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Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902

"A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick"

They moved forward boldly, quickening their
pace as they approached the Irish; but, on the latter charging them at
full gallop, they wheeled about and rode off at once in disorder.
Ginckle immediately ordered two hundred of Cunningham's dragoons, who
were considered the best cavalry in the army, to advance and drive back
the Irish horse. The dragoons advanced at a trot, but, seeing that the
Irish quietly awaited their coming, they halted behind a hedge and
awaited the arrival of the infantry. When these came up, the cavalry
again moved forward.
The Irish horse now fell back on a little hill in their rear, where a
body of infantry were posted. They then faced to the front and charged,
and broke the English dragoons, who retreated, as the Danes had done, in
confusion.
Eppinger's dragoons were ordered up to support Cunningham's, but the
Irish horse had also received reinforcements before they arrived, and,
after a fierce fight, the two English regiments were routed and driven
off the field.
Ginckle rallied them, added Lord Portland's horse to their numbers, and
again sent them against the Irish. These, however, had fallen back from
Urachree, and had taken up a new position upon the rivulet behind it, in
front of the solid ground by which, alone, the right wing of the Irish
army could be approached.


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