Selected quad for the lemma: city_n
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A90030
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A new tricke to take townes: or, The just and perfect relation of the sudden surprisall of Hereford; taken December 18. 1645. With a true copy of the returne of the warrant, sent by a lieutenant in the habit of a countrey-man; and the names of the six men his assistants. Published by speciall authority.
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1645
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Wing N789; Thomason E314_12; ESTC R200499
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3,256
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12
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A NEW TRICKE TO TAKE TOWNES OR The just and perfect Relalation of the sudden surprisall of HEREFORD Taken December 18. 1645. WITH A true Copy of the returne of the Warrant sent by a Lieutenant in the habit of a Countrey-man And the names of the six men his assistants Published by speciall Authority LONDON Printed by E. G. 1645. THE Just and perfect Relation of the sudden surprizall of HEREFORD Taken the eighteenth day of December 1645. DIvine providence the Governour of humane actions brings that to passe with much admiration that is least expected by mans judgement Gods handy-worke shined most cleare through the cloud of the greatest difficulties and appeared with the fairest splendour when it passeth the most hazzard Mans power doth execute what God decrees By experience we finde that the meanest of his creatures becomes the instruments of his sacred pleasure The King and Kingdomes differences unreconciled seem uncureable without a conquest and God is pleased by his victories to declare the justice of that cause he so much prospers The particulars of Herefords affaires with some obscurity hath past the Presse but for the generall satisfaction of the whole Kingdome being an instrument in the designe I have presumed to enter upon a large discovery SIr Iohn Bryges in his affections most reall to his Countrey after his continuance a while at Gloucester he came to London where with the honourable Committee of both Kingdomes he undertooke with his best endeavours the reducing of the city of Hereford and the introducing of the Parliaments forces into that Garrison being cherished by their Honours to proceed in the attempt he returned to Glocester from thence disguised he travel'd into some private parts of Herefordshire and sent to Cap. Alderne Cap. Howorth who upon his first summons repaired to him they being together met Sir Iohn Bridges delivered himselfe and desired their severall opinions so that after an oath of performance and secresie past betwixt them they concluded that for these reasons the designe was feazable First the conveniancy and scituation of Ailstons Hill which faced the draw-bridge where an army might lie in ambush yet undiscovered by the Sentinells Secondly the usuall neglect of the Guard and the common custome in not sending out Scouts to Lug-bridge Thirdly the walls of the Priory within Carbine shot off the Gate being then standing gave an advantage there to lodge the Forlorne party of Fire-locks Fourthly the constant Intelligence Captain Aldern had from the Citie the which might have prevented any danger if the busines had eyther been suspected or betrayed Fifthly the contrivall of sending in an Officer with 6 men in the habit of a Constable and his Parishoners Captaine Alderne drawing a Warrent and subscribing the Constables hand of his owne Parish as a returne thereunto Sixthly the assurance of a Reformado Officer in the Citie who was to be neere the Guard at the time of entry and to hinder the drawing up of the Bridge as also to be readie to repaire to us if he found any preparation aganst us after the disputeing of these reasons Sir Iohn departed back to Gloucester with a resolution to Post his man to London for orders from the Honourable Committee of both Kingdomes Captaine Howorth and Captaine Alderne desired a speedy expedition and thus determined to dispose severally of themselves Captaine Howorth was to converse with the Officers in the Citie and being acquainted with their designes to give upon all occasions intimation to Captaine Alderne in the Country from whom Sir Iohn was to receive intructions so accordingly to persevere therein the Committee of both Kingdomes for the perfecting of this project finding by these Gentlemens particular ingagements there was some possibility in the effect their Honours sent for Colonel Birch whose Regiments was commanded to draw into Gloucestershire there in readynesse to attend the event Colonell Birch receiving his instructions came with Sir Iohn to Cannon Froome from thence he sent privately to Captaine Alderne by some Troopers belonging to that Garrison and Captain Alderne according to their message prepared himselfe and avoyding all the meanes of suspition he came with Captain Howorth unto them we blinding the busines that very instant that his owne family were possessed with an opinion that the Parliaments approach was for no other end but contribution Colonell Birch Sir Iohn Bridges and the two Captaines being met the particular reasons were repeated and all with one assent agreed upon the execution the dry limited which was the 16th day of December there was a messenger dispatched to the Officer within the city with a Letter from Sr. Iohn which intimated in short figures both the time and his duty according to the agreement of all parties Colonell Birch and Sir Iohn Bridges hastned towards Gloucester and about two of the Clock upon Tuesday morning the Governour of Gloucester with Colonell Birch marched to Cannon Froome from whence they drew towards Hereford the Foot by reason of the deepnesse of the Snow grew weake and were unable to march further the Horse though willing were not able to accomplish the busines therefore Colonell Birch advised with Captaine Alderne what was best to be done and freely offered if Captaine Alderne conceived it fit to march with 500 Horse and 100 Foot to prosecute the designe Captaine Alderne imagined that the Citie might be entred with that few number but in regard of the strengh and desperatenesse of the enemy he was doubtfull of a repulse thereupon he advised that the Horse and Foot should retreat to Sedbury which was accordingly effected after some discourse betweene Colonell Morgan and Col. Birch and the other Gentlemen it was concluded that upon Wednesday night that the Army should march betimes to Cannon Froome and from thence in a continuall motion draw to Hereford in this intervale of time Captain Alderne kept correspondence with some of his friends in the City and had the particular relation of the Governours proceedings most part of the Horse being on a march towards the reliefe of Chester the Governour himselfe being in some difference with the City Captaine Alderne imagined that opportunity the best to compasse a surprize so that Colonell Birch and the Governour of Gloucester drew from Sedbury to Cannon Froome from thence Captaine Alderne with two troopes of Horse secured the three Bridges viz. Lug-bridge Lugwarden bridge and Wordifords bridge by meanes whereof there could no alarm or notice passe unto the garrison betwixt the houres of three and foure of the clocke on Thursday morning the governour of Gloucester marched up with his horse the foot seconding him all rendezvouzd together on this side Aylslous hill Cap. Howorth and one of Col. Birch his Captains commanded the Fire-locks to the Priory the counterfeit Constable and his men were disposed to their station Cap. Alderne shewed Col. Birch the place upon the hill to draw up the forlorne hope of horse which was in a large dingle the Morning-prayer-bell rung out the Travalley was beaten in the city and a musket of ours by accident was discharged which possessed us with a great feare that our projects were frustrated our hopes a while dead at last about eight of the clock the draw-bridge was let fall the Constable observing his season killed the Sentinell Cap. Howorth and the Fire-locks possessed the gate Cap. Temple with the horse behaved himselfe most gallantly Captaine Alderne according to command with others routed those at the castle Col. Birch and Col. Morgan being active in their commands kept the enemy from drawing in a body so that without the effusion of much blood we became conquerours and masters of the garrison The souldiers strucke with apprehension of the danger betook themselves to shelter the citizens knew no refuge but kept themselves close in their houses and he thought himselfe most happy that could secure himselfe till the storme was past the two governours preventing with their utmost power the citizens generall losse and ruine The garrison thus by policy and force surprised without remedy was plundered neither could the commanders rhetoricke or threat prevaile with the souldier to keepe their hands from pillage The number and quality of the prisoners as also the Ordnance and Armes taken I am as yet uncapable to expresse but in the generality I presume it was the largest prize taken since these warres began to attribute that to man which is proper to God argues a sinne as high as presumption Gods finger points out that line the which notwithstanding all windings man must follow and since weak mens policy hath atchieved that great mens power from other Nations could not accomplish we are more bound to God in the strong linkes of constant gratitude and vvith an acknowledgement we must conclude the strongest Cities that are most and best fortified by art and nature are easily taken if assaulted by the Generall of Heaven A Copy of the returne which a Lieutenant in the habit of a Countrey-man brought in with the six men WHereas we have received a Warrant from the honourable Governour of Hereford for the bringing in to the Garrison six able men to worke with such tooles as are fit for your said service we have in obedience thereunto by our neighbour Hugh Morris sent a returne of the names of the said parties viz. John Baily Wil. Edwards Rich. Deeme Phil. Mason Jâ— Baâ—kervile Wil. King These we have sent in by our aforesaid neighbour not daring our selves to appeare in respect of the enemies garrison at Cannon-Froome The mark of J S Jo. Searle Roger Hill Const Dated Decemb. 17. 1645. FINIS