Irish Horse Regiment of Sheldon, or Christopher Nugent of Dardistown, was likewise at, and received 4 wounds in, this battle, although his regiment does not seem to have been there. In connexion with the high distinction of these Irish Catholic exiles on the side of France, as opposed to England and her Allies, it is interesting to observe, how a corps of French Protestant refugees, or Huguenots, the cavalry Regiment of Ruvigny, Lord Galway, (originally the Marshal Duke of Schonberg's) noted, in Ireland, for its bravery at the Boyne, and still more so for its share in gaining the battle of Aughrim, was headed by William himself in charging here at Landen, where it was among the most remarkable for bravery, on the side of England and her Allies, against France! I Of the General Officers of King James, the Duke of Berwick and Lord Lucan were employed on Luxembourg's left wing, to force the stronglyguarded village of Neerwinden on the Allied right. Of the 3 Lieutenant-Generals appointed for that difficult service, each at the head of 2 French brigades, the Duke of Berwick was to lead in the centre; M. de Rubantel, to whom Lord Lucan was Maréchal de Camp, on the right; and M. de Montchevreuil on the left. "This village," says the Duke of Berwick, "extended, like a belly, into the plain, so that, as we all 3 marched in 1 front, and as I was in the centre, I attacked 1st. pushed the enemy, chasing them, from hedge to hedge, as far as the plain; on the border of which I again formed, in line of battle. The troops, who should have attacked on my right, and my left, instead of doing so, judged that they would be exposed to less fire, by throwing themselves into the village; thus, all of a sudden, they found themselves behind me. The enemy, perceiving this bad manœuvre, re-entered the village, on the right, and the left: the firing then became terrible; confusion took place among the 4 brigades under the command of De Rubantel and De Montchevreuil to such an extent, that they were driven out; and I consequently found myself attacked on all sides. After the loss of a vast number, my troops, in like manner, abandoned the head of the village; and, as I strove to maintain myself in it, under the hope, that M. de Luxembourg, to whom I had sent for assistance, would forward some to me, I found myself at last entirely cut off. I then became desirous of attempting to save myself in the direction of the plain, and, having removed my white cockade, I was mistaken for 1 of the enemy's officers; unluckily, Brigadier Churchill, brother of Lord Churchill, at present Duke of Marlborough, and my uncle, was passing near me, and recognized my only remaining Aide-de-Camp; upon which, instantly suspecting the probability of my being there, he came up to me, and made me his prisoner. After having embraced one another, he told me, that he was obliged to conduct me to the Prince of Orange. We Barrett-"It was the Irish Royal Regiment of Foot which first open'd the enemy's retrenchment; whereby the Gallick troops immediately reaped advantage, after suffering much, for awhile before, in fighting against an intrenched army. In this action, Coll. Barret of Cork, by his bould leadeing of the said Irish Regiment signalized himself, and slept in the bed of honour."Hence, likewise, the allusion of Forman to "the Irish" here, where he asserts of France-"It is not apt to forget, how gallantly Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, and the Irish, behav'd at Landen.” Fetté, in his "Histoire des Troupes Etrangères au Service de France," mistaking the 2 appellations, and 2 battalions, of James's Guards, for 2 different regiments, nevertheless acquaints us, how "les Régiments des Gardes Irlandaises, et des Gardes du Roi d'Angleterre, y vengèrent glorieusement l'affront de la Boyne et de Limerik." galloped off for a long time, without being able to find him; at last, we met him very far away from the action, in a hollow, where neither friends nor enemies were to be seen. * That Prince made me a very polite compliment, to which I only replied by a very low bow: after having gazed at me for a moment, he put on his hat, and I mine; then he ordered, that I should be conducted to Lewe." The young Duke was subsequently sent to Antwerp, in order to be transferred to the Tower of London and imprisoned there, under the pretext of his having been, as an Englishman, the subject of William, and, consequently, or for being taken in arms against him, a rebel! But Luxembourg soon put down this Dutch impudence, by threatening reprisals with respect to several Allied officers, and, among others, the Duke of Ormonde;† so that the Duke of Berwick was, in due course, sent back to the Marshal, instead of being lodged in the Tower of London. As for Lord Lucan, in that attack upon the village of Neerwinden, (which the French took twice, and were driven from as often, ere they could master it,) his Lordship, behaving gallantly, was severely wounded, and, being removed to Huy, shortly after died there, of a fever -"but gained," says a Williamite writer, "as much honour by his generosity and humanity to the English in that fatal battle, as by his bravery and conduct in the field." Mr. O'Conor adds of his Lordship-" Arminius was never more popular among the Germans, than Sarsfield among the Irish-to this day his name is venerated-canitur adhuc. No man was ever more attached to his country, or more devoted to his king, and religion."§ In a manuscript volume, written in the reign of William's successor, Queen Anne, and containing a copy of Dean Lynch's Latin version of Keating's History of Ireland, &c., (for a knowledge of which I am indebted to Mr. *William, up to this period of the engagement, having been successful, there was no necessity for his incurring any unusual personal risk. But, when it became requisite, that his troops should be encouraged as much as possible, he acted, at the head of artillery, infantry, and cavalry, to the admiration of friends and foes. +James Butler, 13th Earl and 2nd Duke of Ormonde, heading a charge of British cavalry, received 2 sword-wounds; had his horse shot under him; and, when on the point of being killed, was rescued, as a prisoner, by 1 of the French Guards, who judged him to be a person of distinction, from the rich diamond ring on his finger. At Namur, to which the Duke was conveyed, "the misfortune of his Grace," says his biographer, 'was a blessing to a great many of the poor prisoners of the Allied troops, who were confined in the same town, as he distributed among them a considerable sum of money." He also amply rewarded the French Guardsman, to whom he owed his life. This illustrious Irish Protestant nobleman had, from very natural apprehensions for the safety of his Church, deserted King James II. in 1688, and afterwards voted for the Prince of Orange as King; but only as "fearing a Regent might pave the way to a Republick." He finally sacrificed everything for the Stuart cause, of which more hereafter. 66 Those particulars respecting Lord Lucan's death are derived from the Lettres Historiques for September, 1693, and from his Lordship's countryman and contemporary, Plunkett. The editor of the Continental periodical writes-"Le Lord Lucan, Sarsfield, celebre par la derniere guerre d'Irlande, et que je mis au nombre des morts, n'étoit alors que blessé; mais on a apris depuis, qu'il est mort de ses blessures à Huy, où il avoit été transporté." Plunkett states-"The Earl of Lucan, after doeing actions worthy of himself, was desperately wounded, and thereby fell into a feaver, of which he dyed soon after." Such is what we know from History, as contrasted with Romance, on the subject. § If compared, however, with such commanders, of the old native race, as Hugh O'Neill, in Elizabeth's, and Owen Roe O'Neill, in Cromwell's time, Sarsfield was no better than a puffed Palesman. "In the science of war," Mr. O'Conor elsewhere justly remarks, "Hugh, the famous Earl of Tyrone, and Owen Roe O'Nial, far surpassed him. He had neither their skill, experience, or capacity." Gilbert,) I find, with Father Gelasius Mac Mahon's lines on the Duchess of Berwick, previously cited, the following: "EPITAPHIUM ILLI DI SARSFIELD, COMITIS DE LUCAN, &c. "Ingens exiguâ Sarsfield hic conditur urnâ, Heu gratum Auriacis! Heu flebile funus Hibernis! The Duke of Berwick was employed in operations connected with the reduction of Charleroy, which, after a creditable resistance of 27 days' open trenches, was surrendered, October 13th, to the French; the gallant M. de Boisselot, so famous for the successful defence of Limerick against William in 1690, being made Governor of this important acquisition from the Allies. The French Army of Germany, in 1693, was at first commanded by the Marshal Duke de Lorges, and afterwards by Monseigneur. Among its Lieutenant-Generals was Lord Mountcashel; and the Irish troops attached to it were the Regiments of Mountcashel, Dublin, Charlemont, and the Marine; forming altogether 9 battalions. But, by the ability of the Imperial General, Prince Louis of Baden, that army was prevented effecting any thing in proportion to its considerable numerical superiority. Hostilities, indeed, commenced in May, with a quick reduction of Heidelberg by De Lorges; but, owing to the incapacity or cowardice of its miserable Governor, who was duly degraded by the Prince of Baden. At Heidelberg, and elsewhere, Lord Mountcashel, or his men, are noticed, yet not in any case worth detailing; the campaign, on the French side, having been 1 of plunder, rather than glory. In Spain, the conquests of the French, in 1693, under the Marshal Duke de Noailles, supported by the Comte d'Etrées at sea, were confined to the reduction, June 1st-10th, of Rosas, or Roses, in Catalonia, and the adjacent Fort of the Trinity. Brigadier John Wauchop mounted the trenches before the town twice, and the Honourable Arthur Dillon, and the grenadiers of his regiment, were among the troops who carried the counterscarp. In Italy, the Allies were so strong, in 1693, that the Marshal de Catinat was obliged to remain upon the defensive till autumn, when, being well reinforced, he marched against and engaged them, October 4th, in the battle of Marsaglia, or Orbassan. The Allies, under the Duke of Savoy, the famous Prince Eugene, and other distinguished Generals, including Charles, Duke of Schonberg, on the part of William III., consisted of Italian, Imperial, Spanish, Huguenot or Vaudois troops, to the amount of 38 or 39 battalions, and 79 squadrons, † with 31 pieces of cannon. The French army, in which Catinat had some eminent officers of the War of the Revolution in Ireland, or his own countryman, Lieutenant-General the Marquis de la Hoguette, and MajorGeneral D'Usson, besides Major-General Thomas Maxwell, Brigadiers Henceforth, to the end of this war, no mention is made of the Irish corps serving in Germany, since nothing has been found related, to distinguish them from their French fellow-soldiers there. What were the national corps acting with the French in that quarter may be collected from the histories of the several regiments preAiously given. † Lines of battle, in Quincy, and St. Gervais, compared, and retotted. John Wauchop, Francis O'Carroll, &c., consisted generally of French troops, and several Irish corps; making, altogether, 47 battalions, and 78 squadrons, with 30 pieces of cannon. After a warm contest of between 4 and 5 hours, Catinat was victorious, with only about 2000 men, killed or wounded; having taken about 2000 prisoners, including 215 officers, besides 103 colours or standards, and all the artillery of the enemy; who acknowledged their loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, to have been about 5500 men; though it was far greater, according to the French. The Irish troops, marked in the line of battle as present, were the King's and Queen's Dismounted Dragoons, each composing 1 battalion, and both brigaded together in the 1st line of the centre under Thomas Maxwell; the Regiment of Daniel O'Brien, 4th Viscount Clare, forming 3 battalions, brigaded with a French regiment in the 2nd line of the centre; and the Queen's Regiment of Infantry, or Luttrell's, in 2 battalicns, with 1 battalion of the Regiment of Limerick, or Talbot's, brigaded together in the same line under John Wauchop. To these Irish, the victory was, in a great degree, attributable. The French official narrative refers to the Irish regiments, as having "fought with an extreme valour," and as having "in the space of half a league," or a mile and a half, "despatched more than 1000 of the enemy with sword-thrusts, and clubbed muskets." Another notice in French, by Lieutenant-General Count Arthur Dillon the younger, relates, how "the Irish distinguished themselves by a remarkable stratagem. Finding themselves very much incommoded by a redoubt, situated on the right of the enemy, they advanced towards him, holding their arms with the butt-ends upwards. It being supposed, that they were coming forward to desert, they were allowed to approach. They then jumped into the redoubt, of which they made themselves masters, and turned its cannon against the enemies. M. de Catinat, who had granted permission for this manœuvre, availed himself of the enemy's surprise, and put them to the rout. He gave," it is added, "the most advantageous account of the conduct of the Irish, and of the share which they had in his victory." Of the King's and Queen's Dismounted Dragoons, more especially, the Marshal, writing, October 7th, to Louis XIV., states-"These 2 regiments of dragoons, Sire, which were in the centre of the line, have done surprising things, in the way of valour and good order, during the combat. They have overthrown squadrons sword in hand, charging them face to face, and overthrowing them."* Plunkett, referring to the Duke of Savoy, alleges"The Duke broake the 1st line of the French. Then he came up, to charge the 2nd; not doubting, but to have the like success. In this line were several battalions of Irish, mixed with French. The Duke of Savoy, having perceiv'd great numbers of Irish to be in the line, ordered his men, to attack them, with sword in hand. In this attempt, his Royal Highness committed an important errour. For, by that method of fighting, the Irish generally prevayl. The attack being given, the Confederates were soon forc'd to ply," i. e., give way, "and take their flight. The line pursued. The Irish overran their orders, and Cattinat, seeing there was no recalleing of them, commanded the whole army to follow. *Of these 2 Irish corps of Dismounted Dragoons, it is also reported, in connexion with a very distinguished French officer-"Le Comte de Medavy, a fait des actions extraordinaires à la teste des Dragons du Roy et de la Reyne de l'Angleterre, où il a toûjours esté," until wounded, as particularized. N Great was the slaughter of the Confederats. The Irish pursued so swiftly, that their foot overtook some of the hostile cavalry. The Duke of Savoy narrowly escaped with 10 horsemen, into his capital citty of Turin.”* Of the Jacobite officers who fell, alluded to as "having fought with an extraordinary valour at the head of the Irish regiments," and as having "signalized themselves by the actions which they had performed on that day of battle," were the Major-General and Brigadier Thomas Maxwell, Colonel of the King of England's Dismounted Dragoons, Brigadier John Wauchop, also Colonel of Dragoons, "both Scots;" Brigadier Francis O'Carroll, Colonel of the Queen of England's Dismounted Dragoons, "and others, worthy of lasting memory." Daniel O'Brien, 4th Viscount Clare, acting as Colonel of his family regiment, was so severely wounded, that he subsequently died at Pignerol. James de Lacy, of the family of Ballingarry-Lacy, County of Limerick, Brigadier, Quarter-Master-General, Colonel and Commandant of the Prince of Wales's Regiment of Infantry in Ireland, was likewise mortally wounded. His young nephew, Peter de Lacy, who had been an Ensign under him in Ireland when only 13, and whom, after the Treaty of Limerick, he brought into France, was, at the time of this battle, a Lieutenant in the Regiment of Athlone, and was ultimately the famous Field-Marshal de Lacy, in the service of Russia, and father of the celebrated Field-Marshal in the service of Austria.t The greatest officer, who fell on the side of the Allies, was Charles Duke of Schonberg, son of the veteran Marshal-Duke, slain at the Boyne. He was the commander of those regiments, mostly of French and the rest of Swiss Protestants, or Vaudois, maintained, for the Duke of Savoy's service, by William III. Having disapproved of giving battle, he declined to act in any higher rank than that of Colonel, at the head of his own regiment. In that capacity, he behaved most gallantly, as did his Huguenot or Vaudois forces in general, who suffered in proportion; above 2-3rds of them having been destroyed. He was brought to the ground by a wound in the thigh, and was about to be immediately despatched by the hostile soldiery, (probably Irish,) who knew him, when his faithful valet De Sale, crying out "Quarter!" threw himself between his master and them, thereby sacrificing his own life. An Irish officer, then coming up, saved the Duke for the time, by ordering him to be made a prisoner; and the Marshal de Catinat allowed him to be conveyed to Turin, for his recovery. But the Duke died there, October 17th, generally and deservedly regretted; and was interred, according to his wish, at Lausanne.‡ Sir Paul Rycaut, the English Resident for William III. at Hamburg, after noting how very sad this overthrow of the Allies was according to the accounts from Paris, though he hoped the next letters from Turin Fieffé says "La victoire fut decidée en faveur des Français par une charge de 20 bataillons, qui s'avancèrent, en croisant la baionnette. C'était la première fois qu'on employait cette manoeuvre, dont s'acquaittèrent fort bien les Régiments Etrangers," or those, with others, of "Talbot, Athlone, Dragons à Pied de la Reine d'Angleterre, et Clare." Yet, neither in the "ordre de bataille" given by Quincy, nor in those given by St. Gervais, is the Regiment of Athlone mentioned as present there, though certainly 1 of those attached to the army of Catinat in Italy. + Copy of the Marshal's journal and other family papers. Compare the self-devotion of De Sale with that of Coteron farther on, or at the battle of Cassano, in 1705. The particulars respecting the Duke of Schonberg are taken from the contemporary accounts published in Holland; including the narrative of the Allied defeat from Vander Meer, the Resident of the Dutch Republic at Turin. |