A letter sent from Sr. Simon Harcourt, to a worthy member of the House of Commons. VVith a true relation of the proceedings of the English army, under his command, to this present March. Whereunto is added the many miraculous deliverances, in the relieving and defending of the city of Tredagh, by the providence of God. Exactly related, by the minister of the same town, who was an eye witnesse thereof, and is still resident there. Harcourt, Simon, Sir, 1603?-1642. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A87085 of text R212747 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E140_2). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 16 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A87085 Wing H695 Thomason E140_2 ESTC R212747 99871323 99871323 156533 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A87085) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 156533) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 25:E140[2]) A letter sent from Sr. Simon Harcourt, to a worthy member of the House of Commons. VVith a true relation of the proceedings of the English army, under his command, to this present March. Whereunto is added the many miraculous deliverances, in the relieving and defending of the city of Tredagh, by the providence of God. Exactly related, by the minister of the same town, who was an eye witnesse thereof, and is still resident there. Harcourt, Simon, Sir, 1603?-1642. [8] p. Printed for Joseph Hunscott, London : 1641. Signatures: A⁴. At head of title: March 18. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1641 -- Early works to 1800. A87085 R212747 (Thomason E140_2). civilwar no A letter sent from Sr. Simon Harcourt,: to a worthy member of the House of Commons. VVith a true relation of the proceedings of the English Harcourt, Simon, Sir 1641 3043 19 0 0 0 0 0 62 D The rate of 62 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2008-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2008-06 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-08 John Pas Sampled and proofread 2008-08 John Pas Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion March 18. A LETTER SENT FROM Sr. Simon Harcourt , To a worthy Member of the House of COMMONS . With a true Relation of the proceedings of the English Army , under his command , to this present March . Whereunto is added the many miraculous deliverances , in the Relieving and Defending the City of Tredagh , by the providence of God . Exactly Related , by the Minister of the same Town , who was an eye witnesse thereof , and is still resident there . LONDON , Printed for Joseph Hunscott . 1641. A Letter . SIR , I Hope by this time , you are fully satsfied by the receipt of my Letters , that I have made it my care to uphold my selfe in your good opinion , which I shall ever value at a high rate : Therfore I will never prove so great an enemy unto my selfe , as to loose by the neglect and omission of the tender of my due respects , which shall on all oppertunities attend you in a most affectionate manner . And now give me leave to give you a briefe accompt of a piece of service which hath lately bin acted on the Rebels , at a place called Killshaughall , some seven or eight miles from Dublin , where lodged neere upon 2000. as we had intelligence . The scituation of the place as naturally strong as I have seen any Castle in Ireland , having moorish an● boggy ground on the one side , the other invironed with thick Woods , quick-set heages , high bancks , and deep Ditches ( inaccessible ) but as we forced our way by Pyoners ( under the favour of our Musquetiers ) in the middle of which Woods stood the Castle , which had but one Aveneu unto it ; on that side we approached it , on which they had 〈…〉 a reverse or Barricadoe , which we beate them from . That done , I sent Capta●ne Congrave with 100. Musquetiers , to fall on them in the , Church-yard in which they were 〈◊〉 and stood opposite unto the Castle gate , he found the● 〈…〉 all resc●t●ce ; and then in great disorder fledde , taking their way ( 〈…〉 ) unto the bogge ground ; Those which betooke themselves unto the 〈…〉 Borlasles Troop in chase of them , who had the cutting of some 60 or 70 ; of 〈…〉 and about as many more were killed in the in the W●●● by the 〈◊〉 . The Castle was maintained against us ( some of their best men have 〈…〉 o●fer Sanctuary . ) And we having no pieces of Battery , were forced to leave it . In this expedition was my Lord of Ormond , the Lord Lambert , in Charles Coote , and my selfe having with us 500. foote , and 300 Horse , 〈◊〉 lest one Captaine Rochford , who led the forlorne hope , being of Sir Charles Coote his Regiment , with some five or six of my Rigiment , and as many bu● . And this is all that for the present I can acquint you with , only that to morrow we make a visit unto the Lords and Gentry of the Pale with 3000. Foot , and between , 5. and 600 Horse , and this we are forced to doe for the reliese of our Souldiers who have bin kept this tenne weekes upon a meane allowance of salt Beef , and Herring , which had caused great sicknesse and mortality amongst them ; But I hope that your care of this poore Army here , wil be such , that the may be speeddy supplyed with M●ney Clothes and Victuals for them . I speake of their misery as briefly as I can , but the Lord Iustices better will more 〈◊〉 informe you . I am confident you will doe all the friendly offices ( in your power , 〈◊〉 Souldiers here , whereby you shall ing●ge t●em and me , most faithfully and affectionately to remain , Dubl●n 6. Martii . 1641. Sir , your humble Servant , HARCOURT . An Abstract of Newes Since our reliefe Ianuary . 11. to the 20th of February . AFter much misery we were relieved by the Pinnace with some Bisquet and Ammunition , extremity of want drawing on of both , that it was not unobserved , that where we had bin solemly praying for it . The Rebells had sunck a Barque in the Channell , but two or three daies before the winde and tide had driven her out to Sea , they had hoysted an iron chaine , but that hindred not her passage over it 1000 shot were sent from either side the River , and had double returnes from ours , yet not one of our men lost , with what joyfull acclamations the Pinace and her Shallope were received within the Bay , what mutuall salutations of shot were given and answered ; how the Streets rang againe with thanks and Prayers to God from all sorts , those who were eye and eare witnesses can never forget , at this reliefe the countenances of the Townesmen told asmuch , upon second thoughts towards night , they seemed to be very glad , and for an expression were very kinde to the Souldiers , offering them drinke upon every guard on free cost ; the poore men not using to receive so liberally without their Officers knowledge , two parts of the Watch were drunke , about mid-night , ( most being asleepe ) a breach was made in the wall , in an our orchard betwixt St. James gate , and the water , in which , as was confessed by one hanged the next day , an Officer had a chiefe hand in ; about 3 of the clock 500 entred and continued an houre or two undiscovered , till being marched upon the key they shouted , which was either for asureance of victory , or to invite the Towne to their promised assistance , some of them had adventured up to the Millmount , and killed the first Centinell , others had entred the Bridge . This shout being our first Allarum , the Governour ran out unarmed , and was the first that caused a Drum to beat , and in that hast , was compelled to take the maine guard , who were his owne company , and commanded men from by-guards , these were his present strength , first posted downe some Pikes commanded by his Ensigne , to make good the Bridge , untill the Musqueteeres could make ready ; we met the enemy upon the first entry , and finding them resisted by a guard of ours charged home , and soone compelled them to retreate , the Governor immediatly relieved his Ensigne with Musqueteeres , who met not farre from the Bridge , another company of the Rebells , but being in the darke , tooke them by their an swere to be friends , untill hee found the contrary by a shot made at him , which went throw the brims of anothers hat next him . As soon as we gave fire it proved so effectuall , that they instantly scattered & were chased through the strees , leaving their dead bodies as stumbling blocks in our way . And now my Lord Moore with what Horse he could make ready , came to his assistance , who chased the residue of them up the Hill , where they dropped a pase , but where the breach was , could not yet be found , till they directed us by their flight , through which 100 escaped : and now each Captaine had got together Forces , and environ'd them in each quarter and with ease layd them on heapes in every corner , so that the slain within the walls and prisoners taken without , were 200. This deliverance the worst of men acknowlege to be the hand of God , for had they marched towards the next Port , and cut the guard off there , who were most sleeping : one thousand of their owne men were there ready to enter , and we had bin lost . 'T was Gods hand that their shouts gave us the first Allarum to our safety and their destruction . In this hot skirmish we lost but few , the most being butcher'd by them at their first entrance unarm'd to prevent their giving ●ice , only three were lost in fight . This was the only night ( of any neglected ) which the joy of the present reliefe occasioned , but for the future doubled our Watches , forty Horse in severall Divislons still riding the Rounds , and by their often visits , a Sentinel hath scarce time to wink . My Lord Moore one night , and the Governor another ( as supervisors of the whole ) have not failed since , constantly to watch in their owne persons . The enemy without , on the South-side of the Towne , seemed to be about 3000 who in severall bodies stayd one houre or two after day , believing the Towne to be taken , expecting the opening of a Port , which we perceiving , and having taken , a Piper of theirs , caused him to play very merily on one of the Plat-formes , and to call out in Irish , that the Towne was theirs . It was good sport to see them shorten the way by leaping ditches , and runing themselves out of breath , who should be first taken , and so were brought in by tens . This extraordinary blessing , I conceive , deserv'd a speciall solemne thankes-giving , which wee performed two daies after . A faire winde inviting the Pinnace next day to returne , past with as many praiers for safety by the Soldiers on the walls , as she had bin received with praises . But a small Fisher-boate , as a full judgement of God for the former nights worke , by the unskillfulnesse of the Pilate , ranne aground , and that nigh● was taken by the enemy , with foureteene Prisoners : also about three miles off , at Alermine Towne , the Pinnace fell into the like hazard , being most falsely left by the Shallopes , to the mercy of the enemy , who played upon her on both sides , 100 of the Rebells , under the shelter of Carre-loads of Furs , desperatly approached so neere , that they got under the Sterne , and with Crowes and Pike-axes began to bulge her , neither Pike nor Musquet could offend them : in this streight Captaine Stutvile ( who hath much deserv'd ) in the adventure of relieving us twice , threw some Granadoes amongst them ; they indured the breaking of six , but when the seventh was throwne , they ranne away and never attempted their designe after . The number of the slaine is uncertaine , but by the mighty streame of blood it is conjectured 60. Whilst we saw this danger we ceased not in publique to pray for her safety , whose losse was likely to be our ruine : That night shee was freed into the Poole , and one the Munday with a faire wind bid us farewell ; We had another friggat which asisting the Pinnace in burning some Barques ranne the same casualitie and lay under the same advantage to the Enemie . Who having made a brest worke played on her all night , but returned with our any harme save the losse of one man . Many Drums were sent by the Rebels for exchange of Prisoners , till theirs here being spent , they were forced to send for more to Amagh , who have beene cherished by the Townes-men . as if they had beene Martyrs . they giving them good Victuals Caddoes and Capps , soe that they make no sute to be realeased . In 14. dayes our former supplies were wasted and a great Scarcitie began to grow among us : The whole designe of the Rebels we saw was to starve us , by burning all the Corne and Hay within two Miles of us , they drew often nigh us , in the darke Nights , and in mockerie asked our Sentinall , if we had yet eaten up our Cabidge stalks , and Horse hides , and indeed the Famine was such at length with the common Souldiers that Horses , Catts and Dogs were good meat . Some provisions by searching were found hid in Cellors this sufficed not but we were forced to Sallie out which was alwaies blest with some releife and without the losse of any Souldiers February the 7th . we sallied out 40. musqueteers and 25. Horse to secure others , appointed to bring in provision , who were unexpectedly set upon by 400. newly come out of the North ; we instantly charged them , kild 80. tooke two of their Cullors kil'd a Lieutenant , and on ensigne and took another , and 9. Prisoners , one dyed as soone as he came to Towne , and being unbuttoned he was begirt with a Saint . Francis Girdle next his skin , not one of our men being hurt : Another time we marched out 100. Foot and a Troope of Horse , we were set upon by 500. but we having notice by some of their owne Partie , of their intention , we made a faire retreate through them and killed many of them , of ours not one hurt , one was shot through the Dublet and Shirt and had his skin rased : At length our store failed us , so that from the hartiest nothing could be heard but intentions of desperate courses , our Friggatts and our Agents had beene long in Dublin but heard nothing of their returne , and by the continuance of contrary winds our hopes wee saw were dashed from thence , also in this extremity ( besides our ordinary meeting on Wensday ) wee appointed the next Friday as a day extraordinary onely to begg our bread of God for my Subject I tooke the 4th . Petition of the Lords Prayer , That day we continued in the Church from morning till evening , which was blest with much affection and teares , wherein some confident passages fell in assuring some present extraordinary answer , it might have seemed to have bin without warrant , but see the event : That very night , the winde inclined , and the next morning suddenly changed to as fair a wind and weather as we could wish and so continued , that evening we received notice that our Supplie aproached on Sunday morning we met at church earlier then we used in the continuance of the same Subject , aad Petition and at the couclusion of the Sermon , a messenger came into the Church with the glad tidings of our releif within the barre ; it being so received in Gods house we tooke it as from God himselfe : And so with thankes given to him from whom every good gift descendeth , we went and saw the salvation of God , I must not forget another deliverance the same Sunday morning , the Enemy about foure a clock with their whole strength made a bold atempt with scaling Ladders to the wals , 2 or 3 were fixed in one place and some were gotten up the sentinall missing fire at one , knockt him downe with the butt end of his Musket , and crying out to the Guard who was nigh my chamber window I was the first that heard him , and the clattering of the Ladders , we instantly gave them their fill of Shot , and they left their ladders with some of their blood , the number of the slaine is uncertain they having drawn them away , but an English boy taking this opportunity escaped from them : said he saw 3 lying in one ditch , by which may be conjectured , what was slaine of them , on our side not one hurt , so that in the word of Psalmist , Psalmes . 136. verse 24. Wee may praise God for that one day , who gives food to all flesh , and who delivers us from our enemies , for his mercy endureth for ever . And get a farther deliverance , we are now quitting the Towne of the Papists , who have bin the cause of all this evill , some of the Aldermen are parting , some have offered to go to Church , but it is thought with the same affection as the Capernaites ( for the Loaues ) An Inventory of all their goods are taken and such of men and women as have bin suspected to side with the Rebells , have their dayly passes to them , some sober soules , and of good fashion have desir'd to be inform'd , in which worke shall be glad to be employed all day , and eyery day . A prize was also taken by the Pinnace laden with herring , Bisquets , and other provisions , which hath added somewhat to our store , we have 4. companies more so that we have in all 2000. Foote and 200. Horse more I could have writ but the unexpected haste of your Pinnaces returne , who is now ready to weigh Anchor causes me to breake off . FINIS .