The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-23
A FRENCH INVASION.
An Unknown But Interesting
Chapter in Irish History

was desccrated by q French campaign
within a hundred years ago Is known
TO comparatively few; fewer still arc
acquainted with the details. English
historians contenting themselves gen
orally with bare mention Of the fact
Although the occurrences about 10 he
narrated took place in the west Of Ire
land, yet they were Of so extraordinary
a nature that a history al them will be
found interesting.
By way Of preface. il may be neces-
sary to say that the Irish rebellion 81
IT9s had just been suppressed. and al.
though during the rising the irish had
looked, to france for aid, for enc fca-
son or other it had not been forthcom.
ing. until. fortunately for the british
government II was too late, On the
ed Of August, i7aS as the bishop OF
Killala, county Mayo, was holding a
visitation 81 his clergy at his residence
there, three frigatcs, two Of forty four
guns and one Of thirtv-cight, under
English colors, entered the bny and
dropFed anchor. Two Of tho bishops
sons and the port surveyor rowcd out
to the ships with the intention OF
boarding them; on doing so, they were
Informed, to their great astonishmcn,
that they were the prisoners Of the
French republic The same even
ing about three hundred French
troops were landed and i'm mediately
advanced on the town. Notice was
Instantly sent of to Ballina, seven
miles to the southwark, where small
English force was stationed; and. mean
while. the garrison, composed OF yeo-
manry and fcnciblcs to the number Of
fifty, gallantly advanced to meet the
invaders. Being overwhelmed by num-
beers, however, and losing two OF their
party by fusilladc from the French.
they turned and fled, twenty Of them
being taken prisoners Thus the
French effected a landing and gained
possession Of Killala The whole
forces of the French were now landed,
consisting Of about eleven hundred off,
GERS and men, with two guns, under
Gen. Humbert; but they calculated on
being joined by the Irish malcontents,
for whom they had brought arms and
ANEAt aaRAhIGt
column of one hundred men, OF whom
forty were mounted on horses s'rcquisi-
toned" for the purpose, advanced on
Ballina, and were soon followed by the
main body, On the evening OF the 25th
they entered Ballina. the garrison Of
which fed after faint resistance.
Here several hundred Irish joined the
standard of the "Liberntors, making,
together with those who had joined
since the landing Of the French, about
fourteen hundred unxiliaries. lIum-
bert, encouraged by these additions to
his forces, determined not TO give them
any time for reflection, but advanced
at once on Castle bar, the chief town Of
Mayo, where large British force was
stationed.
The troops ut Castelar,, made up
mostly Of militia and yeomanry, in a
bad state Of discipline, numbered about
four Thousand, with fourteen guns,
under Gen. Hutchinson; but at the
last moment Gen. Lake. ms senior Of
ficer, took over the command, which
accustomed great discomfort and some
confusion among the troops. The
French were expected TO advance by
the main road from Dallina. on which
force had been stationed to watch
them, and the British dispositions
were made accordingly; but IIumbcrt,
who was veteran in the art Of war,
chose road by which he was not ex-
pccted, namely, to the west by the
pass Of I,arnagee, which had been.
considered impossible, and SO came
upon the British on their left flank.
When Humbert came in sight Of the
concluded that surrender must be his
fate; but. all the same, determined to
maze at least some show of resist
ance. The English, on the other hand,
had been taken nnawares; and,
surprised by the flank movement
Of the French, had hastily to
take up new position about q
mile from their former one. This, and
the warlike appearance Of the French
troops, did not tend to increase their
confidence. The French advanced on
the right and left Of the English posi-
ton in small bodies amid cloud OF
smoke, and under smart fusillade and
hot fire from the English artillery,
which, however, did not check their
advance. The English. becoming
alarmed at the unusual tactics Of the
French, and by movement to turn
their left, which unfortunately was un-
defended. retreated, were seized with
panic, broke, md tled in confusion
through the town. cavalry and infantry
mixed in wild disorder A mQre dis
graceful defeat had, In short, seldom
befallcn the British arms. Artillery,
ammunition, arms and everything that
could impede their flight were aban-
doned to the. enemy On they fed
to Tuam, thirty miles from the
field Of battle. After a short rest
they posted on again towards Athlone,
where an officer Of carabineers and
sixty men arrived at one o'clock on
Tuesday the 2sth-
The French celebrated their victory
In a characteristic fashion: The ofiiccEs
gave q ball and supper to the ladies OF
the town, and SO well did they deport
themselves that they very soon be-
came general fayorites But business
had to be attended to as we'll as
pleasure. Having by this victory
gained possession Of Mayo, Humbert
Immediately established provisional
government and formed districts, over
each Of which he placed magistrate;
ana, to make all complete, appointed :
Mr.. Moore. gentleman Of the district,
as, provisional president Proclama-
tions were issued In the name Of the
Irish republic and supplies, etc, were
paid Nor with notes on the Irish 81,
rectorv Having made all ship-shape