The Forrest City times., 1893-05-05

loTmuduie array opposed 10 nm, ne concluded that surrender must be his fate; but, all the same. determined to make at least some show of resist ance. The English, on the other hand, had been taken unawares: and. surprised by the flank movement of the French, had hastily to take up new position about 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- tion in small bodies amid a 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, and fled in confusion through the town, cavalry and infantry mixed in wild disorder. A more dis graceful defeat had, in short, seldom befallen the British arms. Artillery, iho anu hhiliS lHdt could impede their flight were aban- doned to the enemy. On they fled to Tuam thirty eight miles from the
 field of battle. After short rest, they posted on again towards Athlone, where an officer of cara abineers and sixty men arrived at one o'clock on Tuesday the 2sth, having performed march of eighty miles in twenty-seven hours, a no small achievement if it had been for better purpose. |. is im- possible to say where the fugitives might have stopped if their flight had not been arrested at Athlone by the ar rival of the viceroy, Lord Cornwallis, of Yorktown fame. This marvellous flight was derisively called by the Irish: 'sThe Races of Castleb bar
 The French now took possession of Castlebar, the only resistance offered them being from a small body of High landers, who chose rather to face the enemy than join in a disgraceful flight The losses of the English in killed, wounded and missing were said to be about three hundred and fifty.
 The French cele brated their victory in a characteristic fashion: The officers gave a ball and supper to the ladies of the town, and so well did they deport themselves that they very soon be- came general favorites. But business had to be attended to as we'll as pleasure Having by this victory gained possession of Mayo, Hum bert immediately established a provisional government and formed districts, over each of which he placed magistrate; and, to make all complete, appointed Mir. Moore, a gentleman of the district, as provisional president. Proclama- tions were issued in the name of the Irish republic and supplies, etc, were paid for with notes on the Irish di- rectory. Having made all ship-shape and done everything calculated to inn press the natives with a sense of the power of their allies, the next move had to be considered, for Humbert very well knew that he would not long be allowed to remain in undisturb bed security.
 While Humbert was thus busily em- ployed in providing constitution for the new republic the viceroy was be- coming alive to the gravity of the situ- ation. The malcontents, encouraged by the successes of the French, were threatening to assemble in large num- bers, with the ultimate design, it was said of joining the French and march ing on Dublin. On receiving news of the defeat at Castlebar Cornwallis hastened by forced marches in the di- rection of that town. He arrived on the 4th of Septembe. at Hollymount, fourteen miles from Castle bar, and was preparing to advance, when he received information that she French had aban- doned their position and had marched in the direction of Foxford.
 Hum mbert's position was critical; his Irish auxiliaries additional numbers of whom had joined him since his victory. could not be depended on-were, in fact, utterly useless, some of them, in- deed never having seen a gun before. He knew that at the slightest check they would desert him; they had too lively recollection of the horrors of the late rebellion. Humbert had. in short, expected to receive more substantial aid from the Irish; he had also ex- pected endorsements from France, but now saw that they could not arrive in time to do him any good. Neverthe less, he determined to do his duty, and prolong the campaign as far as possible. He therefore abandoned Castlebar on the 4th of September and turned north east towards Foxford, with the inten- tion of reaching Sligo, where he had faint hope his endorsements might vet land Humbert now found himself