about Nine at
Night
I was at the first Siege of _ Limerick _ , and help 'd to surprize the Enemy 's flying Camp and Provisions they were carrying to supply the main Army that was carrying on the Siege . Afterwards I entred the Town , and remain 'd there during the Siege , having the Liberty to pass over into _ France _ with the rest of the _ Irish _ Troops upon the Articles of _ Limerick _ ; but there was one remarkable Passage happen 'd to me during the Siege of that Town , which I can not dispense with my self to pass over in Silence ; it was rather a casual Matter , than a Design laid , however it equally answer 'd the end . At one of the Sallies , in which we design 'd to overthrow a Mount they had made to raise a Battery upon , after a smart Engagement , it being in the Night , I had the opportunity to step aside and strip a _ Dutch _ Granadier , and immediately putting on his Cloaths I mingled my self with the Enemy 's Battalions as they drew back towards their Camp , thus unperceiv 'd I had the opportunity the next Morning to view their Works and make my Remarks . But now I was somewhat at a loss how to make a hand of this Stratagem and get back into the Town , nor was I less concern 'd how to avoid being discover 'd as not belonging to the Enemy ; but the Confusion they were in the next Day in burying their Dead and repairing their Works , made me pass undiscover 'd till Night , so about Nine at Night when it was throughly dark , I stole to that Side of the Town which lies next to the Sea , and swimming over undiscover 'd , I crept under the Wall , and calling softly upon the next Centinel , I inform 'd him who I was , bidding him call to the Captain of the next Guard , and bring a Rope and two or three Soldiers to hall me up . I was very welcome to the Garrison , for 't was suppos 'd , I was either kill 'd or taken Prisoner in the Sally . This Stratagem , though I had no Design in it at our attacking the Enemy , it being only a sudden Thought , yet it had a very good Event ; for the next Sally we made , as I had observ 'd , the weakest Part of the Besiegers Works , so I lead a Party of Resolute Men that way , who lost no Time , but levell 'd all their Works , and dragg 'd a considerable Booty into the Town . The Wars of _ Ireland _ being at an End , and the Articles of _ Limerick _ Sign 'd , about 15000 regular Troops were Transported into _ France _ , besides several Thousands of others , who all proved as useful to the Monarch of _ France _ in his Wars in _ Italy , Spain , Germany , & c. _ as they had been in making a Three Years Diversion in _ Ireland _ , so happy was _ France _ in making a Politick use of King _ James 's _ Misfortune , that _ Lewis _ XIV was much a greater Gainer by his being Banish 'd , than if he had remain 'd in the quiet Possession of his Throne .