Chapter I: Introduction

Most of the following chapters were written some time since, at the request of the publisher, whose intention it was to present the readers of Irish history with a portable volume, which, while removing the necessity of wading through many tomes, would give an authentic account of the two leading events of a very important period,--the battles of the Boyne and Aughrim.

Having undertaken the task, and performed it to the extent of his information, it appeared to the writer that, without some allusion to antecedent causes and intermediate events, the book, though it should be acceptable to some, would be quite unsatisfactory to others; and it was concluded to make such interpolation as, without overburdening, would render the offering more clear and comprehensive.

After collecting much matter bearing on the subject, and finding it impossible to compress it methodically within the limits assigned, such selections were made, from historians of every shade of opinion, as would suffice, without distorting the parts already arranged, to give a consecutive view of the Jacobite war in Ireland, from its inception to its close.

As it was almost exclusively a war for religious ascendency on the one side, and for complete civil and religious liberty on the other, continually presenting a politico-religious aspect, it was chosen to leave the ethological bearing to other mediums, and confine this principally to the leading military events of the time. Hence, no allusion whatever is made to the interior merits of either faith dependent on the issue; nor to its exterior action, only so far as to preserve the order of an unbroken narrative.

Having followed the war down to the battle of Aughrim, inclusive, and reached the limit prescribed, the writer stops short of the final event--the last siege of Limerick; and he does so as well from motive as necessity, for he thinks that event could be more appropriately connected with a history of "The Brigade." But whether the subject is ever resumed by him or not, will greatly depend on the reception of this little volume, which is now submitted to the public.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

A Cursory View of England and Ireland anterior to the Accession of
James II 9

CHAPTER II.

The Reign of James II. in England--The Invasion of William, Prince
of Orange. From 1685 to 1688 26

CHAPTER III.

Events preceding Hostilities in Ireland--The preparatory Measures
of Tyrconnel 41

CHAPTER IV.

From the Commencement of Hostilities to the Landing of King James
in Ireland 58

CHAPTER V.

The Battle of Cladiford--The Investment of Derry--Proceedings of
Parliament 74

CHAPTER VI.

The Battle of Newtown Butler, and the Relief of Enniskillen
and Derry 90

CHAPTER VII.

The Landing of Marshal Schomberg, and his Winter Campaign 108

CHAPTER VIII.

Schomberg's Campaign continued--The Arrival of the Prince
of Orange 112

CHAPTER IX.

The Battle of the Boyne 125

CHAPTER X.

Final departure of King James--A Retrospect of his Character 152

CHAPTER XI.

The Surrender of Drogheda and Dublin--The First Siege of Athlone 160

CHAPTER XII.

The Siege of Limerick 174

CHAPTER XIII.

The Arrival of the Duke of Marlborough--The Siege of Cork
and Kinsale 193

CHAPTER XIV.

The Winter of 1690 206

CHAPTER XV.

Arrival of St. Ruth--Ginckle takes the field 222

CHAPTER XVI.

The Siege of Athlone 239

CHAPTER XVII.

The Interval from July 1st to the 12th 267

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Battle of Aughrim 292

THE BATTLE-FIELDS OF IRELAND.