Page 245 - Demo

Chapter Seven 245
Patrick Sarsield, 1st Earl of Lucan
William, with an army of 38,000 men encamped before Limerick on August 9. 1690. So conident was he of an early capitulation that he had not waited to bring up his heavy artillery. But, when the defenders refused to submit and open the city gates, William dis- patched messengers to hasten the arrival of his formidable siege-train which was en route from Dublin, and was at the time close by Cashel in Tipperary. Sarsield, learning of Wil- liam’s intentions, resolved on a daring enterprise. In a memorable incident, accompanied by 600 horsemen ably led by the famous Rappareee, Galloping Hogan, Sarsield left the besieged city secretly on the night of 10 August, and spent the following day hidden in the hills and glens of Keeper. That night, under cover of darkness, the Rappareees surprised the siege-train convoy at Ballyneety; they quickly overcame the guard and destroyed the guns, tin-boats, ammunition and stores in a mighty explosion. This done, they dashed back to Limerick without losing a single man.
Galloping Hogan-An Incident in the Siege of Limerick
(A Song/Poem by Percy French) “They have sent for fresh artillery, The guns are on the way,
God help our hapless Limerick When dawns another day.”