CHAP. which he might have made at first with much less danger. The anxiety of the besieged was roused to the highest pitch, while the besiegers rushed ardently to their batteries on the shore to prevent the passage of the vessels, which consisted of two ships loaded with provisions, and the Dartmouth frigate, their guardship. Where the lake narrowed into the harbour of the city, the shore was lined with artillery; and a boom, formed of strong timber, joined by iron chains, and strengthened with thick cables, extended across the channel between two opposite batteries. While the besiegers poured a tremendous fire of cannon and musketry on the ships, which was answered with all their might by the crews, the foremost of the victuallers struck with velocity against the boom, and broke it, but, rebounding with violence ran aground. The besieged on the crowded walls were struck with dumb consternation, while the enemy, rending the air with shouts, were preparing to board the victualler; but, by the recoil of her own guns, as she fired at the assailants, she was again set afloat, and, passing the boom, was followed by the other vessels, to the relief of the famished garrison. The enemy retired in despair toward Strabane, having lost eight thousand men in the siege; and the miserably emaciated defenders of the city scarcely waited to taste food, till they exerted their small remain of strength to pursue them, and some lost their lives in adventuring rashly on the rear guard. Four thousand three hundred of the garrison had survived the hardships of this memorable siege of a hundred

and

and five days duration; but of these above a thou- CHAP. sand were incapable of service.

XXXI.

of the En

The flight of the besiegers was precipated by the Operations news of a great victory gained by the protestants niskilleners. collected at Enniskillen, who had from the first greatly embarrassed the adherents of James. This little town, situate in the county of Fermanagh, on an island in the narrow part of Logh Erne, or the connecting channel of the two lakes, was inhabited by some resolute protestants, who had refused admittance to two Romish companies of Tyrconnel's army, and afterwards afforded protection to the protestants of the north-western parts, who took refuge there. These protestants, electing Gustavus Hamilton for their commander, proclaimed William and Mary; and, happily free from the embarrassment of any such treacherous or cowardly officer as Lundy, they acted with a spirit formidable and destructive to their adversaries. Lord Galmoy marched to reduce them, and invested Crom Castle, their frontier fortress, situate on Logh Erne: but, unable to bring his cannon to the scene of action, he attempted to intimidate the garrison into a surrendry by counterfeit great guns. Having employed eight horses to draw two pieces formed of tin, and so coloured as to resemble cannon, he threatened to open a battery immediately on the fort; but a defiance was returned; a man with a long fowling piece shot one of the pretended engineers from the castle; and the garrison, reinforced from Enniskillen, sallied, drove the enemy from their trenches, and returned in triumph with much booty. The courage and

obstinacy

CHAP. obstinacy of the Enniskilleners were confirmed by XXXI. the treachery of Galmoy, who, having taken two

youths with commissions from William, proposed to exchange them for one of his own officers. The latter was returned to him, in confidence of his honourable performance of his part of the bargain; but the former were executed in a most flagrant breach of faith. The excursions of the Enniskilleners were so fierce and successful, that the terror of their name reached even to the capital; and, having procured arms and ammunition by a victory at Belturbét, and supplies from Kirk, they became such an object, that three armies were employed to attack them at once from three different quarters, under three generals of reputation and ability.

From Belturbet Macarthy, from Connaught Sarsfield, and from the north Fitzjames, duke of Berwick, advanced against Enniskillen. From the ignorance of their danger the protestants of this quar ter found their safety. Informed only of the approach of Sarsfield's army, they rushed against it with a rapidity unexpected and astonishing, surprized the camp, and routed the whole body with great slaughter. To impede the progress of Berwick, whom they found advancing on the other side, some companies were sent to seize a post; but these, carried by their ardour beyond the bounds prescribed, were surprized and slaughtered; yet, on the approach of the main body, Berwick thought proper to avoid the shock of these impetuous troops by a retreat. Macarthy with a victorious army, which had suppressed lord Inchiquin in Munster, continued his progress,

XXXI.

progress, and invested the castle of Crom, on the CHAP. thirtieth of July. An officer named Berry, detached to its relief, retired from a superior body of the foe, was pursued, was attacked, and was victorious; and, on the arrival of the main bodies on both sides, a general engagement took place near Newtown Butler and Lisnaskea, from each of which places this battle has taken its name. The troops of Macarthy were defeated and pursued with dreadful slaughter by the Enniskilleners, commanded by Wolsey, an officer of Kirk. No quarter in general was given except to officers. Two thousand fell by the sword, five hundred were drowned in the lake, and as many were made prisoners, among whom was the general, desperately wounded, and, in the anguish of grief, expressing a fear lest his wounds might not prove mortal.

CHAP

CHAP. XXXII.

XXXII.

Parliament

of James.

Irish parliament of James-Repeal of the acts of settlement-Enormous act of attainder-Iniquitous plan of coinage-Attack on the university-Persecution of the protestants-Delay of succour from England-Progress of Schomberg-He encamps at Dundalk-Calamitous condition of his troopsMilitary operations-Decampment of SchombergDiscontents in England-Various operations—Victory of the Enniskilleners-Capture of James's vessels in the bay of Dublin—Surrendry of Charlemount-Landing of King William.

CHAP. WHILE the jacobite forces were so fiercely and successfully resisted by the protestants collected at Derry and Enniskillen, James and the principal catho1689. lics were busy in Dublin in the framing of laws, and a general arrangement of affairs. In the Irish parliament, convened by this monarch, on the seventh of May, were only seven or eight protestant members in the upper house, of whom three were bishops; and six in the lower, of whom two were representatives of the university. In his speech from the throne the king declared his abhorrence of invading the rights of either conscience or property; and his readiness to assent to wholesome laws in general, and to the

relieving