The Irish standard., 1893-08-12

l.
s,aped narrowly by pistolling every man
that encountered him as he fought his
way in the midst Of his band of Gather.
nachts.
The gallant Owen Roe, finding that his
little army was dispersed, retired to
Cloughoughter Castle, in Cavan, where
he gathered them all again. From thence
he marched to Portlester, crossing the
bogs and marshes OH route, and soon be
sit ged the Castle which stood in the
midst of marsh, bounded on the north
by the bogs of Shanko and Curraghmore;
on the east by Stonyford river; on the
south by the Boyne; and on the west by
woods of ancient oak and chestnut trees
Colonel Smith held tho Castle with 100
men for the English, but after a short
siege he capitulated and was allowed to
march out with all the honors OF war.
Lord Moore, who commanded the Eng
hsh garrison on Dr"gheda, on learning
that Owen Roe had taken Portlester
Castle, marched along the Boyne next
day, and took up position on the right
bank of the Stonyford River. The Eng.
lish army numbered 1900 foot and 500
horse, and occupied the grounds now
known as Carnisle, facing Owen Roe's
troops on the opposite side Of the river.
The Irish numbered 1000 pikemen,
two cannon and about 400 horse, and,
therefore, the opposing forces were
equally matched. The scene thaG pre-
sented itself ia the Irish camp the night
before the battle is one Of dramatic inter-
est and would make a picture of surpass
ing historical renown. On the gr, unds
grouped in regiments and drawn up in
battle array, stood the irish troops. A
priest, crucitix in hand, stood in front,
and the entire army knelt down--with
the General at their head-and made a
general confession. :
At break of day these gallant men
heard mass, and received Holy Com
muniOn from the hands OF their chap
lain; and just before the engagement
the good priest gave them the final abso-
luton AS he closed his address by ex-
horting all to make q sincere act of con-
triton, reminding them of their high and
sacred trust, as soldiers fighting for the
sacred cause of the country and religion,
the scene was more than impressive-it
was awe inspiring! Flags and banners of
all designs and colors futtered in the
breeze, and on hundred hill-tops blazed
beacon fires, showing that the country
was alarmed and waited for news of the
struggle Then came the address of
Owen Roe-"Fellow soldiers, know that
those that stand before you are those
that banished your fathers, mothers and
children from their lands and houses
You are the flower of ireland. descended
from an ancient and honorable stock of
the people as any in Europe. This
land your predecessors have possessed
about three thousand years. All Christ
endom knows your quarrel is good--to
fight for your native birthplace and for
the religion maintained since Christian
ity came to this land. Your watch-word
is 'Sancta Maria;' and, SO, in the Name
Of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, adj
vance! and give not fire till you are
within pike length of the enemy
The battle soon ragged along the whole
line. At first, at long range, the musk
etry fire did little damage to either side.
Lord Moore, with staff of officers,
marched his men forward to the attack.
He told them ''they were to march
against rebels--the enemies of England"
Never was there battle which offered
higher incentives to the Catholic caval-
ier; aud the soul stirring speech of Owen
Roe touched all the secret springs of de-
votion, honor. and loyalty to the country.
They answered with wild cheer as the
Ulstermen rushed forward to meet the
Puritan English Oh the banks Of the
river. Both sides defended themselves
with great bravery; but the two field
pieces which the Irish general had
mounted on the breastwork commanding
the Pass made havoc among the English
troops fighting in the Pass near Shanko;
they fell here in large numbers. Fight
inc became general in the course of the
day-the line of battle extending from a
olump of trees, which now marks the
spot where Owen Roe took up his posi-
tion, down by the banks of the river to
Curraghmore. The English were obliged
to fall back several times, the fire from
the Pass and the mill CALLING them
fercely. The mill was occupied by Cap
tain MacGuinness and thirty pikemen,
but it's site cannot now be traced. Lord
Moore determined to take the mill by
storm, and sent large detachment
against it, but the long Irish pike re-
PEELED them, and they were hurled back
several times, strewing the ground with
their dead and wounded. It was solemn
NOM ant-thaf in which tha Fnp1iah