An Impartial Narrative of the Most Important Engagements Which Took Place Between His Majesty's Forces and the Rebels, During the Irish Rebellion, 1798.Jones, John, of Dublin
History
An Impartial Narrative of the Most Important Engagements Which Took Place Between His Majesty's Forces and the Rebels, During the Irish Rebellion, 1798.
Jones, John, of Dublin
Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1798
On the 24th of May, the day preceding the attack, Haydon, a Yeoman,
but an officer of the Rebels, repaired to the Country, and spent the
day in mustering his Forces. A letter relative to the business,
directed to Mr. J. D. of Arles, was by mistake put into the hands of
a Loyal Yeoman of the same christian and sirname, and residing in the
same place: The bearer was conveyed to Maryborough and executed, and
the letter sent to Col. M-- who commanded in Carlow, by means of which
the Military had timely notice of the intentions of the Rebels. There
being no Barrack for Infantry in the Town, the men were billeted upon
the Inhabitants; the genteeler sort paying for their lodging, they
were in general quartered in the Cabins. The intention of the Rebels
was to murder the Soldiers in their lodgings, surprise and take the
Horse Barracks, and then make themselves masters of the Town, which in
all probability they would have done, had not God brought their
designs to light in the manner above mentioned; for on receipt of the
above information the Infantry were ordered into the Barracks, and
kept under arms till the Insurgents had entered the Town.
About twelve o'Clock the Rebels came forward in great force, and too
confident of a victory not yet gained, gave three cheers crying "the
Town is our own!" but how dreadfully were they disappointed? for in
that moment, the military rushing forward, cut them down in all
quarters; and having posted themselves in an advantageous manner
cut off almost all possibility of a retreat. Many of these deluded
creatures fled into the houses for shelter, but there justice pursued
them--for the Soldiers set them on fire immediately. About eighty
houses were burned, but the numbers consumed therein could not be
ascertained.
It is supposed not less than six hundred fell that morning; and what
is surprising, only two I believe were found among the bodies with
any simptoms of life!
Thus did God frustrate the designs of the wicked, and display his
justice and mercy in a singular manner--His justice, in suffering
the ungodly to fall into the pit which they had digged for their
innocent, unoffending neighbours; and his mercy, in preserving those
whom he employed as the Executioners of his vengeance on his
Enemies. Not a Soldier or Yeoman was so much as slightly wounded!
One Soldier indeed who had not left his billet, they hung with a
sheet; but being soon extricated he recovered immediately.
Sir. E. C. Bart. Haydon, Kelly, Kane, Borro, two Murphys, one of
them a Serjeant in the Yeomenry, and several others were executed
a few days after. Haydon it is said, finding it going against his
friends, slipt into his Father's house, dressed himself in his
Regimentals, and came out and fought against those whom he had a
few hours before led to the slaughter.
Thus by the interference of HIM who declares a hair of our head
cannot fall without his permission, was an innocent people saved
from the murderous designs of a Sanguinary Foe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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