The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-05-14

through the French was in the form of an
oblonp. 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 extreme French left lay the Irish
brigade, six infantry regiments, known as
Clare's, Bulkeley's, billions, Roth's, Ber-
wick's and Lally's. These men had not
been at the front thus far during the bat
tie, and had cursed their luck in conse-
cuence, but their enthusiasm, or painting
lrdor." as the phrase is. WAS about 10 h
gircn ,csxe reii.. They We're placed as
bhe hea,. of j column TO attack the Duke
Of Cum berlanti's right flank. Being COM
posed OF young nleE, ali fresh and burning
with hatred 0: their old hereditary foe the
English, their selection to bear tine brunt
of the ATTACK WI. ct once \ compliment,
and 4 challenge 10 them to show proof of
their mettie When the word came to 20
Col. Iaily said To his men, March against
the enemies If France and yourselves
without firing until you have the points
of your b!yoLets upon their bellies
The Iris.amen went forward all animated
with the spirit OF Laily, and cooily re-
serving their ure Before them lay slope
ascending toward the allied lines, and
swept by CALLING fire from thousands OF
muske:s and two cannon. Up the steep
they went without pulling trigger, to be
me. by some OF the crack troops of the
British army, among them the famous
Coldstrcan guards. Tie brigade wore
scarlet uniforms, and advancing in good
order called ont i'll English, STEADY, bOys'
Forward Charger SO that the fCemen
heard tie rally aud saw what was to come.
AS the opposing lines came together a
British officer advanced to the front and
singled out Capt. Anthony McDOnough
for combat n 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 a prisoner, while
his comrades sent up tremendous shout
over the victory as an omen of good luck.
Following this incident the British let
loose their volleys of bullets, and for a few
moments cut down the intrepid Irlshmen
like grain before the scythe. The COM
mander, Col. Glare, was hit twice. Col.
Dillon was killed at the head of his regi-
ment, and scores of officers and hundreds
of men fell under this fire. Yet there was
scarcely check to the impetuous move
ment of Erin's gallant sons. With their
famous Celtic slogan, Remember Liner
lex and Saxon pertidy," they rushed to
close quarters, thrusting their bayonets
into the faces of their antagonists before
firing shot.
Even in front of that blazing column the
bayonet like the honest stick in a scrinl-
mage, had more charms for the Irish lads
than the uncertain muZZle and flint. They
could feel with their countryman who sang
of his encounter with Claude Duval:
His pistol it flashed,
But his head mashed,
Oh! shillelah, you never missed fire.
An unfortunate circumstance happened
at the outset that would have chilled the
ardor of less determined warriors. A bri-
gade of Frenchmen, installing the Irish in
their scarlet coiors for the enemy, charged