An Impartial Narrative of the Most Important Engagements Which Took Place Between His Majesty's Forces and the Rebels, During the Irish Rebellion, 1798. by Jones John of Dublin

Author:Jones, John, of Dublin [Jones, John, of Dublin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literary, Classics, Fiction & Literature
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: VolumesOfValue
Published: 2013-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

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LETTER IV.

Kilkenny, August 30th, 1798.

My Dr. Friend,

In a former letter you have an account of the fate of Castle-Comber, &c.—I have only to notice in this, that some Gentlemen who fell into the hands of the Rebels while in possession of that town were brought into the presence of the Rebel general Murphy, who is said to have been a Priest in the Co. Wexford, and was excommunicated for his bad conduct many years ago.—He was dressed in black, affected the appearance of a stupid enthusiast, and shewed some bullets which he said had been fired at him, but had rebounded from his invulnerable body—incredible as it may seem, this wretched invention was generally believed by the more wretched dupes under his command—You have here a real statement of the facts, of which I know you have sufficient curiosity to desire to be informed.

On Monday morning[A] our reconnoitring parties observed the Rebel Army posted on the bog, between John's-well mountains and the Ridge, about eight miles distant from this City—they seemed to be at rest, and remained quiet except when relieving their Centinels, till four o'Clock, when they were observed to move to the right along the Ridge towards Kelly-mount and New-bridge.

[A] The writer omitted the date.

In the course of the evening several false alarms electrified the inhabitants here—Yet the Garrison was left the whole day at rest. Next morning Sir C. Asgill marched with a large force, consisting of two pieces of Artillery, part of the Wexford and Wicklow regiments, of the 4th, 5th, and 9th, Dragoons, of Hompesch's Cavalry, the Romney Fencibles, and of the Kilkenny, Gowran, Fassadineen Shillelogher, Desart, Thomastown, Myshall, and Kellishin Cavalry, he was joined on the march by the Leighlin-bridge Infantry, and part of the Downshire Militia, with their Artillery, also the Maryborough and Ballyfin Corps of Yeomen Cavalry.

About six o'Clock he came up with the Rebel Army, amounting to from five to six thousand men, advantageously posted on a rising ground, in an extensive flat, at Kilcomny, near Gore's-Bridge—nothing could exceed the joy of our brave Soldiers, after so many fatiguing marches, at last to have a pleasing prospect of retaliating; the Officers were constantly obliged to restrain their ardour. The engagement began with a terrible fire of Artillery, which the Rebels returned with quickness, but entirely without effect.

A very hot fire was kept up near an hour, but unable to withstand the impetuosity of our troops the Rebels began to give way, and fled towards the Co. Wexford.

A horrible slaughter now ensued, which lasted six or seven hours, nor did it cease while a Rebel was to be seen—1100 Rebels were left dead on the field of Action! among whom was the invulnerable commander Murphy. This victory was so very decisive that we have got possession of all their Artillery, amounting to 15 pieces of different callibre—all their Standards, Ammunition, and Baggage, a vast number of Pikes, Muskets, Swords, &c. 700 horses, a great quantity of black cattle, Sheep, &c.

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