Hobbs my tale of woe. All we could do was sit there and later Joe told us how diplomatically he had handled the situation. From there we ambled along to Dan Joe Walsh's, Kilumney, whom we both knew very well, going west we met a lot of the 3rd Batt. Cork 1. We stopped at Kenneally's and at Kelleher's Cloughduv and arrived at Bill Murphy's, near Crookstown where Dan Donovan, George Buckley and Michael Doran had headquarters. Michael Doran excelled in getting his people to send a lot of Christmas gifts for all those who in that area were so kind and hospitable. It was then that myself and George Buckley made the faux pas. Mick apparently had a list of the contents of all the hampers and George Buckley could not find one item so I was sent to check the hampers with George. The missing item happened to be tangerines. I asked him if there was anything in the hampers which he did not know of, luckily there was not. I then confirmed George's statement to Mick by stating that there were no tangerines there. Later when he found them he called myself and George a pair of ignoramuses. Mick was a grand type in every sense and all we could do was to laugh with him. We marched to the east, shortly before Christmas, and reached Horgan's, Ballinora, where Tim was regarded virtually as a member of the family. The father Gus, Agnes, Josie, Kitty and Betty comprised a wonderful family. We were invited to stay and we both spent a delightful Christmas amongst such a friendly people. Prior to this there was a raid on this home in the afternoon. Josie was not too well and sat on a basket chair in the garden, placing a lot of bombs beneath her as she sat coolly by. Kitty placed a few more bombs in a bucket and pretended to go to the well for water while Agnes kept up a conversation with the officers. The Free State troops finally left and the girls cheered them. This cheer was misinterpreted as the troops did not realise that it was given because the Horgans were glad to see them go. We left Ballinora and headed for Crookstown. I was sent back to South East Cork while Tim Hobbs went back to [SN82] Ballyvourney. I visited East Cork too with Denny Hegarty, crossed over the river at Passage and travelled then to O'Connor's, Monkstown, where we were treated royally. On then to Rafeen to meet the Regans, O'Mahoneys, Caseys etc. The last man greatly intrigued me, his brother had been one of those shot in Mitchelstown by "Balfour's Bloodhounds" years before. Later I went to Ballinora, where I met John Barry Murphy who was going to Cloughduv and I was more than thankful for his generosity and a lift. It was dark as we started our journey and immediately a lorry with lights was seen in the distance. I said to John "I am going with young Healy and his bundle of despatches". We jumped over the ditch and ran through a field to the next one and stayed there as the Free State Soldiers raided Horgans which was nearby. When they had left, we went to Horgans and stayed the night. We set out the following morning for Brigade Headquarters. Around this time, General Tom Barry was operating with his Cork 3 column, so with a section of Cork 1 we joined him. To show the endurance of the troops, we walked all night and arrived at a spot near Farneyvane. Tom Barry had planned to attack Bandon town, but the reports were far from good and he struck west for Ballineen. Again he showed his masterly military touch as he outlined his plans to stalwarts like Spud Murphy, Flyer Nyhan, Mick and Con Crowley. The General as usual led the others in attack. Mick Crowley, in charge of our sections, was given the Southern end of the town to attack. It was a cold morning and the fields were covered with frost and we had to follow Mick as he trudged up the river. Bullets were overhead and high, but the excitement made us forget the cold. One of the City section of Cork 1 asked glibly if certain T.D.'s were there that morning. I questioned his flippancy and he shot back “If they were they would not have voted against the Treaty". One of them actually did accept the same Treaty in 1927. There were some casualties on both sides. One of our lads named Howell of Macroom, whom I knew rather well, was killed. Tom Barry captured Ballineen and 40 prisoners. They were taken that evening to Castletownkenneagh. I got a message there to report to [SN83] Ballingeary, which was to the west, it seems many of our Divisional Officers were arrested and I was appointed Divisional Adjutant. At Lackabawn, Moyniban's home, I located Tom Crofts who was Divisional O.C. and who had Headquarters there. Meanwhile, Ballyvourney had been attacked and taken by the 8th Batt. and Cork 1, as they had done in the Bantry attack with Jack Kenefick driving his armoured car. Jack had a narrow escape there while Mick Sullivan 8th Batt. was badly wounded at Kenmare.
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