A Faithful account of the taking the bridge, and beating down the Irish town of Athlone, which stands on the other side of the Shannon with a perfect diary of every days several actions before the said Irish town, &c. : as also, the welcome news from Kinsaile, giving an impartial account of the safe and happy arrival of the Smirna and Turkey fleets.

1691

A Faithful ACCOUNT OF THE Taking the Bridge. And Beating Down, the Irish Town of Athlone, Which stands on The other side of the SHANNON. WITH A Perfect DIARY of every Days several Actions, before the said Irish Town, &c. AS ALSO, The Welcome News from Kinsaile: Giving an Impartial Account of the Safe, and Happy Arrival OF THE Smirna, and Turkey Fleets. ⟨4. July. 1691⟩

LICENS'D, July the 3 d.1691. J. FRAISER.

Camp at ATHLONE, 25th. past, (Two in the Afternoon.)

SINCE my last, it's said, The Drum that came to the General, was an Answer to a Message, sent by the General, about Exchange of Prisoners on the 24th. This Morning about the Hour of Six, the Drum returned from the Enemies Quarters; all our Hands (that can any ways possibly be spared from other Duty,) are mending the Tin Boats; and our Men are working, with all diligence, in raising of three New Batteries, one below the Bridge, another above it; and the third without the Town-Wall, by the River-side, opposite to a large Bastion, the Enemy have erected, on the other side the River Shannon, which is there not so broad as the River of Thames, between Westminster Horse Ferry, and Lambeth at Low-Water.

About Seaven of the Clock this Evening, one of the Granadeers belonging to the Lord Lisburn's Regiment going under some Arches of the Bridge of Athlone, to look for Plunder amongst the Enemies Dead, found a pair of Colours, belonging to a Company of the Earl of Clanrickard's Regiment; which were [Page]on the Breach when we Stormed the Town, and brought them off flying to the General; and though, I believe, 100 Shot were made at him, yet none hurt him: The Lord Baron Ginkle, our General, very generously Rewarded him with Five Guineas. The 25th. yesterday the Enemy were very hard at work, in raising two new Batteries above the Castle; the one close by the River side, the other on a rising ground, a distance from it; and about Eight of the Clock last Night they were finished, one of them are of four, the other of three, six Pounders, with the latter of which, they have played briskly on the old Walls of the Town, where our Men are, (but without killing, or wounding any;) with the other, they shot into some of our Regiments, who lay Encamp'd on the Bank of the River, which obliged our Men to Decamp, and remove farther off.

About this Morning, our Battery (below the Bridge) was finished, and 26 four Pounders planted thereon, which has ever since Six this Morning, played incessantly on the Enemies Breast-work, on the other side, by which, most of the said Breast-work is beat down and levelled with the ground; as also, most of the Houses that stood on the other side the Town; by which means, the Enemies Works are so much exposed to our view, that they are forced to quit the Town, a great part or them retiring to S [...]'s Camp, others retiring behind the Castle, and in the Work over the Bridge, which in a few hours, from our upper Battery, will be soon likewise ruined, and it's not doubted, but that very soon we may acquaint you, that we are Masters of the River, and Ruined Town of Athlone: Our Guns are now firing very furiously from all our Batteries, with very good success.

26th. At Noon.

Sir,

Yesterday our Guns and Mortars played incessantly against the Enemies Works, &c. The Tin-Boats are all mended, and all things in a readiness to attempt our Passage over the River Shannon, &c. which will be at three several places, both above, and below the Bridge of Athlone; and I am certainly informed, that to Morrow will be the Day. A Deserter that came into our Camp this Morning, says The Enemies Army hourly expects our going over the Shannon.

27th. At Seven of the Clock in the Evening.

Just now we have possessed our selves of the whole Bridge of Athlone, to the very Works of the Irissi Town; two Arches of the Bridge were broke down by the Enemies Troops, one of which we have mended, and the other is to be mended this Night; and to morrow Morning, by Break of Day, there is Eight fresh Regiments appointed to Storm the Town.

Kinsaile the 26 th.

This Day is seen off of our Hills, a great Fleet, consisting, as near as we can tell them, of between Sixty and Seventy Sail, which we are assured, is the Smirna, and Turkey Fleet.

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☞ An Exact Description of the Roads of Connaught, and part of Mu [...], at present possess'd by the [...], Rebels;) giving the True Distances of the Several Cities, Towns, Passes and Places of Strength, each from the other; with their due Distances from Their Majesties Frontier Towns. Also, an Exact Account of the Situation of the Enemies Chief Fortified Places, viz. LYMERICK, Athlone, GALWAY, and SLEGOE, their present Fortifications; with the Additional Works lately made by the French and Irish. Very necessary for all Gentlemen and others, now our Army are Marched into the Enemies Quarters. Price One Penny.

☞ An Exact Description of the Roads of Flanders, (according to the last and best Survey) giving the True Distances of all the Cities, Towns, Castles, and Places of Strength (each from the other) in the Ten Provinces. And the most possable Roads for the Confederate Army (Commanded by the King of England) to March to any Place. And the passable Ways, by which the Confederate Army may enter into the very Heart of France. With distinguishing Characters; Shewing What Part of Flanders is possest by the Spaniards; What by the Dutch; What by the Bishop of Liege; What by the French; and What by the Duke of Juliers. Very necessary for Accomodating all Gentlemen and others (during the War in Flanders) in Reaning the English and Foreign Gazatts, and other Intelligences, of the Movements and Actions of the Confederate and French Armies. Price, Two Pence.

Both Printed for, and are to be Sold by Robert Hayhurst, at the Axe in Little-Britain.

London, Printed for Robert Hayhurst, at the Axe in Little-Britain, 1691.

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