A GREAT FIGHT IN IRELAND Upon the landing of 3000 Horse and Foot of the Lord L. Cromwels Forces at Dublin, under the command of Col. Reynolds, Col. Moor, Col. Venable, Col. Hunk, and Major Elliot, with the particulars of the fight, and number killed.
THe Lord Governour of Ireland is come hither, in order to his transportation; We are over joyed to see him, and his Armies readinesse to advance so unanimously for that service; some forces go off, but the number not so many as may be reported: Monies is the expectation of the Souldiery, and doubtlesse the Nerves and [Page 2] Sinews to expedite that service. Three thousand of the forces designed, are landed in safety at Dublin; but upon their first attempt to set footing on the Irish Soyl, they were welcomed by the Sons of Mars with a resounding eccho from the Enemy, who gave them several Vollies at their first greeting, as they came down the Harbour: yet notwithstanding their sudden On-set, the undanted English Heroes soon forced their p [...]ssage by them, answering them with great gallantry, and fiting to the last minute of their landing; which done, after some respite of time, it was unanimously resolved, that the next morning early they would give them a salley, and like Alexanders disciplin'd Martialists put the same in speedy execution; for about three of of the clock on Friday morning last (being two days after their landing) Col. Reynolds, Col. Moor, and Col. Venable, accompanied by Lieu. Col. Wyborough (a true stamp of Chivalry, and well experien'd in the Irish Soyl) with 1500 Foot and 500 horse marched forth of the City in a very privat posture, cut off 9 Centinels and perdewes, without giving any allarum to the Enemy, advanced within half pistoll shot of their Works, before they were discovered, fell in amongst them, beat up 7 Guards, killed many, took about 200 prisoners, and routed the Marq. of Ormonds Brigade, consisting of 3000 Foot, forced them to a disorderly retreat, burned their Tents and Hutches, and (as it is said) took 8 pieces of Ordnance, returned tryumphantly into the City, with the soffe of 30 men. During this action col. Hunks and Major Elliot made good another passage, fighting the enemy, and performing very gallant service. Col. Jones was likewise in readinesse with a Reserve Ormond is drawn to a further distance from the City: the Lord Governour is hastning over, and many Regiments of Horse and Poot are crossing the Neptune Seas.
Tinby July 28. 1649.
Letters from the Navy represents the remarkable action of Capt Popp [...]n the manner thus. Sir, Since my advance from England, I went convoy over for Rotterdam with five vessells belonging to Yarmouth, being richly laden with Merchants goods, and on Satturday last I delivered them all safe at the Brill, and afterwards I stered to Sea all night, and about three of the clock in the morning, I saw a sale which came close by me (within musket shot he standing to the Southward, and I to the Northward, we passed on by the other, without much taking notice; but when I discovered him, we set sale towards, and five hours chase I had him at my mery, but at first he fought with me stoutly, untill I had killed and wounded him 14 men, and then he asked quarter, he had but five Guns, and one murderer, and fifty odde men.
There came further intelligence to the parliament, out of Bedfordshire, that one Sunday last a Minister was apprehended, for incerting this ensuing passage in his prayer VVe pray unto thee for thy truths protectour, thy young, ancient Catholick faiths defender, thy Servant our Soveraign: defend him in it; preserve him from it: be good to them that have the tuition of him, that with alacrity and cheerfulnesse, he may at all times, but especially in the needfull time of trouble defend and provide for the fatherlesse and VViddows. Son of God we beseech thee to heare us, Moreover, that it may please to thee to strengthen such as do stand with him, to comfort and help the weak hearted for him, to raise up (if it be possible) them that are fallen from him: and finally to beat down Sathan under his and our feet.
From Jreland further thus: Severall attempts hath bin lately made by the Enemy; as appears by these ensuing Occurrences, but not any since the coming in of the additionall Forces.
Since the enemies receipt of the intelligence of the Lord Lieutenant Crumwels designment for this bleeding City, they have somewhat awakened us with stronger allarms, and (as we hear) have entred into Protestation, to live and die, stand and fall together, and to fight it out to the last man, and that upon receipt of the foresaid intelligence, Ormond called a Councell of Officers, at the head quarters neer Fingles, the result was, whether they should prepare for a storm, before his Lordships landing, or whether they should begin the City, streighten other Garisons, take in what they could and then randezvouz and draw into a Body, and give him battell at his landing: Upon mature deliberation thereon, it was unanimosly declared by most of that Popish and Prelaticall faction, That if he set footing there they wold fight him; in the mean time they would use their utmost endeavours for the reducing of those Garrisons which the Parliament had in possession.
But the thing that our Souldiery are most doubtfull and dubious of, is, that they fear the enemy will not give them a field upon the additionall forces landing, but that they wil rather betake themselves to the Bogs and Woods.
On Thu [...]sday morning last, a party of the Marq. of Ormonds horse and foot laced our frontier Guards, keeping a great careering up & down neer the City Wals, and making four or five desperate attempts within Pistol shot of our Line, Spurs, and Sconces, which continued for the space of half an hour; till at the last Capt. Freeman (Commander in chief of the new Fort) made a salley out with a party of horse and foot, who placed the Musquetiers in an obscure trench, for an Ambuscado; he himself being the Coy, for the calling in and ensnaring of the adverse party; but upon his first advance towards them with his horse, he found it a Work very full of difficulty, by reason that they had used the like point of poliep: However, he resolved to [Page 5] dispute the place, and thereupon divided his horse (being 60 in number) into two parties, he himself commanding the one, and Cornet Jackson the other; Capt. Freeman charged the Van of the Enemies Forlorn, Cornet Tomson flanked them, and upon their first charge exchanged ground, with the losse of three men on both sides; but upon their present wheeling, both parties received each other with a second desperate Onset, who with great courage & resolution kept their stations, disputing the place with great gallaniry; but at last our men being overpowred (by the coming on of a fresh supply of horse) were forced to embrace an honourrable retreat; the enemy pursued to the very turn-pikes, where they were soon welcomed by the sons of Mars, both from the mouth of the Canon and Musquet, at which Volley, 7 of them were forced to yeeld obedience to the earth, w ch caused the enemy to desert further dispute or engagement, leaving dead and wounded upon the place about 27. of our party five slain and two wounded.
By Letters further from Dublin it is advertized, that the Marq. of Ormond, and the L. Inchiquin with 20000 Horse and Foot, have intrenched themselves (in many places) within Musquet shot of the Walls, and by their strong allarums (being very resolved, since the taking of Tredah) keeps us in continuall action: the last night their Pioneers wrought exceeding hard, and raised an half Moon within musket shot of our Out-works, where was placed about 400 musketiers, and four pieces of Ordnance; it was contrived very artificially and strong, with a running Trench from their frontier incampings, which secures their men from great annoyance of our round shot: this morning we sallyed out upon them, with a resolution to beat them off from the said Fort; but finding too much opposition retreated to our, Redout, which was within Pistoll shot thereof; [Page 6] about 4 of the clock severall parties of horse and foot were drawn forth on both sides, who engaged each other, and after a sharp conflict disputed with great gallantry the enemy retreated, and having a Reserve ready at hand our men durst not embrace the pursuit, but returned Victors with 17 prisoners, & left dead and wounded upon the place about 15 with the losse of 14 men, which the enemy in the night time set off and buryed.
There came a true relation of the design against Weymouth and Portland, sent up to the Councell of State by a Messenger from the [...]overnour of VVeymouth, viz.
The design was laid so, as that with four hundred men Jersey Isl [...]nd, and s [...]x hundred from France, having correspondence with a party in the County o [...] Dorsets and other places nea [...], they might secure VVeymouth, and the Isle of Portland for the use and service of Charles the second; the persons that were by a speciall providence apprehended in executing this cruell designe, was one called King Gardner, a man who saith he was ever true to the first Charles, and resolves to be as constant for the second; there were also two of the Garrison Souldiers, one Mortimor and Thorny, two Islanders, the ones name But the other Roberts, and one Mr. Gallot with half a dozen more, the Islanders do publickly abhominate the design, and the persons guilty thereof earnestly desiring judgement to be executed therein. This plot was further manifested on Saturday last, where at least fourty small boats did attend the Isle of Portland, but what will be the Issue of it a little time will discover, onely I conclude, that Gods work shall stand against all opposition.