April 30. Joyful and happy news from the West of Ireland, sent in three Letters from persons of note: Some of the particulars are as followeth. 1 The marching of the Lord of Inchequid and captain Jephton into the great Rebels the Lord Roches country, and their relieving of Rathgogan Castle belonging to Master Meade. 2 captain Jephtons' great overthrow given to three Companies of Rebels. 3 Another great overthrow given the arch-rebel, the Lord Muskry, and his wh●● Army by the Lord of Inchequid and colonel Vavasor, who took their Te●● and great store of treasure, and much other provision and pillage. 4 The siege of Kinsale, and how it was relieved, and a great overthrow given to 〈…〉 Rebels by the Garrison of this town, and some Troops of Bandonbridge. 5 The flight of a great Army of the Rebels from their Camp near Kinsale, and 〈◊〉 great store of provision behind them. 6 The taking of two other Castles, firing one, and carrying away above two hundred horseload of corn: and divers other particulars worthy observation are like 〈…〉 expressed. Read in the Honourable House of Commons the 25 of April, and ordered to be printed. H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. Com. LONDON, Printed for Francis Cowles, and Thomas Bates. MDCXLII. True and happy news from Ireland. Right Honourable, my very good Lord: SInce my last by my Lord of Dungarvan, mine own indisposition and imbecility hath been such, as in mine own person I have not been able to attempt any thing, but have by my sickness been confined to my chamber; but the forward earnestness and zeal to the service in my Lord of Inchequid, colonel Vavasor, captain Jeph 〈…〉, and the rest of the Officers of the small Army here, hath accomplished some exploits, whereof you may please to receive the ensuing relation. I being besieged on the North side of the city, by my Lord Muskry, M. Carty 〈…〉 ath, and all the rest of the Western forces, and having notice that my Lord 〈◊〉, my Lord of Ikarne Donbay, the Baron of Log●may, M. Richard Butler, and all the Tipperary Forces were drawing up to beleaguer me on the South, I dispatched away the two Troops then newly landed, under the command of my Lord Inchequid, and captain Jephton into the Lord Roches country, in expe 〈…〉 nce to divert him from his intended course hitherwards, which sorted to so 〈…〉od suppose, as that I since understand the Tipperary Forces have forsaken 〈…〉 m, and that he remains himself upon his keeping in his own country. During the stay of these Troops there, they were desired to the relief of a castle called Rathgogan, by one M. Meade, which M. Jephton having performed with 〈…〉 quadron of each Troop, and 80 Musqueteers drawn out of his house and mine. 〈…〉 his retreat he was encountered by two or three companies from Mimeallock, 〈…〉 whom he with a Horse, and another Officer with a Foot charged in several 〈…〉 ces, and routed them, slaying about 150. beside 50 slain in relieving the ca 〈…〉 e. On the thirteenth of this instant my Lord of Muskry (who hath kept this 〈…〉 mp a long time at Rochfort's town, three miles from this city) caused a part this Army to chase home our scouts to the very suburbs, where in a bravado they made a stand, whereat my Lord Inchequid, colonel Vavasor, and the rest 〈◊〉 the Officers being much incensed, obtained my leave to issue forth immediately with 300 Musqueteers, and two Troops of Horse: upon the sallying out they found the enemy retreated, and pursued him to his quarters, where the 〈◊〉 body consisting of 36 colours, as they were numbered, forthwith appeared, and after several parties sent from the main body to skirmish with our 〈…〉 n, had been beaten back, they began to pickup their baggage, and forsook their camp, after whom our men made all the speed they might: and having chased them two or three miles, charged upon the rear, routed the whole Army, which betook itself to flight over a bog, unpasseable for our Horse, and to all their carriage and luggage, whereof the Lord of Muskery's own armou●● Tent, and Trunks were a part, slew about two hundred of their men that took firm ground, and retired without loss of a man. Whereby it is very easy observe with what facility the enemy might now be dealt with all before he can recollect himself a new, or receive foreign supplies, which they daily a 〈…〉 hourly expect, and being once come to their hands, it will not then be 〈◊〉 the charge and expense both of blood and treasure, that will suppress the 〈…〉 which now would reduce them to a very great straight. And therefore I do most humbly beseech your Lordship, that speedy supplies of men, moneys, arms, munition, and artillery, with all necessaries depending thereon, as conductors, pioneers, Mattrosses, Carriages, Tackle, Horses and Oxen for draught, and all other appurtenances may either be sent over, o 〈…〉 Commission and means to raise and maintain them here, here being but one Canoneere, and one Clerk of the store in this Province: without these your Lordship knows that it is to no boot to march into the field, where if the enemy be not too hard for us, he will certainly retire to his holds, and so secure himself against our forces. Your lordship's most humble servant, W. St. Leger. From Kinsale, April 21. 1642. Brother Benjamin, THe Rebels have persisted in their cruel and tyrannical ways blocked us up round about, and have taken from us whatsoever we had lying without the Gate, what was not useful for them, they despitefully burnt; and whomsoever they took of our Nation, whether man, woman, or child, have cruelly and inhumanly hanged and murdered: and for this three weeks' space we have not been able to send a Letter to the Lord President, but by water, and that with a great deal of difficulty. But praised be God, about seven or eight days since the Lord President upon our bleeding importunity, appointed the Lord Baltinglas his half company, to come hither by sea to help us, which consisted of 44 or 45 men, who arrived here the 15. and brought with them eight barrels of powder, and an hundred skeins of match, whereof six barrels, and fifty skeins were allotted for Bandonbridge, the other fifty skeins and two barrels do remain here for the defence of the town, which did favour well with us, because it was the first that ever we received. The 16. the Troops of Bandonbridge came hither to renew, and carry away the said provisions, and for their better convoy, we sent with them our troop, which consisted of about forty Horse and forty Foot, which went with them about four miles, and drew up all our forces we could make, to make good the retreat, if occasion had been; our Forces no sooner parted from our friends, but those of Bandon fell into an Ambuscado, which was laid purposely for them, consisting of about 300 men, who fired each upon other; such was the great work of God almighty, that ours consisting of about 80 Horse, went thorough in despite of them, slew or killed about 80 of them, without the loss of a man; they wanted four, which they imagined had been slain, but they remained here playing the ill husbands, and went not with their friends; our people in their retreat pillaged, and burned all the houses they could espy; and being come all together, we marched in a body towards a multitude of them, which appeared upon a mountain towards Belgoly, and lay in ambush on the further side of the mountain; the hills round about us were covered with them, we marched within Musket-shot of the main body of them, and made a stand, every man desirous to march up to them, but night was at hand, and they had very much advantage of the ground; while we stood in sight of them, they made many hideous shouts, calling us English Rebels, and traitorous villains, and threatened, that before Monday following; to burn and ransack our town; but these were but flourishes, for that night they retreating to their accustomed place Belgoly, where their camp lay, many of their people run away, and it seems their Sabbath-Sacrifice wrought little effect; for the chief of them, which was Barry Oage and Jeremy Long, commanded the armed men to march towards my Lord of Muskrie his camp, and the rest they advised to shift for themselves: we are informed that many of the armed men did not march far, but run every man his way; this I conceive could not be in any policy, but merely the finger of God, that struck their hearts with such fear and terror, as they could not stay any longer. On Monday morning we marched thither, where we found good store of provision, some we brought away, the rest we burned with the houses, and all the country thereabouts, so they cannot in haste in camp themselves there again with any commodity: some few stragglers were found there, which were killed, only two or three, which we brought home prisoners, which I believe we shall hang this day; some things they have discovered, but to no great purpose, that it was merely fear that drove them away, thinking those easternly wind which then blue, had brought us great store of men out of England. On Tuesday we went forth again, and took possession of a Castle called Arcloyne, where we have left a guard of 12. Musquetiers, it lieth a mile from the town toward Bandonbridge, which was good service; for by that means we have gained a Mill which lieth under command of the Castle, and hope we shall keep it; we had not the use of any Mill this three weeks till now, which caused us (though we have store of corn) to want bread. We have certain advice, that about seven days since, the Lord precedents forces, about 600. foot, and 200. Horse, sallied out of Cork, and set upon my Lord of muskry, and Lord General Barries great Camp, which consisted of about 8000. The Rebels stood a while, but at last as many as could did fly, only one Company led by Mac Finins, Brother of Glon●rogh, which was known by a nickname, captain S●gone, who fought very valiantly, and received 7. or 8. shot into his body before he fell to the ground, his head and his hands are brought in, and set upon the gates of the City. There were slain of the Rebels no man knows how many, our men brought in 620. Muskets and Pikes which lay amongst the dead, they brought in abundance of provisions, my Lord of Muskries' Plate, and apparel, and many other good things. So I hope they will not be able to recover in haste such a head again: their Bogs and woods must be their chiefest forts. A passage or two more, though I be something tedious, I will relate; In my former Letters, I related the great loss sustained at a farm, which I had called Eneskonnis, it yielded me 92 pound per annum, and the stock was my own the Tenant was to make it good at each years end, only I had great store of corn which I could not get threshed, to bring it away; for after this Rebellion began none of the villains would labour: I had of wheat the growth of 35. Acres and as good as any in the country, beside Barley and Oats, my Landlord Patrick Rach of Polelonge, taking it for his own, as he formerly had done with m 〈…〉 Castle, and all things else, got two or three hundred with their colours to come thither to thresh, and carry it away, half for himself, and the other half for those that did labour, and stand by to guard him, but whiles they were about it the Troops of Bandon, and a few Musquetiers fell in among them, killed near 100 of them, put the rest to flight, and carried with them a great part of the Corn, which was made ready at their hands; and in this service they lost not a man: A while after the rebels attempted to steal away some cows near Bandon, and took two or three small children that were keeping of the said cows, which they killed most barbarously, took them by the Legs and arms and tore them asunder, one of the children they found stabbed with a scene in a dozen places at the least, which inhumanity did so much enrage them, that the next day they made another sally upon the rebels, and afterwards 〈◊〉 upon a Castle called Dondoniell Castle, where some time the Iron works stood; it was so full of men and provisions, that they had made Linnies without side, against the walls of the Castle, which they filled with hutches of corn and householdstuff, which they had taken from the English: Our men placed Musquetiers round about them, in such manner, that none of them within durst appear upon the battailment, nor peep out their nose at the loopholes; sent in five or six men that were skilful in mining under the said Linnies, who laboured so lustily, that in three or four hours they had made a hole thorough the wall; where they put in furze and straw, which did set the lower rooms of the Castle on fire, so that the Rebels and the provisions that were within, were burnt together: of what was in the Linnies they saved but two hundred horse load, and carried it by degrees to the town of Bandon. Had we but three or four hundred men more, we should soon be able to clear the river of Bandon, upon which are three Castles very well fortified, Kilgobane, Polelonge, and Corgenas. The landlord of Polelonge P●t. Roch fitz Richard was a Parliament-man, and hath been a long time in Rebellion, and his eldest son is made a captain amongst them. Had I men in place, I would be content to maintain them with victuals and pay at my own charge, until I had taken the said Castle of Polelonge, so that I might enjoy the said Castle, and Land thereunto belonging, which is ●ine plow-lands and a half, and so of the rest of the Castles. I pray, if you have any friends amongst that honourable assembly petition for some thing that might do us good: For my part, I have lost all, and for merchandizing there will be so little hopes while I live in this kingdom; so that unless it please God to ●bove their hearts to support me in some good way, I must be enforced to steer such a course, as after so much loss will not well suit with my age. The Irish inhabitants of this town, Cork, and Youghall are no better than those that are abroad in action; they did generally give intelligence of all that passed, and kept all things from us; I have discovered that many of the chiefest of the town did go daily to Belgolie Camp; and if friends to them, they must needs be enemies unto us: I have laid hold of some of them, I will advise my Lord President of their proceedings. Had not God Almighty dealt thus mercifully with us, that the hearts of those miscreants should thus fail them, to fly when none pursues them, that in our encounters with them we lose not one for 100 and seeing that all these late Ea 〈…〉 rly winds have brought no supply for us out of England, we should have been in despair, and clean cut off; but it doth plainly teach us, That it is his mighty hand and stretched-out arm, and not an arm of flesh that doth protect us. At the beginning of these troubles our watches were mixed Irish and English together, but since we have divided ourselves, the English have all retired to the water side, and the Irish keep the upper old town; so that if they profess any 〈…〉 cherry, the Fort and our ship Charles will presently beat down their houses 〈…〉 out their ears, and do us no harm. My Lord President and colonel Banester did very well approve of their doings: now a little of business I take notice what you write of the Ship Charles, I have thereupon thought it the best course to persuade Mr. John Brooks to go over to inform that Honourable House what manner of ship she is, and what she has and will stand us in to set her forth completely to Sea, she will stand us upward of five thousand pound. I shall desire you to be an assistant to the bearer Master I. Brooks, to petition to the Parliament to have satisfaction for the time we have spent in Harbour from the 12 day of January, for the defence of the Fort town and Harbour, which under God, was the chief preservation of them all; for till of late, the Fort was very weak, and ill-manned; and together to be employed in the King's service, and to allow us the rates which other ships have, three pound 16. shill. per month each man; she is already in place, and doubtless may do as good service as any ship that is employed; she will carry and hath Ports for thirty pieces of Ordnance; we have already 24 Barrels of powder, five cables, and double sails: but for this I refer you to the Relation of the bearer, praying you to assist him effectually; he is a very able deserving man; he carrieth a Letter from captain Dowrick, a part owner to a kinsman of his, one Mr. Norkot; a good friend to Mr. Pimme and Master Stroud; the said Master Stroud is a very able deserving Gentleman, I knew him when my Brother Nich. Glanfield lived in Tanestock, but I believe he doth not remember me. I pray God direct their hearts, that we may have some aid come over in time, to keep them from reaping what they have sown, and before they have powder and Arms from other parts, lest they should take head again. 10000 men in Munster would in my opinion, in a very short time do the business, and fetch back our cattle and Horses, which they have driven into Musgrow woods. If I had but two hundred men at present, to what we have, I am very confident I should do some service to God's glory in the defence of my Religion and Nation; and thus much believe of my conceited opinion, That if these rebels be pardoned, this kingdom will never be secure; the abuses are so inhuman, and so devilish, that if it become pardonable, none will care what offence he committeth: and the hatred between the Nations is so great, that it is impossible that ever it can be forgotten. Let us have leave to fight it out to the last man: or if not, and that they must live here, let us have leave to depart, and seek some other place for our habitation. We have at present abundance of corn, by reason of two or three prizes, French-men laden with Wheat and Rye, brought in by our men of war. It is a great oversight, that in all this time we have not more Ships, one or two to ride constantly in each Port, to hinder the coming of provision and Ammunition to the rebels, which cannot be so securely done by keeping a few ships at sea: The sure way is, as I have said, to have a ship or two to ride constantly in each port, and half a doeen of nimble ships to keep at Sea upon the head lands. I pray you be vigilant that we may have satisfaction for our losses, and some reward for our honest endeavour. I have furnished his mejesties' Fort of this place, Cork, King's ship, and otherwise in his majesty's service, to the value of 400 pounds in Deale hoards, Iron, Pitch, Tar, Train, Ammunitions, and moneys and know not yet when, or by whom I shall be satisfied for the same; and whatsoever I have yet remaining, I will willingly part with in the said service, and am reapy to seal this my intent to the last drop of my blood. There have been a great many of our Nation who are very able both in person and estate to serve in this cause, that have stolen away, and carried their estates moneys, and provision wish them; it were good in my opinion that enquiry were made after them in in England, and compelled not only to return in their own persons, but to bring over others at their own charge, it would be but an easy punishment for their cowardly baseness. I shall pesire you to be mindful of us in your prayers to God Almighty; In whom I rest. Your loving Brother Tristram Whitcombe. A Letter sent from Yoghal in Ireland to his friend resident in London, this present April. 1642. Master Col●s, I Have sent you by this Breviate of the last news for certain of the late passages in Ireland, which is brought by a ship calle the Abraham from Yoghall. This last week the Lord President of Munster, Viscount Dungarvan, Viscount Kinnalmuhy the Lord Broghill, and Sir Charles Vavasor colonel: The Lord President having some few days before wasted all Condons' country with fire and sword, joined their Forces together between Cappoquin and Tallow, slew there a great number of the Rebels, leaving their carcases in the open streets; so that to prevent the contagion might otherwise arise from their stinking bodies, they haled them to the sea, then marched to Dungarvan, recovered the castle there, and slew some 350, with the loss of no more than five or six of our English men's forces at most, and so go on still prosperously and valiantly. About this time they attempted to take mallow with 2000 men, but were repulsed by the forces of captain Jepson within the Castle. Yours Edw. Ford.