The Irish standard., 1900-02-24

the Irish brigade was at the front help
ing France to fight Europe.
The peace was but brief respite.
-Four years later the question OF the
succession to the Spanish throne set
Europe once more into blaze. The
war opened disastrously for the French,
especially in northern Italy, where,
in the beginning, Eugene swept all be-
fore him, and French disaster was I'M
relieved save by two brilliant Irish
achievements. Near Burgoforte, at the
confluence OF the Mincio and the Pc,
Sheldon's Horse rescued force OF de-
feated French cavalry, and charging
home upon the German pursucrs, cut
them in pieces and captured their COM
mander, Count Merci This achieve
ment," says O'Connor, acquitted great
glory for Sheldon's Horse. A number
OF reduced officers were attached to it
as volunteers. These gallant gentle
men, exiles from their native. land, re-
duced to French half pay, scarce SUI
fcient for subsistence, preferred the ac
tivity and eclat of a camp to the in
dolcnce and obscurity OF a French pro-
vincia town. The hospitality OF their
native country was revived at the mess
OF the Irish regiments. AS the Irish
peasant shares with the bcggar his sup
per and his nightly bed, the officers OF
Sheldon's shared with their poor coun-
trymen their rations and quarters, and
these latter evinced their gratitude by
undaunted courage and heroic efforts
to advance the glory OF the regiment
On the occasion in question the volun-
teers surpassed all former cxcrtions,
and Louis, to mark his satisfaction at
the distinguished manner in which they
acted, raised their pay to an equality
with that OF officers OF infantry OF the
same rank"
Burgoforte was soon eclpsed, how
ever, by the story OF Cremona. The
place was strongly held by French
garrison and covered by division OF
the main army. But security is NOR
tails chiefcst enemy" and Marshal Viii
leroy and his officers, by their remiss-
ness, their lack of watchiulness and
their general relaxation OF all military
discipline, tempted the watchful Eu-
gene to a daring enterprise, nothing
less than the surprise and capture OF the
garrison and the annhilaticn OF the
main French army. \ body OF Ger
man soldiers was introduced through
an aqucIuct to a position near Il built
up gate OF the city where no guard
was posted. On the morning OF Janu-
airy 81, 1903. while the officers OF the
French garrison were sleeping off Il de-
baucl,, the Germans broke down the
masonry and admitted strong force
OF imperial cavalry, which Immediately
took up strong positions within the
town. Having established themselves
they proceeded to taken possession OF
the 10 gate, which was under guard
OF tllirtybvc Irishmcn These were on
the watch, for 4 more than stringent
discipline was maintained by their
leader, O Malony, and they received
the German cllirassicrs with deadly
fusiladc, Though attacked by force
that outnumbcred them by seven to
one, the handful OF Irishmcn main
tanned their position until the Irish
corps had time TO turn out dressed in
their shirts, small clothes and cartouchc
boxes, who charged with such Jury
that the gate and the attacking forces
scattered. From day break to noon
they fought, while the sleepy French
troops were rallied, and desperate
fight OF varying fortunes went OH
through the streets Of Crcmona.
There were Irish on the imperial side
also. and one OF them was hero OF
most remarkable incident of the irav
Vlleroy, OConnor narrates. was
reused by the firing, jumped out OF
bed, burned his papers, and proceeded
to the square. He was borne down
by charge OF cuirasscrs. trampled un-
der loot, when rescued by Francis Nc
Donncll, an Irish officer OF the regi-
ment OF Bagni. Villeroy attempted to
purchase his liberty from his captor
He offered him 10000 pistolcs and
French regiment ii he would conduct
him to the citadel. But Mcdonnell led
his prisoner to the rear OF the imperial
camp and delivered him UP to General
Stharcmbcrg. Mcdonnell was made the
messenger OF Prince Eugene to assail
the fidelity OF the Irish troops who
held the bridge across the Pc. He
approached with a flag OF truce and
was received by the officers of the Irish
corps. "Countrymen, he said, prince
Eugene sends me to say to you, that
II you change sizes, you shall have
higher pay in the imperial than you
have in the French service. My regard
Tor my countrymen in general, and
especially for brave men like you, in
duces me to cxhort you to accept these
offers. Ii you should reject them l do
not see how you can escape certain de-
<struction. We are in possession of the
whole town except your fort. His
higl1ncss waits my return only to attack
Won with his ,vbo1o forc, ,,i ,,.a 49,.