The same squadron was afterwards instrumental in relieving the loyalists in the town of _Ballycarnen_, where they were besieged by the rebels, and had only a small party of militia to assist in the defence of the place. The cavalry advanced with great bravery, and was assailed by a sharp fire from behind the fences, and a barrier of carts and other vehicles formed across the road, which it was found impossible to force by cavalry alone, and the troops retired until a body of infantry arrived; when the whole advanced,--routed the rebels, and pursued them with great slaughter. Lieutenant-Colonel Sherlock was afterwards engaged with the squadron of the FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS under his orders, at _Gorey_, and charged the rebels several times with success. The same squadron was also engaged in the action at _Vinegar Hill_,--the stronghold of the rebels, where the most inhuman tragedies had been committed on hundreds of Protestants. This post was attacked on the 21st of June, and the insurgents were routed with great slaughter and many prisoners were captured. The squadron of the FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS charged and pursued the rebels, and took many prisoners. It afterwards overtook an insurgent corps near a place called _White Hills_, where, after a sharp contest, the rebels were routed, and they fled in all directions. While these events were transpiring, another detachment of the regiment was employed in the county of Kildare, and had several skirmishes with bands of insurgents. A patrole of the regiment, commanded by Captain Pack, proceeding towards _Prosperous_, encountered one hundred rebels well mounted and equipped; the Dragoon Guards instantly charged with signal valour and intrepidity, routed their adversaries at the first shock, killed twenty on the spot, and captured eight horses. When the rebellion was nearly suppressed, the French endeavoured to revive the contest by sending General Humbert with about a thousand men, who landed at Killala on the 22d of August. The FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS marched from Dublin to oppose the combined rebel and French forces, and were attached to the column under the Marquis of Cornwallis's command. The action at _Ballinamuck_ on the 8th of September followed; the French surrendered themselves prisoners of war, and the insurgents were dispersed. After the action, the Marquis of Cornwallis selected a squadron of the FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS, commanded by Captain (afterwards Sir William) Ponsonby, to escort him on his return to Dublin. [Sidenote: 1799] The rebellion in Ireland having been suppressed, the FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS were embarked in 1799, in order to join the expedition to Holland, commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of York; but the order for their proceeding on this service was countermanded, and after disembarking at Liverpool, they marched into quarters in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. [Sidenote: 1802] [Sidenote: 1803]