The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-05-02
Battle Of. the Boyne.

The hostile forces confronted each pthe
for the first time on the benka of the B0yne
June 30, 1890. The Jaeobfte arEy wa
posted on the decliyity Of the Hill q
its left extending up the river The centre
was at the small hamlet Of Oldbridge
Entrenchmentsw erc hastily thrown up to
defend the fords, and James took up his
position at q ruined church at the top o.
the Hill of Dunore. The Williamite army
approachedf from the north, their brave
leader directing every movement, and
inspiring his men with courage and con-
Efdence. He obtained q favorable position,
and was completely screened from view
until he appeared on the brow of the hill,
where his forces debouched slowly and
steadily into the ravines below. After
planting his batteries on the heights, he
kept up an incessant Ere on the Irish lines
during the afternoon of the 30th. But
James's officers were on the alert, even if
| their King was indifferent. William was
recognized as he approached near the
up to bear on him quietly and
steadily: 'Six shots were fired at him,
| one whereof fell and struck off the top of
Duke Wurtemburgsp pistol and the whiskers
of his horse, and another tore the Kings
coat on his shoulder WHERE. likepa
wise general as he was, took care thatthe
news of the accident should no1S fispfrit
his men. He showed himself wheres
rode through the camp, was sas agreeable4
as it was in his nature to be and thus
made capital of what might have been a
disaster. In the meantime James did all
that was possible to secure q defeat. AT
one sHaementshe4 decided ito retreat, at the
next he would risk a battle then he sent
off his baggage and six of his field-pieces
to Dublin, for his own special protection;
and while thus remarkably careful of
himself, he could not be persuaded to
tnfuf 4, frSna IN. fxa
taken for the safety of the army. Hence
the real marvel of posterity is, not that
the battle of the Boyne should have been
lost by the Irish, but that they should have
attempted to fight at all. Perhaps nothing
but the inherent loyalty of the Irish,
could destroy, and the vivid remembrance
OF the cruel wrongs always inflicted by
PFotNstant to when in power, prevented them
running on nsaSse to Williams side of the
Boyne. Perhaps, in the history of nations,
there never was so brave q resistance made
for love of Royal right and religious
freedom, as that of the Irish officers and
men who then fought on the Jaeobite side.
The FIRST attack of Williams men was made
at Slane. This was precisely what the
JacObite officers had anticipated, and what
James had obstinately refused to see.
to defend the ford, but even Sir Mai
O'Neills gallantry was unavailing. The
enemy had the advance, and POrtland's
artillery and infantry crossed at Slane. |
William now felt certain of victory, if, |
indeed, he had ever doubted it. 1t was low
water at ten o'clock, the ford at Oldbridge |
was passable; a tremendous battery was |
opened on the Irish lines; they had net a |
single gun to reply, and yet they waited |
steadily for the attack. The Dutch Blue
Guards dashed into the stream ten abreast,
/. by Count de Solmes the !
i do, a
followed, supported by the French Hugue-
nots. The English infantry came next,
under command of Sir John Hammer and
Count Nassau. William crossed at the
fifth ford, where the water was deepest,
with the cavalry of the left wing. Il was
grand and terrible sight. The men in the
water tonight for William, and Protestant
sln; the men on the land fought for their
King and their Faith. The men were l.
equally gallant. Of the leaders shall say
,othing lest should be tempted to say too
much. James had followed Lauzan's forces +
owards Slane. Tyrconnel's valor could
iot save the day for Ireland against fearful
dds. Sarsfield's horse had accompanied
he King. The Huguenots were SO warmly
eeeiEed at the fords that they recoiled,
md their commander, Caillenfote, was
nortaily wounded. Schomberg forgot his
lge, and the affront he had received from
William In the morning; and the man of
ighty-two dashed into the river with the
of eighteen. He was killed
and SO, was DR.. Walker, who
leaded the Ulster Protestants. William
nay have regretted the brave old General,
Mt 4e-eertainiiJ did not ret the frJteBE=
inf t1iyiue--t -had-ae- fancy feFlGhaRelftt
nen neddling in secular affairs, and L
ough w nat brought him there 7'' was the
eply youchsafed to the news of his demise.
The tide now began to flow, and the battle
aged with increasing fury. The valor
isplayed by the Irish was q marvel even
o their enemies. Hamilton was wounded
nd taken prisoner. William headed the
'nniskilleners, who were put to flight soon !
fter by the Irish horse, at Platten, and
ere Ow-Fallied again by himself. When
ne enemy had crossed the ford ut Oldbridge,
ames ordered Lauzan to march in pareiiei
ERECTION with Douglas and Young Schom- =
erg to Dunleek. Tyrconnel followed The =
rench infantry covered the retreat in
1mirable order, with the Irish cavalry. S
Them the defile of Dunleek had been
assed, the Royalist forces again presented 3
front to the enemy. Williams horse a
allied. The retreat was again resumed. +.