An Impartial Narrative of the Most Important Engagements Which Took Place Between His Majesty's Forces and the Rebels Part 3

On the 17th of June 1798, (on the preceding day a fair was held in Kilbeggan. The lower order of the people appeared uncommonly civil, and this country had a more placid appearance than for some time before,) at 11 o'clock at night a recruit of Capt. Clarke's gave information that the town would be attacked on the next day. As many similar alarms had been circulated before, this was not much regarded--however the Videts of Horse were ordered to keep a sharp look-out, and give instant intelligence should any number of men be descried by them.

At break of day, (at that time of the year about two o'clock) some persons were perceived on the top of a hill westward of the town.

Immediate notice of this was given to the Officer commanding, who directed that the horse-guard should continue to observe the motions of the enemy; and should their numbers encrease, to retreat slowly, about two hundred yards in front to the town, and apprize him of the same.

It soon appeared that their force was between three and four thousand divided into bands, from sixty to an hundred, in regular order, with different kinds of Arms, princ.i.p.ally pikes, from five to ten feet long, pitch-forks, &c. Each band moved separately headed by an Officer, distinguished by a green sash or c.o.c.kade--most of the men had white paper bands round their hats.

It was generally remarked that they had all clean s.h.i.+rts on, had each a piece of oat-bread in their pockets, and many were apparently intoxicated.

The town (the subject of this letter) has not been remarkable for loyalty--the princ.i.p.al fears of the garrison arose from an apprehension of treachery. There were then under arms sixty of the Northumberland Fencibles, about thirty of the Fertullagh Cavalry, and thirty loyal Protestants, who either belonged to the town or had fled there for refuge.

On the first appearance of the Rebels, (three hours before the attack commenced) an express was sent to Tullamore where the princ.i.p.al part of the 7th Dragoons lay--General Dunne forwarded a Troop about eighty in number--the want of a sufficient force was of the worst consequence, as the Rebels attacked our party in the mountains, and obliged the Fencibles to retreat back to the town--Meantime the Loyalists cleared the streets which were now full of Rebels without the loss of a man--the Cavalry pursued--Sergeant Price alone killed fourteen Pikemen. On hearing the firing a few of the Cavalry stationed at Tyrell's-pa.s.s flew to the scene of action, just before the Black Horse arrived--both, aided by the dismounted from Tyrrell's-pa.s.s killed 400 of the enemy.

Yours, &c. C. F.

The Publisher having waited in vain for a detail of the engagement at Naas, Kilcullen, Hacketstown, &c; and public curiosity daily encreasing, being desirous of gratifying the same, he deems it most advisable to insert the following OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS received at the Castle, with their dates.

_Extract of a Letter from Lord Viscount Gosford, Colonel of the Armagh Militia, and Major Wardle, of the Ancient British Light Dragoons, to Lieutenant General Lake, dated Naas, Thursday Morning, 8 o'Clock, 24th May, 1798._

This morning, about half past 2 o'Clock, a Dragoon, from an Out-post, came in and informed Major Wardle, of the Ancient British, that a very considerable armed body were approaching rapidly upon the Town.

The whole garrison were instantly under Arms, and took up their position according to a plan previously formed in case of such an event happening. They made the attack upon our Troops, posted near the Gaol, with great violence, but were repulsed: They then made a general attack in almost every direction, as they had got possession of almost every avenue into the Town. They continued to engage the Troops for near three quarters of an hour, when they gave way, and fled on all sides. The Cavalry immediately took advantage of their confusion, charged in almost every direction, and killed a great number of them.

A great quant.i.ty of Arms and Pikes were taken, and within this half hour many hundred more were brought in, found in pits near the town, together with three men with green c.o.c.kades, all of whom were hanged in the public street. We took another prisoner whom we have spared, in consequence of his having given us information that will enable us to pursue these Rebels; and from this man we learn that they were above a Thousand strong: They were commanded as this man informs us, by Michael Reynolds, who was well mounted, and dressed in Yeoman Uniform, but unfortunately made his escape; his horse we have got.

About thirty Rebels were killed in the streets; in the fields, we imagine, above an hundred; their bodies have not yet been brought together.

It is impossible to say too much of the Cavalry and Infantry; their conduct was exemplary throughout.

_Extract of a Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Viscount Castlereagh, dated Naas, May 25th, 1798._

In addition to the account which I had the honor of sending you yesterday, I have the satisfaction to inform your Lords.h.i.+p, that about 2 P. M. yesterday I marched out again to attack the Rebels, who had a.s.sembled in great force on the North side of the Liffey, and were advancing towards Kilcullen-Bridge: They occupied the hills on the left of the road leading to Dublin; the road itself and the fields highly enclosed, on the right. The attack began between 3 and 4; was made with great gallantry, the Infantry forcing the Enemy on the road, and driving them from the hills on the left; the Cavalry with equal success, cutting off their retreat. The affair ended soon after 4. The slaughter was considerable for such an action; one Hundred and thirty lay dead. No prisoners.

I have the further satisfaction of stating to your Lords.h.i.+p, that his Majesty's Troops did not suffer in either killed or wounded. The Rebels left great quant.i.ties of all kinds of Arms behind them, and fled in all directions.

This morning all is in perfect quietness. General Wilford, from Kildare, joined me last night; an Officer with whom I serve with unspeakable satisfaction.

The Troops of every description, both officers and men, shewed a degree of gallantry which it was difficult to restrain within prudent bounds.--Captain La Touche's Corps of Yeomenry distinguished themselves in a high stile.

_Extract of a Letter from the Reverend James Mc Ghee, Vicar of Clonmore, County Carlow, dated Hacketstown, three o'Clock, P. M.

May 25, 1798._

In consequence of an information received this morning, that a large body of Rebels were marching to attack the Town, Lieutenant Gardiner, with the men under his command, and a party of Yeomenry commanded by Captain Hardy, went out to meet them. Having reconnoitred their force, which amounted to between three and four Thousand, they took post on a hill under the Church, and when the Rebels came tolerably near, the Officers and Men made a Feint, and retreated into the Barrack.

The Rebels seeing this, came on with a great shout, imagining the day to be their own. In a few minutes Captain Hume came up with about thirty of his Troop, and instantly charged them, on which the Rebels retreated. A general Pursuit took place; and so complete was the rout that above Three Hundred of the miscreants now lie dead on the field of battle.

To say that the _Antrim_ Regiment behaved well is not any thing new; but the Yeomen under Captain Hardy's command behaved astonis.h.i.+ngly; nor can I sufficiently commend the conduct of Captain Hume and his Corps; for though his right arm was in a sling, owing to a very severe fall from his horse, which prevented his using his sword, he headed his men with gallantry, and went on with spirit and bravery that surprized every one, considering his situation.

As to Lieutenant Gardiner, his conduct and steadiness throughout the whole affair is far beyond my praise; but I am sorry to inform you that a severe blow of a stone he received on his breast from a villain whose life he had just saved, prevents his writing to you himself. He is, however, thank G.o.d, walking about, and having been let blood, is much better; the villain was shot dead on the spot.

Every one of the _Antrims_ was vying with each other who should do his duty best; and I have very great pleasure in telling you that not a man (Mr. Gardiner excepted, and one Soldier, who received a contusion in his arm) was in the least injured.--In short, the loyalty and zeal of the whole party was beyond any thing that has been seen on a similar occasion.

The Publisher having been favoured with the two following letters by an intimate Friend (to whom they were written without any intention of appearing in print,) and also being personally acquainted with the writer, a.s.sures the Public that every particular set forth may be received as Facts.

Such is the established character of the writer, who is known to numbers, that he would not advance a falsehood--he was in most engagements from the breaking out of the late Rebellion to the defeat of the French at Balinamuck; an account of which is now in the possession of the publisher, and shall be given in due time.

LETTER VIII.

Some account of the Battle of Arklow, by H. G. of the Armagh Militia, in a letter to a Friend in Dublin, dated Arklow, June 13th, 1798.

Written on the Field of Action.

_My Dr. Friend_,

I wrote to Mr. H. by one of the Conductors who promised to leave the letter at your house, in which I gave him a circ.u.mstantial account[B] of what took place from the time I left Naas, till the battle of Gorey, and our retreat to Wicklow afterwards.

[Footnote B: _The Press was stopped for ten days, and every possible enquiry made to recover the Letter alluded to, but for the present it cannot be procured._]

On Sat.u.r.day last we were informed that the Rebels in great force were pursuing us, the drums beat to arms, and our forces a.s.sembled immediately. Our General formed a square of Infantry at one end of the town, and left the Cavalry to defend the other. In a little time the Out-posts were driven in, and shortly after appeared their Colours flying. They extended for more than _five miles_ around us: a most awful sight! In order to intimidate us they fixed their hats on their Pikes and rushed on.

Their Artillery was planted on an eminence which commanded us--Their armed men in Front, and pike to charge in the Rear. In this order of Battle they came forward. We waited the first onset; in a few minutes the firing commenced in all quarters, which lasted from four o'clock in the afternoon, till near nine at night. They endeavoured to break our square in every quarter, but like true Soldiers we cleaved together and repelled them; they stormed our little line twice, but were beat back with slaughter; they drove their dismounted horses to the mouths of the Cannon in order to shelter themselves, but the grape shot made them fall on every side; they even set the town on fire in order to annoy us with the smoak, but the wind at the order of _our G.o.d_ turned, drove it from us, and confounded them in their own device; they did every thing like inveterate enemies, and desperate madmen to accomplish their ends; and their Priests informed them that they could catch the Heretics b.a.l.l.s in their hands, and threw some (as tho' they had caught them) to their rebellious mob to fire again at us, and declared they could beat us with the dust of the earth. Oh what superst.i.tion! This was confirmed by deserters from their Camp, who informed us likewise, that flushed with victory at Gorey, they thought that after they had taken Arklow, nothing could stop them till they arrived at Dublin; and indeed I believe, that this Battle for the present, has decided the fate of this Kingdom.

One of the Antrim Militia, who fled from them after the Battle reports their Army to have been 20,000 strong. Among the slain was Father Murphy from the County of Wexford. They lost about 1000 killed and wounded, and numbers were hanged in the streets. Every Regiment vied with each other for victory; we took several stand of Colours from them, made of green, white and yellow stuff. We have prepared every thing in case of another attempt--If they do not come forward, we will go immediately and retake Gorey, and storm their Camp. They are greatly discouraged. Blessed be G.o.d, notwithstanding I was exposed to a heavy fire I never received one wound. On our side we had about 18 killed and 28 wounded. We are all in high spirits. Capt. Knox of the Yeomenry and two of his men were killed pursuing Rebels. Our men (in a former engagement) kept the town of Gorey when the rest of the army left them. They are worth gold. Pardon this scroll, as I am in haste.

We have been under arms these four days and nights.

Farewell,

I am yours in friends.h.i.+p,

W. H. G.