Saturday II. August.
THe House of Commons sate not this day; but letters came from Ireland to
the Councell of State.
A Letter from Lient. Gen. Jones ordered by the Councell of State to be Pronted,
Right Honourable.
THe Lord hath blessed this your Army with good successe against Ormond and
his, for which Gods Most holy Name be ever glorified. The account of that
service is thus briefly: On the first of this instant, the Enemy began his approaches
to this place more then formerly, and that night was Ormond, Preston,
and the Cheifest of that Army, at a worke begun at Baggotsratle, about a quarter
of a mile hence Eastward of the City, upon the Sea, thence they purposed to run
forward to our Trenches on the Land-side, and to raise their Forts toward the water,
for hindering the landing of those supplies and Forces expected. They had besfore
cut off the water-running from the higher grounds into the City, whereby our
Mills had been driven, and in their present work would they have cut us off from all
forage for our cattle: To this end was that very night, a Brest work by them made
Crosse the high-way, neer Baggotsrath, wherebouts was the onely grazing-place
left for us. As for the Castle of Baggotsrath, I caused it to be before demolished,
so as it was not capable of a Garrison, foreseeing what out prejudice might bee in
their possessing it.
On Thursday the second, we discovered a party of the Enemies, drawing to Baggotsrath.
about fifteen hundred foot, besides horse. We found a necessity for removing
them, and that speedily: and seeing the nearnesse of the Enemies camp at Rathmynes,
(lesse then a mile from Baggotsratb) where they might be readily releived
with greater force as occasion might require, therefore did I advance with so much a
greater strength, about twelve hundred horse, and four thousand foot.
The Enemies work at Bargotsrath we soon entred, yet not without strong dispute:
most of the Enemies foot there were slain and taken, their horse having deserted
them, after the first charge.
Our Horse and Foote pursuing their advantages, we became at last wholly ingaged
with their whole Army, whom after two hours fight, we totally routed.
We slew on the place, and in the chase about four thousand, and have two thousand
five hundred and seventeen prisoners, most of them Inchequeens English, and
of our run-aways. We got one whole Cannon, three Demi-Cannons, one longsquare gun,
carryinng a ball of twelve pound, one Saker-Drake, and one Motterpeece,
(all these brasse) and some Train carriages, and about two hundred draught
Oxen for the Train.
The Strength of the Enemy by themselves since acknowledged Ninteen thousand;
Ormond narrowly escaped: Of our men not above twenty missing, many wounded.
The greatest losse sell on the Horse, wherein my Regiament bath much suffered,
which I humbly desire may be considered, together with my former losses in
the same kinde in former Services, and therefore that larger Recruits may be given
me: To which end I have employed thither this Gentleman Captaine Otway, one
faithfull and forward, whom I make bold to recommand unto your favour.
This whole work is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes: By whose
especiall providence it was that we should thus ingage , we our selves at first not so
far intending it: Neither did the Enemy expect our so doing; nor would they have