deep and rapid stream, or to face the bristly pikes of their assailants. The Fourth dragoon guards, the Fifth dragoons, and the Ancient Britons, ashamed at the unmanly flight of their auxiliaries, pressed boldly forward to check the enemy's advance, who, now exposed to a raking fire from musketry and artillery, were repulsed.

To the impetuous charge of the second column, was opposed a formidable line of infantry, supported by six pieces of cannon. This line was repeatedly charged, and resisted the several attacks with the greatest firmness; while the boldest feats of courage were displayed by the assailants in their frequent attempts to carry the cannon, which as often swept away whole ranks in their daring advance. As this line formed the principal barrier of defence, the post was assailed on the one side, and defended on the other, by the best exertions of both.

The United troops by this time had brought up three pieces of cannon to oppose the British artillery. Mr. Esmond Kyan, a gentleman of distinguished bravery and considerable military experience, perceiving the inefficiency of their fire, quitted the division he commanded, and resigning it to another, applied himself solely to the direction of the guns. Here he gallantly maintained his position throughout the fight. Having dismounted one of the enemy's guns, which caused a momentary confusion in their

line; Redmond, a youthful leader, availed himself of the circumstance, and at the head of his band dashed forward to seize on the British cannon. He had laid his hand on a gun, and in the act of cheering his companions, a discharge from a howitzer blew him to atoms.*

Kyan's well directed fire, supported by the daring charge of Redmond's division, had obliged the enemy to shift their ground; and the British General, it is said, contemplated a retreat; but in this he was opposed by the second in command. The fortune of the day had wavered more than once; but the want of ammunition had rendered the Wexford musketry unserviceable, and the last cannon had been pointed by the unerring hand of Kyan. Nothing now remained but to charge with the pike! This was gallantly conducted by the Rev. Michael Murphy, in a desperate effort to gain the interior of the town. The onset was bold and determined, and the fate of the day rested on the result, when Murphy fell by a cannon shot in front of the line, and the United forces retreated. They occupied that

When the intelligence of this disaster was conveyed to the father of the intrepid youth, "I have," said the venerable patriot, "four sons still in arms, and I can afford one to the glory of his country."

Colonel Skerret, second in command under General Needham, bore honorable testimony to the gallant conduct of young Mr. Redmond on this occasion.

night their former position, having carried off their wounded, undisturbed by the British in their march. A pursuit would have been an act of great temerity, which the Royal army shewed no disposition to attempt; for had they quitted their advantageous position, they would have had little chance in contending in an open country with the United troops. Of this they seemed perfectly sensible; and it has been asserted, that scarcely a moment intervened, between the predetermined intention of the British General to retreat, and the issue of the contest.

The cool and intrepid conduct of Kyan throughout the engagement, was a subject of admiration to both armies. This gentleman having lost an arm, wore an artificial one in its place. In the heat of the action the artificial arm being carried off by a cannon shot, which at the same time fractured his shoulder, Kyan jocularly observed to his companions, "My loose timbers are flying-God bless the mark-and now for the right arm of the British line," deliberately pointing his gun.

CHAPTER VI.

Augmentation of the British Army in Wexford-Deplorable situation of the Country-March of United Forces to Wicklow-General Lake-General Byrne-Lacken Hill Encampment-Masterly Retreat to the Three Rocks-Advance and concentration of the Royal Troops-Yeomanry and Military Devastations-Massacre of Prisoners in Wexford-Battle of Foulks's Mill-of Enniscorthy-of Vinegar Hill.

THE United troops, after the battle of Arklow, marched back on their former position, and remained a short time encamped at Gorey; whence they proceeded to Limerick Hill, a commanding eminence, nearly midway between the post they had quitted and the town of Arklow, the late theatre of contest. There they rested; while General Needham, with his army shut up in the garrison of Arklow, kept close within his lines of defence, observing that cautious and prudent conduct for which this commander was peculiarly distinguished throughout the Wexford campaign!

The British army having been reinforced, and continuing to receive fresh augmentations; strong detachments were sent out at intervals from different points, to scour and harrass the country in the vicinity of their quarters. On these occasions the most shameful excesses were committed, and every person put to instant

death, who had the misfortune to fall into their hands. The United troops, who witnessed those enormities, retaliated; and the country presented a picture of the most deplorable distress. This vindictive system of warfare proved fatal to the lives of many prisoners on both sides, and aroused a rancorous feeling of animosity, which the more humane and merciful were not at all times able to repress.

To distract the attention of the British troops, and impede the concentration of the immense reinforcements, which Government had ordered to Wexford, and which were hourly pouring in on that devoted country; as well as to open a communication with their Wicklow friends, the United forces marched from their encampment on Limerick Hill, and entered the county of Wicklow on the 10th of June. Without coming to a general action, they had some smart encounters with detachments of the Royal troops ; while the yeomanry, stationed at Tinnehely, for the defence of the town, naturally fled from the advance of a "Rebel force."

Re-entering Wexford, with Byrne of Ballymanus, at their head, Chief of the Wicklow bands, and a gentleman of high family and fortune,一 the descendent of heroes, and as dauntless a leader as ever crossed the lofty mountain barrier or the deep wooded glen of that bold and romantic country, which once formed the proud