DIGITUS DEI, OR, A miraculous Victory gained by the English, upon the Rebels in Munster: expressed in two Letters, Written to lieutenant colonel St. Leger, son and heir to the Right Honourable Sir William St. Leger, Knight, late Lord President of Munster, by his lordship's late Secretary, RICHARD GETHING.  
September 20. 1642.  
London, Printed for Thomas Bates. 164●   

A miraculous victory gained by the English upon the Rebels in munster.  
Most honoured Sir,  
SUch an action as I shall now recount unto you, would (in justice) require a far more skilful cheerful pen, than mine is, or can be to relate it: For indeed, it is in all the parts of it so full of reflection● 〈◊〉 the super-excellency of honour and valour 〈◊〉 noble Lord of Inchiquin, that I can only grieve, I 〈…〉 her power or parts to set forth the one or the other with right, 〈◊〉 less with advantage to his lordship's high merit or worth.  
The enemy was now grown full of pride and expectation of a general Conquest, by the surrender of all the Castles and strong holds in the County of Lymericke into their hands; (upon the 〈◊〉 and reputation, merely of one of the fairest and choicest pieces of battery which they had drawn forth of the Fort of Lymericke by the succession of foreign supplies of arms, Munition, and Commanders, and had advanced as far as Liscarroll into this County, with an undoubted resolution to carry all before them: When my Lord of Inchiquin concluded wisely and resolutely (I will not 〈◊〉 against, but besides the opinion of some gentle Senators) that some impediment must be given to this impetuous torrent, which otherwise in all probability would drown this whole Province in a general inundation. For in case we set up our rest 〈…〉 them take in the other smaller towns and Garrisons (which undoubtedly they would do having 〈…〉) then were we most certain of being therein besieged▪ The provisions to hold out such a siege we found were not sufficient for a months, and the probability they were in to 〈…〉 of the River (when they were masters of the field) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, made us doubtful of 〈…〉 the field therefore must we expect to receive a footing and 〈…〉 in this Province for his majesty's forces. To which purpo 〈…〉 L. of Inchiquin designed the deserving forth all such forces as 〈…〉 be conveniently spared out of Cork, Kin-sale, Bandon, Yoghall, 〈…〉 and appointed Buttevant and Ballis-beg the Rendezvouz 〈…〉 Friday night last were assembled together a body of 〈…〉 of horse 360, with which and s 〈…〉 field pieces we mar 〈…〉 day (by break of day) to the Camp which lay before 〈…〉 and had that very night ●allen in the Castle; where we 〈…〉 in a post●re which spo 〈…〉 the respect at ●on of us, and 〈…〉 encounter us. About eight of the clock my Lord drew down 〈…〉 horse, within somewhat 〈…〉- shot, and made a 〈…〉 view their Army; span● would not permit 〈…〉 safety there, so as we were forced 〈…〉 towards our foot 〈…〉 was not come up, and is that 〈…〉 the Lord of 〈…〉 unhappily shot.  
So soon as our foot were advanced, we forced our passage 〈…〉 their Ambuscadoes from off the 〈…〉 down into the 〈…〉 before Liscarroll, and brought down our whole Army. The 〈…〉 stood ready in three great bodies (the least equalling if not 〈…〉 surpassing ours in b 〈…〉 to receive us, and while our men were 〈…〉 ting into order they plied 〈…〉 lie and with their A 〈…〉 they had planted like 〈…〉 ready against our coming) having 〈…〉 new batteries 〈…〉 us with the better advant 〈…〉 indeed great odds they could not de 〈…〉 of us▪ for the gro〈…〉 had made their own 〈…〉 and had, 〈…〉 works and fortifications, 〈…〉 men. The Castle which 〈…〉 them was their 〈…〉 and every thing as apt to th' 〈…〉 as their 〈…〉 contrive them; Yet it seems they wanted the conduct of 〈…〉 great general the Lord of Hosts, for not 〈…〉 all the 〈…〉 ad 〈…〉 we 〈…〉 small Ordnance 〈…〉 〈…〉 to them, and they 〈…〉 my Lord gave the command of the 〈…〉 and resolution than is expedi 〈…〉 necessary (my I 〈…〉 general, charged with his own Troop upon the enemy's Horse whom Oliver Steph 〈…〉 Troops had the V 〈…〉 with his own hands, and took his 〈…〉 out withal by a mistake in the wheeling off, of the 〈…〉 they were commandedy the rest of my Lords Troop 〈…〉 had le●● his Lordship engaged 〈…〉 and B 〈…〉 had 〈…〉 home ●●d through, insomuch as they beg 〈…〉 their horses were of.  
The foot on both sides were 〈…〉 a very great 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 and performed singularly well, the 〈…〉 horse 〈…〉 to leave 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 exercise, in an instant they 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 which we continued 〈…〉 of two 〈…〉 an Ala 〈…〉 as brought 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 my stood still 〈…〉ved (and very pro 〈…〉 be) when immediately a Retreat was so 〈…〉 given over, lest the enemy might take our foot in 〈…〉 one body of the three was a very eq 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 for oh 〈…〉 whole Army, Which we 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 esh po 〈…〉 i●●, but by 〈…〉 time they had recovered 〈…〉 bog near 〈◊〉, and were 〈◊〉 of our 〈…〉 h. The 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 stain I 〈◊〉 believe was above 〈…〉 very 〈…〉 led inwoods, 〈…〉 and co 〈…〉, where 〈…〉 at them.  
Stephenson and one 〈…〉 son to Mac. Carty 〈◊〉 were the only men of quality that we can have an account of, though it is probable many others of good rank 〈…〉. D 〈…〉 and amongst the ●●st (as a prisoner of ours which escaped from amongst them averred) Purcell their lieutenant general. At this battle were the major part of the forces, of this 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉, 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 'tween five and six thousand 〈…〉 ing 〈◊〉, bes●des horse and 〈…〉 tell that follow an Army. We took prisoners, Colon 〈…〉 (the Lord of Ika 〈…〉 son) T 〈…〉 Burg●● one who supplies 〈…〉 〈…〉 li● Percival's, place amongst 〈◊〉. Captain 〈◊〉 (who was 〈…〉 garvan-Castle when my Lord your father took it) and 〈…〉 signs and other Rogues, only worth the hanging. Some 〈…〉 Colours were taken, all thei● Artillery; but especially, their 〈…〉 piece, which is a very brave on 〈…〉 reputation 〈…〉 I am confident (as it d●d in the C 〈…〉 ty of lie 〈…〉 cke) 〈…〉 in all the strong holds in this C 〈…〉 y But Almighty God 〈…〉 vented them, few of their arms could be taken, y●t s 〈…〉 found thrown away and ●id i● bushes▪ Much of their 〈…〉 we, o● exto 〈…〉, a 〈…〉 on, victual, and spare A 〈…〉 which you may percei 〈…〉 they 〈…〉 that way) 〈…〉 mirable that such a multitude of men having the choice 〈…〉 quality from all parts, being so well appointed, provided 〈…〉 f●●d, and having so many several advantage● should 〈◊〉 s 〈…〉 such a Castle, such Artillery, to a poor handful of men 〈…〉 ison of them: But Digit 〈…〉 hic, and therefore, 〈…〉 nobis, sed 〈…〉, &c.  
Thus Sir you have the full draught of a c 〈…〉 action full 〈…〉, and valour. The extr 〈…〉 of, thy 〈…〉 me to descant further on it, or to 〈…〉 goe myself either 〈…〉 or in any other particular: Only I beseech you 〈…〉 one 〈…〉 excuse to my uncle, and impart this relation to him 〈…〉 Sir, I beseech you, a faithful profession of 〈◊〉 b 〈…〉  
Your most respective obliged serv●●● RICHARD GETHING Cork. Septemb. 1642.   

A second Letter from the same hand to the same party, dated at Corkexv●. September▪ 1642.  
Most honoured Sir,  
BY the Packet entrusted to the conveyance of captain Price, I made bold to give you a rough and rude account of the happy and glorious victory 〈…〉 chsased us at the ba 〈…〉 le of Li 〈…〉, where in Lonely fell short (for 〈…〉 sub 〈…〉 ce) in the number of the slain. For that the 〈◊〉 confess (upon le 〈…〉 given them●d bury their dead) that they miss eleven hundred of the i●men, and that they have found about seven or eight hundred 〈◊〉 Gorpe● upon th' 〈…〉 of the b 〈…〉 and chase.  
They were so confident of subduing us that all the neutrals, as 〈…〉, and many of the Rebels themselves, were w 〈…〉 great number of horse, upon several 〈◊〉, not far distant from the fight, where they attended the success of that day's action, with desig●●s to have fallen upon us in our flight, if it had pleased God we had been put to it, which way soever we had taken; but the Almighty determined so of us, that albeit we were but a handful in respect of them, and their numerous multitude of men, yet they fled before half our Army came to fight; for only two divisions of our Muskett 〈…〉 (which were led on bravely by your cousin Pigg●t, and Sir John Browne) charged them, when they thought fit to make us run after them. Their men whom we took prisoners (being no mean unknown people) say confidently, that if we had not given them this day's meeting, they had marched the next day to Moyallo, their design being to cut betwixt us and our retreat to Cork; But man purposes, and God only determines. justly expect, especially in that of your 〈◊〉. But 〈…〉 Inchequin (who is full of tender regards of all your co 〈…〉 hath taken the care of your horses upon himself, and doth 〈…〉 as in him lies, serve y 〈…〉 of G 〈…〉 are lost in service, Leigh, Wa●●ey, and keys, the two last 〈◊〉 my Lord your father's death, the other at Liscarroll.  
I had almost forgot to tell you, that we had 〈◊〉 on 〈…〉 fifteen men, and so many 〈◊〉 as made the 〈…〉 or thirty at the most. My Lord of In 〈…〉 in 〈…〉 head (but God be thanked not dangerous) as also 〈…〉 his hand, captain, I 〈…〉 the like, and captain in his thigh. Take likewise the weight of t 〈…〉 ing 768● 〈◊〉▪  
I should enlarge your trouble, if I were not assaulted with 〈…〉 toward disposition myself, and a 〈…〉 in my poor Sarah, who presents you here 〈…〉 hearty prayers for your happiness and safety, as likewise doth 〈…〉  
Your most 〈…〉 faithful servant RICHARD GETHIN● Cork▪ 16. Septemb. 1642.  
FINIS.