The Irish standard., 1904-08-06

Taghmon, whence he sent on to Wex-
| ford an advance guard of eighty
eight men, with two howitzer guns
and an ammunition wagon, the whole
being commanded by Captain Adams,
of the Meath Militia. EARLY on the
morning of the 3Oth party of the
insurgents intercepted and almost an
initiated this detachment, and also de-
feated Colonel Maxwell, who came to
its relief. This defeat-which took
place at Three Rocks, about half way
between Wexford and Taghmon-so
disguised the garrison at Wexford
that they Immediately evacuated the
town, of which the Irish at once took
possession. Upon the approach of
| the insurgents" says NIitchelrs His
tory of Ireland" ''the confusion and
| dismay We're excessive; the few re-
maining officers and privates ran con-
fuscdly through the town, threw off
their uniforms, and hid themselves
wherever their fears suggested. Some
ran for boats to convey them off, and
threw their arms and ammunition into
the water. Some, from an insult
| ficiency of mems clothes, assumed
female attire for the purpose of dis
guise.' \ provincial government was
Immediately established, with Bagenal
Reauchamp Harvey-a Protestant
as COMMUNICATIVE chief.
On June 4th one contingent under
Harvey attacked New Ross, where
they were first successful, but We're
MISUNDERSTANDING wasted their time
in drinking-defeated with loss of
$500 men. On the same day, Father
Murphy marched on Corey with about
10000 men, most of whom had pixies,
very few being armed with muskets
He had no artillery, until he captured
three guns with their ammunition
from Colonel Walpole, who was de-
feated and killed. Corey was then
taken, and the next two days were
spent in drilling. On theaath of June
Carnew was taken, and OF the 9th an
unsuccessful attack was made on Ark
low. After this the tide began to
turn. The Irish, weakened by death,
disease and exposure, concentrated on
Vinegar Hill, near Enniscorthy, where
they We're attacked on the morning of
June Dist by General Lake with
10000 troops. The Irish, who had
only 1000 firearms amongst them, the
majority being armed with pixies and
pitchforks, made Il brave defence.
Lake ordered his generals-Dundas,
Ncellam, LOTUS and Johnson-to
move on the hill from four points, so
| that the insurgents would have very
little chance of escape The cavalry
We're kept in reserve to pursue and
cut to pieces any fugitives who might
happen to break through. But Cen
ernl Nerdham arrived with his column
through which the Irish could escape.
but through which cavalry and artil-
lcry could not follow them. At last
the fight began. "It was astonishing
with what fortitllde the peasantry. un-
covered. stood the tremendous fire
opened upon four sides of their posi-
tinn." says Mitchell. "A stream of
shells and grape WAS poured on the
multitude: the leaders encouraged
thrm hy their "Nhortations. the
women hy their cries. and every shell
that l'rn.ie amongst them was received
with shouts of defiance. Their cannon
WAS nearly useless. their powder de-
i;rent. but they died fighting at their
posts Tho survivors. seeing that
defeat WAS inevitable. broke through
"Nr"lhnm's Cap" and made for WeX-
ford. where they rested that night.
On June 81 a body of Irish under
Father John Murphy marched towards
Castlecomer. defeating the Wexford
Militia and the Fourth Dragons at
Gorcsbridgc. At ten O'Clock on the
morning of the 24tll-having first de-
feutetl an English force at Coolbawn-
they attacked Castlccomer, but were
rcpllscd after four hours fighting.
They then marched towards New
bridge, but on the 25th they were de-
feated at Kilcloney by Sir Charles
.Asgill. who afterwards murdered a
hundred and forty of the inhabitants
On the 26th Father Murphy was cap
tured at Taghmon. and brought be-
| fore General Duff at Tallow. Here
he was tried by court-martial, flogged
and hanged-his head being cut Off
and stuck on a spike in the market
placc-.Iune Goth, 179S.
MCGOWAN 4 MahOney. fire Insurance.