A LETTER from LIVERPOOL, Giving an Account of the Arrival of the Bonaventure Frigat, FROM Major General Kirk: And of what has been done for the Relief of Londonderry , and for the Encouragement of the Men of Inniskillin. As also of the Recovery of the two Ships that were taken by the French Men of War, and of the Arrival of the Fleet, with the Artillery, Provisions and Ammunition for the Army Bound for Ireland.
Licens'd, August 7th 1689.
LAst Thursday night the Bonaventure Frigat arrived here from Major-General Kirk: This Frigat was ordered to cruise on the Scotch Seas ; and returning to the Fleet, she met the Deptford coming hither with Letters to Duke Schomberg: But, being Admiral, she sent the Bonaventure with them. They were on board each other: The Chaplain is now at my Lodging here, from whom I had the following Account both of Londonderry and Iniskillin, (viz.)
That Major-General Kirk finding that the Irish Army had withdrawn themselves from the Waterside, and had sormed themselves into three close Bodies; One before the Island Inch; the other to hinder the conjunction of the iniskillin Party with the English; and a third before Londonderry, did resolve to attempt sending Ships thither; and accordingly on Friday last was seven-night ordered two Ships laden with Provisions, under the Convoy of the Deptford, to fail up; who coming to the Boum, found it broken by the Tide, and fresh: Whereupon the two Ships failed up to the Town, without so much as a Gun fit'd at them. The Deptford then return'd. The Garison had on the 16th of the last Month acquainted the Major-General, That they had but a Fortnights Provisions; but now, thanks be to God, they are supplied. Leather is so scarce in the Town, that the Soldiers are bare-foot for want of Shoes; however they are in good heart, and value not the Irish Army, and daily fally out with great Success. Sometimes they do not suffer the Irish to bury their Dead; the sight of which strikes such dread in their Soldiers, that often on their Approaches, seeing the Dead Bodies, they retreat, without attempting any thing. A strong Body of the Irish Army attempted to fall upon the English in Inch; but were beaten back with great loss. This is the Frigat that was sent with Arms and Ammunition to Iniskillin; viz. 70 Barnels of Powder, 2000 Arms, with Match, &c. and four small Pieces of Cannon; all which was delivered as Killebegs to Colonel Floyd, and guarded from thence to Iniskillin by 400 Horse, and as many Foot. The Major-General sent not only this, but Commissions to all the Officers of the Garison, and offered to make Colonel Floyd and Colonel Hamilton, the Governours, Baronets for their good Services. That Place is in very good Heart and Condition : They do generally scour the Countrey 20 miles round, and sometimes they go 40 miles. They have taken and brought thither vas numbers of Cattel: They have plenty of all things but Bread, which is scarce amongst them. Colonel Sarsfield has formed a Camp of 4000 Men at Bondrewis, within 12 miles of Ballyshannon and 24 of Iniskillin.
This Frigat has retaken at the isle of Mull the two Ships that were taken by the French Frigats, laden with Provisions: There were some Irish Soldiers on board them, but quitted on ths Bonaventure's approach. Some of the Victuals were taken out ; but they left some Cloaks, Coats, a few Arms, and several Portmantua's.
I left Chester yesterday, from whence on Thursday and Friday last there marched towards High-Lake the following Regiments, in order to be ship'd: The two Dutch, three French, Colonel Wharton's, Earl of Kingston's, Lord Drogheda's, Lord Lisburn's, Sir Henry Ingoldsby's, and Colonel Herbert's: They are encamped, and only wait a fair Wind. Duke Schomberg and Count de Solms went thither to see them in Camp. There is 120 Sail of Ships at White-haven, and the Horse embark there, Orders being sent to dispatch them away. Colonel Earl's Regiment is here, and takes Shipping in this place.
Yesterday morning the London Fleet of Ships arrived at High-Lake, under the Convoy of six Men of War and two Yatchts: so that, with the Portland and Bonaventure Frigats, and the two Frigats, fitted here, make Ten, two Yachts, and the Fireship is ready, and will speedily fail.
There is here, at High-Lake, and Nesson, near 200 Sail.
LONDON: Printed for J. C. near Fleet-bridge. 1689.