The late history of Europe being a narration of all remarkable actions and other various affairs, both civil and military, that have happened in the several kingdoms and republicks : from the Treaty at Nimiguen in anno 1676 to the conclusion of the late peace at Res-Wick in September 1697 : which makes up a history of one and twenty years : accuratly and succinctly abridg'd / by Captain David Kennendy.

SECT. 2.

[Sect. 2] King William at this time, made a step over to England,* 1.1 where he gave all necessary orders for the Reduction of Ireland, leaving the management thereof to Leivtenent General Ginkle; and soon after he returned to Flanders, to carry on the War there, where we leave him, and return to Ireland.

Both Armies there, continued quiet, without any great Action all the Winter and Spring, In the beginning of June, Ginkle Beseiged Baltimore, which yeelded to him on the 10th.

From thence he Marched to Athlone, and on the 19th. his Van••guard beat the Irish from several out Ditches, into the English Town of Athlone, on the North-East side of the Shannon and on the 20th. they took it by Storm, many of the Irish being killed, and drowned in the River.

Then Bateries being planted on the 22d. the Cannon and Mortars began to play on the Irish Town

and the Castle. The Seige was carried on with great Industrie to the 30th day. The Beseiged all the while making a resolute defence;* 1.2 And then a General Assault was made: The deepth and strength of the River, together with whole vollies of great and small shot from the Castle and the Town Walls, made the attempt amazingly dangerous, and deserving a perpetual Memory, all which difficulties, the English passed through with invincible Courage, and within less than an Hour made themselves Masters, of the Town, the Castle, and all the Trenches. Mon∣sieur St. Ruth, General of the Irish Army, hearing of this, said,

It was impossible for the English to attempt, or pretend to take a Town, and he so near with an Army to succour it:

But within a few dayes he found (to his Greif and Ruine) the English durst and could do much more: for General Ginkle continuing at Athlone till the 10th. of July, for re∣freshing of his Men, on the 11. Marched towards the Irish Army, which was Encamped near to Aghrim, and observing their posture, and consulting, Mackay, Talmish, and the rest of the General Officers, resolved to give them Battle the next day, which Saint Ruth understanding seemed forward enough to engage, and that day made an encouraging Speech to his Army.

The Conclusion whereof was this.

He assured them of King James's loving and rewarding them of Lewis the Great, his protecting them; himself to lead them on; of the Church to Pray for them; of Saints and Angels to Carresse them; and in short, of their being made all Saints, and Holy Mary to lay them in her bosom.

On Sunday, the 12th of July, the English Army advanced upon the Enemy, but the way being rough and difficult, and all the Approaches and out posts

being well guarded by the Enemy, the day passed away in skirmishes, till near 5 Aclock, and then so sowed a closs Engagement on all sides; The Bat∣tle was managed by both Generals with all the Mar∣tial Policy and good Conduct Imaginable,* 1.3 and prosecuted with no less courage and bravery, by the Souldiers, this being (without question) the shar∣pest Fight that happened during the whole course of this War, the Irish behaving themselves here with greater Gallantry then ever formerly, and where the English Valour was extended to the greatest degree of Glory imaginable. However, over passing the various Actions during the Fight, which were too tedious to relate here, The Victory (at last) fell to the English.* 1.4 Of the Irish there were no less then Seven thousand slaine on the spot; And of the Eng∣lish, six hundred Souldiers and seventy three Officers besides 960 Wounded, and many Officers. The English Army did not amount to full seventeen thou∣sand Horse and Foot; whereas the Irish were twenty thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse and Dra∣goons.

The English Army, having a few days allowed them for Refreshment,* 1.5 Marched on to Galoway, which [tho the Lord Dillon the Governour pretended to hold out resolutly) surrendered on Articles, on the 20th of July, and from thence they marched to∣wards Limrick. where they arrived the 25th of August the Duke of Tirconnel dying a few days before in that City.* 1.6 The Seige was carried on without any extraordinary Action on either side, except on the 22d. of September, The English Granadiers, sustained by four Regiments of Foot, made an attack on the Works that covered Thomonds Bridge, which the Irish defended resolutly, but in end the Granadiers beat them from their post and pursued them to the Town Gate, where the Officer Commanding,

(fearing the English would enter pell mell with the Irish) pull'd up the draw Bridge, and so left them to the mercy of the English Granadiers, who killed and took the most part of them.

The English by this means getting footing on the south side of the Town, and the River cut off all communication between the Irish Cavalry and the Town, by which the Beseiged were so much dis∣couraged, as on the 23d. of September they beat a Parlie,* 1.7 and the next day Leivtenant General Sarsfeild and Major General Wachop came out to the General, and desired a Cessation for 3 days, which was gran∣ted, in which time, the Articles were concerted and agreed on, and on the 1st of October they were sign∣ed, The Sum whereof was.

That not only Limerick but all other Garisons and Forts in the Possession of the Irish, in Ireland should be surrendered; and that so many of the Irish Army as had a mind to go for France, should have free leave.

And so General Ginkle taking Possession of Limerick, in ef∣fect ended the War in Ireland.

* 1.8Those who went to France, on their arrival re∣ceived a Consolatory Letter from King James (directed to Leivtenant General Sheldon their Commander, to be communicated)

Giving them hearty thanks for their faithfull services in Ireland, and promising [when in a Capacity] to confer such marks of his favour on them, as might be suitable to their Merits.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ireland.
• * 1.2

  Athlone taken by General Ginkle
• * 1.3

  Battle of Aghrim.
• * 1.4

  The Irish r••nted,
• * 1.5

  Galoway yeelded.
• * 1.6

  Limerick bes••iged Duke of Tirconnel dyes.
• * 1.7

  Limerick yeelded.
• * 1.8

  King James a letter to the Irish in France,