him to surrender his arms; he refused to comply, and desired them to depart. Persisting in their demand, he again replied, that he would never surrender his arms but with his life; on which they fired through the windows. Six or seven Protestants, who had fled to Mr. Turner's house for safety, now determined to defend themselves to the last; and, for a considerable time, they made a most gallant resistance by incessantly firing out upon the rebels, who now, exasperated to the most extravagant fury, roared like beasts of prey. At length, Matthew Bulger, James Meagher, Denis Carty, and another noted villain, with the greatest deliberation, waited till Mr. Turner came to the window to discharge his piece: the four levelled together, and blew off the side of his face. The other persons within, seeing him fall, ceased firing, and, in the excess of their grief, neglected to defend themselves further. At this time, Michael Keough, Mr. Turner's own proctor, a man that had always received from the family the most distinguished marks of real esteem, and was raised by them from poverty to a comfortable living,— burst through the back window, and being followed by two others, set the study on fire; while those without cut down the hall-door, forced an entrance, and rushed up stairs, where they found the unfortunate gentleman senseless, and covered with blood. They treated him with the most savage brutality; left him mangled to pieces; murdered nine of his Protestant neighbours-two of whom were the sponsors, and one the father of the infant just baptised and then set fire to the house. The body of Mr. Turner was consumed, and nothing of him was found afterwards but his bones.

The rebels stationed on the hill of Oulard, now filled the town of Wexford with indescribable consternation. It was therefore resolved to send out a detachment of the military to reconnoitre and disperse them, with the vain hope that, as formerly, twenty disciplined men would put hundreds to flight; but now they were sworn, and headed by their priests, who were determined to fight hard. The detachment consisted of Lieutenant-Colonel Foote, with Major Lombard, Captain Decourcy (brother to Lord Kinsale), Lieutenant Barry, Lieutenant D. Williams,

Lieutenant Ware, an ensign, and one hundred and thirty men of the North Cork Militia, with the Yeomen Cavalry of Colonel Le Hunte.

When the rebels perceived the approach of the army, they lay in ambush in the ditches. The troops advanced to engage the body on the side of the hill; but, after firing a few rounds, they incautiously charged them, when they were instantly surrounded by the whole rebel force, and cut to pieces. How shall we attempt to describe the situation of Wexford, when the news arrived of this dreadful event?

The rebels having plundered the soldiers of all their arms and ammunition, proceeded to Corragrewa Hill, where they continued to augment their forces, and finally determined to attack Enniscorthy.

up

The army, under the Earl of Courtown, retreated to Arklow, hearing the rebels were too numerous to contend with, and wishing to concentrate their whole force. When they reached Arklow, the soldiers were quartered in the barracks, and the yeomen and their families received into private houses. Many of the country people took their abode in barns and out-offices. Though deserted by the army, Gorey was still in the possession of the brave and resolute John H. Gowan, Esq., Captain of the Wingfield Cavalry, and a few of the Tinahely Yeomen Infantry. The yeomanry in Arklow were dissatisfied because they were not permitted to return and assist Captain Gowan; but, on Tuesday the 29th of May, an order arrived for them to march for Gorey, where they arrived that night, with twenty-five North Cork, twentyfive Antrim, and twenty Gorey Infantry, under the command of Captain Elliott, of the Antrim Militia.

In the meantime the Oulard rebels approached Enniscorthy, and having summoned the town without effect, they marched to Ballyorial Hill, heard mass from the celebrated Priest Murphy of Boolanogue, and then pro

ceeded to attack

ENNISCORTHY,

which place was defended by three hundred men, including The rebels, after hearing mass celebrated

the

yeomanry.

by father Murphy, at Ballyorial Hill, advanced, in number about five thousand, and commenced firing upon the troops, killing two of the officers, and wounding two more. The yeomen returned the fire with great effect, whilst the insurgents continued to advance and extend their wings, intending to surround them; but the gallant corps continued unceasing in their exertions, till, finally, they were viotorious. It should be here noticed, that a company of the North Cork kept possession of the bridge against about two thousand of the enemy for four hours. During this engagement, the yeomen performed prodigies of valour, never exceeded, and seldom equalled. Of the loyalists, eighty-eight were killed; of the rebels, about six hundred. When the action at Enniscorthy had thus terminated, the loyalists immediately vacated it. Owing to the houses being set on fire during the action by the Popish party, it was thought advisable to proceed to Wexford town, which could only be accomplished at great risk-the rebels having large encampments in various parts of the country.

After Enniscorthy had been vacated by many of the loyalists, the most savage cruelties were practised upon those who remained. On the morning of the 29th May, twenty members of the Established Church were murdered in front of the rebel line; and those found in the suburbs were kept prisoners in an old wind-mill, situate on the top of Vinegar Hill. The camp stationed upon this hill was addressed every day, in sections, by twenty priests.

The most revolting acts were committed in the neighbourhood of Vinegar Hill, owing to the commands of the villanous priests, Roche and Murphy, a few of which we shall introduce at the end of the work.

BORRIS.

The princely mansion of Mr. Kavanagh, situate in this town, was next the subject of attack, owing to the activity and loyalty of that gentleman. He, however, seeing the excited state of the country, had used his influence in augmenting his corps. On the 24th of May, Captain Kavanagh, at the head of his men, proceeded through the district, and succeeded in capturing four blacksmiths who

were in the act of making pikes. On the same night, his house was attacked by a body of rebels, and was bravely defended by his gallant corps, who repulsed them, but not until the ruffians had broken the lower windows of the house, and carried off the blacksmiths who were confined in it. It is believed that fifty of the insurgents lost their lives on this occasion. By the active exertions of the yeomanry corps of this neighbourhood, the country in a few days was pretty well cleared of the most daring and treacherous of the rebel band, who joined their associates in the county of Wexford, where they committed the most dreadful cruelties. The garrison at Borris was at this time increased by the arrival of a party of the 9th Dragoons, and a few of the Donegall Militia, who were allowed to remain unmolested until the 12th of June, though surrounded by the rebel camps. On the 11th, Sir Charles Asgill, by concerted movements of the troops under his command, surrounded the camp of the insurgents in the district of the Roar, and succeeded in shooting a great number of the insurgents. The events of this day had lulled the garrison of Borris into a security which nearly proved fatal to them; for, on the following day, they received the intelligence that multitudes of the rebels were advancing towards the town. Their forces at this period were greatly weakened by the absence of all their officers but one, who were engaged with several of their men in various duties in the adjacent country. The rapid movements of the enemy allowed no time for calling men in; for, in a few hours after the notice of their approach, they entered the town, and set fire to all the houses. They next attacked the Mansion-House by attempting to batter it, but met with gallant resistance by the few noble fellows who defended it, The insurgents were commanded by Priest Kearns, a noted leader, who was subsequently hanged at Edenderry. Twelve rebels lost their lives in this engagement, and several wounded; only one of the Donegall Militia was killed, and two wounded. One of the rebels who was wounded, and could not retreat, proved to be a tenant of Mr. Kavanagh's, wholived close to his house, and to whom he had

been very kind. This wretch, on being asked why he embarked in this enterprise, confessed that he was induced to do so by a promise of obtaining a portion of the Borris

estate.

The garrison of Wexford was composed of two hundred of the Donegall Militia, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, about two hundred and fifty of the North Cork, the Heathfield, and Enniscorthy Cavalry, Captain Ogle's Infantry, the Enniscorthy Infantry, and the Wexford Infantry, commanded by Doctor Jacob, and the Scarrawalsh, the Wexford, and Taghmon Cavalry. As a reinforcement to the garrison, a detachment of the Meath Regiment and four officers, under the command of Captain Adams, and one corporal and seventeen gunners of the Royal Artillery, with two howitzers, commanded by Lieutenant Birch, marched from Duncannon Fort, for Wexford, on Tuesday, 29th May.

The first night the troops arrived at Taghmon, they expected to be reinforced by eighty of the 30th, and four companies of the Meath Regiments. Though these troops did not arrive in time to join them, the Meath detachment set out on their march two hours before day, having been encouraged by the country people to do so, who gave them the most solemn assurances that they would not be molested on their march; though, in doing so, they had no other design but to expose them to a numerous body of rebels who lay in ambush for them. When they arrived within four or five miles of Wexford, having seen twelve men on an eminence near the road, they prepared for action; but after some time, not perceiving an enemy, they renewed their march unmolested, till they came to the mountain of Forth, where they were immediately surrounded by a great body of rebels, who raised a white flag, and soon after began a severe fire, accompanied by the most dreadul yells.

The militia, panic-struck by the numbers of the enemy and the darkness of the night, betook themselves to flight; in consequence of which eighty-nine of the privates, and three officers, including Captain Adams, were cut to pieces, and the entire of the howitzers and ammunition fell into the hands of the rebels.