present, and
twenty five not included in the above number were shot in the most
deliberate manner, their cloaths being worth preserving. I pass
within two miles of the melancholy spot every month, and often
converse with those who know every particular relative to it, both
Loyalists and Rebels.----

Yours, F. R.

LETTER III.

COLLIERY, AUGUST 1st, 1798.

_My Dr. Friend_,

It would give me much satisfaction to have it in my power fully to
comply with your request, by furnishing you with an accurate detail
of the Engagements which took place between his Majesty's Troops
and the Rebels, for the publication you mention. If the following
particulars to which I was an eye witness can be of any service,
you are at liberty to make what use you please of the same.

On the Morning of the twenty third of June, the Rebels who had been
driven from Vinegar Hill appeared opposite New-Bridge or Gore's-Bridge,
a neat Village on the River Barrow, Co. Kilkenny. The Forces quartered
there, consisting of one Troop of the 4th Dragoon Guards and a Company
of the Wexford Militia prepared to stop their progress, and in order
thereto took possession of the Bridge; but perceiving the Rebels
planting their Cannon on the opposite side, and fording the River in
considerable numbers (the water being low,) they were obliged to
retreat; all the Cavalry escaped, but about twenty of the Infantry
were made Prisoners, many of whom were put to death on that and the
following day. Their intention (as one who had been prisoner with
them informed me) was to form a junction with the Colliers, and after
taking Castle Comber, to proceed to Kilkenny on Monday morning.

From New-Bridge they proceeded through Kelly-Mount (plundering as
they went along) to a hill five miles from Castle-Comber, in the range
of mountains called the Ridge, where they stopped for the night.

Finding it impossible to get to Ross according to my travelling
plan, I was obliged to take up my quarters in the Colliery the week
before. Here I remained in total ignorance of what was going forward
in other parts of the Country, till the twenty third, the day above
mentioned, when an Express arrived, informing us that the Rebels had
crossed the Barrow, and were on their way here. In order to know
the truth of the information I rode off accompanied by a friend
towards the Ridge. After riding about three miles I got in view
of their Camp, and by the assistance of a pocket Tellesc