CHAPTER XIV.

Opening of the Wexford campaign-Defeat of the British at Oulard-At Enniscorthy-Retreat to Wexford -Advance of the united forces-Deputation from Wexford to the united camp-Destruction of the advanced guard of General Fawcett's army-Second deputation from Wexford, with proposals for surrendering the town -Evacuation of Wexford by the British army-Occupation of it by the united troops-Further successesAlarm of the Irish government-Generous appeal of Mr. Fox to the British senate-Augmentation of the army.

WHILE the situation of Kildare was an object of serious concern, a new and more imposing scene presented itself—Wexford was in arms.

The naturally peaceable disposition of the inhabitants, and their patience under cruelties to which they were hourly exposed, had encou raged those who inflicted them to greater aggressions; but when the men of Wexford rose, they displayed a spirit not calculated on by their assailants, and unprecedented in any country where an undisciplined peasantry had to contend with a regular force. The rapidity

of their movements, the boldness of their designs, their courage, perseverance, and astonishing success, had given such powerful ascendancy to their arms, as baffled every effort of their enemies, and seemed to threaten the very extinction of the power to which they were opposed.

Oulard was the first scene of action. On the morning of the 27th of May it was occupied by the united forces, for Wexford was now united. Here they waited the arrival of the king's troops, who soon advanced to dislodge them. The contest was short, but it was decisive. The royal division was cut to pieces, the yeomanry fled; of the former, four soldiers only with their colonel escaped.

The battle of Oulard gave confidence to the united troops; the following day they marched on Enniscorthy. After a brave resistance on the part of the garrison, numbers having fallen on either side, the courage and impetuosity of the people prevailed, and they became masters of the town. The routed army fled to Wexford, where every thing was in the highest state of alarm, and measures were immediately resorted to for a general defence.

Wexford, the chief town of the county, was a garrison of some importance. In addition to

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its former force, with the remains of the army from Enniscorthy, it received reinforcements of all the surrounding yeomanry corps, and a supply of artillery and experienced officers from Duncannon fort, then under the command of the British general, Fawcett, who was preparing to march in person with further relief. Every thing at first bespoke a determined and manly defence, but the united troops, flushed with conquest, and fired with resentment of recent wrongs, having marched from Enniscorthy, and encamped on Vinegar Hill, neither the formidable position of the town, protected by walls and defended by cannon, nor a garrison of 1200 effective men, with Fawcett marching to its relief, could allay the fears which their appearance had excited. After mature deliberation, it was considered prudent to address the united forces, through the medium of those who possessed their confidence. Amongst the state prisoners confined in the gaol of Wexford, were three gentlemen of fortune and high respectability, Messrs. Colclough, Fitzgerald, and Harvey. These gentlemen were solicited to use their influence to induce the united troops to retire, and commissioned by the civil and military authorities to act as arbitrators between the royal garrisons of Wexford, and an undisciplined rebel

force. Colclough and Fitzgerald were deputed on this extraordinary mission, while Harvey remained in prison as a hostage for their return.

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On the arrival of the commissioners within the united lines, they were welcomed with a cheer, which, in the language of the day, made Wexford ring... Little time was lost in parley, the very offer betrayed the weakness of the party who proposed it; instant orders were given to march; and "to Wexford! to Wexford!” was re-echoed from man to man. Fitzgerald' was adored by the people; him they detained. in the camp. Colclough was treated with all the respect due to his worth, and despatched to Wexford to announce their immediate advance. It was not an idle threat, for the next morning exhibited their approach in a bristly grove of pikes, glittering from the summit of the three rocks on the mountain of Forth. ཏི ཅ - །

Here the united troops halted for the night, and cut off the advance of General Fawcett's army on its march from the fort of Duncannon to the relief of Wexford. The entire of the advanced guard perished, save one subaltern officer and a few privates who remained prisoners. General Fawcett, learning this disaster, hastily retreated with the main body of his army. So

rapidly did this pass, that the garrison of Wexford was in total ignorance of the occurrence, at the short distance of three miles. from the scene of action.

The expected advance of General Fawcett's army, which it was calculated must at that time have been within view of the enemy's camp, induced the garrison of Wexford to try the ef fect of a sally. This proved unsuccessful: the leader of the expedition having fallen, the troops retreated with precipitation back on the town. All was now terror and dismay. Again the authorities assembled, and the result of their deliberation was an appeal to the generosity of Harvey, whom they prevailed upon to address a conciliatory letter to the camp, which was forwarded through the medium of a second deputation, who were instructed to propose the immediate surrender of the town on condition that life and property should be spared. The united forces required that the arms and ammunition of the garrison should be likewise given up. Commissioners proceeded from the camp to Wexford to arrange the articles, but on their arrival they found the town evacuated by the British troops. The greatest possible consternation prevailed. Soldiers flying in every direction without order or arrangement.