May 3. A TRUE AND PERFECT Diurnal: Of the most remarkable Passages in Ireland, from the second of April to this present. Sent over by a Gentleman of very good worth, and an eyewitness.  
To a brother of his in LONDON.  
Printed at London for Edward Blackmore, at the sign of the Angel in Paul's Churchyard 1642.   

April the second, 1642.  
THe Army marched out, lodged at Recoole, and the next morning at our departure fired the whole Town, the 3. we marched by Punchington towards the Naas, burning and pillaging all the Rebels houses in the way, and hearing that at Tipper the Rebels had refortified themselves, some of our Horse going on too securely, a Trumpeter was slain by the fall of a stone from the top of the Castle thrown at him: whereupon at evening Sir Charles Coote took two foot Companies, and two troops to force it; and having by the pioneers broke the gate, they entered the lower rooms, the enemy took the higher, and a barrel of powder was set in the Vault, and they blowed up the Castle with them in it, only a Dutchman and others, taking the stair case were taken, and the Dutchman confessed, that a Priest was there slain, who had 200. l. in his pocket, & that there was 500 pound in plate, all which was buried in the ruins, some pillages, as Linen and Cloth was got there; the Dutchman hanged the next day in the Naas: we lost there seven men.  
The 4. We marched, our troops burning and pillaging most of the Rebels Castles and Towns unto Kilcullen, an ancient Burrough, but now altogether ruinous; and there we killed 3. Rogues, all the rest being fled.  
The 5. We came to Athy, in the way were two Rebels hanged, and a little on the further side of Ballisoneere Castle, fortified by the Rebels; the Earl of Antrim, Earl of Castle-haven, and Duchess of Buckingham met the Army, who were entertained by Sir Charles with a volley of shot of Musketieres', and 3. Pieces; at our coming into Athy, we found most part of the Town burnt by the Inhabitants the day before, because a great Company of the Rebels thought, by the help of the standing, to a forced the whole Castle, standing on the Bridge, on the gate we found newly set up a head of one of their Captains that was slain, which by the general vote of all that knew him, was the head of one of the Fitzgarrets, a Fencer in Dublin.  
The 6. We rested in Athy, in the mean time Sir Charles Coote relieved Captain George Grymes at Ballilyon, who most valiantly did defend the Country according to his ability, and brought Sir john Bowen with him to Town: in the mean season some of the troopers went to Carlow, of whose coming the Rebels hearing, fired the Town and fled, yet not so fast but our troops slew about 70. of them: this day at night were 4. Rebels hanged, and one Luke Maly, a great Receiver of the rob English goods: Also George Welter's governor of the Town of Athy came in of himself, who had reconciled himself to the Church of Rome, as by a certificate found from a Priest was made known; for which next day he was hanged, and after him eight others, and one Pioneer for firing his quarter without warrant.  
The 7. We marched to Sradbelly, and lay that night, and hanged the next morning 14. Rogues, and burned all the Towns of the Rebels.  
The 8. We marched to Maribrough where the people told us, that the Rogues made an incursion or two upon them, they slaying 22. of them, but none of ours hurt, and yet there hath died of miseries and diseases above 300 since these troubles: Sir Charles hearing Ballanakill to be straightly besieged went that night thither, put to flight 600. of them, with a few troops of Horse, killed 60 and odd, brought home 4. muskets, 6. Pieces, some Pikes and Darts; one of our Conductors being shot through the Arm with two bullets, and one Trooper clear through the thigh.  
The 9 We rested in Mariborough, and Richard Grace the Burgonor came in before, having delivered up the Town, Castle and White-rod: and as is supposed went to the Rebels, there came in also George Fitzgarret, whose son is in Rebellion, and Captain Crosby, and others.  
10. Sir Charles with 400. Horse, and 20. Musketeers went to relieve the Borage, which was so hardly beset, and almost famished, having but four horses left, whereof one they had eaten: Giving them into the Castle 40. Cows, beside sheep and swine, powder and shot; in his progress in the woods he was set on by the Rebels, who after two or three shots fled, and in the chase there were killed two Commanders, the head of one set on the gate of Borage, of them, and near 50. others, Captain Armstrong being shot through the buff coat, the bullet graed on his belly, and Captain Yarner with a bullet shot through his cap, and his head only razed with the shot, that night they rod through the Byr, and relieved them, which are now provided in the Castle for 12. months, the enemy as yet not daring to approach them.  
The 11. They returned with horse, and men, much wearied to Maribrough late at night, having lost some of their horses in the bogs, but the men came safe off not without divine providence: for the Rebels thought to encompass them: but Leiut. Hugh's, and some other going and firing divers Towns in the woods adjacent, drew off the Rogues, whereby they came off safe the same day; some of our soldiers going out to forage, by their neglect lost one fire Lock, and two pioneers by the Rogues.  
The 12 We rested in Mariborough, and that night were handged 3. poor Rogues, one whereof a bastard of john a Youghall, that had hanged five English people in the same town, all dying without any show of penitence.  
We marched from Mariborough to Athy: Captain Hughes firing all the country with 300. men on the edge of Clanmelyra, killing few of the Rogues, they being fled into the woods: in the mid way at Stradbally, they found a smith's man, his Master being a little before fled, making Pike heads, and skeanes for the Rebels, whom they instantly hanged on a gate, in our absence the Rebels made an approach towards Athy, to the number of 58. others say 32 colours, but the just number is uncertain, though our Scouts went out to descry, they lying on the westside of the Burrow a River running down from Athy to Water-ford.  
The 14 Captain Armstrong's troop being quartered at Captain Burrowes, some of them issued out, and found some of the Rebels Scouts, who they put to flight, killing and drowning 18. of them, they having passed on this side the River, and took from them 6. fowling Pieces, & one Musket: In the afternoon the Lord Lieutenant of the Army with some troopers going to take a view of the Army, a horse of Mr. james Cootes, was shot in the forehead, and the enemy's scouts road between the bridge and them; but nothing done, and about three of the clock in the afternoon, were hanged eight Rebels, one of them was Brock, an ancient English Papist, and a most subtle Seducer of the English, a man of acute wit, and well spoken; as also an Intelligencer of the Rebels, abold and malapert knave, not daring to tell the English in Athy, that before Christmas next, that he hoped to hear Mass said in the Church there: nay, that he would read it there himself (which is a marvel in a Romish Catholic, their Church not allowing a married Clergy; yet this Rebel having a wife at the Jailhouse.) This night it was the general report that the enemy would give us battle next morning, whereupon order was given by the Lord Lieutenant General, that we should be ready to march by break of day the next morning, the news giving cause of joy to all our Army, they being all desirous to fight, I conceive, as to eat or drink.  
15. About 6. a clock in the morning, our army began to move in a fair and easy march, at which time were 3. hanged one Rebel by name Donne, and the other two, soldiers of ours, who would have run to the Rebels in our absence; Two of the Kealing of Sir George Wentworths troop, ran to the Rebels before we had fully marched 2. mile, to a place called the Mortar Ascull where it was supposed, the enemy would lie in ambush; by our scouts, the Rebels were descried, that they had passed the old Bridge, and were marching on this side Kilkey, a House of the Countess Dowagers of Kildare, a great Fortress of the Rebellion, as we thought to meet them on the Hill adjacent unto Kilsonan Castle, which caused the Army to march faster, whereby we might obtain it before them; so to have the Hill wind and Sun: the enemy conceiving as was after confessed by one taken prisoner that we did sly from there puissant power, when in my hearing a Captain unknown to me, demanded of the Lord Lieutenant General, why he did not march an other way, (as I conceive to the carrow of Kildare,) his Honour answered laughing, he would not boodge afoot out of the way he came, for all the Rogues, not long after we did see them apparently march in three full bodies, & that so fast, which caused us all to mend our pace for attaining the aforementioned Hill, on which were already some of our troops, but we drawing within half a mile of the foot of it, the Rebels marched very fairly, having about 40. Colours, and pitched on the brow of a Hill, adjacent to Castle Town (a Town of the Lord Viscount of Elis,) having Hill, wind, and Sun of us, yet had we a very fair champion to order our battle in (the Rebel having set themselves ready to entertain us in 3. bodies;) The Earl of Ormond taking infinite pains with much alacrity to give the enemy's battle: neither can I without injury forget the extraordinary care and industry of that checkmate of Rebels, Sir Charles Coote; now our army being divided into 3. bodies, the outmost wings flanked with our horse, and our 5. pieces of Ordnance marching between the bodies, and two lose wings, whereof, that of the left hand was led by Captain Prime Rochfort, each man committing himself to God, and care of his duty; Drums and Trumpets, declaring our willingness to meet with the Rogues, every man marched forwards with as much joy, as if he went to a wedding; our men approaching near our enemy, the Lord General gave order, that if the Gunners thought, they were within reach of execution, they should let fly at the enemies middle body standing on a Hill, the first shot out of a Saker Drake being 400. paces at the least being given fire unto by Captain Stutvile Master Gunner of Ireland, divided an ensigns body into two parts which was strange, in regard, the Rebels were seated on the brow of the Hill in a natural Fort, that we had no other mark, but half head the Colour and pike, and with two Drakes we made eight shots, which did little hurt in regard of the situation, our two Sakers and Demi-Culverin playing on the enemies right hand body, one of the Sakers whereof Will: Hampton had the command, making a lane by shattering the upper parts of the pikes the bodies of the men, being secured as is related before; he shot seven shots, and at the seventh shot, beat down three of the Rebels Colours; immediately, after which, a shot made out of the Demi-Culverin, put the Rogues to astand like a heard of dear that gaze at the opening of a hound, in the mean time, our private soldiers being led on by the Lord Lieutenant General, all came within musket shot of the Rebels, which caused the two last Pieces to forbear, lest they should hurt our own men in there going on, going on said I, nay rather dancing, such was there resolution, and discharging so continually quick, that there was not space of the motion of the heart, or the twinkling of an eye for an hour and a half together; such music did they make, that I am persuaded to a soldier's ear, chamber fiddling will be hardly accepted, but with little hurt to the Rebels, in respect of the bank before them, yet were they so astonished that to run or stay they knew not: and now behold an act of the Divine providence, for at this very time, the wind that was South East, and so against us, turned Northwards, being a great help to us, but the enemy seeing our men come on so courageously, turned tail like haggard faulkon, and likewise run away; our horse men and foot pursuing, with might and main, until they came to a long Bog wherein the Rogues took, but were bravely fetched off with our firelocks, and troops; part of our Troops that flanked on the right, thinking the Rebels would have taken to Castle Town, rod that way, but they not appearing, fired the Town and returned to the Chase, in which was some 500 men amongst them slain; one Butler, Son to the Viscount of Iberring, and Son in Law to the Wolf Mountgaret: as also Birne a Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel Cavanaugh; there was taken a Cart of the Rebels with three barrels of powder, aqua vitae, and other good provision drawn by eight Oxen, which made me wonder, that they discharged no more shot at us, but it was their policy not giving us, I think, a 100 shot, for by an Englishman that was taken who was a Sumpter bearer to the Lord Viscount Iberring, it is reported, that he confessed, there was a watch word, that though with loss, they should rush upon our army, rout us, and so become Masters both of the field and all our ammunition; there Achitophel Mountgarret having set in order the day before, how all the pillage should be divided, but having failed in his purpose: I hope he will conclude as his former Projectour in a halter, such ends God send the enemies of our Church, King, and State, and let all true hearted Protestants, that shall read this, say Amen.  
There were in this battle of the Rebels, the Viscount Mountgarret, and Iberring, the Baron of Dunboin, the flower of the Gentry of Kildare Wicklow, Catherlow, Kilkenney, Queen's County, Westmeath, and other parts adjacent, who did really believe to have destroyed us; but God our God risen up and delivered us from the hands of those bloody minded men, who thought to have devoured us having now nothing to glory of, but there shameful flight with the loss of 4. of there Colours, and the parts, which were painted on them, being not able to deliver them out of our hands; but as Trophies of God's mercy and our deliverance, we brought to Dublin as also the three heads of the three forenamed Traitors, which stands as spectacles of God's justice, on perfidious Traitors and Devilishly minded Monsters, begotten by the Locusts by the Whore of Babylon; after the chase, we found only two Troopers slain, and one hurt, with one Ancient, and some seven private soldiers of our army; glory be to God.  
When having drawn our forces into good Array, in came that valiant Commander Sir Charles Coote, who was so eager in the Chase, that he lost his Mountero and road bare head amongst the thickest of them, so marching forwards towards Kildare, we thought to have lodged in it that night, it being night when we came within two miles of it.  
But the Rebels had the Castle, so that it was dangerous to adventure thither, whereupon the Lord Lieutenant General, and Sir Charles agreed, that we should march that night to Newconnel a Town of Sir Nicholas Whites standing on this side the River of Loffie, to which we marched over the Carrow of Kildare, and passed through the River with our pieces, am nunitions, and carriages between twelve and one a clock that night; our van lying at Connel, and our carriages lying on this side the River, and the rear of the farther side of the same, and came in the next morning about right of the clock.  
16. About eleven a clock, we marched towards the Naas, the way we went being about some four miles and a half, and in the way amongst many houses that we burned, we burned the House of Fitzgarret Steward to Sir Nicholas White and Captain of the Rebels, who the day, the battle was fought came to Connel aforesaid with one Sutton of the Naas; and being demanded what news from the armies, he replied, that the Irish were shamefully routed and run away; further adding these words, that he thought God fought for the English, and the Devil for them. Thus doth the Governor of all things, made false Traitors speak the truth to his glory, and our comforts: at the Naas we rested that night, but found little provision but what we brought with us, and over night warning given us, that we should be ready to march by the break of the day.  
17. And being ready in the morning, and our Wagons droven out to march; even as our pieces were going, a command came, that the Demiculverin and the two Sakers should stay at the Naas, and also 600. men and two Troops, the Lord Liles, and Sir Charles Cootes Drogoones, who also stayed with them, we marching and burning all the Rebels houses in the way home, and when we came near, we heard, and that with joy of the arrival of 700. horse more for the further service of God's glory, the King's honour, our Church's peace, and the hopeful enjoyment of our ancient liberty, and thus much concerning our first march out of Dublin, being above 40. miles in the Country of the Rebels under the conduct of the right honourable and truly hopeful Commander james Earl of Ormond and Ossory etc. and divers other brave valiant Captains, whom to nominate would be too tedious though their acts are fit to be eternised by a more able pen, than a point blank Gunner.  
Deo Gloria Solo.  
FINIS.