In the end, Antrim was substituted for the bishop as envoy to France, and the matter dropped for the time.[120] [Sidenote: Inchiquin's bare-footed army] [Sidenote: is everywhere victorious.] [Sidenote: Flight of the Supreme Council.] [Sidenote: Inchiquin ill-supported by Parliament,] [Sidenote: which he resolves to desert.] On December 16 Inchiquin marched out of Cork with 1000 foot and a few horse, 'and was fain to have a gathering among the poor inhabitants to get so much monies as to buy them brogues to keep their feet from being cut to pieces by ice.' Owing to the difficulty of feeding men and horses, he could not increase his force materially. But, small as it was, Rinuccini reported at the end of January that it met with no resistance anywhere. A few days later Inchiquin relieved Cahir, occupied Carrick, and repaired the bridge there; threatened Waterford, where Rinuccini then was, and, turning northward, took Callan by assault. No artillery was used, all the gates being blown down with petards, and three hundred men were put to the sword, 'besides some women, which the soldiers' mercy would not extend to, notwithstanding orders to the contrary.' The victors were unpaid and half starved, and even the officers underwent 'intolerable extremities.' Fethard was also in Inchiquin's hands, and the Council of the Confederates fled in haste to Kilkenny from Clonmel, whither they had gone to compose local differences. Rinuccini went to Waterford, and Inchiquin raised contributions up to the very walls of Kilkenny. Perhaps he did not really want to take it, being already suspected of a wish to turn against the Parliament which had supplied his wants so ill. His officers continued to protest their fidelity, but dwelt upon the 'improbable successes' which they had attained without help. The Derby House Committee promised money and clothes, which either never came or came in ridiculously small quantities, showing that they were distrusted. They would be obliged to make terms with the rebels, unless Parliament sent shipping to fetch them off. The officers' remonstrance was not read in the House of Commons until March 27, but Inchiquin had been for some time in communication with Ormonde. This did not prevent him from attempting a junction with Jones, which was prevented by O'Neill, or from sending Major Patterson to Edinburgh, offering to join the Scots with 6000 men if they would declare for the King against the English Parliament.[121] [Sidenote: Ormonde in England, Aug.-Feb., 1647-8.] [Sidenote: He escapes to France.] [Sidenote: The Irish envoys at Paris, March, 1647-8.] [Sidenote: Ormonde advises an evasive answer.]