The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-02-19
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY.
Taesday, February 10. 1878.
"MYLES THE SLAsUER,'

60
"MYLES THE SLASUER,"
The E1niskillen d agoons, an Irish
regiment in the English service, have as
grand record as any similar body of
men in the world The time of their
formation dates from 1888, the wear
OF the English Revolution. when Will
liam Of Orange drove J,m "a the II from
the throne 1T Eaglaai.
The nucleus of the regiment was first
formed of young m"u recruited in Fer
managh. Tyrone and Csvan, and up to
the present time contains majority
from those counties, and it is singular
fact that they make the best aud most
efficient cava'rymen in the British SER
vice. Their C, lebrated charge at the
Boyne, Waterloo and B4laklava are mat
ters OF history. Their descendants were
we'll represented in the Federal army du.
ring our late war, and rode side hy side
with Sheridan in manv raid and foray
But the most dashing trooper Of them
ell, the boldest and bravest rider that
ever sat In the saddle or spurred to death
with 3 shout of defiance ringing on his
lips. wa. Myles the S!asher.
Maelmora, or Myles O Reilly, was de
scended from long line of chiefs who
had bravely hattled for the defense of
their native land. Helivel in troahlous
times, when he who could give and take
the most knocks was generally consid.
cred to be the better man, and when
thews and sinews were held in as mnch
estimation as brains or genius. 0 Reil
k, however. was gifted with both He
was reckoned to be the strongest and
bravest man in Europe, and was called
the .Slasher" on account of his surpas.
sing strength and bravery. A giant in
strength nd,sta,ure, comely and fair to
look upon. tried and trusted leader, an
ardent pa,rist, and daring soldier, he
was idoIized by his men and feared and
hated by his enemies In battle he was
.errible-helmet and skull were shatter-
ed at a blow from bis powerful arm, and
but few in the English army dared meet
him alone in single combat Many al
rugged mouutaineer, who had followed
the hag Of Munroe and Beniomend. and
many Mosstrooper who had raided on
The border OF Berwick and Carlisle, met
his death from the sword OF the Slash |
er. When leading charge il was inva-
riahlv bis CUSTOM. If he could possibly |
accomplish it, OF riding into the midst
OF the enemys ranks and ha' king and
slashing all around him with his ponder
Qua saber until he cut his way through
or defeated the enemy.
In the month of June, 1916, the En- |
glIsh army. ten thousand strong, and
commanded by Major General Munroe.
lay encamped on the Ulster Blackwater,
near the little village Of Benburb in Ty |
rome General Owen Roe o Neal, who
commanded the northern division of the
Irish army, with about six thousand
men, marched to meet and measure
swords with him On the morning Of
the 4th of June the two armies eucnun.
tered each other. The battle was long
and stubbornly contested The posi-
tions occupied by the helligerents we're
naturally strong and well defended on
both sides
Owing to their superiority OF men, the
English made several bloody hut inef-
fectual charges Each time they were
driven hack with great slaughter, while
every attempt of the Irish to force their
lines met with similar and bloody end
ing. And thus the battle ragged from
early dawn Of that long summer day
until the sun was sinking low in the
wcst
Myles the Slasher had remained on
idle but impatient spectator OF the scenes
enacted before him. He ha been com.
manded by his General to occupy po-
sition with bis. cavalry and await his
orders The fiery soldier chafed at his
inactivity, for he had been kept waiting
all day listening to the roar and swell of
battle around him, but he was too good
. soldier to disobey. He watched the
sun az he sunk hehind him in the woods
and eagerly lorged for the din and clash
of battle. He had not much longer to
wait. Suddenly with roar the English
artillery opened, and under cover OF
their FIRE the whole army advanced TO
the charge. This vas the decisive mo
ment. Munroe with his whole strength |
determined to fall upon his enemy and
crush him al blow.
At that moment the Irish General
emerged from the woods, and accompa
MED by his staff. galloped in the direc-
sion of his Colonel of cavalry. Their
greeting was short and curt.
"ColoDel, do ynn see these troops ad-
vancing on the rights"
aYes, General"
.They number two thousand FIVE hun.
drcd men, and are the flower Of the En.
glish army"
"Yes, General"
"Their lines must be pierced and bro.
ken, and put TO rout, or else the day is
lost. On you devolves that honor. You
know your duty Goodbye"
A grim smile lit up the countenance
OF the Slasher as the General rode back |
to his own personal command, aud, turn
ing te his troopers, he said:
"Men, before the enemy reach yonder
knoll that rises between them and US We
must be upon them. Forward! and fol-
low me-"
Dsshing the spurs into his chargers
tanks he rushed into the open space be-
tween him and The foe, followed by ev-
cry man in his command. The onslaught
was fierce and terrible, but Of short, ,du-
ration The S'asher, with one fearful
blow, Glove The English standard-hearer
to the chin and leaped into the midst of
the enemv's ranks. His terrible shout
could I've heard above the peal Of mus
ketry that greeted him, but, anharmed,
he rushed on. scattering death and de-
structien around him. For awhile i'll
was hody TO hodv with push of pike,
Int brave as the Britons we're they could
not withstand the fiery and fearful shock
OF Myles the Slasher. Before his rush.
;x<~ obo rco tj,av vant down and hpatan