Post
by Eugenio von Savoy » Thu May 29, 2008 10:47 am
Dave et al,
The situation with the Dutch Guards crossng the tidal Boyne is recorded thus by two eyewitnesses:
Story recalled “the Dutch beat a march till the got to the rivers side, and then the drums ceasing, in they went, some eight or ten abreast…”
Story, George Warter. A true and impartial history of the most material occurances in the kingdom of Ireland during the last two years. London. 1691
The Danish Ambassador wrote to his King, Christian V, the next day “The Regiment of the Dutch guards was the first to cross, the men being above their waists in water…”
2 Fouleresse, Jean Payen de la, Danish Ambassador. Letter dated Duleek, July 2 1690
The situation for later crossings was more extreme as the result of nearly 2000 Bluecoats effectively daming the watercourse materialised. The French regiments in relative close proximity had to negotiate the regular depth of water plus that released after the Guards had all passed through and released the backlog of water. An interesting point when you consider their subsequent performance against the Jackobite horse attacks which is frequently attributed to a lack of pikes.
One wonders did they have sufficient dry powder to produce the required degree of firepower to see off the horse?
Regards
Tim
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
Sir Winston Churchill,