The Irish standard., 1897-06-05
GLORIOUS VICTORY AT BENBURB OF
OWEN ROE O'NEILL.
THE ENGLISH COMPLETELY ROUTED
THE CHIEFTAINs, WITH THEIR
CLANS, FOUGHT WITH vALOR.
ALL THE SCOTCH ARTILLERY TAKEN
OF THE PAPAL
NuNCIo WAS DETRIMENTAL.

NUNCIO WAS DETRIMENTAL
The battle of Benburb was fought up
on the slopes of ground, now calleu
Thistle Hill, from being the property OF
the Thistles, a family of Scotch farmers
now represented by fine old man OF
over eighty years. This ground Is two
and a quarter miles in right line, Oh
three by the road, from the church OF
Benburb, and about six miles below
Caledon, in the county of Tyrone; IN
the angle between the Backwater ana
the Onagh, on the Benburb side OF the
latter and close to Battleford Bridge.
We are thus particular in marking the
exact place, because of the blunders OF
many writer's on 1t.
Major-General Robert Monro landed
with several thousand Scots at Carrick-
fergus, in the middle of April, 1912, and
on the 28th and 29th, was Joined by Lord
Conway and Colonel Chichester with
1900 foot, five troops Of horse, and two
of dragons. Early in May a junction
was effected between Monro Tichborne,
and an army of $4,000 foot and between
1000 and 1000 horses was made up. Yet
with this vast force, Monro achieved
nothing but plunder, unless the treach-
erous seizure Of Lord Antrim be an eX-
ception. Thus was the spring of 1642
wasted, yet so overwhelming was Mon
ro's force, that the Irish Chiefs were
thinking of giving up the war, when on
the 18th Of July, Owen Roe Macart:
~O'NeiH landed at Doe Castle, county
Donegal and received the command.
Owen Roe was born in Ulster, and at an
early age entered the Spanish-the i'm
perial service, Influenced, doubtless, by
the same notions that led Marshal Nc
Donald into the French, that "the gates
of promotion were closed at home"
Owen, from his great connections and
greater abilities, rose rapidly, and held
a high post in Catalonia. We have
heard through DR.. Garland, the worthy
head of the Salamanca College, that Eu-
genio Rufo is still remembered there.
He held Arras in 1910 against the
French: and (says Carte) Surrendered
1t at last upon honorable terms, yet his
conduct in the defense was such as gave
him great reputation, and procured him
extraordinary respect, even from the
enemy"
Owen was sent for at the first out
break in 1641, but it was not till the
latter end Of June, 1912, that he en-
barked for Dunkirk, with many of the
officers and men of his own regiment,
and supplies of arms. He sailed around
the north of Scotland to Donegal, while
another frigate brought similar succors
to Wexford, under Henry O'Neill and
Richard OFarrell, Owen was immedi-
ately conducted to Charlemont, and in
vested with the command of Ulster. I'm
mediately on Owens landing, Lesley,
Earl Of Leven, and general of the Scotch
troops, wrote to him saying, "He was
sorry man of reputation and expert
ence abroad, should come to Ireland for
the maintaining Of so bad cause" and
advising his return! O'Neill replied,
t'He had more reason to come to relieve
the deplorable state of his country than
Lesley had to march at the head of an
army into England against his king at
time when they (the Scots) were al
ready masters Of all Scotland" No con-
trast could be greater or better put.
Lord Laven Immediately embarked for
Scotland, telling Monro, whom he left in
command, "that he would certainly be
ousted, If O'Neill once got an army to-
gether," and so it turned out: Owen sns-
tained himself for four years against
Monro on one side and Ormond on the
other-harassed by the demands Of the
other provincial generals, and distressed
for want Of provisions, defying Monro
by any means to compel him to fight
battle until he was ready for it. But
at length, having: his troops in fine
fighting order, he fought and won the
greatest battle fought in Ireland since
the yellow Ford But we must tell
how this came about.
Throughout 1912, and in the summer
Of 1643, Monro made two attempts to
beat up O'NeilIs quarters; and through
the Irish general had not one-tenth of
Monro's force, he compelled him to re-
tire with loss into Antrim and Down.
Assailed by Stewards army on the Done:
gal side, Owen Roe retreated into Long
ford and Leftrtm, hoping in the rugged
districts to nurse up an army which
would enable him to meet Monro IN the
field. ssS
!: By the autumn Of 1913 after having
suffered many trifling losses he got to-
ssether !. army q I, 600 men. and
@s 4 =