[Sidenote: His agreement with Montrose, January 1643-44.]
Having failed to acquire any real influence at Kilkenny, Antrim went to England, and arrived at Oxford December 16, 1643. He talked about providing an army of 10,000, but was not at first taken very seriously. 'We know the person well,' said Digby, 'and therefore wondered to find those probabilities which he made appear unto us of his power with the Irish.' But Montrose was at Oxford, and saw his chance at once. On January 28, an agreement was made between Montrose, 'his Majesty's Lieutenant-General' for Scotland and Antrim, 'his Majesty's General of the isles and highlands of Scotland,' binding both to appear in arms by April 1. Antrim's share of the work was to levy all the men he could in Ireland and in the Scottish isles, 'and with the said forces invade the Marquis of Argyle's country in Scotland.' The witnesses were Digby, Robert Spotswoode, and Daniel O'Neill. The King himself directed Ormonde to give Antrim every possible assistance, and Daniel O'Neill was sent with him 'by way of ballast,' and as 'the fittest person to steer him.' It was very hard to bring the King to this point, for he distrusted Antrim and disliked O'Neill. But Digby was in his element, and he persuaded Charles to give Antrim a marquisate, which he vainly imagined would make him Ormonde's equal, and to appoint O'Neill a Gentleman of the Bedchamber, which was his great object of ambition. At Oxford Antrim talked chiefly of the moderate courses to which he intended to lead the Irish, but at Kilkenny he had encouraged them to hope that by his interest all their objects would be easily gained.[52]
[Sidenote: The Confederates hesitate to send troops to England.]
Antrim and O'Neill reached Kilkenny on February 23. In obedience to the King's instructions, their first business was to persuade the Confederates to send him '10,000 men, well armed, to be transported into England with all possible expedition,' and to provide them with artillery, ammunition, and shipping. The Supreme Council replied that they would wait until they had a report from their agents at Oxford. Prince Rupert's application for muskets and powder was also set aside, but some were sent in the following autumn. The expedition to the Scottish isles was agreed to, and the Council undertook to provide '2000 muskets, 2400 pounds of powder, proportionable match, 200 barrels of oatmeal, by May 1, upon knowledge first had that all other accommodations be concurring, and a safe and convenient port provided in Ulster; provided the same port be commanded by Walter Bagenal.' Ormonde objected to put Carlingford or Greencastle into the hands of the Confederates' nominee, and also to Bagenal's being made governor of Newry, the rather that he had hereditary claims there which might prove awkward. After much wrangling, the Council agreed that the expedition should embark at Passage in Waterford harbour, but the flotilla, consisting of two Flemish and one Irish vessel, did not sail till June 27. The delay was aggravated by the difficulty of finding shipping, and by the necessity of watching the parliamentary cruisers. According to Antrim's own account, the number of men sent was about 1600, and 800 more were discharged for want of shipping. Three weeks later Ormonde informed Digby that Antrim had sent 'from Waterford and other adjacent places,' 2500 men well armed and provisions for two months. The chief of the expedition was Alaster, or Alexander McColl MacDonnell, often, but incorrectly, called Colkitto. He was a man of great courage, remarkable for his strength and stature, and Leven thought him the most formidable leader of the Irish. On the way to Scotland several prizes were taken, on one of which were three ministers named Weir, Watson, and Hamilton, being among those who had gone over to administer the Covenant. Weir and Watson died in prison after enduring dreadful hardships, but Hamilton lived to be exchanged after ten months' confinement. MacDonnell reached the Sound of Mull in safety, and seized upon the castles of Mingarry and Lochaline. The prospect was so unpromising that he thought of re-embarking; but Argyle, with the help of two English vessels, mastered his ships, and he was forced to go on. The Flemings surrendered at once, but the Irish sailors, who fought desperately, were all killed and their ship burned to the water's edge. He harried all the Campbell territory that he could reach, and afterwards that of the Mackenzies, and then tried to recruit his forces on the Spey. In the meantime Montrose had entered Scotland and summoned MacDonnell to meet him at Blair Athol. The Irish contingent took part in the victory of Tippermuir on September 1.[53]