IN my last I made known unto you some part of my misfortunes and losses; but they were not then grown unto their full maturity, as now they are; for my house, at that time, was exempt from the flames, which since have de­voured it, together with all my Stables, Barns, and other houses of office, and adjacent Buildings: They have taken, kill'd, and driven away all my stock of Cattell, and left me in that indigent condition, that I have nothing now to boast of, but my poverty, which indeed is the more bitter at this time, in re­spect that I have not formerly been acquainted with it: and I finde, that upon all the estate which I had (for I cannot say that I have now one foot of Land in this Kingdom) I am not able to procure here 500 ^l. though I should perish through the want of such a sum: Wherefore let me entreat you to omit no time in the taking up, and sending me those moneys which I wrote the last week unto you for, upon the Bonds which lye in the Solicitors hands; and for o­ther particular businesses, I have here sent you an in­closed Schedule, for your better direction. The Re­bells have put a strong Garrison into Cork, which like­wise they endeavour to fortifie. Tredagh yet holds out, but it is to be feared, will be surrendered for want of Victualls, if we have not good successe in [Page 4] the arrivall of our Pinnace, which is once more gone to supply them, having twice already relieved them. Provision begins to be here extremely dear, in regard of the multitudes that flock unto this place, and the great devastation of the Countrey round about. And we have not yet a competent Army to march with farre into the Countrey. There was news brought unto us the last night of an assured defeat given unto the Rebells at Limbreck, by one Master George Courte­nay, who is Constable of the Castle, and hath there 1000 Foot of his own Tenants, and two Troops of Horse, which are commanded by two of his sonnes, for the Guard of the City and Castle. On the four­teenth of this present, the enemy, to the number of 8000 men, marched under the conduct of one Colo­nell Geraldine, to take in this Place; and before they came within three English miles, sent a Herald, to sum­mon it: The chief Officers of the City presently en­tred into Counsell, to deliberate of the answer which they should return to the enemy. And it was Courte­nay's advice, that they should pretend a readinesse to render the City up unto them, upon condition that they might enjoy their goods and Estates peaceably, and without any molestation: and to this purpose they procured two serving-men, of whose fidelity they were well assured, to go unto the enemy, and declare the resolution of the City. The men being well ac­coutred, taking upon them to be Citizens of the best rank, who came thither to offer themselves as pledges for the reall intentions of the City, gained so much credit from the Colonell, that without further delay, he taking these two with him, marched with about [Page 5] 1500 men to the City, leaving the rest behinde him▪ and when he came neer unto the gate, he found it open, and not any signe of opposition: and being met about a Musquet shot from the gate, with divers of the chiefest Citizens, to receive his promise of peacea­bly enjoying their fortunes, which was condescended unto by him; he was entreated to march into the City with those men which he brought with him, being desirous they should be there in Garrison, for the Guard of the City. He finding them so (seemingly) reall, and suspecting no fraud or treachery, went in­to the City, accompanied with these Burghers, and his Souldiers following him, untill such time as about 500 of them being entred, the Percullis was immedi­ately let fall, and Morters and Musquets fired, as well upon those that were come in, as those who were without. The Colonell himself was shot in at the left eye, and thorow the head. There was also slain one Captain Butler, and another of the Geraldines, who was a Cousen to the Colonel, and had a Company under him: Captain Orose, Lievtenant Magroh, and divers other inferiour Officers, and not one man escaping of those who entred, and very few of those who were without, for as soon as the Musquet shot which playd upon them from the Walls and Port had routed them, and put them to flight, the two Troops of Horse com­manded by Master Courtenay his sons, sallied out, and cut off most of them. This famous overthrow was atchieved by the discretion and wisedome of Master Courtenay, who lodged his souldiers so privately about the Port, that no notice was taken of them, untill the Watch-word was given; and then those Burghers [Page 6] which accompanied the Colonell, retired themselves instantly into houses on either hand, giving free liber­ty for the Shot (which was placed in convenient pla­ces) to play on the enemy. There were also slain di­vers Officers of quality without the Town, in their flight, and to the number of 700 souldiers. I hope that this great and assured Victory will much quell their bold and barbarous attempts, and give encou­ragement to ours, to obtain more of them. Would your distractions in England would give leave unto the Parliament to send us some speedy supplyes of mo­neyes and Horses, for we want neither men nor cou­rages. I shall expect dayly to hear from you; and as soon as there is any thing worth writing, you shall not fail to receive.