Edward Wogan facts for kids

Colonel Edward Wogan (born around 1626, died 1654) was a brave Irish soldier. He fought for King Charles II during a time of great conflict in Britain and Ireland. He is remembered as one of the last Royalist fighters to die in these wars.

Wogan first served as a soldier for Oliver Cromwell, who was against the King. But Wogan later changed his mind and joined the Royalist side, fighting for King Charles II.

Defending Duncannon Fort

Wogan became famous for successfully defending a fort at Duncannon. This happened during the Irish Confederate Wars. Oliver Cromwell's army was trying to capture the fort.

The fort's commander, Thomas Roche, thought he had to give up. He told the Duke of Ormonde that they couldn't hold the fort much longer. They were running out of supplies.

The Duke of Ormonde then sent Edward Wogan to help. Wogan arrived with 120 cavalry soldiers. They got there just in time to save the fort! Wogan sent a strong message back to Cromwell. Cromwell decided to give up the siege instead of fighting through the winter. This brave act saved the city of Waterford from being taken by Cromwell's army.

Adventures in Britain

Colonel Edward Wogan also took part in a Royalist uprising in Scotland between 1651 and 1654. In November 1653, Wogan sailed from France to England. He gathered 21 men in London and rode with them to join the Earl of Glencairn. Wogan had decided to leave Cromwell's service. He wanted to help the King instead.

Wogan and his small group rode about 300 miles to Edinburgh. On their journey, they might have even taken over Carlisle Castle. There, they could have freed some Royalist prisoners.

Wogan's group started their ride on November 21st. They traveled about 25 miles each day. Nine days later, they reached Durham. Wogan heard that the Highlanders, who were also Royalists, had won a battle. He realized that more of Cromwell's soldiers would soon arrive from England. So, he quickly left Durham on December 4th.

A group of Cromwell's horsemen was sent from Newcastle to catch them. But Wogan's men fought them off. Wogan and his soldiers also captured small groups of Cromwell's men along the way. They captured 18 men outside Berwick and rode right through the town in daylight!

In the Lowlands of Scotland, they got help from some local fighters called Moss-troopers. They captured more of Cromwell's men and entered Peebles on December 9, 1653. Wogan was able to convince some of these Moss-troopers to join his group permanently.

Injury and Death

When Wogan reached the Earl of Glencairn's headquarters, he had about 100 supporters. Glencairn welcomed Wogan. He gave him permission to create his own regiment of horsemen.

Wogan led his new regiment on several successful raids into the Lowland areas. He earned the respect of the Highlanders. But just as Wogan's career was at its peak, an injury ended his adventures. During a fight with English troops, he was wounded in the shoulder by a sword.

His Legacy

Edward Wogan made a very good impression on the Scottish Royalists he fought alongside. John Graham of Deuchrie, who was with Glencairn during the rebellion, wrote about Wogan's bravery and courage.

He said that Wogan was sadly killed in a fight with a regiment of horsemen. Even though Wogan was badly wounded, he defeated the enemy group and killed their commander. People said that this enemy group had never been beaten before in the civil wars. Wogan's wounds seemed to heal, but then they became bad again. This caused his death, and everyone who knew him was very sad.