at the time of the capture of the town was lying ill, concealed in a neighbouring part of the country; while the tradition of the massacre of 300 women at the cross, was first mentioned by MacGeoghegan, in 1758. Cromwell's frankness would lead us to doubt the perpetration of any atrocities for which he does not give full credit to God. The town proved a valuable prize. The Parliamentarians found 100 pieces of ordnance, a 34-gun frigate, two 20-gun frigates, besides other ships and vessels. Six of the churches were demolished by Cromwell's orders. The bells of Selskar, shipped to England, are said to be now in a Liverpool steeple. On the 15th of October Cromwell left Wexford, and two days later encamped before New Ross. Ormond had sent General Taaffe with 1,500 foot to join the garrison of 1,000 foot, and hearing of Cromwell's advance, he marched with his army towards Ross, and encamped on the other side of the river. On his arrival before the town, Cromwell sent, on 17th October, the following summons to the Governor: "Since my coming into Ireland, I have this witness for myself, that I have endeavoured to avoid the effusion of blood, having been before no place to which such terms have not been first sent as might have turned to the good and preservation of those to whom they were offered; this being my principle, that the people and places where I come may not suffer, except through their own wilfulness. To the end I may observe the like course with this place and people therein, I do hereby summon you to deliver the town of Ross into my hands, to the use of the Parliament of England." No answer being returned, early on the morning of Friday, the 19th, the large guns began to play. Soon after, when the Governor sent offering to treat, Cromwell again wrote: "If you like to march away with those under your command, with their arms, bag and baggage, and with drums and colours, and shall deliver up the town to me, I shall give caution to perform these conditions, expecting the like from you. As to the inhabitants, they shall be permitted to live peaceably, free from the injury and violence of the soldiers." These terms were not accepted. The batteries still continued to play, and a breach was soon made. The men were ready to storm, when General Taaffe wrote again: " There wants but little of what I would propose: which is, that such townsmen as have a desire to depart may have liberty within a convenient time to carry away themselves and goods, and liberty of conscience to such as shall stay; and that no I may carry away such artillery and ammunition as I have in my command." Cromwell, in his reply, denied him the liberty of carrying away the artillery, and then went on: "As for that which you mention concerning liberty of conscience, I meddle not with any man's conscience; but if by liberty of conscience you mean a liberty to exercise the mass, I judge it best to use plain dealing, and to let you know where the Parliament of England have power that will not be allowed of. As for such of the townsmen who desire to depart and carry away themselves and goods (as you express), I engage myself that they shall have three months' time so to do; and in the meantime shall be protected from violence in their persons and goods, as others under the obedience of Parliament." Taaffe felt himself unable to make further defence, and surrendered upon Cromwell's terms, withdrawing most of his troops across the Barrow. Some 600 English soldiers in the town entered the service of the Parliament. Then Cork and Youghal, Dungarvan, Bandonbridge, Baltimore, Castlehaven, and Cappoquin, surrendered before the 1st December, and received Parliamentary garrisons. Cromwell's steady successes completely disheartened the other parties then contending for the mastery in Ireland. He lay ill at Ross for some time after the surrender of the town, the Parliamentary fleet taking several rich prizes, and bringing them into the harbour. He employed part of his forces in making a bridge of boats to enable his army to pass across into the County of Kilkenny. On the 15th November he sent Ireton and Jones to seize on Inistiogue. A party under Colonel Abbot attempted to fire the gates; whereupon the garrison fled and escaped across the river. Heavy rains did not allow the army to cross the river. They marched to Thomastown; but on arriving there they found the bridge broken down and a garrison left to defend the place. The main body returned to Ross, as their stock of provisions was exhausted. Colonel Reynolds and Sir John Ponsonby were sent with some troops of horse, and captured Carrick-on-Suir. Cromwell, recovered from his illness, left Ross on 21st of November, intending to march on Waterford by Carrick, and lay siege to that city. The castle of Knocktopher was summoned, and yielded without resistance. On the 23rd he entered Carrick, where he met Ponsonby, and as a reward for his services gave him the large tract of land that his descendant the Earl of Bessborough still holds. The next
