Fermoy Garrison-Second Phase
Early in 1838 the garrison was building up again. Hendley wrote: " The Fermoy folks cannot now complain of the want of troops, as the 10th and 99th Regiments and two Depots, the 34th and 66th, are quartered in our Barracks, but I suppose we cannot calculate on them remaining at any length of time, as some are I believe are destined for Canada...
"I remember at one period both barracks to be fully occupied, with some of the military billeted in the town".
But the summer of the following year he writes: "I am glad you gave Col. D'Aguilar a hint about keeping troops in our garrison. We have very few just now, but I hope when the Chartists are put down our old Barracks will be occupied...
"We are very badly off just now for military, only 25 men to take care of both the Barracks. This makes a very serious difference to our shopkeepers, etc. who are in the habit of having the pay of a Regiment expended in the town".
1841 1 Jan
The withdrawing of the troops from the barracks (which are now in general only occupied by a Depot or part of one) has been very detrimental to the shopkeepers, who were in the habit of having the pay of a regiment or two spent amongst them...
27 Mar.
"The small Depot of the 81st which has been here for some time leaves on Monday for Kinsale and I am sorry to learn from the Barrack Master that he has no intimation of their being succeeded by any other Depot; indeed it is rumoured that we are to have only a Sergeant and a few men to take charge of the Barracks. This will be a serious loss to our town. I suppose the only chance we have of having the Barracks again occupied is to encourage disturbance, burn a few houses in the neighbourhood etc. etc."
15th Apl.
"I never remember Fermoy so dull as it is at present; we have not a single soldier nor has the barrack master received any intimation of any being sent here. He is obliged to pay 7 or 8 shillings a night to persons for watching the Barrack, Hospital, stores & c. The Depot of the 81st left about three weeks ago for Kinsale."
15 June
"Our tradesmen are wretchedly off for want of employment and the shopkeepers feel the absence of the Military very much. We have not had a single soldier in the barracks since the 81st left 3 months since. Perhaps if you were to give your friend Colonel D'Aguilar a gentle hint on the subject it may be of service."
1842 1 Jan.
"The absence of military from our town for the greater part of last year has been very injurious to the tenants in general, but particularly to those occupying houses at the north side of the river..."
14 May
"There is little business doing in the town, - very few of the military in our barracks,..."
1843 6 Jan
"We have the greater part of a Regt. the 76th, quartered in the barrack, but Barrack Hill appears not to derive the least benefit from it..."
24 Mar
...everything in the way of trade is so dull and we have but five soldiers in the Barracks."
10 May
"We are of course grumbling greatly but I am in hopes O'Connell's Agitation for repeal of the Union will enduce our government to send some troops to the Country. I have just heard a report that the Depot of the 70th are ordered here and that the service companies expected to arrive shortly from Canada and to join the Depot here."
19 May
"We have the 5th here and expect the Depot of the 70th. I fear the former will not remain long, being destined for Limerick."
10 June
"We are indebted to Mr. O'Connell and his Repeal friends for having now a strong garrison."
1 Aug
"Our barrack walls are now being raised 6 feet with embrasures etc. and I understand we are to have a couple of cannon planted inside the front wall."
30 Sept
"We have a full Regiment, the 72nd, in our garrison."
13 Dec
"This part of the country is very quiet. We have in our barrack 7 companies of the 72nd; Seaforth Highlanders the other three are detached. Our Barrack Master had orders to prepare for more troops, but the Gentlemen of the Western Riding are pressing Government so much for military that I fear we shall be sent no more; indeed it is probable some of those we have may be ordered away."
"We have been the necessity of requiring the aid of the military to collect rates in the neighbourhood of Mitchelstown."
1846. 29 Sept
"I troubled you with newspapers giving some account os the state of this unfortunate country. The magistrates of our branch forwarded on Saturday a letter to General Turner urging, the great necessity of increasing our garrison. We had an answer promising a troop of Dragoons and some Infantry. These mobs will not be put down without bloodshed."
1847.
"Col. Egerton was in command at Fermoy. Capt. Collins J.P. was sent with troops to quell food riots in Kilworth. O'Flanagan writes:
"The government, seriously alarmed at the prospect of a rebellion sent in large stores, only to be used in case the barracks were beseiged. An official letter was sent to my father not to be opened until the seige commenced..."
July 28
d. at Brook Lodge, Fermoy, Jas. Swithin Barnes, 72nd Regiment, eldest son of Jas. Barnes I.O.W.
1848
Bk. Mr. O'Flanagan died.
|
THE MILITARY BARRACKS
