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
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
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
this we issued this following Declaration WE the Inhabitants of Iniskilling with our Associates having regard to the great and eminent danger hanging over our Heads Receiving frequent Intelligence from all parts of this Kingdom of Ireland That the Irish Papists are with all Diligence and Celerity arming themselves as is believed to our destruction and being with the Assistance of Almighty God resolved to stand upon our Guards we thereunto encouraged by a Declaration set forth by the Nobility and Gentry of the Counties of Antrim Down and Ardmagh satisfying us That they have taken up Arms in their own defence we therefore think fit and do hereby admonish all Protestants of this County and the Countrey adjacent to do the same And for their future security and preservation we desire that all the Inhabitants of this County and the adjacent parts may assemble themselves here with their Arms and Horses on Monday next to joyn with us in this so necessary an Vndertaking and there to be inlisted to the end that Men may be appointed to Command them VVe further desire That all the Neighbourhood may bring in their Provisions to be secured for them in this Place as a sure Refuge for them to fly to in time of Trouble And those that do not now lay up Provisions for themselves and families shall not be admitted to inhabit here or relieved from hence hereafter Dated at Iniskilling the 27th of January 1688. A Copy of this together with the following Letter and a Copy of the Declaration of the Lords of the North-East was sent to all the Gentlemen in our Countrey SIR WE have here inclosed the Resolutions of all the Gentlemen of the Counties of Down Antrim and Ardmagh together with what we resolve to do This day we had by Express from an eminent Person in this Countrey Directions to be upon our Guard and ready in Twelve Hours warning Our earnest Request to you is That you may give the same Instructions through your Countrey and to appear here on Monday next with what force you can raise both Horse and Foot to the end they may be inlisted and Officers appointed where we will discover more to you and consult what further Measures may be taken for our preservation according to the Emergency of Affairs Your Diligence and Compliance in this is not doubted by SIR Dated Jan. 27. 1688. Your loving Friends GVST AVVS HAMILTON And the rest of the Inhabitants of Iniskilling According to our defire in the above-Letter we had a General Rendezvous of our whole Countrey that joyned with us where we had a very pretty Appearance Gustavus Hamilton our Governour continued Colonel and Mr. Thomas Lloyd was made Lieutenant Colonel of our whole Forces After this we enjoyed a considerable quiet endeavouring to carry on our Fortifications the most part of January and February notwithstanding the Winter All this time we had frequent Correspondence with my Lord of Kingston who had raised a very considerable Force both of Horse and Foot in the Counties of Roscommon and Sligo and had made Sligo his Garrison which he endeavoured with all diligence to fortifie with a firm Resolution of holding out that Place against all Opposition but Ammunition being scarce with him and receiving in February Encouragement from Colonel Lundy who at that time commanded all to desert Sligo and march his Men to Derry where he should be accommodated with Provisions for his Men and forage for his Horses He left Sligo and marched as far as Ballishanon towards Derry He had no sooner left his Garrison than the Enemy was in it but he brave Gentleman met Assurance at Ballishanon that there was not any forage to be had at Derry for his Horses therefore constrained to continue where he was quartering his Men along the Frontier upon the North side of Loughhearne while April following In March we had intelligence That King James was by the Convention of Estates in England Voted to have Abdicated and had placed King William and Queen Mary in the Throne who upon the 11th of March we Proclaimed with all the Joy and Solemnity we could Immediately upon this we received a Letter from Colonel Lundy with one inclosed from the Lords of the North-East Colonel Lundy's was in these Words Gentlemen THE Inclosed is accompanied with several Letters intimating the March of the Irish Army Northward To oppose which we are making all the Preparations possible altho our Scarcity of Arms Ammunition and Moneys render us not so fit as we ought for the Vndertaking But we will do what we can and leave the Issue to Divine Providence which orders all Events On this occasion it is likely that you and all our friends may be alarmed if not formally attack'd by their Forces were it but to keep you from affording us your help or from giving them diversion in their Attempts wherefore you would do well to be strictly on your Guards and if possible by Espials to open their Counsels and Designs and what you know pray communicate to your friends in this Countrey and round about you who we hope will observe the like Care and continue a constant Correspondence with all friends in these dangerous Times I am resolved to march hence within a day or two with what force I can raise in this Countrey to Donganan and desire you to have all Men ready to march that were designed for it that as soon as I write for them they may come immediately to the place assigned for our Rendezvous I remain For Sir John Hume and the rest of the Gentlemen of the County of Farmanagh These Gentlemen Your faithful Servant ROBERT LVNDY The inclosed from the Lord Mountalexander and other Gentlemen of the North-East to Colonel Lundy Dated at Lough-brickland March the 9th 1688. was as followeth SIR SInce our last to you dated the 6th we have this day received the inclosed and Mr. Osburne was here himself and confirms the Contents with several Circumstances which perswades us of the Truth of it And therefore we most earnestly intreat you to march up towards Nury with all possible diligence with what Men you can with as much Provisions and Necessaries as can be carried and let us know by Express of their March and their Numbers We remain Sir You are desired to give notice to all Friends To the Honourable Col. Lundy in Derry Your Humble Servants Mountalexander James Hamilton William Cunningham Richard Johnston Mar. Midleton Mr. Osburn's Letter to Lord Mountalexander ON the 6th instant I was introduced by my Lord Granard to my Lord Deputy's Presence in the Castle of Dublin I have his Pass to come and go through and back from Ulster And tho I have not his Excellencies express Commission yet I assure you I am at least permitted by the Lord Deputy to acquaint the Chief and others of the Ulster Association with his discourse to me which was to the effect following Viz. That his Excellency doth not delight in the Blood of the
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