Wars of the Irish Kings (47 page)

The eighteenth: the Army lay still, and we viewed the fittest places to incampe neere the Towne: but our Artillerie being not come, we removed not. And that night the Spaniards made a salley, much greater then the former, to disturbe our Campe, but our men soone repelled them without any losse to us. The nineteenth: wee lay still, expecting provisions, and that day, our men sent to view the ground, had some slight skirmishes with the enemy, and Don Jean [de Aguila, the Spanish commander] after professed, that hee never saw any come more willingly to the sword, then our men did ….

The one and twentieth: Cormock Mac Dermot a [loyal] Irish man, chiefe of a Countrie called Muskerie, came with the rising out (or souldiers) of his Countrie, to shew them to the Lord Deputy, who to the end the Spaniards might see the meere Irish served on our side, commanded them at their returne to passe by the Spanish trenches, made without the Towne on the top of the hil, but lodged strong parties (out of the enemies sight) to second them. The Irish at first went on wel, and did beat the Spanish guards from their ground, but according to their custome, suddenly fell off, and so left one of the Lord Presidents horsemen ingaged, who had charged two Spaniards: but Sir William Godolphin commanding the Lord Deputies troope, when he saw him in danger, and unhorsed, did charge one way up on their grosse, and Captain Henry Barkley Cornet of the same troope, charged another way at the same instant, and drove their shot into the trenches, and so rescued the horseman with his horse, comming off with one man hurt, and onely one horse killed, from the great numbers of Spanish shot, whereof foure were left dead in the place, divers carried off dead into the Towne, and many hurt ….

The three & twentieth: the Dublyn shipping arrived at Corke, & were directed to come presently to Oyster Haven, where we might unlade the Artillery (which could not be brought by land), and other provisions for the present use of the Army.

The foure and twenty day it was resolved, we should rise and incampe close by the Towne, but the shipping being not come about with the artillery and other necessaries, that day was spent in dispatching for England. And by night Captaine Blany and Captaine Flower were sent out, to lie with five hundred foote, to intertaine the Spaniards which were drawne out of the Towne, but they came no further, and so our men returned.

This day his Lordship and the Counsell wrote to the Lords in England this following letter.

… We can assure your Lordships that we doe not thinke our selves much stronger (if any thing at all) in numbers then they are, whose army at their setting to sea, did beare the reputation of sixe thousand …. It must in reason be thought, that our Companies generally are weake in numbers, seeing they have had no supplies of a long time, and that we desire two thousand to reinforce them, besides that many are taken out of them for necessary wards,
some are sicke, and many of the Northern Companies lie yet hurt, since the late great skirmishes against Tyrone, which they performed with good successe but a little before they were sent for to come hither. Wee doe assuredly expect, that many will joine with Tyrone, (if hee onely come up towards these parts), and almost all the Swordmen of this Kingdome, if we should not keepe the field, and the countenance of being Masters thereof, how ill provided soever wee doe find our selves …. And although (grieved with her Majesties huge expence) we are loth to propound for so many men as are conceived to be needefull and profitable for the present prosecution of this dangerous warre, yet wee are of opinion, that the more men her Majesty can presently spare, to be imployed in this Countrie, the more safe and sudden end it will make of her charge. And not without cause we are moved to solicite your Lordships to consider thereof, since wee now perceive that we have an Army of old and disciplined souldiers before us of foure thousand Spaniards (that assuredly expect a far greater supply), and much about twenty thousand fighting men, of a furious and warlike nation of the Irish, which wee may justly suspect will all declare themselves against us, if by our supplies and strength out of England, they doe not see us likely to prevaile. These Provincials (a few of Carbry only excepted, appertaining to Florence Mac Carty) do yet stand firme, but no better then neutralitie is to be expected from those which are best affected, nor is it possible to discover their affections, untill Tyrone with the Irish Forces doe enter into the Province, who (as the Councell at Dublin write) is providing to come hither …. Wherefore wee humbly beseech the sending of them away, which will not onely give us a speedie course to winne the Towne, but also assure the coasts for our supplies, and give an exceeding stay to the Countrie (the enemie fearing nothing more, and the subject desiring nothing so much as the arrivall of her Majesties Fleet) ….

On the other side, Don Jean de l’Aguyla the Spanish Generall, hath used many arguments to move the Irish to defection, and among other (which is very forceable and fearefull unto their wavering spirits), he telles them, that this is the first great action that the King his Master hath undertaken, and assures them he hath protested, that he will not receive scorne in making good his enterprise, and that he will rather hazard the losse of his Kingdoms, then of his Honour in this enterprise. The Priests likewise (to terrifie the consciences) threaten hell and damnation to those of the Irish, that doe not assist them (having brought Bulles for that purpose), and send abroad Indulgences to those that take their parts. These and such like pollicies (as their offering of sixe shillings a day to every horseman that will serve them) doe so prevaile with this barbarous Nation, as it is a wonder unto us, that from present staggering they fall not to flat defection,
as they will soone doe, if they once discover them of abilitie to give us one blow, before the comming of our supplies and meanes, which wee are most earnestly to solicite your Lordships to hasten …. Sir I will trouble you no longer, being desirous to doe somewhat worth the writing. God send us an Easterly winde, and unto you as much happines as I doe wish unto my owne soule. From the Campe by Kinsale this 24 of October 1601.

Yours Sir most assured for ever
to doe you service,

Mountjoy.

The five and twenty: the Army was ready to rise, but the weather falling out very foule, direction was given not to dislodge. Foure naturall Spaniards came this day to us from the Enemy, who the next day were sent to Corke. This night Sir John Barkeley went out with some three hundred foot, having with him Captaine Flower, Captaine Morris, and Captaine Bostocke, and fell into the Spaniards trenches, and did beate them to the Towne, fell into the gate with them, and killed and hurt above twenty of the Spaniards, having but three hurt of our men. Hitherto we lodged in Cabbins, so as it rained upon us in our beds, and when we changed our shirts.

The sixe and twenty: the Army dislodged and incamped on an hill on the North-side before Kinsale, called the Spittle, somewhat more then musket shot from the Towne, and there intrenched strongly. When we sat downe, we discovered that the Spaniards had gotten a prey of two hundred or three hundred Cowes, and many sheepe, which were (in an Hand as it seemed) upon the South-east side of the Towne, beyond the water, which wee could not passe but by going eight or nine mile about, where there was a necke of land to goe into it. Captaine Taffe being sent with horse and foot, used such expedition in that businesse, as he attained the place before night, and by a hot skirmish recovered the prey, save onely some twenty Cowes that the Spaniards had killed, although they were under the guard of a Castle, called Castle Ny Parke, which the Spaniards had in possession ….

Now the Spaniards held the Castle of Rincorane from their first landing, and because it commanded the Harbour of Kinsale, so that our shipping could not safely land our provisions neere the Campe, it was thought fit to make the taking thereof our first worke. To which purpose Sir John Barkeley, Sir William Godolphin, and Captaine Josias Bodley Trench-Master,
were sent to chuse a fit place to plant our Artillerie against the Castle. The 28 day two Colverings which had not been long used, were made fit, and the next day they were mounted. The Spaniards were in the towne foure thousand strong, and wee had not many more in the Campe by Pole, though our Lyst were more. That night the Spaniards issued out of the Towne by water, to relieve the Castle, but Captain Buttons ship did beate them backe. The thirtieth day the two Culverings began to batter the Castle, but one of them brake in the eavening.

In the meane time the Spaniards gave an Alarum to our Campe, and drew a demy Canon out of the Towne, wherewith they plaied into the Camp, killed two with the first shot, neere the Lord Deputies tent, shot through the next tent of the pay-Master, (wherein we his Lordships Secretaries did lie) brake a barrell of the Pay-Masters money, with two barrels of the Lord Deputies beare in the next Cabin, and all the shot were made, fell in the Lord Deputies quarter, and neere his owne tent.

This night the Spaniards attempted againe to relieve the Castle, but Sir Richard Percy having the guard, with the Lord Presidents Regiment under his command, did repulse them. The one and thirtieth day the colvering battered the Castle, and that morning another culvering, & a canon, being planted, they plaied without intermission, which while we were busily attending, 500 of their principall Spaniards came out of Kinsale (with shew to go to relieve Rincorran by land) and drew toward a guard we kept betweene Rincorran and the Towne …. And seeing the Spaniards come up close with their Pikes to give a charge, he joyned with Captaine Roe, and incountring them, did beate them back to their seconds, making them to retire hastily, the Spaniards then playing upon our men with shot from every house in that part of the Towne. In this charge Sir Oliver Saint John received many pushes of the Pike on his Target, and with one of them was slightly hurt in the thigh, but hee killed a Leader and a common souldier with his owne hand. The Lord Audley coming up with his Regiment, was shot through the thigh. Sir Garret Harvy was hurt in the hand, and had his horse killed under him, Captaine Buttlers Lieutenant was slaine, and foure other of our part. Sir Arthur Savages Lieutenant was shot through the body, and fourteene other of our part were hurt. The enemie left ten dead in the place, besides their hurt men, which we apparantly saw to be many, and the next day heard to be seventie, by one who saw them brought to the house, where their hurt men lay, and who reported, that eight of them died that night. Likewise in this skirmish Juan Hortesse del Contreres was taken prisoner, who had been Serjeant Major of the Forces in Britany, and our men got from them divers good Rapiers, and very good Armes.

All this while our 3 pieces battered the Castle, till six of the clock at night, when those of the Castle did beate a Drumme, which the Lord President (whom the Lord Deputie had left there, when himselfe in the evening returned to take care of the Camp) admitted to come unto him. With the Drum came an Irish man borne at Corke, and these in the name of the rest, prayed that with their Armes, Bagge and Baggage, they might depart to Kinsayle. This the Lord President refused, and said hee would not conclude with any but the Commander of the Castle, neither had commission to accept any composition, but yeelding to her Majesties mercie. Presently they sent another Drumme, and a Serjeant with him, but the Lord President refused to speake with them. At their returne the Commander himselfe, being an Alfiero (or Ensigne) called Bartholomeo del Clarizo (for the Captaine had his legge broken) came unto the Lord President, but insisting on the condition to part with Armes, Bag and Baggage to Kinsale, his offer was refused. After he was put safe into the Castle, wee began afresh the battery, and they more hotly then ever before bestowed their vollies of shot on us. But the first of November at two of the clocke in the morning, when they found how the Castle was weakened by the fury of our battery, they did againe beate a Drumme for a parley, but we refusing it, many of them attempted to escape under the rocke close to the water side, which our men perceiving, drew close up to the Castle, and hindered their escape.

The first of November: … About one hower of the day the Alfiero sent word to the Lord President that he would quit all their Armes, and render the place, so as they might be suffered thus unarmed to goe into Kinsale, which being refused, hee intreated that himselfe alone might hold his Armes, and bee put into Kinsale, which being also refused, he resolutely resolved to burie himselfe in the Castle. His Company seeing him desperately bent not to yeeld, did threaten to cast him out of the breach, so as they might be received to mercy. So as at last he consented to yeeld, and that all his people should be disarmed in the Castle (which was committed to Captaine Roger Harvy then Captaine of the Guards, to see it done), that the Alfiero himself should weare his sword till hee came to the Lord President, to whom he should render it up. And this being done, they were all brought prisoners into the Campe, and immediatly sent from thence to Corke. The Spanish thus yeelded, were in number fourescore and sixe, and foure women (whose names I have, but omit them for brevitie), besides a great multitude of Irish Churles, Women and Children, but not any Swordmen; for those being skilfull in the waies, had all escaped ….

The fifth of November: foure barkes with munition and victuals that were sent from Dublin, arrived in Kinsale harbor, and upon certaine intelligence, that Tyrone was comming up with a great Army to joyne with the Spaniard, it was resolved by the Counsell of State, and the Colonels of Councell at warre, that the next day the Camp should be fortified against Tyrone, on the North side furthest from the towneward, and that the next day following, the Lord President with two Regiments of foote, consisting of two thousand one hundred men in Lyst, and with three hundred twentie five horse, should draw to the borders of the Province, to stop, or at least hinder Tyrones passage. To which purpose the Lord Barry, and the Lord Bourke, with the forces of the Countrie, had direction to attend the Lord President.