Folios 267-268. Letter dated at Dublin from [Adam Loftus] Lord Lisburn to 'My Lord'...

Folios 267-268. Letter dated at Dublin from [Adam Loftus] Lord Lisburn to 'My Lord' beginning 'I am infinitely concerned that I must give you so melancholy an account of the proceedings of that part of the army under Sir John Lanier's command, in which I was unfortunately and unwillingly engaged, believing there would be some failings not in my power to prevent'. He goes on to descibe the delays in deciding on the course of action and the differences of opinion; the positive opinion he put forward to Sir John Lanier that Lanesborough should be the first place to be attacked; his action to prove Sir John mistaken in supposing [Colonel Patrick] Sarsfield and a large part of his army were 'on our side of Athlone'; the attack on Lanesborough and the subsequent retreat to Mullinagar of which he writes 'Thus ended this shameful expedition which had every prospect of success. What this riddle means I cannot imagine; unless there is some change this war will continue too long not only for Ireland, but for England too. This is now a most miserable country, more ruined by our friends than our enemies and those that have been real sufferers and ruined by this war all employments given from them that are of value'. Mentioning Major-General Kirke, Colonel Villers [Villiers], General Ginkle, Racline [?Rathline] and Colonel Richards.