A true RELATION Of the proceedings of the SCOTTISH army NOW IN IRELAND, By three LETTERS. The First Sent from general Major MONROE to general LESLIE his Excellence. The Second Writ by the Major and Aldermen of London-Derry to general Major MONROE. The Third Sent by the Earl of ANTRUM to general Major Monroe. Which Letters were sent by general Major Monroe to general LESLIE his Excellence.  
London Printed for John Bartlet, 1642.   

General Major MONROE his Letter to general LESLEY.  
Right Honourable,  
HAving received your Letter of the fourth of May from captain Fraser at my return to Carrickfergus, on Thursday the twelfth at night; please your Excellence to be informed truly of the passages of our first expedition towards the Newrie; having broken up from Carrickfergus the twenty seventh of April at night, we marched to Millone, being nine miles from Carrickfergus, and a mile beyond Belfast, where we remained the twenty eight, till after midday, that my Lord Connoway, colonel Chitchester, with a thousand commanded foot, did join with us, and three troops of horse, and two troops Dragooners, with our small pieces, and one big piece of five pound bullet taken off the Castle of Carrickfergus: And being forced to leave a part of our provision for ten days behind us, for want of carridge horses. We broke up Boden, as we might be served to quarter that night at Drumbo, having directed from Carrickfergus one of the King's ships towards Carlingford with some provision of Meal, Cheese and Ammunition, for which we had no transport by land, giving him order to secure the water mouth at Carlingford, being the water passes to the Newrie. The other ship I directed towards Colraine and London-Derry, with some relief to them both, and to bring intelligence from thence against our return. The twenty ninth we marched towards Lessnagarvie, where we joined with eight hundred foot and two troops of horse of my Lord Clannebowies, and my Lord Ards, commanded by lieutenant colonel Montgomrie, and lieutenant colonel Hamilton; and being in all about three thousand four hundred foot, in two divisions, viz. Connoway Chitchester, Clannebowies and Ardis making one division, Sinklers commanded men, him and I being a thousand six hundred we made up the other division, and marched day about in the vanguard and gave out the orders night about my Lord Connoway and I. We had also with us three troops Dragooners at fifty a piece, and five troops of horse at forty a piece; and all being put in order, we marched towards the woods of Kilwarline, where the Enemy lay in one pass with 2500. men, and sixty horse, commanded by my Lord Ev●ck Mack●rtane Sir Con Macginnische and Sir Rorie Macginnische, they having cast off one bridge on the pass, and retired from it to another pass in the woods; I commanded our horsemen to go about and to draw up on their flank in the wood, having way to pass but one horse after another: in the mean time our commanded Muskateers and four of our fielding-peeces were brought over the pass, and made good one pass till our whole Army was set over, and then our Canons forced them to give ground, till we made open the second pass being straight, having moss and bogs on every side; at length our commanded Muskateers charged the front, and the Cavilree on the flanks, till they were forced with loss to retreat in disorder athwart the woods and bogs on several hands, in which time our whole army came over the pass, and then our commanded Muskateers skirmished with them for three miles in the woods on both flanks while the body of the Army was making passages free to carry through the Canon and horsemen: at night we encamped all horse and foot in one body, the whole night in arms in the midst of the wood. In this skirmish Sir Rorie Mackginnische and Mackartans, two active men, brothers were killed with one hun●red and fifty more; with the loss of two men on our side. and four wounded. About Sir Rorie was found divers Letters, which furnished us with intelligence of all their designs in opposing us in that field, and of their intentions elsewhere.  
Saturdy the last of April, we marched in the former order through the woods, towards Lochbricklane, where being come on the plain, our horsemen on the wings killed divers of them retiring, and some taken prisoners were hanged thereafter. And being come late to quartar we could not engage that night with the intaking of the island, where there lay a wicked garrison in a fast place environed within a loch, being a refuge in safety, and their Boat d●awne. Sunday the first of May, being eight miles from the Newrie, I commanded the cavalry and Dragoneers to march, for blocking up the Newrie, till our coming: and they being gone, I pursued the island from the land with Canon and Musket for a time, and finding the rogues despirate, I adventured upon promise of reward six hieland-m●n with their arms, Pike and sword, to swim under me●cy of our own Canon, to bring away their Boat, whereof three swimmers died, two retired, and the sixt alone brought away the Boat, being shot through with a fielding-piece; she was clamped up with salt hides, and being manned again, took in the I'll, the whole sixty therein put to the sword, and our prisoners which they had released. And leaving a sergeant and twelve Muskateers there, we marched towards the Newrie; and having summoned the Town and Castle to come in to our mercy or no mercy, the town gave over, the Castle held out, alleging He was able to keep it seven years. In the mean time we granted a time to the next morning to Him to advise; during which time I fully recognized the house and perceived that I could take it in by pittard or by fire. On Monday the second of May, prepared our faggots, and made ready our batteries, before tuesday at midday, resolving to take it in rather by terror of our Canons then by fire or pittard, which would make the place unprofitable for us; next if it were taken so Sir Edward Traver a man of good account, being there Prisoner, had died also by them or with them; so having all things in readiness quainted them again there was no quarter for them but he and his garrison to march forth without arms with white sticks in their hands, and he should have a free Convoy, and their lives spared. These of the town should have no other quarter then to come forth in our reverence. And our prisoners to be safely delivered unto us, which they once accorded unto: but getting intelligence Sir Philome was near hand for their relief, they resolved to delay till the next morning, which being refused, we forced up their outer gate and were ready to pittard the second were not for fear of the prisoners who cried for mercy; and that the gate should be made up instantly as was done, and the Castle that night guarded by us and the prisoners guarded in the Town.  
On Wednesday the fourth of May, the captain was sent away with a Convoy, and the townsmen detained till trial should be had of their behaviours; as also the garrison of Carlingford fled away for fear and the captain of the King's ship made booty there and man●ed the Castle of Carlingford. This day I did write to Dundaak● to Sir Henry ●●gburne to come to the Newrie to learn of him the estate of the Country beyond him who came to us on thursday the fift of M●y of whom I could learn nothing, who being returned we entered in e●amination of the townsmen, if all were Papists; and the indifferent being severed from the bad whereof 60. with two Priests were shot and hanged the indifferent are banished: which being done, finding the place comodious for our Army, I resolved to place lieutenant Colone●l Sinkler with his men to maintain the place, having joined with them ●00. of my Lord Ards and my Lord Clannebowies men till the rest of their own regiment might be sent to them by woter from Carrickfergus. And in my simple judgement your Exce●lence shall find that place a convenient part to draw the third of the Army there being nearest the strength of the Enemy, in the Counties of Ardmach, tyrant, Monacan and Cavan otherwise it will be impossible ●o transport your Army from Carrickfergus for lack of ca●iage and toilsome ways; for in this last march five of my carriages were broken, being but fielding pieces, which are the only Cannon for use in this service: and our horses also in the most parts of the Country will not be useful but rather a toil to the foot to guard them; for it will be a War in my judgement very strange, for in the whole march I had never any alarm given us being quartered in the fields untrenched.  
Friday the sixt of May having settled the garrison, I resolved to march towards the enemy to Ardmach: and having sent forth one strong party of Horse and Dragoneers towards their Army, they thinking the whole Army was marching; retired back on Ardmach and burned the town, puttingall the British to the sword and retired to the straits of Tyron; whereupon we being scarce of victuals and our body weakened, our soldiers burdened with unnecessary trash of baggage. I resolved to return with the Army home, marching through my Lord Evankes country, Mackartan and Slawtneils, being only the considerable Enemy in the country of down. And in our March I resolved myself with 800. Musketeers to put them from their strengths in the Mountains of Monrue, and to rob them of their cattle, which we did. I marching through the Mountains, on the right hand, and the Army, Horse and foot and artillery marching through the Valley on the left hand, where we joined together. On Sunday the eight at night, four miles from the pass of Durdrum, bordering betwixt my Lord Evanks Lands & Mackartans. Monday the ninth, we divided our Army in three, Colonel Home with 500 commanded Musketeers two troops of Dragoneers, and one troop of Horse; to Connoway the artillery cattle and baggage safest way towards Mackartene's own house; the rest of the Horse● lieutenant colonel Montgomrie and 200. commanded Muskateers were sent about the mountains to run through betwixt Kilwarning woods and Killernie woods to the rendezvous the next day at Mackartene's house; and hearing Mackartane with his forces and cattle were lying in one strait in the woods of Killernie, I marched, thither myself, with the body of the foot and Colours: and having quartered on Monday at night within three miles of the Enemy, came upon them the next morning unawares without sound of Drum, so they were scattered. And having commanded further three bodies of Musketeers to several parts, appointing one rendezvous for all, we brought together to our quarters at night above four thousand cattle, and joined all together at night at Mack●r●anes house; and divers were killed of the Rebels, being scattered on all hands; and one strong body of them on one pass in the woods foregathered with the horsemen, and lieutenant Colonel Montgomrie, where the foot behoved to guard the horse, they being unskilful in their l●ding, having lost four horses and five men.  
Wednesday the 11. hearing the Enemy was resolved to fight with us in the wood, we marched with our Artillery and commanded men in the vanguard; our two divisions marching after with commanded men in the flanks, we were forced to make several stopped to clear the passages they had stopped with wood to keep us up; our cattle marched next to the Army, being guarded with Pike-men and Muskateers on all quarters; our baggage next to them, our horsemen and Dragonee●s in the rear of all. The Rebels being drawn up on the hills perceiving our order of march, durst not engage with us so coming free off, we quartered at night in Drumbo: and the next morning divided our cattle, such as remained unstolen by the horsemen and plunderers, being an infinite number of poor contemptible countrymen, which could not be reduced to order. And on thursday the twelfth, we returned to our several quarters, all our victuals being spent, except our cows. At my return I received one letter f●om my Lord marquess of Argile, craving advice where he should land his men in the County of Antrum; likewise one other letter from the Earl of Antrum, rather to entrap me then to approve himself a loyal Subject; the third I received from the town of London-Derry showing their necessities, which letters I have answered severally as I could best for the time.  
And for answer to your Excellence of this fourth of May▪ I find Companies coming over and no provision with them, which questionless, except it be prevented will breed disorders amongsts us: for there is not provision here for the Forces already come to give them bread, and if I had not had meal that came from Scotland, and some biscuit borrowed from the King's Ships, I had not intended the Expedition for the Newrie, and I did think in sixteen days' time, the most part being out of the garrison; that the Major should have had store of bread for a new Expedition in readiness to go into the County of Antrum, to assist the marquess of Argiles forces at their landing against the Rebels, being dangerous for them, except we be able to divert the Enemy toward the band-water, in regard my Lord Antrum is joined strong with the Rebels, making a pretext of laying down of arms, in the mean time doth what he can to cut our throats; and except the men come suddenly I cannot draw to the fields to assist Argile; neither can I get Sinclers' regiment well provided, who are at the Newrie; for in ten days' time all the provision thereabouts will be eaten up, till more forces join with them to enlarge his freedom.  
And my Lord Linsies men I have quartered in Broad island and Ylmagy, where they have houses but no victuals; and if all should be trusted to the Major of Carrickf●rgus his furnishing one thousand must li●e on one hundred men's allowance of bread a day: so that meal must be the provision which will fit us best to go to the fields.  
In all our journey we could not rammasse ten serviceable horse for Cannon or baggage, but above eight hundred colts and fillies were rammassed together out of the mountains and Woods by the poor contemptible robbed people and plunderers, which I followed the Army, which I could not in pity take from them. The most of our carriage that was weighty at this time was drawn by Oxen, our baggage horse were scarce and weak. But I hope when grass grows up we may get some horses from them, if we could be served meanly, for the present which no man can supply so well as my Lord Clunnebowies and my Lord Arddis, Master Arthur Hill, and James Edmistoun of Broad island and Ylemagies; and this▪ is all the help your Excellence may expect for transporting of Baggage or ammunition, except it be brought from Scotland for the time.  
I must entreat your Excellence to cause send one copy of this Information to our Commissioners, and another to my Lord chancellor, since I cannot have time to write to them; please your Excellence to receive the letter that came from London-Derry the 27. of April; as also the Earl of Antrums letter from Dunluce the last of April, directed to myself. So having no further to acquaint your Excellence with for the time; wishing your Excellence an happy arrival here: I remain  
Your Excellence humble and obedient servant, ROBERT MONROE. Carrickfergus this 13. of May, 1642.   

The Major and aldermen's Letter of London-Derry to general Major MONROE.  
Right honourable and noble Sir,  
We of this city of London-Derry and other parts, have either been forgotten, or given over for loss, as we conceive; for all other parts of the kingdom are plentifully supplied, and yet though we have made our wants and miseries known divers times to Dublin and to England and Scotland, yet no relief ever came to us, but only thirty barrels of powder brought by captain Bolline from Dublin, long before Christmas, which was partly upon the arrival thereof disposed to all needful parts; and want of powder and arms here hath been our ruin. It is the great providence and goodness of God that we are hitherto preserved, having been so ill armed and provided for; all the arms within his majesty's store here were shipped to Dublin the last summer, and nothing left here but old decayed Calivers, which we have hitherto made a shift with, and trimmed them up to our great charges.  
We have raised seven hundred men for the defence of this city and keep them hitherto at our own charges, in expectation of money and other supplies, but there is not one hundred good swords amongst them and their arms but mean. Sir William Steward, Sir Robert Steward, and Sir Ralph Gore had Commissions from his Majesty out of Scotland in November for raising their Regiments, and two horse troops, they lie in the County of Tyrone and thereabout, and so have done all this winter, to oppose the enemy, but being unprovided for, and not one penny to pay them, they could never attempt any great service. It is much that they keep the enemies from our walls to this hour, now our powder is gone, our victuals is beginning to fail, and these three Regiments had been starved long since, if we of this city had not relieved them with beef, Butter, Heri●s, and other necessaries, to a great value, but this will hold out no longer, for we have not now victuals enough for our own men in the city. And if a Ship of Bristol had not arrived here with some Peas, meal and Wheat, we could not have shifted longer, and all that will not last the Regiments fourteen days; for the provision of the Cou●trey is destro●ed by the enemy, or de●oured by our own men; and we a●e in●●●ed to feed multitudes of unserviceable people that are fled hither for relief; so if the enemy's sword spare us, famine will dispatch us, except God in mercy provide for us. But this is not all, for now at this very hour. Sir Phileme O. Neal having gathered from all parts what forces he can make, is with a very great Army of Horse and fo●t at Siraband and the ford of within ten or twelve miles of this city, intending (by all the intelligence we can get) to set up his rest, and despirately to break in upon us, where all the forces we can make are ready to bid him welcome.  
Sir Philome on the one side of the River, and ours on the other, in sight one of the other: so as we of this city were enforced not only to send a great part of our men out of the city to join with the●, but also unfurnished and parted with that little powder was left us, which with a little we got out of the Bristol ship we have sent to encounter this Irish rebel. And now to revive our fainting spirits God hath provided for our relief, and sent this bearer captain Strange into Lochfoyle, who being in his majesty's service and sent for the comfort of his majesty's distressed Subjects into these parts we have made a true relation to him of our despirate estate and the great danger, we are in, for want of powder and other provi●●on, that we have not only prevailed with him to lend us for the present six barrers of powder, but also to set sail for us to Carrik fergus, to present our wants and dangers we are in to your honourable consideration, most earnestly praying that for the love of God; and honour of our King and the safety of this place and people, ye will dispatch him back again to us with a good and large proportion of Powder, Match, and head Muskets, Swords Pikes, some Spades and Shovels, whereof we have not any; and of these or what else may be had as much as ye can possibly spare us; for we want all things fit to defend a distressed country, and offend a despirate Enemy.  
We also pray that you will restore the captain the six barrels of Powder we have borrowed of him; and if there be any biscuit, Cheese or any other victuals to be spared to send us some good proportion thereof. So being at present in great haste, and perplexity, with our service presented to your honour, we remain  
London Derry the 27. of April, 1642. Your humble servants 

Robert Thornton, Major  
Henry Asburne, Ian. Pha●.     

The Earl of Antrims Letter to general Major MONROE.  
Noble colonel,  
I Was glad when I heard you were to be employed in this Kingdom, but now more pleased to hear that you and others of your name are safely arrived. I hope you believe I have not been ignorant of the relation that has been between your Family and mine, and still continued by those of my name in Scotland, especially by Sir Donald, I shall be very ready to keep the same correspondency, if I had the opportunity. And now having the occasion by your journey into Ireland, I shall be as willing to give you a belief of it as any other friend whatsoever. And I am very confident to receive a return from you accordingly.  
I cannot so easily express any particulars, as I should be centent to do by word of mouth; and if you please to do me the favour to meet me at Glenarme, and to signify to me the time, I shall take it as a great argument of your respects and friendship to me; and you may be there as much Master of the place as myself. I shall not go attended in the posture of a soldier, but in my accustomed manner, that the lookers on may take notice of our familiar meeting and respect to each other. And I hope we shall agree in the main point for his majesty's service and the quieting of my country; and I shall strive to relieve Coleraine with victuals very shortly.  
I am sorry that in my absence my people were so unfortunate as to do any hostile act, though in their own defence, being compelled to it for safety of their lives, which they say they can make appear in a convenient time: and the relation of the manner of the one and the other, I must refer to our meeting, and then I shall be better able to tell your honour how much I am  
Your affectionate friend and humble servant, ANTRIM. Dunluce the last of Apil, 1642.  
FINIS.