The same author adds, 'If these men had been permitted to go on in their old forward way, it is probable they would have saved the town of Newry being burnt.'
The Inniskilling cavalry performed several feats of gallantry, on detached services, during the period the army was at the unhealthy camp at Dundalk; and subsequently returned to their own country for winter quarters.
1690
Previous to the 1st of January, 1690, the Inniskilling cavalry had been considered more as corps of mounted militia, or of yeomanry cavalry, than as regular troops; but at that period the Inniskilling and Londonderry forces were placed on the establishment of the regular army. The following is an extract from King William's warrant on the occasion:—
'WILLIAM R.
'Whereas we have thought fit to forme a regiment of horse, together with two regiments of dragoons, and three regiments of foot, out of Our Inniskilling forces, and to take them into our pay and entertainment, we do hereby pass this Our establishment of the said forces, to commence on the 1st day of January, 1689-90, in the first year of our reign[8].'
| Inniskilling Forces. | ||||
| Officers and Soldiers. | Amount per Annum. | |||
| A regiment of horse, of twelve troops | 714 | 40,207 | 15 | 10 |
| Two regiments of dragoons, of eight troops each | 1162 | 41,415 | 6 | 8 |
| Three regiments of foot, of thirteen companies each | 2781 | 48,435 | 10 | 0 |
| Londonderry Forces. | ||||
| Two regiments of foot, of thirteen companies each | 1854 | 32,290 | 6 | 8 |
| —— | ————————– | |||
| Total | 6511 | 162,348 | 19 | 2 |
| ==== | =============== | |||
Cunningham's Inniskilling dragoons formed part of the force with which Colonel Wolseley captured the town of Belturbet, which was occupied as a frontier garrison. The colonel having afterwards learnt that his opponents were about to assemble at Cavan, to attack his quarters, left Belturbet on the evening of the 10th of February, 1690, with three troops of horse, two of the Inniskilling dragoons, and seven hundred foot of Kirke's (now second), Wharton's (now twelfth), Tiffin's (now twenty-seventh), and proceeded by a circuitous route towards Cavan, with the intention of surprising his opponents in their quarters, before the arrival of their expected reinforcements. Having passed the river at midnight, at a ford two miles above Ballyhaise,—the infantry on horseback behind the troopers,—he moved quietly towards Cavan, but met with obstructions which delayed his march, and the day had dawned when he drew near the town, when, to his great astonishment, he saw upwards of three thousand men, commanded by the Duke of Berwick, formed on a rising ground to oppose him. The disparity of numbers was great; but trusting to the innate valour of his soldiers, he sent forward a hundred Inniskilling dragoons to commence the action. As they advanced along a narrow lane, they were galled by the fire of musketry from behind the hedges, charged by a body of cavalry, and driven back; but a volley from the musketeers checked the enemy, and the troops continued their march. After deploying in front of the enemy, a reserve was ordered to halt, and Colonel Wolseley advanced with the remainder in order of battle. As he ascended the position, the enemy raised a loud shout and fired a volley; but the balls passed over the heads of Wolseley's men, who continued to advance until they arrived within forty paces of their opponents, and then opened a sharp fire with good effect. The infantry, slinging their muskets, were about to charge sword in hand, when, the smoke clearing away, they discovered King James's infantry flying to the fort in a panic, and the cavalry galloping towards the town. Wolseley's men rushed forward, and entering the town, found stores of provisions, shoes, ammunition, and brass money; the temptation being great, they commenced plundering, when the enemy's infantry sallied out of the fort, and resumed the fight. Wolseley attacked them with his reserve, and the soldiers hurrying out of the town, and joining in the contest, their opponents were driven back with the loss of three hundred men killed, and about two hundred taken prisoners; the Duke of Berwick narrowly escaped, having had his horse killed under him.