Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/225

Derry and Limerick who had handled their inferior weapons for the first time but a few months before, was decisive. The population at the commencement of the siege is estimated at 20,000, some 10,000 more had been allowed by the besiegers to depart, and this injudicious clemency had a most important effect upon the result of the operations. The besieged were fortified by the assurance of speedy aid from England, and their pastors, Episcopalian and Presbyterian, in turn, used the cathedral to rouse their religious fervour. And so, though abandoned by the regular troops sent to aid them, and with "not a gun well mounted," they stood at bay against a victorious army.

The Jacobite forces were about 10,000, and within a month had risen to 20,000 men. On the 20th of April they occupied Pennyburn Hill, about a mile N.W., so cutting off communication with Culmore Fort (four miles below, upon the left bank of the Foyle), the surrender of which, on the 23rd, lessened the chances of relief by sea.

On the 21st the citizens made their first sortie. All who cared to go went out, heedless of military order.

Colonel Murray, with a few horse, gallantly sustained a charge by James's cavalry, but most of his troops fled, hotly pursued to the city gates by the Jacobites. The Derry foot, however. , 213