The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-06
"A FRENCH INVASION.
An Unknown But Interesting
Chapter In Trish History.

within 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 to be
narrated took place in the west az Irc-
land, yet they were Of 50 extraordinary
nature that history Of them win be
found interesting.
By way Of preface. il may be neces-
sary 70 say that the Irish rebellion 81
i7ps had just been suppressed, and al
though during the rising the Irish had
looked to france for aid, for one rea-
son or other il had not been forthcom-
ing, until, fortunately for the British
government Il was too late on the
ed Of August. lT0S MS the bishop 81
Killala, county Mayo, was holding n
visitation Of his clergy at his residence
there, three frigates. two Of forty four
guns and one OF thirty-eight. under
English colors. entered the bay and
dropped anchor. Two Of the bishops
sons and the port surveyor rowed ont
70 the ships with the intention 81
boarding them; on doing so, they were
informed, to their great astonishmenl,
that they were the prisoners OF tho
French republic The same even
Ing about three hundred French
troops We're landed and inn mediately
advanced on the town. Notice was
instantly sent of to Ballina, seven
miles to the southwark, where small
English force was stationed; aud. mean
while, the garrison, composed Of yeo-
many and fcncibles to the number Of
fifty, gallantly advanced to meet the
Invaders. Being overwhelmed by num-
bers, however, and losing two OF their
party by fusillade from the French,
they turned and fed twenty OF them
being taken prisoners Thus the
French effected landing and gained
possession of Killala The whole
forces Of the French were now landed,
consisting Of about eleven hundred OIL
GERS and men, with two guns, under
Gen. Humbcrt; but they calculated on
being joined by the Irish malcontents,
for whom they had brought arms and
uniforms, Next morning an advance
column OF one hundred men, OF whom
forty were mounted on horses "requisi-
toned" for the purpose, advanced on
Ballinas 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 .'Liberators, making,
together with those who had Joined
since the landing Of the French. about
fourteen hundred auxiliaries. Hum
bert, encouraged by these additions 70
his forces, determined not 10 give them
any time for reflection, but advanced
at once ON stlebar, the chief town Of
Mayo, where large British force was
stationed.
The troops at Castlebar, 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, as senior Of
ficer, took over the command, which
occasioned great discomfort and some
confusion among the troops. The
French were expected to advance by
the main road from Ballina, on which
q force had been stationed to witch
them, and the British dispositions
weTe made accordingly; but Humbert.
who was a veteran in the art OF war,
chose a road by which he was not ex-
pected, namely, to the west by the
pass of Barnagee, which had been
considered impossible, and so came
upon the British on their left flank.
When Humbert came In sight Of the
formidable array opposed to him, he
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 q new position about a
mile from their former one. This, and
the warlike appearance of the French
troops. did not tend to increase their
The French advanced on
the right and left Of the English posi-
ton 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 o movement to turn
their left, which unfortunately was un-
retreated, were seized with
panic, broke, and fed 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,
arms and everything that
could impede their flight were aban-
doned to the enemy. On they fed
to Tuam, thirty height 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 2eth.
The French celebrated their victory
In CHARACTERISTIC fashion: The officers
gave ball and supper to the ladies Of
the town, and so well did they deport
that they very soon be-
came general fayorites. But business
had to be attended to as well as
pleasure. Having by this victory
gained possession Of Mayo, Humbert
established provisional
and formed districts, over
each Of which he placed magistrate;
and, to make all complete, appointed .
Mr.. Moore. gentleman Of the district,
as provisional president ProcIama-
lions were issued in the name Of the
Irish republic and supplies, etc, were
paid for with notes ON the Irish d.
rectory Having made all ship-shape