Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1798; Women -- Ireland -- Biography
“The time allowed him was now expired: he had hoped for a few
days, that he might give his friends an account of all the later
events in which he had taken a part. About five _p.m._ he was
ordered to the place of execution, the old market-house, the
ground of which had been given to the town by his great great
grandfather. I took his arm, and we walked together to the place
of execution, where I was told it was the general’s orders that
I should leave him, which I peremptorily refused. Harry begged I
would go. Clasping my hands around him (I did not weep till
then) I said I could bear anything but leaving him. Three times
he kissed me, and entreated I would go; and looking round to
recognise some friend to put me in charge of, he beckoned to a
Mr. Boyd, and said, ‘He will take charge of you.’ Mr. Boyd
stepped forward; and fearing any further refusal would disturb
the last moments of my dearest brother, I suffered myself to be
led away.... A Mr. Armstrong, a friend of our family, came
forward and took me from Mr. Boyd, and conducted me home. I
immediately sent a message to Dr. McDonnell and Mr. McCluney,
our apothecary, to come directly to our house. The latter came,
and Dr. McDonnell sent his brother, Alexander, a skilful
surgeon. The body was given up to his family unmutilated; so far
our entreaties and those of our friends prevailed.
“From the moment I parted with Harry, the idea which occurred to
me in the morning that it might be possible to restore
animation, took full possession of my mind, and that hope buoyed
up my strength, and supported me at the moment of parting with
him. Every effort that art could devise was made, and at one
time hopes of success were entertained, but the favourable
symptoms disappeared, and the attempt was at length given up. I
was present when the medical men entered the room where the body
was laid, and then retired and joined the rest of the family,
awaiting the result with indescribable anxiety. My heart sank
within me when we were told all hope was over, and that a
message had been brought from the General that the funeral must
take place immediately, or that the body would be taken from us.
Preparations were made for immediate burial. I learned that no
relative of his was likely to attend his funeral. I could not
bear to think that no member of his family should accompany his
remains, so I set out to follow them to the grave.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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