[Sidenote: Ormonde takes the field, March, 1642-3.]
When the King's letter was read at the Council board Ormonde, according to his chaplain's account, said he had no wish to be a commissioner to hear Irish grievances, 'for I know that nothing grieves them more than that they could not cut all our throats,' but that as general he would command in the field. His right could not be denied, and he had lately endeared himself to both officers and soldiers by his exertions to obtain their pay and other advantages for them. But the Lords Justices and the parliamentary commissioners, who had advanced money for Lord Lisle, were not at all pleased. Tucker, indeed, held that the money could not be decently denied to Ormonde, but his career and that of his colleagues in Ireland was cut short before the campaign actually began. In the middle of February came a letter from the King directing that the committee should no longer be admitted to the Council-chamber, and fearing arrest they returned to England before the end of the month. On March 1 Ormonde set out with 2500 foot and 800 horse, and with two siege-guns and four field-pieces.[27]
[Sidenote: Battle of Ross, March 18, 1642-3.]