But in the mean time hearing Sir Charles Coot was coming in Northward,
and foaring he might be prest upon with all they could make, if
we did not attempt somewhat speedily, that might divert them from it, we
saw a necessity of doing what might be done with that little means we
had: and having viewed a place a day or two before that was but slenderly
guarded, and if got, might quickly be made defensible for a party
till the rest could stand, there being a stump of an old Castle, and a
stump of an old burnt house; but the difficulty in our way to this, was
want of boats, they being some above, and some below that place,
which could not come to it but they must pass by severall of the enemies
guard: however on the first instant at night we marched towards the
place with some parties of horse and foot, and ordered three Cots and
one Boat to come down the River to us, which accordingly they did,
notwithstanding they were discovered and shot at by the enemy all the
way; and with these, being able to get no more, we put about fifty men
over on the other side, where the enemy had two files of men with
some horse; the Musqueteers ran, e're that our men landed the horse,
with a body of foot that came presently up to them, stood and look't upon
our men while they wrought themselves in the ground, and we had
not been over an hour, but the enemy quit all the passes within ten miles
of the place where we landed, and ran away in great disorder, Castlehaven
himself leaving his Tent, Plate, Sack, Claret, Arms, and Ammunition,
and all behinde him. Our word that morning was Jordan, and
Gods dealing with us, were much like that of his with his people of
old; the effect of which, I trust will be to set up some memorials of his
goodness to us in our hearts, that may be read by generations to come,
that all may learn to fear and trust in the God of our mercies: the next
day after this, a party of ours under Col. Ingoldesby, fell upon 300 horse
of theirs, & pursued them into the gate of Limrick, and took most of their
horses and arms, and kild, wounded and took many of their men: these are
some of Gods beginnings in this years action, presented unto you, with
other of our Christian friends, to whom you judge meet to communicate
it, that they may see your seeking of God is not in vain.
We had in this attempt about 4. men and horse drownd, not one killed
or wounded.
From one of our camps in the field near Castle-Connel,
by the Shannon side, 6. June, 1651.
The Lord Sayllving in the Isle of Lundy, and a vessel passing thence
with goods of his being snapt by one of Charles Stuarts Pirats; the villain
made bold to affront his Lordship with this following Epistle, which
take as it came to hand.
My Lord,
Not far from that pretty Island, whereof your Lordship is petty
Prince, it was my fortune last evening to fetch up a small vessel, Themas
Skinner being Master, laden with some provisions of your Garrison I