passes through the bog, both well guarded; one an old causeway to the Irish left, near the ruined castle of Aughrim, the other on the right, near a ford over a little stream at a place called Uraghree. The slope of the hill in front, down to the morass, was intersected by fences, which were all lined by Irish marksmen.

Plan of Battle of Aughrim: constructed from Story's contemporary plan. A. Castle and Pass, near the present village of Aughrim. U. Pass of Uraghree. W, W. Ginkle's army. I, I. Irish army.

At six o'clock on the morning of the 12th July, Ginkle's army, consisting of English, Scotch, and Irish, with French, Danes, and Dutch, set out from their encampment at Ballinasloe: but as the A.D. 1691 morning was foggy, there was a pause till near mid-day, when an advance was made, and the army drew up in battle array on the heights at the far side of the marsh. about 20,000 men on each side. It is proper to remark that the army led by St. Ruth, both here and at Athlone, was purely Irish, as he brought no French soldiers to Ireland.

There were

Ginkle attempted to force the Pass of Uraghree, but was resisted with great spirit, the numbers engaged at this point increasing by accessions every moment, so that what was at first a skirmish became almost a battle. The assailants, after several repulses, came on doggedly again and again, and at last gained their way through the pass, but were set upon with such fury that they were driven back in confusion. At this dangerous juncture Ginkle, after a hasty council of war with his chief officers, determined to draw off for the day, and defer the battle till next morning. Orders were actually given to this effect, when, observing what he believed to be some disorderly movements on the Irish side, he resolved to renew the attempt. A more numerous body was now sent to Uraghree with the object of drawing St. Ruth's forces from the pass at Aughrim; and at half-past four the battle began afresh.

The plan succeeded, for large bodies of Irish were withdrawn from the Aughrim Pass to help to defend Uraghree; on which Ginkle gave an order for a general advance, one body on his right through the causeway at the castle, and the main body of infantry through the marsh in the middle, in front of St. Ruth's main army. The castle pass was defended with great determination, and while the fight was hottest here, Ginkle's main body succeeded in crossing the stream and marsh, though up to their middle in water and bog. They fought their way steadily up the hill, but at last a terrible onslaught from the fences forced them to recoil. Again and again they advanced, and each time they were driven back, so that a general rout seemed imminent. St. Ruth, all elated, waved his hat and exclaimed: "The day is ours, my boys! We shall

But

now drive them back to the gates of Dublin." immediately after, while riding down the hill to give some orders about the pass at the castle, he was struck by a cannon ball which took off his head. This changed the whole fortunes of the day. No one knew

what orders to give, for St.

officers into his confidence.

might have retrieved the disaster-Sarsfield. But

Ruth had let none of his

There was one man who

St. Ruth, who hated and feared him, took good care to keep him in a subordinate position at the head of some horse, far in the rear, with directions not to move without express orders; and it was only after some time that he was made aware of St. Ruth's fall and of the success of the English. After this, the only service he was able to render was to help to cover the retreat of the Irish infantry after the battle.

Even after the death of St. Ruth, the contest was obstinately maintained for some time; but without aim or method. At last, late in the evening, the Irish gave way. A great number who had taken refuge in a bog were massacred; and they lost altogether probably 5000 men. Only about 500 prisoners were taken, and in proportion to the numbers engaged, this was the most destructive battle in the whole war.

Galway submitted on the 21st of July, and Sligo in September, both on favourable terms, their garrisons being allowed to march to Limerick.

CHAPTER LIV.

THE SECOND SIEGE AND TREATY OF LIMERICK.

A.D. 1691-1693.-William and Mary.

ENERAL GINKLE, after his victory at Aughrim, [marched southwards for another attempt on Limerick. Tirconnell proceeded to put the city in a state of defence: but he died of apoplexy on the 14th August; on which the chief command devolved on Sarsfield. On the 30th August, just a year after the memorable

defence, the second siege began. Ginkle's first operation was a bombardment with sixty cannon A.D. 1691 and nineteen mortars, from which were poured bombshells, red-hot balls, and carcasses; and soon the city was on fire in several places; so that many of the citizens, muffling themselves in their bedclothes, left and formed an encampment in the open country at the Clare side, beyond the reach of the missiles.

By some extraordinary negligence on the part of a Jacobite officer named Clifford-some say by treachery -Ginkle was able to construct a pontoon bridge of tin boats across the river, above the city, near St. Thomas' Island, and to send a detachment to occupy the Clare side. On the 22nd September an attack was made on the fort that stood at the Clare end of Thomond Bridge, which was for a time obstinately defended; till the