A LETTER FROM COLONEL HEWSON From Finagh in IRELAND, of the 14 of March, 1650. To the honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the Parliament of England: with Articles of the Surrender of Finagh Castle, And other Strong Holds. And a List of the Prisoners taken. Die Martis, 25 Martii, 1651. ORdered by the Parliament, That this Letter and Articles, With a List of the Prisoners taken, be forthwith printed and published. Hen: Scobell, Cleric Parliamenti. London, Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament of England. 1651. Mr. Speaker, THe mighty Hand of the great God hath been stretched out against your Enemies, and defending you and your Forces, whilst you have been prosecuting the people's Liberty, public Good and Interest of his People; amongst whom he hath, he doth, he will manifest his Presence: And as all your Forces hath abundance of Experience therein, so those in Ireland wants not large and comfortable Testimonies thereof. The several accounts you have received, giveth your servant's cause of rejoicing in, and depending upon our Lord for his Mercies exercised with and amongst them: And as in other Appearances of our God, this day, and his Presence with the present motion of your Servants here, doth abundantly proclaim his Goodness. The Counties of Westmeath, Cavan and Longford persisting in Rebellion, and the Enemy raising Forces in those parts, and endeavouring to form a considerable Army there; for the preventing thereof, and to reduce the said Counties, I marched from Dublin, and the parts adjacent, with 1600 Foot and 700 Horse the 24 of February last: when I was about Tecroghan, I had notice the Enemy in the King's County, with Three thousand Horse and Foot, was distressing one of the garrisons, I marched immediately to Terrill's Pass for its Relief; but Commissary General Reynolds had removed that Enemy with a party from about Kilkenny. I upon notice thereof marched towards Mullingar, where we found resistance by a Castle called Kilbridge, which was presently reduced; wherein Two hundred Barrels of Corn was found, and kept for your Service. When I came to Mullingar, the Enemy did quite desert and leave Erlestown, and burned the former, both of which I have now garrisoned for you, as also Mullingar. whilst I was there, I heard from Commissary General Reynolds, who had taken by Storm Donmore in Westmeath, wherein was near One thousand Barrels of Corn: I presently rid over unto him, where we both advised to fortify and garrison Ballemore, a very considerable place, which the Enemy had slighted. I sent thither Colonel Fouck with his Regiment, and Commissary General came thither with his Foot, and they have made up the Works, and made it tenable, and secured it for you. I marched unto Sir Thomas Nugent's House, which was kept against you, and reduced it; and then to Ballinalack, and reduced it, a considerable Pass out of Westmeath unto Longford. The Commissary General and I agreed to march to Finagh, where we heard was great store of Forces to entertain us. I came with my Party last night unto a Castle upon the Tower, and I saw a considerable Enemy march upon the other side of the Water towards us from the County of Cavan, who coming to the other side of the Pass at the Lougher, where we did Camp twice, Musket shot one from another, but the Castle was upon the Pass between us: that night Commissary General Reynolds quartered within three Miles of us; I raised a Battery, and planted the Guns that night, and this morning betimes began to play; the third shot that we made, the Enemy did quit the Castle, and run away unto the Bog: we pursued them, took some, drowned others, and some few escaped. I drew down the Horse and Foot presently over the River up to Finagh, where we beheld the Enemy that came towards us yesterday, march faster back from us. We found a Pass about Musket shot of the Castle, over which I sent Sir Theophilus Jones with 400 Horse, and my Regiment of Foot, to pursue the Enemy, and with the rest of the Foot stormed Finagh, but could not enter. I presently did summon it, they desired to treat, but in the time of Parley Commissary General coming up, we did jointly treat with them; and as we were treating, Sir Theophilus Jones came back, who had overtaken the Enemy, killed about four hundred on the place, and brought with him the prisoners in the enclosed List mentioned. The Soldiers in the Castle finding all hopes failing, yielded the Castle upon the Articles herewith tendered unto you. The taking of this place is of great advantage unto you, and giveth you the possession of Longford and Cavan; and this days successes doth in good measure prevent the forming of such great Armies as they intended. Whilst you pursue those Interest God will own, you will find his hand against your Enemies, his power with your forces, and success in your great undertakings, the hands of your faithful servants strengthened, and all good people comforted, and the Government you have established, secured: Which that the Lord of Hosts may still preserve uncorrupted, shall be the prayers of Your faithful Servant J. HEWSON. Finagh, 14 March. 1650. Articles agreed upon between Commissary General Reynolds, Colonel Hewson, and Christopher Nugent, on the behalf of Major Dardise, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers, upon the Surrender of Finagh this 14 March. 1650. Imprimis. THat the garrison of Finagh be immediately surrendered within half an hour unto Captain Hoar who is appointed to receive the same. II. That all the Ammunitions, Stores, and Provisions that are in the said Garrison, be delivered to the said Captain, the said Stores being in no ways imbezzled, or wasted. III. That the Governor of the said garrison, Major Dardise, shall be a prisoner of War, and have his Parole for Fourteen days after the date hereof. IV. That all the rest of the Officers and Soldiers that are in the said garrison, shall march forth with their Arms for one Mile, at which place they are to deliver their Arms to those that shall be appointed to receive them, where they shall have a safe conduct towards Ardagh in the County of Longford. V. That the said Officers and Soldiers of the said garrison are permitted and suffered to march to their own garrisons for three days, during which time no Hostility is to be acted against them, they acting nothing prejudicial to the State of England. VI. And that Captain Nugent and Captain Cruse remain Hostages for the performance of the aforementioned Articles. Dated this 14 March. 1650. Christopher Nugent. J. Reynolds. J. Hewson. A List of the Prisoners taken by Commissary General Reynolds, mentioned in this LETTER. COlonel Alexander mac Donnel Lieut. Col. John mac Donnel Major Surly mac Donnel Captains. Donnel mac Kay, Patrick mac Cormuck Hector mac Neal Tirlagh O Quin Cochel O Quin Patrick O Melan Arth. mac Donnel Dan O Neal Miles Reyly Daniel Brady Farel Magauly Shane O Kernan. Lieutenants. Tirlagh Reyly Archbold mac Donnel Bryan mac Donnel Donnel Reyly Owen Rely John Brady Thomas Brady Thomas Fitzpatrick Brady Tirlagh Brady Owen mac Kerny Phelim mac Donnelly Phel. mac Mulwy Ensigns. Tirlagh Rely Hugh Reyly James Brady Bryan mac Kern Donnel mac Kern Hugh Brady Sirlagh mac Keaghan Edmond mac Melchal Philip mac Kedan Donnel mac Elaspick Chelim mac O Codan Daniel O Neale Daniel mac Giee Cormuch Cavenagh Hugh mac Clemen. James O Hore, Quarter Master. Private Soldiers, and Non Commission Officers 376. FINIS.