SInce my last, We have had much action; that in these parts very sad. Generall Pre­ston being sate down before Caterlagh (a very considerable passe upon the River of Barrow, to the County of Dublin, and within about 40 miles of the City of Dublin) with a party of some 2 or 3000 which quartered about Clogre, Killegore, Quilirian, and so towards Laghlyn, and Idogh; in which parts are many of the ve­ry rigid party of the Irish Rebels. Preston re­ceived Orders from the assembly of the Confe­derate Catholikes at Kilkenny (which is with­in some 10 miles of Caterlagh) to take in that Garison to their obedience; first, offering quar­ter, but that if they should refuse to surrender, to put all, (both men, women and children) to to the sword, after he had taken it.

[Page 2] Accordingly Gen : Preston sent in a Summons to the Governour, commanding the said Garrison for the use of the King, and the Assembly of the Lords and Commons of the Supreame Councell at Kilkenny, and that if they would surrender the same, they should have souldiers civi­lities, if not, then to expect no mercy.
Subscribed PRESTON.

This summons being brought in, and delivered to Ma­jor Harman, who kept it under the Marquesse of Ormond, hee returned answer, that he kept it for the King, and had his Commission from his Majesties Deputy Lievtenant; and desired to send to Dublin to know his Lordships plea­sure, and then he would returne answer.
Subscribed HARMON.

Preston not being satisfied with this answer, sends a­gain to him, requiring a sudden answer, whether he would surrender or not, and threatning him, that if he did force him to storme it, that he would spare neither sex nor age, upbraiding him with the fury of the enraged souldiers, in case they should be so provoked.

Major Harman considering, that besides the Officers and souldiers that were there appointed to keepe it (who were too few to manage it) that there were many women and children besides Inhabirants (Protestants of those parts, that came in for protection) whose condition was very unfit to beare a storme, besides the great importuni­ty of the women, and the little expectation he could have of reliefe there, and those parts being wholly possessed by the Rebels, he condiscended to capitulate.

The next dayes treaty between them concluded the busi­nesse, Major Harmon being to surrender the garrison, up­on condition that himselfe, with his Officers, and souldi­ers, and the rest of those persons that were in the garrison, [Page 3] to have all quarter for their lives, and to have passes, and a safe Convoy to the City of Dublin.

To this thus agreed, both parties signed, and according­ly they marched out on St. Peter side, The Officers, soul­diers, men, women and children, and wita sad hearts were forced to surrender all to the Rebels, who marched in, and then Preston placed 100 foot to keep it for the Assembly at Kilkenny, against the Parliament and Ormond both, and Major Harmon with those who were marched out went to Dublin.

I have sent you here inclosed, a list of the particulars of what we lost, in this garrison of Caterlaugh, that Major Harmon was forced to leave to the Rebels, and he is now with the Marquesse of Ormond here in this City, but some of the Inhabitants are with their friends in the adjacent villages, yet most of them are come in hither in a most sad and lamentable condition. O that God would so put our bleeding estate to your hearts, that we might find some speedy reliefe from England, without which wee are like to loose all.

This passe was so considerable a one, that we have not such an other betwixt us and Kilkenny.

In Munster (God be thanked) is betrer newes, The Lord Inchiqueen marched from Cork with a party of horse and foot, resolving (by Gods blessing upon his en­deavours) to take in some Garrisons, and do what he can to divert the Rebels from passing out of those parts, to joyn with Oneale, or Preston, against this distressed City of Dublin, where we cannot represent our condition more sadly then indeed it is.

His Lordship first sent out a party of horse, and fet­ched in some provisions for his Army, and then marched towards the Rebels Garrisons. And this good newes wee [Page 4] heare from thence that he hath taken from the Rebels, a strong hold which they kept in those parts, called Capogh-queen, in which his Lordship hath found good store of Ammunition and Provisions.

I have sent you here inclosed a list of the particulars of what was in that Garrison, as I am informed by those who have beene lately in the quarters of Generall Preston, who hath received Letters that the Lord Inchiqueene hath ta­ken it, and that his Lordship is setting downe before an­other very considerable Garrison.

Hereupon Generall Preston, and Owen Roo Neale cal­led a Counsell of Warre, and had a meeting neere Kilken­ny, of the Officers of their Army, as also acquainting the generall Assembly therewith, and receiving their repre­sentations:

It was concluded and agreed according to the inclosed paper, which is the heads of the resolutions of the Coun­cell of VVarre upon an order from the said Assembly for them to consider of a way to divert the Lord Inchiqueen, and goe on with their designes in these parts, where under a sad and bleeding condition we cry for helpe from you. The Lord direct you to lay your owne divisions a­side and joyne to helpe us, least you give advantage to a third, (a bloudy party) to destroy both us and you. God direct you to helpe us. So prayes