AN ACCOUNT OF THE Defeat of the Irish Army, And of the late King James's Arming the Protestants in Dublin; upon which the French threatned to burn that City.
LAST Night we received an Express from the North with Letters of the 11th. Instant, which given an Account, that the Irish having marched away from the Town of London-Derry as soon as the Succours arriv'd, and intending to Attack the Enniskilling Men by the way, the Protestants were too quick for them, 4000 of that Garrison marching out to meet them, and engaging them, routed them, and kill'd 4000 on the Spot, taking 14 of their Great Guns, all their Ammunition and Baggage, many Prisoners, and amongst them were Justin Maccarty and Col. Hamilton.
This News is likewise confirmed from Dublin, with several other Particulars; as, that as soon as the Duke of Berwick arrived at Dublin, and gave an Account to the late K. James of this Defeat, he was in so great a Consternation, that he suddenly called all the Protestants that were in Dublin together, giving them Arms, and telling them how he found he had mistaken his true Interest, and desired them to stand by him, and he would defend them in their Rights, &c. Whilst this was doing, a Regiment of French Horse advanced towards Dublin, who commanded them to lay down their Arms and disperse, or else threatned to fall upon them, and fire that City: Upon which K. James told them, how Unhappy he was, that his Circumstances would [Page 2]not allow him to follow what he desired, and therefore desired them to deliver up their Arms, and separate themselves: To which they answered, That they would disperse; but to deliver up their Arms, were also to deliver up their Lives, and therefore could not do it. After this, there came thirteen Captains of the Royal Regiment of Foot, who were the only surviving Captains of 24 at the Engagement at Enniskilling, who flung up their Commissions, and said, they would Serve no longer. This was extreamly surprizing to the late King James, who answer'd, He was a second time betray'd; and therefore gave immediate Orders, that all the Souldiers about Dublin should be ready to March. So next Day he march'd out of Duhlin with 8000 Men, and coming to Clomnell, he received two Expresses one after another: The first was from Kingsale, to give him Advice that Admiral Herbert was upon the Coast with his Fleet, and that he intended to Land and take the Fort. which he would certainly do, if they had not immediate Succours. He then thought of marching away directly towards Kingsale, but soon after came another Express, to give him Advice, that Duke Schomberg was sail'd out of Chester with all his Forces, and that he stood Northward towards Dublin, or that way. This put him in so great a Consternation, that he march'd way towards Lymerick, and we expect to hear now every hour where Duke Schomberg has landed.
The Reverend Dr. Walker, Governour of London-Derry, designs for England, to give His Majesty an Account of his Behaviour in that place, having now so miraculously preserved his Country by his undaunted Courage and Conduct, and freed them from all their Enemies, who were ready to swallow them up, who will undoubtedly find a fit Recompense for his Signal Services.