The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-06-28
BATTLE BEGAN AT DAWN
Reinforcements From Provinces
Summoned by Rory o'Con-
nor, Insurgent Leader. .
BRITISH TROOPS ARE READY
IA Casualties Suffered by COL
lins' Men-No Estimate
Made of Losses.
BY GEORGE McDONAUGH,
United Press Correspondent.

DUBLIN. June 2s.-Irish Republic
sr insurgents were driven from parts
, Of the Four Courts this afternoon by
Free State troops who stormed the
rebel stronghold under cover Of heavy
artillery fire.
Late In the afternoon Free State
artillery opened fire on the -Four
Courts with field guns.
4 huge quantity OF geiEnite was
known to be stored in the rebel
stronghold and a disastrous explosion
was feared.
The insurgents under Rory O'Con-
nor were reported clinglng desperately
TO positions in the rear Of the -Four
Court buildings.
Great Holes In Walls
Great gaps began TO appear in walls
and roofs OF the Four Courts build
ing under q constant hail Of shell fire
and high explosive shells sent walls
Nand roofs Of the massive buildings
crunbling about the heads Of the de
tenders. TIE gates Of the Four
Courts were blown of. Huge sections
Of the structures crashed beneath
shocks Of heavy sheuhre. The great
copper dome fell IN. The insurgents
defense was stubborn.
Rebel troops. forced from q strong
hold In Fowler Hall when that build
ing was burned down, captured two
hotels In Lower Gardiner St. They
hastily barricaded doors and windows.
creating another danger zone in the
heart Of the city.
While this attack was IN progress.
starting with the thunder of cannon
beginning at dawn, insurgent bands
seized hotels, clubs and houses in
Rutland Square, and the civil war
spread to other centers. After ex-
piration of an ultimstum from
Michael Collins TO the rebels. calling
upon them to evacuate. Free States
attack was launched.
Casualties Reported Heavy
An unconfrmed report spread that
the insurgent commander. O'Connor
had been wounded. Casualties were
said to be heavy on both sides. Four
teen Free Staters were taken TO hos
pitals, where two died Of wounds.
he rebel casualties could not be
estimated.
Inhabitants of the Four Courts
quarter Of Dublin fled from the dis
trict and were given aid in other
parts of the Irish capital
Free State troops pushed their at
tack against the rebel stronghold with
machine guns. eighteen-opnders.
bombs and hand granades. Snipers
from roofs of the Four Courts replied
to this fire.
Fire broke out In Fowler Hall this
afternoon. Despite the flames. the
rebels kept UP a fierce defense against
the Free State troops assault
Machine guns, commanding all ap-
proaches to Four Courts, were fred at
the attacking party. It is known that
the insurgents possess a large supply
of explosives.
Collins Issues Order
/. -. Collins Immediately called a meet
ing of his. cabinet and issued an Ill
timatum that lawlessness in Ireland
must cease. following an order from
Lloyd George.
His first step was to arrest Com
mandant Henderson, who was garri-
soned in Four Courts. Henderson
was taken without resistance yester-
day. The insurgents then captured
Lr-utenant General O'Conneu. assist
and chief of the staff of the estate,
and are now holding him as hostage
British troops quartered in Dublin
took no part in the fighting. but were
held in readiness to assist the Free
State troops if Collins should call for
them.
A British light cruiser and several
destroyers cruised about off Dublin
and Cork. ready If needed.
Several civilians were killed and a