Cromwell had been made Lieutenant-General of the English army in Ireland, but as yet he had been unable to take the command in person.  His position was precarious; and he wished to secure his influence still more firmly in his own country, before he attempted the conquest of another.  He had succeeded so far in the accomplishment of his plans that his departure and his journey to Bristol were undertaken in royal style.  He left the metropolis early in June, in a coach drawn by six gallant Flanders’ mares, and concluded his progress at Milford Haven, where he embarked, reaching Ireland on the 14th of August, 1649.  He was attended by some of the most famous of the Parliamentary Generals—­his son, Henry, the future Lord Deputy; Monk, Blake, Ireton, Waller, Ludlow and others.  He brought with him, for the propagation of the Gospel and the Commonwealth, L200,000 in money, eight regiments of foot, six of horse, several troops of dragoons, a large supply of Bibles,[484] and a corresponding provision of ammunition and scythes.  The Bibles were to be distributed amongst his soldiers, and to be given to the poor unfortunate natives, who could not understand a word of their contents.  The scythes and sickles were to deprive them of all means of living, and to preach a ghastly commentary on the conduct of the men who wished to convert them to the new Gospel, which certainly was not one of peace.  Cromwell now issued two proclamations:  one against intemperance, for he knew well the work that was before him, and he could not afford to have a single drunken soldier in his camp.  The other proclamation prohibited plundering the country people:  it was scarcely less prudent.  His soldiers might any day become his masters, if they were not kept under strict control; and there are few things which so effectually lessen military discipline as permission to plunder:  he also wished to encourage the country people to bring in provisions.  His arrangements all succeeded.

Ormonde had garrisoned Drogheda with 3,000 of his choicest troops.  They were partly English, and were commanded by a brave loyalist, Sir Arthur Aston.  This was really the most important town in Ireland; and Cromwell, whose skill as a military general cannot be disputed, at once determined to lay siege to it.  He encamped before the devoted city on the 2nd of September, and in a few days had his siege guns posted on the hill shown in the accompanying illustration, and still known as Cromwell’s Fort.  Two breaches were made on the 10th, and he sent in his storming parties about five o’clock in the evening.  Earthworks had been thrown up inside and the garrison resisted with undiminished bravery.  The besieged at last wavered; quarter[485] was promised to them, and they yielded; but the promise came from men who knew neither how to keep faith or to show mercy.  The brave Governor, Sir Arthur Aston, retired with his staff to an old mill on an eminence, but they were disarmed and slain in cold blood.  The officers and soldiers were first exterminated, and then men, women, and children were put to the sword.  The butchery occupied five entire days; Cromwell has himself described the scene, and glories in his cruelty.  Another eyewitness, an officer in his army, has described it also, but with some faint touch of remorse.