His army was made up of 1,750 troops, including some veterans and certain companies newly arrived from the Spanish campaign in Brittany, but there were many new recruits in the ranks.

When one of the Brittany captains questioned this he was told by Lord Deputy that he had nothing to worry about as this was Ireland and not the Low Countries; the large number of troops was to "give countenance to the service".

The English column, as described by Captain Francis Stafford, was engaged at "a place of very great disadvantage for us which he [O'Neill] knew we would pass named Crosdawlye".

[4] Tyrone sent 700-800 Irish troops armed with muskets and calivers (together known as 'shot') to contest the pass, but he was careful to ensure they were "continually seconded from their battle".

The following day, 27 May, Bagenal set out for Newry in a column, but by another route past the townland of Clontibret and through drumlin country, which abounded with hills, bogs, and woods, making it ideal for an ambush.

Bagenal deployed his men into three bodies - the van, battle, and rear - each with a core of pikemen supported by musketeers and caliver-men.

[11] Bagenal's situation grew more desperate and Tyrone moved in, hoping that a final volley would break the English formation.

[12] Sedgreve had Tyrone by the neck, but the earl was well-armoured, wearing jack of plate; ironically, this had been given to him by Sir Christopher Hatton, the English Lord Chancellor.

[15] The English column slowed to a crawl, and as night fell Bagenal called his men to a halt and camped at the hilltop of Ballymacowen.

This fuelled the rumours of a severe defeat, and many people set greater store on the numbers put about by the Irish side.

Lord Deputy Russell wrote "Their arms and weapons, their skill and practise therein far exceeding their wonted usage, having not only great force of pikes and muskets, but also many trained and experienced leaders as appeared by the manner of coming to the fight, and their orderly carriage therein".

[17] Sir Ralph Lane, the English muster-master-general, informed the Queen's principal secretary, Lord Burghley, that "more men were hurt and killed in that late service than was convenient to declare.