Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/133

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FITZGERALD. 129 demolished, and wasted the country; that year he built St. Mary's chapel, in the choir of Christ's church, Dublin, when, on the 16th of October, 1513, he was honourably interred near the altar, his death occurring on the Sd Sep tember, at Kildare, by a shot he had received some short time before from the Ormons of Leix. “This great man,” (we are told) “was liberal, stout, pious, and merciful; and kept the kingdom in a better condition than was generally done before his time; being so famous for his many successful victories, that he awed the rebels by his reputation alone; and secured the Pale by erecting the castles of Rathville, Linearrig, Castleder mot, Athy, and others upon the borders; dispersing colonies in proper places; rebuilding ruined towns, and destroying the Irish fortifications; and was so frequently entrusted with the chief government of the kingdom, being a man of so great interest and courage, that his very name was more terrible to his enemies than an army.” RICHARD FITZGERALD, Was a brevet lieutenant-colonel, and served as captain of the second regiment of life guards in the decisive battles in Spain, at Thoulouse, and Waterloo. He was the fourth and only surviving son of an ancient and respectable family in Ireland. He commenced his military career about the twenty-second year of his age, by entering as an ensign in the 34th regiment of foot, in which corps he was promoted to a lieutenancy. In the year 1797, he raised himself to be a captain, by purchasing into the 68th, in which he served in Ireland, during the commotions of 1799, after which he retired upon half-pay. During the short peace of Amiens, he accompanied his family to France, where he soon heard the rumour of a new war. He then forwarded a memorial to his royal highness the commander-in-chief, and was in consequence appointed to the 31st. He was about to return to join this corps, when he was detained WOL. II. K