June 20th, 1798: Down rebel leader Henry Munro is hanged on the 16th in Lisburn where, Thomas Lane observes, the courts martial seek only to "make severe examples of principals". Lane ascertains that the yeomanry and other "scouring parties . . . killed more than fell in the engagement" at Ballynahinch and surmises the "horrid acts of the rebels created such a paroxysm of revenge that even General Nugent could not restrain the Monaghan militia from despoiling Montalto", the estate of Earl Moira. Judicial retribution is also sought. Robert Ross writes on the 16th: "I hope in God our government will have orders to try Henry Jackson, Oliver Bond, etc, etc, under martial law . . . for God Sake, let the innocents be hanged, and when the rebellion is extinguished, a bill of indemnity cures all . . . if the hydra head is not cut off, it will produce shortly a second rebellion." John Cochrane's advice to Henry Dundas in relation to prisoners is "that if the emperor of Prussia would take them and send them to Siberia as Peter the Great sent Charles the 12th army it would have an excellent effect".
In Ballymena on the 17th, the Rev Hudson receives "an odd report" from his Derry colleague, the Rev Jones "of something intended for the 20th". While not entirely credible it adds to Hudson's anxiety vis-a-vis the poor communications between garrisons and disagreements between Gen Knox, Col Clavering and Lord Henry Murray on such fundamental issues as defence contingencies and the terms available to surrendering United Irishmen.
With the Wexford insurgents contained, preparations are laid to crush their nascent "Republic" by commander-inchief Lt Gen Lake. A probing attack on the Wicklow insurgent camp on Mount Pleasant goes disastrously wrong on the 17th when the rebels deter the assault, shell the troops and pursue them to Tinahely. The village and military baggage stockpiled there for the Wexford campaign are burned to avenge the misconduct of local yeomen. Lord Roden's supporting cavalry arrive in time to kill 28 men on nearby Rosbane Hill but too late to prevent the humiliating withdrawal to Tullow.
Lake is mindful of this on the 19th when explaining his refusal of battle the day before to rebels located "in great force upon Kilkaven (sic) Hill . . . posted to great advantage upon very strong ground . . . every precaution to resist an attack". Advised that his losses during an infantry attack might delay the relief of Wexford Lake retires to the partially burnt town of Carnew.
Kilcavan is reconnoitred again on the 19th but not before the rebels move off in compliance with Rev Philip Roche's orders to fall back on Vinegar Hill. The Wicklow men reach the sprawling camp on the 20th and discover that Roche's south Wexford men are absent.
Unbeknownst to them, part of Roche's forces clash that day at Foulksmill, and with effect until Gen Moore takes personal command of Light Infantrymen and German Jagers falling back through woods. Moore recalls: "The enemy was following close, and firing. I succeeded in stopping some of the soldiers immediately, and got them to jump out of the road and make a front on each side of it . . . when I saw them ready for it, I took off my hat, put my horse into a trot, gave a huzza, and got them to make a push. The tide immediately turned; we drove the rebels before us, and killed a great many."