The Irish standard., 1893-06-03

But let us see what IOrceS were engaged
at the Boyne and what part the Orange
forces played in the struggle. Certain
writer's, who claim to be students of his
toryl,assert that it was aibattle between
Ireland and England, when it was great
deaImore like struggle between Ire
land and Europe. As already shown the
League of Augsburg contained eleven
European powers. James H., being in al
lance with Louis XIV, was thus an
enemy of the League. This was very
fortunate circumstance for William of
Orange, as it enabled him to draw at will
on the immenAe army of veterans in the
service of the League, without which he
never could have succeeded in his under
takings either in Ireland or England.
His army in Ireland numbered over
$4,000, which must have been increased
to 10000 or $4,000 by the Orange irreg-
ulars already alluded to. After deduct
ing all the troops in the garrisons of the
North he still had about 10000 men, in
Guiding splendid artillery train of fifty
pieces, nearly all Of which was present at
the Boyne, we'll equipped, magniicently
commanded, and in the highest state Of
efficiency. On the other side James
army never numbered over 10000, hastily
Levied, badly armed, poorly disciplined,
commanded by native officers of un-
egualed bravery, but of little or no ex-
perience in the field. Hamilton's ORA
goons, on the contrary, were splendidly
organized body of men, and we'll and
gloriously did they maintain their rep
utation on that fatal field. But, making
allowance for garrison troops, the Jacob
ite force present for duty could not have
exceeded 10000 mon, including Lsusun's
French Corps, which took little or NO
part in the battle and suffered itself to be
1anked by Count Schomberg. Thus we
find that James's force actually engaged
amounted t. about 14,0Q0, opposed to at
least 10000 veterans, led by officers Of
European reputation and commanded by
one Of the ablest Captains of his time.
But am not writing subscription of the
battle, but simply showing that poor but
heroic Ireland, in cause which was not
her own and in war she should rever
have engaged in, bore herself as became
her ancient military renown, and Coz
tinued the strife long after James had
abandoned his throne and fed the coun-
try. But let us see the conduct of the
Orange Enniskilleners. I quote from
John Boyle's "Battle Fields of IRE
land':
civilian now marshalled force of
about $4,000 infantry and cavalry. The
Danish and Dutch horse placed in the
advance, after them came the foot, and
the Enniskillen horse brought up the
rear. Placing himself between the Cav
airy and infantry, William entered the
river. Hamilton, who had just
returned from the Irish center, watched
their approach with great anxiety until
they began to ascend the southern side
and gained surer footing; when order
| ing his infantry to retire, he withdrew
the cavalry also, to reform for the charge.
William, seeing his movement, believed
they were abandoning the field, and
urged his cavalry forward. He was soon
undeceived; the Irish horse had but
withdrawn for greater impulse. In an
other moment they dashed forward; the
Danes were scattered right and left q
wonder it they remembered Clontarf),
bearing back the Prince among them,
and the tanks of his infantry were COM
pletely exposed. The Irish cavalry for
the third time that day had asserted it's
superiority. Williams situation was now
desperate. His Dutch and Danish horse
were scattered and: swimming in the
river; his infantry we're hardly able to
bear up against it's current; the Irish
cavalry lay on his front, and their iDfan-
try had opened with effect on his tanks.
Making his way to the head of his Ennis
killeners, he asked what they would do
for him. They cried out that they would
follow where he led, and, Fastening for
ward after him, threw themselves be-
tween their infantry and the Irish cav
airy now reformed on the ba ak above
them. The sight of these troops, their
own countrymen, protecting the foreign
mercenaries of William, reused the spirit
of vengeance in the breasts of the Irish,
and wheeling as before, they swept for
ward in one compact mass. The Eunis-
killeners did not wait the shock, but
turned and fled across the river, desert
ing their General at his greatest need
nor could they be rallied again until the
battle was decided" "And," says Tay-
lor, civilian ever after viewed this part
of hit force with contempt, not unmingled
with hatred"
So from that day to this the cowardly
sons Of dastardly fathers have gloried IN
their shame and worshiped the man who