the university OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY From the collection of James Collins, Drumcondra, Ireland. Purchased, 1918. 34-1.5T HS'Z-h 164 '! * . HISTORY OF THE IRISH INSURRECTION OF 1798, GIVING AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS BATTLES FOUGHT BETWEEN THE INSURGENTS AND THE KING’S ARMY, AND A GENUINE HISTORY OF TRANSACTIONS PRECEDING THAT EVENT. BY EDWARD HAY, ESQ., MEMBER OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY. “I will a round, unvarnished tale deliver.” “Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice.” Shakspeare. DUBLIN : PUBLISHED BY JAMES DUFFY, 10, WELLINGTON-QUAY. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL AND CO. STATIONERS’ HALL COURT. 1847 . Printed by T. Colwell, 50, Capel-street, Dublin V\ CONTENTS. Gf Page. Geographical description of the county of Wexford 13 Institution of the Volunteers of Ireland '. . 22 Meeting of the county on the 22d of September, 1792 26 on the 11th of January, 1793 27 Riots in the year 1793 , . ■ . .31 Meeting of the county on the ’23d of March, 1795, on the recall of Earl Fitzwilliam . 36 Loss of the former independence of the county of Wexford . . . . . . 39 Melancholy effects produced by the riots in the county of Armagh, in 1795 . . .42 Causes of the present state of Ireland . . 44 Conduct of the troops in Ireland censured by Sir Ralph Abercromby, commander-in-chief . 50 Proclamation of sixteen parishes in the county of Wexford, 28th November, 1797 . . .52 Conduct of the North Cork militia on their arrival in the county of Wexford . . . . 56 The whole of the county of Wexford proclaimed on the 27th of April, 1798 . . . 60 Meeting of the magistrates of the county, 23d of May 67 Sudden insurrection on the 27th of May . . 81 Battle of Oulart, on the 27th of May * . . 82 Battle at Enniscorthy, 28th of May ... 83 Retreat of the troops to Wexford — general confusion 86 Deputation to the insurgents on Vinegar Hill . 90 Defeat at the Three-rocks — surrender and abandon- ment of Wexford to the insurgents, on the 30th May . . . . . . 98 Conduct of the troops on their retreat to Duncan- non Fort . . . . . . .104 General arrangements of the insurgents^ . .115 JtC 90 iv CONTENTS. Page. Abandonment of Gorey — conduct of the inhabi- tants . . . . . .118 Battles of Newtownbarry and Ballycanow, on the 1st of June, 1798 . . . .119 Lord Kingsborough, Captains O’Hea and Bourke taken prisoners, 2d of June . . .122 Battle of Clough or Tubberneering, 4th of June . 128 Battle of Ross, 5th of June . . .130 Dreadful abomination at Scullabogue . .134 Battle of Arklow, 9th of June • . .153 Attack at Borris . . . . .160 Proposals of accommodation from Lord Kings- borough, 14th of June . . . .164 Skirmish at Tinnahely, 16th of June . ,167 Insurgents surprised on Lacken Hill — their retreat, 19 th 169 Critical situation of Wexford — dreadful massacre ! ! ! 173 Battle of Horetown or Fooks’s-mill, 20th . .190 Battle of Enniscor thy, 21st . . .191 Wexford surrendered to Lord Kingsborough — his conduct and dispatches . . . .194 Major-general Moore’s approach to Wexford, 21st . 201 Pursuit of the insurgents from Gorey, and their pro- gress out of the county . 207 Trials and executions in Wexford . . . 209 Progress of the Wexford insurgents in the counties of Carlow and Kilkenny . . . 213 Progress of the Wexford insurgents in the county of Wicklow . . . . .215 Progress of the Wexford insurgents closed by sur- render ...... 220 Commanders and court-martials appointed . 221 Conduct of General Hunter — his superior discrimi- nation . . . . . . 224 Intended extermination of the inhabitants of the Macomores ..... 236 Conduct of the people on the landing of the French at Killala ..... 233 Conflagration of a Protestant church and Catholic chapels ...<•• Conclusion 243 252 THE IRISH REBELLION. Before entering on the narrative of the late insurrec- tion in the county of Wexford — the causes that produced it, and its calamitous consequences — I think it necessary to give a general sketch of its geography and local cir- cumstances, together with a short topographical outline of its boundaries, principal rivers, harbours, and re- markable places, to render references more easy and obvious ; adding the estimate of its computed population in 1788, stated by Mr. Bushe, in the transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, and published in 1790. The county of Wexford is a maritime tract on the south-eastern coast of Ireland, taking the utmost limits within the fifty- third degree of north latitude, and between the sixth and seventh of longitude west from London ; being about thirty-nine miles long, from north to south, and twenty-four broad, from west to east ; bounded on the north mostly by the county of Wicklow, and in a very small part (towards the west) by the county of Carlow ; on the east and south, by that part of the Atlantic Ocean, denominated the Irish Sea, or St. George’s Channel ; and on the west, from north to south, partly by the county of Carlow, and partly by the Barrow, a fine navigable river, deemed second only to the Shannon in Ireland, which divides it from the counties of Kilkenny and Waterford. In a direction B 14 HISTORY OF THE from south-west to north-east, the boundaries of the county of Wexford, between it and the county of Carlow, are the long ridges of mountains called Black Stairs and Mount Leinster, which are divided by the defile of Scollagh-gap, the only high road into it from the Barrow to the Slaney, at Newtownbarry, which to- gether with Clonegal two miles farther up, is situated partly in the county of Carlow, and partly in the county of Wexford ; but, southward of the county Wicklow, a chain of lofty mountains, opening with different defiles, rivers, and high hills, form a strong natural barrier to the county of Wexford, which, thus physically fortified by sea and land, appears naturally formed into a dis- trict, which it has certainly been by all ancient divisions of the country, whether ecclesiastical, civil, or military. The bishopric of Ferns, one of the oldest in Ireland, founded in the latter end of the sixth century, is nearly co- extensive with the county, only a small strip of land about Carnew, in the county of Wicklow, forming a part of the diocess of Ferns, while the see of Glenda- lough includes two parishes in the neighbourhood of Coolgreny, in the county of Wexford. The English adventurers having first landed here under Fitzstephen, in the reign of Henry the Second of England, to assist in the restoration of M ‘Morragh, king of Leinster, it became the strongest military station of the invaders, while they were endeavouring to establish themselves in the country, and was one of the first demarked counties of the English pale. Wexford is sixty-four miles distant from Dublin, called by the old natives Loch-Garmain, by the Danish invaders Weifsford , and after them by the English, Wexford ; is the capital, or shire and assize town of the county, situated in a hollow beneath a rising hill, with a southern aspect, at the mouth of the beautiful river Slaney, which rises in the county of Wicklow, takes a southern direction, with little variation from Newtown- barry, till it passes some miles below Enniscorthy, then shapes its course from west to east, and empties itself by the harbour of Wexford, into the Irish Sea, or St. George’s Channel. This harbour is formed by two nar- row necks of land, bending towards each other like two IRISH REBELLION. 15 arms closing after an extension from the body, which appearance the river’s mouth assumes by its banks, not very unlike the old Piraeus of Athens. The extremities of these peninsulas, denominated the Raven on the north, and Roslare on the south, form the entrance into the harbour, which is about half a mile broad, defended by a fort erected at the point of Roslare. The harbour itself, in superficial appearance, and from the view of a delightfully expanded sheet of water, must be considered extremely beautiful ; but, unfortunately, it is so shal- low, that vessels drawing more than eleven feet of water cannot enter it, being impeded by a bar which is com tinually shifting. The harbour, however, is certainly capable of vast improvement ; and, from its situation, attention to this object must prove of great national im- portance. Wexford was formerly possessed of some general traffic, but now it is nearly limited to the corn tradrj ; and the manufacture of malt is so considerable, that this district was some years ago computed to pro- duce one-fourth of the revenue raised on that article in Ireland. The town is surrounded by its ancient wall, still perfect, except at the public entrances, which have been broken down for public convenience. The ruins of churches and abbeys are to be seen, which even in neglect and decay, exhibit marks of ancient magnifi- cence ; and the Protestant church, Roman Catholic chapel, market-house, and barracks, buildings which are not inferior to those of other places, of equal, or perhaps superior importance. The general appearance of the town is, however, very indifferent, the streets be- ing very narrow, and having but few good houses ; yet it is in a state of improvement, and when the quay shall be filled in and well banked, an operation now in pro- gress, it will, in all likelihood, induce people to pay more attention to the art of building, as the situation is inviting. The remarkable wooden bridge built in 1795, over the mouth of the Slaney, leading northward from the town, is undoubtedly a very great curiosity, being fifteen hundred and fifty-nine feet long, with a portcullis, and thirty-four feet wide through its whole extent, with a toll-house at each extremity. On each side are foot- ways, ornamented with Chinese railings supported by 16 HISTORY OF THE strong bars. There are also two recesses, with seats for shelter against sudden showers ; for it is the beau ivalh of the town, and thus contributes much to the tolls col- lected to defray the expense of the building. About two miles up the river, there is also another wooden bridge with a portcullis, at a place called Carrig, where the first square castle built in Ireland was reared by Fitz- stephen after the landing of Strongbow. Many other castles are to be seen throughout the county, particu- larly in the baronies of Forth and Bargy. There do not at present exist any traces of round towers ; but there are innumerable Danish forts and raths. Wexford re- turns one member to the imperial parliament. Taghmon is on the road from Wexford to Boss, at the foot of the mountain of Forth. It lies inland — has a market, fairs, and a post-office, also the remains of an old castle, and is surrounded by good lands. New Boss, sixty-seven miles from Dublin, and nine- teen west of Wexford, is situated on the Barrow, and well stationed for trade, in which it is rapidly improv- ing, as well as in the appearance of the town itself, which has been greatly retarded from the want of proper en- couragement. It is built on the side of a hill, com- manding a beautiful view of the river and part of the county of Kilkenny, the passage to which, over it, is by a fine wooden bridge, from the upper part of the quay, with a portcullis, foot-ways, Chinese railings, and re- cesses in the centre. Here are the ruins of abbeys and some churches ; part of one of the latter now forms the Protestant church. The old town walls were standing until lately, and their partial destruction was much regretted on the attack of the insurgents in June, 1798. It re- turns a member to parliament. Enniscorthy lies fifty-eight miles from Dublin, fifteen from Boss, eleven from Wexford by land, and fourteen by the windings of the Slaney, which waters it, and whose banks are unrivalled in beauty ; but it is to be lamented that its navigation has not been attended to, as, at a small expense, it could be so improved as to render Enniscorthy a very flourishing town, which also feels the disadvantage of not possessing the fostering care of a resident landlord. It would be a most excel IRISH REBELLION. 17 lent situation for carrying on any kind of manufacture. When woods were in greater abundance in Ireland, it was remarkable for its iron works, some of which are still existing near it ; there now remain the extensive woods of Kilaughram in its neighbourhood. The town now exhibits a melancholy picture of the devastation consequent on civil war, being mostly destroyed during the insurrection in 1798, which, among other effects, has occasioned its not being, what it otherwise would have been, one of the representative towns of Ireland. A fine old castle is still in tolerable repair, and the town is rebuilding very fast. Gorey, or Newborough, is forty-two miles from Dub- lin, nine from Arklow, twenty- two miles north of Wex- ford, and fifteen from Enniscorthy. It lies inland, has little or no trade but what arises from fairs and markets, and is a post-town. Ferns lies six miles from Enniscorthy, and nine from Gorey ; is a bishop’s see, since the Reformation united to Leighlin in the Protestantv but never annexed in the Catholic church. It was founded by St. Maod’og, (pro- nounced by the inhabitants, and written at this day, St. Mogue, ) in reverence of whom the primacy of Leinster was transferred to it from Kildare, towards the latter end of the sixth century. Part of the very large old church, now grand even in ruin, dedicated to him as first bishop, constitutes the present cathedral. His sepulchre is even still preserved and in good repair, in part of the parent church, having been rescued from obscurity by one of the late bishops. The episcopal palace is contiguous to the town, and its principal ornament. Here also stand the ruins of an abbey, and of the memorable castle of Dermod M‘Morragh, king of Leinster, whither, as his principal residence, he retired with the beauteous and fatal Dervorgal, daughter of O’Malfechlin, king of Meath, and wife of O’Rorke, prince of Breifny, now denomi- nated the county of Leitrim, from whom, by every wily contrivance, he is said to have seduced and persuaded her to elope with him, which eventually produced one of the most momentous epochs, as marked with one of the greatest and most serious revolutions that occurs in the history of Ireland, producing a complete and total change 13 HISTORY OF THE in its laws, customs, government, and proprietors ; and, in a great extent, even in its population ; and, finally, in our own days, in its imperial dominion and indepen- dence. This libertine and licentious deed introduced the adventuring Anglo-Norman chiefs, at the head of the Welch or British and English invaders ; who, by long and persevering efforts, established a transcendant ascen- dancy in Ireland. For Dermod, odious as notorious for other acts of tyranny and violence, attracted, by this flagitious crime, the aggravated execration and resent- ment of Roderick O’Connor, the reigning monarch, as well as of all the other chiefs and princes of the land ; who, making common cause against the execrable out- rage, forced him out of the island, whither he ere long returned, introducing those invaders (from one of whom I am myself descended,) who ultimately succeeded in its utter reduction. Hence it cannot be fantastical to deem, in similitude, Dermod the Paris, Dervorgal the Helen, Ferns the Troy, and the Anglo-Norman and Welch ad- venturers, the Greeks of Ireland, and were there another Homer in existence, he might rejoice in having a second equivalent subject to display anew his powers. At all events, the Irish have to exclaim in sympathy with the Trojans in Virgil, from a similarity of circumstances — “ fnimus Troes, fait Ilium et ingens Gloria Teucrorum .” “For there were Irish — they possessed dominion — they were greatly renowned — but they are now no more !” The English, when established in the baronies of Forth and Bargy, willing to extend their dominion over the whole county of Wexford, encountered vigorous resist- ance. Forced by various oppressions, the natives rose under a youthful hero of the ancient royal blood, Arthur M‘Murcliad O’Cavanagli, who defeated them in several rencounters, and brought the pale to the verge of de- struction. On this occasion, Richard II. of England has- tened to its assistance with forty thousand men ; but foiled and defeated by the Leinster chieftain, he was glad to purchase present safety by a dishonourable peace ; IRISH REBELLION. 19 and, perhaps, this expedition was the cause of his losing both life and crown. The chiefs of the pale, after re- peated and fruitless contests, in which the best English generals were defeated, thought themselves happy in ob- taining toleration to remain in Ireland, on condition of paying a yearly tribute to the chieftain of Leinster. This tax is well known under the name of Black Rent, which continued to be paid until the reign of Henry VIII. In fine, the inhabitants of that quarter of Ireland, including Wexford, were always remarkable for their bravery ; and, in latter times, the Wexfordians had the firmness and courage to resist Cromwell, after the rest of the island was intimidated, partly by the fame, and partly by the experience of his cruelties and victories. Were it not for these circumstances, Ferns would at present excite little consideration, being otherwise mean and of little importance. Bunclody, now Newtownbarry, is situated partly in the county of Wexford, and partly in the county of Car- low, forty-nine miles from Dublin, and ten north of En- niscorthy on the Slaney, where the situation is admirably beautiful ; and although Newtownbarry cannot assume the name of a town, in its strictest sense, it is incompa- rable as a village. Its importance in a military point of view, pronounces it one of the principal keys of the county of Wexford. Feathard, Bannow, and Clomines, were boroughs, but long since have fallen into decay ; the silver and lead mines in their neighbourhood, when worked, made them of some consequence. The high and extensive mountains of Black Stairs and Mount Leinster, already mentioned, separate the county of Carlow from the county of Wexford ; as Croghan mountain, with others of inferior note, divide the latter from the county of Wicklow. Within the county itself are the mountains of Forth, between Wexford and Tagh- mon ; as are Camarus, Carrigbyrne, Slieykeltra, and Brie, between Ross, Taghmon, and Enniseorthy ; Slieye- buy, which rises conically, and Carrigew, near Ferns, and Tara Hill, north of Gorey : intermixed with several small hills and eminences, forming an undulative ap- pearance, in such a manner that no part of the county 20 HISTORY OF THE can be termed level, except the baronies of Forth and Bargy, south of the town of Wexford. On the southern coast are two bays, of little note but their superficial ap- pearance — those of Bally tiegue and Bannow, into the latter of which runs the river of that name, which is pass- able at the point called the Scar, at low water. The Saltee Islands, round which there is a considerable lobster and crab fishery, and which in the times of falconry were famous for producing the most excellent hawks, lie nine miles off the coast, opposite the bay of Ballytiegue. Duncannon fort is a military station on the shore, com- manding the entrance of the Barrow, of which and the Slaney there is sufficient mention and observation made already: and surely of “ Bannow' s Banks'' we have heard enough. On the Barrow are three ferries, between the county of Wexford and those of Kilkenny and Wa- terford : the two first are, one at Mountgarret, above Ross, and another at Ballinlaw, below Ross, into the county of Kilkenny ; the third is below the confluence of the Suir and Barrow, between the trifling villages of Bally hack, in the county of Wexford, and Passage, in the county of Waterford. The Bann rises in the county of Wicklow, passes by Ferns, and joins the Slaney above Enniscorthy. Lough Tra, or the Lake of the Ladies’ Island, is very singularly circumstanced ; it receives into its bosom two or three small rivulets, whose currents, however, are not strong enough to force a passage in opposition to a powerful tide rushing directly against them, and conti- nually drifting quicksand, which accumulates so as to form the southern bank of the lake. This every three or four years occasions an inundation of the adjacent country, obliging the people with vast labour to open a way through the mound for the collected waters to dis- embogue ; but this is soon choked up again by the like agglomeration as before. The lake of Tacumshin is nearly adjoining, but the currents with which it is sup- plied not being so abundant as the former, the task of letting out the waters does not occur for many years to- gether. The ruins of several abbeys appear throughout the county ; but those that preserve the greatest remains of IRISH REBELLION. 21 magnificence are, Dunbrody, Tintern, and one in Wex- ford, founded by the Earl of Pembroke, Eitzstephen, and De Moresco. From this stock the family of Morres in Ireland claims descent. In Wexford there were two other abbeys also. The rest we take in the order of precedence from the best authorities. Clomines ; Dune, on the little river Derry ; the abbey of St. Mary’s in Ferns ; St. Mary’s of Glass-carrig, or Green rock, on the sea-coast ; Hore-town, near Fookes’s mill ; one at Ennis- corthy, and another at the village of St. J ohn’s, not far distant from that town ; Kilclogan, on the Barrow, below Dunbrody ; and two at Ross, of Minorets and Augustins. The county of Wexford contains eight baronies — namely, Gorey, Scarawalsh, Ballaghkeen, Bantry, Shel- maliere, Shelburne, Bargy, and Forth, in which are one hundred and forty-two parishes ; and the acreable extent of the whole is computed to be three hundred and forty- two thousand nine hundred, or five hundred and thirty- five square miles. Its population, according to Mr. Bushe’s estimate, taking the houses to be twenty thousand four hundred and forty-eight, is one hundred and thirty- two thousand nine hundred and twelve inhabitants. The town of Wexford itself contains one thousand four hun- dred and twelve houses, and upwards of nine thousand souls ; but I apprehend the population is underrated by Mr. Bushe, as I hope to be enabled to show at a future period. The county of Wexford has been long remarkable for the peaceable demeanour of its inhabitants ; and their good behaviour and industry have been held out as ex- emplary for other parts of Ireland : so little and so seldom infested with disturbance or riots of any kind, that an execution for a capital crime rarely took place there ; and in the calendar of its criminals, it has as few on record as any part either of Great Britain or Ireland. This county bore such reputation that landed property was considered of higher value in it, than in many other parts of this country : purchasers not hesitating to advance some years’ rental more for lands in the county of Wex- ford, than for the like in most other parts of Ireland. Even at the time that different parts of the nation were disturbed by the riots of whiteboys, &c. they scarcely 22 HISTORY OF THE made their appearance here, owing to the vigilance and exertions of the gentlemen of the county. These formed an armed association at Enniscorthy, for the preservation of the peace, under the command of Sir Yesey Colclough ; and this association afterwards became a corps of volun- teers, the first of the kind in the land ; and thus can the county of Wexford boast of having set the example, and of being the first to promote the illustrious institution of the volunteers of Ireland. Having set so conspicuous a prece- dent, the volunteers of the county of Wexford, by their printed resolutions, fully coincided with those of all other parts of the nation ; and, in the spirit of the times, adopt- ed the memorable resolutions of the meeting at Dungan- non, and sent their deputation to the grand provincial meeting of Leinster, assembled at the guild-hall in thethol- selof Dublin, on Thursday the 9thof October, 1783, and af- terwards to the general convention of the volunteers of Ire- land, held at the Rotundaonthe 10th November following. The liberality of the times invited men of all persua- sions to the volunteer ranks — Catholics stood by their Protestant fellow-soldiers in the glorious cause, and proved themselves worthy of the liberal confidence that dictated their admission, which the existing laws did not strictly sanction. Amidst this general spirit of toleration, how- ever, I am sorry to remark that there was no admission for a Catholic among the volunteers of the county of Wexford — a circumstance the more remarkable, as it was the only county in Ireland that exclusively held up this prejudice. There were, indeed, some Catholic gentle- men of the county of Wexford volunteers ; but they be- longed to corps in other counties, and on this account their number was but inconsiderable, as few of them could undergo the expense, or waste the time necessary for at- tending meetings out of their own county ; and thus the great body were prevented from manifesting their senti- ments to the extent of their wishes. This exclusion, as unwise as impolitic, must be attributed to that bane of society, the odious prejudice of religious bigotry, so generally inculcated in early youth, and blended with education ; which sad experience proves to have been so fatal to the interest of Ireland, the perpetual bar to her otherwise infallible prosperity. If men would but so far IRISH REBELLION. 23 divest themselves of prejudice, and indulge sentiments of Christian charity, as not to avoid the society of their fellow-men on account of a difference in religious opinion, the great advantage would be soon perceptible. It would be quickly found that uncharitable principles could not be cherished by any denomination of people professing the religion of peace and love — the delusion would vanish, and the unhallowed monster of bigotry and prejudice would soon be abhorred and abandoned. Every man of serious and feeling mind must think it a very awful mis- fortune to be born and reared in a country, where the great majority of the people is an object of hatred and horror to most of the superior order. A person of high rank, entertaining unfavourable sentiments of a commu- nity, must prove a horrible scourge to a nation. The balance of justice may be placed in his hands, while his prejudice must inevitably prevent its impartial adminis- tration ; for it is the nature of prejudice to warp and supersede all other affections, so far even as to pervert the fair dictates of moral truth and of mild and generous humanity. Alas ! that Ireland should verify the reflec- tion ! But let our regret avert our contemplation, and direct our view to better prospects. Since the time of volunteering, till of late, nothing very remarkable happened in the county of Wexford. It continued to flourish from the memorable period of 1782 with the same progressive improvement of the na- tion at large, still holding up its pre-eminence in the value of landed property. The peasantry were certainly more comfortably situated here than in most parts of Ireland south of Dublin, but far from enjoying the hap- piness experienced by the like class of people in other countries ; and although their condition was less wretched than that of the greater portion of their countrymen, yet this amelioration must be attributed more to their own industry, than to any encouragement or indulgence of their landlords. Many gentlemen becoming needy by dissipation and extravagance, feel indispensable necessity to support accustomed luxury by wresting occasional supplies from the hard labour of a wretched and depen- dent tenantry, whose calamitous appearance (enough to send horror to the soul of humanity) is unnoticed in the 24 HISTORY OF THE general view of misery and distress which Ireland exhi- bits as a singular and melancholy spectacle to the world. Such are the men who detest the simple hind that cul- tivates their lands, and who calumniate to other countries the subdued and crawling peasant of their own — whose ears are to he gratified, whose hearts are cheerfully de- lighted by a defamatory, rancorous, and indiscriminate re viling of their countrymen — calumnies that, if directed against their fellow-natives, would excite horror and in- dignation in the breasts of the gentry of any other coun- try in Europe, or perhaps on the globe. In Ireland, a good and kind landlord is a rare blessing ; and a traveller, in his passage through the country, must readily distinguish the fostering care and benevolent superintendence of such, wherever to he found. It is easy to gain the affections of the Varm-hearted Irish. If a person of rank deigns but to pay them those attentions which are accounted but common care of the lower classes in other countries, he is universally beloved ; and on his approach delight beams on the countenance of the neighbourhood around him ; so that it is much to be won- dered at, that more are not found to purchase at so easy a rate the love and attachment of a generous and inge- nuous people. This, however, the generality of land- lords forfeit for a rack-rent on their lands ; and not unfrequently even some who may feel a better disposition, see their lands occupied by a still more miserable pea- santry if possible, and incur equal disgrace with the unrelenting, by parcelling out, to support a false con- sequence, their estates in freeholds to middle-men — a set of harpies so hardened, as to view with the coldest un- concern the most distressing scenes of misery ; who hold it meritorious to wrest the last farthing from the toilsome and laborious industry of starved and naked wretched- ness. This evil was most severely felt by the Catholics, who could not, till very lately, become freeholders ; and the grievance arose from their being deprived of the right of elective franchise, which constituted the lower Pro- testants middle-men. By the restoration of this right, however, it is to be hoped that, by degrees, as leases shall fall in to the landlords, they will be induced, even by self-interest, to multiply their freeholders, by setting IRISH REBELLION. 25 their lands to the occupiers of the soil ; and this will prevent the intercourse of landlord and tenant from being intercepted by the hated interference of the odious tribe of middle-men, and restore some degree of comfort and happiness to the people at large. Some years ago, the proprietors of land in the baro- nies of Forth and Bargy determined themselves to farm the soil occupied by their tenants, who were on this ac- count obliged to seek out new situations in other parts of the county of Wexford. Their approved mode of tillage was soon adopted in the several neighbourhoods where they settled, and through them a new spirit of industry was generally diffused, and the face of the country assumed an appearance of much superior advan - tage to its former state. For although the county of Wexford produces vast quantities of grain, particularly barley, it is obtained more through the industry of the cultivators, than from the fertility of the soil, whose bar- renness is overcome by the labour and exertions of the inhabitants. The baronies of Forth and Bargy are occu- pied by the descendants of an English colony, who came over with Strongbow, in the reign of Henry II. They have ever since, in the course of upwards of six hundred years, lived entirely, with little or no admixture, within themselves. Until of late years it was a rare thing to find a man among them that had ever gone farther from home than Wexford. They have even preserved their language, probably without alteration or improvement, as may be presumed, if not absolutely concluded from this fact — that although there was no regular intercourse kept up between these and a sister colony from Wales, who at the same time settled at Fingal, in the county of Dublin, and have continued of similar unmixed habits, yet upon the accidental meeting of individuals from both places, they can completely understand each other. Early in the year 1792, the Catholics of Ireland were invited by a circular letter, inserted in the public papers, signed Edward Byrne, to depute from all the counties and principal towns, delegates to meet in Dublin, to frame a petition to the king for a redress of the grievances under which they laboured. The Catholics of the county of Wexford elected delegates, according to the plan proposed, 26 HISTORY OF THE the July following, and the whole kingdom at the same time made like returns. Resolutions of many grand juries and corporations were published soon after, repro- bating this circular letter. Counties were assembled for the purpose of joining in the outcry. The county of Wexford was convened on the 22d of September, by Mr. Derenzy, the high sheriff, to take into consideration this circular letter of the general committee of the Catholics of Ireland, signed Edward Byrne. The court was opened at one o’clock, when Mr. Maxwell was about to produce resolutions, but the Hon. Francis Hutchinson having first risen, and being in possession of the chair, after a fhanly and eloquent speech of some length, pro- posed resolutions declaratory of the rights of the subject. The first resolution, which asserted the right to petition the throne or either house of parliament, though for some time attempted to be got rid of by Mr. C. Dawson, and an objection upon a point of order, was at length unanimously adopted ; but the other resolutions proposed by Mr. Hutchinson, though equally constitutional and self-evident, were rejected by the party who avowedly came to oppose every measure which might either tend to gratify the feelings or administer a hope of obtaining justice to the Roman Catholics. Mr. Hutchinson, how- ever, most ably supported his motion, and was power- fully assisted by his brother, the Honourable Christopher Hely Hutchinson, and Captain Sweetman, who, in the most energetic language, delivered a speech very pro- phetic of events that have since taken place ; but no one argument was adduced by his opponents to contro- vert the principles which he sought to establish. On the question, a division took place, when the num- ber of the silent freeholders who opposed a declaration of the unalienable rights of the subject, appeared to be one hundred and ten against forty -five ; three or four gentlemen of the respectable and liberal-minded mino- rity possessed more landed property in the county than the whole of the majority, so that the Roman Catholics had the satisfaction to see almost every man of con- siderable landed property, and of legal and constitutional ^formation, go out on the division with them. The business being then disposed of, Mr. Maxwell IRISH REBELLION. 27 produced his string of resolutions, but declined making any comment on them, alleging, that it was intended they should be presented by another gentleman, whose attendance at the meeting was prevented by family rea- sons, and that they had only that morning been put into his hands. It was expected, that as the proposer of the resolutions had declined to go into the discussion of them, some other gentleman who acted with him would have undertaken to explain to the freeholders the expe- dience or necessity of entering into measures which appeared to be calculated for no other purpose but to create animosities between Protestants and Roman Ca- tholics, and to divide the former. The other gentlemen continuing silent on the merits, but confident in their strength of numbers, and loud in their call for the ques- tion, though an adjournment was proposed, it being dark night, and several moderate men declared their wish to have a day’s time coolly to consider before the county should be committed to an angry measure, it became ne- cessary for the gentlemen on the other side to commence a debate, which continued until past ten o’clock, when, without even attempting to answer one argument of the many that were urged against the resolutions, the same majority, who had rejected the constitutional and con- ciliatory motion made in the morning by the Honourable Francis Hutchinson, carried their point. An address to the county members was then proposed, of the same purport as the resolutions, but was afterwards withdrawn. The next public meeting of the county, convened by the magistrates in the absence of the sheriff, was held in Wexford, on Friday the 11th of January, 1793, at which Walter Hore, Esq. presided. The meeting ma- nifested, by public resolutions, their attachment to the constitution in king, lords, and commons ; the necessity of a reform in the commons’ house of parliament, in- cluding persons of all religious persuasions — an object which they declared they would endeavour to accomplish by every legal and constitutional means in their power. It was further resolved that the people in the county of Wexford were perfectly peaceable and quiet ; no kind of seditious practices known ; nor the least symptom of or tendency to riot ; but that lest such should be intended 28 HISTORY OF THE by any faction, tliey declared that all attempts to intro- duce any new form of government into the country, or in any manner to impair or corrupt the three essential parts of the constitution consisting of king, lords, and com- mons, they would resist with all their force and energy. These resolutions were forwarded to the representatives for the county in parliament, and inserted in the public papers. On the same day a society was formed in the town of Wexford, under the denomination of the Friends of the Constitution, Liberty, and Peace. This association was attended by a great many of the most respectable and independent gentlemen of the county ; and their number increased considerably at different successive meetings. They from time to time passed and published resolutions, expressive of their sentiments, views and opinions, simi- lar to those passed and published by societies of the like nature in Dublin, and many other parts of Ireland. But they have long since ceased to exist, and never tended to disturb public tranquillity. They were, indeed, the friends of peace and harmony ; but their powers were not proportionate to their wishes, and their benevolent efforts failed of the intended effect. When, in the spring of the year 1793, the militia re- giments were, pursuant to an act of the legislature, em- bodied in Ireland, it occasioned great commotion in different parts of the country, from some silly miscon- ceptions that were dispersed through the populace with regard to the object of the enrolment. It had been rumoured that the people were to be cajoled into the militia regiments, to be torn from their families, and sent on foreign service. But notwithstanding this, the measure was carried into effect in the county of Wex- ford, perhaps with less ferment than in any other part of Ireland. I had the best possible opportunity of knowing the fact, having been appointed a deputy governor of the county. In the summer of this year, some tithe-farmers took tithes in the county of Wexford, which had been for- merly rented by others. These, unwilling to lose their prey without an effort to retain it, excited the populace to resist the demands of the new undertakers, whom they IRISH REBELLION. 29 called innovators and intruders. Soon after, oaths were framed in imitation of similar practices in Munster. From the neighbourhood of Tottenham Green, extending towards Mount Leinster, and to that part of the county of Wexford called the Duffrey, the inhabitants were generally sworn. On Sundays, a great concourse of people attended at the different places of worship — as well Protestant churches as Catholic chapels — and swore the several congregations tor resist paying tithes under certain restrictions, with a modification of the fees of the Catholic clergy, and an injunction to swear their neighbouring parishes. Thus about one-eighth of the county was sworn, and, in all probability, the delusion might have generally spread, but for the timely exertions of several of the country gentlemen, who used all their influence to prevent their tenants and neighbours from joining in such unlawful pursuits. Different magis- trates also attended, with parties of the military, at several places of worship, and so put a stop to the gene- ral diffusion of this symptom of riot. On Sunday the 7th July, however, a man was taken in a chapel-yard near Enniscorthy, in the act of admi- nistering those unlawful oaths, and sent into the town a prisoner. The report of this fact being quickly circu lated through the country, excited those that had been already sworn to rise in a body on the Monday imme- diately following, for this man’s liberation. Intelligence of the approach of these people having been received at Enniscorthy, a party of the fifty-sixth regiment, under the direction of Mr. Yero, a magistrate, came up with the rioters at the hill of Scobie. Here Mr. Yero re- ceived an anonymous letter, as a message from the popu- lace, requesting he would liberate the prisoner, who was represented to be a silly, insignificant fellow. Mr. Yero, from motives of humanity, it is to be presumed, although he had a military force to act with him, thought it most prudent not to resist the demand. The prisoner was set at liberty ; and this so pleased the people, that the air was rent with their shouts of joy; and after a general volley of what fire-arms they had that would go off, they dispersed to their several homes, without committing 30 HISTORY OF THE further outrage, and the military marched back to Ennis- corthy. On the same day, Mr. Maxwell, (now Colonel Barry, ) at the head of a troop of horse, in the capacity of a magistrate, set out from Newtownbarry, scoured the country all along as he passed ; found sixteen men drink- ing in an ale-house on his way, took them all and con- ducted them to Enniscorthy. The sight of so many pri- soners, being a very extraordinary event in the county of Wexford, alarmed the peaceable inhabitants of the town. Mr. Richards, the high sheriff, repaired im- mediately to Enniscorthy, from whence, with all possible speed, he dispatched messengers to convey this alarming intelligence to all the gentlemen of the neighbourhood ; requesting their assistance at a meeting appointed to be held the next day at Enniscorthy. Notwithstanding the shortness of the notice, a great number of gentlemen attended on Tuesday, the 9th of July, at the Bear Inn, in the town of Enniscorthy. I was one of those present. An association was then formed for the preservation of the peace of the county; all the well-disposed were invited to join, and subscriptions were immediately en- tered into, to prosecute the disturbers of the public peace. In a short time this association was composed of almost all the resident gentlemen of the county : and their meetings were afterwards held, from time to time, at Enniscorthy. On the first day of meeting, an inquiry into the case of the sixteen prisoners took place ; and various were the opinions offered on the occasion. I was sorry to observe in the onset, that an inclination prevailed to attribute the riots to a spirit of religious bigotry ; but the futility of the prejudiced arguments were so manifestly contrary to the facts, that this ground was soon abandoned. The result of the inquiry proved that the rioters had assem- bled, the day before, in great numbers, on Scobie Hill, in a hostile manner, determined to liberate the prisoner by force, if attempted to be detained. The magistrate * who attended on the occasion, was deemed to have acted as he did from an idea of mistaken lenity, although his indulgent conduct had so pleased the people, that they IRISH REBELLION. 31 dispersed without having committed any act that the laws of the country could punish; for at that time it was necessary to read the riot act, to constitute any as- semblage an illegal meeting. This measure was not re- sorted to in the present instance, and if it had, the con- sequent dispersion of the multitude must have disarmed the law. It was, however, thought necessary to impress on the minds of the people, that the magistracy would at all times resist the demands of a riotous and armed force with determined firmness ; and as among the sixteen prisoners there were two taken with fire-arms, it was judged expedient to commit these to Wexford gaol, and liberate the other fourteen, on giving bail for good be- haviour. Accordingly, these two men (whom the law could not punish any more than those who were liberated,) were conducted under a military guard from Enniscorthy, through a part of the country that escaped being sworn, to the east of the Slaney, and lodged in the gaol of Wexford. On the morning of the 1 1 th, great numbers of people assembled from Newtownbarry to the Duffrey, and to Tottenham-green, searching the different houses on their way, on the western side of the river Slaney, making towards Wexford, and forcing every man they met, to come along with them. This concourse of people being observed by many of the country folk, such as could procure boats to convey them to the eastern side of the river, fled on their approach, and thus escaped being compelled to constitute a part of the multitude; but still their numbers were considerably accumulated in the course of their progress. On this morning, also, an anonymous letter was re- ceived in Wexford by a respectable inhabitant of the town, requesting he might apply to the magistrates to liberate the two prisoners — threatening, in case of refu- sal, that a body of some thousands would come to take them by force. Little notice was taken of this threat, nor did the inhabitants apprehend any alarm, until about three o’clock, a gentleman, who had been forced along by the multitude, was seen galloping into the town, de- claring that he had been sent to inform the magistrates 32 HISTORY OF THE that an immense concourse of people, then not more than a quarter of a mile distant, and of apparent determina- tion, were coming to enforce the enlargement of the prisoners. Lieutenant Buckby, of the fifty-sixth, who had been in Wexford that day alone, on regimental busi- ness, was, on his return to join his command at Tagh- mon, seized upon, and forced to come back with the rioters to Wexford. In a few minutes, about fifty sol- diers of the fifty-sixth regiment, with three magistrates, headed by the brave Major Vallotton, marched out to meet the rioters, who were all drawn up at the upper end of John-street, on the road leading to Taghmon, in readiness to receive them. The major, humanely in- tending to expostulate, advanced a few paces before his party ; but on seeing one of his officers a prisoner with the rioters, his benevolent intentions were dissipated; and losing all patience, he made a blow of his sword at the man who had been induced to meet him in expostu- lation, and wounded him severely. This provoked re- sistance, and he in return received a desperate wound in the groin, of which he languished for some days and died. Thus perished the gallant Yallotton, who had distin- guished himself at the siege of Gibraltar, under the immortal Elliot, as first aide-de-camp to that general ! Though parleying with rioters may not at all times, per- haps, be advisable; yet, when once entered upon, the dignity of temper should be maintained, and it is much to be lamented, that the major did not continue his original disposition ; for though it should not stand the test of authoritative severity, yet the event might have proved as bloodless as on the previous occasion near Ennis- corthy. An attack on both sides immediately took place, the contest was but short. In a few minutes, the rioters gave way in all directions. Those who had been forced along by them, were the first to sheer oif, when they found an opportunity, over hedges and ditches, wherever they thought they could best make their escape ; num- bers not knowing whither they were flying. It may not be unworthy of remark, that Captain Boyd, then of the Wexford militia, had been to Taghmon in the morning, with a party of the fifty-sixth regiment, to escort a pri- IRISH REBELLION. 83 soner; and was now on his return to Wexford as far as Bettiviile, having no other possible intimation of what had happened, but the confused flight of the affrighted rabble. He lay in ambuscade for their approach, and, from behind the ditches, shot numbers of the fugitives. The weather being intensely warm, occasioned the death of a great many of the wounded, who might otherwise recover ; but lest their wounds might betray them, they did not apply for medical assistance. Many, too, who were badly wounded, ran as far as they could, and, be- ing exhausted, crawled for concealment into the ditches, where they perished, and whence the first intimation of their fate was conveyed by the putrid exhalation from their bodies. Eleven lay dead on the scene of action in John-street ; one of whom was a poor cobbler of the town, shot by accident. The others were publicly ex- posed for some time, and were at length identified. Among them there appeared four freeholders, who had been polled at the preceding election for the county. At that time, the Catholics of Ireland could not be free- holders in their native land, by the existing laws of which they were excluded from that privilege. In the hurry and fright of the action, eight men sought refuge in a hay-loft, where they were discovered after the conflict, made prisoners, and committed to gaol. One of them died of his wounds, two became informers, and five were brought to trial, condemned at the ensuing assizes, and executed on the 26th of July following. One of these men, who had been in town that day to market, was on his return home obliged to come back with the rioters ; and although he was proved a man of most unexception- able character, yet such was the idea entertained of the necessity of public example, that his character, or the the circumstance of innocence, did not save him. The inhabitants of Wexford, to prevent such another surprise, armed and embodied themselves in four different divisions, officered by several gentlemen who had served in the army; and all under the command of Colonel (now General) Nicholls. He gave his orders every day on parade, and different patrols perambulated the town and its vicinity every night. Two pieces of cannon were planted on that part of the barrack-hill which commands 34 HISTORY OF THE the whole street, and the entrance to the gaol ; and four others were ready to be brought to any quarter in case of emergency. During this system of precaution, a soldier of the fifty- sixth gave the alarm to his comrades in the barracks, that, as he had been passing through a church-yard in the town he was attacked by some of the inhabitants, who threatened him and his regiment with destruction for having fired against the people ; and that at last, in the affray, he had been fortunate enough to escape with the loss of some of his fingers. This story, artfully told by the wounded man, roused the fury of the soldiers to such a pitch, that they made preparation, and were actu- ally on the point of sallying forth from their barracks, to take signal vengeance of the towns -people. It re- quired all the exertions and authority of their officers to restrain them ; but this they at length happily effected. The association for preserving the peace of the county assembled always at Enniscorthy (that being the most central situation). The day after this affair had been appointed for one of their meetings. To this meeting a gentleman was despatched from Wexford, with the fore- going melancholy intelligence ; and an express request, that a suitable reward would be offered for the appre- hension of the perpetrators of the horrid deed. This would have been immediately carried into effect, and orders sent by that night’s post to have the intelligence generally circulated through the medium of the Dublin papers, had it not so happened that there was not a suffi- cient number of the members of the secret committee of the association present, to order the disbursement of the necessary expenses, they having the command of the funds. But before a competent consenting number of these could be collected, it was discovered that the sol- dier had been the perpetrator of the horrid deed himself, and had been induced to cut off his fingers to prevent his going abroad with his regiment, then under orders for foreign service. Had it not been for the prudent ex- ertions of the officers, it is more than probable that this imposture would have been attended with dreadful con- sequences before the real discovery could be made. The peace of the county was attended to with the greatest IRISH REBELLION. 35 activity and vigilance by the association ; but, in fact, after the affair at Wexford on the 1 1th of July, 1793, be- fore detailed, no apparent symptom or even a disposition to riot could be traced. At the meetings of the association, I perceived with regret an insidious spirit, eager and active to attach the entire odium of the disturbances exclusively on the Ca- tholics ; although the damning public spectacle, on the exposure of the killed at Wexford, should surely ever have deterred barefaced calumny and prejudiced misre- presentation from future exhibition. Yet the malignant tradueers of their countrymen to foreigners believed, or affected to believe this vile reproach on mere assertion. In any other part of the world the uttering of such gross detraction would bring down public execration, and per- haps endanger the personal safety of the hated reptile that would dare, in this unqualified manner, to denounce a whole community. Ireland, however, which, by a peculiar providence, is freed from any other, abounds with these monsters in human form, who batten on the ruin of public prosperity. These groundless insinuations were carried to such lengths, that, even in the House of Lords, in the assem- blage of the peers of the realm, Lord Farnham asserted, with confidence, that the riots in the county of Wexford had become seriously alarming ; that the people held nightly meetings, and from parish to parish had sworn not to pay rents, tithes, or taxes, and that the lower orders of Catholics had risen in consequence of a disap- pointed expectation of receiving ten pounds a year, as the consequent advantage of their emancipation, which they had been promised by their delegates. This Lord Farnham alleged in the most solemn manner, on the authority of letters received by himself from a quarter the most respectable, he said, in the county of Wex- ford. My surprise was great, indeed, on finding such alle- gations thus strongly asserted, and become the subject of parliamentary discussion ; knowing, as I did, that the riots had never assumed this serious complexion, nor had in any degree furnished ground for such exaggerated statement . Being a Catholic delegate for the county, I 36 HISTORY OF THE naturally felt an anxiety to discover whence originated this extraordinary information ; and thought the best appeal, at the time, would be a meeting of the associa- tion, composed of almost all the respectable gentlemen of the county. Here I complained that the country was calumniated, and requested to know, if I could be in- formed who it was that had conveyed such strange and unwarranted intelligence to Lord Farnham ? I took the liberty also to declare that, let him be who he may, if the facts existed to his conviction, he should have pro- duced satisfactory evidence of that conviction to the asso- ciation, the natural and avowed guardians of the peace of the county. I further urged, that not above one- eighth of the county had ever been in a state of distur- bance ; that the rioters appeared to be a motley multitude of all persuasions, to whom religion appeared to be an object of the least concern. The result was, after a most minute investigation, that the monstrous charge was deemed a gross and unfounded calumny ; and whatever latitude prejudiced conversation might have taken at the festive tables of some gentle- men, not one of them presumed to come forward in support of the principles of bigotry against stubborn truth and undeniable facts. But had not this inquiry been instituted, it is very probable that the unrefuted calumnies against the county of Wexford might have led to consequences as fatal and deplorable as happened, from like causes, in the counties of Meath and Louth. These, however, I will not attempt to detail, having limited myself, for the present, to the transactions of my native county, awaiting an opportunity of general infor- mation. The Catholics of the county met at Wexford, on the 30th of July, for the purpose of publicly avowing their sentiments and principles. To this effect they adopted resolutions which were given to the world in all the pub- lic papers of the day. In the year 1795, when Lord Fitzwilliam’s recall from the government of Ireland was made known, the free- holders and other inhabitants of the county of Wexford were summoned to meet on purpose to deliberate on this unexpected event. In the absence of the sheriff, the IRISH REBELLION. 37 summons was signed by Cornelius Grogan, Isaac Cor- nock, Thomas Grogan Knox, Harvey Hay, and John Grogan, magistrates of the county. The meeting, which was held in the county court-house of Wexford, on the 23d of March, was very numerously attended. Unani- mous resolutions were entered into ; a petition to the king was voted ; and Cornelius Grogan, Edward Hay, and Beauchamp Bagnal Harvey, Esqrs. were appointed delegates to present it to his majesty. An address to Lord Eitz william was also voted, and Sir Thomas Es- moude, and Sir Frederick Flood, Baronets, and William Harvey, Esq. were appointed, and they set off instantly for Dublin, to present it to the lord lieutenant, who was hourly expected to leave the country. The regret felt on the recall of this nobleman, even whose good inten- tions produced such cordiality and harmony amongst all ranks and descriptions of people, is scarcely credible. From that period may be dated the origin of that dread- ful state of calamity and misfortune in which Ireland has been since involved ; for it is now evident to all, that had the measures intended to be carried into effect by him been adopted, the nation would have continued its happy career of uncommon, progressive prosperity. It was proposed to his lordship by the British cabinet to carry the union at a time that he had got the money bills passed, and was pledged to the country to have the popular measures alluded to brought forward in par- liament. It was even suggested, that these measures might go hand in hand with the other ; but he preferred being recalled to giving his support to a business that so strongly met his disapprobation ; nor, indeed, is it at all probable that the Irish legislature and people would have consented at that day to yield up the dignity of indepen- dence for any consideration the ministry could pretend to offer. The removal of Lord Fitzwilliam must ever be consi- dered as one of the greatest misfortunes that, in the revolution of ages, has befallen this devoted nation. It originated a train of calamitous circumstances, which the disclosing information of every day renders more and more lamentable to the friends of Ireland. The great majority of the people was insulted ; public faith was c 38 HISTORY OF THE violated ; the cup of redress was dashed from the lip3 of expectation, and it cannot he wondered at that the anger of disappointment should have ensued. Had the heal- ing halm been applied at the critical moment, the fever of commotion had long since passed its crisis. Had the benevolent measures intended by that nobleman as the basis of his administration, been effected, the rankling wounds of division and distraction were for ever closed, nor would the poison of prejudice and party-spirit still threaten convulsion and confusion ; but harmony, confi- dence and peace, would reign throughout the land. Being one of those who had been chosen to present the petition of the county of Wexford to his majesty, I pro- ceeded as far as Dublin, on my way to London, with my companions in appointment. Here it was thought most advisable to get individual signatures to the petition, rather than bear it with those of the chairman and secre- tary, who had signed it by the unanimous order of the county meeting. My brother delegates declined going back, and I undertook the task alone, at the moment I was going into the packet-boat to sail for England : my having sailed was even announced in the public papers. I returned to the county of Wexford, was indefatigable in my exertions, and no greater proof can be adduced of the general public approbation of the measure, and of the unanimity of sentiment prevalent on the occasion, than the account of my success. In the space of one week I was able to procure twenty-two thousand two hundred and fifty-one signatures, among whom were all the independent and respectable gentlemen of the county. I then pro- ceeded to London, and had the honor of presenting the petition, with all the signatures, to his majesty, on the 22d of April, 1795, at the levee at St. James’s, along with my brother delegates, and we met with a gracious re- ception. Not many years ago the county of Wexford could boast of independent principles, and the public spirit of its gentry was conspicuous. This, it may be observed, was chiefly owing to the great number of resident landlords, whose properties were so equally divided, that there were comparatively but few overgrown fortunes among them. While this state of easy parity prevailed, so long lasted IRISH REBELLION. 39 the peace and prosperity of the county. At that 'time respectable characters voluntarily engaged themselves to preserve and maintain public order, and it is easy to con- ceive, that the laws of a country will be well and cheer- fully obeyed, when the police is undertaken by a body of uninfluenced gentlemen, whose interest and inclinations induce them to watch, with incessant vigilance, over its tranquillity. The unbiassed exertions of such men must always ensure what the Irish have ever yearned after, an impartial administration of justice; without which, laws, even of the best description, are nothing better than in- struments of tyranny. But the times have changed, and other men and other measures have succeeded. Of these we shall presently have occasion to make mention. The principle of volunteering, while it was productive of social and liberal intercourse, appears to have diffused a spirit of conviviality throughout the country ; and so far were the pleasures of the table indulged, that the for- tunes of many were thereby impaired, and their distresses obliged them to resign their independence. Representa- tives and their most zealous friends and adherents fell into a dereliction and abandonment of public concerns, at the same time that they neglected their private interests; and hence the county may date the loss of its independent character. Of this a most striking instance can be ad- duced. At an election, some years back, one of the can- didates, who was esteemed by his party a stanch patriot, came forward and declared to the people on the hustings, that “no human consideration should ever induce him to accept of a place or a pension, if he became their repre- sentative.” This declaration, however, as will appear by the sequel, he seems to have thought no more about than if he had swallowed a poached egg ; (a memorable expression of his own on a late occasion.) He was chosen a knight of the shire, and at a subsequent meeting he was actually absolved from this solemn and voluntary engagement; nay, truly, it was requested he would accept of some em- ployment ; and he shortly after meekly condescended to gratify their wishes, by accepting of a pension andaplace, which he still comfortably retains, and is likely to retain as long as he lives. It must be here observed, by-the-bye, that the object of such a plenary iudulgence must be 40 HISTORY OF THE greatly endeared to such attached and accommodating constituents ; the pleasing effect of convivial talents among constant companions who thus constitute their favourite the king of his company ; a situation so fascinating to some dispositions, that they will risk all possible hazards for its maintenance. It will not be easily impressed on ingenuous minds, that men who would fain uphold in the highest degree the dignified character of independence, should so far forget themselves as to hold forth to the world, in a public paper , such a memorial of total in- difference to that character. Yet in the case before us the fact is incontrovertible. It has been too common a foible with some of our gentry to aim at equal splendour and expense with their superiors in fortune. Such men, before being aware of their situation, have incautiously expended largely above their incomes. A system of such careless dissipation and extravagant squandering must destroy the most ample resources ; and men, long in the habit of indulging those propensities, and finding their means abridged, and them- selves deeply involved, have still an aching reluctance to give up any share of their ideal consequence. Instead, therefore, of resorting to any rational plan of economy, they endeavour to get within the circle of some lord or great man, supposed to be possessed of extensive patronage. They court his smiles, and if their efforts are crowned with any degree of success, they instantly conclude, that all their misapplied expenditure must be amply reimbursed by this very often empty speculation. They count upon places and employments of great emoluments for them- selves and their children ; and thus they abandon all idea of the certain pursuits of industry, trade and honourable profession: they launch into the lottery of patronage, and yield up their spirit of independence, and all their actions (out of the circle of their families) to the utter control and directing wiLl of their adopted patron. It is presumed, that any person acquainted with the state of Ireland must perceive that this system has unfortunately been but too largely pursued, and too much acted upon ; and it is also pretty notorious, that the county of Wexford has been for some time past what is not unaptly termed lord-ridden. Slaves to their superiors, but tyrants to IRISH REBELLION. 41 their inferiors ; these needy adventurers become the tools of prevailing power. Justices of the peace are selected from this class, and these, by this degree of elevation, (certainly to them the station is an exalted one,) think themselves raised to a level of equality with the most respectable gentlemen in the country. But their igno- rance is so preposterous, and their behaviour so assuming, that men of education, talents, and fortune, are induced to withhold themselves from a situation they would other- wise grace, as it might oblige them to confer with fel- lows with whom they would not by any means hold com- munion or keep company. Thus are the very men who ought to be the magistrates of the country, and who would cheerfully accept the office, were they to associate with proper companions in duty, deterred from holding commissions of the peace ; while the justice and police of the community are left to ignorant, presuming, and intemperate upstarts, devoid of all qualification and endow- ment, except that alone, if it may be termed such, of unconditional submission and obedience, to the control- ling nod of their boasted patrons. If they faithfully adhere to this, they may go all lengths to raise their con- sequence, and enhance their estimation with the multi- tude. These creatures have therefore the effrontery to push themselves forward on every occasion ; and after a series of habitual acts of turpitude, whenever an oppor- tunity offers itself, they become the scourges and the firebrands of the country. It is much to be lamented, that there are but too many examples of this melancholy truth, and that in too many instances these wretches have been set on to commit flagrant acts of outrage, to answer the political purposes of their patrons, who shrink from appearing personally concerned in these deeds of shame. On such occasions, from behind the curtain, the hireling crew are sent out to riot on the public stage, and dreadful are the consequences that follow ; while the vile under- strappers are utterly ignorant of the cause, and never question the motive of their subordination. In the beginning of the year 1795, parties of con- tending rioters, denominated peep-o’ -dayboys, and de- fenders disturbed different parts of the province of Ulster, by acts of violence and outrage against each other. Some 42 HISTORY OF THE say their animosities originated from electioneering. To these succeeded, in the summer of the same year, a description of public disturbers, calling themselves orange- men, who now made their first appearance in the county of Armagh. Their object appears to have been, not to suffer a Catholic to remain within the limits of their sphere of action. They posted up on the doors of the Catholics, peremptory notices of departure ; specify- ing the precise time, a week at the farthest, pretty nearly in the following words: — “ To hell, or to Connaught with you , you bloody papists ; and if you are not gone by” (mentioning the day) “we will come and destroy your- selves and your properties : we all hate the papists here” They generally were as good as their words. The Catholics at first saved themselves by flight ; but those who received notices at a later period, were able to take some of their properties along with them. It is asto- nishing to think that such events could take place, where there were any men of intelligence, honesty, or public spirit ; and still the facts are indubitable : nay, these enormities seem to have been connived at, or totally over- looked, until many thousands of the Catholics were thus driven from that part of the country, and that it became necessary to find occupiers for the lands they had been obliged to abandon. Even the gentlemen of landed inte- rest in the county did not exhibit, by any public testi- mony, a disavowal of these horrid atrocities, until the period of setting the forsaken territory roused them from their slumbers. Then they discovered, to their amaze- ment and dismay, that among the few bidders who ap- peared, not one was found to offer more for any lot, than about half what was paid for the same before by the Catholic tenant. Then, indeed, and not till then, did the banishment of the Catholics appear alarming. It was seriously alarming to gentlemen, thus in a moment to lose half their incomes; but, until this fatal discovery was made, the number of wretched poor, proscribed, and violently driven from their homes, deprived of their cabins and their all, was a circumstance unworthy ol these gentlemen’s notice. To counteract this calamity as much as possible, a numerous meeting of the magistrates of the county of IRISH REBELLION. 43 Armagh was held at the special instance of the governor, Lord Viscount Gosford, on the 28th day of December, 1795. To this assemblage, on taking the chair as presi- dent, his lordship spoke a pointed address on the occasion : which, together with the proceedings, was published in The Dublin Journal of the 5th of January, 1796. A circumstantial detail of these occurrences in the north would be inconsistent with my original intention, of confining myself, for the present, to the transactions in the county of Wexford ; but I have been led into this, I hope excusable digression, in order to account to the reader, in a great measure, for the dreadful impression made on the minds of the people, at a future period, by the rumours, that orangemen were sworn for the destruc- tion of the Catholics ! Were these rumours to be grounded only on Lord Gosford’s statement, (too authen- tic to admit a possibility of denial,) and true only in the extent his lordship has allowed them, with what terrible apprehensions must they fill the minds of a simple, op- pressed, and degraded people, such as the Irish peasantry are generally known to be for ages past ? But when it is considered, that the horrid acts themselves have never been disavowed ; and the reports of them have rung in the ears of every individual throughout the nation, (per- haps with aggravated circumstances, as it usually hap- pens,) the reflecting reader is referred to his own judg- ment, to estimate how much the woful tale of the forlorn sufferers, by its reverberation from one end of the island to the other, must affect the mind, alarm the imagina- tion, and inflame the resentments of an irritated, in- sulted, and violated community? What advantage might not be taken of a ferment thus excited by design- ing men — perhaps, too, by the greatest enemies of the people ? For such frequently assume the mask of friend- ship and condolence, and apparently affect counteracting the sinister designs of their minions, in order to accom- plish their private views, through a show of popularity. Various, as has been observed, were the descriptions of the disturbers of the public peace in Ulster. Numbers went about in the night, searching houses, and taking away all the arms they could find, without violating any other property. This becoming generally known, the 44 HISTORY OF THE houses were usually opened upon the first summons. This easy mode of admittance was afterwards taken ad- vantage of by common robbers ; who at first only assumed the character of disarmers, to come at their prey with less trouble and more certainty. After a continued series of similar circumstances of violence and outrage, arising from a nation’s greatest curse, the disunion of its people, but which our limits will not permit us to detail at pre- sent, General Lake issued his proclamation for disarming the inhabitants of the north of Ireland, on the 13th of March, 1797 ; and on the 21st of the same month, Mr. Grattan, after a speech delivered with his usual force of talent and brilliant ability, moved for an inquiry into the causes which produced this proclamation ; but his motion was unfortunately rejected. The persecutions in the county of Armagh were so flagrant, and the conduct of many of the magistrates so contrary to law, that ap- plications were made to the Court of King’s Bench for attachments against several of them, but a bill of indem- nity prevented a judicial investigation of their conduct ; and thus they were screened from merited punishment. This total disregard of their grievances, and inattention to their complaints, added to the barbarous outrages afterwards committed by the military in the northern counties, very much exasperated the feelings of the suf- fering party. They resorted for temporary relief to pri- vate sorrow and secret lamentation. In this sad state, bordering on despair, every injured person sympathized with his neighbour in affliction ; and their united resent- ments, like a raging flame, suppressed, but not extin- guished, were the more likely to burst forth with sudden fury and unexpected violence. It may not be imperti- nent to remark, that in all cases of popular commotion, an inquiry into the alleged grievances, ought to go hand in hand with the measures of rigour and coercion. These two principles are far from being incompatible, and any government acting upon them, must be certain of con- ciliating obedience and affection, respect and attachment. The Earl of Moira, with that dignified humanity which has ever graced his noble character, brought the distresses of Ireland before the British House of Lords, on the 22d of November, 1797; when he gave a heart-rending de- IRISH REBELLION. 45 scription, in his native strain of elevation, of the savage cruelties practised by the military against the people ; and offered at the moment, to produce at the bar incon- trovertible proof of his assertions. He concluded his able statement by moving an address to the sovereign, the principal purport of which was, ‘ ‘ humbly hoping that his majesty might be graciously pleased to take into his paternal consideration the disturbed state of Ireland ; and to adopt such lenient measures, as might appear to Ills royal wisdom and benignity, best calculated to re- store tranquillity and excite affection.” But, sad to tell, his lordship was not more fortunate in the British House of Lords, than was Mr. Grattan the preceding March in the Irish House of Commons. Both motions had the same unlucky fate of rejection. On the following day, (the 23d of November,) Mr. Fox made a similar bene- volent and patriotic effort (and who is unacquainted with his powers ?) in the British House of Commons, but with the like success. He concluded a lucid and animated speech with the following pointed and emphatic quotation from Cicero, which I cannot resist inserting : Carum eisse civibus bene de republica mereri , laudari , coli , diligi , gloriosum est ; metui vero et in odio esse , in - vidiosum, detestabile , imbecillum, caducum.” To be dear to one’s countrymen, to deserve well of the common weal, to be praised, to be respected, to be beloved, is glorious ; but to be feared and encompassed with hatred is invidious, is detestable, is tottering, is ruinous. The appointment of General Sir Kalph Abercromby, on the 12th of December, 1797, to the chief command of the forces in Ireland, gave general satisfaction, and afforded a ray of hope to drooping despondency. The subsequent display of his eminent virtues evinced the justice of favourable expectation. Having been quar- tered in Ireland through most of his gradations of well- merited promotion, he possessed a perfect local know- ledge of the country ; and he now resolved in person to visit every district, and thus lie made a tour of observa- tion through the whole island. After a strict review of every object worthy of his attention, he published on his return to Dublin general orders to the several military companders, wherein after having reprobated the irre- 46 HISTORY OF THE gularities of the soldiery, he directed the necessary re- straint for their disorderly conduct. These orders were issued from the adjutant-general’s office, in Dublin, on the 26th of February, 1797. The Earl of Moira, animated by the same generous motives that always influenced his conduct, made his last effort to avert the impending storm. With this benevo- lent intention, on the 19th of February, 1798, he moved in the Irish House of Lords, “That an humble address be presented to his excellency the lord lieutenant, repre- senting, that as parliament hath confided to his excel- lency extraordinary powers for supporting the laws and defeating any traitorous combinations which may exist in this kingdom, this house feels it, at the same time, its duty, as those powers have not produced the desired effect, to recommend the adoption of such conciliatory measures as may allay the apprehensions and extinguish the discontents unhappily prevalent in this country.” This motion was introduced after an affecting speech of uncommon energy, but it was negatived without further investigation — a circumstance that furnishes strong ground for the opinion of many intelligent men, that the door was shut, at that time, against all inquiry, for pur- poses not then known, or even imagined by the public ; but which, however, were foretold, as if from a spirit of inspiration, even in the minutest circumstances, by those elevated geniuses whose comprehensive views in regard to the concerns of their country were unlimited. The great measure was still in reserve, and not to be brought forward until the country should be completely paralysed. This unhappy crisis, it is thought, was long in agitation and deeply premeditated. I crave the reader’s permis- sion, while I endeavour to sketch a brief outline of the manner in which it is supposed to have been finally effected. During the American war, at one time, nearly all the troops on the Irish establishment were drawn off to sup- port that unfortunate contest. The combined fleets of France and Spain were riding triumphant in the channel, and our shores were every moment threatened with a formidable invasion. In this perilous situation Ireland was advised by the British ministry to defend herself as IRISH REBELLION. 47 well as she could, as she was now left no other resource. The latent spirit of the nation was roused at the approach of danger. Upwards of one hundred thousand heroes instantly appeared, self-clothed, self-armed, perfectly equipped and appointed, ready to oppose with dauntless courage the menacing foe that would rashly venture to insult our coast. These were the ever memorable and ever glorious Volunteers of Ireland. Our enemies were all at once completely scared, they shrunk into their ports ; and our shores, then too commanding for an at- tempt to land, were left unmolested. Our people were united in harmonious resolution ; every breast glowed with patriotic ardour ; and the salvation of Ireland, other- wise left to inevitable destruction, was the consequence. The hour of security and social intercourse produced re- flection. The saviours of their country quickly disco- vered that they existed in a state of thraldom to the British parliament. They demanded a redress of griev- ances ; it could not be refused ; and the national legisla- ture was consequently declared independent. This great event took place in 1782, and a rapid increase of national prosperity succeeded ; our commerce being less shackled, became more extensive, and the capital of the island im- proved in splendour and magnificence. But it was with the utmost reluctance, and under circumstances of impe- rious necessity, that these concessions seemed to be made by the British cabinet, while the most malignant envy rankled in the bosoms of the enemies of Ireland. But there was no alternative. A diffusion of liberal senti- ment and an unity of interests had combined men of all ranks and persuasions in the common cause. The un- hallowed monster of religious bigotry could no longer be introduced to foment prejudice and sow baleful division ; all was concord and unanimity. But the object of creating disunion and annulling the benefits obtained was never lost sight of ; and the happy state of Ireland con- tinued uninterrupted only until the dissolution of the volunteer associations, (and this was contrived as spee- dily as possible,) and till other schemes were put in prac- tice to dissipate the union of sentiment which so happily prevailed. Much time was not lost, therefore, to put every engine at work for this detested purpose. In 1786 48 HISTORY OF THE a set of commercial regulations, denominated proposi- tions, was drawn up in the Irish House of Commons, and transmitted for the consideration of the British parlia- ment. From thence they were returned so altered, that the Irish minister of the day found it expedient not to press them forward. It was asserted that the propositions so garbled, went the full length of annihilating by impli- cation the independence so lately acquired; and this proceeding excited no small degree of irritation. The same year, among other means of disturbing the harmony of the people, the Right Rev. Doctor Woodward, late bishop of Cloyne, taking advantage of some disturbances, excited by the exactions of tithe farmers in Munster, fulminated a pamphlet, pronouncing the church and state in danger. The trump of discord thus deliberately blown, was resounded by an intemperate writer, under the as- sumed name of “ Theophilus.” This scurrilous publi- cation (at first acknowledged, but afterwards denied by its reputed author, ) was always with good reason attri- buted to a civilian engaged in the service of the Esta- blished Church, and now at the head of its judicial concerns. This author’s publication is notorious for virulent abuse, for gross and foul invectives against Ca- tholics in public — though he had a Catholic of the gentler sex the wedded partner of his existence, and though in private life endeavouring to maintain habits of intimacy with many of the Catholic clergy ; but what reliance is to be placed on the declamations of a man whose practice is so contrary to his professions ; but he may well play the ambidexter, when his pleadings have heaped on him a multiplicity of profitable situations, (which he does not admit to be places or employments,) and in his con- vivial moments he is foully belied if he does not mightily enjoy the joke. These, and such like productions, dic- tated by the spirit of discord, were refuted by several able pens of the day, but particularly convicted by the irresistible force of the benevolent O’Leary’s dignified ridicule. This divine, professing the true spirit of the Gospel, excited by the purest motives of patriotism and Christian charity, steps forward, and by his exhortations and example, contributed more effectually to quiet the minds of the people and appease the tempest, by bringing IRISH REBELLION. 49 them back to a sense of their religion, and without the loss of a life, effected more than an host prompted by prejudiced coercion, or a formidable army. The happy effects of the exertions of this extraordinary man, whose talents were so eminently useful at this critical period, attracted the notice of majesty, and with becoming gra- titude, unsolicited on his part, received a small annuity as a token of royal favour ; his talents were considered too conspicuous to lie dormant, and very advantageous offers were made to him to write for a periodical publi- cation that militated against his principles ; he had no other property, yet he rejects it with scorn, although he was certain thereby to incur the displeasure of the ruling powers in Ireland, that would do all in their power to injure him, which he preferred to the prostitution of his heavenly talents, and he retires from his native country and repairs to England, where the enviable blessings of the constitution are experienced infinitely more than in Ireland. Yet all these exertions did not allay the public ferment, and the hateful and melancholy effects of reli- gious dissension were but too general ; and hence may be deduced the most lamentable misfortunes to Ireland — the revival of religious enmity. No means were omitted thenceforward by the principal actors on the occasion, of cherishing the animosities thus excited ; confident that this procedure alone would best bear them to their end. This may be fairly concluded from what dropped in the debate on the famous proposi- tions. A leading person, then high in confidence and official situation, and who, before the final object was attained, arrived at the chief judicial capacity of the land, pronounced in the moment of exasperated disap - pointment, that “ the Irish were a besotted people, easily roused , and easily appeased and, in terms unfit for lecency to utter, he is said to have threatened to tame their refractory spirits. In truth, he then delivered the sentiments of his party, as well as his own determination, to which he strictly adhered ever after. Tliis man of narrow politics omitted no occasion of accomplishing the humiliation of his native country. Opposing with licen- tious petulance all rational schemes of reform ; reprobating with plebeian ribaldry the justice of Catholic claims ; and 50 HISTORY OF THE provoking public anger by insulting public feeling, he saw with gloomy satisfaction, before his premature dissolution, his ruthless system carried into woful effect. The tram- pled populace were goaded to resistance; their smo- thered resentments burst into a flame that was not very easily extinguished ; the nation was distracted ; and the long-premeditated measure of incorporating union suc- ceeded, after a spirited but ineffectual resistance ; and thus ended the political drama of Ireland. But to return. Sir Ralph Abercromby, after the publication of his general orders, and the knowledge he had acquired in his general view of the country, endeavoured in vain to im- press the minds of those in power with his own well-founded opinion, that coercive measures, in the extent determined on, were by no means necessary in Ireland. Unwilling, therefore, to tarnish his military fame, or risk the loss of humane and manly character by leading troops to scenes of cold-blood slaughter and civil desolation ; sooner than sanction by his presence proceedings so abhorrent from his nature, he resigned the chief command of the army in Ireland, on the 29th of April, 1798. Ilis departure has, indeed, been a sore misfortune to this unhappy nation ; and had any casualty detained him here but one month longer, it would have been providential; for when the in- surrection had actually broken out, he could not so well have resigned the command, and his dignified authority would have restrained the soldiery from the horrid ex- cesses they afterwards committed. He was too good and too great a blessing for this ill-fated land to possess at that time ; he did all in his power to prevent the woful calamities that followed ; his splendid exploits in Egypt have rendered his fame immortal : and his death, though glorious, has left an aching pang in the bosom of every true lover of this distracted country. May the olive branch which he waved in Ireland be never forgotten among his unfading laurels ! A strong confirmation, if further proof were at all ne- cessary, of the great discrimination of General Aber- cromby’s comprehensive mind, is his marked selection of a dignified character with whom to share his confidence, as second in command when going on the expedition to IRISH REBELLION. 51 Egypt. His choice could not have fallen more judiciously than on Lord Hutchinson, whose brilliant achievements and splendid triumphs have since so largely added to Irish fame, and adorned himself with merited honours. This no- bleman appears to have rivalled his great friend as well in humanity as glory. Their opinions respecting Ireland strictly coincided. Witness his lordship’s well-known sentiment of “I abominate the torture,” delivered in the winter of 1798, in the Irish parliament in the debate on the bill of indemnity, for screening the violent proceedings of the sheriff of the county of Tipperary ; and it is happy such sentiments did not deprive him of com- mand. The opposition of the entire Hutchinson family to oppressive measures was conspicuous on this occasion ; and their exertions were indefatigable for the maintenance of peace and order throughout the whole of the arduous period of disturbance. They all breathed the same sen- timent of benevolence and humanity. The Earl of Donoughmore exerted all his power and influence to throw open the gates of mercy to the wretched people ; and his brother the Hon. Francis Hely Hutchinson, who suc- ceeded Mr. Judkin Fitzgerald as sheriff of the county of Tipperary, was eminent in support of abhorrence of the torture. In short, the affable demeanour, the kind and conciliating manners of this entire family, fascinated the minds of the people, and thus prevented shocking scenes of dreadful devastation, wherever they possessed influence or had command, particularly in the counties of Tippe- rary, Cork, and Galway, much more effectually than any measures of violence or coercion could ever accomplish. I hope, at a future period, to be enabled to do more justice to the great merits of this family, by faithfully recording their generous actions in Munster, in 1798, a task that must be grateful to every lover of humanity, and of Ire- land, and those of other celebrated characters, that the limits of my present publication permit me only to glance at. Immediately on the departure of General Abercromby, the military were sent out at free quarters in the county of Kildare and parts of the counties of Carlow and Wick- low. What hardships, what calamity, what misery must not the wretched people suffer, on whom were let loose 52 HISTORY OF THE such a body as the soldiery then in Ireland are described to be in the general orders before alluded to of the 26th of April, 1798 ! They became masters of every house in the country ; the real owners were obliged to procure them every necessary they thought proper to demand ; and, as their will was then the only law — and a very imperious and tyrannical law it was — the people dare not, except at the risk of their lives, complain of any outrage or bru- tality of which their savage disposition prompted them to be guilty. The inevitable consequence was, that such horrid acts were perpetrated, such shocking scenes were exhibited, as must rouse the indignation and provoke the abhorrence of all not dead to humane feeling, or not barbarised by unnatural hatred of their fellow-crea- tures. At this period of confusion, the first public intimation of disturbance in the county of Wexford, was from a meeting of magistrates held at Gorey, on the 28th of November, 1797. There the proclaiming of sixteen parishes out of one hundred and forty-two, of which the county consists, was voted by a majority, of which my information does not afford me the number ; but the measure was strongly opposed by eight of the magis- trates present, including Lord Mountnorris, who must be naturally supposed to feel substantial reasons for his opposition to have the part of the county proclaimed wherein his property principally lay ; and it is to be fairly presumed, (whatever ground may be had by some re- flecting people for thinking otherwise, ) that his lordship was not influenced on this occasion at least, by motives of opposition to Lord Ely, his successful rival in the patronage of the county. Shortly after this meeting at Gorey, I spent some days at Camolin-park, the seat of Lord Mountnorris, while he was soliciting the people from parish to parish to take the oath of allegiance. His lordship requested I would use what influence I might possess with the priests in my neighbourhood, to induce them and their flocks to join in this general test of loy- alty, in order, as he said, to put the Catholic interest in the county of Wexford on the most respectable foot- ing ; suggesting at the same time, that from his “ great consequence and influence , his representation of facts IRISH REBELLION. 53 must counteract and outiveigh the misrepresentations of others.” He also showed me the oaths he usually ad- ministered on these occasions, and which he stated him- self to have improved from time to time by several alterations ; he produced one in particular, which he conceived to be wrought up to the highest perfection of loyalty. Although I agreed with his lordship so far as really to think the county was then in a state of perfect peace and tranquillity, (and therefore thought this over- weening parade unnecessary,) yet I never believed him, notwithstanding all his lordship’s strong professions to that effect, a sincere friend to Catholics : I was rather strongly of opinion, that he affected a show of concern for their interests at this critical period in mere opposi- tion to the noble lord his competitor for influence. I therefore took the most civil means in my power of declining the interference to which his lordship would have directed my exertions. Lord Mountnorris, how- ever, was not singular in courting Catholic popularity at that time, for all the newspapers of the day teemed with addresses from the Catholics throughout the island, pub- lished, not at the desire or at the expense of the sub- scribers, but by the political manoeuverers who took the trouble of procuring them, to answer their private pur- poses, by playing them off against the schemes of other opponents. Previous to the spring assizes of 1 798, several pri- soners were transmitted from Wexford to abide their trials at Wicklow, on the prosecution of an informer, whose real name was Morgan, and who had been trans- ported some years before for robbery, but had returned to the country under the assumed name of Cooper. This miscreant was encouraged by some magistrates of the county of Wicklow, to swear informations against united Irishmen ; and this he did most copiously. On producing him, however, at Wicklow, his character ap- peared so infamous, that the gentlemen of the bar were unreserved in declaring that the baseness of such a nefa- rious villain reflected not a little on those magistrates that encouraged him to come forward. All the prisoners were consequently acquitted, and it was therefore not deemed expedient to bring him on to prosecute at Wex 54 HISTORY OF THE ford, where there were also some prisoners confined on his information. At this assizes also, one man of the name of Collins, otherwise M ‘Quillen, was brought to trial for spread- ing false news and alarming the country ; it was clearly proved, that this man circulated a report of the arrival of the French off Bantry , and that the yeomen or orange- men (indifferently supposed by the people to be the same) were to march to resist the invasion ; and that it was designed by them previously to commit a massacre upon the Catholics of the country. Such implicit belief did the report gain, that every person from Bray to Arklow, between four and five and twenty miles extent, abandoned their habitations and slept in the open fields ; and some women were even delivered in that exposed condition. It is worthy of remark, that these people must have from some previous cause been led to form so bad an opinion of their neighbours, when they gave credit with so much facility to these reports. Several had been confined in Wexford as united Irish- men, to be prosecuted by an informer, of a description quite different from that of the Wicklow ruffian. The name of this second informer was Joseph Murphy, a creature of such idiot aspect, that it was impossible, even at first view, not to conclude him destitute of common intellect, so that it appeared strange that any magistrate of the least discrimination could venture to produce him : yet, this was the man chosen craftily to insinuate himself to be sworn an united Irishman, and then to develop this whole scheme of the combination to a magistrate of the county, who had employed him for that purpose, as he afterwards asserted in the most solemn manner ; and his testimony on the trial, when he was produced as an informer, sufficiently warrants this confession. Only one trial was ventured on by the crown-solicitor at the prosecution of this man, and on hearing his evidence the prisoner was instantly acquitted, and the remainder of those against whom he had given information were turned out of the dock, without any trial whatever. I should not dwell upon these apparently trivial circum- stances, but that the public can judge of the truth only by a faithful relation of facts ; and these facts also tend IRISH REBELLION. 55 to prove that the system of the united Irishmen had not diffused itself through the county of Wexford to the extent so confidently affirmed by an author, whose ve- racity in almost every other instance appears equally questionable. The truth is, that no authentic proof existed at the time to support these arrogant assertions ; and subsequent information confirms how little the county of Wexford was concerned in that conspiracy, as no return appears of its being organised, in the discoveries of the secret committees of the Houses of Lords and Commons. It would be as contrary to truth, however, to say there were no united Irishmen in the county of Wexford ; but by every statement worthy of credit, that has ever appeared, their numbers were comparatively fewer in this than in any other county in Ireland; and such as were of that description here seem to have been privately sworn in the detached unconnected manner of the first progress of that business, before it assumed the form of regular organization. According to this system, now so univer- sally known, the united Irishmen of the county of Wex- ford, considering the means whereby those were urged into the conspiracy, do not appear to come strictly under that denomination ; for their first inducement to combine was, to render their party strong enough to resist the Orangemen, whom they actually believed to be associated and sworn for the extermination of the Catholics, and ‘ ‘ to wade ankle deep in their blood V * What dreadful notions of terror and alarm must not fill the minds of people be- lieving themselves thus devoted to inevitable destruction ? so strongly, indeed, was it endeavoured to impress the horrid belief, that it was frequently reported through the country, that the orangemen were to rise in the night- time to murder all the Catholics. Reports of an opposite kind also went abroad, as it appears, by a public adver- tisement, that a reward of one hundred guineas was offered by the Roman Catholic inhabitants of the neigh- bourhood of Gorey, for the discovery of some wicked and designing persons who spread a malevolent and detes- table rumour, that all the churches were to be attacked on Sunday the 29th of April, and that a general massacre of the Protestants was to follow. The advertisement was signed by the priests and principal inhabitants of the HISTORY OF THE 56 place, with Sir Thomas Esmonde, Baronet, at their head ; and thus did the Catholics do all in their power to satisfy the minds of their Protestant brethren. These reports certainly occasioned a great deal of mischief among the ignorant and uninformed of all descriptions, whose minds were wrought up to such fury and animosity, that the opposite parties united for mutual defence and hostility to their opponents. On the 30th of March, 1798, all Ireland was put under martial law, and officially declared to be in a state of rebellion by a proclamation from the lord lieutenant and privy council of the realm. In this proclamation the military were directed to use the most summary method of repressing disturbances. The orange system made no public appearance in the county of Wexford, until the beginning of April, on the arrival there of the North Cork militia, commanded by Lord Kingsborough. In this regiment there were a great number of orangemen, who were zealous in making proselytes, and displaying their devices ; having medals and orange ribbons triumphantly pendent from their bosoms. It is believed, that previous to this period there were but few actual orangemen in the county ; but soon after, those whose principles inclined that way, finding themselves supported by the military, joined the asso- ciation, and publicly avowed themselves, by assuming the devices of the fraternity. • s It is said, that the North Cork regiment were also the inventors — but they certainly were the introducers of pitch-cap torture into the county of Wexford. Any person having their hair cut short, (and therefore called a croppy, by which appellation the soldiery designated an united Irishman,) on being pointed out by some loyal neighbour, was immediately seized and brought into a guard-house, where caps either of coarse linen, or strong brown paper, besmeared inside with pitch, were always kept ready for service. The unfortunate victim had one of these well heated, compressed on his head, and when judged of a proper degree of coolness, so that it could not be easily pulled off, the sufferer was turned out amidst the horrid acclamations of the merciless torturers ; and to the view of vast numbers of people, who generally IRISH REBELLION. 57 crowded about the guard-house door, attracted by the afflicted cries of the tormented. Many of those persecuted in this manner experienced additional anguish from the melted pitch trickling into their eyes. This afforded a rare addition of enjoyment to these keen sportsmen, who reiterated their horrid yells of exultation on the repetition of the several accidents to which their game was liable upon being turned out; for in the confusion and hurry of escaping from the ferocious hands of these more than sa- vage barbarians, the blinded victims frequently fell, or inad- vertently dashed their heads against the walls in their way. The pain of disengaging this pitched cap from the head must be next to intolerable. The hair was often torn out by the roots, and not unfrequently parts of the skin were so scalded or blistered as to adhere and come off* along with it. The terror and dismay that these outrages occasioned are inconceivable. A serjeant of the North Cork, nick- named Tom the Devil , was most ingenious in devising new modes of torture. Moistened gunpowder was fre- quently rubbed into the hair cut close and then set on fire ; some, while shearing for this purpose, had the tips of their ears snipt off* ; sometimes an entire ear, and often both ears were completely cut off* ; and many lost part of their noses during the like preparation. But, strange to tell, these atrocities were publicly practised without the least reserve in open day, and no magistrate or officer ever interfered, but shamefully connived at this extra- ordinary mode of quieting the people ! Some of the . miserable sufferers on these shocking occasions, or some of their relations or friends, actuated by a principle of retaliation, if not of revenge, cut short the hair of several persons whom they either considered as enemies or sus- pected of having pointed them out as objects for such desperate treatment. This was done with a view that those active citizens should fall in for a little experience of the like discipline, or to make the fashion of short hair so general that it might no longer be a mark of party distinction. Females were also exposed to the grossest insults from these military ruffians. Many women had their petticoats, handkerchiefs, caps, rib- bons, and all parts of their dress that exhibited a shade of green (considered the national colour of Ireland) torn d 3 58 HISTORY OF THE off, and their ears assailed by the most vile and indecent ribaldry. This was a circumstance so unforeseen, and of course so little provided against, that many women of enthusiastic loyalty suffered outrage in this manner. Some of these ladies would noton any account have worn any thing which they could even imagine partook in any degree of croppy ism. They were, however, unwarily involved, until undeceived by these gentle hints from these kind guardians of allegiance. Great as the apprehensions from orangemen had been before among the people, they were now multiplied ten- fold, and aggravated terror led them in numbers to be sworn united Irishmen, in order to counteract the sup- posed plan of their rumoured exterminators. The fears of the people became so great at length, that they forsook their houses in the night and slept (if under such cir- cumstances they could sleep) in the ditches. These facts were notorious at the time, and had the magistrates and gentlemen of the country been actuated by the feelings that humanity naturally excites on such occasions, they might with very little trouble have convinced the deluded populace of the fallacy of such reports, and they should have promised them public protection. In general, how- ever, the fact was otherwise. The melancholy situation of the people was regarded with the utmost indifference : few individuals felt any concern or gave themselves any trouble about what they thought ; and no effort whatever was made to allay their apprehensions, or at all to unde- ceive them. Their minds were left to the operation of their fears, to dissipate which if any pains had been taken, it is certain that these horrid conceptions enter- tained of orangemen could never have taken such strong hold of their scared imaginations, and that violence would have been repressed in its origin. I had the good for- tune to succeed so far, in my own neighbourhood, as to induce the people to remain in their houses at night; and the trouble it gave me to effect so much cannot be con- ceived without actual experience. I was much amazed to find that this notion was so firmly entertained by some people of respectability, that I believe myself to have been the only person that slept in a house wherein I was on a visit. The fears of the family had been so great, IRISH REBELLION. 59 that they had formed a plan of escape, in case of any attempt by the orangemen to murder them in the night, and with this plan I was made acquainted the next morning. I endeavoured to inculcate my own fixed opinion of the impossibility of a Christian harbouring the thought of putting to death an unoffending fellow-creature. The disposition is too shocking for any Christian to cherish against another; but more especially so for a Christian boasting that of all persuasions his own dis- poses most to liberality. I rejected the odious, infernal thought with abhorrence, and railed at the weakness that would give it a moment’s reception in the mind ; and I succeeded in dispelling the fears of some of my friends. The minds of the people being thus greatly irritated, (particularly by the impunity of the acts of outrage already related,) and their alarms having made them abandon their houses at night, they collected in great numbers in their lurking-places. Measures of self-defence were naturally suggested in consequence of their appre- hensions, and they were readily led to adopt the means that were deemed best calculated to ensure security. The united Irishmen eagerly advanced the arguments most likely to induce the body of the people to embrace their system, and they met with powerful support and co- operation from those of the opposite faction ; whose violent conduct and zealous persecutions proved more efficacious in urging on the people, than any allurements whatsoever. Men thus desperately circumstanced uphold and stimulate each other’s confidence, and all consideration of the weakness of individual exertion is removed by a reliance on collective force. In this state is man no longer connected in the way of civil society, but finds himself surrounded by one convulsed and half-dissolved, and a fever of the mind ensues that banishes all idea of calm circumspection. A soul thus impressed cannot abide in solitude, and is therefore led by irresistible impulse to adopt any plausible project that holds out additional means of preservation, protection, or defence. On the 25th day of April, 1798, an assembly of twenty- seven magistrates was held at Gorey, where it was re- solved, that the whole county of Wexford should be 60 HISTORY OF THE forthwith proclaimed ; and this accordingly took place on the 27th. From this period forward, many magistrates of the county made themselves conspicuous in practising the summary mode of quieting the country, by the inflic- tion of all kinds of torture. They seem, indeed, to have emulated or rather rivalled the conduct of the magistrates of other counties, who had made trial of the salutary effects of persecution somewhat sooner. In the several neighbourhoods of Ross, Enniscorfchy, and Gorey, the people suffered most, as in each of these towns a magis- trate started up, eager for the glorious distinction of out- stripping all others, each by his own superior deeds of death, deflagration, and torture ! but it is to be observed, that none of these men had ever before possessed either talents or respectability sufficient to entitle him to take a leading part; yet, if burning houses, whipping and half- hanging numbers, hanging some all out, and shooting others, with attendant atrocities, constitute the charac- teristics of loyal and good magistrates, they must be allowed strong claim to eminence. In the meantime it must be observed also, that such proceedings, however sanctioned, are contrary to the spirit of the constitution, a principal part of the excellence of which is the exclu- sion of all torture. In all the riots and disturbances that took place in England, does it appear, in any one in- stance, that an infliction of torture was ever attempted ? Yet have we heard of associations there, as alarming in their tendency as any that can be imputed to united Irishmen, although no one has been found possessed of sufficient hardihood there to try this desperate experi- ment. Would the most powerful, the richest, or the most violent man in England be hazardous enough to treat the meanest subject with the barbarous severity practised, in numberless instances, on respectable as well as humble individuals in Ireland ? the attempt would be too danger- ous. I apprehend the result would prove, that the people would rise in a mass in resistance to such oppressive treatment ; and it is submitted to the determination of the candid and impartial, if the feelings of the people of England would not yield to such tyranny without meeting it with the most violent opposition, whether it be not natural to suppose, that it must have roused the resent- IRISH REBELLION. 61 ments of the people of Ireland ? I am firmly persuaded, that the conduct of the magistrates before alluded to, (and of some others not entitled to quite such renown in this cause) supported by the yeomen under their control, together with the co-operation of the military, occasioned or rather forced the rising of the people in the county of Wexford. While I endeavour to establish the truth of this assertion, I beg the reader’s attention to the parti- cular dates of the several outrages, and of the respective periods at which different parts of the county joined the insurgents, as it will be necessary to take them in regular order, to form an adequate and impartial opinion. The proclamation of the county of Wexford having given greater scope to the ingenuity of magistrates to devise means of quelling all symptoms of rebellion, as well as of using every exertion to procure discoveries, they soon fell to burning of houses wherein pikes or other offensive weapons were discovered, no matter how brought there ; but they did not stop here, for the dwellings of suspected persons, and those from which any of the inhabitants were found to be absent at night, were also consumed. This circumstance of absence from the houses very ge- nerally prevailed through the country, although there were the strictest orders forbidding it. This was occa- sioned at first, as was before observed, from apprehension of the orangemen, but afterwards proceeded from the actual experience of torture, by the people, from the yeo- men and magistrates. Some, too, abandoned their homes for fear of being whipped, if, on being apprehended, confessions satisfactory to the magistrates could either be given or extorted, and this infliction many persons seemed to fear more than death itself. Many unfortunate men who were taken in their own houses were strung up as it were to be hanged, but were let down now and then to try if strangulation would oblige them to become in- formers. After these and the like experiments, several persons languished for some time, and at length perished in consequence of them. Smiths and carpenters, whose assistance was considered indispensable in the fabrication of pikes, were pointed out, on evidence of their trades as the first and fittest objects of torture. But the saga- city of some magistrates became at length so acute, from 02 HISTORY OF THE habit and exercise, that they discerned an united Irish- man even at the first glance ! and their zeal never suf- fered any person whom they deigned to honour with such distinction, to pass off without convincing proof of their attention. The two following instances are selected from “an account of the late rebellion,” by Mr. Alexander, a Protestant inhabitant of Boss, who keeps an academy in that town : — “ I now heard of many punishments of suspected per- sons, both by flogging and strangulation, being put into execution in the barrack-yard (in RossJ, to extort con- fession of guilt. There were two of these victims brought from the barrack to the court-house to undergo a repe- tition of former punishments. One of them, of the name of Driscol, was found in Camlin Wood, near Ross, where he said he generally wandered as a hermit. Upon him were found two Roman Catholic prayer-books, with which it is supposed he administered oaths of disloyalty. He had been strangled three times and flogged four times during confinement, but to no purpose ! His fel- low-sufferer was one Pitzpatrick of Dunganstown, near Sutton’s parish. This man had been a Newfoundland sailor, but long utterly disqualified to follow that occupa- tion by reason of an inveterate scurvy in his legs. He therefore commenced abecedarian, near Sutton’s parish. It happened that a magistrate who was a yeoman, and others of his corps, passed by his noisy mansion, which was no other than a little thatched stable, that, like a bee-liive, proclaimed the industry of its inhabitants. The magistrate entered, followed by the other yeomen. ‘Here is a man,’ says the magistrate, speaking of the master, as I shall call him, though his authority was now for some months to have an end — and a severe vacation it was — ‘ Here is a man who, I presume, can have no objection to take the oath of allegiance. What do you say, Mr. Teacher?’ — ‘ O dar a leoursa ,’ (*. e. by this book) ‘ I will take it, sir, and thank you for bringing it to me.’ So saying, lie took the book, which the ma- gistrate held forth, and not only took the oath with the most cordial emphasis, but added another expressive of his loyalty at all times. Upon this, the magistrate re- garded his companions with a look of dry humour, and IRISH REBELLION. 63 observed, that this must he a loyal man indeed. ‘Well then, my loyal friend, I suppose you will readily swear to all the pikes and to the owners and possessors of them, of wliich you have any knowledge ? The man swore he had no certain knowledge of the kind ; and that he never saw a rebel’s pike in his life, or a pike of any kind since the rebellion. ‘Then,’ says the magistrate, ‘ you shall swear that you will, to the utmost of your future know- ledge or information this way, give in the best manner you can, all such information to a lawful magistrate, or other officer in his majesty’s service.’ ‘ No, sir,’ answered Fitzpatrick, * I will not swear that : I will bring no man’s blood on my head ; and if I do inform, who will support and protect me when I have lost all my scholars, and my neighbours turn upon me?’ Upon this he was immedi- ately apprehended and escorted to Ross : he was not strangled, however, but flogged with great severity ; and it was not with dry eyes that I saw the punishment inflicted on this humble pioneer of literature. About a month after the battle, both these men were tried before General Cowley, and matters appearing no farther against them than I have stated, they were liberated from a close and filthy confinement. The general presented both with a small sum of money, expressing a good-natured concern, that he could not then give them any greater pecuniary assistance. He also gave them written protections, ex- pressive of his opinion of their being peaceably disposed. I never once heard an authentic account of any imme- diate good effect produced by these punishments. How- ever, it is most certain, that the severities in general served to accelerate the rebellion, and thereby, very considerably, to weaken its progress.”* Many innocent men were thus taken up while peace- ably engaged in their own private concerns, walking along the road, or passing through the market in the several towns, without any previous accusation, but in consequence of military whim, or the caprice of magis- terial loyalty ; and those who had been at market, and were passed by unnoticed, had the news of a public exhi- bition to bring home ; for the unfortunate victims thus See Alexander’s account of tho rebellion, pages 28, 29. 64 HISTORY OF THE seized upon, were instantly subjected, at least to the torture of public whipping. People of timid dispositions, therefore, avoided going to market, fearing that they might be forced to display the like spectacle. Provisions of course became dear, for want of the usual supply in the market towns ; and the military, to redress this evil, went out into the country and brought in what they wanted, at what price they pleased ; the owners think- ing themselves well treated if they got but half the value of their goods ; and in case of a second visit, happy if they escaped unhurt, which, however, was not always the case ; and thus were the minds of the people brought to admit such powerful impressions of terror, that death itself was sometimes the consequence. The following is a strong instance of this melancholy fact, related by the Kev. Mr. Gordon : — “Whether an insurrection in the then existing state of the kingdom would have taken place in the county of Wexford, or in case of its eruption, how far less formi- dable and sanguinary it would have been, if no acts of severity had been committed by the soldiery, the yeo- men, or their supplementary associates, without the direct authority of their superiors, or command of the magistrate, is a question which I am not able positively to answer. In the neighbourhood of Gorey, if I am not mistaken, the terror of the whippings was in particular so great, that the people would have been extremely glad to renounce for ever all notions of opposition to govern- ment, if they could have been assured of permission to remain in a state of quietness. As an instance of this terror, I shall relate the following fact : — On the morn- ing of the 23d of May, a labouring man, named Denis M ‘Daniel, came to my house with looks of the utmost consternation and dismay, and confessed to me that he had taken the united Irishman’s oath, and had paid for a pike, with which he had not yet been furnished, nine- teen-pence halfpenny, to one Kilty a smith, who had administered the oath to him and many others. While I sent my eldest son, who was a lieutenant of yeomanry, to arrest Kilty, I exhorted M ‘Daniel to surrender him- self to a magistrate, and make his confession ; but this he positively refused, saying that he should, in that case, IRISH REBELLION. 65 be lashed to make him produce a pike, which he had not, and to confess what he knew not. I then advised him, as the only alternative, to remain quietly at home, promising that if he should be arrested on the informa- tion of others, I would represent his case to the magis- trates. He took my advice, but the fear of arrest and lashing had so taken possession of his thoughts that he could neither eat nor sleep ; and on the morning of the 25th, he fell on his face and expired in a little grove near my house.”* The Reverend Mr. Gordon, from whose history I have quoted the foregoing narrative, is a clergyman of the Established Church, who resided in the neighbourhood of Gorey, as a curate, for twenty-three years ; and as he was an eye-witness, his relation of the fact deserves the utmost credit. He had every opportunity of watching the approach of the insurrection, and I sincerely wish there were many like him possessed of liberal sentiments and benevolent feelings for the delusions and sufferings of the people. With regard to his opinion, that they would remain quiet in the neighbourhood of Gorey, if they were certain of being left at peace at home, I per- fectly coincide with him ; and can confidently assert the same of the neighbourhood in which I resided. It was not possible that the convulsed state of the country could escape the observation of any humane or intelligent per- son : an inquiry into the cause would naturally succeed such notice, and the result must be the consequent con- viction of this truth. I have also reason to believe, that sueh was the disposition throughout the whole county, as I have heard several respectable magistrates and other persons of veracity from various parts of it express the same sentiment; and as each individual was undoubtedly the best judge in his own neighbourhood of the conduct of the in- habitants, the inference to be collected from these several uniform statements must be conclusive evidence for the establishment of a fact, to which subsequent events afford a strong corroboration. While, the minds of the people were in this state of distraction and alarm, numbers, condemned to transpor- See Gordon's History of the Irish Rebellion, pp. 87, 88. 66 HISTORY OF THE tation by the magistrates of other counties, daily passed through the county of Wexford on their way to Duncan- non-fort. Groups of from twelve to fifteen carloads at a time have gone through Ross alone. These terrifying examples added if possible to the apprehension already entertained, and the precedent was soon after put in practice in the county of Wexford itself. Great as the atrocities already related may appear, (and surely they are very deplorable,) enormities still more shocking to humanity remained to be perpetrated. How- ever grating to generous and benevolent feeling the sad detail must prove, imperious truth imposes the irksome necessity of proceeding to facts. Mr. Hunter Gowan had for many years distinguished himself by his activity in apprehending robbers, for which he was rewarded with a pension of £100 per annum, and it were much to be wished that every one who has obtained a pension has as well deserved it. Now exalted to the rank of magistrate, and promoted to be captain of a corps of yeomen, he was zealous in exertions to inspire the people about Gorey with dutiful submission to the magistracy, and a respectful awe of the yeomanry. On a public day in the week preceding the insurrection, the town of Gorey beheld the triumphal entry of Mr. Gowan at the head of his corps, with his sword drawn, and a human finger stuck on the point of it. With this trophy he marched into the town, parading up and down the streets several times, so that there was not a person in Gorey who did not witness this exhibi- tion ; while in the meantime the triumphant corps dis- played all the devices of orangemen. After the labour and fatigue of the day, Mr. Gowan and his men retired to a public-house to refresh themselves, and, like true blades of game , their punch was stirred about with the finger that had graced their ovation, in imitation of keen fox hunters who whisk a bowl of punch with the brush of a fox before their boozing commences. This captain and magistrate afterwards went to the house of Mr. Jones, where his daughters were ; and, while taking a snack that was set before him, he bragged 6f having blooded his corps that day, and that they were as stanch blood-hounds as any in the world. The daughters begged IRISH REBELLION. 67 of their father to show them the croppy finger, which he deliberately took from his pocket and handed to them. Misses dandled it about with senseless exultation, at which a young lady in the room was so shocked that she turned about to a window, holding her hand to her face to avoid the horrid sight. Mr. Gowan perceiving this, took the finger from his daughters, and archly dropped it into the disgusted lady’s bosom. She instantly fainted, and thus the scene ended ! ! ! Mr. Gowan constantly boasted of this and other similar heroic actions , which he repeated in the presence of Brigade-major Fitzgerald, on whom he had waited officially ; but, so far from meeting with his wonted applause, the major obliged him instantly to leave the company. Enniscorthy and its neighbourhood were similarly pro- tected by the activity of Archibald Hamilton Jacob, aided by the yeomen cavalry, thoroughly equipped for this kind of service. They scoured the country, having in their train a regular executioner, completely appointed with his implements — a hanging rope and a cat-o’-nine- tails. Many detections and consequent prosecutions of united Irishmen soon followed. A law had been recently enacted, that magistrates upon their own authority could sentence to transportation persons accused and convict- ed before them. Great numbers were accordingly taken up, prosecuted, and condemned. Some, however, ap- pealed to an adjournment of a quarter session held in Wexford, on the 23d of May, in the county court-house ; at which three and twenty magistrates from different parts of the county attended. Here all the private sen- tences were confirmed, except that of one man who was brought in on horseback that morning, carrying a pike with a handle of enormous length through Wexford town, on his way to the gaol. This exhibition procured him the reversion of his sentence, at the instance of the very ma- gistrates who had condemned him. In the course of the trials on these appeals in the public court-house of Wex- ford, Mr. A. II. Jacob appeared as evidence against the prisoners, and publicly avowed the happy discoveries he had made in consequence of inflicting the torture : many instances of whipping and strangulation he particularly detailed with a degree of self-approbation and compla- 68 HISTORY OF THE cency, that clearly demonstrated how highly he was pleased to rate the merits of his own great and loyal ser- vices ! From the construction of the new law regarding the discretionary power of magistrates, the ratification of these sentences did not surprise me, except in two in- stances, at the discussion of which I was actually pre- sent. One was that of a Roman Catholic priest of the name of Dixon, taken up shortly before by Captain Boyd, on the information of a gardener, who averred he had been in Wexford on a market day, in a public-house, where he met with the priest, who spent a considerable time, he said, to induce him to become an united Irish- man ; very plausibly relating a train of circumstances tending to that effect. In contradiction to this man’s testimony, there appeared three credible witnesses, de- scribing the situation of the house and the several compa- nies there assembled at the time specified ; by which it was manifest that the particulars stated by the prosecutor were utterly unfounded, as they could not possibly have taken place without their knowledge. The other was that of a man named William Graham, servant to Lieu- tenant Joseph Gray, of the Wexford yeomen cavalry. He was taken up for being out of his master’s house at eleven o’clock at night, and was supposed to be an united Irishman. His defence was a good character given him by different gentlemen, and that although the general proclamation of the county prohibited all persons from being out of their dwellings at night, yet from the peace- able demeanour of the inhabitants of the town of Wex- ford, so rigorous and strict an adherence to its literal tenor had not been insisted on in any one instance but against him. However, the alleged necessity of public example was a sufficient excuse with the majority of the magistrates to condemn these men to transportation. The magistrates after this public discussion retired to the grand-jury room to deliberate, from whence the fol- lowing public notice was issued, printed, and distributed through the county : — “ Notice. — We, the high sheriff and magistrates of the county of Wexford, assembled at sessions held at the county court-house in Wexford, this 23d day of May, IRISH REBELLION. 69 1798, have received the most clear and unequivocal evi- dence, private as well as public, that the system and plans of those deluded persons who style themselves, and are commonly known by the name of united Irishmen, have been generally adopted by the inhabitants of the several parishes in this county, who have provided themselves with pikes and other arms for the purpose of carrying their plans into execution. And whereas we have received information, that the inhabitants of some parts of this county have, within these few days past, returned to their allegiance, surrendering their arms, and confessing the errors of their past misconduct. Now we, the high sheriff and magistrates, assembled as afore- said do give this public notice, that if within the space of fourteen days from the date hereof, the inhabitants of the other parts of this county, do not come in to some of the magistrates of this county, and surrender their arms or other offensive weapons, concealed or otherwise, and give such proof of their return to their allegiance as shall appear sufficient, an application will be made to govern- ment to send the army, at free quarters, into such parishes as shall fail to comply, to enforce due obedience to this notice. Edward Percival, sheriff. Courtown, John Henry Lyster, James Boyd, George Le-Hunte, Thomas Handcock, John James, John Pounden, Hawtrey White, James White, Ebenezer Jacob, William Hore, Edward D’Arcy, John Heatly, John Grogan, Archibald Jacob, Edward Turner, Isaac Comock, Cornelius Grogan, Francis Turner, William Toole, Richard Newton King, Charles Vero. “Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to Archibald Jacob, Esq. for his manly, spirited, active, and efficacious exertions as a magistrate for the establishment and preservation of the public peace.” I have heard some of these very magistrates give opi- nions so totally contrary to what is publicly declared in this resolution of thanks, that it is with the utmost sur- 70 HISTORY OF THE prise I saw their names annexed to a document, whereby they publicly approved of conduct whereof in private they expressed the strongest detestation. But it often happens that well-disposed men are led thus to sanction proceedings they abhor ; not possessing sufficient firm- ness of mind to maintain their own sentiments, and fear- ing that their humanity should appear to derogate in any degree from their loyalty. It is remarkable, that on this very day the rebellion broke out in the county of Kil- dare, the news of which, running as it were with the wind, quickly reached the county of Wexford. The people in this county, however, who were possessed of pikes or other arms were continually crowding in to the different magistrates throughout the whole county, for the purpose of surrendering them, conformable to the notice before mentioned ; and following the like example set them by the county of Wicklow, where it appears there had been leaders (afterwards imprisoned) who made discoveries which led the public to believe that all idea of a rising was at that time given up. As this notice specified that there were fourteen days allowed for the return of the people to their allegiance, it was reasonably concluded the protection of such as would submit within that time was guaranteed by the magistrates who had signed it ; and it was also natural to imply, that all measures would cease during that in- terval which might tend in any degree to subvert the peaceable intentions of the people. Would to God ! that even at this period the spirit of this publication had been adhered to ; for, in such an event, it is very probable that the county of Wexford w r ould have escaped the dreadful misfortune of open insurrection! In Ennis- corthy, Ross, and Gorey, several persons were not only put to the torture in the usual manner, but a greater number of houses were burnt, and measures of the strongest coercion were practised, although the people continued to flock in to the different magistrates for pro- tections. Mr. Perry of Inch, a Protestant gentleman, was seized on and brought a prisoner to Gorey, guarded by the North Cork militia ; one of whom, the noted ser- jeant nicknamed Tom the Devil — gave him woful ex- perience of his ingenuity and adroitness at devising tor- IRISH REBELLION. 71 ment. As a specimen of his savoir faire , he cut off the hair of his head very closely, cut the sign of the cross from the front to the back, and transversely from ear to ear, still closer ; and probably a pitched cap not being in readiness, gunpowder was mixed through the hair, which was set on fire, and the shocking process repeated, until every atom of hair that remained could be easily pulled out by the roots ; and still a burning candle was continually applied, until the entire was completely singed away, and the head left totally and miserably blistered ! At Carnew things were carried to still greater length ; for, independent of burning, whipping, and tor- ture in all shapes, on Friday, the 25th of May, twenty- eight prisoners were brought out of the place of confine- ment, and deliberately shot in a ball-alley by the yeo- men, and a party of the Antrim militia ; the infernal deed being sanctioned by the presence of their officers ! Many of the men thus inhumanly butchered, had been confined on mere suspicion ! ! ! Lord Courtown is said to have been for adopting lenient measures ; and although it might be reasonably thought that his rank and character ought to have had due influence in the neighbourhood of Gorey, yet his benevolent intentions were overpowered by the disposi- tion to severity of most of the magistrates; and con- sequently, the measures of the most violent were adopted. The following is the Rev. Mr. Gordon’s representation of his lordship’s conduct: — “ As the Earl of Courtown had performed much in providing a force to obviate or suppress rebellion, so his treatment of the common people, by his affable manners, had been always such as was best adapted to produce content in the lower classes, and pre- vent a proneness to insurrection. I consider myself as bound in strictness of justice to society, thus far tore- present the conduct of this nobleman. Doubtless, the people in the neighbourhood of Gorey were the last and least violent of all in the county of Wexford, in rising against the established authority ; and certainly the be- haviour of the Stopford family in that neighbourhood has been always remarkably conciliating and humane.” — Page 104. Can any thing be more convincing than this testi- 72 HISTORY OF THE mony, to show of what inestimable value it is for any country to possess good men ; but especially for Ireland, where it is a prevalent system to treat inferiors with the utmost cruelty and contempt, as if they were a different and odious species of being ? If one family could effect so much good by their affable and conciliating manners, is it not painful to reflect on the consequences of a con- trary behaviour to a people, who, of all others in the world, are the most generous and open-hearted; and want only the fostering hand of humanity, due encou- ragement, and a cultivation of their natural talents, to vie in excellence with any race of men on the globe. Having spent Friday, the 25th of May, with Mr. Turner, a magistrate of the county, at Newfort, he requested of me to attend him next day at Newpark, the seat of Mr. Fitzgerald, where, as the most central place, he had appointed to meet the people of the neighbour- hood. I accordingly met him there, on Saturday the 26th, where he continued the whole day administering the oath of allegiance to vast numbers of people : a cer- tificate was given to every person who took the oath, and surrendered any offensive weapon. Many attended who offered to take the oath, and also to depose that they were not united Irishmen, and that they possessed no arms of any kind whatever : and earnestly asked for cer- tificates. But so great was the concourse of these, that considering the trouble of writing them out, it was found impossible to supply them all with such testimonials at that time. Mr. Turner, therefore, continued to receive surrendered arms, desiring such as had none, to wait a more convenient opportunity. Numbers, however, still conceiving that they would not be secure without a writ- ten protection, offered ten times their intrinsic value to such as had brought pike blades to surrender ; but these, being unwilling to forego the benefit of a written pro- tection for the moment, refused to part with their wea- pons on any other consideration. Among the great num- bers assembled on this occasion were some men from the village of Ballaghkeen, who had the appearance of being more dead than alive, from the apprehensions they were under of having their houses burnt, or themselves whipt, should they return home. These apprehensions had IRISH REBELLION. 73 been excited to this degree, because that on the night of Thursday the 24th, the Enniscorthy cavalry, conducted by Mr. Archibald Hamilton Jacob, had come to Ballagh- keen ; but on hearing the approaching noise, the inhabi- tants ran out of their houses, and fled into large brakes of furze on a hill immediately above the village, from whence they could hear the cries of one of their neigh- bours, who was dragged out of his house, tied up to a thorn- tree, and while one yeoman continued flogging him, another was throwing water on his back. The groans of the unfortunate sufferer, from the stillness of the night, reverberated widely through the appalled neighbourhood ; and the spot of execution these men re- presented to have appeared next morning, “ as if a pig had been killed there.” After this transaction, Mr. Jacob went round to all the rest of the houses, and signified, that if he should find the owners out of them, on his next visit, he would burn them. These men, whose counte- nances exhibited marks of real terror, particularly from apprehension of flogging which they seemed to dread more than death itself, offered to surrender themselves prisoners to Mr. Turner, who did all in his power to allay their fears, offering to give them all certificates, the production of which to Mr. Jacob, he was sure would afford them protection ; but they still persisted in pre- ferring to remain as prisoners with Mr. Turner, rather than to place any confidence in Mr. Jacob. Mr. Turner then gave them certificates, declaring their absence from home to he by his permission, to be left with their fami- lies, and told them they might come to his house if they pleased. Mr. Turner’s feelings appeared but too sensi- bly affected at the recital of these excesses. He lamented that such scenes had been exhibited, and said he had conceived that all coercive measures were to cease, during the fourteen days allowed by the magistrates for the people to surrender their arms ; adding, that he greatly feared that very desirable object would be much retarded by such violence, which would prove the more lamentable, on account of the recent news from the county of Kildare. On this very day, too, we had the mortification to be informed that the furniture and effects of a shop-keeper at Enniscorthy were brought out and E 74 HISTORY OF THE burned in the public street ; and, on the next morning, a man was hanged there, and his body dragged up and down several times through the marketplace, with shocking inhumanity and inefficient cruelty ! I remained the whole day with Mr. Turner, who did not go home till after ten o’clock. We indulged the fond hope at parting, that the county of Wexford should re- main quiet, from the disposition generally shown by the people, and we separated with the expectation of being able to pay our friendly visits to each other as usual. Indeed all over the county of Wexford, the people had now given up all thought of insurrection, of which no- thing can afford a more convincing proof than the gene- ral surrender of arms ; and I have heard respectable magistrates, to whom they were surrendered, declare their conviction to the same effect. Mr. Richards, of Solborough, captain of the Enniscorthy cavalry; Mr. Beauman, of Hyde-park, captain of the Coolgreny caval- ry ; Mr. Cornock, captain of the Scarawalsh infantry ; and the Rev. Mr. Colclough of Duffrey-hall, distin- guished themselves by their anxiety to satisfy and calm the agitated minds of the populace ; and were busily em- ployed in granting certificates to such as surrendered their arms. Many other magistrates attended at differ- ent places for the same purpose. Mr. Bagnal Harvey had collected the arms of all his tenantry and neighbour- hood, and on this very day (Saturday the 26th of May,) brought them into Wexfofd. As it was late when he delivered them up, he did not return home that night, but remained in town ; and just as he was going to bed, he was arrested by Captain Boyd, and lodged in the gaol. Mr. Percivall, the high sheriff, and Captain Boyd, with a strong party of the Wexford cavalry, proceeded on the same night to Newpark, the seat of Mr. Fitz- gerald, to take him prisoner. I had remained there that night, and was alarmed and roused from my bed by a loud rapping at the door about midnight, which I soon discovered to be the party before mentioned, who came to arrest Mr. Fitzgerald. I requested permission to accompany my friend, which was granted ; but as these gentlemen refused taking the pikes and other arms that had been surrendered at the place the day before to Mr. IRISH REBELLION. 75 Turner, and had remained there, I despatched a messen- ger to him with the intelligence of what had happened, before we set out with this escort, which met with no other delay but while they chose to continue rummaging Mr. Fitzgerald’s papers, among which, by-the-bye, they could discover nothing that could in the remotest degree criminate him. We arrived a little after daylight in Wexford, where Mr. Fitzgerald was lodged in the gaol. The Wexford cavalry then set off to Bally teigue, ten miles from town, from whence they brought Mr. John Henry Colclough prisoner in the course of the day, and lodged him also in the gaol. Early on this morning, being Whitsunday, I saw Mr. Turner on his entrance into Wexford. He brought the first intelligence of the rising of the people, from whom, he said, he could not have been so fortunate as to escape but for mj' messenger, who had called him up before day ; otherwise he v T ould have been at home when his house w r as attacked by the multitude for arms, as were all the houses throughout the whole neighbourhood at that time. When he had given notice of the fact to the offi- cer commanding in the barracks, I accompanied him to the gaol, and after seeing our friend, set out with him. to Castlebridge, where finding the insurrection much more serious than was at first imagined, all kind of par- leying being deemed ineffectual, on consultation with the officers present, I returned to Wexford, as they consi- dered my situation would be too perilous should I accom- pany them in coloured clothes. The Shilmalier cavalry, commanded by Colonel Le-Hunte had already assembled, before the arrival of one hundred and ten of the North Cork militia, who took route by the lower road along the sea-side, while the yeomen had taken the upper road by Castlebridge. Both met at Ballifanock, and proceeded together as far as Ballinamonabeg, where Mr. Turner not finding a man of the name of Darby Kavanagh, who kept a public-house there, at home, and having remembered that he had surrendered a pike the day before, he ordered his house to be set on fire, after getting what spirits and beer it contained to refresh the soldiers, who were much fatigued after their hasty march through heavy sandy roads. A proposal was made to burn the chapel of Ballin- 76 HISTORY OF THE amonabegjust adjoining, which was over-ruled, particu- larly by Armstrong Browne, Esq. who observed it would be a very indifferent compliment to pay the Catholics to burn their place of worship, while a considerable part of the force then assembled were of that persuasion,* which sentiment actually prevented the burning of the chapel. Having halted here for some time, they proceeded three miles farther, and came in sight of the insurgents collected in great numbers on the hill of Oulart, dis- tant about ten miles from Wexford. Colonel Foote, of the North Cork, seeing their position so strong and com- manding, thought it advisable not to attack them ; but Major Lombard, of the same regiment, being of a con- trary opinioq, orders were given to burn two houses, situated in a hollow, between the army and the insur- gents, and Mr. Turner volunteered his service for that purpose. This was done with a view to stimulate the in- surgents to revenge, and thus, if possible, to induce them to abandon the advantage of their situation. This feint, however, not succeeding, and Colonel Foote still persist- ing in his opinion, Major Lombard instantly addressed •the soldiers in terms animating them at once to attack the insurgents, who, he said, would fly at their approach. His words had the effect of making them advance. They descended from the small eminence which they occupied, and crossing the valley between, began to ascend the hill of Oulart, while the Shilmalier cavalry took a circuitous route, round the hill to the left, with the intention of preventing a retreat, but in fact they caused numbers to rally, who attempted to run off, on perceiving the ap- proach of a serious engagement. This also contributed to make the insurgents rush in greater numbers, and with accumulated force, on the North Cork, who were charg- * Shilmalier cavalry present, viz. Colonel Le-Hunte, Lieutenant Armstrong Browne, Lieutenant Kavanagh, Colonel Watson, Sergeant Edward Turner, Henry Hatchell, Samuel Maude, Richard Gainfort, Maurice Jones, and Richard Williams, Protestants. — Nicholas Dixon, Ignatius Rosseter, Walter Redmond, James Lambert, Michael Wad- dick, Richard Kinselagh, Charles Dunn, Patrick Dixon, and Murphy, Catholics. IRISH REBELLION. 77 ing up the hill. They had fired but two volleys when they were totally discomfited. This success of the insur- gents was much promoted by the address of a servant boy, who, as the military were ascending the hill, ad- vised such of the insurgents as were then about him, to lie down under cover of the ditches, and wait the close approach of the military. By this manoeuvre these were suddenly surprised by a force not greatly outnum- bering themselves, but the impetuosity of the attack oc- casioned their total overthrow, while the fact was, at the instant, utterly unknown to the great body of the insur- gents, who attended their commanders on the other side of the hill. Of the North Cork party, Major Lombard, the Hon. Captain de Courcy, Lieutenants Williams, Ware, Barry, and Ensign Keogh, were left on the field of battle. In short, none escaped except Colonel Foote, a sergeant who mounted the major’s horse, a drummer, and two privates. It may not be unworthy of remark, that here was a fool who followed the North Cork, and who, when he saw the major fall, ran to the body and embraced it, then took the major’s sword, and with it dispatched two men before he fell himself. The insurgents had but five men killed, and two wounded. The Shilmalier cavalry, and Colonel Foote made a precipitate retreat to Wexf ford. A large party of the Wexford cavalry also, who had no share whatever in the action were involved in this retreat. Having lodged Mr. Colcough in gaol, they set out on another excursion to Ballimurrin. In their course they shot some straggling men, and burned two houses on finding two men killed near them. They were thus employed in scouring the country when informed of the defeat at Oulart, and this determined them without hesitation to retreat with all speed homewards. The remainder of the North Cork regiment were in- stantly under arms in the barracks, when informed of the defeat of that part of their body which had gone out to action. Burning for revenge they actually marched to the bridge, as if determined to proceed and meet the insurgents ; but they were induced to return by some gentlemen who endeavoured to dissuade them from so headlong and unsafe an undertaking. The great suspense felt by the inhabitants of Wexford, e 3 78 HISTORY OF THE during the whole of this day, on account of so sudden an insurrection, now grew into serious alarm, such as unexpected news like this must inspire. The lamenta- tions of the unfortunate widows and orphans of the sol- diers who had fallen in the encounter, increased the general consternation. These, clapping their hands, ran about the streets quite frantic, mixing their piteous moanings with the plaintive cries of their children, and uttering their bitterest maledictions against the yeomen, whom they charged with having run away, and left their husbands to destruction ! Letters were dispatched to Luncannon Fort and to Waterford with these disastrous accounts, and requesting reinforcements. Those of the North Cork militia then in the town, vowed vengeance against the prisoners confined in the gaol, particularly against Messrs. (Harvey, Fitzgerald, and Colclough, so lately taken up ; and so explicitly and without reserve were these intentions manifested, that I myself heard a sergeant and others of the regiment de- clare that they could not die easy if they should not have the satisfaction of putting the prisoners in the gaol of Wexford to death, particularly the three gentlemen last jnentioned. Nor was this monstrous design harboured only by the common soldiers : some of the ofiicers de- clared the same intentions. I communicated all to the gaoler, who informed me that he had himself, heard the guards on the gaol express their hostile intentions. He was so alarmed and apprehensive of their putting their threats into execution, that he contrived means to get them out, then locked the door, and determined to defend his charge at the risk of his life. He then, with a humanity and presence of mind, that would have become a better station, communicated his apprehensions to all the prisoners, whom he advised to remain close in their cells, so as to avoid being shot in case of an actual attack. He armed the three gentlemen, and formed so judi- cious a plan of defence, that in the event of their being overpowered, their lives could not be had at a cheap rate. Of this scene I was myself an eye-witness, having per- mission from the high sheriff to pay every attention to my friend and relation, Mr. Fitzgerald. The latter gentleman gave me his watch, pocket-book, and every thing valuable irasn rebellion. 79 about him ; and we took leave, as if we expected never to see each other more. Several of the North Cork came to the gaol door, but were refused admittance. At last a party of them came with a woman, or one who feigned a female voice, begging admittance ; and the door being opened, the soldiers instantly rushed forward to get in, but were prevented by a half-door that remained still shut. The whole door was then closed, and it jambed in a soldier’s arm, who desisted not from his de- sign, until his bayonet, with which he attempted to stab the gaoler several times, was wrested from him. A num- ber of soldiers went round the gaol several times, as if to reconnoitre, and were overheard threatening the prisoners with certain destruction, if they could but get in : and I verily believe that, had it not been for the indefatigable exertions of the gaoler, the prisoners would have been all massacred ; and dreadful it is to think what conse- quences must have ensued ! The alarms of the three gentlemen already named were so much increased by these circumstances, as well as by other reports, that they made every disposition of their properties, as if on the point of death. The rising of the people in the county of Wexford, took place in the direction from Carnew to Oulart, for fear, as they alleged, of being whipped, burned, or exter- minated by the Orangemen ; hearing of the numbers of people that were put to death, unarmed and unoffending, through the country — the deliberate massacre and shoot- ing of eight and twenty prisoners in the ball-alley of Carnew, without trial, and some under sentence of trans- portation, who stopped there on their way to Geneva ; among these was a Mr. William Young, a Protestant, who was ordered to be transported by a military tribunal. At Dunlavin, thirty-four men were shot without trial, and among them the informer on whose evidence they were arrested. Strange to tell, officers presided to sanction these proceedings ! A man escaped by feigning to be killed ; he was one out of eighteen of the corps of Captain Saunders, of Saunders-grove, Baltinglass. These reports, together with all the dreadful accounts from the county of Kildare, roused their minds to the utmost pitch of alarm, indignation, and fury. They were forming 60 HISTORY OF TIIK from the evening of the 26th during the whole cf the night, in two bodies. One assembled on Kilthomas-hill, against whom marched from Carnew, on the morning of the 27tli, a body of yeomen cavalry and infantry, who proceeded boldly up the hill, where the insurgents pos- sessed a strong and commanding situation, if they knew how to take advantage of it ; but they were panic- struck, and fled at the approach of the military, who imrsued them with great slaughter. They spared no man they met, and burned at least one hundred houses in the course of a march of seven miles. The Rev. Michael Murphy had been so alarmed on hearing of the rising of the people, that he fled into the town of Gorey early on Whitsunday ; on his arrival not finding Mr. Kenny with whom he had lodged there, he was induced to return for him and his family, for which purpose not being able to procure a driver, he himself led a horse and car, and pursued a by-road to get, if possible, unobserved into Ballecanow, by which means he did not meet some yeomen and others that had gone on the high road to Gorey, after they had torn up the altar, broken the windows, and otherwise damaged the Roman Catholic qhapel; uttering the most violent threats against the priest and ,his flock, which specimens were very unlikely to re- move the dreadful reports of the intended extermination of the Catholics. These depredations had so much weight on the Rev. Michael Murphy as to induce him to alter his original intentions not to fly to such men for protection, and he then was led on by the multitude to Kilthomas-hill ; the Rev. John Murphy had from similar unforseen occurrences joined the insurgents. These two clergymen had been remarkable for their exhortations and exertions against the system of united Irishmen, until they were thus whirled into this political vortex , which, from all the information I have been able to collect, they undertook under the apprehension of extermination. The Rev. John Murphy was acting coadjutor of the parish of Monageer ; and impressed with horror at the desolation around him, took up arms with the people, representing to them that they had better die coura- geously in the field, than to be butchered in their houses. The insurgents in this quarter now began their career by IRISH REBELLION. 81 imitating the example that had been set before them. They commenced burning the houses of those who were most obnoxious to them. Every gentleman’s house in the country was summoned to surrender their arms, and where any resistance was offered, the house was attacked, plundered, and burnt, and most of the inhabitants killed in the conflict. The Camolin cavalry were the first that attacked these insurgents : in the action Lieutenant Bookey and some privates lost their lives — the rest re- treated to Gorey. On the 27th of May, Captain Hawtrey White, led out two troops of horse from Gorey, deter- mined to revenge the death of their companions. They came in sight of the insurgents on the north side of the hill of Oulart ; but they appeared in such force that they thought it not prudent to attack them, but returned to Gorey, burning the houses of suspected persons, and putting every straggler to death on their way. Num- bers were called to their doors and shot, while many more met the like fate within their house, and some even that were asleep. Thus it appears that the insurrection broke out at first in a line from west to east, pretty nearly across the middle of the county, unsupported by the inhabitants either north or south of that direction. These were the tracts whose natives appeared most peaceably inclined, and who thought to avoid joining in the insurrection. The yeomanry of the north of the country proceeded on the 27th against a quiet and defenceless j)opulace ; sallied forth in their neighbourhoods, burned numbers of houses, and put to death hundreds of persons who were unarmed, unoffending, and unresisting, so that those who had taken up arms had the greater chance of escape at that time. I cannot avoid mentioning a circumstance, though not a singular one, that took place amidst these calamities. Mr. William Hore of Harperstown, on his return home from Wexford, was induced to set fire to the house of Miles Redmond of Harvey’s Town, a lime burner. This occasioned his subsequent confinement* and afterwards his death on the bridge of Wexford. He had offered to build him a better house, which Mrs. Hore, his widow, notwithstanding her irretrievable loss, has since actu- ally performed. 82 HISTORY OF THE Such was the state of the northern part of the county, which continued, during the whole of Whitsunday, igno- rant of the state of the south. On the evening of the 26th, Captain John Grogan, perceiving, from a height near his house, several house on fire between Enniscorthy and Oulart, assembled as many of his yeomen as he could muster, and proceeded with them to Enniscorthy, whence he accompanied Cap- tain Solomon [Richards, of the Enniscorthy cavalry, to meet the insurgents, who were committing great devas- tation throughout the country, in retaliation, as they al- leged, for what they had previously suffered. In fact, there seemed to exist between the parties an emulation of enmity, as they endeavoured to outdo each other in mischief, by burning and destroying on both sides those whom they deemed their enemies. The Roman Catholic chapel of Boole vogue was burnt, as was the house of the Rev. John Murphy, already mentioned; and several houses were set on fire and some of the inhabitants con- sumed within them : no man that was seen in coloured clothes escaped the fury of the yeomanry. In and about Ferns, a party of the North Cork militia and some yeo- men pursued the like conduct, as well as in the course of their retreat from thence to Enniscorthy, where they arrived on the morning of the 27th. The Shilmalier infantry, commanded by the Right Hon. George Ogle, were then in Enniscorthy also. They took an excursion to Darby Gap, and on their return they marched home. Captain John Grogan escorted Sergeant Stanley as far as Waterford, on his way to Cork as judge of assize. The town of Enniscorthy was crowded by great numbers of people who fled into it from the country — Catholics among the rest. Some of the latter were put into confinement in the castle, notwithstanding the deplorable evils of which that impolitic system had been already produc- tive ; and although it must be naturally imagined, that a greater proof could not be given of not wishing to join the insurgents than that of flying into the town for refuge. On Monday morning, the 28th of May, every prepara- tion was made for defence, and every precaution observed in the town. Part of the North Cork militia, commanded IRISH REBELLION. 83 by Captain Snowe, Captain Cornock, and Captain Poun- den’s infantry corps, with their supernumeraries, and the Enniscorthy cavalry, commanded by Captain Richards, (the whole military force in the town,) were on the alert, and under arms, in expectation of an immediate attack. Many of the inhabitants of the town offered their services, and armed themselves as well as they could to contribute to the general defence. Some of the most respectable were permitted to join the troops ; but most of those who had offered their assistance were, during the battle, or- dered to ground their arms and retire into their houses, out of which they were peremptorily warned not to stir on pain of death. Good God ! what miserable policy in such times, to brand them as Catholics with disaffection, when their actions bespoke so much the contrary, and thus to force them into the ranks of the insurgents ! After the battle of Oulart the insurgents encamped for the night at Carrigrew, from whence they set out at seven o’clock on Monday morning, the 28th, to Camolin, from thence to Ferns, where meeting with no interrup- tion, or any military force to oppose them, they crossed the Slaney by the bridge at Scarawalsh, halted for some time on the hill of Ballioril, and from thence they proceed- ed to attack Enniscorthy, where they arrived about one o’clock, driving before them a great number of cattle fvith a view of overpowering the yeoman infantry that had proceeded to the Duffrey-gate, where the attack commenced. The assailants posting themselves behind the ditches that enclose the town-parks, kept up a severe but irregular fire of musketry, intermixed with pike- men, who were twice charged by the Enniscorthy cavalry along the two roads leading into the town, with little or no effect. The battle lasted with various success for four hours. Captain Snowe not considering it prudent to quit his situation on the bridge to support the yeomen at the Duffrey-gate, who then fell down by degrees into the town, leaving the suburbs, composed of thatched houses, unprotected, which then were set fire to, (each party ac- cusing the* other for doing so,) and, as it turned out, nothing could be more conducive to the success of the insurgents. During the confusion the conflagrations oc- casioned, from which each party retreated, the military 84 HISTORY OF THE taking their station in the town : had they marched out to meet the insurgents, and given them battle wnere they might have the advantage of the ditches, their su- periority in discipline and fire-arms might have enabled them to break and dissipate the tumultuary body opposed to them, that had every advantage over those placed in a hollow. The insurgents made an attempt to cross the river at the island above the bridge, from whence they were so galled as to oblige them to wade through the Slaney higher up at Blackstoops, some were proceeding to Vinegar Hill, which, from its commanding situation immediately above the town, gave them every advantage of observation, whilst their numbers afforded a suffi- ciency to attack the town on all sides. The military were at length overpowered by the impetuosity and in- trepidity of the insurgents, many of whom fell in the gallant defence made against them ; but the soldiers having no cannon to support them, and the suburbs of the town being on fire in several places, they at last sounded a retreat. Whilst the town was thus circum- stanced, a proposal was made to Captain Snowe to put the prisoners to death before the evacuation of the place ; but he, like a truly brave man, would not listen to such a diabolical proposal, and rejected it with scorn and ab- horrence : notwithstanding which a party went to the castle, determined to put all confined therein to death. An ineffectual attempt was made to break open the door, the keeper having forgot to leave the key, with which he had set off towards Wexford ; and this circumstance pro- videntially saved the lives of the prisoners, as it became too dangerous for the yeomen to wait any longer to put their threats into execution — threats which they con- stantly repeated the whole of that morning while they stood guard over their prisoners. Indeed, so assured were the prisoners themselves of being put to death, that they had continued for hours on their knees at prayer in preparation for that awful event, when the victors re- leased them from confinement. Captain John Pounden of the Enniscorthy supplementary infantry, Lieutenant Hunt of the Enniscorthy yeomen, and Lieutenant Car- den of the Scarawalsh infantry, with about eighty of the military, and some supplementary men, fell in this IRISH REBELLION. 85 action. A regular retreat being sounded, gave the mili- tary an opportunity of bringing away their families and friends, together with a great many men, women, and children, who proceeded in the best manner they could to Wexford. The only opinion prevailing in the latter town for some hours was, that Enniscorthy and all its inhabitants were totally destroyed. This was occasioned by the arrival in Wexford of Lieutenant Archibald Ha- milton Jacob, and a private of the Enniscorthy cavalry, who had been so fortunate as to effect their escape, and who came in with their horses all in a foam, so as to be- speak the most precipitate flight. At the same time tre- mendous clouds of smoke were observed over Enniscor - thy, which is distant only eleven miles from Wexford, and no news arriving for several hours, left room for no other conjecture, but seemed to confirm the account given by these fugitives. The military in their retreat were very confused at first, however self-preservation urged their keeping together, suggested by a private in the yeomanry. Officers had been induced to tear off their epaulets and every other mark that could distinguish them from the privates, considering themselves in more danger if they were recognised as officers. However, not being attacked, there was sufficient leisure to escort those that accompanied them, and who were in such a piteous plight as to excite on their arrival the hearty commiseration of all the inhabitants of Wexford, who invited them indiscriminately to their houses, and sup- plied them with every comfort and necessary in their power, and of which they stood so much in need. How distressing must be the situation of many ladies who were glad to get up behind or before any person that might be tender enough, in the general consternation, to take them on horseback ! Some had their clothes scorched about them, others wanted their shoes and other parts of their dress, which had been lost or torn off; besides the great heat of the day made it doubly distressing to deli- cate females, many of whom had the additional charge of the burden and care of their children. It was very deplorable to observe the anguish and misery of these fu- gitives, so suddenly and violently torn from their homes r 86 HISTORY OF THE and family endearments ; while each in melancholy detail dwelt upon the relation of private calamity. Great as the apprehensions of the inhabitants of Wex- ford had been before, they were much heightened by the mournful appearances and heart-rending recitals of these unhappy sufferers. All dreaded that their houses, their properties, and themselves, should share the fate of Enniscorthy and its inhabitants. At this critical period, the Shilmalier infantry, commanded by the Right Hon. George Ogle, marched from their homes into Wexford. Every possible preparation was now made for defence. The several avenues leading into the town were barricad- ed , and cannon were placed at the different entrances. The inhabitants universally manifested a zeal to defend their habitations, their properties, and their families, against the insurgents ; and numbers offered themselves for the ranks, and to perform military duty. Upwards of two hundred were consequently embodied, there being arms for no more, under the command of gentlemen who had been in the army, and officers of the militia then in the town on leave of absence. These occasional soldiers mounted guard in the same manner with the more regu- lar troops of militia and yeomen ; and every precaution was taken to guard against a nocturnal surprise, which was strongly apprehended. The gentlemen confined in the gaol were visited by numbers of those in town, who entreated Messrs. Harvey and Colclough, to write to their tenants and neighbours, to induce them to remain quiet at their homes, and to avoid joining the insurgents from the other side of the Slaney. This the gentlemen readily complied with, in the presence of those who besought them, urging it in the most strenuous and persuasive terms they could ; and messengers were accordingly dis- patched to every person, who, it was suggested to them, possessed influence enough for the purpose, or who was imagined capable of contributing to keep the inhabitants of the baronies of Forth and Bargy from rising. On the morning of the 29th, the dispositions for the defence of the town were continued with unabating vi- gour. Two hundred men of the Donegal militia, com- manded by Colonel Maxwell, with a six-pounder, marched IRISH REBELLION. 87 in at eight o’clock in the morning, and were billeted throughout the town to get refreshment, of which they stood in great need, having marched all night from Dun- cannon Fort, accompanied by the Healthfield cavalry, commanded by Captain John Grogan. This gentleman having escorted Sergeant Stanley to Waterford, returned to Duncannon Fort, where he met General Fawcett, whose determination he now announced of coming to the assistance of Wexford with an additional force as soon as possible. With this detachment also arrived Colonel Colville, Captain Young, and Lieutenant Soden, officers of the thirteenth regiment, giving the glad tidings of the approach of their body with General Fawceit, and the Meath militia. A gentleman was, however, despatched to the general, to urge in the most pressing terms the immediate necessity of the reinforcement. The Taghmon cavalry, under the command of Captain Cox, arrived in town in the course of the. day. The apprehensions of the inhabitants increased every moment. Every boat in the harbour was busily employed in the conveyance of women and children, with the most valuable effects, on board ships, which now were in great requisition, occa- casioned by the vast numbers of people who crowded these vessels, in order to escape from the town, which it was dreaded would be burnt. To guard against such a disastrous event, all the fires of the town were strictly ordered to be put out at different intervals ; and during the prohibited time, even the bakers were not allowed to heat their ovens. A further measure of precaution adopted on this occasion was, that of stripping all the thatched houses within the walls of the town, which last, by-the-bye, were still standing in full preservation, ex- cept the gateways, that had been long broken down for the public convenience, but were now strongly barri- caded. In short, the utmost activity prevailed for pur- poses of defence. The guards were augmented, and pa- trols of cavalry were constantly sent out to reconnoitre. The widows of those of the North Cork militia who had fallen in the action at Oulart, still continued inconsola- ble about the town, uttering their piteous lamentations. The bodies of the officers who were slain on that occa- sion were this day brought in by Major Lombard’s son 88 HISTORY OF THE vant, who had gone out for that purpose ; and this con- tributed not a little to dispirit the military in the town. Some of my friends then in Wexford intimated to me, that it seemed to be the general wish of all the gentle- men in the place that I should go out to the people, and endeavour to induce them to disperse — my great popu- larity and family influence, it was suggested, pointing me out as the fittest person to undertake such a mission ; which, from these circumstances it was hoped might prove successful. My answer was, that I would not re- fuse to do any thing that was imagined to be for the general good, although I thought the experiment most hazardous, provided a magistrate whose honour might be depended on would accompany me ; besides, that I should have my directions in writing, a copy whereof I would leave with my friends, in order that if I should fall in the enterprise, nothing might be left in the power of misrepresentation to state to my dishonour. No ma- gistrate being found, as I suppose, that would venture on this dangerous service, it was then inquired whether the liberation of Messrs. Harvey, Fitzgerald, and Col- clough, might not appease the people ? On this ques- tion I declared myself incompetent to decide. I was then asked, whether if enlarged on bail, but particularly Mr. Fitzgerald, whose residence lay in the country then disturbed, they would undertake to go out to the insur- gents and endeavour to prevail on them to disperse ? On this inquiry my opinion was, that as the lives of these gentlemen were in danger from the fury of the soldiery while they continued in prison, I thought they would comply with this requisition. The matter now became public, and the prisoners were accordingly visited by the most respectable gentlemen in the town ; several request- ing of me to accompany them to the prison, for the pur- pose of introduction. Indeed, so marked was the atten- tion paid to them on this occasion, that an indifferent spectator would be led to consider them rather as the governors of the town, than as prisoners. On the 28th and 29th, I had many conversations on this subject with the officers and gentlemen of the place ; and at length I was myself, together with five other gentlemen, (two for each of the three prisoners,) bound in five hundred IRISH REBELLION. 89 pounds severally : and Messrs Harvey, Fitzgerald, and Colelough themselves individually in one thousand pounds security for their appearance at the next assizes. It was further conditioned, that although they were all three bailed, two only should be at large at any one time ; but that they might take their turns of going abroad interchangeably at their discretion, provided one should always remain in gaol as a guarantee for the re- turn of the rest. This compact was entered into with Captain Boyd particularly. Mr. Harvey was then fixed on to remain, and Messrs. Fitzgerald and Colelough were immediately liberated, and sent out to endeavour to prevail on the people to disperse. They were escorted from the gaol by several gentlemen, who conducted them beyond the outposts ; and then a yeoman was sent to attend them till they passed the patrols, and so they set off towards Enniscorthy. The entire military force at this time in Wexford con- sisted of three hundred of the North Cork militia, com- manded by Colonel Foote ; two hundred of the Donegal militia, under the direction of Colonel Maxwell; five troops of yeoman cavalry, viz. those of Wexford, corn** manded by Captain Boyd ; the Enniscorthy, by Captain liichards ; the Taghmon, by Captain Cox ; the Health- field, by Captain John Grogan ; and the Shilmalier, by Colonel Le Hunte ; the infantry yeomen were those of Wexford, under Captain Jacob, M.D. ; the Enniscorthy, under Captain Pounden ; the Scarawalsh, under Captain Cornock; and the Shilmalier, under the Bight Hon. George Ogle, with their supplementary men, altogether as many as their original number, and two hundred of the townsmen, amounting on the whole to twelve hun- dred men under arms ; who, as the town-wall was in good condition, might defy as many thousand assailants, not supported by a great superiority of ordnance. It would be difficult to state who held the chief command then in Wexford ; but Colonel Watson, (formerly lieu- tenant-colonel in the army,) who now filled the rank of sergeant in the Shilmalier cavalry, seemed to take the lead more than any other person in the place in station- ing the different posts ; and really, from the ability he displayed, seemed the fittest of all present to be entrusted 90 HISTORY OF THE with the direction of affairs, having left nothing undone, as far as the exigency of the moment would allow, to put the town in as complete a state of defence as possible. The insurgents, after having taken Enniscorthy on the 28th, encamped that evening on Vinegar Hill. Several parties were dispatched from thence during the night, to bring in all the respectable persons remaining in the county, with menaces of death in case of refusal ; their recent successes having rendered them altogether impe- rious. One party was particularly directed to Newcastle for Mr. John Hay, in whose professional talents they placed great confidence, as he had been an officer in the French service. On being summoned out of his bed to come to camp, he endeavoured to expostulate, but all in vain ; and at last, he absolutely refused going, notwith- standing the most violent threats uttered against him. At length, however, menaces proceeded to such extre- mity, that his house should be set on fire, and he and his family consumed within it ; and preparations were in- stantly making to put their threats in actual execution, when turning with looks of anguish and despair towards his wife and daughter, whom he loved most passionately, with the tenderest emotions he surrendered his judgment for their safety, and was led to Vinegar Hill, where he met several who had been summoned thither out of their beds as unexpectedly as himself ; for as the military had abandoned the whole country, the insurgents, who were now the generality of the people, had every one who re- mained under uncontrollable command. Mr. John Hay, finding upon inquiry, that the multitude had no ammu- nition, no warlike stores, nor any degree of preparation, strongly remonstrated on their defenceless situation, re- presenting that they could not possibly stand against a regularly appointed military force, as any soldiery know- ing their duty must cut them to pieces. Various and confused were the consultations that ensued in this tumultuous assemblage. It was at once proposed, by different persons to attack Ross, Newtownbarry, and Gorey, as each lay more contiguous to their several homes, for Wexford was then considered too formidable to be at all attempted ; while others laboured to persuade the whole body to proceed to their respective neighbour- IRISH REBELLION. 91 hoods, to protect them from the ravages of the military ; and each party persisted so obstinately in their several determinations, as not to yield or listen to any reason- ing from another side, in opposition to their favourite opinions: no kind of concert, no unity of design, no sort of discipline or organization appearing to influence their councils or their conduct ; which distraction suf- ficiently indicates that no pre-concerted or any digested plan of insurrection existed in the county, previous to the rising — for in such case, the populace would have been rendered, in some degree, at least, subordinate to some constituted authority ; whereas they now acted, even after considerable successes, not obedient to any control, but with the greatest anarchy, violence, and confusion. In 'fine, each individual dreaded the devastation of his house or his property ; most of the multitude was dis- persed, and on their way to their several homes, in all directions from Vinegar Hill, when some of them met Messrs. Fitzgerald and Colclough (whose arrests were publicly known,) near the village of St. John’s, and find- ing them liberated and sent out to them, they were immediately welcomed by a general shout, which com- municating from one to another, like electricity, was re-echoed all the way to Enniscorthy, and so on to the top of Vinegar Hill, and thence through all the county round. The reverberation of the shouts thus widely diffused, arrested the attention of the astonished multi- tude, who instantly returned to discover the cause of such sudden exultation ; so that when the deputed gen- tlemen arrived on Vinegar Hill, the camp, so deserted but a moment before, now became as thronged as ever. Were it not sufficiently established by the universal acknowledgment of all the inhabitants of the county of Wexford, officers and men, who bore a part in this in- surrection, that there wa3 no concert between this rising and the plan of a general insurrection in and about Dublin ; and that it was no more than a tumultuary and momentary exertion of popular resistance to a state of things, found or considered unsupportable, the sole ob- ject of which was an attempt to get rid of oppressions, and to retaliate with equal violence, what they had been for some time experiencing; this inclination of each man, 92 HISTORY OF THE and every body of men, to return home, and apply the general force to the correction of their individual suffer- ings, would furnish a strong proof of the fact ; as other- wise the idea of some general system, however confused, would be floating in their imagination, and it is the con- firmed opinion of most impartial people, that I have heard discuss the subject, that the insurrection in the county of Wexford must have subsided at that period, but for this intelligence extraordinary from the town by the deputation of the prisoners, who of necessity informed the people, that they had been liberated, and sent out for the express purpose of remonstrating with them ; for this served only to concentrate their wavering opinions, and to point to some object their previously fluctuating determinations. It was but the resolution of a moment to march in a body to attack Wexford. Mr. Fitzgerald they detained in the camp, and Mr. Colclough they sent back to announce their hostile intentions. Mr. Colclough arrived in Wexford early in the even- ing, and waited in the bull-ring (a small square in the town so denominated) until the officers and other gentle- men in the place had there assembled, when he informed them in a very audible voice, from on horseback, that having gone out, according to their directions, to the in- surgents on Vinegar Hill, he found, as he had already suggested before his departure, that he possessed no in- fluence with the people, who had ordered him to return and announce their determination of marching to the attack of Wexford; adding, that they had detained Mr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Colclough then requested to be in- formed if it was intended to make further trial of his ser- vices, or to require his longer attendance, as otherwise they must be sensible how eager he must be to relieve the anxiety of his family by his presence. He was then entreated to endeavour to maintain tranquillity in his own neighbourhood, which having promised to do as much as in his power, he called at the gaol to visit Mr. Harvey, with whom he agreed (according to the compact with Captain Boyd) to return next day and take his place in the gaol, and then set off through the barony of Forth to his own dwelling at Ballyteigue, distant about ten miles from Wexford. IRISH REBELLION. 93 If any "thing could add to the general consternation in Wexford, it was to learn the determination of the insur- gents to come to attack the town. Ships became in greater requisition than ever, and all the vessels in the harbour were stowed with amazing numbers ; the streets were quite deserted, and the shops and lower windows of all the houses were shut up. Late in the evening as two of the Taghmon yeomanry were going home, and had proceeded as far as Areandrish, about four miles from Wexford, they descried the advanced guard of the insur- gents ; with which intelligence they immediately posted back with all speed to the town, which was already in expectation of being attacked every instant. Every degree of vigilance and precaution was now exerted, and the military kept on the alert all night. The portcullis on the remarkable wooden- bridge over the Slaney, was hoisted, whereby the greatest part of it was left defence- less, while one piece of cannon would have perfectly pro- tected the whole ; and this mismanagement became the more to be regretted as, about break of day, the toll- house on the country side on the end of it was discovered to be on fire, and burned with great fury, the materials being of deal ; and pitch and tar had been spread over the entrance of the bridge to increase the rapidity of the flames. Some boat-loads of sailors from the harbour were the first that ventured to extinguish the fire, hav- ing taken their buckets for the purpose. These found the place deserted, as the business had been executed by a party of about twelve insurgents, who fled at their ap- proach. The sharp smoke from the burning wood, drifted by the wind which blew right along the bridge retarded much the progress of some yeomen, who at length moved towards the fire ; but these, leaving the sailors to their own exertions, made a cut across the bridge at some distance from the conflagration. The fire, however, was soon put out, and none of the oak- beams, that principally support the bridge were burnt through : the floor arid railings only, which were of deal, being consumed. The cries of the women and children throughout the town were so dismal and alarming as to rouse the, military from their beds, when they had scarcely time to Imve fallen asleep, since they had re- 94 HISTORY OF THE tired from their several posts, to which they were thus summoned back in a hurry to repel the attack of an enemy which was every moment expected. The insur- gents were now encamped on the Three-rocks — the end of the low ridge of the mountain of Forth, about three miles from Wexford — and did not seem so willing to ad- vance as was apprehended in the town. General Fawcett having ordered his forces to follow, set out alone from Duncannon Fort on the evening of the 29th, and stopped at Taghmon, where he lay down to rest, until his advanced guard should arrive. Captain Adams of the Meath militia, with seventy men of his regiment, and Lieutenant Birch of the artillery, with two howitzers, arrived from Duncannon Fort in the course of the night, at Taghmon, where not finding, as they ex- pected, the thirteenth regiment, or Meath militia, and not knowing any thing about the general, after a short halt they marched on towards Wexford, apprehending no kind of interruption. They had already ascended the road along the side of the mountain of Forth, when perceived by the outposts of the insurgents, who poured down upon them with such rapidity, that they were in a few minutes cut off, except Ensign Wade and sixteen privates who were taken prisoners. The magazine was blown up in the conflict, which circumstance rendered the howitzers not so great a prize as they otherwise would have been to the victors. General Fawcett, on getting out of bed, having learned the fate of his advanced guard, ordered the thirteenth and the rest of the troops wdio had by this time come up, to retreat to Duncannon Fort, whither he also set off in great haste himself. From Wexford, in the course of the morning, vast crowds of people were observed assembling on the high ground over Ferry-bank, at the country-side of the wooden-bridge, which contributed not a little to heighten the alarm already prevailing in the town. The different posts on the town-wall were guarded with the utmost vigi- lance, and entrusted to the protection of the yeomen infantry, supplementaries, and armed inhabitants, while the North Cork militia undertook to defend the barracks. It was expected that General Fawcett, now supposed on his march from Taghmon to Wexford, must fall in with IRISH REBELLION. 95 the insurgents, and thus keep them so well employed on that side as to afford a favourable opportunity for a sally from the town to attack them on the other. It was, there- fore, resolved to try the success of this manoeuvre, and accordingly, Colonel Maxwell, with two hundred of the Donegal militia, and Colonel Watson, with the Wexford, Enniscorthy, Taghmon, Healthfield, and Shilmalier yeo- men cavalry, marched out to the encounter. They had advanced as far as Belmont, when Colonel Watson, eager to reconnoitre, proceeded up the hill farther than pru- dence would permit, and was shot from one of the out- posts of the insurgents. The Donegal militia then re- treated to Wexford, preceded by the cavalry, who pressed upon them very much along the road. Immediately after this a hasty council of war was held, at which it was de- termined to evacuate the town. A general and gloomy consternation now prevailed ; every countenance appeared clouded and distrustful, and every person was cautious and circumspect how he spoke or acted, as all confidence was entirely done away, and each individual thought only of his own personal safety. Some yeomen and supplementaries, who during the whole of the morning had been stationed in the street opposite the gaol, were heard continually to threaten to put all the prisoners to death ; which so roused the atten- tion of the gaoler to protect his charge, that he barricaded the door ; and, on hearing of a surrender, to manifest more strongly the sincerity of his intentions, he delivered up the key to Mr. Harvey. This gentleman was, indeed, so apprehensive of violence, that he had climbed up in- side a chimney, where he had lain concealed a consider- able time, when some gentlemen called upon him, but could not gain admittance until they gave the strongest assurances of their pacific intentions. Upon being ad- mitted at length, they still found him up the chimney, and while so situated, entreated him to go out to the camp of the insurgents and announce to them the surrender of the town, on condition that lives and properties should be spared. Mr. Harvey made answer, that as the insur- gents on the Three-rocks were not from his neighbour- hood, and as he was not himself at all known to them, he imagined he could have no kind of influence with them. 96 HISTORY OF THE adding, that they might possibly consider him even as an enemy. He was then requested to write to them, which he declared himself willing to do in any manner that might be judged most advisable. When he had thus consented, it became a task of no little difficulty to bring him out of his lurking-place, as in the descent his clothes were gathered up about his shoulders, so that it required good assistance to pull him out of the chimney by the heels. When he had arranged his apparel, and adjusted himself so as to put off the appearance of a chimney- sweeper, about two hours before the troops retreated from Wexford, Right Hon. George Ogle, captain of the Sliil- malier infantry; Cornelius Grogan ; John Grogan, captain of the Healthfield cavalry ; James Boyd, captain of the W exford cavalry; Solomon Richards, captain of the Ennis- corthy cavalry; Isaac Cornock, captain of the Scarawalsh infantry, and Edward Turner of the Shilmalier cavalry — all magistrates — along with Lieutenant-colonel Colville of the thirteenth regiment of foot, and Lieutenant-colonel Eoote, of the North Cork militia, visited Mr. Harvey in the gaol, and at their express request, he wrote the fol- lowing notice to the insurgents on the mountain of Eorth : “ I have been treated in prison with all possible huma- nity, and am now at liberty. I have procured the liberty of all the prisoners. If you pretend to Christian charity, do not commit massacre, or burn the property of the inhabitants, and spare your prisoners’ lives. “ B. B. Harvey. . “ Wednesday, 30th May, 1798.” This note was undertaken to be forwarded by Doyle, a yeoman of the Healthfield cavalry, who offered to volunteer on this hazardous service, when the proposal was made to his corps by Captain John Grogan. He had the precaution to put off his uniform, and to dress himself in coloured clothes ; but when ready to set off he was discovered to be a Roman Catholic, and therefore reflected upon, for so the whisper went about “ how could a papist be trusted ?” The yeoman finding his zeal meet with a reception so contrary to his expectation, again put IRISH REBELLION. 97 on his uniform and retreated with his captain ; thus prov- ing himself to the full as loyal as any of those who on the occasion displayed their illiberality ; which even com- mon policy, it might he well imagined, should repress at so critical a juncture. Doctor Jacob then proposed the enterprise to his corps, and Counsellor Richards with his brother Mr. Loftus Richards, were appointed to go out to the Three-rocks on this expedition, to announce the surrender of the town to the insurgents, whose camp they reached in safety, though clad in full uniform. Scarcely had these deputies set out upon their mission, when all the military corps, a part of one only excepted, made the best of their way out of the town. Every individual of them seemed to partake of a general panic, and set off whither- soever they imagined they could find safety, without even acquainting their neighbours on duty of their intentions. The principal inhabitants whose services had been ac- cepted of for the defence of the town were mostly Catho- lics, and, according to the prevalent system, were subject to the greatest insults and reflections. They were always placed in front of the posts, and cautioned to behave well, or that death should be the consequence. Accordingly, persons were placed behind them to keep them to their duty, and these were so watchful to their charge, that they would not even permit them to turn about their heads ; and yet these determined heroes were the very first to run off on the apprehended approach of real dan- ger. Thus were the armed inhabitants left at their posts, abandoned by their officers, and actually ignorant of the flight of the soldiery, until the latter had been miles out of the town, and were therefore left no possible means of retreating. Lieutenant William Hughes of the Wexford infantry, with a few of his corps, was, it seems, the only part of the military left uninformed of the intended re- treat, and this was owing to his being detached with these few yeomen to defend a distant part of the town-wall, and he and they were apprised of their situation, as were also the armed inhabitants, only by the approach of the insur- gents; so that Mr. Hughes and his few yeomen, together with the armed inhabitants, are the only people that can be said not to have abandoned their posts in Wexford on this occasion. The confusion and dismay which pre- 98 HISTORY OF THE vailed was so great, as no kind of signal for retreat had been given, that officers and privates ran promiscuously through the town, threw off their uniforms, and hid them- selves wherever they thought they could behest concealed. Some ran to the different quays, in expectation of finding boats to convey them off, and threw their arms and am- munition into the water. All such as could accomplish it embarked on board the vessels in the harbour, having previously turned their horses loose. Some ran to the gaol to put themselves under the protection of Mr. Har- vey. Officers, magistrates, and yeomen of every descrip- tion thus severally endeavoured to escape popular ven- geance; and in the contrivance of changing apparel, as there was not a sufficiency of men’s clothes at hand for all those who sought safety by this means, female attire was substituted for the purpose of disguise. In short, it is impossible that a greater appearance of confusion, tumult, or panic could be at all exhibited. The North Cork regiment on quitting the barracks set them on fire, which, however, was immediately put out. Lieutenants Bowen and Paye, with Ensign Harman, and some Ser- jeants and privates of this regiment, remained in the town. It has been already observed, that thousands of people were seen to assemble, during the entire morning, on a hill over Eerry-bank, marching and counter-marching in hostile appearance, and seemingly waiting only for the moment that the town would be abandoned by the military, to take possession of it themselves; but their entrance, when this took place, was retarded, until boards were procured to supply the place of the flooring of the wooden-bridge where it had been burnt. In the meantime, Messrs. Richards, after having run great risk, arrived at the camp at Three-rocks, and making known that they were deputed to inform the people that the town of Wexford would be surrendered to them on con- dition of sparing lives and properties ; these terms would not be complied with, unless the arms and ammunition of the garrison were also surrendered. Mr. Loftus Richards was therefore detained as a hostage, and Counsellor Richards and Mr. Fitzgerald were sent back to the town, to settle and arrange the articles of capitulation ; but IRISH REBELLION. 99 these gentlemen on their arrival, to their great astonish- ment, found the place abandoned by the military. The bridge being at this time nearly made passable, the vast concourse of people that had collected at the other side of the Slaney, was just ready to pour in and take uncon- ditional possession of the town. It was therefore neces- sary to treat with these, (it being yet unknown who they were,) in order to prevent the mischiefs likely to ensue from such a tumultuary influx of people. Doctor J acob, then mayor of the town and captain of the Wexford in- fantry, therefore entreated Mr. Fitzgerald to move towards the bridge, and announce to the people rushing in that the town was surrendered ; and to use every other argu- ment, that his prudence might suggest, to make their entry as peaceable as possible. Mr. Fitzgerald com- plied, and instantly after this communication thousands of people poured into the town over the wooden-bridge, shouting and exhibiting all marks of extravagant and victorious exultation. They first proceeded to the gaol, released all the prisoners, and insisted that Mr. Harvey should become their commander. All the houses in town not abandoned by the inhabitants now became decorated with green boughs, or green ornaments of one description or another. The doors were universally thrown open, and the most liberal offers made of spirits and drink of every kind, which, however, were not as freely accepted, until the persons offering had first drank themselves, as a proof that the liquor was not poisoned, a report having prevailed to that effect ; and which was productive of this good consequence, that it prevented rapid intoxi- cation, and of course, in the beginning, lamentable ex- cesses. The insurgents having now got complete possession of the town of Wexford, many persons who had been yeo- men, after having thrown off their uniforms, affected a cordial welcome for them, and endeavoured by an exhi- bition of all the signs and emblems of the united Irish- men, to convince them of their sworn friendship ; and it is indeed not a little remarkable, that many of those who, in this change of affairs, boldly marched out as occasion demanded to meet the king’s forces, now display them- selves as stanch orangemen of unimpeachable loyalty. 100 HISTORY OF THE Almost every person in the town threw open their doors with offers of refreshment and accommodation to the in- surgents ; and the few that did not, suffered by plunder, their substance being considered an enemy’s property. Some of all descriptions indeed suffered in their property by plunder, on deserting their houses and leaving none to protect or take care of 'them. The house of Captain Boyd was a singular exception. It was, though not de- serted, pillaged, and exhibited marks of the hatred and vengeance of the people. As the station of the insurgents’ camp on the Three - rocks, on the eastern end of the mountain of Forth, only three miles from Wexford, commanded a full view of the conflagrations and other excesses committed by the mi- litary, it required the utmost exertion and prudential efforts of their chiefs, and of others in whom they placed any confidence, to prevent them from rushing into the town and taking inconsiderate vengeance, being utterly ignorant of its abandonment by the troops, and unac- quainted with the fact of its being possessed by a dif- ferent party. They entered the town, however, in tolerable temper, but all moderation was banished upon discovering that the arms and ammunition had not been surrendered, so that it was with the utmost difficulty the town Avas preserved from being set on fire and consumed ; the inhabitants being charged with treason for not insist- ing on and seeing this article executed. After various scenes of disorder, hurry, and confusion, naturally atten- dant on such occasions, parties were dispatched in boats to bring on shore all the men, arms, and ammunition they could find in the ships, and other vessels in the harbour, which in the morning had fallen doAvn tow r ards the bar, neither wind nor tide being favourable ; two only out of the wiiole had actually sailed for Wales. By these means, all the men, as well yeomen as other inhabitants, were directly brought on shore in the eA^en- ing, and the vessels with the women and children im- mediately followed to the quay. Amidst this scene of tumult and confusion, not easily conceivable to any one w r ho has not witnessed popular commotion, while all Avished to accommodate themselves as much as possible to the exigency of the moment, and IRISH REBELLION. 101 to appear the friends of their newly denominated con- querors, it was ludicrous to observe a gorgeous military uniform clandestinely changed for loathsome, tattered rags, with more address and expedition than actors on the dramatic stage assume different dresses and appear- ances. Among those brought on shore from the ships, was Mr. John Boyd, brother to Captain James Boyd, of the Wexford cavalry. He was immediately recognised ; and he and his family being obnoxious to the people, he ran off on landing, was chased, overtaken, piked, and left for dead, but he lived in excruciating agony until the next morning, when he expired. I had been brought out of one of the ships myself, and, on landing, was proceeding through the general confusion, when arriving near the bull-ring, a man of the name of George Sparrow, a butcher from Enniscorthy, chased by the people through the streets, ran up to me and clasped me round the body, imploring protection — beseeching I might save him. I instantly endeavoured as much as in my power to give him succour, and to defend him by extending my arms and body over him, while swords and pikes were pointed and brandished for his destruction ; but my endeavours proving ineffectual, and rather dangerous to myself, and the unfortunate man perceiving I could not afford tbe protection I intended, burst from me, and while I lay prostrate in the street, occasioned by his effort to get off, he had not ran many yards when he was deprived of exist- ence. Some ladies who were so situated at the instant, as to be spectators of the scene, have since assured me, they thought I had been also killed at that moment; and considering the dreadful circumstances, I think it most providential that when thrown down, I was not regarded as the devoted victim by the infuriate populace. To describe my feelings on this occasion, would be utterly impossible. Ushered into the town against my will, to witness, in the first onset, such a specimen of popular vengeance, and naturally imagining that acts of the like violence were perpetrating in every quarter of the town, I could have but little expectation of escape ; particularly when the dreadful denunciation resounded in my ears, that the people would put every one to death who would 102 HISTORY OF THE dare to decline joining them; and, indeed, in consequence of this menacing cry, many gentlemen who boast of loyal acts, (the very contrary of truth, ) I have observed to have gone farther on the opposite side than could be considered, either since or before, consistent with their honour or their safety. The town of Wexford was not only most shamefully abandoned, but even surrendered, to all intents and pur- poses, when it might have been easily defended, although no one will now acknowledge having been concerned in so scandalous a transaction ; and notwithstanding that the very persons who ought to have been its most stre- nuous protectors, from their situation and circumstances, were not only the first to yield it, and fly so clandestinely as to put it utterly out of the power of all others besides themselves to retreat, but left even their own wives and families to the mercy of an irritated and ungovernable multitude. In any other country, such a manifest dere- liction of duty would be punished in the most exemplary manner — the lives of such craven deserters would be forfeited for the miseries they occasioned; but in ill-fated Ireland, a display of unprincipled enmity and illiberal animosity to the great bulk of its people, constitutes loy- alty and desert sufficient to wipe away the blame of mis- conduct, and even to obliterate the indelible stigma of cowardice. The conduct of the inhabitants of Wexford, in accommodating themselves to the circumstances of the moment, after their abandonment, must be considered as totally blameless ; particularly of such as subsequently took the earliest opportunity of returning to their allegi- ance. Of all laws, that of self-preservation is acknow- ledged the most imperious, and to attain this in times of civil commotion, compliance with the exigency of the instant is indispensable, and warranted by the irresistible force of necessity ; for otherwise, as all moral writers agree, there would be an end of justice and civilization. Allowances have certainly been made for numbers whose conduct, in an abstracted point of view, was evidently treasonable, but perfectly excusable, considering the situation in which they were placed, by the fundamental laws of all nations of regulated society. But why an exculpation should hold good for some individuals, and IRISH REBELLION. 103 not for all those in a similar predicament, is a paradox not happily explained by arguments derived from the sources of bigotry and religious prejudice. With cordial satisfaction I acknowledge it perfectly just, that Protes- tants have been generally exculpated of treason, on the ground of the urgency of circumstances, but why Ca- tholics should be excluded from the like charitable con- sideration, will not be fairly or easily answered by those who would fain exhibit the unfortunate contest of this period — a war of religion, which, upon the whole, had but very little to do in it, till forced into action by the upholders of prejudice. Those of the military who first retreated from Wexford were part of the North Cork regiment, commanded by Captain Snowe, and the Scarawalsh infantry under Cap- tain Cornock. These in their flight met Mr. Colclough with his lady in a phaeton, coming to release Mr. Har- vey, by taking his place in the gaol, according to his promise the preceding evening. On falling in with the troops, Mr. and Mrs. Colclough were ordered to wheel about, and led along, while swords drawn and pistols cocked threatened their lives on either side, if the people should attempt to attack the military. Mr. Colclough was frequently ordered to stand up and wave his hat to several groups who were seen collected on the rising grounds, led by curiosity, from the disturbed state of the country, to observe what was going forward. These signals were for the people not to approach, with which they complied, and so the parties got safe to the Scar, at Barrystown ; where Mr. Colclough and his lady were dismissed without further violence. The next division of the military who made their appearance at the Scar were part of the Wexford cavalry under Captain Boyd, who had himself it seems at first attended to get off by sea, but notwithstanding that he most pathetically entreated a friend of his, who had just put off in a boat only a few yards from the quay, to return and take him on board, yet so strongly did the motive of self-preservation ope- rate upon the person, that he refused to comply. The captain then seized upon his horse, which he had before turned loose, mounted directly, and overtook Colonel Maxwell on the road, with whom, however, he did not 104 HISTORY OF THE continue ; but drove forward with all speed till he ar- rived at Mr. King’s of Barrystown. After getting some refreshment here, he and some favourites of his corps embarked on board a boat, the tide being too high to pass otherwise, and so proceeded in safety to Buncannon Fort. Mr. Colclough met several of these flying gentry at Barrystown, and the impression of their fears was such, that they all declared that a revolution must ine- vitably succeed in the nation, for that as the rising was general, (so they then supposed it to be,) nothing could withstand the people. They even congratulated Mr. Colclough on the happiness of not being obliged to quit his country, as he had taken no active part against the people, and as his recent confinement, on suspicion of being their friend, was greatly in his favour. They next pathetically, many of them in sobs and tears, la- mented the unfortunate necessity under which they lay of quitting their native land, as they feared the people would consider their former exertions so inimical to their interests, as to render it unsafe for them to remain in the country ; and after this they took a cordial leave of Mr. Colclough. The escape of Archibald Hamilton Jacob was most wonderful, as when he had gone out with the troops that advanced towards the Three-rocks, before any others had thoughts of retreating, he got off under the mountain, and by keeping by-roads, he most provi- videntially arrived in Ross, where, considering the state of the country, he did not stop, but hastened to Water- ford, and was finally induced to sail for England. Had the retreaters the presence of mind to wait at the Scar until the tide should have fallen, they would have been able to have proceeded with much greater ease than they did to Duncannon Fort. Their halting there would probably have enabled many of the stragglers (numbers of whom were cut off) to come up with them, and it would have taken much less time than it did by the cir- cuitous route which they adopted ; but their panic and trepidation were such, that they believed the insurgents were at their heels, which brought them into great hard - ships, during a confused and precipitate flight, continued even through the night, which occasioned many to lag behind, who thereby became devoted victims of destruc- IRISH REBELLION. 105 tion ; the cause of which we shall presently hare occasion to mention. The last of the military that left Wexford were the Donegal militia, commanded by Colonel Max- well, accompanied by Colonel Colville, Captain Younge, and Lieutenant Soden, of the thirteenth foot ; the re- maining part of the North Cork regiment, headed by Colonel Foote, the Shilmalier yeomen infantry, under the Eight Hon. George Ogle, and the Enniscorthy infan- try, under Captain Pounden, with some of the Wexford infantry, some of the Wexford, Shilmalier, and Ennis- corthy cavalry ; and the rear was brought up by the Healthfield cavalry, under Captain J ohn Grogan, who covered the retreat. These were followed and overtaken by Captain Boyd, and a few of his troop, who pushed forward till they came up with the van of the re treaters as before related. Great numbers of people, from motives of curiosity, assembled in different groups to view the military in their passage through the country, not imagining that they should be any more molested than they had been by the first parties who passed them quietly by ; and bad any general orders to this effect been issued to the retreating troops, it is probable they would have been attended to and productive of good effect ; but although Colonel Colville did all in his power to prevent the soldiery from firing on the people, yet his humane and wise remon- strances were not successful. The first victims of mili- tary fury, however, on their retreat, were two men found with arms in a house in Wexford, near where the Shil- Inalier yeomen infantry, commanded by the Right Hon. George Ogle, had been stationed in the town. These upon the evacuation were brought away by the corps and shot at Maglass, where the soldiers, giving a loose to their rage, pursued the unoffending populace, and shot numbers of them, who endeavoured to conceal them- selves in the ditches, which were well searched for their discovery. The Roman Catholic chapel of Maglass was set on fire, as were a great many other houses in the course of their march, while others were plundered ; and not a countryman that was seen and overtaken could es- cape being sacrificed to military vengeance : nay, not unfrequently did neither feminine weakness nor helpless 106 HISTORY OF THE infancy afford protection, as they obtained in several instances no mercy from the indiscriminate fury of the retreating troops, who immolated some of the women and children of the affrighted peasantry as they fell in their way. These acts of unprovoked, cold-blooded, and un- manly cruelty, were avenged on the poor stragglers who were by any casualty separated from the retreating body, as the exasperated country people, goaded as they had been, considered every person in a military garb as a sanguinary and relentless enemy. Several soldiers who had been followed by their wives and children, were in- duced to stay behind to afford them assistance on so dis- tressing a march, which cost many of them their lives ; but none of the women or children was intentionally hurt by the people ; even some children who were abandoned by or lost their parents on this occasion, are still re- maining in the country, cherished and protected by the inhabitants. The tide still continuing too high at the Scar for even the rear of the retreating troops to pass, they took the like circuitous route with the rest, and ar- rived at Duncannon Fort on the morning of the 31st of May, worn out with hardship and fatigue, having lost many of their men, and in the utmost confusion and disorder. On the night of the 30th, the town of Wexford, con- sidering all that had happened, was remarkably quiet, all finding repose necessary after their various hardships. In the evening, vast numbers went to visit their several dwellings in the country, to be informed of the condition of their families and properties ; but very early on the* morning of the 31st, the streets were as crowded as be- fore, and the confusion and plunder of the day preced- ing now recommenced. The people were much discon- tented with the inhabitants for not detaining for their use, the arms and ammunition of the garrison ; as the entire of their military stores at this time amounted to no more than three barrels of gunpowder found in the bar- racks, a few hundred of cartridges, with some odd casks and pounds of powder found in shops and gentlemen's houses. Their discontent soon proceeded to threats against different individuals, and amongst the rest against Mr. Fitzgerald, who had gone home the night before, IRISH REBELLION. 107 and was not as yet returned. He was at once accused of having betrayed the people; vengeance was vowed against him, and he was threatened with instant death. On his appearance soon after, however, the ferment sub- sided as instantaneously and unaccountably as it had at first originated. The principal inhabitants of Wexford very naturally wished to get rid of these troublesome intruders, and to effect this desirable object, such of the better sort as had any influence with the multitude, lent their cordial assistance, and they at length succeeded. The insurgents were induced to move out of the town and encamp on the Windmill-hills ; where, after much confused consultation, they divided into two bodies, one of which, consisting of those who inhabited the Wexford side of the Slaney, marched to Taghmon. As in such a mixed multitude there must be many of all dispositions, it is not wonderful that there were some who would in- cite to and practise outrage. Some of this description of persons hunted for Orangemen, whom they denomi- nated their enemies ; while others, imitating the conduct of the military on the day before, but in a far less degree, plundered private property, burnt the houses of four re- spectable farmers, and put one man to death on their way to Taghmon, outside of which town they encamped for that night. The other division of the insurgents, consisting of the inhabitants of that part of the county north of the Slaney, directed their march towards Gorey ; and in the course of their progress, burned the houses of some whom they considered as enemies, plundered others, and encamped that night on the hill of Carri- grew. The encampment on Vinegar Hill, by-the-bye, continued a permanent one during the whole period of the insurrection. As it is an incontrovertible fact that, before this pe- riod, there were fewer united Irishmen in the county of Wexford than in any other part of Ireland, and these few only sworn, as has been already observed, in a detached manner, unconnected by any organization, it is amazing to think with what success the insurrection appears to have been attended in its commencement ; that a people thus roused all of a sudden, without any previous prepa- ration, should gain such signal advantages. If further 108 HISTORY OF THE proof were all at necessary of the little progress made by the system of the united Irishmen in the county of Wex- ford, anterior to the rising, in addition to no return of numbers being even stated to have been made from thence by any leaders, that proof would be amply sup- plied by the vast numbers that eagerly came forward, desiring to be sworn, upon these first successes ; for, in the existing state of the country, at this juncture when men’s minds were totally unmasked and all disguise thrown away, it may be fairly implied, that all who might have been previously sworn would not fail to come forward and take advantage of such circumstances, by boasting in the moment of exultation, of prior concern in a system then considered univerally prevalent through the island, and of the final success of which the least doubt was not entertained at this period ; besides, at this crisis, it is natural to conclude that had any organiza- tion heretofore existed, the chosen chiefs would be in- duced to declare themselves and assume their stations, for had they concurred in their appointment when they ran every risk of legal punishment, before the actual breaking out of the insurrection, now that it was believed victorious and universal, they must feel every encourage- ment to act without reserve and with their utmost vi- gour ; but the fact was absolutely otherwise, as most of the leaders throughout the disturbances in Wexford, acted in their several stations from the irresistible force of compulsion and constraint after it had actually ex- isted ; whatever representations by surmise or presump- tion may have appeared to the contrary. Another cir- cumstance of general misrepresentation is, that the in- surrection in the county of Wexford was connected with the disturbances in other parts of the nation, while no- thing can be more contrary to truth ; as on the arrest of the Leinster delegates, assembled at a provincial meeting in Bridge-street, in Dublin, on the 12th of March, 1798, there was not a delegate or any return of numbers from the county of Wexford, as evidently appears from the reports of the secret committees of both houses of the Irish parliament ; and, during the whole period of its continuance, this county was beset on all sides with troops, so as to be completely insulated, and therefore IRISH REBELLION. 109 no efficient intercourse could exist between it and any other part of Ireland; for scarcely any one could, in passing to or from it, escape detection, save in a very few instances, in which, whether by connivance, or otherwise, some persons from the adjoining counties passed into it, and some of the natives out of it, but as neither returned to their respective homes during the time specified, such instances cannot effectually militate against the general position here laid down, from incon- trovertible facts, in opposition to any unqualified asser- tion and groundless conjecture : in fact, as there was no preconcerted plan of insurrection in the county of Wex- ford, there was no similarity of circumstances or occasion between that and the commotion in any other part of Ireland, except in the casual incidents of their happening at the same time, and that perhaps the people of other counties expected like effects from their own conduct with those hoped for by the people of the county of Wexford from their own, to rescue themselves from ap- prehended extermination, which they thought could not be effected otherwise than by the most determined resist- ance. These facts are thus stated to disabuse the public, as the direct contrary, on mere surmise, has been round- ly asserted and pretty generally believed through exag- gerated misrepresentation. Now, that the insurrection of the county of Wexford was at its height, there existed no kind of subordination or control ; individuals assumed the privilege of indulg- ing their own dispositions, and of gratifying private ma- lice. The unruly populace were furious and ungovern- able, and many of this description remained in Wexford after the great body of the insurgents had retired from the town : they seized upon and lodged in the gaol many persons from all parts of the surrounding country, who had fled thither for protection, and were now endeavour- ing to conceal themselves in the different houses of their friends, to escape popular resentment. Many former piques, however remote or trivial they might have been, were avenged in this manner; so that on the 31st of May, the gaol of Wexford became absolutely crowded. On this very day Mr. Harvey, who had been released from confinement by the people, as soon as they took G no HISTORY OF THE possession of the town, and was by them appointed, whe- ther he would or no, their commander-in-chief, had en- gaged several gentlemen, among whom there were many apprehensive of popular violence, to an entertainment at his former lodgings, which he had then resumed ; and all these he naturally supposed under effectual protection with him, from the nature of his appointment, against ail popular outrage ; but he soon had lamentable proof how groundless were his fond expectations. In the evening, soon after dinner, a great mob of country people assembled in the street before the house, some of whom knocked violently at the door, and insisted that Mr. Turner, whom they knew to be within, should be deliv- ered up to them to be put to death , for having burned some of their houses. I was one of those invited by Mr. Harvey, and, as Mr. Turner was a most particular friend of mine, I instantly went out, and was, as I fondly ima- gined, so far successful as to prevail on the populace to retire; but to my great mortification they returned shortly after, and insisted wdth redoubled violence on Mr. Turner’s being brought out to them. Mr. Fitz- gerald, who had now come to my assistance, and my- self, urged every argument that friendship could suggest, to dissuade them frow their dreadful purpose, and Mr. Harvey also interposed for the same intent, by which means the multitude was once more induced to retire. It was but for a short time, however, as they quickly came back to the house with more violence and fury than before ; a shot was now fired at the door, as the first notice of their approach, and they reiterated their de- mand with the loudest and most desperate vociferations. Some of the gentlemen w'ho on that day dined with Mr. Harvey, now came out, and all their united entreaties and remonstrances could obtain from the enraged multi- tude was, that Mr. Turner might be lodged in the gaol to abide his trial ; but the demagogues denounced that if he was not sent thither directly, Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Hay (meaning myself) must forfeit their lives. This roused the friendly feelings of Mr. Turner, who had overheard all that passed, and he accordingly requested he might be brought to gaol, as the only place of safety in his opinion, when neither the house nor the inter- IRISH REBELLION. Ill ference of his friends or the chief commander could en- sure him protection ; as could not indeed the house of any one at this perturbed period, as those of the greatest abettors and reputed favourites and supporters of the people were searched and violated by forcibly taking out of them numbers of people denominated enemies. These outrages determined many to surrender them- selves, in order to be sent to gaol, in hopes of greater security, as well as it induced others to remain in con- finement from similar expectancy of protection from the resentment of their neighbours. From considerations of this nature, Mr. Harvey, constrained as he was to con- duct Mr. Turner to the gaol, released from thence every other person not violently accused, and the number was considerable whom he thought to be obnoxious to, but by these means secure from the intemperate vengeance of the people. During the first days of the insurrection, indeed, any person of previous popular character, could release a friend from confinement : but such interference soon became so displeasing to the people, that most of those who had been thus liberated were again re-com- mitted, and destruction threatened to any one that would presume again to enlarge them ; which prevented num- bers from interposing their good offices in favour of such of their friends as had in any manner incurred popular odium. Private malice was on these occasions but too frequently exerted, and any accusation was sufficient to cause any person to be sent to gaol ; which, however, was esteemed by many the safest asylum, as it was ex- pected that when popular fury should have abated, the persons confined might be permitted to return quietly to their homes. The only effectual mode of procuring libe- ration from prison, however, at this period was, to pro- cure a certificate in favour of the prisoner from the neighbourhood in which he lived, and in this way many were set at liberty, who, to secure themselves against future crimination, generally joined the insurgents. As to the power of popularity, at all times precarious, so difficult of attainment, and so easily lost, and which no truly wise man ever made the scope of his actions, or final object of pursuit, it could effect little in such trou- blesome and turbulent times as those we are treating of, 112 HISTORY OF THE when an insurrection prevailed, excited by oppression, and in which there existed no regular plan of operation or system of action ; while the minds of the ungovernable multitude were sore and desperate from recent irritation. Amidst such a dreadful public ferment, popularity to a liberal mind proves a most tyrannical subjugation, as it engumbers the possessor with the oppressive weight of mobbish applause, while it confers not on him the power of relieving a suffering friend, who may have attracted, inadvertently, or otherwise, the deadly resentment of an unbridled populace ; and, what is still more afflicting to generous feelings, the devoted victim of the moment perhaps imagines the popular friend all-powerful for his preservation, while it is melancholy to reflect that, on such occasions, it is in the power of a villain to counter- act the benevolent intentions and humane disposition of the highest respectability, intelligence, and virtue ! After the insurgents, as has been related, moved off in two separate divisions from Wexford, there still re- mained several of their number in the town, who as- sumed the office of supplying the camps witli necessaries, and this by their own authority they declared must be done from Wexford. These self-created commissaries, having put all necessaries accordingly in requisition, began to search all the houses, and in the course of such survey, plundered them of every article they thought proper, asserting that all they took away was for the general service. Great abuses were consequently com- mitted in this arbitrary mode of levying contributions, and so great a waste of property, particularly of provi- sions, was made, that the towm and its neighbourhood were threatened with a famine. The people of Wexford, therefore, desirous to get rid of these troublesome marau- ders, and to have some regulations adopted for the pre- vention of plunder, appointed twelve of the principal inhabitants as a committee, to regulate the distribution of provisions, as well as of ail other necessaries in requi- sition ; and the generous individuals wdio undertook this arduous task, (it w r as indeed a herculean labour, ) w r ere actuated by the most virtuous and disinterested motives in their exertions to protect general as well as individual property. As whiskey and leather were the articles IRISH REBELLION. 113- most in demand in the camps, distillers and tanners especially entreated the committee to issue regular orders for the supplies from their stores, to prevent as much as possible the total destruction of their substance and con- cerns, adding, that they were very willing to give up their whole stock for the general service ; yet, strange as it may appear, some of this description of persons were most forward afterward in prosecuting those very men, who, by their humane interference, were instru- mental in saving their lives and properties ; for certainly the worst consequences were to be apprehended from the indiscriminate plunder, and consequently inordinate con- sumption of spirituous liquors, by the prevention of which and other disorders, through indefatigable exer- tions, the committee actually proved the salvation of the country, and, what may not appear unworthy of ob- servation, although chosen by the inhabitants at large from among themselves, there was but one united Irish- man among them, which could not be the case, had the people been generally sworn. Captain Keugh was appointed military commander of the town, which was now divided into wards, each of which had a company of men, armed with guns and pikes as they could procure them, and these appointed their own officers. There was a regular parade morning and evening on the custom-house quay ; guards were struck off and relieved, and a pass- word and countersign regu- larly given out. The insurrection had by this time be- come so general in all parts of the county forsaken by the military, that even the inhabitants of the baronies of Forth and Bargy thought it incumbent on them to show their disposition, and to appear in Wexford; in short, every person remaining in the county thought it best at this period to come forward and make common cause with the insurgents. The inhabitants of the last-mentioned baronies, however, being a race of men of peaceable and industrious habits, and not having experienced the per- secutions practised in other districts, were not* easily excited to commit those acts of outrage which took place in other quarters; but they were at length terribly alarmed and roused to resistance by the cruel and merci g 3 HISTORY OF THE *114 less conduct of the military in their flight from Wexford ; but even then their determination of vengeance appeared solely directed against the body whose unprovoked fury had affected them with injury. These people, on their march to Wexford, halted near Johnstown, the seat of Cornelius Grogan, Esq., for whom a party was dispatched to bring him out and oblige him to join them ; and thus this aged gentleman was constrained to accommodate himself to the crazy temper of the times ; and being placed on horseback, then ill of the gout, he was con- ducted along by the multitude, consisting of several thousands on foot, and many hundreds of horsemen. On their entrance into the town, and defiling through the streets, not many pikes could be seen, but vast numbers were equipped with spits, pitchforks, and such like offen- sive weapons, with which they endeavoured, as much as in their power, to imitate and assume the appearance of pikemen ; and after having shouted and paraded for some time through the streets, they retired peaceably to their homes, without committing further outrage. All the forces both in town and country were instantly em- ployed in the fabrication of pike-blades, and timber of every description fit for handles was procured for that purpose wherever to be found ; so that in a very short time, no person could be seen (so general was the princi- ple or affectation of arming) without a warlike weapon of some kind, a green cockade, a hat-band, sash, or other ornament of that colour. Four oyster-boats were fitted out in the harbour, and manned with five and twenty men each, to cruize outside the bay ; and these from time to time brought in several vessels, mostly bound for Dublin, laden with oats, potatoes, and different other kinds of provisions ; which became very seasonable sup- plies for the town, that must otherwise have suffered great distress, as the markets were deserted by the country people. Three old pieces of cannon were brought down and mounted on the fort of Koslare, situate at the entrance of the harbour, to prevent any sloops of war from passing, such armed vessels only being capable of entering the harbour of Wexford ; and four old sloops were ready to be scuttled and sunk in IRISH REBELLION. 115 the channel to prevent any such armed vessel, in the event of her passing the fort, from approaching the town. Money seemed to have vanished during the insurrec- tion, as no person was willing to admit being possessed of any currency exclusive of bank-notes, which were held in such little estimation, that great quantities of them were inconsiderately destroyed — some in lighting tobacco-pipes, and others used as waddings for fire- locks ; but whatever little provisions appeared at mar- ket, sold very cheaply for ready money ; for instance, butter sold by the pound for two pence, and butcher’s- meat, of any kind, for one penny. As to bank-notes, any one might starve who had no other means of pro- curing the prime necessaries, for which, when offered for sale, nothing but specie would be accepted as payment. Every endeavour was made to have the markets well supplied and attended ; but even at the cheap rate just stated, there were scarcely any purchasers ; so unwilling did every one appear to acknowledge the possession of money ; but it must be mentioned, that indeed the ne- cessity of purchasing at market was in a great measure superseded ; for among the various duties of the com mittee one was that of supplying every person in town with provisions. On application to them every house was furnished with a ticket specifying the number of inhabitants, and all persons, even the wives and families of those considered the greatest enemies of the people, were indiscriminately included ; and every person sent with a ticket to the public stores appointed for that pur- pose, received a proportionate quantity of meat, pota- toes, and other necessaries free of any expense. The bread in general was bad, as no good flour could be ob- tained. In the country the people formed themselves gene- rally into parish divisions, and each division elected its own officers. All persons capable of carrying arms were to attend the camps, on being furnished with pikes or guns, as either could be best procured ; some on foot and others on horseback, as they could best accommodate themselves. Most persons were desirous to wear orna- ments of some kind or other, and accordingly decorated 116 HISTORY OF THE themselves in the most fantastical manner with feathers, tippets, handkerchiefs, and all the showy parts of ladies’ apparel : green was the most favourite and predominant colour, but on failure of this, decorations of almost any other colour were substituted ; and as to their flags or ensigns, they were also generally green or of a greenish hue, but on account of a deficiency in this respect they displayed banners of all colours except orange, to which the people showed the most unalterable dislike, aversion, and antipathy : — even blue, black, red, and yellow, were remarked among their banners. Many damsels made an offering of tlieir coloured petticoats for the public ser- vice, and to make these gifts the more acceptable, they usually decorated them according to their different fan- cies, and from the variety thus exhibited, there appeared not two similar banners in the whole. Several loyal ladies too, both in town and country, displayed their taste in richly and fancifully ornamenting ensigns, to ingratiate themselves with the people ; but many of them, not having time to perfect their chef-d'mivres be- fore the insurrection was suppressed, have since thought it prudent, I suppose, to destroy these and the like spe- cimens of elegant accomplishment, at which I had op- portunities of observing them earnestly employed, during the short-lived period of popular triumph. But now we must return to events which occurred in other parts of the country. After the battle of Oulart, which was fought on the 27th of May, as already detailed, the yeomanry distin- guished themselves in the northern part of the county, by falling on the defenceless and unoffending populace, of whom they slew some hundreds. It being Whitsunday, the people were as usual going to their chapels to attend divine service, when many of them were led by curiosity, which is generally excited by the report of fire-arms, to ascend different eminences, from which the dreadful and horrid scenes of devastation by fire and sword, prevailing through the country round, as far as the eye could reach, was presented to their astonished and affrighted view ; and as the different groups thus collected were perceived by the yeomanry, these pursued and cut them down. The most inoffensive were most likely to suffer by this mode IRISH REBELLION. 117 of quieting disturbances, because, conscious of their in* nocence, they made no effort to avoid the sudden fate which they had no reason to apprehend. Even many who remained within their houses did not fare better than their more curious or less fearful neighbours, as numbers of them were called out and shot at their own doors : nay, some infirm and decrepid old men were plunged into eternity by these valorous guardians and preservers of the public peace ! On every occasion, however, they were not inexorable to the piteous petitions for life, as a sum of money properly offered and timely presented saved some ; who, after the insurrection was quelled, came for- ward with their complaints ; and among others, who were obliged to disgorge these bloody ransoms, Mr. Hunter Gowan, a magistrate and captain of a yeomanry corps, on a complaint made to Mr. JBeauman, sen., of Hyde Park, (from whom I had this account, ) was obliged to re- fund the money. These people, on surrendering their pikes and other offensive weapons and arms, fondly imagined that they had secured themselves protection, and were therefore not at all apprehensive of attack, but they soon found themselves miserably mistaken. Had their intentions been for violence, they would naturally have assembled in a large body on some commanding liill, as the other insurgents did, where they would have appeared formidable ; so that their having collected into numberless small groups is certainly to be deemed rather the effect of curiosity than the effort of insur- rection. Great numbers of people, taking their families and such of their effects as tiiey could conveniently transport thither along with them, fled for refuge into Gorey, where a general panic however prevailed, although besides the yeomanry of the town, a party of the North Cork militia, under the command of Lieutenant Swayne, together with the Ballaghkeen, Coolgreny, Arklow, Northshire, and Coolatin corps of yeomen cavalry ; the Tinnahely and Wingfield corps of yeomen infantry ; and a company of the Antrim militia, commanded by Lieutenant Elliot, were stationed there : but, notwithstanding, on a rumour that the insurgents were approaching, it was determined to abandon the town, and proceed to Arklow ; but, pre- 118 HISTORY OF THE vious to its evacuation, eleven men taken out of their beds within a mile’s distance, were brought in and shot in the streets, where they were left for dead ; but six of them recovered. By order of Mr. White, however, up- wards of one hundred prisoners were released from the gaol and market-house, and many of them received pro- tections, which they placed in their hats, in order to ex- hibit as conspicuously as possible ; but this precaution did not prevent some being shot by other yeomen, whom they fell in with on their way home ! The order for evacuation being announced at five o’clock on the morning of the 28th, a distressing scene of trepidation and confusion ensued. Affrighted crowds of people might be seen run- ning in all directions, preparing for flight ; while such as could were harnessing their horses and placing their fami- lies on cars with the utmost precipitation — all endeavour- ing to escape from the town as speedily as possible. The road was soon thronged to a great extent with a train of cars, which were loaded with women and children, ac- companied by a vast multitude on foot, among whom were many women with their children on their back, and from the continued heat and drought of the weather, the dust excited by this crowded procession distressfully obstructed respiration. By this abandonment of Gorey the whole of the sur- rounding country was left entirely exposed, and yet the insurgents did not at all, at this time, approach the town, but remained in their encampment on the hill of Carri- grew ; nor did the inhabitants of this quarter then rise or join in the insurrection ; but strictly observed on their part the promises they had made to the magistrates on surrendering their arms; and yet it is a notorious fact, that there were more united Irishmen in this than in any other part of the county of Wexford, and that it even comprehended the district of sixteen parishes already stated to have been proclaimed in November, 1797. While Gorey was thus abandoned by the military, and by such as were allowed or for whom it would be safe to accom- pany them, it was filled with the property and effects of the fugitives, yet no plunder was committed, and no dis- turbance took place, so that on their return they found all belonging to them in perfect security, having been IRISH REBELLION. 116 protected by those that remained in the town. The only instance of spoliation supposed to have taken place on this occasion is, that a yeoman got some money belong- ing to Mr. William Sparrow, by whose desire he came for it on the 30th, and which the owner never received. A party of yeomen returned on the 29th, and brought away provisions, but as these were gallopping into the town, one of the shoes of a yeoman’s horse struck fire against the pavement ; haply on the very spot where a quantity of gunpowder had remained, after a small cask of that dangerous combustible which, previous to the flight, had fallen from a car into the street and was burst. An explosion instantly ensued, by which the horse and horse- man were blown up, and narrowly escaped with life : the horse’s hair was desperately singed, and the yeoman himself was terribly scorched. On the 31st, the military returned to Gorey. On which, although left utterly de- fenceless since the morning of the 28th, not the smallest attempt was made by the insurgents to take possession ; and on the disposition to peace and order manifested by the inhabitants who remained in the town after the abandonment, their laudable conduct is the best comment. Different parties of yeomen went out from the town, ransacked the houses through the country, brought away as much as they could carry, driving off numbers of cattle, some belonging to Lord Mountnorris, and put t&em into Mr. Ram’s demesne. Indeed, they were not very exact or scrupulous as to individual property, for they brought off all the cattle they could collect in the country, and took up bacon, cheese, butter, and pro- visions of all kinds wherever they found them ; and to crown all, they took a great number of men prisoners, to supply the place of those that were liberated in the commencement of the flight ; so that this must be acknowledged, if not valorous, at least very active service. On the morning of the 1st of June, an independent, or self-constituted body of insurgents, unknown to any of the three general encampments of Vinegar Hill, Taglimon, and Carrigrew, proceeded on a secret expedition to Newtown- barry (anciently called Bunclody), garrisoned by the King’s county militia, commanded by Colonel Lestrange, 120 HISTORY OF THE and the corps of yeomen cavalry and infantry belonging to the place. These insurgents having divided into two parties, made their attack on both sides of the Slaney, on the western bank whereof lies the town, and of this they were soon left in possession by the retreat of the military ; but they instantly proceeded to plunder, particularly whiskey, of which they drank very freely, and being thus regardless of the advantage they obtained, they afforded the military, whom they did not attempt to pursue, time to rally and return upon them while in this disorderly state, so as to oblige them to fly with some loss and pre- cipitation. On this day, also, a party of insurgents from Vinegar Hill, proceeded to join those encamped at Carrigrew, whose numbers were greatly lessened by desertions for home. They were no w, however, mustering pretty strongly all over the country, intending to assemble their collective force on the hill of Ballymenane; but, while moving for- ward in a detached and disorderly manner, they were met by a force from Gorey, under the command of Lieutenant Elliot, consisting of parties of the Antrim and North Cork militia, above fifty yeomen infantry, and three troops of yeomen cavalry. These, by preserving their order, had great advantage in this unexpected rencounter over the insurgents, who retreated with some loss and in dis- order ; leaving behind a great number of horses which were brought into Gorey, together with the plunder many houses, which were burnt after despoiling ; among the rest that of Mr. Kenny, a tanner and shopkeeper, con- fidently asserted to be a loyal man : his character, ho wever, did not protect him, for he was shot in his own garden, and so fell a victim to the angry indiscriminating spirit of the times, like many other innocent persons. This is very strongly exemplified by a transaction mentioned by the Rev. Mr. Gordon as follows: — “A small occurrence after the battle, of which a son of mine was a witness, may help to illustrate the state of the country at that time : — Two yeomen coming to a brake or clump of bushes, and observing a small motion as if some persons were hiding there, one of them fired into it, and the shot was answered by a most piteous and loud screech of a child. The other yeoman was then urged by his companion to fire ; but he IRISH REBELLION. 121 being a gentleman, and less ferocious, instead of firing, commanded the concealed persons to appear, when a poor woman and eight children almost naked, one of whom was severely wounded, came trembling from the brake, where they had secreted themselves for safety.”* Indeed t he settled practice was, to shoot all men that were met ; and by this desperate system, the rn.ost innocent and peaceable were generally the most likely to suffer; for being unwilling to join the insurgents, the ungenerous suspicions generally thrown out, however unjustly, against the Catholics, which constituted a vast majority of the people at large, precluded the possibility of their joining the army or yeomen, who professed the rankest and most inveterate distrust of the people, for any of whom it was extremely unsafe to venture into their presence on any occasion whatsoever, as numbers had fallen a sacrifice to a confidence in their own peaceable intentions and inno- cent demeanour ; and this kind of conduct had finally the effect of determining multitudes to join the insurgents, considering it, at length, the only means of self-preser- vation. The mind of the impartial reader must be strongly impressed with the barbarous impolicy of thus cherishing these odious and unnatural prejudices, as well as with the desperate situation in which the country was placed through these means; and what a dreadful misfortune it must prove to be an inhabitant where not only such senti- ments were very strenuously inculcated, but where even the most shocking scenes of foulest outrage were permit- ted, and perpetrated with the basest and most criminal connivance. From the inactivity of the insurgents encamped at Carrickbyrne. occasioned in a great degree from their want of an ostensible commander, constant sallies were made out of Ross, and great havoc and devastation com- mitted throughout the country. These occurrences pro- duced a general meeting of the principal inhabitants on the 1st of June, wherein Mr. Harvey was called on to act as commander-in-chief, and various other appointments and regulations took place for the maintenance and supply of the country. The day after, Mr. Harvey took the * See Gordon’s History, page 113. u 122 HISTORY OF THE command in person at Carrickbyrne, where on his arrival, several fugitives appeared giving dreadful accounts of their suffering from the yeomanry, and at the time several houses were on fire about Old Ross. The commander-in- chief instantly ordered Mr. Thomas Cloney, with all the horsemen that could be collected, to proceed against the depredators, who fled on their approach, and were chased in full speed to Ross. At this critical period, the Pro- testant church of Old Ross was burned, by no means with the knowledge or consent of Mr. Cloney or his party ; and the result of every inquiry at the time was, that the church was set on fire in revenge and retaliation by indi- vidual sufferers, as many houses were burned, and several unresisting persons were shot immediately preceding this conflagration. I should wish to be able to give a more circumstantial account of this occurrence, as it was the only one of the kind that took place during the insurrec- tion, but have not been able to procure further infor- mation ; however, a witness on the trial of Mr. Cloney by court-martial at Wexford in 1799, mentioned the circumstance, but in such a manner as only to attract the notice of an enthusiastic maniac. By having refer- ence to the trial, it will also appear, that Mr. Cloney ’s humanity and exertions for those in any kind of distress, was as conspicuous as his courage in the field, after he had been forced from his house when the military had fled, and left the insurgents in uncontrollable possession of the country. On the 2d of June, as one of the armed oyster-boats already noticed, was cruising outside the harbour of Wex- ford, she fell in with a boat from Arklow, which upon being hailed, came to and was taken. On board this vessel were three officers of the North Cork militia, Lord Kingsborough, the colonel, Captain O’Hea, and Lieute- nant Bourke, who were accordingly made prisoners. This nobleman and these his officers were in Dublin when in- formed of the defeat of part of their regiment at Oulart, as before stated, and immediately proposed to join it; for which purpose, proceeding by land as far as Arklow, and finding the insurrection more formidable than they could be brought before to imagine, they there hired a boat to carry them to Wexford, not conceiving it possible that it IRISH REBELLION. 123 had been abandoned and then in the hands of the insur- gents. They were taken, therefore, at their entrance into the harbour, and conducted without any person in town being previously informed of the fact, to the house of Captain Keugh, then the acknowledged military commander of the town. Here his lordship and the two officers made prisoners with him were entertained for some days before the people expressed any dissatisfaction or apprehension that they might be enabled to escape ; but these manifestations of popular distrust being made known, they were conveyed to a house in the bull-ring, near the mainguard-house, where sentinels were posted inside and outside; and there they continued, under these measures of precaution, until the subsequent sur- render of the town to his lordship himself as an officer in the king’s service. The people of the barony of Forth, having by this time sufficiently equipped themselves with pikes, joined the encampment now formed on the hill of Carrickbyrne, whither, it must be observed, the insurgents of the camp near Taghmon had shifted on the 1st of June. A small party from Wexford also, denominated the Faith-corps, joined the encampment on Carrigrew. The committee of general regulation appointed in Wex- ford, and already noticed, waited on Mr. Harvey, com- mander-in-chief of the insurgents, expressing their hopes that the service in the Protestant church, which had been hitherto interrupted, might be no longer discontinued ; as they wished to do all in their power to dissipate religious animosities, by inculcating the absurdity of fear on this account alone, and to undeceive the numbers of sudden converts who were applying to the Catholic priests to be baptised, beseeching in the most earnest manner to be thus received into the bosom of the Catholic church, from an idea that it was then the only plan of safety. Nay, so persevering were the generality in their piteous entreaties, that the Catholic clergy found themselves very distressingly circumstanced; for should they refuse to comply with the wishes and earnest solicitations of such Protestants as offered themselves in this way, they per- ceived that they would be subject to the most violent ani- madversions for any fatal accident that might befall any of 124 HISTORY OF THE them ; and on the other hand, knowing that imagined necessity alone was the motive of apparent conversion, they must have considered it improper to accept their con- formity without serious and solemn probation. On this occasion, however, the humanity of many superseded the dictates of duty, so far as to induce them to risk the pro- fanation of a sacrament for the preservation of lives, and to dispel the dreadful apprehensions from orangemen ; the greatest assurance of not belonging to that combination being that of conversion to the Catholic communion, which was considered to render any person inadmissible into an association which the majority of the people absolutely believed to be instituted for their destruction. Their alarms, however, worked so strongly on the minds of the affected converts, that all arguments exerted to dispel their fears generally proved ineffectual, as they would still persist in most earnest solicitation for admission. Some clergymen, however, in this dilemma positively refused baptising Protestant converts, but then they took a far better and consistent mode of quieting alarms. They gave the strongest assurances to such as applied to them, that the Catholic church does not deem it necessary to rebaptise any denomination of Christians otherwise than conditionally, as the existence of any previous baptism whatever, and attendance on duties and divine service, was sufficient conformity. A curious circumstance, however, occurred in Wex- ford at this time, which eventually produced a great num- ber of conditional baptisms. A young lady who on first application failed of persuading a Catholic priest to confer on her the favour of baptism, had the diligence and ad- dress afterwards to discover that the Protestant minister who had undertaken to perform that ceremony in her in- fancy, had only filliped or sprinkled the water at her with his finger, and so it was within the limits of probability that a drop might not have reached her head so as to form an ablution. Being very ingenious and persevering in her arguments, so as to appear capable of puzzling the nicest casuist, she at last made out her own a doubtful case, and was accordingly quieted by conditional baptism. When the particulars of this transaction got abroad, the solicita- tions to the Catholic clergy for the boon of conditional IRISH REBELLION. 125 baptism became considerably more frequent, the appli- cants quoting this recent precedent, and adducing the hearsay evidence and far-fetched recollection of grand- mothers, grand-aunts, and other grave and venerated re- latives, with a long train of minute circumstances, to prove a similarity of cases, and claiming on this account an equal consideration. Notwithstanding the earnest exer- tions of the committee and many of the principal Ca- tholics to dispel the fears of their Protestant brethren, whom they offered to protect even at the risk of their own lives, all endeavours to have service performed in the Protestant church proved ineffectual. It must be re- marked, however, that the place itself suffered not the smallest indignity during the whole period of the insur- rection, except in the instance of the abandonment of their usual place of worship by the Protestants, of whom great numbers flocked in the most public and conspicuous man- ner to the Catholic chapel, where they affected the great- est piety and devotion. The epithets of craw-thumpers, opprobriously applied to Catholics for contritely striking their breasts at their devotions, was never more strongly exemplified than by these converts. Catholics strike their breasts gently on certain occasions, and with the right hand alone, but Protestants who attended at mass in these times generally continued to strike themselves vehemently with both hands almost during the whole service. I had the good fortune to prevent all such as consulted me on the occasion as to the expediency of conforming, by per- suading them to avoid the disgrace of such a mockery ; and I had the satisfaction afterwards to hear those ap- plauded who did not appear to change their religion, while those who turned with the times were reprobated — some as hypocrites, and others as cowards. And in good truth, what favourable opinion could be entertained of such as did not continue faithful even to their God ac- cording to the dictates of their conscience ? The Rev. Mr. Dixon, a Roman Catholic clergyman, who had been condemned before a magistrate and sen- tenced to transportation, was sent off to Duncannon Fort the day preceding the insurrection ; and this was on the testimony of a man named Francis Murphy, whose evi- dence was positively contradicted by three other wit- 126 HISTORY OF THE nesses. These facts, together with the public odium incurred by the man himself, induced Thomas Dixon, a sea-faring captain and master of a vessel, who also kept a porter-house in Wexford, to take a summary mode of avenging the fate of the clergyman, who was his relation. For this purpose he brought the man out of gaol, upon his own sole authority, and conducted him down to the bull-ring, where he obliged three revenue officers, who were then prisoners, and whom he brought out along with him, to shoot him, and afterwards to bear his body to the quay and throw it into the water. This execution took place, with all its shocking circumstances, while most of the town’s-people were at prayers, and was utterly unknown to the principal inhabitants ; but at all events Dixon could the more readily accomplish his vengeance, without fear of being prevented, on account of the public execration generally prevalent against in- formers. The military stationed at Gorey made constant sallies, in the course of which through the country they plun- dered and burnt many houses, and shot several stragglers who happened to fall in their way. This provoked the insurgents to vie with their opponents in this mode of warfare, and retaliation has, on this as well as on every other occasion, produced manjr woful scenes. Enormi- ties in fact were committed on both sides, which, among their many lamentable consequences, tended to exaspe- rate the party-animosities already too powerfully destruc- tive of the peace and happiness of the country. At this time reinforcements were every day crowding into Gorey. On the 3d of June, General Loftus arrived there with fifteen hundred men under his command, as did also Colonel Walpole from Carnew, whence he had several times gone out to reconnoitre the camp at Carrigrew. A determination was formed to attack this on the 4th, with the force then in Gorey, with which the troops from Carnew and Newtownbarry were to co-operate, so as to engage the insurgents on all sides ; and from these arrangements, and considering the force that was to act against them, little doubt was entertained of their total and speedy defeat. The army from Gorey marched out at the appointed time and formed into two divisions — IRISH REBELLION. 127 the one under General Loftus took route towards Bally- cane w; while the other, commanded by Colonel Walpole, proceeded by the Camolin road directly to commence the concerted attack on Carrigrew. The insurgents had, however, quitted this post, and were in full march towards Gorey, when they suddenly and unawares fell in with this military body under Colonel Walpole, at a place called Tubberneering. The meeting was equally unexpected on both sides, and this circumstance, no less true than ex- traordinary, neither parties having any scouts, produced an instantaneous and confused action, in which Colonel Walpole was killed in a few minutes after its commence- ment, and his troops immediately gave way and fled in the utmost precipitation and disorder, leaving the victors in possession of three pieces of cannon, two six-pounders, and another of inferior size. The fate of this action was so quickly decided, as to allow General Loftus not the smallest opportunity of affording the troops under Colonel Walpole any assistance. The loss of the military in killed and wounded was considerable, besides Captain M‘ Manus, Lieutenant Hogg, and Ensign Barry, of the Antrim militia, with many privates taken prisoners. The rest, in the greatest possible haste, being pursued by the insurgents, reached Gorey, which they as quickly passed through ; but would in revenge put the prisoners in the town to death, had they not feared that the delay it would occasion might cost them too dearly. This account I have from a captain of yeomanry, who opposed with all his might the perpetration of such a cruel and barbarous deed, and who, to his honour, was incapable of counte- nancing such an atrocity under any circumstances. The retreat was thence very precipitate to Arklow, where a council of war was hastily held, at which it was as hastily determined to abandon that town, and this was accord- ingly put into execution. Some were so panic-struck that they did not stop till they reached Dublin ; but others stopped at different distances when their horses or them- selves were not able to proceed further. General Loftus, on hearing the report of the cannon and e ther fire-arms in the engagement, not being able to go across the country, proceeded round by the road to the scene of action, where he found the bodies of many slain, and 128 HISTORY OF THE did not learn the fate of Colonel Walpole till he saw him stretched on the field of battle. He then moved towards Gorey, but thought it most prudent to alter his line of direction upon being saluted by the insurgents with the cannon they had just taken, and which they had drawn up to the summit of the hill of Gorey, which is imme- diately over the town, commanding it in every quarter. The general then marched to Carnew and from that to Tullow. The troops that had proceeded from Carnew in the morning to co operate in the intended general attack on the insurgents at Carrigrew, did not return thither upon hearing of the defeat, but made Newtownbarry with those who had come out from thence on the same expedition. The insurgents were now in possession of the whole of the county of Wexford, except the fort of Dun cannon, the towns of Boss and Newtownbarry ; and were at perfect liberty, if they pursued their advantages, to seize upon Carnew, and also to enter Arklow, situated in the county of Wicklow, and what consequences might have ensued are now incalculable. On the evening of the 4th of June, the insurgents sta- toined on the hill of Carrickbyrne, whither the Taghmon encampment, as has been observed, was transferred on the 1st, now proceeded to Corbet Hill, within a mile of the town of Ross, the garrison of which had lately received great reinforcements, by the arrival there of the Donegal, Clare, and Meath regiments of militia, a de- tachment of English and Irish artillery, the 5th dra- goons, the Mid-Lothian Fencibles, and on this very even- ing the county of Dublin regiment of militia considerably added to its force, which upon the whole amounted to twelve hundred men, exclusive of the yeomen, all under the command of Major-General Johnson, who expected an attack during the night, and consequently the troops remained under arms without being allowed to take any repose. The insurgents, led by their commander-in- chief, Mr. Beauchamp Bagnal Harvey, a little after their arrival on Corbet Hill, were saluted with a few cannon- shot and bomb-shells from the town, without producing any other effect than that of increasing their vigilance. Mr. Harvey and his principal officers took up their auar- IRISH REBELLION. 129 ters in the house of Corbet Hill, where being regaled with an excellent supper and exquisite wines, they were so well pleased with their cheer, and so far forgot their prudence as commanders, that they had scarcely time to fall asleep since the moment of their retirement, until they were roused, by the orders they had given in their sober moments, to commence the attack at break of day. Mr. Furlong was immediately despatched with a flag of truce, and the following summons to the commanding officer in Ross : — “ Sir — As a friend to humanity I request you will surrender the town of Ross to the Wexford forces now assembled against that town. Your resistance will but provoke rapine and plunder to the ruin of the most inno- cent. Flushed with victory, the Wexford forces, now innumerable and irresistible, will not be controlled if they meet with any resistance : to prevent, therefore, the total ruin of all property in the town, I urge you to a speedy surrender, which you will be forced to do in a few hours, with loss and bloodshed, as you are sur- rounded on all sides. Your answer is required in four hours. Mr. Furlong carries this letter and will bring the answer. “ I am, sir, &c. &c. “ B. B. Harvey. “ Camp at Corbet Hill, half-past three o'clock morning, June 5th, 1798.” Mr. Furlong was shot the moment he approached the outposts, which so exasperated the people, that they could not be restrained from instantly rushing on to attack the Three-bullet gate, being the part of the town next to them ; and this it was that principally prevented the concerted plan of assault from being carried into execu- tion ; as three divisions of their forces were to have be- gun their operations against different parts of the town at the same time. This particular division therefore not waiting till the other two should have reached their se- veral stations of action, the latter not only did nqt pro- ceed, but were seized with such a panic that they dis- persed all over the country, flying in all directions to their several homes, and bearing as they went along the H 3 ISO HISTORY OT? THE tidings of a total defeat ; and this derout was in a great degree occasioned by the example of one of the divisional commanders, who, without the least effort to answer the intent of his appointment, turned away from the action, and rode hastily homeward. Even in the town of Wex- ford, nineteen miles from Ross, the news of a defeat was announced, at an early hour of the day, by many fugi- tives who had taken that direction, relating various and strange adventures to account for their own precipitate flight. One fourth of the numbers that encamped on Corbet Hill the evening before, did not stand in the morning of the day of action, so that even the division that commenced and afterwards continued the assault, was by no means complete, numbers of those who con- stituted it having also abandoned their stations, which were far from being adequately supplied by such of the two panic-struck divisions as had the courage and reso- lution to join in the battle then going forward and in its greatest heat. From this statement, however, it must appear that no plan was pursued in the attack by the insurgents, but that whatever they accomplished in the onset, must have been from individual courage and in- trepidity. They first dislodged the army from behind the walls and ditches where they were very advanta- geously posted, and on this occasion the cavalry in their charges were repulsed with considerable loss, Cornet Hodwell and twenty-seven men of the fifth dragoons having fallen in the first onset. The military then re- treated into the town, through the Three-bullet-gate, pursued hot foot by the insurgents, who obliged them to move from one situation to another, until they at last drove them over the wooden-bridge on the Barrow into the county of Kilkenny. The main guard at the market- house, however, consisting of a sergeant and fifteen men, not only maintained their situation but even de- fended it with uncommon bravery and resolution, having two swivels to support them. Major Yandeleur, of the Clare militia, also continued the whole of the day with a strong detachment of his regiment at his post at Irish- town, where he stood pretty severe duty, but not alto- gether so violent as it would be had the place been gene- rally attacked, according to Mr. Harvey’s original plan. IRISH REBELLION. 131 this being the principal entrance. When the insurgents had thus got possession of the town, they fell to plunder- ing and drinking, on which they became so intent, that they could not be brought to follow up their advantage. In the meantime the army rallied on the county of Kil- kenny side of the bridge ; and although a retreat was before determined on, yet they were induced to return upon perceiving that there was no pursuit, and besides they were powerfully instigated to this by the spirited exhortations of Messrs M‘Cormick and Devereux, two yeomen not possessed of any command, but the display of whose active courage and intrepidity contributed in a great degree to turn the fate of the day, and to whose real merit every praise is justly due on this occasion, wherein few officers distinguished themselves, as may be fairly concluded from the official returns of the killed and wounded, these casualties in regard to the officers not bearing due proportion to those of the private men, which could hardly be the case had the former main- tained their stations with becoming firmness. The county of Dublin militia, on hearing of the death of their fa- vourite colonel, Lord Mount joy, were the first to renew the attack under the command of Major Vesey. Their example was followed by the rest of the troops, and their united efforts shortly compelled such of the insurgents as were not too drunk, to fly out of the town, of which they had been by this time some hours in possession. Having respired a little, however, from their hasty retreat, which in a great degree made them sober, they again returned to the charge, and the contest which now ensued was maintained on botli sides with great obstinacy, both par- ties being induced, by experience of the former encoun- ter, not to relax their exertions. The intrepidity of the insurgents was truly remarkable, as notwithstanding the dreadiul havoc made in their ranks by the artillery, they rushed up to the very mouths of the cannon, regardless of the numbers that were falling on all sides of them, and pushed forward with such impetuosity, that they obliged the army to retire once more and leave the town to themselves. But even after this they soon fell into the same misconduct as before, crowning their bravery with drunkenness. Of this the proper advantage was (32 HISTORY OF THE quickly taken by the army, who again renewed the at- tack, by which they finally became perfect masters of - the town. Several houses were set on fire and consumed in the course of this and the former attack, but one of these deserves particular notice : this was a slated house, four stories high, on the summit of the main-street near the church, in which seventy-five persons were burnt to ashes ; none having escaped but one man, who, in run- ning away, was fortunate enough to get clear of the fire of the soldiery. On the evening of the preceding Wed- nesday, Mr. Cullimore, a quaker, wishing to visit his family at his country-house, a short distance from the town, was taken prisoner as he attempted to pass the patroles, brought in, and confined in the market-house, from which he was not released on the day of battle, as if it were by the special interference of Providence, for some of the military, when they imagined the day going against them, had resolved to put all the prisoners in the town to death, but when a party of those on guard en- tered the place of confinement for the nefarious purpose, Mr. Cullimore addressed them with such an authoritative and impressive tone, saying — You shall not shoot the prisoners : there are some men here as loyal as you are.” This address and manner of a man better than Marius, awed arid overcame the sanguinary slaves, so that they retired without perpetrating the horrid crime of their bloody intent ! ! ! Some officers and privates of the king’s troops, in the various success of the day, were induced from time to time to attempt a retreat to Waterford, through the county of Kilkenny. Some of these suc- ceeded in their efforts ; and from their unfavourable ac- counts of the battle, the Roscommon militia, who were in full march towards Ross, turned about for Waterford ; and even Captain Dillon, with some of the county-of- Dublin militia, were intercepted and put to death in their progress by the country people, who, on sight of the fugitives, and on the report of the success of the county- of- Wexford insurgents, were making every preparation, and nearty in readiness, to join them. The insurgents being upbraided by their chiefs for sullying their bravery by drunkenness, made a third attempt to regain the town, and in this they displayed equal valour with what they IRISH REBELLION. 133 exhibited in the earlier part of the day ; but by this time the army had acquired a greater degree of confidence in their own strength, while several houses blazed in tre- mendous conflagration ; and the insurgents received an irreparable loss, when their intrepid leader, John Kelly of Killan, whose dauntless valour on this day was but too conspicuous, received a wound in the leg, which put an end to his career of victory ! Paralysed by the loss of such a man’s exertions, and no longer able to with- stand the violence of the flying artillery, the insurgents sounded a regular retreat, bringing away with them a piece of cannon taken from the army in the course of the action, having lost one which they brought with them, together with some swivels and small pieces which had been drawn on for mere show, and which could not be of much use to either party. The insurgents after their defeat returned to their former station, having encamped this night at Carrickbyrne. The los3 of the army on this day, by official statement, is allowed to be two hundred and thirty, in killed, wound- ed, and missing ; but that of the insurgents has been va- riously reported even by different eye-witnesses — some making it but five hundred, while others state it at two thousand. Indeed, it is impossible to ascertain their loss during the battle itself, as the number of dead are said to be doubly accumulated by those who were killed un- armed and unresisting after it was all over. Many men had become so intoxicated in the course of the day, that they were incapable of flying out of the town in the re- treat of their associates, and several of the inhabitants, whose houses were burnt, and having therefore no place to retire to, fell victims alike as straggling insurgents to the undistinguishing fury of the irritated soldiery, from which no person could escape who wasjnot clad in mili- tary attire of one kind or other. The following day also the few thatched houses that remained unburnt, being the only places that a common person could get into, were closely searched, and not a man discovered in them left alive. Some houses were set on fire even so thronged, that the corpses of the suffocated within them could not fall to the ground, but continued crowded together in an upright posture, until they were taken out to be interred. 134 HISTORY OF THE I cannot suppose that these horrid massacres and con- flagrations were committed in revenge for the infernal abomination perpetrated at Scallabogue, of which I shall have occasion presently to make mention, as no intelli- gence of that lamentable event could have reached Ross at the time ; but be that as it may, officers were not only present, but even promoted and encouraged those deeds of dreadful enormity, of which every breast not dead to humane feeling must shudder at the recital 1 In the evening after the action, when the troops were assembled on parade, General Johnson singled out Lieu- tenant Egan of the Royal Irish artillery, (now captain of the royal artillery,) to whom he returned his public thanks for his gallant and spirited conduct during the action ; and, indeed every praise is due to this officer, who, with a part of the Donegal militia, was principally instrumental in contributing to the fate of the battle. Several proposals were made to the general to abandon the town and retreat to Kilkenny, but he was determined to stand as long as he had a man to support him ; how- ever, had the troops been attacked that night, the pre- valent opinion is, they would have fled. In the dispatches published, thanks were returned to all commanding offi- cers. The uncommon bravery and exertions of Mr. Edward Devereux appeared so meritorious to General J ohnson, that he was offered a commission in the army, which his mercantile avocations prevented him from accepting of. It is an invariable maxim that cowardice and cruelty are very closely allied. This was most strongly exem- plified by the barbarous conduct of the run-away mur- derers who fled from the battle of Ross to Scullabogue, where a number of prisoners were confined in a barn, to which these savage miscreants (having overpowered the guards, who resisted them as long as they could) set fii'e, and made every person within its walls, nearly eighty in number, perish in the flames. One hundred and eighty-four are confidently asserted to have been victims -on this melancholy occasion, besides thirty- seven shot and piked ; but then the same account states, that the barn was in dimensions only thirty-four feet long, and fifteen feet wide ; and it is not therefore within the IRISH REBELLION. 135 limit of reasonable probability that there were so many, as they would have been so closely crammed in, that the cruelty of such confinement could not escape notice; indeed in such case they could scarcely stand together and respire. I am therefore led to believe, that the assertors of these statements have been imposed upon, as eighty persons would rather crowd such a space too much for the purposes of maintaining life and health ; and I am consequently induced the more readily to think the information more correct with which I have been favoured by respectable and disinterested authority from the neighbourhood in which the nefarious transac- tion took place ; and surely it must prove grateful to every mind to be so agreeably undeceived respecting the fewer number of victims. Wickedness is seldom exhi- bited only in single acts of depravity ; it scarcely ever omits exerting every possible action of baseness. Such of the victims at Scullabogue as had any thing about them worth taking, were plundered before being con- signed to their horrible fate. It is alleged on the part of the sanguinary ruffians concerned in this most detestable transaction, that it was in retaliation for like deeds of desperate cruelty practised against themselves, and irritated as they were from recent experience of perse- cutions and tortures of every kind — whippings, strangu- lations, and hangings without trial, which some of the party had narrowly escaped a few days before in Ross, where these measures were very prevalent : but no in- centive, no persecution, no experience of cruelty can palliate, much less excuse, such unnatural and detes- table atrocity. It is but justice, however, to observe, that in this horrid transaction, no person of superior condition — none above the mere canaille , or lowest de- scription of men — was at all concerned, however confi- dently the contrary has been asserted ; but infamy of this indelible nature should never so much as glance but at ‘its proper objects. Were the fact otherwise than as here stated, it must have been notoriously manifested in the course of the several trials since had in consequence of the very enormity, and for which some miscreants have been justly doomed to execution. But truth im- poses the task of mentioning also, that it lias appeared 136 HISTORY OF THE from solemn evidence given on those trials, that in con- sequence of the insurgents being disappointed in their expectation of taking quiet possession of Ross, their flag of truce being shot, and after the attack, the fugitives from the town communicating accounts of the tortures practised there, and that no quarter would be given to the people, an infuriated multitude of men and women rushed to Scullabogue vociferating revenge, forced the guards, (who did all in their power to protect their charge), and set fire to the prison, which was a thatched house ; and for this transaction General Johnson has not escaped animadversion, as it is said he was re- peatedly warned to spare the people or they would resort to retaliation, by executing all the prisoners in their hands ! and if giving quarter would have prevented the fatality at Scullabogue, humanity excites a wish it had been given. It is material to observe also, that these trials have disclosed information manifesting a very strong feature characteristic of popular commotion, which is, that the unbridled multitude are as pre- cipitate as indiscriminate in their deeds of outrage, putting them into excution as soon as conceived, to prevent the possibility of counteraction. This is, in fact, so true, that very often the greatest favourites cannot escape the instantaneous violence of popular fury. Although this cannot be considered as an excuse, nothing being capable of palliating, much less excus- ing the crime at Scullabogue, yet its guilt would be greatly aggravated did it appear a deliberate or pre- meditated action, in which any one above the meanest vulgar was concerned. Scullabogue is situated at the foot of the eminence of Carrickbyrne, whither the in- surgents defeated at Ross retreated, as has been observed, and upon being made acquainted with the enormity, which all brave men must reprobate, they universally and loudly expressed their horror and detestation of the barbarous deed! Surely, it is easy to conceive that the men who had so lately displayed such a dauntless spirit of courage and consummate bravery, could not be destitute of its general concomitant — humanity. To counteract the reports of religious intolerance, it must be stated, that fifteen or sixteen Catholics share in the sorrowful IRISH REBELLION. 137 catastrophe of Seullabogue, whence only two Protestants and one Catholic providentially escaped. It must be universally allowed, that robbers and murderers enter- tain no reverence, as they feel no awe of religion, in the commission of their nefarious acts ; and I am confident from all I can learn of the melancholy horrors of Seullabogue, that nothing less than the signal inter- ference of Providence can be considered capable of having saved any person who was within the ill-fated barn on the dreadful day of its conflagration ! An investigation of this horrid transaction had been firmly determined on, which subsequent events prevented from being carried into execution. It were much to be wished such an inquiry had taken place, as it would afford no room for misrepresentation. On the day following, a proclamation, in the form of resolutions by the whole insurgent army, was published by the com- mander-in-chief, signed by himself, and countersigned by the adjutant -general, with intention to curb all excesses against life and property, and encouraging by every possible means union and harmony among all descriptions of the people. I deem it necessary to insert it, and here accordingly it follows : — “ At a meeting of the general and several officers of the united army of the county of Wexford, the follow- ing resolutions were agreed upon : “ Resolved — That the commander-in-chief shall send guards to certain baronies, for the purpose of bringing in all men they shall find loitering and delaying at home or elsewhere ; and if any resistance be given to those guards, so to be sent by the commanding officer’s orders, it is our desire and orders that such persons so giving resistance shall be liable to be put to death by the guards, who are to bear a commission for that purpose ; and all such persons found to be so loitering and delaying at home, when brought in by the guards, shall be tried by a court-martial, appointed and chosen from among the commanders of all the different corps, and be punished with death. “ Resolved — That all officers shall immediately repair to their respective quarters, and remain with their differ- ent corps, and not depart therefrom under pain of death, 138 HISTORY OF THE unless authorized to quit by written orders from the commander-in-chief for that purpose. “ It is also ordered, that a guard shall be kept in rear of the different armies, with orders to shoot all persons who shall fly or desert from any engagement ; and that these orders shall be taken notice of by all officers com- manding in such engagement. “ All men refusing to obey their superior officers, to be tried by a court-martial and punished according to their sentence. “ It is also ordered, that all men who shall attempt to leave their respective quarters when they have been halted by the commander -in-chief, shall suffer death, unless they shall have leave from their officers for so doing. “It is ordered by the commander-in-chief, that all persons who have stolen or taken away any horse or horses, shall immediately bring in all such horses to the camp, at head-quarters; otherwise for any horse that shall be seen or found in the possession of any person to whom he does not belong, that person shall, on being convicted thereof, suffer death. “ And any goods that shall have been plundered from any house, if not brought in to head-quarters, or retur- ned immediately to the houses or owners, that all per- sons so plundering as aforesaid, shall, on being convic- ted thereof, suffer death. “It is also resolved, that any person or persons who shall take upon them to kill or murder any person or prisoner, burn any house, or commit any plunder, without special written orders from the commander-in- chief, shall suffer death. “By order of “B. B. Harvey, commander-in-chief, Francis Breen, sec. and adj. “ Head-quarters, Carrickbyrne camp, June 6th, 1798.” A proclamation of similar tendency was issued at Wexford on the 7th, addressed to the insurgent armies by General Edward Roche, conceived in the following words : IRISH REBELLION. 139 “ TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND. “ Countrymen and fellow-soldiers ! your patriotic ex- ertions in the cause of your country have hitherto ex- ceeded our most sanguine expectations, and in a short time must ultimately he crowned with success. Liberty has raised her drooping head : thousands daily flock to her standard : the voice of her children every where prevails. Let us then, in the moment of triumph, re- turn thanks to the Almighty Ruler of the universe, that a total stop has been put to those sanguinary measures which of late were but too often resorted to by the crea- tures of government, to keep the people in slavery. “ Nothing now, my countrymen, appears necessary to secure the conquests you have already won, but an im- plicit obedience to the commands of your chiefs; for through a want of proper subordination and discipline, all may be endangered. “ At this eventful period, all Europe must admire, and posterity w r ill read with astonishment, the heroic acts achieved by people strangers to military tactics, and having few professional commanders — but what power can resist men fighting for liberty ! “ In the moment of triumph, my countrymen, let not your victories be tarnished with any wanton act of cru- elty : many of those unfortunate men now in prison were not your enemies from principle ; most of them com- pelled by necessity, w^ere obliged to oppose you : neither let a difference in religious sentiments cause a difference among the people. Recur to the debates in the Irish house of lords on the 19th of February last ; you will there see a patriotic and enlightened Protestant bishop, (Down) and many of the lay lords, with manly eloquence pleading for Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform, in opposition to the haughty arguments of the lord chancellor, and the powerful opposition of his fel- low-courtiers. “ To promote a union of brotherhood and affection among our countrymen of all religious persuasions, has been our principal object : we have sworn in the most solemn manner — have associated for this laudable pur- pose, and no pov r er on earth shall shake our resolution. HO HISTORY OF THE ‘ * To my Protestant soldiers I feel much indebted for their gallant behaviour in the field, where they exhibited signal proofs of bravery in the cause. “ Edward Roche. “ Wexford, June 7, 1798.” I should have mentioned before, that in the evening of the day on which the insurgents obtained possession of Enniscorthy, a drummer of the North Cork militia, who had some time before refused to beat his drum, when some tune, obnoxious to the people, was called for, or to whip some of the prisoners, was found hanging in the lodgings of Mr. Handcock, a clergyman and magistrate, who resided in that town ! When this fact became gene- rally known, it is impossible to conceive the indignation and fury it excited in the minds of the people, already flushed with victory and heated by intoxication. They considered the murdered soldier as a victim immolated to their cause ; they conceived he had met that fate to which they were all doomed unless they had risen against extermination. The more violent were those who themselves or their friends had suffered most se- verely, previous to the insurrection, and they instantly took advantage of the ferment occasioned by this cir- cumstance, to wreak their vengeance on those they con- sidered their enemies, who still remained in the town after it had been evacuated by the military. Many were put to death in consequence, notwithstanding that the more sensible and humane part endeavoured to protect the unhappy sufferers, but the voices of those were drowned in the general cry of “ They would not let one of us escape if we were in their power — we would be all served like the drummer.” I have heard many who were present when this horrid scene took place, affirm that this incident produced an effect more violent and instantaneous, and excited a degree of frenzy superior to any thing they had witnessed during the insurrection. It is evident from every day’s experience, that causes insignificant in themselves do sometimes produce effects the most lamentable ; and that artful men take advan- tage of such incidents in all tumultuary proceedings ; and considering the state of mind of the populace at this IRISH REBELLION. 141 moment, the knowledge of such a fact must have had a powerful operation. It is remarkable that Mr. N. Hin- ton’s house, in which the drummer was found hanging, received no inj ury from the people, as they considered him innocent of this abomination. While the insurgents kept possession of the town of Enniscorthy, another circumstance occurred, which pro- duced mucli mischief. The cavalry of Newtownbarry made an inroad towards the insurgents’ camp, as far as the bridge of Scarawalsh, which is three miles from En- niscorthy, and at this place killed a boy who was an idiot : he happened to be the nephew of a Catholic priest in the neighbourhood ; and the killing of this creature, who never could have made use of hostile weapons, pro- duced a violent ferment which was not appeased until the people sacrificed (as if to his manes ) twelve or four- teen of their prisoners. These facts, if any are wanting, show the impolicy and wickedness of shedding blood un- necessarily, even in the fury of war. The principle of retaliation is strongly implanted in the human heart, and therefore all unnecessary irritation should be sedu- lously avoided. A Guinea cutter having struck against the banks of Black water, unshipped her rudder outside the bay of Wexford, where she cast anchor; and the captain on entering the harbour to get it repaired, was met by one of the cruising boats, and the vessel was accordingly seized and brought in as a prize. Her burthen was forty-five tons, she was copper-bottomed, had six small cannon, and her crew were eight men. She was an at- tendant on a Guinea-man, sailed from Liverpool a few days before, had not yet received her small arms on board, but had three barrels of gunpowder, without which the insurgents would have been totally destitute of that arti cle, as the three barrels they found in Wexford barracks, with a few hundred cartridges, some small casks and odd pounds found in different shops and gentlemen’s houses, constituted their whole original stock, which by this time was entirely expended. It is, indeed, an extraordinary fact, that the insurgents did not possess, in the whole course of the insurrection, as much powder as would be deemed necessary by any military man for the supply of 142 HISTORY OF THE one battle, and that their gunsmen, so little used to war- fare, never retired until they had fired their last charge, exhibiting on all occasions amazing intrepidity ; but it was impossible to furnish fire-arms for the numbers offer- ing their services. In their different encampments they were mostly armed with pikes, and there was scarcely any kind of regularity or order observed, every individual absenting at his own discretion, so that at night the camps were almost totally deserted, but were in the day as crowded as ever. Although most of the people of Ireland can but seldom indulge in the luxury of eating meat, yet as the vast numbers of the insurgents were now to be supplied with this article, it became an abso- lute necessary. Such immense consumption always in time of war, even with the strictest economy, being double of the quantity that would supply the like num- bers in time of peace, must of itself have soon deprived the country of all its cattle ; and yet this provision was made use of with profusion. Corn and potatoes were put in requisition throughout the country, and Wexford was obliged at the risk of being burnt, to furnish almost all the other supplies, such as spirits, beer, tobacco, salt, and leather. Several self-appointed commissaries, fram- ing different excuses as it were for the advantage of the public service, while their principle was for plunder and private emolument, absented themselves from camp and became horrible public nuisances. These were the cowards who fled in time of action, and generally became murderers and robbers ; while those who courageously fought as brave men in the field, always remained at their post, never absenting without leave, and although suffering many privations, were remarkable for correct behaviour and regular conduct, the true test of brave men ; but the poltroon cravens, who deserted the camps on various pretences, were guilty of the most desperate deeds of outrage, though vauntingly boastful of actions of valour ; a fact which not only confirms the general position already laid down, that cowardice and cruelty are constantly united, but also that the vicious frequently affect the praises of virtue. While the brave and the virtuous were otherwise engaged so as not to have it in their power to counteract the depravity of the knaves IRISH REBELLION. 143 and cowards, a sad catalogue of victims suffered at the permanent camp on Vinegar Hill ; being declared ene- mies of the people, on the accusation of one or more per- sons, for different alleged acts of cruelty or opposition to their interests ; and, on these occasions, it was almost impossible to stem the torrent of popular fury ; so that the conductors and accusers of the summary trials, thus proceeded upon, were in very many instances but too successful in their schemes of murder ; notwithstanding the strenuous endeavours, and the earnest entreaties and remonstrances to the contrary of every humane and re- spectable person permitted to appear in their assemblage. Of these there were many willing enough to return to their homes, who were however prevented from appre- hension of being sacrificed themselves, if they dared to act in any manner contrary to the will of the populace. It has been confidently asserted, and too strongly incul- cated, that the insurgents were resolved to sacrifice all Protestants ; of this the best refutation is, that had this been their principle or intention, the accomplishment was in their power, and the avoiding its perpetration at the angry and exasperated moment must be considered conclusive in opposite argument. Indeed, it is too evi- dent that this falsehood has been industriously impressed for the purpose of fostering prejudice, and of continuing baleful division among the several descriptions of the people, by political adventurers, who shamefully encour- age and foment those animosities which have brought so much calamity and ruin on the country ; of which, if any Irishman requires further proof, the eventful history of his country since the period of 1798 is abundantly convincing ; and I fondly hope the charitable discrimina- tion of all Irishmen will induce them to abandon their prejudices, and cultivate a friendly intercourse with each other, and I am confident they will find this line of con- duct connected and congenial with their interests and happiness, as it will prevent their being cajoled or worked up at any future period to mutual rancour, to answer the ends of political seducers, as the destruction of their country must be the consequence. All Protes- tants who had the good-will of their neighbours, and who had not adventured in the hanging, burning, flogging, 144 HISTORY OF THE shooting, and exterminating system that immediately preceded the insurrection, were in general as safe as any other description of men in the country on joining the people, for as to this there was no alternative : but it must be acknowledged, indeed, that many gentlemen who had been formerly much liked, were considered as unpardonable if concerned in any exertion against the people of the description just cited, particular instances of which alleged against them occasioned the imprison- ment and death of individuals. It is asserted, that no Catholic was put to death. Surely, the indiscriminate destruction at Scullabogue, where fifteen or sixteen Catholics perished with the rest in the flames, suffi- ciently refutes this barefaced assertion ; but as the public mind has been so misled, I deem it absolutely necessary to state other facts that give the lie to surmise, which, among the general excesses of the day, would not other- wise deserve historical notice. Two Catholics were put to death by the people in Wexford — Francis Murphy on the 3d, and Joseph Murphy on the 14th of June, both for being informers. Certainly if any Catholics had launched forward in the prevalent mode of suppressing insurrec- tion, namely, violation, flagellation, conflagration, deli- berate murder and extermination, they would have in- curred equal odium with any Protestant, or even infidel, guilty of the like deeds. Catholics, however, not being of the privileged class (not even one Catholic justice of peace in the county, ) and therefore not having the power if they had the inclination, could not be generally in- volved with the people, on the score of authority or oppression, and this may satisfactorily account why so few Catholics, comparatively with Protestants, were sacrificed to popular frenzy and irritation. In all the proclamations and other documents published during the insurrection, there does not appear the smallest symptom of religious bigotry : the very contrary is even manifest ; but should it be any longer insisted on, that the conduct and expressions of solitary individuals unequivocally discountenanced by the great majority, were the senti- ments of the whole people, it must be stated in opposition, and the argument would be just as fair, that the Protes- tants had resolved on the extermination of the Catholics, IRISH REBELLION. 145 as some individuals of them have expressed themselves favourable to such a measure, and have lamented the arrival of Lord Cornwallis in Ireland, as in their mind it prevented the extirpation of the whole of the insur- gents, by them denominated Catholics. These senti- ments have been so notorious as to find utterance even in parliament. During the whole period of the insurrection in the county of Wexford, it is a fact no less surprising than true, that the fair sex was respected even by those who did not hesitate to rob or murder ; no one instance ex- isting of a female being injured or violated, including the wives, sisters, and daughters of those denominated the greatest enemies of the people, in whose conduct appears another very striking feature : with respect to the king, they were silent — his majesty’s name was not mentioned with disrespect, nor was he considered as the cause of their misfortunes ; but indeed they preserved no such delicacy with respect to the characters of those whom they considered the promoters and supporters of their persecutions : they reviled them in the strongest terms of reprobation, and did not spare many of their lives or properties. In case of plunder I believe no person was spared that was not at home to prevent it, or who was not fortunate enough to have a confidential person to welcome the marauders, who pleaded the public service in excuse of robbery and outrage ; but meat and drink, if freely of- fered and supplied, generally preserved a house from otherwise inevitable direp tion. On these occasions, Ca- tholics and Protestants were alike subject to depredation. I possessed perhaps as much popularity as any person in the county of Wexford, and notwithstanding this and my being a Catholic, I was plundered by the insurgents in the very outset : I lost all that could possibly be taken from me ; my doors and windows were broken open to get at my guns and pistols ; my desks and trunks were searched and rifled ; my horses and mules were all rode off; and for this and the like robberies the depredators would plead the public service. Several persons who had been much disliked by the populace, had the good for- tune to possess faithful servants, who by a free offer of 146 HISTORY OF THE what was wanted in the house, saved all the rest; while many others who were much beloved by the people, suf- fered considerably in their houses and properties, in con- sequence of the dishonesty of those who were left in care of them, as they countenanced and encouraged pillage, in hopes thereby to screen their own villainy, in appro- priating to themselves the best and most valuable part of the plunder. Great numbers crowded into Wefxord from the differ- ent camps and other parts of the country demanding sup- plies of salt, tobacco, spirits, and leather ; threatening to set fire to the town in case of resistance or want of im- mediate compliance. The mode adopted in managing the supplies was, that the committee issued orders to those possessing any of the articles in demand, to furnish the same in a specified quantity ; but the frequency of ap- plication so multiplied their employment, that it was not possible for them to attend to all the various business that accumulated upon them ; and finding themselves unequal to the task, they were obliged to call for assistance, and a separate committee for each article in demand was con- sequently appointed. To please the lower classes, who had expressed dissatisfaction, some of them were now associated with those of higher rank, in this discharge of public duty, the trouble and vexation of which they had no conception of until they shared in the labour, where- by those originally appointed were greatly relieved, and the common people henceforward proved less troublesome to them, as their compeers and companions were more successful in their arguments, to persuade them of the great difficulty of supplying them in as large quantities as before, and so reconciling them to accept of less. Va- rious plunder took place on the insurgents taking pos- session of the town, great part of which was afterwards restored, as orders were issued that all kinds of property not belonging to those in whose possession it might be found, should be returned on pain of severe punishment. The court-house in Wexford was the depository for such property, which the owners recovered on making their claim. The peace and quietness existing in the town of Wex - ford during the insurrection, except the little disturbance IRISH REBELLION. 147 now and again occasioned by the vociferous commissaries from the camps, was very remarkable. At night parti- cularly, the most solemn silence continually prevailed, as all the inhabitants retired early to rest, and the utmost regularity of conduct and peaceable behaviour was ob- served. The weather was remarkably warm and se- rene, and the physicians in town apprehended a conta- gious gaol fever from the numbers in confinement. Among the several expedients to remedy this evil, it was sug- gested to make the church a lodgment for prisoners, be- ing considered a healthy and eligible situation, and then deserted by the Protestants as their place of worship ; but this scheme was warmly and effectually opposed by the principal Catholics, as it might be deemed disrespect- ful to the seat of the Protestant worship, while those of the latter persuasion were eager and urgent to have it so occupied, in order as they said, to thin the crowds con- fined in the common prison. As a substitute for this’dis- appointment, the assembly-room was then resorted to, and fifty of the prisoners were confined there, while twenty-four of the principal gentlemen were sent on board a sloop in the harbour, which had been fitted out for that purpose. Another sloop had been also intended for like occupancy, but soon condemned as unfit for that service. To endeavour to please the people, who were very vo- ciferous against all those they considered as occasioning the cruelties practised against them, the following pro- clamation was issued : — PROCLAMATION OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY OF WEXFORD. “ Whereas it stands manifestly notorious, that James Boyd, Hawtrey White, Hunter Gowan, and Archibald Hamilton Jacob, late magistrates of this county, have committed the most horrid acts of cruelty, violence and oppression against our peaceable and well-disposed coun- trymen : now we the people associated and united for the purpose of procuring our just rights, and being deter- mined to protect the persons and properties of those of all religious persuasions, who have not oppressed us, and are willing to join with heart and hand our glorious 148 HISTORY OF THE cause ; as well as to show our marked disapprobation and horror of the crimes of the above delinquents, do call on our countrymen at large, to use every exertion in their power to apprehend the bodies of the aforesaid James Boyd, Hawtrey White, Hunter Gowan, and Archi- bald Hamilton Jacob, and to secure and convey them to the jail of Wexford, to be brought before the tribunal of the people. Done at Wexford, this 9th day of June, 1798. “ God save the people.” The camp, which had been stationed at Carrickbyrne, removed to Slykielter, where the encampment continued for a few days, while nothing remarkable happened, ex- cept some ineffectual attacks that were made on the gun- boats, going up the Barrow from Passage to Ross ; and a mail was taken, going from Ross to Waterford by water, and sent to Wexford. The country was so guarded in every quarter as to have a party stationed at every cross-road, and this ser- vice was allotted to the old and infirm, or such as were incapable of bearing the fatigue of marching ; but they were also attended by many others who absented them- selves from the camps on various pretences : some women and children were likewise to be seen at these several posts ; and the vigilance was such, that no person could pass unknown, nor was it possible to be at liberty and be considered neuter ; notwithstanding all the boastful vaun tings to the contrary of some who think to recom- mend themselves by these impositions. I am confident such assertions are utterly unfounded, for certainly no person could remain at liberty who was not considered friendly to the people ; yet still I am far from being of opinion, that every person who joined the insurgents acted from cordial motives, however professing great zeal and alacrity in the cause ; but the imperious necessity of the times was such, as to induce numbers to humour the people so far, as not to say or do anything that might in any degree be construed as opposition to them ; and any impartial person must be convinced on a fair inquiry into the nature of popular commotion, that it would be im- possible to control the actions of a multitude, under such IRISH REBELLION. 149 circumstances as then existed in the county of Wexford : an irritated populace becoming masters of a country, are ever ungovernable ; and, indeed, those who vaunt most at present of not having yielded to them, were more than any others profuse in their professions, and have gone farther than those whom they now revile in the most un- justifiable manner. Some also who were thus involved, having fled the country early, now pretend to ask, why an escape was not effected by such as were not well in- clined to the cause of the insurgents, if not 'in confine- ment? Although it may not have been altogether im- possible, yet it was not very probable, that any one could get out of the country without the consent of the people, which must have been obtained by imposing on them by the pretence of friendship, to whom the person must shortly after have appeared a traitor, (a character not very enviable, under the most favourable circumstances,) which conduct would have endangered the safety of his family and his friends, if he had any, as well as that of his property ; so that I think it reasonable to suppose, that those who urge this argument would not have at- tempted an escape, were they in the place of those whose conduct they scrutinize. A pitched cap being found in the barrack of Wexford, and an orange commission or warrant appointing a ser- geant of the North Cork militia to found an orange lodge in the town, roused the people from the utmost tranquil- lity to the highest pitch of fury. This quickly drew to- gether great numbers in the barrack-yard, and their horror of the orange system was so excited, that in those emblems they imagined they possessed the most con- vincing proof of their intended extermination. After a variety of confused exclamations against the promoters, it was resolved to clap the pitched cap on the head of the orange lord, who, they said, had been the introducer of that system in the county of Wexford. They according- ly proceeded from the barrack, exhibiting the pitched cap on the top of a pike, displaying at the same time the orange commission or warrant, and were in direct march, with violent shouts of exultation, to Lord Kingsborough’s lodging. I was in the act of bathing at the time, and hearing the tumultuous noise, I dressed quickly and 150 HISTORY OF THE arrived at the house along with them. I went up to Lord Kingsborough’s room and sought to appease the multitude by addressing them from the window ; but this was not effected till many of the principal inhabi- tants were brought to the scene of tumult ; when one of them, on pretence of looking at the pitched cap, took and threw it over the quay, and the hated emblem being no longer in view, the fury of the people abated, the orange commission or warrant was taken from them, and they dis- persed ; nor was there anything more heard of the affair until the next morning, when the captain of the guard for the day (having everything previously arranged and ready, after parade, when all others had retired to break- fast, and on his own mere authority,) took down Lord Kingsborough and his two officers to the quay, and con- ducted them on board the ship that had been fitted out but condemned, where he provided them with abundance of fresh straw, and placed a detachment of his guard over them. All this was executed with such haste and pre- caution, that it was not for some time known to the prin- cipal inhabitants. These, however, on hearing of the af- fair, assembled and appealed to the people, then collected to know what was the matter. They represented to them, that as these officers had surrendered on condition of being treated as prisoners of war, they ought not to be confined on board a condemned ship ; and the conse- quence was that two boat-loads of butchers were sent on board to examine and inspect the state of the vessel, on whose report that she was not fit for a pig to be confined in. Lord Kingsborough and his officers were brought back to their former situation, where they remained until the surrender of the town ; the vessel was then hauled into the harbour, where she sunk within a foot of her deck. From the great heat and violence of the people against Lord Kingsborough, in consequence of reports of his cruelty and exertions in flogging, and the other modes previously practised for quieting the people, different parties, from town and country, frequently proceeded to the house where he was confined, with an intention of putting him to death ; but the guards always refused to give him out to them without an order, and during IRISH REBELLION. 151 the delay thus occasioned, providentially for his lordship, one or other of the principal inhabitants usually came up, and by representing the conditions which had been pro- mised him on surrendering, they prevailed on the people to depart. Considering the great fury of the people against Lord Kingsborough for his previous violent exer- tions, being reported very cruel and sanguinary, his escape must be considered really wonderful, if not truly astonishing; and I can account for it in no other manner, than that the county of Wexford not having been his scene of action, and there existing no kind of commu- nication with any other quarter, there could not possibly be any positive proof adduced of his actions, except in a solitary instance, which was easily got over. His lord- ship had been, previous to his imprisonment, but a very short time in Wexford, as he left that town in two or three days after he had marched into it with his regiment. But some of his officers had observed a lady at a window, viewing the troops as they came in, who attracted their particular notice. After dinner, at which the bottle had pretty freely circulated, the recollection of the sight of this lady had so far worked on the minds of some of the lads, that they proposed to sally forth and endeavour to obtain a nearer view of her ; and Lord Kingsborough, being a young man himself, humoured the frolic, and accompanied them. Not gaining admittance, however, as they expected, they in the military style resolved to storm the premises; and his lordship, being a tall, athletic man, raised one of the officers on his shoulders, who was thereby enabled, as the house was low, to get in through a window in the second story. The lady’s husband was absent, and herself quite alone in the house, but on per- ceiving their intentions she got out by a back-window, and thus eluded their design, as well as put an end to any further progress in this adventure. When his lord- ship afterward became a prisoner, this was quoted as an unfavourable circumstance, but it was obviated with little difficulty by an argument, (not at all intending to throw the least reflection on the lady’s character,) which was, that her husband was himself a prisoner with the people, against whom, therefore, the offence could never have been intended, as no attempt of the kind had been made 152 HISTORY OF THE on any of their wives or families, but was an insult offered by one whom they called an enemy, to another whom they thought deserving of the same appellation. This point being thus settled, and all other accusations against his lordship being general, they were the more easily overcome ; but had they been particular the event might have been quite otherwise, as the injured person or persons, for the most part, w~ould not listen to any kind of reasoning, but obstinately hold out and persevere in their accusations and complaints, which they so feelingly impressed on the assemblage of people appealed to on such occasions, that they usually gained over their sym- pathetic approbation of the measures they proposed, and would thus succeed against all intercession. Of this truth I had most sensible experience ; for although I proved on several occasions providentially instrumental in saving lives, I was utterly incapable in other instances : particularly I found it totally out of my power, notwith- standing the many means I sought, to rescue my ever-to- be-regretted, dear, and valuable friend, Mr. Turner, from the fury of the people, by whom he had been previously very much beloved, but all his former popularity was eclipsed by his having been unfortunately worked up to set fire to some houses ; and this being well known to the people of the country, his safety became an impossibility. Taking the cases of Mr. Turner and Lord Kingsborough in any point of view, and considering my frequent success in preserving the man with whom his misfortune alone made me acquainted, while my most earnest and anxious endeavours to protect the friend of my bosom were fatally ineffectual, local circumstances alone can explain the con- sequences. But how variously will prejudice and misre- presentation detail and expatiate on such intricate facts, according to the feeling, inclination, or judgment of the narrator, who, if he be not a sensible or unbiassed eye- witness, discriminating, and dauntless during the period of danger, or discerning in selection of report, will after- ward display the thoughts of latent bigotry, wilful per- version of truth, or the flimsy tissue of hearsay informa- tion, varied and altered into different shapes of falsehood, according to the several dispositions of the circulators ; but ocular evidence must ever supersede the accounts of IRISH REBELLION. /53 rumour, even of ever such boasted authenticity, when discrimination may be overpowered by terror. The insurgents in the different camps being in great want of gunpowder, without which they could not pro- ceed, remained stationary for several days, as the powder in Wexford was considered too little for its defence, and different reports were circulated, that it was to be attacked from the southern quarter. The demand for gunpowder, however, from the camp on Gorev Hill, was so pressing, that a barrel of it was sent thither from Wexford to enable the insurgents to proceed to Arklow, which, on the defeat of Colonel Walpole, had been deserted by the military ; but the inhabitants of which, on being left to themselves, remained quietly at home, imitating the example that had been set them at Gorey, before the battle of Tubberi leering, when they were forced and overwhelmed into the system of the insurrec- tion. The Cavan militia was ordered from Dublin to join Colonel Walpole’s division, then under General Needham, and they marched into Arklow on the 6th of June ; different other parties of the military arrived there on the 7th and 8th, and on the 9th the garrison was considerably reinforced by the Durham fencibles, who suffered no fatigue in their way from Dublin, as they had been conveyed in carriages and jaunting-cars pressed for that purpose; the whole force in Arklow amounted altogether to sixteen hundred men. The insurgents had marched from Gorey Hill to Coolgrenv, where arranging their mode of attack, they proceeded in two great columns — one toward the fishery on ‘the sea side, and the other toward the upper end of the town, the attack being to be made on both ends of the town at once. The military, having full notice of the approach, were very advantageously posted, without which they could not have resisted the impetuous attack made upon them ; however they were obliged to retire somewhat from their original positions. In a violent effort to gain the upper end of the town, the Kev. Michael Murphy, who led on the insurgents on that side, fell, and this stopped the progress and prevented the success of the attempt. Variously did the fortune of the day seem to incline ; it is necessary, however, to mention that ru- 154 HISTORY OF THE mours of a retreat of the troops were circulated, and that orders were given, and seeming preparations made for that purpose ; but this still appears a disputed point, and as the proverb has it, “ all is well that ends well.” The insurgents, after having displayed singular bravery, courage, and intrepidity as long as their ammunition lasted, retreated, when that was expended, to their former position at Gorey ; and thus ended the battle, at the very moment it was alleged the army had intended to retreat ; and most undoubtedly my information war- rants me to mention, that some of the military had already retreated ; and I cannot positively say that they might not have good authority for their conduct. Al- though the Rev. Mr. Gordon had documents from under the hand of a distinguished officer, Colonel Bainbridge, that sufficiently warrants the assertion, it was, however, generally circulated by many that were in the action ; and as upon the whole I would not readily admit hear- say evidence, but on the clearest conviction of the truth, yet I think my account would be deficient if I omitted to mention an important fact, and upon which so much stress is laid, as related by Mr. Gordon. “ Many instances might be given of men, who, at the hazard of their own lives, concealed and maintained loy- alists until the storm passed away ; on the other hand, many might be given of cruelties committed by persons not natives of Ireland : I shall mention only one act, not of what I shall call cruelty, since no pain was inflicted, but ferocity not calculated to soften the rancour of the insurgents. Some soldiers of the ancient British regi- ment cut open the dead body of Father Michael Murphy, after the battle of Arklow, took out his heart, roasted his body, and oiled their boots with the grease which dripped from it. Mr. George Taylor, in his historical account of the Wexford rebellion, (page 136) says : — ‘ Lord Mountnorris and some of his troop, in viewing the scene of action, found the body of the perfidious priest Murphy, who so much deceived him and the country. Being exasperated, his lordship ordered the head to be struck off, and his body to be thrown into a house that was burning, exclaiming, let his body go where his soul is.’ I hope that the writer was misinformed, and IRISH REBELLION. 155 that the noble earl, remarkable for his liberality to Ro- manists, was not the author of this act.” The only time I was ever in company with the priest just mentioned, certainly was at Lord Mountnorris’s house, in 1797, when his lordship was engaged in the plan of procuring signatures of loyalty from the Catho- lics ; and I understand that this priest greatly contri- buted to the success of that undertaking, which was afterwards much reflected on, and from the asjjersions that were thrown out, it was probably that his lordship was induced by this coup de main , to prove to the world that he had not, though he was supposed to have been a friend to Catholics. Such transactions as took place on this occasion, it must be observed, are the more la- mentable, not only as they of themselves serve to keep up animosity, but much more so when they are, not to say connived at, but even encouraged by persons of the highest rank ; while all persons of humanity, but even a degree above the lowest vulgar, and even the humane of these, (for they are far from being in general destitute of the principle in Ireland,) and especially all who have received any degree of education, should set their faces against such pitiful acts of ferocious cruelty, as would disgrace the vilest savages. While I am on the subject of the Rev. Michael Murphy ’s death, I must beg leave to express the opinion I have adopted, in conjunction with the most sensible and ra- tional men that I have conversed with on the subject, respecting the priests who were active in the insurrec- tion. When clergymen so far forget their duty as to take up arms, so contrary to the spirit of the Gospel, they become most dangerous men ; and the sooner such are cut off by any fatal catastrophe the better. The duty of a clergyman is, to preach peace and charity towards all mankind : when his conduct deviates from this, he acts inconsistent with the profession he has en- tered into. Why throw off the meek garb of peace for the horrid habiliments of war ? Under no possible cir- cumstances ought a clergyman to be instrumental to the death of any person, except in the most urgent necessity of self-defence. Whenever else he takes up arms, he becomes a traitor to the Gospel of Christ ; and although 156 HISTORY OF THE treason may, on particular occasions, be considered use- ful, yet a traitor to any cause never can be regarded, even by those for whom he exerts himself. Besides, the interference of clergymen encouraging any kind of strife, but particularly warfare, must be considered highly cul- pable, and deserving of a fatal end. Not one of the priests who took up arms in the county of Wexford es- caped a violent and sudden death, clearly indicating a providential fate ; and although they were not all, at the time, under suspension or ecclesiastical censure, yet under one so nearly allied to it, as to prevent any of them from having arrived to the situation of a parish priest. It is but common justice that those alone should bear the disgrace of reprobation who actually deserved it, and that the great body of the Catholic clergy should be rescued from censure, as they were free from blame. The misconduct of a few individuals should not involve the good character of the many, and it must be recol- lected that, even among the twelve apostles, there was a traitor. The conduct of the Roman Catholic clergy of the county of Wexford, however unjustly reviled, was, during the insurrection there, guided by the true dic- tates and principles of Christianity, really exemplary and meritorious. They comforted the afflicted with all the zeal and warmth of Christian charity, and, in the most trying and critical period, practised every deed that must be considered benevolent by every liberal and enlightened man, whatever brawlers of loyalty may assert to the con- trary — endeavouring, with indiscriminating abuse, to brand their conduct in general with the stain of infamy. They by every possible means sought to afford every assistance and protection in their power, to those who stood in need of it ; but their influence was greatly di- minished by not following the example of the militant priests, who strove to attain an elevation aijd superiority over their brethren in this way, which they could not otherwise accomplish. If I may be allowed the expres- sion, the conduct of the fighting priests was truly am- phibious. For while they cast off the character of priests, and took up that of soldiers, they still wished to main- tain an ascendancy, even in their new stations, by re- assuming the priest whenever it answered the purpose IRISH REBELLION. 157 of superiority, the passion for which was greatly aug- mented by indulgence in drinking ; and notwithstanding all this, they were conspicuous for courage and humanity. The encampment at Slieye-kielter was transferred from thence to Lacken Hill, within a mile of the town of Ross ; and although Mr. ITarvey had manifested courage, and had formed an excellent plan for the attack of that town — which failed of success only by not following his direc- tions — yet no consideration prevented his conduct from being faulted ; and he, therefore, leaving the command to the Reverend Philip Roche, whose boisterous conduct pleased the multitude better, returned to Wexford. The soldiery stationed at Newtownbarry made several excursions, and in the course of their progress, some miles from the town, they shot every man they met, however unarmed and unoffending, and plundered and burned several houses . The insurgents on V inegar Hill, irritated by these excesses, followed the example, and day after day made excursions from their camp to counteract the mili- tary ; but, however, it so happened that they did not fall in with eacft other, as they proceeded on different sides of the Slaney, which prevented their meeting, although their depredations were in sight of each other ; and while the one party was burning and destroying what they considered enemy’s property in one quarter, the other, actuated by revenge, was committing like de- vastation in another ; and it would seem, as if by pre- concertion, that both moved in different directions on every particular day of excursion ; so that the only war- fare between them was an apparent strife who should cause the greatest desolation, or who should appear most eager to destroy what was spared by the other : so that the state of the country was truly lamentable. There were but few gunsmen belonging to the station- ary camp at Vinegar Hill, and an attack on that post being apprehended, one hundred and thirty gunsmen were sent thither from Wexford, under the command of Captain Murphy. These men had not experienced any of the persecutions practised previous to the insurrec- tion, and were consequently untainted with the rancor- ous spirit of revenge which they produced in other quarters. In short, they were remarkable for regula- K 158 HISTORY OF THE rity of conduct, and they prevented a continuation of the cruel acts that had been hitherto perpetrated there ; for being shocked on the morning of the 10th of June, which was the next after their arrival, by seeing a man put to death, the Wexford men would not witness such another scene, and they declared they would not permit another instance of the kind while they remained ; and their humane example shamed the most refractory, whom they awed into order, so that not another person suffered on Vinegar Hill thenceforward until the 20th ; and therefore this important truth completely contra- dicts the greatly exaggerated accounts of daily victims, and the aggravated statements erroneously propagated of wicked atrocities committed there ; and however lamentable it is that many persons were sacrificed to popular fury, yet it is somewhat consoling to be unde- ceived that half the numbers stated could not have suffered. I do not by any means intend to exculpate the atrocities committed on Vinegar Hill, as a sad catalogue of sufferers could be enumerated ; but such misrepresentation has taken place, that I should con- sider myself deficient in the task I have undertaken, did I not take every opportunity of declaring facts as they occurred, however I lament the existence of the dread- ful effects of popular fury. Any deviation from truth in stating such egregious enormities can take place only with a view to keep alive those prejudices, which it is so much the interest of every true lover of his country to suppress ; and to learn the real state of occurrences will be the best possible means of inducing contending parties to forgive and forget the past, and to cherish harmony in future. I must observe respecting those lists, denominated authentic of persons said to be put to death in particular places, that it is necessary to be intimately and perfectly acquainted with the country and its inhabitants, to be able to discover that several individuals are multiplied in the account of their deaths, as the same person is mentioned particularly and ge- nerally, in one place by one, and in quite a different situation by another ; and thus are narrators imposed on, not being so circumstanced as to be able to select truth from falsehood ; for it by no means comes within IRISH REBELLION. 159 the province of learning to sift and unravel the many confused stories of several persons, each varying the account of the same deed ; which though in fact but one occurrence yet might be mistaken for separate transactions, as no feature of coincidence is so discern- ible in the several relations of the same thing, as to exhibit the real and uniform picture. I have under- taken this narrative, with many facts of which I am unfortunately but too well acquainted, from no other idea but a wish to reconcile my countrymen, and not to let misrepresentation or falsehood pass to posterity ; which must otherwise, perhaps, be as much imposed on, as those who have hitherto written on the subject, when it would be utterly impossible to obviate misre- presentation ; and I write as much for the information of those who have been already led astray, as for the public at large ; and shall be happy to elucidate any particular that may not appear sufficiently explained, to convince them that I advance nothing for which I have not undeniable authority, independent of my per- sonal and local knowledge of the principal events ; and if they feel the candour they profess, I trust they will do me credit for wishing to set them right, when they appeal to the public for information and correction of any errors that might possibly have crept into their works. On the 10th of June an attack was made by some gunboats on Fethard ; where, after destroying all the boats mostly belonging to poor fishermen, the crews set fire to and burned many houses. This occurrence, with several ships, seemingly of war, being seen off the coast, renewed the former opinion, that a landing and attack were intended in the southern part of the county. Small camps of observation were therefore instituted at Carne and Rastoonstown, to be attended by all the married men of the neighbourhood, they being supposed to prove more watchful for the protection of their wives and families, by obviating sudden emergency ; while all the bachelors fit for actual service were ordered to attend at Lacken Hill. In Wexford, attempts were made to manufacture gunpowder to supply the scarcity of that article, which, however, did not succeed, for though it im HISTORY OF THE would explode, yet it was with little or no force. The weather continued remarkably fine and serene, a cir- cumstance very favourable to the insurgents* mode of warfare, as they had scarcely any covering but a few booths or tents, not sufficient to contain even their officers ; so that the camps were not much encumbered with equipage, and only requiring the choice of a field, and should one not prove ample enough for their num- bers, the adjoining enclosures were occupied in sufficient extent to contain them in the open air. Sir Thomas Esmonde, Baronet, and Mr. Laurence Doyle, officers in the Castletown yeomen cavalry, could not escape the general suspicion entertained against Catholics, and although they were known to have per- formed their duty at the battle of Arklow, yet this did not protect them from a most contumelious and public arrest on the 12th of June, at Arklow, whence they were conducted under a guard to Dublin, where they continued some days in confinement, and were then liberated without the shadow of a charge being brought against them. The impolicy of this and the like trans- actions in such critical times, is so flagrant, that it is astonishing to think they should be permitted to be practised ; thus exasperating the feelings of any reli- gious description, without more cogent reason than sus- picion, was the occasion of many loyal Catholics not joining the army, as they were apprehensive that death might be the consequence of their being suspected. As the insurgents had not a sufficiency of gunpowder to undertake any new attack, they remained inactive in their several encampments for some days ; but in order to obtain a good supply of that article, it was re- solved to make an attack on Borris, the seat of Mr Kavanagli, in the county of Carlow, where, it was sup- posed, lay a great quantity of arms and ammunition. A detachment accordingly proceeded from the camp on Vinegar Hill to that on Lacken Hill, where, receiving reinforcements, the united party moved forward to the attack of Borris, where they arrived after a night’s march, early on the morning of the 12th. The cavalry stationed there fled on the approach of the insurgents, but a party of the Donegal militia, who had taken up IRISH REBELLION. 161 their quarters in the house, defended it with great bravery, keeping up a constant fire from the upper win- dows, and losing but one man in the course of the con- test. The cannon the insurgents had brought with them was too s nail to have any effect on the castle, as the only ball, discharged by one of them, rebounded from the wall, and an attack by musketry was of course con- sidered ineffectual. As no hopes then remained of tak- ing the mansion by assault or battery, considering the strength and thickness of the walls, and that the lower windows were also lately built up with strong mason- work, the assailants set the outer offices on fire, in hopes of forcing the garrison to dislodge themselves for their protection ; but this manoeuvre proving ineffectual, and the insurgents having expended all their ammunition in useless efforts, and having burnt some houses in the village, returned to the several encampments from which they had been detached in the county of Wexford. The encampment on Gorey Hill had by this time removed to Limerick Hill, and the army, which was now daily reinforced, made frequent sallies from their several stations, and committed the most violent excesses, putting to death every man who came in their way, whether by accident or otherwise, nor were the insurgents backward in retaliation ; so that the situa- tion of such as were placed between the contending par- ties was truly pitiable ; being uncertain for an instant of the safety of their lives or properties, and equally subject to military and popular violence and devasta- tion. Several strong reports had now prevailed through- out the county of Wexford, that the most desperate atrocities had been committed by the soldiery in their different quarters, and this roused the already irritated passions of the people to revenge, so as to be productive of many lamentable acts of outrage, ever attendant on civil commotion, and keeping alive those melancholy discords which never occur in modern times, between separate and independent nations at war ; a id which all enlightened and humane people so strongly detest and reprobate, lieports of these enormities very much alarmed the minds of the prisoners in Wexford, as they strongly apprehended it might produce an alteration in 162 HISTORY OF THE the conduct of the inhabitants towards them. A peti- tion to government, from those confined in the gaol, was accordingly drawn up, expressive of the danger of their situation should the people be prompted to retaliation upon them, by the conduct of the troops towards such of the populace or their friends as might fall into their hands ; and on this occasion, the officers who were pri- soners in Wexford appeared more alarmed than the others there in confinement. They accordingly com- municated to me their apprehensions and wishes, and proposed striking out some mode of putting a stop to the violences, which, they very naturally feared, might soon involve their inevitable destruction. Lord Kings- borough was for proposing an exchange of prisoners as the best method of allaying the prevailing alarms, and of suppressing the heat and violence of the people, now roused to the highest pitch of fury, and breathing nothing but revenge. Indeed, from the critical state of the country, and the people in general abiding no control, it was difficult to devise what could be best attempted to avert the fate that seemed to impend over every person of any distinction, having the misfortune of being then-in the county of Wexford, while all the chiefs throughout the several encampments most feel- ingly lamented the great disorders prevailing, and in .conjunction with every individual of the least respecta- bility, most strongly reprobated the cruelties and ex cesses that were perpetrated. So violent was the spirit of retaliation and vengeance, which seemed to actuate the whole mass of the people, that every danger was to be apprehended from it. unless some means were taken to allay the existing ferment. On the 13th of June, several persons from the different encampments, led by the most benevolent motives, as if by preconcerted agree- ment, waited on the commander-in-chief, in Wexford, to consult on the best mode of keeping the unruly rabble in some order, over whom they declared they had not (as indeed they never had) any kind of control ; and they now expressed their fears, that the best disposed of the men, who had been hitherto distinguished for good conduct and humanity, might be induced by the prevailing rage, to commit acts of which they had yet IRISH REBELLION. 163 been so far from guilty, that they gave them the most strenuous opposition. The abomination of Scullabogue had excited such general horror, that it became a ma- terial object of consideration on this occasion, when it was resolved to institute an inquiry for the purpose of punishing in the most exemplary manner, the perpe- trators of this infernal transaction ! ! !• — the existing state of the country prevented the accomplishment of so de- sirable an object. A favourable circumstance occurred at this time, which led to a hope that conciliation might be attempted with some probability of success. A mes- sage was sent to a prison-ship in the harbour of Dublin, offering liberty to any one who would undertake to go to Wexford with letters for Lord Kingsborough. Ac- cordingly a man of the name of John Tunks undertook the task, and, being provided with all the necessary passes, he arrived safe at Limerick Hill camp, whence he was sent with some principal persons to the comman- der-in-chief in Wexford. He immediately assembled those he thought best able to advise him how to proceed, and it was considered fortunate that many respectable persons from the country were then in the town, all of whom approved of endeavouring to forward the senti- ments of the prisoners along with Lord Kingsborough *s answer, but how to reconcile the people to the measure without nothing effectual could be done, was the diffi- culty. The committees in Wexford, as various business and orders had been pressed on them from time to time, not at all within the scope of their intentions, upon un- dertaking that arduous duty, were not considered likely, in the present instance, to act with effect, particularly as their numbers had been increased on the augmenta- tion of business, and this too by the accession of low persons who might procrastinate the proceedings for immediate remedy. Accordingly those who had been in consultation with the commander-in-chief proceeded along with him to the house wherein the different com- mittees usually met, and here eight persons, considered the most capable of applying a speedy and effectual remedy to the existing evil, were appointed, and the body so selected denominated “ The council appointed to manage the affairs of the people of the county of 164 HISTORY OF THE Wexford,” of which Mr. Harvey was chosen president. This plan was to he communicated to the different camps, and such of the persons as might not be approved of by the people, were to be removed and replaced by others. This arrangement met with the heartfelt ap- probation of all the prisoners, especially as the council immediately proceeded to forward the very plan they themselves had previously intended to put in operation. It was thought necessary also to confine the messenger Tunks in the gaol, as he was very talkative, particu- larly with respect to Lord Kingsborough’s conduct in Dublin, to some parts of which, he said he had been an eye-witness. His manner and stories, if left at liberty, might inflame the minds of the people, whom, at the time, it was so necessary not to provoke, but by every possible means to conciliate. Captain M ‘Manus being deputed by the prisoners in the gaol, was conducted to consult with Lord Kingsbo- rough, who accordingly wrote a letter to the lord lieu- tenant, in the name of all the prisoners, (among whom there were thirteen officers, besides several yeomanry officers, and principal gentlemen of the county,) intimating their great danger, but that they had hi- therto been well treated, and, in every respect, as pri- soners of war, and therefore hoping that the prisoners taken by the army might meet the like good treatment with them, for that otherwise they feared reprisals might be made and their destruction prove inevitable. This letter, along with any others that the officers chose to send to their friends, was to be forwarded to the next commanding officer of the army, and the messenger was to return with an answer with all convenient speed — Lieutenant Bourke, of the North Cork militia, was ap- pointed to carry the remainder of this scheme into exe- cution, and accordingly on the evening of the 14th day of June, he set out from Wexford, accompanied by Mr. Carty, to Enniscorthy, and part of the way by Captain Dixon, who, at Wexford, seemingly acquiesced in the business ; yet such was his duplicity, that he galloped on before the others to Enniscorthy, where by mischie- vous representations and deceitful contrivances, he so wrought upon the people as to induce them not to suffer IRISH REBELLION. 165 the letters to be forwarded ; and such was his influence, that not only Lieuteuant Bourke was in imminent dan • ger, but even Mr. Carty ran great risk in opposing his villainous machinations ; but after being baffled in their laudable intentions, they were, after great hazard, per- mitted to return in safety the next day to Wexford. As it was now found that no negotiation could be en- tered into without the express concurrence of the people, with a view of making conciliation more attainable, it was deemed expedient to bind them as much as possible to abide the control of their commanders ; and as num- bers of them had never been sworn united Irishmen, the principles of brotherhood contained in their oath were considered by many of the principal prisoners excellent means of restraint, it was therefore thought a prudent measure to adopt it generally, and thereby impress on the minds of the people, the orderly and social inter- course that should subsist between all those sworn in the same cause, and the moral obligation of obeying their commanders ; and it was imagined the oath itself would curb many from acting licentiously. The measure was accordingly adopted, and oaths were also formed, with the same benevolent intentions, and equally approved of, to be taken by all officers and privates, and by all the people in the most solemn manner, and copies of them were printed and circulated through the county. Considering the defenceless state of the country, and the existing circumstances of the day, the situation of the newly appointed council was far from enviable. It became their duty to endeavour to avert the tremen- dously impending fate which threatened the country with inevitable destruction, and to exert themselves to the utmost of their power to concert such measures as would appear most likely to prove effectual. At such a critical period their undertaking the arduous task must be considered as dictated by the purest sentiments of philanthropy; as what other possible motive could in- duce any one of them to place himself in such a perilous situation, at a time that it was well known to every man of rational observation, that the efforts of the insurgents would not be attended with final success ? They had indeed undertaken a most difficult task, although they k 3 166 HISTORY OF THE have not escaped the censure of partizans of all sides, who, while they venture to express prejudiced opinions, have no conception of the then existing general state of the county of Wexford. In short, the council were placed in as embarrassing a predicament as can well be imagined, seemingly at the head of a refractory outra- geous populace, whom they anxiously sought to rescue from destruction, while these mostly counteracted their best and most benevolent intentions. However, when called on at this dangerous juncture, as considered capable of applying a remedy to the enormous evil, all petty considerations vanished, and they undertook to meet the difficulty with firmness and resolution ; and when such urgent necessity existed, any man should be deemed an enemy to the human race who would refuse to contribute all his might towards the salvation of his Countrymen. According to the nature of the existing evil, so should be that of the counteracting measures. From this consideration the council did not think it right, for the preservation of the people, to declare, or even in the smallest degree to allow their defenceless state. On the contrary, it was considered necessary, along with the endeavour to encourage general union and harmony, to appear to be, as much as possible, able and determined to adopt the most firm and decisive measures, with the view of obtaining the more favour- able conditions for the people. The critical situation of the council, as far as it re- garded the management of the people themselves, may be well exemplified by the following occurrence. The town of Wexford being in a state of the utmost tran- quillity, was all at once thrown into the most violent confusion and alarm by a great cavalcade coming into it over the bridge, preceded by Captain Dixon and his wife, who rode through the streets, while he with ges- ture and expression the most outrageous exhibited a fire- screen, ornamented with various emblematical figures representing some heathen gods, and with orange bor- dering, fringe, and tassels, which he represented as the insignia of an orange lodge, and the figures he tremen- dously announced as the representations of the tortures which the Catholics were to suffer from Orangemen; IRISH REBELLION. 167 calling on the people to take signal vengeance, as lie produced to them, he sa ; d, the discovery of the whole plot, found at Attramont, the seat of Colonel Lehunte. It is impossible to describe the fury of the people on this occasion, roused to the most violent pitch in an instant, and only to be accounted for on the principle of their supposition, or rather persuasion of their intended ex- termination, which the sight of anything orange awak- ened in the most sensitive manner, similarly to what has been before related concerning the orange warrant or commission and pitched cap discovered in the bar- racks of Wexford When Captain Dixon had, by this infernal and tumultuous conduct, assembled almost all the inhaoitants of the town, (whose phrenzy, on seeing the orange ornaments, and hearing his assertions most desperately vociferated, it is impossible to describe,) he proceeded directly to the house wherein Colon. 1 Lehunte lodged, dragged him out, and marched him down to the gaol, amidst a furious and enraged mob, by whom it is wonderful that his life was spared at the instant. The principal inhabitants immediately assembled, and very narrowly escaped being all put to death ; for as they met in the committee-house, opposite which the mob had collected, a common ruffian had the audacity to come in and lire a shot amidst them all, and actually arrested one of the council, which so provoked a gentle- man present, who happened to have his pistols about him, that he cocked one of them and was ready to shoot the fellow, but was fortunately prevented ; for I verily believe had the ruffian been shot the destruc- tion of every one in the house would have been the inevitable consequence. The populace at length per- mitted some gentlemen to address them from the win- dows, and it was a considerable time before they were able to persuade them that all their fury and madness had proceeded from the exhibition of a fire-screen, on which were represented some heathen gods, and which formed part of the ornaments of a room furnished three years before, with orange borderings and trimmings, then considered the most fashionable colour. On the 16th, the insurgents set out from their en- campment at Limerick Hill to Carnew, where, meeting 168 HISTORY OF THE ■with no force to interrupt their career, they proceeded as far as Tinehaly ; here they had smart skirmishing with the army, from whom they took a great number of cattle, which they drove on before them, and en- camped that night at Mountpleasant. On their quit- ting Limerick Hill in the morning, the prisoners who were confined in Gorey were thence brought to Vinegar Hill, from which they were conveyed under a strong escort, and lodged in the gaol of Wexford. The dispo- sition of the inhabitants of this town, in not permitting any of the prisoners there confined to be brought out of the gaol, where they were considered in perfect safety, was well known, as many refusals had been made to demands of this kind from the country, when it was apprehended the intention was not to set them at liberty, but to put them to death ; in the present instance, therefore, the strong escort, which consisted of Ennis- corthy men, gave no intimation of any design until they got possession of the gaol, while delivering the pri- soners they had brought with them ; but then over- powering the guards, they forced away with them four men, who had been very obnoxious to the people, and with them quitted the town immediately, in order to afiford no time to rescue the unfortunate victims from them. The four devoted men were taken to the camp on Vinegar Hill, where they were the next morning put to death, the Wexford gunsmen having returned home on the evening before, for during their stay in the camp only one man suffered, soon after their arrival, and they would by no means allow the repetition of such another deed, as has been before observed. On the 16th, several people from the neighbourhood of Gorey formed a small encampment on Ask Hill, be- tween Gorey and Arklow, from which last-mentioned town, since the battle fought there, the troops issued with peculiar caution. On this day, however, a troop of yeomen cavalry had the fortitude to advance toward the little camp of the insurgents. This was, at the time, very inconsiderable as to numbers, having no more than about one hundred men equipped or fit for action, the rest having either dispersed or proceeded to Vinegar Hill ; and even half the remaining number precipitately IRISH REBELLION, 169 fled at the approach of the cavalry ; while the other half, armed with pikes only, stripped to their shirts, to he unencumbered in exertion, and ran in full speed to meet the yeomen ; hut these avoided the encounter and expeditiously retreated to Arklow. The insurgents then retired from Ask Hill, and moved into the country be- tween Oulart and Wexford, and were distributed through the different houses in that neighbourhood. On Sunday, the 17th of June, a detachment of four hundred men sent out from the camp on Vinegar Hill, halted in Ferns until break of day, when, thus early on Monday, the 18th, they marched forward with an inten- tion of storming Newtownbarry ; but meeting at Ca- molin the insurgents who had now quitted their station at Mountpleasant, they altered their route and returned to Vinegar Hill, while the main body of the others pro- ceeded to Carrigrew, whence they also moved on the next day to Vinegar Hill. Early on the 19th, the encampment on Laeken Hill was surprised by a military force that came out from Ross ; and the insurgents, provided with little or no am- munition, and not apprehending an attack, were nearly surrounded before they were aware of their situation. They were also but few in number, for although vast multitudes appeared in their encampments in the day- time, yet they were almost deserted during the night, as all persons took the liberty of going and coming as they pleased. But notwithstanding this and the sudden emergency, they effected a good retreat to the Three- Rocks, without the loss of a man. This was contrived in a masterly manner by the address of their comman- der, the Rev. Philip Roche, who, being roused from his bed by the general alarm, ordered the foot directly to retreat, and having collected immediately around him the few horsemen that could be got together, caused them to seize on several banners, and keep waving them at different distances, as it were, in defiance, so as to intimidate the troops from making a sudden onset ; and when he knew that his foot were at a safe distance, he and his few horsemen galloped after them, so that by this contrivance — that might do honour to an experienced General — he completely baffled the military, brought 170 HISTORY OF THE off his whole force entire, and was himself the last in quitting the hill. General dispositions were now made to attack the in- surgents on all sides, and the several divisions of the army had orders from Lieutenant-general Lake to pro- ceed in different directions for that purpose. They were all to move toward the important post of Vinegar Hill, occupied by the permanent encampment of the insurgents, since the 28th of May, on the taking of Enmscorthy. Pursuant to the plan of a general as- sault, Lieutenant-general Dundas proceeded on the 18th of June from Baltinglass to Hacket’s-town, whence he was to proceed, in conjunction with Major-General Loftus, who was to join him from Tullow, with the forces under his command, to move forward to attack the insurgents posted on Mountpleasant. These seemed willing enough to engage, but the troops were prevented from coming to action here, by other orders from Lieu- tenant-general Lake, who thought it more prudent to wait the assistance and co-operation of his whole force combined* than to risk a partial engagement, which might thwart or impede his general plan of operations. Major-general Needham, who commanded in Arklow, moved on the l9tli to Gorey, and on the next day en- camped on Oulart Hill, whence he was to proceed to Enniscorthy. Greater devastation was perceivable from Arklow to Oulart, than in any other part of the country. On the 19th, Major-generals Johnston and Eustace, after obliging the insurgents posted on Lacken Hill hastily to abandon their situation, proceeded to Bloomfield, where they encamped on the evening of the 20th; while Brigadier -general Moore reached his ap- pointed station at Fook’s-mill on the same evening, and Major-general Sir James Duff, who had marched from Newtownbarry, took his station with Major-general Loftus at Scarawalsh. In the course of the progressive march of these several divisions of the army, great de- vastation took place ; numbers of houses were burned, and corn and various kinds of property were plundered and destroyed, mostly at the instance of the yeomen returning to their different neighbourhoods. It ip as- tonishing that landlords of all descriptions could so tar IRISH REBELLION. m forget their own interests as to join in the destruction of houses on their lands, however they might be in- duced to hunt out their lessees, and to sacrifice them, and so put an end at once to their leases. Yet many instances of this kind are related throughout the coun- try. According to the preconcerted and comprehensive plan of operations, all the generals arrived, with their several divisions, at the different stations to which they had been ordered on the 20th, of which they severally apprized Lieutenant-general Lake, who was himself, with his staff and Lieutenant-general Dundas, posted at Solsborough. The insurgents of the northern part of the county of Wexford had now concentrated their force on their station of Vinegar Hill, and at a consultation of their chiefs it was proposed to make a general assault on the post of Solsborough during the night ; but to this the people could not be prevailed upon to agree, who chose rather to depend upon their very scanty provision of powder, and wait for open daylight to engage. It is very surprising that, considering the great courage and intrepidity displayed by them in so many engagements, the insurgents could never be brought to make a noc- turnal attack wherein they must have inevitably proved successful, as the confusion into which the regular troops would have been thrown by such a proceeding, would reduce them to a level with irregular bodies, whose superiority of numbers must necessarily have given them every advantage. On the 19th, General Edward Roche, and such of the insurgents of his neigh- bourhood as were at Vinegar Hill, were sent home to collect the whole mass of the people for general defence. By the march of the army in all directions, towards Vinegar Hill and Wexford, a general flight of such of the inhabitants as could get otf took place ; and, as the greater part of the county was now occupied by the troops, the whole population was compressed into a very narrow space ; and at this time there was not an en- campment of insurgents in the northern part of the county, except at Vinegar Hill; while in the southern quarter the small camps of Carne and lvastoonstown were concentrated at the Three Rocks. 172 HISTORY OF THE The alarm was now general throughout the whole country ; all men were called to attend the camps ; and Wexford became the universal rendezvous of the fugitives, who reported, with various circumstances of horror, the progress of the different armies approaching in every direction, marking their movements with ter- rible devastation. Ships of war were also seen off the coast, and several gun-boats blocked up the entrance of the harbour, which precluded the possibility of any vessel getting out; so that Wexford was now on the brink of destruction, and the inhabitants without the smallest hope of escnpe. It is dreadful to conceive, and impossible to describe, the horrors felt by all who had the misfortune of being in the town on this most critical occasion. The melancholy scenes of devasta- tion perpetrated by the army in the country about Carrick-Byrne, exhibited a melancholy picture ; and from the commanding situation of the camp at the Three Rocks, on the mountain of Forth, the general confla- gration, which was as progressive as the march of the troops, was clearly perceivable. On the approach of the army, great numbers of countrymen, with their wives and children, and any little baggage they could hastily pack up, fled toward Wexford, as to an asylum or place of refuge ; and the number of these was in- creased every instant by the arrival of new fugitives ; who described, in melancholy strain of lamentation, how their houses were plundered and destroyed, and how they themselves had narrowly escaped with life from the fury of the soldiery, who, when thus let loose and encouraged to range over and ravage a country, be- come the greatest curse that can befall it ! ! ! I must, however, observe that General Moore did all in his power to prevent these atrocities, and got some plunderers immediately put to death ; but his humane and benevolent intentions were not so successful from the representations and excitements of the refugees re- turning home. It is much to be regretted that he was not afterward left in command in the county of Wex- ford, as he was ordered to Wicklow, where his concilia- tory conduct and humanity were conspicuous, and will ever be remembered with gratitude by the people, who IRISH REBELLION. 1 73 flocked to his standard for protection. Did Ireland en- joy the blessings of such rulers, it would never have been involved in such a dreadful situation. The Reverend Philip Roche, after having settled the encampment at the Three Rocks, came into Wexford and demanded all kind of supplies for his forces ; and as the inhabitants (except the gunsmen, who attended for some time on Vinegar Hill) had never quit their homes or assisted at any battle, they were looked upon in a very invidious point of view by the rest of the people ; who accordingly vowed the destruction of the town if all its armed men would not appear at the camp on the Three Rocks early on the next morning, and join in general defence. The Reverend General Roche, on coming into Wexford, was greatly exhausted from his diligent and unremitting exertions in covering the retreat from Laeken Hill, and not having taken a mor- sel of food during the whole day, less drink than usual exhibited him in the course of the evening very much in- toxicated. Of this man it is, however, necessary to say, that, however apparently violent and boisterous, he was remarkable for humanity. He never suffered a man to be put to death on Laeken Hill ; and the fol- lowing, recorded by the Rev. Mr. Gordon, is a most powerful instance of his benevolence. After stating, that although “ Philip Roche, was in appearance fierce and sanguinary, yet several persons now living owe their lives to his boisterous interference,” he proceeds to state that “ two Protestants in a respectable situation in life, brothers, of the name of Robinson, inhabitants of the parish of Killegny, being seized and carried to Vinegar Hill, some Roman Catholic tenants, anxious for their safety, galloped in full speed to Roche’s quarters at Laeken, and begged his assistance. He immediately sent an express with orders to bring the two Robinsons to Laeken, pretending to have charges of a criminal na- ture against them, for which they should be tried. The miscreants on Vinegar Hill, who were preparing to butcher these men, though they were advanced in years, and unimpeachable with any other crime than that of Protestantism, on receipt of Roche’s orders, relinquished their fury, not doubting that death awaited them at 174 HISTORY OF THE Lacken. But Roche, whose object was to snatch these innocent men from the jaws of the blood-hounds, im- mediately on their arrival at his quarters gave them written protections, and sent them to their homes, where they were soon after in danger of being hanged by the king’s troops, who were too ready to pronounce disloyal all such as had been spared by rebel parties.” But to put the question for ever at rest, whether the insurrection of this period was a war of religion, it is only necessary to observe, that this was utterly impos- sible, notwithstanding the fanatic deeds of some base and barbarous individuals, since the militia regiments, who fought with such determined animosity against the insurgents, were mostly composed of Catholics. Had there been any possible grounds to establish the rebel- lion a religious one, it could not have escaped its effect here, as enthusiastic bigots have however ventured to utter among them their envenomed sentiments. The late Earl of Clare, who cannot be suspected of being a friend to Catholics, could not have given his opinion in the imperial Parliament, that “ religion was not the cause of the rebellion,” had he not every opportunity from his official situation of being perfectly possessed of more information than could fall to the lot of the public at large. While the principal inhabitants of Wexford were in consultation, to which they were now summoned, upon the best mode of self-preservation and defence, the order for all the armed men to appear in camp by break of day became imperative ; and the outcry was so loud against the backwardness of the Wexford-men, that se- veral set off immediately. The six small cannon on board the Guinea cutter were brought on shore, and their carriages being too small for land service, they were tied on cars and taken, thus mounted, by the sailors to the camp at the Three Rocks, where the scarcity of ammunition was so great, that not a charge remained for any other cannon. On this evening it was that the Wexford guns-men had returned home from Vinegar Hill ; and about seventy men from the northern side of the Slaney came into town during the night, and were lodged in the barrack by Captain Dixon, who had been IRISH REBELLION. 175 remarkably active in spreading alarm through the coun- try north of the town, through which he had rode seve- ral miles to induce the people to come into Wexford, as it were for general defence. Early on the morning of the 20th, the drum beat to arms, and all the armed inhabi- tants marched out to camp, leaving none in the town but the guards that had been on duty since the day before. Some time after, I met Captain Dixon in the street, booted and spurred, and in all appearance thoroughly equipped and accoutred to go out to battle ; his horse also stood waiting at his door fully caparisoned. On inquiry, however, I found he had no real intention of quitting the town. I then informed him, that I was sent by the eommander-in-chief to request his imme- diate attendance at the Three Rocks ; but this he de- clined obeying, and was at the time in the act of sending whiskey to the countrymen who were in the barrack ; and on my expressing surprise that these men should remain in the town, contrary to general orders, he re- plied, that his intention was to keep these men in Wex- ford to replace the guards, who, he said, had never been in any battle, and must now go out, as it was but fair they should share hardship in their turn, and allow some repose to those men who had been in every en- gagement. On this intelligence I immediately got on horseback and rode up to the barracks, where I endea- voured by every means in my power to induce the men to leave the town ; and they at length seemed willing to consent. But on the arrival of Captain Dixon, with the reinforcement of whiskey, they so far altered their opinions and inclinations, that I was threatened for my interference. From the specimen of Captain Dixon’s disposition displayed by his conduct to Colonel Lehunte, no confidence could be placed in him ; and seeing his influence over these men, who now at his instance ab- solutely refused to quit the town, measures of precau- tion naturally suggested themselves. After recom- mending to the guards to be vigilant on their station, which they were to quit upon no account, I galloped ofl’ to the Camp at Three Rocks, to request a reinforcement of the Wexford-men to be sent back with me, but which I had the greatest difficulty in obtaining, notwithstand- 176 HISTORY OF THE ing all my remonstrances, and was at last granted, ra- ther to get rid of my importunity than from any other reason or motive; as no idea of a massacre was at all entertained. I was, however, allowed to take my choice of the Wexford corps, hut on no condition should they be permitted to quit the camp, until the whole remain- ing force should have marched off, as it was apprehen- ded that if it were seen going they might he followed by others. Fearing the men might be countermanded if I should leave them before the main body should have moved off, I waited for that event, which took up a considerable time ; during which I also procured a letter from the commander-in- chief, Mr. Harvey, di- rected to Captain Dixon, ordering him to come out to camp, as I felt earnest wishes to induce him to leave the town, for which purpose I left no means untried, but all without effect. On consulting with some gen- tlemen in the Selsker corps, which was that I had chosen to return with me, as it contained more respecta- ble persons and Protestants, since in different yeomanry corps, than any other in Wexford, I proposed that they should all take an oath not to drink spirits until further, orders, as I perceived some drunken men among them, who could not be depended upon. This plan was gene- rally approved of, and all were accordingly sworn, ex- cept four or five who were immediately sent off with the main body. This corps consisted of one hundred and twenty -five pike-men, (no gun’s-man being allowed to return,) and with these, having secured their so- briety, along with the guards that had remained in Wexford, I thought to be completely able to keep Cap- tain Dixon and his drunken crew of about seventy in awe, should they show an inclination to be refractory. When I judged all danger of a countermand was over, I set off at full speed toward Wexford, to announce this reinforcement to the guards there on duty ; but about half way I met four Protestant gentlemen, with pikes, inarching out to camp ; and as I had seen them before in the morning, when they declared no intention of this kind, I expressed my surprise at their leaving the town, and insisted on their returning thither with me ; but this at first they refused, alleging that, on my quitting IRISH REBELLION. 177 the town, Captain Dixon had gone about the streets threatening death and destruction to all who would not immediately go out to camp, which had induced them to set off accordingly. However I altered their resolu- tion by calming their fears, and by showing the letter from the commander-in-chief to Captain Dixon, sug- gesting that they would still be on the best duty by joining the men that were on their return ; upon which they promised to come back and give me their advice and assistance toward the protection of the prisoners ; in whose defence I declared I would take up arms, which I had not yet done, and should I fall, I thought it would be a noble death to die on such an occasion. On this information I hastened with all speed to Wexford, from which I had been now absent about four hours, on ac- count of all the delays I unavoidably experienced, the Three Rocks being three miles distant from the town — but how great was my surprise and astonishment on finding the latter taken possession of by a vast multi- tude of people, consisting of several thousands, many of whom were well armed, and in such force as to ba- nish all hope that the small number of Wexford-men re- maining in, and returning to the town, could in case of need give them any effectual resistance. General Ed- ward Roche had, as has been before mentioned, returned home, at a very late hour on the 19th, from the camp on Vinegar Hill, to collect and lead thither all the men in his neighbourhood. The number of these was now immensely increased by the vast crowds of fugitives driven, by the approach of the army, from about Gorey into the part of the country called Shilmalier. Through this quarter, Captain Dixon had made an excursion on the same day, diffusing dread and alarm, and calling on the people to assemble for general defence at Wexford ; and unfortunately he was so successful in his efforts, that on the morning of the 20th, when the people were assembled, and that General Edward Roche thought to lead them towards Enniscorthy, they peremptorily re- fused to proceed, representing Wexford, from the sug- gestions of Captain Dixon, as more vulnerable ; where- fore the general himself thought it more advisable to continue with this body of the people, now consisting 178 HISTORY OF THE chiefly of the fugitives from the northern parts of the county. These were continually relating their misfor- tunes, the cruelties they suffered, and the hardships they endured, to those with whom they took refuge; which roused and irritated the populace to such a pitch of fury as admits not of description, and of which none but an eye-witness can have an adequate idea. All en- treaties or remonstrances to sooth or calm the exaspe- rated multitude were in vain ; however, continuing still on horseback, I endeavoured to address, explain, excuse and expostulate, and in the course of these attempts many pikes were raised against me, and several guns and pistols cocked and pointed at me, and vengeance vowed against me as an orangeman ; for they vociferated that I had distinguished myself by no other feat, but activity in protecting their enemies the Orangemen ; that I had never attended their camps, or I would be a judge of their miseries by the view of general desola- tion. One man would roar out, that I had not been flogged as he had been ; another pathetically related, that his house had been burned, and he had been driven to beggary with his whole family, and he would have the death of the person that injured him ; a third lamented the death of his father, another that of his brother, others of their children ; and the appeal was made to me to decide on all their various sufferings and misfortunes; while they perseveringly declared, they only wanted to be avenged of those who had actually done them wrong ; and I was asked, if similarly cir- cumstanced, would I not take revenge for such injuries as theirs ? All this I endeavoured to answer, and strove to appease the wrath of popular phrenzy, by alleging that the laws of God were indefeasible, and that they dictated that good should be returned for evil. This had some little effect for the instant ; but it was, indeed, but momentary. I however, continued still unwea. ried in my exertions, particularly endeavouring to preserve my dear and beloved friend, Mr. Turner, whose death, and that of a Mr. Gainsfort, the po- pulace declared indispensable to their satisfaction, as they had led out the army against them on Whit- sunday, and had burnt their houses. Although I IRISH REBELLION. 179 knew that my friend had burned a house, (of which he most sincerely and heartily repented,) yet I ap- pealed to the multitude, if any one could prove the fact alleged against him, and no one appearing to come forward for that purpose, I seized on the glimpse of hope I now entertained of his safety, thinking that his life might be preserved by demanding a trial, on which if no proof of criminality could be adduced, it was na- tural to conclude that his safety must be certain. I then made the experiment ; but was answered by this universal cry — “ What trial did we or our friends and relations obtain when some were hanged or shot, and others whipped or otherwise tortured ; our houses and properties burnt and destroyed, and ourselves hunted like mad dogs?” But I rejoined with some effect — “ Do you mean to compare yourselves to the perpetra- tors of such deeds, or would you disgrace your conduct by such barbarous acts ? This appeal to their princi - pies produced the consequence, providentially, as I fondly hoped, of their consenting to a trial, but on the express condition that I should retire, and be present on no account. At this critical moment I perceived a person near me whom I had induced to return from the Three Rocks, and who, true to his promise of every as- sistance in his power, after a variety of difficulty had got close by me, together with some others of the like benevolent dispositions, to whom I stooped down from on horseback to listen to the arguments they humanely suggested ; and I must declare, that I derived great courage, from their presence and advice, tc persist in my entreaties, in the course of which I find, on cool reflection, that I underwent great danger, of which I was by no means so sensible at the time, until afterwards informed by many, who were kind enough to hold me in regard, while they prevented different persons from shooting me. I entreated the particular person before mentioned, to procure men whose humanity could not be doubted to try the prisoners, and when he should have succeeded, to give me notice, as I would endeavour in the meantime to delay the people, who were insisting that I should retire, “ as,” they declared, “ I would go to the devil to save Turner.” I did promise to retire 180 HISTORY OF THE as soon as I could have proper persons appointed to sit in trial over the prisoners, when my humane friend beckoned to me, signifying that he was ready. I then went into the committee house, where, although Cap- tain Dixon and Morgan Byrne, whose sanguinary dis- position I was well aware of, insisted that they should be on the trial, I could not oppose their appointment ; but, however, four out of seven, which was the number chosen, humanely offered themselves, having previously promised me, that they would not consent to put any one to death. I made use of another stratagem by proposing an oath, that in their proceedings they would not be guided by public prejudice, but by justice and the evidence before them. This was with a view, if possible, to secure the assistance and co-operation even of the most sanguinary, and the seven were ac- cordingly sworn to that effect. By this contrivance, and the solemn assurance of the four persons, that they would not consent to the condemnation of any one, I fondly hoped that I had secured the life of my friend from danger ; and being fully confident of the success of my plan, I left its subsequent management to a per- son on whose sincerity I could rely, and to whose worth I am sorry at not having the liberty to do justice by naming him; and having made sure of such a friend to humanity, I thought it most prudent to retire, in order to please the people, the inclinations of many of whom I had now thwarted for hours ; and I had good reason to suppose they would then be more inclined to listen to a new man. The seven persons appointed to sit on the trial pro- ceeded from the committee-house to the gaol, where they went into a small bed-chamber, inside the gaoler’s kitchen? in which Captain Dixon had left five prisoners w T hom he had doomed as the first victims for condemna- tion ; but he here met with an opposition of which he was not until that moment at all aware. The mem- bers of this kind of popular tribunal divided ; three were for death ; but the other four, true to their pro- mise, and unwarped in their humane inclinations, firmly declared, that they considered themselves merely appointed to prevent massacre, and to save the lives of IRISH REBELLION. 181 the prisoners, and would not attend or listen to any re- presentation from Dixon or his fellows. This produced a very violent altercation, and great danger was to be apprehended by the friends of humanity, as Peter Byrne actually rushed into the room, and threatened them with instant destruction if they did not agree to the death of the prisoners. Some others of Dixon’s blood- thirsty associates had got into the gaol, and. were se- lecting such of the prisoners as they pleased to doom fit objects of destruction ; hut although Dixon’s own designs cannot be doubted of ravening for blood, and that he was willing and eager to attempt any thing to gain his object, yet, as the four men resolutely perse- vered in refusing to agree to the death of any man at such a crazy and phrensied moment, he was going to retire from a place where his sanguinary views and cruel sentiments were opposed and overruled, and it is more than probable that the sanguinary, retarded for hours in the onset, would have cooled in their fury, and have recovered sentiments of humanity sufficient to prevent them from putting any one to death, were it not for two informers, Charles Jackson, a carver and gilder, and O’Connor, an organist, botli of whom had not long resided in Wexford, and who were cast off from the society of the other prisoners then in the gaol These, as ill fate would have it, threw themselves on their knees to Captain Dixon, acknowledged that they were orangemen, and ready to give every information, provided their lives might be spared. Dixon, before in despair at finding his sanguinary hopes baffled and blasted, readily agreed to their proposal, as it afforded a new prospect of perpetrating his infernal designs. — He instantly addressed the people assembled before the gaol, stating that two orangemen had become informers, and that proceeding to trial was therefore unnecessary, as the evidence of these men must be conclusive. It may easily be conceived that on this communication, horribly vociferated by Dixon, and re-echoed by his wife, the populace became ungovernable ! The people instantly approved of his plan, and demanded that all orangemen should be sent out to them ; but his first care w r as to turn the men who opposed his bloody L 182 HISTORY OF THE schemes out of the gaol, of which he and his savage associates took complete possession. Kenneth Ma- thewson, as one of the persons denounced by the in- formers, was then turned out, and immediately shot at the gaol door. John Atkins, a painter and glazier, was another against whom they gave information ; and he being one of those whom Dixon had originally brought down for trial, as destined victims for immo- lation, he was still in the gaoler’s kitchen, when, hear- ing himself called for by name, he ran into the inner- room and hid under the bed, where he lay concealed until all danger was over. While these unforeseen but melancholy events were passing, I had retired in full assurance that the people would be appeased ; and not- withstanding that they had peremptorily forbidden my being present at any trial, yet I was in hopes, as ap- pearing no longer on horseback, that I might get into the gaol unobserved, and endeavour to assist those who had undertaken the humane and philanthropic task of protection. But great was my amazement, indeed, at finding the most violent threats uttered against me as I approached the multitude. I therefore thought it most prudent to suffer myself to be led by two young women, who hurried me into a house, the door of which hap- pened to be open ; and while they were explaining to me the cause of this sudden and unexpected tumult, a shot was fired, and it was instantly rumoured through the crowd, that Colonel Lehunte was killed ; upon which I could not help exclaiming that they had put an innocent man to death ! I then declared my determi- nation to go out and endeavour to stop such a scene of butchery. On this, a man who knew me seized upon me, and positively insisted I should not leave the house, as, just before I had come up, he had heard the people vow vengeance against me in so vehement a manner, that he was certain I must inevitably perish should I attempt to interfere. On finding that it was not possi- ble for me to do any good, the share of courage I had hitherto felt quite forsook me at this juncture ; I burst into tears, and sunk into a state of insensibility. When the mob had in some degree dispersed, I was supported homewards by this good-natured man, but was obliged IRISH REBELLION. 183 from faintness to stop twice on the way before I reached my lodgings. It is confidently asked by many, why the clergy and principal inhabitants did not interfere to prevent mas- sacre. There were but few of the inhabitants at all in the town, and I saw most part of the few that had re- mained in Wexford on that day, together with some clergymen, do all in their power to restrain the fury of the people, and prevent the spilling of blood : but I do believe, that under existing circumstances it was impos- sible to control the multitude, inflamed as they were by the representations of Dixon and his associates ; and in 6uch imminently critical cases, it is not every one that has nerves strong enough to encounter the impending danger. For my own part, although I was courageous enough in the beginning of the day, yet I found myself afterwards in such a state as to be incapable of any exer- tion. I therefore doubt much whether any person ask- ing such questions, would have fortitude or charity enough to step forward on such an occasion, and attempt to save any one’s life, so much as by declaring a truth favourable to his preservation ; a conduct that ought to flow even from spontaneous generosity or gratitude for material obligation ; but such slight interference as this was extracted by no motive from, but in some instances, refused or perverted by the like hypocritical and mock philanthropists, with those who put these presumptuous interrogatories. But to judge fairly of the conduct of another, it is necessary to be placed in a similar situa- tion. After the death of Mathewson, Captain Dixon and his wife proposed that those who were to be put to death should be brought down to the bridge, whither the mob retired. Eighteen intended for execution \frere first conducted from the gaol, under a strong guard, headed by Dixon, flanked by the two orange informers, whom he wished to exhibit as the grand support of his con- duct. These informers were brought into a public bil- liard-room on the Custom-house quay, (and not at all to the bridge, to which it is adjacent,) where they un- derwent an examination, at which Dixon presided. It is probable that these informers did not give informa- 184 HISTORY OF THE tion against every one that was put to death on this occasion ; but it is a certain truth, and an evident fact, that the information of these men was esteemed of such consequence, even by such a sanguinary tribunal, that their services saved their lives. The fate of the pri- soners was quickly decided, on their being conducted to the bridge, as the proceedings concerning them were summary indeed. It was asked, did any one know any good action of the intended victim, sufficient to save his life ; and if no answer was made, the assertion of an individual of some deed against the people, was conclu- sive evidence of guilt, and immediately death was the consequence, on his primary denunciation by Captain Dixon. Some, however, escaped with their lh^es, on the interference of some person stepping forward in their favour. A few were shot, but the greater number suf- fered by being piked, and some of those with aggravated circumstances of barbarity. All the bodies were thrown over the bridge, but neither stripped nor their pockets rifled, which I should scarcely have believed, but that I have been positively assured that watches and money were found upon them when afterwards discovered. — Captain Dixon sent from time to time for different per- sons to the several places of confinement, and at inter- vals came out to announce further discoveries from the informers. This admirably suited his hellish purpose of putting all the prisoners to death ; which he might unfortunately have effected, but that Providence was at length pleased to interpose, while the minds of the popu- lace seemed wrought up to the most desperate pitch of cruelty ! The Rev. Mr. Corrin, who had been absent from the town the whole of the day on parochial duty, had but just returned, when he was sent for by Mr. Kellett, then on his defence at the bridge. Thither the rev, gentleman instantly repaired, and, having thrown himself on liis knees, entreated they might join him in prayer ; when he supplicated the Almighty to show the same mercy to the people as they would show to their prisoners; and with that he addressed them in such feeling, pathetic, and moving language, that he thereby saved the lives of several who had been just ordered to the bridge from the market-house by Dixon. While IRISH REBELLION, 185 the Rev. Mr. Corrin was on the fatal spot, Mr. Esmonde Kyan, who had been wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Arklow, lay in the most excruciating torture in a house at Ferry-bank, on the country side of the wooden- bridge ; but on hearing what was going forward, he instantly got out of bed, ran to the fatal spot, and by his animated conduct and address rescued Mr. Newton King, and Captain Milward, of the Wexford militia, with some others, from the fury of the populace Ge- neral Edward Roche also, by his humane interference, snatched Mr. James Goodall and others from the jaws of death ; while different other persons, of inferior note, and some even of the lower class, interposed so as to save one or other of their neighbours ; and at length it pleased God that this horrid butchery ceased ! The Catholic clergymen, and all the principal inhabitants who remained in the town that day, exhausted every means in their power in endeavours to appease the rage of the populace, of whom it is necessary to observe, they could have little or no personal knowledge, as the outrageous multitude had collected from the northern parts of the county, and not at all composed of Wexford men, over whom they might be supposed to hjLve some local influence. But such as have not been eye-wit- nesses, and who have not, even in that case, been some- times among and conversant with the people, can have but a very inadequate idea of the danger of interference against the uncontrollable fury of a rabble exasperated to the highest pitch by the incidents I have endeavoured to describe. Dreadful and shocking events are most subject to misrepresentations, as individuals will imagine excesses according to their several feelings, and although it is confidently asserted, that ninety-seven were put to death on the bridge, I have good reason to believe that thirty-five was the number that suffered. Among the various occupations assumed by different persons in the course of this melancholy catastrophe, one man, in a most audible voice, counted the victims one by one, as they were put to death ; and I have farther reason to believe, that thirty-five was the exact number of suf- ferers on the bridge, and one at the gaol door ; amount- ing in all that day in Wexford to thirty-six ; as on l 3 186 HISTORY OF THF most particular inquiry, even with the help of the lists published, as well as from personal knowledge, I am enabled to know, that several who are stated to have been sacrificed on the bridge that day, suffered not then, nor there, nor at all in Wexford: so that I hope hu- manity will induce a future retractation of the lists alluded to, not only as the assertors have been evidently imposed upon, but as also their publication must help to keep up those animosities which they profess they do not wish to encourage. But, if writers will persist in publishing those lists, why not, for the sake of general and true information, publish the number of the killed and wounded, by whatever means, on both sides ; since it must stamp the character of a parti zan to detail but one side of the question ? On that ever-to-be-lamented day, there are many who ran great risk of personal safety in becoming advocates for the unfortunate : I with I could learn of as many who exhibited equal proof of sincerity in favour of the hapless and ill-fated people ! Were this the case, I verily believe I should not have to relate the dreadful desolation in the county of Wexford. In critical times, such as those, certainly different cir- cumstances will excite different sensations ; but with respect to the business before us, the saying of a most liberal Protestant gentleman must be regarded as pos- sessing peculiar force in repressing misrepresentation. Pie says, “ I have heard of hundreds of Catholics in the county of Wexford, who have, at the risk of their lives, saved Protestants ; but I have not heard of a single Pro- testant who encountered any danger to save the life of a Catholic.” The black flag that appeared in Wexford on this day is, among other things, talked of with various chime- rical conjectures, and its notoriety as denouncing mas- sacre has been confidently recorded ; notwithstanding that it is an absolute fact, that this identical black flag was, throughout the whole insurrection, borne by a particular corps, and the carrying of banners of that colour, was by no means a singular circumstance dur- ing that period, as flags of that and every other hue, except orange, were waved by the insurgents, and from their different dies, ingenious conjectures, however IRISH REBELLION. 187 groundless for the maintenance of prejudice, may be made as to the several dispositions of the bodies who moved under them, as little founded in fact or inten- tion, as, was the original intention of the black ensign in question. Although General Edward Roche had the nominal command of the great body of men that came into Wexford on this day, yet his authority appears to have been very limited, when he was not able to lead them to the intended destination ; but it became still less on his arrival in that town, where Dixon, who was his bro- ther-in-law, had gained such an ascendancy, although possessed of not even any nominal command; be- ing but a general blusterer, affecting great consequence, galloping from camp to camp, and seeking every op- portunity of doing mischief, generally while the battles were going on, and at one of which he never appeared but in the back ground. His denomination of Captaia was owing to his being master of a sloop which traded to and from Wexford. This man’s conduct was incom- plete contradiction to the sentiments of Roche, who was, on his subsequent surrender in December, 1799, tried by a court-martial in Wexford, on a charge of “ aiding and abetting the murders on the bridge, on the 20th of June, 1798.” But his humane exertions ap- peared so meritorious before that tribunal, that he was acquitted of this charge, which could not possibly be, as he possessed command, had it not been perfectly proved that such command was merely nominal, as his orders and endeavours were counteracted by persons having no command whatever, but what arose from in- flammatory addresses to the populace, urging them to take exemplary vengeance of their enemies, in which they were unfortunately but too successful. In the first house I had been obliged to stop at on the way to my lodgings, I met a gentleman to whom I was endeavouring to give some account of what had occur- red, while Dixon was passing by, with the two orange informers, one on each side of him. The gentleman ran out and began to plead for mercy, expressing at the same time a hope that Dixon would come into the house and consult with me before he would put his designs 188 HISTORY OF THE into execution. But on this Dixon exclaimed, “Is it to consult Mr. Hay, who has already deserved death for the part he has taken in stopping us so long from taking revenge of our enemies? Here are two orangmen, who have become informers, and there are the men I am go- ing to have put to death, (pointing to the prisoners that were following him under a strong military guard, ) and when I have done with these, I shall then treat Mr. Hay in the same manner.” When Dixon had passed on, the gentleman returned and offered to conduct me home, but I was again obliged to stop on the way in a house where the wives and daughters of some officers, affrighted by the general alarm, ran to me in tears, while all I could do was to join in their lamentations. I certainly should not have had sufficient power to walk any farther, had I not taken a glass of wine they kindly offered me. However, I at length arrived at the house where I had been since the insurrection, and there remained in a state of stupid insensibility, until I was roused by seve- ral ladies, who pressed me to come to dinner, which was unusually late that day ; and although I was able to carve for the ladies, I could not taste a morsel myself. Shortly after, a messenger came for me from Lord Kingsborough and his officers, requesting my immediate attendance. I instantly complied, although I had little hopes of being able to afford them any relief, yet I would not refuse to try my best endeavours. On getting into the street, I met a crowd of people proceeding to a par- ticular house, with intention, as I soon discovered, of bringing out Mr. Joseph Gray, lieutenant of the Wex- ford cavalry, who had transported his servant. I had the presence of mind to say that Mr. Gray was out fighting for them, and that they seemed to me not to be able to ‘distinguish their friends from their enemies ; which fortunately prevented them from proceeding any farther ; for I knew he was in the house, and had too much reason to fear, that upon their forcing into it, his death and many more must have been the inevitable consequence. This device proving successful, gave me more courage to go on to Lord Kingsborough ’s lodgings, where I was refused admittance. However, I spoke to him and his ^officers, as they appeared at the windows, IRISH REBELLION. 189 and declared, that as long as I was alive myself, they might depend upon every exertion of mine in their be- half. Shortly after I fortunately met General Edward Roche, whose humane exertions to prevent them, were as conspicuous as his lamentations were sincere for the dreadful scenes then exhibiting. I conjured • him to hasten down to the bridge, and there to represent the urgent necessity of the people’s attendance at Vinegar Hill, suggesting that he could, with more propriety than any other, interpose his authority with a prospect of success, as he was himself called on to attend by all the chiefs in the camp ; and as an express was sent from Vinegar Hill to Wexford demanding reinforcements, and expressing surprise that Edward Roche had not come, with the force of his neighbourhood, which he had been sent home to collect and bring along with him. These considerations inspired the general with new vigour to endeavour to lead these men out of the town, which he at length effected, and the people marched off under his command out of Wexford. When the town was thus cleared of its dreadful visi- tors, about eight o’clock in the evening I obtained ad- mission to Lord Kingsborough and his officers. We jointly took a retrospective view of the horribly distracted state of the country, as well as of its impending danger, and after a variety of consultation between us, it was agreed, that the only mode of preserving Wexford and all its inhabitants from destruction was, that early on the next morning, I should accompany Lord Kingsborough to the army, and by an explanation of existing circum- stances it was hoped that the town might be spared from the dreadful fate which seemed to wait it every instant. Wexford was indeed at this period in a most perilous si- tuation. Intelligence had arrived there of the approach of three different armies — one of which was advanced as far as Oulart, another had ^arrived at Enniscorthy, and the progressive march of the third was conspicuous the evening before from the Three Rocks, by the insur- gents stationed there, who on the morning of this day proceeded to meet it. The gun-boats on the coast also made a formidable appearance, as announced by the men who had been stationed at the fort of Roslare, but who 190 HISTORY OF THE now abandoned that post and fled into Wexford, bringing the alarming news that several ships of war, and other armed vessels were approaching the harbour. By the time we had settled all matters, relative to our departure on this expedition next morning, it was advanced in the night, and the Wexford-men were flocking home from the battle of Fooks’s-mill. I had then proposed to go and consult the principal Inhabitants, whose co-opera- tion and assistance were so necessary in such an under- taking, but which I made not the least doubt of obtaining, and took my leave of his lordship and the other officers, promising to return to them early on the next morning. It was a considerable time before I could collect a suffi- cient number of the principal inhabitants to communi- cate my intentions to them ; and even when it was at length effected, their confusion was such, that it was agreed to postpone the business until early in the follow- ing morning, then to meet at Captain Keugh’s house, where the subject would be taken into consideration by a general assembly, which could not be so well formed at that time of the night. About three o’clock in the afternoon of the 20th, the army under the command of General Moore, began to march from its encampment at Long-graigue, the seat of the Rev. Mr. Sutton, towards Taghmon, and had pro- ceeded but half-a-mile, when the insurgent force from the Three Rocks, led on by their general the Rev. Philip Roche, appeared in view at a place called Fooks’s mill. Each party immediately commenced the attack, which lasted with various success and great obstinacy, on both sides, for four hours, when the insurgents having expend- ed the whole of their ammunition at the very moment that it is said the troops were on the point of giving way, thought proper to retire, and made a good retreat to their original station on the Three Rocks. In this engagement, from the nature of the ground, the great body of the pike-men could not be brought into action, so that there were not more of the insurgents engaged than about an equal number with that of the army against them, whose loss too is said to be considerably greater than theirs ; but although General Moore’s dispatches concerning the engagement have been published, yet the list of the killed IRISH REBELLION. 191 and wounded, mentioned to have been sent with the general’s letter, has been suppressed, so that I have not been able to obtain the official account of this particular. The insurgents, as usual, did not attempt to retreat until they had fired their last shot, when two regiments under Lord Dalhousie were perceived coming up to reinforce General Moore. The insurgents in the retreat brought away with them five out of the six small cannon which they brought out with them, all of which had been fas- tened on common cars with ropes, and the remaining one they lost, because the car upon which it was mounted having been brolien by falling into a ditch, it was left there. The Wexford men, who were in this engage- ment, attended their companions to the Three Rocks, and then proceeded to the town, where they arrived late at night. General Johnston had smart skirmishing with the out- posts of the insurgents from Enniscorthy on the 20th, on his arrival at Bloomfield, within a mile of Enniscorthy. Early on the morning of the 21st, a general assault was made on the insurgent force encamped on Vinegar Hill by General Lake, while the town of Enniscorthy was attacked by General Johnston, which he carried after an obstinate resistance of two hours, with great slaughter of the insurgents, whose defence of the place was most wonderful, considering that they had but a few pounds of powder to distribute to their whole force on the pre- ceding evening ; so that it is astonishing how they could venture with such a scanty provision of ammunition, to give any opposition to an army of great force, perfectly equipped and appointed, and abundantly provided with every necessary. Even on Vinegar Hill there were but two charges for cannon ; one of which was fired against the army approaching from Solsborough, and the other dismounted cannon posted at the Huffrey-gate at Ennis- corthy ; and although a great number of cannon and bombs were fired from the royal artillery toward Vine- gar Hill, only one man was wounded, and none killed by the shot from the ordnance. The insurgents, not- withstanding their defenceless situation, displayed vast courage and intrepidity before they abandoned the hill, which they were at length obliged to do, and great nuin- 192 HISTORY OF THE bers of them fell on this occasion. All suspected persons were put to death in Enniscorthy, and several houses were set on fire ; among the rest that which had been used by the insurgents as an hospital, which, together with all the wounded men in it, were totally consumed. A free passage was left for the insurgents to retreat to Wexford, as the division of the army under General Needham, from some unaccountable reason, bad not come up in time to join the battle ; and from the route this division took, it is surprising that it did not fall in with the insurgent force under General Edward Koche, who was also too late for the engagement, as he only arrived just at the commencement of the retreat of the insur- gents, which, however, he recovered with his men from Darby-gap, and restrained the career of the cavalry that were in full pursuit of the insurgents dislodged from Vinegar Hill. Lord Kingsborough was so anxious to carry the plan we had agreed on for the salvation of the town into ex- ecution, that he sent for me before three o'clock in the morning on the 21st, when I had scarcely time to have taken any rest. I instantly got up and went to him, when I found him arrayed in full uniform, and completely equipped to set out that moment, which he wanted me to do also ; but I represented to him the danger of going through the country in such apparel, as he then was, and that, at all events, our safety could not be secured without the concurrence of the people with our plan, which, however, I thought, would be easily obtained, as I related to him the conversation I held with the principal inhabitants on the night preceding ; and that I expected to meet them again on the subject at an early hour that morning. He and his officers then entreated me to hasten the meeting, and to have the drum beat to arms, for the people to assemble, that their consent might be obtained, as there was no time to be lost in carrying into effect the only means of saving the town from total destruction : for we distinctly heard the report of the cannon from Ennis- corthy, where the battle had just then commenced. I immediately went and rapped up the principal inhabitants nearest to me, whom I commissioned to call up their neighbours; and thus in a short time was the whole town IRISH REBELLION. 193 roused from slumber. A meeting consequently took place at the house of Captain Keugli, where it was thought advisable that Doctor Jacob should accompany Lord Kingsborough and me ; but on further contemplation in- stead of one, it was judged necessary to send out three deputations from the town to the three different armies approaching, lest one might not be able to effect its pur- pose ; and it was also thought most prudent, that Lord Kingsborough should not leave the town, but that it should be instantly surrendered to him, as military com- mander ; and Doctor Jacob, who was present, offered to re-assume the office of mayor ; so that this was putting all kind of civil and military authority into the same hands in which they were before the insurrection ; and thus did the inhabitants of Wexford do every thing consistent with duty by taking the earliest opportunity of returning to their allegiance, which, by the fundamental principles of the constitution, could never be arraigned, as they were not only abandoned, but even surrendered to the insur- gents, by those who were bound, by every tie of duty and interest, to protect them, but who instead of acting as they ought, sent a deputation of surrender, and shame- fully fled, leaving even their own wives and families, together with the other inhabitants, under the uncontrol- lable sway of the conquerors, whom they thus constituted regular enemies. Captain M> Manus of the Antrim militia and myself were appointed to proceed to the army at Oulart, with the proposal of the inhabitants of Wexford and Lord Kingsborough’s dispatches ; Captain O’Hea of theNoith Cork militia, and Mr. Thomas Cloney, were deputed on the like mission to Enniscorthy ; and Captain Bourkeof the North Cork militia, and Mr. Robert Carty were sent to the army of Taghmon. The meeting was then ad- journed to the custom-house quay to propose these ar- rangements to the people, assembled there on parade for the purpose. They approved of every step that had been taken with three cheers ; and the business was concluded by a most feeling address from Doctor Jacob, in tears, to the people, whose good opinion on all occasions he was so happy as to possess, by being very attentive in his duty as physician and surgeon to the wounded. A deputation then went to Lord Kingsborough’s lodgings to inform him M 194 HISTORY OF THE of the determination of the people; and his lordship, upon accepting of the military command of the town, applied to Captain Keugh for his sword ; but he, taking a wrong impression of the solemnity of the previous proceedings, and imagining himself entitled to march out at the head of the people to meet the army approaching the town, proposed surrendering it and the sword together to the officer principal in command of the army approaching the town ; but not finding one supporter of this proposed scheme, he reluctantly ^surrendered to Lord Kingsbo- rough his sword and other arms, but with the greatest formality. Lord Kingsborough, thus invested with the military authority in Wexford, set about writing dispatches to the several officers commading the different armies ap- proaching the town, informing them, “ That the town of Wexford had surrendered to him, and in consequence of the behaviour of those in the town during the rebellion, they should all be protected in person and property, mur- derers excepted, and those who had instigated others to commit murder, hoping these terms might be ratified, as he had pledged his honour in the most solemn manner to have these terms fulfilled on the town being surrendered to him, the Wexford-men not being concerned in the massacre which was perpetrated by country people in their absence.” With these dispatches were enclosed as a further docu- ment, the following proposals from the people of Wex- ford : — “That Captain M‘Manus shall proceed from Wexford toward Oulart, accompanied by Mr. Edward Hay, appointed by the inhabitants of all religious per- suasions to inform the officer commanding the King’s troops, that they are ready to deliver up the town of Wexford without opposition, to lay down their arms, and return to their allegiance, provided that their persons and properties are guaranteed by the commanding offi- cer ; and that they will use every influence in their power to induce the people of the country at large to return to their allegiance ; and these terms it is hoped Captain M‘ Manus will be able to procure. “ Signed by order of the inhabitants of Wexford, “Mathew Keugh. “Wexford, June 21, 1798. IRISH REBELLION. m All matters being thus arranged, I went down to the gaol for Captain M‘Manus, as well as to announce the news to all the prisoners. As I had on a former occasion consulted them on the letter written in their name and behalf, and as they were universally pleased with my sentiments, they all crowded about me, many of them even in their shirts, and when I communicated to them the purport of the mission of Captain M‘ Manus and my- self, the joy they manifested can only be conceived by such as have been in a similar situation. They expressed sentiments of the utmost kindness to me in particular, and hearty success to our undertaking. Captain M‘Ma- nus then accompanied me to Lord Kingsborough, who waited his arrival to consult with him and the principal inhabitants together; and when all things were adjusted between them, and that his lordship had written his dis- patches, enclosing the proposal of the townsmen, the captain and I set out, bearing these credentials, and pro- ceeded as far as Castle bridge, where, finding that the troops w hich had been stationed at Oulart had moved toward Enniscorthy, we thought it best to direct our course thither. As yet we had met with none but women and children, who w^ere bewailing their wretched condi- tion in the most piteous strains. Shortly afterwards, however, we met Captain Dixon, who had been present at the approval of our deputation by the people of Wex- ford in the morning ; but the plan not corresponding with his sentiments, he had set out with intention to gain over a party in the country to waylay and put us to death ; but as all the men had gone to camp, he could not find accomplices to assist him in this undertaking. Soon after, we met Morgan Byrne, a man of the same stamp, who was Dixon’s associate the day before, and whose cowardice and cruelty were equally conspicuous,* * The conduct of this man exemplifies the usual infamy attendant on informers , as immediately previous to the insurrection he had wait- ed on Captain (now Major) Kavanagh, with a plentiful offer of infor- mation from his father and himself, when the sudden insurrection prevented its accomplishment. He and some of his relatives were dis- tinguished by their barbarous dispositions, as true co-operators of Captain Dixon, whose conduct is a manifest proof how unlike you sometimes find even brothers, as they were distinguished by their ten- derness and humanity, whereas he was a sanguinary monster. 196 HISTORY OF THE he accosted us in the most abrupt and savage manner, vowing death and destruction against numbers, amongst whom he was pleased to include myself and my compa- nion, whom he called a spy. Upon my declaring that I was going to take observation of the position of the army, he insisted upon accompanying us; and, as he had a musket and bayonet, two cases of pistols — one in hol- sters, and the other flung on his belts — while we had no arms whatever, I thought it most prudent to humour him, which I did for two miles that he rode with us, when we had the good fortune to shake him off ; and I then informed Captain McManus of the danger we had escaped by getting off such a ruffian. We then came to a resolution to be the first to address every one we met, to show our confidence, and by this precaution we passed unmolested by great numbers who were flying from Vi- negar Hill, and the more dangerous, as they were strag- glers from the main body of the insurgents, who had taken another road ; and using many expedients to elude all inquiry on our business, but ’particularly calling out to the fugitives to collect at the Three Rocks, (the place appointed for the insurgents to wait until the conclusion of the negotiation then on foot,) we at last arrived in sight of the army at Darby-gap, where Captain M ‘Ma- nus threw off a top coat which I had the precaution to make him wear over his regimentals. We then hoisted a white handkerchief as our flag ; and could descry the country all along between that and Enniscorthy in a most dreadful situation ; houses on fire, dead men and women strewed along the road, and in the fields ; while the soldiers were hunting for such as might be concealed in the ditches, and bringing down every person they met ; in fine, it was altogether a dreadful picture, exhi- biting all the horrors of war ! A small party of the Antrim militia happened to be among the first of the soldiery that we met, and these hailed their officer with the most heartfelt demonstrations of joy, and conducted us safely to Drumgold, where we met Major-general Sir James Duff, who led us into Enniscorthy to General Lake, the commander-in-chief, to whom we delivered our dis- patches. The remains of the town exhibited a dreadful aspect, as the greater part of the houses, which had es- IRISH REBELLION. 197 caped until the arrival of the army, were still on fire ; and the house which had been used as an hospital by the insurgents, and which was set on fire with all the pa- tients in it, continued burning until next morning, when I saw a part of a corpse still hissing in the embers. The news of our arrival having quickly spread through the town, numbers of officers, yeomen, and gentlemen of my acquaintance, crowded around me ; some anxious to hear of their friends, while others expressed how disap- pointed they would be if hindered to demolish Wexford with all the concomitant horrors and atrocities usual on such dreadful and shocking occasions! Some had the savage indecency even to mention some young ladies by name, who, they intended, should experience the effects of their brutal passions before they would put them to death ; but these intentions they feared would be frus- trated by the account I gave them of the proposal and dispatches ; others wished the extermination of all Ca- tholics ! — some inquired for their friends and relations, and amidst these horrors were not destitute of humanity. While I was thus conv ersing with many of various de- scriptions, Major-general Sir James Duff kindly came to me, and entreated that I would go into the house where the commander-in -chief was, and by no means to remain in the streets ; for that if I did, he entertained great apprehensions I might fall a sacrifice to the furious disposition of many persons in military array — offering, at the same time, to bring me any gentleman I wanted, as he should be sorry I should endanger my person, of which I ought then to be particularly careful, as, if I were to meet with any accident, it might put a stop to any farther negotiation on so desirable an object as I was endeavouring to obtain. I then went into the house, where I continued the whole of that day, and remained the whole night also, as upon soliciting an answer to the dispatches, the commander-in-chief signified that we should not get it until the next morning. Some of my friends have since informed me that they prevented several persons who were on the point of shooting me from putting their murderous intentions into effect, in the streets of Enniscorthy. Captain O’Hea, of the North Cork militia, and Mr. Cloney, arrived about two hours 108 HISTORY OF THE after Captain M ‘Manus and myself in Enniscorthy. They, having taken the road direct from Wexford, met the main body of the insurgents on their retreat ; and the several chiefs, having first read the dispatches and proposal, permitted them to be forwarded without fur- ther interruption : they were not sealed, to obviate the danger such a step might occasion. Captain Bourke, of the North Cork militia, and Mr. Robert Carty proceeded to Taghmon, and delivered their proposal and dispatches to General Moore, who had already begun his march, which he pursued for a mile beyond Taghmon, when he halted on perceiving a great concourse of people on the mountain of Forth. He then sent back Mr. Carty to Lord Kingsborough, with directions to return to him with further accounts of the state of the country, and new dispatches. The insurgents, on their defeat at Enniscorthy and Vinegar Hill, retreated along the eastern bank of the Slaney, over Carrig-bridge, and so on to the Three-rocks, on the mountain of Forth, where they were now observed by General Moore, and so occasioned Mr. Carty’s return to Wexford for further information. On the arrival of the insurgents at the station of the Three-rocks, several dis- cussions took place relative to the proposals for the sur- render of the town of Wexford, into which they could not finally be restrained from corning. Among those who thus hastily rushed into the town, there were some turbulent spirits, a circumstance unavoidable on such occasions, and in such an assemblage. These, appre- hensive of their situations, exerted every means in their power to prevent an accommodation, although earnestly wished for by all the chiefs as well as by the great body of the people. Lord Kingsborough, after he had assumed the military command of the town, went to the house of Mr. Meyler, where he was when this concourse of people arrived, and they insisted that his lordship and the other officers should come out to their camp, in order, as they said, to procure the like terms for themselves as for the inhabitants of Wexford. His lordship and the officers should certainly have gone out to camp on this occasion, but for the interference of Mr. Fitzgerald, who dissuaded them from consenting to a measure that would IRISH REBELLION. 199 endanger the lives of the prisoners should they leave the town. The principal inhabitants had before determined to march out with them, in order to protect them from any violence that might be attempted against them; and their united efforts, assisted by the timely interposition of the Right Rev. Dr. Caulfield, the Roman Catholic bishop of Ferns, prevented any further urgency. The people were addressed from the windows of the house, in which an assembly took place for the purpose of devising the best means of preventing mischief and ir- regularity : the people were entreated and supplicated to desist from their intentions, as Lord Kingsborough had given the most solemn assurances that they should have as good terms as he had promised the inhabitants ot Wexford; and he moreover advised them to go to their camp, and not to lay down their arms until these terms would be perfectly secured. It was Lord Kingsborougli’s own proposal, that the insurgents should remain encamped at Three Rocks until they would secure the same terms with the inhabitants of Wexford, which it was naturally supposed would be ratified ; and it is much to be lamented that they did not return thither, as from the commanding situation of the Three Rocks it would be very difficult to dislodge them ; besides, by securing the pass at Carrig-bridge, the Slaney would have formed a very strong barrier against the ap- proach of the forces coming from Enniscorthy ; and the insurgents would by these means have appeared so for- midable as to induce the granting of the terms demanded, and which good policy so strongly dictated. This would have put an end to any further disturbance, and peace would have been immediately restored ; nor wrould the desolation which afterwards disfigured the country at all have taken place ; and the lives of many sacrificed to the fury of the times would have been secured ; while it would have ensured the certain punishment of all mur- derers and assassins, many of whom, by the conduct that was pursued, escaped the end so justly due to their euormous crimes. The amnesty bill afterward secured the greatest part of the benefits claimed by the proposals, with the exception of officers, who, if they had not relied on the granting of these terms, would not have 200 HISTORY OF THE remained in Wexford, but would have proceeded with the insurgents, and so have saved their lives and properties as well as others who fought their way, and at length obtained favourable terms : so that all the evil conse- quences that ensued are attributable to the impolicy of refusing the proposed terms, which, it is to be presumed, had there been a possibility of obtaining Lord Cornwallis’s sentiments, would have been readily complied with; but unfortunately for the county of Wexford, he had landed in Ireland but the day before, and his system could not be sent forward to counteract that which existed before his arrival. Captain J ohn Murphy, whose humanity had been so conspicuous with his guns-men on Vinegar Hill, was now posted on the gaol for the protection of the prisoners from the infernal fury of Captain Dixon, who wished to renew the diabolical cruelties he had been unfortunately able to put in execution the day before, in the absence of the inhabitants of Wexford, who were now returned, and determined to protect the remaining prisoners at the risk of their own lives. This they were happily able to effect, as the murderers were too cowardly to attempt any thing that portended danger to themselves. No one was therefore put to death on this day, but Ensign Har- man, of the North Cork militia, who was going out with Mr. Carty, to General Moore, to whom they were now proceeding on a second mission, with fresh dispatches from Lord Kingsborough. They had but just got outside the town, when unfortunately met by a furious maniac, named Timothy Whelan, who instantly shot Ensign Harman, and snapped a pistol at Mr. Carty, who then thought it prudent to return, thus narrowly escaping with his life. This ruffian afterward had the audacity to attempt the life of Lord Kingsborough, in order to put at end at once to all accommodation, not meeting with his approbation ; he would have been ordered for instant execution by the chiefs, but for fear of irritating the great body of the populace, too ready, on such occasions and in such turbid times, to mistake desperacy for he- roism, and to attempt the most violent deeds themselves if thwarted in their inclinations, or by meddling with their favourites. IRISH REBELLION. 201 The insurgents were at length prevailed on, by the incessant entreaties and exertions of their chiefs, to quit the town of Wexford. They now divided themselves into two bodies : the one under the command of the Rev. Philip Roche marched into the barony of Forth, and encamped that night at Sledagh ; the other, under the conduct of Messrs. Fitzgerald, Perry, and Edward Roche, proceeded over the bridge to Peppard’s castle, where they took their station for that night. General Moore, although he had orders not to proceed farther than Taghmon on that day, that he might co- operate, on the 21st, in the general attack on Wexford; yet from the present complexion of affairs, advanced toward that town, having perceived the departure of the people from the Three Rocks; and having been also informed, by Captain Bourke, of the peaceable disposition of the Wexford people. Concerning the latter circum- stance, Captain Boyd (now returning home in General Moore’s train,) very prudently made many cautious and strict inquiries, requiring several assurances of the fact, from Captain Bourke, who had been sent out in that direction from Wexford ; in addition to which he could himself, from the commanding elevation of the road he took, observe the retreat of the insurgents over the bridge, before he ventured into the town, which, after the most minute circumspection, he at length entered, attended by some yeomen, almost with as much precipi- tancy as he had formerly abandoned it. Some straggling wretches of country people were put to death on this triumphant occasion. All the green ornaments, that had been so conspicuously exhibited hitherto, were now torn down ; and some persons, who but the moment before appeared anxious to demonstrate their friendship for the people, changed sides as quick as lightning, and endea- voured to exhibit every symptom of loyalty. General Moore, on consultation with Lord Kingsborough, thought it most advisable not to let his troops into the town, which it had been determined to annihilate previous to the negotiation, and in consequence of this circumstance, of which the army w T as perfectly aware, it required the utmost precaution to prevent its being plundered, sacked, and destroyed, with the attendant atrocities. The town’s- m 3 20*2 HISTORY OF THE people now felt the utmost anxiety at not receiving any answer either to their own proposal or Lord Kingsbo- rough’s dispatches, and as even those which had been forwarded to General Moore himself, he had sent off, requesting further orders from General Lake. General Moore now took his station on the Windmill hills, taking every precaution, and having the advantage of a large park of artillery; while the situation itself completely commanded the town of Wexford. The Chapman sloop of war, commanded by Captain Keen, took her station outside the harbour, too shallow for her to enter, and three guns-boats were sent to attack the fort of Roslare, which was previously abandoned, and therefore they thence proceeded opposite the town, completely com- manding the wooden-bridge and adjacent strand; so that Wexford was now thoroughly invested both by land and water. On the approach of the army, too, all the wounded men in the hospital were put to the sword, and some of the straggling inhabitants lost their lives, notwithstand- ing the express orders of General Moore, that no kind of excess should be committed. At three o’clock a.m. of the 22d, the trumpet sounded for the army to march from Enniscorthy, and every one was on foot as soon as possible. Shortly after, Captain M ‘Manus and myself, as well as Captain O’Hea and Mr. Cloney, were required to wait on General Lake, who delivered me his answer to the proposal of the inhabi- tants of the town of Wexford, and desired me to read it. It was as follows : — “ Lieutenant-general Lake cannot attend to any terms by rebels in arms against their sovereign : while they continue so, he must use the force entrusted to him with the utmost energy for their destruction. To the deluded multitude he promises pardon on their delivering into his hands their leaders, surrendering their arms, and return- ing with sincerity to their allegiance. “Signed, G. Lake. t “Enniscorthy, June 22d, 1798.” On reading this, I expressed my fears that such an answer would not be pleasing to the people of Wexford, IRISH REBELLION. 203 as it did not ratify the terms solemnly promised by Lord Kingsborough ; but General Lake would not allow further explanation on the subject, as he declared he would not confirm any promise made by Lord Kingsborough, to whose dispatches he would not even return any answer. He then ordered that I should be conducted by an officer, whom he named to the head of the army, whence I was to proceed to Wexford, and thence to return to him, with all convenient speed, with the determination of the in- habitants, as he mentioned he would not discontinue the march of the troops, and that if any fatality should happen Lord Kingsborough, or any of the prisoners, nothing should dissuade him from his original intention of annihilating the town. I was also warned by him, on pain of death, to return to him with a positive answer, and to bring Lord Kingsborough along with me ; and if on my approach to Wexford, I should not think it safe for the officer accompanying me to go into the town, I should return with that information immediately ; and that if any thing should happen to the officer or to me, in consequence of having brought the dispatches and proposal, the town of Wexford was not to be spared. I was then questioned about the state of the country, the bridges, roads, and the like ; and General Lake finding upon inquiry what road I was to take, that I should not want an escort until I would reach General Needham’s division, encamped at Ballenkeele, he sent orders to him by me, to furnish me with any escort I might require, to conduct me safe to Wexford. Captain O’Hea and I were then led to the head of the army by a general officer, and we set off' with all expedition, to avoid as much as possible the horrid spectacle of the dead bodies of men and women strewed along the roads and over the adjacent fields: some bearing marks of the most savage and indecent cruelty ; some witli their bowels ripped open, and others with their brains dashed out — situations which they did not all exhibit the day before, when I saw them lying dead on my way to Enniseorthy ! ! ! Ondeliveiing my orders to General Needham, while the escort was getting ready I was surrounded by several officers and yeomen, wiio expressed like savage sentiments w.th those 1 heard the day before at Enniseorthy ; and l 204 HISTORY OF THE was truly astonished to hear men of such rank and edu- cation as they were, making use of such language. Some, however, expressed anxiety tempered with humanity. The escort being got ready, consisting of a troop of the Ancient Britons, and a trumpeter, commanded by Cap- tain Wynne, we set off, and could learn nothing along the road but the mournful lamentations of women, the country having been abandoned by the men ! When we arrived near Castle-bridge, I proceeded for some distance by myself to reconnoitre, and perceiving no interruption, I called on the escort to come on ; and when we came in sight of Wexford, the trumpet was sounded, and I hoisted a white handkerchief to announce our arrival ; but we did not learn that the town had surrendered to General Moore until we arrived at Ferry-bank, adjoining the wooden bridge. As this was not as yet passable for horses, as the loose planks that had been laid on where the flooring was burned, were thrown off on the retreat of the insurgents, Captain Wynne and I proceeded on foot as far as the portcullis, which had been hoisted since the preceding evening. We were therefore detained for half an hour, till orders were given to let it down. Dur- ing the time that we were thus detained, I saw the pri- son-ship and several other vessels set on fire ; many more were afterwards burned ; and all the ships in the harbour that were not consumed were so far considered as prizes taken from the insurgents, that the owners were obliged to pay salvage ! When the draw-bridge was let down, we waited on Lord Kingsborough, to whom I made known the orders I had to bring him out to Gene- ral Lake ; but he declared he could not possibly comply, as he had been appointed by General Moore to command in the town. He, however, wrote a letter, excusing his attendance ; and on receipt of this, I set off with Captain Wynne and his troop of horse, which had by this time crossed the bridge, in order to return to General Lake ; and we met him a little outside the town, as, on hearing what had happened, he moved forward with all expedition ; and, on delivering him Lord Kingsborough’s letter, we formed part of his suite on his entrance into Wexford. The preservation of this town may, indeed, be recorded as a wonderful event, as its destruction seemed as determined IRISH REBELLION. 205 as that of Nineveh ; and yet its state, then and now, bearing so few marks of depredation or direption of any kind, is a circumstance that has surprised all who have visited it since, and who observed the desolation that pre- vailed in all other directions where disturbances had ex- isted. \ Relying on the faith of Lord Kingsborough’s promises of complete protection of persons and properties, several remained in the town of Wexford, unconscious of any reason to apprehend danger ; but they were soon taken up, and committed to gaol. The Rev. Philip Roche had such confidence in these assurances, and was so certain of obtaining similar terms for those under his command, that he left his force at Sledagh, in full hopes of being permitted to return in peace to their homes, and was on his way to Wexford unarmed, coming, as he thought, to receive a confirmation of the conditions, and so little apprehensive of danger, that he advanced within the lines before he was recognised, when all possibility of escape was at an end. He was instantly dragged from his horse, and in the most ignominious manner taken up to the camp on the Wind-mill hills, pulled by the hair, kicked, buffetted, and at length hauled down to the gaol in such a condition as scarcely to be known. The peo- ple whom he had left in expectation of being permitted to return quietly home, waited his arrival ; but at last being informed of his fate, they abandoned all idea of peace, and set off under the command off the Rev. John Murphy to Fooks’s-mill, and so on, through Scollagh- gap, into the county of Carlow. Prom the encampment at Ballenkeele, commanded by General Needham, detachments were sent out to scour the country. They burned the Catholic chapel of Balle- murrin, situate on the demesne of Ballenkeele, on which they were encamped, besides several houses in the neigh- bourhood. The principal of these was that of Newpark, the seat of Mr. Fitzgerald ; which, along with all the out-offices, haggard of corn, by far the largest in the county of Wexford, a malt-house containing fifteen hun- dred barrels of malt, and a thousand barrels of barley, were entirely consumed ; as were also the house, offices, and malt-house, containing a thousand barrels of malt, 206 HISTORY OF THE at Ballimore, belonging to Mr. Edmund Stafford, mis- taken, as I have been informed, for the dwelling and property of General Edward Koche ; besides a great number of houses of inferior note. In short, death and desolation were spread throughout the country, which was searched and hunted so that scarcely a man es- caped ; and the old, who were feeble and decrepid with age, and who could not therefore easily move out of the way, as well as the idiots or fools, were the victims on this occasion ; as almost all such as had the use of their limbs and intellects had previously made off with the main body of the people. The dead bodies were to be seen scattered about, with their throats cut across and mangled in the most shocking manner. It is scarcely possible to describe all the horrors and devastations that took place, as all the atrocities of war were most wofully exhibited. The fair sex became the prey of the lustful soldiery ; and female beauty, which at all other times may be considered a blessing, now became a curse, as women paid dearly for their personal charms, which failed not to augment the general brutality of these odious and detestable deeds ! What must be the pangs of a mother on seeing her beloved favourite child dragged from her by the ruffian hands of an unfeeling monster, glorying in his barbarity, and considering his crime meritorious in proportion to its enormity; spreading death and disease to the utmost extent of his depraved capacity ! The Hompesch dragoons are held in peculiar remembrance on this occasion. Indeed, the ferocity of the soldiery in general was such at this period, that the women and children through the country even now are worked up to the highest pitch of horror at the sight of a military man, as bringing to their recollection all the barbarous scenes of which they had been formerly wit- nesses ! Notwithstanding the abominations of the vilest of pikemen, it is a well-established fact, that during the period of their uncontrollable sway, no female, not even one of the wives or daughters of those whom they con- sidered their greatest enemies, ever suffered any kind of violation from them ; and their general respect for the sex is as true as it is wonderful ; and their forbearance in this particular is as remarkably civilized as the eon - I IRISH REBELLION. 207 duct of the troops was savage, sparing neither friend nor foe in their indiscriminate and licentious brutality. The northern part of the county of Wexford had been almost totally deserted by all the male inhabitants on the 19th, at the approach of the army under General Needham. Some of the yeomanry, who formerly de- serted it returned to Gorey on the 21st, and on finding no officer of the army, as was expected, to command there, they, with many others who returned along with them, scoured the country round, and killed great num- bers in their houses, besides all the stragglers they met, most of whom were making the best of their way home unarmed from the insurgents, who were then believed to be totally discomfited. These transactions being made known to the great l - of the insurgents encamped at Peppard’s Castle on ti. 22nd, they resolved to retaliate, and directly marched for Gorey, whither they had other- wise no intention of proceeding. The yeomen and their associates, whose conduct had been so conspicuous on the day before, made some show of resistance, having pro- ceeded some little distance outside the town as it were boldly to meet the force coming against them ; but upon the near approach of the insurgents, they fled back with the utmost precipitation ; and thence, accompanied by a great many others, hastened toward Arklow, but were pursued as far as Coolgreney, with the loss of forty-seven men. The insurgents had been exasperated to this ven- geance by discovering through the country as they came along, several dead men with their skulls split asunder, their bowels ripped open, and their throats cut across, besides some dead women and children : they even met the dead bodies of two women, about which the surviv- ing children were creeping, and bewailing them, poor in- nocents ! with piteous cries ! These sights hastened the insurgent force to Gorey, where their exasperation was considerably augmented by discovering the bodies of nine men, who had been hanged the day before, devour- ing by pigs in the streets, others recently shot, and some still expiring. After the return of the insurgents from the pursuit, several persons were found lurking in the town and brought before Mr. Fitzgerald, particularly Mr. Tip- 208 HISTORY OF THE pard, sovereign of Gorey; but from this gentleman’s age and respectability, he was considered incapable of being accessary to the perpetration of the horrid cruelty which provoked and prompted this sudden revenge, and he and others were saved, protected, and set at liberty. At this critical time the news of the burning of Mr. Fitzgerald’s house, haggard, and malt-houses, by which he lost several thousand pounds, arrived ; and, had the smallest seed of rancour or cruelty existed in the mind of such a sufferer, he might have so far felt it on this occasion as not to restrain the insurgents from extermi- nating Gorey, which they were loudly proclaiming as a just retaliation for the devastation committed on so great a favourite of the people. The magnanimity and for- bearance of Mr. Fitzgerald at sc frying a crisis are truly remarkable, as, forgetful of such *reat personal injury, he exerted his utmost endeavours to restrain the insur- gents, vociferating vengeance for his wrongs, and suc- ceeded in leading them off from Gorey ; when after a slight repast, they resumed their intended route, rested that night at the White-heaps on Croghan mountain, and on the 23d set off for the mountains of Wicklow. General Lake with some other general officers re- mained for some time in Wexford. The gaol of this town was now immensely crowded, as almost every one of the principal inhabitants were taken up and arraigned for treason. Many of them, however, were acquitted upon trial, which was by court-martial, and the greater number received protections, according to Lord Corn- wallis’s proclamation. Captain Keugh had remained at Lord Kingsborough’s lodgings, and after the surrender of the town two sentinels were placed on him there for two days, when he was removed to the gaol. Mr. Cor- nelius Grogan was taken at his seat in Johnstown, where he had remained, unconscious of any danger until con- ducted to prison. Mr. Bagnal Harvey had gone to his residence at Bargy Castle, having no conception that the terms agreed upon with Lord Kingsborough would not be ratified. Indeed, so confident was he of the contrary, that he sent some fat cattle into Wexford for the use of the army ; but learning from the messenger who drove them thither, that no conditions whatever would be ob- IRISH REBELLION. 209 tained, he hastened with the fatal news to Mr. Col- clough. This gentleman had previously taken his wife and child to one of the Saltee islands, where he thought to have weathered out the storm of the angry time in a cave, into which he had gone for concealment. Thither Mr. Harvey now also resorted ; but they were all soon discovered, and the news of their being taken arrived in Wexford while they were being conveyed round to the harbour in a boat. This attracted a great number of people to the quay, curious to see them brought in, and amidst this concourse Mr. Harvey and Mr. Colclough and his lady were landed. The gentlemen were then led through the gazing multitude to the gaol, where they were confined in the condemned cells. •A court-martial was instituted for the trial of pri- soners on charges of treason. The Rev. Philip Roche was the first tried and condemned by this tribunal. Captain Keugli was the next put on his trial, at which he made a very able defence ; but was also condemned. The entrance of the wooden bridge was the scene fixed on for the place of execution. The sufferers were hauled up with pulleys; made fast with ropes to an ornamental iron arch, intended for lamps, and springing from the two wooden piers of the gate next the town. The large stature of the Rev. Philip Roche caused the first rope he was hauled up with to break ; but another was soon procured, and his life was ended with double torture. The head of Captain Keugh who suffered along with him, was separated from his body, and conspicuously placed on a pike over the front of the court-house. Their bodies, together with those of others executed at the same time, were stripped, and treated with the utmost brutality and indecency, previous to their being thrown over the bridge. Mr. Grogan was brought to trial on the 26th, but the evidence which he hoped to obtain of his innocence did not attend, on account of the general apprehension that prevailed. Ilis trial was therefore postponed, and he was remanded to gaol. Mr. Harvey was then put on his trial, which lasted for the best part of the day, and ended in his condemnation. Mr. Grogan’s trial was then resumed ; but this he did not expect until the next day, 210 HISTORY OF THE and consequently he had not been able to procure all the necessary evidence. It was indeed proved that he was forced to join the insurgents, but this did not prevent a sentence of his conviction : such was the idea enter- tained at the time of the necessity of public example ! The condemnation of these gentlemen was afterwards confirmed by the Irish parliament, which passed an act of attainder against them, and a confiscation of their properties ; notwithstanding that, on parliamentary in- quiry into the merits of the proceedings, it was clearly proved, that the court-martial had not been even sworn : so that although their condemnation and the confiscation of their properties be sanctioned by law, yet the justice of the process is very questionable, and the investigation of it will employ the pens of future historians, particu- larly in the case of Mr. Grogan, who was undoubtedly sacrificed to the temper of the times. On the 27th, Messrs. Harvey, Grogan, and Patrick Prendergast, a rich malster in Wexford, were ordered out to execution. When Mr. Harvey was brought out of his cell he met Mr. Grogan in the gaol-yard, and accosted him in a feel- ing, affectionate manner: while shaking- hands with him he said, in the presence of an officer and some of the guards, and in the hearing of several prisoners who had crowded to the windows. “ Ah !’* poor Grogan, you die an innocent man at all events!” They were then con- ducted to the bridge, where they were hanged, when the heads of Messrs. Grogan and Harvey were cut off and placed upon pikes on each side of that of Captain Keugh ; while their bodies and that of Mr. Prendergast were stript and treated with the utmost brutal indecen- cies, before being cast over the bridge ! Mr. Colclough was brought out to trial on the same day, and con- demned. On the next day he was executed, but his body, at the intercession of his lady, was given up to her to be interred. Mr. John Kelly, of Killan, whose cou- rage and intrepidity had been so conspicuous at the battle of Ross, now lay ill in Wexford, of a wound which he had received in that engagement : he was taken pri- soner from his bed, tried and condemned to die, and brought on a car to the place of execution. His head was cut off, and his body, after the accustomed indigni- IRISH REBELLION. 21 1 ties, was thrown over the bridge. The head, however, was reserved for other exhibition. It was first kicked about on the Custom -house quay, and then brought up into the town, thrown up and treated in the same man- ner opposite the house in which his sister lodged, in order that she might view this new and savage game of foot-ball, of which when the players were tired, the head was placed in the exalted situation to which it had been condemned — above that of Captain Keugh, over the door of the court-house. On the 28th, General Lake quitted Wexford, leaving the command there to General Hunter, whose conduct must ever be remembered with gratitude by the people, as, on several occasions, he checked the persecuting spirit of the gentry and yeomanry : and this contributed much more than severity, or any other mode could pos- sibly do, to induce the people to surrender their arms, take out protections, and return to their homes in peace. This desirable object would not have been so happily accomplished had he not interposed his authority so far, as to threaten some gentlemen with punishment, whose habitual zeal and mode of keeping the country quiet, lie totally disapproved of, as he did not wish to see the people againj roused by the continuance of their exer- tions. Brigadier- general Grose was stationed, under the command of General Hunter, at Enniscorthy, where he was distinguished for his pacific conduct. The first and Coldstream regiments of guards were providentially placed in Itoss, under the command of General Gascoigne, and their conduct there must be ever recorded to their immortal honour, as exhibiting true principles of justice and philanthropy — stepping in between the people and their oppressors, who were not only restrained in their career of persecution, but even shamed into compliance with the system of pacification. Many were released from prison after the severest treatment ; and on in- quiry into their cases, nothing could be alleged against them. They were consequently discharged ; it being evident that their confinement had been most unwar- rantable, and to be accounted for, only as a part of the dreadful system of tyranny and oppression which pre- ceded and produced so many evil consequences. 212 HISTORY OF THE This is strongly exemplified in the case of Doctor Healy. This gentlemen was a native of Ross, and had practised as a physician for some years in Wexford, whence he was on his way, on Whitsunday, to his native town, and stopping at Healthfield, the seat of Mr. John Grogan, he found that the latter wanted horses for some of his corps of yeoman, to conduct Sergeant Stanley to Waterford. The doctor then dismounted his servant, and gave the horse he rode to Mr. Grogan for the pur- pose required ; and pursued his journey to Ross, where all his relations resided. Some of those who abandoned Wexford on the 28th of May, coming afterwards to Ross, had the inhumanity to get Doctor Healy confined, and the prevailing torture of whipping inflicted on him. His life was consequently endangered, and he continued to experience the most brutal treatment, and was in con- stant terror of being put to death, until relieved, along with many others, all of whom appeared perfectly inno- cent, upon inquiry into their situation ; and it is natural to suppose that their enemies would have come forward to accuse them, if they had any charge to make, were it only to give some colour of justice to their conduct, which appeared eminently tyrannical to the officers of the guards, who had no idea that such transactions could have taken place in any country. I am induced to insert the following circumstance from Mr. Alexander’s account, as he was not liable to be imposed on, in this instance, by any misrepresenta- tion : — “Corporal Morgan of the first regiment of guards, observing a country-protected rebel, whose house was burned for his crime, drop down at the word of command, upon his knees to the gentleman who had burned his house, ran hastly to the fellow and lifted him off his knees, exclaiming, 4 Get up, you mean-spirited boor, and do not prostrate yourself to any being but your God : surely, you do not mistake this man for that being?* ‘ Sir, ’ replied the gentleman, ‘he shall go on his knees tome as he ought.’ ‘No, sir,’ returned the corporal, ‘ he shall not ; at least in my presence, and while I have the honour of being in the king’s guards. We give the king but one knee, and that the left ; reserving the right knee, as well as the honour of both for God, and I tell IRISH REBELLION. 213 you to your fiery phiz, (whether you believe me or not,) that you are neither a god nor a king, nor shall you re- ceive the honour of either.’ This was a young man of good education, and in the same Latin class with me, at the late Rev. Mr. Wesley’s academy at King’s-wood, near Bristol. He was the son of an eminent Methodist preacher.” The conduct of those commanders last mentioned was such as to induce the people to flock in with the greatest confidence to procure protections ; and the country under their benign influence soon assumed quite another ap- pearance. Had the county of Wexford enjoyed the blessing of being ruled by such men previous to the in- surrection, I am fully persuaded that no disturbance would have taken place there ; and it is to be regretted that they did not continue longer in command than they did, as on their departure former influence so far pre- vailed as to exhibit a tendency to persecution, by resum- ing, as much as possible, their former conduct, which dare not be attempted when properly checked and under due restraint. General Needham commanded in Gorey, and different other officers were stationed at Taghmon and Ferns to grant protections. Although I meant to confine myself in this narrative to what happened in the county of Wexford, yet it might be considered defective, did I not relate what afterwards took place, until the warfare of the Wexford-men was closed by surrender in the county of Kildare, under Messrs. Fitzgerald and Aylmer. The insurgents who passed west of the Slaney, under the conduct of the Rev. John Murphy, directed their march to get into the county of Carlow through Scol- laghgap. Here they met with some opposition from a small body of troops placed there to oppose the passage. These, however, they soon overpowered, and burning the village of Killedmond on the Carlow side of the pass, they continued their march to Newbridge, where they arrived on the morning of the 23d, and quickly defeat- ing a party of horse and foot stationed on the bridge to prevent their passing it, they took twenty-eight of the Wexford militia, part of the force there stationed, but the cavalry hastily retreated to Kilkenny. From this 214 HISTORY OF THE town Sir Charles Asgill immediately set out to meet the insurgents at Newbridge, but was too late, as they had moved off towards Castlecpmer, in expectation of being joined by the colliers, from whom they expected con- siderable assistance. On the 24th, the insurgents pro- ceeded from the Ridge of Leinster, on which they rested the night before, to attack Castlecomer. Near this town they met a party of about two hundred and fifty men, whom they obliged to retreat precipitately before them into the body of the place. A thick fog, however, pre- vented them from observing the great inferiority of their opponents, and this, added to the town being on fire, (of which each party accuses the other,) also prevented their observing the approach of Sir Charles Asgill, (who had moved after them with a large military force,) until they began to be raked with grape shot from his artil- lery. This surprise forced the insurgents, with great loss, to quit their enterprize, the Wexford militia pri- soners being retaken from them ; but still Sir C. Asgill thought it prudent to retreat that evening back to Kil- kenny, accompanied by a vast number of the inhabi- tants of Castlecomer, which, by-the-bye, was instantly after taken possession of again and plundered by the in- surgents. After this they pushed on to the. Queen’s County, where they remained that night, and finding themselves greatly disappointed in not being joined by the inhabitants, and their own body being considerably weakened by desertion, they resolved to return home to the county of Wexford. They accordingly directed their course to Newbridge, and encamped that night on Kilcomney Hill, where they were surrounded during the night of the 25th by a large military force, consisting of about five hundred of the Downshire militia, commanded by Major Matthews, who pursued them from Castle- comer, having first notified his intention to Sir Charles Asgill at Kilkenny, who accordingly set out from that place at the head of twelve hundred men, and arrived time enough to co-operate in the attack. A very thick fog prevented the insurgents from being sensible of their situation on the morning of the 26th, until they expe- rienced a severe discharge of cannon on one side, which made them shift their ground a little; but on receiving IRISH REBELLION. 215 a second salute of the same kind from another quarter, the rout became general ; and they fled with great pre- cipitancy : indeed, they must have been entirely cut off, had not the horsemen that were among them rallied, and prevented the cavalry from pursuit ; in which dangerous service they displayed great courage and intrepidity. The slaughter, however, proved very great ; but it is lamentable that the greater part of the slain on this occasion were the people of the adjacent country, who had not at all joined the insurgents, nor left their houses ; and great depredations in the way of plunder were also committed on all who happened to be placed near the scene of action. This body of Wexford insurgents, after again forcing their passage back through Scollagh-gap, against some troops who endeavoured to oppose them, never made its appearance again, as the people dispersed and retired to their several homes, except a very few who joined their associates in the county of Wicklow. The other body of Wexford insurgents which had pro- ceeded, as before observed, after the attack upon Gorey, as far as the White-heaps, in the county of Wicklow, set off on the morning of the 23d toward the lead-mines. While resting in a posture of defence on an eminence near this place, they perceived a body of troops in the hollow beneath, and these fired some bomb-shells at them from the opposite side of a river. The insurgents having no cannon, retreated toward Monaseed, where they halted part of that night, and arrived on the morning of the 24th at Donard, which they found deserted. Here they waited for some time for refreshment, and then moved toward Glanmullen, where they met a small party of cavalry, who fled at their approach. They found the village of Aughrim laid waste, and many dead bodies bearing marks of cruelty. From this place they pro- ceeded to Blessington, and although their manner mostly was to rest as much as possible by day, and march dur- ing the night, to avoid the pursuit of a body of cavalry that was observed to follow them, and which generally appeared in view, they, however, encamped this night at Ballymanus, where, uniting their forces with those of Mr. Garret Byrne, the whole moved, on the morning of the 25th, toward Hacketstown, before which they ap- 216 HISTORY OF THE peared about seven o’clock in the morning. The mili- tary were drawn up in a small field outside the town, ready to receive them ; but they were forced to give way, after the loss of Captain Hardy and four privates of the Hacketstown yeoman infantry, while the pikemen of the insurgents were wading across the river to attack the place on all sides. The cavalry retreated, and kept aloof during the remainder of the action ; but the in- fantry, consisting of about one hundred and seventy men, retired into the barrack, and a malt-house adjoining it, from which their fire did great execution, as did that from the house of the Rev. Mr. M‘Ghee, who defended it with uncommon bravery, his force consisting of nine men only ; but whose galling fire had the greater effect, as it commanded the main street, and also that part of the barrack which was thought most vulnerable. This the insurgents endeavoured several times to set fire to, as they had before to the rest of the town ; but all in vain. At length they made a desperate effort to accom- plish their purpose. A few men proceeded up to the building, under the cover of feather beds and matted straw, fastened on cars : but they were only successful in obliging the military to abandon the malt-house, and could not by any means get possession of the barrack or of Mr. M‘ Ghee’s house, both so situated as to support each other. The insurgents at last deeming it imprac- ticable to effect their design without cannon, of which they had not a single piece, retreated from the place, after an action of nine hours, in which they had lost great numbers ; carrying off their wounded, and driving before them all the cattle from about the town, they en- camped that night at Blessington. The loss of the gar- rison was but ten killed, and twenty wounded ; however, they thought it most prudent to abandon the place, which they did, and retreated that evening to Tullow, in the county of Carlow. During the engagement, it is said that a considerable force of cavalry and infantry stood on a hill at a small distance, in view of the scene of ac- tion, but did not venture to join in the battle. Disappointed by the repulse at Hacketstown, the re- maining Wexford insurgents, in conjunction with their Wicklow associates, directed their march towards Car- IRISH REBELLION. 217 new, which they were resolved if possible to carry ; but General Needham, being informed of their approach, detached a strong body of infantry, and about two hun- dred cavalry from his camp at Gorey, to intercept them. The cavalry alone, however, as the infantry were re- called, came up with the insurgents on the road to Car- new. These, feigning a retreat, having timely notice of their approach, suffered the cavalry to pass until they brought them into an ambuscade, where their gunsmen were placed on both sides of the way, behind the ditches, to receive them. At the first discharge they were utterly confounded, and being unable to give their opponents any annoyance, they attempted to retreat in great haste towards Carnew. But here they had to encounter ano- ther part of the plan of ambush ; for the insurgents, rightly conjecturing that when foiled they would at- temptgetting off in that direction, had blocked up the road with cars and other incumbrances, they were for some time exposed to the fire of the insurgents, and lost about eighty of their number, among whom were two officers, Captain Giffard, of the Ancient Britons, and Mr. Parsons, adjutant of the Ballaghkeen cavalry : the rest effected their retreat to Arklow. The detachment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Pulestone of the An- cient Britons, of whom twenty were among the slain. The animosity of the people against this regiment, which they charge with being guilty of great excesses, may be instanced in the case of a black trumpeter belonging to it who fell into their hands alive on this occasion. When seized upon, this man loudly declared that he was a Ro- man Catholic, and besought them to spare him for the sake of his religion ; but his deeds with which he was upbraided were too recent and too notorious, and lie ob- tained no quarter. The insurgents lost not a single man in this action ; but they were foiled in their design upon Carnew, the garrison of which, being alarmed by the re- treating cavairy, had just time to secure themselves in a malt-house before the approach of the insurgents, who, after an ineffectual attack, marched off to Ivillcavan Hill. On the 2d of July, as the insurgents began to move toward Shillelagh, they were pursued by a body of yeo- men, cavalry and infantry, before whom they retired to N 218 HISTORY OF THE an eminence called Ballyralieen Hill. Here they took post, but as the yeomen moved up the hill, the insur- gents poured upon them with such impetuosity and ve- hemence, that they were in an instant totally discomfited, with the loss of seventy privates and two officers, all in- fantry, for none of the cavalry fell. The officers were Captain Chamney of the Coolatin, and Captain Nixon of the Coolkenna corps ; besides, numbers were wounded. Sixty privates, under Captain Moreton of the Tinahely, and Lieutenant Chamney of the Coolattin yeomen, re- treated into Captain Chamney’s house at the foot of the hill, whither they were pursued by the insurgents, who continued do attack them all night, but they were re- sisted with the utmost bravery and coolness, and at length repulsed with considerable loss, to which it is pro- bable the light afforded by a house adjoining, that of Mr. Henry Moreton, (which had been set on fire by the in- surgents in their frenzy,) contributed not a little, as it enabled those within to aim with precision at the assail- ants. It was several times attempted to fire the house, by approaching the door under the cover of feather beds, which proved unsuccessful. The Wexford insurgents next fixed their station near the White-heaps, at the foot of Croghan-mountain ; from whence they moyed during the night of the 4th, toward Wicklow-gap, but were met on the morning of the 5th by the army under Sir James Duff from Carnew ; and after some salutes from the artillery, they were obliged to take another direction, and turned toward Gorey. But the fact is, that they were surrounded by four powerful detachments, before they could perceive the approach of any, in consequence of a fog so dense that it was impos- sible to distinguish objects at the distance of twenty-yards; and finding themselves unable to withstand a battle, they broke through the pursuing cavalry of Sir James Duff’s army, of whom they slew about eighty; and moved wi.tli great celerity in the direction of Carnew. But upon their arrival at a place called Craneford, by others Baily- gullen, they resolved to make resistance and await the approach of the troops however numerous, although their own force was by this time considerably diminished. They however maintained the contest for an hour and a half, IRISH REBELLION. 219 displaying the greatest valour, and most intrepid reso- lution ; having repulsed the cavalry, and driven the artil- lery men three times from their cannon, all performed by the gunsmen ; for the pikemen, as on former occasions, never came into action ; but fresh reinforcements of the army, pouring in on all sides, they were obliged to give way, quitting the field of battle with little loss to them- selves, and notwithstanding all their fatigue, retreating, with their usual agility and swiftness, in different directions; but agreed among themselves to assemble again at Carrigrew. A party of these refugees were met by the Iiev. Peter Browne, dean of Ferns, who was suf- fered to pass, and he instantly posted to Ferns, to inform the King’s County militia, quartered there, of the route of the flying insurgents. The military accordingly set out, with ail speed, on the pursuit, and killed such of the straggling iieasantry as they met or came up to without mercy. The insurgents thus harrassed and hunted, thought it advisable, upon meeting at Carrigrew, to disperse, and this put an end to the warfare in the county of Wexford. A party of insurgents in the county of Kildare, under the command of Mr. William Aylmer, still held out in arms, and thither the remaining body of the Wexford men, commanded by Mr. Fitzgerald, accompanied by Mr. Garret Byrne, and some Wicklow men, directed their course to form a junction, which they accordingly effected. This associated force moved from Prosperous to Clonard, where they met a most determined and suc- cessful resistance from Lieutenant Tyrrel, a yeoman offi- cer, who, with his corps, had occupied a fortified house in the town. These delayed the assailants until reinforce- ments arrived from Kinnegad and Mullingar, when they were forced to give up the enterprize. After this repulse, the few remaining Wexford-men separated from their Wicklow associates, whom they deemed less warlike than themselves, and made different incursions into the counties of Kildare, Meath, Louth, and Dublin, eluding, as well as they could, the pursuit of the army, with different parties of which they had frequent skirmishes. The night of the repulse at Donard, they committed some depredations in the village of Car- 220 HISTORY OF THE bery, in the county of Kildare. On the next day, pur- sued by different parties of military, they marched into the county of Meath, where they were overtaken and put to flight by Colonel Gough, commanding a detach- ment of the county of Limerick militia from Edenderry. After this, two of their leaders, Mr. Perry and the Rev. Mr. Kearns, endeavouring to make their escape by them- selves, were taken, tried, and condemned by court- martial, and executed at Edenderry. Unable to effect any thing in the county of Meath, the Wexford-men crossed the Boyne, near Duleek, into the county of Louth, where, being pursued from place to place, they made a most gallant resistance to the cavalty of Major- general Wemys and Brigadier-general Meyrick, who overtook them between the town of Ardee and the Boyne ; but the infantry and artillery coming up, they were defeated with some loss, and fled into an adjoining bog, where they were secure from pursuit. In the night, a small party set off toward Ardee, and dispersed, each as he best could, making way by devious and circuitous routes homeward. The remaining body repassed the Boyne, and, with their usual celerity, were on the direct road toward Dublin, when intercepted by Captain Gor- don, of the Dumfries light dragoons, at the head of a strong party of horse and foot, at Bally boghill, near Swords, where they were finally put to the rout, and were never more collected. Some Wexford insurgents, however, remained with Mr. Fitzgerald, along with Mr. Aylmer, who as outstand- ing chiefs negociated with General Dundas, to whom they surrendered on the 12th of July, on condition that all the other leaders who had adventured with them, should be at liberty to retire whither they pleased out of the British dominions. The same terms were after- wards secured by General Moore to Mr. Garret Byrne, who was sent into confinement in the castle of Dublin, together with Messrs. Fitzgerald and Aylmer. Here they continued until the beginning of 1799, when Lord Cornwallis permitted them to retire to England, where they remained until the 25th of March following, when Messrs. Fitzgerald and Byrne were arrested at Bristol (where they were for the recovery of their health,) at IRISH REBELLION. 221 the instance of persons connected with a strong Irish party for the union, whom it was thought at that time advisable to indulge. These gentlemen afterwards retired to Hamburgh. Messrs. Aylmer, Fitzgerald, and other outstanding chiefs surrendered, conditioning for themselves and others, by which they fared much better than those who laid down their arms in Wexford, depending on the faithful fulfilment of the terms entered into with Lord Kingsborough. * General Lake, previous to his departure from Wexford, appoinied a committee to superintend prosecutions, and to grant passes to leave the country, consisting of the principal gentlemen then resident there. The appropriate duty of this body was, to inquire specially into the cases of such prisoners as they should hand over to be tried by court-martial, to procure the evidence for prosecution, and to commit different persons to gaol. It was not, however, deemed necessary to send a committal to the gaoler, as the word of any of them was considered suffi- cient for the detention of any of those given in custody ; and they were also to act as a kind of council to General Hunter, whose benevolent disposition they thwarted on several occasions ; and this was so well known, that many upon being put into confinement, were induced by their apprehensions to petition for transportation, rather than abide a trial under their direction. The tyrannical, unjust, and inhuman disposition of this body is strongly exemplified in their unwarrantable treatment of many besides myself, which I have endeavoured to detail in my preliminary discourse. Different court-martials were instituted in Ross, En niscorthy, Gorey, and JSTewtownbarry, and several per- sons were condemned and executed, and others were sentenced to transportation. Among those who were condemned to be executed, I cannot avoid noticing the case of the Rev. John Redmond, a Catholic priest, who it seems, during the insurrection, had done all in his power to save the house of Lord Mountnorris from being plundered, which he in some degree effected, but not at all to the extent of his wishes. Lord Mountnorris, how- ever, to prevent the possibility of his being supposed by 222 HISTORY OF THE any one in future a friend to Catholics, sent for Mr. Redmond, upon finding that he was present at the plun- dering of his house, desiring that he would come to him directly. The reverend gentleman, conscious of his own integrity, and apprehensive of no danger, as involved in no guilt, obeyed the summons without hesitation ; but his instantaneous, hasty trial, condemnation, and execution were the reward of his humane and generous exertions. His body, after death, underwent the most indecent mu- tilations. But to put this innocent man’s conduct in its proper point of view, I do not think I can do better than the Rev. Mr. Gordon, a Protestant clergyman, has done in his history of the Irish rebellion. “ Of the rebellious conduct of Redmond, coadjutor to Father Francis Kavanagh, in the Parish of Clough, of which I was twenty-three years curate, I can 'find no other proof than the sentence of the court-martial which consigned him to death. He was accused by the Earl of Mountnorris of having appeared as chief among a party of rebels who committed some depredations at his lord- ship’s house, while he alleged that his object in appear- ing on the occasion was, to endeavour to prevent the plundering of the house, in which he had partly suc- ceeded. Coming into Gorey on a message from the earl, seemingly unapprehensive of danger and unconscious of guilt, he was treated as if manifestly guilty before trial — knocked down in the street, and rudely dragged by some yeomen. I mean not to arraign the justice of the noble lord, his prosecutor, nor the members of the court- martial. The former, who had rendered himself in no small degree responsible for the loy alty of the Wexfordian Romanists, had doubtless good reasons for his conduct ; and the latter could have no personal animosity against the accused, nor other unfavourable bias than what na- turally arose from the turbid state of affairs, when accu- sation against a Romish priest was considered as a strong presumption of guilt. But his Protestant neighbours who had not been able to escape from the rebels, assured me that while the latter were in possession of the coun- try, he was constantly hiding in Protestant houses from the rebels, and that many Romanists expressed great re- sentment against him as a traitor to their cause. That he IRISH REBELLION. 223 expected not the rebellion to be successful, appears from this, that when the wife of Nathaniel Stedman (one of my Protestant parishioners) applied to him to baptize her child, he told her that he acceded to her request, merely lest the child should die unbaptized, in the necessary ab- sence of her minister, on condition that she should pro- mise to make the proper apology for him to me, on my return to the parish.” It is a melancholy reflection to think how many inno- cent persons were condemned. I have heard of numbers, of whose innocence the smallest doubt cannot be enter- tained, whose conduct merited reward instead of punish- ment ; yet they fell victims to the purest sentiments of philanthropy, which dictated their inference : these have been perverted by their enemies, who are also those of the human race, into crimes utterly unpardonable. Is this anything less than arraigning benevolence and hu- manity, the most amiable qualities of the soul of man, as criminaljand atrocious ? But every man’s breast, what- ever be his principles, will tell him with irresistible force, that crime and atrocity lie at the other side. From per- sonal knowledge of the circumstances, I knew five or six who were innocent of the charges and of the deeds sworn against them, and who still were condemned and executed. In these turbid and distracted times, I have seen persons sunk so much below the level of human nature, that I do believe they were not capable of judg- ment or recollection ; which accounts to me in some de- gree for the various assertions, even testimonies on trials, and affidavits made by different persons, who might as well relate their dreams for facts. The dreadful preju- dice, hateful as uncharitable, entertained against Catho- lics, has also occasioned the death of many ; and the general excuse and impunity of Protestants, who joined in the insurrection, has induced many to avail themselves of this favourable circumstance to change with the times ; and to testify their loyalty, they accuse the very persons they themselves seduced to join the association of united Irishmen, and thus cut of all the existing proof of their own delinquency by a consummation of villainy. The loyalizing spirit, if I may be allowed the expression, has done a vast deal of mischief ; for those in the predi- 224 HISTORY OF THE cament last mentioned are unprincipled turn-coats in re- ligion, who scruple not to throw out every calumnious aspersion upon that which they have not only forsaken but abandoned, in order, if possible, to impress an idea of the ^sincerity of their conversion in embracing the other. Vain effort — it only exposes the hypocritical apostacy in either case to the dignified contempt of every intelligent and principled man. I know two Pro- testant gentlemen, who, if they had been Catholics, would not have escaped at this critical time. They also attribute the saving of their lives to gambling, of the good effects of which I never before heard an instance. However, certain it is that these gentlemen had lost some money at play, previous to the insurrection, which luckily for them had not been paid at that period ; and the gal- lant heroes who were the honourable creditors on the occasion, and who were eminently active in suppressing the rebellion, humanely considered that none of the debt could be recovered if the two gentlemen were hanged, and, therefore, they suffered their interest to work upon their mercy, which operated to the procurement of par- don and release for the gentlemen in question, as well as the consequent payment of these debts of honour. I know the two gentlemen well, and have often heard them re- late this adventure, which is deemed to have preserved two fine fellows. Mr. E. Kyan, whose courage and humanity deserved a better fate, was taken near Wexford, on his return home in the night, tried, condemned, and executed the next day ; tor although manifest proofs appeared of his hu- manity and interference, so conspicuously effectual on the bridge of Wexford, on the 20tli of June, yet this was insufficient to save him, as he had arms about him when apprehended. His fate is the more lamentable, as Mr. Fitzgerald, on surrendering to General Dundas, had secured the same terms for Mr. Kyan as for himself; so that had any circumstance interfered to delay his execu- tion for some time, the life of a brave man would have been saved. General Hunter was indefatigable in his exertions to appease the minds of the people, and to restore confidence and tranquillity to this distracted country. In this he IRISH REBELLION. 225 was very materially assisted by the address and exertions of Captain Fitzgerald, who by the special appointment of the British government, was attached as a proper person to attend the general as brigade-major on the service in Ireland : and to this station, besides his ac- knowledged military talents, a recent display of courage, independent of his knowledge of the country, certainly recommended him. He was even invested with the extraordinary privilege of recommending such as he thought deserving of the protection and mercy of go- vernment. Some principal gentlemen of the county and others besides attempted to interpose their authority to super- sede the tenor of the general pardon held out by procla- mation, pursuing the same line of arbitrary conduct which they practised previous to the insurrection. They even proceeded to such a length as presuming to tear some of the protections which the country-people had obtained ; but this coming to the general’s knowledge, he soon quieted them by threatening to have them tied to a cart’s tail and whipped. Others had been rash enough to levy arbi- trary contributions for the losses they had sustained during the insurrection ; but were glad upon discovery, and refunding what they had received, to escape punish- ment, which favour was generally obtained through the intercession of Major Fitzgerald. Even a beneficed clergyman of the Established Church partook of the ge- neral’s indulgence. Another who was but a curate was induced to wait on the general with an account of the intended massacre of the Protestants, which he detailed with appearance of the utmost alarm, and was patiently heard out, with the greatest complacency by the gene- ral ; who when the curate had ended, addressed him with this marked appellation and strong language : — “ Mr . Massacre , if you do not prove to me the circumstances you have related, I shall get you punished in the most exemplary manner, for raising false alarms, which have already proved so destructive to this unfortunate coun- try.” The curate’s alarm now from general became per- personal, and on allowing that his fears had been excited by vague report to make his representation, his piteous supplication, and apparently hearty contrition, procured 226 HISTORY OF THE him forgiveness. Many and various were the represen- tations of a similar tendency, made to General Hunter, which other commanders were led to believe, hut which his superior discrimination deemed false and groundless, and were discovered so to be in several instances, by the activity and acumen of his brigade-major. Annesley Brownrigg, Esq. a magistrate of the county of Wexford, received nine-and-thirty-charges of pillage and slaughter against Mr. Hunter Go wan ; and on the informations being submitted to General Hunter, he sent out a party of the Mid-Lothian cavalry to conduct him prisoner to Wexford, whither he was brought according- ly, and there it was determined to bring him to trial. Mr. Brownrigg returned home, in the meantime, to col- lect the evidence but it was previously settled that he should have sufficient notice ; but on the day appointed for the trial, no prosecutor attending, Mr. Go wan of course was discharged. An official letter had been dis- patched in due time, yet he did not receive it until it was a day too late. Whether the miscarriage of the letter was by accident or design, continues yet a secret. The various outrages that were committed in the coun- try, prevented vast numbers from coming into the quar- ters of the several commaning officers to obtain protec- tions, as many of the yeomen and their supplementaries continued the system of deflagration and shooting such of the peasantry as they met ; and this necessarily de- terred many from exposing themselves to their view, and prevented of course the humane and benevolent inten- tions of General Hunter from having due weight or ex- tensive effect. The melancholy consequences of such a system of terror, persecution, and alarm, were very near being wofully experienced in a shocking instance of dreadful severity — the extermination of all the inhabitants of a large tract of the county of Wexford. This was ac- tually determined on, and the execution of it already planned and concerted, when its horrid perpetration was providentially prevented by the timely and happy inter- vention of Brigade-major Fitzgerald, under the direction and orders of General Hunter. Incessant applications and remonstrances were made by different magistrates in Gorey and its vicinity to government, complaining that IRISH REBELLION. 227 an entire quarter of the county of Wexford, extending from Courtown to Blackwater, which range of country is denominated the Macomores, was infested with con- stant meetings of rebels; and no means were left untried to prevent travellers from proceeding to Wexford in that direction without escorts ; and many persons whose ha- bitations lay in the neighbourhood of this district left their homes deserted, from a belief that another rising of the people was inevitable ; and it was daily expected to take place ; nay, the reports laid before government were even confirmed by affidavits; and so generally was it believed, that persons resident within two miles of the confines presumed not to inquire into the veracity of the reports, to which, however, they gave implicit credit ; while, at the same time they were accredited by govern- ment, to whom they were handed in under the specious, imposing, and solemn appearance of facts by a magistracy that should be deliberate, grave, and respectable ; and the noble viceroy who then held the helm of the govern- ment was rendered justly indignant by these reiterated complaints of the abuse of his clemency, on the repre- sented imminent danger of the country. Orders were accordingly sent to the different generals and other com- manding officers in and contiguous to the devoted tract, to form a line along its extent on the western border, and at both ends, north and south, on the land side, so as to leave no resource to the wretched inhabitants throughout its whole range, but to be slaughtered by the soldiery, or to be driven into the sea, as it is bounded by the channel on the eastward. Even women and children were to be included in this horrid plan of terrific exam- ple. The chief command in execution of this measure, the time for its commencement, and the final determina- tion of its necessity were" entrusted to the discretion of General Hunter, nor was the confidence, indeed, mis- placed. He was himself, with the second or queen’s, and the twenty-ninth regiments of infantry, together with the Mid-Lothian fencible cavalry, stationed in Wex- ford ; Brigadier-general Grose was with the South Cork militia at Enniscorthy ; Lord Blaney commanded the camp at Eerns, composed of the light brigades : Briga- dier-general Skerret with his regiment of foot in Gorey ; 228 HISTORY OF THE and General Eustace with his brigade at Arklow. These together with the general assistance of all the yeomanry corps throughout the country, were to form the cordon round the country of the Macomores, and the troops were to move at once to the dreadful expedition. So terrify- ing were the reports at this crisis, that_even some liberal hut timid and credulous minds approved of these melan- choly means of sacrificing thousands, (that tract being very populous) as the only effectual resource for restor- ing tranquillity ! General Hunter, through the honest exertions and bold scrutiny of Major Fitzgerald, fortunately discovered in time the inhuman tendency of the misrepresentation that had dictated and determined this shocking enter- prise. The devoted victims found access to the general, and he cheerfully acceded to their entreaties to send an officer to inquire into their complaints, imploring pro- tection from the incursions of the black mob, (they thus denominated the supplementaries to the different corps of yeomanry,) who wreaked their vengeance even upon those who had received protections from General Need- ham at Gorey ; as different parties of the soldiery and yeomanry waited their return in ambush, and slaught- ered every one they could overtake ! This naturally prevented great numbers from coming in for protections. Afterwards these sanguinary banditti made incursions into the country, fired into the houses of the peasantry, and so killed and wounded many. Several houses after being plundered were burned, and the booty was brought into Gorey. By the frequency of these horrible excesses and depredations such houses as remained unburned were of course crowded with several families ; and this multi- plied the number of victims at each succeeding incursion. At last most of the inhabitants of necessity took refuge on the hills, and armed themselves with every offensive weapon they could procure. The elevation of their re- treats necessarily made their assemblages conspicuous, and this afforded some colour to the pretext for desola- tion, as it appeared a specious proof that a general rising was intended ; and this was most strenuously urged by those who seemed bent on the extermination of the un- fortunate inhabitants of the Macomores territory, so as IRISH REBELLION. 229 to work upon the minds of some well-disposed but timid persons an approval of the dreadful expedient. General Hunter, however, having, along with his general orders, a discretionary power to act as circumstances might re- quire, sent Major Fitzgerald to inspect the different military corps that were to be in readiness for the enter - prise, in case his mission, for the purpose of conciliation proved unsuccessful ; he being vested with full powers to undertake that task of benevolence and mercy. Major Fitzgerald accordingly inspected the troops at Ennis- cortliy and Camolin, and from the latter place dispatched Surgeon White of the Camolin cavalry (son of Mr. Henry White of Donoughmore, a gentleman much respected in the country of the Macomores) to announce his intended visit to the inhabitants. The major then proceeded on his inspection to Gorey, and here had great difficulty to procure an escort to accompany him, as the strongest fears were expressed for his safety should he enter into such a desperate quarter as it was represented ; their dreadful accounts of its state being an echo of the repre- sentations that had been made to government, and transmitted to General Hunter, who felt good reason to doubt their authority. However the major was not to be baffled, imposed upon, or disobeyed, and he perceived evident features of great disappointment exhibited by those who would fain dissuade him from his purpose, as they were conscious that the object of his mission was not according to their wishes, nay, that it must termi- nate directly contrary to them. The escort very reluct- antly obeyed their orders, and on being dismissed gal- loped full speed back to Gorey, while the major arrived in perfect safety at Donoughmore, in the Macomores, where he slept that night. On the next morning, Mr. White and his son, who were beloved by the people, accompanied the major to the place appointed for the meeting of the people ; and soon after their arrival there, some yeomen, arrayed inTnilitary attire, were observed at some distance by the crowd. This instantly excited alarm, and a rumour was circulated that their extermi- nation was determined on, and that they were led to this spot to be surrounded and cut off while the major was to amuse them with terms and harangue ! It is providen- o 230 HISTORY OF THE tial that the consternation and dismay produced by this incident did not operate to the major’s destruction, as it would have afforded the abettors of extermination every argument to fortify their representations ; and it is to be hoped that the appearance of this military body was not intended for this purpose, in revenge for his unequi- vocally declared opinion of the misconduct of some of the yeomanry. The maj or’s death on this occasion would have put an end to all accommodation ; and, from the very violent expressions used by the people, on thinking them- selves betrayed, nothing but his coolness and presence of mind could have preserved him in so critical a juncture. He calmly waited for silence, and then offered himself as victim, should a military force of any consequence be seen to approach them, as his inspection the day before was to prevent all accidents of that nature ; and stated that he could by no means account for that which oc- curred, but from the misconduct of some of the yeomanry. This address instantly produced a thorough conviction of his indubitable sincerity and benevolent intentions, and the people unanimously surrendered to him, and continued to flock into Wexford for several days after, to give up their arms and receive protections. Major Fitzgerald considered it necessary to guard the roads with patrols of cavalry, to prevent the people from being insulted or interrupted in their return to their avowed allegiance : and General Hunter, being convinced of the expediency of protecting the harassed peasantry from the violence and machinations of party, ordered Captain Cornock, who was selected as an experienced officer, to protect the inhabitants of Macomores from the armed men closely adjoining their neighbourhood ; and p his corps was accordingly marched from Enniscorthy by Major Fitzgerald, together with a party of the Ennis- corthy cavalry, under Lieutenant Sparrow, although there were five corps of yeomanry stationed in and near Gorey. Of these, that which attracted the greatest no- tice was under the command of Mr. Hunter Gowan, which it was found impossible to restrain from pillage and slaughter. It was after the rebellion was suppressed that this body received appointments as a cavalry corps, and as several of them were not owners of a horse, they IRISH REBELLION. 231 took a speedy mode of mounting themselves without any expense. They scoured the country, as they termed it, and brought in without any ceremony the horses of the wretched cottagers. On a day of inspection by Major Fitzgerald, however, the poor claimants recovered their horses, and the motiey banditti , as the major termed them, were thus transformed into dismounted cavalry. The false alarmists were not at all depressed or inti- midated at these discomfitures; for although General Hunter reported the country as in a perfect state of tranquillity, they again returned to the charge and re- newed their misrepresentations. Mr. Hawtrey White, captain of the Ballaghkeen cavalry, and a justice of the peace for the county, sent several informations to go- vernment of the alarming state of the country ; and the commanding officer at Gorey was so far persuaded of the intention of a general rising, that he quitted the town, and encamped on the hill above it. These representa- tions made under the semblance of loyalty, and by a person bearing the appearance and authority of a gentle- man, had not, however, the wished-for weight with the government. General Hunter was ordered to inquire into the information of Mr. Hawtrey White, and Major Fitzgerald was again sent out, and the result of his dis- criminating inquiry was, that the information was un- founded. Upon this the general ordered Mr. Hawtrey White to be brought to Wexford, and he was accord- ingly conducted thither with the greatest tenderness and humanity by Major Fitzgerald ; he was then put under arrest at his lodgings, although it was first intended to have sent him to gaol. Mr. White still persisted in maintaining that there was an encampment of the rebels (though not so numerous as he had previously repre- sented it to be) on a rock of great extent in the sea, two miles from the land, whither the rebels retired in the day time, after parading through the country at night ; and he expressed a wish to be sent with a party by land, to intercept them in their progress to the shore. General Hunter, however, did not agree entirely to this propo- sal, as he was apprehensive that the people of the country might be alarmed at the appearance of Mr. White con- ducting a military force ; and that they would be induced 232 HISTORY OF THE to fly at his approach, which might give some counte- nance to the information ; but although he considered the island to be but imaginary, yet in order that truth should prevail over falsehood, he ordered a gun-boat to convey Mr. White to the island he described, and that a party of military should be sent by land to cut off the rebels, when he should drive them from their sea-girt station. In the meantime the captain of the gun boat had orders to bring back Mr. White, to receive thanks for his extraordinary information, should it prove true, and to concert further measures for defence ; hut if found otherwise, to he dealt with accordingly. The sea and land expedition failed, in consequence of the described rock being found covered by the sea at the time, and of course, if any rebels had been there, they must have been all drowned, when this new Delos immerged into the deep ! Mr. Hawtrey White was conducted back to Wexford, and General Hunter determined to bring him to a court-martial. Many gentlemen and ladies, how- ever, interfered in the most earnest manner to prevent this investigation, representing that Mr. White’s great age might have subjected him to the imposition of fabri- cated information ; and the firmness of the general re- laxed at the instance of so many respectable persons ! ! It is much to he regretted that this inquiry did not take place, as this and many other uncommon occurrences are variously reported and believed, in different shapes and forms, according to the bias or inclination, the prejudice or the disposition of the narrators. The general after- ward regretted his clemency, as he was not sensible at this period of the machinations practised, and of the ex- tent of party prejudice, the evil effects of which every day’s experience convinced him too fatally existed in the county of Wexford. False alarms are always productive of the greatest mischief, and are deemed in all countries offences of the most dangerous tendency. Ireland has suffered much by the tales of adventurers in these in- fernal practices ; but I am glad to perceive a growing disposition to discountenance these pests of society, who must, if continued to be encouraged, keep all well-dis- posed persons in a constant state of alarm, and screen the malignant intentions of their original projectors from the infamy they so well deserve. IRISH REBELLION. 233 A court-martial, of which Lord Ancram was president, was instituted at Wexford for the trial of persons accused of treason ; and contrary to the expectation and wishes of the committee for procuring evidence, many were ac- quitted. Lord Ancram, however, soon left the town, and his departure was much regretted by the people ; but his lieutenant-colonel, Sir James Fowlis, of the Mid-Lothian cavalry, succeeded him as president of the court-martial. To say merely that he acquitted himself with honour and integrity, would not be doing adequate justice to his merits. I believe no judge ever sat on a bench, that displayed more judgment, discrimination, and mercy, in selecting the innocent and misled, from the criminal and the guilty ; and his conduct inspired so much confidence throughout the country, as to induce such as were con- scious of integrity to submit to trial, which they would not otherwise dare to do, from a well-founded opinion of the rancour of their accusers, who attempted at first to warp, and afterwards to counteract his upright intentions, which those who experienced them can alone appreciate. Was the character of Irishmen such, as too many have been led, from misrepresentation, to believe, would such a dignified character choose Ireland as his place of re - sidence ? Does it not rather appear that the result of numerous trials not only convinced him for the instant, but even left a lasting impression on his mind, that the people of Ireland were goaded into rebellion, notwith- standing the unnatural calumnies of those whose preju- dice and bigotry urge them to revile their country ! ! ! General Hunter’s object of conciliation was so evident, that many insurgent leaders were induced to surrender themselves to him on obtaining protections. General Edward Roche surrendered on condition of transportation, and Major Fitzgerald accordingly brought him into Wex- ford, where he was lodged in the gaol. On the morning of the very day on which he submitted, a rumour had prevailed of the landing of the French in the west of Ireland, and although Mr. Roche accredited this rumour, it did not prevent him from surrendering. The landing of the French force, under Humbert, was officially trans- mitted to General Hunter, and he was ordered off with the queen’s and twenty-ninth regiments of infantry . This 234 HISTORY OF THE sudden and unexpected news created great alarm, and many ladies and gentlemen were anxiously desirous to quit the country, as they had been at the commencement of the insurrection, and were actually making preparations to that effect. The county of Wexford assuredly felt an impression of the general temper of Ireland at this critical period. The inhabitants of the territory of the Maco- mores, however, (though led to believe on the first intelli- gence that their former enemies would resume their plan of desolation,) were impressed with the fullest conviction, that they were rescued from extermination by the inter- ference of Brigade- major Fitzgerald, and the humane exertion of General Hunter’s authority. Under this patronage and protection, therefore, they wished to re- main, (not knowing that the general had been ordered off, ) the spontaneous effect of their feelings on the occa- sion was manifested in an offer of their services to march against the French. On the departure of General Hunter, the inhabitants of this county, as they received no answer to their me- morials, were so alarmed that they sent repeated remon- strances to Brigade-major Fitzgerald, requesting his inter- ference for protection. The major, therefore, now thought it necessary to consult Sir Janies Fowlis, on the expediency of going into the Macomores, and Sir James esteemed it of such material consequence, that the proposal met his most hearty approbation. The major, however was de- tained by his official situation for some days in Wexford ; and during this time he received repeated messages, informing him that Holt and Hackett had come from the county of Wicklow, and were tampering with the people, and using every means in their power to induce them to proceed with them to attack Dublin, which they repre- sented at the time as destitute of regular troops, as Lord Cornwallis had led them all off to meet the French. From the general uncertainty of the public mind at this momentous period, with respect to the actual strength of the invasion ; and from the subsequent accounts of the success of the French on the first onset, it may be very well supposed that the minds of a people so lately rescued from concerted extermination must be strongly affected, and ready to be influenced by the solicitations and remon- IRISH REBELLION* 235 strances of the adventurers who came among them. It therefore required the utmost address and energy to fix their wavering opinions, and Brigade-major Fitzgerald accordingly set out from Wexford for this purpose, and on the way he met different groups assembled in anxious uncertainty what to determine. These, however, on being assured by the major that neither he nor Sir James Fowlis were to quit Wexford, under whom the people were sure of protection, all their fears and apprehensions were calmed. The major represented that if they left the country, their wives and families who so lately escaped extermination, would be left destitute and defenceless at the mercy of their enemies, who would not fail to take advantage of their absence as a pretext for their destruc- tion, and this argument prevailed. Though many and various were the opinions Major Fitzgerald had to encoun- ter, yet he pursued his intended course and arrived that night at Donoughmore, and here he was further convinced of the representation of the people. He heard the signals of movement made by Holt and Hackett ; but the people remained quietly at home, and suffered these adventurers to depart, accompanied only by those whom they origi- nally brought along with them ; and the intended attack upon Dublin was given up in consequence of the Wexford-men not joining, for much reliance was had on their exertions from the courage and intrepidity which they displayed in the course of the insurection.* These incontrovertible facts give the lie so palpably to the calumniators of Ireland, that I cannot help adducing the testimony of an English lawyer of eminence nearly two centuries ago, but very applicable to our own time, of the character which the Irish have ever maintained. In 1620, Sir John Davies, then attorney-general in Ire- land, published a work on “The state of Ireland,” in which he strongly asserts as follows: — “They will gladly “Dublin, December 14, 1802. * “ Sir — I return, with my thanks for your polite attention, your manuscripts you were so kind as to leave for my perusal. Am exceed- ingly glad to find through the whole of your compilation, so strict an observance of facts, which chiefly come under my cognizance as > brigade-major. It is with pleasure I observe also, your adherence to truth and impartiality — free from the rancorous spirit of party-fabri* 236 HISTORY OF THE continue in the condition of subjects without defection or adhering to any other lord or king as long as they may be protected and justly governed, without oppres- sion on the one side, or impunity on the other; for there is no nation under the sun that doth love equal and indifferent justice better than the Irish, or will rest better satisfied with the execution thereof, although it be against themselves, so as they may have the benefit and protection of the law, when upon just cause they do desire it.” And again he says what is very applicable to the unfortunate situation of the people, “ The Irish were out of the protection of the law, so that any Englishman might oppress, murder, or spoil them with impunity. ” I cannot omit here mentioning the case of Mr. Walter Devereux, who, having obtained protections from several general officers, had gone to Cork to embark for Portugal ; he was there taken up, tried, condemned, and executed. Mr. Gibson, a yeoman, and wealthy Protestant shop- keeper, and Mr. William Kearney, an extensive brewer, were summoned and attended at his trial, and proved that he was in Wexford, and even in gaol, at the very time some soldiers of the Wexford militia were shot thirty miles from that town ; and the principal charge against him was, that he gave orders and was present at their execution, which some men of that regiment were har- dened enough to swear ! ! ! I myself saw him in Wex- ford on the alleged day. He was also accused of aiding and abbetting the abomination at Scullabogue, and this charge was similarly supported by the testimony of some soldiers’ wives ! and yet it is an undoubted fact that he was all that day engaged at the battle of Ross, where he cation, which is the true criterion that exalts the historian above the class of party-scribblers, who dissipate as rapidly as unerring truth unveils itself, strongly exemplified in the past and present times. I give you much credit in not retorting as you might for your unmerited sufferings, by exposing the crimes of some respectable persons ; for, indeed, if they are not very forgetful and very insensible, the com- punctions of their consciences must be sufficiently tormenting. There is little doubt of your labours meeting their due reward from an unpre- judiced public, which is the wish of “ Your obedient humble servant, “ B. E. Fitzgerald. “To Edward Hat, Esq.” IRISH REBELLION. 237 displayed the most heroical bravery and courage — quali- ties inconsistent with the odious crime it was falsely sworn he had perpetrated ! ! ! But what puts the falsehood of the facts alleged against him beyond all question is, that after his execution another Mr. Devereux was taken up on the discriminating sagacity of the same witnesses who prosecuted the former to death ; but who (now as they said) discovered the right Devereux. The trial of the latter has been published, and I would recommend its perusal to such as wish for further proof of the miserable and lamentable condition of those existing in the county of Wexford during the insurrection. The following case is also distinguished for its peculiar hardship : — After the insurrection, the Rev. James Dixon was anxious to spend some time with his step-brother, Mr. Denis Butler, a merchant in Bristol, where he might enjoy that peace and tranquillity which the distracted state of his native country wholly precluded. His intentions were well known to the late Colonel Lehunte, who lived in the vicinity of Castleb ridge, where Mr. Dixon resided, and had therefore the best possible opportunity of being ac- quainted with his unimpeachable conduct and demeanour, invited him to accompany his lady and family to England, where on his landing he was recognised by some of the incensed Wexford refugees, who immediately de- nounced him as a Catholic priest. By this outcry (and the prejudice against his order) those on the beach were roused to inflict severe treatment on him ; it is probable that these active prejudices might have proved fatal, had not th q providential interposition of the Rev. Mr. Draffen, the Protestant clergyman of the parish where the Rev. Mr. Dixon officiated as a Catholic priest, interposed in his favour, protected and covered him from the full ex- ercise of their rage. This philanthropic divine was as distinguished for liis loyalty as his attachment to the con- stitution of his country, and for his exemplary piety and abhorrence of rebellion. This act of manliness and goodness on the part of the Rev. Mr. Draffen cannot be too much extolled, and whilst it manifests the purest sentiments of Christianity, it cannot fail to impress the strongest conviction of the Rev. Mr. Dixon’s innocence, which, along with other representations of the principal o 3 238 HISTORY OF THE gentlemen of the county, laid before the lord lieutenant, did not prevent his transportation to Botany Bay. This innocent clergyman was brought back from Milford a prisoner, and lodged in the gaol of Waterford, where he was tried and condemned on evidence that is in every degree questionable ; and notwithstanding the strongest proofs of his undoubted innocence, yet prejudice was too triumphant on this occasion in preventing a reversion of his sentence. The county of Dublin militia, who had distinguished themselves so much at the battle of Ross, under the com- mand of Major Vesey, whose gallantry on that day after* ward procured him the command of the regiment, were sent to Wexford; but a wound which the colonel re- ceived at the battle of Enniscorthy, prevented his coming with them, and the command as well as that of the town, necessarily devolved upon Lieutenant* colonefFinlay. On the night of the 8th of September, 1798, the turnkey of the gaol went round along with the guard (composed of Ogle’s blues, formerly the Shilmalier infantry) with general notice to all the prisoners, that if any riot should happen that night in any part the county of Wexford, the prisoners were all to he shot ! When these orders were so officially notified to me, I desired the turnkey begone about his business, for that no officer would give such orders ; nor could I be persuaded that the orders were given, until the serjeant of the guard of- fered to save me from the massacre, as he said he had heard of my good actions during the rebellion. I could not but express my gratitude for such an offer of essential service ; but I naturally felt great anxiety at the gloomy prospect before me, of which no doubt could now be en- tertained. The gaoler, whose humanity had been so suc- cessful in saving Mr. Bagnal Harvey, as I have related on a former occasion, w r as then in Dublin, being sum- moned before parliament to prove that fact. I was there- fore necessitated to write to Brigade-major Fitzgerald an account of the transaction, and he without loss of time w aited on Sir James Fowlis, and both instantly came down to the gaol, where upon inquiry, they found my re- presentation to be too true : but they took measures to counteract the execution of this denunciation, should it IRISH REBELLION. 239 be attempted. The commanding officer of the town was supposed at that time to be too fast asleep (occasioned by a too free indulgence of the bottle) to attend to any re- monstrance on the occasion. r The departure of General Hunter from Wexford was an irreparable loss to the county ; but his presence proved a great blessing in Kilkenny, where he displayed his usual discrimination, judgment, and humanity in deve- loping and unravelling the proofs of the melancholy situ- ation of the persecuted inhabitants, who were conse- quently impressed with that confidence with which his noble and manly conduct never failed to inspire the op- pressed. Although his absence was severely felt in the county of Wexford, yet his representation of its state to the government had such a salutary effect as to prevent alarm from assuming so serious or formidable an aspect as before. Petty depredators, however, still continued their usual practices, and this they were enabled to do with the greater impunity, as, under general orders and martial law, the inhabitants were liable to be shot, and their houses burned, if discovered out at night. The regular military, with the yeomen and their supplement taries, were the only persons privileged to be out between sun-set and sun-rise ; and as the latter description of persons now received military pay, they were rendered independent of industry and labour (which ever and anon depraves the minds of working people,) and having the enforcement of the general orders entrusted to them, de- liredations and excesses were committed by persons un- known, until the frequency of robbery and murder urged the necessity of furnishing the country farmers, at the discretion of the commanding officers, with arms for the defence of their families and properties. Some yeomen and supplementaries were consequently shot in attempt- ing houses, and this plainly discovered who were the marauders. Indeed it must be observed, that some out- standing insurgents were sometime after taken into com- pany by the primary robbers, and that the religious and political differences of both parties were united in the consideration of mutual assistance in robbery and rapine. This multiplied the evil tenfold ; and motley gangs of this description infested several parts of the country the 240 HISTORY OF THE winter after the insurrection. This evil was remedied in some degree by sending out parties of soldiers from the towns into different parts of the country, to be there sta- tioned, and it was considered an indulgence by most of the people, that a soldier was permitted to quarter upon them, and his protection was purchased by every kind of care and sedulous attention. It merits singular obser- vation, that men were called upon to deliver up the iden- tical sum they had collected or received by the sale of substance at fair, market, or by private hand, on the day previous to the night of attack ; and although num- bers could give information against the perpetrators of these enormities, yet they preferred silence of their wrongs to the risk of oeing murdered or burned in their houses, which others had experienced, and with which all were threatened if they dare to inform. The orange system now became very prevalent through- out the county of Wexford, and was strengthened by the accession of almost every Protestant in it ; this general promotion was forwarded by a received prejudice, that no man could be loyal , who was not an orangeman. Doctor Jacob, who was captain of a yeomanry corps in Wexford, however, did not deem it at first an essential of loyalty to become an orangeman ; but he was afterward induced to alter his opinion, by a resolution entered into by a ma- jority of his corps, that they would resign if he would not join the association. Not willing, therefore, to possess the mere empty ; title of captain he condescended to gra- tify their wishes. It has not yet come to pass, that any political associa- tion has invariably adhered to the principles that dictated their original formation : as some individuals generally dictate to the body at large, and raise themselves to consequence by the support of their adherents, who can- not recede without deviating from an avowed principle of honour, which binds them together ; and the society thus shoves its leaders into consequence, and these frequently when they find another opportunity of benefiting them- selves, secede and make way for new adventurers to suc- ceed them, and the same routine takes place, so that the individuals of a political society are so far not their own masters, but are led on by party on various occasions, to IRISH REBELLION. 241 give public sanction to what they inwardly disapprove. I however know valuable and estimable characters pos- sessing the utmost integrity, members of political socie- ties, and whose motives and conduct are unexceptiona- ble ; and although I approved of their principles and ac- tions, yet I have ever and always avoided entering into any political society, from a consideration, that I might thereby be obliged to surrender my opinion contrary to my inclination, and would not, therefore, feel myself thoroughly independent. From a review of the many and various political societies and parties in this unac- countable age, I have observed, that in the most perilous times well-disposed persons, unconnected with party, have escaped, where others, venturing into societies, have been cut olf, for no other reason but their associa- tion has been inimical to some other that in the turn of affairs gained an ascendancy ; and thus has one political society risen on the destruction of another ; while a true lover of his country, individually engaged in the pursuit of whatever is for its advantage, has outlived the storm. Most political societies avow their sentiments publicly, with a view of obtaining general approbation ; my infor- mation does not, however, enable me to give a sketch of the two rival societies of united Irishmen and orangemen , whose rivalry has been productive of such serious conse- quences in Ireland. I must therefore refer my readers to the memoire and examination of Messrs. O’Connor, Emmett, and M‘Neven, published in London and Dub- lin, since the rebellion, as the most authentic account extant of the rise, progress, and ultimate views of the former society ; but I must also observe, that the utmost extent of the information during the insurrection in the county of Wexford was the oath of admission and secrecy : and with respect to the latter society, I can make no au- thentic reference whatever. Orange associations became at length so general and indiscriminate, that their members could by no means be considered capable of constituting a select assemblage, as multitudes of them were of the lowest and most unin- formed vulgar, and of course, subject to the weakest passions, prejudices, and frailties of human nature. Many of them certainly did no honour to the associa- 242 HISTORY OF THE tion ; but it must be also said of united Irishmen, that individuals of them contrary to the avowed principles of union and brotherhood, which they were sworn to preserve, disgraced themselves by ’acts quite opposite to the spirit of their institution. Freemasonry, though very generally embraced throughout Ireland, has yet escaped similar imputation, which I believe is owing to its being rather a social and moral than political fra- ternity. I have conversed with many gentlemen who avowed themselves orangemen , and whose conduct and principles I have every reason to suppose honourable ; yet, I have heard them declare, that they would by no means gra- duate in the society, but remain in the state of simple orangemen , not meaning in any degree to compare these honourable men to the orange informers in Wexford, on the 20th of June, 1798, who said they had not taken the purple degree of the order. How the conduct of persons assuming the name of orangemen , in the county of Wex- ford, may be viewed by the association at large, I know not ; but truth imposes on me the task of relating the melancholy consequences of the conduct of some who avowed themselves orangemen. After the insurrection in the county of Wexford was suppressed, orangemen wore ribands and medals without any disguise ; and on the death of an orangeman, the general decorations of black were laid aside, and orange substituted at their wakes and funerals. After the interment, houses have been burned, alleged to be in retaliation for the previous conduct of croppies whose houses were adjacent to the churcli-yard. Not unfrequently, on the night of a well- attended funeral, or, after a rejoicing day, a Catholic chapel was consumed, and the frequency of these con- flagrations manifests the most rancorous spirit of intol- erance and inveterate party prejudice ! ! ! What makes these transactions more lamentable is, that not a single person has as yet been punished or even arrested for the perpetration of these crimes. Is it possible this could be the case but through the supineness of the magis- tracy ? How could the repetition and impunity of such acts be otherwise accounted for, but from their not doing their duty ? — and does not such neglect necessarily ini- IRISH REBELLION. 243 ply connivance ? From my knowledge of the country, I would venture to stake my existence that I would dis- cover the perpetrators, had I the assistance of an Eng- lish or Scotch regiment to protect those who could give information from the merciless fury of these incendia- ries : and it is much to the disgrace of the country that this is not accomplished. A reward of one hundred pounds was offered for the discovery of those that had burned Catholic chapels by the grand jury of the county of Wexford, at the summer assizes in 1799, published in some Dublin papers, which however produced no infor- mation. Chapels burned in the county of Wexford and diocess of Ferns , with the dates of their respective conflagrations. Boolevogue . May 27, l798Ballegarret Jan. 15, 1798 Maglass . May 30, 1798 BallinamonabegJan. 15, 1799 Ramsgrange . June 19, 1798Askamore . Feb. 24,1799 Drumgold . June 21, 1798 Murntown . Apr. 24,1799 Ballemurrin . June do, 1798 Monamoling, May 3,1799 Gorey . Aug. 24, 1798Kilrush . May 15, 1799 Annacurragh Sept. 2, 1798Marshalstown Ju.8or9,1799 Crane . Sept. 17, 1798 Munfin . June do, 1799 Rock .Oct. 12, 1798 Crossabeg .June 24, 1799 Balled uff . Oct. 10, 1798 Killeneerin . June 29, 1799 Riverchapel . Oct. do, 1798 Monageer . July 1, 1799 Monaseed . Oct. 25, 1798Kiltayley . Oct. 1, 1799 Clologue, . Oct. 26, 1798Glavibryan . Mar. 13, 1799 Killeveny . Nov. 11, 1798 Kaim . Sept. 3, 1800 Ferns . Nov. 18, 1798!Ballimackesey Sept. 1800 Oulart . Nov. 28, 1798 CourtenacuddyAug.13,1801 Castletown , Nov. 1798j The Protestant church of Old Ross was burned on the 2d of June, 1798. These and many other shocking deeds could not have been constantly reiterated throughout the country, were the magistrates willing to do their duty ; and it is asto- nishing that the country gentlemen could so far forget their own real interests, which are superseded by the narrow and prejudiced notions with which they are 244 HISTORY OF THE blindfolded. It will scarcely be believed that such ne- glect was possible ; and the gentlemen themselves will lament it hereafter, when they come to their sober re- collections, and feel the melancholy effects of religious prejudice, in the inevitable consequences of leaving sucli acts unpunished ; which, although they did not actually commit themselves, yet they have encouraged them by their inactivity and negligence. It is to be observed that the insurrection was com- pletely suppressed in the county of Wexford in June, 1798, previous to, and during which period, five Catholic chapels appear to have been burnt, and the remaining conflagrations took place when the country was not dis- turbed by any other transactions but these enormities, perpetrated when the utmost tranquillity otherwise pre- vailed. Various depredations and excesses were also committed through the country. Murders were preva- lent, houses were burnt, and notices were posted on the doors of many Catholics, desiring them to quit their ha- bitations, of a similar tendency with those in the county of Armagh in the year 1795. The notices in the coun- ties of Wexford and Wicklow, prevalent in 1798, 1799, and 1800, were conceived pretty nearly in the following terms: — “A B , we give you notice , in six days to quit ; or if you don't , by G — , we will visit your house with fire, and yourself with lead. We are the grinders — Moll Boyle's true grandsons." These and such like notices were posted on the doors of Catholics in the night, and many quitted their houses and habitations in consequence of some of these threats being put into actual execution. I shall cite an example of these dreadful practices, exemplified in the case of Mr. Swiny, a Protestant gentleman, who resided for se- veral years in Yorkshire, and had an estate called Court, between Oulart and Ballecanow, which was tenanted by many Catholics, whose leases expired in 1799 ; but who, by the prevailing system, were rendered incapable to retake their farms, as their houses were all burnt, and all the property they possessed destroyed ; but what manifested this business quite systematic was, that no- tices were posted up afterwards through the country, purporting that no papist should presume to take the IRISH REBELLION. 245 lands : and that, if even a son of Moll Doyle should offer more than half-a-guinea an acre , (worth fifty shillings,) he should forfeit all privileges of the fraternity , and un- dergo the same punishment for his transgression as if he was a papist. The lands of Court thus prescribed, re- mained waste for nearly two years ! Is it not melan- choly to reflect that this and many such manifest out- rages, but more prevalent in the Macomores than any other part of the county, did not rouse the feelings of landlords, at a time that their own interests were so closely connected with the suppression of such deeds ? And yet the tribe of middlemen seems to have so much influence, as to be able still to keep up the like occur- rences, in the hope that they might benefit by the de- struction or banishment of the great majority of the people. Miserable policy, that low minds alone, de- based by prejudice, can harbour ! These cannot be sen- sible that the population of a country constitutes its principal advantage, and is what enables them to raise themselves on a foundation of which they meditate the destruction, and thus endanger the superstructure which they wish to ‘enjoy ; not perceiving that it must totter, when so undermined, and involve themselves in the general ruin ! Courts-martial continued to sit in Wexford for nearly three years after the insurrection, although the regular assizes and general gaol delivery were resumed in the spring of 1799. Prisoners confined in the gaol of Wex- ford were parcelled out into different lots, to be tried by the civil and military tribunals, according to the discri- mination of the gentlemen of the county ! Others have been arraigned at an assizes, and on showing legal cause, had their trials put off to the next; when the judge has called for prisoners not produced, although returned on the crown-book, then it has been discovered that they had been handed over to a military tribunal, and accord- ing to their sentences had been transported or hanged. Wi(h the utmost respect and veneration, I look up to that great bulwark of the constitution, trial by jury : and shall always esteem juries less liable to bias, than any other mode of trial. However, it so came to pass in the county of Wexford, from various occurrences that 246 HISTORY OF THE took place, that many prisoners preferred to be tried by a military rather than a civil tribunal, which the conduct of Sir James Eowlis contributed to inculcate. It would, however, be great injustice not to mention that the judges of the realm who presided in the criminal court in Wexford distinguished themselves by their benevolent humanity, and the most liberal construction of the am- nesty bill ; and whenever religious prejudice or party spirit broke out, they were not backward in expressing their dissatisfaction : they supported their just judgment with manly dignity, and by their recommendations res- cued some from execution, on whom the laws of the land obliged them to pronounce sentence, and thus were ac- tuated by the god-like virtues of justice and mercy. I most sincerely hope no other opportunity may ever occur of making any comparison between courts-martial and trial by jury. God grant that juries will ever hold in their minds the true spirit of impartiality, and then we shall ever consider them as the true basis of a free con- stitution. Another kind of depredators made their appearance in the county of Wexford in the course of the winter of 1798 and 1799 : they assembled in the wood of Kilaugh- rim, between Enniscorthy and Scollagh-gap, and were denominated among other appellations “ the babes of the wood.” Independent of some outstanding insurgents, deserters from different regiments associated in this band ; and they levied small contributions throughout the country. Those immediately in their vicinity were to supply their quota in provisions ; while those at a dis- tance were called upon for money, which was supplied in general without opposition, to avoid greater violation : as they, for the most part, behaved civilly if freely given, and did not all pursue the merciless conduct of the depredators already noticed. Different military detachments were sent out from Ross and Enniscorthy, and these endeavoured to sur- round the extensive woods of Kilaughrim, supposed to contain them, but their efforts proved fruitless, as they never could come up with the babes of the wood; who generally had a rendezvous in the night, and dispersed towards morning, into such a variety of lurking-places, IRISH REBELLION. 247 that but few of them were apprehended, and though several plans for their annihilation were contrived, they all proved ineffectual. The activity of Brigade-major Fitzgerald was again called forward, and he brought them to a consent of surrender ; but, however, since the recall of General Hunter, who would have immediately put a final stop to their proceedings, (his absence on this occasion was productive of serious evil, ) instead of the babes of the wood surrendering on condition of being suf- fered to enlist in the army, they continued their pre- datory system, during which they were occasionally visited by Holt and Hackett, and some of their associ- ates ; but most of them at last surrendered to Captain Robinson of the South Cork militia. Some of these were sent to Prussia, others enlisted into different regiments, and some were executed at Newtownbarry. A few who did not surrender, not thinking it prudent to continue in their old haunts, abandoned the county of Wexford, and joined the marauders in the county of Wicklow. Estimates of the actual damages in consequence of the conflagration of the Catholic chapels were made out by order of the government of Ireland, and the sums so awarded paid out of the treasury for rebuilding them. Many persons who at stated times had received certain proportions of their losses during the rebellion, have bitterly complained, and expressed their apprehensions that the rebuilding of the Catholic chapels was to be de- frayed out of the fund for the relief of the suffering- loyalists. This scheme of supply must be "considered very political, had it the effect of preventing the reitera- tion of these enormities, which many consider it had. Government has thus interposed in favour of public Ca - tholic property . I therefore cannot conceive it is in- tended to exclude' Catholics individually ; yet it is almost exclusively the case in the county of Wexford, occasioned by the existing deep-rooted religious prejudice ! Was the conduct of these public accusers to undergo the same scrutiny they have subjected others to, they would not appear in so favourable a light to the world as they wish to maintain. Poor claimants have been constrained to prosecute against their inclinations, to prove their loyalty sufficiently not to exclude them from payment ! I there- 248 HISTORY OF THE fore imagine that all Catholics against whom there does not exist any charge but general prejudice, ought not to be debarred of this privilege, as well as all those who on trial have been honourably acquitted, as many have withheld their just claims from the apprehension of the general prejudice entertained against Catholics. The case of Mr. Edmund Stafford is peculiarly apposite. This gentleman claimed as a suffering loyalist, and I am confident no person in the county was more deserving of that title ; yet for daring to do so, he was accused and arraigned for murder, on the discriminating sagacity of evidence that had been the cause of the execution of many, but whose villainy was not publicly known, until the trial of Mr. Stafford could not be put off, and he was discharged without trial, after a confinement of several months, for presuming to enrol his name among the suf- fering loyalists. Although the conduct of the militia regiments, it might be naturally hoped, was such as to defy the pos- sibility of any reflection on their behaviour ; yet preju- dice operated so strongly in some of them, that the officers behaved in so partial a manner as to induce Ca- tholics particularly to offer themselves as volunteers to serve in different regiments of the line. These after- ward formed a considerable part of the army sent to Egypt. Many, who were doomed to transportation, were [also sent on that expedition. Then it was con- sidered a fortunate circumstance that these were sent out of Ireland ; not from any idea, however, that they would have been the means of redounding to the fame of the British army, and immortalizing their glory, by the courage and intrepidity they displayed ; that must for ever silence their indiscriminate calumniators. 1 wish those who have been in the habit of dealing out illiberal opinions respecting Irish Catholics, may keep the con- duct of these in recollection, as it may induce them to join in praise of men whom they ought to endeavour to imitate. They might thus too become sensible of the inestimable value, to any country, of such men, as with proper encouragement, would be invincible, and[so prove the most impenetrable bulwark and consequent support to the constitution ; far superior to any tiling which the IRISH REBELLION. 249 system of coercion can possibly effect, and this irrefra- gable truth, I hope, may have its due weight. At the summer assizes of Wexford, in 1801, James Redmond was tried and condemned for the murder of the Rev. Robert Burroughs, a Protestant clergyman, at Oulart, on Whitsunday the 27th of May, 1798; and pursuant to his sentence, was executed on the 30th of July, and his body delivered to the surgeons, who after dissecting it permitted it to be taken away, and it was buried. The corpse was dug up out of its grave, and placed in the shed erected for the priest to officiate, on the site of the Catholic chapel of Monamoling, which had been burned. This exhibition was not discovered till the congregation had assembled to hear mass on the Sunday following — the 3d of August, 180L Although this man was guilty of murder, yet there is something so vastly shocking in disturbing the dead in their graves, and repugnant to human nature, that the vilest of pikemen never were guilty of such a transaction in all their uncontrollable sway. Independent of the savage disposition of this occurrence, the disregard for religion is so manifest, that it is the more lamentable, as it keeps alive those prejudices which it is so much the interest of all parties to suppress. The ratification of the treaty of peace with the French republic, has brought back many who were distinguished in fighting for their country in the navy and army ; and these, upon their return home, found many of their rela- tives destroyed ; and on being informed who the depre- dators were, they were induced to accost them at different fairs and patrons throughout the country, intimating that they had proved themselves loyal men by fighting the enemies of their country, and not by murdering their neighbours or friends, or burning their houses. These altercations constantly produced fights, and the result, though it has disturbed the public peace, yet has cor- rected, in some degree, the overbearing contempt in which some high-spoken gentry held the generality of the peo- ple,' whom they now condescend to respect through these their relatives ; nay, they treat with' more reserve some of the very insurgents who have returned from transportation, after having obliterated all stain of pre- 250 HISTORY OF THE vious political delinquency by their subsequents exploits in the service of their country — and thus do the brave ever awe cowards into shame and submission ! The rooted aversion, however, which has been by various means en- couraged and inculcated against the great body of the people, has led many to adopt the most illiberal expres- sions ; and I am sorry to learn, that both in high and low life it is a prevalent notion to deplore the existence of the amnesty bill, as it precludes the accomplishment of the views of exterminating those who are protected by it from indiscriminating vengeance. Those who make use of such language seem to have no notion of the crimes which call to heaven for vengeance ! I would recom- mend to those who express such an illiberal and shocking sentiment to reflect seriously whether they are not pro- tected by the indemnity bills, as they might otherwise be exhibited on the gibbet. Let these unreflecting as- sertors of prejudice look to the fate of Governor Wall of Goree. The recurrence of their own deeds to their minds, by such a contemplation, may, perhaps, produce hearty contrition for their past misconduct, and may induce them to make what reparation remains in their power for the many injuries, in various shapes, which they have committed ! Though justice did not overtake the gover- nor of Goree for twenty years ; yet then the recital of his horrid crime of ordering a soldier, whom he consi- dered refractory, to be lashed, which produced death, roused the English nation, and exemplary punishment was the consequence ! If this solitary case which re- garded a distant colony, excited so much indignation in the breasts of Englishmen, can the same people overlook similar and greater deeds of atrocity committed a thou- sand times over against the Irish, now incorporated with themselves ? , Can the feelings of any wise, just, and good man be withheld from most earnest endeavours to contribute all in his power to the coalescence and har- mony of all parts, as well as of all ranks of the united kingdom ? and if that desirable object be attainable — and I do believe that by proper management it can be effected — who is the monster that will oppose its accom- plishment ? But it must not, it cannot be opposed. A merciful and benevolent sovereign, whose throne is now IRISH REBELLION. 251 supported by consolidated dominion, and the united at- tachment of all his people, will not suffer so valuable a portion of them, as the great majority of the Irish, to be debased and degraded by thraldom the most intolerable, while they are deemed to man his fleets and armies in a proportion greater than the one-half, and display the most unrivalled bravery in his service, bearing terror and dismay to his enemies. He will certainly recommend them for relief from oppression to his imperial parlia- ment, who will not forfeit the character of wisdom and justice, or the name of the most dignified legislature on earth, by being swayed by the tales of rancour, misre- presentation and prejudice. They will redress, as truth and reason direct, a magnanimous and virtuous people, groaning under a partial tyranny, in the midst of an empire denominated free, to which they would be an in- calculable accession of strength, if protected from op- pression, persecution, torture, and the dread of threa- tened and meditated extermination — if secured effec- tually in their lives, liberties, and properties, without impeachment of their religion and principles ; but should this'be neglected and their grievances left a galling in- cumbrance upon them, in consequence of malevolent and fabricated calumnies, there will surely abide a rankling discontent, likely at all times to produce disturbance and distraction, which must necessarily weaken and pa- ralyze the energies of the state, and perhaps eventually annihilate the connection between these countries. I would earnestly advise the most violent and unthinking supporters of division to consider their own real interests as connected and involved with the peace and happiness of the nation, (which an impartial picture of the miseries experienced can best inculcate,) as well as to dissipate the misconceptions of error, and to disprove the false representations which have been sent abroad, with zealous industry, to impose on and mislead public feeling. My real object and earnest wishes are for conciliation ; but if a doubt can possibly arise respecting my state- ments, I can only say that I could detail more numerous enormities than I have, and of which I entertain as little doubt as of those I have related. I have therefore confined 252 HISTORY OF THE IRISH REBELLION myself to facts and circumstances vouched to me beyond the possibility of doubt, for which I can produce good authorities, and on this occasion limit my narrative to my native district, where my local and personal know- ledge were least liable to deception or misinformation ; and should the members of both houses of the imperial parliament deem it necessary, in their wisdom, to inves- tigate the truth decisively, I will stake my existence that my relation shall be found; on an impartial scrutiny, ex- tremely moderate. Printed by T. Cold well, 50, Capel street, Publir. AM