De St. Ruths' Address to his Army Before Aughrim
By
The following version of De St. Ruth's address to the Irish army before the Battle of Aughrim will be found in the Rev. George Story's The Impartial History of Ireland. Story was a chaplain with the Williamite army and he states in his book that the speech as given by him was found after the battle amongst the papers of his (St. Ruth) Secretary, "who was killed in the field":-
"Gentlemen and Fellow-Soldiers, I suppose it is not unknown to you, and the whole Christian world, what glory I have acquired, and how successful and fortunate I have been in suppressing heresy in France, and propagating the holy Catholic faith: and I can, without vanity, boast myself the happy instrument of bringing over thousands of poor deluded souls from their errors, who owe their salvation to the pious care of my thrice illustrious master, King Louis XIV., and my own industry, assisted by some holy members of our unspotted Church, while great numbers of those incorrigible heretics have persisted, both soul and body, by their obstinacy. It was for this reason that the most puissant King, my master, compassionating the miseries of this kingdom, hath chosen me, before so many worthy Generals, to come hither, not doubting but, by my wonted diligence, I should establish the Church in this nation on such a foundation as it should not be in the power of hell or heretics hereafter to disturb it. And, for the bringing about of this great and glorious work, next the assistance of Heaven, the irresistible puissance of the King, my master, and my own conduct, the great dependence of all good Catholics is on your courage. I must confess, since my coming amongst you, things have not answered my wishes, but they are still in a posture to be retrieved, if you will not betray your religion and country by an unreasonable pusillanimity. I am assured by my spies that the Prince of Orange's heretical army are resolved to give us battle, and you see them, even now, before you, ready to perform it. It is now, therefore, if ever, that you must endeavour to recover your lost honour, privileges, and forefathers' estates. You are not mercenary soldiers you do not fight for your pay, but for your lives, your wives, you children your liberties, your country, your estates, and to restore the most pious of Kings to his throne; but, above all, for the propagation of our holy faith and the subversion of heresy. Stand to it, therefore my dear and brave soldiers, and bear no longer the reproaches of the heretics, who brand you with cowardice; and you may be assured that King James will love and reward you, Louis the Great will protect you, all good Catholics will applaud you, I myself will command you, the church will pray for you, your prosperity will bless you, saints and angels will caress you, God will make you all saints, and His Holy Mother will lay you in her bosom."