A SAD RELATION OF THE MISERIES OF THE Province of MUNSTER in the Realm of IRELAND: Signified by Letters written from thence very lately, by a Gentleman of good credit, to his brother here in LONDON. By which it doth appear, in what imminent danger that Province now is for to be lost, and how numerous the Rebels now are there gathered together in their Siege of Youghall, with a Discovery of their barbarous and cruel usage to those English they take prisoners.  
London, Printed by G. Miller, 1645.   

A sad RELATION Of the miseries of the Province of Munster in the Kingdom of IRELAND.  
Anno 1645. the 19th. july, in Kinsall.  
Brother BENJAMIN WHETCOMBE:  
MY last was of the 21th. past, of which you need no repetall, having many sad passages to relate which have happened since; as the Rebels taking of Lismore, and all the Castles thereabouts; Lismore men made very stout resistance, until it was beaten down about their ears; they killed 3. or 4. hundred of them, and after came forth upon Quarter: They have lain down before Youghall, and have environed it round: Another Army is lately fallen on the easterside of the River, where they have planted 3. pieces of Ordnance, which doth much annoy the Inhabitants: On Tuesday they made an unfortunate shot into the powder room of the Duncannon frigate, which blow her up and about 18. of her men, many of the rest dangerously hurt and burnt, and another Ship (I remember not her Name) with much difficulty got forth out of the Harbour, and lieth now with the Happy entrance, and the May flower, about Cable Island, where I fear they can do no great good, so that that Town is in great danger to be lost likewise, for I know they have not provisions in it for 15. days, and they have not any thing to encourage the poor Soldiers within nor without, their Cows are starved, no hopes of the least benefit of harvest, and unless some speedy relief out of England, 2. or 3. thousand men and provisions, or some miraculous deliverance from above betid us, their work will be soon done, I am very doubtful before the fine of the next month we shall be all destroyed, and they ready to transport themselves for Wales or England. Never were there the like barbarous acts committed by any Nation as these do daily practise; the men which they took in Rostillo house, and such other prisoners as they have taken since, are carried about in the Army maked as ever they were borns, manacled with ropes and iron so that they have not the benefit of their hands to beat the flies from their bodies, but are eaten and stung, and so scorched with the Sun, that it is most lamentable to behold. It is reported that within these 4. or 5. days, they begin to allow them (especially the women) rags merely to cover their nakedness; this you may report and affirm to be truth. On Tuesday last we redeemed 20. poor souls by exchange, which came to us in this condition: I would have this made known to the Welsh and Cornish, and to such English as do adhere to them against us, and be resolved whether this be as they would have it; you will find their work being once done here, they will be posting into England, or some out of England will come unto them, and neither can be good; which might easily have been prevented, had all those that speak us fair been our friends, our blood will be required at some of their hands: Many things more of the like nature I could enlarge of, but the Boat is upon departure that must carry this to Captain Claxtonn, who I hear is bound for England, God be his good speed. I could wish my children were with you, but I cannot bring it to pass: I charge you in the Name of the most Highest, if I suffer, that you inquire after them, and have such care of them to be educated, as behoveth a kinsman, and to be a father to them. Now the God of all comfort and consolation, keep and preserve you from all evil; in whom I rest;  
Your loving Brother, Tristram Whetcombe.  
FINIS.