olunteer corps were formed in from early in the 18th century as local attached to the , formed in 1715 due to the threat of Stuart invasion. There is no precise information on the composition or organisation of these bodies, but what appears to have happened, at least in some areas, was that at a general muster when the commissioner of array had enrolled sufficient numbers into the militia, they organised their troops of horse and companies of foot into regiments. The units not regimented were known as independent companies or independent troops. The Independents were probably allowed as concessions to local feeling, recognising that men often served better under officers with whom they were Silver medals of Thomas Smyth's Union, 1776. personally acquainted, a link which could Limerick Museum. be lost in a regiment. There was an ethos of voluntary service about an independent assembly, much like the Irish Parliament, company which was lacking in a regular elected by the colonists. As with Ireland, militia unit. However, there was no the English parliament claimed supreme question of independent companies being power over the colonies and when, in raised outside of the militia framework. 37,000 men, increasing to about 50,000 as 1763, parliament began to impose taxes on Their officers were appointed by the usual a result of the French threat at Bantry at the American colonists, they objected, militia commission, and there was even a the end of 1796. Continued alarms and claiming that an English subject should feeling that it might be treasonable to widespread discontent saw the force grow not be taxed without consultation and raise a company without waiting for official to about 75,000 in September 1797, and be representation, and eventually in 1775 authorisation'. In 1745, in 1757 and again augmented by supplementary yeomen, declared their independence. When war in 1760 volunteer units were formed serving without pay and generally without broke out, the Irish Parliament gave its because of the Stuart invasion, the Seven uniforms, throughout the 1798 Rising. support to the British government, and Years War and because of the French Reduced to 52,000 in 1799, they were despite bitter opposition from the Patriots, landing at Carrickfergus in 1760. Through- assembling for but one parade a month in pledged 4,000 troops, and later still more, out the 1760s and 1770s, units were 1800 and 1802. Peace having been to fight in America. The Irish Parliament embodied by local landlords in various declared with France, they were thanked failed to make any provision to replace the parts of the country for the preservation of for their services by parliament and departing troops, the Militia Act of 1755 the peace and protection of property. The allowed to serve on without pay. With the having been allowed to expire in 1767. In classic period of volunteering commenced renewal of war with the French in 1803 the spring of 1778, a number of MPS, with the outbreak of the American War of and the Emmet Rising, their number was fearing a possible French expeditionary Independence and ended with the Militia increased again to 83,000. In 1818 the force assisted by Whiteboys, urged the Act of 1793. arms of some of the units were collected formation of a Protestant Militia. The Despite the augmentation of the and despite renewed activity, especially in heads of a Militia Bill, modelled on standing army and the establishment of Munster in the 1820 - 1823 period, English legislation, were passed, but when the militia in 1793, the government in numbers were reduced to 20,000 in 1828. they were being considered by the Irish Ireland thought these inadequate for the Most units were disembodied in 1834, Privy Council, it was pointed out that it proper defence of the country against although scattered references occur until would be difficult to find recruits in the invasion or rebellion. From 1794 volunteer 18432. south, west and north, and that the rank units were established in England, and and file would be unreliable if ordered to these, rather than the old , defend rents and tithes. Nevertheless, the as Grattan urged, formed the model for heads were transmitted and before the the new volunteer force instituted towards end of the session, a Militia Bill was the end of 1796.The units were raised by The eastern part of North America was enacted, but due to lack of finance, was local magnates, but armed by the colonised mainly by English, Scottish and not implementeds. Thus with the government. When on active service they Irish (both Catholic and Protestant) departure of a large part of the army, the became a semi-permanent local police settlers, who by 1770 had established peace and stability of the country was force and occasional military auxiliary. By , with approximately two endangered, and it was left mainly to the November 1796 the force consisted of million inhabitants. Each colony had an Protestant upper and middle classes to take responsibility for the formation of a Volunteer force for the defence of the count@. There was sympathy among the upper classes for the American cause, they themselves having to pay heavy taxes to Britain and suffering slackness in trade due to a recent a recent embargo on exports. In addition, many of the Irish Protestants had fellow countrymen, and even relatives, fighting on both sides in the conflict in America. For example, the American general, Richard Montgomery, killed before Quebec in the advance on Canada early in the war, was an Irishman closely related to two Ulster MPS. More fortunate was James McHenry, a Ballymena man educated in , who, after being Washington's secretary, became Secretary of War. He was one of four Irishmen who sat in the constitutional convention, and it may be added that two of the signatories of the declaration of independence were born in Ireland. Irishmen were also to be found in the loyalist ranks. Almost a quarter of the loyalist claimants for compensation who stated their country of origin were Irish, and amongst the American corps in the service of the crown, two were specifically Irish units5, the Loyal Irish Volunteers, a company formed at the close of 1775 by the Irish merchants of Boston, and the Volunteers of Ireland, a provincial corps raised in 1776 by Lord Rowdan.

With the depletion of the garrison, the principal citizens feared that local crime and disorder would increase, as, along with its other duties, the garrison had at Flag of Limerick Volunteers, 1778. times to suppress riots, escort prisoners Limerick Museum. and help to collect tithes and revenues. Thomas Smyth, who was twice Mayor soon rose to par. He reduced the Mayor's possibility that the Volunteer movement of Limerick, formed an association salary from eight or nine hundred pounds began to take on a national momentum. In composed of the principal citizens, which a year to three hundred and sixty-five, and March 1778 the first Belfast company was he called the Limerick Union. Smyth came from the savings occasioned by this and formed, and by June there was a Lisburn from one of the leading political families in other retrenchments, he commenced the company and three corps in Derry. Units the city, whose members were 'found re-building of the Exchange during his began to spring up in towns and villages amongst the most active supporters of mayoralty. Mr. Smyth closed his year of all over the country. Some were formed by every measure which had for its office with a Jubilee in honour of the neighbours binding themselves together object the advancement of trade, and Prince of Wales's birth-day, which lasted a or by landlords enlisting their tenantry. the improvement of the towd6. His father, week, brought a great concourse of The Volunteers were officered by the Charles, was mayor in 1714 and strangers to the city, and gave a ascendancy, and most of the rank and file represented the city in Parliament for 45 considerable stimulus to trade which was were Protestant. The Volunteers elected years. Thomas was first elected mayor in then at the lowest ebb. The festivities their generals at provincial reviews, and 1764 'and he soon became a peculiar consisted of fancy balls, operas, a Venetian the Earl of Charlemont was elected favourite with the people. He was urbane, breakfast, a regatta, boat races, &c. and commander-in-chieFO. generous, and public spirited, and was concluded with riding the franchises in a The first corps of Volunteers in fond of encouraging those spectacles and style of peculiar splendour. All ladies and Limerick City was formed on 1 July 1778 festivities which had a tendency to gentlemen were required upon these by Thomas Smyth, when the Limerick produce harmony among the citizens and occasions to appear in Irish manufact~re'~. Union and the Friendly Knot, of which his serve the interests of trade'7. The Limerick Union under Thomas brother, John Prendergast Smyth, was On the retirement of his father in 1776, Smyth 'consisted of a troop of horse and a president, united under the name of the he was chosen as one of the two MPS for company of foot, dressed in blue faced Loyal Limerick Volunteers and elected the city, and 'was elected Mayor (a second with buff and wearing a medal inscribed their officers and chose for their uniform, time) the same year, and also nominated "Amicta Juncta". They were found scarlet faced with white. On 1 August the chamberlain; and from that period the extremely servicable to the magistrates on corps, consisting of several companies, chief direction of the Corporation has various occasions, and when the army appeared in their new uniforms and continued in his family. He soon evinced marched out of Limerick in February marched fully armed and accoutred to considerable ability for the task, by the 1776, the Union performed the duty of the Charlotte Quay, where they fired three economy with which he managed the main-g~ard'~. vollies in honour of the accession of the public money. The debts of the Corpor- But it was not until the threat of House of Hanover to the British throneu. ation were punctually discharged, and invasion by the French, who had allied Another corps, called the Limerick their bonds which had fallen sixty per cent. with the Americans in 1778, became a real Independents, was formed some time afterwards by John Prendergast Smyth. Similar associations sprang up in every part of the county and in a short time the county and city had raised 18 corps of horse and footI2.

To support native industry, Volunteer members were obliged to parade in uniform of Irish manufacture. The majority of the Limerick units, horse and foot alike, wore red coats. The Limerick Independents wore scarlet lined with green, with silver lace and other silver appendagesl3. Some, if not all, of the artillery units wore blue, most likely because this was the colour worn by the Royal Irish Artillery, which was a regular corps14. Infantry and artillery wore the bicorn or tricorn hat, but the cavalry, such as the County Limerick Horse, wore a metal helmet 'crested with a feather or horse hair plume.' The badge of each corps was the metal belt plate, often oval in shape, on which was engraved the name of the corps. An important item of rank for officers was the gorget, worn at the base of the collar. These were usually of gold or silver and were engraved in the same manner as the belt plate's. Another important piece of insignia was the flag - colours for infantry, stand- ards and guidons for the cavalry. These beautiful and decorative items would have been made with great care by the officers' ladiesl6. We are fortunate that some have survived the ravages of time and hang in various churches where they were laid up over two hundred years ago. Others are on display in museums and country houses. The flag of Limerick Volunteers had, on the obverse, the castle of Limerick city arms on a shield, surrounded by shafted weapons, drums and flags, a grenade, the cup of liberty and a cannon, all in a wreath of shamrock, a scroll above inscribed 'Limerick Volunteers' and a scroll below inscribed 'Pro Aris et Focis' (For Faith and Home). The reverse has at the centre the Irish harp crowned, surrounded by shafted weapons, flags, drums and a cannon, all in a wreath of Guidon of Royal Glin Hussars, 1778. shamrock, with scrolls as on the obverse17. Another flag which survives is the Thomas Waller, at which a review of all 7. County Clare Light Horse, Edward guidon of the Royal Glin Hussars, which the corps which had been formed up to Fitzgerald, Esq. can be seen at Glin Castle, Co. Limerick. then was planned. This was held at 8. Newport Horse, Rt. Hon. Lord Jocelyn. Of green cloth, it has on the obverse a Loughmore, near Mungret, on 10 October 9. True Blue Horse, William Thomas mounted Volunteer in the uniform, not of 1780, when, surrounded by thousands Monsell, Esq. a Hussar, but of a typical Light Dragoon, of admirers, the following corps were wearing a helmet with a crest, scarlet reviewed by Lord Kingsborough, INFANTRY coat and black boots, all in a spray of Reviewing General: 1. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas shamrocks, with scrolls above and below Smyth, Esq. inscribed 'Royal Glin Hussars' and 'Pro CORPS AND COMMANDERS 2. Kilfinnan Volunteers, William Ryves, Patria Mori' (To Die for the Homeland). CAVALRY Esq. The reverse has the Irish harp crowned on 1. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, 3. County Limerick Fencibles, John a shield in a spray of shamrocks, with Esq. Thomas Waller, Esq. scrolls above and below inscribed 2. Kilfinnan Horse, William Ryves, Esq. 4. Castleconnell Volunteers, Rt. Hon. Sir 'Prosperity to Great Britain and Ireland'18. 3. Coonagh Rangers, Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Robert Deane, Bart. Deane, Bart. 5. Ennis Volunteers, Rt. Hon. Earl of 4. Small County Union, John Grady of Inchiquin. Caher, Esq. 6. Loyal German Fusilierslg, Henry In 1779, there were two grand reviews at 5. County Limerick Royal Horse, Hon. Brown, Esq. Lough Gur. On 17 August 1780, a meeting Hugh Massy. 7. Adare Volunteers, Windham Quin, was held at the Tholsel, chaired by John 6. Connello Horse, Thomas Odell, Esq. Esq. 8. Rathkeale Volunteers, George Leake, 5. Castleconnell and Killaloe Rangers, counties in the transfer of prisoners. Esq. Lord Muskerry. On 26 June 1780, James Conway, who 9. Royal Glin Volunteers, the Knight of 6. Adare Volunteers, Sir Richard Quin, was accused of riot and assault, was Glin. Bart. transferred from Tralee to Limerick. He 10. Newport Volunteers, Colonel WallerZO. 7. Rathkeale Volunteers, George Leake, was brought from Tralee to Listowel by Esq. the Tralee Volunteers, from Listowel to On 14 and 15 August 1781, Lord 8. German Fusiliers, Jarnes Darcy, Esq. Glin by the Gunsborough Union, from Muskerry reviewed the following 9. True Blue Foot, William Thomas Glin to Rathkeale by the Royal Glin corps at Loughmore: Maunsell, Esq. Volunteers, thence to Adare by Rathkeale 10. Ormond Union, Henry Prittie, Esq. Volunteers, who handed him over to the CORPS AND COMMANDING 11.Tipperary Light Infantry, Sir Coen- True Blue Pubblebrien Horse under p COLONELS wallis Maude. William Monsellz6. -I 1. Royal Glin Artillery, John Fitzgerald. 12. Ennis Volunteers, Earl of Inchiquin. Andrew Waters, charged with robbery 2. County Limerick Horse, John Croker 13. Inchiquin Fusiliers, Earl of Inchiquin. at , having been supplied with files 3. Coonagh Rangers, Lord Muskerry. 14. Cashel Volunteers, Richard Penne- by a soldier (who was later punished for 4. Small County Union, John Grady. feather, Esqz3. this), it was decided to transfer him to 5. Connello Light Horse, Hon. Hugh On 28 July 1783, fourteen corps assembled Limerick on 20 July 1780. The Galway Massy. at Loughmore for the last time, and were Volunteers brought him to Crusheen, 6. Connello Light Horse, Thomas Odell. reviewed by Col. Thomas Smyth MP, who where the Limerick Volunteers took over. 7. Riddlestown Hussars, Lord Muskerry. came in from Roxboro in military state, This was accomplished without calling 8. Co. Tipperary Horse, Sir Cornwallis escorted by Col. Pery's Regiment of on the Gort, Ennis or Sixmilebridge Maude. Horse. His aides-de-camp on this occasion associations and involved a journey of 100 9. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. were Standish O'Grady, afterwards Chief miles, performed in 24 hoursz7. 10. Castleconnell Rangers, Lord Muskerry. Baron and Viscount Guillamore, and In October 1780, two notorious 11. German Fusiliers, Henry Browne. Henry Vereker, elder brother of the offenders who had committed many 12.County Limerick Fencibles, John second Viscount Gort. depredations on the public were conveyed Thomas Waller. to Cork by Sheriff Parker and a party of CORPS AND COMMANDERS the Limerick Light Horse to be put on On the occasion, Lord Muskerry was CAVALRY board a man-of-war pursuant to their elected Colonel of four different corps by 1. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. sentence at the assizes. In April 1782, five the Volunteers. He was accompanied by 2. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, charged with plundering a Portuguese Lady Muskerry, who presented the Esq. ship in the Shannon, together with some Volunteers with several elegant stands of 3. Small County Union, John Grady of charged with petty larceny, were coloursZ1, and he presented the sheriff Cahir, Esq. transferred to Ennis from Limerick in with a considerable sum of money to 4. County Clare Horse, Edward relay by the Loyal Limerick Volunteers, release all poor persons confined for debt Fitzgerald. The County Clare Horse and the Ennis in the gaol of Limerickzz. 5. Riddlestown Hussars, Lord Muskerry. Volunteersz8. On 20 and 21 August 1782, 26 corps 6. Limerick Cavalry, Edmond Henry There is evidence that the Volunteers were reviewed on the same ground by the Pery, Esq. acted as recruiting agents for the navy. Earl of Charlemont: Lenihan relates that, in 1782, the Limerick INFANTRY Independents, under Major Caleb Powell CORPS AND COMMANDERS 1. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas of Clonshavoy, and the Loyal Limerick 1. Glin Artillery, John Fitzgerald, Esq., Smyth, Esq. Volunteers, beat up for recruits for the Knight of Glin. 2. Ennis Volunteers, William Blood, Esq. navy, 20,000 men being sought, and were 3. Castleconnell and Killaloe Rangers, Sir successful to a considerable extentz9. CAVALRY Richard de Burgho, Bart. 1. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, 4. Rathkeale Volunteers. Esq. . 5. German Fusiliers, James Darcy, Esq. 2. County Limerick Royal Horse, Hon. 6. Inchiquin Fusiliers, Sir Hugh Dillon The admission of Catholics was always a Hugh Massy. Massy, Bart. controversial issue with the Volunteers, 3. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam 7. Limerick Independents, John given the legislation at the time, but from 4. Kilfinnan Light Dragoons, William Prendergast Smyth, Esq. the beginning, Catholics were admitted to Ryves, Esq. 8. Sixmilebridge Independents, Francis units in Cork, Kerry and Armagh. A 5. Small County Horse, Johnn Grady of Macnamara, Esqz4. Volunteer convention at Dungannon on 15 Cahir, Esq. Even on more sombre occasions the February 1782 passed a resolution, 6. Coonagh Rangers, Lord Muskerry Volunteers could make an impressive amongst others, that 'as Irishmen, 7. True Blue Horse, William Thomas show. "All the Volunteers of Limerick," Christians and Protestants, we rejoice at Monsell, Esq. wrote Lady Roche, "made a most martial the relaxation of the penal laws against our 8. Connello Horse, Thomas Odell, Esq. appearance when they attended the Roman Catholic subjects.' A meeting of 9. Riddlestown Hussars, Gerald Blenner- funeral of a brother Volunteer. The the Loyal Limerick Volunteers on 1March hassett, Esq. procession was closed by a corps 1782, Capt. George Pitt in the chair, 10.Tipperary Light Dragoons, Sir commanded by the Speaker's son resolved in favour of the Dungannon Cornwallis Maude. [Edmund Henry Pery] and it was with resolutions, and on 6 March the 11.County Clare Horse, Edward difficulty I could recognise amongst them Independents, under Major Powell, met Fitzgerald, Esq. some honest traders of my acquaintence and, with one dissenting voice, resolved and some good hack horses which I knew similarly and expressed themselves as INFANTRY through the splendour of their dress and 'determined to adopt and support every 1. Limerick Loyal Volunteers, Thomas the richness of their furniturez5. constitutional measure that can promote Smyth, Esq. and secure the rights and liberties of a 2. Limerick Independents, John P. Smyth, free people'. On 22 March, all the corps Esq. were represented at a meeting chaired by 3. Kilfinnan Volunteers, Rt. Hon. Silver The Volunteers also acted as a quasi- Major Edward Croker at which similar Oliver. police force, operating for the magistrates resolutions were entered into30. 4. County Limerick Feicibles, John as the Limerick Union had previously, and In April 1782 on the resolution of Major Thomas Waller Esq. worked with the Volunteer corps of other Caleb Powell, the Catholics of Limerick invasion32.How effective they would have been as a fighting force we can never tell, but an article in the Freeman's Journal gives an insight to the feelings of the time towards the Volunteers as an army:

"It cannot be forgotten that the former Volunteer Army, however competent to action in detached corps, was not, well organised to act together as could hfve been wished. The regiments of difient districts and counties wore different coloured uniforms and diferent arms. Scarcely any two regiments wore the same coloured uniforms or carried bayonets of the same height or musquets of the same calibre or used the same plan of discipline. Consequently, had the necessity occurred for actual service in the field, endless confusion must have been inevitable'23.

The Volunteer movement reached its national peak strength of 60,000 in 1780. As well as being a military force, they became a political power which helped to achieve legislative independence for Ireland in 1782. After a national convention in the Dublin Rotunda in November 1783, the Volunteers were broken as a political forces4. With legislative independence achieved, they were divided between reformers and 1 conservatives, who thought that they had played out their part. With the end of the l war in America and the consequent l removal of pressure on the regular forces, and divided politically, Volunteer enthusiasm for drilling and parades was l Irish Volunteer in Light Infantry Uniform, from a decoration on on the decline. Ten years later they were a contemporary lottery ticket. finally abolished by government decree, bringing to an end a colourful period in l were invited to join the Limerick acknowledgement to the corps, for the local and national history. Thomas Smyth, Independents. very liberal invitation of associating the leading member of the Volunteers in The following resolution was passed by themselves with so respectable a body of Limerick city, died in 1785. Fitzgerald and the Independents: their fellow-subjects.- Whilst they feel a McGregor wrote of him "that a change most grateful sense of the late removal took place this year by the death of Col. "At a time when religious prejudices of many of their restraints, and look Smyth. This event was justly considered a seem entirely laid aside, and a spirit of forward with pleasure to the ~ublicloss from the successful exertions liberty and toleration breathes approaching period of emancipation, it he had already made for the benefit of unanimously through all sects, we see is their most earnest wish to maintain Limerick and the further improvements with concern so loyal and respectable a those principles of virtue and loyalty, which he had in contemplation". John part of our brethren, as the Roman which are the glory of a free people, and Prendergast Smyth succeeded his brother Catholics, stand idle spectators of the have so eminently distinguished the as representative for the city in glorious exertions of their countrymen in character of the Irish Volunteers. Parliament, and was created Baron the Volunteer cause. Actuated by these Limerick, April loth, 1782. Martin Kiltarton in 1810, and Visc~un~~Gortin principles, the Limerick Independents Harold, Esq. in the Chair". 1816, and died the following year. think themselves called upon to step forward, and invite their fellow-citizens On 30 June 1782 they marched to Clonmel of the Roman Catholic persuasion to under the command of John Prendergast unite in the common cause, and enrol Smyth and, with other corps, were themselves under their standard. By reviewed by Col. Henry Prittie, Reviewing 'All Cavalry wear helmets, Infantry hats, order, John Harrison, Secretary." GeneraP1. except flank companies. The uniform waistcoat and breeches of every corps, "Such gentlemen as wish to join the except those mentioned buff, are white. corps, are requested to send their names to any of the oficers or committee, that The Volunteers were not an army in the CAVALRY they may be balloted for." conventional sense, and it is probably 1. Kilfinnan Light Dragoons. 1777. Col, Rt The Roman Catholics replied: better to think of them as a national police Hon Silver Oliver; Lieut-Col, William force. They did preserve law and order in Ryves; Majors, Standish Grady, "The Roman Catholics of the city of the community, they drilled and paraded William Chapman; Capt, Charles Limerick, impressed with a just sense of in substantial numbers, and in the case of Coote; Cornet, George Chapman. One the honour conferred upon them by the an emergency, they would undoubtedly troop. Uniform: Scarlet jackets, faced Limerick Independents, are happy have made a contribution to fending off or pomona green. Laced silver and in this public testimony of their helping to contain the effects of an epaulettes. Furniture: goatskin. County Limerick Horse. 8 June 1779. 1778. Col, John Thomas Waller; Corps that consist of one company only Col, John Croker; Major, Edward Captains, George Fosberry, T. are much stronger, being in general 60 to Croker; Captains, Edward Nash, James Fosberry; Lieuts, George Evans, 100 rank and file. In the different corps, Langton; Cornet, James Mahon; George Clancy. Two companies. gentlemen of the first distinction are Chaplain, Richard Croker; Secretary, Uniform: Scarlet, faced light blue. privates.' John Owens. Two troops. Uniform: 12. Loyal Limerick Volunteers. 10 Scarlet, faced black, yellow buttons, February 1778. Col, Thomas Smyth; NOTES AND SOURCES buff waistcoat and breeches, yellow Lieut-Col, Richard Harte; Major, 1. Peter Smyth: 'Our Cloud-Ca~'t helmets. Furniture: goatskin, edged Thomas Burgess; Capts, Thomas Grenadiers': The Volunteers as a black. Vokes, Sexton Baylee, Thomas Bennis, Militarv Force, Irish Sword, Vol. 13, , Coonagh Rangers. June 1779. Col, George Pitt, Henry Erdwin Titchen; 1978-79. Robert, Lord Muskerry; Lieut-Col, Lieuts, Arnold Eggars, Tobias Dillon, 2. Thanks to Lar Joye, National Museum, ..f William Percival; Major, Thomas William End, Jacob Ringrose, Andrew for his help with the introduction. Lloyd; Capt, Hugh Lloyd; Chaplain, Watson; Ensigns, Henry Bennis, 3. R.B. McDowell: Ireland in the Age of Thomas Lloyd; Surgeon, J. Galluly; Thomas Burgess; Adjutant, Tobias Imperialism and Revolution 1760-1801. Secretary, John Lloyd. Uniform: Dillon; Chaplain, Ephraim Monul; Clarendon Press Scarlet, faced black, yellow buttons. Surgeon, James Hill Phillips; Mate, 4. ibid., p. 255 Furniture: goatskin. Thomas Gloster, Secretary, Arnold 5. ibid., p. 239, 240 County Limerick Royal Horse. 28 June Eggers. Five companies, one 6. Rev P. Fitzgerald & J.J. McGregor: 1779. Col, Hon. Hugh Massy; Major, grenadier, three battalion, one light. History of Limerick, 1827, Vol. 2, p. 471 James Fitzgerald Massy; Captains, Uniform: Scarlet, faced white, white 7. ibid. p. 474 Richard Taylor, Maurice Studdert; buttons. 8. ibid. p. 475 Adjutant, John McCormack; Chaplain, 13. Castleconnell Rangers. 8 July 1778. 9. ibid. William Massy; Surgeon, John Brown; Col, Robert, Lord Muskerry; Col. Com, 10. McDowell, op. cit. p. 256 Secretary, John McCormack. Two Richard Bourke; Major, Thomas lloyd; 11. Fitzgerald & McGregor, op. cit. p. 477 troops. Uniform: Scarlet, faced blue. Captains, George Gough, Simon 12. ibid. p. 478 Furniture: goatskin. Purdon, James Crawley, George 13. Maurice Lenihan, History of Limerick, Small County Union Light Dragoons. Hastings; Ensigns, Francis Frewen, 1866, p. 385 Col, John Grady. Uniform: Scarlet, Cornelius Crawley; Adjutant, James 14.F. Glenn Thompson: Flags and faced green. Crawley; Chaplain, Hon James Murray; Uniforms of the Irish Volunteers and True Blue Horse. Col, William Thomas Surgeon, Francis Lloyd MD; Secretary, Yeomanry, Irish Georgian Society, 1990, p. 3 Monsell. David Dwyer jun. Four companies, 15. ibid. p. 3 Connello Light Horse. Col, Thomas battalion and light infantry. Uniform: 16. G.A. Hayes McCoy: History of Irish Odell; Major, William Odell; Captain, scarlet, faced black, edged white, silver Flags from Earliest Times, p.84 wings. John Westropp; Cornet, Henry 17.ibid. p. 94, photograph of flag and 14.Adare Volunteers. Col, Sir Valentine Westropp; Chaplain, William Odell. examination of actual flag Richard Quin; Capt, John Quin; Lieut, - One troop. Uniform: Scarlet, faced 18.Thompson, op. cit. p. 15, and goslin green, dark green jackets. Quin. Uniform: Scarlet, faced green. photograph of flag Riddlestown Hussars. Col, Gerard 15. Rathkeale Volunteers. 1July 1779. Col, 19. Composed of the Palatine people, who Blennerhassett; Major, John Bateman. George Leake; Major, Mat. Lane been introduced from Germany some One troop. Uniform: Scarlet, faced Scanlan; Captains, Robert Holmes, years before by Lord Southwell, who blue, silver epaulettes, white buttons, Francis Yielding; Lieuts, Samuel established a colony of them at white jacket faced blue. Furniture: Leake, Edward Dartnell; Ensign, John Castlematress (Castlematrix), Co. goatskin. George Leake; Adjutant, John Leader; Limerick (Lenihan, 00. cit., p. 383) Limerick Cavalry. 1782. Col, Edmund Chaplain, Chanc. Maunsell; Surgeon, 20. Lenihan, op. cit., p. 384 Henry Pery. John Brown; Secretary, Michael 21. ibid. p. 383 Young. Two companies, one grenadier, 22. ibid. pp. 385,386 LIMERICK CITY AND COUNTY one light. Uniform: Scarlet, faced black, 23. Fitzgerald & McGregor, op. cit., p. 479 INFANTRY AND ARTILLERY silver wings; officers full laced. 24. Lenihan, op. cit, p. 385-386 Royal Glin Artillery. June 1779. Col, 16. German Fusiliers. Col, James Darcy; 25. McDowell, op. cit. p. 260 John Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin; Lieut- Capt, - Lloyd. 26. Padraig 0 Snodaigh: Some Police and Col, Thomas Burgess; Major, Henry 17.True Blue Foot. Col, William Thomas Militarv Asuects of the Irish Griffin; Capt, Anthony Raymond; 1st Monsell. Volunteers, Irish Sword, Vol. 13, 1978- Lieut, Gerald Fitzgerald; 2nd Lieut, 18. Limerick Independents. October 1781. 79, p. 220 Daniel O'Brien; Adjutant, William Lt-Col Com, John Prendergast Smyth; 27. ibid, p. 220 Quin; Chaplain, Edward Day; Surgeon, Major, Caleb Powell; Captains, John 28. ibid, p. 224 James Dubertrand; Secretary, William Gabbett, Amos Vereker, Walter 29. Lenihan, op. cit. p. 384 Fitzgerald; 1 Sgt-Major, 1 Sergeant, 4 Widdenham; Lieuts, Joseph Sergeant, 30.01iver Snoddy: Notes on the Bombadiers, 2 Corporals, 60 rank and William Fosberry, Charles Bolton, - Volunteers, Militia. Yeomanrv, file, besides a Band of 10; four Roche; Adjutant, James Russell. Three Orangemen and Fencibles of Co. metal 6-pounders, two small brass companies, one grenadier, one Limerick, Irish Sword, Vol. 10, Winter grasshoppers (l-pounders) . Uniform: battalion and one light. Two brass field 1971, p. 130 Blue, faced gold, gold epaulettes, pieces, 4 pounders. Uniform: Scarlet, 31. Lenihan, op. cit., p. 385 scarlet cuffs and collar, yellow buttons, faced pomona green, laced, silver 32. McDowell, op. cit. p. 257 gold-laced hats. epaulettes. 33. Thompson, oD. cit., p. 5 10.Kilfinnan Foot. 1776. Col. Rt. Hon. Every troop of Cavalry consists of at least 34.K. PT ~ergusonlThe Volunteer Silver Oliver; Lieut-Col, William Ryves; 1 farrier, 1 trumpet, 1 sergeant and 40 Movement and the Government 1778- Major, Standish Grady; Captains, rank and file, total 43 plus officers. 1793, Irish Sword, Vol. 13,197&79 William Chapman, Robert Holmes; Where there are two troops in a corps, 35. Kgerald & McGregor, op. cit., p. 480- Lieuts, Mathew Franks, Henry there are not more than 30 rank and file in 81 Touchstone; Ensigns, William each troop. 36. The Munster Volunteer Registry, Dublin, Touchstone, John Clarke; Secretary, Infantry corps of more than one 1782, and R.G. Harris: The Irish Westead Franks. Two companies. company consist, each company, of 2 Regiments, A Pictorial History 1683- Uniform: Scarlet, faced pomona green. sergeants, 2 corporals, 2 drums and fifes, 1987, Nutshell Publishing CO., 11. County Limerick Fencible Volunteers. 50 rank and file, total 56 plus officers. Tunbridge Wells, 1989, pp. 14-16.