guarded them who were killed and buried in the ruines And here was Gods great mercy unto us that the General being there in the streets escaped with his life so narrowly there falling a web of Lead with all its force which killed the Horse of one Master Rhoads of the Life-guard who was thereon next to the General in the street but doing neither him nor the General any hurt There were taken in the Towne about six hundred prisoners besides Officers great store of Armes the Lanes and Fields being bestrewed with them all their Foot were scattered their Horse fled that night towards Cornwal in great confusion the prisoners we took confessed they had about four thousand Foot and four thousand Horse at least the service was very hot we had many wounded it was stoutly maintained on both sides for the time section 5 If any particular be omitted in this Relation let the Generals Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons supply the same which here followeth with a List of the slaine and taken in this fight To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire SPEAKER of the Honourable House of COMMONS Master Speaker His Excellencies Letter concerning the Fight at Torrington PLymouth being set free and Dartmouth taken I sent Colonel Hammond with part of the Foot to possesse part of the houses neer Excester for the blocking of it up on the West side of the River as formerly I had done on the East and lay with the rest of the Army so as to countenance both that Work and the raising of some Forces in the Southams to lye about Totnes for the securing of that Country and to keep the Enemy from comming of that side of Devonshire againe when the Army should remove to the other These two things with the continuall foule weather at that time and the absence of Colonel Cook with so many of the Horse occasioned my stay thereabouts above a fortnight in which time the houses being competently fortified and the Forces raising in the Southams in good forwardnesse I drew the Army up towards Crediton with purpose to advance into the North of Devonshire also either by the taking of Barnstable or by blocking of it up and raising a Force in that wel affected corner to keep it in so as having all cleer or made fast behind me I might the better follow the remaining Field Forces of the Enemy into Cornwal And to continue the blocking up of Excester on the West side I left Sir Hardresse Waller with three Regiments of Foot and one of Horse of this Army and advanced with five Regiments of Horse and seven Regiments of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons the rest of the Horse and Dragoons being absent with Colonel Cook in Dorsetshire but then sent for to come up when I was resolved upon my advance this way The Enemy at the same time advanced out of Cornwal with all the Foot to Torrington about which their Horse did lye before and began to fortifie the Towne Their intentions therein as we conceived and doe since further find were by the advantage of this place and their Garrison of Barnstable so neer it to make this part of Devonshire more surely theirs and more difficult for us to come into and lying so much the neerer to Excester against which they supposed this Army wholly engaged to take their best advantages from hence and from Chimley which they meant also to have possessed to relieve Excester on the North side or disturb us in the Siege and it is probable they might have a further purpose in their posture here to secure the landing of Irish or Welsh supplies so much the forwarder towards the East On Saturday last I advanced from Crediton to Chimleigh where by many prisoners I was informed That the Lord Hopton had hereabouts foure thousand Horse and three thousand Foot Wee beleeved them to be about two thousand Foot or upwards and three thousand Horse the extreame foulnesse of Weather that day and the next occasioned me not to advance from about Chimleigh for the next night save only one Foot Quarter and an Horse Guard advanced to Ring-Ash three miles towards the Enemy to secure a Randezvouz so much the neerer to them for the day following I understood by the best Intelligence that the Enemy was resolved to make good their station and set their rest upon it to fight us there if we would come up to them and truly men in their condition could not hope al things considered to have more for it their Horse for nūber superior to what I brought up with me their Foot as I find since not much inferiour and if they could with all their force make good this Towne and put us to lye in the Field there being no Villages neer it that could shelter the Army the wet weather continuing which was then most likely would have forced us to draw back and make our fire Armes little usefull either for assault or defence and besides we were like for matter of provisions to be forced to draw off first they having both by their posture with the plentifull Country of Cornwal behind them and a River at their backs securing also a good part of Devonshire unto them and by their strength of Horse much advantage for longer subsistence then we and we by the barrennesse of the place where we must have lyen before them especially for Horse meat their Garrison of Barnstable lying partly behind us their Horse more numerous then ours which might with stronger parties cut off our supplyes had little possibility to subsist long before them These Considerations we had in our eye to discourage us from going on as I beleeve they had to encourage them to stand yet on the other side finding that by reason of the barrennesse and long exhausting of our Quarters behind us we could neither keep our Horse so close together as to lye safe so neer the Enemy nor indeed find subsistence for the Army either where we were or in any other Quarters more backward where we could lye so as to secure the Siege of Excester from reliefe and upon all considerations conceiving the affaires of the Kingdome did require us and God by all did call us to make a present attempt upon the Enemy Wee resolved to goe on to try what God would doe for us and trust him for weather subsistence and all things Accordingly on Monday morning I drew out the Army to an early Randezvouz at Ring-ash within six miles of the Enemy the weather still continued very wet and so by all signes was like to hold till we were advanced from the Randezvouz but suddenly when we were upon Martch it beyond all expectation began to be faire and dry and so continued whereas we had scarce seene one faire blast for many dayes before The Enemy as we understood by the way had all their Horse drawne together about Torrington and with their foot prepared to defend the Towne which
named by Sir John Berkley were Sir Henry Berkley Mr. Wil. Ashburnham Sir George Cary. Mr. Jo. Weare Colonel Godolphine Capt. Fitz Garret Mr. Robert Walker Mr. Thomas Knight Mr. Thomas Kendal Mr. Thomas Foard Whereupon Thursday April 2. his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax returned this Answer SIR I Have received yours whereby I understand that in pursuance of my demand in my Summons you have determined to treat with me by Commissioners and in order to that have sent a List of ten Gentlemen which you desire for Commissioners on your behalfe of which there is none in particular that I take exceptions unto yet because I desire to carry on the Businesse with cleernesse and expedition which by so great a number cannot be so well effected I thought fit to propound unto you the number of six that being as many as conveniently can be used in a businesse of this nature Vpon your consent hereunto and Answer I shall according to your desire send you a safe conduct for a proportionable number of Commissioners and in the mean time shall rest Your Servant THO. FAIRFAX April 1. 1646. I agree the time to begin on Friday next according to your desire the place Poultymore-house I have sent a List of the Commissioners on my part Lieut. Gen. Hammond Col. Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Lambert Col. Harley Col. Fry Commissary Stane Thursday Apr. 2. Commissioners were appointed and a safe conduct granted Friday 3. the Treaty began at Poultymore S. Jo. Bamfields house This day his Excellency had the newes of the surrender of Deniston Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday and Wednesday the Treaty continued sitting close at it every day and the most part of the night till they had concluded it That which most retarded the proceding was some high demands and fruitlesse quaeries in behalfe of the Clergy viz. the Bishops Deanes Prebends and other Cathedrall men there wherein our Commissioners held them up to what was reasonable and after much time consumed therein they were willing to accept of what we were willing to grant and so on Thursday April 9. the Articles were signed by Sir John Berkley in the presence of our Commissioners and by the General in the presence of their Commissioners which Articles were as followeth Onely first let it be remembred that after there was an entrance upon the Treaty at Excester and that it was probable to come to a good conclusion his Excellency losing no time sent Commissary-general Ireton with his owne Rgiment and Colonel Riche's and some other Regiments of Horse to Oxford to hinder Provisions from going in thither and to take all advantages against the Enemy His Excellency intending to make all speed himselfe after the work done at Excester to lay Siege thereto Articles of Agreement concluded on by Thomas Hammond Lieutenant-general of the Ordnance Colonel Sir Hardresse Waller Colonel Edward Harley Colonel Lambert Commissary-general Stane and Major Watson Scoutmaster-general Commissioners on the behalfe of the right Honourable his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX General of the Parliaments Forces on the one Party And Sir Henry Berkly Sir George Cary Colonel Ashburnham Colonel Godolphin Captaine Fitz-Gerald Master Jo. Weare Master Robert Walker and Master Thomas Knight Commissioners on the behalfe of Sir John Berkley Knight Governour of the City of Excester on the other Party touching and concerning the Rendition of the said City and Garrison as followeth I. THat the City and Garrison of Excester together with the Castle and all Forts and Mounts places of defence of or belonging to the same with all Ordnance Armes and Ammunition Provisions and Furniture of Warre belonging to the Garrison excepting what shall be excepted in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered unto Sir Thomas Fairfax General of the Parliaments Forces or to any whom he shall appoint to receive them for the use of the Parliament on Monday next after the date hereof being the thirteenth of this instant April by twelve of the clock at noon II. That if any Officer Souldier or any person included in these Articles wrong or plunder in Person or Goods in their martch away or before any Citizen or Couutry man or any person whatsoever shall as far as he is able give satisfaction to the persons so injured at the Judgment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax III. That if any Officer Souldier or any person included in these Articles shall after the date hereof wilfully break deface spoile or imbezle any Armes or other Provisions of Warre whatsoever by the precedent Articles to be surrendred as aforesaid shall lose the benefit of the ensuing Articles IV. That the Princesse Henrietta and her Governesse with her Houshold shall have full liberty to passe with their Plate Moneys and Goods within twenty dayes after the conclusion of this Treaty when she shall desire to any place within the Continent of England or Dominion of Wales at the election of the Governesse and there to remaine untill his Majesties pleasure be further known touching her setling and that the Governesse shal have liberty to send to the King to know his pleasure herein accordingly to dispose of her Highnesse within the aforesaid limitation of places and that fit and convenient Carriages be provided for their passage at reasonable rates V. That the Cathedrall Church nor any other Church within the City shall be defaced or any thing belonging thereunto spoiled or taken away by any Souldier or person of either side whatsoever VI. That the Governour together with all Lords Clergy-men Gentlemen Captaines Officers Troopers and common Souldiers shall martch out of the City on Monday next the thirteenth of April by twelve of the clock at noon with their Horses full Armes Bag and Baggage and their Goods Colours flying Drums beating Matches lighted Bullets full Bandaliers with sufficient convoyes unto Oxford or unto Helston in Cornwal at their severall elections and in case the Governour of Oxford shall refuse to receive the common Souldiers that shall martch thither they are there to deliver up their Armes to the convoy and have passes to repaire to their severall homes and those that martch unto Helston are there to he disbanded and to have Passes to their severall homes That all Troopers and common Souldiers which martch not as aforesaid shall deliver up their Armes except their Swords and have liberty to goe to their owne homes with Bag and Baggage and shall not be compelled to take up Armes against the King provided also that all Officers and Gentlemen that shall chuse to goe to Oxford and not taking up Armes shall repaire into the Parliaments quarters within forty dayes after the date hereof and shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles VII That all those which shall martch to the Garrisons aforesaid shall have free quarter in their martch and not be obliged to martch above ten miles a day and that such other Souldiers as are Inhabitants in the City shall receive free liberty to martch out or remaine therein without being compelled
was the rise and occasion of a most triumphant faith and joy in him expecting that GOD would do great things by small means and by the things that are not bring to nought things that are A happy time when the Lord of hosts shall make his Tabernacle in the hearts and countenances of our chief Commanders from thence to laugh his enemies to destruction and have them in derision to confusion Had not Major gen Skippon done gallantly he had not received such an early wound in his side and had he not had a Spring of Resolution he had not stayed in the field as he did till the battel was ended for being desired by his Excellencie to go off the field he answered He would not stirre so long as a man would stand That I mention not all those Officers and Souldiers particularly who behaved themselves so gallantly in this Action is to avoyd emulation and partiality I shall satisfie my self to adde concerning them and the whole businesse the words of the General and Lieutenant-General in their several Letters to the Speaker of the house of Commons with which I shall conclude * Lieut. Gen. Cromwels close of his Letter to the Speaker of the house of Commons Honest men served you faithfully in this action Sir they are trusty I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them which they have not done blessed be God and I hope never will He proceeds and wisheth This action may beget thankfulnesse and humility in all that are concerned in it And concludes thus modestly himself He that ventures his life for the liberty of his Country I wish he trust GOD for the liberty of his Conscience and You for the Liberty he fights for c. The close of the Generals Letter to the Speaker All that I desire sayes the General is That the honour of this great never to be forgotten mercy may be given to GOD in an extraordinary day of Thanksgiving and that it may be improved to the good of his Church which shall be faithfully endeavoured by Sir Your most humble Servant Thomas Fairfax After the Battel was ended and the Horse gone in pursuit the Army marched 5 miles that night to Harborough the head-querter Most of the Prisoners that were taken in the fight were that night brought into Harborough church except those that were wounded and sent to Northampton Among other Writings taken in the Battel there was a Manuscript presented to the General written by one Sir Edward Walker Herald of Arms of the Kings great Victories in this War wherein there was one passage very observable That whereas he taking occasion to speak of the Irish cals them Rebels the King having perused the Book among the alterations he had made therein in divers places with his own hand in that place puts out Rebels and writes over the head Irish with his own hand so much care was there to correct and qualifie any Expression that might reflect on those blood-thirsty Rebels There was also brought to the head-quarter at wooden Image in the shape of a man and in such a form as they blasphemously called it the God of the Roundheads and this they carried in scorn and contempt of our Army in a publike manner a little before the Battel begun The next day Colonel Iohn Fiennes with his Regiment was sent up to London by the General with the Prisoners and Colours taken in the Fight His Regiment took 11. Colours in the Battel Who had a great share in the performance of that Day being placed with his Regiment in the Right wing of Horse carried himself gallantly and was very happy in his successe CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm surrendred upon Articles Some clamours of the Enemy for breach of Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them Aâ— instance of the Enemies desperate Prophanenesse joyned with barbarous and inhumane Cruelty THe Enemy thus driven out of the field his Excellencie gave Orders for the Army Horse Foot and Train to march after them the next day which was Lords day without any more intermission the pursuing of the Victory being of parallel consequence with the getting it In obeying of which Orders the readinesse and chearfulnesse of the Souldiers was admirable and worthy our observation and remembrance That when in respect of their long and hard March for many dayes together before the Battel and the vehement and sharp battel they had fought they might well have pleaded for some time of refreshment yet no sooner was the Generals order given for marching but they repaired all to their Colours and that very next day after the battel marched to great Glyn the head-quarter four miles short of Leicester The Horse marched within a mile of Leicester that night and kept Guards which so alarm'd the Nobles and Gentry that had fled thither for security that they departed thence in much haste leaving the Lord Hastings to defend that place This day his Excellencie received intelligence that Sir Iohn Gell with about 2000 Horse was on his march towards the Army according to Orders formerly sent him as also that the King with one part of the Routed horse not judging himself safe in Leicester went thence that evening to Ashby-de-la-Zouch where he reposed himself some few houres but understanding that our Army advanced and that our Horse pursued the chase Mounted on horse-back in the night and fled to Liechfield and from thence into Wales without any considerable stay so great was the affright the other part of the Rout being the Northern horse under Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night near Newark both passing so that it was the wonder of all men how they being in such a tired and distracted condition could escape Sir Iohn Gels horse who the same day were on their march from Nottingham towards Leicester This day furnished his Excellency with a full intelligence of the state both of our friends and our enemies affaires in the West by meanes of the contrivement of Scout-Master-generall the manner thus A Spie of his formerly imployed by him to Secretary Nicholas in Oxford was the day that the Army rose from before it sent to him again yet as one comming of his own accord to give him intelligence that the Army would that morning march away a thing they in Oxford knew well enough it being conceived that either the Secretary would send him or he might finde some opportunity to go into the West where Generall Goring then lay with his Army about Taunton and bring us the intelligence we desired accordingly it fell out Into the West he was sent first to Bath where the Prince of Wales then was to whom he brought the first news of the Parliaments Army rising from before Oxford from thence bearing the reward of ten pieces from the Prince
storm who beaing ready to fall on he took took down his bloody Colours and sounded a Parley and yielded upon quarter The souldiers had good booty in the Church took seventy prisoners and eighty arms This place standing convenient in a Line for the garrison of Malmsbury the Generall appointed the Governour of Malmsbury to continue the place a garrison for the better in larging the Parliaments quarters From Wanburrow the Army marched to Burchalk in Wiltshire by three stages without any considerable action save that on the Lords day June 29 while they rested at Marlburrow Spies were sent from thence to Taunton to give them notice of the Armies advance for their reliefe month July 1645 Munday Iune 30 the Army marched from Marlburrow to Almsbury 14 miles that day being a day for a Faire to be kept at Marlburrow some straglers stayed behind the Army whom Deut from the Devizes surprized Thence on Tuesday Iuly 1. they marched to Burchalke 12 miles and being drawne up that morning to a Randezvouz at a place called Stonage marched in Battalia upon Salisbury plaine some Officers and others of the Army who went-out of the way through Salisbury found the townsmen very peremptory being confident of their own strength by their association with other counties in their meetings of Club-men wearing white Ribbonds in their hatts as it were in affront of the Army not sparing to declare themselves absolute Neuters or rather friends to the enemy moreover news came this night that the Club-men had risen upon some of Major-Generall Massies forces that his men had done some execution upon them and that they with much confidence required reparation Wednesday Iuly 2. the Army marched to Blandford twelve miles and in their march took Mr. Penruddock and one Fussell two Captaines of the Club-men who being examined and convinced of their errour in causing such unlawfull assemblies without authority promised never to appear any more in that business thereupon were released In a narrow lane in this dayes march was a souldier executed one of the forementioned straglers being by the country apprehended and accused for plundering of a Gentleman passing on the way neer Marlburrow That night Intelligence met the Generall at Blanford that Goring had drawn off to Black-downe and burnt his hutts that some of our Spies sent to give them Intelligence were got into Taunton gave them notice of our coming Thursday Iuly 3. the Army marched from Blanford to Dorchester 12 miles a very hot day where Colonell Sidenham governour of Weymouth whose parts and resolution shew'd in the defence and recovery of that place deserves not to be forgotten met the General and gave him information of the condition of those parts and of the great danger of the Club-risers who would not suffer so high were they growne either Contribution or victuals to be carryed to the Parliaments Garrisons That night Mr. Hollis the cheif leader of the Clubmen with some others of their leaders desired a Let-passe from the Generall to present a Petition to the King and Parliament the Petition being read and found to be of a strange nature the matter was debated their designe appear'd to be desperately evill against the Parliament Hollis peremptory in his opinion not to be convinc'd affirming himselfe to be one of their leaders and that it was fit the people should shew their strength they were promised they should have an answer in writing the next morning They were so strong and withall so confident of their strength at that time that it was held a point of prudence to be faire in demeanour towards them for a while for if in case we should engage with Goring and some of our men be put to the Rout these Club-men would be more cruell then the Enemy and knock our men on the heads as they should flie for safety and some of them did not stick to say we know our own strength to be such that we are able both against King and Parliament to defend our selves and to doe more if need require and indeed if this had not been crushed in the Egge it had on an instant run all over the Kingdome and might have been destructive to the Parliament The King being assured if this third Partie had so prevailed as to be in a condition to give a Law to either side it would have been no disadvantage to his affairs being indeed raised many of them by Commission from him and countenanced by a neutrall party within our selves This night more certaine and particular Intelligence came that Goring had drawne off his men to Black-Downe to invite them in Taunton to sally out that he might take advantage to surprize them but fayling of his expectation returned back againe to his former quarters about Taunton and made some slight attempt upon our Party there but to little purpose Our Foot hearing that Goring was fallen on againe were eager to march all that night after 12 miles march that day which was also but the moity of 62. miles march in five dayes before so far did their compassion to Taunton and our party there cary them beyond consideration of themselves This day Intelligence was that the Club-men were risen against the Lyme forces and were engaged and many of them slaine and taken the Governours brother Major Ceeley a stout man hardly escaping Friday Iuly 4. Hollis the Club-man received his answer in writing which with the Petitions were transmitted to the Parliament which for the Readers satisfaction but especially that we may be affected with this great mercy of God in checking this great mischeife and Royall designe I shall insert the extract of their Petitions with the Generals answer to them that in the dangerousnesse of their positions as in a glasse and by the help of the Generals answer you may see the greatness of the deliverance In the Armies passage from Blanford to Dorchester came four Agents of the Club-men of Dorsetshire and Wiltshire the cheif Speaker was Mr. Hollis of Dorsetshire brother to him of Salisbury their business was to procure a pass from the Generall for these persons to go to the King and Parliament with petitions to the King were to goe Docter Henry Goche of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Mr. Thomas Bromwell Divines Iohn St. Loe Peter Hoskins Esquiers Mr. Thomas Young an Atturney and Mr. Robert Pawlet Gentleman To the Parliament Mr. Melchizadeck Waltham Mr. Richard Hook Club-divines Thomas Trenchard Robert Calliford Esquires George Hawles Richard Newman Gentlemen Mr. Hollis tendered to the Generall the Petitions so to be conveyed as also the Articles of Association the brief account of both is this the Articles were That the Associates provide Armes set watches be quiet with them that are so lay hold on disorderly souldiers bring them to the next garrisons not to refuse quarter and contribution to their ability till their Petitions be delivered not to favour either party nor to protect any not associated The heads of the
passe and forcing them to draw off their Ordnance and their horse to remove their ground Our foot advanced down the hill to the pass and with admirable resolution chargeed the enemy from hedge to hedge till they got the pass the enemies horse upon this drew downe towards us whereupon our horse advanced over the passe up the hill to the enemy the Forlorne-hope of horse commanded by Major Bethell gave a valiant and brave charge indeed broke that body that charged him and the next reserve our reserve of horse that was commanded by Major Desborough very resolutely charged the next standing bodies of the enemy so home that instantly they put them to a disorderly retreat our musquetiers came close up to our horse firing upon the enemy whereupon their Regiments of white Colours and black Colours of foot before ever they engaged marched away apace the Forlorne under Major Bethell and those under Major Desborough were going in pursuit of the chase but receiving orders to stay till more bodies of horse were come up that the pursuit might be orderly and with good reserves in case the enemy should face about and charge againe which was not impossible they obeyed their orders as good souldiers will though it check their sweetest pleasure as to pursue a flying enemy was no less when the enemy had fled about two miles they made a stand in a plaine green field where the passage out was narrow called Aller Drove but received only a piece of a charge and then seeing our bodies comeing on orderly and fast faced about and never stood after the passes being narrow in many places and the ditches being deep and wide especially at that place where they first faced about many horses of the Enemies were lost in the ditches whereof our souldiers recovered store and the riders got into the meadows hoping to escape but could not We pursued the Enemy within two miles of Bridgewater whither the enemy fled doing execution upon them all the way being eight miles in length took about 1400 prisoners about 1200 horse and divers Officers of quality Colonel Henningham Colonel Slingsby the General of Gorings Ordnance were also taken about thirty Colours of Horse and Foot and on the other hand it was a victory as cheap to us as dear to them we lost no Officer not twenty common souldiers some fourteen or sixteen of Major Bethels troop were hurt and himself shot in the right hand No sooner was the Enemy put to a retreat but in great confusion they quitted Langport into which many of them had fled a strong garrison naturally well fortified being about half a mile from the place of the fight and set it on fire but by the industry of the souldiers and Townesmen it was quenched The Enemy with a body of Foot drawing along with them two pieces of Ordnance by the way of Langport were pursued by Lieutenant General Cromwel and the Ordnance and most of the Foot taken And thus you have in a very short space an account of a very great action CHAP. II. The particulars of that gallant service The storming of Bridgewater AFter this battail the army marched five miles to Middlesay in the way to Bridgewater the bold carriage of Hollis the Club-man was very notorious who the morning an houre before the fight began came with a Petition to the General from his fellowes and followers withall telling the General in plain terms that if he did not give them better satisfaction then what he had yet given them they must take another course His Petition upon reading was found of that nature and his impudent carriage so insufferable withall that the General committed him to the Marshal but he made a shift to get away so soon as he saw the day was lost The next day the whole Army horse and foot with the Train were drawn up in Westonmoor otherwise called Pensy pound two miles from Bridgewater The Country-men thereabouts that had been vexed with the Cavaliers hearing of the defeat given unto them and fearing to taste of their former cruelties rose in great numbers and with their colours clubs and arms appeared upon Knol-hill which being made known to the General he with the Lieutenant gen and other Officers marched up to them who seemingly received him with joy and in token thereof gave a volley of shot whence after â—ome conference with them and their Leader who made a Neutral speech the General returned and the Army that night went to quarter the head-quarter that night being appointed at Chedsay within two miles of Bridgewater Friday Iuly 11. Colonel Weldens Brigade was commanded on the North side of the Town towards Devonshire and the rest of the Army on this side towards Chedsay the guards being set the General with the Lieutenant gen went to view the Town which they found to be very strong standing in a valley yet glorying in the equality of its level with the ground about it there being not a clod that could afford any advantage against that place the Fortifications very regular and strong the Ditch about it very deep and about thirty foot wide which for a great part about the town was every Tyde filled up to the brim with water the compasse of ground within the line and works not great very well manned having in it about 1800 Souldiers to defend it within the town was a castle of indifferent strength there was planted on the severall Batteries about 40 peece of Ordnance well stored with ammunition and victuals being a magazine for all the petty garrisons thereabouts Saturday Iuly 12. The Army continued in quarters and new places for guards were appointed Burrough-garrison taken by Col. Okey Lords day Iuly 13. We rested at Chedsay and Colonel Okey having from that day the battel was at Langport besieged Burrough-garrison with his Dragoons had the same surrendred unto him upon quarter wherein were 140 prisoners the Officers being promised fair usage Monday Iuly 14. a Councel of war was called great debate whether to storm the town or not Some inclination to it but no positive resolution Notwithstanding preparations were made in order to a storm the Souldiers cheerfully made their faggots and were drawn in readines for a storm but upon further consideration were for that time drwn back to their quarters and more time being taken there were 8 long Bridges betwixt 30 and 40 foot length devised to be made by Lieutenant-general Hamond the Lieutenant-general of the Ordnance a Gentleman of approved fidelity and of a most dexterous and ripe invention for all such things which were approved of by the Commanders and Officers and accordingly Ordered to be made and were of very great use to the Souldier in the storm This day the General going over the river to view the posts on the other side was graciously delivered from a great danger he was near unto by a sudden surprisal of the Tide called the Eager where he very narrowly escaped drowning
were absolutely reduced and the dis-affected Club-men brought to more obedience Reckoning it also a service of importance to take in Bath in order to the straitening of Bristoll and hindring P. Rupert for raising any considerable force in those parts Whereupon his Excellency took a resolution to march back and accordingly came to Wells that night with part of the Army and Train being 14. long miles and a hot day and sent a Brigade of horse and foot unto Sherborn under the command of that pious and deserving Commander Col. Pickering to face that garrison and to view the same and if there were hopes to reduce it to sit down before it in order to a siege The Horse-quarters this night were neerer unto Bath more force was sent to get between Bath and Bristol having intelligence that their distractions were such in Bath that they would easily be driven to quit it But the General stayed at Wells expecting to hear from the party of Horse and Dragoons under the command of Col. Rich which he had sent towards Bath Tuesday the 29. Colonel Rich facing the town with horse and dragoons summoned the town but the Governour refused to surrender Towards evening our Dragoons commanded by Colonel Okey were drawn neer the bridge and crept on their bellies over it to the Gate seized on the small end of the enemies Musquets which they put through the loop-holes of the Gate and cryed to the enemy to take quarter which so affrighted the enemy that they â—an to their Work which flankered the bridge and left their Musquets behinde them as of no use to them so of as little to us Our men instantly fired the Gate and became Masters of the bridge upon which the Deputy-governour sent for a Parley and upon the Treaty the town was yielded upon Articles making the common souldiers who were about 140. prisoners and having conditions for the Officers to march away to what garrison they pleased We found in the town six pieces of Ordnance 400. Arms 12. barrels of Powder the Works besides the Wall of the City strong and tenable It was yielded in a good time for Prince Rupert was advanced with a Party of 1500 horse and foot from Bristol within four miles to relieve the town but comming too late retreated Wednesday Iuly 30. The Army was drawn up to Mendeep hils with intention to march to Bath but upon intelligence the horse and dragoons alone had taken the town His Excellency sent back the Army to Wells marching only with two Regiments of foot to Bath which he intended to leave there for the security of that place and parts thereabouts The Generall quartered there that night stayed there next morning and setled things for the safety of that place and in the afternoon returned to Wells leaving the two Regiments at Bath month August 1645 Friday August 1. the Army marched from Wels to Queen-Camel where the Head-quarter was that night but the General himself went with a few Horse to Sherborn viewed the Works and Castle and quartered there that night And on Saturday August 2. the General and Lieut-General rode again to the Lodge and upon a second view and observation conceived the place might shortly be reduced guards were therefore appointed neerer to it and orders were given for all things in reference to a close siege This day Intelligence came that the Club-men of three Counties viz. Dorcet Wilts and Summerset were to meet at Shaftsbury and that a faire opportunity would be offered for the surprisall of them who were so disaffected to the Parliament whereupon Col. Fleetwood was commanded forth with a good party of horse to see if he could surprise them who accordingly came seasonably incompassed them in the towne with about 1000 horse and took about 50 of the Ringleaders whereof Mr. Hollis Carey Young Cradock and Doctor Goche were the chiefe who being brought prisoners by a guard of horse were presently dismounted and disarmed and sent to prison untill leisure were afforded to examine them and to consider how to dispose of them which was done by a Committee chosen on purpose four or five dayes after and after the reducement of Sherborne they were sent to London with other prisoners but we have not so done with the Club-men or rather they with us Lords day August 3. News came this day that all the Country of Wilts and Dorcet and part of Summerset were up in Armes and would have a Rendezvouz of 10000. men at least pretending they did it to fetch off their Leaders but privately we understood it was to interrupt our siege and to hinder provisions from comming to the Leaguer giving out withall that Goring with his Army was comming out of the West to raise the siege On Munday August 4. Lieutenant-Generall Cromwell having Intelligence of some of their places of Rendezvouz for their severall divisions went forth with a party of horse to meet with them being well satisfied of the danger of their designe As he was marching towards Shaftsbury with the party they discovered some colours upon the top of a high hill full of wood and almost inaccessible a Lieutenant with a small party was sent to them to know their meaning and to acquaint them that the Lieutenant-Generall of the Army was there whereupon Mr. Newman one of their leaders thought fit to come downe and told us the intent was to desire to know why the Gentlemen were taken at Shaftsbury on Saturday the Lieutenant-Gen returned him this answer that he held himselfe not bound to give him or them an account what was done was by authority and they that did it were not acresponsible to them that had none but not to leave them wholly unsatisfied he told him that those persons so met had been the occasions and stirrers of many tumultuous and unlawfull meetings for which they were to be tried by law which triall ought not by them to be questioned or interrupted Mr. Newman desired to goe up to returne the answer the Lieutenant-Generall with a small party went with him and had some conference with the people to this purpose that whereas they pretended to meet there to save their goods they took a very ill course for that to leave their houses was the way to loose their goods and it was offered them that Justice should be done upon any who offered them violence and as for the Gentlemen taken at Shaftsbury it was only to answer some things they were accused of which they had done contrary to Law and the peace of the Kingdome These men were well satisfied and promised to return to their houses and accordingly did so These being thus quietly sent home the Lieutenant generall advanced further to a meeting of a greater number of about 4000. who betook themselves to Hambleton Hill near Shrawton at the bottome of the hill we met a man with a Musquet and asked whither he was going he said to the Club-Army we asked what he meant to do he asked
Works all which concurring so daunted the enemy that they fled out of one Work into another and so into the Castle which being discerned by the rest of our Army they all went over without any more ado which so ripened the amazement of the enemy that instantly they pulled down their bloody Colours hung out a white Flag had no power to make opposition sent a Drum for to crave Quarter but before he could get out and return a great part of our foot were entred they within had thrown down their Arms and cryed for Quarter to our souldiers which our souldiers inclining rather to booty then revenge gave them but stript they were to the purpose all except Sir Lewis Dives and his Lady and some few more and so we became Masters of the Castle and all within it the souldiers finding plunder of great value the taking of which in a disorderly manner could not then be prevented There was taken about 400 prisoners in the Castle besides Sir Lewis Dives the Governour Col. Giles Strangewayes formerly a member of Parliament Sir Iohn Walcot Col. Thornhill and others of quality and 18. pieces of Ordnance and a Mortar-piece The reducing of this place was of the greater cōcernment in regard of the influence it had upon the dis-affected Clubmen in those parts who having the countenance of this garrison were made so much the more bold in their attempts and meetings The souldiers spoil lasted all that day and most part of the night whose fair demeanour in the town of Sherborne during the siege deserves commendation when notwithstanding that about sixty townsmen who had families in the town were in the Castle and fought against them yet not one of their houses were plundered On Saturday August 16. Being market-day our souldiers with the booty they had got kept a great market to the Country who bought the goods of them and all this day and the next was necessarily spent in ordering the disposall of prisoners and in considering what to do with the garrison which not above two or three dayes after was ordered to be slighted And thus hath God led us into another strong hold of equall difficulty and consequence In the reduction of which place as elsewhere the dexterity industry and resolution of Captain Dean Comptroller of the Ordnance deserves to be had in memory CHAP. IV. The siege of Bristol the taking of it with the actions that intervened viz. The taking of Nunny-Castle c. SHerborne being now by Gods blessing reduced a councell of war was called where the subject of the debate was what should be the next designe of the Army the West or Bristoll the reasons upon which it was endeavoured to perswade the West were The pursuing of our Victory at Langport the hindring of Goring from re-inforcing his shattered Army in Devon and Cornwall whereunto he might probably finde the Cornish being generally disaffected to the Parliament easily drawn the Prince being in person with them and acting to that purpose the miseries of the people in the West and the necessities of Plimouth crying for present relief besides it was urged on the negative of Bristol that to go thither was to hazard the whole Army the Plague being sore in the City an hundred dying weekly and that it was in most of the Villages about the Town But on the other side it was considered That Prince Rupert being in Bristol and able to draw into the field 3000 Horse and Foot leaving also sufficient to defend that garison Might with the assistance of the ill-affected Club-men of whose disaffection to the Parliament there was sufficient proof and having the advantage of sending Forces and Recruits out of Wales which were easily to be transported over Severn raise a considerable Army in the Midland parts which might interrupt the proceedings of our Army by marching on their Rear when they were far advanced West vvhereby Goring being in the Front they might come to be inclosed between two Armies and so all intercourse vvith London and the Eastern parts would be thereby cut off besides the great importance of the place as to the enemy Bristol being the only considerable Port the King had in the whole kingdom for shipping and trade and riches being withall his magazine for all sort of Ammunition which should it please God to make us masters of must needs prove sadly fatal to his affairs and would so be judged in this and forraign Kingdoms What advantage it would be to the Parliament both in reputation and reall improvements it being justly reckoned in the first rank of populous and rich Cities in this Kingdom was very clearly evident These and other like considerations being offered for the present reducing of Bristol After long consultation and debate it was resolved to march thither in order to the reducing of that place After once this resolution was taken it was said by the General Seeing our Iudgements lead us to make Bristol our next designe as the greatest service we can do for the Publique As for the Sicknesse let us trust God with the Army who will be as ready to protect us in the Siege from Infection as in the Field from the Bullet Hereupon orders were given for the Army to march towards Bristol The Generall resting all the next day at Sherborne to settle the business of the County And on Monday after Sir Lewis Dives and the prisoners together with the Club-leaders before mentioned who were had in hold were sent away with a guard to London the Army marched to Castle-Carew save that Colonel Rainsborough with his own and Colonel Hamonds Regiments and two pieces of Ordnance was sent to Nunney castle for the reducing thereof the rest of the Army marched that night to Castle-Carew the next day the General himself went to view Nunney castle and found it to be a very strong piece The Head quarter was that night at Shepton-Mallet but 5 miles from Carew far enough for the Train which was 4 miles behind from the quarters the night before but to expedite what might be this designe against Bristol and the relief of the country thereabouts in the mean time two thousand Horse and Dragoons were sent under the command of Commissary General Ireton to preserve the towns adjacent to Bristol from plunder and firing for the better accommodation of our quarters the next day the Army marched to Chue 9 miles and ill way and in relation to the straiter siege Messengers were sent to the Vice-Admiral Captain Moulton riding about Milford Haven to send ships into King-roade to block up Bristol by sea as this Army intended to do by land Some prisoners were taken by our Horse near Bristol others came in voluntarily unto us all agreeing said the Enemy did not imagine our forces to be so near or that we had any designe upon Bristol And by a Trumpeter that came with a Message from thence they seemed to be so far from a belief thereof that he said he
that when the affairs of this Kingdom will possibly dispence with us the Parliament allowing and you accepting of our assistance We shall be most willing if need so require to help and serve you faithfully in your own Kingdom and to engage our selves to suppresse the Enemy there and to establish you again in peace In the mean time we shall endeavour to help you by our prayers and to wrestle with God for one blessing of God upō both Nations between whom besides many other strong relations and engagements We hope the Vnity of Spirit shall be the surest Bond of Peace And this whatever suggestions or jealousies may have been to the contrary we desire you would believe as you shall ever really find to proceed from integrity of heart a sense of your sufferings and a full purpose to answer any call of God to your assistance as become Your Christian friends and servants in the Lord Thomas Fairfax Oliver Cromwel Thomas Hamond Henry Ireton Edward Montague Richard Fortescue Richard Inglesby Iohn Pickering Hardresse Waller William Herbert Robert Hamond Iames Gray Thomas Pride Robert Pye Thomas Rainsborough Thomas Sheffield Charles Fleetwood Ralph Welden Iohn Raymond Leon Wattson Arthur Evelin Richard Dean Thomas Iackson Iohn Desborough Christopher Bethel The report concerning the storm being made unto the Counsell of War and fully agreed unto the Canon baskets were ordered to be filled Seamen and boats sent for Thursday September 4. The weather that had been so extream wet before that many Souldiers and Horses dyed thereby with extream hard duty in that wet season began to alter to the great reviving of the drooping souldier Our great guns played this day from off the new battery against Pryors for t Summons was also prepared to be sent to Prince Rupert and being agreed unto was sent in accordingly which runs in these words For his Highnesse Prince Rupert Sir for the service of the Parliament I have brought their Army before the City of Bristol and do summon you in their names to render it with all the Forts belonging to the same into my hands for their use Having used this plain language as the business requires I wish it may be as effectuall unto you as it is satisfactory to my self that I do a little expostulate with you about the surrender of the same which I confesse is a way not common and which I should not have used but in respect to such a person and to such a place I take into consideration your royal birth and relation to the Crown of England your honour courage the vertues of your person and the strength of that place which you may think your self bound and able to maintain Sir the Crown of England is and will be where it ought to be we fight to maintain it there But the King misled by evill Counsellours or through a seduced heart hath left his Parliament under God the best assurance of his Crown and Family the maintaining of this Schisme is the ground of this unhappy war on your part and what sad effects it hath produced in the three Kingdomes is visible to all men To maintain the rights of the Crown and Kingdom joyntly a principal part whereof is that the King in supream acts is not to be advised by men of whom the Law takes no notice but by his Parliament the great Counsel of the Kingdom in whom as much as man is capable of he hears all his people as it were at once advising him and in which multitude of Councellours lyes his safety and his peoples interest and to see him right in this hath been the constant and faithfull endeavour of the Parliament and to bring these wicked instruments to justice that have misled him is a principal ground of our fighting Sir if God makes this clear to you as he hath to us I doubt not but he will give you a heart to deliver this place notwithstanding all the other considerations of honour courage fidelity c. because of their constancy and use in the present business depends upon the right or wrongfulness of this that hath been said And if upon such condition you shall surrender it and save the losse of blood or hazard the spoiling of such a City it would be an occasion glorious in it self and joyful to us for restoring of you to the endeared affection to the Parliament and people of England the truest friend to your Family it hath in this World But if this be hid from your eyes and through your wilfulness this so great so famous and ancient a City and so full of people be by your putting us to force the same exposed to ruine and the extremities of war which we yet shall in that case as much as possible endeavour to prevent then I appeal to the righteous God to be judge between you and us and to require the wrong And let all England judge whether the burning of its Towns ruining its Cities and destroying its people be a good requital from a person of your Family which hath had the prayers tears purses and blood of its Parliament and people And if you look on either as now divided hath ever had that same party both in Parliaments and amongst the People most zealous for their assistance and restitution which you now oppose and seek to destroy and whose constant grief hath been their desires to serve your Family have been ever hindred or made fruitless by that same party about his Majesty whose counsel you act and whose interest you pursue in this unnaturall war I expect your speedy answer to this Summons with the return of the Bearer this evening and remain Your Highness humble Servant Thomas Fairfax This day about 2000 well affected countreymen who with many more upon treaty with the Lieutenant-General at the beginning of the siege had engaged their assistance to make good the same marched with some 36 Colours in the face of Bristol had quarters assigned them and kept guards Two pieces of Ordnance also were sent unto them for their encouragement it not a little grieving the Enemy within to see the forwardness of the countrey to come to our assistance for which reason and to lay an effectual caution against their revolt it was held fit to make use of those force◠from the countrey rather then for any considerable service could be expected from them The Trumpeter that went in with the Summons was detained all night during which space no sally was made by the Enemy nor no alarm given by us Only the Sea-men and their boats comming up the river to St. Vincents Rock was all the motion this day produced Neither upon Friday September 5. was there any sallying out but all was quiet on both sides and the Trumpeter returned from Prince Rupert with an answer to the Generals Summons in these words Sir I received yours by your Trumpeter I desire to know whether you will give me leave to send a Messenger to the
prisoners were set at liberty and had two shillings a man to carry them home That the Cornish might see we had forgot former injuries and respected them as much as any other County Commissioners were appointed to dispose of the Prize-goods taken in the Town towards the reparation of the Well-affected of the Town that suffered at the Storm who had the greatest part of the Goods distributed amongst them And now the General having reaped so great and happy an advantage by his digression from the siege of Excester though he left sufficient Force also to block it up The next day without any more delay returned to Totnes Issued out Warrants to four Hundreds to appeare there on Saturday at nine of the clock in order to the service of the Kingdome and particularly for the good of those Parts ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART IV. CHAP. I. The Army returning to the Siege at Excester Pouldram Castle surrendred A French Vessell struck into Dartmouth wherein Letters of consequence from the Queen How far the reducing of Excester was endeavoured before a second diversion HIS Excellency and the conduct of this Army in all their motion attending Providence having answered the call of God in rising from Excester and meeting the Enemy wherein they found that great assistance and successe that hath been related now discerning no further advantage offering it selfe against the Field-Enemy at present his Excellency with the advice of his Officers resolves with all speed possible to return with the Army to the Siege of Excester and to improve the advantage of that further reputation their late successes had given them in vigorous endeavours against that place and in the meane time till the other Forces could follow some Regiments martched toward Excester a Summons was sent to S. Edmund Fortescue Governor of Charls-fort at Salcomb from whence a refusal of surrender was returned consultation was had about Barnstable section 1 Saturday Jan. 24. The Country according to appointment of his Excellency appeared at Totnes in number about 3000. out of whom upon consultation with the Committees a Regiment was to be raised of such as were willing under Colonel Fowell which done the General martched to the Lady Reynolds her house whence on the Lords day after forenoons Sermon his Excellency martched to Chidley endeavouring first to take a view of Pouldram before which place Col. Hammond was set downe with some force Pouldram Castle surrendred But night comming on whilest he had yet two miles thither he was forced to returne to Chidley whithout viewing the Castle which ere the next day was happily put out of a capacity of being viewed by him but in a new Relation for about twelve at night the newes came to him of the surrender thereof and therein five Barrels of Powder Match and Bullet proportionable and four pieces of Ordnance section 2 A French Vessell by a good Providence strucke into Dartmouth upon a mistake Monday 26. Tidings were brought the General of a French Vessel that came from France with a Packet from the Queen which was struck into Dartmouth presuming it to have still been in the hands of the Kings Forces and indeed little likelihood was there that it should be in any other especially so sodainly and at a time of yeer so unseasonable for action or storm but that God encouraged the Army to undertake it and his strong Arm prospered them in their attempt The Packet of Letters which were of no small consequence strongly recovered The Vessel being thus delivered by immediate Providence into our hands the Packet of Letters was yet more strangely preserved and recovered out of the Sea wherinto it was thrown when they knew their mistake according to the Queens directions but God provided a Wave to bring it to the Boat that was sent out to seek it and so it was brought unto his Excellency wherein was found Letters from the Queen Lord Goring Lord Jermin Davenant and others intercepted Some of the Contents were these The speciall and most observable Contents of the Letters The Queen by her Letters in answer to some former Letters she had received touching the King's intentions of transporting the Prince to Denmark utterly dislikes it and neither approves of Holland or Flanders adviseth the bringing of him into France And as touching his Marriage with the Duke of Orleance his Daughter which seemed to be an objection against it Shee replyed That they knew she was engaged elswhere and what if he should marry her the Dutchesse of Orleance so far exceeding them in Riches and potent Alliances might be of great assistance to the King But desires That he may be disposed of any whither rather then to come into the hands of the Rebels touching the Scots affairse she had this expression That she had sent William Murray fully instructed with her mind about it The Lord Goring in his Letter to the Lord Wentworth and Sir John Berkley gave them assurance That now the Negotiation with France was happily concluded by the industry of the Lord Jermin In his Letter to Sir Hugh Pollard the Governour of Dartmouth he doth assure him That by the first of March he should have five well appointed Men of Warre of the second rank the least bearing above thirty pieces of Ordnance to be solely under his command so that he might grow rich upon the spoile of the Rebels or else put them to the charge of keeping an whole Navy before him The Lord Widdrington not so well satisfied with the preparations of France used this expression in one of his Letters That he gave all hopes for lost for ever returning to his owne Country again except the businesse of the Scots took effect section 3 A Summons sent into Excester But as to the Siege of Excester our Forces being drawn neer unto this side of the City a Sūmons was prepared wherein honorable conditions were offered them which Summons was sent in the next day being January 17. The Enemies Answer Whereunto on the morrow an Answer was returned very faire to this purpose That in honour they could not surrender upon the termes offered while they were in no worse condition and had such probable hopes of reliefe from the Prince His Excellencies Reply Thursday 29. A Reply was returned the conditions re-inforced and further urged by undertaking in the behalfe of the Parliament and General that what they promised in the Summons should be made good and this is as farre as they proceeded at this time being a second time diverted by other action section 4 The grounds of this second diversion from the Siege of Excester for newes came this day to the Army that the Enemies Horse from Oxford were come neer Corfe Castle and the Lord Gorings Forces were advanced up neer Barnstable portending a designe to joyne together to prevent which the General went from Chidley to Tiverton to give order about that point sent Colonel
Cook from thence with three Regiments of Horse of Major General Massies Brigade to attend the Enemies motion and the next day some Regiments of Horse and Dragoons martched from these parts to a Randezvouz toward the North of Devon though upon second advice they were recalled to Quarters month February 1646 section 5 The feare of another diversion from the Siege of Excester had almost driven the Army to a resolution of storming it insomuch that Warrants were issued out to all the Hundreds round about Excester for Ladders and also a dispatch to Plymouth to send their Scaling-ladders for that purpose which disposition of the Army what influence it might have upon the Enemy I know not but the Lords day Febr. 1. a Lieutenant and ten Horse well armed came in to Sir Hardresse Waller from the Enemy and that night the Plymouth Regiment took a Major and twenty Horse neer Barnstable and Tuesday following a Lieutenant-Colonell and fifteen men more with their Armes came in from the Enemy The General in the meane time being returned to Chidley section 6 Thursday 5. Upon intelligence of the Enemies Horse being gone towards Dunster Colonel Cook who had Orders to martch somewhat further Eastward in order to the Oxford horse that by information from the east were to be in Dorsetshire had Orders to returne Friday 6. Came newes that a Party of Horse of the Enemie computed by the countries information fifteen hundred had put some small reliefe into Dunster taking that opportunity when those Forces that attended therabout were drawn toward Corfe Castle in their retreat the Country with the assistance of Colonel Blakes Forces that were not able to oppose so great a Body and therefore during Reliefe secured themselves in a strong house fell upon their Rear slew some took others prisoners and disarmed more The same day the Army received the good newes of Belvoyr surrendred And now followes to discourse how the hand of Providence led us first into the north of Devon and then into Cornwall Onely first celebrate that good newes of the surrender of Westchester after a long Siege by that faithfull and indefatigable Commander Sir William Brereton which newes came to the General on the Lords day Feb. 8. CHAP. II. Our Army a second time diverted from the Siege of Excester with a particular account of the reasons thereof and the Motion and Actions of the Army occasioned thereby A Counsell of Warre called LOrds day Feb. 8. A Counsel of Warre was called to consider of martching with part of the Army into the north of Devonshire towards Torrington and Barnstable for the straightning thereof and for the better conveniency of Quarter the Army being much straightned for provisions where they were as also to possesse those parts and thereby dispossesse the Enemy who had some parties of Horse there which miserably oppressed the Country whilest they were in this Consultation certaine intelligence was brought by Spyes That the Enemy who had been labouring as for life to raise the Cornish and had brought a considerable number to Launceston to re-inforce their Army being in all about four thousand Foot besides their Horse were once more with all their strength martching over the River Tamar towards Torrington and as the Spyes informed would be there on Tuesday night likewise Letters from the Lord Wentworth to Sir John Berkley Governour of Excester being at the same time intercepted encouraging him to expect Reliefe shortly Upon this Orders were given for the drawing of most of the Horse and Foot to a Randezvouz the next day A Counsell of Warre called The subject of their debate Monday Feb. 9. A Counsel of Warre was called to advise what to doe and in issue it was resolved to advance towards the Enemy with part of the Army having already with the residue perfectly blocked up Excester on the west side also by setling Guards and Quarters at Affington Barley house and Reymouth-house within a mile of the City and a Garrison kept at Powdram besides that some of the Foot under the command of Colonel Shapcoat blocked up the Fort at Exmouth by which meanes Excester was now compleatly straightned and blocked up on both sides Accordingly Orders were immediately sent to the Horse and Foot to prepare for a martch and the Forces designed on both sides of Excester to straighten that place were commanded to receive Orders from Sir Hardresse Waller to whose care and judgment the management of that businesse was recommended whilest the rest of the Army advanced to the Enemy section 2 The Army on â—heir martch â—owards the Enemy Tuesday Feb. 10. The General and the Army begun their Martch and that day martched from Chidley to Crediton the head Quarter where the Army rested a day till the Treasure that was at Dartmouth was come up and other Forces that were to martch from other Quarters were drawne up to them The while fresh intelligence was brought to his Excellency that the Enemy with five thousand Horse and four thousand Foot were come to Torrington expecting a thousand Horse and Foot from Barnstable to joyne with them all under the command of the Lord Hopton who by a new Commission was made Commander in chiefe the Lord Goring being in France who had used much expedition in his martch having martched in one day from Stratton to Torrington being eighteen large miles they brought along with them much Cattle and Sheep which with salt and other provisions that were to come from Barnstable were for the Reliefe of Excester This Intelligence fully resolving the Army in the Motions and Intentions of the Enemy engaged them yet deeper in their Resolutions to make speed towards them and not passing one or two dayes intervened their martch In this interim tydings were brought the Army that Warham and the Committees there being surprized by a party of Horse from Oxford was by Colonel Cook regained he being with fifteen hundred Horse then about Shaftsbury and that Colonel Cromwel who commanded the Kings party was by him taken prisoner that the Horse were escaped and fled into Corfe Castle not apprehended by our Guards through the darknesse of the night Moreover that Mr Murrey and Sir David Conningham were taken coming out of France section 3 Saturday Feb. 14. The Army martched from Crediton to Chimleigh being ten miles the Weather wet and the way dirty the Enemy but a little before our Forces came were in the Towne and were beaten out by the Plymouth Regiment Lieutenant-colonel Wicks and others taken prisoners Here his Excellency received intelligence that the Enemy continued at Torrington and were a considerable Army upon which Sunday Febr. 15. the Army martched early from Chimleigh and had a Randezvouz two miles off in the way to Torrington Our Horse brought in divers prisoners to the Randezvouz who confest that the Lord Hopton was in Torrington and that he had sent out parties by three of the clock that morning to discover our motion also one
being the likeliest meanes to prevent or discourage the landing of any Forraign Forces in these parts or the raising of any more out of Cornwal In order to which I must earnestly recommend to your care two things especially The one to provide by the disposall of your Forces in the Mid-land parts that by excursions from Oxford hitherward I may not be diverted from prosecution of the Work in Cornwal to send againe that way nor the Sieges of Excester and Barnstable disturbed when I am engaged further West The other That money may be speeded if any ways possible but for a moneth or six weeks to enable the Horse as well as Foot to pay Quarters in Cornwal whereby the oppositions that People might make would in all likelihood be taken off and their affections or good opinions gained to make them helpfull to us against their present oppressors There came unto me this day a young man from Truro who certifieth me That Sir Walter Dudley came very lately from France to let those about the Prince know that if there were an absolute necessity they could bring over their men with a faire wind from France to be here by the middle of the next moneth expressing that they had neer 8000. Foot and a thousand Horse in readinesse and three months pay provided for them besides ten thousand pound in bullion daily expected a Mint being ready to coyne the same but yet intimated a conveniency in the giving a little more time for their comming over whereupon Sir John Culpepper was to goe in all haste to France upon Friday last as is supposed on purpose either to hasten al or a good part of those Forces over I think it will be very good that as much Shiping as may be obtained be hastened into those parts I shall upon this Information and the good successe God hath been pleased to give us so dispose of the Army as may most effectually conduce to a speedy and through settlement of these Westerne parts of the Kingdome therefore I desire you againe to have a speciall care that the Forces about Oxford be not permitted to range into these parts when the Army is like to be engaged so far West lest it occasion the division of our Forces and hinder the accomplishment of that we desire to effect I remaine Your most humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX Great Torrington Feb. 19. 1645. More particularly there was taken here Lieutenant-Colonel Wood eight Captaines Commissary Boney six Lieutenants one Cornet three Ensignes one Chirurgion four Serjeants two and fifty Troopers one hundred seven and twenty Gentlemen and about two hundred common Souldiers in all four hundred three and thirty whereof two hundred have taken up Armes being as they said forced in by the Enemy neer three thousand Armes broken and whole most of their Ammunition blowne up in the Church eight Colours brought in whereof one the Lord Hopton's owne with this Motto I WILL STRIVE TO SERVE MY SOVERAIGNE KING Slaine Major Threave Captaine Frye and divers Officers two hundred Souldiers besides those two hundred blowne up in the Church the Lord Hopton and Lord Caple wounded besides divers others of quality the Lord Hopton's Commission to be General under the Prince Sir George Digbye's to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth and other Papers of consequence taken and about four hundred or five hundred pounds in Money taken at the Lord Hopton's Quarters with much plunder left in Portmantles there and in other places behind them section 6 Tuesday Feb. 17. The General rested at Torrington that day being spent in securing the prisoners and taking Lists of the names and sending some Forces towards Barnstable and that the Enemy might be kept in a continuall alarum and feare by our pursuing of them a Party were sent towards Holsworth to fall upon their Quarters whereupon they quit that place and the Country informed that their Horse were all fled into Cornwal that a great terror was upon them and those few scattered Foot that escaped in the dark at Torrington who all of them both Horse and Foot as his Excellency understood the next day drew into a Body in Cornwal to whom were now joyned the Princes Regiment of about eight hundred Horse which with some other Cornish Horse not before joyned to them mae up a Body of five thousand Horse much superiour in number to ours with this body of Horse and about a thousand Foot most Cornish they kept Guards on the other side of the River Tamar and this day there came by twenty and forty at a time of their Foot being most Devonshire men that were scattered the night before out of the Woods some with their Armes and others without them and listed themselves in the Army expressing that they onely waited for an opportunity to get to us so that this last defeat was in a manner the very ruining of all their Foot section 7 Commissary General Ireton sent to view Barnstable About this time MaJor-General Laughorne obtained great successe against the Enemy at Cardiffe in Glamorganshire abouâ— 400 of them slaine and 500 taken prisoners Thursday Feb. 19. Commissary-General Ireton was sent with a Party to view the Garrison of Barnstable and what places were fit to make Quarters and to keep Guards about the same whereupon one Regiment was sent to the Earle of Bathes at Tavestock to possesst it for Quarters That day there were three Ships in Biddiford which struck in thither thinking it had been in the Enemies power their burthen was small the Vessels were afterwards upon Petition released the owners being persons that had not voluntarily contributed against the Parliament This night the General returned back to Master Rolls his house at Stephenson in regard the Quarter at Torrington was inconvenient the Windowes shaken in pieces and the houses so shattered with the great blast that they could not performe a convenient shelter from the raine it being a time of extreame wet weather CHAP. III. His Excellency with the Army advancing into Cornwal driving the Enemy before them and possessing their Quarters A gallant piece of Service performed by Colenel Butler and his Party neer Stratton Prince Charles giving all for lost by his Excellencies pressing so hard upon them betakes himselfe to Scilly An advantage to the Parliaments Cause by a Packet of Letters from Ireland taken at Padstow section 1 FRiday 20. It was taken into consideration how far forth it was expedient to move towards Cornwall with the maine Forces to improve the advantage we had upon the Enemy which businesse was also further advised on the next day A Counsell of War Their Resolution and the Reasons therof At a Counsel of Warre where it was resolved nemine contradicente to martch into Cornwall The Reasons inducing them to that Vote were first To prevent the landing of any Forces out of France of which the Letters taken at Dartmouth gave an intimation Secondly to destroy the Field-enemy and by consequence
thousand more should be ready by the first of May That three hundred speciall Irish were appointed for the Prince his Life-guard but Allen confest that an hundred of them were to be put into the Monnt an hundred into Pendennis and the other hundred to be about the Prince in case he should approve of this disposall There were Letters also of the Lord Digbies taken in that Packet being a narrative of his proceedings against the Earle of Glamorgan expressing how swimmingly he had carried his Body in that businesse Also Letters from the Earle of Ormond The Letters from Glamorgan to the King were not found Master Coriton and the rest of the Gentlemen who came from Mount-Edgcomb being so opportunely here when the Packet came had the Original Letters shewed unto them which gave them such satisfaction as that they freely exprest themselves that what force they could raise in the country should be assisting to the Parliament for the opposing of all Irish or any Forraigners whatsoever that should be brought over CHAP. IV. His Excellency with the Army driving up the Enemy into Cornwal A Summons sent to Sir Ralph Hopton and his Forces to come in with the severall transactions of that businesse untill the disbanding of all his Forces fully related c. IT was intended that the Army should advance on the morrow but upon consultation it was held fit to stay that martch and to consider of a Summons to be sent unto the Lord Hopton which was accordingly prepared and sent away by the General 's Trumpet which Summons followeth in these words Sir The Summons his Excellency sent to Sir Ralph Hopton THrough the goodnesse of God to his people and his just hand against their enemies your Forces being reduc't to such condition as to my sense the good hand of God continuing with us wherein alone we trust they are not like either to have subsistence or shelter long where they are or to escape thence nor if they could have they whither to goe to have better I have thought good for prevention of more bloodshed or of further hardship or extremity to any but such whose hearts God shall harden to their owne destruction to send you this Summons for your selfe and them to lay downe Armes and withall a tender of such conditions upon a present surrender and engagement never to beare Armes against the Parliament as may be better then any thing they can rationally expect by further standing out First therefore to the Souldiery in generall English and Forreigners I shall grant liberty either to goe beyond Sea or to their homes in England as they please and to such English as shall choose to live at home my protection for the liberty of their persons and for the immunity of their estates from all plunder or violence of Souldiers and all to goe their wayes with what they have saving Horses and Armes but for Officers in Commission and Gentlemen of quality I shall allow them to goe with Horses for themselves and one servant or more suteable to their quality and with Armes befitting Gentlemen in a condition of peace and such Officers as would goe beyond Sea for other Service to take with them their Armes and full number of Horses answerable to their Offices To all Troopers and inferiour sort of Horse-Officers bringing in and delivering up of their Horses and Armes twenty shillings a man in lieu of their Horses to carry them home To English Gentlemen of considerable estates my Passe and Recommendation to the Parliament for their moderate composition Lastly for your selfe besides what is before implyed to you in common with others you may be assured of such mediation to the Parliament on your behalfe both from my selfe and others as for one whom for personall worth and many vertues but especially for your care of moderation toward the Country we honour and esteem above any other of your Party whose error supposing you more swayed with principles of honour and conscience then others we most pitty and whose happinesse so farre as consistent with the publicke welfare we should delight in more then in your least suffering These things not from any need or other ends then humane and Christian having offered I leave to your consideration and theirs whom they concerne desiring your and their speedy resolution which I wish may be such as shall be most for the honour of God the peace and welfare of this poor Kingdome and for your and their good so far as may stand therewith And having herein discharged as I conceive the duty of an honest man a Souldier and a Christian if God shall see it good to let your hearts be hardened against your own peace I shall though with some regreet for that ill that shall ensue to any yet with cheerfulnesse and rejoycing at the righteous judgement of God pursue my charge and trust for the publick in another way not doubting of the same presence and blessing which God hath hitherto vouchsafed in the same Cause to the weak endeavours of T. F. March 5. 1645. Instructions were likewise prepared for those that were to offer something to the Country that should appeare the next morning Friday March 6. His Excellency had intelligence the Enemies Horse began to draw together as if they were resolved to break through for now was the time for them to doe it or never for one dayes advance more would drive them into so narrow a compasse that it was in vain to think of it afterwards This was made known to the Country people at their meeting upon the Downes whereupon there were above a thousand of them exprest much willingnesse to assist in the blocking up of all passages and wayes that might prevent the Enemies breaking through and the Irish Letters being shewed and read unto them by Master Peters did much heighten their resolution to aide and assist the Parliament against the Forreigners and not onely so but the forwardnesse they exprest to assist against the present Enemy in their Country with the great joy and content they shewed at the Armies being come thither for their reliefe saying they had not seen such a day this three yeers was beyond expectation and certainly there was the great hand and good providence of God in the opportune bringing in of this Packet of Letters thither whereby the Country was so much wonne unto us The happy event of this day had a further accession by the news of the taking of Corfe Castle by a stratagem and storm managed by the discretion of that worthy prudent Gentleman Colonel Bingham Governour of Poole Strict Orders were given to all our Forces upon the Guards to be very vigilant this night and on the morrow a martch was intended for the whole Army Accordingly March 7. The Army martched early to a Randezvouz some four miles from Bodman towards Saint Collombe but the weather proving extreame wet and the place they desired to reach that night being a long
martch it was held fit to take up quarter in the Villages thereabouts for as many as the places could receive and the General with the rest of the Army returned back to Bodman But to keep the Enemy waking that they might not refresh their Horse by any rest in their Quarters Colonel Rich was sent with a thousand Horse and Dragoons to fall on the Enemies Guards and Quarters and to bring in what prisoners he could light upon which accordingly he did neer Saint Columbe beat the Enemies Out-Guards to their Maine Guard their maine Guard being about six hundred most of them the Princes Life guard and Gentlemen then commanded by Major-General Pert who seeing no hopes of retreat drew out to give a Charge and gave a good home-charge to our first Division Maior-General Pert himself charged through but being shot was taken prisoner instantly the Enemy was put to the rout before the rest of our Divisions could come up That Division of ours that was commanded by Quartermaster-General Fincher who first charged them had the pursuit and execution of the Enemy for three or four miles wherein many were wounded and slaine about an hundred taken prisoners and about three hundred Horse But by reason the General and part of the Army retreated back this day to Bodman the Malignants began to rejoyce upon presumption that the Army was affronted and hereof they were so confident that they conveyed it up with much expedition to Oxford where it is certaine they had publick rejoycing for the great Victory obtained against FAIRFAX his Forces in Cornwal Lords day March 8. Though the day were very rainy the Army marched to other Quarters within six or seven miles of Truro to Saint Stephens Saint Blase and other parts Major-General Pert was brought to the head Quarters sore wounded he was a proper stout gallant man all meanes was used for his recovery if it might have been He satisfied divers there that those men that were so routed were the Princes Regiment most of them Gentlemen and Reformadoes That the Summons sent from the General to the Lord Hopton was not published The Copy of the Summons being read unto him he said that the conditions therein mentioned would be readily accepted by the Souldiery and if it were once published in the Army and refused by the Officers it would break them to pieces In Major-General Pert's pocket there was found a Letter intended to be sent to the Lords that were about the Prince to this purpose That the Kings condition is so low is not our fault we are not able to break through the Enemy nor strong enough to fight them therefore are resolved to compound for our selves and leave you to doe what you please This day the Lord Hopton returned back the General 's Trumpet without Answer to the Summons onely with this Apology Viz. By Colonel Rich his beating of their Guard That by reason of the interruption the last night he could not send a particular Answer to the General but would send one very shortly Which that he might vindicate from a delatory excuse he made haste and this day towards the Evening an Answer came from the Lord Hopton wherein he seemed willing to fancy the King and Parliament into a Treaty and Cessation and desired to know if it were not so as the Answer it selfe will shew the Copy whereof followeth Sir Sir Ralph Hoptons answer to his Excellencies Summons I Received yours bearing date the fift of this Moneth wherein I must acknowledge much kindnesse from you and a very Christian consideration of sparing blood But one thing there is I am confident you have too much honour to expect from me which is that to avoid any danger or to enjoy any worldly advantage I will renounce my Masters House to whom I am both a sworne Subject and a sworne Servant That I must professe I am resolved to undergoe all Fortunes with him and if there shall be cause to suffer any thing rather then in the least poynt to taint my honour in that particular and I hope there is not a man of any consideration in this Army under my command that is not so resolved yet in all honest and honourable wayes to procure the peace of this Kingdome and the sparing of Christian blood I take God to witnesse I am and still have been most desirous And I heare from good hands that our gracious Soveraigne is at present so farre advanced in a Treaty with the Parliament as that he hath promised to passe four of the principall of their Bils proposed whereof the entrusting of the Militia for seven yeers in hands agreed between them is one I desire you to deal freely with me in that particular for if that be so it will spare the labour of further Treaty being for my part ready to obey whatsoever his Majesty shall agree to God hath indeed of late humbled us with many ill successes which I acknowledge as a very certaine evidence of his just judgment against us for our personall crimes Yet give me leave to say your present prosperity cannot be so certaine an evidence of his being altogether pleased with you It is true we are reduced to a lower condition then we have been in yet have we a gallant Body of Horse that being preserved to a generall accord may be for good use against our common Enemies and being otherwise prest I may say it without vanity want not a resolution at lest to sell our selves at a deare rate against any oddes Your Propositions though they be not wholly consented to yet if a generall accord much more desirable be not in a likely forwardnesse to prevent them I shall be willing that eight Commanders of ours with three Country Gentlemen give a meeting as soon as you please to any equall number of yours at any indifferent place to consult of this great businesse and to conclude of some Propositions that may be reasonable and honourable for both Parts wherein I hope God will so blesse our cleer intentions as may produce a probable inducement to a generall Peace according to the unfained desire of Your Servant RALPH HOPTON March 8. 1645. But this Art would not do my Lord Hoptons Magick is not strong enough to condense the meer ayre of his owne fancy into a Cessation before our Armies as by the Generals Reply to this Answer the Reader may satisfie himselfe which here followes My Lord His Excellencies Reply I Should most truly and freely informe your Lordship the best I could in any thing that might lead you to a right understanding of things in order to the peace of the Kingdome or the reall good of your selfe and those with you so farre as may stand with my trust and duty to the publick to what I conceive your more certaine knowledge of that your desire to be informed in concerning the Kings offers to the Parliament would not be prejudiciall But the truth is I can give you
is That all persons comprized within these Articles shall quietly and peaceably enjoy all their Goods Debts and Moveables during the space of four moneths next ensuing and be free from all Oaths Covenants and Protestations and have liberty within the time of the said four moneths in case they shall not make their composition with the Parliament and shall be resolved to goe beyond Seas to dispose of their said Goods Debts and Moveables allowed by these Articles and to depart the Kingdome if they shall think fit and to have passes for that purpose or otherwise to stay in the Kingdome XXIII That Mount-Radford and the Ward in St. Thomas Parish with the provisions of Warre thereunto belonging be delivered unto his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint to receive them in assurance of the performance of the precedent Articles to morrow by six of the clock in the afternoon being the seventh of April and that four such Gentlemen or Officers as his Excellency shall approve of shall be delivered at the same time as Hostages for the performance of the foregoing Articles on the one part and two Hostages such as Sir John Berkley Knight Governour of the City of Excester shall approve of and appoint to be received for performance on the other part XXIV Lastly that these Articles be ratified and confirmed mutually by his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax on the one part and Sir John Berkley Knight Governour of the City on the other part I doe hereby ratifie and confirme the Articles abovesaid agreed on by the Commissioners on my part THO. FAIRFAX April 9. 1646. The conditions it is confest are honourable for the Enemies acceptance yet no way dishonourable for Souldiers to grant considering the consequence of the timely surrender of that place The time for the surrender of the Towne was not till Monday they desiring that time to put up their Baggage and prepare themselves to martch forth The General thinking it not fit to lose so much time as to stay till Monday though the weather was unseasonable martched away that night after the Articles were signed to Tiverton designing his martch for Barnstable CHAP. VI. The Particulars of the Treaty and surrender of Barnstable and the Resolutions and Motions of the Army after the Reduction thereof till they came to Oxford FRiday the 10. The General came before Barnstable Summoned the Towne and received a civill Answer from the Governour inclining to a Treaty which began the next day and held all that day and part of the day following which was the Lords day when it was concluded much upon the same Articles in effect with those of Excester and the Castle and the Towne was delivered into our hands as a security for surrender of the Fort at eight dayes end Colonel Sheffield being appointed by the General to stay till the surrender and see the Articles performed This Treaty was carried on and concluded by Commissary-General Stane who was sole Commissioner for his Excellency a Gentleman of great fidelity who for this and sundry other actions of advantage to this Army well deserves an honourable mentioning Upon the concluding of Barnstable Articles two Regiments of Foot were commanded from before Barnstable to martch to Dunster and to face the Castle whilest the General 's Summons was sent in to the Governour who embraced a Treaty and after some time spent in capitulations Surrendred the Castle to Colonell Blake Monday the 13. The General set his face toward Excester desirous to have been there to have seen their martching forth that the Articles might not be violated but the weather proved so unreasonable wet that he came short But such was the vigilancy of the Lieutenant-General and the Officers and indeed such was the temper of the Army that there was not the least violation of the Articles I shall conclude this Narration of Excester with the commemoration of the great diligence faithfulnesse and industry of Sir Hardresse Waller who being left in trust by the General when he martched into Cornwal with the command of the Forces on both sides of Excester to straiten the Enemy and hinder them of provisions and keep the Enemy from making incursions into the Country performed therein the part of a gallant Gentleman and an experienced Souldier Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and Friday the 14 15 16 and 17. of April The General stayed in Excester setled things in order to the safety of that place and for the ease of the Country and that he might keep his own Army entire for more publick service reduced three Country Regiments of Foot into one viz. the Regiment of Colonel Shapcoat who had done good service at Tiverton and the Fort at Exmouth and the Regiment which Colonel Frye had very readily raised for the then present service of the West and the Regiment of Colonel Weare which had been likewise imployed in the same service These three Regiments formed into one was ordered for the defence of the Garrison of Excester under the command of Colonel Hamond whom the General appointed Governour of the Garrison Saturday April 18. The General began his martch toward Oxford and Quartered that night at Chard being eighteen miles from Excester the Foot and Train having had Orders two dayes before to advance forward Severall Informations came from our Forces before Oxford That it was common talk in Oxford that the King would escape thence others said That he would come into this Army and others conjectured that which since hath fallen out That he would goe another way all care was taken by our Forces thereabouts as you may well think it concerned them that this prize at last might not escape them Sunday the 19. The General martched to Dorchester where most of the Army quartered that night Monday the 20. the General martched from Dorchester to Salisbury the Traine and Foot to Blandford the Generall stayed at Salisbury Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday the while the Army and Traine of Artillery were come up and till all that were behind were come up from their severall Quarters Sundry Complaints were brought thither unto his Excellency of the violation of Excester and Cornwall Articles by the Committees of severall Counties taking from divers their Horses and Armes and other necessaries which by the Articles they were to carry away with them an act of so much incivility to the General as well as injustice to the sufferers as deserves to be noted Nigro Carbone but that I know his Excellency desires not such revenge But so many Barbarismes of this kind were there as were they particularly related would make such a Volume as would scarce be imagined Friday the 24. Part of the Army martched to Andover whither the General also purposed to have gone that night but Providence ordered it otherwise detaining him at Salisbury till next morning and then he went to Andover where the head Quarter was that night Lieutenant-General Cromwel was two or three dayes before gone for London at the
standing in its full pride and strength being well recovered of all its wounds and batteries received in former assaults and having impregnible Works about it and great variety of invention bestowed upon it But to returne from whence I digressed to the siege of Oxford Our four Quarters being setled under their Canon shot and a Line begun to be drawne from the great Fort on Heddington Hill round Saint Clements lying without Magdalen Bridge his Excellency sent in a Summons to Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of Oxford requiring the surrender of that Garrison The Copy whereof followeth SIR I Doe by these summon you to deliver up the City of Oxford into my hands for the use of the Parliament I very much desire the preservation of that place so famous for learning from ruine which inevitably is like to fall upon it except you concurre You may have honourable termes for your selfe and all within the Garrison if you seasonably accept thereof I desire your Answer this day and remaine Your Servant THO. FAIRFAX May 11. 1646. The same day also his Excellency sent a Summons to the Governour of Borstal-house to the same effect for the substance the copy whereof followeth SIR I Doe by these summon you to deliver up the Garrison of Borstal-house into my hands for the use of the Parliament you may have honourable terms for your selfe and all within your Garrison if you seasonably accept thereof I desire your Answer this day THO. FAIRFAX May 11. 1646. As also the like to Radcoat And the same to Wallingford These four Summons were sent to the severall Garrisons May 11. Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of Oxford returned Answer to the Summons the same day as followeth SIR I Have received your Letter summoning me to surrender the City which was given me in trust for his Majesties use but in respect there are many persons of Eminency I must desire you to receive for Answer a Request that you will be pleased to send a safe Conduct for Sir John Mounson and Master Phillip Warwick to repaire unto you at such a time and place as you shall appoint by whom you shall understand what for the present is desired I remaine Your humble Servant THO. GLENHAM May 11. 1646. According as was desired passes were granted for Sir John Mounson and Master Phillip Warwick to come out of Oxford that day and meet our Commissioners Colonel Rainsborough Colonel Harlow and Colonel Lambert who were ready to receive them at the time and place appointed That which they had in commission was a desire from the Governour Sir Thâ—mas Glenham of liberty to send to the King to know his pleasure upon signification whereof from his Majesty they would returne a positive answer to his Excellency immediately Our Commissioners endeavoured to perswade them the vanity of any such desire and the Generals impatiency of any such delay advising them rather to take the present opportunity least they afterwards fell short of these termes they might now have by present compliance But Sir John Mounson and Master Warwick it seems were so bound up and limited in their Commissions that at present they could not undertake any thing in answer hereto but returning to Oxford took time till the morrow promising more then One of the Generals Trumpeters was appointed to goe with them into Oxford to bring their Answer the next morning On Tuesday May 12. The Trumpeter returned with a desire from Sir Thomas Glenham that in regard there were besides the Duke of Yorke and the two Princes many other persons of eminency Lords Knights and Parliament men otherwise Juncto men and other Gentry and Clergy besides the Inhabitants all concerned in the businesse to whom things could not possibly be represented fully in so short a time that further time might be granted by his Excellency Whereupon that what time would be lost that way might be saved the other all things went on for the siege the dispatch of the Line was hastened and order was given for the drawing up of the Batteries The same day Prince Rupert and with him neere an hundred Horse went forth of Oxford on Colonel Rainsborough's side to take the aire Prince Rupert riding without Boots only in his Shoos and Stockings a Party of our men martched up towards them and fired upon them in which skirmish Prince Rupert had a shot in the right shoulder but pierced no bone whereupon they retreated to Oxford where all sorts were very busie that day and the two following dayes consulting and advising But in issue Thursday 14. the Governour of Oxford sent to make knowne his desire to treat by Commissioners which was accepted of and a counsel of Warre being called it was concluded of Master Crook's house at Marston should be the place and on Monday following the Treaty to begin May 15. The Enemy made another sally out of Oxford and a Party of ours skirmished with them we lost two men Lords day May 17. The Governour of Oxford sent forth the names of the Commissioners for Treaty on his behalfe desiring his Excellency to returne the like number The names of both were On Sir Tho. Glenhams part On his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax part Sir John Mounson Lieut. Gen. Hamond Sir John Heyden Colonel Ireton Sir Thomas Gardner Colonel Lambert Sir George Bynion Colonel Rich. Sir Richard Willis Colonel Harley Sir Stephen Hawkins Scoutmaster-Gen Watson Colonel Gosnold Major Desborough Colonel Tyllier Major Harison Doctor Zouch M. Herbert Thomas Chisley Esq M. Waller M. John Dutton Four more to be named afterwards M. Jeffrey Palmer M. Phillip Warwick Capt. Robert Mead. Upon the receipt of the names of the Oxford Commissioners Sir George Bynion was excepted as being exempted from pardon by the Parliaments Propositions Much about this time also was brought to the Army the newes of the surrender of Newark it had been long besieged on the one side by Major-General Poyntz and on the other side by the Scottish Forces It was yeelded to the English Forces commanded by Major-General Poyntz who had given abundant demonstration of no lesse faithfulnesse and diligence then expert Souldiery in his attendance on that service The Scottish Forces presently upon the Kings comming to them retreated back in great haste from Newark northward before the Town was delivered or the Articles signed pretending the cause of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army advancing toward them whereof there was little likelihood they being engaged before Oxford nor did so much as a Horse stirre that way But to returne to the Siege of Oxford A Treaty being resolved and accepted on both sides and to begin Monday the 18. Sir Thomas Glenham sent to the General desiring that in regard it was usuall at all Treaties to have a Secretary on each part That Master H. Davison his Secretary might have a Passe to come forth with their Commissioners which was 〈◊〉 unto and Master William Clark was appointed to assist the Commissioners on our part The Commissioners on the behalfe
he attempted it And now we having the Passe at Truro the Lord Hopton drew his Forces to quarter more Westward and the Treaty was adjourned till next Morning and a Cessation observed on both Sides Wednesday the 11. The Commissioners on both sides met againe but could not make any great progresse into the Treaty the Cessation was continued for a day longer about one hundred and twenty Musquetteers came in this day with their Armes and Colours flying being of Colonel Trevanian's Regiment also divers Colonels Knights and Gentlemen of quality sent to the General making knowne their desires to be received into the protection of the Parliament which so disheartned Colonel Trevanian then with his Regiment at Perin that late that evening he sent unto his Excellency desiring he might be included in the Treaty with the Lord Hopton and have the same conditions that other Officers were to have These things so operated with the Governour of Saint Mawes Castle a principall Fort that had a great command of the Haven at Falmouth that he sent to the General to be received into favour And although Arrundell the Governour of Pendennis sent to command him to come into the Castle of Pendennis he fearing some evill intended against him refused and persisted in his former desire whereupon the General sent him conditions with a Summons which were accepted and he agreed to surrender By reason of the Cessation our Troopers mixed with the Enemies and upon this bruit abroad though without ground that the Enemies Troopers should lose their Horses they to make some advantage of them coursed good store of their best Horses to our men By twelve of the clock this night all the materiall poynts of the Treaty were concluded matters of circumstance onely remained which yet were so necessary to be concluded in order to the perfecting of the Treaty that the next day was allowed and the Cessation continued for the finishing thereof When the Treaty was fully ended and Hostages appointed the same day Saint Mawes Castle was surrendred and thirteen pieces of Ordnance in it whereof two great Brasse Pieces of about four thousand weight apiece and our Foot were sent to possesse it The Treaty being thus ended with great joy did the Enemies Officers receive our conditions and wisht they had sooner known our intentions towards them Those that seemed most discontented were the common Troopers that were to be dismounted who therefore to mend their conditions had changed away their best Horses for advantage before the disbanding And it is not to be credited how much our Army did get into the Enemies esteem during the Cessation and what sorrowfull expressions many of them did make that they han been so deluded concerning our carriage ingenuously confessing that the civility of our Army had been ever till now concealed from them Officers and Souldiers unanimously desired imployment for Jreland being willing to take the Sacrament Oath for that they proposed or to enter into what other Obligation should be thought fit That as they would never beare Armes against the Parliament in England so that they would not if they were imployed in Jreland by the Parliament desist from pursuing of their commands against the Jrish Rebels upon any countermand or other invitation of the Kings affirming that they had sufficiently smarted already for being enticed by him Saturday was appointed to be the day of disbanding which yet of very necessity was put off till the next day in the meane time one hundred and twenty more of the Enemies Foot with Colours came in and now all things being agreed the Commissioners of both sides supt this night with the General The next day which was appointed for the Disbanding was the Lords day in which the Army would have been glad to have rested but in regard time was precious and the country suffered so much by the Enemies Forces that lay upon them they by good warrant preferred mercy and necessity before sacrifice and the French Regiment under the command of Monsieur Laplane which was to be the first disbanded was that day brought to the place appointed for Disbanding Their Horses were very poore they having before by private contracts put off the best of them There were about three hundred dismounted but they having made their markets before most of their Horses as was but just were turned back upon their owne hands as not worth the twenty shillings an Horse which they were to receive according to the agreement In the space of five dayes more was the work finished and the whole Field force of the Enemy in the West of England disbanded viz. On Monday two Brigades of Horse Tuesday 17. the two Brigades of the Lord Cleveland's and Major-General Web's Wednesday 18. part of the Lord Wentworth's Colonel Bovile's Brigade Lord Hopton's Life-guard and Sir Richard Greenvil's Life-guar'd Thursday two Brigades more of which the Lord Goring's was one and the Princes Life guard Friday 20. the two last Troops of all the Cornish Horse were disbanded The number of Brigades in all that were disbanded were nine viz. the French Brigade consisting of three Regiments The Lord Wentmorth's Brigade consisting of four Regiments Sir James Smith's Brigade consisting of three Regiments The Lord Cleveland's Brigade consisting of four Regiments Major-General Web's of three Regiments The Lord Hopton's Brigade commanded by Colonel Bovile The Lord Goring's Brigade of five Regiments The Princes Life-guard consisting of nine Troops being seven hundred men armed Sir Richard Greenvil's Reformadoes The men that were dismounted are proper and lusty men To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire SPEAKER of the Honourable House of COMMONS SIR WHilst I lay at Bodman for the necessary refreshment of the Army and to block up the Passages from Bodman to the North and South Sea I sent a Summons with Propositions to Sir Ralph Hopton and the Army under his command A true Copy whereof I have here inclosed being encouraged thereunto by some of the Enemies Officers and Souldiers who came in to me and informed of their inclinablenesse to Conditions and hoping thereby either to bring them to such termes as should be to your advantage or would distract and weaken them and withall understanding by the intercepted Letters I sent you that an Irish Infantry was ready to be shipt for England I thought fit to try all meanes which in probability might break their Body of Cavalry upon the place When I had dispatched these Propositions to the Enemy J advanced upon Monday with all the Army from Bodman towards Truro being then the Enemies head Quarters and to Tregny where I quartered that night Sir RalphHopton sent a Trumpeter to me with a Letter desiring to have Commissioners apointed on both sides to meet at Tresilian-Bridge the next day with power to treat and conclude which I assented to The Treaty accordingly began the Commissioners meeting about four a clock in the Afternoon and J in the meane time advancing the quarters of the Army to Truro and
Saint Allen After some time spent between the Commissioners this agreement was made a Copy whereof I have here also enclosed and in execution thereof this day we began to disband the French Brigade under Colonel Lapland To morrow we proceed with three other Brigades they having nine in all and shall endeaveur to shorten this work as much as may be Truly Sir this must needs be acknowledged for an admirable mercy from the same gracious hand of providence that hath hitherto gone along with you that so considerable a force as this should be so baffled first at Torrington and afterwards should put themselves as it were into a Net whereby they were necessitated to take termes to the â—tter Ruine of so great a Bodie of Cavalry which according to all our information and the confession of our Enemies was not lesse at the time of the Treatie then four or five thousand Horse The Articles of Agreement will speak the mercie and needs no comment yet I hope I may make this observation upon them that thereby not onely so great a Body of Cavalry is broken but so many both Officers and Souldiers disobliged from taking armes against you and this at such a season when a Forraigne Aide so ready as the Earle of Glamorgan's Letters sent up formerly and now sent you speake at large the timely freeing of us for other services that remaine with discouragement put upon the Enemies Garrisons in these parts which we hope will cause them the more speedily to come in we trust will be good consequences of this work It 's the desire of us all the praise of all may be returned to God to whom it is onely due The reputation of this hath already produced a surrender of Saint Mawes Castle wherein we found about thirteen Guns and good proportion of Ammunition which place gives you a better interest in Falmouth-Harbour then the Enemy hath For by the advantage hereof you may bring in Shipping without hazard which they cannot It hath also occasioned the comming in of between three hundred and four hundred Foot of the Enemies with their Armes to me and given the Countries such heart against them That in Peryn a Towne formerly not very well affected and in Saint Ive they stand upon their Guards against the Enemy For further particulars concerning this businesse I referre you to Master Peters who since he came into this County where he was borne hath very much furthered the service in the bringing of the Country in so freely to the protection of the Parliament I remaine Your most humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX TRURO March 14. 1645. Articles of Agreement concluded betwixt Commissary Generall Ireton Colonell John Lambert Colonell John St. Aubin Commissary Generall Stane Captaine Edward Herle and Richard Deane Comptroller of the Ordnance Commissioners appointed on the behalfe of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX Knight Generall of the Parliaments Army on the one part And Colonell Charles Goring Colonell Marcus Trevor Colonell Thomas Panton Colonell Jordan Bovill Sir Richard Prideaux Knight and Major Goteer Commissioners appointed on the behalfe of the Right Honourable the Lord HOPTON Generall of his Majesties Army on the other part as followeth I. IT is concluded and agreed That no person in the Lord Hopton's Army not formerly by name excepted by the Parliament from pardon shall be excluded from the privilege of this Treaty either as being a Forreigner or for having formerly served the Parliament but shall equally have the benefit of what shall upon this Treaty be granted to other persons of that quality that they are of in the Army And for any persons by name excepted by the Parliament they shall have present liberty if they desire it to goe beyond Seas with like recommendation and equipage as others of like quality or if they desire to live at home in England to make their addresses to the Parliament for that or other purpose they shall have leave and reasonable time so to do and the General 's protection to live quietly and at liberty in any place they shall nominate and chuse within the Parliaments Quarters untill they have received the Parliaments Resolution And if the Parliament shall not think fit to grant such their desires they shall then have leave and Passes to goe beyond Sea as before or to any of the King's Armies or Garrisons as they shall think fit II. That the Army and Forces under the command of the Lord Hopton shall within six dayes after the date hereof be wholy disbanded and discharged by the Lord Hopton and the Generall Officers Colonels and other Officers under his command according to the severall charges in manner hereafter expessed III. That all common Troopers Corporals of Horse Farriers and Sadlers that are mounted being of or belonging to the Forces under the command of the right honourable the Lord Hopton shall bring in and deliver up their Horses with their Bridles and Saddles and all their Armes unto his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or unto whom he shall appoint to receive them in manner time and place as is hereafter exprest Provided that all Corporals and such common Troopers as shall appeare Gentlemen of worth and such other Troopers as shall goe beyond Sea shall be allowed to keep and carry away with them their Swords IV. That upon performance hereof they shall receive twenty shillings a man or keep their Horses and shall have their Passes to goe to their homes in England or beyond Sea with their Bag and Baggage which they shall have leave to carry with them or dispose of them as they please and those to whom Swords are allowed as before to passe with their Swords V. That the Commission-Officers of Horse under the Lord Hopton for their severall Troops respectively shall cause the said Horses and Armes to be duly delivered in without changes spoyling or imbezlement among themselves according to the effect of the first Article before-going VI. That this being performed all the said Commission-Officers of Horse in present command and all Trumpeters belonging to them shall have liberty to goe away either to their homes in England or beyond the Seas with their Bag and Baggage And also they shall have such number of Horses and Equipage as is hereafter allowed according to their severall qualities That is to say First For those that shall chuse to goe beyond the Seas the full number of Horses and Fire-armes if they have so many of their owne To Trumpeters one Horse a piece and their Trumpets To Quartermasters two Horses and one case of Pistols To Cornets three Horses and two case of Pistols To Lieutenants four Horses and three case of Pistols To Captaines Majors and Lieutenant-Colonels six Horses and four case of Pistols To Colonels eight Horses and six case of Pistols To the Adjutant generall six Horses and four case of Pistols To the other Adjutants of Brigades three Horses a piece and one case of Pistols To the Scoutmaster-generall six Horses and two