The Irish standard., 1898-02-12

which they fought on and On, ignoring
defeat, and counting danger until at
last human endurance, and human
valor could accomplish nothing more.
Truly, these were men to be proud Of,
to honor, and to revere for all time.
Myles Byrne was one of the most ac-
tive and indefatigable of the rebels.
Never once did his personal courage
fail or his spirit yield to the prompt
ings of despair. He had deep personal
wrongs to avenge, and we may rest as
sured that every brave blow struck at
an enemy's heart by the gallant young
pikeman was nerved and strengthened
by the thought of friends murdered
by tho blood-t thirsty Yeomen during the
CHASTITY years of persecution. Bue
Byrne was more than an avenger driven
to desperation by cruel oppression.
Young in years as he was. he had been
since 1896 one of the most active and
Jealous among the recognized organizers
of the United Irish Society, and what
ever strength that Society possessed in
his native country when the burning of
the chapel at Boolcvoguc precipitated
the insurrection was greatly due, to the
efforts Of Myles Byrne. He was not
only fearless soldier, but an mteler-
tual and gifted youth we'll able to ap-
preciate the necessities Of the situation,
for no more personal issues, but for
and fully realizing that he was fighting
the triumph of sacred cause.
After Newtonbarry and New Ross
came fatal Vinegar Hill. Here the ]ast
great stand was made by the patriots.
Byrne was in the thckest of the fight
during all that mournful but glorious
day. In the Memoirs" already referred
to he pays the following tribute to the
herOism of his comrades-''I had been
in many combats and battles, but l
never before witnessed such display
or bravery and intrepidity as was
shown all along our line for nearly two
hours. until our ammunition was cx-
pended. 1t was then recommended by
some OF our chiefs to assemble all our
forces, and to attack the enemy's lefr
flank, overturn 1t, and marcn back to
the county of Wicklow At the COM
mencement Of the battle this plan might
have been easily executed; but would
1t not have been cruel and shameful to
abandon the town and the brave Il,
lows who were defending II SO heroic
ally?"
lhis was written after Myles Byrne
mad been through some of the most
notable wars of the century, and his
opinions as to the m.. its@of the struggle
IN 98 may be regarded as those of n
general practically conversant with the
hard realities Of military cnmpaipns.
Time and again he dwells sadly on the
want Of leadership which ultimately
ruined the patriot cause. bat he blamcs
no one. nor does he take any credit to
hlmself for the many deeds of valor
that render his name dear to Irishmen
forever. His mOdesty was only cu,,aled
by his bravery-in short, he was the
truo type of a soldier, patriot, and Nh
tures gentleman
After the disaster of Vinegar Hin a
small band Of pikcmen still followed
their unconqucrablc young chief, They
passed through Fulllkcsmill. and an
June 23rd they felt strong enough to at
tack Gorcsbridgc, where they were
joined by party of Cnstlccomcr min
rrs. with whose aid they tried in vain To
capture that County KILKENNY town
Then back again to Wexford, through
ScoIlhgh Gap, marched the little band.
hEhtins their way against all odds and
winning skrmish after skirmish. II Is
pathetic to read Of the wandcrings of
these broken and beaten bands of rebels
alter the great defeat at Vinegar Hill.
Hope for final success had dcpar1cd.
but the virtnrs were m2rrirss. and tlc
Vanuuishcd were chased through moor
and mountain
to sell IL,
prey for the bloodhound, a mark for
the bullet,
tEshcltcr.d by might and unrrstcd by
day,
With the heath for their barr.aks, re-
vcngc fer their pay"
When all was los, Mylcs Brync sought
out the prince OF guerrilla leaders, Mich
acl Dwycr, and for the next few months
ne remained with the Wickk.w chief
anu the intrepid Holt on the hills of
the country of the O'f,yrnas. In No.
vcmfcr, 9X, he managed to sm,,gclc
his way to Dublin, where he remained.
s;ill practically ION his Keeping" The
authorities knew not that the quiet
young clerk in a timbcr-s.orc was tho
rebel clicf before whose pike full many
trooper had bit the dust. nut
Eyrncs enmity to English rule was as
Keen as ever. His prominent associa-
tton with Robert Emmc.'s unlucky Of
fort need only be mrltiCnc.I in con-
ncction with the story CT '98; nor i;
there is there any necessity for follow
ing his splendid career as a soldier in
the service. Of France, after he left frc-
land In 1863. Stop by step he rose to
the proud position Of Chcf-dc Battalion.
He fought In Spain and Germany and in