and Colonel Sir Richard Moryson (541). The lesser camp was commanded by the Earl of Thomond with his own regiment (572 men) and three others, Colonel Sir Richard Percy (544 men), Colonel Sir Charles Wilmot (454 men) and Colonel Sir Christopher Laurence (747 men). Mountjoy satisfied that his camps were protected as best they could be led his remaining forces to the Northwest to meet the Irish. Battle of Kinsale Initial moves The Irish force that arrived at Ardmartin in the pre dawn consisted of over 6,000 men in two columns 400 Leinster men under Richard Tyrrell, 1,000 Munstermen, 159 Spaniards in five companies of Foot, 2500 foot and 500 light horse under O'Neill and 1500 foot and 300 light horse under O'Donnell. Many accounts speak of three battles the vanguard the centre and the rearguard but it would seem that a small squadron volant (559 men) was formed from a part of O'Neill's column consisted of Tyrrell's Leinstermen and the Spanish foot. As Mountjoy left camp in the company of Carew the Lord President all that was immediately available to the English were the remaining 400 horse of the severely depleted cavalry approximately nine troops in total. These mounted men along with Sir Henry Powers Squadron Volant (449 men) had been sent under the command of Sir Richard Wingfield to observe the movements of the Irish and ascertain their intentions. Powers squadron volant was an ad-hoc regiment created by combining one company from each of the nine regiments making up the siege force. These troops had been used for the outposts and had been on duty the last three nights on constant alert to any alarms originating from the Irish camp. Advancing toward Ardmartin, Wingfield observed the Irish Squadron Volant under Richard Tyrell approaching the Earl of Thomond's camp who upon seeing the English, halted. Following behind was the main battle of O'Neill about 400 yards distant advancing in good order along the ridge line screened by their cavalry. At this stage Mountjoy joined up with Wingfield's forces, and seeing the Irish in force decided to offer battle immediately. He ordered Sergeant Major John Berkeley to return to camp and bring up the two regiments of Colonel Sir Oliver St John's (515 men) and Colonel Sir Henry Follyot (595 men) to support Wingfield. O'Neill noting the advance of the English called a halt, ordering his forces to retire off