The army which he was to command had assembled there; and the Dee was crowded with men of war and transports.
Unfortunately almost all those English soldiers who had seen war had been sent to Flanders.

The bulk of the force destined for Ireland consisted of men just taken from the plough and the threshing floor.
There was, however, an excellent brigade of Dutch troops under the command of an experienced officer, the Count of Solmes.

Four regiments, one of cavalry and three of infantry, had been formed out of the French refugees, many of whom had borne arms with credit.

No person did more to promote the raising of these regiments than the Marquess of Ruvigny.

He had been during many years an eminently faithful and useful servant of the French government.