D'Asfield, who retired with great haste, crossing with boats the river Cinia, that divided the quarters of both armies. Whilst General Conyngham (in company with Don Francisco Elias de Falces) was forming the plan of the field of battle, it is recorded that having one leg over the pommel of the saddle, he felt himself wounded by a shot that grazed his belly; he turned to his friend, exclaiming “I am wounded;’ and finding that the wound was very considerable, he appointed for his successor in the command Don Charles Burton, who also was wounded in the engagement, which lasted upwards of two hours, and was fought with their bayonets. General Conyngham persevered in the command until he gave it up to Burton, notwithstanding his wound; Don Francisco Elias de Falces importuned him to retire, and conveyed him to his house, with special care. To Don Francisco Elias he gave his cane, which to this day they preserve in the house; and a most excellent watch, that they also keep in commemoration of so valiant a personage. The dean of the cathedral of Balbastro, is grandson to Don Francisco Elias, who was always by the side of the aforesaid general, until he was carried to the city of Balagues, in the principality of Catalonia, four leagues distant from St. Estevan,where in about eight days after, he died of his wounds, and was buried in the very walls of Balagues.”
DENIS COOROBEE,
An experienced farmer and an agriculturist, to whose experimental labours Ireland is indebted for the propagation of that most useful article to the human species, the black potatoe.
Of the personal history of the present sketch, we know nothing, except that h e was fortunate enough t o have been married n o less than seven times; and when joined i n “Hymen's bands,” t o the last object o f his amative flame, h e (wonderful t o relate) had attained his ninety fourth year. B y h i s various wives h e was blessed with forty-eight children, two hundred and thirty-six grand children, nine hundred and forty-four great grand-children, and twenty-five great great grand-children. He died a t Gloves near Athunry, after a short illness, o n the 22nd o f November, 1804, a t the advanced age o f one hundred and seventeen. He retained his faculties t o the last; and until two days preceding his decease, h e never remem bered t o have had any complaint o r sickness whatever, with the exception of the tooth-ache. Three weeks before
