infantry was led on to the charge through the morass, while
count Schomberg rode round it with his cavalry to attack the enemy
in flank. The Irish, instead of waiting the assault, faced about and
retreated towards Duleck with some precipitation; yet not so fast but
that Schomberg fell in among their rear and did considerable execution.
King James however soon reinforced his left wing from the centre;
and the count was in his turn obliged to send for assistance. At this
juncture, king William's main body, consisting of the Dutch guards,
the French regiments, and some battalions of English, passed the river,
which was waist high, under a general discharge of artillery. King
James had imprudently removed his cannon from the other side; but he
had posted a strong body of musqueteers along the bank, behind hedges,
houses, and some works raised for the occasion. These poured in a close
fire upon the English troops before they reached the shore; but
it produced very little effect: then the Irish gave way; and some
battalions landed without further opposition. Yet, before they could
form, they were charged with great impetuosity by a squadron of the
enemy's horse; and a considerable body of their cavalry and foot,
commanded by general Hamilton, advanced from behind some little hillocks
to attack those that were landed, as well as to prevent the rest
from reaching the shore. His infantry turned their backs and fled
immediately; but the horse charged with incredible fury, both upon the
bank and in the river, so as to put the unformed regiments in confusion.
Then the duke of Schomberg, passing the river in person, put himself
at the head of the French protestants, and pointing to the enemy,
"Gentlemen," said he, "those are your persecutors;" with these words he
advanced to the attack, where he himself sustained a violent onset from
a party of the Irish horse which had broke through one of the regiments,
and were now on their return. They were mistaken for English, and
allowed to gallop up to the duke, who received two severe wounds in
the head; but the French regiments being now sensible of their mistake,
rashly threw in their fire upon the Irish while they were engaged with
the duke, and instead of saving, shot him dead upon the spot. The fate
of this general had well nigh proved fatal to the English army, which
was immediately involved in tumult and disorder; while the infantry
of king James rallied, and returned to their posts wi