WALKER, George. A True Account of the Siege of London-Derry. By the Reverend Mr. George Walker, Rector of Donoghmoore in the County of Tirone, and late Governour of Derry in Ireland

London: Printed for Robert Clavel, and Ralph Simpson, in St. Paul’s Church-yard, 1689. Small quarto. pp. [6], 9-59, [1 (Advertisement)]. Titlepage with advertisement at foot and license leaf facing titlepage is wanting. Modern quarter calf on marbled boards, title in gilt on red morocco label on spine. A very good copy.
Wing W 350. Sweeney 5468.
Sir George Walker (c.1618-1690) was an English soldier and Anglican priest, known as the Defender of Londonderry. He was joint Governor of Londonderry along with Robert Lundy during the Siege in 1689. He was killed at the Battle of the Boyne on 1 July 1690, going to the aid of Frederick Schomberg, 1st Duke of Schomberg, Commander-in-Chief of all Williamite forces in Ireland, who was wounded during the crossing of the river in the early part of the battle. A legendary description of this dramatic siege by the prime mover in the action. It evoked much controversy, with the Presbyterian participants in the defence feeling that their contribution to the final victory had not been given due credit and the absence of the names of the ministers is noteworthy. After the dedication to William and Mary, there follows a two page description of the city and its defences. The ensuing diary contains some splendid set-pieces even if one’s credulity is stretched at times. An example of the good and the bad: “July 2. The enemy drive the poor protestants, according to their threatening, under our walls, protected and unprotected, and under great distress. Our men at first did not understand the meaning of such a crowd, but fearing they might be enemies fired upon them; we were troubled when we found the mistake, but it supported us to a great degree, when we found that none of them were touch’d by our shot, which by direction of Providence (as if every bullet had its commission on what to do) spared them and found out and kill’d three of the enemy, that were some of those that drove the poor people into so great a danger. There were some thousands of them, and they did move great passion in us, but warm’d us with new rage and fury against the enemy, so that in sight of their camp, we immediately erected a gallows and signified to them we were resolved to hang their friends, that were our prisoners, if they did not suffer these poor people to return to their own houses”.

[TVR 6A]