The Irish standard., 1891-05-09

along the side or the angle nau D6en
told to abandon their ground. The
allies under Cumberland were aStound-
ed and all but paralyzed by their sudden
success. They had rushed into the
centre of the French army; brigade
after brigade of French infantry had
melted away before them; confusion
and inaction were everywhere notice
able in the French camp, and Cumber-
lands men actually stood still in
wonder and uncertalntv. Their sur
prise and inaction lasted until the
French recos cred a firm grip on the
situation. The commander OF the four
reserve cannon. which had been ordered
to the front under Colonel Lally's in
spiration, hurried them forward CRYING
out, NO retreat, the king orders that
these four pieces Of cannon should gain
the victory"
The allied column that had broken
through the French was In the form OF
an obl0ng. with three battle fronts.
Marshal SAKE ordered the four cannon
TO open on The longest front and cut
gaps for the French cavalry to dash
through. At the same time the infantry
brigades that could be reformed were
to attack on each flank. On the ex-
treme French left lay the Irish brigade,
six infantry regiments, known as
Ulare's. Bulkely's, Dillon's. Roth s.
BerWick's and Lally's. These men
had not been at the front thus far
during the battle, and had cursed their
luck in consequence, but their enthusi
asm, or "pantlng ardor," as the phrase
is. was about to be given loose rein
Thew were placed at the head of a
column to attack the Duke of Cumbar-
land s right Hank. Being composed of
young men, all fresh and burning with
hatred of their old HEREDITARY foe, the
English. their selection to bear the
brunt of the attack was at once COM
pllment and challenge to them to
show proof of their mettle. When the
word came to 90 Colonel Lally said to
his men, March against the enemies
of France and yourselves without firing
until you have the points of your bav-
onets upon their bellies"
The Irishmen went forward all ami
mated with the spirit of LalIy, and
coolly reservlng their ire. Before them
lay slope ascending toward the allied
lines. and swept by CALLING fire from
thousands OF muskets and two cannons.
Up the steep they went without pulling
a trigger, to be- met by some of the
crack troops OF the British army,
among them the famous Coldstream
Guards. The brigade wore scarlet
uniforms. and advancing in good order
called out in English, ''Steady, boys!
Forward Chargel;' so that the foeman
heard the rally and saw what was to
come. As the opposing lines came
together British officer came to the
front and singled out Captain Anthony
McDOnough for combat. "a sword duel
was fought on the spot. the soldiers on
both sides nearest the scene pausing to
witness the fight. McDonough finally
disabled his foe and sent him to the
rear as prisoner, while his comrades
sent up tremendous shout over the
victory as an omen of good luck. Fol-
lowing this incident the British let
loose their volleys of bullets, and for a
Foxxy m ante out d..uyy, tbs ;wa.o.~; =
Irishmen like grain before the scythe.
The commander, Colonel Clare. was
hit twice. Colonel Dillon was killed at
the head of his regiment, and scores of
officers and hundreds Of men fell under
this fire. Yet there was scarcely a
check to the impetuOus movement or
Erin's gallants SONS. With their famous
Celtic slogan. Remember Limerick
and Saxon Per6dy,' thev rushed to
close quarters. thrusting their bavonets
into the faces of thar antagonists before
firing shot.
Even in front of that blazing column
the haYonet. like the honest stick in a
scrimage. had more charms for The Irish
lads than the euncertaln muzzel and flint.
They could feel with their countrYman
who sang OF his encounter with a Claude
Duval:
His pistol it flashed,
But his head / smashed,
Oil shillelah. you never missed fire.
An unfortunate circumstance hap
pened at the outset that would have
chilled the ardor of less determined
warriors. A brigade Of Frenchmen.
mistaking the Irish in their scarlet
colors for the enemy. charged them
aud fatally wounded many before the
mistake was discovered. Even this did
not Cause more than temporary waver
ing, aud the brigade soon saw their