Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 10.djvu/472

386 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. x. MAY 20, 1022. the Churchyard on their left surrounded by a wall, which commanded the Dublin road, and in their front one deep ditch and two high banks, which made it impossible to form line in their front, without . . . exposing the Troops to little or no advantage . . . [as they] could have been easily surrounded by the enemy . in consequence of which I determined at once to attack them obliquely to the left, and on arriving at a proper distance for the six-pounder to do execution, I directed one half of the Yeomanry horse to charge through the village . . .to take post off the left of the enemy, while the other half proceeded down a bye road which brought them near the right flank of the rebels, both di- visions were pointedly directed to threaten the rear of the enemy . . . and when the rebels gave way to charge them with Vigour, the first shot from the six-pounder was a signal for the horse to occupy their posts. After firing several rounds from the six-pounder with good effect, the Infantry proceeded towards the Churchyard gate so as to fall on the left flank of the rebells. . . . On approaching [the same], we met with the most daring and obstinate resistance, which continued some time . . . and finding the men's ammunition almost ex- pended ... [it was] absolutely necessar> to make one decisive effort by charging the rebels, which was gallantly executed by the Grenadiers, animated by Lieut. Rupert Mackay's spirited conduct, and ably supported by Capt. McLean, Lieuts Win. Baillie and James Scobie, with the rest of the Infantry which . . . dislodged them from their principal position. When this was accomplished, I naturally con- cluded that the fate of the day was determined, but, while in pursuit of the rebels in this quarter . . . Sergeant-Major John Cochrane of the Beays [reported] the enemy were approaching our left in great crowds by the very same route on which the King's Troops had commenced their Operations, and that the six-pounder was in great danger of being taken. ... I directed that active and spirited non-commissioned officer . . . to take a division of the Light Company, &c., to check their progress, untill I collected a sufficient force to route them. . ... The Con- flict at this time was of short duration, but weighty and of the most striking consequence, the Cannon in particular, in the judicious and manly conduct of Lieut. Hunter (who had the charging of it) did great execution . . . the rebels being so very numerous and having no impediment . . . from doing them justice in returning their cordial invitation and thus crowned our. Operations with a complete Victory. Captain Molloy of the Kells Infantry gave every assistance with his Company. . . . The Action commenced about half-past 6 o'clock p.m. and continued without intermission untill dusk ; the extreme fatigue of the soldiers made it im- possible to pursue the Victory. . . . The unforeseen Occurrence which befel us after the Enemy were dislodged from their principal position, was in consequence of the Yeomea Horse giving way, that were posted near the right flank of the rebels, under the command of Lieut. Barnwell. ... It is possible, indeed, they might have been much pressed by the enemy prior to that taking place. Lord Fingal, Captains Preston and Barns, who so gallantly charged through the Village at the commencement of the Action, kept the rebels in check in that quarter. After their success Captain Blanche de- cided not to re-occupy the hill, but to pro- ceed to Dunshaughlin on account of the. ammunition being expended and the danger of the enemy attacking the two companies left to protect that town and neighbourhood. They also had charge of five companies' baggage, one six -pounder complete in am- munition, 10 boxes of ball cartridges and about 80 stand of spare arms and appoint- ments. The Enemy were at least 8,000 strong, well equipt with ammunition . . . almost every individual was furnished with some destructive weapon . . . [and] had from 4 to 500 stand of arms ; the prisoners they had belonging to the Beays were kept in front and compelled to fire on the King's Troops ; two of these were killed in action. Those retaken stated the enemy was 11,000 strong prior to the battle as reported to their commanders. The rebels had 350 killed (including their Commandant), be- sides wounded, and numbers drowned in a river near- in effecting their escape. But by private letters received later in Dublin the rebels were said to have had 502 killed ; the Reays, one Drummer and eight rank and file killed, and Lieut. Wm. Baillie, four Sergeants and 21 rank and file wounded, three mortally. The Kells Infantry had one killed and five wounded. . . . The enemy was believed to have been almost the first body that appeared in Arms, and proclaimed the Bebellion in the field. Prior to this they had pillaged the country between Dublin and Tara, and eluded, on May 25th, the strong garrison force sent against them from the Capital, consisting of a large proportion of Cavalry and 12 pieces of Artillery. . . . By this important Victory the communication with the North was opened and the County of Meath ... . preserved from . . . desolation, and good Order in a great measure restored and established. So great a terror was struck to the very heart of the rebels, that they never embodied again in that part of the Country. . . . It is obvious that the Insurgents had no less in view than the destruction of the Capital, the overthrow of the Government and our glorious Constitution. Captain Blanche speaks highly of the services rendered by Lord Fingal, Captains | Preston and Barns f Capt. McLean and Lieu- tenants G. Hunter, Rupert Mackay, James Scobie and Wm. Baillie of the Reays ; Captain Molloy and Lieuts. Keaton and Weviner of the Kells Infantry. Mri Pompleton of the Lawyers' Corps