Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-05-01
SKETCHES OF 1RIsH History.
AruLOSE IN l7ol-rTs DEFENCE AND FALL.

Like almost every spot In ireland, Athlonc
calls forth many deeply interesting rcminis-
ccnceE. Its Sicgcs, its vicSSitUilcS, the pat
riOtiSm and bravery of its inhabitants in by
gone days, arc themes which give more than
ordinary interest TO it's history.
Little is recorded in the carly annals Of Ire
land Of its origin, or its history. It's fame is
derived chiefly from the part it took in the
contest between James II and William III. Oi
England. It was famed of old as n pGSs-,edy
"out of Ireland into COnnaught;' and many
n Sanguinary battle was fought under its walls
long before the period Of which We are about
to speak. Its castle was famous even at the
time OF the Anglo-SaxOn invaders for when
Henry granted the dominion Of Ireland to his
son. he expressly reserved to himself the Cas-
tic Of Athlone; and subsequently when the
province was granted to Richard dc Burgo,
the English King retained for his own special
use, five cantrCds of land contiguous to the
fortress"
The bridge which untcs it to the Lcinstcr
side Of the Shannon, is dated back 10 the
early part Of the reign of Queen Elizabeth
This bridge was built under the direction 0t
Peter Lewis. an ',ostatc monk who had
abandoned his cclI and the faith Of his fathers,
church Of England. Being u man Of distin-
guishcd scientific and mechanical nowlcdgc,
he was entrusted by Sir Henry Sidney, in nd-
dition to his clerical duties, with the erection
Of this bridge. In a compartment Of this
structure is the figure Of Lewis attiretl in his
Geneva attire, for it was from this city he
came to Ireland. In his right hand is badly
designed pistol, and on this instrument OF
death is the figure Of 1nt in the act Of biting
the thumb of the hand which holds it.
The legend connected with this strange
representation is as follows: Lewis, for some
time previous to his death, had been haunted
by a mystcriouSrat; whcresocver he went it
followed him. by day and by night; in bed
and nt meals on horseback or on foot, this
disgusting vcrmin pursued him. Even in
church G was not free from its unwclcomc
ATTENDANCE. One day he ventured to preach
in the church Of ST. Mary's, and 10! the rat
was there pccling at him. during the whole
Of his sermon This was too much for the
divine to endure, and after descending from
the pulpit he drew pistol, which the chron-
icle Of the event informs US he always carried,
to shoot the unsightly animal. when the sa-
gaciOuS creature to avoid the shot, lcapcd on
the pistol MS represented on the monument,
and seizing the parsons thumb, inflicted such
n wound as to bring on the lock; jaw, which
terminated in the death of the unfortunate
Lewis.
The town oC Athlonc is divided by the river
Shannon at the only place where it is fordabc
for q distance Of twenty miles. After the
battle of the Boync, General Douglas, who
commanded for William, laid siege to Athlone.
At that time the place was defended by Col
Richard Grace, an experienced officer, IN
whose skill! and fidelity James placed every
reliance. His reputation had been established
during the war Of the Commonwealth, and he
appears to have been the last person Of dis
tinction who resisted tho republican power in
Ireland. In 1862, a price Of G3OO was offered
for his head. liz was an old man when ap.
pointed governor Of Athlonc and his enemies
flushed with recent victory, anticipated nj
easy and bloodcsS triumph.
In this however, they were miStakcn.-
When the veteran colonel wns summoned tC
surrender in July. 1890, he returned most
resolute defiance: "Thesc nrc my terms" he
exclaimed, diSchargIng his pistol in the air
I" these only will give or receive; and when
my provisions are consumed, will defend my
trust till have eaten my boots
Irritatcd by this defiant reply, Douglas
closely invested the town, and carried on the
siege with the utmost vigor. But his attempts
were Gruitlcss. His assaults were met with
the most determined resolution and valor by
the Irish soldiers and their brave old com
mandcr The 0ssailants were rcpulsed in every
onset, and driven back with heavy losscS.--
After many Intellectual attempts, Douglas was
obliged to raise the siege, and retire in dis
grace, leaving for time the veteran Irish col.
Onel in undiSputed possession of AthlOnc.
This stronghold, however, was of too great
Importance t0 be left long in rcpoSc Accord
ingly we find General Ginkle early in the fol.
lowing summer invested the place with a
strong torcc and heavy train of artillery. The
portion Of the town on the east bank Of the
river being almost entirely abandoned, fell an
easy prey to the enemy. From this position
the English canon could easily reach the fOrti
lications OIL the western side, and for some days
an inccssant discharge Of balls and bombs was
made. Breaches were soon effected, and on
the 30th of June the attack was commenced
the signal for iordng the river was given by
the tOlling OF the church bell.
In the meantime st. Ruth, the French gen
cral, who commanded the French and Irish
forces, lay cncamprd in the ncighhorhood oi
AthlOnC, but with arrogant blindness for which
no personal courage could make sufficient
ntonCmcnt, he permitted the English army to
advance, until his cn-opcrati1n was Of no avail!
AS soon MS the English fore, had entered the
river and maniG Stel IL disposition to pass it,
an express was sent to his camp, where he was
found entertaining party of friends in his
tent. To the messenger he replied, that Ill
was impossible for them to take the town and
he so near with an army to aid it" adding
that he would wager "thOuSand pistOlcs that
they burst not attempt it," Sarsiield, who
knew his opponents better, aud estimated them
more justly, rcprOved the arrogant Frenchmau
in the following blunt reply:
"Sir, spare your money and attend to your
duty, for know that no enterprise is toe
difficult for the British to attempt"
While the Irish officers were vainly cndcav
oring to arouse the imbccile st. Ruth to q
sense Of his duty and his danger, the battl>
ragged ticrccly under the walls of the town.
Ginkle'S forces having crossed the river with
little opposition, rushed to the assault They
were met by the Irish forces with cqua
bravery. The venerable governor, sword ir
hand, led the brave defenders to the charge. -
But courage could not prevail against mum
bcrS The aged and chivalrOIS Col. Grace
fell in the breach, and lay hurried beneath
hundreds Of the slain. Athlone was taken
but the victory attcstS the Superhuman vaiOl
displayed by the Irish in its defence. IIiSto