against those three hostile bodies, and defended every ditch along the hill to the camp. In the struggle to reach the top of the hill, the Williamite infantry threw off their coats, and the prophecy of the Irish was thus fulfilled, that the Gauls, which meant English, or other foreigners, would find their coats too heavy going up the hill at the fight of Aughrim O'Kallagh.

The Earl of Lucan, who was stationed on the top of Kilcomedan Hill, to the rere of the Irish centre, impatiently waiting for orders from Lieutenant-General de St. Ruth, did not once during the day take part in this sanguinary battle, or assist his countrymen in fighting, until now, as he was not aware of the death of the Commander-in-chief, and was too good a soldier to disobey orders. Seeing that all was now lost, owing to the death of their leader, he resolved to render his unfortunate countrymen all the assistance in his power, by seeing that they retreated in regular and proper order. The English pursued the Irish infantry to the top of Kilcomedan Hill, with a cry of 'Blood, blood,' and resolved to give no quarter. Here, having destroyed the camp which had protected the Irish, the latter fled in the direction of the large red bog, while their cavalry, under the gallant Lord Lucan, retreated towards the town of Loughrea, bringing with them the remains of the brave, but unfortunate, Sieur de St. Ruth.

The events which had taken place on the right and centre occurred opportunely for the safety of the Huguenot regiments, for, after being repeatedly repulsed with great loss by the Irish, they took shelter behind a chevaux-de-frize. But, notwithstanding this defence, the Huguenot infantry were on the point of being cut to pieces by the Irish, who rushed upon them, sword in hand, when a regiment of Danish Guards— the King of Denmark's-about 800 strong, came up to their aid, and rescued them from the impending danger, by attacking the Irish flank, and compelling them to fall back. However, as soon as the Irish recovered from the effects of the charge, they again, not fearing the reinforced Huguenots, boldly renewed the attack, and drove them back with the same success they had achieved before the King of Denmark's Foot Guards had come up. Major-General the Marquis la Forrest, observing the great danger to which his brave countrymen were exposed, resolved to bring to their assistance a still greater force. The arrival of this second body of troops gradually gave a turn to this long-continued and deadly struggle. The Marquis la Forrest then formed the three Huguenot regiments, the Danes, and all the others he had brought up, into one division, which charged the Irish most determinedly. The first battalion of Irish, after making a last struggle, were compelled to

retreat before this strong host. This disaster threw the Irish in the rere also into a state of disorder, and the whole of their battalions, after standing their ground up to this so manfully, now gave way before the superior force of the Marquis la Forrest. The loud and rapid report of musketry was now heard by them from the top of the hill, and they saw with dismay that De Ginckell's troops had succeeded in depriving them of any assistance, by defeating their left and centre. Thus the brave Irish, who for over two hours had fought without intermission, and maintained the Pass of Urachee, were reluctantly obliged to give way, and do the best they could to save themselves. However, the Danish cavalry on the extreme left were kept at bay by the Irish there; and many of the latter afterwards effected their retreat, but so slowly that a great number of them were put to the sword by the enemy. The Irish force stationed along the little river, on the most remote part of De Ginckell's left, still held their ground. They comprised horse and foot, and were closely watched by De Ginckell's Danish cavalry and infantry. The Danes acted very cautiously, however, and did not venture to attack the Irish here, until certain that Mackay had succeeded at Aughrim, and that the whole of De Ginckell's army were marching up the hill. When the Danes engaged the Irish, the latter, though disheartened by the defeat of the rest of their army, resolved to make all the resistance in their power, which they did most creditably for over half an hour, at the expiration of which time they were obliged to retreat before the overwhelming numbers brought to bear against them. All the foreign cavalry in the Williamite army, but particularly the Danes, now fell upon the broken and disordered Irish ranks, instead of pursuing the Irish cavalry, who were retreating in perfect military order under Lord Lucan; and a scene of the most disreputable slaughter took place. Those who survived of the Irish generals, captains, other officers, and chaplains, made every exertion to facilitate the safe retreat of the defeated troops.

A circumstance now occurred which shows clearly how capable the Irish are of remaining cool, even on the most trying occasions, and which saved the lives of several of them. Father James O'Reilly on the retreat of his regiment, observing it was closely followed by the enemy, commanded a drummer to beat a charge. This stratagem had the desired effect. The Baron de Ginckell's troops, imagining the Irish soldiers were about to stand and attack them, halted, and formed in order to resist them, and the time thus gained enabled the Irish to gain the bog, and get beyond the reach of their enemies. It was now after eight o'clock, and, as if to cast a veil over the scene of slaughter, a fog

arose, and thick misty rain began to descend. This was providential, as it aided the Irish infantry to retreat, some of whom wended their way towards Galway, but the greater portion to Limerick. De Ginckell, seeing matters were to his satisfaction, captured the old castle of Aughrim, and massacred all the Irish there, with the exception of Colonel Burke (117), his major, eleven officers, and forty soldiers. This was an instance of great clemency on the part of the English, contrasted with their treatment of others who belonged to the Irish army, both here and at the Boyne, for not more than 450 were taken prisoners, including the officers, and the wounded Irish, who were very numerous, were mercilessly put to death.

A body consisting of 2,000 of the Irish, who were cut off by the movements of De Ginckell's army, threw down their arms, and asked for quarter, but were all murdered on the spot, and Viscount Galway was perfidiously slain after the English had promised to give the Irish quarter.

Owing to the retreat of the Irish from Aughrim, the bodies of their slain were left unburied on the battle-field, with very few exceptions; and, consequently, great numbers of dogs, ravens, and other carnivorous animals collected to feast on the dead. A remarkable instance of the gratitude and affection of the canine species occurred on the field of Aughrim, under the following circumstances. An officer in the Irish army had a favourite wolf-dog, to which he was very much attached. This faithful animal had followed him all through the war, and during the warmest attacks could not be separated from him. At length when the officer bravely fell in charging the English ranks, the wolf-dog lay across the dead body, whining piteously, until forced by hunger to seek food. It then joined the other dogs, and satisfied its appetite on other bodies, but on no account would allow anything to meddle with the remains of its departed master. It thus continued alternately to keep guard, and appease its hunger, until at last, all the bodies were devoured with the exception of its master's. The wolf-dog still remained, though there was now nothing left but the skeleton, retiring each night to the neighbouring villages to procure food. In this manner, the noble animal continued until the month of January, a period of nearly six months, when a soldier in Colonel Ffoulke's Regiment, being stationed near the place, one day accidentally passed where the skeleton lay. The ever watchful dog, imagining he had come for the purpose of disturbing his master's bones, sprang at the Williamite, and endeavoured to seize him by the throat. The former stepping aside with great agility raised his musket to his shoulder, took steady aim

and fired. In a second the faithful dog fell dead over the relics of its

master.

The loss sustained by the Irish army in this battle was about 4,000 killed and 450 prisoners. It must be also remembered that previous to the sudden and unexpected death of Lieutenant-General de St. Ruth, their Commander-in-chief, the Irish had not lost many men, while the Williamite forces under Baron de Ginckell were beaten back with great slaughter in several unsuccessful attempts, which they made upon the Irish army up to that time. The number of Irish officers taken prisoners was 111, and those killed between 500 and 600, including De St. Ruth, and others of distinction. It will be observed by these figures that the Irish gentry were not sparing of their blood in the cause of their religion and country, and that they intended keeping their word, when they unanimously said that at Aughrim they were resolved to die or conquer; and their descendants should feel justly proud of the long and noble struggle which they maintained against superior numbers, for although they were defeated at Aughrim it cannot be alleged that they lost that bloody battle dishonourably.

Baron de Ginckell's loss in killed and wounded was something more than 3,000 men, including seventy-three officers killed-namely, one major-general, two colonels, one lieutenant-colonel, four majors, nineteen captains, twenty-four lieutenants, and twenty-two ensigns and cornets. Amongst the wounded were one hundred and eleven officers, most of whom died. Baron de Ginckell captured all the tents of the Irish army, their military stores, provisions, a great quantity of arms, nine heavy field-pieces, thirty-two colours, and eleven standards.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE RETREAT UNDER THE EARL OF LUCAN.

WHEN the main body of the cavalry, under the command of the Earl of Lucan, retreated from their post on Kilcomedan Hill, they marched on in regular order by the road to Loughrea. All the other detached parties of cavalry shortly after joined them, and his Lordship assisted the officers to put them in order, so as to conduct their retreat properly. The Williamite horse pursued, but did not come to close quarters with them. After having marched about three miles, it became very dark,

up near

and Lord Lucan resolved to wait for the approach of the advanced portion of Baron de Ginckell's cavalry. Accordingly, he drew Ballydonnellan, in view of the large and ancient castle erected in 1412, and which was the principal residence of the Chiefs of Clan Bresal, one of the most powerful Milesian septs of Connaught. Here his Lordship, at the head of a regiment of horse, made a brisk and determined charge, killing several of the enemy. The remainder fell back in haste, taking care not to close again with the Irish, who rapidly pushed on in the direction of Loughrea.

During the charge at Ballydonnellan, The O'Donnellan, who held a colonel's commission in the Irish army, and was wounded at Aughrim, took leave of Captain Forster and his other friends, and returned home, resolved to follow the army as soon as he recovered.

Donal Bran and his band, who led the way during the retreat, were most useful, from their perfect knowledge of the country.

About midnight the Irish army reached Loughrea, and found that many of the inhabitants were flying to the adjacent mountains. Here the body of Lieutenant-General the Sieur de St. Ruth was interred by torchlight, in the old convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary; after which Lieutenant-General d'Usson and other officers, with some men, resolved to secure Galway from the grasp of the enemy.

Lord Lucan resolved to proceed, without delay, to Limerick, and therefore quickly left Loughrea. They had a very weary march all that cold, sad night to Gortinsiguara, but could not rest on the way, lest the whole of the Williamite cavalry might overtake and intercept them. When they reached Gortinsiguara, it was still dark, and Lord Lucan consulted with Captain Forster, as he knew all that part of the country well, and resolved not to proceed by the direct road to Tubberindony, but to take a rougher route near the mountains of Burren, in the county of Clare. Leaving Gortinsiguara behind him, he turned to the right, and reached Kilmacduach Abbey just at day-break. Here he held another consultation with his officers, and Captain Forster gave his opinion that they ought to march to Rathorpe, where plenty of cattle could be procured for the use of the men. But his Lordship still maintained his resolution of marching on without delay, lest any further attempt might be made to intercept him. The cavalry had suffered severely, being under arms since six o'clock on the previous morning, during which time they had neither food nor rest.

Donal Bran, Conor O'Shaughnessy, and Kelly were directed to disperse, and return to their homes, where they were to procure means of disguising themselves, and afterwards return to Loughrea for the pur