THE
EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS;
OR,
ADELAIDE OF TYRCONNEL;
A ROMANCE.
_IN THREE VOLUMES._
BY MATTHEW WELD HARTSTONGE, ESQ. M. R. I. A.
Nescia mens hominum, fati sortisque futuræ
Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis!
. . . . . . . . . . tempus erit,
. . . . . et quum spolia ista diemque
Oderit!
VIRGILIUS, Æ. x.I.501.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE.
1825.
THE
EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS.
CHAPTER I.
----------------------------I have marshalled my men,
Their swords are a thousand, their bosoms are one.
They are true to the last, of their blood and their breath;
And like reapers descend to the harvest of death.
CAMPBELL.
Many a trumpet sounded forth the bold advance, and many a drum beat to
arms, and full many a heart throbbed high, upon the morning of the ever
memorable first of July, 1690. Then burst forth the signal-gun that
loudly pealed forth the approach of day, re-echoed by the woods and
waters of the Boyne. This signal was to announce to the troops of the
Prince of Orange instantly to commence their march as soon as summoned
by the cannon's roar. Their march was about three miles distant from the
margin of that stream which on this day was destined to become the
rubicon of empire!
The plan of attack, upon the part of the Prince of Orange, consisted of
three parts. We shall now begin with the first:--Count Menard Schomberg
(the son of Field Marshal Duke of Schomberg, and Commander-in-Chief
under the Prince of Orange) was to lead on the right wing towards the
westward of some fords which adjoined the bridge of Slane; the force
consisted chiefly of cavalry, and amounted to ten thousand men; Count
Schomberg commanded the cavalry, and Lieutenant General Douglas the
infantry. Their route to the ford, which it had been determined they
were to pass, lay through an unenclosed country, the grounds of which
were partly covered with low brush-wood, over which the horses sprung
with delight; and had the soldiers been clad in green a spectator might
have imagined he looked down on a hunting party, instead of beholding
an army upon the burst of battle; for, startled and roused from their
peaceful lair, numerous rabbits and hares were seen to jump forth from
beneath underwood, furze, fern, and heath; which soon set the soldiery
at fault, and who for the moment gave up (tumultuously dashing into the
merry greenwood) the hunting of men for chase of the leporine tribe; and
they were not brought back to a sense of duty until thrice the bugle of
recall had sounded; when having knocked on the head some hundreds of
these peaceful, harmless animals, the troops gave up the chase, which is
the symbol, for the dire reality of war.
They had now arrived on the margin of the Boyne, and upon the opposite
banks were entrenched King James and his army, consisting of English,
Scotch, Irish, and French troops. The latter were the experienced
veterans of Louis the Fourteenth, who had toiled and conquered in many a
desperate conflict.
The camp of King James was stationed thus:--On its right was the city of
Drogheda, filled with Irish soldiers: upon the further banks of the
Boyne, and to the eastward, their tents were extended in two parallel
lines, and protected by a deep morass, and on the left it was difficult
to be passed. In front of the camp were the fords of the Boyne deep and
dangerous, protected by rugged banks, and defended by some breast-works;
while the huts and hedges were lined with infantry on the rere; and at
some distance arose the church and village of Donore, upon whose
commanding heights King James in person was stationed. Three miles
further onward was the pass of Duleek, on which King James firmly
depended for a retreat, if such should be found wanting. The works
thrown up for the defence of the camp were strong, and well fortified in
front by the broad and deep waters of the Boyne; while the ditch, or
fosse, defending this position, was deep, and flanked with redoubts,
batteries, and pallisadoes.
The batteries of James kept up a brisk fire, pouring forth cannon-shot
upon the assailants, and not without due effect. This was to awe the
troops of Count Menard Schomberg, and incapacitate them from fording the
river. But it was not long erewhile that this deep salutation from the
cannon's mouth was duly responded to, and with correspondent effect, by
Count Schomberg, who, advancing to the margin of the ford, planted on
the spot three twenty-four pounders, which instantly commenced to fire
upon the enemy's intrenchments. This was soon again answered on their
part by five field-pieces returning the cannonade, which General
Sarsfield had mounted on his batteries. However, after an hour's heavy
and destructive cannonade, the superior weight of metal and calibre
irresistibly carried its expected success. Several of the French and
Irish artillery were killed; guns might then be seen dismounted, some
with their wheels broken, and others hurled from their carriages, all
thus rendered useless. Count Schomberg thus witnessing their batteries
to be effectually silenced, gave the signal for fording the Boyne; and
boldly and promptly dashed first onward at the head of his squadron, the
trumpets, drums, and kettle-drums, and all the accompanying bands,
striking forth their martial music, to which the waters of the Boyne
re-echoed. This was of course to encourage and arouse the ardour of his
troops, who, with a firm unbroken front, dashed impetuously into the
stream, as though it had been their natural element. The waters were
indeed deep, the infantry found them breast-high, and were compelled to
carry their muskets above their heads, to preserve them dry and fit for
service; while the horses of the cavalry were forced in many instances
to swim, the current of the river having been stopped by this sudden and
mighty influx of men and horses, which, as might have been expected,
raised the waters of the Boyne to an unusual height. In the mean time a
large squadron of infantry arrived on the opposite bank, who kept up a
galling fire, at which time some of the cavalry of King James plunged
into the stream to oppose the landing of the troops of the Prince of
Orange. It then became uproar, noise, and confusion, all the while
death was busy on the Boyne, and upon its opposite banks.
"Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan!"
With the loss of many wounded, and in a greater ratio of others who were
slain, Count Menard Schomberg effected the landing of his troops; at
which time the dragoons of King James began incontinently to retreat
towards the main body, which was attended with very considerable loss.
The main body of King James's infantry was extended in two parallel
lines. Lieutenant General Douglas finding how matters stood, sent
promptly for a reinforcement of foot to extend his lines in a similar
manner; but this intention was impeded by the intervention of an
extensive bog to his left, which rendered it quite impossible for his
cavalry to pass; he therefore ordered them to defile to the right, and
the infantry to march in open column to the left, and then to pass the
bog, or morass, in single files. This passage of the troops was effected
below the bridge of Slane. And having now dispersed the troops which
opposed him, his object was to force his way to the ford of Duleek, so
that at once he might attack the enemy from behind, and totally cut off
his retreat at the same moment. King James perceiving Count Schomberg to
march for Slane, and great bodies of troops moving with him, concluded
that the whole army were taking the same route; and that the English and
Dutch troops, conscious of the difficulty of forcing the fords between
the camps, would not, thus circumstanced, dare to attempt them,
discouraged, as well they might be, from an expected attack on their
flank, in such an enterprise. However, should they attempt, and succeed,
he apprehended that his communication with Duleek might in the mean time
be cut off. Accordingly, under this full impression, King James sent
forward a great force to watch Count Schomberg, and by his doing so he
weakened his principal force. The Count Schomberg, in consequence of
these improvident movements of his opponent, found but little opposition
to his ulterior passage of the ford, soon dispersing the few troops
which had soonest arrived to oppose him; and then he dashed on with his
infantry, and boldly floundered through the bog; while he sent his
cavalry round over a narrow tract of firm ground. The boldness of which
action completely discouraged his opponents; in consequence of which
they rapidly retreated to Duleek.
We are now come to the _second_ part of the attack, as devised and
planned by the Prince of Orange. The moment that the prince was informed
that Count Schomberg had passed the ford, and had accomplished the
landing of his troops, although his Highness had long been quite
prepared to ford the river, yet the information which he received of the
complete success of Count Schomberg increased his desire to commence the
march, which he instantly began. He was attended by Duke Schomberg, who
was to command the centre of the army. The Dutch Guards, in their blue
jackets and orange facings, first plunged into the waters of the Boyne.
The Brandenburghers at the same instant, impelled by national
competition, dashed also simultaneously into the stream, led on by
their gallant colonel.
The Dutch Guards, who thus led on the van of battle, were broadly
exposed to the fire of their enemies, whose lines were intrenched along
the opposite heights of the Boyne, and also by several battalions
stationed upon the banks beneath. These troops of King James not only
resisted on the banks, but plunging into the stream, manfully opposed
the approach of the infantry of the Prince of Orange. But the troops of
his Highness, even while in the river, fired a grand discharge of
musketry, which instantaneously checked their opponents. Here a
chivalrous combat for the standard of green Erin, fought for in the very
bosom of the Boyne, is worthy of being recorded, while
"Advanced--forced back, now low, now high,
The pennon sunk and rose."[1]
[1] Marmion.
The standard of the golden harp was borne by Cornet Hamilton, nephew to
Major General Hamilton, and an officer in the General's regiment of
horse. The combat for the armorial banner was sustained by a brave
officer of the Brandenburghers, who seemed determined at every risk to
possess the standard, and place it as a trophy at the feet of the Prince
of Orange. The conflict was fought with desperate fury; they fought in
the flood--they fought at the ford; they next landed on the banks, and
fought upon the verdant shores of the Boyne. Here Hamilton, dreading to
lose the banner he had so gallantly defended, tore the banner from the
standard-staff, (it was the work of only a moment,) and instantly
wrapped the banner around his body, while with earnest enthusiasm he
exclaimed:--
By death alone shall Erin's harp be won,
And through the life-blood of her faithful son!
The dreadful personal combat now recommenced, and in the fierce and
astounding shock of the charge, the sword of Hamilton was shivered in
twain; and within the same moment, from the overpowering shock and
impetus of the charge, both the combatants instantaneously were flung,
horse and rider, to the ground. They now arose upon equal terms, for
both were disarmed; but still they met, while each with daring
desperation contended for the prize; foot opposed to foot, knee to knee,
and arm to arm! For some time they strenuously contended with doubtful
success; but soon the Brandenburgh officer was upon the point of
success, when Cornet Hamilton, with deep determined desperation, aided
by bodily strength, instantly seized upon the Brandenburgher, and with
all resistless force plunged himself and his adversary into the waters
of the Boyne, from whence neither ever more were seen to rise! And it
was horrifying to hear the splash of the gurgling waters into which the
brave combatants, fighting with an unsubduable valour, sunk entombed,
never more to rise! and this amid the applauding shouts, or rather
shrieks, of either contending army, who had meantime given a pause to
the battle; while intently gazed both friend and foe, with wonder, awe,
and admiration, upon such a determined deadly feat of chivalry! seldom
equalled, and probably never surpassed, neither in the annals of war,
nor amid the feats and fictions of chivalry!
The Duke of Tyrconnel gallantly headed and led on his own regiment of
dragoon guards in headlong charge, with signal bravery, and not without
due effect. At length, however, the duke was repulsed, and his charger
which he rode was shot dead, and fell with his manly master to the
ground. However, he was soon seen mounted again, having arisen without
hurt from the earth, and briskly vaulted on a led horse of his own,
which was conducted instantly to him by his groom from the rere of the
regiment. The Irish troops were, at this period of the battle, thrown
into some confusion, and compelled unwillingly to retire. But the duke
conducted the retreat in a masterly and gallant manner. Soon after this
the English and Danish troops, with the brigades of Sir John Hanmer and
Melionère, immediately followed, and passed the ford without
opposition. The cause assigned for this disposition of the forces was
this:--that the Prince of Orange well knew that both the Dutch and
Brandenburghers were warmly attached to his person, and he felt
convinced that the Huguenots and Enniskilliners were as deeply attached
to their religion. But the Danes at that time he did not as yet
sufficiently know; and much he feared to oppose the English forces who
now supported the princely James, their lawful sovereign, and who had
formerly commanded them, as now he did, in person.
Field Marshal Duke of Schomberg, who was most anxious, yet at the same
time doubtful of success, thinking the attempt a desperate one, still
firmly retained his station, surrounded by a strong body of troops, in
order to yield assistance wherever most it was wanted. The French troops
of King James now seemed to start from the earth, for hitherto they had
remained undiscovered; but now they arose upon the sight from among the
little hills, appearing far more numerous than what they really were.
This deception arose from the circumstance of their gradually, and at
intervals, arising to view from the brush-wood, thickets, and ditches,
where they lay stationed; and furthermore from the extension of their
ranks, from the interposition of trees, walls, and hedges, and the
intervention of houses, hamlets, and other objects, which had hitherto
obscured them.
Major General Hamilton, at the head of his own regiment of dragoons,
made a truly gallant charge, while fiercely he attacked the squadron of
the Danes, and withal with such vigour and success, that they soon fled
back incontinently through the river. Hamilton's cavalry, and that of
the Count de Lauzun, meanwhile pursued them, and having briskly chased
them, but without effect, as soon they returned, and then fell furiously
upon the French Huguenots, who having no pikes to sustain the dreadful
charge, their ranks of infantry were instantly broken through. Here
suddenly the cry arising of "_horse! horse!_" (of which to support them
they were in great want) having been mistaken for "_halt! halt!_" still
further threw the centre of the squadron of the Prince of Orange into
great disorder. The Dutch?--They _halted_ indeed, and with a vengeance.
The Huguenot ranks were broken through, while slowly the English succour
advanced; and the Danes, without even waiting to be attacked, wheeled
somewhat precipitately "right about," then fled panic-struck, and
plunged into the Boyne to effect a retreat. Not slow, however, were some
companies of Hamilton's dragoons to pursue, who promptly dashed into the
river to cut off a retreat.
At this point of the battle, the brave, the intrepid Callimotè, who in
person commanded his valiant corps of Huguenots--he who had been the
faithful partner of the toils and victories, and partaker of the glories
of Schomberg in former battles--at this moment was cut down by one of
Hamilton's horse. He had indeed received a mortal wound! He fell, but
was soon upraised by his brave soldiers; and while they bore him away,
bleeding even to death, in their arms, still strong and deep in agony
was heard the hero's voice. He called aloud to his brave companions in
the battle, "_A la gloire, mes enfans--à la gloire!_" and while thus
exclaiming, he died in the arms of his valiant comrades! Thus nobly sunk
this valiant man. He died a hero, and fell as the brave should fall,
shouting even in death the cry of victory! Meanwhile Duke Schomberg was
distinctly seen spurring onward his noble charger even in the deepest
part of the Boyne, encouraging and calling aloud upon the Huguenots to
rally, and accompanying this with his gesture, his voice, and his sword.
His strenuous and manly exertions were beheld and heard in vain, for no
succour advanced!
Hamilton's cavalry, a second time breaking through the ranks of the
flying Huguenots, wounded Duke Schomberg in the engagement, and hurried
him along; when his own troops firing at the duke through mistake, he
fell lifeless from his war-horse.
Hamilton's terrific charge on the part of the Irish, and the relief
brought to reinforce the Duke of Schomberg's squadron, on the other,
gave time to both sides to rally, and prepare for a renewed engagement.
The Duke of Tyrconnel performed prodigies of valour. He here had a
second horse shot under him while sustaining this dreadful conflict.
We must now come to the _third_ part of the battle, as it was arranged
(as we have before premised) by the Prince of Orange.
During the two former attacks every where was to be seen the blue and
orange plumes of Nassau waving over flood and field! Now also every
where was he to be seen quickly to rush into danger, riding rapidly from
place to place, examining every regiment and troop, exhorting and
inspiring them by look, gesture, and action. The soldiers were well
pleased at this attention; they were flattered and animated, every man
considering himself under the immediate inspection of his royal leader,
while every motion and manoeuvre his counsel, conduct, and courage
directed.
The Prince of Orange led on the left wing of the army, accompanied by
Prince George of Denmark, and they passed the Boyne at the ford of Old
Bridge, between the army of James and the town of Drogheda; and it was
not without difficulty that this measure was accomplished. Here the
charger of the Prince of Orange got entangled in a bog or morass at the
other side of the river, where he had landed, and where he was forced to
alight until one of the royal attendants succeeded in extricating
"Sorrel" (for so was the royal charger named) from his entanglement in
the morass, and assisted the prince to remount.
As soon as all the troops had passed over the Boyne water, and were put
in some order, the Prince of Orange commanded them to march; and
constantly was he seen upon the alert, with his large conspicuous
triangular hat and nodding plumes, urging "Sorrel" in full gallop at the
head of his cavalry, his sword drawn, and his wounded arm freed from the
scarf which had supported it. He waved his sword on high, and encouraged
and inflamed the soldiery to battle.
At this sight the troops of King James manifested a disposition to
retreat. King James, however, endeavoured by every method and persuasion
he could use to rally his men, while loudly he repeatedly called out to
them,
"On, on ye brave!"
while to his general officers he expressed his fixed determination "to
make a bold and resolute effort for the recovery of his throne; for
_that all the hopes of his restoration depended upon the result of that
day_!"
The Prince of Orange now despatched twelve battalions and nine squadrons
to strengthen his right wing, and placed himself at the head of the left
wing of his army. The right, as we have before observed, was commanded
by Count Menard Schomberg; the centre by Field-Marshal Duke of
Schomberg, and the left by William.
In the meantime all the forces of King James, except the detachment
which had retired to Duleek, promptly gathered from all quarters, and
formed a firm and formidable phalanx around their king. Here the battle
raged loud and stormy, but with various success, for about an hour,
representing both to the eye and ear all the horrors of civil and
foreign war commingled. Here waved in the breeze the silver lilies of
France; there undulated the silver harp of Erin, the golden lion of old
merry England; and the Scottish unicorn, with the bordure of the
thistle; next the Belgic lion in refulgent gold; then the dark, black
eagle of Brandenburgh, with the ominous raven of Denmark, all waving in
the morning breeze, and in the fierce discordant attack shaken to and
fro, like the woods of some ancient forest. Here, and every where,
resounded the languages of France, England, Holland, Denmark, Germany,
and Ireland--all spoken promiscuously. May we then not observe, what a
scene was there combined! withal the various and varied nations, their
troops' uniforms consisting of various and discordant hues, all
combining and forming the different tints of the rainbow, including many
_ultra_ and even _plus-ultra_ dyes of the arc of heaven!--green, blue,
black, yellow, scarlet, and some undefinable colours. The varied look
that caught the eye, and the varied language that irresistibly reached
the ear, rendered this ever most remarkable battle-scene truly another
Babel! While Frenchmen fought against their fellow-subjects in some
quarters of the field--while in others brave Britons contended against
Britons--and, alas! the sons of unhappy Ireland fought against each
other in opposing ranks!--Oh, the reflection was dreadful!
At this period of the battle Tyrconnel defeated the English, who were
commanded by General De Ginckle, and who thereupon suddenly retreated.
The Prince of Orange, perceiving what Tyrconnel had done, rallied the
English cavalry, and remonstrated with them upon their flight. When thus
urged, they rushed again upon the charge, and not without some success.
The Prince of Orange brought up his Dutch cavalry and the Enniskilliners
to support the charge; his Highness then wheeled to the left, and the
Enniskilliners, through mistake, did the same. Upon this the prince
galloped furiously to the right, and drew up his Dutch troops. The
Enniskilliners upon this became conscious of the mistake which they
involuntarily had committed, and they instantly reoccupied their ground,
and fought resolutely.
At this momentous crisis of the battle, the brave Tyrconnel strained
every nerve to support the troops under his command. He galloped in
front, and from flank to rere, while every where he exhorted,
encouraged, and animated the troops, as onward he galloped through the
ranks.
"Rise, might of Erin, rise!
Now on the foes' astonish'd eyes
Let thy proud ensigns wave dismay!
Here let the thunder of thy battle roll,
And bear the palm of strength and victory away!"
Here Tyrconnel encountered the Brandenburgh cavalry, with their gallant
colonel at their head, who, not unobserved by Tyrconnel, throughout that
well-fought field performed prodigies of valour. The duke and colonel
met, and closed in single combat, managing the broad sword with
equal--nay, with consummate skill; when a private of the
Brandenburghers, perceiving that the duke had the advantage of his
leader, presently levelling his carbine, and aiming at Tyrconnel, he
suddenly fired it off. The duke escaped, but his noble charger fell, and
flung with tremendous force to the earth the hero whom he had borne. In
an instant the colonel was on his feet, and raised his gallant opponent
in his arms.
"Brave and truly noble colonel! accept my warm and grateful thanks for
this truly generous and heroic act; and permit me, at the same time, to
know to whom I am so much, so highly indebted?"
"Noble duke," rejoined the valiant stranger, "for such I know you to be,
indeed you much overrate my service. However, at some future time, more
propitious than the present, my name shall be divulged to you; at the
present moment I have reasons quite sufficient to cause me to decline
the explanation which you require. But you shall have two pledges, and
from a true knight, for the fulfilment of my promise, solemnly made in
the battle-field!"
He then loudly called to his equerry: "Ho! Malcolm, bring Fergus from
the rere!" While on the instant the equerry advanced, bringing a noble
Hanoverian charger of a beautiful cream colour, who loudly snorted,
neighed, and proudly pawed the ground. The stately animal was ready
caparisoned for the field.
The colonel next took a ring from off his finger; it was an antique
cameo, exquisitely sculptured; the gem was a ruby of immense value; the
subject was the genius of Victory crowning Hercules.
"This," said the colonel, "you must permit me to place on your hand, as
an humble mark of my esteem and admiration of the brave who belong to
every country. This and my trusty charger are the gages for the
fulfilment of my promise."
"In return," replied the duke, "noble and generous stranger," at the
same moment taking from out his bosom a diamond star, which was appended
to a chain of gold, "receive this diamond star!" And flinging it with
much grace around the colonel's neck, he added: "Wear this for sake of
me! This morning it was given me by my king, who commanded me to place
it around the bravest neck and the boldest heart I should this day meet
in the field."
"Then," rejoined the stranger, "you should have reserved it for your
own, and have allowed it to remain; for where it _was_ placed it best
became!"
"Not so, gallant Sir," resumed the duke, "my beloved sovereign's
mandates I have now faithfully fulfilled."
Here the bugles of the contending squadrons pealed forth "a recall," and
the duke of Tyrconnel and the Colonel of the Brandenburghers parted,
highly and mutually pleased, and earnestly hoping yet to meet. Having
warmly shaken hands, the duke adroitly vaulted on the Hanoverian
steed--it was the third which he had mounted on that bloody day! And
when both were on horseback, they once more cordially shook hands,
while each with much regret bade the other adieu!
Throughout this momentous battle Tyrconnel had performed prodigies of
valour: he was every where to be seen, every where to be heard; his
rallying voice and look remonstrating with and encouraging the timid and
wavering, while gallantly he led on the brave to the charge. During this
deadly fight he lost three horses, which were shot beneath him, as has
been already mentioned. But still undismayed, he each time returned to
the charge; and if the crown of King James possibly could have been
preserved by the talents, loyalty, affection, and invincible courage of
an individual, it would have been fully secured by the firmness and
fidelity of Tyrconnel.
--------------------"Si Pergama dextrâ
Defendi possent, etiam hâc defensa fuissent!"
During the heat of the action at Old Bridge one of the Dutch dragoons of
the Prince of Orange rode up, and not knowing his person, clapped a
pistol to his head. "What!" calmly observed the prince, and with much
presence of mind, "what! do you not know your friends?"
The Count de Lauzun held firm for a considerable time in the village of
Old Bridge, although his troops were severely galled with the shells
which were incessantly poured against them from the mortars which the
Prince of Orange had planted at the entrance of the village. The count's
force was principally composed of French troops. At length, being
overpowered, he was reluctantly compelled to yield; however, he retired
in good order, leaving numbers of his opponents dead upon the field of
battle.
Major-General Hamilton, of whose exploits we have already made
honourable mention, was certainly, it must be allowed by all, an
experienced commander, and a brave soldier. He headed his cavalry in
conjunction with the Irish infantry, who were allotted to protect the
ford of Duleek. Several attempts hitherto, but in vain, were made upon
the enemy's post to force the ford; but now they were compelled to yield
to superior numbers. General Hamilton, upon finding that matters stood
thus, placed himself at the head of the cavalry who were to cooperate
with his infantry, fought with fierce and obstinate courage in repelling
the assailants; but being wounded in the head by a sabre blow, he was
taken prisoner. The right wing of the Irish upon this event gave way,
and they retired from the hedges and ditches, &c. where they had been
intrenched, and retreated across a bog to Duleek, where they attempted
to rally. But upon hearing that the left wing of their army was defeated
at Old Bridge, they gave way, and again retreated, leaving the pass at
Duleek undefended. Upon this, without losing the moment of advantage,
the Prince of Orange placed his troops in order, and directed a general
pursuit from all quarters. The close pressure of the enemy, the
consequent hurry of the flight, and the determination of the pursuers,
prevented the troops of King James from defending the pass at Duleek,
and the victory became complete and decided upon the part of King
William--which title he had now obtained by the sword; and then
tumultuous cries were heard shouting through the air, of "Nassau and
victory!--_Vive le Roy Guillaume!--Vive le hèros Guillaume!--Orange
Boven!--Een overwinnaar Boven al!_" &c. &c.
King William pursued with promptitude the flying troops of James, and
committed slaughter, chasing them four miles beyond Duleek. Night coming
on put a termination to the pursuit, and the pursuers were ordered to
return. They took possession of booty to a large amount, an extensive
train of baggage, chariots, waggons, horses, arms, and ammunition. All
the night the army of William stood to their arms. In this well fought
battle the Irish lost three thousand men; King William lost about one
thousand. The persons of note who were killed among the former army were
the Marquis d'Hackinkourt, Lord Dungannon, Lord Carlingford, and Sir
Neal O'Neal. Upon the part of King William was slain Field Marshal the
Duke of Schomberg, the wisest, bravest, and the greatest captain of the
age, and at the advanced age of seventy years this brave and valiant
hero fell! The brave Callimotè also was killed, and gloriously at the
head of his regiment, as has been already observed. At this battle also
was slain the celebrated and Reverend George Walker, who had so
gallantly defended Derry; he was killed a few steps behind King William.
When the account of his death was brought to the king, His Majesty said,
"Fool that he was, what had he to do here?" "Words," as Sir John
Dalrymple justly remarks, "which dishonoured the living, not the dead!"
The passage of the Boyne by King William was an enterprise certainly the
most courageous that history can attest; and however great and glorious
was that day's victory, yet, nevertheless, dearly was it purchased in
having cost the life of Field Marshal Schomberg. Throughout this arduous
and bloody day King William received no manner of hurt, although he was
actively engaged in the height of the action. However, a cannon ball
carried away a piece of his coat; but he received no wound in
consequence. Throughout this eventful fight he was seen to chase the
field, to dispose and arrange every attack, and several times to lead on
the charge; and whenever his troops began to shrink, he was instantly
observed to rally and support them, displaying upon every occasion firm
conduct, courage, and determined resolution.
King James had been often heard to declare, that "he was born to be the
sport of fortune!" But had he acted differently from what he did at the
battle of the Boyne, he would have placed himself above the reach of
fortune; had he determinedly mingled in the fight, and had he animated
his troops every where and upon all occasions by his presence and
example, instead of looking on, as latterly he did, a tame and timid
spectator from the church of Donore; in a word, had his nerves been as
firm as the hands and hearts of his Irish subjects were true, then
indeed all his hopes and fondest expectations of his restoration might
have been fully realized.
King William (in historic truth we must admit) did all that man,
statesman, or general, could do, to win over to his cause the Duke of
Tyrconnel. But the duke was too true, too just, too firm, and too
loyally fond of his royal master, to be tampered with, or even to give
an ear to the proffered corruption. No! "he was true to the last."
The fate of this important battle was decided in a great degree by its
locality; for, however strange it may appear, both parties had neglected
to occupy the pass or ford of Slane. King William advanced in three
columns to the opposite banks of the river, reconnoitred, and adjusted
his plan of operation, determining to attack by the right and centre.
On the morning of the battle, in pursuance of this determination, he
detached a corps to pass by Slane. This force arrived sooner at its
destination than that sent by King James, who quickly saw his error when
it was too late to counteract it. The curve of the river there forced
the troops of James to make a considerable _detour_, whereby time was
given to William's detachment to arrive and seize the pass before they
could effect it; which having forded, and then formed, they advanced on
the left of the army of James, and extending their lines to the right,
they turned it, notwithstanding a morass in its front, by which
manoeuvre it was compelled to fall back in confusion towards Duleek.
William so judiciously had combined his attack, that his centre was to
pass precisely at the time that his right should completely have engaged
the left of the army of King James. When that took place, his centre
column advanced against Old Bridge, and his left proceeded to the
fordes, which having passed, they obtained the opposite banks at the
projecting curve of the Boyne; they then formed at that point, and
received an attack from the right and centre of James, which having
fully repulsed, they advanced. In consequence of which movement the army
of James fell back in the distance of two miles to the heights of
Donore, where they formed, and then they again advanced to the charge;
but the cavalry of William having, in obedience to his orders,
completely turned their left, the fortune of the day was irretrievable,
and they were thus compelled to fall back with considerable loss to
Duleek, behind which station once more they rallied.
We certainly think that too much praise cannot indeed be possibly given
to the brave and faithful Irish who so manfully supported King James,
however undeserving he might have been of that support. They acted
according to their conscience--according to their religion--and devoted
to their sovereign, as they were, by their sworn allegiance. Their
lawful, but unfortunate king, threw himself into the arms of his Irish
subjects for protection and a restoration to his rights; they instantly
thronged around the royal standard. Although certainly James was wholly
undeserving of this support, from his tyranny and oppression--"not fit"
indeed "to govern," but we cannot say "not fit to live;" yet still his
various arbitrary measures--his confinement of the seven bishops in the
tower of London--his cruel and ill advised Bill of Attainder in the
Irish Parliament--his reversal of the Act of Settlement, and various
other despotic acts, which impartial justice must ever assuredly
condemn;--yet still let History inscribe on the bright margin of her
page, and record down to the remotest point of time, the love,
affection, fidelity, and allegiance of a nation (but too often rashly
and unjustly condemned) upon whom the royal exile had flung himself, as
on a dear but desperate hope--a _dernièr resort_--and upon whose hearts
and arms he relied as the forlorn hope of his crown, dignity, and
restoration!
Let history hand down this, while it must not be denied that of this
protection and support James was in every respect wholly undeserving;
for in two words his character may be told--he was a bigot and a tyrant!
James having ungenerously, as unjustly, thrown some reflections on the
courage of his Irish troops, observing to some of his general officers,
"that he would never again trust his cause to an Irish army;" with much
spirit they replied: "That throughout the fight their troops had acted
no inglorious part, though unanimated by a princely leader; that while
William shared danger in common with his army, encouraging them with his
presence, by his voice, and by his example, yet that King James stood
aloof at a secure distance, the quiet spectator of a contest on the
result of which depended his crown and realms!" And then, with deep and
wounded indignation at such ingratitude, they nobly exclaimed:
"_Exchange kings! and once more we shall fight the battle again!_" A
more noble burst of deeply taunted feelings and justly aroused
indignation than this cannot be found in history.
The title of King William to the throne of these realms was the choice
of the people, from whom the sovereign power emanated: and in whatever
point of view the Revolution of 1688 may be considered, it cannot be,
however, denied, so long as truth exists, that it was most important to
the religious and civil liberty of three kingdoms; and, moreover, it
established an important _dictum_, or principle, in the Constitution,
then hitherto unknown, defining the duties of the monarch and of the
subject, and holding forth to both prince and people the immutable and
immortal truth, THAT ALLEGIANCE AND PROTECTION ARE RECIPROCAL
OBLIGATIONS!