The Irish standard., 1900-12-01

Scattered among "Strafford's Let
ters," various indications are discover
able of the estimation in which the
Irish were held as soldiers in foreign
services during the early part of the
seventeenth century. The Spanish
government in particular seems to
have been extremely desirous of enlist
ing in Ireland, their own troops at
that time being equal, If not superior,
to any in the world, especially their
infantry, says Thomas Davis.
The year before the English Revo-
luton of 'SS William effected the
league Of Augsburg, and combined
Spain. Italy and Holland against
France; but except some sieges of i'm
perial towns, the war made no great
progress till 1890. In that year France
blazed out ruin on all sides. The Pal
atinate was overrun and devastated.
The defeat Of Humieres at Valcourt
was overweighed by Luxemburgh's
great victory over Prince Waldech at
Fleurus.
The Duke of Savoy having Joined
the Allies, Marshal Catinat entered
his territories at the head Of $4,000
men. Mountcashers brigade, which
landed in May and had seen service,
formed one-third of this corps. Cat
mat, a disciple of Turenne, relied on
his infantry; nor did he err in this in
stance. On the Sth of August, 1890,
he met the Duke of Savoy and Prince
Eugene at Staffardo, near Salucco.
The battle began by feigned attack
on the Allies right wing. The real
attack was made by ten battalions Of
infantry, who crossed some marshes
heretofore deemed impossible, turned
the left wing commanded by Eugene,
drove it in on the center and totally
routed the enemy.
Louis opened 1892 by besieging Ma
mur at the head of 100000 men, in
Guiding the bulk of the Irish Brigade.
Luxemburgh was the actual command
er and Vauban the engineer. Namur,
one Of the greatest fortresses of Fland-
ers, was defended by Coehorn, the all
but equal of Vauban; and William ad-
vanced to it's relief at the head of
100000 men-illustrious players Of that
fearful game. But French and Irish
valor, pioneered by Vauban and ma
noeuvred by Luxemburgh, prevailed.
In seven days Namur was taken, and
shortly after the citadel surrendered,
though within shot of Williams camp.
On July "a, 1892, William attempted
to steal a victory from the marshal
who had SO repeatedly beaten him.
Having forced a spy to persuade Lux
emburgh that the Allies meant only
to forage, he made an attack on the
French camp; then placed between
Steenkirk and Enghein. Wirtemburg
and Mackay had actually penetrated
the French camp ere Luxemburgh
mounted his horse. But, so rapid were
his movements, so skillfully did he
divide the Allies and crush Wirtem-
burg ere Count Solmes could help him,
that the enemy was driven off with the
loss Of 5000 men, and many colors
and cannon. Sarsfield, who command
ed the Brigade that day, was public
1y thanked for his conduct. In March,
1893, he was made a Mareschal de
Camp.
But his proud career was drawing to
close. He was slain on July %. 1898,
at Landen, heading his countrymen in
the van Of victory. He could not have
died better. His last thoughts were
for his country. AS he lay on the
field unhelmed and dying, he put his
hand to his breast. When he took
it away, it was full of his best blood.
Looking at it sadly with an eye in
which victory shone moment before,
he said family, ooh! that this blood
were for Ireland" He said no more;
and history records no nobler saying,
nor more becoming death.
In January, 1902, occurred the ia
nous rescue of Cremona. Villeroy
succeeded Catinat in August, 17O1,
and, having with his usual rashness
attacked Eugene's camp at Chiari, he
was defeated. Both parties retired
early to winter quarters, Eugene en-
camping so as to blockade Mantua.
While thus placed he opened an in
trlgue with one Cassoli, of Cremona,
where villeroy had his headquarters.
An old aqueduct passed under Casso'
LIS house, and he had it cleared of mud
and weeds by the authorities, under
pretence that his house was injured
for want of drainage. Having opened
this way, he got several of Eugene's
grenadiers into the town disguised