BELFAST RB BOOKLET 2020 - Flipbook - Page 68
Ci t y of Belf ast Grand Bl ack Chapt er - Dem onst rat i on Bookl et 2020
The Dutch crossed first, and
and marched towards the enemy,
even under heavy shot, were able
who retreated towards Donore.
The English overtook them and
to muster at the other side and
the King, who had by this time
drive the enemy from their position.
remounted his horse, led the
The French and the Enniskilleners
Enniskilleners
in
further
followed soon after.
advancement,
though
under
heavy
To oppose these two regiments
enemy shot.
the French led by Count Nassau,
However, a momentary mistake
some English under Sir John
then occurred for the King wheeled
Hanmer and the Irish infantry led
to the left to head some Dutch
by Lieutenant Hamilton, all moved
to the river margin, but they shrunk from troops, the Enniskilleners in error, moved after
him, but soon realising their mistake, went on
danger, and retreated.
However the cavalry showed more spirit, as again to charge forward.
The French Protestants behaved with
they attacked the Danes, forcing them back
undaunted
courage and resolve under the
across the river.
After that, the Irish horse were able in parts leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Gincle,
to attack the Huguenots who were not in moved through a narrow laneway to be joined
possession of either bayonet or pike and were by Sir Albert Cunningham's Dragoons.
Despite heavy fighting for over half an
repelled, somewhat.
hour,
the foe was finally repulsed, with
Their leader, the brave Callemote, was to
receive his death blow at this stage, but as great loss to the enemy.
Lieutenant General Hamilton the Officer
he lay bleeding he collected enough
strength to exclaim 'to glory my boys, to Commanding, James' army, observing the
defeat of his infantry, resolved on a desperate
glory.'
It was also in this confused melee that the effort by placing himself at the head of his
Duke of Schomberg was to receive his deathly cavalry to take on the Williamite troops, but to
blow from his own troops, while in his attempt no avail.
He himself was captured and conducted to
to assist the rallying of the Huguenots.
the
King's presence. King William enquired of
And finally the brave George Walker,
him,
if his army would carry on the battle. 'Yes
(above) who had defended Derry during the
siege, and whose eager passion for military Sir, he replied, 'upon my honour, I believe they
action had hurried unnecessarily into this will'.
His Majesty, on hearing the word honour,
battle, received a wound to the stomach,
scorned,
'YOUR honour, YOUR honour',
causing instant death.
referring
to the treasonable breach of
King William during the battle might be said
parole
when
Hamilton joined with
in the soldier's phrase, to be everywhere and
Tyrconnel's
party.
all was done according to his foresight and
On learning of his father's death, at the
pure generalship.
shores
of the Boyne, the young Duke
Now came the time to ride forward to
Schomberg, chased the routed enemy for
meet the victory that awaited him. He
several miles, beyond Daleek and did not
passed the Dutch, Danish and English
cease the pursuit until the Earl of Portland
cavalry, accompanied by the Prince of
arrived with the King's express command that
Denmark, to a ford about a mile off he should go no further.
Drogheda.
Hamilton's assertion that James' army
Because of the mud, the King dismounted would continue the battle was to be
and at the head of his army, drew his sword,
IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN - 66 - AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING