Between six and seven the engagement began at Cool-bawn, one mile and half from Town. Being with the advanced Guard I was present at the commencement. The Rebels advanced in the most daring manner, and in pretty good order, having placed their Musketeers in the front who kept up a brisk fire. I continued behind the Infantry for about fifteen minutes, during which time the balls were whistling on every side. I was so ignorant as to enquire what occasioned the whistling noise, and being informed it proceeded from the balls, I began to think of providing for my safety, as my presence there was useless, having at this time no Arms. I then planted myself behind the pier of a gate; but observing the Rebels advance and the Soldiers to give way, I rode back to the Town: the Cavalry followed immediately, and just behind me shot a villain who
had the audacity to desire the Officer to surrender the Town. Here I had a miraculous escape; for many of the Infantry who came down close behind me were shot, by lurking Rebels from behind the hedges.
The Military then took possession of the Bridge, where the battle continued hot for the space of fifteen minutes, when Captain G—n. ordered a retreat: the Cavalry and part of the Infantry instantly obeyed, but about twenty of the Waterford Militia absolutely refused, declaring "they would prefer death to dishonour." they were mostly Roman Catholics! I had not heard the order, but my horse taking head ran off; when I knew their intentions, I did not attempt to prevent him. We halted about a mile and half from the Town, when looking behind we beheld it all in a blaze, the Rebel Inhabitants and some who came the back way, set it on fire. The firing ceased for a few minutes, the cause I know not, but words cannot express what I felt that moment; I concluded that my unoffending friends had fallen victims to the human
Savages: they were presented to my imagination in a thousand dreadful forms. God pardon my feelings in that moment! how hard it is to forgive such Enemies. I proceeded slowly till I met General Asgill, with about 1000 Men: with these I returned, sunk with sorrow, fearing the tragic sight which I expected to present itself on entering the Town would be too much to bear; but thanks be to God my fears were groundless,—the few Military which remained, and about thirty Protestants, who were determined to fight for their Wives and Children, or perish with them, kept possession, nor suffered a Rebel to cross the Bridge. Our Cannon in mistake played on the Town for some time, but providentially no lives were lost thereby. The Rebels on sight of the reinforcement took shelter in the woods, and from thence killed a few of the Military; but eighteen rounds of Grape shot dislodged them. 'Twas four in the afternoon before they retreated. It is said 400 of the Rebels fell. There were twenty six Protestants in coloured cloaths, and about twenty Soldiers killed,
some of the former were butchered in cold blood, in a manner too dreadful to relate.
For the safety of Kilkenny, the Troops were obliged to return there that night; the Loyalists who fled with them I think could not be less than 600; they left the most of their property behind them, which a party of the Rebels who returned carried off.
The hand of God was visible in our deliverance that day; but remarkably so in three instances which I shall mention.—First, from midnight till five o'Clock, we had the greatest Fog I remember to have seen; had it not been for this, in all probability the Rebels would have divided themselves into different parties, and surrounded the Town: but being strangers in the Country, and not knowing where they might meet the Army, they kept in a body on the main road, and attacked us but in one place. Secondly, the burning of the Town; for the day being remarkably calm, the smoak lay on the street, which prevented them from seeing our Force; for had they known that the Army fled, 'tis
more than probable they would have entered, as there were many Entrances unguarded.
Thirdly, the Waterford Militia's disobedience of Orders,—had they retreated without a very extraordinary miracle the Loyalists would have fallen a prey to their unmerciful yet unprovoked Enemies.
Yours &c. F. R.