Chapter I: Preface

The Editor with the most profound respect, submits to the Public the following NARRATIVE.--It forms a small portion of a more extended work, calculated to contain the particulars of every remarkable occurrence, connected with the Rebellion, which happened in the course of the last year;--a year which will constitute an EPOCH in the history of Ireland, and the events of which ought to be universally known.

The moment of action is not the most favourable to accuracy of detail:--Notwithstanding the purest intentions and the most scrupulous regard to truth, much will remain, for candour to extenuate and information to supply. Impressed with this sentiment, and feeling the importance of the subject, the Editor has waited till the season of tranquility, and now presents to the public eye, the produce of his exertions. He wished to postpone the Publication in order to complete it, but he yields to the entreaties of his Friends, and finds it necessary to make some sacrifice to the eagerness of public curiosity: The remaining part is in preparation for the Press, and as he continues to be supplied by those who were witnesses at the transactions, and consequently most capable of communicating correct intelligence, he hopes soon to accomplish his design.

The Reader will perceive from the following specimen, that the accounts of the Battles are not arranged in chronological order; neither do they boast of any great pretensions to literary merit; but they will be found to have a recommendation more valuable than either--AUTHENTICITY. The Editor was less solicitous about the style of the work, than the truth of it, and where, upon investigation, the matter conveyed to him proved correct, he has given it in the language of his correspondent.

If History be, as it has been elegantly described, "Philosophy teaching by Example,"--what example more necessary to be held out to public view, and transmitted to posterity, than that which shews the dreadful effects of a Revolution attempted by force? Where the visionary politician enjoys for so short a time his sanguinary triumph--suspected even by those whom he calls his friends, he is superseded by such as are more ferocious than himself, while the fury of Fanaticism equally destroys _his_ prospects in the mad effort to exterminate one religion and substitute another.

The perusal of such transactions must suggest useful reflections. The surviving Loyalist will rejoice in the triumph of _law_ and the restoration of _order_. The surviving Rebel will repent of his folly, and enjoy the comforts which Law and Order distribute.

Such are the motives and such the object which influence the Editor of this little Work. From those who may approve of it, and whose situation and leisure furnish the opportunity, he requests further assistance. Particulars of Engagements, not included in this part, will be thankfully received, and due attention paid to them in the subsequent Publication.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Description of Clonard, 3

Battle of Timahoe, 9

Junction of the Wexford and
Kildare Rebels, 12

Battle of Clonard, _ib._

Mrs. Tyrrell's sufferings while
prisoner with the Rebels, 20

Character of Col. Perry and
Priest Kearns who were
executed 30

LETTERS.

I. Battle of Carlow, 34

II. Battle of Ross, 38

III. Battle at Castlecomber, &c. 41

IV. Battle of Kilcomney, 49

V. Second Account of the
Battle at Kilcomney, 52

VI. Battle of Saintfield, 57

VII. Battle of Kilbeggan, 60

OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS.

Battle of Naas 63

Battle of Kilcullen, 65

Battle of Hacketstown, 67

LETTERS.

VIII. Battle of Arklow, 70

IX. Account of the depredations
of the Rebels at Gorey--their
sacrilegious treatment of
the Church, in which they
immolated two Protestants, 73

X. Situation of the Rebels on
Vinegar-Hill, 78

Description of
Vinegar-Hill--the Battle, 76

The Rebels are defeated, 77

XI. Accurate detail of the effects
of the Rebellion in the County
Wexford. 78

Battle at Oulard, 80

Attack at Enniscorthy, 80

Battle at the Three Rocks, 81

Atrocities of the Rebels and the
sufferings of the
Loyalists in Wexford, &c. 83

Names of Clergymen and principal
Gentlemen put death, 86