he could not forbear telling him how unkindly he took it in endevouring to bring O Donnell to raise his Camp and that in a few days he would return with such a strength that it should not lye in O Donnells power to releive them and that it was not Gentiel to send a Lieutenant with a Major to General Ginkel when it was agreed on when the Articles were signed that a Major should go with a Major to see the General Sign and Seal He gave the Drummer Likewise half a Guinea to be delivered to Capt. M. Sherry who was a noted Robber and a Captain in Collonel Terron O Rourke's Regiment in Sligoe Collonel Michelburne had a correspondence with the said Capt. M. Sherry who had ingaged to come off with his whole Company as soon as he met with a conveniency Here follows Lieutenant Collonel M. Donnaghs Letter Sliegoe Aug. 11th SIR IN my Collonels absence I open'd yours to him and have sent to those whose Cattle were made a prey by Captain Forward some of whom will wait on you as for our sending to O Donnell to fall upon your Camp while before Sligoe nothing is more false Neither would we wish that you or yours were touched here during our League but you will give us leave to wish your Retireing after which we sent rather to prevent O Donnells comming hither than to invite him and that chiefly for fear he should destroy our Cows and Provision However he is a Brigadeer of our Army and he may do in that what he pleases You have our Governours answer as to your Generals demand and for sending a Lieutenant for a Major Major Hamilton is our Witness that our Major intended for the journey but being taken ill we put the matter to Major Hamilton and it was by his consent that Lieutenant Scott went with him for the Major that was not able to go This is no matter of Substance I hope to take exceptions at My Collonel when he comes home will satisfie you farther in the mean time I am SIR Your most humble Servant Ternon M. Donnagh To Collonel John Michelburne Governour at Ballyshanan The Drumer returned with the above mentioned Letter and withal was assured that Ballderrog was incamped within three miles of Sligoe a Spie the Collonel had abroad brought this following account A true Account of the Forces under the Command of Ballderrog O Donnell Brigadeer M. K. James's Army Regiments of Foot THE Lord Ballderrog O Donnell new Arms from Limricke Collonel Donnell Oge O Donnel some few Arms. Collonel Connell O Donnell Ballderrogs Brother indfferent well in Order Collonel Shawn Oge M. Swine no Arms. Collonel Cannus O Donnel about a 100 Matchlocks Collonel Ternon Oge O Roarke good Arms. Horse Major D'la More Captain of Horse formerly in Lutterells Regiment Dragoons Captain Shawn O Donnell 1 Troop 50 Captain Torlough M. Swine 1 Troop 50 The 13th and 14th the several Detachments from Bellurbit Cavan Eniskillin and Killybeggs of Collonel Michelburns Regiment joyned at Ballyshanan so that he had of his own Regiment about 600 and 2 Troops of the Army Here you may see the great difference between Preying and doing the King Service This was a time if ever they would have their Country cleared they might But tho Sir Fran Hamilton Governour of the County did all what possiable he could do it could not oblige the Militia to leave their dwellings notwithstanding the Country paid them twelve pence a day For of twelve Troops and two Companys of Militia that appeared out of one County when they understood they were going to get Prey now the Kings service is to be done and the Town to be Surrendered no more than 4 Troops appears to witt Captain Charles Hamiltons Capt. William Stewarts and Captain Hamiltons of Murvough and one Troop commanded by Captain Erwine out of Formannagh This day the Collonel receives an Express from the Lords Justice Porter as followeth Dublin Castle the 5th of Aug. 1691. SIR IN the absence of my Lord Coningsby who is at the Camp I received yours of the 6th Instant directed to us both wherein you give us an account that Sligoe hath capitulated with a Copy of the Articles which you have done well in to send the General to be Ratified where my Lord Coningsby will be sure to meet them What you apprehend of Ballderrogs coming to relieve Sliego you need not give your self any further trouble or concern for he having so Capitulated for himself and his Party that there is a perfect Cessation of Arms between us and them however since you desire assistance from the Counties of Mannoghan and Formannegh I now dispatch away Orders to the Governours of those Counties to march all the Militia that can possible be spared out of both towards Sligoe with eight days Provision of Bread to your assistance with directions to observe your Orders when there Collonel Venners Regiment is marched to the Camp so as the remainder of your Regiment cannot be relieved by any of them as you suppose but I hope since Ballderrog hath submitted there will be no occasion You must press Horses and Cars to carry off the Cannon and Baggage pursuant to your capitulation they cannot be expected hence and my Lord Coningsby who commands the Treasury being in the Camp I know not how to send you Mony but if their be occasion you must find a way to take it up from some of the Collectors of their Majesties Revenues nearest to you or otherwise and it shall be allowed them upon their Accounts or otherwise be Re-enbursed to you I am SIR Your very very humble Servant Charles Porter The day for the Surrender was the 15th of August Collonel Michelburne exactly according to the time appointed marches the 14th and Incamped at Burindruse along the River side 4 Miles from Ballyshanon and 16 from Sligoe and begins his march by break of day the next morning about 11 he comes before Sligoe but on his way he halted at the Grange and sent Captain Shenbarge to Sir Teige with this following Letter From the Grange Aug. 15. 1691. SIR I Hope this will find my Major and Lieutenant Scott returned with the Ratification of the Articles from General Ginkell which we signed between us I am now on my March to Sligoe and hope all things will answer our Expectation The Bearer hereof Captain Shenbarge I have sent to wait on you I am SIR Your humble Servant John Michelburne To the Hon. Sir Teige O Regan Knight Governour of Sligoe Sir Teige's Answer SIR I Had yours just now and do answer it on back of your own that you may not wait for an answer Your Major Major Hamilton is returned and the Officer I sent with the Articles not altogether confirmed by the General Ginkell However I would agree to the Articles signed but that my Ld. O Donnel a Brigadier of our Army is come with a strong Brigade who if he stands by us alters all Affairs for 't is a
being now found convenient for their Majesties Service that I enter not with the Militia under my Command into the Province of Connaught notwithstanding any former Resolution I am thereby directed to post them on the Borders of the Province which Instructions I will pursue with all Expedition I think it sit to give you an Account of this my Instructions We have raised all the Militia of the North except the County of Ardmagh and Mannoghan which Maj. Touchburne and Corner Mead are now viewing Upon an Express from the General we are returned out of the County of Down and with all Expedition will march what of the Militia is Armed What is not Armed we have written to the Government about and expect they will furnish them Cumber July 11th 1691. Your Humble Servant Adam-Murray For Their Majesties Special Service To Coll. John Michelburne at Ballyshannon Coll. Michelburne writes to Coll. Murray to hasten his Militia giving him an Account of his Design against Sligoe and that if Coll. Murray March't to the Frontier he could Advance with a greater Force against Sligoe Collonel Michelburne expected Day after Day to hear of Coll. Murray's Militia but never heard from them or him After he calls a Court-Martial the 17th of July 1691. At a General Court-Martial held at Ballyshannon this 17th of July 1691. WE the under-named Persons do think it necessary for Their Majesties Service considering how the Juncture of Affairs stands and the late Victory by the Blessing of God Almighty gained over the Enemy to Assemle a convenient number of Troops and Companies to meet on the 21th Instant to make an Infalon Connaught particularly the County of Sligoe by which means we may discover the further design of the Enemy in those parts as also to Summons the Garrison of Sligoe to a Surrender and this we all agree to be most necessary for Their Majesties Service John Michelburne Patrick Hamilton William Vaughan Benjamin Touchburne Josias Campbell Tristram Swetnam Alexander Knox Dalway Clemens Thomas Ash William Wray Francis Hamilton Hugh Caldwell Edward Nesbit Francis Boyd Stephen Miller Richard Bickerstaffe William Stewart William Sampson John Hamilton This was the Result of the Court-Marital and though all were sworn to Secrecy yet by the Indiseretion or Treachery of some of the Members of it it was in two hours time publick throughout the Countrey which made the Coll. resolve to call no more Court-Martials but gave Orders that all should be ready at an hours warning but he was in the mean time mightily solicited by Captain Forward and Captain Vaughan and Nicholson whose Expectations and Desires were more filled with Prey than any thing else to disclose the time we should march He had ordered Lieut. Coll. Ramsey from Eniskillin to joyn him with one Hundred Firelocks at Manner Hamilton also two Companies of Collonel Venner's Regiment which lay at the Barr Mouth of Ballyshannon but they as well as Lieutenant-Collonel Ramsey receiving Orders to march to their own Regiments at Droghede he was forced to defer it a day or two till he could send to Eniskillin and Belturbit for a Detachment of his own Regiment to meet them On Thursday the 28th of July about three in the Afternnon he began his March to Belleike 3 Miles from Ballyshannon from whence having viewed all the Men about five he march'd towards Manner Hamilton where we arrived by two in the Morning being 11 Miles of bad Road from hence about six on Fryday we march'd towards Killowny where we Encamp'd where on the Road our Militia perceiving some Cows and Horses to the number of sixty several of them broke confusedly out of their ranks but were soon forc'd back to their Post by Coll. Michelburne's Order It was here first their Robbing and Stripping began they consider'd his Business not as it was but as if he had only design'd for a Prey This Evening as soon as we had encamped Coll. Michelburne rid out accompanied with Sir Francis Hamilton c. to Ballisadare-Bridge two Miles from the Camp to discover the Enemy with 100 Horse and after our Guards were set in the most advantageous places our Men being so well stored with Mutton that they neglected Beef we march'd the next Morning early towards Sligoe being 6 Miles about 11 we came thither At our first approach the Enemy having discharged above 15 shot about 17 Pounders the Coll. beat a Parly and sent a Drum with a Letter to Sir Teague O Regan Governour The Forces under the Command of Collonel Michelburne that march'd against Sligoe the second time Of his own Regiment 300. Two Troops of Dragoons of the standing Army Militia commanded by Sir Francis Hamilton Horse Capt. Charles Hamilton of Cavan Capt. William Stewart Capt. John Forward Capt. Vaughan Capt. William Wray Capt William Sampson Capt. John Hamilton Capt. Henry Hillwell Capt. Nicholson High Sheriff of Sligoe Capt. Henderson Capt. Henry Hart. Of Militia Foot Capt. Patrick Hamilton Capt. Thomas Ash Collonel Michelburn's Letter sent in by the Drummer the Contents of which is as followeth From the Camp before Sligoe Aug. 19th 1691. SIR I Wrote to you last Week concerning the Surrender of Sligoe but since I receiv'd an Express from the General which I have sent you to peruse you may see what fair Terms are proposed both to Officers and Soldiers I presume you are not ignorant of the Surrender of Gallway and the great advantage they have received by an early Complying with Their Majesties Proclamamation and what further they in Reason desired I come now with Authority from Their Majesties and the General to offer you what reasonable Conditions you desire as well for Officers as Soldiers hoping you will Commiserate the sad and deplorable Condition the Country lyes under which must consequently sink into Ruin without your speedy Complyance I have taken all possible care to preserve the poor Inhabitants by giving Protections or otherways and my Business is not to plunder and prey to the ruin of the Country as some from Eniskillin and Bellurbit have not long ago done but for the Preservation and Safeguard of it we allow you may keep your Fort till such time as some Cannon and Mortars may be brought against it and then it may be for Two or Three days and no more for if Gallway and Athlone could not hold out we may judge by your Resistance that you design the Desolation of your Country your own Force cannot defend you long and your Army is entirely defeated Therefore seriously consider if you abuse not the Grace that is offered to you what advantages may accrue as well to your self your Officers and Soldiers as to the Country and Inhabitants thereof In this I have done my duty and desire to know your Resolution that I may make a report of it to the General which is all at present from SIR Your Humble Servant John Michelburne To Sir Teague O'Regan Govern of Sligoe Fort. The Coll. received an Answer in these words Sligoe August
1st 1691. I Have received yours of this days date and whether Gallway be surrendred or not my Complyance to your desire would be a Breach of the Trust reposed in me but this I offer which is as much as can be reasonably expected of me and more than which I will not do if you will allow a free passage to one from me with an Authentick Pass backward and forward I will dispatch him to his Grace the Duke Tyrconnell and on his return I will finally resolve you or your General You may see my Letters to his Grace This hath been allowed the People of Gallway whose Surrendering you would so fain have a President for me but you must give me leave at this time of day to look about me before I take such Examples which induces me to make this reasonable Offer I am as much for the Preservation of the Country of which you write to me as you are so tender as any Man I am SIR Your Humble Servant Teague O Regan To Collonel Michelburne At the same time Collonel received the following Letter from Coll. Scott SIR I Had yours by the Drummer and do render you thanks for your good will though the Prisoners are not come Your Army did not make one shot of Cannon against Gallway till Sunday last and have fired at it on Thursday last so that I am satisfied it was not surrendred then I have as much reason to be for the preservation of this poor Countrey as most Men have yet I hope you will allow us to have your good Esteem by not complying with your Demands being a thing much against our Honour and Interest but as to my complying with what Sir Teague desires in his Letter an Absolute Answer may be expected at the return of such a Letter I am very willing to wait on you with two Officers along with me on the top of Nocknagany I suppose I shall meet with the same number when you send me word by the same Drummer I am SIR Your most humble Servant Edward Scott These Letters passing between the Coll. and Garrison and the aforesaid meeting agreed to of Coll. Scott Coll. Ternon O Rourke and Lieut. Coll. O Rourke of their side of ours Coll. Michelburne Sir Francis Hamilton Lieut. of the County of Dunigall and Capt. Hugh Caldwell where we had a Consultation for near an hour it being concluded to that Sir Teague's desire should be granted to send away a Messenger with Letters to the Duke of Tyrconnel whose Approbation was to be taken therein but conditionally to be first viewed by the General About 6 that Evening we drew off from the Town at which time the Coll. was told that some Troops of the Militia had deserted their Posts and were gone a plundering On inquiry he was further inform'd they were those Commanded by Capt. Henderson and that Capt. Forward and Vaughan were missing Now considering the number of Men the Coll. had with him and that he should soon want Provisions being wholly unprovided when we came out he Detached Eight Men out of each Troop under the Command of Capt. Anthony Shamborge Capt. of Granadeers to follow the Troops which had left their Posts without Orders and to bring in some Cattle for subsistance to the Men but instead of these half the Militia stole away so that that Night when we were marcht back to Killowny and incampt there it was as much as the two Troops of the standing Army could do to keep the few that were left of the Militia together Next Morning they continuing to break off at all sides the Collonel soon found that it was in vain for him longer to depend on any but his own Foot and those two Troops of Dragoons if any thing should happen we being already in a manner left alone About two hours after the Collonel had an Account of two Troops one Commanded by Capt. Vaughan and another by Henderson that with a Prey of about 100 Cows and 2 or 300 Sheep with some Horses were marching intire with the Prey to their own home on which he sent about 30 Foot who over took them about 3 Miles from Killowny but they would not be stopt till the Coll. was forc'd to send a stronger Party who brought the Prey into our Camp Our Men were well stored with Provisions by whieh means the Coll. secur'd two Troops of the Militia which you see had quite left him Captain Shamborge with his Party returned this day with about 7 or 800 Cows but the day being Sunday proving very wet we continued there that Night He resolved to give the General an Account in what manner he prosecuted his Design in going to Sligoe the second time Major Hamilton as I told you before having Orders from Coll. Michelburne to detach 100 Firelocks from the Garrison of Bellurbitt Eniskillin Cavan c. out of his own Regiment to Re-inforce the 200 he brought with him from Ballyshannon and Two Troops of Dragoons These 300 Men with the Militia appearing before Sligoe the 1st of August 1691. was an extraordinary Incouragement to the Coll. to Attack them the second time it was agreed upon the Night before that a Lieut from Coll. Michelburne and one from the Garrison should depart immediately to the General with these Letters from Sir Teague the Coll. sending this following Letter to the General SIR IN my last to your Excellency I gave you an Account that on Fryday I intended to march towards Sligoe but the more to Expedite your Commands I march'd on Thursday Night and next day came before the Town by Eleven a Clock being upwards of 30 Miles and the way we march'd at my first Approach I sent to Sir Teague your Excellencies Proposals but I find they still continue their unbelief of the Surrender of Gallway and tell me of a possibility of their Army going to Dublin of Five Regiments sent to Re-enforce Gallway from Lymerick by Sea and of a signal Victory gained by the French over the Confederates in Flanders However Sir Teague has made it his Request to have free passage to send to Lymerick there to understand the certainty of their Condition and to give your Excellency a final Answer I humbly desire that a Dispatch may be made with all Expedition lest they make an Advantage of the coming Harvest for I understand they begin already to want Bread and that they have but a small quantity of Powder I resolve to go back to morrow Morning and will refresh my Men for Three or Four days in which time I will furnish my self with Spades and Pick-Axes and block them up until they comply with what is expected if this may be done with your Excellency's Approbation I am SIR Your Excellency's most Faithful and Obedient Servant John Michelburne The Major as I told you before joyned the Coll with a Hundred Firelocks so that they were now about Three Hundred Foot who marched back to Sligoe together with the Militia bringing all the
Morrow I will send you their number and colour if there be any Paper in this Town that I can come to you shall have it I am SIR Your most humble Servant Edward Scott Lieutenant Dunbar who was sent by the Collonel as also an Officer from the Garrison with Letters to the Lord Tyrconuel and Earl of Lucan but to be perused first by the General Returned back this day with a Letter from the General viz The Generals Letter from the Camp at Birr Aug. 4th 1691. SIR I Send you back the Letters you inclosed from the Governour of Sligoe and can by no means Agree to the Messengers going to Limrick to ask my Lord Tyrconnel's consent whether he shall deliver up the place this is more than I granted to Galway for they absolutely agreed to Surrender in four days and only were permitted to let them know it We are not now in a Condition to court people to do themselves a Service for Limrick and Sligoe are the only places that are not under their Majesties Obedience if the place be forth-with deliver'd up into your hands I will still make good the Conditions I promised to Sir Teige if not he must take what follows for it will be too late to expect favour I am SIR Your most humble Servant Bar de Ginkel To Collonel Michelburne at LBallyshanan Collonel Michelburns Letter to Sir Teige on the Receipt of the Generals Letter SIR BY the Inclosed Letter from the General you may see his positive Demand of the Fort and his performing the Conditions he promised you formerly which was the same Imployment confer'd on you you now have as also what other satisfaction you would in reason desire Your Original Letter I will send you to peruse if you desire it but I do not question but you took a Copy of it on your first Treaty Your Answer to this I am SIR Your humble Servant John Michelburne Sir Teige's Answer Sligoe Aug. the 10. 1691. SIR I Had yours of the 9th Instant together with the Generals Letter inclosed for his positive demand and promise to perform the condition he offered I know of none he offered other than in General tearms since which time you and I came to particulars Whereof you have a part and I another which was transmitted to him to be confirmed of which we expect soon a return so that what you have under my Hand and Seal already is answer enough from SIR Your Most Humble Servant Teige O Regan Collonel Scotts Letter Sligoe the 10th of Aug. 1691. SIR I Had yours and that I might dispatch your Drum the sooner I writ on the back of your Letter and do therein send the Generals Letter I am sorry you should think me or any of us here so Madd or Cowardly as to surrender such a place as this with such precipitation I will always do what an honest man ought to do no persuasion will make me do otherways when your Major and my Brother comes back I will willingly meet you half way in the mean time pray be pleased to Order the Releasement of the Priests at Ballyshanan I send you the Number Colour and Marks of my Horses I will assure you that I had rather have them than sixty Pounds if you find that I ought to get them I leave them to your self who am SIR Your most humble Servant Edward Scott In this Affair you may see how the Militia behaved themselves for of Twelve Troops of Dragoons and two Companies of Foot all forsook us but Sir Francis Hamilton Charles Hamilton Captain William Stuart and Capt. John Hamilton and all of the private Men unless as many as served for a Guard for those Gentlemen And if Sir Francis Hamilton and the other Gentlemen could not influence them to stay it was impossible Collonel Michelburne should that was a stranger amongst them This Discourse has been the more tedious by reason some malicious people of the Militia to cover their own guilt have endeavoured to Asperse and Villifie the Collonel by several false Informations given in against him to the Government This day being the 10th of August Col. Michelburne drew off his Detachment on Connaught side of Sligoe Occasion'd by Ballderrog O Donnel's Advance to relieve the Town and joyn'd them with those of Ballyshanan side and call'd his Officers together where was considred The strength of O Donnel's Party which was computed to be 3000 well Armed men as also the Garrison consisting of near 1000. Of our side considering the 12 Troops of Dragoons and two Foot Companys of the Militia that left us we were in no way able to make a defence meeting with so much disincouragement and that we were but a handful in comparison of the Enemy The strength we had then not exceeding four Hundred 't was agreed the next morning to march back to Ballyshanan and return with a stronger Body than formerly for the Malitia would no question but be very ambitious to see the Surrender of the Town and Fort of Sligoe So on the 10th Instant the Collonel broke up Bamp and that Night march to Ballyshanan This is the end of the second Expediton made against Sligoe Collonel Michelburne arrives at Ballyshanan the 10th of Aug. at night and sends a way Expresses to all the Militia near him to be ready on the 14th instant to joyn him and got all things in a readiness as was agreed on by the Articles signed and Sealed between Sir Teige and him he also sends Expresses for 300 more of his own Foot and this following Order to Major Tieburne and Cornt Mead Supervizors of the Militia in Vlster By vertue of an Order to me Directed by the Right Honorable the Lords Justices for commanding the Militia of the Province of Vlster I will and require that you march with as many Horse and Foot as you can get together by Friday the 14th of this Instant and joyn me with the rest of the Militia commanded by Sir Francis Hamilton together with the rest of the standing Army in order to receive the Garrison and Forts of Sligoe and to march farther into the Country as it shall be necessary for their Majesties service They are to bring with them six days Provision of Bread and for other Provisions there will be care taken Given at Ballyshanan the 11th of August 1691. John Michelburne To Major Tichburne Commanding the Militia of Gavan and Coronet Joseline Mead Commanding at Eniskillin Collonel Michelburne was very desirous to know if Ballderreg O Donnell was arrived at Sligoe with his Brigade as was reported and therefore sends away a Drum with some Letters from the Prisons of Londonderry and a Letter to Collonel Scott giving him an account that as soon as Forward returned from Preving the Country Those that belonged to him should have satisfaction that is they should have either their Goods returned or else be satisfied in Money so far as it lay in his power but as yet he was not returned But however
Hancocke Counsellor Donnelsley The Witnesses on Forward's side were Capt. Vaughan Capt. Pa. Hamilton 2 Troopers of Forward's Troops Forward's Boy and Vaughan's Boy This Vaughan was one of Forward's Party and Deserted the same time that he did and promised his Men a Barrel of Beere when they came home Hamilton was in Prison on Execution for about 36 l. the Night before the first hearing and the Money was paid or ingag'd for to William Groves Esq by Forward for his inlargement The two Troopeas were Parties and fled with Forward when he Deferted his Post and Plunder'd the Country so that of all the worthy Gentlemen in the North of Ireland Forward had none that would concern themselves knowing his Actions to be so base and villainous The Witnesses on the Collonel's side were as followeth Major-John Hamilton Capt. Hugh Colwell Capt. And. Nisbet Capt. James Manson Capt. Anth. Shomberge Capt. Mich. Cunningham Capt. Stephen Miller Lieut. Ferguson Lieut. Tho. Bennet Doctor Magee Besides the Letters of Sir Fr. Hamilton and the Certificate which of it self were sufficient against Forward or those Emissaries he brought with him That which Forward would have endeavour'd to have made out was that he and his Men wanted Provisions which was the reason they were forced to draw off from the Siege when it was sufficiently prov'd that of the Prey that was brought in for the Subsistence of the Army the Militia of Forward's Troops kill'd the Sheep and let the Carcases stink in the Field and sould the Skins for 2 d. a piece The Lords Justices made a strict inquiry what became of the 6000 Cattle as they were informed were taken and brought to Sligo See the Evidence made by Capt. William Stewart by order of Coll. Michelburne As also the Certificate sworn to by Capt. Bickerstaff and Capt. Cunningham which is reserr'd to the Narrative Before half the Witnesses of the Coll. side were sworn the Lord Chancellor threw the Pen out of his Ear and spoke thus Here the Militia complains that they were starved and that Coll. Michelburne converted the Prey to his own use when we find plainly that the Militia plunder'd and took all away and so the Court rose And all People were fully satisfied what a piece of Roguery and Villany was design'd to ruine a worthy honest Gentleman who all a long during the War of Ireland made it his study and care to act and do what was most necessary for Their Majesties Service Here followeth the Journal that was given in before the Lords Justices the last day of Trial. A Journal of Coll. Michelburne's second Expedition against Sligo from July the 30th to his return August the 8th 1691. THE 30th of July Thursday the Collonel began his March from Ballyshannon which was about 3 in the Afternoon and arrived at Mannor Hamilton about 12 that Night and incamped on the South-side of the Town from whence he dispatched an Express to Major Hamilton to follow him with an 100 Fire-locks to join him at Collowny The Van-Guard commanded by Sir Francis Hamilton Bar. the Rear-Guard commanded by Capt. Hugh Caldwell Friday The 31st of July about 6 that Morning we decamped from Maunor Hamilton and about 12 came to Drummaleavie being 8 miles where the Coll. formed his Horse and Foot in a complear Body and marched in Battallion all the Afternoon about 5 we discovered the out-Scouts and Centinels of the Enemy about 7 we arrived at Collowny and were most advautagiously posted in a Peninsula having the Castle and River of Collowny on our lest Wing and a Bog on the right Saturday The 1st of August we began our March about 6 in the morning the Van-Guard commanded by Capt. Hugh Caldwell and the Rear-Guard by Capt. Andrew Nisbet Sir Francis Hamilton led the Militia about 10 the Enemies out-Guards were beaten in by a Detachement from the Van Guard about 11 we drew up about a Cannon Shot from the Town of Sligo The Enemy saluted us with 15 Shot of 18 Pounders from the great Fort but did us no damage about 1 the Col. beat a Parley which continued till towards evening where it was concluded that a Messenger from the Enemy should go with an Officer of ours to the General to get leave to go to Limericke to Tyrconnel for Terms to Surrender Sligo about 7 we marched back to Collowney and incamped on the same Ground we did the night before and in out way 8 Men of a Troop were ordered under the command of Captain Anthony Shonberge to match into the Enemies Country to bring in Provisions for his Men and commanded them to be back that night or the next morning Sunday The 2d of August about 3 in the Afternoon Major Hamilton joined us with 100 Fire-locks from Belturbet and about this time Captain Shomberge returned with a Prey of about 1000 some Cowes Sheep and some Horses on which we mounted the Company of Granadeers The Collonel ordered the Quartermasters to deliver a fat Sheep between each four of their Men and to be ready to march early the next morning Monday The 3d. Instant we advanced the second time against Sligo and the same Orders to be observed as was on Saturday Lieut. Ferguson and 20 Men more were lest to guard the Baggage and Prey which was order'd to march in the Rear about 12 we took up our former ground against Sligo about 3 Coll. Michelburne divided his Men into two Divisions leaving the Major and Sir Francis Hamilton to command the Right Division on that side and when the Tide served led the Lest Division forced the Passage over the River and Besieged Sligo on the other side that night he dispatched away an Express to Ballyshannon for Ammunition and Bread Tuesday The 4th Instant the Coll. ordered the Souldiers to build Barrackes and Provisions of Cowes and Sheep were given to the Men as much as they pleased to have Wednesday The 5th Instant an Express arrived at the Camp from the Lords Justices to Coll. Michelburne not to make any further attempt against Sligo for that the General had taken other Measures without his Excellencies or their particular Order which commands were signified to him from their Lordships between 11 and 12 the Garrison beat a Parley Thursday morning being the 6th Instant Capt. Forward and his Troop Capt. Vaughan and his Troopes with others of the Militia deserted their Posts the former forces his Passage at Ballysadeare-Bridge and plunders the Country and about 60 miles through the Mountains makes to his home This day about 3 in the afternoon being the 6th of this Instant Articles were concluded with the Garrison and the Major and Coll. Scot's Brother dispatch'd away with the said Articles to be sign'd by the General This evening Capt. William Stewart was ordered to divide what Prey was left equal amongst the Militia and standing Army and the same night the Militia seized on the whole as well what belonged to the standing Army as their own and intirely Deserted the