Led by General Ginkell, the
English army attacked the town of Athlone. Again and again
their cannon roared, and at last a huge breach was torn in
the walls. Then, with their guns at the ready, the English
troops dashed through the breach and into the town. But they
found the streets of Athlone quiet and empty. Not one of the
Irish soldiers who defeated the town was to be seen. Slowly
Ginkell began to understand what had happened.
Athlone was divided in two by the
Shannon. When the attack began, General St. Ruth drew his
Irish troops back across the bridge. As they went they broke
down two of the great stone arches. Ginkell's army was now
cut off. To capture the rest of the town they must first
repair the bridge.
Under cover of a rough wooden
shelter some of Ginkell's trops dragged heavy beams of timber
to the middle of the bridge. These were quickly placed across
the broken arches and covered with stout wooden planks. While
getting ready to attack, Ginkell's troops kept up a steady
fire to hold Irish back from the bridge.
It was then that the English can
be. Sergeant Custume, one of Sarsfield most fearless men,
rushed forward. Heedless of the deadly gunfire, he pointed to
where the last few planks were being laid.
"Are there ten men who will
die with me for Ireland?" he roared.
He had hardly spoken when ten
brave soldiers dashed to his side. With sledge-hammers, picks
and axes they advanced across the bridge. Quickly they set to
work tearing up the newly laid planks and throwing them into
the river below. The English soldiers stared in amazement.
Never before had they seen such an act of bravery. Ginkell's
Dutch gunners took him and a deadly burst of firing shook the
bridge. When the smoke had cleared the gallant Custume and
his ten brave men lay dead.
Once more the cry to break the
bridge rang out. Once more the cry answered. Lifting up the
fallen axes, eleven more brave men rushed forward to finish
the work. They hacked and chopped and smashed the remaining
planks. Again a deadly burst of firing came from Ginkell's
guns and nine more gallant men fell dead. Flinging the last
few heavy planks into the river the two survivors dived from
the bridge and swam to the Irish side of the Shannon. When
they reached the bank safely, the two heros were helped from
the water by their cheering comrades.
The bridge of Athlone had been
broken, thanks to the twenty fearless men who willingly gave
their lives for the country they loved.
© 1999 All rights held my Michael G Keohane BA.
ACSA.