1 I

Report. Confidential. From Colonel G.A. French,
Commanding Troops,
Wexford.

To Brigadier General,
Commanding Queenstown Garrison,
Queenstown.

Wexford. May 2, 1916.

Sir, With reference to the Armed rebellion at Enniscorthy,
I have the honor to report as follows. On the evening of April 30, at 6 p.m. I held a conference
at my Head Quarters to make the necessary Military arrangements
to meet with the emergency in the event either of (1) uncondit-
ional surrender or (2) refusal to surrender. In both cases Lieutenant Colonel Digan, Commanding the
Column, wished to move his force by one route and not to split
it up. As I was not in possession of any accurate information
as to the numbers of the insurgents or their disposition, and
as a conservative estimate of the numbers was about 600 (six
hundred), possibly more, with a considerable number of modern
firearms, I considered that Col. Digan's proposal was reasonable
and I concurred therein. I recommended his concentrating his
whole force at KILLURIN (about six miles north of Wexford), at
6-30 a.m. May 1, whether it was either a case of surrender or
no surrender. After this concentration I recommended in case of
attack his moving from KILLURIN eastwards over the bridge (which
together with the WEXFORD and FERRYCARRIG bridges I had held
with strong military guards and barricaded since the arrival of
troops at Wexford) by KYLE X Roads, OYLGATE, COOLNABAY, DARBY'S
GAP, BELL GRACE HOUSE, to ENNISCORTHY (reference 1 Ordnance map)
taking up good gun positions for 4.7 and 18 Pr. guns as the
Infantry advance would ensure such positions, to bring the
artillery fire on ENNISCORTHY & to shell Vinegar Hill with shrapnel.
His first objectives being the destruction of the Road and Rail
bridges (to cut rebel forces in two parts), the rebel strong holds
in the Castle and Assembly rooms at ENNISCORTHY. It was my in-
tention in the event of attack to have remained with Lieutenant
Colonol Digan throughout, and, should circumstances so warrant, 2 to assume command myself as I had previously informed your
General Staff Officer by telephone. In the event of surrender I left the advance into
ENNISCORTHY in the hands of Lieutenant Colonel Digan, but re-
commended his adhering to the route laid down for attach, as
that roadway was clear of trees and other barricades and ob-
structions. I,however,stipulated that all the usual military
precausions should be taken and not to place too much reliance
on freedom from attack. On April 30, as your were informed by telephone, two
rebel leaders were despatched by Motor to Dublin to consult
with Pearse (their imprisoned leader). They returned here
about 7-30 p.m. same date, and I gave them till mid-night to
notify me the decision arrived at by the rebels at ENNISCORTHY.
At mid-night, April 30,May 1, a deputation arrived from
ENNISCORTY (headed by Fr. Fitzhenry as head of Peace Mission
but not associated with the rebel movement in any way) bearing
a despatch stating that 4 leaders would surrender, but re-
questing that the rank and file should be spared. To this I
replied that the surrender must be unconditional and the surrender
of 6 leaders (whose names I knew)would be insisted upon, and
that their followers would also be arrested either at once or
rounded up later. I also stipulated that all arms and warlike
material was to be surrendered, stolen and looted property re-
turned without delay,and all barricades and obstacles removed.
I also informed the peace deputation that in the event of the
troops being fired upon by any of the insurgents extreme measures
would be immediately adopted. The deputation stated that it
would do its best to ensure the fulfillment of unconditional
surrender and the other conditions,but doubted whether the
leaders could prevail upon their followers to give themselves
up. As however the names of most of their followers were known
to the police I did not consider their immediate surrender im-
perative. The deputation informed me,however, that it would do
its best in this respect and would do its best endeavour to see
that the six leaders surrendered at once. It returned to
ENNISCORTY about 1 a.m. May,1, and I instructed Lieutenant
Colonel Digan to march on ENNISCORTHY on the Surrender basis. 3 I directed him to time his march so that the troops would
actually be marching through the town at the hour I had
arranged to make the arrests . with t T he infantry (which were
encamped & malles to the South of Wexford). I told Lieutenant
Colonel Digan to move by rail WEXFORD to KIMURIN and I in-
structed the railway authorities to this effect. On May 1, accompanied by District Inspector OHARA,R.I.C.,
and Colonel Jameson Davis, Commanding National Volunteers Co.
Wexford, I motore d direct to ENNISCORTHY without molestation
in any way and there found that the Armoured train was at the
station ; the damage to the railway having proved trifling
and easily repairable by the R.E.Detachment with the train.
I commandeered the sports field for accommodation of the
troops, ascertained that the 6 rebel leaders were awaiting
arrest at Assembly Rooms , but that their followers had vanished
(the bulk having come in from the surrounding country) and
taken all modern rifles with them. Steps are, however, being
taken to locate these arms and it is anticipated that a number
will shortly be rounded up. I then awaited the arrival of the
column, and as soon as it had entered the town I arrested the
leaders,took possession of the Assembly rooms,and collected
arms,explosives, &c. (vide list attached). By arresting the
leaders whilst the troops were marching through the attention
of the crowd and sympathisers was distracted and the arrest
was quietly effected. I despatched the prisoners to Wexford
by Motors under Armed guard,and at 7-45 a.m this morning they
were railed to Waterford in charge of District Inspector
O'Hara,R.I.C. The troops were well received on the whole,but it is
apparent that there are large numbers of the populace with
Sinn Fein sympathies. The following points I wish to bring to notice :- (a) That the damage to property was not extensive,and on the
whole the insurgents were, generally speaking, well behaved.
All the public houses were closed and there were only a 4 few reports of the use of firearms,notably two cases,viz. that
a firing on Dr. Furlong and the R.I.C.Barracks, one Constable
woundedbut the member of shots fired at the Barrack could not
have been numerous as evidenced by the windows and walls of
the building. Several telegraph poles were cut down. (b) It is essential that the Echo newspaper should be
suppressed. This paper is responsible for much of the Sinn
Fein movement in the town.This I have learned by reports re-
cieved from trustworthy sources. (c) There was a certain amount of looting and commandeering
of food,bedding,arms, &c. in the town, but not to any very
serious extent. There were,however, numerous cases of Motor
cars, &c. being forcibly commandeered both in the town of and a
radius of about 7 miles. There were also some cases of looting
cattle and sheep by the insurgents for food,notably one case
at OULART. (d) I consider that it would be advisable to retain the
column despactched under Lieutenant Colonel Digan within the
County of Wexford for some time (less the 4.7 gun and armoured
train) with its Head Quarters at ENNISCORTHY and sending out
flying columns therefrom as I may direct. The present garrison
of Wexford should remain for some considerable time until the
bulk of the arrests have been effected and the district has
resumed its normal peaceful state. (e) I will arrange strong patrols combined of both military
and R.I.C. proceeding by motor from Wexford to all outlying
disaffected areas and will in most cases accompany same myself.
I intend to have all troops, both those at Wexford and Ennis-
corthy, very much in evidence, and will arrange accordingly.
I, of course,assume that I can instruct O.C.Troops,Enniscorthy
to supply much flying columns,&c. as I consider necessary, and
that he is under my orders whilst within the County of Wexford. I have the honour
to be
Sir,
Your obedient servant, Colonel.
Commanding Troops,
Wexford.