THE IRISH MANCEUVRES. 1899. 
464 
Red Force. Detaching two squadrons to Ballinakill and a third 
squadron to attempt to capture Poor Man’s and Waterloo Bridges, the 
Cavalry Brigadier halted at Abbeyleix with the remaining squadron 
and battery of Royal Horse Artillery. Poor Man’s and Waterloo 
bridges remained in possession of the Blue Cavalry. 
Main body with G.O.C. advanced to Ballyroan. 
During this day the Blue Commander’s superior strength in cavalry 
began to make itself felt. By securing the passages over the Nore he 
prevented the Red Cavalry from getting access to information, and 
effectually screened his future movements. The Red Commander 
was already “ enveloped in the fog of war.” 
The Director’s remarks were as follows : — 
“ The Blue Commander was better served by his advanced squad¬ 
rons and patrols than was his opponent. 
The Red Commander was unnecessarily anxious about his left flank. 
Had he concentrated the whole of his force early in the day at Abbey¬ 
leix he would have been in a better position to oppose any attempt of 
the Blue to out-flank his right. Being the weaker by two squadrons, 
concentration was all the more important.”. 
nth August. Blue Force .—The Cavalry Brigade maintained its 
positions on the Nore, blocking all the passages till noon. 
Under cover of this screen the artillery and infantry marched to 
Ballycolla, and deployed soon after mid-day on a position facing east, 
as shewn in the sketch map attached. 
The baggage trains reached Cuffsborough cross roads at noon. 
After destroying the bridges the Cavalry Brigade withdrew slowly 
from the Nore, and took up a position in rear of the left flank of the 
Blue Force position. 
Red Force. Detaching two battalions to Ballinakill, the Red Com¬ 
mander halted at Abbeyleix with six battalions, three batteries and 
the field company Royal Engineers, waiting there for information. 
Always apprehensive for his left flank, and misled by incorrect rumours 
from his cavalry, he subsequently detached a battery, and a third batt¬ 
alion tc Ballinakill. A fourth battalion was at the same cime sent to 
Poor Man’s Bridge which was found destroyed. At 11.40 a.m., the 
Director decided to allow the passage of Waterloo Bridge to the Red 
Force, when the Red Cavalry with the Royal Horse Artillery battery 
passed over, coming at once under the fire of the Blue Commander’s 
four batteries which were deployed for action on the left flank of the 
Blue Force Position. 
At 1.30 p.m. the Director ordered the “ cease fire,” the final positions 
of both forces being as shewn in the sketch. 
An examination of the respective positions of both forces shows 
that the Blue Commander had accomplished his object, and a decision 
to this effect was given by Lord Roberts. With a superior force of 
cavalry, artillery, and infantry he held a strong central position domi¬ 
nating the road from the Nore over Waterloo Bridge. His baggage 
trains were well on the way to Maryborough. His communications 
with the Galway Bay Army were open. Under cover of a strong rear 
