Order of the Orange and the Battle of the Diamond

The Battle of the Diamond birthed the Orange Order in Ireland that still exists to this day. The story of the battle has always been near and dear for two reasons. 1) Because one of the main players, Dan Winter, is one of our direct ancestors, and 2) because it is a true story of heroism and of men willing to take a stand for right, and defend that right when attacked with no cause. Dan Winter and his sons were working on their farm in Ireland, when they and the other Protestants in the area were warned that a band of the Defenders were on their way with weapons to attack the Protestant families that lived in Armagh. (Now you must remember that Ireland was split between Catholic and Protestant). The Defenders were of the Roman Catholic persuasion and determined to drive the Protestants out of the country. Dan Winter's property was right in the middle of the battleground he and his sons holed up in it until it was lit on fire and they had to retreat to Diamond Hill. The Protestants lost no lives; the Defenders (I find it ironic that they have the name "Defender" when they were the attackers) lost thirty. From this battle was birthed the Order of the Orange (The Irish flag has both green and orange signifying Protestant and Catholic). One of my dreams is to go to Ireland and see Dan Winter's cottage. If you would like more information about the Battle of the Diamond and the Order of the Orange go to: http://www.orangenet.org/winter/battle.html

The Battle of the Diamond

(21 September, 1795)

It was not in faction, it was not in hate,
 That we men of the North assembled;
 It was that our own and our children's fate,
 In the balance no longer trembled.

For there came - 'twas at night, a lawless band,
 Their ranks like a torrent swelling,
With the weapon of slaughter in each man's hand,
Where we in our homes, were dwelling.

Darkly they came, in the dead of night,
 They gave no word of warning,
 And they laughed at the blaze their brands should light, 
And the smoke that should greet the morning.

They paus'd--did they fear the storm they'd woke?
 That they faltered as forth we sallied?
 For we saw when the light of the morning broke,
 On the Diamond Hill they'd rallied.

What though they were many, and we but few,
Yet each to the conflict hasted,
 And the shot was sharp, and the aim was true,
 While that fearful struggle lasted.

Yes, last it did - aye, many a day!
 But the shield of our God was o'er us;
 Till at last, like a quarry long held at bay,
We drove them like chaff before us.

Then blame us not, when all was o'er,
 And we looked on the dead around us,
If then, and for ever, an oath we swore,
To be found as that day had found us.

Stern and steadfast, and linked as one,
 On God and ourselves relying; 
Seeking quarrel or feud with none,
 But all on our hearths defying.

Traverse who will that wretched land, 
Now rife with revolt and riot;
 And where'er ye shall hear of our loyal band
 There alone shall ye find it quiet.

Yes! cold suspicion, and scoff, and scorn, 
And caiumny, have assailed us; 
Aye! hard though it was - all these we've borne,
 Not once have our true hearts failed us.

We have bided our time - it is well nigh come!
 It will find us stern and steady;
 It will need not to rouse us with trumpet or drum,
 For our hearts and our arms are ready.