A Relation of ſuch occurences as have hap­pened in the ſeverall Counties of Donegall, Ty­rone, Fermanagh, and London-derry ſince the beginning of the Rebellion in Ireland, in October laſt; in humi­lity preſented to the Honourable Houſe of Com­mons in England, by Lieutenant Colo­nell Audely Mervin, June the fourth, 1642.

IF my wiſhes could prevaile againſt the neceſſity of the times, or if by hieroglyphicks I could expreſſe the ſenſe of that truſt, in which by a ſympathy with my Countrey, and requeſt of my friends I ſtand now engaged, I ſhould be moſt unwilling to ſalute this Scene with a Tragedy, or to preſent unto the continued, yet unwearied labours of this Honourable Aſſembly, any out-bred diſcontents, ſince too too ma­ny are unfortunately hatched and nouriſhed within your owne cli­mate; whilſt the Ship ſaild upon ſmooth waters, the Diſciples luld their Maſter aſleepe, but when the thunder broke forth, the light­nings flaſhed, the waves crowded on heapes, then their feares plea­ded an apology for their want of faith and manners to awaken him.

Maſter Speaker, the times were when the Kingdome of Ireland ſaild upon ſmooth waters; Leinſter and Munſter never diſquieted in their eſtates: Connagh ſtretcht forth it ſelfe in the happy aſſurance of its legall ſettlement; Vlſter, though wounded and in Capite by alte­ration of her tenures, yet was ſalved and recovered by the Royall promiſe for its reparation.

Nationall grievances were ready for the ſickle (in which let mee never forget the great aſſiſtance and reſpect our Committee received from this Honourable Houſe) and by a favourable digreſſion excuſe our Kingdome from a ſuſpitious Lethargy that ſuch a horrid mon­ſter, as this preſent Rebellion, ſhould be conceived among us, and yet never felt to kick in the wombe, nor ſtruggle in the birth: Since that diſcontent in the Subject, which is the fore-runner of Rebellion, was ſo fully baniſhed, that the reſt of our life would be to leave off prayer, and fall to praiſe; to lay downe our requeſts, and take up〈…〉

2But now (Maſter Speaker) the thunder roares from the Re­bels Cannons, the lightning flaſhes from their fire-workes, the waves of innocent bloud crouds up in heapes, then pardon our juſt feares if they addreſſe themſelves to this Houſe in theſe words, ſi deſe­ris tu, perimus, onely in this I muſt contradict the application; you have wanted no vigilancie, nor we ſenſe thereof, nor faith therein.

Maſter Speaker, the rolation I ſhall trouble your patience withall, will be of ſuch particulars as are confined within the limits of the County of Tyrone, the County of London-derry, the County of Fer­managh, and the County of Donegall, the greater part of the Province of Viſter; to all which my eyes have beene the witneſſes, or elſe bal­lanced with equall credit: for as for ſuch paſſages that are grounded upon here-ſaies, I eſteeme an unwarrantable diſcourſe for the gravity of this audience: beſides all wayes of intelligence from our friends have received ſuch obſtructions by our enemies, that from the ninth of November, untill the third of May, we never received one ſyllable from Dublin, in what condition thoſe parts ſtood, which I doubt not, though uncertaine to us in the ſame Kingdome, is but ſtale and common in this: and by the ſelf-ſame rule I conceive the ſtate in Ire­land are as doubtfull of our condition in thoſe parts, and not able to know where our ſhooe pinches us, except they can ſay that it wrings the whole foote, which is too manifeſtly true.

Though the poyſon of this Rebellion was diffuſed through the veines of the whole Kingdome, yet it broke the skin with its plague­tokens in the County of Tyrone, and Fermanagh firſt.

The ſuddenneſſe of our ſurpriſall, and the nature of it, was ſo unexpected, that the Inhabitants could ſcarcely beleeve themſelves priſoners, though in their chaines, and the Iriſh ſervant which over­night was undreſſing his Maſter in duty, the next morning was ſtrip­ping Maſter and Miſtris with a too-officious tyranny.

Here in the twinckling of an eye, the Corporations, Townes and Villages proclaimed their ſcituation a farre off by their fire and ſmoake; here you might ſee hundreds of men, women, children, of all conditions and eſtates, that had lived in moſt plentifull and ſecure habitations, expoſed to the rocke for ſhelter, to the Heavens for cloa­thing, ſo that many hundreds in a few dayes ſtarved upon the moun­taines.

Where was here any expectation of reliefe? the husband could not relieve the wife, nor both, or either of them their children: the Maſter could not provide for his family, neither was there any reci­procall duty or ſervice from theſe to be performed to the advantage of the other: one and the ſelfe-ſame face of miſery, was unequally, equally ſet upon all, one and the ſelfe-ſame black complection of fa­mine3 ſtained every viſage; The Land-lords Paramount title over the Tenant, was with himſelfe out of doores, and they which former­ly were, and now ſhould have beene moſt beneficiall to the diſtreſ­ſed, were moſt burthenſome to themſelves, and others, as being leſſe read, in this hard, and untutored Chapter, of perſonall and moſt ne­ceſsary wants.

Who can remember without griefe, the generall burthen of each expreſſion, Give us bread, or elſe we periſh? and their famiſhing de­mands onely ſatisfyed with a comfortleſſe Echo of the ſame words?

But this nakedneſſe and famine, and their male and female iſſue (variety of diſeaſes) were adjudged overflow executioners, of the ſurviving Brittiſh. Then entred the ſword, deſtroying at the firſt, with the Scabbard on. The Rebels under a faire and colourable pre­tence of a Convoy inviting the hidden and ſcattered Proteſtants in­to a body, that ſo they might (as they moſt perfidiouſly did) make each ſurviving man, an Executor to the laſt murthered in his pre­ſence, and ſo the whole line one by one extinguiſhed, the Iriſh Prieſt as Ordinary, adminiſtred for all.

This the Sword acted in a Fox-skinne ſcabberd, and then flouriſh­ed in one of a Lyons skin, ſeeking whom it might devoure, and de­vouring all that it ſought after; for I can confidently affirme, that out of the County of Fermanagh one of the beſt planted Counties with Engliſh, I could never give an accompt of 20 men eſcaped, except, w^ch. is moſt improbable, they ſhould flye to Dublin; as for the chiefeſt (my owne eſtate meering upon the Marches of that County) ha­ving inquired from priſoners, by name for ſuch and ſuch, they have informed me they were all maſſacred.

The Blackwater in the County of Tyrone, a moſt fertile ſoyle, and inhabited with the Engliſh, had its ſtreames dyed in blood, there being at one time above 200. ſoules murthered upon the Bridge, and flung downe the River. I could inſtance alike in many places, but that we are to allow buryed miſerie too timely a reſurrection.

Maſter Speaker, in theſe two laſt inſtances, I have onely named the Engliſh, not but that I pleaſe my ſelfe better in concluding both En­liſh and Scotch, under the title of Brittiſh, but that there ſeemeth to be ſome reaſon; for in the Infancy of this Rebellion, the Rebels made open Proclamations upon paine of death that no Scotch man ſhould be ſtirred in body, goods, or Lands, and that they ſhould to this purpoſe write over the Lyntels of their doores, that they were Scotch men, and ſo deſtruction might paſſe over their families; nay, I read a Letter that was ſent by two of the Rebels titulary Collonels, Co­lonell Nugent, and Colonell O Gallogher, a quarter of an houre be­fore my Colonell Sir Ralph Gore ▪ encountred with their forces at4 Ballyſhannon, and there ſlew out-right 180. of their men, without loſſe of one man on our ſide, (praiſed be God) which was directed to our Honourable Friends, the Gentlemen of the never conquered Scotch-Nation, it expreſt, that they were both of one extraction in former times, joynt-aſſiſtants, that their quarrell, if aright underſtood by them, as by the beſt of Scotland, they would be otherwiſe adviſed, then to joyne with us, and many other paſſages that I may ſeaſonably for­get here; I onely touch this, not as judging where there is ſmoake, there is ſome fire, but to obſerve their policy, which, though to ſome that were ſuddenly ſurprized, might afford ſecurity to retreate into ſome place of ſafety, yet it was ridiculouſly entertained, and as reſolutely ſcorned by the Scottiſh Nation.

Hitherto (with your patience) is rough drawne the generall e­ſtate, and condition of the Brittiſh, who were now betaking them­ſelves to better reſolutions, in oppoſition to the enemies fury.

I ſhall beginne with the County of Fermanagh, where thoſe that had eſcaped the fire and ſword of Rory Mac Guyre, the Arch-Rebell in that County, brother to the Lord of Eniskellen, drew themſelves into Eniskillen, a place fortifyed by nature, under the Command of Sir William Cole, Colonell. The Inhabitants of that County of the other ſide of the L•ughearne, reſorted to Maſter Catheart, then High Sheriffe of the County, and Garriſon'd in the Caſtle of Moneigh, Lilgold, and Tullagh, Mac Guire having without any oppoſition in that Country, waſted, burnt, killed, and pillaged, betooke him­ſelfe, with the united forces thereof to beleagre Eniskillen, which di­vers times with great bodies, and threates equall, but with fictions exceeding them both, as that all Ireland was taken, which for a great while we might all of us eaſily, but with griefe, beleeve. Howſoever•t pleaſed God, that Colonell Cole, with great reſolution and valour maintained the ſame, and made divers fallyes in the night, upon his Quarter, doing very good execution, Inſomuch that Mac Guirc, thought it an unſeaſonable aire to Quarter ſo neare Eniskillen, and then began to adventure his fortunes upon the other ſide of the Lough, where Maſter Catbcart, and many brave Scotch Cavillieres, a­gainſt ſo great a body, though not able to maintaine a field, by di­vers reſolute and diſcreete Sallies, chaſed, and ſlaughtered the enemy.

One I will particularize, though not crowned with ſucceſſe of ex­ecution, equall to the former, where 800. of the enemies, being drawne up into three bodyes, before their Quarter, they Sallyed out with 60. Horſe, routed their Battalions, and killed 35. of their men, further execution being prevented by a contiguous wood.

There was two Caſtles called Tullagh, and Liſgold, which by an o­ver-weaning affiance in the enemies promiſes, yet indeed very much5 preſt by perſonall wants, delivered themſelves upon compoſition, which taught ſucceeding Garriſons to ſticke unto their old Creed, for after the ſurrender, they were all maſſacred.

Maſter Speaker, Having no notes of remembrance, and much preſt by my Friends unto this diſorderly Diſcourſe, or were it not that the reverence of the place countenanced it, I ſhould eſteeme it like a tale, beginning (once upon a time.) I ſhall a while leave the County of Fermanagh, becauſe theſe are paſſages precedent, to the Commiſ­ſion for raiſing its Regiment of 500, foot, and recollect my memo­ry, in what poſture the County of Tyrone ſtood; moſt part of the Brittiſh, of the Barony of Omagh, made their eſcape towards New­towne, and Strebane, both places being of the Barony of Strebane, in the ſame County. The Barony of Clogher reſorted to the Agber, The remaining Barrony being the Barony of Dongannon, were marcht up by Sir Thomas Staples, and Lieutenant Colonell Saun­derſon, forth of that Barony to New-Towne, nigh twenty miles, through the barbarous Mountaines of Monterlynny, one of the grea­teſt faſtneſſes of Jreland, to joyne with Sir William Stewarts forces there, where they were joyfully entertained, and after 2 or 3 dayes ſtay there, in a very unſeaſonable time of the yeare marcht to Agber, being 600. in number, but contrary to the perſwaſions of that Noble Liev. Colonell, and the High Sheriffe, Captaine Maxwell, a Gent. of ſingular forwardneſſe, were divided by one Maſter William Stewart, of Fiagh, a man of good parts, but very unfortunately applyed in­to Dongannon, backe againe, where the greateſt part of them were ſlaine by two and three, without ſatisfaction of one drop of Rebels blood, in requitall of theirs, and thoſe Gentlemen that remained with Lieutenant Colonell Saunderſon, this unfortunate diviſion hap­pening in the face of Sir Phelomy O Neill, encouraged the numerous Rebell ſo farre, that he and his Company was forced to retreate to­wards the Omagh, and ſo to New-towne, the Towne of Agher being entred by the Rebels, and burnt immediately: Yet I muſt not here forget the reſolute attempt, and manfull defending of the Agber Caſtle by Maſter Archibald Aerskin, Clarke, Sonne and Heire to Sir James Aerskin, a Gentleman of 1000. pound per annum, of tempo­rall eſtate; who being beleagred a few dayes before by 2000. men, with the aſſiſtance of Archibald Hamilton, Eſquire, and his Te­nants, Sallyed out with 80. Horſe, and twelve Musketeers upon a bo­dy of the Rebels, being about 600. and routed them with the execu­tion of above 100. of which ſome were conſiderable as any in thoſe parts, with the loſſe onely of Captaine Barkley a young Gen­tleman, much lamented. Maſter Archibald Hamilton afterward, a zea­lous Gentleman, both before and during his continuance in the6 Kingdome wounded with ſome others of note.

About two dayes after, ſome twenty horſe with Maſter Archibald Hamilton, a bold Souldier, forraged into the County of Monaghan, where they encountred with a ſtrong party commanded by the great Mac Kenna, which they encountred very fiercely, and at laſt rou­ted the Rebell, killed one of the ſpeciall Commanders that had been a Commander in Spaine, ſlew about 30 horſemen, and 20 foot, and recovered many of the Britiſh cattell having received wounds, and diſmounted in the skirmiſh, but recovered both life and horſe.

Some three dayes before this, Sir William Stewart marcht out with ſome foote and horſe from Newtowne, purſued the Rebell, and ſo marcht to the Agher, and after ſome ſtay, retired home with great ſto•e of cattell; though both he and wee could have wiſht (if wee had the ſpirit of propheſie) to have kept the fields longer: for the O Neils and Mac Gwires who were then with their forces the leaders of the re­bellion, diſcomfited by former ſervice, ſought for protections, but ani­mated by Maſter William Stewarts diviſion, (and this retiring march though grounded upon warrantable diſcipline) beleagred the Agher Caſtle, Sir Phelomy O Neill, and Collonell Rory Mac Gwire being perſonally preſent with 4000 men; and though they ſeconded their attempts by promiſes of honourable quarter, reinforced it by bloody threats in caſe of refuſall: planted a ſmall field peece to batter, and in a darke night ſtormd the gate and bawne upon all parts. Yet by the re­ſolution of Maſter Erskin, and the ready fire of Sir Henry Titchbourns old company beate them from their wals and ſcaling ladders with the loſſe of 200 of their reſoluteſt men.

Sir Phelomy O Neill retired his journey, burning along to Dongannon. Mac Gwire in his retreat aſſaulted Agbatyan Caſtle, commanded by Captaine Maxwell, who upon ſight of Mac Gwires drawing up, iſ­ſued out ſome few muſqueteers into the ditches, and beate him off from any further attempt, who in his march burnt all Fermanagh to­wards Eniskillen. About that time Captaine Thomas Newburgh with a few men he raiſed in great hazard of his owne perſon, tooke in Ca­ſtle Derrick, a place of great conſequence and ſtrength, killed the men, poſſeſt their armes: in his abſence being gone for ammunition, left the Caſtle to a young Gentleman Maſter Durdo; when Sir Phylomy O Neill immediately beſieged it with 3000 men, but Maſter Durdo with great courage having onely 16 men to man the Caſtle and Bawne, beate him off, and ſlew more than 80 of his men, and 9 dayes after ſallyed out and killed out one prime Gentleman of the O Neils, and tenne more, and tooke two Colours and a Drumme, with loſſe of three of his owne men; all which and himſelfe afterwards for want of ammuniti­on were forced to leave the Caſtle in a darke night, and every one ſhift7 for himſelfe, where ſome miſ-led upon the mountains happened upon the enemies quarters inſtead of ours and were killed. Maſter Durdo with great hazard lying two nights upon the mountaines eſcaped un­to us.

Sir William Stewart underſtanding of a partie of the O Neils in the Kerrilrs woods, ſent out Captaine Balfour a deſerving ſouldier, with 100 men, who skirmiſht with them, killed 50 Rebels, loſt four of his owne men, and brought home 400 cowes.

Some foure dayes after Sir William Stewart deſired Lievetenant Col­lonell Sanderſon, my ſelfe, and Serjeant Major Iames Galbraith to march from Newtowne to relieve Agher and Aghatyan, with 500 foote and 100 horſe, the ſecond night in extremity of weather, we marcht to the Agher, and quartered in Clogher a mile and a halfe diſtant; the enemy fell that night into one part of our quarters, but upon the alarum of the Sentinels, the maine guard iſſued out, kild ſome and chaſed the reſt. The next morning we marcht out into Fermanagh, where in ta­king 500 cowes, as many ſheepe, and 300 horſes, we killed 70 Rebels: upon our returne wee beſieged Collonell Donnogh, Mac Gwires Ca­ſtle, being ſtrongly imbattaild and flanckt, after many ſhot paſt on both ſides, the wind turning upon the forepart of the houſe, wee fired ſome out-houſes, in the ſmoake whereof we approached the gate, ſet it on fire, entred the Caſtle, put the men to the ſword: and indeed I ſhall never expect to ſee more reſolution either in Commanders or Soul­diers: but I ſhall never inſiſt upon that in this particular, let their acts ſpeake for themſelves; in which march wee relieved 6000 women and children, which otherwiſe had periſhed.

In this ſervice Enſigne Long behaved himſelfe as if he had beene bul­let proofe: at hand whilſt we were imployed in this ſervice, the Re­bels drew downe upon Sir Wi••iam Stewarts Newtowne, and the Caſtle plaid off and kild 50 of their men in the ſtreets, and preſerved the towne, except one houſe or two at the furthermoſt end.

M•ſter Speaker be pleaſed I may put you in remembrance theſe are the particulars that occurred in Fermanagh and Tyrone before wee re­ceived any Commiſſions. I ſhall now preſent unto you in the ſame method the occurrences of Donegall County.

Collonell Nugent a moſt ſeditious inſtrument, that married the Lord of Eniskillens mother, drew about 600 men about Ballyſhannon Caſtle, a place of great ſtrength and importance, againſt whom my Collonell Sir Ralph Gore, and Captaine Maxwell a forward Gentleman drew out ſome 200 men and 60 horſe, who encountred them, routed them, kild upwards of 180 Rebels, tooke Collonell Nugents horſe who left it and his bootes ript off behinde him, beſides many that came downe the river by dozens and tennes which were killed by the foote, and not8 one men loſt upon our ſide. Divers ſallies were made by Captaine Iohn Follyot a Gentleman deſerving much commendations for his courage and diſcretion, as alſo by his Lievetenant William Ancktill E­ſquire, a bold Comrade, ſometime killing 20. 30. in which Captaine Follyot received a ſore wound in his hand, being at the ſword entred and beſet with the Rebels.

About a fortnight after their defeat at Ballyſhannon, the Rebels mu­ſtered new forces, and with aſſiſtance of Colonell Manus O Donnell, and Colonell Turlogh, Mac Caffrye O Donnell, they beſieged my Co­lonels Caſtle, he being gone over the mountaines for Ammunition, the Rebels fired ſome out-houſes, but were beaten off with loſſe of twenty men, who attempted to burne the gate.

In the Barony of Boylagh about two dayes after the Mac Swynes, and the O Boyles, were encountred about Kilbegge by Maſter Andrew Knox a Miniſter, who though very unequall in number to the Rebels held them up at puſh a pike, and killed about 80. of their men, and put the whole body to flight, and brought home a great prey. In which skirmiſh the beſt Mac Swyne was killed.

Theſe, Maſter Speaker, are the Occurrences in thoſe three Coun­ties, that were precedent unto any Commiſſion granted for raiſing of Regiments, and now I ſhall according to the rule I propounded unto my ſelfe, firſt relate the exploites of every Regiment apart, and then of ſuch ſervice as was done joyntly, and as I began with Fermanagh, in what was performed before any Commiſſion, ſo I ſhall endevour the ſame in theſe ſubſequent Occurrences.

Tullagh and Liſgold Caſtles, being formerly ſurrendred upon promiſe of quarters, which was performed in this manner, they ſtript old and young, and bound them, expoſing them all night to the froſt and ſnow, and next day killed them, Moneigh Caſtle joyned to Sir William Cole, and marcht out into the fields to Lowtherſ-towne, where they had in­telligence, they were drinking upon their march towards Eniskilling, and ſurpriſed them unawares, and purſued them ſome foure miles with ſlaughter of above 200. men, tooke foure Colours, ſome Drums, two Captaines, one Mac Mahoun, another Mac Guire, with ſtore of Armes.

After this he marcht out with 400. men, and having burnt the corne and the enemies garriſons, was met in his march homewards, by Mac Guire, with 800. men, with great violence charging his Vanne, and unexpectedly 400. more of the Mac Mahouns, charged him on the Reare, he put them all to flight, kild upwards of a 100 men, got 60. Muskets, and many Pikes, he hath taken all their boates upon Loug­hearne, ſunke their Cotts, and both by Land and water made himſelfe a very good paſſage, though I conceive he is now in much diſtreſſe. 9This is what I can certainly averre, though we heard many other paſſages of much credit, but I am certaine he is not a ſleepe, when a­ny opportunity ſhall require.

I ſhall now leave Fermanagh in this Diſcourſe, and remember it in my prayers, and paſſe to Sir William Stewarts Regiment and Sir Robert Stewarts, whom though I but now name, have given moſt brave teſtimonies of Commanders every way well qualified. After the unfortunate and unworthy loſſe of Strebane, theſe Regiments garriſon'd upon ſuch frontier places, as might ſecure the Barrony of Rapho, in which the ſafety of the City of London-dery was highly concerned, as alſo the Barrony of Eniſhoen, in which 2000. able fighting men of the Iriſh ready then (though we conceive better of them now) to have fallen upon our backs upon the leaſt invitati­on of any defeat unto us. Sir Ralph Gores Regiment being but 500. foot march'd into the Barronies of Boylagh and Bannagh and Tir­hugh, being Barronies that had bin wholly waſted by the Rebels, where for 13 weeks we had no ſuſtenance, but what we pul'd out of the Rebels mouths. Theſe two Regiments were for the moſt part mingled in ſervice, and having ſo great a ſcope as 36. long Iriſh myles to guard in the long winter nights, and every way paſſable for the enemies entrance, and the charge of ſo many ſoules there reſi­ding and following their vocations, as in the time of peace, beſides the conflux of thouſand of plundered Families, I beleeve in a ſerious conſtruction it will deſerve the title of miraculous ſervice; for few nights, but the enemy attempted in ſeverall places with light-horſe to burne the Country, which they never in the leaſt way prevailed in, but many times returned with a weaker maſter then they went forth. Yet Mr. Speaker, they ſpared no labour or induſtry, Sir Ro­bert Stewart march'd to New-Towne and relieved it, but the Enemy ſaved all their heads by their heels, but ſix men; afterwards march'd up to Caſtle-derge, burnt all the Enemies Country and killed divers, brought 400. Cowes, then march'd up over againſt Gla•fin, burnt that Country and kil'd divers, afterwards fell over in the night upon the Rebels Quarters above Strebane, and kil'd about 80. men. Sir William Stewart in the meane time was as buſie in the Barrony of Kilmackrenan firing and burning.

Captaine Maxwell, and Captaine George Stewart marcht towards Ramalton with 150 men, and killed 90. of the Rebels, and brought home 1800. Cowes. Captaine Baſill about the ſame time being New-yeares day marcht over into the enemies Countrey with 60. men, and encountred 400. men, and killed 36.

M. Speaker, I will not trouble you with retailing of Newes thus in ſmall parcels, but I am ſure ſo equally vigilant and difficult was the10 preſerving of their owne quarters, and ſcowring the neighbouring quarters of the enemies, that our Regiment on the other ſide of the mountaines at that preſent having no intelligence of their continu­all defeats, having marched 7. dayes and nights upon mountaines, where never horſemen rode in a deep ſnow, 13. miles the leaſt dayes march, where and when the beſt Commander never taſted bread, beere, wine, ſalt, or Aqua-vitae, and at every night fought with the Rebels for his bed-cloathes (God be praiſed with ſtrange ſucceſſe) and being in the ſight of the enemy, and for the moſt part upon the Ice (notwithſtanding the weather ſtript in our ſhirts, upon our marching homewards met ſuch a packe of them drawne out by the other two Regiments, that they beſet us in our quarter at night, which we expecting, appointed a near Fort for our Alarum place for two Companies to draw unto, and the other two Companies into a wood, where if by Gods mercy we ſhould have the better of them; we were aſſured they ſhould paſſe, all happened accordingly; for our Sentenels giving a timely Alarum, the two Companies tooke the Fort, beat them off untill they fled the right way, where the two Companies unexpectedly met them with ſharp fire, and the other two ſallyed out of the Fort upon their Reares, and did very terrible execution: Immediately after which we marched away in the night, and ſurpriſed many in the neighbouring houſes, and laſtly, burnt the quarters, and all the corne in the whole march, which was out of command. And truly Sir Ralph Gore his zeale was very ear­neſt, for the moſt tempeſtuous nights he would alwayes chuſe to fall upon their quarters, which at laſt were upon every hand of our garriſon; for he having placed for the ſafety of thoſe parts one Com­pany at Kilbegge, another at Caſtle Rabin, and one being left to maintaine our owne quarters, we had but two Companies for the Field; yet at divers times we would march out to them, being at the leaſt 13. Colours, and overnight having taken the ditches with Mus­keteers, drew them in with counterfeit retreats, untill we had diſ­charged at 40. yards diſtance, ſometimes a 100. Musketeers, ſome­times more, every Musket charged with 10. Piſtoll Bullets.

But M. Speaker, our good ſucceſſe ended with our Ammunition, for all being ſpent to one Roll of Match, and ſending a Letter for ſome ſupply, the traytor run to the Rebels, delivered my Letter, and what I had but modeſtly put into the Text concerning our wants, he being a ſouldier in the Regiment made a large Comment upon, which heartened the Rebels ſo much that we were like to periſh for want of food, and certainly had, if Sir Robert Stewart with his Re­giment, and three of Sir Will. Stewarts Companies had not marcht over to our reliefe, who in his march over Barneſmore was aſſaulted11 by ſome looſe Files of the enemies ſhot, which he beat off, and ſo without much danger ſecured the march of the entire Body.

But now M. Speaker, the Countrey being waſted by the enemy, and our ſelves, the dayes beginning•o grow longer, we thought beſt to joyne all three Regiments, leaving Balliſhannon, Caſtle of Done­gall, and Caſtle Rahin well manned, and as well as we could provi­ded otherwiſe, and ſo betooke our ſelves with what ſtrength we could ſpare unto the Fields. And now M. Speaker, if I can borrow your patience, I preſume I ſhall acquaint you with very good ſer­vice. In our march over the mountaines of Barneſmore homewards to the Barrony of Rapho, this Barneſmore being knowne to every Inhabitant in Ireland to be as dangerous a place as Art and Nature could deviſe. When the Van-guard of our Army entred the wood, we ſent 60. looſe ſhot upon each of our flankes, halfe Calliver ſhot from our Body through the woods, where they skirmiſht with the enemy, having taken the wood overnight, in very hot ſervice upon both ſides. The Rebels had placed 13. Colours in a hollow, halfe a mile above us, who when they heard our ſhot ſhewed themſelves, thinking as they confeſt to draw us out whileſt 13. Colours more lay hidden in another hollow, that ſhould ſuddenly fall in upon the remaining party, and had likewiſe placed 9. Colours below to fall in upon the baggage, which was at leaſt 3000. ſoules, who travel­led below almoſt a mile off, in a narrow paſſe. We drew out (ſuſpe­cting the worſt) onely ſome commanded Musketeers skirmiſht and beat away their firſt body that appeared, when immediately the other 9. Colours fell in upon the baggage, to which we aſſigned 48. Musketeers, who held them up couragiouſly in a ſtrait paſſe. We that were with the maine body perceiving it, having a wood and bogge under us, drew with more haſte then order (as requiſite it was) to their reliefe, ſo that we likewiſe put them to flight. In the meane time the 13. Colours in ambuſh all this while fell into our Reare, and all their forces in the twinkling of an eye fell round upon us, which we with countercommanded Musketeers oppoſed, and during the ſpace of 7. houres and a halfe (by a watch) fought and kild 400. of their men, beſides what fell in our march of ſixe miles, where having conveighed our baggage between two diviſions, were ſtill charged in our Reare, and the extremities of our flankes that had thicke ſhot returned by 200. Musketeers of ours, ſo that as by a pri­ſoner of theirs taken the next day that was preſent at the battell, 700. was confeſt to be ſlaine, in which we loſt but nine men, and ſome hurt. That night we marcht into our quarters in the Barrony of Rapho. This occurrence happened about eight weeks ſince.

Now M. Speaker, omitting the iſſuing of ſeverall parties both of12 horſe and foot into the enemies Countrey, returning home both with the prey and ſlaughter of the enemy, I ſhall onely trouble you with what occurrences ſince the 17^th of May, untill the 27^th, when I left London-derry.

Sir Philim O Nele drew downe to Strebane about 5000. men be­ſides horſe, intending to burne Rapho, and to raiſe Eniſhoen, and we being as he abſolutely conceived deſeated, to draw the other forces on the contrary ſide of Loghfoyle, and to aſſault the Derry. Our Re­giments aſſiſted with two ſtrong Companies of Captaine Pitts and Captaine Lawſons of the City of London-derry drew over before day into the Rebels Countrey, where preſently the battels were or­dered upon both ſides, and ſo ſtood about a quarter of a miles di­ſtance, we drew out to them one Battalion, and a•00. commanded Musketeers to try how they would anſwer them. The Rebels left their ground, and drew out to a wood, which they fil'd with their Musketeers, we likewiſe by the carneſt intreaty of our ſouldiers, were contented to loſe the advantage of our preſent embattelling, and marcht over to them, beat their Musketeers out of the wood, and to omit circumſtances killed about 500. of their men, and put them to their flight, in which day was great circumſpection and diſci­pline uſed by the Commanders, and as much obedience and reſolu­tion by the ſouldiers, M Cathcart Cornett to Sir Robert Stewarts troop, and Lieutenant Colaſe one of his Lieutenants, and Lieutenant Galbraith one of our Regiment about 17. years of age, doing very ſtrange ſervice with their commanded Musketeers.

In purſuance (by Gods mercy) of this victory, though we re­turned weary unto our quarters, yet by breake of day the Regiments were upon march, an unuſuall way to Strebane, thinking to have be­ſet him and his forces which quartered there viſibly. To this purpoſe horſe and foot entred the Towne upon all quarters; but Sir Phelomy was newly departed with his forces, onely the Caſtle he committed to Captaine Hugh Murragh O Devyn a bloudy fellow, and one hun­dred of his choiſe Musketeers, and a 100 Pikes to guard much of his owne baggage, and my Lady Strebanes goods; but we eaſily forced the Caſtle, put the men to the ſword, onely Captaine O Devins life reſpited, who is now in the Derry Gaole. The Caſtle we left-a gar­riſon in, commanded by Captaine Wiſher a diſcreet Gentleman under the command of St. Wil. Hammilton, who though formerly a ſtrong rooted Papiſt (if any root can be in that titular Religion) hath re­nounced the ſame, and conforming himſelfe unto the Proteſtant Church, judging upon this reaſon (as I have heard from himſelfe) that neither faith, civill converſation, ſecure commerce, found loy­alty, much more Religion ought to be expected where ſuch bloudy,13 traiterous & inhumane deſignes are, or muſt be the propagators of it.

From Strebane we having left 500. men to guard the Barrony of Rapho, we marched up on the ô Canes country on the other ſide of Loghfoyle, and comming over againſt Derry, quartered in the fields that night, foure Companies of the Derry joyning with us to relieve Lymmavaddy Caſtle and Bally Caſtle, which had beene ten weekes before ſtrongly beleager'd by great forces, and yet had ſallied forth and killed many hundred of the enemies, being commanded by a reſolute young Gentleman Captaine Thomas Philips, his Elder bro­ther M. Dudly Philips in the meane time being gone about with 3. Botes for to carry their proviſion from Derry. That night we were welcome gueſts to the two Caſtles, who diſpaired of all ſuc­cour, and having conducted their proviſion in, the next Morning aſſiſted with very reſolute Horſe out of the two Caſtles, we advan­ced our march into the Enemies country, where at Magiligan wee encountred the Enemy, the ô Canes, the Magilligans, the ô Hagans and the ô Neales being joyned together for our utter ruine, (God be praiſed) we killed upwards of 500 of them, and ſcattered the reſt.

Though we were now too farre in diſcretion engaged from our own Quarters, yet having received late Letters from Colrane of their miſerable wants and narrow beleagure, we continued our march up towards the Mountaines to find ſome prey, that we might be the welcomer to almoſt famiſh'd Colrane; we met with 3000. Cowes, but with thrice as many men; the Rebell having ſtrengthened him­ſelfe from the Army that beleagured Colrane and other parts: Our Commanders cheriſhed the Souldier, and the Souldier the Com­mander; but the Rebels having that Morning (moved by the vali­ant preaching of a Fryer) bound themſelves by Oath of their Sa­crament received thereupon, to fight this Battell to the laſt man, and to hunt us out of their Country, gave us a warme charge and forced our Horſe and commanded Musketters to retreat upon the wings of our Battalions, yet after our ſhort, yet earneſt Pray­ers, we advanced towards them, and ſlaughtered above 800. of them, which being an unuſuall ſight to them, they forgat the Fryers Doctrine and their owne application and fled, our Horſe and Foot chaſing them a hundred wayes with great ſlaughter: From thence with our prey and abundance of Horſe, &c. we march'd to Dungevin Caſtle, one of the Kings Houſes, which was kept by Collonell Manus mac quy ballagh, Mac Richard ô Cane, who (though in this battell) had fled thither to his charge, upon parley he delivered up the Caſtle, and deſired the Kings mercy, which upon conditions was afforded; the Armes and Pillage were quickly divided. From thence we marched to Col­rane,14 every Regiment beſtowed ſome upon the Towne, the ſoul­diers at eaſie rates ſold the reſt, but ſuch as were delivered to the right owners.

At Caſtle Roe a myle from Colrane were lodged ſeven Co­lours of the Enemies to ſecure the band fiſhing to themſelves; we tooke the Colours, put many to the Sword, and the Town of Colrane hath a Garriſon there now, and enjoyes the fiſhing to themſelves, being the greateſt Salmon-fiſhing in Chriſtendome.

From thence we made our ſpeedy march home, where our Horſe kil'd about a hundred ſtraglers, and found our owne Quar­ters invaded with above 2000. men, which our remaining par­ty had with good reſolution and ſucceſſe kept off, upon adver­tiſement of our returne, they deputed no longer ſtay.

In all theſe particulars (all honour to God Almighty who fought our battels) amongſt the three Regiments wee loſt not a hundred men ſince the firſt Rebellion to the laſt hoare.

We have at the preſent theſe Garriſons, Caſtle of Strebane, Lifford, Rapho, Dromboe Caſtle, Litterkenny, Ramalton, Lyma­vaddy, Bally Caſtle, Ballyſhannon, Donagall, Caſtle Rahin, being pla­ces of great conſequence by ſcituation and ſtrength.

Mr. Speaker, this is a briefe Relation of ſo many paſſages in ſuch a tract of time; an Epitome of that which was a large volume in our owne ſufferings and the conſtruction of our Ene­mies, which in duty I ſuppoſe I was bound to preſent unto this Honourable Aſſembly, in the Port and Haven of whoſe unpara­lel'd labours we anchor our ſafety. You may be pleaſed (Ma­ſter Speaker) to remember our ſudden ſurpriſall, our wants of all manner of ſupplies for preſervation of our lives, much more for the defence of a Country, and ſuch places of importance; you may conſider the Reſolution of men encouraged by exer­ciſe of their Armes fleſh'd in the bloud of their enemies, imbol­dened by knowledge of the Country, provoked by the loſſe of their deareſt pledges, wives, children and all; the hazard in tranſporting men ſaved, the charges in raiſing, levying, ſhipping, demurrage upon winde, and the like prevented; the great ex­pences of the Commanders amounting to above 3000^•b. for armes, victuals, cloaths, &c. their offenſive ſervice without loſſe of a 100 men, their defenſive vigilancy of ſo much ground, the ſeverall Garriſons of conſequence maintained, the weake inſtruments by which the ſervice was effected, and the great Mercy of God by which we were protected; then we doubt not, but the Juſtice of this Houſe will continue us in our Reſolutions, encourage o­thers to attempt better; all which we ſhall in our humble Petition more ſeaſonably preſent.