In 1597, field commander Lord Burgh on behalf of the Dublin government had built a new fort on the river Blackwater. The fort was intended to facilitate later military excursions into county Tyrone. Soon after it was built the Earl of Tyrone (O'Neill) laid siege to it. In 1598, with the besieged garrison still intact but running precariously low on supplies, the Dublin government debated at length whether to abandon the fort, for the reason that its location was too far into O'Neill's home territory to be sustainable. Commander Henry Bagenal, experienced at fighting Ulstermen, argued the fort should be re-supplied and was appointed to lead the expedition. About 4,000 troops were assigned to the expedition, a large number in those days.
Annahagh Hill
The first four regiments made their way over Annahagh. Not knowing that the rear had been stopped. The vanguard never saw more than five hundred Irish soldiers in front of them and pushed forward with confidence toward Blackwatertown, created dangerous gaps between the regiments in the column. They were unaware of the planning and preparation that O'Neill had put into the battle.
From Annahagh Hill, the location of the cache, we can clearly see the route of the battle from Armagh in the south and Blackwatertown in the northwest.
The cache is a small drill box 15mm wide and 60mm long. Parking is beside the information board close to the coordinates which is located on Annahagh Hill.