The Nevvest intelligence from the army in Ireland in tvvo letters the one from the apothecary, formerly to the late Earl of Strafford, now to the said armie : and the other from a good hand, both dated in Dublin, Febr. 1, 1642.

Another from Dublin, Feb. 1. 1642.

I Cannot but let you know our present misery, our Magazine for the Armie is almost spent, our money quite gone; no pay for Souldiers, but what we (more then halfe pillaged people) doe weekly pay; and the Merchants that have corne and herrings, deliver in; our plate (what is not sold) halfe is to be given in, and the rest, I sup∣pose, will shortly be cald for; and the next will be worse. The Enemy hath gotten the Burre from our men, but have given them a faire quar∣ter; some report that they are come away with

half their money; it is thought there was not so little as 20000 li. in money there, all was lost for want of reliefe. I wrote you in my last, about 14. dayes since, that Colonell Gibson, and Colonell Crafford, were abroad with 500. men, or therea∣bouts, each, and their Armies went two wayes; Colonell Gibson about the Countrey of Kildare, and that way; and returned home the 18. Jannar. without doing any thing; and Colonell Crafford came home the 20. out of the County of Wicklow, bringing with him 5. or 600 Cowes, and 2000. sheepe, he got that journey which he spent, and brought home at twice (it is thought) neer 5000 sheepe from the Rebells: Never had battell with the Rebells, although their Army being about 700. Musketiers, 300. pike, and 300. horse, as it is reported, being often in sight of our Army, but as I am informed, they appointed a day to fall on our army suddenly, which was under command of Collonell Crafford, (for Colonell Gibson was far from him) but the night before (unawares to our Army) they were drawne very neer, and lay all within a small compasse together, and Cap∣tain Devalier with some 18. horse went forth and came in the morning on a Towne where were

300. foot, besides horse, of the Rebels that lodg'd there, and coming unawares (for they had no Sentinels abroad because they knew their plot was not known to our men) fell upon the town, and as many as could got away, sup∣posing all our souldiers were come upon them: but find∣ing the contrary, returned; notwithstanding Captaine Devalier got 5. or 6. good horses sadled with their hol∣sters but not their pistols, and kild some men, and took a prisoner or 2. which told him all their plot; after that they were discouraged from giving battell to our men, had not God wrought his work, our army had been in∣dangered, and the last prey of cattell been lost. Collon. Crafford sent most of his men home, before he came him∣self, and the report was that he was coming himself: but in the night he and some 150. horse and foot, got to Sir John Hoys house, which the Rebels espied, but assoone as he and the foot were gotten in, he caused all the Mus∣ketiers to cut off a part of their lighted matches, & gave to the Troopers, and they marcht away with them bur∣ning in their hands, whereby the Rebels thought they were all gone, whereupon divers came to that house, and still as they came in they were cut off by our Soul∣diers there, so they were not discovered; so that all the cattell which they had sent over the River of Arklowe into the County of Welford for safety, they brought back again to feed in the County of Wicklowe, but the next night after came back again Captain Marrow with his troop toward the River of Arklow, and Col. Crafford from Sir John Hoyes house made forward the same way; coming very early in the morning towards Arklowe ri∣ver they found the cattell that last c••me home, which was a great releef for the present, but that plentie is al∣most

forgotten, being so many mouthes that gapt for it; God knows what we shall do hereafter; I doubt not but others have written of our present estate, but the future is like to be worse God knows. The 25. went forth a Convoy to releeve my Lord President of Connoght, and to bring home what men are left alive, onely they will leave a small Garrison in the Castle of Athlowe, with my Lord, as many as may onely keep the Castle.

Our Armie went forth hence not above 500. foot, and 150. horse, but some say that they were to have more men by the way from our garrison at Trym, they have a great charge with them of Ammunition, I pray God send them his speciall help from the Enemie, they are much to be fear'd, Generall Preston being so strong at the Burr; I should think our miserie should move England to make peace, sure I am that there is (in some that hinder it) a good affection to the Irish Rebellion; I pray God their counsell may not be followed, it is an easie matter to deceive an honest heart, who think others like himself: we are much annoyed by the Rebels that lie at Manoth, in sight of Kildares Castle, and in the woods about it, we hear that Generall Preston hath sent up 1000. men to assist them that had it before, and to have the charge of that place (being but 10. miles from this place) but our Welch that hath kept it before, will not part with it to the Generals men, upon which there is some discord between them; In the meane time (had not this ill news come from England) our army should have this day gone thither to take up the matter, for it is good fishing in troubled waters; we had need make better use of our time then we have hitherto done.