IF my wishes could prevaile against the necessity of the times, or if by hieroglyphicks I could expresse the sense of that trust, in which by a sympathy with my Countrey, and request of my friends I stand now engaged, I should be most unwilling to salute this Sence with a Tragedy, or to present unto the continued, yet unwearied labours of this Honoura­ble Assembly, any out-bread discontents, since too too many are unfor­tunately hatched and nourished within your owne climate; whilst the Ship sail'd upon smooth waters, the Disciples lull'd their Master asleep, but when the thunder broke forth, the lightnings flashed, waves crow­ded on heapes, then their feares pleaded an apology for their want of faith and manners to awaken him.

Master Speaker, the times were when the Kingdome of Ireland sailed upon smooth waters; Leinster and Munster never disquieted in their estates; Connagh stretcht forth it selfe in the happy assurance of its illegall settlement; Vlster, though wounded and in Capite by alte­ration of her tenures, yet was salved and recovered by the Royall pro­mise for its reparation.

Nationall grievances were ready for the [...]kle (in which let mee never forgett the great asistance and respect our Committee received from this Honourable house) and by a favourable digression excuse our Kingdome from a suspitious Lethargy, that such a horrid mon­ster, as this present Rebellion, should be conceived among us, and yet never felt to kick in the wombe, nor struggle in the birth: Since that discontent in the Subject, which is the fore-runner of Rebellion, [...]

[Page 4] But now (Master Speaker) the thunder roares from the Rebels Ca­nons, the lightning flashes from their fire-works, the waves of inno­cent bloud crouds up in heaps, then pardon our just fears if they addresse themselves to this House in these words, si deseris tu, perimus, onely in this I must contradict the application; you have wanted no vigilancie nor we sense thereof, nor faith therein.

Master Speaker, The relation I shall trouble your patience withall, will be of such particulars as are confined within the limits of the County of Tyrone, the County of London-Derry, the County of Fer­managh, and the County of Donegall, the greater part of the Province of Ʋlster; to all which, my eyes have been the witnesses, or else bal­lanced with equall credit: for as for such passages that are grounded upon hear-saies, I esteem an unwarrantable discourse for the gravity of this audience; besides all wayes of intelligence from our friends have received such obstructions by our enemies, that from the ninth of November, untill the third of May, we never received one syllable from Dublin, in what condition those parts stood, which I doubt not, though uncertain to us in the same Kingdome, is but stale and common in this: and by the self-same rule I conceive the state in Ire­land are as doubt full of our condition in those parts, and not able to know where our shooe pinches us, except they can say that it wrings the whole foot, which is too manifestly true.

Though the poyson of this Rebellion was diffused thorow the veins of the whole Kingdom, yet it broke the skin with its plague-tokens in the County of Tyrone and Fermanagh first.

The suddennesse of our surprisall, and the nature of it, was so unex­pected, that the Inhabitants could scarcely believe themselves prisoners, though in their chains, and the Irish servant which over-night was un­dressing his Master in duty, the next morning was stripping Master and Mistris with a too-officious tyranny.

Here in the twinckling of an eye, the Corporations, Towns and Villages proclaimed their Scituation afarre off by their fire and smoke; here you might see hundreds of men, women, children, of all conditions and estates, that had lived in most plentifull and secure habitations, exposed to the rock for shelter, to the Heavens for cloa­thing, so that many hundreds in a few days starved upon the mountains.

Where was here any expectation of relief? the husband could not relieve the wife, nor both, or either of them their children: the Master could not provide for his family, neither was there any reci­procall duty or service from these to be performed to the advantage [Page 5]mine stained every visage; The Landlords Paramount title over the Te­nant, was with himself out of doors, and they which formerly were, and now should have been most beneficiall to the distressed, were most burthensome to themselves and others, as being lesse read, in this hard and untutored Chapter, of personall and most necessary wants.

Who can remember without grief, the generall burthen of each ex­pression Give us bread, or else we perish? and their famishing demands onely satisfied with a comfortlesse Eccho of the same words?

But this nakednesse and famine, and their male and female issue (varletie of diseases) were adjudged overflow executioners, of the surviving British. Then entred the sword, destroying at the first, with the scabberd on. The Rebels under a faire and coulerable pre­tence of a Convoy inviting the hidden and scattered Protestants in­to a body, that so they might (as they most perfidionsly did) make each surviving man, an Executor to the last murthered in his pre­sence, and so the whole live one by one extinguished, the Irish Priest as Ordinary, administred for all.

This the Sword acted in a Fox-skinne scabberd, and then flourish­ed in one of a Lyons skin; seeking whom it may devoure, and de­vouring all that it sought after; for I can confidently affirme, that out of the County of Fermanagh one of the best planted Counties with English, I could never give an accompt of 20 men escaped, except (which is most improbable) they should fly to Dublin; as for the chiefest (my owne estate meeting upon the Marches of that County) ha­ving inquired from prisoners, by name for such and such, they have informed me they were all massacred.

The Blackwater in the County of Tyrone, a most fertile soyle, and inhabited with the English had its streames dyed in blood, there being at one time above 200. soules murthered upon the Bridge, and flung downe the River. I could instance alike in many places, but that we are to allow buryed miserie too timely a resurrection.

Master Speaker, in these two last instances, I have onely named the English, not but that I please my selfe better in concluding both En­lish and Scotch, under the title of British, but that there seemeth to be some reason; for in the Infancy of this Rebellion, the Rebells made open Proclamations upon paine of death that no Scotch man should be stirred in body, goods, or Lands, and that they should to this purpose write over the Lyntels of their doores, that they were Scotch men, and so destruction might passe over their families; nay, I read a Letter that was sent by two of the Rebels titulary Collonells, Co­ [...] [...], a quarter of an houre be­ [...] [...] [Page 6] Ballyshannon; and there slew out-right 180. of their men, without losse of one man on our side, (praised be God) which was directed To our Honorable Friends, the Gentlemen of the never conquered Scotch-Na­tion, it exprest, that they were both of one extraction in former times, joynt-assistants, that their quarrell, if aright understood by them, as by the best of Scotland, they would be otherwise advised, then to joyn with us, and many other passages that I may seasonably for­get here; I onely touch this, not as judging where there is smoke, there is some fire, but to observe their policie, which, though to some that were suddenly surprised, might afford security to retreat into some place of safety, yet it was ridiculously entertained, and as resolutely scorned by the Scottish Nation.

Hitherto (with your patience) is rough drawn the generall estate, and condition of the British, who were now betaking themselves to bet­ter resolutions, in opposition to the enemies fury.

I shall begin with the County of Fermanagh, where those that had escaped the fire and sword of Rory Mac Guyre, the Arch-Rebell in that County, brother to the Lord of Eniskellen, drew themselves into Enis­kellen, a place fortified by nature, under the Command of Sir William Cole, Colonell. The Inhabitants or that County of the other side of the Loughearne, resorted to Master Cathcart, then High Sheriff of the County, and Garrison'd in the Castle of Moneigh, Lilgold, and Tul­lagh, Mac Guire having without any opposition in that Country, wast­ed, burnt, killed, and pillaged, betook himself, with the united forces thereof to beleaguer Eniskellen, which divers times with great bodies, and threats equall, but with fictions exceeding them both, as that Ire­land was taken, w ^ch for a great while we might all of us easily, but with grief, beleeve. Howsoever it pleased God, that Col: Cole, with great re­solution and valour maintained the same, and made divers sallies in the night, upon his Quarter, doing very good execution, insomuch that Mac Guire thought it an unseasonable air to Quarter so neer Eniskellen, and then began to adventure his fortunes upon the other side of the Lough, where Master Cathcart, and many brave Scottish Cavaliers, against so great a Body, though not able to maintain a field, by divers resolute and discreet Sallies, chased, and slaughtered the enemy.

One I will particularize, though not crowned with successe of exe­cution, equall to the former, where 800 of the enemies, being drawn up into three Bodies, before their Quarters, they sallyed out with 60 Horse, routed their Battalions, and killed 35 of their men, further exe­cution being prevented by a contiguous wood.

There were two Castles called Tullagh, and Lisgold, which by [...] [...] [Page 7]prest by personall wants, delivered themselves upon composition, which taught succeeding Garrisons to stick unto their old Creed, for after the surrender, they were all massacred.

Master Speaker, Having no notes of remembrance, and much prest by my friends unto this disorderly discourse, or were it not that the reve­rence of the place countenanced it, I should esteem it like a tale, begin­ning (Once upon a time.) I shall a while leave the County of Ferma­nagh, because these are passages precedent, to the Commission for rai­sing its Regiment of 500 Foot, and recollect my memory, in what po­sture the County of Tyrone stood; most part of the British, of the Baro­ny of Omagh, made their escape towards Newtown, and Strebane, both places being of the Barony of Strebane, in the same County. The Barony of Clogher resorted to the Agher; The remaining Barony being the Barony of Dongarnon, were marcht up by Sir Thomas Staples, and Lieutenant Colonell Saunderson, forth of that Barony to New-Town, nigh twenty miles, through the barbarous mountains of Monterlynny, one of the greatest fastnesses of Ireland, to joyn with Sir William Stewarts forces there, where they were joyfully entertained, and after 2 or 3 dayes stay there, in a very unseasonable time of the yeer marcht to Agher, being 600. in number, but contrary to the perswasions of that Noble Lieutenant Colonell, and the High Sheriff, Captain Maxwell, a Gentleman of singular forwardnesse, were divided by one Master Wil­liam Stewart, of Fiagh, a man of good parts, but very unfortunately applyed into Dongannon, back again, where the greatest part of them were slain by two and three, without satisfaction of one drop of Rebels blood, in requitall of theirs, and those Gentlemen that remained with Lieutenant Colonell Saunderson, this unfortunate division happening in the face of Sir Phelomy O Neill, encouraged the numerous Rebell so farre, that he and his Company was forced to retreate towards the Omagh, and so to New-towne, the Towne of Agher being entred by the Rebells, and burnt immediatly: Yet I must not here forget the resolute attempt, and manfull defending of the Agher Castle by Master Archi­bald Erskin, Clarke, Sonne and Heire to Sir James Erskin a Gentleman of 1000 pounds per annum, of temporall estate; who being beleaguerd a few dayes before by 2000. men, with the assistance of Archibald Ha­milton, Esquire, and his Tenants Sallyed out with 80 Horse, and twelve Musqueteers upon a body of the Rebells, being about 600 and routed them with the execution of above 100. of which some were considerable as any in those parts, with the losse only of Captaine Bark­ley a yong Gentleman, much lamented. Master Archibald Hamilton afterward, a zealous Gentleman, both before and during his continuance in the Kingdome rounded with some others of note.

[Page 8] About two dayes after, some twenty horse with Master Archibald Hamilton, a bold Souldier, forraged into the County of Monaghan, where they encountred with a strong party commanded by the great Mac Kenna, which they encountred very fiercely, and at last rou­ted the Rebell, killed one of the speciall Commanders that had been a Commander in Spaine, slew about 30 horsemen, and 20. foot, and recovered many of the British cattell having received wounds, and dismounted in the skirmish, but recovered both life and horse.

Some three dayes before this, Sir William Steward marcht out with some foote and horse from Newtowne, pursued the Rebell, and so marcht to the Agher, and after some stay, retired home with great store of cattell; though both he and we could have wisht (if we had the spirit of prophesie) to have kept the fields longer: For the O Neils and Mac Gwires who were then with their forces; the leaders of the Re­bellion, discomfited by former service, sought for protections, but ani­mated by Master William Stewarts division, (and this retiring march though grounded upon warrantable discipline) beleaguered the Agher Castle, Sir Phelomy O Neill, and Collonell Rory, Mac Gwire being personally present with 4000 men; and though they seconded their attempts by promises of honourable quarter, reinforced it by bloody threats in case of refusall: planted a small field peece to batter, and in a darke night storm the gate and bawne upon all parts. Yet by the re­solution of Master Erskin, and the ready fire of Sir Henry Titchbourns old company beate them from their wals and scaling ladders with the losse of 200 of their resolutest men.

Sir Phelemy O Neill retired his journey, burning along to Dongannon, Mac Gwire in his retreat assaulted Aghatyan Castle, commanded by Captain Maxwell, who upon sight of Mac Gwires drawing up, is­sued out some few musquetteers into the ditches, and beate him off from any further attempt, who in his march burnt all Fermanagh to­wards Eniskellen. About that time Captain Thomas Newburgh with a few men he raised in great hazard of his owne person; tooke in Ca­stle Derrick, a place of great consequence and strength, killed the men, possest their arms: in his absence being gone for ammunition, left the Castle to a yong Gentleman Master Durdo; when Sir Phylomy O Neill immediatly besieged it with 3000 men, but Master Durdo with great courage having onely 16 men to man the Castle and Bawne, beate him off, and slew more than 80 of his men, and 9 dayes after sallyed out and killed out one prime Gentleman of the O Neils, and ten more, and took two Colours and a Drum, with losse of three of his own men; all which and himself afterwards for want of ammunition were forced to leave the Castle in a dark night, and every one shift [Page 9]for himselfe, where some mis-led upon the mountains happened upon the enemies quarters instead of ours and were killed. Master Durdo with great hazard lying two nights upon the mountaines escaped un­to us.

Sir William Stewart understanding of a party of the O Neals in the Kirrilrs woods, sent out Captaine Balfour a deserving souldier, with 100 men, who skirmisht with them, killed 50 Rebels, lost four of his owne men, and brought home 400 Cowes.

Some foure dayes after Sir William Stewart desired Lievetenant Co­lonell Sanderson, my self, and Serjeant Major Iames Galbraith to march from Newtowne to relieve Ageer and Aghatyan, with 500 foot and 100 horse, the second night in extremity of weather, wee marcht to the Agher, and quartered in Clogher, a mile & a halfe distant; the enemy fell that night into one part of our quarters, but upon the alarum of the Sentinels, the maine Guard issued out, kild some, and chased the rest. The next morning we marched out into Fermanagh, where in ta­king 500 Cowes, as many sheep, and 300 horses, we killed 70 Rebells: upon our returne we besieged Colonell Donnogh, Mac Gwires Ca­stle, being strongly imbattaild and flanckt, after many shot past on both sides, the wind turning upon the forepart of the house, wee fired some out-houses, in the smoake whereof we approached the gate, set it on fire, entred the Castle, put the men to the sword: and indeed I shall never expect to see more resolution either in Commanders or soul­diers: but I shall never insist upon that in this particular, let their acts speake for themselves; in which march wee relieved 6000 women and children, which otherwise had perished.

In this service Ensigne Long behaved himself as if he had been Bul­let proofe: at hand whilst we were imployed in this service, the Re­bels drew downe upon Sir William Stewarts Newtowne, and the Castle plaid off and kild 50 of their men in the streets, and preserved the towne, except one house or two at the furthermost end.

Master Speaker be pleased I may put you in remembrance these are the particulars that accurred in Permanagh and Tyrone before wee re­ceived any Commissions. I shall now present unto you in the same method the occurrences of Donegall County.

Colonell Newgent a most seditious Instrument, that married my Lord of Eniskellens mother drew about 600 men about Ballyshannon Castle, a place of great strength and importance, against whom my Colonell Sir Ralph Gore, and Captaine Maxwell a forward Gentleman drew out some 200 men and 60 horse, who encountred them, routed them, kild upwards of 180 Rebels, tooke Collonels Newgents horse, who left it and his bootes ript off behinde him, besides many that came downe [...] which were killed by the foot, and not [Page 10]one man [...] upon our side. Divers sallies were made by Captaine Iohn Follyot, a Gentleman deserving much commendations for his courage and discretion, as also by his Lievtenant William Ancktill Esquire, a bold Comrade, sometime killing 20, 30. in which Captaine Follyot received a sore wound in his hand, being at the sword entred and befit with the Rebels.

About a fortnight after their defeat at Ballyshaunon, the Rebels mu­stred new forces, and with assistance of Collonell Manus O Donnell, and Collonell Turlogh, Mac Caffrye O Donnell, they besieged my Co­l [...]is Castle, he being gone over the mountaines for Ammunition, the Rebels fited some out-houses, but were beaten off with losse of twenty men, who attempted to burne the gate.

In the Barony of Boylagh about two dayes after the Mac Swynes, and the O Boyles, were encountred about Kilbegge by Master Andrew Knox, a Minister, who though very unequall in number to the Rebels held them up at push a Pike, and killed about 80 of their men, and put the whole body to flight, and brought home a great prey. In which skirmish the best Mac Swyne was killed.

These Master Speaker, are the Occurrences in those three Coun­ti [...] that were precedent unto any Commission granted for raising of Regiments and now I shall according to the rule I propounded unto my selfe, first relate the exploits of every Regiment a part, and then of such service as was done joyntly, and as I began with Formanagh, in what was performed before any Commission, so I shall endevour the same in these subsequent Occurrences.

Tullagh and Lisgold Castles, being formerly surrendred upon promise of quarters, which was performed in this manner, they stript old and young, and bound them, exposing them all night to the frost and snow, and next day killed them, Moneigh Castle joyned with Sir William Cole, and marcht out into the fields to Lowthers-townes where they had in­telligence, they were drinking upon their march towards Eniskilling, and surprised them unawares, and pursued them some foure miles with slaughter above 200 men, tooke foure Colours, some Drummes, two Captaines, one Mac Mahou [...], another Mac Guire, with store of Armes.

After this he marcht out with 400 men, and having burnt the corne and the enemies garrisons, was met in his march homewards, by Mac Guire with 800 men, with great violence charging his Vanne, and unexpectedly 400 more of the Mac Mahou [...]s, charged him on the [...] put them all to flight, kild up wards of a 100 men, got 60. [...], and many Pikes, he hath taken all their boats u [...]on Long­ [...]nty sunke their Cot [...]s, and both by land and water made [...] [Page 11]This is what I can certainly [...], enough we [...]ard many other pas­sages of much credit, but I am certaine that he is not [...]cope when any opportunity shall require.

I shall now leave Fermanagh in this discourse, and [...] in my prayers, and passe to Sir William [...] Regiment, and [...] Roberts Stewarts, whom though I but now name, hath given [...] brave testimonies of Commanders every way well qualified. A [...]es the unfortunate and unworthy losse of Strebane, these Regiments garrison'd upon such frontier places, as might secure the Ba [...]ony [...] Rapho, in which the safety of the Citie of London-dery was [...] concerned, as also the Barrony of Enishoen, in which [...] fighting men of the Irish, ready then (though wee conceive better of them now) to have fallen upon our backes upon the least invitati­on of any defeat unto us. Sir Ralph Gores Regiment being but 500. [...]t, march'd into the Barronies of Boylagh, and Bannagh, and [...]ir­h [...]gh, being Ba [...]ronies that had beene wholly wasted by the Rebels, where for 13. weekes we had no sustenance, but what we pul [...] out of the Rebels mouthes. These two Regiments were for the most part mingled in service, and having so great a scope as [...]6. long [...] [...]illes to guard in the long winter nights, and every way passabl [...] for the enemies entrance, and the charge of so many soules there res [...] ­ding, and following their vocations as in the time of peace; [...] the con [...] of thousand of pl [...]dred Pamilles, I beleeve in a [...] construction it will deserve the tide of miraculous service for [...] nights but the [...] attempted in severall places with light-house to burne the Countrey, which they never in the least way prevailed in, but many times returned with a weaker master then they [...] forth. Yet Master Speaker, they spared no labour or industry, Sir Ro­bert Stewart march'd to New-towne and relieved it, but the Enemy saved all their heads by their heeles, but six men; afterwards march'd up to [...]e-d [...]rge, burnt all the Enemies Countrey, and killed div [...], brought [...]00. Cowes, then march'd up over against [...], bu [...] that Countrey, and kil'd divers; afterwards fell over in the [...]ght upon the Rebels Quarters above Strebane, and kil'd about [...]outhen. Sir William Stewart in the meane time was as busie in the Ba [...]r [...]y of [...], fiting and burning.

Captaine Maxwell, and Captaine George Stewart marcht towards [...] with 150 men, and killed 90 of the Rebels, and brought home 1800 Cowes. Captaine Basill about the same time, being New-yeares day, marcht over into the enemies Countrey with 60 men and en [...]tred 400 men, and killed 36.

[...] [Page 12]preserving of their owne quarters, and scowring the neighbouring quarters of the enemies, that our Regiment on the other side of the mountaines at that present, having no intelligence of their continu­all defeats, having marched seaven dayes and nights upon mountaines, where never horsemen rode in a deep snow, 13. miles the least dayes march, where and when the best Commanders never tasted bread, beare, wine, salt, or Aqua-vitae, and at every night fought with the Rebels for his bed-cloathes (God bee praised with strange successe) and being in the sight of the enemie, and for the most part upon the Ice (notwithstanding the weather) stript in our shirts; upon our marching homewards met such a packe of them drawne out by the other two Regiments, that they beset us in our quarter at night, which we expecting, appointed a neare Fort for our Alarum place for two Companies to draw unto, and the other two Companies into a wood, where if by Gods mercy we should have the better of them, we were assured they should passe, all happened accordingly; for our Sentinels giving a timely Alarum, the two Companies tooke the Fort, beat them off untill they fled the right way, where the two Companies unexpectedly met them with sharpe fire, and the other two sallyed out of the Fort upon their Reares, and did very terrible execution: Immediately after which wee marched away in the night, and surprised many in the neighbouring houses; and lastly, burnt the quarters, and all the corne in the whole march, which was out of command. And truely Sir Ralph Gore his zeale was very ear­nest, for the most tempestuous nights hee would alwayes chuse to fall upon their quarters, which at last were upon every hand of our Garrison; for he having placed for the safety of those parts one Com­pany at Kilbegge, another at Castle-Rabin, and one being left to main­taine our owne quarters, we had but two Companies for the Field; yet at divers times we would march out to them, being at the least 13. Colours; and overnight having taken the ditches with Musketeeres, drew them in with counterfeit retreats, untill wee had discharged at 40. yards distance; sometimes a 100. Musketeers, sometimes more, every Musket charged with 10. Pistoll Bullets.

But M. Speaker, our good successe ended with our Ammunition, for all being spent to one Roll of Match, and sending a Letter for some supply; the Traytor run to the Rebels, delivered my Letter, and what I had but modestly put into the Text concerning our wants, he being a souldier in the Regiment made a large Comment upon, which heartened the Rebels so much, that we were like to perish for want of food, and certainly had, if Sir Robert Stewart with his Re­giment, and three of Sir William Stewarts Companies had not [...] [Page 13]by some loose, Files of the Enemies shot, which he beat off, and so without much danger secured the march of the entire Body.

But now Master Speaker, the Country being wasted by the Enemy, and our selves, the dayes beginning to grow longer, we thought best to joyn all three Regiments, leaving Ballyshannon, Castle of Donegall, and Castle Rahin well manned, and as well as we could provided o­therwise, and so betook our selves with what strength we could spare unto the Fields. And now Master Speaker, if I can borrow your pa­tience, I presume I shall acquaint you with very good service. In our march over the mountaines of Barnesmore homewards to the Barony of Raphe, this Barnesmore being known to every inhabitant in Ireland to be as dangerous a place as art and nature could devise. When the Van-guard of our Army entrod the Wood, we sent threescore loose shot upon each of our Flankes, halfe Calliver shot from our Body through the Woods, where they skirmished with the Enemy, having taken the Wood overnight, in very hot service upon both sides. The Rebels had placed thirteen Colours in a hollow, halfe a mile above us, who when they heard our shot shewed themselves, thinking as they confest to draw us out, whilest thirteen Colours more lay hidden in another hollow, that should suddenly fall in upon the remaining party, and had likewise placed nine Colours below to fall in upon the bag­gage, which was at least three thousand soules, which travelled below almost a mile off, in a narrow passe. We drew out (suspecting the worst) onely some commanded Musketiers skirmished and beat away their first Body appeared, when immediately the other nine Colours fell in upon the baggage, to which we assigned eight and fourty Mus­ketiers, who held them up couragiously in a strait passe. We that were with the main Body perceiving it, having a Wood and Boggeunderus, drew with more haste than order (as requisite it was) to their relief, so that we likewise put them to slight. In the mean time the thirteen Colours in ambush all this while fell into our Rear, and all their Forces in the twinkling of an eye fell round upon us, which we with coun­termanded Musketiers opposed, and during the space of seven houres and a halfe (by a watch) fought and killed four hundred of their men, besides what fell in our march of six miles, where having conveighed our baggage between two Divisions, were still charged in our Rear, and the extremities of Hankes that had thicke shot returned by two hundred Musketiers of ours, so that as by a prisoner of theirs taken the next day that was present at the battell, seven hundred was confest to be slain, in which we lost but nine men, and some hurt. That night we marched into our Quarters in the Barony of Rapho. This occurrence happened about eight weekes since.

[...] of severall parties both of [Page 14]Horse and Foot into the Enemies Countrey returning home both with the prey and the slaughter of the Enemy, I shall onely trouble you with what occurences since the seventeenth of May, untill the seven and twentieth, when I left London-dorry.

Sir Philim O Neal drew down to Strebane about five thousand men besides Horse, intending to burne Rapho, and to raise Enishoen, and we being as he absolutely conceived defeated, to draw the other Forces on the contrary side of Logsoyle, and to assault the Derry. Our Regi­ments assisted with two strong Companies of Captain Pitts and Captain Lawsons of the City of London-derry drew over before day into the Rebels Countrey, where presently the battels were ordered upon both sides, and so stood about a quarter of a miles distance, we drew out to them one Battalion, and a 100 Musketiers to try how they would answer them. The Rebels left their ground, and drew out to a Wood, which they filled with their Musketiers, we likewise by the earnest intreaty of our Souldiers, were contented to lose the ad­vantage of our present embattelling, and marched over to them beat their Musketiers out of the Wood, and to omit circumstances, killed a­bout five hundred of their men, and put them to their flight in which day there was great circumspection and discipline used by the Com­manders, and as much obedience and resolution by the Souldiers, Master Cathcart Cornet to Sir Robers Stewarts Troop, and Lieutenant Colase one of his Lieutenants, and Lieutenant Galbraith one of our Regiment about seventeen yeares of age, doing very strange service with their commanded Musketiers.

In pursuance (by Gods mercy) of this victory, though we re­turned weary unto our Quarters, yet by break of day the Regiments were upon march, an unusuall way to Strebane, thinking to have be­set him and his Forces which quartered there visibly. To this purpose Horse and Foot entred the Town upon all Quarters; but Sir Phelomy was newly departed with his Forces, onely the Castle he committed to Captain Hugh Murragh O Devyn a bloudy fellow, and an hundred of his choice Musketiers, and a hundred Pikes to guard much of his own baggage, and my Lady Strebanes goods; but we easily forced the Castle, put the men to the sword, onely Captain O Devyns life respited, who is now in the Derry Gaol. The Castle we left a Gar­rison in, commanded by Captain Wisher a discreet Gentleman under the command of Sir William Hammilton, who though formerly a strong rooted Papist (if any root can be in that titular Religion) hath re­nounced the same, and conforming himselfe unto the Protestant Church, judging upon this reason (as I have heard from himselfe) that neither faith, civill conversation, secure comma [...] [...] ­trayterous [Page 15]and inhumane designes are, or must be the propagators of it.

From Strebane we having left 500 men to guard the Bar [...]ony of Ra­pho, we marched up on the ô Canes Country on the other side of Logh­foyle, and comming over against Derry, quartered in the fields that night, foure Companies of the Derry joyning with us to relieve Lym­mavaddy Castle, and Bally Castle, which had beene ten weeks before strongly beleager'd by great forces, and yet had sallyed forth and killed many hundred of the enemies, being commanded by a resolute young Gentleman Captaine Thomas Phillips; his elder brother M. Dudly Phi­lips in the meane time being gone about with 3. Botes for to carry their provision from Derry. That night wee were welcome guests to the two Castles, who dispaired of all succour; and having conducted their provision in, the next morning assisted with very resolute Horse out of the two Castles, wee advanced our march into the Enemies Countrey, where at Magiligan we encountred the Enemie, the ô Canes, the Magilligans, the ô Hagans, and the ô Neales, being joy­ned together for our utter ruine, (God be praised) we killed upwards of 500 of them, and scattered the rest.

Though we were now too farre in discretion engaged from our owne Quarters, yet having received late Letters from Colrane of their miserable wants and narrow beleagure, we continued our march up towards the mountaines to finde some prey, that wee might be the welcomer to almost famish'd Colrane; wee met with 3000 Cowes, but with thrice as many men, the Rebell having strengthened him­selfe from the Army that bel [...]agured Colrane and other parts: Our Commanders cherished the Souldier, and the Souldier the Com­mander; but the Rebels having that morning (moved by the vali­ant preaching of a Fryer) bound themselves by Oath of their Sa­crament received thereupon, to fight this Battell to the last man, and to hunt us out of their Countrey, gave us a warme charge, and forced our Horse, and commanded Musketiers to retreat upon the wings of our Battalions, yet after our shon, yet earnest Pray­ers, wee advanced towards them; and slanghtered above 800. of them; which being an unusuall sight to them, they forgat the Fryers Doctrine, and their owne application and fled; our Horse and Foot chasing them a hundred wayes with great slaughter: From thence with our prey and abundance of Horse, &c. wee marched to Dungevin Castle, one of the Kings Houses, which was kept by Colonell Manus mac qui ballagh, Mac Richard ô Cane, who (though in this battell) had fied thither to his charge, upon parley hee delivered up the Castle, and desired the Kings [...] was aftorded; the Armes and [...] [Page 16]every Regiment bestowed some upon the Town, the Souldiers at easie rates sold the rest, but such as were delivered to the right owners.

At Castle Roe a mile from Colrane were lodged seven Colours of the Enemies to secure the band fishing to themselves: we took the Co­lours, put many to the sword, and the Town of Colrane hath a Garrison there now, and enjoyes the fishing to themselves, being the greatest Salmon fishing in Christendom.

From thence we made our speedy march home, where our Horse killed about an hundred straglers, and found our own quarters invaded with above two thousand men, which our remaining party had with good resolution and successe kept off, upon advertisement of our re­turne, they deputed no longer stay.

In all these particulars (all honour to God Almighty who fought our battels) amongst the three Regiments we lost not an hundred men since the first Rebellion to the last hour.

We have at the present these Garrisons, Castle of Strebane, Lifford, Rapho, Drombo Castle, Litterkenny, Ramalton, Lymavaddy, Bally Castle, Ballyshannor, Donagall, Castle Rahin, being places of great consequence by scituation and strength.

Master Speaker, this is a brief relation of so many passages in such a tract of time; an Epitome of that which was a large volume in our own sufferings and the construction of our Enemies, which in duty I suppose I was bound to present to this Honourable Assembly, in the port and haven of whose unparallel'd labours we anchor our safety. You may be pleased (Master Speaker) to remember our sudden sur­prisall, our wants of all manner of supplies for preservation of our lives, much more for the defence of a Country, and such places of im­portance; you may consider the resolution of men encouraged by excercise of their Armes fleshed in the blond of their Enemies, im­boldened by knowledge of the Country, provoked by the losse of their dearest pledges, wives children, and all; the hazard in transporting men saved, the charges in raising, levying, shipping, demurrage upon winde, and the like prevented; the great expences of the Com­manders amounting to above three thousand pounds for armes victu­als, cloaches, &c their offensive service without losse of an hundred men, their defensive vigilancy of so much ground, the severall Garri­sons of consequence maintained, the weak instruments by which the service was effected, and the great mercy of God by which we were protected; then we doubt not, but the justice of this House will con­tinue us in our Resolutions, encourage others to attempt better; all which we shall in our humble Petition more seasonably present.