Government Withdrawal
Despite achieving a crushing victory, Dundas was shaken by his earlier defeat, the attacks on isolated garrisons and news of the spreading rebellion. As Commander of the Army of the Midlands, he decided to consolidate his position by issuing a general order for all Crown forces under his command to withdraw to Naas, in effect abandoning much of the county to the rebels. In his haste to evacuate the town, a number of soldiers and some of their wounded from the earlier fighting were left behind and killed by the rebels.
Two days later, on 26 May, the remaining Kilcullen rebels sought terms for surrender, which Dundas accepted in person at Knockaulin Hill on 27 May. This avoided a planned assault by General Gerard Lake, Commander-in-Chief, who had 3 regiments of infantry with artillery concealed nearby.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Kilcullen
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