THe furious and insolent enemies have made much havock of a great part of the Kingdom, and made m [...]ny Cities and towns of good Fame, now desolate, they have attemp­ted to ruine more Armagh they have laid levell with the ground; so that of that fair and Metropolitan City, they have not left any shew or sign.

They have given many an Onset a­gainst the City of Dublin; but their Forces have bin repelled, and the City defended.

Much harm is done to many Villa­ges [Page] [Page] [...] [Page] neer adjovning unto those Cities, and have not spared any whom they could subdue unto their power and malice. Only thus much the Inhabitants of Kildare have bin in a very great streight.

But the Mercie of God is above all his Works, and his Power extends it self beyond the desire of any humane expectation.

For now in the depth of all Extre­mitie, when they were so oppressed with Famine: the mercifull God ex­pressed his power, and when they were in despair of all Succour or Relief, the Lord sent comfort unto them. For the very day before the time, when they had intended and resolved to have sur­rendred up the town unto the enemy, Sir Charles Coot and Captain Venman joined their Forces together, which did accrew unto the number and strength of neer upon 2000. men; with these Forces they marched towards Kildare, either resolving to relieve the poor di­stressed [Page] souls, or to dye in their de­fence.

No sooner did the Enemy perceive their approach, but with all speed they could they did provide to give them Battle, which was the desire and ex­pectation of these two Noble and va­liant Cavaliers.

The sight of these approaching Com­panies gave great Comfort unto the despairing minds of the inclosed Pro­testants; who did now resolve either for Liberty or Glorious Death, who immediatly provided themselves to Repell the Enemy, and gain their own Freedome. They speedily and couragi­ously betook themselves to their Arms, and from the Town walls gave the E­nemy such a valley of shot, that many of them were on the sudden cut off in their own security. At which unexpe­cted ruine, they retreated a little way from the town, thinking to have retur­ned into the siege better provided, and have given them present Battle.

[Page] But in their Retreat they met with a sharper enemy then their expectation did apprehend to be so neer at hand Sir Charls aprehended the advantage of their present disorder, occasioned by the sud­den peal of Guns, sounding from the Walls of of the town, and did not o­mit their opportunity, but gave them sudden Battle; which the Enemy for a while answered stoutly, the losse on both sides seemed for a space, to be ve­ry equall, and the Victory doubtfull.

The day was half spent in this Skir­mish, and much blood was shed on ei­ther side; but at the length, being wil­ling to conclude the battle with the Sun of the day, did prosper the cause of the Protestants, and gave them so good successe, that there were slain of the Re­bels 1700. or therabouts; besides those who were taken Prisoners.

There were taken by the Protestants of the Rebels in this Battle three Com­manders of especiall note, whose Names I thought fiit to set down for the satis­faction [Page] of the Reader. The 1. Was Cap­tain Oncal, who after his taking, did vow that he had rather suffer a thou­sand deaths, then to be at the mercy of his Enemy; especially such a one, from whom he scorned to desired life or quarter.

The 2d. was Lieutenant Johnson, a man of an invincible courage; who when he saw himself taken Prisoner, of­fered twice to be his own Executioner, but was prevented. The third, was Lieu­tenant Jones a spirit very little inferior unto the other two, and by the report of some who were sharers in that skir­mish, it was great pitty that three so noble spirits should be interessed in so Rebellious and dishonourable a Cause.