The Publisher having waited in vain for a detail of the engagement at Naas, Kilcullen, Hacketstown, &c; and public curiosity daily encreasing, being desirous of gratifying the same, he deems it most advisable to insert the following OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS received at the Castle, with their dates.
Extract of a Letter from Lord Viscount Gosford, Colonel of the Armagh Militia, and Major Wardle, of the Ancient British Light Dragoons, to Lieutenant General Lake, dated Naas, Thursday Morning, 8 o'Clock, 24th May, 1798.
This morning, about half past 2 o'Clock, a Dragoon, from an Out-post, came in and informed
Major Wardle, of the Ancient British, that a very considerable armed body were approaching rapidly upon the Town. The whole garrison were instantly under Arms, and took up their position according to a plan previously formed in case of such an event happening. They made the attack upon our Troops, posted near the Gaol, with great violence, but were repulsed: They then made a general attack in almost every direction, as they had got possession of almost every avenue into the Town. They continued to engage the Troops for near three quarters of an hour, when they gave way, and fled on all sides. The Cavalry immediately took advantage of their confusion, charged in almost every direction, and killed a great number of them. A great quantity of Arms and Pikes were taken, and within this half hour many hundred more were brought in, found in pits near the town, together with three men with green cockades, all of whom were hanged in the public street. We took another prisoner whom we have spared, in consequence of his having given us
information that will enable us to pursue these Rebels; and from this man we learn that they were above a Thousand strong: They were commanded as this man informs us, by Michael Reynolds, who was well mounted, and dressed in Yeoman Uniform, but unfortunately made his escape; his horse we have got.
About thirty Rebels were killed in the streets; in the fields, we imagine, above an hundred; their bodies have not yet been brought together.
It is impossible to say too much of the Cavalry and Infantry; their conduct was exemplary throughout.