The bravest of his force had perished, his stores of ammunition were nearly exhausted, and the rains had set in with great violence.
On the day following the assault, the king called a council of war, and it was resolved to raise the siege.

There was a great scarcity of waggons and horses, in consequence of the loss sustained by Sarsfield's attack on the train.

The few waggons which remained were not enough to convey the wounded men, many of whom were obliged to walk.

The stores had, therefore, to be abandoned for want of transport.

Some were thrown into the river, others blown up and destroyed, and, on Saturday the 30th of August, the army commenced its retreat.
It was accompanied by a great host of fugitives, for with the army went the whole of the Protestant inhabitants of the county of Limerick and the surrounding country, with their wives, children, servants, and such household goods as they could bring with them.