There were in the town eighty of the carabineers and two corps of yeomanry, but it was proposed to evacuate the garrison.

My father strongly opposed this measure, and undertook, with fifty men, if arms and ammunition were supplied, to defend the gaol of Longford, where there was a strong pass, at which the enemy might be stopped.

He urged that a stand might be made there till the King's army should come up.

The offer was gladly accepted--men, arms, and ammunition, all he could want or desire, were placed at his disposal.

He slept that night in the gaol, with everything prepared for its defence; but the next morning fresh news came, that the French had turned off from the Longford Road, and were going towards Granard; of this, however, there was no certainty.