[70]Richard, John, and Anthony Hamilton were brothers, as were also Ulick, Walter, and David Burke.
[71]The above description of Ginckle's line of battle is taken from a copperplate engraving in Story's Impartial History, second volume, to which he refers the reader, with the following remarks:—"It is to be observed that my Lord Portland's horse is not in this order of battle, because they came not up until after it was ordered; however, they had their full share in the action; and Colonel Foulke's, which were always to guard the train, but being then convenient for it, and the General resolved to make all the force he could, they had also their part both of honor and service in the action; and though Brigadier Stuart is there set down, it is only as to his post, for he was then at Dublin, ill of wounds received at Athlone." He might also have added that Brewer's remaining force was called up from Mullingar, the safety of which was committed for the time to the militia, and that towards the evening, he was further reinforced by a large body of Enniskilleners.
[72]See the preceding note.
[73]The six Danish regiments of this division stood as indicated—three in front and three in rear—but their regimental leaders are not named on the map.
[74]Ginckle was honored with this title after the fall of Athlone; but whether it had been already conferred is a matter of little import.
[75]Story estimates the foot regiments to be each 705, the horse 286, and the dragoons 444, irrespective of officers; but many of them were actually double of those numbers; as an instance Eppinger's Royal Regiment of Holland Dragoons was 920; Portland's horse 480; several others exceeded the standard, and all had been fully recruited after the siege of Athlone.
[76]"These men," says Story, "ran away from a less number than themselves, though the officer behaved himself very well."—He might have said less than half their number. The Irish were but seven men; there were sixteen of the Danes.
[77]As none of the histories consulted by the writer alludes to the death of Holstaple and Talbot, save in recapitulating the loss on both sides, he deems it necessary to give his authority for placing it so early in the battle, lest his assertion shall be attributed to fancy, which should always be held in abeyance to historic truth. The following lines from Garrick's rambling play, "The Battle of Aughrim," it is hoped, will satisfy the reader. It is necessary to introduce it by stating that there was no general named Hostile in the English army, and that the renowned comedian only adopts it for the sake of euphony: Holstaple being a rough, and rather unpoetic name:— Lord Portland's horse approached the mortal fight With sword in hand to put our troops to flight:— This Talbot saw, and like a hero bold, Disdaining life, he scorned to be controlled; But, as a Mars, amid the throng he run, And there he stood, like marble to the sun, Till, being hacked and flanked on every side, By multitudes oppressed, he bravely died. And again, after the retreat of the English, an Irish officer is made to say: Aughrim is ours, brave General Hostile's dead, Who, even now, Lord Portland's horse did head,— Drove all before him, till a lucky ball, Shot with good aim from off the castle wall, Clove up his skull, etc., etc. Nothing, perhaps, could excuse the introduction of this doggerel, save the name of the author, who lived at a time which enabled him to consult many of the real actors in the battle.
[78]If the dots on the batteries, as represented in Story's map, indicate the number of guns, there were thirty of them in all; and on his other maps they do indicate them.
[79]Those troops who were ordered from the rear of his left, were, either by design or inadvertence, sent from the front of that position; and on the concurrence of this and a subsequent blunder, historians have based their accusations of treason against Brigadier Henry Luttrell, who, it is said, received the order.