A Perfect NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF Knocknones, WITHIN THE COUNTY Of Cork and Province of Munster, on Saturday, the Thirteenth of November, betwixt the Parliaments Forces under the Command of the Lord INCHIQUIN, Lord Precedent of Munster; AND The forces of the Irish Rebels under the Lord Taaff, set down by an Officer of the Parliaments Army, present and acting at the Fight. Directed to an Honourable Member of the House of COMMONS. LONDON, Printed for Robert Bostock, in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Kings Head. 1647. A Narrative of the Battle of KNOCKNONES. IT was now a season as unapt for Action to the naked English, as opportune for the Irish better enured and accommodated to the hardships of that Country, when the Lord Taff, General for the Irish, advanced towards the English Quarters, with a Design to block up, or distress them in their Garrisons, wherein it being discerned, that he might prevalently proceed to their destruction, if a seasonable opposition were not given; It was at a Counsel of War summoned by the President, long debated whether to issue forth of our Garrisons to encounter this approaching Torrent or not, and at length after an earnest endeavour of divers to the contrary, resolved to be more consistent with our safeties to make head against the Rebels in the field, then to suffer them to come within our Quarters, and so disable us either to join together in an offensive, or subsist together in a defensive posture, In pursuance of which resolution, The Army (being by the general vote, and the Precedents Order drawn together at Moyallo) marchched on the Twelfth of this Instant (after a due discharge of those pious invocations and exercises of addresses to the Divine Providence which the Precedent had enjoined) to a place called Gariduff (in English Blask-gardens) the Rebels encamping at Knocknones within two miles of us; but the day so far spent, as that it was not held fit to make any attempt then upon them; About the evening came a Trumpet from the Lord Taff with a Letter to the Precedent, in these words, My Lord, THe delay of my not sending to you a return of your last Letter by your Trumpet, was occasioned by my stay for my Artillery, which being come, I tell your Lordship, That Captain Courtepp very much magnifying the Excellency of your Foot, I offered (more for recreation then with a suspicion that it might break your Army) That a Thousand or two of mine should (when ever you made an indifferent appointment,) sight with a like number of yours; which I am now ready to perform in this place; And if you please to draw the Remain of your Army hither, I will look upon you, and certainly neither of our Parties will want the gallantry of seconding their engaged friends. Our quartel is to preserve the King's Interests, which all of us with the hazard of our lives will maintain against my opposition; And when I consider, that by the destruction of your party, I may be in the more unmolested Condition to serve him, be certain your invitation to battle is neceptably received by me. I know that in your Lordship's Army there are a great many Gentlemen which have been very faithful to their King, and 〈…〉 is your Lordships, practise to abuse them by 〈◊〉 them in a service to destructive to His Majesty's Rights. And pray, my Lord, do not delude them by detracting this Army, who are unalterably, and without any hope of particular benefit, determined to lose themselves, or restore (as much as in them lies) the King to His former greatness; This is truth, and it proceeds cordially from Knocknones 12. Novem. 27. Your Lordship's Servant, TAFF. To which the Lord Precedent returned. MY LORD, I have received your Letter, by your Trumpeter, and your Lordship might before this have perceived that I was not ignorant where your Army lay, had not the approach of night scanted me of time to march up unto you; And being you have performed as much as I desire in bringing your Army hither, I shall not desire you to lose any advantage you have in numbers of men, being your offer was only made for Recreation: You are pleased to say your quarrel is chief to preserve the King's Interest, and because I believe it will little avail me to offer Reasons to convince you of the contrary, I shall defer the dispute until we meet in the morning, when I believe these Gentlemen whom ye suppose to be deluded by me, will by Gods help use Rhetoric that will better conduce to that end, to which I shall refer your Lordship for satisfaction, being resolved to contribute there in to the endeavours of Your Servant, 〈◊〉. This night we lodged in a wood which equally afforded both security and convenience unto the soldiers. The word was to the Foot (Pray) to the House (Prevail;) and this night some 〈…〉 was observed in the nature of 〈◊〉 early in the mornning we began to prepare (the light giving us now a clear manifestation of what was to be done) the enemy was drawn up upon a hill about two Miles of called Knoknones, which being of great advantage to them. The Lord Precedent (if possible) to withdraw them from it sent this Letter to the Rebels Gone all. My Lord, Here is a very fair piece of ground betwixt your Lordship's Army and ours, one this side the brook; whether if you please to advance, we will do the like; we do not so much doubt the gallantry of your resolution, as to think you will not come, but give you this notice, to the end you may see we do stand upon no advantage of ground, and are willing to dispute our Qaurrel upon indifferent terms; being confident that the justness of our Cause willbe this day made manifest by the Lord, and that your Lordship's judgement will be rectified concerning Novem. 13. 1647. Your servant Inchiquin. To which the Lord Taaff returned verbal answer, that he was not so little a soldier, as not to improve any advantage he had, of ground or otherwise, which he doubted not the Precedent would do in like ease. The reason as we learned afterwards by some of their men taken prisoners, (besides the advantage of ground being a steep hill) why the Lord Taaff so pertinaciously stuck to that place was this. There was a certain old blind Prophecy running amongst the Irish, which converted into English rhymes like their old bard speaks thus. Mac Donogh (future age shall see A man of thy posterity, By whom the English Lord shall fall Blood shall ascend to the legs small The place we Knoknones do call. Which was by the Lord Taaff applied to himself, for that the hill whereon he stood was called Knocknones, and his Ancestors had the lands of Mack. Donagh given by the Kings of Enland in reward of their service performed against he Rebels here, their Leviftenant General Sr. Alexander Mac donnel known vulgarly by the name of Colkitta, was unwilling to have the fight performed on that day (upon a superstitious observation,; for that he was exceedingly afraid of Satur's malevolent influence, that day being to him critical) the former name of this place was antiquated almost this last age, the name of it now being Englishmans hill, as it proved upon this happy and successful day. The Lord Taaff therefore resolving obstinately to adhere to his chosen ground, the Lord Precedent calling a Counsel of War to advise whether it were expedient to assault them on such a disadvantageous place (the wind freinding them likewise, and their numbers almost doubling ours) but the sense of our present condition quickly resolved this scruple, it being to no purpose to have advanced hitherto, if we should proceed no further, and for the success to put ourselves upon the mercy of God. It is not to be forgotten here that before the Counsel, the Lord Precedent commanded that God should be sought by prayer, for our direction in this needful time of trouble. The word given on our side was Victory, the mark a branch of new broom in our hats, wherewith our Quarters then abounded. The enemy's mark was a strawen rope about their hats; their Word was God and St. Paterick, they having forgotten how lately their country St. had failed them; (for that was the word when we put them to the sword at Cashel) their numbers consisted as themselves gave out 9000. Foot. and a 1000 Horse, but by list found afterwards in the Leiuftenant General's pocket, they were mustered in the field 7464 foot, and 1076, horse. besides Officers: our Army was near 4000 Foot, and 1200 horse, the enemy ranging their battle in a plain front, all along the hill, that so they might engage all their force together, their foot were drawn into nine divisions, of which the greater part by much was Pike, winged with three bodies of Horse on each side, beside reserves; our foot whose number was by half the less, were marshalled into three devisions, whereof two parts of three were Muskets, the right and left Wing of Horse were made of 13 bodies of Horse, 7 on the right wing, and 6 on the left (with their Reserves;) Both Armies thus drawn up, The Rebels held firmly (their first resolution) not to part with their station, but that we should either not fight at all, or do it upon these unequal terms, the wind was for the Rebels, the Lord Precedent (whose Rival no man can be in this piece of glory, it being indeed in all men's judgements, under God, the gaining of the day on our side) throughly weighing their numbered ground and Commodity of the place, above us, all which he considered of too much moment they might be to turn the Seal in the Balance of War, thought of a way of forcing them to that which they would not willingly be drawn to, to leave the ground, and discompose their present form, that so (we might have the advantage in that disorder) to assault them; and this he effected thus; He drew the left wing of his battle from the ground, wherein he at first placed them, making them move into a place of fallow ground more leftward, as if he would get upon the enemy's backs on that side, and Commanded his right wing to wave a little that way too, as if he went with all his Force to assail them in that one place. The Rebels careful enough to support their own design, had a watchful eye upon all our motions; and by this last, imagining they might be charged in the Rear, or surcharged with the multitudes of our men at one place, the train of the Lord Presidents Plot immediately took; for they breaking their first form, parted with their stands: Likewise drawing most of their Forces to secure their right wing, by varying the scene of their ground, we got these advantages. The wind was made an indifferent arbiter, the ascent of the hill not so steep, and only the Sun was now a neuter to ripen the Fruit of this Design quite, which was now more than green. The Lord President commanded two pieces of Artillery to be drawn to play on their right wing, and if any disorder thereby happened, our Horse and Foot were in that nick to fall on: our right wing having observed the left of theirs, made thin with some confusion likewise in sending relief to their friends, had command to resume their first stations, and to incline further to the right hand (as our left wing had done before to the left) as if they likewise intended to surprise the Rebels on the back; to prevent which, the Rebels resolved immediatdly to fall on: to this end they advanced with their Horse before their Foot, to charge; but that error being soon espied by ours, our shot were commanded presently to advance under the shelter of a Ditch that parted them and us, who poured such showers of hail upon them (that it proving a funeral peall to many) the rest retired foul, and routed their own Foot. This their neighbours espying, followed their example, and so their main body of Foot, and left wing of Horse ran clean way, and our Horse followed after them in the chase: But God willing to mingle a little gall with the sweet cup he had before given us (that so we might be contented to receive every thing at his hand) was pleased, that part of ground which was assigned for our left wing, was not so convenient for horse, yet to be accepted (where there was no choice of better) but very defenceable by Foot, by reason of some enclosures and ditches, and a lane near adjacent; there the Lord Precedent made the bounds of his Foot, but they by their valour (if not rashness rather) fancying to themselves some imaginary advantage, pressed further, and so clouded us a little with the smoke of their shot, that the right wing of the Rebel's Army which was led by Sir Alexander , alias Colkitto. the Rebel's Lieutenant general, on whom our guns playing fiercely (to prevent that danger and perform some notable service, as he had promised with his Redshanks) came thundering down without the least sense of danger, even the Rebel's horse on their right wing advancing with those foot, were charged by their opposite horse on our left wing, and routed; who following hard upon them, the Rebel's foot slipped in undecerned of them upon our foot, whose forwardness, seeing the enemy's horse routed had left their defensive stage which they might with ease and safely have maintained; and rolling down like a Torrent impetuously on our foot, routed our forlorn hope, by which means our foot being our numbered the Enemy began to have the execution of them; possessed two of our guns, and one of them being loaded, discharged it against us, and so tearing down all before them got to our wagons and there fell a plundering had it not been for this disaster, without doubt, we had bought a most perfect & glorious victory at the easiest rate that might be without the loss as is imagined of ten men, but this cost some fifty of our common men their lives, and divers of out galantest Commanders not being able to stay their men nor willing to run along with them, there gloriously sacrificed their lives, rather choosing to die, though almost deserted of all, then to give the least ground back to so barbarous and cruel Rebels. The Lord President was but newly parted from the left wing being on the right, where he joyfully saw a Victory on the nick of gaining, by the total discomfiture of that part of the Enemy: but looking towards our left wing, there his eyes were presented with the rueful spectacle of his men's slaughters and the Rebels overturning all before them even to our wagons, he immediately posted down some Regiments of Foot, and a troop or two of Horse, which had been there for Reserves, and not come upon the charge: These coming down fell upon the Rebels in their return from our Baggage, where they made there lives, pay the price of their insolent attempt by putting the greatest part of them to the, sword, amongst whom fell Sir Alexander Mack donnel and his Lieutenant Colonel. And thus by God's help and the wisdom and valour of our General, Commanders and Soldiers, a glorious victory was gained over the Rebels, the chase was followed every way by our Foot and Horse, but Horse especially, for they were too light for our footmen, all over the Country, till night hindered the further prosecution when a retreat being sounded for that time the Lord President and his Officers in the field with their Soldiers, gave thanks to God for his extraordinary great mercy, and deliverance. The slaughter was not made an end with that day, for the next day our Horse ranged the Country and found divers; and the foot hunted the woods, and bogs, and by that means found many of the enemy which were put to the sword upon the place. The storm fell sore upon their foot, the Country who should know best report five thousand to be slain, there could not be less than four thousand, we recovered near 6000 Arms, 38 Colours of Foot, with some Cornets of Horse, we also recovered their Wagons and all their Ammunition, took the Lord Taaff's their General's tent, field bed, and Cabinet wherein are papers of concernment, importing much of this service of Ireland, which is to be delivered into the House. In it was found likewise his Commission from the Supreme Council for being General of the Forces of Munster; so that by the loss of his Army he wants Men to command, and of his Commission, power to command men: On our part were slain in that unhappy rout of our left wing, some noble and gallant Officers, Sir William Bridges Colonel of Horse, Colonel Grace, Major Browne, Sir Robert Travers the Judge-Advocate was killed at our Baggage, a Captain or two, Reformades, and some other Officers of inferior rank, when the sword had sufficiently quenched his thirst of blood, then in a cooler vain, mercy began to take place, and these Persons undermentioned were taken Prisoners. A List of the Prisoners taken. Colonel Randal . Lieuten. Col. Mac-Namarrow. Major John Fealane. Captain Garret-fitz-Morris. Captain Pursell. Captain Hugh Kely. Captain Edmond Bourke. Captain Peirce Wealsh. Captain Robert Supple. Captain Lieutenant Nugent. Captain Gully Reagh. Captain Bryan. Captain Mack nee Marra. Captain Lieuten. Stephenson. Captain Donnogh O Bryen. Capt. Daniel Mack nee Marra. Capt. Lieute. Kenedy O Bryen. Captain Florence Mack Carthy Captain Donnogh Mack Carthy Captain John Mack nee Marra Captain Richard Ferrester. Captain William Butler. Captain Theobald Butler. Captain Ro. Mack Domrohugh. Captain Alexander Jamson. Captain Mlaghlame. Captain William O Dudie. Captain Farriah O donnel. Captain Aeneas O Doniell. Captain John O donnel, Captain Arthur Lyncie, Captain Marcus Nestor, Captain Hugh O Conner. Captain Doniell O Sulavan. Lieutenants. Lieutenant Thomas Hellihed, Lieutenant Patrick Hogane, Lieutenant Conner Mack Nanamarra, Lieutenant Conner O Bryen, Lieutenant Edmond Swine, Lieutenant Manus Mack Donnogh, Lieutenant John Bourke, Lieutenant Noll Dignume, Lieutenant Thomas Butler, Lieutenant William Kelly, Lieutenant Aeneas O Duly, Lieutenant Teige O Donnoghue Lieutenant Dwyer, Lieutenant Dolton. Ensigns. Thomas fitz Morris, Ensign Mack Namarra, Ensign Hanraghane, Ensign Lyllice, Ensign Edmond Bourke, Cornet Purcell, Ensign Edmond O Grady, Ensign Donnoh Mack Maghane Ensign Doniell O Nelane, Ensign Daniel Mac Cady, Ensign Loghin Kelly. Ensign William Hodnet, Ensign Donnogh O Broe, Ensign John Mack Doniell Carthy, Ensign Francis Gordian, Ensign Daniel Bourke, Ensign John Corcrew, Coronet John fitz Gerrald, Quartermaster Richard Segerson, Ensign Lacie: Troopers, 14 Sergeants, 9 Corporals 7 Soldiers, 22 Surgeons. 6 Gentlemen of the Country. Master Purtell. Master Stephen Brown, Master John Novy, Master Christopher Oge Purtel, Afterwards found out with the Soldiers, Lieutenant Bryen Mack Cragh, Ensign Barret, Ensign John Bourke, William Lee Quartermaster. Divers other Captains and Officers were made prisoners, who remaining yet in the Soldier's hands unbrought in, could not be enrolled in this list, on our part were taken prisoners, Lieutenant Colonel Crispe, who is now released and with us for an Officer of theirs of like quality, besides one Lieutenant more, here to give you just account what every Officer and Soldier performed, (except that small party which unfortunately fled, would swell this relation too much, and inquire the actors modesty, who desire the glory should be ascribed to God, themselves being but employed as instruments. For the Officers, & amongst the forwardest of them, Colonel Temple, who had seen them perform this day's service, would have thought them worthy of a better reward, then having conquered all their enemies abroad, to go home, and be conquered themselves by their own wants, each Soldier honoured God by his valour, and none dishonoured themselves. The Lord President has not yet made an end of his victory, for he is prosecuting it vigorously, by reducing all the Country into Contribution, where he marches notwithstanding the violence of the weather, and the practices of some to draw the Soldier to a mutinous crying out, Home, Home it being now a deep snow, and his men almost naked, that so the Province may be subdued, and the Rebels disabled to draw suddenly to a head again, which if it please the Divine Providence to assist us with seasonable supplies, we shall use all possible and effectual means to prevent. A brief of the slain and taken. Taken of the Enemy's Horse. 200 Slain of the Foot. 4000 Gentlemen Officers taken Prisoners, 68 Gentlemen of the Country. 6 More common Officers. 4 Colours of Foot. 38 Cornets of Horse. 3 Of Ammunition, wagons. 4 Of Arms. 6000 The Lieutenant General slain. FINIS.