Upon the order sent hither, from the Committee for the affaires of Ire­land, directing, that wee should make the strongest diversions we could, to entertain [Page] the Rebels, that they might not have ley­sure to prejudice the Garrisons under the Lord of Ormond, and upon his Lordships desire, that we should allarm them, by sen­ding out parties into their quarters, tho our souldiers are naked, and the Officers miserably poor, and destitute of all means, y [...]t rather then any inconveniency should arise to the publique, it was resolved by some of the Officers of the Brittish Forces to send out 2 parties severall wayes, wher­in some of us only could be drawn to this service, and of the forces in the Counties of Down and Antrim, there marched out in this party, under the command of Colonel Conway, son of the Lord Clanboyes, Sir John Clotworthies, and Col. Conwayes Regiments of Foot, with the horse of Col. Hills Regi­ments, and those belonging to the 3 Regi­ments, and some other of the troopes consi­sting in all of about 800. Horse and Foot. who having no meanes for carrying of victuall, or victuall for any continuance, the Foot tooke ten dayes meale on their backs, and marched as far as the County of [Page] Meath in Leimster, the Counties of Mona­ghau and Cavan on the Borders of Ulster, and fell on a party of the Rebels beyond Carric-Mac Rosse, being five Foot Compa­nies, and two troops of Horse, who were so suddenly surprized, that they made very small resistance, but quit their posts, & be­took themselves to their heeles, and in the pursuit divers were killed; but they being fresh, & acquainted with the bogs & passes in those parts, and our men weak & weary, could not performe any great executions upon them, but took and brought away 7 or 800 lean Cowes, and 200 small Garons, and some sheep, of which our hungry sol­diers soone made havock of, whereof they could not in reason be restrained, having no other meanes to give them the least sa­tisfaction in, but the remainder of our pur­chase, which being distributed amongst the souldiers and officers that were abroad, was a very seasonable relief to them; but those at home in their quarters will be necessi­tated to fall on the Cowes of the Country, their stock of the last years Harvest being [Page] quite spent and devoured, and the inhabi­tants themselves will grow so desperate, that seing all is like to be gone, they think it but reason to take a share of their owne. They have wayted with much patience on the effect of our Commissioners solicitati­on in hope to be eased of their extreame oppression.

But what we have labouted to spare them in, our fellow Souldiers of the Scots Army are taking from them: for it seemes here being reports spread, of the dismission of that Army, their Officers are exacting 3 Months assesment together, which is so in­supportable a burden, that they are weary of their lives.

And indeed▪ it is a most compendious way to bring our miseries to an end, for we must quit the Country for ought I see after all the miseries we have endured, in preserving of it from the Rebels, who will be found troublesome to England. Gods will be done, we cannot make brick with­out straw, though we would undergo any burdens, so we may be rendred serviceable [Page] to this cause. We have heard nothing yet of our other party of the Lagan Forces, who are marched out under Col. Mervin, about the time ours went abroad from these quarters, and have bin 14 dayes abroad bu­sied in Conaught, as we have bin towards Dublin, and after a short refreshment, our Officers are resolved upon another march, with a stronger party, which we hope wil prove a good means of security to the Lem­ster Garrisons, though it be a great wasting to our poor souldiers, who want shooes and all other necessary accommadation for such service, which gives them as mvch discou­ragement, as the Rebels are lifted up, to see supplies of men and money come over so slowly, being informed, that the Divisions in England, are greater then they have been at any time since these troubles.

The Pyrates [...] so busie in our Northerne Coasts, and about the Isles of Scotland, that our Fishermen and Barkes are like to be in great danger to be taken (as some have been already) [Page] unlesse some of the Parliament small ships be appointed to lye on these Coasts, to prevent the dayly intercourse betwixt the Rebels of Ireland and th [...]se of Scotland. Thus having given you a short account of our affaires, I rest