USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 20
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HISTORY OF THE SCOTCH IRISH.
England was comparatively easy,-and a battle with William would decide his fate. The plan looked feasible. With his many friends in Ireland, large numbers of Highlanders devoted to his interests in Scotland, and still a large number of English either openly his friends or vacillating betwixt him and his competitor-his prospects were far from forbidding or despe- rate. But an unforeseen obstacle met him in his successful march to the north of Ireland, and disconcerted his well laid plans. The "Scotch Presbyterians" in Ulster, of Londonderry, threw themselves within the walls of Enniskillen, and Londonderry, and determined to defend them to the last extremity. To de- termine was to execute. They closed their gates against the forces of king James, and in spite of force and famine held these fortresses till re-enforcements arrived, and the besieging forces were obliged to retire in dismay.
Derry was one of the principal counties occupied by the protestants in the north of Ireland. Its capital was the city of Derry, situated upon the west bank of the Foyle. Derry was granted to Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, by Edward II., in the early part of the fourteenth century. During the reign of Elizabeth, when rebellion was rife in Ireland, Derry became an important military post. Upon the flight of Tyrone and Tyrconnel, some of their followers marched upon Derry, took it by surprise, put the garrison to the sword, and murdered Sir George Powlet, its Governor. This was in 1606. Upon the suppression of the rebellion, James immediately set about col- onizing the lands of the rebels, that had been forfeited to the crown, as before related. The Scotch were good farmers'and good soldiers, but they were poor, and had not the means of for- tifying their town, against the attacks of their catholic neighbors, in case of war or rebellion. This was necessary to be done. Accordingly, James hit upon the expedient of engaging "the great companies in London" in his plan of colonizing the for- feited lands, and building defences. He granted to the city of London and those companies, two hundred and ten thousand acres of land upon condition that they should undertake to plant their lands and build and fortify Coleraine and Derry.
This proposition was agreed to, and an agreement signed with the crown, January 28, 1609. They set about their work immediately, and under their auspices, the Scotch Pres- byterians emigrated from Argyleshire. Derry was found to be well situated, being upon a peninsula in a Lake or Bay upon the River Foyle, called Lough Foyle. It was surrounded by water or three sides, and on the fourth was easily fortified.
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
The work of colonization and fortification commenced in ear- nest, and in 1615 a new charter was granted the corporations and Derry took the name of Londonderry. The name of the Coun- ty was also changed to Londonderry. In 1636, the city had in- creased so in power and population, that Charles became sus- picious of the power thus in the hands of the Londoners, and a suit was commenced against them in the noted Star Chamber and their estates were sequestered. In the year following, their lands were leased by Agents of the Crown. In 1640, the Par- liament declared the sequestration illegal and all consequent pro- ceedings null and void, and in 1655 their legal rights were re- stored to the Londoners. In 1662 Charles II., granted them a new charter,-and under this, city and colony began to thrive and attained unusual prosperity. The city, built almost entire- ly of freestone, is situated upon a gentle eminence in an oval form, in the centre of which is a public square called the Dia- mond, which is reached by four streets extending to the four gates of the city. Upon the Diamond were the public edifices, a Church and Market House, all splendid buildings of freestone. The wall surrounding the city is of the same material. The solid construction of the walls and houses of Londonderry, ac- counts in part for the success with which it has sustained two memorable sieges. In 1649, the time of a great rebellion, it resisted the united strength of the Irish insurgents, when the whole kingdom was in their hands except this city alone, and the Capital, Dublin. But its noblest defence was forty years later, in the time of the Revolution of 1689, when it success- fully withstood a siege, accompanied with the severest famine, against a numerous army, for one hundred and five days! As the immediate ancestors of those "Scotch Irish" who settled Londonderry and Manchester, as well as some of those settlers themselves, nobly took part in "the siege of Derry," we doubt not we shall be readily pardoned for giving some account of that siege in this place.
SIEGE OF DERRY.
The protestants of Ireland had discovered that James in- tended to enter Ireland, and for a time at least, to make that the theatre of war in his attempt to recover his throne. This they discovered through the arrangements made by Tyrconnel. The Earl who had been feigning friendship for William that he might the better assist James, in whose interest he had ev- er been, had lately commenced raising new troops and issuing commissions. This foreboded rebellion or the near approach
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of James. They determined to prepare for either event, and upon the circulation af a report that the catholics intended a general rising on Sunday the 9th day of December 1688, they commenced making preparations for defence, At length, on the morning of the 9th of December, they received the astound- ing intelligence, that a regiment of Tyrconnel's newly rais- ed troops were on their way, under the command of Lord Antrim to occupy their city, and that two companies of the ap- proaching troops were within two miles of the city. This reliable information came from Mr. George Phillips, formerly Governor of the city, a protestant and a fast friend to William. He advised his friends in the city to close their gates and by no means to admit Antrim within their walls. They had made but little progress in their preparations for defence, and this news filled them with consternation. And well it might, for they had but a few pieces of cannon, and those were indif- ferently furnished ; their garrison was composed of undisciplined troops, and they were furnished with but a scanty stock of pro- visions. While all was in confusion, seme advising one thing and some another, two companies of Antrim's troops made their appearance upon the east bank of the Foyle, opposite the city, and their officers immediately crossed the river and de- manded that the gates should be opened for the admission of their troops. Some were in favor of their immediate admis- sion, while others were strongly opposed to granting their re- quest. While this altercation and debate was going on within the city, the soldiers became impatient of delay, and suspect- ing that the gates might be closed against them, they took to the boats and crossed the river, without waiting for orders .- Some apprentices to the manufacture of linen, hearing the dis- cussion among the officers of the city, and perceiving the sol- diers crossing the river, with more decision and resolution than their masters or the officers of the city, ran to the guard, seized the keys, drew up the bridge, and locked the gate of the city next to the river. They then with equal promptness fastened the remaining three gates. The die was cast. The resolution of these 'Prentice Boys' as they were called, decided the fate of the city, and very probably the fate of James the Second and William and Mary. The opinion soon became general that the city should be defended at all hazards. The soldiers outside the gates became still more impatient and urgent for admission. They were peremptorily ordered to retire, but they paid no attention to the request, and continued nursing their wrath and indignation. Upon this one of the citizens cried
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out in a loud voice, "bring about a great gun here," which command had the desired effect. Antrim's soldiers being new recruits did not care to wait for the bringing about "a great gun" and they re-crossed the river, in the utmost disorder .- Thus the siege commenced December 7, 1687. The day following, the soldiers of Antrim became panic struck, by a discharge of cannon from the city, and the sight of some boys going through mimic evolutions upon the opposite side of the river, and made a precipitate retreat. The cowards thought the boys playing upon the river's bank, the advance of a sortie about to be made from the town, and the report of two guns, fired-as a mark of joy at the reception of good news from King William, as the commencement of a cannonade, under cover of which the troops were to cross the river and attack them. Soon after some two or three hundred cavalry and a company of infantry came into the city from the country, but then, the effective force of the city and immediate neighborhood did not amount to more than a thousand men, and among them not an engineer to direect their operations. Added to this, there were not more than six or seven barrels of powder in the mag- azine ; their muskets some twelve hundred in number, were out of repair ; and of their cannon, not more than twenty were fit for service. With such preparations, there was little pros- pect of effectual opposition to the forces of James.
In the month of January, Tyrconnel sent orders to Lord Mountjoy and Colonel Lundy, to march immediately from Dub- lin with six companies of troops, and take possession of London- derry. The Earl gave this peremptory order, aware of the im- portance of that fortress in a military point of view ; and to be sure of carrying his point, he detached a body of troops, a large portion of whom were protestants, under a popular leader and who, of course he thought, would be more likely to be re- ceived into the fortress. In this he conducted with shrewd- ness. Mountjoy and Lundy both had the confidence of the pro- testants, but the latter undeservedly, as he was a mere tool of Tyrconnel, and sent with Mountjoy as a foil in any arrange- ments unfavorable to the cause of James. The people of Lon- donderry hearing of the approach of these troops, determined to shut the gates against them, but after farther deliberation, such was their distrust of their preparations for defence, and such their confidence in Mountjoy and Lundy, that upon the arrival of the troops before the city, they made a compromise, with their leader, by which it was stipulated that Lord Mount- joy and Colonel Lundy with two protestant companies, might
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come within the walls of the city. while the other four com- panies should retire to quarters at some distance from the walls. It was further stipulated, that the garrison should be entirely Protestant, and that all citizens should retain their arms. The last provision was the more necessary as the Irish population in the neighborhood all went armed,-if with no other weapon, with the skein knife. Lord Mountjoy entered the city and Gov- ernor Phillips resigned his authority to him, who requited this confidence in his every act. Under his judicious adminsitration everything began to assume a different aspect. The fortifica- tions were repaired and strengthened, the guns were mounted, the muskets were repaired, and every measure taken to put the city in a position to withstand a siege.
But in the midst of this preparation, Mountjoy was re-called and the command of the city left in the hands of Lundy. Tyrconnel was displeased with Mountjoy's conduct, but in Lundy as a commander. he had a willing tool.
The people of Londonderry upon their first closing their gates against the troops of Antrim, had sent a messenger to London to inform King William of the step they had taken and to ask supplies of arms and munitions of war. The King gratified at the stand they had taken, promised supplies of all kinds, and orders were given to that effect. But they did not arrive till near the last of the month of March, when eighty barrels of powder, and two thousand stand of arms arrived for their use, and much to their gratification, as they soon expected to have use for them, as the army of 'l'yrconnel had already marched into Ulster under Hamilton, and had laid siege to Col- eraine, a large town some thirty miles to the north-east of Londonderry, built by the Protestants. Meantime Col. Lundy had made such disposition of affairs as clearly showed he was in the interest of James, and would be glad of the opportunity of surrendering the city to him. He had not as yet committed any act that would demand his deposition. Still his motions were strictly watched, and in a short time his treachery was fully exposed.
Rev. George Walker, Rector of the parishes of Donagh- more and Erigal Keeroge, entered most warmly into the cause of King William. Although far advanced in years, yet he had raised a regiment, and early in March led it into Londonderry. ile brought the news that the Irish army was approaching Lon- donderry. Col. Lundy affected not to believe this report, and made no preparation for defence. However, within three days, the army of Gen. Hamilton appeared upon the opposite
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bank of the Foyle, but was prevented from landing by the height of the water. Had Lundy not been a traitor, he might have prevented the passage of the troops, but he made no at- tempt to oppose their crossing, and on the 15th of March they passed the Foyle without opposition. About the 15th of April, troops and supplies arrived from England, and on that date the Governor of Londonderry was informed, that two well appoint- ed regiments had arrived in Lough Foyle, under command of Colonels Cunningham and Richards, and were waiting his or- ders for their embarkation. Upon this information, a council of war was held, which under the influence of the treacherous Lundy, came to the conclusion that the defences of London- derry were imperfect, and that the place with the addition of the two regiments in waiting, would be untenable, against the force approaching under Gen. Hamilton. Upon this result of the deliberations of the council, the commanders of the regi- ments thought it not advisable to disembark their troops, or even to land the ammunition sent for the use of the city.
Meantime, King James was advancing from Dublin with an army, fifteen thousand strong, and now was within a few miles of the city, and under the perfidious influence of Lundy, the council on the 17th of April, determined upon the surrender of the city, upon promise of idemnity for the past. King James at once assented to this condition, as he thought it would readily remove the only obstacle to his passing into Scotland and uniting with the forces of Claverhouse, impatient of his delay. Accordingly on the 19th of April, the royal forces were drawn up in order, upon an eminence, in plain view, and under the guns of the city. to receive the surrender and sub- mission of the city. But King James was destined to a differ_ ent reception from what he anticipated. The people of Lon- donderry had become infuriated at the treachery of Lundy, and elated by the arrival of Capt. Murray with a company of cav- alry, as well as incited by his words and example, they marched to the walls, and inspired the soldiers with such enthusiasm, that they opened a furious fire of cannon and musketry up- on King James' army, and obliged him to retreat to Johns- town in disorder. In spite of this turn of affairs, Lundy still persevered in his attempts to surrender the city. But the people had now the complete control of affairs within the city, and determined to depose the Governor, and overawe his council. Lundy seeing that the people were in earnest, did not wait for any overt act on their part, but forthwith made his escape in disguise, 'dressed as a porter, with a load of match
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upon his back." Rid of this incumbrance, the people forth- with chose the Rev. George Walker and Major Baker as joint Governors of the city. These gentlemen would not accept the office until it had been offerd to Col. Cunningham, the next in rank to the deposed Governor ; but he refused to accept the office, and with Col. Richards went on board their ships and returned to England, where they were deprived of their com- missions. Governors Walker and Baker entered upon their du- ties with zeal and energy. The die was cast, and they must make the best defence possible against the army of King James, until the promised succor should come from England. Their situation was desperate. The ordinary population of the city could not have gone beyond ten thousand. There was but lii- tle more than an ordinary supply of provisions. The whole area within the walls was only about two thousand feet in its largest diameter, and six hundred feet in its smallest. Yet such had been the rush to the town of the people in the neighborhood for protection, at the approach of the royal army, that the small city at this time contained seven thousand soldiers and twenty thousand men, women and children. Aside from the probabil- ity of famine, there was danger that in the approaching hot weather, so many people crowded upon so small a space, and deprived of their usual air and exercise, would beget some fearful epidemic. But added to this was a positive evil of the greatest import. The most bitter feuds existed betwixt the people in the city. They were made up of Episcopalains and Dissenters, and at such a time they were so filled with sectarian animosity, that they came near having an open rupture. How- ever these disturbances were quelled by the ministers, and all united for the common defence of Protestantism.
The siege was commenced on the 20th of April in earnest by the royal army under Gen. Hamilton, numbering twenty thousand men. The city was completely invested on every side, except next the river. The batteries were soon in op- peration, and the most impetuous assaults were made upon the walls, but the assailants were usually repulsed with loss. The besieged were not however content with acting upon the mere defensive ; they made several sorties and always with the most decided advantage. At length by the middle of June, an alarming epidemic broke out in the city, from want of pure air and water, as well as from a scarcity of provisions. The people were dispirited, and says Dr. Smollet, "they were even tantalized in their distress ; for they had the mortification to see some ships which had arrived with supplies from England pre-
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
vented from sailing up the river by the batteries the enemy had raised on both sides, and a boom with which they had blocked up the channel. At length a re-enforcement arrived in the Lough, under the command of Gen. Kirke, who had deserted his master, and been employed in the service of King William. He found means to convey intelligence to Walker, that he had troops and provisions on board for their relief, but found it im- practicable to sail up the river ; he promised however, that he would land a body of forces at the Inch, and endeavor to make a diversion in their favor, when joined by the troops at Innis- killing, which amounted to five thousand men, including two thousand cavalry. He said he expected six thousand men from England, where they were embarked before he set sail. He exhorted them to persevere in their courage and loyalty, and assured them he would come to their relief at all hazards. These assurances enabled them to bear their miseries a little longer, though their numbers daily diminished. Major Baker dying, his place was filled with Col Michelburn, who now acted as colleague to Mr. Walker.
King James having returned to Dublin, to be present at the parliament, the command of his army devolved upon the French General Rosene, who was exasperated at such an obstinate op- position by a handful of half starved militia. He threatned to raze the town to its foundation, and destroy the indabitants, without distinction of age or sex, unless they would immedi- ately submit themselves to their lawful sovereign. The Gov- ernors treated his menaces with contempt, and published an or- der that no person on pain of death, should talk of surrender- ing. They now consumed the last remains of their provisions, and supported life by eating the flesh of horses, dogs, cats, rats, mice, tallow, starch, and salted hides, and even this loath- some food began to fail. Rosene, finding them deaf to all his proposals, threatened to wreak his vengeance on all the Pro- testants of that country, and drive them under the walls of Londonderry, where they should be suffered to perish by fam- ine. The bishop of Meath, being informed of this design complained to King James of the barbarous intention, entreat- ing his Majesty to prevent its being put in execution. That Prince assured him that he had already ordered Rosene to de- sist from such proceedings. Nevertheless, the Frenchman ex- ecuted his threats with the utmost rigor. Parties of dragoons were detached on this cruel service. After having stripped all the Protestants for thirty miles round, they drove these unhap- py people before them like cattle, without even sparing the en-
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feebled old men, nurses with infants at their breasts, tender children, women just delivered, and some even in the pangs of labor. Above four thousand of these miserable objects were driven under the walls of Londonderry. This expedient, far from answering the purpose of Rosene, produced quite a contrary effect. The besieged were so exasperated at this act of inhu- manity, that they resolved to perish rather than submit to such a barbarian. They erected a gibbet in sight of the enemy, and sent a message to the French General, importing that they would hang all the prisoners they had taken during the siege, unless the protestants whom they had driven under the walls should be immediately dismissed. This threat produced a ne- gotiation, in consequence of which the protestants were released, after they had been detained three days without tasting food. Some hundreds died of famine or fatigue ; and those who lived to return to their own habitations found them plundered and sacked by the papists, so that the greater number perished for want, or were murdered by the straggling parties of the enemy ; yet these very people had for the most part obtained protection from King James, to whom no respect was paid by his generals."
In July the most intense suffering existed. People were re- duced to eating the meanest food to sustain life, and it was se- riously supposed that they would have to resort to the eating of the dead. Many died from actual starvation. Horses, dogs, cats, rats and mice commanded the highest prices, and were eaten with avidity. The following is the tariff of prices :
Horse flesh, each pound, one shilling and eightpence.
A quarter of a dog, fattened by eating dead bodies, five shil- lings and sixpence. A dog's head, two shillings and sixpence.
A cat, four shillings and sixpence.
A rat, fattened by eating human flesh, one shilling.
A mouse, sixpence.
A pound of greaves, one shilling.
A pound of tallow, four shillings.
A pound of salted hides, one shilling.
A quart of horse-blood, one shilling.
A horse pudding, sixpence.
A handful of seawreck, twopence.
The same quantity of chickenweed, one penny.
A quart of meal, when found, one shilling.
A small fluke taken in the river could not be purchased for money, and was to be got only in exchange for meal .*
*Siege of Derry, pages 213, 214.
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THEHISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
At length such was the sickness and severity of the famine, that the most hardy and sanguine began to despair. The peo- ple were dying by scores, and the garrison had become reduced to four thousand four hundred and fifty-six men. The reports of the commissary's department showed that there was not more than two days' provisions on hand for the garrison, and there was no prospect of relief. In this state of things, Gen. Kirke, who had remained inactive thus far, determined to make the attempt to succor the city. Accordingly, on the 28th of July, he ordered two ships laden with provisions to proceed up the river under convoy of the Dartmouth.
The Rev. Mr. Graham thus describes the scene :
" Immediately after divine service, the ships in the Lough were seen to approach the distressed city, now in the last extrem- ity to which famine and disease could reduce it. * * * The defenders of the city discharged eight pieces of cannon from the steeple of the cathedral, and slowly waved their crimson flag, to signify the extremity of their distress. With a fair wind, a favorable tide to facilitate the approach of relief before their eyes, NOW OR NEVER was the simultaneous cry of the feeble and emaciated multitude on the walls. The ships approaching were the Mountjoy, of Londonderry, Captain Micah Browning, com- mander, and the Phoenix, of Coleraine, Captain Andrew Dou-
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