The attack on Enniscorthy began at about 1 p.m., when the rebels drove a herd of cattle through the town’s Duffry gate, creating disorder, and set the town's buildings on fire. The troops defending the gate withdrew to a stone bridge over the River Slaney. After a determined defence of about three hours, the loyalist forces had expended their ammunition. They were also flanked by rebels wading across the river's low water, but after having driven all the rebels out of town they were ordered to abandon the town and withdraw to Wexford, which they did alongside a terrified multitude of men, women and children fleeing the burning town. In the action, the garrison and yeomanry had killed up to 500 insurgents at a cost of 90 of their own dead.