Derry and Limerick
crossed the river and returned to Limerick in triumph.
The moral effect of this achievement was immense. The delay to the operations eventually proved the most serious consequence. Some days passed before two great guns and a mortar were brought from Waterford. The loss of the cannon was not so annoying as that of the horses and ammunition, and without the pontoons, guns could not be brought to the Clare side.
Though a sustained artillery duel went on, there was a lull in active operations until the 17th, when the trenches were opened.
From this onward the siege was pressed with great energy. William, from forty pieces, incessantly poured shot and shell and red hot balls into the city, whose guns vigorously replied. After fierce assaults and sallies several of the outworks were captured. On the 25th, under the fire of a new battery raised within sixty yards of . the walls, a breach yawned. The Irish brought up wool-sacks to it, and the English brought up drink to the gunners, "which," says Story, "made them ply their work very heartily, and, for all the woolsacks the wall began to fly again."
All day on the 26th the fire of a score of great guns was concentrated upon the breach, and
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