HIS Majesty encamped on the 30th past in sight of the Enemy, the River Boyne being between Us and them; their Army was about 26000 strong, and very advantage­ously posted. They had raised a Battery on the side of the River, to hinder us from observing the Ford; and here it was that the King received a slight hurt by a Cannon Shot, notwithstanding which, His Majesty continued on Horseback the rest of the day, and visited the Places where he thought his Presence necessary. He gave Orders for the bringing several Pieces of Cannon to oppose those of the Enemy, and at the same time the Duke of Schomberg ordered 600 Foot of the French Regiment commanded by Monsieur de la Galimote, to support the Cannon, and to post themselves near the River, in order to employ the Enemy, who had possessed themselves of Village on the other side, to defend the Ford that was over against it.

The next day (the first of July) the King commanded the Count de Schomberg to march with all the Horse and Dragoons of the first and second Line of the right Wing, and the Brigade of [Page 2] Trel [...]wney, and to pass the River about four miles from the Camp, in order to take the Enemy in slank, while the rest of our Army passed it nearer to Dr [...]gheda over▪ against their Camp: Which the Enemy perceiving, they marched part of their Army to oppose the Count de Schomberg, (who had already broke some of their Squadrons of Horse and Dragoons that advanced to hinder his pas­sing the River) and drew them up in Battalia, about a mile and an half from the place where he had palled the River. The King being informed of what had passed on that side, sent Lieutenant-Gene­ral Douglas with two Brigades of Foot to reinforce the Count de Sch [...]mberg, who thereupon changed his Order of Battel, making a Wing of Horse on his right, and another on his left, and placing the Foot in the middle. In this Posture he marched towards the Enemy, whom he found drawn u [...] in Battalia, and charging the Enemy, after some small resistance, put them into disorder, and fol­lowed them, sighting as far as the Village called Duleek. The Earl of Portland, and Monsieur Over­kirke, had part in this Action as Mareschals de Camp.

In the mean time, the King caused the rest of the Foot of the first- [...]ine, consisting of the Brigades of la Meloniere, which was on the Right, of Hanmer and the Danes, to march. The three Battalions of the Dutch Guards were at the Head of them, and passed the Ford on the Right over against the Village [...]eforementioned, from whence they beat the Ene­my that were posted there. The Battalion of la Meloniere followed them on the Left, and these Four Battalions being the first that passed the River, suffered pretty much; of the latter there were Five Officers Killed, and Eight Wounded, and about Sixty Soldiers Killed and Wounded. Monsieur, Calim [...]te sollowed the Dutch: Guards with his Detachement of Six hundred Men, whereof mention was made before, and after them the Regiment of Cambon; And here it was that Collonel Calimote received a Shot, of which he is since dead, and several of his Officers were killed upon the place. The Brigade of Hanmer passed next at another Ford, the Count de Nassow being at the Head of them as Major-General; and the Danes passed on their Left, Commanded by the Prince of Wirtemberg. After these, passed the Horse of the Left Wing; But in the mean time, some of the Enemies Squadrons Advanced and Attackt our Foot; and a Squadron of the Enemies Guard du Corps pierced with great Vigour as far as a little Village, where we lost our great General, who advanced thither to observe the Enemies Mo­tion. Those that were about his Grace had before done all they could to perswade him to retire from thence, but they could not prevail with him; he was Killed with a Carbine Shot, and three Cuts over the Head, and one on his Face: By this time the King had passed the River, and at the Head of the Horse Charged the Enemy, who after some Resistance retired fighting, Commanded by Lieutenant General De la Hoquelle, and Lieutenant General Hamilton, the late King James and Monsieur de Lausun being with the Body that made Head against the Count de Schomberg. The Enemy retreated from Defilé to Defilé, our Horse pursuing them as far as Duleek, where the King, with the Forces he had with him, joyn'd those of the Count de Schomberg.

The Enemy retired about three Miles farther, and there posted themselves in a very advan­tagious place; and the King followed them with his Horse and Dragoons, and Orders were given to Attack them there; but it being very late, and the Fight having lasted from 10 in the Morning till Nine at Night, His Majesty did not think fit to engage the Troops any far­ther, but ordered the Horse and Dragoons to remain in Arms all Night; he returned to Duleek, where the Foot Encamp'd. But in the Night the Enemy retired in great confusion. We took their Baggage and Eight Pieces of Cannon, and many of their Soldiers are since come in, and we hear their Troops are quite broken.

On the Second of July, The King sent Monsieur de la Meloniere with a Detachement of 3 or 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse, and Eight Pieces of Cannon, and two Mortars, to Attack Drogheda. Being arrived there, he Summoned the Garison, and let them know, That if they forced him to fire a Cannon, he would not give them any Quarter. This so frightned the Governour, that after having kept the Trumpeter some time, he returned Monsieur De la Meloni [...]re this Answer, That he would Surrender the place upon an Honourable Capitulation, viz. To march out with Arms and Baggage, Colours flying, &c. but that otherwise he would Defend the place to the last Extremity. Monsieur De la Meloniere sent him word, That his Orders were only to suffer them to march away without Arms, and that he must quickly re­solve whether he would accept of this Offer. In the mean time Monsieur De la Meloniere had caused two Batteries to be raised, which would be ready the next Morning by break of Day. But the Officers of the Garison, after having consulted together, resolved to yield, and the Capitulation being Signed, they delivered up a Gate, and marched out about an Hour after between 13 and 1400 Men, and were conducted to Athlone, the Officers being permitted to wear their Swords. After which, Monsieur De la Meloniere gave Protections to a great many Papists, who expected to have been Plundered, and marched to joyn the Army near Dublin.