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A95892 Magnalia Dei Anglicana. Or, Englands Parliamentary chronicle. Containing a full and exact narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies, and mighty (if not miraculous) deliverances, great and glorious victories, and admirable successes, ... from the yeer, 1640. to this present year, 1646. Compiled in four parts; the two first, intituled, God in the mount. The third, Gods ark overtopping the worlds waves; the fourth, The burning-bush not consumed: this last part, comming up to these present times, and to our most renowned generall, Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous actions, in the west, and the happy (because unbloody) rendition of Oxford, in this present yeer, 1646. Collected cheifly for the high honour of our wonder working God; and for the unexpressible comfort of all cordiall English Parliamentarians. / By the most unworthy admirer of them, John Vicars.; God in the mount. Part 4 Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652. 1646 (1646) Wing V319; Thomason E348_1; ESTC R201016 408,597 484

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of the State in those parts the House ordered that 2000. l. should be charged in course upon the receipt of the Excize with consideration also for forbearance thereof for the speedy supply of the Forces under the command of the said Col. Generall And for the encouragement and at a gratuity to the said Noble 〈◊〉 and Faithfull Colonell Genrall Laughorne the House ordered That the Estate of John ●arlow of 〈◊〉 Gentleman who had been long in actuall Armes against the Parliament shall be setled by Ordinance of Parliament upon the said Col. Generall and his Heires The House also Ordered That the Ministers of the severall Churches and Chappels in London Westminster and 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 should the next Lords day give thanks to Almighty God for the happy successe of our Forces in clearing the whole County of Pembroke for the surrender of the 〈◊〉 and of Lacock-House also in Wiltshire and it was ordered That the Lord Major of the City of London should give timely notice thereof accordingly About the 28. instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire to the Parliament of a very great and notable Victory which our good God was graciously pleased to give to their Forces under the Command of valiant active and loyall Major Generall Pointz against the Forces of the King within three or foure miles at the 〈…〉 of the City of Chester the manner whereof was in briefe thus The King resenting the great danger he was in of the utter losse of West●hester which in all probability was like suddenly to come to passe if speedy reliefe came not unto them Our Forces which besieged them since the taking of the Suburbs thereof having by their batter●es made a breach in the Wall and purposing 〈…〉 The King I say having knowledge of this their danger resolved with what strength he possibly could make presently to advance thither and with between ● and 5000 Horse and Dragoones part whereof he had drayned out of many of his Garrisons made all the speed he could to come timely to their help In which interim Major Generall Poyntz who indeed hath deserved much honour for his constant activity in the whole Service and resolution as I told you before most diligently to attend the Kings Motions having intelligence hereof and renowned Colonell Rossiter with his Horse being come up to Generall Poyntz and the Scottish and Cheshire Horse being joyned with them they all thus conjoyned together marched away with extraordinary expedition for Westhester and went on without any possible intermission day and night to get before the King and withall in his way took in a strong House with a Draw-Bridge moated which stood in the way of his march in lesse than an houres space And after a very hard march as I said day and night on the 24 of Septemb. in the morning his van curriers discovered the Enemy upon a Moore or Heath within three or foure miles at most of Chester called Rowton-Moore Whereupon notwithstanding his former tedious and even overtyring marches of neere upon 300 miles not resting above a day in a place together with divers difficulties which he was forced to passe through and all this to prevent or at least overtake the King yet I say notwithstanding all these he immediately drew into order and advanced upon them though all his forces were not then come up together for he supposed and hoped to take the Enemy at unawares it being probable they could have no intelligence of his being so neare though it proved otherwise for his Letters written that night to the Commander within the out-Lines of Chester giving notice of his advance were intercepted and the Enemy being possessed of the advantage of ground and in order confronted our Van led by Colonell Hugh Bethell in the middest of a Lane betwixt two Moores covered with the armed men of both Ba●taliaes where was given a very sharp and gallant charge by both parties for after Pistols were discharged at half Pikes distance they disputed the matter with their Swords a full quarter of an houre neither yeelding ground to other till at length the Enemy was forced to retreat whom our men pursuing were re-encountred by a fresh reserve at the Lanes mouth and they were likewise discomfited and a third but being over powred were in the end forced to retreat through the Lane● uncapable of receiving a Reserve to second them here we had some losse the Enemy pursuing to the Lanes end but were beaten back for there was space for our Reserves to advance Colonell Bethell and Colonell Graves were then sore wounded after this the Generall perceiving the Enemy lay upon his advantage onely skir●●●ed him with some flying parties while he held correspondency with his friends in Chester Suburbs whose signe was the discharge of two peeces of Ordnance when they would issue out with Horse and Foot to join● with him upon whose appearing the Enemy quitted their station and the Generall with a party advanced to take the most convenient ground giving command in Colonell Parsons Quartermaster generall of the Army Colonell Sandies who performed the duty of Commissary Generall of the Horse during the aforesaid march being then imployed to the Committee of both Kingdoms to order up the rest which was opportunely done for they joyned with the Auxiliary forces of Horse and Foot in the enemies ground and were drawn into many small Divisions and Reserves being much overnumbred by the Enemy who accompted themselves 5000 Horse and Generall Poyntz not above 2500 Horse besides two small bodies of Foot who were disposed in the two outmost intervals of Horse upon the very instant of this juncture the Enemy advanced with their whole Body and the Generall leaving the charge of the reserves to Colonell Parsons tooke care of and led up the Van Divisions with which after a round volly of shot from the Foot he joyned battell charging the Enemy in Front and Flanck where his horse was deeply wounded on the head being continually seconded with reserves as often as there was occasion the rest being kept intire followed at a due distance The prevailing Generall put the Enemy to a totall rout and although the pursuit was as hot as could be expected from such wearied Horse thorow narrow durty lanes and over ditches the Enemy rallied in a great moore wide of Chester in two vast bodies a great distance assunder the first not without some dispute were again routed and the other likewise who retreated upon the Warwick Regiment with such violence as bore them away confusedly intermixed with the flying Enemy up to the out-Works of the Suburbs the Musketeers within were never the lesse liberall of their Gunshot but the Divine providence appeared much in the distribution of the impartiall Bullets few or none lighting upon our men though many of the Enemy were found there expiring A Body of horse all the while of these last
as neer the Town as the Enemies Cannon would suffer This was upon Fryday the 25 of Octob. The King kept within the Town guarded by his Artillery but his body of Horse and Foot drew out into Speenfield the midway betwixt the Town and Castle both to make his Army more numerous and also to embattle them in a place of extraordinary advantage That day afforded nothing save an interview the interposing river hindring our desired fight on their side appeared rather a declining to bee ingaged either that their numbers were not equall or from an expectation of Ruperts advance with 3000 Horse or Dragoones and the return of the Earl of Northampton from Banbury with a 1000. The Enemies strength is reported to have been 8000 Foot and 5000 Horse which albeit a gallant Army yet upon our drawing into battalia they durst not take the field but to counterpoise our numbers with his Stratagems hee fell mainly to fortifie the Town especially the avenues and having raised his batteries and lined the hedges hee stood upon his guard and with some great p●ices where hee saw the biggest bodies and most advantage hee sent liberally some of his bullets among us which killed 2 or 3 Horse but hurt not their Riders For many houres some parties of Horse skirmisht betwixt both the Armies in which play wee had the best on our part but one of our men fell of their 's 4 or 5. of which one had been knighted It being impossible to ingage them without much hazzard that night the greater part of our Army marched unto Cheveley The horse commanded by Sir William Waller and Sir William Belfore the foot by Sergeant Major Generall Skippon whilst the other encamped before the East-end of the Town and was ordered by the Earl of Manchester at one same time they had all agreed to storm the Garrison on both sides That night and the next wee quartered in the open field but neither the coldnesse of the weather nor want of usuall provision any whit disanimated the Souldier the earnest expectation of fight swallowed up all other extremities Howbeit most of them had 3 dayes provision prepared by Command in his snapsack By day-break upon Sunday the horse and Foot commanded by Sir William Waller and Major Generall Skippon were upon their March and in 4 houres had surrounded Dennington-Castle and made their approach toward the West of Newberry By the way wee intercepted 2 or 3 Carts of the Enemies provision intended they said for his Majesty but in respect an unworthy race about him were to have shared therein and that our men more needed it wee disposed of it to our selves To recompence which they fell upon our Rear from the Castle and took 10 or 12 of ours prisoners Upon this March wee received the report that Newcastle was taken by storm and the Vlster Rebells in Ireland totally defeated happy news unto us and of a double use to our engagement It was one of the clock ere the Train and Rear came up and neer 3 ere wee could bee put into Battalia With extraordinary shouts and other testimonies of courage and joy the Western-body advanced and the forlorn Hopes of horse quickly began the fight which with as much eagernesse was seconded by the foot so as for 3 houres at least the fight was maintained with as much resolution and bravery on our side and desperatenesse on the other as hath been seen since the commencement of these Warres the Cannon and small shot on both sides firing with as quick a motion as was possible to bee done by Souldier● and amongst the foot to speak impartially his Excellencies Regiment did most eminently well of whom especially and of the rest wee can speak very justly we neither saw man nor party horse or foot either to desert his duty or dishearten his fellow About the midst of the fight the Earl of Cleveland and some other of the Enemies prime Commanders rode among our Souldiers asking them Wherefore they would fight against their own men but being demanded the word and not knowing it divers of them were knockt down from off their horses and the Earl of Cleveland himself and some other Officers were taken prisoners And after a long and hot dispute wee beat the Enemy first from their works and then from their Ordnance 9 in number Our forces were no sooner possest of the Ordnance which were a part of those which wee lost in Cornwall but our Western sparks with exceeding great joy hug'd and kist them and cryed out Now will wee shew them a Cornish hop and on the other side many of the Cavaliers most fearfully threw down their Armes and ran away crying out Devils Devils they fight like devils for ours gave no Quarter to any whom they knew to bee of the Cornish In which fierce fight and brave deportment of ours wee lost a few men and with or among them Captain Cawler a brave Gentleman of Glam●rganshire who by an honourable and triumphant hazzard bequeathed the thing adventured to us with his life also an expression sufficient fully to entitle himself True to his Charge notwithstanding his captivity in Cornwall The day was of so much discontent to the King that wrapping up his losses with the night an houre after mid-night hee marched or rather fled out of the Town with an attendant Troop only toward Winchester and sent up his Cannon Carriages and Baggage to the Castle where at day-break wee saw them placed Upon the first intelligence of their departure Colonell Cromwell followed the body of the Enemy a houres before day the issue of which as yet wee hear not of Our men are full of Spirit and extraordinarily heightned with this Victory The Enemy hath little to support them but their Rodomants In the mean time as an addition and signall of good successe wee have as I toucht before the Earl of Cleveland prisoner taken by a Leivtenant of Colonell Barkleys who wonders how Generall Goring escaped our hands but his Brother paid his account being shot dead as hee charged and most of his Troop were cut off and Major Trevillian and divers other whose bodies are seen but names as yet undiscovered Above 200 were slain on the ground and 300 taken prisoners wherof these in speciall by name The Earl of Cleveland Captain Philpot Leivtenant Harper Leivtenant Roan Cornet Whealand Quartermaster Ironmonger Quartermaster Campion Quarter master Nicholas Mr. John Percie all these of the Earl of Clevelands Brigade and 38 Troopers of the same Brigade Taken prisoners of Sir Ralph Hoptons Regiment Captaine Elmes a Captain of Horse Mr. Simon Court Quartermaster to Hoptons own Troop Edward Philips Henry Dimmo●k Hugh Pope Gent. of Arme● and divers other Troopers Colonell Philpot Captain Mildem●y Captain N●vet Mr. Richard Niston Mr. John Curtis Mr. Edward Archer and divers other Gentl. of Armes and Reformadoes besides as I said before 300 Common Souldiers And
the younger Sir Robert Spotswood pretended Secretary of State and Son to the late pretended Archbishop S. Andrews Sir John Hay sometimes Clarke Register Sir James Dowglas Sonne to the Earl of Morton Sir David Murray Sir John Byres Sir Nathaniel Gordon Sir Alexander Lesly Serjeant Major Generall Sir William Rollock William Murray Brother to the Earle of Tullibrand Col. William Stewart adjutant-Generall Col. James Hay O Cain Lieutenant-Colonell to the Irish The Serjeant Major to the Earl of Antrim and di●●rs Gentlemen Prisoners of note killed LOdwick Lindsay Earl of Crawford Generall of the Horse The Baron of Innerleigh The Baron of Tough The Baron of Cambusnethen younger And Common Souldiers as was toucht before between 2 and 3000. In all which Fight our friends of the Scots lost not one Noble man or any Officer of note save onely Lieutenant Generall Middletons Father whom Montrosse before the Fight too murthered in his bed a grave old Gentleman that never tooke up Armes at all against him All Montrosses Carriages and Ammunition were taken all his Bagge and Baggage and above 4000 Armes And that Gods due glory may yet more illustriously appeare in this famous Fight and rare Victory I shall desire the Reader to take notice of these remarkable Observations on this Fight and Victory As First Montrosse having had so long a time after this last great Victory before Lesly came yet he had not gotten many thousands together Secondly That all this time not one Minister of Scotland complyed with the Enemy either to preach to them or to pray for them Thirdly That the Lord gave us this Victory in the space of an houre Fourthly That it was by an inconsiderable party not above five Regiments of Horse Fifthly That it was onely with the losse of fifteen Common Souldiers and two Captains on our side Sixthly That it was the very next day after our Fast or day of humiliation as a precious returne of our poore Prayers Seventhly and lastly that in the conclusion of the fight a paper-book was taken among our prizes in which were the names of all that either were come in or intended to come in unto Montrosse So as all the rotten members in the Kingdome of Scotland were thereby discovered in an houre and many of them cut off in a short time in this their overthrow Our Souldiers all cried out after the victorie Give all the glory to God and none to us This relation of this famous victorie though acted in and chiefly interested on the kingdome of Scotland yet having so much of God in it and no small influence on us of England also our Scottish-Brethrens wel-fare and ours being so mutually imbarked as it were in one and the same vessell I could not therefore pretermit it insilence but most justly make this honourable mention of it in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle But now to proceed About the 18. of this instant September it pleaseth the Lord to shew himselfe wonderfully for us at the City or Towne of Chester in giving there unto renowned Sir William Breretons forces left under the Command of that valiant active and faithfull Colonell Iones and Adjutant Generall Louthane a most admirable victorie and such singular prosperous successe upon that City as gave us extraordinary hopes and probability of the timely totall reduction thereof to the obedience of the Praliament which having beene most exactly and faithfully certified and set forth by letters from thence I have here thought fit to give the Reader for his full content and satisfaction therein the Copie of one most authentick from a speciall Commander and actor therein which was as foloweth SIr It hath pleased the good hand of Gods providence and assistance to leade us on so prosperously and successefully in these parts of Cheshire that our Leaguer at Beeston-Castle hath continually kept the said Castle in great awe so kept in the enemie also at the City of Chester on Chester-side as that they could not at any time offend us but if they durst be so bold as to sally forth it hath still turned to their owne prejudice And now lately we heard for certaine that Byron their Governour went out of Chester on the welch side and we having much longed for noble Sir William Breretons comming down to command in chiefe among us which would no doubt ere this time have been an occasion of at least doubling our forces for the better and strong managing of our affaires heere But however we being unwilling to loose any advantage which we could possibly gaine or might be happily administred to us have at this time attempted a great designe yea such an one as you will iustly wonder at especially knowing the smallnes of our strength yet to God alone be all the praise and glory we are now both able to give a very good account of it for the present and we doubt not by Gods assistance we shall be able so to do for the future But noble Sir not to trouble you any farther with a tedious preamble time being precious with us at this time especially The busines was thus On Fryday last September 19 1645. We called a Councell of Warre in the Leaguer before Beeston Castle to consult about the marching to Chester to storme that Garrison and concluded that it should be done forthwith So we stole away from the Leaguer that night the Enemie within the Castle knowing nothing at all of the businesse and drew off about 1300. horse and foot from the Siege Collonel Iones commanded the horse and Adjutant Generall Louthany the foot and the next morning before the Enemie were awake we came upon them having marched all that night through the Moores passing over the River at Hupley and so on by the way of Wareton not so much as staying at Christleton to refresh our selves lest by our stay we should loose the opportunitie or be discovered We marched that night about eight miles and passed before breake of day between Christleton and Hunnington and so on to Boughton all which we carried on so privately that the Enemy had not so much as an alarme in the City We came before the City on the North east side thereof where we made no stop but presently fell to storming and by breake of day were got upon their Works and many of us got over in severall places before they heard any thing of us we tooke their workes betweene Cowland and Boughton quite to the walles of the City the enemy still flying before us we pursued them to the inner-worke which they shut up against us but we forced open the gates at the barres and still followed them driving them into the East gate which we had prevented them of had we not been stopped by the fastning of the gate which they did to gain opportunity to flye into the city we lost in all this not above 2. men killed many wounded the enemy carried away their dead all but one body many of
who had suffered much and beene brought into great poverty and miserie by the enemies there And our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland kept the like solemn-day of Thanksgiving in their armie to blesse God with us for this great mercie unto us And see and admire as a farther ground of Thankefulnes and to raise up our Spirits to a higher pitch of bounden gratitude Even the very same morning that we were praising the Lord for that great mercy so graciously received there came yet more joyfull newes to the Parliament of a great overthrow given by his Excellency renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces to the Enemy at Torrington in the West the particulars of which so memorable a victory cannot I conceive but be of most singular satisfaction to the Kingdome and people of God especially I shall therefore give the Reader a full and faithfull intimation thereof as it was sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of piety credit and eminency in his Excellencies Army and was read in the House of Commons Febr. the 20. which was as followeth SIR SAturday Febr. 14. our Army marched from Crediton and the quarters thereabout to Chimleigh Sunday they marched very early to a Rendezvouze some two miles in the way to Torrington with intention to have gone on but our Parties of horse bringing in some prisoners by whose examination we could not certainly learn which way the Enemy bent whereupon another party was sent out of Colonell Butlers Troope the forlorn of which party being twelve took twelve of the Lord Gorings Life-guard and 24 Horse and brought them to the Generall upon their examination it appeares the Enemy was ignorant of our motion The Lord Hopton was in Torrington And further that a party of the Enemies Horse was at Burrington the Generall sent a partie of Horse to meet with them under command of Captaine Barry who accordingly charged the Enemy put them to a rout shot Lieutenant Colonell Dundash a Renegado and of the Lord Cleevelands Brigade and tooke severall prisoners and brought Dundash three miles on the way but being mortally wounded was inforced to leave him at Ringdash a foot quarter of ours Also another party of Horse toward the East met with the Enemy taking some Prisoners and Horse and shot Major Bret by this time a Bridge was made up some two miles off Chimleigh so that our Army might with convenience march over but the day being so far spent it was not held fit to march with the whole Army so three Regiments of Horse and three of Foot marched some foure miles towards the Enemy that night the rest returned to Chimleigh with Orders to march Munday Feb. 16. the Generall with that part of the Army that was at Chimleigh marched up to the rest of the Army and within five miles of Torrington had a generall Rendezvouze both of Horse and Foot drew them up in Batalia and so marched up towards the Enemy When we came within two miles of Torringron our forlorne hope of Horse charged theirs put them to retreat whereupon they came on again with a very strong party and put ours to a stand the reserves of our forlorn being come up and some foot forced them to their Body againe our forlorn of horse pursued and alarmed them at Squire Rolls his house within a mile of Torrington where they began to fortifie but the Enemy perceiving our Foot came up quit the House and drew their Forces to Torrington and our forlorne of Horse advanced after them The Enemy drew their Foot out of the Town into the closes about a quarter of a mile our forlorn hope of Foot lined the hedges and so faced each other about two houres within halfe Musket shot e●changed many shot and there was then continuall skirmishing by the Forlornes and Reserves on both sides and some Prisoners taken by this time it began to be darke and a Councell of War was called whether to engage before day or not whereupon the Generall Lieutenant Generall with the rest of the Colonels deferred a Resolution a little time and rid to the forlorn hope to see in what posture they were while they were there the Tattoo was heard to beat in the Towne which assured us the Enemy continued in the Town not flying away as was reported but to be certaine six Dragoones were commanded to creep under a hedge neer the Barracadoes and to give fire to see whether they would answer by which we might know whether they stood to defend the Towne The Enemy received the charge and answered it with a very sharp volley of shot Our forlorn hope seeing the Dragoons engaged gave fire whereupon the Enemy gave fire all along the hedges and Works thereupon the Reserve to the forlorn came on to relieve them and so being engaged the whole Army advanced and about eight at night the battell began some six fields from the Town and we fought from hedge to hedge untill we beat them into their Barracadoes which they maintained for an houre after very resolutely our men being often repulsed yet at last got over the Barracadoes and forced the Enemy into the Town whereupon the Horse were let in who scouring the streets were received by the Enemy and a hot charge given by both parties yet it pleased God at the last we do 〈◊〉 them out of the Barracadoes at the furthest end of the Towne and by this time many prisoners were taken and put into the Church but farre more escaped being darke over the hedges and by-wayes which was not possible for us to prevent throwing downe their Arms and every man flying severall waies Our Forces were no sooner possest of the Towne but the Enemies Magazine which they left in the Church was fired whether on purpose by the Enemy or by accident we cannot yet learne but it proved a terrible blow not only blazing up the Church with all the wood and lead that was upon it deforming many houses in the Town but killed some of the Prisoners in the Church and some of our men that were in the Church-Yard two great Webs of Lead fell within twice a Horse length of the Generall but it pleased God he escaped though in eminent danger many others being hurt both with the Timber Stones and Lead most of the Towne was shaken by this blow being the terriblest that hath been seen in the memory of man there being about 80 Barrels of powder blown up together and one barell which was blowne out of the Church into the streete which took not fire The Enemy perceiving their Magazine to be 〈◊〉 fired gave one charge more with their horse up to our Barracadoes commanded by Sir Iohn Digby but our Musketeers gave fire whereupon they tooke their farewell our first instantly advanced through the Towne after them and began the pursue about 11 of the clock at night Thus it hath pleased God in an instant to scatter those Forces of the Lord Hoptons his infantry being
their Castle Wall than to suffer those former inconveniences which was done thus I marched out of Hereford munday night last with 500 Horse and Foot undiscovered untill I came within Pistoll shot of Goodrich a little before day then fell on with 100 firelocks for the Forlorn and entred over the Wall neare the end of their stable the wall was very high yet got over before they had a full alarm and found in the stable about fourescore Horse and five men which Horse I took all digging thorow the wall and turning them out the men were slaine and taken the stable with hay and other provision burnt In the mean time I fell on their out-Guard in a place called the Boat-House which was within Pistoll shot of the Castle which held out two houres untill it was digged thorow then they desired quarter for their lives wherein was Major Pateson Commander of the Horse and Major Benskin and 15 Gentlemen more and Troopers whom I brought to Hereford This successe it pleased the Lord to give me with little losse which is very advantagious and especially enabling me to perform those commands laid upon me by the right honourable the Committee for both Kingdoms And this day in the way as I was comming to Gloucester to that purpose some Horse belonging to Goodrich Castle way laid me which were out on a party when I tooke the rest munday night there being with me Colonell Kirle and about 12 more but not so many ready The Enemy stood in the way which we perceiving gave them a charge their number being 14. tooke and slew 12. and the other two escaping through the River to the Castle For the Forces under the command of Sir Jacob Ashley they are now neer Worcester I question not but a speedy course will be taken with them which shall be the constant endeavour of your most thankfull Servant John Birch About the 23 of this instant March we received certaine intelligence of the famous and most happy victory obtained by the Forces of ever to be honoured Sir William Brereton valiant Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch over the Forces of Sir Jacob Ashley which was a very hot and furious fight our Forces being twice worsted but at last by Gods mighty power and assistance the victory was given to ours at least 200 being slaine on the place 3000 totally routed and at least 2000 Arms taken The particular description of which most famous fight and glorious victory being delivered in a Letter to some Honourable Members of the Parliament by a Gentleman of quality and credit under Sir William Brereton and by their order and authority printed and published I have thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth Honourable Sir ACcording to my engagements I shall give you an account of the proceedings of our Forces in reference to our great Victory at Stow Sir William Brereton having intelligence of Sir Jacob Ashleyes march and being invited by valiant and active Colonell Morgan to follow and set upon him he forthwith marched from Litchfield with about 1000 Horse to Colshell and from thence thorow Warwick Town toward Stratford upon Avon where Sir William had intelligence that Colonell Morgan was returned back as far as Cambden by reason of his intelligence of the crossings and Counter-marches of Sir Jacob Ashley insomuch that Sir William Brereton was forced out of his earnest desire to meet and joyn with Colonell Morgan as was mainly intended to march up and down backward and forward at least 30 miles to overtake him and at last did so and then being joyned we all marched about a mile by which time the Scouts had brought us word that the Enemy was drawne up into a body neer Stow in the Old at which all our Souldiers greatly rejoyced being very desirous to engage Then we marched the whole Army in Battalia and after we had discovered them also standing in Battalia we faced them an houre before we fought both sides waiting and longing for day light Then Sir Will. Brereton and Colonell Morgan agreed without any difference in the drawing up of the Army which was ordered as followes Sir William Brereton led the right Wing of Horse which were those that came with him from Litchfield and the Gloucestershire men were placed in the left Wing Colonell Morgan himself most gallantly led the Van our Word was God be our Guide the Enemies Word was Patrick and George Upon the first charge the Enemy forced our left Wing to a disorderly retreat by over powring them so that the victory at first seemed somwhat doubtfull but Sir William Brereton most bravely going on with his right Wing of Horse and at least 200 Firelocks fiercely charged their left both of Horse and Foot and totally routed them In which brave peece of service undau●ted and valiant Major Hauksworth had a principall hand and was a main help utterly torout and put to flight all the left Wing of the Enemy and Colonell Morgan by this time performed his charge so bravely also and with so much courage and good successe that having rallied his men up gallantly againe against the Enemy he put them also to an absolute rout and so they pursued them into Stow killing and wounding many in the Towne both Gentlemen and Officers of quality and in this pursute Major Hawksworth his man as I was credibly enformed took the Lord Ashly prisoner and all his foot Officers were then also taken prisoners and Sir Charles Lucas as was credibly reported was then also taken in the fight but immediatly after rescued by a party of Firelocks of the Enemie and on his rescue fled into the Wood hard by for hoped safety but after the fight our forces searching the wood for straglers found there the said Sir Charles Lucas even he who formerly had done the King great service in the North and was Governour of Berkley Castle but now I say was taken prisoner againe and put into safe custody This most remarkable piece of service being thus successefully performed and Sir Jacob Ashley being taken Captive and wearyed in this fight and being ancient for old-ages silver haires had quite covered over his head and beard the Souldiers brought him a drum to sit and rest himselfe upon who being sate he said as was most credibly enformed unto our Souldiers Gentlemen yee may now sit downe and play for you have done all your worke if you ●all not our among your selves Meaning indeed that now he being thus beaten the King had never another armie in the field in the whole kingdome There were taken in this famous fight and glorious Victorie Sir Jacob Ashley alias Lord Ashley the Generall Sir Charles Lucas Col. Corbet Col. Gerrard Col. Mouldsworth Leivtenant-Colonell Broughton 3. Majors 17. Captaines 16. Leiutenants their Marshall Generall 5. Cornets 11. Ensignes 3. Quartermasters the Chirurgeon and Sir William Vaughans
Plymouth the particulars whereof were in substance as followeth That about March 21. 1645. the said Colonell Welden having summoned Inch-House where the Enemy kept a strong Garrison they returned a scornfull Answer Whereupon the Colonell sent 60 Muketeers to keep them from coming out and appointed 60 more to follow with a Demy-Culverin But upon the landing of the first they within begged Quarter for their lives and so surrendred all unto the Colonell There was taken in that Garrison 90 Muskets 4 Minions and 6 Barrels of Powder And by the same Letter we were likewise certified of the surrender of Pouldram strong Fort with 18 Peeces of Ordnance in it and much Ammunition with other Provisions good store which was thus yeelded up to valiant Sir Hard●esse Waller those in the Garrison having had in both of them fair Conditions to depart to their owne homes upon engagement not to take up Armes any more against the Parliament And about the 30 of this instant March we received intelligence by Letters from that brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury of their great and good successe in the taking of that very strong and considerable Garrison of High-Archall after a short siege and having by Granadoes and other great shot battered them for the space of nine houres together without intermission it being I say a place of great strength and well fortified and having a large deep moat about it and in regard of the scituation of it not thought feazable to be carried by storm but by the blessing of God and our continuall plying of our great shot and Granadoes which had done great execution among them in short space we caused them to come to a Parley whereat it was concluded that the Horse all but 40 should march away without Arms that the Foot should all leave their Arms behind them and that they should leave all their Ammunition and Provision of which there was great plenty behind them and they were to have a Convoy to Worcester the place they had made choice of to go unto There marched out 212 Souldiers and Officers out of this Garrison And thus Shropshire by Gods great mercy and the indefatigable industrie care and valour of their Committee is now well cleared from all their open Enemies And much about the foresaid time we were certainly informed that this most gallant and active Committee of Shrewsbury not yet resting immediately after they had thus taken in High Archall as aforesaid sent out a party of Horse and Foot upon a designe against Bridge-North but the length of the march and the wearinesse of the Souldier hindred them so as the Town took the alarm before they could refresh themselves a little and go on in the designe as was intended yet notwithstanding the next day they summoned it Colonell Billingsley who commanded in chief in the Town would give no Answer to the Summons and Colonell Howard who commanded the Castle gave a flat denyall whereupon in the afternoon having set out three Posts the brave Salopians resolved to storm One Post was assigned to Colonell Goulden another to Major Braine and the third to Captain Hickson who at the warning given fell all three on with such a courage and undaunted resolution that they stormed the Towne killed Colonell Billingsley in the heat of the storm together with some others and took divers prisoners the rest of the Gentry fled into the Castle the North Gate Fort also stood some hot dispute but was likewise gained and so the Town taken wholly into their possession and in its proper place we shall certifie the taking in of the Castle also which yet a while stood out very obstinately against them And much about the foresaid time we heard for certaine out of the West that Portland Castle was surrendred the Enemy within it having had liberty granted them to go to their own homes leaving all their Armes and the Castles Ammunition behinde them And upon the 31 of this instant March we were certainly informed by a Letter out of the West of the taking of Exmouth Fort the particulars whereof were as followeth in this ensuing Letter to Colonell Ceeley Noble Colonell I Beseech you to excuse my not giving you an account of the businesse of Exmouth Fort till now which hath been occasioned by reason of the sudden commands of Sir Hardresse Waller laid upon me to advance neer the City of Exeter And although I know you are well acquainted with our proceedings yet I conceive it my duty to advertise you of our condition The 14 instant I summoned the Fort and took possession of it the next day I have sent you inclosed what provision was left in it The Governour thereof Lieutenant Colonell Arundell desires to serve you for Ireland Sir we are now within Musket shot of Mount-Hadford and exchanging shot every minute and God hath pleased to honour yours with the Frontier Quarters As yet nothing hath happened that will not speak us Colonell Ceeleys The forementioned note of what was left in Exmouth Fort was 13 great iron Peeces 2 small Drakes 1 of brasse 3 Murtherers unmounted 72 Muskets 29 Collers of Bandaleers 10 Pikes 10 Halberts and Partizans 12 Barrels of Powder 2 bundles of Match 1 barrell of Pease 5 Hogsheads of Bread 1 Hogshead of Beef 5 Hogsheads of Salt 1 Butt of Beer c. About the beginning of the Moneth of Aprill 1646. we received certaine and most welcome intelligence of the surrender of Dennington Castle about which valiant Colonell Dalbeir having continued playing with his Granadoes into the Castle with much furie it at last procured this good successe That Sir John Boys the Governour thereof finding no hope of help or reliefe and perceiving what great danger the Castle was in at last he agreed to surrender it up to the said noble Colonell for the use of the King and Parliament And so the Enemy immediately came forth of the Castle having liberty according to their Articles to depart to Oxford and our Forces took present possession of it And thus this pernicious nest and den of Royall Robbers and abusers of those parts of the Country was now at last happily emptied and cleared and the Castle restored to its right owner againe that most worthy and truly religious Gentleman Master John Packer whose formerly it had been And Aprill 2. the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled prudently taking notice of the great confluence and resort of Papists Malignant Officers and Souldiers of fortune and such as have borne Arms against the Parliament of England from the Enemies Garrisons and Quarters unto the Cities of London and Westminster and other parts within the Lines of Communication Do for the prevention of such inconveniences as may therby arise think fit to order and it is hereby ordered by the said Lords and Commons That all Papists whatsoever and all Officers and Souldiers of fortune and other persons that have borne Arms
they under tooke the work printed and published them I say to the view of the World An excellent passage of prudence and providence in my poore judgement and worthie such a reverend and religious Assembly And about the 22. instant the House of Commons in Parliament taking into consideration a Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and the Articles which are extant at large in print and too large to be here inserted for the Surrender of Oxford into the possession of the Parliament and having spent much time in debate thereof and being informed that one D●ll the Chaplaine of their Armie before Oxford who brought the Letter and Articles was at the doore the House thereupon ordered that he should be called in and gave him the summe of 50. l. for his paines in the journey and that one Master Heath another messenger from his Excellency should have 30 l. for a gratuity for Letters which he brought about the said businesse and likewise 20 l. to one Master Thredder They likewise considered about the same time of the reception and maintenance of the Duke of Yorke in Saint James with the Kings other two children and there to be provided for in an honourable and Princely way as those two of his Majesties children were And about the 25. instant came Letters from renowned and victorious Colonell Mitton from Carnarvan with Articles inclosed for the surrender of Beaumorris Towne and Castle a very strong Garrison in Wales which much annoyed the Countrie in those parts and the Houses after the reading thereof ordered that the said Colonell Mitton should be Governour of the said strong Towne and Castle and ordered that a Commission should be granted to him accordingly And on Wednesday June 25. the City Garrison of Oxford was surrendred to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax according to the agreement Many we understood at that time made doubt whether it were surrendred or no but we can assure them it for truth being an eye witnesse therof the manner briefly was thus To passe by the severall quarters of our Army and the managing of the Line and works raised against Oxford a Guard was placed of severall Regiments of Foot and Horse from the entrance into Oxon at the East Port or Gate on both sides the way to Wheatly which way the Enemy were to march the surrender by the Articles should have been by ten of the clocke at which time some part of the Garrison marched forth and divers Coaches with Gentry and their Wives and many the day before with Carriages Bagge and Baggage but the maine body marched not forth untill about two in the afternoone on Wednesday at which time there fell a very bitter and violent storme of Raine which held for about an houre some lesser showers we had besides likewise that day but suddenly after the Enemy were marched forth and ours about to enter Oxford the stormes ceased and the rest of the day very cleare and faire and this by the way some doe observe as very remarkable And also that there was the like stormy weather at the surrender of Leicester Bristol and Exeter about two of the clocke as before they marched forth both Officers and Souldiers with their Armes in very good order with bag and baggage both Officers and Souldiers generally demeaned themselves very civilly except some few that were drunke and as themselves say on our parts never were Articles more punctually observed than by us neither officer nor souldier offering them the least prejudice or used any reproachfull language to them as they marched that which many grieved to see was that there should be so many Irishmen and women amongst them such a company of women English Drabbes and Irish trulls as would have made a rotten Regiment these are those that used constantly to follow that Army and whose naughtinesse is so well known we neede not mention it the number that marched out were adjudged to be betweene 3 and 4000. besides those that marched out before and many of the Gentry Clergy and some Commanders that stayed behind in Oxford by permission untill such time as they had Passes to go beyond Sea and some to their owne homes the Garrison in the whole as they report consisted of above 7000. Souldiers in pay townesmen and Schollers that bore armes After the Governour Officers and Souldiers were marched forth the Keyes of the City and Forts delivered to the General his Excellency gave order for 3 foot Regiments to march into Oxford which was done accordingly and the guards presently placed the Souldiers carried themselves with so much civility to the Citizens as was admired not any one of them I am confident being damnified by the entrance of our men to the worth of six pence and I may boldly speake it being then present in Oxford and observed the whole passage courteous language and entertainment there was on both sides and not the least disorder not much provisions were found in the City either for horse or man only salted Beefe and Corne a good quantity a few Peas and Beanes but very little Hay within two or three houres after we had entred the Country people that lived neere adjacent brought in what provisions they had or could so suddainly provide and some fresh meat for the which they received ready monyes and not a Souldier of ours had or desired one penny worth of any commodity but what they gave ready monyes for there was in the Garrison about 30. peece of Ordnance ready mounted and their Workes very strong and large which to have stormed would have cost the lives of very many men too precious to be so cast away when we might have it upon more reasonable termes and we conceived none will imagin the conditions granted over large if they but consider the strength of the place But this I leave to others to judge And on the 26. of this instant June the Houses tooke into Consideration severall Papers presented to the Grand-Committee of Both Houses from the Marquesse of Argyle and the Scottish Commissioners here recident of very singular and speciall Concernment and much conducing to the farther clearing of their most ●●justly suspected integrity towards us of their loving consent to the Propositions now fitted to be sent to his Majesty for the more full compleating our hopes of a well-grounded Peace I have here thought fit to insert two or three of them especially the said pious Earle of Argyles excellent Speech made unto them and a Paper concerning their said full consent to the Propositions both which I have conceived most worthy to be recorded in these our Parliamentary Annals as no small mercy of the Lord unto us in thus so graciously clearing their unspotted fidelity and of the most blessedly defeating the impious designes of the secret and crafty but most malicious enemies of our Peace and Vnity which were as followeth The Marquesse of ARGYLES Speech to the Grand Committee