An exceeding true relation, of a renowned victory obtained against the rebels on the 2. of May. 1642. On the north side of Tredarth.: By the discreet councell, and heroicke courage of Captaine Stutfield, and Captaine Bartlet. Who with a very small number of men slew almost sixe thousand rebels. Being the copie of a letter sent to Mr. Dudley Ratcliffe, citizen, jnhabitant at Tower-hill. Whereunto is added, the copie of another letter sent to a gentleman of worth in London, and read in the House of Commons. Jt is ordered, that this be forthwith printed Hen. Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.

The Copie of a Letter sent from Dublin to Mr. Dudley Ratcliffe, at Tower-hill in LONDON.

Loving friend,

THe last Letter I sent, dated Aprill the 18. J wrote to you of sorrow and distresse, but now God bee thanked, our sighs are converted to smiles, and our sorrowes into rejoycing, for so it hath pleased Almighty God to blesse us in our late proceedings against the Rebels, that we are almost quite cleare of them in our parts the manner of our deli∣very, J will relate at large as followeth.

On the 2. day of May, Mack-mahaun with 10000 Rebels came up against us we be∣ing but 4000 foot and 800 horse thinkin•• to put us all to death, or flight, to prev•••••• which, upon a decayd Castle that we h•••• we mounted 4. pieces of Ordnance; Like wise we ravl'd a block-house on the South side of our small Campe, with two small

Pieces, being all we had, likewise our men threw up Walls of Turffe and Earth to shel∣ter them from the Rebels shot, and to give themselves advantage to offend the Enemy.

Which being done, Captaine Stutfield gave strict command that generall shouts and ac∣clamations would be heard throughout the Army, the Trumpets, Drums, and Fiffes with their shrill Notes and pleasant accents fill'd the Ecchoing Ayre, our Canons ratled, and with swifrest speed unto the Rebels, gave a Churlish welcome, for our swift Bul∣lets made a large Lane amongst them, the Rebels hearing our joyfull acclamations, began to feare some Trechery, and as our mirth encreased so did their feare, which made them afraid to fall upon us, or to draw nigher for feare the ground was un∣dermined.

Wherefore they tooke their stand, and with their best speed planted theirField pie∣ces against our block-house, shooting very oft, though but to little purpose, for spight of all their Battries we continued our shouts and acclamations, in the mean time Captain Stutfield sent out some Scouts in request

of Captaine Bartlet, who was gone with 5. hundred men, to fetch in some provision.

Likewise he set strong watches in their view, though not within their shot, to make them thinke our Forces greater then they were, that day being spent, the next day be∣ing Tuesday, he gave Command that all of them that were in health should fast and Pray, which was with willingnesse effected, likewise that Night Captayne Bart let came in unto us, bringing in provision, with which we were replenished, our joy and shouts increasing, the Rebels being amazed and having intelligence of our new-come Forces, resolved that night to steale away, but to prevent that, we marcht out against them, charging them siercely, Captayne Stutfield with three Troops of Horse, troop up unto their Faces and discharg'd, making such breaches in their Main-Battalia, that Mack-Mahaun swore he was a Divell not a mortall man.

Our Foot likewise fired so fast upon them that they fell to running, not to fighting, for in the space of 4. houres there was slaine almost six thousand of the Rebels, we ha∣ving

lost not above 2. hundred men, beside some threescore maimed.

Captayne Bartlet seeing their Reare begin to slye, incouraged on his men, and usd his utmost power to intercept their passage, which they seeing, (like desperate Cowards) drew up their Ordnance, and discharg'd upon him all at one time, which made a breach amongst our men, which so incen∣sed them to see their Comerades fall so fast before them, so that they fell on like Divels never ceasing till they had surpizd the Re∣bels Ordnance, and discharged them against their Masters, amongst whome they did a fearefull execution, the Rebels immediate∣ly tooke them to their heels, and we re∣treated to our Quarters, thus was this great Victory obtained by the discreet Councell and undanted Courage of these Noble Commanders, of whose future explovts at my, next opportunity, I will acquaint you with. till which time J rest.

Your Friend and Servant, VV, Benningfield.