlone and Limerick, following in such quick succession, had nearly exhausted all their military stores, and had the enemy chosen to make a rapid descent on the river fortresses immediately after the retreat of William, it is more than probable that the war would have been terminated by the close of 1690; for there remained but fifty barrels of powder within the city, "and there was not, in the whole country which remained under the control of the royal army, enough to double the quantity."[53] But the indecision of the enemy, after the withdrawal of the Prince of Orange, enabled the Irish generals to anticipate events, and to distribute a supply of military stores, which soon after arrived from France. Early in September, with about 3,000 infantry, seven battalions of cavalry and four field-pieces, they encamped at Banagher, a good strategic position, on the Shannon, about fourteen miles south of Athlone, resolved to take the offensive, in order to check the enemy, now extended from Clonmel to Enniskillen, and making stealthy approaches towards the frontier garrisons along that river. The town of Birr, in the King's County, about seven miles from their encampment, was the most advanced post of the enemy at this time, and the first to invite an attack. It was a place of much importance, as it threatened the passes of Banagher, Meelick, and Portumna; and being the principal depot of military stores and provisions for that district, its capture would have been of immense advantage to the army. Accordingly, on the 13th of September, Berwick appeared before the town, and had soon carried the outer works of the castle by which it was protected, but met with considerable delay from the inefficiency of his guns, which gave the enemy time to hasten up their reinforcements. In a short time General Kirke appeared with a regiment for its relief, but seeing the Irish cavalry drawn up on a hill overlooking the town, he retreated back to Roscrea, where he was joined by General Douglas, and with a force of 8,000 men and ten pieces of artillery, appeared again on the 16th, as the garrison was on the point of capitulating. Upon this, Berwick withdrew his guns from the trenches, and taking up a good position on the hills, about a mile from the town, he spent all that day and the next offering every inducement to battle, which the enemy as persistently declined,--each failed to draw the other from its chosen position. At last, on the third day, Berwick withdrew towards his camp, followed at a distance by the enemy, who advanced when he advanced, and halted when he halted, until his cavalry, making a detour of several miles, assailed their flanks, doing great execution, and putting their whole force in disorder, when they retreated precipitately, pursued up to their defences; and so the affair ended. A series of bitter skirmishes between the pickets of both armies succeeded this for a few days, when the enemy again moved towards Clonmel and Kilkenny, where there was a general muster to reinforce the Duke of Marlborough, who had effected a landing at Cork, and Berwick retired behind the Shannon to collect troops to oppose him; the garrisons at Birr and Banagher were withdrawn to their defences, but the Rapparees moved over the country at will, and harried it without fear of retaliation.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 14

45. Southerland's retreat and Scott's stand at Belturbet churchyard

    Belturbet · town · Cavan · 1689

    Facing an overwhelming force, Southerland withdrew his troops by night to Sligo, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Scott and 280 men in Belturbet churchyard to hold off pursuit; Scott was eventually forced to surrender after a two-hour fight, losing supplies and munitions.

    Read the passage

    On receipt of this information, Southerland, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Scott and two hundred and eighty men in the churchyard of Belturbet to check the pursuit, withdrew in the night, and, by a skilful movement, brought his command in safety to Sligo. The Enniskilleners, baffled in their design, then turned their whole force against Scott, who, after a stubborn contest of two hours, was compelled to surrender: and all the supplies of the garrison, eighty dragoon-horses, seven hundred muskets, and a considerable quantity of gunpowder, fell into the hands of the enemy.

    Berwick left Derry on the 21st, and, at the head of his four hundred dragoons, marched rapidly to the town of Donegal, where three hundred of the enemy from Ballyshannon were forming magazines. He approached their position in the night; attacked them at daybreak; killed many, forced the rest to the shelter of the castle; burned the magazines; and marched off with a booty of 1,500 cattle. Being shortly after joined by two regiments of horse and four battalions of foot,[19] which swelled his command to 1,200 men, he advanced, and on the 6th of July formed an encampment at Trellick, about nine miles north-east of Enniskillen.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 7

46. Standoff at Dundalk

    Dundalk · town · Louth · 1689

    King James advanced to Dundalk where Schomberg lay entrenched, but despite hovering nearby for several days no battle was joined, as Schomberg persistently declined to engage.

    Read the passage

    It is hard to account for the indecision of Schomberg at this period; for several days the Irish army hovered in his vicinity, but no challenge could induce him to quit his intrenchments. His well-known gallantry made this the more remarkable, and his continual persistence in declining an engagement, daily offered, led de Rosen to believe that "he wanted something," and to urge the king to assail him in his encampment. But this proposition was declined by the latter, on the ground that, as "he wanted something," winter would do the work of war on his army of foreigners without hazarding a battle, and leave him completely powerless to continue his campaign in the ensuing season. Elated with the belief that Schomberg was afraid to meet him in the field, after issuing a manifesto offering rewards to such as would desert to his standard, he took leave of his army and returned to the capital. The army soon retired to winter-quarters at Drogheda, and Schomberg, after an inglorious campaign of four months, spent in advancing about thirty miles, withdrew from Dundalk, and encamped in the low country to the north of it, where he passed the remainder of the winter. Here a loathsome disease attacked his troops. Thousands of them fell victims to it, and the whole army became so enfeebled, that the living were scarcely able to bury the dead. Others, principally of the French troops, under the inducement held out by King James, deserted to the Irish army, though many were retaken and executed: until disease, demoralization, and desertion had actually reduced his army to four or five thousand men at all capable of service. Cognizant of this, the Irish generals again appealed to the king, to attack him while in this condition, and rid the country effectually of his presence; but with his characteristic dogmatism, he still persevered in a policy that seemed to work so well, lost an opportunity which seems to have been offered by Providence for the success of his cause, and hugged his illusion till too late. De Rosen and d'Avaux were soon after recalled to France; the Irish generals had become disgusted with their leadership; the army felt relieved by the event, and higher hopes were felt for the campaign of 1690.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 8

47. Tara and Skreen Visible on the Eve of Battle

    Tara · parish · Meath · 1690

    On the night before the battle, Tara and Skreen stood plainly visible in the moonlight from the Boyne camps, evoking the historic memory of the ancestor of Sir Neale O'Neil who had once reconnoitred a Danish host from the same Pass of Slane.

    Read the passage

    Yet, in truth, he was not their king;--not the ideal king of the Irish race. That should be a native king; one infusing nationality through every hamlet in the land, and defending its liberties against a world in arms! Six hundred years had failed to eradicate the hope of such a king from the hearts of every successive generation, and every outrage of the invader only rendered it the more indelible. The place, too, was historic. Every hill and valley, from Drogheda to Clonard, in rath and ruin, bore ample testimony of their aspiration for native rule. Tara and Skreen, now plainly visible in the soft moonlight of summer, stood out in relief against the southern sky, and it is no stretch of the imagination to say: from that same Pass of Slane, the ancestor of Sir Neale O'Neil, had, nearly 900 years before, reconnoitred the Danish host and marked it for destruction. Many a chief and many a clan of his martial house had, since then, crossed the Boyne to do battle with the invader, but never a braver soldier than he, nor a more devoted following than that which now counted the moments by the reverberation of the enemy's cannon along its banks, and looked through the night for the eventful dawning.[27]

    The night wore slowly away, and as its shadows were blending into the gray dawn of morning, the cannonade which had been kept up since the preceding noon from William's batteries ceased for a time, and the beat to arms was distinctly heard on the heights of Donore. It was promptly answered by a roll from the Irish camp, and the troops on each side were immediately in motion, and deploying down towards the river. An hour of hurried preparation now passed on, when the waters of the gentle river were again startled from their short repose by a heavy peal along the whole English line, the smoke of which having cleared away, William's left, the cavalry in advance, was seen doubling the curve in the river, and advancing steadily towards the Pass of Slane. The firing thus resumed, was now kept up incessantly from the English left and centre, and as the sun appeared above the hills, and both armies stood out bolder on the foreground, William himself, accompanied by Prince George of Denmark, the Prince of Nassau, and the Duke of Wurtemberg, and surrounded by a grand cavalcade, was observed reviewing his army, and, by word and example, infusing hope and courage through all its ranks.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 10

48. Tradition of St. Ruth's burial at Athunree

    Athenry · townland · Galway · 1691

    One tradition holds that St. Ruth's ashes lie in the roofless church of Athunree beside those of Lord Galway, who also fell at Aughrim, though the author notes doubts about this account.

    Read the passage

    The next day Ginckle encamped on the heights of Kilcommodon and buried his dead. The Irish slain, who strewed the hill and lay scattered over the country for miles, were stripped and left unburied, to be "devoured by the wild dogs and birds of prey." The country people fled the vicinity of the British army, and retired to the woods and mountains as their only refuge. The body of St. Ruth, according to the English annalist, was stripped and thrown into a bog. A more recent and better authority says, that "by tradition well attested, his ashes lie in the roofless church of Athunree, beside those of Lord Galway, who fell upon the same field of battle." There is, however, reason to doubt both, and the writer is aware that the people of the locality where the battle was fought, directed by tradition, point to a few stunted white thorns, to the west of the hill, towards Loughrea, beneath which, they say, rest the ashes of this great but unfortunate general.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1691, after the battle of Aughrim, the Irish dead lay strewn across the hill and scattered over the country for miles, stripped and left unburied, to be devoured by the wild dogs and birds of prey. The country people fled the vicinity of the British army and retired to the woods and mountains as their only refuge. The body of St. Ruth, according to the English annalist, was stripped and thrown into a bog. But a more recent and better authority says that, by tradition well attested, his ashes lie in the roofless church of Athunree, beside those of Lord Galway, who fell upon the same field of battle. There is, however, reason to doubt both accounts. The writer notes that the people of the locality where the battle was fought, directed by tradition, point to a few stunted white thorns to the west of the hill, towards Loughrea, beneath which they say rest the ashes of this great but unfortunate general.

49. Capture of Hillsborough, headquarters of the Council

    near Hillsborough · town · Down · 1689

    After the victory at Dromore, Hamilton pushed on and captured Hillsborough, the headquarters of the Williamite 'Council,' seizing its papers, plans, secret correspondence with William, and immense stores of provisions taken from the surrounding country.

    Read the passage

    The capture of Hillsborough was of great service to the Irish cause. It had been the headquarters of the "Council" since its formation, and was the repository of its papers, plans, and secret correspondence with William; but, above all, it contained immense stores of provisions, wrung from the inhabitants of the surrounding country since the preceding winter. The evacuation of Dungannon, on the west side of Lough Neagh, a fine central position of the Williamites, and one of their chief depots for provisions and military stores, followed closely on that of Hillsborough; and Hamilton, pursuing the retreating insurgents through Belfast, Antrim, and Ballymena, drove them in on Coleraine, and halted to recruit his little army in the town of Ballymoney, within a few miles of their only remaining stronghold in Antrim. While here, he was assailed by a strong force sent out to cover the movements of a foraging party, but he attacked them so vigorously that he drove them within the gates of the town, inflicting a severe loss, and capturing all the booty collected in their excursion.

    Thus, in less than a fortnight after his departure from Drogheda, all the eastern counties of Ulster--Armagh, Down, Antrim, and the greater part of Tyrone--were reduced to obedience; but, as he was now about to approach the walled town of Derry, he halted for a few days in his career, to await artillery and reinforcements from the capital.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

50. Fierce artillery assault on Athlone's English town

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1691

    Ginckle constructed batteries outside the walls of Englishtown at Athlone, bombarding the northern gate until a practicable breach was made, prompting a council of war and decision to assault that evening.

    Read the passage

    Ginckle, who, finding that St. Ruth's army had not yet arrived, determined to press his advantage, immediately set to work in the construction of batteries, and had soon two at work outside the walls of the English town: one of three guns to the north of it, over against a bastion, on the western side of the river, and another of five guns to the south, and both played fiercely all day without cessation. At six in the evening another of nine eighteen-pounders was opened against the northern gate, and all worked steadily until noon on the following day. It was then found that the last one had effected a breach of its own width, practicable for the passage of infantry, when the fire of the two first was turned on the interior of the town, a council of war was held, and it was determined to assault it in force that evening.

    The Governor, anticipating the result, and seeing that section of the town no longer tenable, resolved on the destruction of the bridge, as the only means of protracting the siege. For this purpose, after withdrawing his artillery, he detailed a part of his force, while the rest were stationed behind the breach to check the assault, and gain time for the accomplishment of this work, which was now a matter of vital importance.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 17

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athlone, you are moving through the ground of a siege in 1691. Ginckle, finding that St. Ruth's army had not yet arrived, built batteries outside the walls of the English town. One of three guns stood to the north, over against a bastion on the western side of the river, and another of five guns to the south, and both played fiercely all day without cessation. At six in the evening a third battery of nine eighteen-pounders opened against the northern gate and worked steadily until noon the following day. By then it had made a breach of its own width, practicable for infantry, and the fire of the first two was turned on the interior of the town. A council of war was held and it was determined to assault in force that evening. The Governor, seeing that section of the town no longer tenable, resolved on the destruction of the bridge as the only means of protracting the siege. He withdrew his artillery, detailed part of his force to that work, and stationed the rest behind the breach to check the assault and gain time.

51. Ginckle Surveys the Irish Army from the Hills of Dunloe

    Dunloe · electoral division · Kerry · 1691

    Crossing the river and advancing to the hills of Dunloe, Ginckle confirmed St Ruth's army was drawn up in line of battle on an opposite hill and ordered a map of the ground prepared.

    Read the passage

    The morning of the 9th dawned bright and sultry, but towards noon the unusual drought of the last month was broken by a violent tornado. Trees were uprooted, houses levelled; several men and horses were struck dead by lightning; and the march of the army was suspended until the morning of the 10th; when, having left Colonel Lloyd with his own, and half of the Douglas's regiment in command of the town, Ginckle advanced as far as Kilcashel, seven miles farther westward, and encamped for the night. Taking a strong escort of cavalry, he advanced towards Ballinasloe, and found that St. Ruth had decamped from his position. Crossing the river and advancing to the hills of Dunloe, he ascertained that St. Ruth was still in the vicinity, for his outguards were seen hovering along the hills of Garbally, and retiring slowly as he advanced without offering any opposition. Continuing still to advance, he at length beheld the whole Irish army drawn out in line of battle upon an opposite hill, when, after a close inspection, he ordered a map of the ground to be prepared, and returned to the camp; when the Irish pickets again advanced, and occupied the hills along the western bank of the river. From Kilcashel he advanced to Ballinasloe the next day, and halted opposite the ground lately occupied by the royal army, where he summoned a council and submitted the result of his reconnoissance for the consideration of his generals.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 18

52. James Leaves Troops to Defend Bray Bridge

    Bray · town · Wicklow · 1690

    Fleeing Dublin after his defeat, James proceeded to Bray, where he left two regiments of Guards to defend the bridge there in case of pursuit before continuing his flight south.

    Read the passage

    When he arrived in Dublin, he summoned his council, and communicated his intention of quitting the country to solicit aid from France. It is but justice to state that he says they were unanimous in their approval; that de Lausun was importunate in his persuasion to that effect, and that letters, lately received from his queen, were still more urgent, and that so his resolution was confirmed. Ordering that the army should rendezvous at Limerick, each colonel leading his men thither as he might, he committed the government of the kingdom again to Tyrconnell, and, after giving some salutary advice on the regulation of affairs in the city until the arrival of the Prince of Orange, he made an exposition of his principles, and of the hopes he yet entertained of establishing them; then, in a very simple and affecting address, he bade farewell to his friends, and left the city under escort of two regiments of the Guards, those of Brown and Purcell. From Dublin he proceeded to Bray, where he left those troops to defend the bridge there in case of pursuit, and continued his route to Wicklow, where he spent the night at the residence of a gentleman named Hacket; from Wicklow he journeyed to Duncannon, and thence to Waterford. The detail of this route in the "Memoirs" forms a chapter, highly interesting and suggestive to a writer of romance, although of little import to the general reader. It tells how on the way he was almost startled from his propriety at every step by Messieurs de la Hoquette, Famechon, Chamarante, and Merode, colonels in the French contingent, who had, no doubt, been sent by de Lausun to urge him to swifter flight; for this general had many intrigues of his own at the French court, and, as they were spoiling in his absence, he encouraged the king's departure as the surest way of procuring his own recall from Ireland. But, as the subject is irrelevant here, the curious are referred to the notes of Berwick's Memoirs, where they may contemplate the web woven around this unfortunate king by the general for whom he had made the powerful Louvois his inveterate enemy.

    At Waterford he heard that the French ship De Lausun, of twenty guns, was moored at Passage, with a cargo of corn and supplies; and in this he sailed from Waterford to Kinsale, where, after a short delay, he embarked, and arrived at Brest on the 9th of July, escorted by the _fleet of M. de Seignelay, which he met on its way to destroy William's transports around the Irish coast_!

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Bray, this is where King James made one of his few military gestures on the road south. It was 1690, and he had just fled Dublin after his defeat, intending to sail for France to seek aid. He left the city under escort of two regiments of the Guards, those of Brown and Purcell. When he reached Bray he left those troops behind to defend the bridge, in case he was pursued. Then he pressed on. He spent the night at Wicklow at the house of a gentleman named Hacket, then went on to Duncannon and Waterford. Along the road, French colonels sent by General de Lausun kept urging him to swifter flight. De Lausun had his own intrigues at the French court and wanted to be recalled from Ireland, and the king's departure was the surest way to bring that about. At Waterford James found the French ship De Lausun, of 20 guns, moored at Passage with a cargo of corn and supplies. He sailed from Waterford to Kinsale, and from there arrived at Brest on the 9th of July. He had committed the government of the kingdom to Tyrconnell and ordered the army to rendezvous at Limerick, each colonel leading his men there as he might. Bray bridge was the last stand he left behind him.

53. Marlborough lands at Passage before marching on Cork

    Passage West · town · Cork · 1690

    Marlborough sailed up Cork harbour and landed at Passage without serious opposition, then marched on the city hauling his own cannon for lack of horses.

    Read the passage

    On the 21st of September, Marlborough sailed up the harbor of Cork, effected a landing at Passage, without any serious opposition, and took up his march for the city, the men hauling the cannon, he being unprovided with train-horses or cavalry. His force consisted of 8,000 infantry, six hundred marines, some ships of war, and a few transports; but being joined by the Duke of Wurtemberg and General Scravenmore with 4,000 infantry and nine hundred cavalry, his army was augmented to about 14,000 men, provided with all the essentials of a siege, and a co-operative fleet to assail the city from the water-side. On the 23d, he appeared before it in form; Wurtemberg, according to the secret orders of William, claiming precedence in command, and Marlborough demurring, on the ground that he was specially commissioned for this campaign. A warm dispute arose, one insisting on the privilege of rank, and the other on delaying the siege, and referring the question back to the Parliament. This delay being likely to hazard the success of their arms, by giving the besieged time to strengthen their defences and get in supplies, a compromise was agreed upon, by which they were to assume the command alternately. Marlborough's turn came first, and he gave the word, "Wurtemberg," and in acknowledgment of this politeness, the latter, when his turn came, gave the word "Marlborough;" but notwithstanding this outward exchange of military compliments, their mutual jealousy continued without affecting the progress of their arms.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 14

54. McCarthy's reduction of Castle-Martyr and Bandon

    Bandon · town · Cork · 1689

    Lieutenant-General Justin McCarthy, at the head of 2,000 regulars, reduced the rebels of Castle-Martyr and Bandon within a few days, then drove Inchiquin back to his stronghold in Clare, pacifying Munster and earning the title 'Pacificator of Munster.'

    Read the passage

    Carrickfergus and Charlemont in the north, and all the forts on the Shannon, from Lough Allen to the estuary, were still in the possession of the Irish, and each had to be reinforced and put in a better state of defence: the town of Kilkenny, and the cities of Cork and Waterford, had each to receive its quota of troops; Dundalk, an important seaport, had to be secured against the excursions of the insurgents of Monaghan and Armagh; and the metropolis could not dispense with the few veteran regiments that had been stationed there since the inauguration of the deputy. After the distribution of his forces among these posts, Tyrconnell found at his disposal a small army of 6,000 men available for the field, and, dividing it into three corps, he gave the command of one to Lieutenant-General Justin McCarthy, to operate in Munster, where Inchiquin had raised the standard of revolt; one to Lieutenant-General Richard Hamilton, for the reduction of the rebel garrisons from Dundalk to Derry; and another, a co-operative force of about 1,000 men, was placed under Lord Galmoy, to give countenance to the outlying posts around Cavan and Enniskillen.--The limits prescribed these pages preclude a detailed account of these expeditions, although each presents some of the most striking and agreeable events of that period. McCarthy, at the head of 2,000 regulars and a few hundred followers, reduced, in a few days, the rebels of Castle-Martyr and Bandon, and turning his attention to Inchiquin, who was plundering and laying waste the country, from the Shannon to the Blackwater, he drove him back on his stronghold in Clare, and marched uncontrolled from the Fergus to the Barrow. The Williamites of Munster, surprised by these events and the rapidity of their execution, laid down their arms, returned to their homes, and all apprehension of future trouble in that quarter was at an end:--for this important service McCarthy henceforth received the title of "Pacificator of Munster."

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 5

55. Rapparee rout of English regiments near Mountmellick

    Mountmellick · town · Laois · 1690

    Regiments under Bristow and Caulfield, about 2,000 strong, were attacked by 1,500 Rapparees and soldiers, routed with great slaughter after a five-hour fight, and driven back to Mountmellick, losing their baggage and stores.

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    The movements against Banagher and Portumna were also ineffectual; and the regiments of Bristow, Caulfield, "and others,"--about 2,000 strong,--which had been ordered to Lanesborough, by way of Mullingar, were attacked by 1,500 of the Rapparees and soldiers, and after a fierce fight of over five hours, were routed with great slaughter, and driven back on Mountmellick, leaving all their baggage and military stores in the hands of the victors.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 15

56. Schomberg's Disease-Ridden Winter Camp

    Dundalk · town · Louth · 1689–1690

    After withdrawing from Dundalk, Schomberg encamped his army in the low country to the north where a loathsome disease killed thousands of his troops, reducing his force drastically through death, desertion, and demoralization.

    Read the passage

    It is hard to account for the indecision of Schomberg at this period; for several days the Irish army hovered in his vicinity, but no challenge could induce him to quit his intrenchments. His well-known gallantry made this the more remarkable, and his continual persistence in declining an engagement, daily offered, led de Rosen to believe that "he wanted something," and to urge the king to assail him in his encampment. But this proposition was declined by the latter, on the ground that, as "he wanted something," winter would do the work of war on his army of foreigners without hazarding a battle, and leave him completely powerless to continue his campaign in the ensuing season. Elated with the belief that Schomberg was afraid to meet him in the field, after issuing a manifesto offering rewards to such as would desert to his standard, he took leave of his army and returned to the capital. The army soon retired to winter-quarters at Drogheda, and Schomberg, after an inglorious campaign of four months, spent in advancing about thirty miles, withdrew from Dundalk, and encamped in the low country to the north of it, where he passed the remainder of the winter. Here a loathsome disease attacked his troops. Thousands of them fell victims to it, and the whole army became so enfeebled, that the living were scarcely able to bury the dead. Others, principally of the French troops, under the inducement held out by King James, deserted to the Irish army, though many were retaken and executed: until disease, demoralization, and desertion had actually reduced his army to four or five thousand men at all capable of service. Cognizant of this, the Irish generals again appealed to the king, to attack him while in this condition, and rid the country effectually of his presence; but with his characteristic dogmatism, he still persevered in a policy that seemed to work so well, lost an opportunity which seems to have been offered by Providence for the success of his cause, and hugged his illusion till too late. De Rosen and d'Avaux were soon after recalled to France; the Irish generals had become disgusted with their leadership; the army felt relieved by the event, and higher hopes were felt for the campaign of 1690.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 8

57. Seizure of Enniskillen and northern posts for William

    near Enniskillen · town · Fermanagh · 1688

    Following the convention formed by Blaney, Walker, Keames, Kelso, Skeffington, and Rawdon, Enniskillen along with Culmore, Sligo, Coleraine and nearly all important posts from Down to Donegal were seized and garrisoned in the name of the Prince of Orange.

    Read the passage

    On the 7th of December the gates of Derry were closed against the Earl of Antrim's regiment of Highlanders sent thither by Tyrconnell on the invitation of its governor, and the call to arms was sounded through all the province of Ulster. Blaney, Walker, Keames, Kelso, Skeffington, and Rawdon called a convention, and assuming their right to dispose of the country, tendered its allegiance to William. They then entered into a league "for the maintenance of the Protestant religion and the dependency of Ireland upon England," and placed themselves at the head of the military organizations formed throughout the province: and Enniskillen, Culmore, Sligo, Coleraine--nearly all the important posts from Down to Donegal, and from Cavan to Antrim--were seized on and garrisoned in the name of the Prince of Orange.

    It is scarcely necessary to say, that the 9th of December came and passed without any manifestation of that murderous design attributed to the Catholics. The conspiracy was on the other side, and manifested itself in the following manner. Major Poor, who had served in a dragoon regiment under Cromwell, had got the command of two companies of cavalry, from "The League." With this force he commenced a series of raids on the inhabitants of Louth, and levied a tax of £500 on the tenantry of Lord Bellew. Hearing of this, Bellew sent his son, a youth of eighteen, with a company of dragoons, to assist the farmers in resisting the tax. These troops met and fought for some time with the most determined bravery, until Bellew, closing with the Major, killed him with a blow of his pistol on the head, when the troops of the Major took flight, leaving their dead and wounded behind them. This was the first act of open hostility: it aroused the Catholic people to the necessity of defensive measures, and quickened that martial spirit, never extinguished; their hearts responded to the war-note of the times; but what could the spirit do, but chafe at delay? Their country was impoverished, and they had neither arms nor organization.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 4

58. Ginckle Advances to Kilcashel

    Kilcashel · townland · Donegal · 1691

    Leaving Colonel Lloyd in command of Athlone, Ginckle advanced seven miles westward to Kilcashel and encamped for the night as he pursued St Ruth's army.

    Read the passage

    The morning of the 9th dawned bright and sultry, but towards noon the unusual drought of the last month was broken by a violent tornado. Trees were uprooted, houses levelled; several men and horses were struck dead by lightning; and the march of the army was suspended until the morning of the 10th; when, having left Colonel Lloyd with his own, and half of the Douglas's regiment in command of the town, Ginckle advanced as far as Kilcashel, seven miles farther westward, and encamped for the night. Taking a strong escort of cavalry, he advanced towards Ballinasloe, and found that St. Ruth had decamped from his position. Crossing the river and advancing to the hills of Dunloe, he ascertained that St. Ruth was still in the vicinity, for his outguards were seen hovering along the hills of Garbally, and retiring slowly as he advanced without offering any opposition. Continuing still to advance, he at length beheld the whole Irish army drawn out in line of battle upon an opposite hill, when, after a close inspection, he ordered a map of the ground to be prepared, and returned to the camp; when the Irish pickets again advanced, and occupied the hills along the western bank of the river. From Kilcashel he advanced to Ballinasloe the next day, and halted opposite the ground lately occupied by the royal army, where he summoned a council and submitted the result of his reconnoissance for the consideration of his generals.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 18

59. Irish Army Regroups at Duleek

    Duleek · town · Meath · 1690

    After the retreat from the Boyne, the Irish infantry reached the town of Duleek and formed in line of battle behind the river Nanny, with the French troops bringing up the rear.

    Read the passage

    It was six o'clock in the evening. The infantry soon reached the town of Duleek, the French bringing up the rear, and formed in line of battle behind the river Nanny. The cavalry arrived soon after, and had just crossed the river as Count Schomberg drew up and formed on the other side. Both armies then remained facing each other for over an hour; the Irish, seeing that the enemy did not advance, began to retire, and Schomberg followed. The Irish halted and reformed again, in a long ravine, near the village of Neal; the enemy also halted, but did not attack; and in this posture night settled down on the two armies. It was now nine o'clock; the Irish resumed their march, and the enemy following no farther, they continued their way unmolested towards Dublin. William remained on the field. Some say that sorrow for the death of Schomberg was the cause of his not pressing the foe. It might have been caused by a lack of artillery, as his train had not crossed the river. Perhaps he might have been apprehensive that the garrison of Drogheda would issue out and capture or destroy it in his absence, as they might have done during the latter events of the day; but whether it was one of those causes, or a combination of them, now matters but little; he had won the Battle of the Boyne, and it was enough for a day.

    The principal personages killed in the Jacobite army were Lord Dungan, Taaf Earl of Carlingford, Sir Neale O'Neil, and the Marquis de Hoquincourt; in that of the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Schomberg,[34] Caillemotte, and Walker of Derry, who commanded a regiment of Enniskilleners. Besides these, several officers of distinction fell on both sides; among whom were two colonels, two lieutenant-colonels, in the division of Caillemotte, and Sir Charles Tooke, Majors Arthur and O'Meara, and the Chevalier de Vaudry, in Tyrconnell's. The number of officers of subordinate rank killed and wounded on each side was very great, considering the loss in private soldiers, which did not exceed one thousand in either. The number of the wounded in the army of William is not known, and, excepting Hamilton, there is no mention of prisoners being taken on either side.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 10

60. Jacobite Army Assembles at Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1689

    King James's army of about 20,000 men, half veterans and half raw levies, assembled at Drogheda under his personal command, where a council of war debated whether to abandon the capital.

    Read the passage

    The army now assembled at Drogheda, under the command of the king, consisted of about 20,000 men, not more than half of whom were the veterans of the last year, the rest being raw levies, indifferently clad, and armed with such weapons as could be hastily improvised for the occasion; with a park of artillery, generally estimated at twelve light field-pieces. Here a council of war was held, in which the king was earnestly besought to abandon the capital and fall back towards the centre of the island; but, after much deliberation, he determined to offer battle, and advanced to Dundalk, where Schomberg lay intrenched with an army greatly augmented by accessions from Derry and Enniskillen, and vastly superior in every thing that could render an army effective.

    Project Gutenberg #54518, Chapter 8

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Drogheda, the town where King James gathered his army in 1689. He had about 20,000 men under his personal command here, but only half were veterans from the previous year; the rest were raw levies, poorly clothed and armed with whatever could be hastily improvised. They also had about twelve light field-pieces. A council of war was held in the town, where the king was urged to abandon the capital and fall back toward the centre of the island. After much deliberation he refused, choosing instead to offer battle. He advanced from here to Dundalk, where Schomberg lay entrenched with an army swollen by reinforcements from Derry and Enniskillen, and vastly superior in everything that could make an army effective.