ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 ...

37.cans to carry the oil from the shop to the column 0/C. whopoured it into the barracks, having set the first lot thrownin on fire. The stairway leading to the upper floor of thebarrack was now on fire and the continuous supply of paraffinhelped to increase the flames. While the fire was being fedby our section, the other sections were shooting at loopholesand anywhere the garrison appeared to be active. Eventually,after about 4 hours fighting, the enemy were forced to evacuatethe barracks, but they had thrown all their arms down theburning stairway and they could not be saved. Two members ofthe garrison Sergeant Shea and Constable Bowles were killedNine members of the garrison of 23 were wounded. The columnhad no casualties. All sections were now assembled in theSquare, Roscarbery, where we delayed for some time beforemoving off in a westerly direction in order to mislead theenemy. When we had gone a few miles we turned north and,' ashort time later, wheeled east to Rossmore where we went intobillets. We remained in Rossmore until darkness set in thatnight and then marched a distance of over 20 miles east tobillets in Newcestown.I continued to serve with the column for a short periodin the early part of April during which we endeavoured to makecontact with enemy patrols but, for one reason or another, allour arrangements at this stage proved abortive. It was aboutthis time that word was received from G.H.Q. that it wasproposed to land a cargo of arms from Italy in West Cork area.The spot selected was Union Hall. The brigade 0/C. was busilyengaged in organising arrangements for this operation and Iwas recalled to Brigade H.Q. At this period the columnentered Bandon and held the town for practically a whole nightwithout meeting any opposition. When it was decided towith-draw, a few shots were fired at enemy posts, but there was no