Copy letter from Charles Lynch

Page 1

Letters from Dublin. Easter 1916. Second Letter. resume, to-day for the first/ time since since the outbreak wednesday 28/4 I found myself outside with a party. Up to now, I have been on continuous duty as orderly for sixty hours. The guard itself remained on duty for forty eight hours. I for some reason being kept for a further twelve hours. Of course I was able to snatch an hour or two for sleep but was kept rather busy. Some of the married officers having quarters outside barracks, necessary messages had to be taken to them, and seeing that the Broadstairs Bridgewas inside of a quarter of a mile along The North Circular Rd, the job had it's possible dangers. However relief came at last, and I had a clear nights sleep. This morning all who had been through a musketry were paraded, and fifty men with two officers were sent to The Vice)-Regal Lodge to strengthen the garrison there. We left by the back gate which opens on the park, and reached The Lodge without incident except that firing broke out in our left rear. It transpired that an abortive attack was made on the park magazine. One old lady going in the same direction as ourselves was in such a state of panic that she fell down several times in a hundred yards. Reaching The Lodge our assistance was refused we being assured that they were in sufficient strength to repel any likely attack. As a matter of fact there has been scarcely any attack from the Sein Fein side as they appear to have contented themselves by seizing all the most important points commanding movement through the town, thus making troop movements a hazardous affair, as proved by the Sackville Street fiasco. The magazine in the park has been reported destroyed by fire, but I can scarcely credit the report as built as it is, it should have been easily defended. A mounted escort left this morning to escort a battery of eight -een pounders which are coming by train. A preceding train laden with cattle had been wrecked be the enemy, blocking the permanent way so the guns had to be met some twelve miles out. They got back alright with the guns and one was brought to bear on Broadstairs Bridge and cleared it with the first round which made a large hole in the middle of the tram rails. Rumour has it that The Four Courts are to be shelled, but I believe it is impossible to get guns into position for effective shelling of the G.P.O. one of their principal strong points. Up to the present, the enemy seem to be holding all the positions they surprised at the outbreak of affairs. Our losses from this barracks to date appear to be about twelve killed, but there are a number missing, The Dublin Carrison generally having been caught napping. Being Easter Monday when hostilities began, a great number of officers and N.C.Os were absent at the races at Fairy House and a number are still absent. Rumours are about to the effect that some have been captured and summarily shot. Reinforcements are daily expected from England and outlying stationshe…