The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-20
A FRENCH INVASION.
An Unknown But Interesting
Chapter in Irish History.

"A =
70 comparatively few; fewer sim ar,
acquainted with the details Enriisl
historians contenting themselves gen
orally with n bare mention otthe fact
Although the occurrences about 10 b.
narrated took place IN the west IL Ire
land, yet they were Of so extraordinar,
a nature that d history 81 them win be
found interesting
BY way Of preface, Il may be neccs
sary To say that the Irish rebellion 81
l5Vs had just been suppressed. and al.
though during tho rising the Irish had
looked 70 France for aid. for one rea.
son or other II had not been forthcom.
Ing, until, fortunately for tho british
government Il was too late On the
aed Of August, ispS as the bishop 81
Kiflala, county Mayo. wns holding 4
visitation 81 his clergy at his residence
there, three frigatcs. two Of forty four
guns and one 81 thirty-cight. under
English colars. entered the BAY ana
dropped anchor. Two 81 the bishop's
sons and the port surveyor rowed ont
to the ships with tho intention OF
boarding them; on doing So, they were
Informed, to their great astonishmenh
that they were the prisoners ~ tho
French republic. The same even.
Ing about three hundred French
troops were landed and i'm mediatcly
advanced on the town. Notice was
instantly sent on 10 1aiiina, seven
miles to the southwark, where d small
English force was stationed; and, mean-
while. tho garrison. composed 81 yeo.
manry and fcneibles to the number 81
hfty, Rallantiy advanced q meet the
invaders. Being overwhelmed by num-
bers, however, and losing two IL their
party by fusillade from the French.
they turned and fled, twenty IL them
being taken prisoners Thus the
French effected landing and gained
possession Of Killala Tho whole
forces Of the French were now landed.
consisting Of about eleven hundred OH.
GERS and men, with two gums, under
Gen, lilmbert; but they calculated on
being joined by the Irish malcophnco
for whom they had brongs,, 81 whom
as.l's, Ne ..ssei on horses '.requisi-
sortv : lor the purpose, advanced on
taliinS. and we're soon followed BY the
nain body. ON the evening Of the 2ath
new entered Ballina, the garrison q
,vhich He'd after faint resistance.
Hero several hundred Irish joined the
standard Of tho "Libcrntora, " making.
ss.ss .hs LANDING isi aRo q ~ Prs%sb eesas
fourteen hundred auxiiiarics Hum
bert, encouraged by these additions TO
his forces, determined not TO give them
any time for reflection, but advanced
ut once on Castlebar, the chief town Of
Mayo, whore a large British force was
stationed.
The troops at Castlcbar, made up
mostly OF militia and yeomnnry, In
bad state 81 discipline, numbered about
four thousand, with fourteen guns,
under Gen. Hutchinson; but at the
last moment Gen. Lake, us senior Of
ficer, took over tho command, which
accustomed great discomfort and some
confusion among the troops. The
French were expected TO advance by
the main road from Ballina, on which
d force had been stationed TO watch
them. and the British dispositions
were made accordingly; but Hnmbert
who was q veteran In the art Of war,
chose a road by which he WINS not cx-
pected, namely, TO the west by the
pass Of 1inrnagee, which had been
impossible, and so came
upon the British on their left flank
When Humbert came In sight OF the
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 nnawnres; and.
surprised by the flank movement
OF the French, had hastily to
take mp a 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 q 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 UNI
defended, reiterated. were seized with
panic, broke, and fed in confusion
through the town, cavalry and infantry
mixed in wild disorder. more dis
graceful defeat had, in short. seldom
bcfallen the British arms Artillery,
ammunition, arms and everything that
could impede their flight were aban-
doned to the enemy On they fed
to Tuam, thir.y-eight miles from the
field OF battle. After 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 Characteristic fashion, The officers
gave balIand 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 Nof Mayo, Huinbert
Immediately established provisional
goyernment and formed districts, over
each Of which he placed 4 magistrate;
and, to make all complies, appointed
Mr.. Moore. gentleman Of the district,
as provisional president Proclama-
tions were issued ia the name Of the
Irish republic and supplies, etc, were
paid for with notes on the Irish dix
rectory Having made all ship-shape
and done everything calculated 70 Inn
press the natives with a sense Of the
power Of their allies. the next move