Norreys refuses to assume full responsibility so long as Russell is with the army, which prompts the lord deputy to return to Dublin in July 1595, leaving his commander a free hand in the conquest of Ulster.

Norreys already has misgivings: he thinks the task impossible without reinforcements and accuses Russell of thwarting him and of concealing from the London government the imperfections of the army.

He informs the queen's secretary, Sir William Cecil, that the rebels are far superior in strength, arms and munitions to those previously encountered, and that the English need commensurate reinforcement.

So quickly does the situation deteriorate that Norreys declines to risk marching his troops ten miles through the Moyry Pass, from Newry to Dundalk, choosing instead to move them by sea, but in a blow to his reputation, Russell confounds him later that summer by brazenly marching up to the Blackwater with little difficulty.

More troops are shipped into Ireland, and the companies are ordered to take on twenty Irishmen apiece, which is admitted to be risky, but Norreys still complains that his units are made up of poor old plowmen and rogues.

Tyrone presents Norreys with his written submission, but this is rejected on the advice of the Dublin council, owing to Tyrone's demand for recognition of his local supremacy.

Norris cannot draw his enemy out and decides to winter at Armagh, which he revictuals in September 1595, but a second trip is necessary because of a lack of draft horses.

On the return march, while fortifying a pass between Newry and Armagh, Norreys is wounded in the arm and side (and his brother also) during an Irish attack at Markethill, where the enemy cavalry is noted to be more enterprising than had been expected. (Norreys had once commented that Irish cavalry was fit only to catch cows.)

The rebels had also attacked in the Moyry pass upon the army's first arrival but had been repelled.