THE BATTLE OF VINEGAR HILL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 207, 8 September 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BATTLE OF VINEGAR HILL.

In the early days of May 1798 Ireland was seething with discontent, and the floggings and execut'-ons carried out by the Yeomanry were followed by the massacre of a Protestant family at Scarawalsh, while the same day a party of Yeomanry were surprised, the subaltern in charge and one trooper neing hacked to pieces. This was the signal for a general uprising, and the rebels marched on Camolin Park, Lord Mountmorris's seat, and sacked it, carrying off many carbines, and pikes ■which had been 4 taken from blacksmith's shops. On the following day they w,ere attacked by Colonel Foote, with 100 men of the North Cork Militia. For a few minutes the battle raged furiously, but the Militia were hopelessly outnumbered, and only Colonel Foote and four men escaped alive from the melee. With Father John Murphy at their head, the rebels now marched on Enmscorthy, »nd while one party forded the River Slaney the remainder made a dash for the Duff rev Gate. The English her© presented a bold front, and Father Murphy em ployed a ruse, afterwards used by the Boers. A herd of cattle was driven into the Militia; the frightened beasts, goaded on by p.kes from behind, rushing through the ranks of the soldiers; the rebels followed qujckly behind, and tlio town of Enniscorthy was soon in their hands. AVg entrenched camp was now made on Vinegar Hill; then the victorious rebels marched on Wexford, and on the way ambushed two companies of the Meath Militia, cutt:ng them to pieces and capturing two guns. At "Wexford the Government - troops, realising the futility of trying to defend the town, evacuated it, leaving the loyalists to their fate. The insurgent army at Wexford soon numbered 40,000, and for some time the tide of war favoured the rebels, the English at the town of Gorey being totally defeated after a desperate engagement, losing three of their five cannon. As they ret : red through the town of Gorey, the inhabitants, who before professed themselves loyal, fired from their windows at the retreating soldiers and killed a large number. At Arklow. the rebels were driven back with heavy loss, Father Murphy and some thousands of rebels being killed At Newtonbarry the rebels were at first successful, but during a wild orgy the Militia aga : n entered the town and drove them out. Their last stand was made at Y : negar Hill. A large force of Regulars was despatched from England —General Lake, of Delhi fame, in command. He arranged jn- complete cordon of troops round iVnegar Hill. but General Xeedham failed to arrive at his position, and thus provided the rebels with a road of escape, .ever since called "Neadham's Gap." The battle started early on the morning of June 21, 1798. A storm of cannon ball and shell swept the rebel ranks, and then lines of skirmishers began to climb the steep ascent. cannon were mounted on the hill, but th/?y were badly served. Gradually the troop.* forced their way to the top of the hill; the peasantry used their pikes with desperate courage, but nothing could stay the advance of the perfectly disciplined troops. With a rush they cleared th».» trenches, and the insurgents broke and fled. The Government forces lost twenty-two killed and &"xty-seven wounded; no report was ever received of the losses sustained by the rebels. The Battle of Vinegar )Hill saw tha end of the rebellion of '9B. For a month or so small parties held out in the mountain fastnesses, but organised resistance broke down with the defeat of Juno 21. •