242

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XII.

1GS9.

milton; and at the same tune Wolseiey came up to supportBerry. The hostile armies were now in presence of each other.Macarthy had above five thousand men and several pieces ofartillery. The Enniskilleners were under three thousand; andthey had marched in such haste that they had brought only oneday’s provisions. It was therefore absolutely necessary forthem either to fight instantly or to retreat. "Wolseiey deter-mined to consult the men; and this determination, winch, inordinary circumstances, would have been most unworthy of ageneral, was fully justified by the peculiar composition andtemper of the little army, an army made up of gentlemen andyeomen fighting, not for pay, but for their lands, their wives,their children, and their God. The ranks were drawn up underarms; and the question was put, “Advance or Retreat?” Theansw'er was an universal shout of “Advance.” Wolseiey gaveout the word, “No Popery.” It was received with loud ap-plause. He instantly made his dispositions for an attack. Ashe approached, the enemy, to his great surprise, began to re-tire. The Enniskilleners were eager to pursue with all speed:but their commander, suspecting a snare, restrained theirardour, and positively forbade them to break their ranks. Thusone army retreated and the other followed, in good order,through the little town of Newton Butler. About a mile fromthat town the Irish faced about, and made a stand. Their posi-tion w r as w r ell chosen. They were drawn up on a hill at the footof which lay a deep bog. A narrow paved causew'ay w'hich ranacross the bog was the only road by which the cavalry of theEnniskilleners could advance; for on the right and left werepools, turf pits, and quagmires, which afforded no footing tohorses. Macarthy placed his cannon in such a manner as tosweep this causeway.

Wolseiey ordered his infantry to the attack. Theystruggled through the bog, made their way to firm ground,