The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-04-21

been but badly served, as mo OF the
shot passed harmlessly high, and only
twice struck down files of the Irish.
An attempt was made by Lord Ards,
one of the English commanders, to at
tack the Irish left wing by crossing the
Oona with body of cavalry, proceed
ing along its eastern bank. and charging
the Irish across the shadows of the
water. O'Neill, however, sent his son
Henry to meet them with 900 foot, who
completely routed them, Lord Ards and
many Of his officers being made prison.
ers.
The Irish We're at length losing pa
tience at being kept SO long inactive and
exposed to the anemy's fire, and they
repeatedly b5sought their command TO
lead them forward against the E.nglis l.
But O'Neill desired them to wait till
some cavalry which he had sent away
in the morning should return, and he
skirtnishing, his real object being 10
wait tall the brilliant sun OF that June
day went round sufficiently 10 be in the
backs Of the Irish, aud shine full in the
face of their adversaries, SO as TO dazzle
them, Then, and not till then, would
he order g. general advance AS the
time approached he harangued his
troops in inspiring language, exhortlng
them to fight valiantly for their faith
aud fatherland, and concluded by Or
dering them not to fire until they where
within Pixies length Of the English.
At length when the proper moment
came O'Neill gave the order. The Irish
advanced III two divisions, the first or
front composed OF five columns with
spaces between, and the second (the re-
serye) of four similarly spaced; but it
WIS stated by one OF the English officers
(Sic r. Bellings) that the Intervening
spaces III both these divisions were too
narrow, SO that in the event OF q reverse
or Of the reverse being brought forward
neither could pass through the other,
without causing confusion. The Eng
]ish, strange to say, had no reverse.
They formed all their troops into one
body, and numbered 5000 foot and 800
horse, while the Irish numbers were
5000 and 500 respectfully,
h[unroe, seeing the Irish advancing
to attack, sent forward a body of cavalry
(mostly Irish, as he says III his despatch),
but O'Neill's cavalry met and quickly
turned them, drove them back upon the
English infantry, and even pursued
them through their ranks. causing con-
siderable disorder. The Irish colonies
1ismo1anting from their horses, Led their
men to the ckarge--down the hillside 10
the bottom OF tbs hollow, then UP the
opposite slope facing the cannon, and
right up against the English lines till
they were within pixies length of them.
One 1nurderous volley crashes from
the Irish 1ousketeers, and then, obscured
by the clouds circling smoke, the oppos-
ing line meet man TO man and pike to
pike. The English and Scottish officers
stood their ground manfully, and
would not give away until forced by
the Irish plkesaen, but the rank and
file of the English fought badly, and.
falling back, IN few moments their
position was carried by the Irish.
The English were i'll bad condition
for receiving charge; their ranks had
already been broken by their own re-
treating cavalry; they were wearied by
their long march, and, as they say them
selves, ''They did not expect TO be faced
by FISHERMEN, much less to be fought
WITH (The British Offcer). Besides,
the sun, now setting, was glazing level
in their faces. so that between smoke
and sunshine they could with difficulty
distinguish their opponents till close
ut hand.
The struggle was brief one, and the
fate of battle was decided in few mo-
ments. Munroe, seeing the Irish pre-
va1ling, despatched second squadron
of cavalry against them, but only with
the same result as before. They were
again met by the Irish cavalry, hurled
back in disorder upon the infantry,
breaking their ranks, the Irish follow
ing as before in pursuit. This mishap
precipitated the result. O'Neill now
gave the order "Redouble your blows
and the battle is won." (Aphorisnicall
Discoyerie). A total rout followed. and
the English army broke up in tumul-
tuous disorder. The cavalry forded the
Blackwater, and most of them escaped
in safety, but Of the infantry great num-
bers we're killed and many others we're
drowned in attempting to cross the
river where it was not fordable. (Carte's
Ormonde and Munroe's despatch).
Only one regiment, that Of Sir J. Mont