***ORIGINAL SPELLING HAS BEEN RETAINED***
The famous Volunteer force collapsed somewhat abruptly and ignominiously in 1793, and a militia force was the only safeguard of peace in the country which was seething with sedition and evidently heading for rebellion. In 1796 a yeomanry force, cavalry and infantry, officered by local gentlemen was raised for preserving order. The cavalry was disbanded in 1814 and the infantry gradually lapsed and ceased to exist in 1834.
The yeomanry was employed in the rebellion of 1798 and earned an unenviable reputation for harshness and cruelty. The force was controlled by Government by whom the officers were appointed; and the men were clothed and equipped by the State and also were paid for nine days’ drill and when called up for permanent duty. The horses of the Cavalry belonged to the men serving.
The uniform of the officers was: - Red cloth, yellow facings, swallow tail, gilt brass chain epaulettes and grenade badge; embossed gilt buttons which bore the name of Corps.
The uniform of the rank and file was: -Tunic: red cloth, blue facings and silver braid; rows of braid across front and lines and loops on back. Buckskin breeches; buttons bore name of Corps.
The following is the monthly return of the Cumber Cavalry for January, 1797:
Captain, David Ross; 1st Lieut., Michael Ross; 2nd Lieut., David Ross, Junior.
Permanent Sergeant, Robert Thompson; Trumpeter, Hugh Bird.
Privates, (all mounted):
Surname Given Name ALEXANDER John BOND Oliver BRADLEY John BRADLEY Pat CHRISTY Alex. CONWAY Henry DUNN Robert EAKIN Sam HAMILTON Wm. HANDCOCK H. HANDCOCK Thos. HASLETT Jas. HUMPHRIES Jos. JAMESON John LAUGHLIN Jos. LOGAN Jas. LONG Andrew MACGWIRE [MCGUIRE] Duncan MCCULLOUGH James MCFALL Denis MCILDOWNEY Jas. MCILHINNY Wm. MCLAUGHLIN George MCLAUGHLIN Jas. MCOLLY Wm. MILLAR Robert MOORE Edward MORRISON James MORRISON James, Jun. MORRISON Thomas MURPHY Peter QUIGLEY Andrew ROSS John SIMPSON William SIMPSON Wm. STEVENSON James SWANN Paul THOMPSON Wm. WIGTON James WILSON Wm. WINNETT Jos.