A GREAT AND BLOVDY FIGHT NEER Droghedah in Ireland, ON Thursday last, being the 6 of this instant September, 1649. between the Forces commanded by the Marqesse of Ormond, the Lord Inchiquin, the Lord Governour Cromwell, and Major Generall Ireton.
WITH The manner how the Lord Inchiquin engaged in person with fifeeen of his best Troops, against the Lord Cromwels horse, the number killed and taken on both sides, the routing of three great Bodies, and the Marq. of Ormonds letter to Prince Charles, concerning his victory.
ALSO, The Levellers Declaration for a new Parliament, the recovery of Englands lost freedoms, and for ease of the people from all burdens and oppressions (as they say) with the sending of a letter to all the Garrisons in England.
London, Printed for Robert Williamson, the 12. of September, 1649.
A bloudy FIGHT IN IRELAND Between The Marquesse of Ormonds forces, and the Lord Governour Cromwels, neer the strong town of Droghedah, on Thursday last, being the 5. of this instant Septemb. 1649.
VPon the advance of the Lord Governour Cromwell towards Droghedah, great was the preparation of the Marq. of Ormond, and the Lord Inchiquin to receive him, and upon his neer approach with the Van of his horse, a selected party were [Page 2]drawn forth of the choicest Regiments, to represent the Royall salutation (as they call'd it) and accordingly the Lord Inchiquin had the honour and conduct of these Marshalling Troops, who no sooner had marched four miles from the town, but a discovery were made of a great Body of the Parl horse; whereupon he drew out a Forlorn consisting of two hundred horse, commanded by Lieutenant Colonell Gerrard, who advanced about Musket shot from the Body, the rest marching after.
The Parliaments forces seeing this, immediatly eccho'd forth a great deal of alacrity to dispute an engagement, drawing out a Forlorn likewise, and advancing towards them; insomuch, that after an hours rallying, and wheeling for wind and ground, both bodies had embattail'd themselves in a well-disciplin'd posture for the receiving of each others charge with the most advantage and safety.
And after some short time spent in consultation by the Officers, the Trumpets sounded, and both parties joyned battail, a most violent and desperate charge being given to each other at the first onset, during which conflict, sharp and cruell was the action, each man striving for Conquest, and endeavouring to become master of the field; but the victory seemed dubious a long time, untill by main force; the enemies left wing were disordered and put to a retreat, which the right wing, and the Center-body seeing (for they were [...]vided into three bodies) began to decline further engagement, endeavouring an honourable retreat, but the L. Governours horse falling in with them, upon their wheeling off, divers of them were killed and taken prisoners, [Page 3]the rest received sanctuary neer a spacious bog, where they rallyed, and by the comming in of a fresh Reserve of three Regiments of horse, commanded by Colonell Steward, Colonell Cotton, and Collonell Cunningham, the Lord Inchiquia attempted a second Onset against the Lord Governours forces, who finding themselves to be both overpowred and unfitting for a second engagement, made an honourable retreat with the losse of thirty men, the enemy not daring to embrace pursuit for a mile together, whose losse we hear was exceeding great in the first engagement, by estimation at least three hundred.
In this conflict the Lord Inchiquin deported himself with great gallantry in the very heat and midst of the battell; but Collonell Fitz-Williams (who commanded the left wing) demean'd himself with as much treachery and cowardise.
Since which fight, we likewise further hear, that the Marquesse hath sent a letter to the Prince, intimating, that upon the advance of our forces towards Droghedah, he fell upon them, routed, killed and disperst many hundreds, &c. which seems as incredible as his former, and only pen'd in a false and contrary stile for the present support of his young Soveraigns drooping spirits. The Lord Governour is within a days march of Drohedah with his whole Army of horse and foot, where he intends to fight the enemy, if they stay, and to lay siege to the town; of which more by the next.
Dublin 7. Septemb. 1649.
By Letters further from Ireland thus: Sir, The strength of the Marquesse of Ormond is very great, his Army grows numerous, and resolved men for a field, being for the most part confident of success, notwithstanding their late defeat; the conjuction of the Lord Inchiquin, the Lord Ards, the Earl of Clanrickard, and the Earl of Castlehaven, are said to be at least twenty thousand horse and foot, our army not above twelve thousand, but resolved to fight them; that which doth most retard conquest, is, by reason of the Countries coming in to the enemies assistance to oppose our Armies further march up into the Country; yet many of the English Inhabitants denies to yeeld obedience to the Marq. of Ormonds Summons, notwithstanding the rigor of the L. Moor, (Governour of Tredagh against them, who hath declared his resolution to fight it out to the last man for Charles the II, rather then to yeeld it to the power and obedience of the Parliament of England, but many are of opinion, that upon the Lord Governours approach neer him, he will be of another mind. The L. Inchiquin hath purged all Munster Garisons of such as he suspected might prove frends to the Lord Lieutenant.
From Scotland they write, That the Letter to be sent to their king is drawn up without any alteration, and is full both as to the direction of Parl. and to former instructions proposed: the Solemn League and Nationall Govenant being both put home: its possible there may be a contracting of the disaffected party, and that the quitting Montross and a few more may content, taking in such as will repent, and go handsomly along with the Marq. and his party.
On Sunday last was a day of humiliation, at which the ministers expressed great good affection to their king. Let him but sign what they desire, and he instantly becomes a godly man, and well affected; make a covenant contrary to that, and let him subscribe, he is again godly and well addicted: the Scriptures, and old rules, being for that use out of date far and wide.
Milford Haven Sep. 1, Col. Abbots Dragoons were shipt hence they went out to Sea, ℞ were wind-bound two days; after which, with a side-wind they went off, intending for Dublin, but no news yet of their arrivall. Col. Hortons, and the Maj. Gen. foot are shipping away after them.
Many of the Lord Lieu. horse were sick and weak at their landing, especially those that were carryed towards Munster, to seek footing, but found none. The Mar. of Ormonds horse are accompted 4000 his foot 3000, with whom the L. Clanrickard is joyned with 800, and 4000 foot, they randezvouz neer Tredagh on the other side of a spacious River, and within a mile of a Bog, which is 3 miles long, he hath caused all the Bridges to be cut off, drives the Country of Cattell, and hath laid them in as a store at Tredagh, Trim, and other Garrisons; all men in that kingdom fit to bear arms are gotten into a posture of war, about 5000 have declared for the Lord Gover. many hundreds lie inwards; what the event wil be, we leave unto him that governs all.
By Letters from Oxford thus: Divers of Col: Ingoldsbies Regiment, and other discontented parties of the Garison, being much unsatisfied with the procedings of the Parl. and army, have revolted, and agreed [Page 6]on a Declaration to be published, shewing the grounds and reasons of their engagement viz. For a dissolution of this present Parl. and for eltcting a free Representative. 2 For signing of the Agreement of the people. 3 For a Councell of Agitators, according to the engagement at Triplo Heath, &c. This being lookt upon as a busines of great concernment, it was thought fit to send down a considerable party against them; and on Sunday night a letter was sent to the Governors of all the Garrisons of England, to give them intimation of these distempers, and require their care of their several charges, thereby to avoid the like. And withall, that a copy of the letter intercepted, should be inclosed therein, to shew the compliance and co-actings of those called Levellers and the Royalists. Since their revolt, divers horse and foot come in to them night and day in great numbers, their Councel consisted most of private soldiers at first, but some head-pieces lately come from London, are added to them, they keep their guards very strong, and are stricter then ever we knew any, declaring. That their friends in other Garrisons will joyn with them, and that they doubt not but (within one month) to have a potent Army in the field, being assured, that not four Regiments in the Army will prejudice ahem in this quarrell, for recovery of Englands lost freedoms, and for ease of the people from all burthens and oppressions; for obtaining whereof, both they and all the honest Souldiery of England were resolved to hazard their lives and fortunes.
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