THe Lord Inchequin received a Letter from the Lord Taffe, Generall of the Irish Rebels about Munster, that he was now with an Army in the field; and would fight him, if he durst draw neere, with as many hundreds as he would.

The Lord Inchequin returned him answer, that hee should finde that he was not afraid to meet him in the field, and accordingly his Lordship joyned what strength he could make to draw into the field against the Rebels (our men at that time were very low, and in much want of provisions, should they have laid still and let the enemy destroy their quarters.

The Lord Taffe marched with his Army neer Mal­lo, and with him was joyned Alexander Magdonell, (commonly called Kilkittoth) who destroyed so ma­ny [Page 4]Protestants in Scotland: and with him a consi­derable party of Redshankes, and he was Lieutenant generall of the foot.

The whole number of the Rebells Army were 7500. foot, and 1200. horse well armed, and a good trayne of Ammunition with them in the field, mar­ching on to destroy our quarters in Munster.

The Lord Inchequin on Friday November 12. 1647. had notice where the Rebells Army was, and his Lordship having got together 4000. foot, and 1200. horses (all the strength he could make, besides those that must of necessity be left to keep Garrisons) he marched towards the Rebells.

On Saturday November 13. his Lordship disco­vered the Rebells near Mallo, and drew near to him.

The Lord Inchequin sent a challenge to the Lord Taffe (who was then on the top of a great hill, called Knocknegaoll, in English it is called the English-mans hill) to come downe from the hill, and he would, (though with a smaller number) fight with his whole Army: But the Lord Taffe returned answer, that hee was so much a souldier, that having gotten the advan­tage he would keep it.

Hereupon the Lord Inchequin moved towards the Rebells, front to front, to invite them to come down, but they would not stir.

Then his Lordship withdrew parties to the other sides of the hill, and sent up severall parties of Mus­queteers to charge the Rebells, and at last got one part of the hill, and the wind side, but the Rebells, had routed one of our parties of foot on the other side of the hill, whom his Lordship with a reserve (which he had ready) soone relieved, but wee lost at that time some 60. men.

[Page 5] The Lord Taffe still kept the hill, being confident to have destroyed all the English (upon a superstitious observation of an old prophesie that is in Ireland that an English-mans hill, (for so the place was called) Magdoneth shall much English blood spill. And this he attributed to himselfe, because that whereas it did formerly belong to Magdoneth it was now in his own hands, presuming that himselfe should be the man that should then destroy the English; Alexander Mag­donel being then his Lieutenant generall, but blessed be God, the Lord disappointed their hopes.

The Lord Inchequin (in this businesse) deported himselfe gallantly (and indeed we were in great dan­ger that the Rebells would have compassed our men round, there being no place of retreat for our men, yet God put such a courage into our men, that there was a very great influence to performe their utmost against the Rebells.

The despute by parties lasted some two howres, untill at last, the Rebells began by little and little to descend from the top of the hill, and then the fight was very fierce, but lasted not long, for in halfe an houre they were touted and broken. And no quarter was given to the Irish Rebells, nor to the Red­shankes.

The Lord Inchequine charged many of quallity of the enemies party, amongst the rest, one his Lord­ship pursued to a wood, and there slew him, a con­federate Officer; And his Lordship did so cut the Rogues that he brake his Sword into three peeces.

We lost Collonell Gray and Major Browne, and o­ther who fought gallantly, Sir Robert Trever, Judge Martiall was slaine neere our Carriages, (for the Re­bels [Page 6]had come up so close upon us that they had seased some of our Ordinances and Waggons) but were beaten off againe, Sir William Bridges was slaine in the left wing of Horse.

The whole number of the Rebels slaine were about 4000. many of which were killed in the pursuite; and of our men were slaine about 120 in all, that is the most we have lost.

We have not taken many of the Common Souldi­ers prisoners, for that would have hindred the victo­ry much, and besides the Officers (according to the in closed list) were divers that escaped after they were taken, but those which are exprest in the List are all secured prisoners in custody.

The Lord Taffe himselfe hardly escaped with some few others, and all those who fled are dispersed seve­rall wayes, so that it is beleived they will hardly e­scape.

There are some of the Nobillity of Ireland, and others of the Generall Assembly (Knights and others) of Kilkenny that were slaine, but I cannot (as yet) give you a list of their names.

This is a great blessing, the Lord grant that we may improve it to his glory. So prayes