After repulsing the enemy at Arklow, dispositions were made for a combined attack of the King's forces on the rebels' stronghold at _Vinegar Hill_,[20] in the neighbourhood of Enniscorthy; and the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS marched to the scene of conflict under the orders of Major-General Wilford. The design of the Commander-in-Chief was to surround the post; and with this view 15,000 men, with artillery in proportion, advanced by four different routes. The _first_ division commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir David Dundas; the _second_ under Major-Generals Sir James Duff and Loftus; the _third_ under Major-General Needham; and the _fourth_ under Major-Generals Johnson and Ross: the last was to attack the town of Enniscorthy, situate at the base of the hill, and to drive the rebels from thence. The troops having arrived at their stations (excepting Major-General Needham's division), the attack commenced about seven o'clock on the morning of the 21st of June, with a sharp cannonade. The rebels sustained the fire of the artillery and troops for nearly two hours, when they gave way and fled through the space which should have been occupied by the third division (hence called Needham's gap) in the greatest confusion towards Wexford; the cavalry galloped forward in pursuit, and made a dreadful slaughter among the fugitives. In their haste to escape from the sabres and bayonets of the King's troops, the rebels left behind them their cannon (fourteen pieces), with an immense quantity of plunder collected from the neighbouring towns and gentlemen's houses; also a number of muskets, pistols, and swords, and a great quantity of pikes, scythes, and other implements of destruction. The loss of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was, four men killed, and ten wounded; besides a number of horses killed and wounded. After the action the regiment proceeded to its former quarters at Maryborough and Mount Mellick, where it was kept in constant readiness for further operations; and detachments were employed on various services. The remains of the rebel army continued to make an unavailing resistance, and endeavoured to force the passes which separate the counties of Wexford and Carlow. On one occasion, a party of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and a small body of the Wexford militia disputed the passage of the river Barrow at _Gore's Bridge_, against an overwhelming force of rebels; after displaying much intrepidity and heroism, and losing many men in killed and wounded, the soldiers were overpowered, and 27 taken prisoners: 7 of the captives were supposed to be Orangemen, and were instantly shot, and their fellow-soldiers were forced to be their executioners.