of Oxford Manchester Scarborough and several other Persons of Quality and was received by the Officers Soldiers and People with all manner of Demonstrations of Joy the latter looking on His Majesty as their good Angel who was come to deliver them from worse than Aegyptian Bondage Next day several of the Nobility Officers Gentry and Clergy presented a very Loyal Address to the King which he graciously accepted His Majesty was not idle and seeing things did not go on so fast as he desired exprest some Dissatisfaction saying That he did not come there to let grass grow under his Feet he made his word good for having taken a View of his Army which with the great Recruits lately sent from England amounted to about 36000 Compounded of English Dutch Danes Germans and French His Majesty advanced toward Dundalk The certain News of K.W. Landing coming to Dublin it was moved by some Irish in K. James's Council That the Protestants should be shut up in Churches and Hospitals and then if they lost the day to set fire to all and destroy the People and City together But the Irish Papists both in the City and Army applyed themselves to the King and told him They should then be as much sufferers as the Protestants and that they would not draw a Sword in his Defence unless all thoughts of burning the City were laid aside and declared further that as soon as they heard of any appearance of Fire they would Desert his Service and fly to K. Williams Mercy which manaces put a stop to this Horrid Project Before this a Camp had been laid out by the Irish about Ardee and K. James had ordered his Army to Rendevouze there from several parts of the Kingdom and June 16. he Marched out of Dublin to joyn them with about 6000 French Foot most old Soldiers well Armed and Clad The whole Irish Army incamped made about 27000 all well Clothed and in good Heart both Horse and Foot besides 15000 more that remained in Garrisons and the same day 6000 of the Country Militia cameto quarter in the City The Protestants expected the Irish would have been much dejected upon K. Will Arrival but on the contrary they Triumpht and Rejoyced as if they had got him in a Pound and the day were their own assuring themselves That either the French Fleet would prevent his return to England or that an Insurrection would be made there boasting that an Hundred Thousand Men were ready to Rise and declare for a Common-wealth The Protestants knew not what to believe for they were kept as Prisoners of War and could know no more than they please to tell them but they were more afraid that some desperate Persons had undertaken to destroy K. William because their confidence was so great that some told their Protestant Friends They would be glad to go to Mass within a Twelvemonth When K. James was gone Collonel Lutterel who was left Governor Ordered all Persons that walkt in the Streets without Swords or Bagonets to be taken up and secured whereby all Protestants who were suffered to wear none were put into Custody After which followed a Proclamation That not above 5 Protestants besides the Family should meet together in any place upon pain of Death So that now they durst not go to Church as they had hitherto done the Churchmen still remained with them though they had lost all their Maintenance by the Irish Parliament except what was given them by the People Dr. King was sent Prisoner to the Castle and few Protestants durst walk the Streets the method that K. James and the French proposed to deal with K. Williams Army was To make good the Passes upon the Newry Mountains and at Dundalk To spin out the War and dispute their ground without coming to a General Battel till they came to the Boyn and there to Defend the Pass but still without a Battle if they could help it much hoping for some Extraordinary thing from a Party in England c. But K. William soon broke all their Measures for resolving to lose no time he came to the Camp at Lough-britland where having taken a Critical Review of every Regiment His Majesty and Prince George had their moving Houses set up and never after lay out of the Camp during their-stay in Ireland The King ordered a Party to go out to discover the motions of the Enemy and heard they were Marching off from Dundalk toward Ardee Upon which the English Army advanced to Newry and from thence to Dundalk and so forward to Ardee the Irish still retiring and at length passing over the Boyn upon which the whole Army move in 3 Lines toward the Boyn and by the way some Dragoons found in an Old House about 200 Scythes stretcht out upon Beams which the Enemy had either forgot or left behind for hast and one of them being brought to the King he smiled and said It was a Desperate Weapon The Irish Incamped on the other side the Boyn and the King from an Hill took a view of them and then rid along the River side to make more strict Observations during which a Cannon Ball from the Enemy kill'd 2 Horses and a Man about 100 yards from the King and instantly comes another which had like to have been a fatal Bullet for it grazed upon the Bank of the River and in the rising slanted upon the Kings right shoulder and tore out a piece of his Coat and also the Skin and Flesh and afterward broke the Head of a Gentlemans Pistol A Gentleman seeing his Majesty struck rid up and put his Handkerchef upon the place his Majesty took little notice of it but rid on about 40 yards further the Enemies Cannon firing upon them all the while and killed 2 of the Guards and 9 Horses disturbing the rest which the Irish perceiving set up a prodigious shout all over the Camp as if our Army had been destroyed The King went to change his Coat and get his Shoulder drest and then rid about to see the Army After which a Council of War was called and his Majesty declared That he was resolved to pass the River next day and accordingly all things were provided every Man having a green Bough or Sprig in his Hat the Enemy wearing pieces of Paper in theirs the word that Night was Westminster and about 12 at Night rid with Torches quite through the Army The next Morning July 1. the Dutch Blew Guards took the River first some 8 or 10 a breast being presently almost up to the middle the Enemy stood on the other side but did not fire till our Men were toward the middle of the River and then a whole Peal of shot came from the Hedges Brest-works Houses and all about but only one Man fell and another staggered a Lieutenant of Granadeers was the first that got footing on the other side who instantly drew up 2 Files of Men then stoopt and the Enemy fired over him from the next
15. following After the taking these two Places part of the Irish Army in Kenny made several Incursions and burnt all the Towns and Villages of the Counties of Lymerick and Cork and the Enemies gave leave to several Protestants to come from Lymerick where all Provisions were very scarce In Novemb. General Ginkle returns to Dublin In Decemb. several Rapperees were got to the end of the Bog of Allen about 12 miles from Dublin it being about 40 miles in length and having several woody Islands from whence they plundered all the adjacent Country but Coll. Fouks drove them from their Posts Several small Skirmishes happened in the Winter between the English and the Rapperees wherein the first obtained divers notable advantages though generally their Parties were much inferiour to the Enemy which was a great disheartning to them May 7. 1691. The whole Army took the Field under General Ginkle and the Irish were busie in making preparations for their defence having a new French General named St. Ruth sent them who issued out all Orders in K. Lewis's name and required the Irish Officers to take new Commissions under the French King in prosecution of the design of subjecting Ireland to France The first place the English attempted was Ballymore seated upon an high Tongue of him Land jetting out into a Lake and strengthned with several Fortifications five Batteries were raised against it and the next morning the General sent a Messenger to the Governour That if the Garrison would surrender within two hours he would save their lives and receive them as Prisoners of War if not that they should expect no Quarter The Governour would not return a direct Answer in hopes of better Terms Whereupon sâ—veral breaches were made which put them into such a Consternation that divers white Flags were hung out and May 9 the Garrison surrendred out of which marched above 1000 Souldiers and Rapparees and about 600 Women and Children June 18. The Army marched from Bally more and the next day came before Athlone and thought it very strange to see none but French Colours in four parts of an Irish Garrison A Battery of ten Guns was instantly planted which were so well directed that in a few hours the Bastion against which they played was laid in Ruines and the reupon General Ginkle ordered an Assault to be made The Enemy seemed at first resolved to have maintained the Breach but upon fight of the Hand-granadoes they fled in great confusion to the other side of the Town which was divided by a River so that the English had nothing to do but to enter not 20 of our Men being wounded and some few slain One part of the Town being thus taken the Cannon played with great success upon the Castle and the Enemies Works on the other side the River the Trish having bâ—â—â—en down the Stone-Bridge But the General resolved to ford the River â—o get to thâ—â— and accordingly June 30. the Sigâ— being given by ringing the Church-Bell 1500 Granadiers with whom M. G. Talmash went that day as Voluntier entred the Water the Enemy at first fired very smartly but the English wading up to the breasts in Water with continual Huzzaing adâ—ancâ—d under the smoak and shelter of their own Cannon and coming to the other fide they threw their Granadoes so furiâ—â—sâ—â— that the Enemy abandoned their Posts and Trenches and 〈…〉 an hour we were entirely Mastors of the Town 〈…〉 Enâ—mies Works and the Ruins of the Castle M. G. 〈…〉 divers other Officers with 200 common Souldiers 〈…〉 Prisoners and near 1200 kill'd on the place besides 〈◊〉 Officers of note the rest escaped over the Ramparts and 〈◊〉 to the Enemies Camp from whence some Battalions were coming to their relief but meeting the Fugitives and receiving 〈◊〉 warm Salute from those Works which were so lately their own they retreated to their Camp The English in this unparallel'd Action had not above 20 slain and 30 wounded The Irish Army upon reducing the Town decamped in the night and retreated ten Miles off the English followed them and having passed a River that lay between them and the Enemy near Agrim after some Skirmishing they drove in their Out-Guards the English Cannon having in the mean time dislodged the Rebels Horse from the end of a nartow Lane that leads to Agrim The Irish drew down great Bodies of Horse and Foot from their Camp which was advantagiously placed and strongly posted behind the high Banks that lay one beyond another and fell upon the Left Wing of the English and had a warm Dispute with our Foot for two hours but at last the Rebels gave ground notwithstanding new supplies of Horse and Foot were continually sent to relieve and second those that gave way but the English Courage surmounted all dangers who charged so bravely up the Hills upon the Squadrons of the Enemy that they put them to an absolute Rout and pursued them about four Miles the Night preventing them from following farther it being fix in the Evening before they Engaged and eight before they took their flight The Irish were never known to fight with more Resolution especially the Foot but it was their last Effort wherein the gasping Honour of the choice of all the Catholick Nobility and Gentry in the Kingdom strove to do their utmost And befides their number was much superior to ours being no less than 20000 Foot and 8000 Horse and Dragoons with all the advantage imaginable that the scituation of ground could afford them so that nothing but the Blessing of God and the superior Valour and Conduct of the English could have wrested such a compleat Victory out of their hands Of the Enemy 8000 were slain upon the place and among them the French General St. Ruth who was kill'd by a Cannon Bullet the Lord Galloway and several others of Quality about 500 were taken Prisoners among whom were the principal Commanders in the Army with 12 Standards and 30 Colours After the Battle the General sent Brigadier Epinger with 1000 Horse and Dragoons to seize Portumney where the Rebels had a great Magazine of Provisions who soon possest himself of it and the next day the Fort and Castle of Bomâ—ker surrendred whereby the English became Masters of all the Passes upon the Shannon except Lymerick and those within 8 Miles of it July 17. The Army came before Galloway and the General sent a Trumpet to the Lord Dillon Governour of the Town that he should have Quarter and Pardon pursuant to the Lords Justices Proclamation which he sent him if he surrendâ—ed before the Cannons were bronght to fire upon the Garrison His Answer was That Mons d'Vssone who commanded was of the same Opinion with him and the rest of the Officers and that they resolved to defend the Place to the last Upon which the English instantly made their approaches with such vigour that they took a Fort upon an Hill which commanded a Valley between them and the Town without the loss of
one Man and then crost over the River is two Boats so suddenly that the Enemy were frighted into a Treaty Balderick O Donnel who designed to throw his Brigade into the place being prevented of his intentions by the prudent management of the General so that July 26. the City of Galloway was actually surrendred Monfieur d'Vssone according to his desire marching out incognâ—â—o some hours before August 25. The Army came before Lymerick and soon after several Batteries were raised against the Ciâ—y The General hearing that some Regiments of the Enemies Horse and Rapparees were drawn together in Kerry about sixteen Miles off he sent away Brigadier Levison with Five hundred Horse and Dragoons in pursuit of them which they did so effectually that few of them escaped The English at the Siege advanced to Cromwell's Fort the Enemy quitting both that and their Line of Communication to the Church and returned to their Rettenchments near the Town About the same time the Earl of Tyrconnel died as was certainly said out of anguish of mind to see the ruinous condition of his Masters Affairs and was buried at Lymerick The General having notice that Coll. Henry Lutterel was seized by order of the French Lieutenant General d'Vssâ—ne for having made some Proposals for a Surrender and that he was sentenced to death by a Court Martial he sent word to the Monsieur by a Trumpet That if any Man were put to death for having a mind to come over to the English he would revenge it double upon the Irish Prisoners which prevented his death Several Forts and Castles about the Town were daily taken in and the Batteries play'd continually upon the City which set it on fire in divers places and ruined the Walls and Castle About the same time the Irish having put between two and three hundred Protestants into a little Island in the Shannon under a sufficient Guard their sad and sâ—arved condition so moved the compassion of the Irish Officers who guarded them and were also desirous to go over to the English that they sent to Major Stroud who was posted hard by with some of that Militia to let him know their Intentions Upon which the Major went over with a Party in small Boats and brought away both the Guards and Prisoners who were almost starved for want of food in a place where they had only two pitiful Hutts to shelter them from the Cold and Rain Sept. 8. A great Battery of 22 Pieces of Cannon began to play very early in the Morning and in a short time made a Breach of above thirty yards in the English Town and firing without intermission made terrible havock dismounting the Enemies Cannon set the English Town several times on fire and laid the greatest part in râ—bbish Some of the Bombs fell into the Enemies Stores burnt two of their Magazines of Bisket one of Brandy and one of Powder so that they were fore't to remove the remainder into the Irish Town Sept. 15. The Lord Lisburn was killed by a Cannon-Ball and two days after Sâ—ego was taken by the Earl of Granard the Garrison consisting of five or fix hundred Men who left in the place sixteen Pieces of Cannon thirty Barrels of Powder with Shot and Provisions proportionable One Captain Taaffe came out of Lymerick to the English and informed the General that the English Town was utterly ruined that the Cannon and Bombs had killed a great number of the Garrison who were reduced to Six thousand Foot and very ill clad General Ginkle having resolved that part of the Army should pass the Shannon and remove the Irish Horse which lay in the County of Clare and so shut up the Town on that side to conceal his design he ordered the heavy Cannon to be drawn off and shipt and quitted several Castles as if he intended to raise the Siege which the Enemy observing expressed tehir Joy by loud and repeated Shouts But the same night the Pontins were secretly laid over the Shannon and by break of day the Royal Regiment of Dragoons and a Detatchment of Horse passed the River undiscovered Brigadier Clifford lay with four Regiments of Dragoons to have prevented their Landing but when he perceived they were got over he brought down all his Men on foot their Horses being at Grass to make what opposition they could but were presently routed and for hast threw away their Arms leaving behind them all their Tents Baggage Saddles and other Accoutrements with two Pieces of Cannon and a Standard These frequent Successes much intimidated the Enemy and the French that were in Lymerick had some time before endeavoured to get away but a Squadron of English and Dutch men of War and the Provision and Ammunition Ships from Kingsale being by the Generals Orders come into the Shan on they returned back again but a Vessel on Board which were St. Ruths goods and plunder attempting to get out of the Shannon was taken by one of their Majesties Frigates Septem 22. The General passed the Shannon with a strong Party of Horse Dragoons and Foot and 14 pieces of Cannon who were drawn up before the Irish Town notwithstanding the continual fire of the Enemy and then Ordered them to attack the Fort that secured Thomond Bridge The Beseiged at the same time sending 2 great Detachments to inforce and second the Irish that defended it However the English went on with such courage and bravery that they beat them from theirworks and forc't them to fly toward the Town but the Governour fearing the Victorious English would enter with them durst not let down the Draw-bridge to receive them which occasioned a great slaughter of the vanquisht Irish so that nothing was to be seen from the foot of Thomond Bridge to the Draw-bridge but heaps of dead bodies 600 of the Enemy were slain and 130 taken Prisoners and among them many several great Officers Whilst the conflict endured the Irish played very furiously with their great and small shot and the mettal of the English precipitating them too far exposed them to the Enemies fire whereby many more were killed than would have been otherwise so that near 300 were slain and wounded though not any one of remark The next day afternoon the Enemy beat a Parley on both sides the River and desired a truce to be continued for three days that they might send to their Horse which lay about Clare to know upon what conditions they desired to be comprehended in the Capitulation Sept. 25. Collonel Sheldon and other Irish Officers came into the English Camp and from thence to Lymerick The next day Sarsfeild and Nohop dined with the General and the Ld Cutts and Sir David Collier Coll. Tiffany and Coll. Piper were sent as Hostages into the Town and four Irish Lords remained in the Camp as Hostages for the Garrison Sept. 27 The Irish sent them out their Proposals which the General not approving instead of an Answer sent back 12 other Articles which was all
The Fort of Culmore had some time before been Deserted by Captain Jemmat the Governor by Order of Collonel Lundy and a few Irish possest themselves of it but it was soon Recovered by a small Artifice Divers Skirmishes happened between the 2 Armies during the Siege particularly May 6. in a Sally made by the Besiegers wherein 200 of the Enemy were killed and 500 wounded 300 of whom dyed in a few days of their wounds and among others General Mommune a French Man with other Officers of Note The Enemy now remove their Main Body from St. Johnstown and pitch their Tents about 2 Miles from Derry on an Hill placing such strict Guards on all sides of the Town that the Besieged found it impossible to Convey or Receive any intelligence and difficult to come by the Wells of water which they often sought for and cost some of them their Blood June 4. The Enemy with a Body of Horse and Foot made an Attack on the Windmill Works beginning with a loud Huzza which was seconded from all parts of of the Camp with most dreadful Screicks and Howlings of a Numerous Rabble that attended their Army The Faggot Men were forced to quit their New Defence which they laid before them for Security against the Shot and run for it Captain Butler with 30 Horse mounted the Works but none of his Men falling though shot at the Besieged found they had Armour and therefore kill'd their Horses whereby only 3 Troopers escapt The Irish Foot did not run away so fast as usual which was wondred at till it was observed that in their Retreat they took the Dead on their Backs to secure themselves from the Shot which was more secure than when they were alive the Enemy in this Action lost 400 Men most of their Officers kill'd and some made Prisoners the Befieged had only six Souldiers and a Captain killed June 15. A Fleet of 30 Sail came into the Lough from England but to prevent their coming up to the Town the Enemy Contrived a Boom of Timber joyned with Iron Chains and a Cable of 12 Inches and afterward another of which the Besieged had an account by some Prisoners taken which very much discouraged them for they doubted whether the Fleet at the first fight of which they were very joyful would be able to get up with the Provisions which they so extreamly wanted insomuch that the Men where they could find an Horse a Grazing neer the Windmill would kill and eat him The Enemy upon the appearing of the Ships seemed to be in a mighty Consternation pulling down their Tents and the Soldiers changing their red Coats ran away but the Terror was soon over when they saw them make no great Attempt to come up though they had both Wind and Tyde to assist them and thereupon they raised Batteries to hinder them and made the Boom aforementioned June 24. Rosen the French Marshal General Arrived in the Camp and finding so little progress in the Siege he Swore by the Belly of God he would Demolish the Town and bury the Besieged in the Ashes and put all to the Sword without Consideration of Age or Sex and Study the most Exquisite Torments to lengthen out the misery of those that opposed his Command but providence disappointed his Cruel Malice and delivered the poor Protestants out of his bloody Hands The Besieged used all possible endeavours to get intelligence from the Ships by making many signs from the Steeple by Cannon Shot and by drawing in their Flag to represent their Distressed condition to them but all proved ineffectual At length June 25 One Roch who got to the Water side over against them and then Swam cross the River came and gave them an account of the Ships Men Provision and Arms in them for their Relief adding That it was desired that if he got safe to Town to give them in the Ships notice of it by 4 Guns from the Steeple which was accordingdingly done They endeavoured to send back to M. Gen. Kirk and one went to that purpose but was taken and hanged by the Enemy The Besieged were more streightned every day by the Enemy their Iron Balls being now spent so that they were obliged to make Balls of Brick covered over with lead June 30. The L. Clancarty at the Head of a Regiment possesses himself of a Line and enters some Miners in a low Cellar but the Besieged fired so briskly upon them that his Lordship was forced to quit his Post and leave his Miners and 100 of his best Men dead on the place which much discouraged the Irish who had a Prophecy among them that a Clancarty should knock at the Gates of Derry but we see that little value is to be put either upon Irish Prophecies or Courage The same day Governor Baker dyed which was a sensible loss to the Garrison and generally lamented being a valiant Person who in all his Actions shewed the greatest Honour Courage and Conduct And now Rosen sends a Letter into the Town that if they did not Surrender by 6 a Clock Afternoon July 1. he would Order all the Protestants in the adjacent Towns to be driven under the Walls of Derry where they should perish if not Relieved by the Besieged that he would destroy all the Country if any Troops came to their Relief But if the Garrison would become Royalisss as he termed it and deliver on any Tolerable Conditions he would protect them from all injuries and give them his Favour The Besieged received all these Proposals with Contempt and some Indignation having before made an Order That it should be Death to mention a Surrender the Enemy drive the poor Protestants according to their Threatning under the Walls and the Besieged thinking them Enemies fired on them but were mightily pleased to hear that Divine providence had spared them and that their shot had kill'd 3 of the Enemy There were some thousands of them which so inraged the Besieged that in sight of their Camp they erected a Gallows threatning to hang their Friends that were Prisoners unless they were removed and sent home again The Prisoners themselves Reproached the Irish declaring they could not blame the Besieged for putting them to Death seeing their People exercised such Severity and Cruelty upon the poor Protestants that were under protection The sight of the Gallows and the importunity of some Friends of those that were to suffer at length prevailed so that July 4 the poor People had leave to return home the Enemy had now advanced so near the Town that the Besieged from the Works could talk with the Irish who exprest great prejudice and hatred against the French cursing those Damn'd Fellows that watched in Trunks meaning their Jack Boots who had all Preferments in the Army that fell and took the Bread out of their Mouths and they believed would have all the Kingdom to themselves at last July 11. The Enemy called for a Parley and sent one to know if
they would Treat about Surrendring which the Besieged to gain time thought fit to agree to and Commissioners were named on both sides but the Enemy not allowing them time till July 26. the Treaty soon ended The Garrison was now reduced to 4456 Men who were under the greatest extremity for want of Provision insomuch that Horseflesh was Sold for 20 d. a pound a quarter of a Dog fatned by eating the Dead Bodies of the Irish 5 s 6 d. a Dogs Head half a Crown A Cat 4 s. 6. d. A Rat a Shilling a Mouse Six pence a pound of Greaces a Shilling a pound of Tallow four Shillings a pound of Salted Hides a Shilling a quart of Horse Blood a Shilling a Horse pudding 6 d. an handful of Sea wreck two pence Of Chickweed a ponny a quart of Meal when found a Shilling Yea at length they were under so great necessity that they had nothing left unless they could prey one upon another And a fat Gentlemen thought his Body in such danger that he hid himself for 3 days imagining that several Soldiers lookt on him with a greedy Eye their Drink was Water and cost very dear they mixt it with Ginger and Anniseeds of which they had great plenty They eat a Composition of Tallow and Starch which did not only Nourish and Support them but was an infallible Cure of the Loosness which many were sorely troubled with And yet in the midst of this Extremity the Spirit and Courage of the Soldiers was so great that they were often heard confidently and with some anger contend whether they should take their Pay and Arrears in Ireland or in France when alas they could not promise themselves 12 hours Life But the Hour of their Extremity was the 〈◊〉 Season for Divine Providence to interpose and render it self the more observeable in their Deliverance for July 28. about 7 in the Evening they perceived 3 Ships which were the Montjoy of Derry the Phenix of Colrain and the Dartmouth Frigat which they soon discovered were the Ships Major G. Kirk had sent who had assured them That he would certainly relieve them when they could hold out no longer though he indangered himself his Men and Ships The Enemy Fired most Desperately upon them from the Fort of Culmore and both sides the River and they made sufficient returns with the greatest Bravery When they had passed the Fort the expectations of speedy Succor raised in the Besieged a strang Transport of Joy The Montjoy made a little stop at the Boom occasioned by her rebound after striking and breaking it so that she was run aground Upon which the Enemy who gathered in Swarms to the Water-side set up the loudest Huzza's and the most Dreadful to the Besieged that they ever heard Crying out Their Ships were taken they fired all their Guns upon her and were preparing Boats to burn her but by great Providence she firing a Broad-side the shock â—oosned her So that she got clear and passed the Boom the Phenix all this while was ingaged and the Dartmouth gave them very warm Entertainment At length the Ships got to them to the inexpressible Transport and Comfort of the Distressed Garrison who only reckoned upon 2 Days Life and had no more than 9 lean Horses left and one point of Meal to each Man Hunger and the Fatigue of War had so prevailed among them that of 7500 Men Regimented they had now alive but 4300 whereof at least one 4th part were rendred unserviceable This brave undertaking and their several Successful Attempts against the Enemy so Discouraged them that July 31. They raised the Siege and run away in the Night-time Robbing and Burning all before them for several Miles the next Morning after the Men were refresht with their New Provisions they went out to see what was become of the Besiegers whom they saw in their March and pursued a little too far so that the Reen guard of the Enemies Horse turn'd and kisted 7 of their Men and upon the News of the Deâ—â—at of Lieutenant General Mackarty they so hastned 〈◊〉 March that they broke in pieces four of their great Guns and threw 12 Cartloads of Arms and Aâ—â—munition into the River and the Besieged had above 2000 Arms besides Money Cloths c. Trus after 105 Days being close besieged by near 20000 Men constantly supplyed from Dublin God Almighty was pleased to deliver this poor City from a powerful and inveterate Enemy to their great Disappointment and Disreputation insomuch that K. James upon his Retiring was reported to have said in disdain to his Commanders Gentlemen I think we have made a very fine Summers work of it The Enemy lost near 9000 Men before the Walls and 100 of their best Officers most of them by the Sword the rest of Fevers and Flux and the French Pox which was very remarkable on the Bodies of several of their dead Officers and Soldiers Whereas the Besieged had only Eighty Men slain by the Enemy Neither were the Inniskillin Men wanting in performing many notable Actions for during the whole time of the Siege they kept at least one half of the Irish Army from coming before London-Derry for fear they should relieve the Town So that they durst not make a Regular Attack upon the place but were forced to divide their Men keeping strong Guards at several distant places and therefore they deserve no small part of the Honour of that places Preservation and particularly the Remarkable Defeat given to the Irish the day before the Raising the Siege the News whereof made the Enemy run away with such great hast and precipitation ought never to be forgotten for July 30. The Inniskilliners hearing that a Body of about 6000 Irish under Major General Mackarty were Marching toward them they very boldly and bravely went to meet them about 20 Miles off at a place called Newtown Butler where though the Enemy had secured their Army beyond a long Bog yet the Courage of the English was so great that they came up to the Mouths of their Cannon and Seized them killing all their Cannoneers which so terrified the Irish that both Horse and Foot instantly fled and the English Foot persuing theirs and giving quarter to sew or none but Officers that day they not having Courage to fight for their Lives Desperately leapt into the Bogg to several places to the Number of about 500 and none escaped drowning except one Person only who got through after many a shot made after him In this Action a Remarkable stroke was given by Capt. William Smith who at one blow Cut off the upper part of a Mans Head just under the Hat as much of the Skull as was within the Hat with all the Brains being quite struck away from the other part of the Skull that stuck with the Body and not so much as a bit of skin to keep them together but what was cut quite thorow Mackarty when his Men were fled got away with 5 or
Pembroke coming into England surrendered Dublin and all the Castles and Forts on the Sea coasts to King Henry and thereby removed his Jealousie and was again received into favour In 1172 King Henry the Second landed with a considerable Army whom Roderick in behalf of himself and all the other petty Princes of that Kingdom acknowledged for his Soveraign Lord and the supream Prince of all that Island so that none refused obedience to Henry but only the Province of Ulster the Christmas after the King Royally feasted all those Princes who were become his Subjects at Dublin and then taught the Irish first to eat Cranes flesh which was before abhorred by them He then called a Synod where divers abuses were reformed and new Canons made for the future Government of the Church and among others That since it had pleased God to bring them under the English Dominion they should for the future observe all the Rites and Ceremonies of the English Church Soon after King Henry returned to England being summoned by the Pope to answer for the death of Thomas Becket which occasioned much Trouble In 1185. Henry made over all his Right and Title to Ireland to his youngest Son John after King of England who Landing at Waterford accompanyed with a few Dissolute Companions whose advice he only regarded caused great Commotions whereupon he went back again the same year After the Death of his Brother Richard the first John succeeded and came again into Ireland setling the Country and Banishing the Lacies for some Misdemeanors but upon submission gave them pardon though not without paying him great Fines In 1300. Edward the first sent for Aid out of Ireland to Assist him in his Wars against Scotland and after his Death the Scots invaded Ireland being Assisted by the Wild Irish whereby the Country was miserably ruined four Princes of Connaught joyning with them but by the valour of the English eleven Thousand were slain in one Fight among whom were the King of Connaught Okelley a great Lord and divers others The Death of Okelly is somewhat Remarkable The Lord Bremingham Commander of the English Army sent one John Hussey his Esquire into the Field to view the dead Bodies and search whether his old mortal Enemy Okelley were slain among the rest Hussey goes only with one man to turn up the Bodies and was presently espied by Okelley that lay lurking behind a bush who knowing Hussey to be a stout man came towards him and said Hussey thou seest I am Armed at all points as well as my Esquire thou art naked with thy Page only so that had I not a great kindness for thee for thine own sake I would slay thee for the sake of thy Master but if thou wilt come and serve me as I desire I promise upon St. Patricks Staff to make thee a Lord of a greater Estate in Connanght than thy Master hath in Ireland These words not prevailing upon Hussey a lusty fellow belonging to Okelly began to reproach him for refusing so fair an offer so that Hussey had now three to deal with he therefore dispatcht this fellow first and then struck Okelleys Esquire such a blow under the Ear that he laid him for dead Lastly he fell upon Okelley himself and instantly slew him and then perceiving the Esquire who was only astonished with the stroke to revive again he caused him to carry his Lords Head upon a Truncheon and presented it to Bremingham who for this notable Service Knighted Hussey and gave him large possessions the Successors of whose Family were after Lords of Galtrim In King Edward the Seconds Reign the Lord Roger Mortimer was sent over Justice into Ireland at which time Edward Bruce Brother to Robert Bruce King of Scotland who had taken several places and caused himself to be Crowned King of Ireland was slain in a great Battle wherein the Scots were vanquished one Mawpas an Englishman who rushed into the midst of the fight to encounter Bruce hand to hand was in the search found dead fallen upon the Body of Bruce This year 1320. An University was erected in Dublin about which time the Lady Alice Kettell with her two Companions Petronelle and Basell were charged with Inchantment and that they had conference every Night with a Spirit called Robin Artisson to whom they Sacrificed in the Highway 9 red Cocks and 11 Peacocks eyes and that this Lady swept the Streets of Kilkenny in the Twilight bringing all the filth to the Door of her Son William Outlaw muttering these words 'To the House of William my Son ' Go all the Wealth of Kilkenny Town The Lady made her escape but in searching her Closet saith my Author they found a Wafer of Sacramental Bread having the Devils Name stamped thereon instead of Jesus Christ and an Ointment wherewith she greazed a staff upon which she galloped through thick and thin as she pleased Petronelle was burnt at Kilkenny upon this account In the Reign of King Edward the Third 1329. The Irish in Meath and Leinster Rebelled and Vanquisht the Earl of Ormond burning fourscore English in a Church and committing woful outrages at length the Citizens of Wexford falling upon them slew 400 the rest being drowned in the Water of Slane At this time Sir Robert Savage a wealthy Knight dwelt in Ulster who to secure himself from the incursions of the Irish began to fortifie his Mannor Houses with Castles and Ditches exhorting his Son and Heir to do the same for the benefit of himself and Posterity Father says young Savage I remember the Proverb better a Castle of Bones than of Stones where I have the strength and courage of Men by the Grace of God I will never incumber my self with dead Walls my Fort shall be the youthful Blood of my Friends and where I have room to fight The Father in a fume left building but the neglect of this Counsel was the Ruin of that and many other English Families in Ulster This Savage having raised Forces against the Irish gave to every man before the fight a stout Cup of Aquavitae Wine or strong Ale and provided Plenty of Beef Venison and Fowls for their return which his Captains disliking considering the uncertainty of War since the Enemy might happen to feast upon the same they being so few against a multitude of Irish he smiling Gentlemen said he You are too full of Envy this World is but an Inn wherein we have no certain Interest but are only Tenants at the will of the Lord. If it please him to command us hence as from our Lodging and set other good fellows in our Room what hurt can it be for us to leave them meat for their Suppers Let them stoutly win it and eat it If they should come to our Houses we could not but welcom them with what the Countrey affords and therefore much good may it do them with all my Heart however I have such confidence in your Courage and Gallantry that I doubt
many were kill'd and it was reported that one Captain Froy was slain near the Kings Person who was in some disorder to find himself so Roughly and Unmannerly Treated by those from whom he expected a Dutiful Compliance as well as at the Behaviour of his Army so different from the Character he had received of both and therefore those in the Town who had incouraged him to try this dangerous Experiment sent some Persons to the King to excuse it by alledging the Difficulty of Commanding an untractable Multitude But upon their return they were three Days before this kept out by the People Collonel Cunningham and Richards came into the Lough from England with 2 Regiments and other Necessaries for Supply of Derry with Instructions to receive Orders from Governor Lundy who thereupon called a Council of War where the 2 Collenels being present with others unacquainted with the Condition of the Town or the Inclination or Resolution of the People they make an Order that there not being Provision in the Town for the present Garrison and the 2 Regiments for above a week or ten Days and the place not being Tenable against a Formidable Army therefore it was not Advisable to Land the 2 Regiments and that considering the Enemy will soon possess themselves of the place the Principal Officers shall privately withdraw that the Inhabitants by a timely Capitulation may make the better Terms with the Enemy In pursuance of this Order Collonel Cunningham Richards with their Officers went to their Ships which with 2 Regiments on Board Sailed Back for England And the Council in pursuance of these pernicious intentions proceeded to conclude upon a Surrender and drew up a Paper to that purpose which most of them Signed and the Town was Designed to have been delivered up in 2 or 3 Days In the mean time the Officers and Soldiers in London-Derry who knew nothing of the Order of Council earnestly intreated Collonel Lundy that the English Forces might Land that with their Assistance they might take the Field and fight the Enemy before the Cannon were brought over in Order to the Preservation of that Corner into which the Provisions and Wealth of 3 or 4 Counties was crouded The Collonel to delude them told them publickly That it was resolved the English Forces should immedately Land and when they were in their Quarters the Gates should be opened and all joyn in Defence of the Town and to carry on the Intreague the Sheriffs were ordered to go through the City to provide quarters for them but all this was a meer sham that he and the Officers might get away with the greater Ease and Safety A Farty of Irish having a few Days before Attempted to Ford the River at Castle Fin were repulsed by some Forces sent out of Derry who opposed their coming over till all their Ammunition was spent After which they followed the rest of the English Army which were 10000 strong and made good their Retreat to Derry but were much Surprized to find the Gates shut against them by the Governors Order So that many Officers Soldiers and Private Gentlemen were forced that Night to lye about the Walls but the next Day with much Difficulty and some Violence upon the Centry by firing at him and calling for Fire to burn the Gates that and the other Gates were thrown open This and other Passages occasioned great jealousies of the Governor but when the Town-Clerk found it absolutely necessary to Publish the Resolutions of the Council of War That Collonel Cunningham his Ships Men and Provisions should return to England and all Gentlemen and others in Arms should quit the Garrison and go along with him the Common Soldiers were extreamly inraged at their Officers several of whom at this time had Deserted them and fled for England So that they could not forbear expressing it with Violence on some of them One Captain Bell was shot Dead and another Burnt who with more Officers was got into a Boat as they imagined to get away K. James upon the Repulse he had received retired the same Evening with his Army to St. Johnstown about 5 Miles from Derry and staid there 2 Days to wait for an Answer from the City to the Proposal he had made April 17. That to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood if they would Surrender the City Honourable Terms should be allowed them the Council in the absence of Collonel Lundy who thought it for his safety to keep his Chamber proceeded upon the Governors Project to chuse 20 Men to go out and Capitulate with K. James but the Multitude on the Walls and at the Gates hearing of it were so exceedingly incensed that they Threatn'd If a Man of them offered to go out on that Errand they would Treat him as a betrayer of the Town the Protestant Religion and K. Williams Interest Upon which none of them durst offer to go ond so a stop was put to that dangerous Capitulation notwithstanding the Orders of the Governor and Council so little did the Soldiers regard any Command that seemed to cross their Resolutions of Defending the City The Multitude having thus broken the Authority of the Council they with Collonel Lundy thought fit to withdraw he with some Difficulty got to the Ships at Culmore from thence to England Upon which the Garrison seeing they were Deserted by their Governor and having resolved to Defend the Town against the Enemy they chose Mr. Walker a Clergyman and Major Baker to be their Governors during the Siege and the Soldiers whom their Officers had left chose their Captains and each Captain which of the Collonels he would serve under as they pleased themselves and one Mr. Bennet was sent to England to give an account of their Resolutions to maintain the place and to desire Speedy Succors to be sent from thence for their Assistance April 9. A Trumpet came to the Walls from K. James to know why they sent not out Commissioners to Treat according to their Proposals but the People having put a stop to it Collonel Whitney wrote a few Lines to excuse themselves to the King The next Day the Lord Straband came up making many Proposals and offering his Kings Pardon Protection and Favour if they would Surrender the Town but these fine words had no place with the Garrison for at that very time of this Capitulating the Enemy were observed to use that opportunity for drawing their Cannon to a convenient stand Whereupon they desired his Lordship to withdraw or else they should fire upon him he still continued his Compliments till they plainly told him they would never deliver the Town to any but K. William and Q Mary and their Order My Lord having ended all his Insinuations found himself at last obliged to Retire So that K. James having loft all hopes of Accomodation re-resolved if possible to reduce them by force and raised several Batteries against the Town his Head Quarters being still at St. Johnstown
had done before of the Towns of Belfast and Antrim which the Enemy for fear had Deserted While they were in Treaty at Carickfergus and the Articles were scarce agreed to Mackarty Moor Governor of the Town was got in the Dukes Kitchin in the English Camp which his Grace smiled at and did not invite him to Dinner Saying If he had staid like a Soldier with his Men he would have sent to him but if he would go and eat with Servants in a Kitchin let him be doing The Country People were so Inveterate against the Soldiers remembring how they served them some few days before that they stript most part of the Women and forced a great many Arms from the Men and took it very ill that the Duke did not hang them all notwith standing the Articles Nay they were so rude that the Duke was obliged to ride in among them with his Pistol in his Hand to keep the Irish from being Murdered who were forced to fly to the Soldiers for Protection so angry were they at one another though they all live in the same Country The Enemy had about 150 killed and wounded in the Siege and the English as many killed and about 60 wounded The English Army now March on through Lisburn Drummore Lought it land and so to Newry which they found newly burnt and Deserted by the D. of Berwick and his Forces who had only time to set it on fire and take all the People with whatsoever was valuable along with him upon which the Duke sent a Trumpet to the Irish to let them know That if they burnt any more Towns he would give them no Quarter Sep. 7. The Army Marched thence to Dundalk which was likewise Deserted but not burnt Here they Incampt within a Mile of the Town in a low moist Ground where many grew sickly the Irish boasting to the Protestants when they went away That they would drive the English all back again into the Sea or else they would dye of themselves not being used to the Field especially in a strange Country and at that time of the year And indeed it went hard with them for want of Provisions especially Bread of which the Enemy grew sensible They had before Retreated beyond Droghedah in much Consternation not doubting but the Duke being an Old General would not have come into Ireland without a good Army and all things well provided and were upon the point of Deserting not only Droghedah but Dublin also by the Advice of the French General Rosen and to Retreat towards Athlone and Lymerick But when De Rosen heard that D. Scomberg halted he said he was sure they wanted something and therefore advised to hasten their Army together in which Tyrconnel was so diligent that from 8000 he made a Body of 20000 Men in a few days with which they Marched to Ardee and Seis'd all the Provisions that the Protestants had got together for the English Army which they expected there but unhappily stay'd too long Sep. 13. The English received 204 Loads of Bread which the Ships brought to Carlingford and then the General Ordered the Camp to be fortified that the Enemy might not break in upon them and strict Guards to be kept in the Night because they had notice that the Irish Marched toward them and accordingly Sep. 21. they advanced to the English Camp and offered Battle but the D. knowing they could not easily force the Camp and for several other prudential Reasons declined to ingage upon which the Irish drew off to Droghedah About which time a Correspondence was discovered to be held with the Enemy by some Soldiers in the French Regiments upon which 6 of the Principal Conspirators were Hanged who all dyed Papists and confest they lifted themselves on purpose to bring over as many as they could to K. James they prayed for K. William and Queen Mary and askt their pardons for their Treachery and declared further that if the General had ingaged the Enemy when they offered Battel they themselves were to put the English Army into Confusion by firing in the Reer and so Deserting so that it was a great Providence that the Duke then refused to fight Sep. 25. Collonel Lloyd with about 1000 Inniskilliners Defeated a Body of 5000 Irish that were going to Sligo killing 700 and taking O Kelly and 40 more Officers Prisoners with a great Booty of about 8000 Cattel with the loss only of 14 Men The News whereof coming to Duke Schomberg in the Camp he ordered all the Inniskilling Horse and Foot that had lately joyned the Army to draw out and Complimented them so far as to ride all along the Line with his Hat off and then ordered some Fire-works to be made for joy A great many now began to be sick by reason of the bad weather and most were so lazy that they would starve rather than fetch Fern or any thing else to keep themselves dry and warm which was the greatest occasion of Distempers Sickness and Death it self and many when dead were incredibly lousy which caused the General to say the English Men will fight but they do not love to work Both Forrage and Firing grew now very scarce which increased the distempers among the Soldiers upon which the Sick were ordered to be sent Aboard the Ships at Dundallâ— that had brought fresh Provisions The beginning of November the Enemy Decampt and Marcht to Winter Quarters and at the same time Sligo was taken by Sarsfield who came upon them unexpectedly with a considerably Body and the place not being provided either with Ammunition or Water it was Surrendred to the Irish upon Honourable Terms As the English Soldiers came out of the Town Collonel Sarsfield stood with a Purse of Guineas and offered to every one that would serve K. James 5 Guineas Advance with Horse and Arms but they all answered they would never fight for the Papishes as they called them Nay even those that were a dying in the Camp were wont to express no other Sorrow than Plague on these Papishes that we must dye here and not have leave to go and Fight them The Sickness increased and great numbers dyed daily so that the General concluded to decamp from Dundalk and March back to Belfast which they did accordingly the Sick being carryed in Waggons and the Army Marcht in the We and Snow so that many Perisht by the way yet upon an Alarm that the Enemy were coming upon them they grew very hearty and began to unbuckle their Tents saying If the Irish came they should pay for their lying in the Cold so long As to the number of Men that dyed of this great Mortality it is computed that near 1700 dyed about Dundalk about 2000 were shipt for England and not much above half came ashoar but dyed at Sea So that in the whole they lost near 5000 Men which was imputed very much to the bad Weather the Moistures of the place and the Tenderness and Carelesness of
the English whereas the Dutch kept themselves so clean and warm that not above 11 of them dyed the whole Campaign A Remarkable Passage happened a year before near Dundalk which seemed to presage this great destruction of Men A worthy Gentleman with 2 others and their Servants coming from Dublin to the North as they approached Dundalk about 9 at Night espyed several little Trinkling Lights in the Air with 2 larger then the rest about the ground where the English Army Incampt this year and at the same time they heard the most heavy and dismal Groans in the World which continued till they came to Newry but the Lights they saw only upon the Plains of Dundalk Nov. 23. The Enemy with a Detachment of 1600 Men and 100 Voluntiers Attempted to force the Pass at Newry and then designed to go along the Line and destroy the Frontier Garrisons there were not above 60 English in the Town and not 40 of those able to present a Musquet who yet fired upon them so briskly and affrighted them with such load Huzza's that the Irish imagining their number far greater then they were fled leaving 6 Men dead and carrying off 12 Horsload of dead and wounded Men. Dec. 4. Collonel Woolsely went in the Night with a Party of Inniskilling Horse toward Belturbet upon whose Approach the Garrison being Surprized yielded to the first Summons Soon after â—eutenant General Mackarty made his escape from Inniskilling where he was Prisoner he pretended to be sick and desired the Duke to remove his Guards which was granted and the Town standing on a Lough the water came to the Door whereupon he found means to Corrupt a Serjeant and got 2 small Boats to carry him and his Moveables the Serjeant went along with him but returned that Night to deliver a Letter which with Mackarty's Pass being found in the Lining of his Haâ— he was the next day shot for it The Duke was much concerned at the News and said He took him for a Man of Honour but he would not expect that in an Irishâ—an any more In February 〈◊〉 Woolsely with 700 Foot and 300 Horse Routed a Body of 4000 Irish at Cavan killing about 300 Soldiers and several Officers and 60 Soldiers with 12 Officers were made Prisoners and all with the loss only of 30 Men. and 2 Captains Feb. 15. Sir John Lanier with a â—arty of 1000 Horse Foot and Dragoons went from Newâ—y toward Dundalk which the Enemy had Fortified very well since the English left it and therefore he did not think fit to Attempt it however he drew up near the Town upon which the Irish came out but soon retired and the Major General burnt the West part of the Town and took Bedloe Castle with 30 Prisoners and the Ensign that Commanded it and returned with a Booty of nigh 1500 Cows and Horses The Ensign was arryed before the General at Lisburn who took him aside to inquire about the posture of the Enemy you says the Duke have a Commission and for that reason if not otherwise you are a Gentleman this obligeth you to speak truth which if you do not I can know it by examining other Prisoners and then I shall have no good Opinion of you But though the Duke talked with him half an hour it was thought he discovered little material In March 400 Danes Landed at Belfast with the P. of Wirtemburg their General being lusty Fellows well Clothed and Armed The same Month about 5000 French Foot Landed at Kingsale with 2 Generals the Count de Lauzun and the Marquess de Lery K. James sending back as many Irish under L. General Mackarty Our Fleet then attending the Queen of Spain made this undertaking very easy to the French before they arrived some of the Irish Nobility in Discourse with K. James said to him Sir Is not the French Fleet in danger to be met with by the English to which he Replyed That he during his time had taken care that the English should not have any great strength by Sea and now to Equip and set out a Fleet would be tedious besides the Expences and that he did not doubt but the French would master them As soon as these Forces Landed at Cork above 500 of them dyed of some Pestilent Distemper the rest being come to Dublin General Lauzun sent to the Governor Lutterel to deliver the Keys of the City and Castle to him pursuant to K. James's promise to his Master to give him possession of Dublin and all the strong places in Ireland Lutter Replyed he would first acquaint the King and accordingly accompanyed the I. Mayor and Aldermen to Address the King telling him that they had hitherto ventured their Lives and Fortunes in his Defence and therefore hoped he would still confide in them to govern Dublin and would not make them absolute Subjects to the French King To whom he Replyed That he had ingaged his Word to his Brother Lewis that Lauzun should have the Government of Dublin and could not recede from it Thereupon the Keys of the City were delivered but the French would not Mount the Guards till they had likewise the Keys of the Castle which were likewise given them and so they possest themselves of the City and Castle swearing they had no King but King Lewis nor would they obey any other and under him their General Lauzun from thence they grew very insolent to Protestants and as they passed by any of the Clergy threatned them severely So that they consulted to Disguise themselves in Frize Coats for security against these French Vultures they had not been above 2 days in Dublin when they Murthered 2 or 3 Protestant Clothiers in the City at a place called Comb for Protecting their Wives from being Ravished of which Inhuman Act no more notice was taken than if 2 Dogs had been shot they took a Country Maid that came to Market with her Father and defloured her in the open Street at Noon-day Many such Barbarous Villainies were committed by them There being above 10000 Protestant Men in Dublin able to bear Arms besides Women and Children and being barred the Liberty of the Markets by the French who would not sell Bread to the Protestants as the Irish Papist Soldiers did it was almost a Miracle that thousands had not perished Many of the sober Papists were also sensible of their rudeness and grew mighty dejected often complaining to their King of the disdainful Treatment they received from the French who called them Ten Thousand Cowards and said they were beaten by a Priest and a few Boys meaning the Valiant Collonel Walker and those Marchless Hero's that Defended London-Derry and that De Avaux the French Ambossador said to General Lauzun upon his Landing you are come to be a Sacrifice for a poor Spirited and Cowardly People whose Soldiers will never fight and whose Officers would never obey Orders and therefore will meet with the same Fate that our Masters Army did at Candia that is
fought but they proved false and Deserted him and that here he had an Army which was Loyal enough but would not stand by him so that he was now necessitated to provide for his Safety and that they should make the best Terms for themselves that they could he told his Menial Servants That he should now have no further occasion to keep such a Court as he had done and that therefore they were at liberty to dispose of themselves He desired them all to be kind to the Protestants and not to burn or injure them nor the City for though he quitted it he did not quit his Interest in it Immediately after he took Horse and with about twelve in Company went towards Bray and so to Waterford having appointed his Carriages to meet him another way where he imbarqued for France having some days days before distrusting the issue Ordered Sir Patrick Trant to go from the Camp at the Boyn to Waterford and provide Shipping It is said he did not sleep till he got on Ship-board All that day nothing was to be seen in Dublin but Officers Carriages and dusty wounded Soldiers with several of K. James's Horse-guards coming in stragling without Pistols or Swords and the Principal Popish Persons of the Town their Wives and Families going away The Gates were still kept by the Irish Militia and the Castle by 250 of the Governors Foot Soldiers who still threatned that before they left the City they would burn and plunder it This of a long time had been their talk as we have heard though K. James said It was a Report raised by the Protestants to make him odious yet some Irish Persons of Note advised their Protestant Friends a few days before this to leave the Town because they would not be safe there The Protestants some of whom were crouded into the Hospitals Colledges and Churches others into stinking nasty unhealthy Rooms knew not yet what to think of themselves but hoped the English were so near as to prevent their being burnt but about 4 afternoon instead of them they perceived the Irish Horse which were drawn out in the Morning and thought to be quite gone entring the Town followed by the French and Irish Foot in a full Body Presently a Noise run through the City that they were come to fire it and the Papists who had secured themselves in Protestants Houses began to look brisk again but all these Forces Marched through the Town without doing any injury and were drawn up by Tyrconnel on the further side of it to March away the Militia followed them only the Governor remained who at last resolved to March also and drive 2 or 300 of the Principal Protestant Prisoners before him but while they were preparing for this a false Alarm was spread that a Party of English being Landed at the Harbour were just at the Towns end it was too dusky to discover the Truth and they had not time to send a Messenger but in hast shifted for themselves The Protestants now began to look out whom the Irish had released not out of love to them but for fear the English were at their Heels yet knew not well in what condition they were but venturing to the Castle they found Captain Farlow who had been Prisoner there keeping Garrison alone upon which Captain Fitz Gerald and several others who had been Prisoners went and staid there all Night still they were unsecure and had no Arms Early next morning July 3. the Protestants run about to the Papists Houses demanding their Arms who being quite dispirited delivered them without dispute and the Bishop of Meath Dr King and several other Principal Protestants sent away an Express to K. William that the Town waâ— at liberty desiring his Majesties Presence and Protection and began to Form a Protestant Militia Till Thursday July 3. in the Afternoon they heard not a word of the English Army and reports were raised that the French and Irish were coming back which much dampt the Protestants but this was soon blown over and they now perceived themselves to be free which filled their Hearts with so much joy that they run about Saluting and Imbracing one another and Blessing God for this wonderful Deliverance as if they had been raised from the Dead The Streets were filled with Crouds and Shouts and the Papists were now under the same Terrors that they had been in some days before At 8 that Night one Troop of English Dragoons came as a Guard to an Officer who was sent to take charge of the Stores it is impossible to express the rejoycing of the People at sight of them they hung about the Horses and were ready to pull the Men off and hug them in their Arm as they Marched up to the Castle The Night after the Battel the English lay upon their Arms at Duleek and next Morning a Party were sent to fetch the Tents and Baggage from beyond the Boyn and another Party of 1000 Horse and Dragoons and 300 Foot and 8 pieces of Cannon Marcht to Summon Droghedah The Governor received the first Summons very indifferently but being Threatned that if he forced the Cannon to be fired on them they should have no Quarter Thereupon he believing that the Irish Army was totally Routed Surrendred upon Condition to be Conducted to Athlone there being about 1300 of them who Marched out without Arms according to Agreement July 3. K. William Marcht forward and was met at Bally Brigham by one Mr. Saunders from the Protestants of Dublin with a Tender of their Allegiance The D. of Ormond Marched thither with 1000 Horse and the Dutch Guards took possession of the Castle and 2 days after his Majesty came to Finglass within 2 Miles of Dublin 300 Citizens coming to wait upon and welcom him and his Army and abundance of People flockt from all places to see the Camp and their Great Deliverer whose just Merits found Commendations from his very Enemies and whose Soul is not Subject to fear or any thing that is below a Prince and who is only faulty in exposing his Royal Person too far On Sunday His Majesty went to St. Patricks Church in Dublin and returned to his Camp to Dinner and on Munday the Bishops and Clergy Presented a very Loyal Address the Bishop of Meath making a Speech telling his Majesty That they came not to beg his Protection for he had given sufficient Demonstrations of his Affection toward them by venturing his Royal Person for their Deliverance but they came to Congratulate his Arrival to pray for the Continuance of his good Success and to give his Majesty all the Assurance imaginable of their Loyalty and Obedience intreating him not to think the worse of them for staying in Ireland and Submitting to a Power that it was impossible for them to Resist since they had been as Serviceable to his Majesties Interest by staying as they could have been otherwise c. The King made answer That as he had by
the Blessing of God Succeeded so far he doubted not but by Gods Assistance to free them absolutely and that in a short time from Popish Tyranny which was his design in coming They then desired his Majesties leave to appoint a day of Publick Thanksgiving which was done accordingly The Irish went away in such haste that they left 16000 l. in brass Money in the Treasury and a great quantity of French Souses of the first of which K. James coined above eleven Hundred Thousand Pound The half Crowns of which were now cryed down for pence Yet this did not grate so heavily upon the People as his late taking away all the Protestant Staple Goods as Wool Hydes and Tallow to send to France in exchange for Wine and Linnen for his Army Their Tanned Leather was also taken away for the use of the Soldiers The Revenue he raised otherwise was by a Subsidy granted by Parliament of Twenty Seven Thousand Pound a Month for 13 Months which fell severely upon the Protestants who were forced to pay ready Mony though by Plundring they were generally deprived of their Stocks Rents and Incomes and to shew what future Security they were like to have for their Estates K. James by Proclamation under pretence of his Prerogative Royal laid a Tax of 20000 l. a Month for 3 Months upon Goods and Chattels that granted by Parliament being only upon Land this way of Leavying Money startled every body the pretended Parliament was then in being and adjourned till Jan. 12. 1689 which happened to be about the very time when the K. and his Council were upon this Project some in the Council opposed it alledging There was no need of levying Money by extraordinary ways when it might be had otherwise and that it would cause his Enemies to say that he affected Arbitrary Power but he was very angry with those that spake against it saying That they had made him believe it was a branch of his Prerogative to levy Money and it he could not do that he could do nothing And thereupon Popish Commissioners were appointed to assess it who never failed to lay the greatest burden upon their Protestant Neighbours who in effect paid all the Taxes that K. James ever receiv'd in Ireland July 7. K. William published a Declaration assuring all Labourers Soldiers Farmers Ploughmen and Courtiers as also all Citizens Tradesmen Townsmen and Artificers of his Royal Protection who should return to their Abodes by Aug. 1. and deliver their Arms to the Justices of Peace and that they should be secured in their legal Rights Goods Stocks and Chattels c. The next day the King took a view of his Army by distinct Regiments and though it rained very fast yet His Majesty sate on Horseback in the midst of it It was observable that with heat dust and marching most of the Soldiers had got very sore Lips nor was His Majesty himself exempt from this inconvenience for he had toil'd and laboured as much as the best of them July 9. The King had an account of the misfortune of the English and Dutch Fleets and at the same time he divided his Army going himself with the greatest part Westward and sending Lieut. Gen. Douglas with 3 Regiments of Horse 2 of Dragoons and 10 of Foot toward Athlone about 50 miles from Dublin In their march they took 2 Spies with Letters from Athlone one was to advise one Tute to defend an Island nigh Mullingar in which the Governor had store of Horses and other things of value Another Letter was from an Officer at Athlone to his Father in the Country telling him That the Ld Tyrconnel D. of Berwick and several other Great Officers were come to Lymerick with a good Body of Horse and that all their Army would be there in 2 or 3 days so that they would make either a Hog or a Dog of it as he exprest it That the Dauphin was landed in England with a great Army That the French had beat the English and Dutch Fleets That D. Schomberg was dead and it was said the Prince of Orange was so too That their King was gone to France but it was no great matter where he was for they were better without him Then he advised his Father not to take a Protection from the English because those that did so were lookt upon as Enemies And after his Letter was sealed he had writ on the outside Just now we have an account froâ— Gentleman that is come to us from Dublin that Orange is â—â—tainly dead so that all will be well again Such were their hoâ—â— and expectations at that time yet we find that the Irish had 〈◊〉 a mean opinion of K. James some of them saying That he 〈◊〉 fitter to be a Monk than a King and Sarsheld sometime afâ—â—â— ward speaking of the Action at the Boyn swore If the Eâ— woâ—â— change Kings they would fight it over again and beat us Sâ— material is the courage and countenance of the Chief Commandeâ— in an Army especially a King which makes his Nobility Gentryâ— and Officers strive to imitate his example by which he is beâ—â—â— served and commonly more fortunate July 17. The Army encamped within a mile of Athlone tâ—â— Enemy playing the great Guns on them as they marched with littâ—â— damage The General sent a Drum to Summon the Town but oâ—â— Col. Grace the Governor fired a Pistol at him and sent word Theâ—â— were the Terms he was for Upon which the English were contriving to raise Batteries but the Enemy having made Provision for their coming and Lieue Gen. Douglas not having Cannon large enough to endamage the Town and also very little Bread it was resolved by a Council of War to remove from the Town which was done at 12 at Night with all their Baggage the Enemy not so much as firing one Gun at them and soon after they joyn'd the King's Army July 9. His Majesty encamp'd at Cromlin 2 miles West of Dublin where he setled the method of granting Protections to those Irish that would submit to the Government and gave Orders that upon pain of Death no Soldier should dare Plunder the Country or any protected Person nor to take violently the least value from either Protestant or Papist abuses of this kind having been lately complained of Two days after the King passing by the Ness saw a Soldier robbing a poor Woman which inraged His Majesty so much that he beat him with his Cane and Commanded that he and others found guilty of the like disobedience should be Executed which had so good effect upon that Army that no Pilfering happened for a long time after The K. had notice in his march of the confusion of the Enemy and their resort to Lymerick and People from Kilkenny gave an account That some Irish Horse and Foot were there still but with thoughts of quitting it upon our approach which they did after having 〈◊〉 the Inhabitants to give them a Sum of Money to save
to be wasted and destroyed by the Enemy and Deserted by those you came to relieve But K. James had no power to help himself or them having by his Degenerate and Mean Spirit Truckled his Authority and became Subject to the power of France and contented himself to be a King in Name only April 6. 1690. Collonel Woolseley with a Detached Party of 700 Men Attackt the Castle of Killishandra with such Briskness that the Enemy Surrendred it they being 150 Men On the 10th Collonel Tiffen sent out a Party from Bellishannon who brought of a Prey from the Neighbourhood of Sligo and killed about 16 of the Enemy as they pursued them April 12. Sir Clovesly Shovel came to Belfast as Convoy to several Ships that brought over necessaries for the Army and having notice of a Frigat at Anchor in the Bay of Dublin with other small Vessels Loaden with Hides Tallow Wooll and some Plate and other Goods designed for France he Sailed thither and leaving the great Ships in the Bay with the Monmouth Yatch and 2 or 3 more and several Long-Boats he went to Polebeg where the Frigat lay of 16 Guns and 4 Pattereroes being a Scotch Ship taken the year before in the Channel When K. James heard of it he said It was some of his Loyal Subjects of England returning to their Duty and Allegiance But when he saw them draw near the Ship and heard the firing he rid out towards Rings End whither gathered a vast Croud of People of all sorts and several Regiments were drawn up if possible to kill those bold Fellows at Sea who durst on a Good-Fryday as this happened to be perform so wicked a deed as they said Captain Bennet that Commanded the Frigat run her aground and after several firings from her and some other Ships when they saw a Fire-Ship coming in which Sir Clovesly had given a sign to they all quitted the Frigat being at first 40 but lost 6 or 7 in the Action Sir Clovesly was in the Monmouth Yatch in going off one of the Hoys run aground and was dry when the Tide was gone and the rest of the Boats were not far off being full of Armed Men and a Frenchman of King James's Guards coming nigh the Boats to fire his Pistols in a Bravado had his Horse shot under him and was forced to fling off his Jack-Boots and run back in his Stockins to save himself some of the Seamen went on Shoar and took his Saddle and Furniture when the Tide came in they went off with their Prize to the Ships below K. James went back very much dissatisfied and it was reported should say That all the Protestants in Ireland were of Cromwells Breed and deserved to have their Throats Cut However all the Protestants that walked that way during the Action were imprisoned and 2 made their escape to the Boats Monsieur Callimot with his French Regiment had some time before Attempted the strong Castle of Charlemont setting fire to the Bridge and killing about 20 Men and then Retreated May 2. The Irish put Relief into the place which was conveyed with a Detachment of 4 or 500 Men and Collonel Callimots Regiment who were quartered at Blackwater knowing the Convoy must return resolved to intercept them and as they were Marching back fell upon them with such Courage that he forced them again into the Castle and this they did 2 or 3 times which Teague O Regan the Old Irish Governor perceiving he Swore If they could not get out they should have no Entertainment nor Lodging within And was as good as his word for they were forced to make little Huts within the Palisadoes so that between Teague and the English the poor Fellows were in a lamentable Condition After this the General sent several Regiments to block up Charlemont with Cannon to force Old Teague out of his Nest if possible having Summoned him to Surrender some time before who returned the Messenger with this Answer Go tell thy Master from Teague O Regan that he 's an Old Knave and by St Patrick he shall not have the Town at all when God knows there was no Town standng but an Old Castle The Duke only smiled and said He would give Teague greater Reason to be angry in a short time and accordingly those Irish that had a mind to go out being kept in soon made Victuals very scarce and no hopes of Relief appearing the Old Governor sent to Treat about a Surrender and the Terms being soon agreed to this strong place was delivered up about 400 Men and 200 Irish Women and Children Marching out of it the D. stood to observe them and Teague O Regan appeared Mounted upon an Old Stone Horse very lame with Spavin and Scratches and so vitious that he would fall a Squeeling and kicking if any Body came near him Teague himself had a great bunch upon his back a plain red Coat an Old Weather-beaten Wig hanging down at full length a little narrow white Beaver Cockt up a yellow Gravat-string tyed all on one side his Boots with a 1000 wrinkles and though it was very hot a great Muff hanging about his back and for uniformity he was almost fudled with Brandy In this Equipage he approached the Duke but had not made his Compliment ere the Jade fell to work so that the D. had scarce time to make a Civil return The Duke smiled afterwards and said Teagues Horse was very Mad and himself very Drunk The Officers and Soldiers made the Duke a great many Legs and stared upon him to see whether he was a Man or some other strange Creature for the Irish usually asked one another what is that Shambear that all this talk is of The Duke inquired why they kept so many Women and Children in their Garrison which must needs consume their Provisions He was told that the Irish are naturally very Hospitable and that they all fared alike but that the Soldiers would never be perswaded to stay in Garrison without their Wives and Mistresses The Duke replyed There was more Love than Policy in it The Irish were to be guarded to Armagh and among them were 2 Priests one of whom in the way fell into discourse with a Dragoon about Transubstantiation but being baffled was so angry that he fell a beating the Dragoon who not being used to blows thrasht the Priest severely of which complaint being made to Teague he replyed I be very glad of it What te Deal had he to do to Dispute Religion with a Dragoon King William being concerned that the War in Ireland should divert his Forces from going into France resolved if possible to reduce the Kingdom this Summer by going thither in Person and every one knew his Majesties Industry Courage and Resolution to be so great that he would endeavour to make a quick dispatch and accordingly having left Kensington June 4. Ten days after he Arrived safe at Carickfergus with his Highness Prince George the D. of Ormond the Earls