Wednesday, 29th. This day the enemy marched out of Limerick about 1200, and, according as their interests led them, some went into the co: of Clare, some toward Muskery, and others towards their party in the co: of Tiperary. We found there 3770 armes, 83 barrels of powder, 3 tuns and a halfe of match, 23 barrels of shot, and 34 guns, of which 8 brasse and 2 of those demy cannons; we found there also pioneers tooles, backs, brests and head peices to a considerable number.
Major Generall Hugo O Neale, the late Governor of Limerick, did meete his Excellency at his entrance into the towne, and being one of the excepted persons there rendred himselfe prisoner, it being supposed by many he would have shifted away from us16; nine others of the excepted persons were then secured, the rest being then either concealed or escaped. At a Councell of warre at Limerick was this day debated how those excepted persons17 already in our hands should be disposed. Of them 5 were voted to suffer. Hugo O Neale, the late Governor (supposed by his letters and all transactions with us to have beene principall in the obstinate resistance given, as also for being to the Governor of Galway in like case exemplary), Sir Geff. Galway (a principall incendiary), Sir Richard Everhard (one of the rebels Supreame Councell from the beginning of the rebellion, and holding out notwithstanding the favors shewed him by his Ex: the Lord Lt. during his Lordships residence heere), Jeffrey Baron (a principall instrument in the holding out of Waterford against us, and acting here accordingly and professing his malignancy against us to the uttermost) and Dr. Higgins, a phisitian (a dangerous person, active in rebellion, their powder maker and mony coyner.)
Thursday, October 30. Coll. Warden with 6 troopes was sent from us to Enis in the co: of Clare there to attend the coming thither of the army and to assay what might be done by treaty for gaining the strong castle of Clare. This day the Bishop of Emly O'Brien and Major Genll Purcell and Capt. Walsh, a priest, 3 of the excepted persons, were detected.18 The 2 first were executed, being persons very active in the rebellion and particularly in the holding out of Limerick: of them Major Genll Purcell, a Coll of horse in [gap: blank] begged his life on his knee, whereas Major Genll Hugo O Neale (the late Governor) shewed himselfe to be of another spirit, as by his letter to some of our chief officers which is here inserted, it being the ground of that favour after shewn him:
Right Honorable,The relation I have of your noble and generous disposition induceth me to presume pleading your favour in my present condition (which I presume to be innocent), being guilty of no base or dishonourable act, having only discharged
the duty of a souldier as became a man subject to a superior power to which I must have beene accomptable. Neither in relation of this was I transported either with passion of my owne or the violent straine of others, who would not be directed with reason, and in the whole course of my proceedings since I came into this garrison. I appeale to the judgment and censure of the most [gap: blank] and men of best understanding within this city what my behavior hath beene, and with what difficulty and patience I endeavoured the surrender of this place, being satisfied in all humane reason and policy (even from the beginning) that it could not withstand your power. I shall therefore humbly entreat your Honour to take my condition into your serious consideration, that I be not otherwise dealt with then the justice or injustice of my case requireth, which I shall undoubtedly expect from a person of my Lord Deputies honor, and through the intercession of your Lordship, which shall remaine an undoubted obligation never to be unacknowledged byYour Lordships most humble servant,
Hugo O Neile. Limerick, 30, Oct., 1651.
Alderman Strech, late Major of Limerick, another of the excepted persons, was found out and executed. As others he had vowed the holding out of Limerick during his yeare, or time, of government, and accordingly acted with an high hand towards it.
The next two texts An Accompt ... and A List of the Ordnance ... are from Letter from the Lord Deputy General, etc., ut ante, p. 241.