Thread by @MeaveofConnaugh

Do you want to hear about the Battle of Benburb 1646. Major fight between the forces of Owen Roe O’Neill & Scots general Robert Monroe. Join me at 9 tonight to see how it went #Benburb

Eoghan Roe O'Neill was the nephew of the Great Hugh O’Neill and had served in the Spanish army. When the rebellion broke out in Ireland 1641, O’Neill was fighting the French but as soon as he was decommissioned he and 200 men returned to Ireland #Benburb

He landed in Donegal in 1642 and immediately joined the rebellion. “Ulster” he said “not only looks like a desert but like hell”. He found the Irish rebels poorly armed and poorly trained. He set about turning them into an army #Benburb

At the same time that Eoghan Roe had landed, General Major Robert Monroe landed at Carrigfergus with 2500 Scottish soldiers. Monroe was also a veteran of the Continental wars - he had fought with the Swedes in Germany - the stage was set #Benburb

So, a Spanish trained General and a Swedish trained General were about cross swords in Ulster. Both men were modern soldiers - highly trained and experienced - the Battle, when it came, should be great craic #Benburb

The rebellion from 1643 to 46 involved large scale army movements but little actual fighting. At Portlester near Ballivor in Meath O’Neill confronted General Moore. Moore was killed in the action and O’Neill stormed and took the strategic town of Athboy #Benburb

Without proper arms Eoghan Roe could not really go on the offensive. Monroe could now put 10,000 well armed troops into the field. Eoghan Roe needed something and that something arrived in arrived in 1645 in the form of the warlike Papal nuncio #Benburb

“Good man, Nuncio” said Eoghan Roe “I hope you brought something other than prayers”. “Si” said the nuncio “I broughta guns and swords”. “Any ammunition and gunpowder?” “Loadsa them”. “Good man nuncio” #Benburb

Now with the most modern weapons and money to pay the boys, O’Neill could go on the offensive. Rinuccini, that holy man of God, man of peace, was itching for a fight. Monroe, too, was up for it - “lads” said somebody “there’s going to be mighty craic around here” #Benburb

In 1646 Monroe moved from his winter quarters towards Newry. He had about 6000 men, his own battle hardened Scottish regiments, supported by English and Ulstermen, with 600 horse - a formidable force #Benburb

West of Armagh, Monroe joined forces with his son in law marching from Colraine, while the ‘Lagan Army’ comprised of 2000 local troops under Robert Steward joined them at Clougher in Tyrone. This is serious stuff #Benburb

Monroe marched south “‘tis grea” he said “ill be in Kilkenny (capital of the confederate forces) i na tim”. The way seemed clear. There was no sign of O’Neill #Benburb

But O’Neill had not been idle. He mustered his allies, Alexander McDonnell, son of the Earl of Antrim as well as Felix O’Neill, the Maguires and their allies, moved south to intercept Monroe “Hurry up boys” #Benburb

Two serious armies were converging. Monroe was aware of O’Neills movements. While he was thinking of Kilkenny, he was aware that O’Neill might be heading for Dublin. A doubt was forming in Monroe’s mind - should he split his forces to shield Dublin? #Benburb

Monroe was at Ponytz Pass on June 4th. His scouts captured a prisoner who told him of O’Neill’s army camped to the south. This was great news. The Scottish general could fall on his unsuspecting enemy. Obviously, O’Neill was crossing his front, there was no time to lose #Benburb

O’Neill had reached Benburb, had crossed the Blackwater and had dug in. Monroe left his army at Armagh to reconnoiter the lay of the land. He saw O’Neill strongly posted. He knew that he had to cross the river to bring O’Neill to battle #Benburb

Monroe’s army left Armagh. His scouts came as far as Knocknacloy where they were turned back by strong Irish pickets. Monroe had sent his Colraine column down river to attempt a crossing. O’Neill sent 500 men to contest the crossing #Benburb

Having delayed the crossing, the Irish retired and Monroe’s men pushed across the river. O’Neill now occupied the high ground as Monroe’s troops assumed column for battle. This was easier said than done as Monroe’s troops were constrained by the terrain #Benburb

The wily O’Neill had chosen his position well. Monroe, too late, realized that his men were stuck in the marshy ground “down next the river, there were scroggy woods” which constrained his cavalry #Benburb

Monroe opened up with his artillery in an attempt to move O’Neill from the high ground. Monroe’s infantry charged but were driven back by O’Neills cavalry. Monroe was in trouble #Benburb

When all seemed lost, a glimmer of hope appeared over the hill - the Coalraine men had arrived. O’Neill sent his cavalry to intercept them - the Coalraine men fled in panic and now O’Neill could turn his attention in Monroe still stuck in the “scroggy bog” #Benburb

O’Neill gave the order to advance. “At the push of the pike” his men engaged Monroe’s troops. Monroe’s cavalry, sensing a disaster, promptly left the field, leaving the unprotected infantry to be cut to pieces. Monroe lost nearly 3000 men and barely escaped the carnage #Benburb

Monroe had lost his baggage, his guns and his colors. Interestingly Monroe compared his defeat to that of William Wallace 400 years earlier - he saw it as a defeat for Scotland not England. #Benburb

O’Neill, although the only army left in the field, failed to follow up his success. Instead of racing to Dublin, he headed south to Kilkenny where infighting among the Irish leaders squandered the opportunity left by this great victory #Benburb