The Welshmen of Tyrawley

by Graham Barratt

  Since twelve months previous, there had been a significant ceasefire between the Irish Earl, O’Neill and the English Earl of Essex, which had resulted in relative peace. However, O’Neill had become increasingly concerned at the incursions and plantation by the English. At the appointment by Queen Elizabeth of the new highly regarded field commander, Lord Mountjoy, no time was wasted in setting forces up for a major conflict with the Irish. He wanted to extend the English ring of strongholds to Armagh and re-establish the Garrison there, following the defeat of the English at Yellow Ford two years earlier.

  O’Neill regarded Moyry Pass as being the primary route that Mountjoy would use to march to Armagh via Newry. He therefore gave orders to build battlements and defences along the flanks overlooking the pass and sought fresh powder from Scottish merchants. For weeks, thousands of rebels camped and waited in wind and rain, deteriorating by the day.

  Donovan reflected the weather and his time with the armada. Today was not unlike the day the Rata grounded at Blacksod Bay.

  On the twentieth of September, word was passed through the ranks that the English were camping at Faughart Hill and it was clear through their reluctance to progress further that the rebel positions had been spotted. Nonetheless, the English were determined to push through to Armagh.

  Supplies were distributed, final arrangements made and the rebel forces lay in wait. Now, over 3000 rebels lined the anticipated route at various concentrations, depending on the expected tactics and options that would be open to the English. In many respects, the Irish did not want to kill great numbers. They knew that Queen Elizabeth’s forces were stronger overall, but they were determined to send the message back to London, that the Irish would not give up their autonomy and hoped that the Queen would eventually tire of their “mischief”.

  Due to the terrain, Donovan and Duald were assigned cannon positions adjacent to each other and ordered to build the defences for the gun emplacements. Armed with spades, the rebels worked on the battlements in shifts. They set about building up the earth that would protect them from cannon and small arms fire. They would also prevent a physical assault on their positions by setting sharp wooden stakes into the ground to deter a direct assault. Small arms and pike men would pick off the exhausted English, should they be bold enough to attempt to storm the flanks. The caliver rifle positions were placed carefully to ensure that they were within deadly range of the bottom of the pass, but far enough to ensure that crossfire would not reach friendly positions on the opposite side. Their positions were also arranged so that their field of fire would cover an attack on their own cannon positions.

  For days, they continued to move earth, pull trees and branches into position and provided the cover that the rebel army would need. Fortifications of stone, trees and barbs were placed across the pass to slow down and hinder the English and provide easy pickings for the artillery.

  While Donovan worked on the battlements, he pondered how they could use the many smooth stones that they were excavating. The firing of stones was not a new idea and was very effective. However, he had a new use for them. That evening, as the gunner teams waited in camp, Donovan shared his ideas for using the artillery to better effect for the Irish. Though gun and aiming tactics amongst the English had been refined and developed; amongst the Irish bands, these were still emerging. Many tactics had therefore been developed through experience and imagination. Donovan walked up to Duald and sat to his side with his bowl of meat and boiled vegetables in hand.

  ‘Master, I would like to try different ways of using our cannons.’ Donovan had the ear and respect of Duald and his opinions were valued.

  ‘And what different ways of using cannons would that be, Donovan?’

  ‘When on board the Spanish vessel, I knew that most injuries from cannon fire were from the wood splinters that flew through the air when the shot hit its target. There were very few direct hits on sailors and soldiers. I have also seen it when we hit carriages and carts, they explode and the fragments of wood cause much damage. I believe there are ways in which we may use stones, wood and metal to increase the effectiveness of our firepower in an ambush against the English. I think we should pile up wood and cloch (stones) to entice them into positioning themselves behind them for cover. We should then use iron or lead shot and aim the cannons at the stones. If the shot is on target, then the splinters and fragments will scatter and cut down more of them than we could hope to use single iron and lead shot. There will be damage to people and horses and the injuries will cause them great distress and mayhem.’

  Duald looked at the smoking fire and then at the ground.

  ‘This is a good plan, Donovan, but what if the shot misses the target? We will then have wasted valuable shot and battle time that could have been used on the English themselves.’

  ‘I believe that we should wait until the army are in-between our line of sight with the stones and fire at the stones on the opposite side of the pass also, angled down the pass to avoid our own positions. That way, if we miss the stones, then the shot may still have a good chance of connecting with some of their infantry as long as we are patient and wait for the best moment.’

  ‘Why have you not suggested this in the past?’

  ‘This is a plan that we can only use in defence or ambush and we have rarely had enough time to prepare the targets. As long as we have shot and dry powders, then I believe we will make a three thousand strong army as effective as five.’

  ‘I wish I could share your brightness, Donovan, but I agree and we should try. I will sleep on it and arrange to put the plan before O’Neill as soon as he will hold audience.’

  Duald took the plan to the leadership that next day. Later in the afternoon, O’Neill’s field commanders agreed and the Welshmen, soldiers and caliver-men set to work building the stone targets. The stone walls were carefully built to ensure they were not too deep but contained enough stone to ensure a large enough target and explosion of matter. Two cannons would be allocated the targets, which were built further into the pass. If and when the English stormed the barricades, then the other cannons would be used to strafe the columns. The emphasis of battle and dependency of victory would be on the success of the artillery raid. The rebels did not want to “push pike”, this would be a bloody battle and there would be many casualties on both sides.

  The English delayed their progression through the pass because of the poor weather. The rebels though were “holed up” and keen to fight.

  Several days later, on a foggy day, the word was passed that the English were approaching the barricades. The rebels were at their positions and caliver emplacements hassled their progression. Donovan’s unit was not required unless there was a break-through of the second defence. Caliver fire rained down on the English as they attempted to make an opening in the blockage. The gunners were careful to ensure that cannon fire did not hit the blockages in the pass and assist the English in destroying them.

  After many casualties, Lord Mountjoy’s offensive was abandoned and they dragged their wounded and dead away. The English wanted to secure the progress they had made and set up sniper positions to prevent the Irish from attempting repairs on the defence works.

  For five days, the rain prevented a full-scaled attack. With so much dampness, it could prevent the matchlock muskets from firing, which would result in far more contact fighting than was desirable. It was looking increasingly as though a full hand-to-hand battle would be most likely necessary.

  On the sixth day, the weather cleared and five regiments made their way to the pass. The English eventually broke through the first line of defence. Once within sight and trapped to the front, the rebels opened up their artillery from three sides. The battle escalated as the rebels advanced on the English with halberd and musket. The gunners fired the cannon as Donovan had planned directly at a “stone-pile”. After the momentary and devilish “hissing” sound of the shot travelling through the air, the stones exploded. Donovan punched the air as he saw six
English soldiers fall to the ground, the survivors screaming in pain. While some English soldiers attempted to drag away the wounded, they were also fired upon and when running away and fatigued, they were finished off with pikes. The battle was a bloody one.

  The army leader, Samuel Bagnall was incensed by this lack of protocol and pulled his horse alongside an officer. Donovan looked down on Bagnall and the English positions through the low hanging tree branches. Pulling up his steer close to a junior officer, Bagnall was seen to be pointing to the general area of Donovan’s position on the hillside. He soon realised this meant Bagnall had a counter plan and would be making a concerted effort to take out the artillery positions. Donovan crouched along the earth mound and ran over to Duald’s position

  ‘Sir! I have seen the English make reference to our location and have given much attention to our position. At this moment, I feel sure they are planning to strike us where we are, but how they will do this, I cannot be certain.’

  Donovan looked to his rear and sides to satisfy himself that the threat was not imminent. As he examined the scene, he could see the English moving a cannon carriage into position but placing it behind a barricade. The English had decided that by setting up guns behind the barricade, they would be making a target of it. They now knew that the Irish were competent gunners and if they fired on the cannon, they would also strike the barricade. They would be destroying their own defences and actually assist the English with establishing a way through.

  ‘Donovan, we must reload to counterattack the English gunners before they could get the gun into position.’ Donovan nodded as if he had already come to the same conclusion.

  ‘FIRE!’ Duald’s first shot was too high and missed the cannon, penetrating a horse before thudding into the earth behind. Donovan fired 30 seconds later to ensure the loading intervals were staggered.

  ‘FIRE!’ The second shot hit the carriage and shattered its structure. A shower of wood splinters flew through the air as several cries of agony were heard in the pass, then men writhing on the ground. Although the cannon barrel was still intact, the carriage and crew were no more.

  ‘Donovan, look to you right!’ Duald called out – there was a new danger.

  Donovan turned around and saw three English soldiers with calivers running up the right hill flank behind him. It was clear that the activity of the English cannon had partly been a diversion, while the English attempted to storm and flank Donovan’s position.

  The Welshmen had no other arms and were defenceless, relying on the protection given to them by their snipers. Donovan, with the help of his junior gunner could only try to reposition the cannon to fire at them, while it was being loaded. One shot rang out from a rebel sniper but missed. It would now take the rebel at least a further thirty seconds to reload, aim and fire. As the English progressed towards the cannon positions, they got tired and slowed their pace. Donovan quickly aimed and fired a direct cannon shot at the soldiers. Although it was well aimed, the ball went between two of the soldiers apparently missing them both. Donovan looked on amazed as one soldier fell to the ground with blood oozing from his nose. Although neither soldier had received a direct hit, the shock wave passing by his body was severe. It was so strong that it fatally damaged his internal organs. The second English soldier was hit by a rebel caliver-man, who had been emplaced to protect the cannon positions. The shot penetrated the chest of the Englishman, with blood, organ tissue and bone exploding from his back. The chainmail on his back seemed to take the force, containing the human fragments and after violently expanding out, collapsed back into its usual position. The man fell to the ground lifeless.

  Donovan’s cannon was not an immediate threat as it would have to be reloaded. The remaining English soldier continued to climb the hill quickly in a zig-zag motion toward Duald’s position. His intention was obvious, he could see the cannon being prepared and was attempting to get to the position before it could be fired. Duald was still loading, when the soldier stopped, raised his caliver and aimed directly at him. Duald was about to be executed and did not have a chance. Donovan jumped from his trench instantly, holding a halberd staff. He ran across and positioned himself between the soldier and Duald. Donovan held the staff forward in a defensive stance. It was no match for the caliver. The soldier realised that he must not miss the shot and took two more steps forward. He stopped, re-aimed at Donovan’s head and pulled the matchlock trigger. The match-cord made contact with the powder charge as Donovan closed his eyes. The powder fizzed but was too damp and it smoked hopelessly, failing to ignite. Donovan could not believe his luck and before the soldier could draw his sword, he ran forward and lunged the halberd with full force into his head. To aim anywhere else may have connected with his armour or chainmail and handed the advantage to the soldier. The force caused the rifle to point skywards as it at last fired harmlessly into the air. The blade pierced an eye ball as Donovan pushed it further into his head and the spike re-emerged from the back of the skull, making a scraping sound as it hit the inside of the soldier’s helmet. As he fell to the ground, he screamed in agony; Donovan found a split in his chainmail and out of mercy drove the halberd into his chest, before pulling out the pike to allow him to bleed and lose consciousness quickly.

  Thomas Welsh had witnessed the whole event from his trench and had a loaded caliver all the time. He had re-positioned the gun with his team and was ready to fire and could have fired at any time to protect Donovan but chose to watch the outcome. Only once Donovan had been dispatched, would he open fire to cover himself. Duald walked out of the cannon compound looking surprised and astonished at what he had just witnessed.

  ‘Why did you do that, Donovan? Why did you place yourself in the line of fire to offer your life instead of me?’

  ‘Sir, you are more valued than I and it is my duty to protect you as my master as well as the Irish warriors we fight with. I have no value compared to that of our Irish fighters of freedom and honourable clansman.’

  ‘Donovan, I have beaten you, called you names, I have mocked the colour of your skin and your damaged face. I have stolen your food when I am hungry and at times I have treated you as a dog. I do not deserve this from you and I am humbled. At the witness of the Lord, I will from this day grant you my full honour, respect and protection. If it were my decision, I would now grant you your freedom. You must never do the like again though. If your concern is to save the lives of the Irish, then you must save yourself. Your skills as a gunner are more important as any man here. You are worth far more to the Irish as a gunner than a dozen calivermen.’

  Duald walked up to Donovan and Thomas looked on as they embraced. Their bond had intensified. Thomas realised that it would become increasingly difficult to get to Donovan while he had such respect and protection from Duald.

  Suddenly, a lead shot hissed past Duald, reminding them that they were still in the theatre of battle. Rebel muskets were now aimed at the approaching English on the flank. Very quickly, they turned around and fled back down the hill. As they returned to their positions, Duald called back to Donovan.

  ‘One day, I hope you will have your freedom and I hope to make it so. I will request that you are given the uniform of the kern and afforded the respect and trappings of a loyal Irish fighter.’

  Donovan beamed a smile at Duald, waved a clenched fist and returned to his cannon. Within hours, the English had broken through the second line of defence but were now trapped on three sides. Hundreds of English died and Bagnall had no choice but to withdraw.

  In the confusion and aftermath, Thomas went missing from the camp. It was not clear what had happened to him. He had not been reported injured and it was assumed he had either been captured or had abandoned his position with the rebels. While desertion by mercenaries was common, it was regarded as out of character for Thomas. His position as a gunner was subsequently replaced.

  On 5th October, an English attempt to flank the rebels to the west failed. Irish scouts were active and so the rebels
were prepared and repelled the Queen’s forces. English casualties were heavy and by the 9th October, Mountjoy returned his forces back to Dundalk. O’Neill pronounced the battle a huge success, as did the English.

  Thomas made his way to the English camp in Dundalk. Using the code words he had been given at Ballybrannagh, he re-offered his services to the English. Much of the information he passed was of limited use to them as they had gained much intelligence during their time in the pass and in battle. However, it was of great interest to the English when Thomas explained that the rebel’s supplies of powder were either damp or very limited and it would not take much to convince the rebels to withdraw from the pass. This had come as a surprise to Bagnall, who was convinced that the Irish had the strategic advantage. Along with other intelligence passed on by Thomas, he provided the English with a sound plan. As an Irishman, Thomas wanted an end to the double-dealing and he was given his next undertaking. He would be allowed to return to Ballybrannagh, but would have one task to complete first. He was given an Irish horse and was to ride from Dundalk to Moyry. On the journey, he was to spread the rumour that the English had been reinforced with an additional four regiments which were to flank both sides of the pass.

  Despite the report of damp powder, the English were concerned with getting supplies to the Garrison only and did not want any further losses to report to London. They preferred the option to provoke a strategic withdraw of the Irish rather than take them on in a further battle, where the much-utilised mercenaries might provoke a bloody battle.