[75] Story estimates the foot regiments to be each 705, the horse 286, and the dragoons 444, irrespective of officers; but many of them were actually double of those numbers; as an instance Eppinger's Royal Regiment of Holland Dragoons was 920; Portland's horse 480; several others exceeded the standard, and all had been fully recruited after the siege of Athlone. [76] "These men," says Story, "ran away from a less number than themselves, though the officer behaved himself very well."--He might have said less than half their number. The Irish were but seven men; there were sixteen of the Danes. [77] As none of the histories consulted by the writer alludes to the death of Holstaple and Talbot, save in recapitulating the loss on both sides, he deems it necessary to give his authority for placing it so early in the battle, lest his assertion shall be attributed to fancy, which should always be held in abeyance to historic truth. The following lines from Garrick's rambling play, "The Battle of Aughrim," it is hoped, will satisfy the reader. It is necessary to introduce it by stating that there was no general named Hostile in the English army, and that the renowned comedian only adopts it for the sake of euphony: Holstaple being a rough, and rather unpoetic name:-- Lord Portland's horse approached the mortal fight With sword in hand to put our troops to flight:-- This Talbot saw, and like a hero bold, Disdaining life, he scorned to be controlled; But, as a Mars, amid the throng he run, And there he stood, like marble to the sun, Till, being hacked and flanked on every side, By multitudes oppressed, he bravely died. And again, after the retreat of the English, an Irish officer is made to say: Aughrim is ours, brave General Hostile's dead, Who, even now, Lord Portland's horse did head,-- Drove all before him, till a lucky ball, Shot with good aim from off the castle wall, Clove up his skull, etc., etc. Nothing, perhaps, could excuse the introduction of this doggerel, save the name of the author, who lived at a time which enabled him to consult many of the real actors in the battle. [78] If the dots on the batteries, as represented in Story's map, indicate the number of guns, there were thirty of them in all; and on his other maps they do indicate them. [79] Those troops who were ordered from the rear of his left, were, either by design or inadvertence, sent from the front of that position; and on the concurrence of this and a subsequent blunder, historians have based their accusations of treason against Brigadier Henry Luttrell, who, it is said, received the order. [80] Some historians allude to the "_sounding_" of this marsh, and "_wading_" through it; but the fact is: that it was but a rushy bottom, difficult in no place, save at the stream, where it was impracticable to cavalry; for we find the Irish charging and recharging the enemy three times across it.