much upon that as to loose the Town I am SIR Your most Humble Servant Bar de Ginkell In the mean time the Lord Granard advanced with his Party in sight and sent for Coll. Michelburne who with some other of his Officers attended his Lordship and gave him an account of the progress he had made as well in pinning them up who consisted of 28 Companies of Foot in so small a compass as also how all things were in a manner concluded His Lordship was by the Collonel and several others attended into Town to the House of Sir Arthur Goore Soon after Sir Francis Hamilton Major Hamilton and Major Tichburne attended his Lordship giving him account That all was concluded on between the Fort of Sligoe and Coll. Michelburne if it might be with his Lordship's Approbation except some small Additions which Sir Teige desired the Commissaries might report to his Lordship who granted it His Lordship ordered the Collonel and Major Hamilton to compleat the Articles which accordingly was done Sir Teige desiring a further time for as they were to Surrender at 12 on Sunday his Lordship agreed to give them leave till 7 next Morning being Monday the 14th which accordingly was done as followeth According to Capitulation they were furnish'd with 28 Truckle Carrs and two Horses to each Company for their Baggage which took some time to bring out of the Fort after them marched 28 Companies such as they were which done Sir Teige delivered up the Keys to Coll. Michelburne who immediately marched in at the Head of a Battalion of his own Regiment after which the Lord Granard rode in with a considerable number of Officers and Gentlemen of the Countrey Collonel Michelburne with the Keys in his hand complimented his Lordship with them in the Name of Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary who return'd him the Keys and wish'd him joy of his new Government The Lord O Donnel about this time delivered the Collonel a Letter of old date which should have come to his hands about the 21th of August and it was not delivered till the 14th of September A Letter from Coll. Richards bearing date from Cushin-Town the 19 of Aug. 91. SIR MY Lord O Donnel and I have now regulated all Matters and will to the utmost of his power do what shall most contribute to Their Majesties Service I do not doubt but that you will supply him with what necessarys you can after Sligoe is in your hands my Lord I suppose will March towards the General or according to what Directions he shall receive from him I shall take care for his Supplies of what we have in our Stores when he comes to Gallway or any other of our places where we have Stores Your wants at Sligoe may be supplied from Ballyshanan if any there otherwise upon your notice and the General 's Order Collonel Goore or my self will send you by Sea what is to be had from us I am satisfied my Lord O Donnel will do his best for reducing Sligoe and therefore it will not be amiss to consult him in difficulties I am SIR Your most humble Servant Ja. Richards Just now I have advice That Sarsfield with the Horse is come on this side so that Sir Albert Coningham has Orders to march his Dragoons to Clare-Gallway I expect to be this Night at Gallway and if any thing extraordinary happens shall advise you Capt. Otway had Orders to take an account of the Stores of Ammunition and Provision according to the Capitulation which follows A List taken the 15th day of September 1691. of the Guns Ammunition and Stores of War in the Sodd Fort of Sligoe Ordinances Brass mounted on Brick and stand Carriages 12 Pounder 1 Chamber Piece 1 Iron Ordinances Mounted on Brick and stand Carriages Deme Coulver 1 Minion 3 3 Pounders 10 Power 30 bar Ball for French Fusies 6½ bar Ditto for Pistol 1 bar Match 8 hog per est Ball proportionable Culvering 109 Bastard Cannon 72 12 Pounders 36 9 Pounders 144 Saker 267 Minion 332 Fallcon 054 Ladles and Spunges for Demy Culvering 1 1 3 Pounders 10 10 12 Pounders 1 1 Menion 3 3 Crows of Iron 2 Syaths 18 Handbarrows 21 Wheel-barrows 30 Pitch 25 Peices 40 Floot barrs of Iron 40½ Old Iron 8 C. Hand Granadas fixt 200 Ditto unfixt 328 Scales 1 Weights 5 Shovels and S pades 38 Received the day and year above mention'd by the Order of the Right Honourable the Earl of Granard the Guns Ammunition and Stores of War above mentioned As Witness my Hand John Michelburne Sodd Fort Sligoe the 15th September 1691. Provisions for the Mouth Oate-meal 24 bar Beef 200 bar Salt 1 bar Meal 11 bar Oates 150 bar Barrly 60 bar Received the day and year above mention'd by Order of the Right Honourable the Earl of Granard the Provision and Stores above mentioned As Witness my Hand John Michelburne The account Received of the The Train of Artillery from Captain Richard Swan as followeth Powder in Barrels 25 Ball in Barrels 35 Match in Bundels 15 Wheel-barrows 21 Iron Crows 3 Baskets 45 3 Pounder Balls 183 A Small parcel Killkenny Coals in a Case Hammer Hatchits 20 Bill Hooks 24 1 A barral Kit Granadas fixt 100 Shells unfixt 482 Handbarrows 48 Pickaxes 23 Rep-hooks 5 Syaths 2 Whetstones 4 Turn Pikes 18 Horse Harnssing 18 Clouts 12 Shafts 2 Linchpins 12 Tar Tub 1 1 Wheel for the big Gun 1 1 Axil-tree 1 Swingle Trees 4 Hurters and Wassers 13 1 Jack 1 8 Sand Bagg 1 12 Pounder Balls 98 1 Dark Lanthorn 1 Long Spikes in a Box 500 2 Shilling Nais 500 Of mens Harnessing 2 Riges Ropes ' 2 Fadams of 2 inch Rope 10 ½ A Goyl of Small Rope ½ 1 Brass 12 Pounder 1 2 brass 3 Pounders 2 And all necessaries belonging to them An Account of Coll. Michelburne's appearing Three several times before the Lords Justices to make answer to Mr. Foward's Information a Militia Captain November the 19th the 30th and the 17th of December 1691. BY the fore-going Narrative where all things were acted to the full Satisfaction as well of the Lords Justices as the General as by their many Letters do appear 't is strange what grounds there could be found out for the calling to Account this Faithful Trusty Person that the Queen should be acquainted with his great Miscarriage and after that the King in Council the Order from the Queen was answered in these Words by the Lords Justices in a Letter to the Lord Nottingham as in the Close of the Book Sometimes since we received Her Majesties Command by your Lordship to inquire into the rerson of Coll. Michelburne's withdrawing the Blockade of Sligo c. That the General and Lords Justices knew of no Miscarriage and that he should be so vilely represented to Her Majesty and with that secrecy and privacy that it cannot be known who were the Villanous Actors of this scandalous false Aspersion by which the best deserving Men may unknown be
he could not forbear telling him how unkindly he took it in endevouring to bring O Donnell to raise his Camp and that in a few days he would return with such a strength that it should not lye in O Donnells power to releive them and that it was not Gentiel to send a Lieutenant with a Major to General Ginkel when it was agreed on when the Articles were signed that a Major should go with a Major to see the General Sign and Seal He gave the Drummer Likewise half a Guinea to be delivered to Capt. M. Sherry who was a noted Robber and a Captain in Collonel Terron O Rourke's Regiment in Sligoe Collonel Michelburne had a correspondence with the said Capt. M. Sherry who had ingaged to come off with his whole Company as soon as he met with a conveniency Here follows Lieutenant Collonel M. Donnaghs Letter Sliegoe Aug. 11th SIR IN my Collonels absence I open'd yours to him and have sent to those whose Cattle were made a prey by Captain Forward some of whom will wait on you as for our sending to O Donnell to fall upon your Camp while before Sligoe nothing is more false Neither would we wish that you or yours were touched here during our League but you will give us leave to wish your Retireing after which we sent rather to prevent O Donnells comming hither than to invite him and that chiefly for fear he should destroy our Cows and Provision However he is a Brigadeer of our Army and he may do in that what he pleases You have our Governours answer as to your Generals demand and for sending a Lieutenant for a Major Major Hamilton is our Witness that our Major intended for the journey but being taken ill we put the matter to Major Hamilton and it was by his consent that Lieutenant Scott went with him for the Major that was not able to go This is no matter of Substance I hope to take exceptions at My Collonel when he comes home will satisfie you farther in the mean time I am SIR Your most humble Servant Ternon M. Donnagh To Collonel John Michelburne Governour at Ballyshanan The Drumer returned with the above mentioned Letter and withal was assured that Ballderrog was incamped within three miles of Sligoe a Spie the Collonel had abroad brought this following account A true Account of the Forces under the Command of Ballderrog O Donnell Brigadeer M. K. James's Army Regiments of Foot THE Lord Ballderrog O Donnell new Arms from Limricke Collonel Donnell Oge O Donnel some few Arms. Collonel Connell O Donnell Ballderrogs Brother indfferent well in Order Collonel Shawn Oge M. Swine no Arms. Collonel Cannus O Donnel about a 100 Matchlocks Collonel Ternon Oge O Roarke good Arms. Horse Major D'la More Captain of Horse formerly in Lutterells Regiment Dragoons Captain Shawn O Donnell 1 Troop 50 Captain Torlough M. Swine 1 Troop 50 The 13th and 14th the several Detachments from Bellurbit Cavan Eniskillin and Killybeggs of Collonel Michelburns Regiment joyned at Ballyshanan so that he had of his own Regiment about 600 and 2 Troops of the Army Here you may see the great difference between Preying and doing the King Service This was a time if ever they would have their Country cleared they might But tho Sir Fran Hamilton Governour of the County did all what possiable he could do it could not oblige the Militia to leave their dwellings notwithstanding the Country paid them twelve pence a day For of twelve Troops and two Companys of Militia that appeared out of one County when they understood they were going to get Prey now the Kings service is to be done and the Town to be Surrendered no more than 4 Troops appears to witt Captain Charles Hamiltons Capt. William Stewarts and Captain Hamiltons of Murvough and one Troop commanded by Captain Erwine out of Formannagh This day the Collonel receives an Express from the Lords Justice Porter as followeth Dublin Castle the 5th of Aug. 1691. SIR IN the absence of my Lord Coningsby who is at the Camp I received yours of the 6th Instant directed to us both wherein you give us an account that Sligoe hath capitulated with a Copy of the Articles which you have done well in to send the General to be Ratified where my Lord Coningsby will be sure to meet them What you apprehend of Ballderrogs coming to relieve Sliego you need not give your self any further trouble or concern for he having so Capitulated for himself and his Party that there is a perfect Cessation of Arms between us and them however since you desire assistance from the Counties of Mannoghan and Formannegh I now dispatch away Orders to the Governours of those Counties to march all the Militia that can possible be spared out of both towards Sligoe with eight days Provision of Bread to your assistance with directions to observe your Orders when there Collonel Venners Regiment is marched to the Camp so as the remainder of your Regiment cannot be relieved by any of them as you suppose but I hope since Ballderrog hath submitted there will be no occasion You must press Horses and Cars to carry off the Cannon and Baggage pursuant to your capitulation they cannot be expected hence and my Lord Coningsby who commands the Treasury being in the Camp I know not how to send you Mony but if their be occasion you must find a way to take it up from some of the Collectors of their Majesties Revenues nearest to you or otherwise and it shall be allowed them upon their Accounts or otherwise be Re-enbursed to you I am SIR Your very very humble Servant Charles Porter The day for the Surrender was the 15th of August Collonel Michelburne exactly according to the time appointed marches the 14th and Incamped at Burindruse along the River side 4 Miles from Ballyshanon and 16 from Sligoe and begins his march by break of day the next morning about 11 he comes before Sligoe but on his way he halted at the Grange and sent Captain Shenbarge to Sir Teige with this following Letter From the Grange Aug. 15. 1691. SIR I Hope this will find my Major and Lieutenant Scott returned with the Ratification of the Articles from General Ginkell which we signed between us I am now on my March to Sligoe and hope all things will answer our Expectation The Bearer hereof Captain Shenbarge I have sent to wait on you I am SIR Your humble Servant John Michelburne To the Hon. Sir Teige O Regan Knight Governour of Sligoe Sir Teige's Answer SIR I Had yours just now and do answer it on back of your own that you may not wait for an answer Your Major Major Hamilton is returned and the Officer I sent with the Articles not altogether confirmed by the General Ginkell However I would agree to the Articles signed but that my Ld. O Donnel a Brigadier of our Army is come with a strong Brigade who if he stands by us alters all Affairs for 't is a
was then on Capitulation with General Ginkell and sent to Coll. Michelburne to joyn him if the Garrison should prove Obstinate and so to reduce them by force The General ordered Coll. Michelburne to pay him 200 Guineas as a Mark of his Favours of which accordingly he paid him 100 and the other 100 he promised to pay him in two or three Days but the said O Donnel notwithstanding his Ingagement with the General the payment of the 100 Guineas he appeared the only person that obstructed the Surrender and took part with the Garrison of Sligoe to defend them apainst Coll. Michelburne or what other the General should send Signing an Instrument under his Hand that notwithstanding any Contract made between the General Ginkell and himself his only design was to prolong the time and what he did or acted was for King James's Interest and promised the Garrison of Sligoe to joyn with them when there was occasion The Lords Justices understanding the Abuse that was committed by the said O Donnel issued first their Order to the Militia of most part of the Province of Vlster to joyn Coll. Michelburne the latter end of August who by the General 's Orders and the Lords Justices Commanded the Summer past at Ballyshannon to the intent that when a considerable body could be got together he was to Advance teward Sligoe their Lordships ordered likewise a considerable Body of the Militia from Dublin and other parts of Lemster to be Commanded by the Right Honourable the Earl of Granard with a Commissioner to Command the whole Forces of Lemster and Vlster to reduce O Donnel as also the said Forts of Sligoe to Their Majesties Obedience but the said O Donnel in the mean time makes his Peace with the General and joyns his Forces with the Earl of Granard therefore the Lord-Justices gave Orders for a considerable quantity of Provisions to be sent from Dublin to Bellurbit for this occasion Whilst the Militia was drawing to the Frontiers Coll. Michelburne drew from Cavan Bellurbit Eniskillin and Killybegs as many of his own Regiment as he could spare out of the said Garrisons to joyn the Militia whom he expected by the Ist of September but it was the 8th before the Militia could make any considerable Appearance in the mean time the said Coll. us'd all his Endeavours to get some Field Pieces from Eniskillin the 9th he began his March with about 500 Militia Horse two Troops of Dragoons of the standing Army three Militia Foot Companies and 600 Men of his own Regiment That Night he Encamped at Drumcleif three Miles from Sligoe and 17 from Ballyshannon from whence Capt. Vaughan a Militia Captain with his own Troop and a Detachment of ten more to secure him from the Rapparees was dispatch'd to the Earl of Granard to acquaint his Lordship of our Advance Drumcleif the 9th of September 1691. My Lord THE backwardness of some of the Militia Troops of this Province was the Oaccsion of my not advancing sooner I have sent Capt. Vaughan to know your Lordships Commands who will give you an Account of our Advance and what Condition we are in I think it not convenient to quit this side of the Town to joyn you before you come to Sligoe by reason of the Inconveniency of drawing our Guns I am My Lord Your Lordships most Humble Servant John Michelburne To the Right Honourable the Earl of Granard at Boyle or elsewhere These The next Morning about Seven we advanced within half a Mile of the Town and advantagiously posted our selves in an old Danish Fort called by the name of Rabacan built in the time of Oliver Cromwell and as soon as we were encamped Orders were given to repair the said Fort the said Coll. Michelburne sends a Drum with a Summons to Sir Teague O Regan Govetnour of the Town and County of Sligoe as followeth Collonel Michelburne's First Letter SIR I Do not question but your Intelligence is such that you are satisfied and assured of what Preparation is made which you may see by a considerable Force under my Command enough to bring you to Submission but a far greater under the Earl of Granard and the Lord O Donnel so that you will be surrounded on every side and that we are not to quit the place till reduced However I have Orders from his Excellency General Ginkell once more to treat if with your Conveniency You know the Hardships of a close Siege and the ill Effects that will happen if you continue obstinate 'T was very ill resented and ill taken that you detained the Articles Signed by General Ginkell you neither returned them nor the Counterpart but kept both in your Custody I am SIR Your Humble Servant John Michelburne I desire your speedy Answer my Service to Collonel Scot and Collonel Rourke To the Honourable Sir Teague O Regan Governour of Sligoe Sligoe September the 11th 1691. SIR I Have yours of this days date my Intelligence is such that I cannot give a shroad Guess of the Preparations that are making as you mention to reduce this place if they were Ten times greater then you fancy them it is equal to me Neither am I ignorant as you mention of the Effects of a close Siege which I am in this case resolued to try However I thank you for your offer and as for not returning the Articles Signed by General Ginkell no wonder at it for I have no other to show my own General for my Justification for the manner of my Capitulation and of breaking off honestly with you to whom I appeal whither or no I have not behaved my self as I ought and who is to blame in this matter I suppose you have the Counterpart of the Article your self Coll. Seot and Coll. Rourke defires to be remembred to you and Sir Francis Hamilton so do I who am SIR Your most Humble Servant Teague O Regan To Coll. John Michelbourne Governour of London-Derry and Ballyshannon This day being 11th of September and proving very wet was Imployed in cutting Fagots and repairing the Fort so that we made no Advance till about Nine next Morning the Coll. viewed every part of the Enemies Outwarks where he might take 'em at the best Advantage they were observed about 200 of them hard at work in Levelling an old Ditch some distance from the Fort we were informed by some of the Country that they had taken a reinforcement of two Foot Companies one commanded by Lieut. Coll. Edward mac Swine the other by Capt. Conn O Neal we also observed great numbers of them going into the Town and could only discover one Company of Granadeers lodg'd in a Danish Fort to observe our motion The Enemy still observing our Men at work repairing the Danish Fort were now altogether secure not apprehending in the least that we should fall upon them that Morning and fully assured that nothing would be done of our side till the Lord Granard arrived but in less than an hour they found
was to understand that the Lords Justices after he had three publick hearings before their Lordships where he was fully acquitted had sent a Lerter to my Lord Nottingham in his Vindication which was in Answer to Her Majesty's that commanded them to inspect into the Collonel's Miscariages This indeed was a great satisfaction to me but notwithstanding all this considering how hard it is when vulgar Tongues are set a barking to lay the cry and that this Letter to the Queen in his Favour might not be generally known for want of which the publick Clamours are not yet wholly silenc'd and his Enemies through that advantage may still carry on their private Intrigues to his dishonour I have therefore prevailed with him to deliver into my Hands what Papers he had relating to the Transactions where he commanded in Chief as well all Orders and Letters that were sent him from the Lords Justices and the General with his Answer to 'em and those which pass'd betwixt him and Sir Teague O Regan and others relating to the Military Affairs as also the Journal of his own Procedings which I have here with his leave taken the boldness to print with his Tryal in the Close thereby not only to satisfie the World of the just measures he took in reducing so important a place as Sligoe the Key of Connaught but likewise to make his Reparation as publick as his Injuries When the Impartial Reader shall have perused this following Narration he will easily perceive on what a weak Foundation they had built their hopes of ruining this much injur'd Gentleman when the height of their despised malice durst but aim at forging so poor a Scandal on him as Plundering Why did they not asperse him for want of Conduct or Courage Oh! no in both those Capacities they thought he stood too visibly above their feeble Batteries and even this mean Chagre they Iay'd against him how did they aim in vain to make it out Why even thus The Grand Intriguers of this pitiful Design were Forward and Vaughan two Militia Captains under the Collonel's Command against Sligo Men of so Renowned a Character that they were both notoriously famous for quitting their Posts which is vulgarly call'd running away when in all probability he was just on the point of reducing Sligoe of which Notorious Cowardice being Accused by Coll. Michelburne these worthy Malecontents to be reveng'd for the just Disgrace he had thrown upon them enter'd into a Conspiracy against him with one George Rob an Inconsiderable Varlet that the Collonel had threaten'd with Hanging for privately Conversing with the Enemy and selling them Tobacco But whilst these three wretched Confederates were hatching their Villanies they were in a great strait how to have 'em brought to light for the whole Country was so well satisfied of Coll. Michelburne's Worth and Honour that no Justice of Peace wou'd take any Affidavits against him insomuch that Vaughan himself was forc't to act that part and after he had taken such weak Informations as were then new coin'd against him by this wretched Triumviri the Diminitive Tobacco Merchant was immediately dispatcht away on this Mighty Embassy to Dublin As to what happened thereupon and how fully his impertinent Evidence was answer'd I refer you to the reading of the Collonel's Tryal before the Lords Justices And now because I have hinted in the preceding part of this Preface what Fame is owing to that Exemplary Service was done by this Honourable Person in the Memorable Siege of Londonderry I will give the Reader to understand what Part he acted in that Memorable Siege Tho' lowd Tongu'd Fame so highly has blown up the great Renown of Dr. Walker in England as truly much Praise was due to him for having been so great an Animator of the Protestant Cause in those worst of Times which was his proper Trade to do yet after the Death of Coll. Baker which happened in the heighth of the Towns Distress and deepest Calamities Coll. Michelburne was in joynt Command with the Doctor whose Conduct appear'd more conspicuous in the Eating part than the Fighting and reason good the Charge of the Stores and Provision being committed to him alone whilst his Brother Governour was only the Martial Colleague and the intire management of the Towns Defence lodged wholly in Coll. Michelburne's Breast during which time as his Principles were too Honourable to listen to any Allurements of the Enemy without the Walls so his Hardships within 'em were not able to shake his Loyalty nor lessen his Undaunted Courage which appear'd particularly in his planting the Bloody Flag on the Royal Bastion and afterwards mounting it on the top of a Steeple to shew the Besieged as well as the Besiegers the heighth of Resolution as they found in the Sequel for when the Enemies Poltick Barbarity had drove the Protestant part of all the Country around without respect of Persons Age or Sex to starve under Derry Walls to return the great Civility with no less Policy than Bravery he erected a Lofty Gallows in sight of 'em to hang 21 Lords Knights and other Commanders which were taken before as Trophies of a Victory lately Obtained which Stratagem obliged the Foe to let the Affrighted People Retreat from Danger Nor had he the Happiness only to save the Town through that Miserable Siege a Service of so high Importance that the King 's then Tottering Interest in Ireland was kept in AEquilibrio by him till Lieutenant General Kirke approaching turn'd the Scales But he had the unhappiness likewise of feeling in a great measure the smart of War as well as reaping the Glory of it having had the irreparable Misfortune of loosing his dear Lady and Children with all his Family by the rage of Pestilence and deadly Famine in this terrible Siege Yet tho' he had so dismal an Occasion of exercising his Passive as well as active Courage my much honour'd Friend constant to both sorts of Magnanimity with the same equal Temper bore the Fortune that drest his Brows with Cipress Garlands as that which Crown'd them with Victorions Lawrels well knowing that Fortior est qui se quam qui fortissima vincit Maenia Reader Farewel but e're we part that you may certainly be informed the Eulogium I have given Coll. Michelburne may pass for Current Coin behold the Stamp a Copy of the King 's own Letter has put upon it VVilliam R. To Our Trusty and Wellbeloved George Walker and John Michelburne Esq Governors of Londonderry TRusty and Wellbeloved We Greet you well The Eminent and Extraordinary Service that you have performed unto us and our Kingdoms in General by your late Resolute and unparallel'd Defence of that our City of Londonderry as it does Oblige us in the first place to an Humble Acknowledgment to Almighty God for his Signal Mercy in Supporting the Hearts and Courages of our good Subjects amidst their great and Various Difficulties and Distresses arising from a furious Opposition without and
yet a more pressing Necessity within those Walls and sending them at last Deliverance and bringing them by your Conduct to Triumph over their Enemies which we cannot but Attribute to an immediate Divine Assistance inspiring them with a Zeal for the true Religion a Love for their Countrey and an Vnshaken Fidelity towards Vs and must ever own it as a Continuation of that Miraculous Providence which hath hitherto conducted Vs throughout our Endeavours to resettle these Nations in all their Civil and Religious Rights and Liberties So in the next place taking into our Serious Consideretion as well the Importance of this Success as that Constancy and Bravery by which it hath been brought to pass We would not omit signifying unto you the just sense We have of this whole Action in which having the greatest Opportunity that can be put into the hands of any Subjects of Obliging their Prince you have in all points acquitted your selves to Our Satisfaction even beyond what could have been expected insomuch that it now lies on Our part to make such Retributions as well to you the Commanders in Chief who have been the happy Instruments under God of this Deliverance as others who have Signalized their Loyalty Courage and Patience in this time of Tryal that all Our Subjects being Encouraged by this Example may be stirred up to the Imitation of it in the like hazardous but Honourable Enterprizes We Will therefore that you Rely on Our Royal Favour towards you and also that in Our Name you assure the Officers Soldiers and Inhabitants of that Our City that we will take fitting Occasions to recompence their Services and Sufferings in Our Cause so that they nor any other of Our Loving Subjects shall ever have reason to repent them of a Faithful Discharge of their Duty and so we bid you Farewel Given at our Court at Hampton-Court this 16th Day of August 1689. In the First Year of Our Reign By His Majesties Command Shrewsbury A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE TRANSACTIONS IN THE North of Ireland In the YEAR 1691. AT the Opening of the Campaign when the Army drew into the Field 't was thought reasonable that when that part of the Army that was Quartered in Vlster under the Command of Lieut. Gen. Douglas joyned the other parts of the Army at Mullingar that a Regiment of the standing Army as also a considerable Body of the Militia should be posted at several Passes on Lough Hearne as that of Belturbet Cavan Eneskillin as likewise at Belleick and Ballyshanan called by the Name of the Earne Water to defend those several Passes against the Incursions of the Enemy from their several Frontiers as that of Jamestown and Boyle and particularly the Town and Forts of Sligoe Commanded by Sir Teague O Regan being the main Entrance into Vlster from Connaught and the most convenient and ready Access into the North by way of Ballyshanan 'T was therefore concluded by the General and the Right Honourable the Lords Justices that Coll. Mitchelburne with his Regiment should be posted at the places above mentioned a Person capable of Command being so well known by his Indefatigable Pains in managing the Government of Derry and especially the Souldiery of the Garrison during the whole time of that Memorable Siege where he baffled General Hamilton and his whole Irish Army The Forces under his Command were as followeth Standing Army Coll. Mitchelburne's whole Regiment 1 Companys of Coll. Venner's Regiment 1 Troop of Dragoons Sir Albert Conningham's 1 Troop of Dragoons Coll. Win's These following were under the Command of Sir Francis Hamilton Bannoret Lieutenant of the County of Donegal Capt. Forward Capt. Vaughan Capt. Wray Capt. John Hamilton Capt. Sampson Capt. Charles Hamilton Capt. William Stewart Foot Companies Capt. Tho. Ash Capt. Pa. Hamilton Capt. Oliver Maccashlin The Rivers at this time were very low which required very strict Guards on all the Fords and the Patrols from Post to Post continually moving in the Night About the middle of June by the heedlesness of a small Party of our Dragoons who Patroll'd Morning and Evening 4 or 5 Miles in an open Countrey to Burndervise on a suddain were surprized by one Capt. Mac Sherry and about Ten of them taken Prisoners Mac Sherry himself confessed he took them when they were Fishing for Salmon These Men were soon released for one Lieutenant Scott Brother to Coll. Scott Deputy Governour of Sligoe but lost all their Horses and Arms. Whilst the said Collonel was posting his Men to the best Advantage for the Defence of these most Important Places being the Inlet of the whole North for could the Enemy but get advantage all Vlster would be in great danger the General as also the Lords Justices being by several good hands informed that Jamestown on the Shanon Boyle and Sligoe were Deserted by the Enemy sends these following Orders to Collonel Mitchelburne Dublin-Castle the 4th of July 1691. SIR THE Lords Justices being informed that the Enemy have Deserted Sligoe and Jamestown in Connaught do think it of very great importance that they be forthwith possess'd by their Majesties Forces and therefore have sent you the enclosed Order which you are desired to peruse with all the speed that possible may be if you find the Information true and that it be feaseable to be done otherwise you are not to undertake it And of your Proceedings from time to time you are to give their Lordships an Account Which by their Lordships Command is Signified to you by Sir Your very humble Servant J. Davis I am Commanded to let you know that the Bisket now at Belleik is design'd for Galway so that unless you find the design upon Sligoe and Jamestown like to succeed you are not to take any of it J. Davis To Collonel Mitchelburne for Their Majesties Special Service The General 's Letter on the same Occasion YOU are hereby Directed and Required in case the Enemy shall have left and quitted Sligoe to send such part of the Standing Army under your Command in the North thither as may be sufficient to take possession of and secure the said Garrison and your Proceedings herein the Condition of the place and of what elsewhere you may think now or from time to time proper for me to know you are to give me a particular Account of Given at the Camp by Athlone this 5th of July 1691. Bar de Ginkell To Coll. Mitchelburne and in his Absence to the Officer in Chief with the Standing Forces in the North. It is the General 's Directions that the Officers take care their Men behave themselves Orderly and not Abuse and Plunder the Countrey and for what they do of that nature the Officers to be answerable George Clarke Coll. Mithelburne receiving these two Expresses one from the Lords Justices and the other from the General immediately sends away a Drummer to Sligoe to Sir Teague O Regan with some Letters that were sent from Londonderry by some Prisoners that were taken by
About the 27th of August Collonel Michelburne received the following Letter sent to him by the Lord Granard being a Copy of a Letter from the Lords Justices Dublin the 22th of August 1691. SIR BAllderrog O Donnel contrary to his Agreement with the General by which he was to assist in reducing Sligoe has been the only Person has prevented it being delivered up to Collonel Michelburne pursuant to a Treaty signed by the Governour We find by this Treachery of O Donnel the adjacent Countrys may be greatly damag'd We have therefore thought it necessary to cause 1000 of the Militia of this Town to begin their March to Morrow towards your Lordship and have writ to Collonel Michelburne to observe your Lordships Commands and to the Governours of the several Counties under-written to get their Militia at the places and times under-mentioned of all which we desire and appoint your Lordship to take the Command and with them to march towards O Donnel and to use your best endeavours to kill and destroy him and his Followers We have likewise sent by Express to the General to order some of the Army the Forces now in Gallway to be sent to join your Lordship if they can be spared In the mean time we must needs press your Kordship to take care that Ballymore be not left without a Guard We have directed the Store-keeper at Athlone to furnish your Lordship with all such Ammunition as you shall send for to supply your self and the rest who want We have your Lordships of the 20th with the inclosed to which we need give no other answer than what is before We know your Lordship will use all imaginable care and diligence in securing the Country against this false Man and hope the Forces we design may get together time enough to prevent his doing much mischief We shall send Provisions of Bread and some Money to subsist the Men. We are Your Lordships most obedeent Servants Charles Porter Tho. Coningsby We must desire your Lordship to send to Coll. Michelburne where and when you will have him meet you The Militia of the North for the several Counties following are appointed to be at Ballyshanan on the several days following Tyron Dunigal and Formannagh on Thursday the 27th Instant Mannoghan and Londonderry the 28th Instant Gavan the 29th Instant Down and Antrime the 31th Instant Castle-Forbasse Aug. 21th 1691. SIR BY this inclosed Copy of a Letter from the Lords Justices to me you will perceive what their Comman is are I am required to keep a Correspondency with you and to know from you if it be convenient to join you with 1000 of the Militia of Dublin which are now upon their March thither If the quiet of the Country which I hear is threatned by O Donnel will necessitate our Conjunction I conceive Boyle or some place thereabouts will be most convenient for Rendezvousing all the Forces designed for that Service I hear various Reports of Ballderrog some saying that he has concluded Conditions with the General and is upon his March to join him at Lymerick Others That the Officers under his Command will not accept of the Conditions agreed on Be pleased to let me hear what you know and withal to dispatch an Account to me whether the Vlster Militia be arrived at Ballyshanon As I was writing this a Pacquet from the Army directed to you came to my hands I suppose from the General which I hear withal send you and desire in all these particulars your suddain answer SIR Your most Affectionate Humble Servant Granard These for Their Majesties special Service To Coll. John Michelburne at Ballyshanon or elsewhere hast hast To be send by the Officer Commanding at Finna to Belturbet and by the Officer Commanding there in hast away to him Collonel Michelburns Answer My Lord I Can give you as yet but little account of the Militia only that I received a Letter this Afternoon from Sir Francis Hamilton who tells me that on Sunday next he Randezvouzes his men at Ballymafoy and on Munday or Tuesday will be with me at Ballyshanan at which time I shall have the rest of the Troops from other Counties with 500. Choyce Foot of my own Regiment which as soon as arrived will I march straight to Sligoe and if they of Sligoe understood your Lordships Motion it may be a means of their surrendering the sooner The only thing will be to know where O Donnel is the last news is that but two of his Regiments will follow him and of the strength of his Forces I can give your Lordship an account but his going to the General I do not find true if it were something would be in the Generals Letter if I could know of Ballderrog I could march the nearest way by Sligoe I have several Spies abroad and will not fail to send your Lordship an account how affairs stand I am My Lord your Lordships Most humble Servant John Michelburne To the Right Honourable the Earl of Granaro at Castle-Forbus or elsewhere With Speed From the Camp at Carick on Lysh Aug 23. 1691. SIR I Have yours from Ballyshanan of the 18th by which I find the Trick which O Donnell has play'd so that you must be upon your Guard and keep the two Troops of Dragoons with you and as much of the Militia as you can I send upon this account Collonel Stoyd back to Athlone and then the Militia that is there shall return to the North to be posted as you Direct After the care you us'd in this Affair I am sorry it did not succeed however you have done your part very well and would make a good addition to your Services if you would yet find any way of Treating with Sir Teige O Regan and getting the place I send you the Warrant you desire and am Your humble Servant Bar de Ginkel To Collonel John Michelburne Commanding at Ballyshanan Soon after Collonel Michelburne received this following Intelligence and sent it Inclosed to the Lords Justices SIR ABout ten days since I left the Camp and on Friday last I was at Ballyrobe where My Lord O Donnell was and was standing by when he signed Articles to Collonel Richards I saw likewise an Express from one of O Donnells Collonels desiring him not to come to the Camp for there was a plot laid to take away his Life for signing the Articles to the General and that when I arriv'd at Boyle he heard that the Lord O Donnels own Regiment his Brothers and another Regiment went to him and that they were resolved to come to Ballyshanan to joyn you I am in great hast in going to the County of Dunigal otherwise I had waited on your Honour I am Your humble Servant J. L. To Coll. John Michelburne Governour at Ballyshanan About this time arrived one Mr. Wade formerly an acquaintance of Col. Michelburns and with him a Fryer who desired some private Discourse with the said Collonel They told him that they came from the
1691. Phil. Cox Law de Butts George Croston Provost William Cranford Ja. Barret This from the Sheriff of the County I Have known George Robb these several Years and always knew him to have the Character of a shifting knavish Fellow in his Dealings more I cannot say then that I am satisfied this is Truth William Nicholson So much for George Robb Merchant The Charge against John Forward a Militia Captain sworn by the several Persons under-written COllonel Michelburne having received Orders from his Excellency Lieut. Gen. Ginkel to Summons Sligo did on the first of August last appear before the Town and delivered his message to Sir Teige O Regan the Governour but finding his Advantage then appearing so great did on Monday following prosecute his Siege which had so great Success that he brought them to Articles and that the Garrison had been undoubtedly in the Obedience of Their Majesties had not Capt. Forward as an Exampse to the rest of the Militia deserted his Post at the noon time of the day with his whole Troop Stephen Miller And. Nisbet That at Ballisadoe-Bridge be forced his passage against the Out-guards and went and plundered the protected Persons Robert Wilson Robert Robinson That he willfully maliciously and contrary to Order broke the Articles that were signed and sealed by the General 's command in behalf of Their sacred Majesties in Order to the delivery of the Garrison and Forts of Sligo that he violated the General 's and Michelburne's Protections that he plunder'd stripp'd and prey'd the protected as well as those not protected notwithstanding the Protections were produc'd and that without respect of Persons Samuel Ferguson That he drove away to the number of 800 black Cattle besides 100 Horses and Mares and loaded 38 Horses of the plunder of several sufficient mens Houses with Beds Blankets Sheets Ruggs Pors Kettles and with all sorts of Mens and Womens Cloathes and a great quantity of woollen and Linnen Yarn notwithstanding he was commanded the contrary Samuel Ferguson That when Coll. Michelburne heard of the said Capt. Forward's return with the Prey so unjustly gotten he sent Capt. Manson with a small party of men to stop the said Forward who in a Rebellious and Mutinous manner drew up his Troop in defiance of the said Collonel and said he cared not one F for him the said Coll. or any Authority he had James Manson That when the said Officer returned and gave an account to the said Coll. Michelburne of Capt. Forward's mutiny he the said Coll. was forced to send two Troops of Dragoons after him 13 miles before he could be brought to deliver back part of the Cattle he had carried away John Hamilton Andrew Nisbett This is the greatest part of what was alledged against him before the Lords Justices All this considered Coll. Michelburne had very good reason to send such a man Prisoner to Lieut. Gen. Ginkel Boyl December the 9th 1691. The Lord Kingston's Letter THere is a Trial to be the 15th of this month betwixt Coll. Michelburne and Capt. Forward of the County of Donnygall concerning a Prey taken by the latter near this Town the 6th of August last my Tenants were for the most part concerned and all that were had Protections and Certificates of claiming the benefit of the Lords Justices Proclamation in July Forward was most barbarous in the thing and vallued no good Qualification the People were under then which none in the Kingdom could be under better their Submission being as early as it could be and their Behaviour since the War worthy of Justice at least my printed Protection from the General in their Favour produced at the taking of the Prey met equal dis-reguard some Informations taken by me on this occasion will be found in the hands of Mr. John Brett now in Dublin my request to you is to appear against Forward at the Trial and keep him at least under such Circumstances as may find the poor oppressed Subjects earliest Justice you shall not want sufficient Proof to this purpose on your reasonable warning at any time and your care shall have the Acknowledgement of SIR Your Friend Kingston To Mr. William Donnelly in Dublin Mr. Brett will be found at Mr. Bradys at the Black Lyon Pill Lane Be sure to retain a good smart Council and let me find you omit nothing and that you are very active therein Commissioners Sligo The Examination of Jasper Brett of Brickcliffe in the said County taken before the Right Honourable Lord Baron of Kingston THE said Examinant being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists and examined on his Oath deposeth That Capt. Forward high sheriff of the County of Dunnigall and his Militia Troops on or about the Sixteenth of August last preffed this Examinant and leveral other protected Persons in the said County who lived either in their dwelling Houses or other Places assigned them by Coll. Wasehearth from whom they took Protections and Certificates of submitting some Weeks before to the Lords Justices Declaration that this Examinant being that day at the time of the taking the Prey on his return from the Boyl to his own House did meet the said Forward and part of the Prey near Bellanafad within three miles of the Boyl to whom this Examinant complained of the Injustice done him particularly therein having Coll. Wisehearth's Protection and Certificate of the twentieth of July his Landlord Gilbert Ormsby of Toberraddy in the County of Roscomen Esq his Protection Licensed thereunto by his Excellency Lieutenant General Ginkle and one Collonel Michelburne's Protection to whom this Examinant applied himself upon his first Appearance before Sligo and who was farther tollerated by him by way of Protection in Writing to live in his own House to whom the said Forward replied That he did not value not would regard his Protection but would be civil to him as a Gentleman that this Examinant insisted more particularly on his Protection from Coll. Michelburne under whose command the said Forward came into the County the said Forward replied he would not obey it that he thought himself as sufficient as Michelburne that that night he would not suffer this Examinant to stay with him where the Prey was kept that this Examinant attended him the next morning he found him with Capt Francis King one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County and one Mr. Johnson Servant to the Right Honourable the Lord Baron of Kingston pleading in favour of the protected Country affirming their due Subjection to Their Majesties Government and offering my Lord Kingston's Protection from his Excellency Lieut. Gen. Ginkel in favour of his Lordships Tenants all which met disregard from the said Forward Consenting only at length to run through the Prey and leave as it were a moiety but short thereof as Charity to the infinite number of poor people that followed This Examinant further saith that the said Forward took then from him and his Tenants forty two Cowes besides Calves and