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ENNISCORTHY AND VINEGAR HILL COUNTY WEXFORD. -This fine old market town stands on both banks of the beautiful river Slaney, about fourteen miles northwest
of the town of Wexford. It was the first place of importance captured by the Irish insurgents in 1798. The first battle of the Wexford rebellion was at Oulart Hill, not far from
Enniscorthy, on Sunday, March 27, and the British were totally routed. There were also sharp affairs at Ferns and Camolin, and, at noon, on the 28th, Enniscorthy, strongly garrisoned
by the royal troops, was vigorously attacked by the "rebels" under Father John Murphy the Lord of Oulart, and the first priest who fought in the rebellion and Edward Roche. The
British made a gallant resistance, but, after three hours' desperate fighting, were driven from the town which was partially burned. Thenceforth, the Irish insurgents had their permanent camp on Vinegar Hill - the eminence shown in the picture, rising above the town. It was held until June 20, when it was assaulted by 20,000 regular British troops under Lieut.-Gen. Lake and Sir James Duff. The Irish fought heroically, men and women standing shoulder to shoulder, but were eventually forced to retreat, sustaining comparatively little loss. Although this battle practically put down the rebellion, the insurgents were justly entitled to sing : Who fought with heart and hand To burst in twain the galling chain And free our native land
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