Lordship then lay his men lying quartered abroad in the Country marched with a few Horse as early as he could next morning towards Clady leaving Orders for the rest of his Horse and Foot to follow him But e'er he got that length the Enemy had past the Clady-water put all Lundy's Party to the rout and were upon the pursuit so that my L. could not joyn them to make any opposition therefore counter-marched And now Lundy beginning to be suspected by most men and believing by his Treachery that all would be lost many Gentlemen nay people of all sorts endeavoured to get out of the Kingdom my Lord of Kingston left the Kingdom likewise but sent to Iniskilling Two Troops of Horse and Six Companies of Foot all brave men This was a considerable Addition to our Strength Now we resolved firmly as we ever had done before to stick by that place whilst a man of us were alive When Lundy sent his last Letter to us to intreat us off from Iniskilling there was one sent from an unknown Hand directed to Lieut. Carmick which was this Dear Sir WE know that there are some Expresses gone from hence last night and this day that gives an account of the ill success that attends our Forces and that it is to be feared it will be hard for any to escape from Colraine hither it is likewise believed by most that advice is sent to Iniskilling to desert that place and retire to Derry which will tend to the ruin of all the Protestant Interest in Ulster and for ought we know in the whole Kingdom There are many well wishers to your Town and Interest that believe it were better to stay there than retire It is a nice point to advise a friend in what is to be done must be with expedition either to come away immediately or resolve to defend that place Take speedy counsel and God of his infinite mercy direct you that you may escape the cruelty of your Enemies This place will be so thronged that the Walls will not contain the people Sir I am yours We were fixed in our resolutions e're this came and indeed had some doubts of Lundy's Sincerity Whether he deserved it or not I can't say yet his usage to my L. Kingston was suspicious-like for after bringing him off from Sligo as I said before promising him Provisions both for Horse and Men and then receiving Orders for his staying at Ballishanan alledging he had no Forrage for his Horse the Enemy having possessed themselves of Sligo as soon as my Lord left it created our first Jealousie but to palliate his so doing e're Lieut. Gen. Hamilton past the Band he wrote this following Letter to my Lord. My Lord YEsterday I received a Letter from the Earl of Shrewsbury by his Majesties Command giving encouragement of sudden Aid from England and expressing his Majesties great Concern for us and the Zeal of both Houses and full compliance with his Majesties gracious intentions I have formed a Garrison here and will provide your Lordship and Capt. Coote accommodation for 80 Horse if you please to come over hither where it 's likely there will be occasion very soon if you come and bring Garrons with you You would do well to cause your men to load and bring hither as much Sheaf-Oats and as much other forrage as you can which shall be preserved for your own men I am in haste My Lord Londonderry April 11 1689. Your Lordships most affectionate humble Servant Rob. Lundy You may see by this how Lundy dealt by that brave and Honourable Person first promising him Forrage for all his Horses and Provisions for his men while he perswaded him off from Sligo then but for 80 Horse Whereas my Lord had at least Ten full Troops Two of Dragoons included This occasioned my Lord's stay at Ballishanan for unless he brought Forrage with him as you may see by the above-Letter he could expect none when all Lundy's Promises terminate in this to secure what Forrage my Lord should bring with him for his own Men. About the middle of April we of Iniskilling having intelligence brought us that the Enemy were about settling a Garison in Trillick a place nine miles wide of us upon the stode to Derry we did believe they would be but unneighbourly Guests therefore thought it convenient to prevent their settling there and to that purpose being well reinforced by my Lord Kingstones men we marched in the night under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd under whose Conduct we never failed accomplishing what we designed but without him could not or never did any thing and came to Trillick very early in the morning where we discovered a Party marching towards us our Horse advanced with what speed they could and our Lieut. Col. alighting led the Foot through the Bogs and Mountains the nearest way he could with a resolution to have attack'd the Enemy but they discovering us retreated leaving all their Cattle and Baggage behind them The Lieutenant Colonel perceiving this immediately detached an hundred Fire-locks commanding Lieutenant Mac Carmick to lead them on with all speed to try if possible he could force the Enemy to a stand while the Body could get up the Country being so bogy that there was no marching for Horse but by the Roads but after near six hours hard pursuit we were constrained to make an halt the Enemy dispersing and every man shifting the best way he could for himself we preyed all the Country and so returned with a considerable Booty which was divided amongst the private men We thought it now time the more to prevent both the insolencies of the private Souldiers and to take away all pretentions in the future that any man might have for declining our interest to bind ourselves by Oath the one to the other and to this purpose at a general Randevous we were all sworn as followeth The Oath administred to the Governour I Gustavus Hamilton do swear by God and the Holy Contents of this Book That I shall Truely Sincerely and Faithfully execute and discharge the Office and Place of Governour of Iniskilling according to my utmost Power and Ability and that I shall with my Life and Fortune defend the Protestant Religion and Interest together with the Inhabitants of this Town and all others under my Command and that I shall not act nor do any thing contrary to the Consent and General Advice of the Officers under my Command but shall from time to time and at all times stand by and support the said Interest neither dissert it nor this Place without being by Force beaten from thence So help me God The Oath of the Officers I A. B. do hereby testifie and declare and upon the Holy Evangelists swear That I will own and acknowledge Gustavus Hamilton Esq Chief Governour of this Town of Iniskilling and shall give due obedience to him in all his lawful Commands and shall to the uttermost of my Power and Ability
Colonel Lloyde upon this notice called the Officers immediatly together where it was proposed whether we should strive to ingage Sutherland or march directly to Belturbet but a Troop of Horse returning that the Colonel had sent upon the gallop to discover the Enemy and giving assurance that by that time they would be near Managhan sixteen miles from us and that they marched very hard and in great fear having left some of their Buncarts and Carriages upon the Road it was resolved to march directly to Belturbet This Resolve was immediately put in practice Captain Vaghan and Capt. Galbreth marched with their Dragoons as an advance Guard the Horse followed then Lieut. Mac Carmick with his Company consisting of an hundred Men as the Advance Guard of Foot Major Wood's followed with eight pair of Colours Capt. Francis Gore with fourteen pair and in the Rear two Troops of Horse The Dragoons when they came within something more than a mile of Belturbet were beat back by the Enemies Dragoons who had lined the Hedges but our Horse coming up and our Dragoons alighting taking the inside of the Hedges and our Horse the Lane they soon drove them from thence pursuing them all the way killing some of them e're they got to Town Then these Dragoons that were routed together with what of their Men were in Town got all into the Church and Church-yard our Horse surrounding them at a distance to keep them in while the Foot would march up who marched extream hard having Express upon Express to hasten them fearing least the Enemy should sally and so escape into the Woods but the Foot coming up the Enemy fired very hot from the Church-yard some of our men getting into the Town fired out of the Houses and particularly from the Arch-bishop of Dublin's House which was high overlooking the Church-yard from whence they wounded several of the Enemy The Lieutenant Colonel as soon as we were drawn up and ready to storm sent a Trumpet with a Summons to surrender and upon condition that their Lives should be saved the Officers not stripped and allowed to keep Ten Pounds of money a man but they had not Ten Pounds amongst them all they surrendered Mr. Mac Carmick was then commanded to enter the Fort which he did disarming all the Officers the private Souldiers grounding their Arms and marching clear of them their Arms were secured themselves taken to the Bishop's House in number about three hundred where they were strip'd and kept Prisoners that Night there was not a Bullet found about any of them nor in their Arms but what was chawed The Officers being sixteen in number one Lieutenant Colonel Scot alias Albanagh commanding in chief were put into another House under a Guard We got in this Expedition near seven hundred new Arms brought to arm a Regiment to be new raised besides what the Souldiers had that were taken Prisoners two large Barrels of Gun-powder fifty three Horses with their Accoutrements about twenty Tuns of Provision viz. Bread Flower Wheat Malt and the like which together with the Officers taken Prisoners were sent by Water to Iniskilling the private men by Land there were near two hundred turned off and allowed to escape together with the Women and Children the rest were taken to Iniskilling where for their meat they were made to work at the Fort we were then a building The Arms and Powder here got did us a singular kindness both arming our men that wanted before and adding to our number several that did no Duty for want of Arms besides an additional store of Powder which we had better Supplies of very suddenly after and unexpectedly on this manner About the beginning of July we received a Letter from one Mr. Brown Chaplain of the Bonadventure a Frigot sent about from Lough Sully near Derry to Killibeggs commanded by Captain Hobson advising us that Major General Kirk was there with some Forces sent from England to supply that Garison with Provisions and to raise that Siege if possible therefore desired to know what condition we were in or if we wanted any thing that he was capable of supplying us with and desired that some of the Townsmen might be sent to give them assurance of our state for it was then confidently reported by the Irish Army as it had been severally times before that Iniskilling vvas taken and all put to the Sword that was in it I presume any man will believe this was the most acceptable News that ever we had in our Lives hearing at last that England had us in their minds for several times before in the night we assembled making of Bonfires and firing of Vollies which was more than we could well spair of Ammunition and drinking King William and Queen Mary's Health this did amuse the Enemy and perswaded them several times to believe the English were landed to our assistance Upon the Receit of Mr. Brown's Letter Lieutenant Colonel Lloyde was sent to give Captain Hobson a particular account vvhat state and condition we vvere in and with him some Troops and Companies of Foot to guard what Ammunition or Arms vve should receive When our Officers vvent on board they were very kindly received and treated by Captain Hobson and after giving him the state of our Affairs he sent us thirty barrels of Gun-powder and some few Fire-locks and assured Colonel Lloyde that we should be very soon relieved from England A vvhile before this the Duke of Berwick vvho kept a flying Army most of the time Derry was besieged vvhich they vvere constrained to do fearing always that Iniskilling-men would fall in upon their Camp marched over Barnsmore and came upon Dumigall early in the morning the Garrison held out for us and e're our men could be in a readiness vvho were commanded by Captain Edward Johnston and Capt. Hugh Cudwell a Son of Sir James Cudwell's the Enemy was in the Town our men were forced to betake themselves to the Castle from vvhence they fired so briskly upon the Enemy killing several of them that they immediately retreated burning the Town e're they went off yet our men kept that Garrison during the vvhole Troubles About the fourth of June the Duke of Berwick vvith his flying Army having joyned to him Brigadeer Sutherland with what forces he took off from Belturbet all consisting of about six Regiments of Foot four Regiments of Dragoons and two of Horse came toward Iniskilling we had intelligence of his approach and marched out to meet him but e're vve could come up he retreated to Trillicke burning Mr. Andrew Hamilton's House upon his Retreat Mr. Hamilton perhaps did imagine that this hardship vvas shewn him for being instrumental in bringing off the Dragoon-Horses from Omagh before-mentioned I could give the Reasons of his being so dealt by and I do verily believe had they got him they would have put him to death but he is now dead and I carry a regard to his Reputation therefore desire to be excused if
were about the Cannon his Horse upon the Right of all drawn up upon a Hill When we had marched within half a mile of Newtown-Butler we discovered some of the Enemy drawn up on a Hill before us so that the Foot upon both Wings marched through a Bog to come in with the Enemy the Horse were forced to keep the Causway which was but narrow and Col. Woolsely with the Body moved slowly on The Enemy fired very hard but before we came in shot of them they retreated orderly We advanced apace having command not to break our Ranks As the Enemy retreated through Newtown-Butler which they did very orderly firing always in the Rear as they went off they set the Town on fire and so went to their main Body When we marched up near them our Pikes and Colours were left in a Body by themselves being near a third part of our Number and only the Fire-arms marched on as formerly taking the Bog upon the Right and Left Hand of the Road the Horse not being able to advance by reason of the narrowness of the Road and the Enemies Cannon playing so hard upon them When our Foot were advanced through the Bog the Enemy fired extream thick upon our Men notwithstanding we could not see a Man of them but when we came close upon them we fell a firing where we saw their Smoke rise and soon was in with them beating them out of their Covert killing many of them our Foot immediately seized their Cannon where one lusty Man that formerly had belonged to my Lord Kingston finding one Fellow with a Hatchet repairing somewhat about the Cannon snatch'd the Hatchet out of his Hand and laid so well about him that in the twinkling of an Eye he killed seven or eight of those that were guarding the Cannon some with the Edg of the Hatchet and some with the Head of it our Horse seeing their Cannon seized charged eagerly through the Pass which their Horse perceiving wheeled off and fled amain towards Wattle-Bridg their Foot betook themselves to the Bogs most of them throwing away their Arms our Horse pursued the Enemies near Cavan which is about ten miles from the Place of Battel but the way being so narrow leading through very great Bogs they could do the Enemy little Prejudice but what they did not do our Foot made up for they were as good of Foot as the Enemy slaying abundance of them in the pursuit and many took the Lough and were drowned for they took the Water in several parts especially near Wattle-Bridg where six or seven hundred of them in a Body thought to have escaped but our Horse having left a good Guard to prevent their escaping that way the Enemy drew up in order in a Meadow near the Bridg and marched briskly towards the Horse as if they designed to force their Passage over but some of our Foot coming up and our Horse charging down upon them they without firing many of them having thrown away their Arms before all in a Body took the Water together where they every Man died save one that swam through Their Lieutenant-General after their Cannon was seized and one Capt. George Cooper with a Party of Firelocks left to guard them charged in upon the Cannon with a small Party of Horse with him but our Men soon brought him down killing his Horse but by the goodness of his Armour he escaped having received several Shots some whereof upon his Armour one through the right Thigh one in at his left Loin through the lower part of the Back-bone and out at the right Thigh and one in the Groin which would certainly have killed him had it not been for his Watch which the Bullet beat all to pieces and the Wheels of the Watch cut the Bullet into many parts whereof one entred his Groin a little so had Quarter given him and the others that were with him Our Men followed the Pursuit all that Night and till near ten of the Clock next Day by which time they had scarce left any alive that fled towards the Lough Upon their return they gleaned up several amongst the Bushes that they gave Quarter to Lieut. Gen. Mac-Carty and some of the Officers were sent to Inniskillin by Water the other Prisoners by Land to the number of 300 and odd Their whole Party was reputed to consist of 6000 Men and these the Choice of the Irish in that Kingdom the best fitted-out Army with all things necessary but we could never learn that 2000 of them got off We took seven Cannon 12 or 13 Barrels of Powder all their Colours Drums and abundance of Arms with the Pillage of their whole Camp and several Carts and Waggons When their General was taken altho he had no Money in his Pockets there was a Letter found in them writ from Col. Sarsfield two or three days before acquainting that he lay near Inniskillin attending his Lordship's Motion that if his Lordship and the Duke of Berwick would attaque Inniskilling on the East he with those under his Command were ready to attaque it on the West But here you see that by the great and never-failing Mercy and Providence of God we were delivered from them and they prevented of their Design and received from a handful of Men not without a Miracle that which they came with a Resolution to give others Our Loss being so small in this Action that we had but one Capt. Corry lost and he supposed to be killed by his own Men and one Cornet Bell with not half a score private Men and very few wounded This Action gave the greatest blow to the Irish that ever they had met with for their whole Dependance was in a manner upon this Part of their Army being so brave Men so well fitted in every thing necessary save Courage and having so excellent a General as they looked upon Lieut. Gen. Mac-Carty to be Next day we returned to Inniskillin where Lieut. Gen. Mac-Carty desired to have liberty of sending to K. James to acquaint him vvhat Condition he was in which was granted him The King sent one Dr. Connor a Physician and Mr. Huben a Chyrurgeon to attend him vvith Money Wines and other Necessaries fit for one in his Circumstances also Monies to the other Officers taken with him Upon Friday the second of August we marched towards Ballishannon with a Resolution to Ingage Col. Sarsfield who lay still at Bandruse upon the Sea-side But as we marched we met an Express sent by Capt. Folliot giving an Account that Col. Sarsfield hearing of Lieut. Gen. Mac-Carty's Defeat had raised his Camp and retreated to Sligo also telling us that the Arms and Ammunition sent by Maj. Gen. Kirk were landed at Ballishannon Upon this Col. Tiffon and Lieut. Col. Gore with a Party of Horse and Foot were sent to Ballishannon to secure that Place in case Sarsfield should return and attempt any thing against it As also to take care in transmitting the
protect and defend him and this Place with the Country adjacent together with the Protestant Religion and Interest with my Life and Fortune against all that shall endeavour to subvert the same and that I shall be Just and Faithful in giving my Sincere Opinion and Advice in all Counsels whereunto I am called for the General Good and Preservation of the Interest aforesaid So help me God The Oath of the Private Souldiers I D. H. do hereby Testifie and Declare and upon the Holy Evangelists Swear That I will Own and Acknowledge Gustavus Hamilton Esq Chief Governour of this Town of Inniskilling and shall give due Obedience to him and my Superiour Officers in all his and their Commands and shall to the uttermost of my Power and Ability defend him them and this Place with the Country adjacent together with the Protestant Religion and Interest with my Life and Fortune against All that shall endeavour to subvert the same So help me God and the Holy Contents of this Book These Oaths were Administred to every Individual person according to their respective posts and upon the 28th of April we hearing that there was a Garrison of the Irish put into the Castle of Ougher a very considerable strength with a good Baunwale and Flankers lying upon the Road to Charlemont eighteen miles from us we again were drawn out under the Conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Loyde and in one night marched to Ougher coming in early upon Sunday morning yet notwithstanding our private and speedy march the Enemy had notice of our approach and disserted their Garrison taking away with them what they could carry we seizing what Cattle they had not being able to overtake them Preyed their Country Burnt their Castle Levelled their Fortifications and so left Ougher Taking our way through the Mountains to a place called Shannake another strong House they kept Garrison in neer to Clownish belonging to Daniel Eccles Esq the Gentleman that first gave us notice of the two Companies approach to Iniskilling whose House we had a great desire to save and place a Garrison there of our own men upon Munday at night we came within a mile and a half of it being toyled with our long march and the boginess of the Mountains we rested three or four hours with a resolution of falling in upon the Enemies Garrison by break of day but they having notice of our approach by some of the Country Irish flying before us e're we could possibly fall in with them fled and set the House on Fire burning to the ground both it and all the Office houses belonging to it we pursued them hard into the County of Managhan but could not over take them we Preyed all the Country about fetching off both from the County of Managhan and part of the County of Canau a great deal of black Cattle many Horses which we loaded with the growth of the Country as Meal Malt Wheat Oats Butter Bedcloaths and the like a considerable number of Sheep and so return'd to Iniskilling the second day of May Black Cattle was not at all deer with us nor any other sort of Provision during the whole time of our Troubles but this made them much cheaper than formerly For now we could have bought a good milk Cow for sixteen or eighteen Pence and a dry one for six pence We had rested but one day when there came an Express from Captain Falliat Commander of Ballishanan a Town with a strong Castle twenty miles below us standing likewise upon the side of Loughcarne near the Sea that there was a considerable Party of Horse and Foot from Conaught sat down before it the Enemy had Summoned them to deliver the Town and Castle which Summons he sent to us desiring speedy relief Lieutenant Col. Lloyd marched next morning with a considerable Party both of Horse and Foot to raise the Seige The Enemy hearing of our approach drew off the greatest part of their Strength both Horse and Foot to a place called Bellick three miles nearer us and there posted themselves very advantagioufly there being but one narrow Pass by which they could be attacked a Bog running from the side of Loughearne all the way to Bandruse seven miles to the left hand not known to be passable in any place save where the Road led through it close to the Lough side this the Enemy had strongly barrocaded and before their Works had broke down a Bridg and so raised the way that it could not be passed Col. Lloyd espying this caused Faggots to be cut immediately for making the Bog passable and so drew up against the Enemy they making great Huzza's and inviting us to come on and fight them our Stomacks were as good as theirs if not better for that Trade and as we were advancing to force our way God Almighty sent a man from whence I know not that offered to lead us safe through the Bog towards our left Hand and that our Horse should not need to alight nor to use their Faggots he was as good as his word when we had past the Bog our advance Guard led by Capt. Atchison indeavoured to get if possible the Right Flank of the Enemy so to prevent their escaping to the Mountains but they espying it and our Body coming on began to move orderly towards their Right as if they designed to prevent their being flanked we observing their motion marched extream hard but e're we could come within shot the Enemies Foot broke and run clear away to the Mountains The Horse which were upon the Left of the Foot betwixt them and the Lough stood while our Horse were ready to charge them then wheeled to the left and so ran for it without firing a shot our Horse persued seven miles and had not the Night come on I presume few of them had escaped There was none that fought save one Fitzgerald who being overtaken upon his flight by one Lieutenant Moloye of our Party fired his three shot briskly upon him and had certainly killed him had he wanted his Armour but when his shot was spent they fought it with their Swords while some of our men came up and took Fitzgerald Prisoner he was very much wounded but because of his courage was carefully looked after and brought to Iniskilling and recovered There were killed in the persute and hundred and ninety Horse Our foot marched unto Ballishanon where they took about sixty Prisoners in the Fish Island and about it knocking some others on the head that were left to continue the Siege they not knowing that their Army was broke while our men came upon them we had the Plunder of their Camp which was but beggarly got several good serviceable Horses two small Canon some good Arms and a small quantity of Amunition and having fully done what we went about returned to Iniskilling this was the first Ingagement if it may be so called that we had with the Enemy where we lost not one man nor any wounded
save Cornet King that had a shot in the Face receiving a Carabine from one of the Irish Horse after giving him quarters but the Horse-man was immediately killed by one James King a friend of the Cornets who soon recovered of his Wound During the time of our Ougher and Clownish Expedition the Governour began a Fort upon a Hill at the East end of our Town a very regular Fortification laid out by Major Hart and Major Rider both good Mathematicians which was carried on very effectually by the diligence of Major Rider who spared no Pains while he finished his Work June following with a Line of Communication from it to the East-Bridg it commands the whole Town and clears the Roads leading to it on that end Soon after our Return from Ballishannon we had Intelligence that the Irish were endeavouring to get to a head in the County of Canau keeping a Garison at Redhill a strong and large House belonging to Francis White Esq and another at a place called Ballinacarig to remove which we again marched under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Lloyde where upon the Road Crum Garison joyned us we were twenty two pair of Colours and a strong Party of Horse when we had marched up to Wattle-bridg near the Borders of the County of Canau we espied the Enemy on the other side and did expect they would have disputed that Pass the Bridg being down and the Water deep but upon our Approach seeing us resolved to force our way they withdrew to the next Hill so we past the Ford without Opposition and marched up towards them again but they still retreated from place to place while they came to Redhill House where they left part of their Number to defend it the rest going off to Ballinacarig we immediately drew up against Redhill House altho late in the Evening and upon Summons they surrendred upon mercy there was not any thing taken from the Prisoners save their Arms neither did we prejudice the House out of tenderness to the Gentleman that owned it he himself being in England and his Brother commanding a Company of Foot in our Party at that time Next Morning early we marched to Ballinacarig Castle a very strong House well valted that had held out a long time in the former War of Ireland what Prisoners were took at Red hill we had along with us we drew up against it about four a Clock in the Aftenoon and upon Summons the Garrison surrendered upon Condition of setting them with what Prisoners were taken at Red-hill together with the Women and Children at Liberty with only their wearing Cloaths along with them which was performed and they Convoyed safe off leaving the Castle their Arms and Ammunition with abundance of Provisions Houshold goods and much Rich plunder when we had removed all was in it we undermined the House set it on fire and levelled it with the ground it lying a great way from Iniskilling in the Enemies Country therefore not convenient for us to keep a Garrison at such distance In this Expedition we scoured the Country near as far as Kells and Finnah where we drove off betwixt five and six Thousand black Cattle a many Sheep and five Hundred and odd Horses most of which we loaded with Meal Wheat and Malt so returned to Iniskilling Soon after we had intelligence that our approach so near Dublin for we were within Twenty seven miles of it had put that place in a great consternation imagining we would have marched that length our Number consisting in their opinion of Fourteen or Fifteen Thousand men and indeed if the Protestants there had received any assurance of our coming so to have been in a readiness to have joyned us I do not know but we might have gone a great length in taking that City there being but few of the Irish there at that time yet our Number being small and wanting Arms and Ammunition we thought it more adviseable to return then run so desperate a Riske Collonel Sarsfield at this time lay incamped at a place called Manor Hamilton in a stone Deer Park of Sir William Gors with some six or seven Thousand men upon the West side of us at sixteen or seventeen miles distance he sent a Drum with Proposals of Exchange of Prisoners which our Governor embraced expecting to have had Sir Thomas Suthwell and those taken with him enlarged to that purpose he sends a List of the Prisoners taken at Ballishanan intimating his desire to Sarsfield but he excused himself alledging that Sir Thomas was to be taken into England to be exchanged for some there and having no Prisoners with him of ours he seises all the protected Protestants that lived near Slygo claping them into Goal urging them to Petition our Governour for their enlargement which the Governour at first refused to do they not being taken as Prisoners of War but forced out of their own private dwellings to be made servisable in redeeming these that we had taken in actual Armes but some of their Wives having liberty to come to us but in a sad enough Condition intreating every day for the Redemption of their Husbands out of misery our Governor at last consented and the exchange agreed upon Captain Francis Gore with a party of Firelockes Gonvoyed the Irish Prisoners Eight miles where he met a party of Sarsfields men with the poor Protestants whom he brought back with him and one Captain Jackson being amongst them upon his coming to Iniskilling had liberty to inlist the others that were brought off with him of whom he made up a good Company who were Armed immediately About the beginning of June there were two Troops of Horse viz Captain Francis Gores and Captain Arnold Casbies sent to Garrison at Trillick a House nine miles off us upon the Road to Omagh where they had intelligence of the Enemies Dragoon horses belonging to the Garrison of Omagh were slightly Guarded whereupon they sent for Captain Henry Smith and Captain Robert Corry who Quartred at Newport Town within four miles of them these two Captains with their Companies joyned the two Troops marched in the night to Omagh where they surprised and brought off the Horses belonging to two Troops of Dragoones and some black Cattle without opposition the Enemy not dareing to obstruct them although in view Soon after this we had an Account of the miserable condition the poor Inhabitants of the City of Londou Derry were in and that for want of Provisions they would be forced to deliver up that place a Dogs head and Pluck at that time as we were assured yeilding two Shillings and six pence all the Horses they had being already eaten with old Hides Tallow Starch and what else of that nature they could purchase and knowing very well that our safety and standing depended much upon that place for if Derry had been taken by the Irish we could not possibly hold out against the whole power of the Irish Nation having so small
a quantity of Ammunition so few Arms no Cannon and a Town weakly fortified we therefore resolved to see if possible we could any way relieve Derry we did not believe our selves able to raise the Seige nay there were we resolved to perish in the attempt all we proposed to our selves was to march with what Provisions we could down to the East side of Derry River opposite to the City and there beat up the Enemies quarter viz. Those of them that lay on that side for their Army lay on the West side of the River which is the side the City is on so to Convoy Provisions into Town and to leave them some Horse the better to assist their Sallies but indeed we resolved when come to that length that if they thought it advisable all to pass the River and give the Enemy a Brush To which purpose what force we could make were drawn out and the Governor would himself march in the head of them although contrary to the advice and desire of all the Party we doubted not the security of the Town leaving Lieutenant Col. Lloyde there but rather our own success under the Governors conduct having never done any thing to our Advantage where Lieutenant Col. Lloyde was wanting and where the Lieutenant Col. Commanded we never failed in accomplishing what we designed we marched that night to Trillicke nine miles next day in the afternoon towards Omagh upon our march there were some free Booters that scoured on before knocked on the head amongst them one Mr. Rowland Betty a very honest Gentleman who was shot dead off his Horse as we marched the Country came into us one all hands both Horse and Foot what Brittish were in it so that by the time we came to Omagh we were double the number we were when leaving Iniskilling indeed we had but a small quantity of Powder yet enough to have carried us to Derry where we might have been plentifully supplyed we lay that night within a mile of Omagh The Enemy upon our approach burnt all the Houses upon or near the Road next morning we marched into the Town there being no Garrison save what lay in a House of Captain Marvins at the end of the Town the House was pretty strong with a Banewall clear round it we drew up our Foot in view and within shot of the Enemies Fortification our advance Guard of Foot led by Captain Atchison and Captain Galbreth Possessed themselves of several Gardings Ditches and Walls of Houses that the Enemy had burnt which lay near Captain Marvins House so fired at the Walls the Enemy fireing out very thick both at them and the body of Foot that stood in view of them there was a Trumpet sent down with a Summons to Surrender the House they sent back an Answer in Wrighting that they knew no authority we had either to bear Arms or Summon them therefore they would defend that place unless they see an order from King James to the contrary and withal told the Trumpet to come no more with such Messages else they would wellcome him with their Firelockes This while some of our Horse scouting abroad brought in five Prisoners taken upon the Road leading from Donganan to Omagh who when examined told us that they belonged to the Lord Clankarty who lay at Donganan the night before upon his march with two Regiments of Foot one of Horse and one of Dragoons to reinforce the Camp before Derry and that he would be at Omagh by three of the Clock in the afternoon It s true we very well knew e're our coming abroad that Colonel Sarsfield lay in Sir William Gores Deer Park and did not know but he might attack Iniskilling in our absence but when the intelligence was given us of the Lord Clankarties approach which was very true there was a Counsel of War call'd to se what was fit to be done and finding that we had not one ounce of Provision for our selves much less to relieve our Friends in Derry there not being one Hoof driven along with us by whose mistake I wont say and that Clankarty coming in our Rear we might precipitate our selves into the same Straights that Derry lay under unless we could be assured of beating the whole Army that lay before it and that immediately too which we could not imagin our selves capable of performing therefore upon these grounds it was thought more adviseable to return to Iniskilling but had we brought Provisions along with us to have put into Derry and sustained our selves while our return all the whole party were extreamly willing to have gone the length of Derry with the Provisions had there been any and when Derry had been supplied to have retreated the Mountain way and shunned engaging King James's Army but in place of that as I told you before we had not a Morsel for our selves when we had marched but Eighteen miles yet we had two and twenty more e're we could come at Derry the nearest way so we retreated meanly to Iniskilling without doing any thing we might have burnt Omagh but out of the value we had for Captain Marvin the worthy Gentleman that owed it although it was a relief to the Enemy we forbore but they burnt it to the ground at their going off from the Seige of Derry so it had been the same thing to Captain Marvin Our next Expedition was under our former conducter Col Lloyde which proved more Successful and Advantagious to us as all his undertakings did for the sixteenth of June we received intelligence from Lieutenant Colonel Creighton out of Crum Castle and Captain William Wishart who at his own Charge had Raised and Armed a brave Troop of Horse and maintained them upon the Frontiers of our Country during all our Troubles that there was a powerful party of the Enemy come the length of Belturbet under whose Command they knew not but did believe they would soon be with us upon which intelligence Lieutenant Colonel Lloyde with what strength we could make both Horse and Foot marched that very night with a resolution of being in with the Enemy are they could have notice of our approach but coming to Lisnaskey Ten miles from Iniskilling that night and near half way to Belturbet next morning was so great a Rain continuing all day that we could not possibly march and keep our Armes dry our Cloaths being but ordinary The Eighteen we marched very early up to Newtown Buttler where we drew up to allow the Men to eat something upon our halt intelligence was brought us by one Vitch who had come from Belturbet that the party there was Commanded by one Brigadeer Sutherland who he said had intelligence sent him of our march very early the day before and that we were Fourteen or Fifteen Thousand men so that he was marched off with all speed towards Managhan with most of his Men and two peece of Canon leaving a small party at Belturbet for defence of that place Lieutenant
I say no more During the Dukes incamping at Trillicke we kept strong Guards upon the Road sometimes skirmishing with parties of his Men. But upon the thirteenth of July he with his whole Party came on towards Iniskilling before day in the morning our Scouts bringing certain intelligence of his approach all got to Arms the Governour getting on Horseback Here I cannot but observe that Mr. Andrew Hamilton in his Relation of this Passage is either forgetful or hath been misinformed where he says that the Governour sent two Companies to a Pass near the Mill of Iniskilling by which the Dukes Army must pass before they could come near the Town and might have been easily defended by a few men when in the mean time the Governour was getting the rest of his men together to second them but the two Companies coming to the Mill and seeing no Enemy near after some stay they advanced near a mile further than their Post and coming to a hallow betwixt two Hills were on a sudden surprized with the whole Body of the Enemies Horse and Dragoons coming upon them These are Mr. Hamilton's words I am sorry he should have been so misinformed for when this Ingagement was therefore not an Eye-witnesh nor Actor in it he was in the Lough of Derry as will appear hereafter But now to the Truth of the Action which was thus As I said before We having the Assurance of the Enemies Approach by our Scouts we betook our selves to Arms the Governour being on Horse-back came to L. Mat-Carmick he having the Company under his Command drawn up in the Street earlier than others were got to Arms and desired the Lieutenant that he would immediately march his Company and make good Corngrad-House this House stands upon a Hill within a quarter of a Mile of the Town near to the Rode the Enemy were to march being but a thatched House and no way tonable altho invironed with a Bane Wall save the side the House stood on but no Port-holes for the Men to fire out at and too high by much to fire over so that we could not possibly annoy the Enemy out of it and they with the firing one Pistol might set the House on fire the whole Court being full of Thatch and Straw the Men could not escape being burnt alive He therefore retreated to the Mill of Inniskillin without Command being a very strait Pass and under the Cannon-shot from the Fort there posted himself and his Men. The Governour a while after came up with two Troops of Horse and 30 Foot of Capt. Hudson's Company the Horse commanded by Capt. Hugh Montgomery and Capt. Francis King the 30 Foot by Lieut. Robert Starlin and Ensign Williams The Governour called L. Mac-Carmick and taking him by the Hand desired that he would join Lieut. Starlin and lead on the Foot as far as the Hedg led upon the left Hand of the High-way towards the Enemy telling him that these two Troops were going to Charge The Lieutenant replied that the Foot were too small a Party being in all but 102 Men whereof the third part were Pikes which signified nothing to the Lining of the Hedg and that he had no great Confidence in the Horse but did believe they would desert him if engaged The Governour swore he would warrant the Horse not fly one foot and that he would send a powerful Party of Foot should be there as soon as they The Lieutenant answered that he would go every step as far as commanded if he died but desired the Governour to mind his Promise in sending a speedy Supply of Foot so marched on the Men He meeting one Lieut. Campbel on Horse-back who told him the Enemy were at Hand He desired him to post after the Governour and mind him to send more Foot And again meeting Capt. Webster on Horse-back who had been viewing the Enemy he prevailed with him to ride hard after the Governour and mind him of his Promise in sending more Men. When Lieut. Campbel got up to the Governour he was got into the Town forgetting or neglecting to send away Reinforcement altho all the way as he went was full of armed Men and more in the Fort than it could well contain Lieut. Campbel telling him that Mac-Carmick was close upon the Enemy and must immediately Ingage His Answer was Let them Ingage he would send Boats to bring them off and when Capt. Webster came up to him he was got into the Castle of Inniskillin he putting him in mind of his Promise of sending speedy Supplies the Governour bid Webster to go and command one Capt. Henry Smith who was marching his Company to Porsorah-Castle upon the other side of the Lough above two miles from us to march back again to our Relief I say our Relief because I was in the Action and had reason to know every Circumstance of it And whereas Mr. Hamilton says the Foot were surprized in a Bottom betwixt two Hills with the whole Body of the Enemies Horse and Dragoons it is a great mistake for we were upon a Hill in full view of the Enemy and saw every step they made towards us so that there was no surprize neither did their whole Body move only 600 Dragoons on Foot and two Troops of Horse when they came up we fired upon them so hotly killing several of them that the Dragoons turned their Backs and fled leaving their Colonel viz. Lutterell behind them Then our Horse without firing one Shot as if they had designed to invite the Enemy to a second Charge upon the Foot ran clear away to give them the better opportunity Which Lutterell seeing called out aloud They run they run their Horse are fled The Dragoons facing about and seeing our Horse fled came on again where we had a sharp Engagement but two Troops of their Horse charging up and surrounding us we were cut to pieces We lost in this Action Ensign Williams with above fifty private Men Capt. Fulton Lieut. Mac-Carmick who had his eldest Son killed by his side Ensign Picking two Sergeants and 20 private Men taken Prisoners and carried along with the Enemy Mr. Hamilton says that by the time we were broke the Governour was on his way to our Relief which caused the Duke's suddain Retreat whereas there was no such thing for he ne'r came one step towards it neither sent one Man it was so far from that he went as I said before strait to Inniskillin-Castle and one Lieut. Fort a Lieutenant of Horse meeting him told him there was a Party of Horse willing to go on to second us if he would appoint who should Command them The Governour 's Answer was very peevish Don't you see the Enemy before you Can't you go and fight Lieut. Fort replied If that be your Answer I 'll fight none to day Indeed Capt. Atkinson and Capt. Robert Corry with their Companies when they heard us engaged and see our Horse fly came from the Fort without Command to our
Arms Ammunition to Inniskillin The rest of our Men marched back to Inniskillin where the certainty of the Irish Army marching from Derry and burning the whole Country as they went off was assured them for our Men that were taken and kept Prisoners by the Duke of Berwick being now by Col. Woolsely exchanged returned Home who had seen the Irish Army march off Col. Woolsely upon this Intelligence sent a Troop of Horse under the Command of Lieut. William Charlton to observe the Enemies Motion in their March fearing lest they might make Incursion into our Countrey but he going as far as Castle-Caulfield saw the Rear of their Army pass that Place which is within seven Miles of Charlemont near 30 from us so returned and gave that Account We now having Quiet on all Hands from the Attempts of our watchful Enemies set a Day apart as it was our Duty to return Thanks to the great God of Heaven who had manifested his Power in our Weakness and so miraculously delivered us beyond all Human Probability being but a handful out of the Hands and Power of our numerous and merciless Enemies c. After this Maj. General Kirk sent to Col. Woolsely for 500 Horse and 200 Dragoons for the more safe marching the Foot under his Command to join D. Schonberg who was landed at Carickfergus and desired likewise that our Men should take 200 of the Irish Prisoners down to Derry to assist the poor People there in cleansing the Town and emptying the Store-ships Our Horse and Dragoons marched down according to the Maj. General 's Order taking the 200 Prisoners with them Upon our Mens arrival the Maj. General march'd to join the Duke by the way of Colraine and came to Carickfergus without any Opposition Col. Sarsfield after his leaving Bandruse stayed not long at Sligo for Col. Tiffany resolving to have him out of that not liking his Neighbourhood sends Lieut. Col. Gore with a Party of Horse and Foot to scour the Country as near Sligo as they could and if possible to discover what Strength Sarsfield might be of and how posted Lieut. Col. Gore upon his march takes an Irish-man Prisoner who he set at liberty again designedly to amuse the Enemy telling him that all the Forces that Maj. Gen. Kirk had brought out of England together with Derry and Inniskillin Men were marching to fall in upon Sligo This so alarm'd the Country that they all ran with their Cattle to Roscommon Galloway or Athlone and the Army under Sarsfield did the like taking little or nothing with them Sarsfield being forced to follow so Lieut. Col. Gore march'd into Sligo without Opposition getting there several of the Enemies Cannon and other things they had left behind In September D. Schonberg commands Col. Woolsely with all the Horse belonging to Inniskillin Col. Lloyd's Troop excepted Col. Winn's Dragoons Col. Lloyd's and Col. Tiffany's Regiments of Foot immediately to march to Dundalk Camp which they did Col. Woolsely first sending Col. Lloyd with his own Troop of Horse and six Companies of Foot of Col. Hamilton's Regiment with some of Sir Albert Cunningham's Dragoons to Sligo for the Defence of that Place Col. Lloyd had not been long there e're he received Intelligence that the Enemy were drawing to a Body at Abby Boyle a Town belonging to my Lord Kingston and as it was his natural Inclination never to be idle he resolves to give them a Visit and if possible to prevent their getting to a Head he to that purpose marched what Force he had from Sligo by Killowney so to Ballinafad and over the Curlues with as much privacy as he could marching in the Night and falling down near Boyle in the Morning early where he thought to have surprized the Town but in the place of that he found the Enemy both Horse and Foot drawn up in very good Order to receive him and far exceeding his Number he was not long e're he with his accustomed Fortitude engaged them and as soon put them to the Rout killing about 300 of their Foot and several of their Horse who he had the Pursuit of near to Roscommon Upon this Victory he march'd immediately to James-town where the Enemy had a Garison and took it together with Col. Mac-Donnel's House a strong House called Drumsnaw near to James town Here he got a vast Prey of black Cattle Sheep and Horses with all the Growth of the Country Col. Lloyd upon this sends an Express and acquaints D. Schonberg of his gaining so great a Part of the Country and desires to know what to do he having no Men to Garison these Places he had taken The Duke sends him a positive Command not to lose one Foot of Ground and that he should be soon supplyed with what he wanted Col. Lloyd in obedience to the Duke's Command was forced to divide his Men to Garison James-Town Drumsnaw and Abby Boyle going himself to Sligo sending several times to Inniskillin for Ammunition but none being sent him and the Duke not sending Supplies early enough our Men a while after being divided in so small Parties and not capable of getting together were beaten from all these Places by the Irish our loss of Men I confess was not great yet we lost one Lieut. Casbcart and Capt. Wiere commonly called Leird Wiere a valiant brave Fellow and indeed his loss was much lamented for we had not a more forward Man amongst us The Duke after sent a Detachment of Horse together with Col. Winn's Dragoons and some Foot and Granadiers under the Command of Coll. Russel to reinforce Sligo but Col. Sarafield making as good haste back as he had made away came up to Sligo eâ—e the Party sent by the Duke was able to get that length Col. Russel who had Authority to Command in Chief at Sligo with some few came in there late the Night e're Sarsfield came our Men drew out in the Morning to meet him what of them were there but they being so small a Number and wanting Ammunition Sarsfield with an overpowring Party being at least ten to one fell in with them and beat them back into Town Our Horse were forced to retreat to Ballishannon our Foot got into the Fort of Sligo Maj. Woodes having saved a small Cask of Powder for the last Extremity which he brought into the Fort with him they held out three Days killing abundance of the Enemy sallying out and bringing in Provisions for themselves by Force while at last they had what Conditions desired then they surrendred marching out with Drums beating Colours flying Arms loaded light Matches and every Man took along with him what he had Col. Sarsfield treated the Officers very kindly with a Dinner performing his Articles fully so sent them safe to Ballishannon and here ended the Actions of Inniskillin-men I know I might have enlarged this Discourse in several Places and upon several Occasions but here you have a Brief of all that happened with a great deal of Sincerity and Truth FINIS
Inniskilling This came no sooner to hand than Mac-Carmick went to the Provost and some others of the Townsmen intreating them as soon as Day appear'd to set the Carpenters again to work at the Draw-Bridge getting a Horseback himself and Rides immediately to Cornet Gustavus Hamilton a Gentleman that liv'd on the West side of the Town in the Barony of Maghreboy about five Mile from the Town to know his and the other Neighbouring-Gentlemens Resolutions who were all very ready and willing to joyn in the Defence of Inniskilling several of them together with Cornet Hamilton coming into Town with M c Carmick but upon the way were met by an Express from the Provost with this following Letter Dear Sir MR. Latournall came just now from Captain Corry and in his coming into the Town commanded the Carpenters to leave off working at the Drawbridg and also came to me and begged I should send for my Brethren and disswade them from the Resolution of denying the Soldiers Entrance and to provide them Quarters as speedily as I could My request to you is That you will immediately give the Gentlemen in these parts an Accompt of my design which is to give them entrance and that you will make all the haste you can home to assist me is all from Inniskilling Dec. 13th 1688. Yours to serve you whilst I am PAVL DANE To Mr. William Mc-Carmick These By this you may see how strangely mens minds were hurried and what a hard task it was to unite a divided multitude yet this Letter hindered not our coming into Town where Captain Corry and several other Gentlemen livers on the East side of Loghearne were assembled Things again were debated but most were for admitting the two Companies alledging the strength of the Irish in that Country they being well armed and provided in Ammunition having all the Arms Magazines and Garisons of the Kingdom in their hands save Londonderry we wanting both Arms and Ammunition wanting Soldiers amongst us and the uncertainty of a headstrong multitude being likely that they would as soon throw down their Arms as they took them up when they either see an Enemy or were reduced to any hardships or want yet all could not do the Townsmen with the Gentlemen that came out of the Barony of Maghreboy stood firm to the Resolution of neither submitting themselves to be slaves nor to assist the making of others so Carpenters were set to work again at the Bridge And indeed though Captain Corry would not at all comply with our Resolution yet when we sent for the Chains and Irons that had formerly belonged to the Bridge he sent them in to us we soon got up the Draw-bridge and again sent to all the Neighbourhood intreating them to joyn with us both for their own preservation and ours promising them free quarter in Town both for themselves and Horses upon this several of the Country came in being thereunto much incouraged by the industrious solicitation of one Mr. Kelsy a Nonconformist Minister who indeed laboured both publickly and privately in animating his hearers to take up Arms and stand upon their own defence shewing example himself by wearing Arms and marching in the head of them when together Our next Care was to turn all Papists out of Town seizing Anthony Murry the forenamed Friar-Guardian and committing him to the Castle where he continued Prisoner a good while and after by a Rope made his Escape over the Wall so got off in a Boat but although the Rope set him at liberty then yet it may send him to another world ere long Upon Saturday the 15th of December Mr. James Baird and Mr. James Johnston were sent on Horseback to view and bring intelligence of the Enemies approach who return'd upon Sunday about Ten of the Clock with assurance of the Enemies being within four or five miles of the Town most of the Inhabitants being in Church got immediately to their Arms our number not two hundred Foot and they not near half Armed our Horse about 150. such as they were who took the field with a resolution to fall in upon the Enemies Reer if they had offered to enter the Town by force but they coming within a mile and meeting several of their own sort that were turn'd out of Town acquainting them that we were resolved to fight and indeed magnifying our number the Soldiers were so discouraged that they immediately Retreated the most of their Officers being at Dinner in Captain Corry's upon intelligence of which our Horse with threescore Firelooks pursued them their Officers perceiving our Horse to move towards them fled likewise after their men we hearing that they had several Horse-loads of spare Arms and Ammunition good store along with them for arming the Country were resolved to have them these being the chief things we wanted but our Horse being met by Captain Corry were perswaded to return to the great dissatisfaction of the Foot he having as we were told past his word for the Enemies safety while they were in our Country they marched that night to M c Guiers Bridge eight miles from us and there stood upon their Guard all night next day to Newtown Buttler where in the night time they had like to have seised three Gentlemen of ours that we sent to observe their motion and to know if any of the Country joyned them viz. Mr. William Browning Mr. _____ and Mr. James Corry who lighting in their Quarters and assuming other Names after finding out their number strength and resolution having discoursed several of their Officers were discovered to be Inniskilling men and ere they could well mount their Horses were surrounded by a strong Guard of the Enemy but our men made their way through them and escaped to the County of Cavan where they stayed in Captain Sanderson's while the two Companies marched past them to Cavan then returned the two Companies stayed some small time in Cavan then marched to Firmah twelve miles further being alarmed that the Inniskilling men were coming to disarm them Gustavus Hamilton during their being near the Town kept at a place called Portoragh within a quarter of a mile of the Town with near a hundred Horse to support and assist the Townsmen if any force had been offered them by the two Companies but as for carrying meat or drink out of Town to treat them or sending any of our number to perswade them to return there was no such thing it 's true indeed they did not shew their Patent nor once desire to be admitted into Town After this we always kept strict Guards and being sensible that a Body without a Head seldom lives long our next care was to make choice of some Gentleman to Command us the Irish indeed every day growing more insolent than usual and gathering themselves together in Companies Exercising and learning to handle their Arms yea and taking away the Protestants Cattel both publickly and privately nay more they were grown to that height
of Dragoons of 12 Troops 3 Regiments of Foot each consisting of 18 Companies and some very good Men for our Officers viz. William Woolsely Col. of Horse and Commander in Chief Will. Barry his Lieut. Colonel and Charles Stone Major James Winn Col. of Dragoons and for the Foot Col. Tiffany our Governour and Col. Tho. Lloyd for Aid Maj. General Capt. Price for Ingenier Capt. H. Johnston The Officers came by Sea to Ballishannon the 26th of July from thence by Water to Inniskillin where they landed the 28th to the great satisfaction of all there we having with a longing Desire many a time pray'd for the landing of the English and now when we see some of them come to our Assistance and Relief it may be judged how much overjoyed we were But they were no sooner come than they had Work cut out for them for that very Night came an Express from Lieut. Col. Creighton giving an Account that Lieut. Gen. Mackarty was with an Army come before Crume there forming a Camp to besiege the Castle and had brought Cannon with him to batter it Next day came another Express assuring us that Lieut. Gen. Maskarty had made his Approaches very near the Castle and play'd hard upon it with his Cannon They therefore desired we would endeavour their Relief with what speed we could they having no Cannon in the Castle only small-shot with which they killed several of the Enemy Col. Woolsely returned answer That he would endeavour to relieve them upon Wednesday following and immediately sent to Ballishannon for what of our Forces were there that could be spared who marched up to Inniskillin upon Tuesday the 30th of July 20 long Miles and next Morning 15 Miles e're they fought the Enemy Which was on this Manner Lieut. Col. Barry was sent upon Tuesday to Lisnaskey a Castle ten Miles from Inniskillin and toward the Enemy there to place a Garison if tenable otherwise to burn it but when he had viewed the Castle he found it so out of order that it was not fit to put a Garison in neither could it signify much to the Enemy so he left it without burning and that Night lay Abroad with his Men next Morning marched on two Miles further toward the Enemy where his Scouts brought him Intelligence of the Enemies approach towards him He not thinking it advisable to engage with so small a Party as he had with him retreated towards Lisnaskey but the Enemy prest so hard that they disordered several of our Men and had not Lieut. Col. Barry several times faced about with a Troop or two of Horse which always put the Enemy to a stand to draw up they had certainly routed us to Inniskillin but our Horse getting through a River below one Mrs. Lenard's about a Mile from Lisnaskey toward Inniskillin at a very Boggy deep Pass and Capt. Malcome Cashcart coming up with about 120 Foot The Horse by the Industry and Persuasion of Capt. Martin Armstrong rallied Capt. Cashcart came to the Officers of Horse and promised that if they would stand by him and not serve him and his Men as they had served Lieut. Mac-Carmick he would beat back the Enemy and if they would not stand by him to deal plainly with him The Officers of Horse protested that they would assist him and not a Man of them would turn their Backs upon which Capt. Cashcart places an Ambush of about 18 or 20 Firelocks in a Thicket of Bushes on the Enemies Flank as they must come on to charge on the Enemies side of the River commanding them not to fire a Shot while he and they that were with him first fired then he ranked the remainder of his Men along the other Bank of the River as much in Covert as he could The Enemy by this time were come up and seeing our Horse Rally and draw up and our Foot to make good the Pass resolved to force it To that purpose Col. Anthony Hamilton commanded a Regiment of Dragoons to alight he led them on firing very thick as they came on while within forty Yards of the River then Capt. Cathcart commanded his Men who had not yet fired one shot to fire at which Volley they killed several of the Enemy and wounded Col. Hamilton then these in Ambush being close upon the Enemies Flank fired killing some of the Enemy Hamilton being wounded went off sending another Officer to command the Dragoons but Capt. Cathcart plied them so warmly with his Shot that Officer being killed the Dragoons were commanded to face to the Right-about to draw them further out of our Shot But as soon as they faced they ran for it our Horse and Foot immediately charged through the River which the Enemies Horse perceiving fled likewise we had the pursuit of them three miles all which way the Road was filled with their dead Bodies By this time there were fresh Recruits of the Enemy coming up which our Men perceiving being weary with so vigorous a pursuit retreated to the Mote of Lisnaskey where they met Gol. Woolsely with the rest of our Forces Col. Woolsely returning Thanks for that Morning's Work which was a good Introduction to gaining the Battel in the Afternoon immediatly assembled the Officers to consult what was farther fit to be done telling that their Resolves must be speedy the Men that came along with him having made such haste up to the Relief of their Fellows that scarce any of them had brought a Meal of Meat along with them it was immediately concluded amongst the Officers that it was fit to go on and the Question put to the Souldiers they unanimously cried out to march and fight the Enemy for indeed they had never been accustomed when they saw an Enemy to turn their Backs save the ill-managed Business at Omagh and the run-away Horse in the Ingagement with the Duke of Berwick which was occasioned by one Horse-Officer Col. Woolsely finding the Men so willing to ingage the Enemy immediately formed the Foot into three Battalions the Right and Left Wings led by Col. Lloyd who never yet had failed in any thing he attempted and Col. Tiffon a worthy Gentleman and an excellent Souldier the main Body he led himself the Horse he ordered a Detachment for an Advance Guard who marched on before at a little distance some Troops to second the Right and Left Wings and the main Body of Horse in the Rear led on by the Lieut. Col. and Major the Dragoons divided in two Parties to assist the Flanks so marched on towards Newtown-Butler Lieut. Gen. Mac-Carty hearing of our Approach drew off his Men and Cannon from Crum-Castle near to a place called Newtown-Butler betwixt it and Wattle-Bridg where he posted them very advantagiously his Cannon in a Lane facing a narrow Pass through a Bog that not above one Horse could could come abreast his Foot upon the Right and Left of the Lane all under Covert that not a Man of them could be seen save those that