The New York herald., 1872-07-12
THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE.
History OF the Event which tho Ora nge-
men mmemOrnte TO-Day-The Scene

History OF the Event which tho Ora nge.
men OmmemOrnte TO-Day-The Scene
of the Battle--Vho Result OF the Victory.
One hundred and eighty two years ago the famous
Battle Of the BOync took place In Ireland 1t was
an event which, from the comparative smallness Of
the numbers engaged and slight losses sustained by
the combatants, would now be regarded as insiG-
nhcant, yet which, measured by its consequences.
deserves to rank among the decisive battles Of tho
world. In order to obtain q clear idea Of the char.
acter Of these results 1t is necessary to glance
briefly at the scene Of the conflict and to refer for
moment to the events by which it was preceded.
COUNTY MEATH, -.-.,
in which the battle occurred, is not only one Of the
most beautiful districts In Ireland, but Is uncom-
monty rich in point Of historical associations.
Through the midst Of it flows the River BoyneC,
whose banks, in many places abrupt and ruin
crowned, remind the tourist OF the castled sleeps
of the Rhine. At the mouth OF this river st. Patrick
landed on his first visit to Ireland In A. d. 434
and at Telltoun, about fifteen from the shore,
s the of the conflict said to have occurred be-
tween him and LeOghaire, the last Of the pagan
kings Not far from here is Tara Hill, once tho
only a thing Of the past. Within sight OF Tara
are the famous barrows or sepulchral mounds Of
Knowth and Nero Grange, hundreds Of feet !n
In the world.
OF more modern interest are Trim, the residence
Of Swift and Dangan Castle the birthplace OF tho
Duke Of wellington.
DRoGHEDA
town OF about twenty Thousand Inhabitants n
situated ut the mouth OF the river and has an
eventlul history. Its ancient name was Drochat-
Atha or the bridge over the ford, for where the
railway viaduct now spans the stream was form
erly lord, passablc only at low water. Drogheda
was formerly surrounded by wall, ruins OF which
may % Ss where e gate e h
cannon when he besleged the place in lel9. 1t was
garrisoned at the time by 1900 soldiers, mostly
wOoden-legged veteran Of the Parliamentary wars
and the assault took place at sunset on the 11th
give very vivid picture OF the scene and the h0r-
rors that ensued. ''The bcsieged." says he ''at
nrst disputed It very stnly with US. But although
our men that stOrmed the breaches were forced to
retire, yet being encouraged to icnew their loss.
they made
wherein God was pleased so to animate them that
they got ground OF the enemy, and by the good
ness OF God forced him to quit his intrenchmenta
place very strong and OF difficult access being ex-
ceedingly high and strongly paisadoed. The Gov
persons being there, our men getting up to them.
were ordered by me to put them all to the sword.
And indeed being In the heat OF action, forbade
them to spare any that were In arms In the town.
About one hundred Of the enemy being possessed
OF ST. Peters Gate and strong round tower next
the gate an called 81; sundays, being summoned 70
steeple OF St Peters church to be fred when one
was heard TO say IN the midst OF the names God
confound me; burn, burnr believe
that night we put to the sword about two thousand
men. do not think above thirty escaped with
their lives and those that did are In safe custody
for the Barbados. This hath been marvellous
great mercy and therefore 1t Is good that God alone
have ail the glory"
Sanguinary as this massacre was II was of far Iess
Importance In Its results than the famous Baltic
OF the Boyne, fought just outside the gates OF the
city, between the forces of William of Orange ana
James H., the 1st day or July, 1890. The iield OF
battle extended from Slane Castle, five miles up tina
river to within short distance OF Drogheda, and
crescent-shaped position on the day before the
battle was the army or James, estimated at about
thirty thousand men, onethird Of them disciplined
French troops. In their 'front.' were slight intrench-
CONTINUED ON NINTH PAGE.