The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-04-15
A Victory Changed Into Defeat
by the Cavalry.
ARREST AND EXECUTION OF LEADER
The Gallant Hero Died in the
Cause of Liberty.

guished United Irishman, was born in
Belfast, Aug. 81, 1867. In 1871 he co,
operated with Wolfe Tone, Thomas
Russell and SamuelNeilson,in the fornla-
ton of the first society OF United Irish
men in Belfast, and soon gave himself
up entirely to Ireland's welfare.
With his brother, William, he was
arrested in the latter part of 1896, for
his connection with the United Irish
men, and suffered an Imprisonment OF
thirteen months They were finally lib
Grated through the pleadings OF their
cousin, Counsellor Joy, afterwards Chief
Baron of the Exchequer. Henry re-
turned to his home, and entered with
increased ardor into the plans for insur-
rection.
In the Spring of 1898 he had frequent
interviews with the leaders in Dublin,
and was appointed to the supreme COM
mand in Antrim. The unexpected cap
ture of the leaders at Bonds house
proved a severe blow, but McCracken
was not to be daunted. On the 9th Of
June he issued manifesto, addressed to
the united troops of Ulster, in the fol-
lowing terms:
"Army of Ulster, tomorrow we
march on Antrim; drive the garrison Of
Randalstown before you, and haste to
form a junction with the commando,
i'll chief-Signed, Henry Joy McCrack-
Ell, 1st year of Liberty, 9th day Of
June, 17oS."
At an early hour on the 9TH, the
Northern insurgents marched from Gre
garogan fort Gan ancient and ruined
fortress near which they had assembled),
directing their course towards the town
OF Antrim. The gunsmen, drawn up
four deep, formed the van; behind these
came the pikemen, a far more numerous
body, while small band brought up the
rear, with few field pieces, the only
artillery they possessed.
Chanting in chorus, McCracken's lit
tie force, amounting to no more than
5000 men, pressed forward rapidly to-
wards Antrim, before whose walls they
arrived about midday. On their way
thither they were joined by some 500
men from Temple, Patrick and Killead.
Meanwhile, the royalist garrison being
strongly reinforced, put the town in a
fortified condition. Their foot soldiers
had taken up position i'll front of the
castle gate, the main entrance to the
town, while the cavalry took post at the
opposite extremity OF the place. behind
the high, strong wall that inclosed the
cathedral Their cannon was planted
in the middle OF the main street.
Against the royal troops, thus advan-
tageously posted, the insurgents ad-
vanced in two divisions, one OF which
was ordered to force an entry through,
the castle gate, and the other to carry
the position occupied by the cavalry.
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon the
assault began. The first division of the
insurgent army advancing against the
position occupied by the cavalry, was
received by that body with heavy fire,
which they returned with such good ef-
feet that their opponents were forced to
abandon their post and take refuge in
the adjoining graveyard.
Meantime the second division of the
insurgent army attacked the town
from the opposite direction, and bring
ing small cannon they had with them
to bear on the cavalry posted at the
castle gate, drove them under the walls
The first division of the insurgent army
having succeeded in driving their enc
my before them, had gained the centre
of the town, but there they found them
selves exposed to destructive fire Of
cannon and musketry, directed against
them by men who lay in security be-
hind stone walls and earthen barriers.
To drive the foe from their cover, and
to occupy it themselves, was their next
effort, and to effect this the pikemen
were brought into action. Having re-
ceived orders to charge they rushed
forward with great impetuosity, and
though driven back several times, the
grape shot making dreadful havoc in
their ranks, they at length succeeded
in gaining the desired position, whence
the combat could be maintained on
more equal terms.