Who were the Enniskillen men? The basis of the force was composed of inhabitants of the town who took up arms for self-defence. They were joined by a large number of the yeomen of County Fermanagh. Subsequently reinforcements came from Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo; but the force was essentially local and exclusively Protestant and all were known by the general name of the Ennisklllen men.

The alarm felt by the whole Protestant population towards the end of 1688 in consequence of the action of Tyreconnell was largely shared by the people of Enniskillen. A copy of the anonymous letter to Lord Mount-Alexander, announcing the intended massacre of the Protestants, reached them on 7th December, the day Derry closed its gates against the Redshanks; and although there, as elsewhere, the 9th passed over quietly, the popular alarm excited by the letter did not pass away. On the 11th, a letter was received from the Government authorities in Dublin, directing them to make arrangements for having two companies of infantry quartered in their town. This redoubled their uneasiness. The people were in perplexity as to what ought to be done in these circumstances.

To assume an attitude of resistance to the constituted authorities of the country was no light matter. On the other hand, rumours of a massacre were rife as the native Irish in their neighbourhood were providing themselves with arms.

It was an unusual thing to have a garrison planted among them, and the probability, as they believed, was, that the day for cutting their throats was only postponed until everything was ready. With the assistance of the soldiery, it could be done with greater safety and convenience. While the town was in this state of uncertainty as to what ought to be done, three men, William Browning, Robert Clarke, and William MacCarmick, to whom were soon afterwards added James Ewart and Allen Cathcart, came together. They resolved to refuse admittance to the soldiers, whatever consequences might ensue.

The Prince of Orange, as they knew, had landed in England some five weeks before. Civil war was imminent in Ireland. North and South most likely would be pitted against each other; and it appeared to them that, by refusing to admit the troops, they might be able, not only to protect themselves, but to hold the most important town between Connaught and Ulster, in the interest of their party. However plausible such considerations, it was nevertheless a mad resolve, in the face of the facts. Arrayed against them was the whole power of the Irish Government and that all the means of resistance Enniskillen had was ten pounds of powder, twenty firelocks, and eighty men. The five men, however, did resolve, sent notice of their determination to the surrounding country, craved its assistance, set carpenters at work on the drawbridge, in connection with the stone bridge latterly erected at the east end of the town, and, like men in earnest, took every step that they could think of to increase their power of resistance.

Much time was not given to them to prepare. On Wednesday the 12th, an express arrived from Daniel Eccles, Esq. of Clones, announcing that Captain Nugent and his officers had reached that town on their way to Enniskillen. The receipt of this intelligence increased the perplexity and alarm that prevailed. Captain Corry, a gentleman of some influence who resided in the neighbourhood, and indeed most of the inhabitants, were in favour of admitting the soldiers. Others were in favour of keeping them out so long as it was possible. MacCarmick rode out to consult Gustavus Hamilton, Esq, a gentleman who resided at five miles distance on the west of the town, and when returning was met by an express from the Provost or Chief Magistrate, carrying a letter, which shows the irresolution that still prevailed among the leading men of the place.

The whole subject was now debated over again. Mr Hamilton gave his influence to the side of those who thought that the town should be defended. His policy eventually carried. The drawbridge was completed in spite of Captain Corry. All the Roman Catholics residing in the place were sent away and the Protestants of the surrounding country were invited to come in and to assist in the defence.

THE ENNISKILLEN MEN SHOW FIGHT

(16TH DECEMBER 1688)

On the Sabbath of the 16th, the news came that the two foot companies sent by Tyrconnell, had reach Lismella, only four miles from the town. Most of the townsmen were engaged in public worship at the time, but they soon retired, took up their arms, and put themselves in array. Notwithstanding all the help sent them by the country, their whole strength did not exceed two -hundred foot and one hundred and fifty horse, ill-armed, and with no military training or experience. They left town with the intention of persuading, if possible, the soldiers to return, but prepared, if necessary, to resist their entrance. Rumour magnified alike their numbers and determination.

No sooner did the soldiers come in view of the Enniskilleners than, without waiting for their approach, they turned and fled to Maguiresbridge. They were followed by their officers, who, at the time when the encounter was imminent, were dining quietly at Captain Corry's, not dreaming of an armed resistance to Government orders. Next day they fell back to Cavan, where they awaited the commands of Tyrconnell. Certain magistrates had been slow to understand the determination of the Enniskillen men and when William Browning was riding at the head of the troop of horse on 18th December, they tried to have him seized and put in prison.

They meant to frighten the townspeople from their persistence in protecting themselves; but notice was sent to them to leave Enniskillen or they would find themselves in prison. The two gentlemen involved in this incident were Sir Gerard Irvine and Captain Corry. They appealed to the North East Association in the hope that this body could persuade the Enniskilleners to accept them as their leaders. However, the people placed the fullest confidence in Gustavus Hamilton and the five gentlemen who had resolved to hold the town in the name of King William.

Having had no success m obtaining the posts of commanders, both left the area in March 1689. Sir Gerard Irvine made all haste to Dublin and obtained a commission in King James's army and with supplies and arms tried to raise a troop of horse in County Fermanagh. When this was known he was put under arrest, but swore he intended the troop of horse in the service of King William.

During the latter part of 1689 this gentleman did offer his services to Duke Schomberg and was appointed Colonel of Horse in William's army, but died at the camp in Dundalk, a victim of the fever that ravaged the army at that time. This gentleman was hedging his bets on whom he would serve. As the scales tipped in favour of William he threw in his lot with this fellow Protestant. The shrewd Enniskilleners had judged correctly the character of such men - Derry was not the only place to have Lundies.

During the remaining part of 1688 little was done at Enniskillen except to break the ice around the town, which during that winter was so thick as to permit men on horseback to cross Lough Erne in safety and which to some extend imperilled the safety of the little garrison that was protected by no walls save walls of water.

Early in 1689 Hamilton, now the Governor of Enniskillen, formed his men into regiments and fortified the town as best he could, laying in stores of food, forage and ammunition. Letters were sent to Derry and England requesting aid as soon as possible. Lundy, in reply to this request, urged the Enniskilleners to abandon the town and fall back to Derry. Fortunately they used their own discretion, resolved to defend the town, and on 11 March 1689, William and Mary were proclaimed King and Queen. All the defenders took the following oath:

"I DH, do hereby testify and declare, and upon the Holy Evangelists swear, that I will own and acknowledge Gustavus Hamilton, Esq, Chief Governor of this town of Enniskillen, and shall give due obedience to him and my superior officers in all his and their commands, and shall to the uttermost of my power and ability, defend him. Them, and this place, with the country adjacent, together with the Protestant religion and interest, with my life and fortune, against all that shall endeavour to subvert the same. So help me God, and the holy contents of this book".

The Enniskilleners also resolved "To stand upon our guard and by the blessing of God, rather to meet our danger than to expect it". This the men of Enniskillen would do time and time again over the next two years.

During this period Enniskillen was strengthened by an influx of Protestants from the counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo. Some of the men tried to leave their families at Enniskillen and march on to Derry following the orders issued by Lundy; but Hamilton ordered that any marching to Derry would have to take his family with him. However, if any would stay and fight to keep the town from falling into the hands of the Jacobites, food and shelter would be provided. One man who arrived at Enniskillen at that time was Thomas Lloyd who was to become known as 'little Cromwell' because of his exploits as a Colonel of Foot.

Crom Castle was an outpost of Enniskillen on the Dublin Road which was besieged by a force of Jacobites under the command of Lord Galmoy who had a reputation for cruelty. First he tried to summons the Enniskillen men to surrender. Hamilton replied that the town was held in the name of King William who was now King of Great Britain and Ireland. Crom Castle was under the command of Colonel Chrichton, and a considerable number of Protestants from the surrounding area were quartered there to defend it. But the position of the castle made it difficult to defend. One saving grace was the marshy ground, which meant that no heavy siege guns could be brought near enough to bombard the str6nghold. Galmoy thought to deceive the defenders by having two large mock cannons drawn into position before the castle.

Colonel Crighton sent a dispatch for help to Governor Hamilton requesting immediate action so that this outpost of Enniskillen could be saved. In the night Hamilton sent a detachment of 200 of his best armed men, some by land, some by water, hoping they might enter Crom Castle unperceived, under cover of darkness. It was daylight before they reached their destination; but they succeeded in landing at the castle despite the heavy fire opened on them. In the event only a boatman was killed. The reinforcement having joined those within the walls, they sallied out together, drove the besiegers from their trenches, and killed about forty of them. They also captured the two mock cannon; one was left at Crom, the other brought to the Castle of Enniskillen. Galmoy at once raised the siege, and retreated to Belturbet.

At this time two incidents occurred that would have a lasting effect on then Jacobites and make them fear the Enniskillen men for the rest of the campaign in Ireland. Both incidents involved Galmoy and are recorded as follows. As Galmoy was in the act of reconnoitring the castle from, as he thought a safe distance, and, glass in hand, was drinking confusion to the rebels, a ball from a long fowling-piece shattered the glass, and killed a man who stood near. This deterred the besiegers from making any nearer approaches, and, for the time, secured the safety of the castle. This marksmanship was shared by a large number of the Enniskillen men and Schomberg was most impressed, as evidenced by his later statement "They ride and shoot well and are worthy to receive the pay of my most seasoned troops." The second incident was to show the treachery of Galmoy. While his army was stationed at Belturbet one of the officers, Captain Bryan McGuire, was captured and imprisoned in Crom Castle. Galmoy proposed, in exchange for McGuire to release Captain Dixie, one of his prisoners.

McGuire was sent to the Irish head-quarters; but instead of releasing Captain Dixie, Galmoy caused him and another officer name Charlton to be tried by court-martial and condemned, because commissions from William were found on their persons. They refused to renounce their religion, on which condition alone their lives were offered to them. They were hung from a sign-post in the town of Belturbet, their bodies taken down, the heads cut off and used as footballs by the savage soldiery.

Acts like this exasperated the Protestants, and many a brave man was slain without mercy at Newtown-Butler who would have received quarter but for this and similar atrocities perpetrated previously by Lord Galmoy and his men. The news spread far and wide that no Protestant who fell into the hands of the Irish was to be spared. To the credit of Captain McGuire, he complained bitterly of the breach of faith, resigned his commission, returned to Crom and refused to serve in the Jacobite army. Flushed with their success at Crom Castle, Hamilton and Lloyd decided to act as they had resolved to, and went on the offensive.

Intelligence reached Enniskillen that the Irish had placed a garrison at Trillick, nine miles distant on the Derry road. On the 24th of April, Colonel Lloyd marched against that place. Early intimation, however, of his approach had been received at Trillick, and the post was evacuated. Lloyd followed in rapid pursuit and after a disorderly retreat of six hours the party dispersed and took to the bogs. Their baggage and a large number of cattle were captured. The Castle of Augher, eighteen miles distant from Enniskillen on the Charlemont road, had been recently occupied by James' party.

Early on the morning of the 28th of April, Lloyd tried to surprise it, but again timely intimation of his movements had been received. The garrison abandoned the post taking away with them everything portable. The Enniskilleners burned the castle, levelled the fortifications, and seized all the provisions in the neighbourhood. They afterwards crossed the mountains to the house of Daniel Eccles of Clones. The garrison in it fired the mansion and fled. Lloyd, having swept part of Monaghan and Cavan, returned on the 2nd of May to Enniskillen with great abundance of sheep, cattle and provisions.

On the 4th of May, Ffolliott, the Governor of Ballyshannon, sent a despatch to Enniskillen, informing Hamilton that a large body of Jacobites had advanced from Connaught to besiege his post. Anticipating this movement, Ffolliott's force (mainly men from County Sligo) had materially added to the strength of the place by the erection of a fort on the Common Hill, which commanded the passage of the River Erne. Ffolliott enclosed the summons to surrender which he had received, and begged to be speedily relieved. Orders were issued, calling into Enniskillen all the men that could be spared from the surrounding detachments; and on the 7th of May, Lloyd proceeded towards Ballyshannon. The besiegers, leaving a small force to watch the town, advanced three miles to Beleek to met him. Here they drew up, in a very advantageous position, their flanks protected on the one side by the lough, and on the other by a bog of great extent. A narrow causeway formed the only apparent approach. This they entrenched, and destroyed the bridge. When Lloyd observed these skilful arrangements, he ordered his men to cut down the brushwood and small trees in the vicinity, for the purpose of forming rough hurdles, to lay on the surface of the quagmire, and thus render it passable. When these preparations were completed, the order to advance was given.

The Irish derided this movement, and dared the Enniskilleners to come on. Lloyd's men were not compelled to trust to the narrow and precarious path formed by the hurdles. At this critical moment a countryman offered to guide them through the bog by a path on which they would neither be forced to alight nor make use of the hurdles. The horse under Captain Acheson passed in safety, and moved towards their left to turn the enemy's right flank, and thus cut off their retreat to the mountains. The Irish moved to their right in an orderly manner, and the Enniskilleners pressed eagerly forward. Before the opposing armies came within shot, the Irish foot broke and fled to the hills. Their horse, drawn up to the left of their foot, and between them and the lake, stood their ground, until charged by the Enniskillen horse, when, without awaiting the shock, they turned and fled. They were followed for a great distance, and night alone put an end to the pursuit. In this encounter the Jacobites lost 190 killed and 60 captured. The victors plundered the enemy camp and brought all arms, ammunition and two small cannon back to their island home without losing a man.

When at the end of May there were reports that the Jacobites had garrisoned Redhill and Ballinacarrig in County Cavan, Lloyd marched out with 1,600 men to confront the enemy. The Jacobites, on learning this, destroyed the Wattle Bridge, but that did not deter Lloyd and his men who forded the river. They proceeded to drive the enemy out of their strongholds without firing a shot, using the ploy that they were the vanguard of a much larger force. They then marched into County Meath and captured 3,000 head of cattle, 2,000 sheep and 500 horses and drove them back to Enniskillen.

This sortie of Lloyd's stopped 25 miles from Dublin and caused a great panic in that city. While Lloyd's raid was taking place, Hamilton captured the horses belonging to the garrison at Omagh, which had retired into its fortified position and watched as its mounts were driven away to become mounts of the Enhiskillen Horse. Hamilton tried to send help to Derry, but the Jacobites were now marching from three directions to bring Enniskillen to submission.

Brigadier Sutherland was the first to appear in the region of Belturbet. On the 16th of June, Colonel Crighton sent word of a force in the area of Belturbet which had large supplies and provisions. This force under the command of Sutherland was to besiege and take Enniskillen. Colonel Lloyd after a night march from Enniskillen reached Maguiresbridge, whereupon rumours reached Sutherland that a force of 15,000 men was approaching from Enniskillen. In fact Lloyd had only 1,500 men in his command.

Sutherland immediately retreated with his main force, leaving some 280 men to cover his retreat. This rearguard, confronted by the Enniskillen Horse, took refuge in the Church at Belturbet. After two hours of intermittent firing they agreed to surrender on condition that their lives be spared and the officers allowed to retain their clothes and money. In his haste to retreat, Sutherland left all his supplies, which Lloyd then sent to Enniskillen along with the prisoners.

'A it stands for Aughrim, where blood flowed on the plain.

'B is for 'Boyne Water where the bones do still remain.

'C is for Cornagrade crossing it we had our falls.

'D I'm sure you all know well, our Maiden Derry's Walls.

'E is for Enniskillen where nobly they did join...

So run the words of the ballad known as 'The Orange ABC'. The location we are interested in is Cornagrade, which lies about two miles north-east of Enniskillen and was the only place where the Enniskilleners were to taste defeat in the campaign. The Duke of Berwick roved the country with a flying column of horse, and his force approached Enniskillen while Lloyd was meeting Major General Kirke at Lough Swilly to request help for the newly raised regiments at Enniskillen. Hamilton sent out insufficient troops to fight and Berwick's men gained a victory. Had Lloyd been present things might have been different. However, Berwick for some unknown reason did not follow up his success. Some say he was told a larger force was ready to come out of Enniskillen and confront him. Inexplicably he led his troops towards Donegal and then on to Derry. In connection with this engagement Harris makes special mention of the bravery of a private soldier, which he describes as not inferior to anything recorded in Creek or Roman story. His name was John Wilson, and he may be referred to as a typical Enniskillen man.

During the slaughter of his comrades he stood the shock of several troopers, who all together were hewing at him. Some he stabbed with his pike, others he knocked down; and when the weapon dropped from his hands he leaped up at his assailants, tore them out of their saddles, and threw them under their horses' feet. At length, oppressed with twelve desperate wounds -one of which was quite across his face, so that his nose and cheeks hung over his chin - he sank down in a shrubby bush. While he was bleeding in this condition a Jacobite sergeant darted his halbert at him with such fury that he struck it through his thigh, and was unable to draw it out again. Wilson, roused as from death, make his last effort tore the halbert from his thigh, and collecting his whole strength darted it through the heart of the Jacobite. Then, by the aid of the halbert he dragged himself to the lough shore, and was conveyed in a boat to Enniskillen, where he recovered, and lived thirty years after.

BATTLE OF NEWTOWNBUTLER

On the night of the 28th of July, a few hours after Colonel William Wolseley, Lieutenant Colonel William Berry, Major Stone, Colonel James Winn, Colonel Tiffan, and other officers sent by Major-General Kirke, had arrived in Enniskillen, an express came from Colonel Crighton announcing that Lieutenant Colonel MacCarthy (created Lord Mountcashel) had formed a camp at Crom, with the intention of besieging the castle. Next day another messenger arrived, stating that his Lordship had made his approaches very near the castle, and was playing upon it with six cannon. Colonel Wolseley replied that he would provide relief; and he called in the forces at Ballyshannon, left there by Lloyd, who had just returned to Enniskillen. The Colonel sent Berry to place a garrison in Lisnaskea; but the castle was in ruins, and he camped out that night. Next morning he marched his men two miles nearer the enemy, and, having met a party of Jacobite soldiers at Donagh, a sharp conflict ensued. The enemy was completely beaten and pursued for three miles, the road being covered with their dead bodies. Berry retired to the Moat atLisnaskea, and was joined there by Wolseley and the rest of the Enniskillen forces. It was a good beginning under Wolseley.

All ranks were elated at the victory, which was so soon to be followed by one still more decisive. In the afternoon of the 30th of July, Wolseley held a council of war, and explained to the officers that whatever they resolved to do should be done quickly, his men having made such haste to relieve their comrades that they had not brought food with them. The officers resolved to go on with the work, and when the conditions were represented to the soldiers they unanimously cried out to march and fight the enemy.

Accordingly, early next morning Wolseley formed his forces, which numbered two thousand, into three battalions, heading the main body himself. Lloyd commanded the right and Tiffan the left wing. In the van and in the rear were horse; the flanks were supported by dragoons. In this order the Enniskillen Men marched towards Newtownbutler. News of the movement having reached Lord Mountcashel, he retreated from Crom to a place between Newtownbutler and Wattlebridge, where he took up a good position. The foot occupied a bog, with only one narrow pass, protected by two cannon. This put the Enniskillen Men at a disadvantage and the foot regiments of Lloyd and Tiffin were forced to march through the bog on either side of the path. Presently a man belonging to Lord Kingston's corps seized a hatchet and killed seven or eight of those who were guarding the cannon. Wolseley's horse immediately charged through the Pass; and the Jacobite horse fled towards Wattlebridge, but were hemmed in by the Enniskillen horse. The Jacobite foot betook themselves to the bogs, throwing away their arms, and were pursued all that night by Enniskilleners, who kept beating the bushes for the fugitives and shouting "No Popery, no mercy". No bugle call could bring them back. Of the Jacobites, 2,000 were killed, 500 jumped into Lough Erne, and every man except one was drowned.

500 were carried prisoners to Enniskillen, and with them the General Lord Mountcashel, and a great many officers. Of the 3,600 men who marched out of Dublin with Mountcashel at their head only 600 returned to the city. Mountcashel, when he realised the extent of the defeat inflicted on his army, tried to have himself killed by riding headon into a group of men who were guarding the captured cannon and firing his two pistols at them. However they opened fire killing his horse and wounding him, and were ready to finish the job when Mountcashel was recognised and his life spared. when he was asked the reason for exposing himself in such a wreckiess manner he said it was his intention to end his life, as he believed that James's cause in Ireland was lost. He considered his army the flower of the Jacobite forces, and did not wish to survive its overthrow. Much equipment was captured and all the enemy's colours and drums were carried back to Enniskillen in triumph. The joy of this victory was make all the more sweet when the news of the relief of Derry reached Enniskillen. On hearing of the defeat of Mountcashel's army, Sarsfield retreated further into Connaught, while the rest of James's forces were in utter confusion. Some historians are of the opinion that Wolseley and the Enniskilleners could have marched south and captured Dublin.

Now, mark what had been done by the Enniskillen Men! In Lord Mountcashel's pocket was found a letter from Brigadier-General Sutherland describing the deep plot of the Jacobites. We have seen what occurred with Berwick on the east of Enniskillen; with Sarsfield on the north-west; and now with Mountcashel on the southeast. It had been arranged that the flower of James's Irish army was to march in three divisions, each commanded by a well-selected general officer, to attack Enniskillen simultaneously and crush the Enniskillen Men. The plan was carried out as far as the marching and fighting were concerned; but the valour of the Enniskillen Men defeated the plan. Berwick retreated, and was heard of no more in the northeast.

Sarsfield was routed, and retired further into Connaught and Mountcashel's southern army was destroyed. The north was held for King William and the fate of the Williamite campaign was determined. Ireland was virtually saved by the heroism of the Enniskillen Men. "The action of this day, the last day of luly", says Hamilton, "made the Irish throughout the whole kingdom take new measures. It put them in a very great consternation."

Shortly after the Battle of Newtownbutler, Tiffin, Lloyd and Gore were instructed to march into Connaught and engage Sarsfield's army. Because of their ruse of spreading rumours using released prisoners of war, Sarsfield was forced to quit Sligo without firing a shot. In fact Sarsfield and his two servants had to disable the cannon and retreat to Athione, such was the panic in his troops when they heard the victors of Newtownbutler were approaching in great number.

On the 20th of September Lloyd and his Enniskilleners won a great victory at the town of Boyle, when they defeated a superior force of Jacobites. To show how important this victory was, we only have to look at the action taken by Schomberg at his camp in Dundalk. The two regiments of Enniskilleners sent to the east were instructed to line up and the 80 year old marshal of William's army rode to review them with his head uncovered as a tribute to the bravery of their comrades in the west.

In February 1690 the Enniskilleners under the command of Wolseley defeated a force of Jacobites at Cavan under the command of Berwick, who was fortunate to escape with his life after his horse was shot from under him. Because of their success on the battlefield Schomberg appointed them the advance guard of his army an honour indeed.

"Then Orangemen remember King William

And your fathers who with him did join

And fought for our glorious deliverance

On the green grassy slopes of the Boyne.

On the 1st of July the Enniskilleners were to play a very important part in that famous battle. The centre of William's army on that day was composed of four regiments of foot the Dutch Blue Guards, the Brandenburghers, the Huguenot Regiment and the Enniskilleners. William knew that the brunt of the fighting would be borne by these regiments and that they would not falter in their resolve. The first two because of their love for him and his cause, the latter two because of their devotion to the Reformed Faith.

When William knew that his horse regiments had successfully forded the Boyne upstream, he sent orders to his centre division to cross the river. The four regiments stepped forward to the tune of 'Lilliburlero', which had chased James from England and was now heralding his defeat at the Boyne. The centre regiments gave a good account of themselves and although repeatedly attacked by the Irish horse, held firm their positions. When ordered to advance again they did so in good order, but the Irish rallied and stopped the advance at this point in the battle.

Hamilton's frish Horse attacked and the critical moment in the conflict had arrived. William rode up to the Ermiskilleners, and asked them what they would do for him. Tradition alleges that David McKinley, an Enniskillen trooper, who had pointed out the ford to the King when he and his division were about to cross the river, cried out, "Anything your Majesty pleases".

According to Dalrymple, another Enniskillen trooper, not knowing the King, and supposing him to be an enemy, 'clapped a pistol to his head'. and according to Macauley, raised his carbine and was about to fire; but William gently put aside the weapon, exclairning, "What!

Do you not know your friends?" Learning from the Colonel that the King himself was doing them the honour to lead them, the sturdy associated Protestants from the island capital of Fermanagh shouted for joy. "Gentlemen", said the King, "you shall be my guards to-day. I have heard much of you; let me see something of you". They were pleased, and, led by his Majesty, they boldly advanced and received the enemies fire. This surge by the Williamite horse was enough to rout the Jacobites and give victory to William. It was a glorious victory and in securing it, the Enniskillen Men had acted their part nobly. No wonder Orangemen are proud of their ancestors and annually commemorate the triumph at the Boyne.

The Enniskillen regiments played a large part in the Battle of Aughrim, Lloyd's, Wyn's, Cunningham's and Tiffin's regiments all taking part, Ginkell the commander placing three in the vanguard of the attack. As Orangemen should know, this battle had the highest number killed in all the battles fought between the Williamites and supporters of King James. The hard-won peace was a just reward for our forefathers who only wanted to work the land and make commerce a success in the cities and towns of Ireland under the British crown. They had risked much for civil and religious liberty. The Enniskillen regiments, as previously stated, have fought for nearly 300 years to preserve our freedom. Perhaps the average Orangemen thinks only of the Boyne and the siege of Derry as the main events of Protestant history in Ulster. Let us hope that this text has redressed the balance and that you will be more aware of the feats performed nearly 300 years ago by the Enniskillen Men.

"Fare ye well Enniskillen, fare ye well for a while
Around your fair waters and your lovely isle
And when the war is over we will return in full bloom
And we'll welcome home our Enniskillen Dragoons".