Norwich bulletin., 1922-08-24

Cork, Aug 23 (By. the |. P)-Mi- chael Collins fell fighting to the last what seemed at first an overwhelming force of irregulars who ambushed his little party in a wild mountain roSo tween MacRoon and Bandon
 The commander -in-chief of the na- tional army had been visiting Cork, and accompanied by the members of his headouarers staff. left at six o'clock'l Tuesday morning to inspect the military positions south of Cork. He was es- carted, by a light armored ear and a lor-ry carrying soldiers. Altogether the party is believed to have numbered about a score. including General Sean O'Conne1l. commander of tho body guard. and Major General Dalton, com mander of the Free State troops in Cork.
 A despatch rider preceded the large touring car with Collins and other of- ficers then followed whippet arnor- ed car, while an ordinary open tender brought up the rear. The party visited nearly all the posts to the south of Cork occupied by the national army, among them Skibbereen. Ross Carberry and Clonakiity; at each place the off, cer commanding was interviewed and the party was enthusiastically greeted Owing to the Interruption of com 1 munleation by the man road the party l towards evening took a roundabout route for Cork from Bandon. Bealna- blath which is eight miles from Mac
 Room. lies to the south of the main
 road on the south side of the river Lee in hilly rugged district While pro
 ceedng by road near this village at 6.So
 in the evening the party was ambushed | by about two hundred irregulars. l The battle opened with a few shots ! fred by the attacking forces; the na- tionals were taken by surprise. and one of the first bullets nearly struck Collin: before his car stopped. missing him only by an inch or two. The nationals hast fly dismounted and General Collins him self assumed leadership. 4 hail of bur
 lets sweeping the road left him quit
 unmoved his first thought being for tn
 safety of his men, whom he ordered t' take cover at the fences on both side of the road
 At the very outset the deDatch ride in front was badly wounded in tn
 lungs. ana under the direction of tn
 ommander-n-ctlief was removed | ! temporary safety Then the national fsettled down to reply the fire. and tn , fact that they were faced by far super l for numbers did not daant either Colin or his officers. and wfthin a few minute
 the attack deve,ored into a grim er
 gagement fercely contested.
 } Every man of the anbushed part : had been tried repeatedly and ha , proved his bravery and coolness in aC tion. and all of them showed -s.eadines T n the battle which lasted close to a
 hour It was in the-vsry last stage
 that Michael Collins vas killed. IL ,, asserted that the careful well directe X fire of the nationals took heavy toll. large number of irregula-s being kIlle
 or wounded.
 T For forty-five minutes the only ca
 ualty on the side of the nationals VIZ
 the despatch rider The fighting W; J. nearly ended and the irresulars were ( l. the point of retreating. defeated desps J their overwhelming numbers and ac le vantageous position, and the firing hi y become less intense. when suddenly co lins fell. It was obvious that he h.
 heen mortally wounded. but, notTit 'y standing this he still fired from | Y ground and encouraged his men by r. unfinching bravery.
 ot In feeble voice the commander as --i ed for Ma jor General Dalton. and Ds
 ton and General O'Connell. both great TO they whispered few prayers and T iq cited the act of contrition before [ d general passed away. His body was s moved under fire to the armored car. The irregulars were by now in
 treat. leaving many dead and wound
 on the fled. The nationals were obig es to leave the touring car. taking th' m dead chiefs hody if rne armored c; In which reached Cork about midnight.