The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-02-05

hind them tottering. Most of theun rushed
with lightning speed over the falling mass;
but the last cOmpany-it had wheeled
round even at the moment to face and keep
back the enemy-were to late. AS they
rushed for the passage the mass OF mason
ry heaved over with a roar into 1he Doii II.
curges, leaving the devoted band on the
Drink in the midst of their foes! There was
a moments pause, aud almost wall burst
from the Irish on the Connacht side; but
lust as. the enemy rushed with vengeance
upon the doomed group, they were seen TO
draw back pace or two from the edge OF
the chasn, fling away their arms, then dash a.,
clap of thunder broke volley from
thousand guns ON the Leinster side, tear
ing the water into foam. There was
minute of suspense on each side, and then
a cheer rang out-Of defiance, exultatlon,
victory. as the brave fellows were seen to
reach the other bank, pulled to land by a
hundred welcoming hands.
st. Ruth, at Ballinasloe, on his way up
from Limerick, heard next day that the
English town had fallen, '.He instantly set
out ut the head of fifteen hundred horse
and foot, leaving the. main army to follow
as quick Us possible. Onhis arrival he en-
camped about two miles west of the town,
and appointed Lieutenant General D'Usson,
Governor, instead of the gallant Fitzgerald,
as being best skilled in defending fortified
places" Now came the opportunity for
that splendid ARTILLERY, 1.-THE Ike of which,"
Macaulay has told us, had never been seen
in Ireland" For seven long days of mid
summer there poured agalpR the Irish
town such n storm of iron fromse bat
teries of heavy siege guns ana mortars,
that by the 9th the place was literally a
mass of ruins, amongst which woare told,
1.-TWO men could not walk abreaE." On
that day IA hundred wagons arrived in the
Williamite camp from Dublin, ladel with
a further supply of ammunition for the siege
guns. That evening the enemy by gre
nades set on fire the fascines of the Irish
breastwork at the bridge, and that light
under the cover of q tremendous bOmbsrd-
ment, they succeeded in finging some
beams over the broken arches, and partil-
ly plankipg them. Next morning-it Was
Sunday, 25th June-the Irish saw wit.
CONSERVATION that barely a few planks
more laid on would complete the bridge.
Their own few cannon were now nearly all
buried in the masonry, and the enemy be-
yond had battery on battery trained on the
narrow spot-it was death to show in the
line of the all but finished causeway.
Out stepped from the ranks of Maxweu's
regiment sergeant of dragons, Custume
by name, "Are there ten men here who
will die with me for Ireland A hundred
earger voices shouted aye. "Then," said
ne, I'VE Will save ACnlOne; Inc bridge
must go down."
Grasping axes and crowbars, the devo-
ted band rushed from behind the breast
work, and dashed forward upon tue newly
laid beams. A peal of artillery fusilade
of musketry-from the other side, and the
place was swept with grape shot and bull
lets. When the smoke cleared away, the
bodies of the brave Custume and his ten
heroes lay on the bridge riddled with balls.
Ntnvy nod fnry, <af In
but every man of the eteuen Ytad persisted :
Out from the ranks of the same regiment
dashed as many more volunteers. sThere
are eleven more who will die for Ireland"
Again across the bridge rushed the heroes.
Again the spot is swept by a murderous
fusilade. The smoke lifts from the scence;
nine of the second band lie dead upon the
bridge-two survive, but the work is done.
The last beam is gone-Athlone is once
more saved!