For the Honourable VVilliam Len­thall Speaker of the Parliament.

BEing advertized by severall hands, that upon the retreat of Monroes party out of the Laggan, he would joyne with the Lord of Ards, and Claneboyes, about Charlemount, and march into these parts of the Counties of Downe and Antrim, for reliefe of Carickefergus, and that they did expect many of the Scottish Inhabitants here to rise and joyne with them, I drew forth what Force I could make (with se­curity to the Garisons) on Saturday the 25 of No­vember, to a Randezvouze at Drombo, between Bel­fast and Lisnegarvy, which consisted of part of my owne Regiaments of Horse and Foot, and others that I brought from the Laggan. Sir Theophilus Jones, and Collonell Chidley Cootes Regiments of Horse, with Collonell Venables his Troope, and Lisnegarvy [Page 2] Horse, Colonell Slaydes Regiment of Foot, part of Colonell Venables, and foure Companies of Colonel Fenwicks, in all about 1500 Foot, and 1200 Horse. The next day we advanced to Lisnegarvy, and lay there six dayes, though very ill accommodated by reason of the former burning of that place and Country about it by Monro.

On Friday, the 30 of November, the Enemy ad­vanced into the Country, and slipt by us beyond Drummore into Mac Cartans woods, which we could not hinder, lying at such a distance; nor could we ad­vance higher into the Country, without hazzarding the Enemies passage another way over Bogs and Mountaines to Carrickfergus.

On Saturday, they came to Cumber▪ and early on Sunday, to New Towne. We followed them, and had like to have ingaged them on their rising from Cumber, some of them were cut off in the Rear, and some of their Tents and Ammunition taken, but comming a little short, and the waters being up, they got into New Towne, whither we sent a strong par­ty to face them, and provoke them to fight, where­unto not finding them inclined, and the weather so excessive wet, our Ammunition spoyled, and victuals spent, we marched backe to Malone to refresh our men, change our Powder, and get new supply of Bread, intending to visit them againe within two dayes. But they prevented it by their march upon Wednesday last the 5 Instant within a Mile of Lisne­garvy, intending to get over the River of Laggan a­bove that place, and to passe into the County of An­trim to Carrikfergus, on which we drew up againe to [Page 3] Lysnegarvy, on this side of the water to oppose their passage, expecting hourely, with Major Ormesby 400 more of my Horse, which I had sent for out of the Laggan, who came immediately after our advance­ment, and were very serviceable in the execution. The next morning assoon as the Enemy arose, we march­ed after them very early out of Lisnegarvy, and be­fore they had marched a mile from their Quarter, we ingaged with their Rear-guard upon a Boggy passe on the Plaine of Lysnesreane, and after an hot dispute, our Van-guard of Foot, being commanded by Major Gore of my owne Regiment, and that of Horse by Major Dunbar of Sir Theophilus Jones his Regiment, who both behaved themselves very gallantly, got the Passe, and killed Cap. Hambleton, and divers others in the charge.

After which Forlorne of Horse, it was Sir Theo­philus Jones place to charge; who did it with a great deale of gallantry prosecuting the Enemy (whose grosse Body made little resistance) from place to place, till they were totally routed.

I sent off Major King, and Cap. St. George, with a party of Horse, to make good a Passe, which the Ene­my of necessity must have gone through, who be­haved themselves extream well in prosecution of the Orders given them; so that we conceive there could not be lesse killed then a thousand of the Enemy; nei­ther Officer or Souldier of the Army omitting any thing that was possible to be done by men; the execu­tion being pursued above eight or ten miles, and but for the Bogs and thicke wood, few of them could have escaped. And such horsemen as did escape, left [Page 4] many of their horses, and fled on foot.

All their Ammunition and Baggage was taken, and most of their foot Officers. Col­lonell Henderson that betrayed Sligo, was kil­led; and Col. Hambleton is prisoner, with divers other Officers; what became of the Lords of Ards, and Claneboyes, and Monro, I am not yet able to give an account, some of our party being yet upon the pursuite; their number was 2000 Foot, and 800 Horse, as we were informed, the night before we inga­ged with them, by some of their men that ran to us from them, as likewise by prison­ers which we took in the fight; they were all Irish except a very few.

The most of the Scots which the Lords brought with them, left them, nor did any in the Country joyne with them; wee lost but one corporall of Horse, and three pri­vate Souldiers, and not many hurt. For all which wee have great cause to blesse Gods holy name, to whom only the glory is due.

On Thursday next Carickfergus by the ca­pitulation is to be surrendred unto us; and I doubt not they will now performe with us; [Page 5] but such is the sad condition of this Province by these late troubles, and the great destru­ction that hath been made by all parties that it is impossible to support men enough out of the contributions thereof, to secure the Ga­risons and Country, from the incursions of the Enemy, untill Charlemount, and Eniskelly be first taken in; so that the Parliament must be pleased to afford us supplies for our men; or this Country, now almost wasted, will be totally ruined; which but moderately hand­led for one six months, would afford a con­stant considerable reliefe to their Forces.

This Gentleman Capt. St. George, is one who hath been a sufferer with us, his Father and the whole Family, having lost all they had, for their fidelity in the States service; whom I humbly recommend to your favor, and remaine

For the Honourable William Lenthall, Esq Speaker of the PARLIAMENT.

COntrary windes detaining my cousen Cap. St. George, since the writing of my dispatch, two or three days [...] ­ger then I expected. I have this day received Carrickfer­gus Town and Castle, according to capitulation, wherewith I have thought good to acquaint you, and shal humbly desire the same may be communicated to the House, which I beleeve wil be very acceptable, I have placed Colonell Venables Go­vernour thereof, and shall further humbly desire you to ac­quaint the House, that this Town and Castle is of the great­est importance of any place in this Province. Which being all, I take the boldnesse to conclude my selfe,