of the Castle being well informed that the ground whereon it stood was mineable This day towards evening Capt. Horsey another of Colonel Rainsboroughs Officers was shot dead in the place with a birding peice from one of the Towers who with Captain-Lieutenant Flemming of Col. Rainsboroughs Regiment who was shot before were the next day buried after a martiall manner in the Church at Sherborne being the place where Captaine Horseys Ancestors were intombed On Friday August 8. The Generall going to see the working of the Mine as afterwards both Saturday and Lords day he did severall times and the making of the Gallery escaped another great danger by his own souldiers who encompassing some Dear shot round and killed one of their fellows and missed the General as he was passing by narrowly Very freely did the souldiers work in the Mines and Galleries and making of Batteries every man being rewarded twelve pence a piece for the day and as much for the night for the service was hot and hazardous By Monday August 11. The whole Canon and the Treasure for the Army formerly mentioned and then long expected by the Army came to the head quarter This day his Excellency had intelligence that Major Generall Massies horse who were quartered near Taunton to interrupt Gorings forces in case they advanced this way had fallen on some of Gorings horse and taken severall prisoners Tuesday August 12. The Mendeep Miners came and were set to work the enemy threw fiery Faggots over those parts of the Wall where the Miners were and where a Bridge likewise was making over a little Rivolet which was in part burnt thereby but the souldiers presently quenched it and it was put over that night The Generall according to his wonted nobleness sent to Sir Lewis Dives That if he pleased to send out his Lady or any other women he would give way to it Sir Lewis thankfully acknowledged the favour seemed to incline to accept of it but gave no positive answer expressing withall his resolution souldier-like to hold out to the last but under favour it was a madnesse rather then valour seeing he despaired of relief and since that he hath felt the misery of it by a long imprisonment in the Tower Wednesday August 13. The Canon and Demi-Canon were planted on the new Battery where another chiefe Gunner of ours was slain besides one Ienkins another Gunner was shot from the Tower The Miners wrought within two yards of the Wall where the Rock appearing we feared it would have given more interruption then it did but it proving but a soft stone was easily wrought thorow The Generall and Lieutenant Generall vvere twice again this day at the Works and Mines so much did they still engage their persons in the care and oversight of every such vvork Thursday August 14. The great Guns began to play about eleven of the clock and before six had made a breach in the middle of the Wall that ten a breast might enter and had beaten down one of the Towers vvhich much disheartened the enemy On this occasion the great adventurousness of many of the souldiers comes fitly to be remembred vvho vvhilest our Canon played hard upon the Castle and vvanted shot fetcht off the Bullets that vve had shot from under the enemies Walls and had six pence a piece for every Bullet they so brought off vvhich vvere vvorth as much to the service at that time After the breach so made such vvas the noble and mercifull disposition of the Generall that he sent a third Summons to surrender the Castle or to expect extremity vvhich drave the Governour into a great passion vvhich is not hard to do in so much as he said he vvould hang the Drum and vvhen the Drum delivering his message stoutly vvas as he thought sawcy he told him he must have more manners in his presence and sent an answer to this purpose That the language was so far differing from vvhat he had formerly received that he could not believe that it came from the same hand but said that he vvould not lose his honour to save his life it may be as one sayes of him because his Cause and carriage had already lost it if the last vvere he should think it vvell bestowed in the service This day another of our Gunners vvas shot vvith a birding piece By this time our approaches vvere so near that they could have no use of their Musquets only threw down stones And this day our souldiers upon the guard commanded then by Colonel Inglesby a gallant and vveldeserving Gentleman happily gained the Tower in the corner of the Castle out of which our Musquetiers playing into the Castle recompenced with a fatall shot one of the enemies chief marksmen that had so often shot out of the Tower with the birding piece and killed our men Impatient were our men to fall on but in regard the Mine was not ready to spring that night it was resolved to put off the storm till the next day but in the mean time so near did our souldiers venture to the Walls from the Gallery that they pulled the Wooll out of the Wooll-sacks that lay on the enemies Works vvhich caused that strong guards vvere set by the enemy this night great fires were made in the Castle all night long to discover our approaches and mines Friday August 15. Two in the morning the Governour having cooled his brain with a little sleep without any other provocation sent out a Drummer with a message that he was willing to surrender upon honourable terms answer vvas returned no terms but Quarter seeing he had slipt and slighted the opportunity and he vvas not to expect that except he rendred speedily Immediatly the Generall went in person to the Works and viewed the Castle within over the Wall not without great hazard gave Orders for all things to be prepared for a storm every souldier to cut his fresh Faggot whereby in two houres they had above 6000 Faggots with which they were to fill the Trenches and to throw stones and rubbish upon them whilst this was in doing our souldiers that had before gained one Tower recovered also another of their Towers and from thence proved as good marksmen as theirs vvere and out of the same Towers vvhere they shot so many of our men did good execution upon the enemy within Sir Lewis Dives his Secretary vvas slain by a shot from thence and being so happily possest of this Tower vve improved it further to the inforcing them from their Guns within which they had planted to oppose our entrance at the breach the Miners had by this time wrought quite through the foundation of the Wall and our foot plaid so hard from the breach that they were forced to quit the great Court within the Castle this much disheartened the enemy and especially seeing our souldiers comming forwards so merrily with Faggots on their backs to fall on some of them before their time appointed leaping over the
made saving conditions for it selfe in those overflowing inundations both of Saxons and Normans Since the beginning of our late Warres it and its Forces have been more then once fatally disastrous to our former Armies and had ever been from the beginning of the Warres in the possession of the Enemy the people more generally disaffected to the Parliament then any other part of the Kingdome from whence the King as from a never failing Spring was constantly supplied with a choyce and able Infantry All which particulars whosoever doth consider will acknowledge that the reducing of this County was as difficult as desirable And this is another happy fruit of the disbanding those Horse and not only the reduction of that County of Cornwall but the absolute conquest of the West of England most of the Enemies Garrisons there onely waiting to see what would become of these Horse upon whom they depended for reliefe All which considered and put together this service may well live a lasting Monument to the glory of God and the honour of the Instruments Moreover during this space while the Enemies Forces were disbanding as an additionall to the occurrences of these five dayes Monday 16. another Packet of the Lord Glamorgan's taken at Peryn was brought to the General being a Duplicate of those Letters taken at Padstow another Vessell being newly landed there out of Ireland not knowing but that it was still in the Kings hand and that evening was Peryn possest by our Foot who were received with much joy by the Townes people Tuesday 17. Lieutenant-Colonel Ingoldsbey a stout and valiant man going to view Pendennis Castle received a shot from some of the Enemies Musquetteers behind the Mud-walls of which he dyed within three hours Wednesday The General went to view Pendennis and possessed Pennycome-Quick also Dennis Fort with twenty six pieces of Ordnance and thirty barrels of Powder was the same day surrendred to the General and Pensans and Saint Ives stood upon their guards against Goring's Forces Thursday Above an hundred men came with their Armes from Michael's Mount and tendred themselves to serve in the Army CHAP. V. The Army returning to the Siege of Excester with all the particulars of the Treaty and surrender of the same THe whole Field-Force of the Enemy being thus happily reduced Orders were given out immediately for the Army to martch back Eastward Saturday 21. the General accordingly martched from Truro to Bodman and the rest of the Army to other Quarters where they rested the Lords day Monday 23. Consultation was had with the Gentlemen for the settlement of those parts The Lord Mohune and others came to his Excellency that day Tuesday 24. Further debate was had concerning the ordering of the disbanded Horse who plundered the Country as they went and they were all called over by the List at the Bridges they were to passe over to see that none had more Horse with them then were allowed them at the disbanding place Wednesday 25. The General and Lieutenant-General and some of the generall Officers went to Plymouth and viewed the Forts and Works whilest the Army martched another way by Launceston The Governour and the Towne entertaining the General very honourably three hundred pieces of Ordnance discharged to welcome him thither Thursday 26. The Parliament-men and other Gentlemen of the Country met the General at Plymouth conference was had concerning the defensive posture of that County and the speedy sending over of the French that were disbanded and accordingly Ships were provided Friday 27. The General martched from Plymouth to Oakhampton four and twenty miles by Tavestock and the Army martched from Launceston that day within five miles of Oakhampton Saturday 28. His Excellency had newes of Sir Jacob Ashleys being taken and of the routing of his Army by the Forces under the command of Colonel Morgan Sir William Brereton and Colonel Birch and of Sir Charles Lucas being taken by Colonel Fleetwood who with his Horse hindred the conjunction of all the Oxford Horse with the Lord Ashley The General rested this day at Oakhampton till the rest of the Army came up Lords day March 29. They martched from Oakhampton to Crediton fourteen miles some part of the Army went that night to Newton Siers being eighteen miles Orders were given to possesse Heavytree a Village lying within halfe a mile of Excester lest the Enemy should sally out and burne those Villages upon the approach of the Army Monday March 30. The General resting at Crediton some more Foot advanced close to Excester a Summons was prepared to be sent in Tuesday March 31. The General drew all his Army round the City within Musquet shot and as be passed by them at every post our men that lay there gave a volley of shot and a great shout and so on the other side the River there being Bridges made over and presently after his Excellency sent in a Summons and came to quarter that night at Colomb John the rest of the Army to Silverton and other parts The Summons being prepared was sent in and ran thus SIR BEing returned with my Army from the West where God in his wisdome saw it good to bestow a dry and bloodlesse Victory upon me to the great peace and quiet of those parts and conceiving it my duty likewise to endeavour the good of this County which by the occasion of your Garrison is necessarily obstructed I thought fit once more to send you a Summons to deliver up to me the City of Excester with the Castle Forts Armes Ammunition and Magazine belonging to the same beleeving that by this time you are satisfied of the reliefe from the Princes Army and may equally be of all reliefe to come from any other place if your intelligence and knowledge were the same with ours There is nothing more induceth me hereunto then an unfained zeale toward any bloodshed and as much as in me lyes to preserve that City which hath already suffered deeply in these unnaturall distractions from further or greater misery Though I shall not boast of my numbers or strength yet I must needs tell you that I doubt not but the same power which hath formerly made difficult things easie will answer this and will acquit me from being accompted the occasion of those inconveniencies and miseries which necessarily will ensue upon your refusall Sir I shall expect your speedy and positive Answer herein and rest Your Servant THO. FAIRFAX March 31. 1646. month April 1646 Wednesday April 1. Sir John Berkley returned this Answer to the Summons SIR UPon your Summons I called a Counsel of Warre where after some debate it was determined to treat with you or with whom you should appoint and to conclude upon just and honourable termes And to that purpose I desire a safe Conduct for these persons to repaire to your head Quarters with their servants on Friday morning and to returne at their pleasure I remaine Your Servant JOHN BERKLEY April 1. 1646. Those first
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
Tuesday Iuly 15. the General went to Glastenbury and returned that night to the head quarter Wednesday Iuly 16. a Counsel of war was again called and several propositions were made for the framing of our Army and reduction of the town both being of great consequence and vehemently desired by us To rise with our whole Army and leave the town unattempted was conceived to be very prejudiciall to our future progresse To sit down before it being a place of that strength and we not sure to carry it leaving the Enemy at liberty to rally his broken forces seemed very hazardous The blocking of it up by Forts on both sides with a part of our Army was propounded but the difficulty of laying a Bridge over the River through the violence of the current which yet was necessary for the maintaining a communication between our quarters on both sides hindred that designe It was propounded to attempt it by approaches But it was considered that if we should have gone that way it would have proved very tedious and if during our stay about it any great glut of rain should have fallen it would have laid us wet in our trenches and disabled us from effecting the business At last a resolution to storm it was agreed upon though it carried the greatest danger with it yet the desire which the Army had to be speedily free for the further service of the Kingdom surmounted all difficulties the storming being thus happily resolved on to the great and generall satisfaction of all that Army both Officers and Souldiers Lots were drawn for every one to take their posts some to storm some to be reserves others to alarm but the time of falling on not yet determined Friday Iuly 19. it was resolved at a Counsel of War that the time of the storm should be on Monday morning towards dawning of the day The Brigade appointed to storm on that side towards Devon was commanded by Major General Massey being the Regiments of Col. Welden Col. Inglesby Col. Fortescue Col. Herbert Col. Birch and Major General Massies own Regiment the Regiments designed on this side were the Generals Major-generals Col. Pickerings Col. Montagues Sir Hardresse Wallers the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride Colonel Rainsboroughs and Colonel Hamonds The General rode round about the town this day to see if all things were in readines for the storm that both sides might fall on together On the Lords day Iuly 20. Mr. Peters in the forenoon preached a Preparation Sermon to encourage the Souldiers to go on Mr. Bowles likewise did his part in the afternoon After both Sermons the Drums beat the Army was drawn out into the field The Commanders of the forlorn hope who were to begin the storm and the Souldiers being drawn together in the field were there also afresh exhorted to do their duties with undaunted courage and resolution by Mr. Peters who did it as one sayes of him tà m Marte quà m Mercurio As soon as it grew dark the Souldiers drew every one to their severall Posts allotted them to storm the signe when the storm was to begin was the shooting off three peeces of Ordnance on this side which the Forces on the other side were to take notice of and to fall on at the instant and on Monday Iuly 22. about two of the clock in the morning the storm began accordingly on this side of the town the Forces on the other side only alarming the Enemy which kept them upon the Line expecting a storm Our Forlorn hope was manfully led on by Lieut. colonel Hewson and as valiantly seconded by the Generals Regiment commanded by Lieut. colonel Iackson and the Major-generals commanded by Lieut. colonel Ashfield The Bridges prepared to passe over the Moat were quickly brought to the Ditch and thrown in on which the Souldiers with little losse got over the deep ditch and with undaunted courage mounted the Enemies works notwithstanding the great and small shot which showred about them beat them from their Ordnance turn'd them upon the enemy let down their drawbridg which made many of their Foot instantly cry Quarter Quarter The Bridge being let down Captain Rainolds who commanded the forlorn hope of horse immediatly entred and scoured the streets of that part of the Town so gained called Eastover with much gallantry and resolution even up to the Draw-bridge over the main Ditch leading to the second Town whereupon the rest of the Officers and Souldiers that were in a body and yet annoyed us in that part of the town which we had won threw down their arms and had fair quarter given them there were about 600. taken prisoners Officers and Souldiers The Enemy instantly made barracadoes at the gate upon the bridge and drew up the bridge that divided one part of the town from the other Our forces had not been two houres in the first town but the Enemy shot granadoes and slugs of hot iron and fired it on both sides which by the next morning burnt that part of the town of goodly buildings down to the ground except three or four houses Major Cowel who had a good share in that service standing all that while in the midst of the street which was both sides on fire keeping guards to prevent the Enemies sallying upon them Captain Sampson in that remarkable action received a shot The General hoping that the Storm might have wrought upon the Souldiers the Fire upon the Towns-men so far that they would have hearkened to a treaty renewed his Summons which the Governour peremptorily refused according to his allegiance as he said whereupon Tuesday Iuly 22. it was resolved to alarm the town by our forces on this side and to storm it by the other forces on the other side at two of the clock the next morning for which purpose the General was there in person to see it done though it was held fit on after considerations only to alarm on both sides which much amazed the Enemy and kept him waking that night Also about two of the clock in the afternoon the General sent to the Governour a Trumpet with a message to this purpose that his denial of fair tearms had wrought in him no other thoughts but of compassion towards those that were innocent who otherwise might suffer through the Governours obstinacy Wherefore he signified his noble pleasure that all women and children that would accept of this liberty should come forth of the town by four of the clock in the afternoon which being made known to them the Governours Lady and divers others came out They were no sooner come forth but our Cannon plaid fiercely into the town Granadoes were shot and slugs of hot iron in abundance whereby several houses in the town were fired and the wind being high increast the flame the townsmen within were in great distraction every man imployed how to save his house and goods the Enemy in a great amazement and the Governour so far melted as to send
could not get to Crediton till-till-Tuesday December 9. on which day the Horse and Dragoons gave them possession of the town which within two or three dayes after became the more usefull to us by the Generals going thither to order a designe in hand against Pouldrum House by water and land which being on Friday December 12. was immediately put in execucion only one day intervening which brought intelligence of the taking of Latham-house in Lancashire with eight pieces of Ordnance six murthering pieces five hundred Arms and proportionable Ammunition As also of the Kings Propositions to the Parliament for peace and of his Letter at the same time to Prince Rupert against peace section 9 A design upon Pouldrum-house The design against Pouldrum-house was this and thus carryed Lords-day December 14. nine of the clock at night Captain Deane the Comptroller of the Ordnance was commanded over Ex with 200 foot and dragoons to possesse Pouldrum-Castle but the enemy had some few houres before got 150 men into it unto those that were there before which our men not discovering before they had landed would not return without attempting something the Church at Pouldrum being not far distant from the Castle they resolved to possesse and make the best of it and accordingly did so and the next morning they got provisions from Nutwell-house unto them into the Church and began to fortifie the same the enemy at Excester much startled hereat fearing the Castle would be lost as well as the River blockt up by the fortifying of this Church Our party in Pouldrum-Church acquitting themselves gallantly sent therefore on Monday the fifteenth a party of five hundred foot who joyning with two hundred from the Castle assaulted our men about seven at night threw in many hand granadoes amongst them and so continued storming till ten but were beaten off with much losse leaving their dead on the place and carrying with them many wounded as appeared by the Snow that was much stained with their blood as they retreated section 10 In this service Captain Farmer Captain of Dragoones commanded our men who as they were beyond expectation happy in their successe not one man being lost in the storme so they were resolved to continue in their duty About this time was Hereford surprized and taken by a most gallant stratagem and notwithstanding the extremity of the cold by reason of the great frost and snow and want of all meanes to resist or qualifie the same in the church having no firing there they would not quit the same till they received orders so to doe which hard service hard in every respect although they were not immediately discharged of yet the next day Sir Hardresse Waller marched from Crediton with a strong party to Exminster to alarm the Enemy that he might not make a second attempt upon them till they had fortified the place or were recalled which action of Sir Hardresse Waller took that effect as was desired the Enemy being so amazed that they durst not march out that day as they had purposed to attempt the church again lest our men should get between them and home and God having blessed the meanes to their preservation hitherto The Generals noble care to bring them off The Generall considering further the bitter coldness of the weather and the hardness of the duty they would necessarily be put unto if they should make good the church sent orders to them to draw off which that they might do with the more safety two Regiments were appointed to draw downe and alarm the Enemy on that side Excester while they made good their retreat over the River by meanes whereof on Wednesday December 17. The Comptroller and Captain Farmer brought off the men very safe with their armes and ammunition the Enemy making no sally out of the Castle upon them though otherwise they had a faire opportunity to have fallen on them And these souldiers thus happily delivered and thus honorably come off were rewarded with proportions out of the prize taken by Captain Farmer below Apsham at the Generals command section 11 More force sent to Sir Hardresse Waller to Crediton But the Enemy drawing more force to Okehampton two Regiments more were sent to Crediton December 18. to assist those that were placed there before Col. Okey annoying the enemy at the Lord Chichesters house the same day Col. Okey with a party of Dragoones fell upon the Enemy at the Lord Chichesters house took a Captaine 12. prisoners 19. horses and returned back to his new formed garrison at Fulford House without the losse of a man section 12 Mr. Davis his house at Canon-teene garrisoned for the Parliam .. Also information being given that the house of one Mr. Davis at Cannon-Teen being within four miles of Excester stood convenient for a garrison and might beare an usefull proportion towards the blocking up of Excester and hindering of provision from the Southams some more of Col. Okeys Dragoones were ordered thither to possesse the same who accordingly went and fulfilled their orders December 21. and were no longer in the house Assaulted by the enemy but Munday December 22. in the morning the Enemy sent a force against it who stormed the house burnt the out-houses The Enemy repelled yet Captaine Woggan who commanded the Dragoones behaved himselfe so gallantly that he beat the Enemy off killed four desperately wounded a Lieutenant-Colonel and took divers prisoners section 13 Severall Intelligence of the Enemies preparations to releive Excester Tuesday Dec. 32. His Excellency had intelligence of the Enemies intention to march with their Army to relieve Excester and of their preparation of provisions to that end Decemb. 25. or thereabouts his Excellency had animadversion from the Committee of both Kingdoms of incursions made by the Kings horse from Oxford into the adjacent parts doing much mischiefe thereby whereupon the Regiment of Colonel Rainsborough then before Corfe-Castle was commanded to march from thence to Abingdon and Col. Fleetwood with the Generals his owne and Col. Whaleys Regiments and six troopes of Dragoones was sent also to lye about Islip to attend the motion of the Kings horse and guard the Associated counties as also in relation to the straightening of Oxford Fryday December 26. The Generall had advertisement from Plymouth of the Enemies actuating their intentions advancing in a great body towards the releife of Excester as they conceived which Intelligence was also confirmed by several of our Spies The Army resolved to be in readinesse to receive the Enemy whereupon a Councel of war was called wherein it was adjudged expedient to be in a fighting posture to receive them if they advanced and accordingly such resolution was taken up to which they saw the more cause to adhere by another Spie which came to them the next day with tidings to the same effect particularizing moreover that the Prince was to be in person in the head of the
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
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
very poor Village and this was done both for security to lye close together being so neer an Enemy and for expedition to be the readier for a martch the next morning Besides it was held much advantage for the Army to lye close this night whereby they might keep good Horse Guards the better to discover and check the Enemy if he should seek to break through A little before they took the Enemies Scouts Intelligence came that our Dragoons under Captaine Farmer and Captaine Woggan were engaged with the Enemy as they were martching from the House they possest to joyne with the Army whereupon a Party of two thousand Horse were commanded under the Lieutenant General to fetch off our Dragoons but before the Horse came up they had acquitted themselves well the Enemy was retired and they were comming on to the Army That Party of the Enemy was commanded by Sir James Smith and had they not taken the nick of time and gone away when they did they had been all taken in their retreat by our Horse which came so instantly after them that they had like to have gained the passe The Enemy retreating This night his Excellency had intelligence that the Enemy had quit Bodman about ten at night Horse and Foot retreating yet further West Whither Hopton went and that the Lord Hopton otherwise Sir Ralph Hopton brought up the Reare most of the men poore creatures being drunk when they went away to mend their hard fortune His Excellency advancing after them About this time Ashby-de-la-Zouch a Garrison in Northamptonshire surrendred to the Parliament Monday early in the morning the Army following them martched towards Bodman and had a Randezvouz on the Downes on this side Bodman from thence part of the Horse and Foot were commanded to Ware-Bridge being a passage that was suspected very convenient for the Enemy in case they intended to break Eastward likewise Guards were commanded to Padstow for caution lest there the Enemy should get over the River and also the better to countenance the Townes-men that stood upon their guard against the Enemy Two actions little lesse then miraculous This day four Troopers pursued a party of two and forty Musquetteers of the Enemy beyond Bodman with their Muskets laden and matches lighted and after the rate of a miracle brought them away prisoners such feare was upon them from Heaven certainly likewise six Troopers pursued the Enemy on the left hand as farre as Lestithel made them quit their Guards there and hearing that Ammunition was going to Foy in Wane loads pursued the Convoy thither forced them to leave the Ammunition and so brought back four Wane loads of Match Powder Bullet and barrels of Muskets and safely convoyed the same to the head Quarter in Bodman the Troopers that did this action were rewarded but who is able to acknowledge the goodnesse and power of that God by whom they did these exployts Moreover a Party of our Horse this day took Sir John Greenvils Lieutenant-Colonel and others Tuesday March 3. The Army rested at Bodman Consultation was had what course was to be taken to keep the Enemy still before the Army their head Quarters then being at Truro their neerest Quarters about Saint Columb Grampond and Tregny between which Townes and Truro they lay then quartered keeping their maine Guard of Horse at Castle ô Denisse All the passes from the North Sea to the South Sea were taken into consideration and Guards of Horse and Foot disposed unto them and the Country were enjoyned to barricadoe up the Lanes and keep men upon the Foards Prince Charles gone to Scilly Wednesday March 4. His Excellency had certaine intelligence that the Prince was imbarqued and set sale for Scilly with his Lords and Gentlemen giving all for lost and so evidently irrecoverable did their condition appeare to all that their refuge of lyes failed them and they did not stick to say in desperation at their departure That all was lost The discouragement it was to the Enemy The Prince his flying much disheartned the Enemy and what a work should it have upon us It might become us here to stay and pause a while I cannot but run upon that Scripture in my mind Isaiah 51. 12 13 14. verses Who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall dye and of the son of man which shall be as grasse and forgettest the Lord thy Maker that hath stretched forth the Heavens and laid the foundations of the earth and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the Oppressor as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the Oppressor The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed and that he should not dye in the pit or that his Bread should faile The poor Cornish like the captive exile hastened to be delivered lest they should dye in the pit and therefore took up Armes on any side to make an end of the Warre and restore a peace of any fashion for the fury of the Oppressor and where is the fury of the Oppressor A Ship hath embarqued them a strong wind hath carried them away Scilly hath opened her Armes and received them c. but I must remember my story The conditions for the surrender of Mount-Edgcomb a place of great strength and consideration were this day presented to the General by Master Coriton Master Lower Master Glanvile and Master Trevisa Gentlemen of the Country who were glad of the opportunity to present themselves to the General for his favour The Propositions were ratified by his Excellency and Letters of recommendation were agreed unto to be drawne and sent on their behalfe to the Parliament their seasonable comming in was a good service and Master Peter's industry in this Negotiation was great and worthy all acceptation and acknowledgment A Sūmons was this day sent unto some few Hundreds of the Country to appeare on Friday following upon the Downes at Bodman and strong Parties were sent out to see if they could meet with the Enemy who meeting with some of their Guards forced them to retreat beyond Saint Collomb This night the General had intelligence that a Ship was come into Padstow from Ireland that the Townes people seized on 't and stood on their guard against the Enemy and sent to our Dragoons who quartered neer them for their assistance Thursday 5. The Dragoons comming to their assistance boarded the Vessell some of the men were put to the sword others sore wounded Captaine Allen of Waterford an Irish Rebel had his life spared to the intent to make use of his Confession the Townes people were violent against them the Packet-Letters they brought were throwne over Board yet by the diligence of the Officers of Dragoons were found floating upon the water which being brought to the General there was found amonst them Letters from the Earle of Glamorgan that six thousand Irish were ready to be transported and four
no other satisfaction or assurance therein then this That the King hath made some offers to the Parliament and amongst them one concerning the Militia Something to the purpose as you say you have heard but the just certainty what his last overtures are or how far they are advanced to a generall accord I cannot at present certifie I do not heare they have proceeded so farre as to a Treaty And I beleeve that as the Parliament may be discouraged from the way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitlesnesse thereof and the ill use the same hath been designed or driven unto viz. onely to gaine advantages for Warre without reall intentions for Peace so the late overtures that way are the lesse like to be succesfull by reason of the cleer and certaine discoveries the Parliament have had That his Majesty at the same time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts to draw in Forraigne Forces and especially that the Earle of Glamorgan by Commission from his Majesty had concluded a Peace with the Irish Rebels on tearmes extreamly dishonourable and prejudiciall upon the onely condition of sending over Force under the command of that Lord to invade England whereof I presume you cannot but have heard And though his Majesty did in a Letter to the Parliament disavow any such agreement and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treason for what he had done therein yet by late discoveries to the Parliament and especially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padstow from the Lord Digby the Earle of Glamorgan and others to Secretary Nicholas your selfe Sir Edward Hide the Lord Culpepper and others it is most cleer and evident that the arresting of the Earle of Glamorgan was onely for a present colour to salve reputation with the people and continue their delusion till designes were ripe for execution for the same peace is fully concluded with the Rebels the King to have the ayde conditioned upon the same agreement and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe and to command that Force in chiefe Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propositions I sent though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter except in circumstances yet I shall not refuse or decline such a meeting or ought else that probably tends to the saving of blood or further misery to any Provided the meeting be speedily and number of persons not to exceed four or five But my Lord when you consider what I have before related concerning Forraigne supplies which I have reason to think you know beleeve you see what cause I have to be jealous of advantages sought by delayes and not to intermit any time or omit any opportunity to prosecute the service I have in hand And that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part which you offer on yours I doe the more hasten back my resolution to you In pursuance whereof I doe not despise nor shall insult upon your present condition I question not nor yet shall I hope be much moved with the resolution of your men I presume not on former successes nor present advantage in fleshly power but desire to trust in God alone whose favour and blessing to this Army above others I doe not account in what is past or expect in future to be for any precedence in merit or goodnesse of ours whereby we should be more pleasing to him then others but from his owne Free grace and goodnesse towards his people whose welfare with the common good of the Kingdome we seek and desire with all faithfulnesse and integrity to pursue And so committing the issue of all to his good pleasure J remaine Your humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX March 9. 1645. Moreover besides the proportion this Answer might beare to the better information of the Lord Hopton his Excellency to satisfie him more fully commanded some of the Regiments to advance this day to Tregny an ill signe of a Cessation and the next day the Army advanced two severall wayes part of it following to Tregny the head Quarter that night another part of it to Probus and those parts But such was the force of the Lord Hopton's imagination upon his owne Souldiers that they instead of asking acted a Cessation when our Forlorne of Horse comming neer theirs not far from Probus they did not endeavour to put themselves in order to receive us nor did they make any tesistance but stood still our men much wondring thereat And what was the cause but a Cessation between the Armies as they beleeved or would seem to beleeve for so soon as our men came neer they cryed A Cessation a Cessation ours cryed No no there was none and much adoe had Commissary-generall Ireton and other Officers to perswade them there was none notwithstanding since they were so possessed and deluded we wisht them to be gone and we would take no advantage of them The Enemy expressing much sorrow that there was not a Cessation as they were informed retired seeming also to be somewhat affected that they had so noble and ingenuous an Enemy that took not this advantage to do them any hurt as we might have done there being no Cessation The Lord Hopton seeing his stratagem would not take but he must beg a Cessation if he would have it and that his men were so startled at the advance of our Army The Lord Hopton sends for a Treaty sent this night about twelve of the clock for a Treaty naming the place Tresillian-Bridge if his Excellency approved of it The Trumpet was returned about three in the morning That the General did hearken to a Treaty and would appoint Commissioners to meet at the place proposed by the Lord Hopton Hereupon Commissioners on both sides were nominated to meet at nine the next day being Tuesday morning March 10. But the General being unwilling to lose time gave Orders for a martch accordingly the Army that Tuesday advanced by breake of day and martched to a Randezvouz within two miles of Truro by ten of the clock where the Lord Hopton's Trumpeter brought a safe Conduct for our Commissioners and they having received the like from us a Cessation was agreed to but withall a Message was sent to the Lord Hopton from the General That he intended to quarter his Army at Truro and Saint Allen that night which he thought fit to give him notice of that none of his Forces might be left in the Towne when our Souldiers entred This much disrelished with the Lord Hopton and his Commissioners that he sent had much reluctancy against it The General upon conference with the Commissioners was content to let them have Saint Allen for their Quarter his Excellency reserving still Truro the prime Quarter to himselfe And here we had the Enemy in a pound so that he had but six miles bredth to break through if
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
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
the losse of Leicester and the danger thereupon of the Kings breaking into the Associated Counties Lieutenant-General Cromwel was ordered by the Committee of both Kingdomes to march only with three Troops of horse to secure the Isle of Ely which commands he in greater tendernesse of the publique service then his own honour in such a time of extremity as that was disputed not but fulfilled And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax was commanded to rise from before Oxford and to march to defend the Association accordingly Orders were immediately given for the Forces on the other side the river to march to Islip and Major-General Brown was desired to put a garison into Gaunt-house being a place that was conceived would much conduce to the straitning of Oxford which accordingly was done and the bridge lately made pulled up and the next day being Iune 5. the Army rose from before Oxford and marched that day to Marsh-Gibeon ten miles The General in his march turned out of the way to see the siege before Bostol-house where Major-General Skippon according to order had that morning made some attempt but the successe was not according to our desires the Moat being much deeper then we expected This night at the Head quarter intelligence came that the King was marching from Leicester towards Daventry with intention to raise the siege at Oxford as was conceived which was by order before done to his hand Friday Iune 6. the Army marched to great Brickhill twelve miles where the head-quarter was that night which was once intended to be at Stony-Stratford but that the intelligence which came that night to us of the Kings horse facing Northhampton that day rendred it not safe so to adventure whilest the greatest body of our Horse sent into Derbyshire were not as yet returned This night a great fire happened at the Generals quarters at Brickhil which was so sudden and violent for the time that a man and a boy and three or four horses were burnt in the Barn where the fire began before the Guard could get to preserve them It happened most remarkably in the house of one who expressed no good affection to this Army and denyed to furnish those conveniences for quarter affirming that he had them not which afterwards by occasion of the fire he was enforced to bring out The next day Iune 7. the Army marched to Sherrington a mile East of Newport-Pagnel to the end the Forces with Colonel Vermuden who upon the Scots retreat to Westmerland were recalled and upon their march back might more conveniently joyn but especially to be on that side the River the better to secure the Association in case the King who the day before had faced Northhampton and seemed to intend that way should attempt to break into it wherein it appeared they did not consult their safety and quarter on the back of a garison as without incurring any great censure they might have done but rather consulted their honour and the publick service Expresses were sent to Lieutenant-General Cromwel into the Association to inform him whereabout our Army was that in case the Association were in danger he might know how to joyn with us Lords day Iune 8. the Army resting in their quarters severall parties of horse were sent out as far as Tocester to gain intelligence of the motions of the Kings Army who brought in some prisoners of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Brigade from whom information was gathered that the Kings Army continued still about Daventry Whereupon the General called a Councel of War to consider of the best way to engage the Enemy Where taking into consideration of what use Lieutenant-General Cromwel would be to them in a time of so great action The General propounded to the Councel of War and it was by them unanimously consented unto that a Letter should be writ to the Parliament to desire that they would please for a time to dispence with L. Gen. Cromwels absence from the House and to give way he might command their Horse there being like to be very speedily an engagement Which Letter was sent by Colonel Hamond who went Post the same day to the Parliament and was instantly returned with an answer according as was desired to the great content of the General and the whole Army This day Colonel Vermuden who the day before was with his party of Horse returned and come near to the quarters of the army himself came to the General desiring in regard of some speciall occasions which he said he had to draw him beyond seas that he might have leave to lay down his Commission which was yielded unto and accordingly he received his discharge At this dayes debate Major-General Skippon was desired to draw the form of a battell and at the same time the Army was divided into severall Brigades of Horse and Foot in order to their being better disposed for an engagement The General though not depending upon multitudes yet serving Providence in the use of all good means sent one Post after another to Sir Iohn Gel Colonel Rossiter to the Governours of Coventry Warwick Northhampton and Nottingham To march with all speed with their Forces to the Army for that there was likely to be speedily an engagement with the Enemy In the mean the Army neglected no time but on Wednesday Iune 11 though a rainy day marched from Stony-Stratford to Wootton within three miles of Northampton where intelligence still confirmed the Kings continuance at Daventry quartering all his Foot and Carriages upon Burrough-hill a place of great advantage having formerly been an ancient fortification and making show as if he had chosen that place to fight upon in case we durst advance to him But afterwards it appeared that his stay there was only till a part of 1200 horse were returned which he had sent from his Army to Oxford as a convoy with the plundered cattel sheep of Leicestershire Northamptonshire c. the better to enable Oxford to endure a siege in case it should be attempted again in his absence himself being intent upon a march for the relief of Pomfract and Scarborough which he then apprehended to have smal difficulty in it understanding the removall of the Scotish army The Army being come to Wotton they found there none of the best accommodation for quarter only what was wanting that way was kindly and respectively endeavoured to be supplied by the Major and Magistrates of Northhampton who the same night came to the General at the head quarter upon the errand of a congratulatory visit and present The next day the Army marched to Gilsborough four miles on the west of Northampton and within five miles of Burrough-hill where the Enemy still continued Marching in very good order for that they did advance directly upon the place where the enemy had pitcht himself A commanded party of horse gave the Enemy an alarm and took some prisoners by whom they understood the King was a hunting the Souldiers in no order and
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
to General Goring about Taunton who received him and the news very gladly and looking upon him as a fit instrument to be imployed to the King then about Leicester and as they supposed intending Northward deal with him as about a businesse of great concernment to carry a Pacquet of Letters from him the Prince and his Councell to the King He with some seeming difficulty suffered himselfe to be perswaded received the Pacquet brought them to his Excellency fair sealed up discovering to him the true state of the Enemies Armies and affairs in the West The Letters from the Lord Goring to the King signifying how that in three weeks time nine dayes whereof was then expired he was confident to master our Forces at Taunton and by consequence to settle the West of England in an absolute posture for his Majesties service and march up with a considerable Army to his assistance advising the King by all means in the mean time to stand upon a defensive posture and not to engage till his forces were joyned with his Majesty Had these Letters bin delivered to the King as they might have bin but for this defeatment in all probability he had declined fighting with us for the present and staid for those additionals which would have been a far greater hazard this intelligence did withall much quicken us to make speed to relieve Taunton yet being so neer Leicester and Leicester in all probability being easily to be made ours considering the fear that they within were possest withall by the losse of the day at Naseby besides the want of men thereby in all likelihood to make good their Works it was resolved first to assay that accordingly Monday Iune 16. about noon the whole Army came before the Town The General sent a Summons to the Lord Hastings to surrender the Garrison with all the Ordnance Arms and Ammunition therein who returned a peremptory answer as if he meant to defend it to the last man whereupon a Councel of War being called it was resolved to storm the place warrants were sent to the hundreds to bring in ladders carts hay straw other things fitting for a storm wherein the country was very forward to give assistance Tuesday Iune 17. great store of ladders were brought in a battery was raised upon which two Demy-Cannon and a whole Culverine taken at Naseby were planted which played upon an old work called the Newark being the very same Guns which the King not many dayes before had used against the same place The Lord Hastings now beginning to perceive his condition was like to be desperate sent a Trumpeter with a Letter to the Generall desiring a parly concerning the surrender of the towne which his Excellency desirous to save blood hearkened unto Commissioners were appointed to treate on our side Colonel Pickering and Colonel Rainsborough Hostages on both sides were given the Treaty begun that evening and held debate till twelve a clock that night and was concluded upon these Articles 1. TThat the Lord Loughborough shall have quarter granted him and have protection for his Person to be safely conveighed to the Garrison of Ashby-de-la-Zouch 2. That all Field Officers Colonels Lieutenant Colonels Serjeants Majors and Captains and Lieutenants of Horse but not of Foot shall march away with their own particular single Horse and Arms with protections for their own Persons 3. That all the rest of the Officers shall be conveyed safely to the Garrison of Lichfield with Staves only and no other weapons in their hand 4. That all common Souldiers have quarter only for their lives and be conveyed to Lichfield without any other weapons save only staves in their hands 5. That before 10 of the clocke the said morning June the 18. the Governour of the Towne and the Lord Loughborough and all the rest of the Officers and Souldiers march out of the Garrison according to the agreement aforesaid 6. That Sir Thomas Fairfax be permitted to enter in at 10 of the clock the said Wednesday morning aforesaid with his Forces and take possession of the Garrison 7. That all the Pieces of Canon great and small now in the Garrison of Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Fairfax 8. That all the Armes and Ammunition now in Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Fairfax save only what is agreed to for the Officers of Horse aforesaid 9. That all the Provisions Colours Bag and Baggage be also left to Sir Thomas Fairfax 10 That all the Horse save onely those excepted for the Officers aforesaid that are in the Garrison of Leicester be delivered up to Sir Thomas Fairfax for the service of the Parliament 11. That all the officers souldiers have quarter for their lives 12. That all the Prisoners of War that are in Leicester at the same time be released and set free to serve the Parliament The Guards and Centinels of the gate-house prison in the Newarke hearing of the conclusion of the Articles about four a clock on Wednesday morning went away from their duty and left their Armes behind them and the prison door open whereupon the prisoners went out and finding the Enemy a plundering they fell a plundering too About seven a clock all their guards were drawn off the souldiers on the Line threw downe their Armes quit their Posts and the gates were opened which gave invitation to divers of our stragling souldiers to get into the Town at the Ports and over the works Complaint hereof being made to his Excellency by some from the Lord Hastings or Loughborow of the violation of the Articles by our souldiers His Excellency sent to the Lord Loughborow to keep all his men upon their guards and if any offered violently to enter the Towne before the time to fire upon them and immediately issued out a Proclamation commanding the punctuall observance of the Articles by his owne souldiers under paine of death But the Lord Hastings instead of standing upon his guard according to the Articles till ten of the clock that morning which he ought to have done whereby he might have prevented that inconveniency which fell out and have performed his Articles in delivering the Towne to his Excellency with the Arms and Ammunition mounted on horse-back in the morning with divers Gentlemen officers and others and left the towne some houres before the time appointed for his marching forth so that when our Commissioners came according to appointment to see the Articles punctually performed they found the Lord Hastings was gone and all the towne in a confusion but the souldiers were commanded off and things were presently settled in good order and about eleven a clock that day the Army entred the towne where we found divers Commanders of note viz. Serjeant-Major-Generall Eyres Colonell Lisle Lieutenant Colonell Mouldsworth Lieutenant Colonell Pemberton Major Naylor Major Trollop besides divers persons of quallity all wounded in the battail There were taken in the towne fourteen peece of Ordnance thirty Colours two thousand Armes five hundred
diligence and fidelity of Colonel Welden with the rest of those Commanders engaged with him in the defence of that besieged place deserves to be expressed at large but for want of a relation of their proceedings during that siege I must content my self only to mention their service with honour As also the good service of the Horse commanded by Colonel Graves who in severall Sallies upon the enemy were very successfull Lords day Iuly 6. the Army resting at Crookhorn and the rest of their quarters about four in the afternoon six in the evening twelve at night and two in the morning the Generall had certain intelligence by his Spies confirmed by severall hands that the enemy continued still at Long Sutton keeping a guard at Load-bridge and making good the garrison at Ilchester and Langport the two passes upon the River and had broken down the Bridge towards the town of Evill higher up the River whereupon orders were given for Drums to beat by four in the morning And accordingly Munday Iuly 7. the Foot were drawn out by six of the clock to a Rendezvouz in a field about a mile from Crookhorn in the way to Pederton The Generall and Lieutenant Generall went with a Party and viewed the Pass at Load-bridge Our horse appearing in great numbers gave the enemy an Alarm whereupon they drew up their Foot and marcht some Regiments from Load-bridge along the River side to Ilchester fearing we should storm that place our horse and theirs skirmishing upon the Meadows near the River by parties all that day A Councell of war was called in the Field to consider what course to take to engage the enemy who keeping himself beyond the River and having the Garrisons of Ilchester Langport Burrough and Bridgewater there was no possible comming over upon that side to force our passage in that place where the enemy stood in good order on the other side the River to receive us was a business of exceeding difficulty it being also a Moorish ground Upon the right hand the enemy had broken down the Bridge at Evill keeping a guard of horse upon it and all the Bridges upon that side so that there seemed to be no passage convenient for us till we came to the head of the river about Sherborn which would prove a difficult and long march upon which it was resolved to march the greatest part of the Army to Evill and there to force our passage leaving still a convenient number both of horse and foot over against Ilchester and Load-Bridge to engage the enemy in case he should atteÌ„pt to advance on this side accordingly our foot marched to Evill the head-quarter for that night we were no sooner come there but the enemies horse retreated to Ilchester Orders were given to make up the bridge which was speedily done Iuly the 8. early in the morning certaine Intelligence was brought to the Army by one of their spies sent for that purpose into the Enemies Army that the enemy hearing the pass at Evill was gained by our forces retreated towards Langport with the Army quit Load-Bridge burnt divers faire houses there Colonel Phillips the Governour of Ilchester in the night time quit the towne leaving the works standing undemolished only the Bridewell a place the enemy had fortified they set on fire which was quickly quenched by the Inhabitants This day the Army declining to march over the passe at Evill hearing Ilchester was quit marched back towards Ilchester upon the same side the river and quartered there that night where no provisions were left for our souldiers Intelligence also came that whilst we went on the other sâ—de Goring being drawn downe to Langport had drawne a great part of his Army towards Taunton as if he intended to surprize the Towne thinking to find them in security whereupon the Generall sent Major-Generall Massey after Goring with his own brigade of horse and a considerable strength of Horse and Dragoons of his owne Army and moreover the Generall took care that a considerable party of horse more should be sent after those horse as a reserve if need were This day Colonel Butlers Regiment commanded by Major Fincher quarter-master-Gen of our horse came up to the Army in their march from Barkly Castle did very good service first at Dursly they entertained Sir Charles Lucas comming to beat up their quarters kil'd the Captain of the forlorne hope after that charged the party with two troops kil'd ten whereof two Captains took 39 prisoners hurt Sir Charles Lucas himselfe from thence they came to Hyworth where the enemy from Farringdon had entred the towne whom they beat out and delivered to the Governour the quiet possession of his garrison from thence to the Devizes where they took some horse and so to Dorchester where they took some of Sherborn horse and so came to the Army very seasonably the Army being neerer an engagement then they expected Wednesday Iuly 9. The Army marched to Long-Sutton news came there that Major-Gen Massey was neer upon an engagement the Generall immediatly gave command that Colonel Montague should march with 2000 musquetiers to his assistance being in an inclosed country who marched accordingly but the engagement was over before he could come up and the welcome newes was brought that Gorings party which the Major-Gen had there engaged was beaten many slaine nine Colours and 300 horse taken Colonel Cook a Gentleman of much temper and resolution carryed himselfe gallantly in that service and received a shot through both cheeks this afternoon ours had continuall skirmishing with the enemies horse at a passe a mile on this side Langport took a French Cornet and his Colours a Dutchman and a Spaniard prisoners Thursday Iuly 10. A councel of War was held what course we should take to force the enemy to fight seeing he stood upon his advantage having the passes upon the River and might fight or flie at pleasure whilest the counsell of War were in debate thereof not knowing what to do the enemy being still at his election whether to fight or not Intelligence came that the enemy was advanced with his foot from Langport to the pass and had lined the hedges thick with musquetiers and drawne up his Ordnance this resolved ved the question at the councell of War without puting it whereupon the Generall and Lieutenant-Generall Cromwell and all the Officers instantly mounted rode up to the field perceived the enemy to put himselfe in a posture for an engagement instantly the Army was ordered to be put in Battalia the forlorne hope of horse and foot drew out Ordnance were drawn downe to places of advantage messengers were sent to recall most of the horse and foot lately sent to assist Major-Gen Massey but before they could come up our Ordnance began to play a good while before the foot engaged doing great execution upon the body of the enemies Army both horse and foot who stood in good order upon the hill about musquet shot from the
forth Tom Elliot in haste to desire to know the Generals tearms the General refused to admit of any treaty at all resolved that the Governour and they within that had destroyed so fine a town should have no conditions but should submit to mercy which being signified to the Enemy they yet would try the General with these three particulars First that the Governour with all the Officers and Gentlemen that were in the Town with their servants horses swords pistols and cloak-bags might march with a safe Convoy to Exeter Secondly that all the souldiers might likewise march to Exeter leaving their armes Thirdly that all Clergie-men in the town and Towns-men might have liberty to march with them or abide at home Edmund Windham Whereto the General returned these 1. To all their lives 2. To the inhabitants their liberty and freedome from plunder 3. Neither Officers nor Souldiers to be plundred of the clothes they had upon them 4. The Gentlemen to be disposed of as the Parliament should appoint and in the mean time to have civil usage Six Hostages to be sent and an answer in a quarter of an hour Tho. Fairfax The Governour returned answer that he found those Propositions so ill resented both by the Gentlemen and Souldiers that he could not accept of them The General thereupon gave order to the souldiers to stand upon their guard and go to their duties Tom Elliot desired nothing might be done till he returned leaving Sir Iohn Heale as caution which was agreed to and he presently returned with an answer of submission to the Generals Articles only slipt in a motion for himself that he might have liberty to carry the news to the King upon his Parol May he have more such imployment till peace be setled Thereupon the Hostages were sent Sir Iohn Heale Sir Hugh Windham Mr. Waldron Mr. Warr Mr. Siddingham Mr. Speake And we sent some into the Town to them They were to deliver the Town and yield themselves prisoners the next morning by eight of the clock and all that night they imployed themselves to quench the fire in the town The losse of men in this storm was not many Mr. Martin an Officer in the train had his leg shot and afterwards cut off whereof he died he behaved himself valiantly Wednesday Iuly 23. the town was surrendred about 1000 Officers and Souldiers besides Gentlemen and malignant Clergy marched out as prisoners There were taken in the town about 44 barrels of powder 1500 armes 44 piece of ordnance 400 weight of match Enemies goods of great value that had been carried for security into that place and were seized by the Commissioners of the Parliament and sould and 5. s. a man raised upon the sale to be bestowed as a reward upon the common souldiers for their good service in the storming of the place That which may seem to allay the happiness of the successe was that the town was fired but truly though in strictness of souldiery this might be very well justified yet God in his providence concurred to the justice of it and our acquittance They refused treaty after part taken they fired the part we had taken and rang the bels for joy when they saw it blaze and as we are credibly informed they fired the town themselves in many places where fire-works could do no hurt the souldiers saying The Town did it to be rid of them the town said the souldiers did it when they were in little hopes to hold it But God be thanked we found much more of it standing then we expected Some things there are which made the businesse considerable As first that by it a line of garrisons was drawn over that Ihstmus of ground between the South-sea and Severne by Bridgewater Taunton Lime and Langport it being from Bridgewater to Lime little above twenty miles by which the Counties of Devon and Cornwal then wholly in the Enemies possession except Plymouth were in a manner blockt up from all entercourse with the Eastern parts a business of no small consequence if we had proceeded no further Likewise this being taken our Army was at liberty for further work which was a great mercy at that time of the year It was a great gain with little losse and that which addes as much to the commendation of the action as any thing we kept our Articles exactly which is not only honourable in the eyes of men but acceptable in the sight of God and that which this war hath scarce formerly attained and it was not done without some difficulty now in regard our souldiers had suffered so much and Cornwal was so near Thursday Iuly 24. All the day was spent in ordering the manner of sending away the prisoners and securing Malignants goods in the town And thus you have that gallant fight at Langport crowned with an easie recovery of that considerable strength of Brigdewater whose natural fortification by water they that knew must needs conclude God was the Bridge by which our Army got over CHAP. III. The taking of Bath The Club-mens reply and his Excellencies rejoynder in two considerable Actions defeating them The impregnable Castle of Sherborn taken by storm FRiday Iuly 25. A Councell of war was called to advise how and which way next the Army might lay out themselves to the most advantage and best service of the Common-wealth whether to make up further West to Goring or to stay in the Eastern parts to curb the Club-men And in favour of this latter it was considered that the Army wanted Ammunition to march far West to undertake any considerable action and that this was a needfull work there being also severall Garrisons of the Enemy by which the Club-men took great boldnesse to shew themselves It was therefore inclined unto by the Councell of war that the Army should first make it their businesse to reduce the Club-men to better manners and to that end to attempt the taking in at least to keep in that Garrison which countenanced and encouraged them viz. Sherborn Castle where Sir Lewis Dives an active Enemy and resolute Souldier was Commander in chief But the determination of the Councell of war was notwithstanding to advance rather more West to prosecute our victory at Lamport and Bridgewater and hinder Goring for rallying his shattered force or raising any considerable body leaving some force to attend P. Ruperts motion about Bristoll and to disturb the Clubmen if they frequented meetings as formerly A march being thus resolved on it was accordingly undertaken on the morrow whence the Army marched to Martock ten miles in order to a more Westerly march where resting the Lords day there was a thanksgiving for the successe in the taking of Bridgewater The Generall who ever accounted it his greatest safety to act according to the advise of his Councel of war whom God had so often blessed in their resolutions was at this time much troubled in his thoughts concerning his march further West before Bath and Sherborn
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
did not expect to finde us on that side Sherborne and when he met our Horse he took them to be the Kings not offering to sound his trumpet as he ought to have done that night there was a strong party of Horse and one Regiment of Foot disposed at Hanham within three miles of Bristol on Gloucestershire side by whom the Enemy was alarm'd Vpon this approach of ours the Enemy fired Benminster on Somersetshire side and burnt it down to the ground as also divers houses on Gloucestershire side It was but the day before when Prince Rupert was sending out a party to relieve Barkley-castle which was much straitned by the Gloucester forces but the approach of our Horse under Commissary Ireton diverted that designe Thursday 21. in the morning to encourage us in our engagements we received intelligence of the surrender of Nunny castle to Colonel Rainsborough upon condition to have liberty to go to their own houses By reason of the Train coming in so late the Army rested that day at Chue save that another party of Horse and Foot advanced towards Benminster upon intelligence that the Prince intended to break through with his Horse and joyn with Goring with which party the General and Lieutenant-general went viewed the Town and appointed guards and quarters on the West side the River and quartered himself at Kenisome that night where divers Lords sent for Passes to come out of the City and go beyond sea but upon good reason were denyed it being a received opinion that persons of quality and great estate in a besieged town rather encline to a timely yielding then hazardous defending thereof when no relief is at hand Friday the 22. there was a general rendezyouz of Horse and all that day was spent in setting of guards on Somersetshire side where the Countreymen maintained a passage at Clifton the Head-quarter that night being removed to Hanham Saturday 23. the General and Lieutenant-General imployed the whole day in the setling of quarters and guards on the other side of Bristol This day the Enemies Canon played from the great Fort and Pryors Fort but hurt none but one Dragoon who had his thigh shot off The Enemy sallied out also with a party of Horse but were beaten in again where Sir Richard Crane was mortally wounded who presently after dyed of his wounds The Head-quarter this night was removed to Stapleton Lords day Aug. 24. the Enemy about noon sallied out again at the Sally-port near Prior-hill Fort in a full career and were upon our Dragoons on the sudden yet by our Horse comming on were beaten back again as also their Foot were by the Foot of Colonel Rainsboroughs Brigade made to retreat in disorder and worse then they came forth by the losse of a Major and some others Monday 25. Warrants were issued out by the General to Sir Iohn Horner High Sheriffe of the County of Somerset to raise the power of the County which was much promoted by the interest and endeavours of Mr. Ash and Mr. Moore two worthy Members of the House of Commons This day the army had intelligence that Goring then about Collumpton in Devon did seem to draw to a Rendezvouz as if he intended a march to interrupt our siege But Major-Gen Massies Brigade of Horse were quartered not far from Taunton in such an advantagious posture that the Enemy could not move but he might flank them and interrupt their motion whilest our Horse might draw off to meet them in case they should attempt the forementioned designe Tuesday 26. four in the morning the Enemy made a third sally on Somersetshire side on a post of Colonel Weldens Brigade at Bedminster and through the negligence of the Officer that had then the command there they took 10. and killed as many towards a recompence of which affront the same day Captain Molleneux a very valiant man Captain Lieutenant to Colonel Butler and with him another stout souldier perceiving three gallant Cavaliers under their Works whom afterwards they found to be Sir Bernard Ashley Colonel Daniel and a third man rode up to them askt them who they were for they swore God dam them for the King and shot at ours whereupon our men discharged their Pistols at them wounded them and after some bickering took Sir Bernard Ashley who dyed within few dayes of his wounds But Colonel Daniel though dangerously wounded escaped from them Wednesday 27. the Enemy drew out the fourth time about the close of the evening with intention to fall on our guards which ours perceiving they understanding that they were privie to their intention they drew back to their Works All this night the General and Lieutenant-General were abroad upon the field to be in readinesse if any alarm should happen Thursday 28. Rupert sent out those foot of ours which were taken prisoners on Somersetshire side being in number ten with a Trumpet propounding also an exchange for Sir Bernard Ashley but the exchange was not hearkned to This day we had intelligence of the Kings plundring of Huntingdon and the cruel usage of the people by his forces in those parts having unhappily escaped the Scotch and Northern horse out of Nottinghamshire Mean while as an earnest of the whole the Fort at Portshead point that had bin four dayes besieged by Lieutenant Colonel Kempson of Colonel Weldens Regiment with a party of Foot was with six pieces of Ordnance this day surrendred unto him who managed that businesse with much judgement and resolution by the taking whereof the passage into King-road with our ships was made open Friday 29. A Fast was kept through the Army to seek God for a blessing upon the designes against Bristol Mr. Del and Mr. Peters kept the day at the Head quarter The Enemy endeavoured to interrupt us by a sally about noon time upon our quarters near Lawfords-gate where he took three or four souldiers After the publick exercises a Counsel of War was called and it being agreed in the first place to punish the vices of the Army it was propounded whether to storm Bristol or not the debate was long opinions various however it was agreed that all things should be prepared in order to a storm and afterwards to take into further consideration whether to storm or to intrench the Leaguer In the midst of these thoughts and resolutions tydings were brought the Army of the defeat given by Montrosse to our Brethren the Scots and that he was marched to Edenbrough in pursuit thereof and that the King was now advanced to Bedford unfollowed and was expected speedily to raise the siege at Bristol and this day towards evening the intelligence was confirmed by Letters from the Committee of both Kingdomes of the Kings speedy march towards Oxford and probably to these parts At the same time his Excellency had intelligence that Goring in the West advanced his quarters nearer Chard and as it was verily thought intended a conjunction with the King And now was the Army in a
great straight the whole strength thereof being but sufficient and scarce that for its present undertaking before Bristol utterly unable to check the Enemies conjunction or attend their motions at any distance from the Leaguer and though the further proceeding with the siege of Bristol in this conjuncture of affairs seemed very hazardous yet resolving to abide the utmost and not to give it over upon great looks we put our selvs into the best condition we could to receive them in case either or both should attempt us Lords day August 31. Captain Moulton Admiral for the Irish coasts who was now come into Severne came from aboard his ship to the General expressed much readiness to assist in the storming of the City if it were so determined with his Seamen A debate was then had concerning the storming of Bristol and what might be done by water with the assistance of the Seamen Gorings Letters from Exeter to Secretary Nicholas bearing date August 25. were this day intercepted Wherein he writes that in three weeks time he will be ready to interrupt Fairfax in his siege before Bristol month September 1645 Monday September 1. the weather wet and misty about 12 at noon Prince Rupert with 1000 Horse and 600 Foot sallied out the sixth time in a full carere and came upon our Horse guards with much fierceness but the Horse instantly came up and with the assistance of the Foot of Colonel Rainsboroughs Brigade forc'd them to as hasty a retreat We lost in that skirmish Captain Guilliams a captain of Horse a valiant faithfull and religious man besides that Colonel Okey colonel of Dragoons it being in the mist fell amongst the Enemy unawares and by that accident was taken prisoner At that time further advertisements confirmed our former hints of the Kings advance from Oxford towards Bristol Orders were given for all the colonels to view the Line and Works and for our souldiers to make Faggots and all fitting preparations for a storm Tuesday September 2. A Councel of War being called and all the Colonels present after a long debate whether to storm Bristol or no it was put to the question and resolved in the affirmative and for the manner of the storm it was referred to a Committee of the Colonels of the Army to present in writing to the General the next morning to be debated at a general Counsel of War Accordingly Wednesday September 3. the manner of the storm was presented in writing to the General which was to be after this manner Colonel Welden with his Brigade consisting of the four Regiments that were at Taunton viz. his own colonel Inglesbies colonel Fortescues and colonel Herberts Regiments whose posts were to make good Somersetshire side was ordered to storm in three places viz. 200 men in the middle 200 on each side as forlorn hopes to begin the storm 20 Ladders to each place two men to carry each Ladder and to have 5 s. a piece two Serjeants that attended the service of the ladder to have 20 s. a man each musquetire that followed the ladder to carry a fagot a Serjeant to command them and to have the same reward 12 files of men with fire-arms and Pikes to follow the ladders to each place where the storm was to be those to be commanded each by a Captain and a Lieutenant the Lieutenant to go before with five files the Captain to second him with the other seven files the 200 men that were appointed to second the storm to furnish each party of them twenty Pioners who were to march in their Rear the 200 men each to be commanded by a Field-Officer and the Pioners each by a Serjeant those Pioners were to throw down the Line and make way for the horse the Party that was to make good the Line to possesse the guns and turn them A Gentleman of the Ordnance Gunners and Matrosses to enter with the Parties the Draw-bridge to be let down two Regiments and a half to storm in after the Foot if way were made Much after this manner was the Generals Brigade under Colonel Montague's command consisting of the Generals Col. Montagues Col. Pickerings and Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiments to storm on both sides of Lawfords gate both to the river Avon and the lesser river Froom the bridge over Froom to be made good against horse with Pikes or to break it down Colonel Rainsboroughs brigade consisting of his own Major-General Skippons Col. Hammonds Col. Birches and Lieu. colonel Prides Regiments to storm on this side the river Froom beginning on the right hand of the Sally-port up to Pryors-hill Fort and to storm the Fort it self as the main busines 200. of this brigade to go up in Boats with the Sea-men to storm Waterfort if it were to be attempted One regiment of horse and a regiment of foot to be moving up and down in the closes before the Royal fort and to ply hard upon it to alarm it with a Field-Officer to command them The regiment of Dragoons with two regiments of Horse to carry ladders with them and to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton and Washingtons breach The manner of the storm being thus agreed on though its probable some more certain information might change the attempts from one place to another the Souldiers were drawn out to try their inclination in whom more courage joy and resolution could not appeare in men The General to make good his promise to reward them for the service of Bridgewater Ordered them immediately to receive 6. s. a man which by the care of the Commissioners of Parliament was forthwith paid unto them and which put a great obligation upon the Souldiers At this councel of war it was also agrrâ—ed that a Letter should be written and subscribed by the General and all the Officers to General Leven to expresse how sensible they were of the losses their Forces had received in Scotland by Montrose and their willingnes to serve them if need were for the setling of their Nation in peace so soon as the condition of this Kingdom could spare them The copy of which Letter followeth in these words May it please your Excellency and the rest honoured Friends and beloved Brethren VVE have not without much grief received the sad report of your affairs in Scotland how far God for his best and secret ends hath been pleased to suffer the Enemy to prevaile there And are we speak unfainedly not lesse sensible of your evils then you have been and are of ours nor then we are of our own And the greater cause of sympathie have we with you and the more do our bowels earn towards you because whatever you now suffer your selves in your own Kingdom are chiefly occasioned by your assisting us in ours against the power that was risen up against the Lord himself and his Anointed ones Wherefore we cannot forget your labour of love but thought good at this season even amongst our many occasions to let you know
King to know his pleasure in it I rest Your servant Rupert Saturday September 6. A Trumpeter was sent in with a reply to Prince Ruperts answer in these words Sir your Overture of sending to the King to know his pleasure I cannot give way to because of delay I confess your answer doth intimate your intention not to surrender without his Majesties consent yet because it is but implicite I send again to know a more positive answer from your self which I desire may be such as may render me capable of approving my self Your Highness humble servant Tho. Fairfax This day came 12 Colours more of the well-affected Countrymen as an addition to the former Forces The Trumpeter was detained all that day and night Every thing was prepared for a storm the General was in the field to that end the Souldiers had their faggots on their backs and leaped for joy they might go on yet about ten at night for severall reasons it was held fit to give orders to put off the busines till Munday morning two of the clock and only to alarm the Enemy for that time as we did often to amuse them and keep them waking Lords day Septemb. 7. in the forenoon the Trumpet returned with these Propositions from Prince Rupert Sir Whereas I received your Letter for the delivery of the City Forts and Castle of Bristol and being willing to joyn with you for the sparing of blood and the preserving of his Majesties subjects I have upon those grounds and none other sent you these following propositions First that my self all Noblemen Commanders and Souldiers of Horse and Foot that have served either his Majesty or Parliament in England or elswhere as likewise all persons whatsoever men or women now resident in this City of Bristol Castle and Forts thereof shall have free liberty to march away out of the said city castle and forts with their Arms flying Colours Drums beating Trumpets sounding Pistols cockt Swords drawn Matches lighted at both ends and as much Powder and Match as they can carry about them with all their bag and baggage horses arms and other furniture ten peeces of canon 50 barrels of powder Match and Bullet proportionable 2. That neither mine own person nor the person of any Nobleman Commander Officer Gentleman or Souldier or any other of mine or their Retinues be searched molested or troubled upon what pretence soever but left to their liberties to depart or stay as it shall be most convenient for them 3. That none of your Army whatsoever shall entice or perswade any Officer or Souldier of mine from their Regiments or Colours with any promise of preferment or reward 4. That all such Officers and Souldiers that are hurt and sick and cannot now march out of this city castle and fort shall have liberty to stay till they be recovered and then have safe-conducts to go wheresoever they please either to any of his Majesties armies or garrisons or their own houses where they may live quiet and that in the interim those being sick and hurt may be protected by you and have civil usage 5. All prisoners taken on both sides since the beginning of this siege be forthwith set at liberty 6. That my self and all those above mentioned may not be required to march further in a day then what conveniently we may and that a day or two of rest be allowed upon our march if we shall find it requisite and that we be accommodated with free quarter during our march and a sufficient convoy to any of the Kings armies or garrisons which I shall name to secure us in our march from all injury or incivility that shall any ways be offered to us And likewise that there be one hundred and fifty carriage-horses and forty Wains with sufficient teams provided for carriages of all sorts 7. That no person here in these Articles mentioned shall be in their march â—endezvouz or quarters searched or plundred upon any pretence whatsoever And that two Officers be appointed by you the one for accommodation for free-quarters for Officers Souldiers and others and the other for providing of horses and carriages for our baggage and train 8. All Noblemen Gentlemen Clergy-men Citizens Resiants or any other person within this city suburbs and liberties thereof shall at any time when they please have free liberty to remove themselves their goods and families and to dispose of them at their pleasures according to the known and enacted laws of the land either to live at their own houses or elswhere and to enjoy their houses lands goods and estates without any molestation and to have protection for that purpose and this article to extend to all those whose estates are sequestred or not sequestred and that they may rest quiet at their abodes and travell freely and safely upon their occasions And for their better removal they may have Letters of safe-conduct with horses and carriages at reasonable rates upon demand 9. That all persons above mentioned may have free liberty to passe to any part beyond the seas any time within three moneths as their occasions shall require 10. That the Lines Forts Castle and other Fortifications about or in the city of Bristol be forthwith slighted and the City stated in the same condition it was before the beginning of this unnaturall warre And that hereafter the Parliament during this war place no garrison in it 11. That no Churches be defaced that the severall members of the foundation of this Cathedral shall quietly enjoy their houses and revenues belonging to their places and that the Ministers of this city may likewise enjoy their benefices without trouble 12. That no Oaths be imposed upon any person now in this city suburbs and liberties other then are required by the ancient and enacted lawes of the land 13. That the Major Sheriffs Aldermen and Citizens within this Corporation of the City of Bristol shall be free in their persons and estates and enjoy all their priviledges liberties and immunities in as full and ample manner as formerly at any time they did before the beginning of this war and that they shall have freedom of trade both by land and sea paying such duties and customes as formerly they have done to his Majesty and that no mulct of fine be imposed upon any person mentioned in this article upon any pretence whatsoever or questioned for any act or thing done or committed before the day of our marching forth That no free-quarters shall be put upon them without their own consents 14. That all other persons whose dwellings are in this city and now absent may have the full benefit of these articles as if they were present 15. That all Noblemen Gentlemen and others that have goods in this city and are now present or absent may have liberty at any time within three moneths to dispose of their goods as they please 16. That there be no plundering or taking away of any mans person or any part of his estate
under what pretence soever and that Iustice according to the known lawes of the land be administred to all persons within this City by the Civil Magistrate And for the performance of these articles I expect such hostages to be given as I shall accept of and hereunto I desire your speedy Answer Sir By this you may evidently perceive my inclination to peace and you may be assured that I shall never desire any thing more then the honour of the King and safety of the Kingdom and that I may become Sir Your Servant Rupert To which Propositions the General returned this Answer Sir I have perused your Propositions wherein some things are doubtfully exprest other things inconsistent with the duty I owe to them I serve Notwithstanding to the end I may give assurance that I earnestly desire to save effusion of blood and the ruine of a City and people that may in time be so serviceable to the Crown and Kingdom If it please your Highness that Commissioners may treat between us concerning the accommodating of things I hope to make it evident to the world that what shall respect the honour of a souldier due civility to all men the good and welfare of the people of that City both in passing by what is past and restoring them to the priviledges of all other subjects and to the immunities of their City will readily be condiscended unto by me and to the end no time may be lost I have here inclosed sent you the names of Commissioners who upon the return of Hostages of equal condition unto me shall attend your Highness sufficiently instructed to conclude on my part Provided the said treaty be ended by nine of the clock this night And to this I desire your answer within the space of an hour and remain Your Highnesse humble servant Tho. Fairfax This answer being returned presently after Dinner by the same Trumpeter he was detained till eight at night and then he brought this answer from the Prince or to this effect in writing That he hoped his Propositions had been such as needed no explanation yet because some doubts were made he was willing to have the exceptions set down in writing and his Highness would return answer Monday September 8. The General returned a particular Answer to every Article which as to the souldiery was very honourable and could not but be very acceptable to the Citizens for the offer was most fair to the Citizens to oblige them to us in case the conditions offered them were but known to them as we hoped they would However we had used means by our Spies to convey the same to them In the interim all things were prepared for the storm every Commander viewing his Posts the Trumpet was detained beyond the time appointed yet afterwards returned with a deniall but not positive That night was appointed for the Army to fall on but upon better consideration it was held fit to put it off to another day and only to alarm the Enemy Tuesday September 9. the Trumpet was sent in again to let the Prince know that if he did not immediately except what was offered all that had passed should be as no treaty requiring the Trumpet to return by 12 of the clock but notwithstanding he was detained till 10 at night and then returned with an unsatisfactory answer Whereupon all things on our part were put in readiness for a storm At 12 of the clock in the night the General went into the field to give order about the drawing out of our men and managing the storm for the next morning The Enemy being left inexcusable for refusing such honourable conditions as were offered the whole Army Horse and Foot being set in a posture round the City to fall on about two in the morning September 10. the signall was given to fall on at one instant round the City and Works which was by setting on fire a great heap of straw and Faggots on the top of an hill and the shooting off four great guns against Pryors-fort from the place where the General was to recide all the time of the storm which being accordingly given immediately the storm began round the City and was terrible to the beholders Colonel Montague and Colonel Pickering with their Regiments at Lawfords-gate entred speedily and recovered 22. great guns and took many prisoners in the Works Major Desborough advancing with the Horse after them having the command of the Generals Regiment and part of Colonel Graves's Sir Hardresse Wallers and the Generals Regiments commanded by Lieut. Colonel â—ackson entred between Lawfords-gate and the river Froom Colonel Rainsborough and Colonel Hamonds Regiments entred near Pryors-fort Major-General Skippons and Colonel Birches entred nearer to the river Froom and the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride was divided part assigned to the service of Pryors-fort and the rest to alarm the great Fort and afterwards they took a little Fort of Welchmen The Sea-men that were at first designed to storm by water the tide failing assisted in storming the Line and Works The Horse that entred here besides the Forlorn-hope so valiantly led on by Captain Ireton were in several parties commanded by Major Bethel Major Alford and Adjutant-general Flemming being of Colonel Whalyes Colonel Riches and part of Colonel Graves his Regiments And after the Line was broke down with the Pioneers and a gap made in the same our Horse with undaunted courage entred and within the Line met with a party of the Enemies Horse put them to a retreat mortally wounded Colonel Taylor formerly a Member of the House of Commons of which wounds he died and took divers prisoners This so disheartned their Horse perceiving withall our Foot to be master of the Line and their men beaten off that they never came on again to give one charge but retreated and stood in a body under the favour of the great-fort and Coulstons-fort In the mean while Pryors-hill-fort very obstinately held out playing fiercely with great and small shot upon our men for two hours after the Line was entred our men all that time in like manner plying them hard with musquet-shot in at the port-holes untill they brought up Ladders to the Fort but it being an high Work many of the Ladders proved too short through which fault some that got up were beaten down again Notwithstanding this disheartned them not but up they went again upon greatest danger and disadvantage some at last creeping in at the port-holes and others got on the top of the Works Captain Lagoe of Lieutenant Colonel Prides Regiment being the first man that laid hold on the Colours and in the end we forced the Enemy within to run below into the inner rooms of the Work hoping to receive quarter but our souldiers were so little prepared for to shew mercy by the opposition that they met withall in the storm and the refusal of quarter when it was offered that they put to the sword the Commander one Major
the Lords day only the Train that was in the Rear marched that day up to the Van of the Army and thence on Monday to Chard About this time was Chepflow town and castle in Monmouthshire reduced by Col. Morgan governour of Gloucester And on Wednesday the 8. the General went to Lyme where he was honourably entertained by the Governour Col. Câ—ely and stayed there that night It was wonderfull to think considering the scituation of the place the meannesse of the Works about it that it should possibly hold out as it did against such a force as laid siege unto it section 2 This day passed not without bringing forth some good tidings to the Army for news came this morning to the General that Winchester was agreed to be surrendred to Lieutenant-General Cromwel the Terms whereupon and other particulars concerning the same I shall present you withall in the words of the Lieut. Generals Letter and Mr. Peters his Relation made to the House of Commons The Letter followes SIR Lieutenant-gen Cromwels Letter of the taking of Winchester I came to Winchester on the Lords day being the 28. of September with Cololonel Pickering commanding his own Colonel Montagues and Sir Hardresse Wallers regiments After some dispute with the Governour we entred the Town I summoned the Castle was denied whereupon we fell to prepare our Batteries which we could not perfect some of our Guns being out of order untill Friday following Our Battery was six guns which being finished after once firing of them round I sent him a second Summons for a Treaty which they refused whereupon we went on with our work and made a breach in the wall neer the Black tower which after about 200 shot we thought stormable and purposed on Monday morning to attempt it On Sonday night about ten of the clock the Governour beat a Parley desiring to treat I agreed unto it and sent Col. Hamond and Major Harrison in to him who agreed unto these inclosed Articles Sir This is the addition of another mercy You see God is not weary in doing you good I confesse Sir his favour to you is as visible when he comes by his power upon the hearts of his enemies making them quit places of strength to you as when he gives courage to your Souldiers to attempt hard things His goodnesse is in this much to be acknowledged for the Castle was well manned with 680 Horse and Foot there being neer 200 Gentlemen Officers and their servants Well victualled with 1500 weight of Cheese very great store of Wheat and Beere neer 20 Barrels of Powder 7 Peeces of Canon the Works were exceeding good and strong It is very likely it would have cost much blood to have gained it by storm we have not lost 12 men This is repeated to you that God may have all the praise for it is all his due Sir I rest Your most humble servant Oliver Cromwel Mr. Peters his Report made to the House of Commons containing some other particulars concerning Winchester section 3 Mr. Peters his relation of the taking of Winchester My commands from the Lieutenant-General are to give this honourable House a further Narrative of the Castle of VVinchester being upon the place and a spectator of Gods good hand in the whole work as also to present his humble request to the House in some particulars And before I speak to either of them if Gratitude it self were not sometimes unseasonable I would in my own name and in the name of many thousands return this honourable House most humble thanks for our Lieutenant-General in that you suffer with patience the vacancie of his place in this House My wish is that his spirit and that publique English spirit of Hampden Pym and Strowd may be doubled upon your new elected Members For our Lieutenant-General this I may say That Judgement and Affections are in him striving for the mastery I have rarely seen such heights and depths concent in one man That when I look upon the two Chiefs of our Army I remember Gustavus Adolphus and Oxenstern and I wish that our hopes in these may not be so short-lived as the Germans hopes in them were More I might say concerning him that sent me who is so far above the world and lives so little upon the States pay and minds himself so little but that he hath enjoyned silence to all his friends in any thing that might turn to his own praise For the Castle of Winchester we begun our Batteries upon Saturday morning which wrought so effectually that a breach wherein 30 men might go abrest was made the Enemy sallied out and beat our men from our guns which were soon recovered again We plaid then with our granadoes from our Mortar-peeces with the best effect that I have seen which brake down the Mansion house in many places cut off a Commissioner of theirs by the thighs the most austere and wretched Instrument in that country and at last blew up their Flag of defiance into the aire and tore the Pinacle in peeces upon which it stood Summons being sent as we entred upon this work was refused by the Lord Ogle their Governour And another Summons God sent them in the middle of their Battery his Lady to whom our Lieutenant gen had given leave to come forth and had gone some miles out of the town died by whom the Governour had during her life 1000. l. a yeare now lost by her death The chiefest street of the Town the Enemy played upon whereby divers passengeâ—s were wounded and some killed in which street my quartâ—rs were I have that cause to blesse God for my preservation The Lords day we spent in preaching and prayer whilst our gunners were battering and at 8 a clock at night we received a Letter from the Governour for a treaty which I have brought with me Colonel Hammond and Major Harrison were sent into the Castle on our party Sir Edward Ford and a Major of theirs were sent to us The whole night was spent about it our men standing upon some speciall terms with them and very desirous were we to accept Sir Edward Ford and Bennet to be our prisoners By eight of the clock on Monday morning it was agreed they should depart out of the Castle at five of the clock according to these Articles Articles agreed upon the 5. of October 1645. Between the Right honorable VVilliam Viscount Ogle governour of the garrison of the Castle of VVinton of the one part and Col. Robert Hammond and Major Thomas Harrison on the behalf of Lieutenant gen Oliver Cromwel of the other party for the surrender of the said Castle 1. That the Lord Ogle shall deliver up the Castle of Winchester with all the arms ordnance ammunition provision and all function of war whatsoever without any imbezelment waste or spoile unto that Officer or Officers as shall be thereunto appointed by the said Lieutenant gen to morrow being Monday the 6. of October
by some advantage surprising our guards and knowing the country well by an obscure and unusuall way passed our Out-guards the extreme darknes of the night favouring them and got between the Main guard and our Quarters and falling into some of the Dragoon and Foot quarters took about 40 Foot and 20 Dragoons and returned immediately fearing lest the Army should have taken the alarm but so nimble were they in that action that they were gone before the alarm was received section 5 Our Army lying in the field to prevent the Enemy breaking through Tuesday the 14. The General and the Army marched from Chard to Hunniton by the way of Axminster and that night our Horse and much of the Foot lay in the field about Hunniton lest the Enemy should break through we pressing so hard upon them to joyn with the King which was in the opinion of the General and all understanding men the best game they had to play and most disadvantagious to our proceedings as that that would have enabled the King to make incursions into the Eastern Association and divert a great part of this Army who desired to compleat the service of reducing the West before they returned But the Enemy attempted it not that night and had they not upon advertisement that our Forces were come to Hunniton removed their quarters from St. Mary Autree Poultimour and those parts beyond the river Ex as they did they had certainly been beaten up Parties being sent out for that purpose section 6 Our army advancing and the Enemy giving way Wednesday 15. The General and the Army marched from Hunniton to Colampton where the Lord Miller was with 300 Dragoons and some Horse who upon our approach quit their Barracadoes and the Town left their Turn-pikes standing strong Parties pursued them and took some prisoners who confessed their Party were gone towards Tiverton Whereupon a Councel of war was that night called Major gen Massey sent to besiege Triverton-castle and Major-General Massey was desired to go with his Horse and the Brigade of Foot under the command of Colonel Welden to possesse the Town of Tiverton and besiege the Castle which accordingly he did section 7 About this time Pr. Rupert and Maurice as they were going from Banbury those parts with a convoy of Banbury horse to the King at Newark in the mood to take their leave of him were set upon by Col. Rossiter and sore put to it Thursday Octob. 16. There came in some Officers from the Enemy a Lieutenant-colonel and two Captains who declared their unhappiness to be engaged on that side desiring a Passe to go to the Lord Inchequine to serve in Ireland against the Rebels The enemy quitting Broadnix upon the approach of our army The General went this day to Broadnix where the Enemy kept a guard with a Commanded party of foot and some horse but upon the approach of our forces they quit the town and the General returned back to Columpton The enemies notorious brags to keep up their reputation comming to nothing where information was given by the Inhabitants of good repute that the Enemy had boasted the day before our comming into the town That Goring had cut Fairfax in peeces neer Chard and routed his whole Army took drink upon it and wished it might be their poyson if it were not true This course the Enemy took to make their party believe they were great conquerours whereas indeed what they did was very inconsiderable and as to the reducing their affairs into any tolerable condition scarce worth the mentioning And on this occasion may be noted though it might be mentioned in a more fit place afterward that this small businesse neer Chard was the only affront the Enemy put upon us during the Armies being in the West of England But with what iterated affronts our Forces have recompenced them in their quarters the action at Bovy-Tracy and divers other places hereafter mentioned will manifest Friday Octob. 17. A Councel of war was called for advise whether to march towards Excester and so towards Plimouth or to take in Tiverton in regard it lay upon a Passe and might much annoy the Army to leave it behind them unreduced or at least unblockt up and if once taken might be a Magazine and place of strength and conveniency encie either to secure any thing in or to retreat unto upon occasion Tiverton resolved upon a Councel of war to be attempted Memorand That Col. Fryes regiment was before this sent to secure Tiverton whilst the Gen. marched Westward whereupon it was resolved to make it their work to take in that place and the rather to inforce Gorings horse to keep to the other side of Ex for the Army being once possessed of that Passe would be the better able to keep the Enemy before them from breaking through The General with some forces marching to Tiverton Whereupon this day towards noon the General marched towards Tiverton with a great part of the Army leaving some Horse and Foot at Broadnix Silverton and Columb-Iohn within 4 miles of Excester and accordingly as was desired it succeeded in that the Enemy was inforced to draw all over Ex. section 8 The relation of the storming taking of 〈◊〉 house by Lieut. gen Cromwel But before I proceed in this story I must give you a Relation of the taking of Basing a place of great concernment and which had been a great annoyance unto the Country and the City of London in hindering Trade This business as it was managed by Lieutenant gen Cromwel who in person Commanded in the reducing of that place and Winchester and managed the same with much prudence and resolution so I shall give you the particulars of the action in the words of his own Letter and Mr. Peters his Relation Lieutenant-General Cromwels Letter to the Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the honourable House of Commons SIR The Lieut. generals letter of that businesse I thank God I can give you a good accompt of Basing After our Batteries placed we setled the severall Posts for the Storm Colonel Dalbier was to be on the North side of the House next the Grange Colonel Pickering on his left hand and Sir Hardresse Waller's and Colonel Montague's Regiments next him We stormed this morning after six of the clock the signal for falling on was the firing four of our canon which being done our men fell on with great resolution and cheerfulnesse we took the two Houses without any considerable losse to our selves Col. Pickering stormed the New house passed through and got the Gate of the Old House whereupon they summoned a Parley which our men would not heare In the mean time Col. Montague's and Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiments assaulted the strongest Works where the Enemy kept his Court of guard which with great resolution they recovered beating the Enemy from a Whole-Culverin and from that Work which having
the 20. garrison that hath been taken in this Summer by this Army and I believe most of them the answer of the prayers and trophees of the faith of some of Gods servants The Commander of this Brigade having spent much time with God in prayer the night before the storm and seldome fighting without some text of Scripture to support him This time he rested upon that blessed Word of God written in the 115 Psal v. 8. They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them which with some verses going before was now accomplished Whereas the House had ordered that the countrey people should carry away those buildings God Almighty had decreed touching that beforehand nothing remained but a blast of winde to blow down the tottering wals and chimnies Doubtless this providence of God hath a double voice the one unto the Enemy and the other unto us the Lord help us with skill to improve it I hope by this time the State hath a penny-worth for a penny and I hope they will have full measure and running over I wish that the payment and recruiting of this Army may not be slighted It is an easie matter to grieve God in our neglects towards him and not hard to weary one another What if the poor Souldier had some remembrance though small to leave as the acceptance of this service which is already begun by a * * Mr. Maynard worthy Member of this House who hath appointed some Medals to be made of gold to be bestowed upon those that ventured on the greatest difficulties Mr. Peters presented the Marquisses own Colours which he brought from Basing the Motto of which was Donec pax reddit terris The very same King Charles gave upon his Coronation mony when he came to the Crown But our onely GOD doth usually temper such pleasant Cups unto us for in the close of this glorious victory the Death of Major Bethel was brought unto us shot at Bristol and tyred through want of sleep he is gone into the bosome of the Lord Iesus whom he loved so deerly whilst he lived I wish he may not go unlamented to his grave who was so full of God and the fairest flower of the City amongst us Lived without Pride and dyed full of Faith The ARMIES Teares over Major BETHEL A copy of Verses on the losse of Major Bethel Thou gallant Charger do'st thou wheele about To sable shades Or dost thou rather post To Bethel Bethel there to make a shout Of the great Triumphs of a scorned Host Or blessed Soule was it unworthy We That made thee weary with such Dust to be Or tyred with our New reforming pace Tasting some sips of Heaven do'st therefore haste To fuller draughts of that Eternal grace Fearing thy Spirit might be here imbrac'd Farewell deare Soule thy great deserv'd Arrears We 'll pay in others Blood or our own Tears Only let all Ages when they tell The unexampled tale of Forty five Yea when these Records to their glory swell And be compleated by the Saints alive When Naseby Langport Bristol nam'd they heare Let them all say Sweet Bethel he was there B eare a part in these Laments E very Soul that longs for Peace T ruly who with GOD indents H ere to have thereof a Lease E nters with himself a warre L ean on things that truly are CHAP. IV. The cheap reduction of Tiverton-Castle by a strange Providence The surrender of Langford-House BUt to return to my Story The work of reducing Tiverton close followed Saturday Octob. 18. Much of the time was spent in raising of Batteries against Tiverton Church and Castle The General with Major gen Massey oftentimes that day viewed the Works Castle and Church for the ordering of the Batteries and Approaches A Spy out of Tiverton castle taken A Spie was this day from the castle let down in a rope and being taken by our Guards threw his Letter by the water side but being threatned discovered where the letter was which being found where he had thrown it was read it was directed to Sir Iohn Berkley Governour of Excester it discovered the resolution of Sir Gilbert Talbot to hold out but yet he desired relief of Sir Iohn Berkley section 2 The storming of Tivâ—rton resolved on by a councel of war Lords day Octob. 19. The General went early to see to the batteries and the Ordinance being ready planted a Councel of war was called wherein it was agreed to storm the Church Castle and Works The Storm prevented and Tiverton gained by a wonderfull providence and being in debate of the manner of the storm which was that afternoon to be put in execution our Ordinance playing hard against the works and castle the Chain of the Draw-bridge with a Round shot was broken in two whereupon the bridge fell down and our men immediately without staying for Orders possessed themselves of the bridge and entred the works and possessed the Churchyard which so terrified the Enemy that it made them quit their Ordinance and some of their Posts and Line and instantly fled into the church and castle our men got over the rest of the bulwarks and line and pursued the enemy into the church and castle where they cried out in a lamentable manner for quarter our Souldiers crept in at the Church-windows they having made fast the doors and made all within prisoners plundered them and stript most of them to their shirts yet gave them their lives The Governour who had formerly received a Summons but peremptorily refused to hearken to any treaty of surrender though he despaired of any relief shut himself up into his chamber in the castle and hung out a white flag for a Parley but being now too late it would not be hearkned to such was the fury of the Souldier yet when they got into the castle and came to the place where he was they gave him fair quarter section 3 A notable instance of a righteous hand upon a false man There was much Plunder found in the Castle besides provisions There was taken one Major Sadler who formerly served the Parliament and ran to the Enemy and had privately sent and made overtures what service he would do if he might be pardoned but his offers were rejected and he falling into our hands was called to a Councel of war and condemned to suffer death for his former treachery who to save his life broke prison after he was condemned and escaped to Excester where he was by his own side called to a Councel of war for endeavouring to betray their cause after he had undertaken it and was therefore adjudged to die and suffered death accordingly it being alleadged against him that he treacherously quit his Posts in the late service of Tiverton Besides him who escaped us but not Justice there was taken prisoners in this place Sir Gilbert Talbot the Governour 4 Majors and about 200 more Officers and Souldiers
the only plentifull and unharassed part of Devonshire As also that Greenvile was come with some fresh Foot out of Cornwal to Okehampton section 10 A letter to his Excellency from the Pr. of Wales his Highnesse At Autree a Trumpeter came to his Excellency from his Highnesse Prince Charles with a Letter desiring a Passe for the Lord Hopton and Lord Culpepper to go to the King upon a designe of a mediation of Peace between the King and both Houses of Parliament The scope of it which being a matter of great concernment the consideration thereof was put off to the next day when the Trumpeter was returned with a Letter from the General to the Prince intimating The summe of his Excellencies answer That it was no wayes proper for the General to intermeddle with any Propositions touching an accommodation between His Majesty and the Parliament And therefore had sent his Letter to the Parliament from whom his Highness must expect an answer section 11 The Parliament acknowledging their General In the interim a fair Jewel set with rich Diamonds of very great value was presented unto the General by Mr. Ash and some other Members of Parliament in the name of both Houses as a signal of that great honour which God had done him in the great service which by Gods assistance he performed for this Kingdome at Naseby-Battel and according to the commands of the Parliament they tyed it in a blue Ribband and put it about his neck section 12 The happy news of a second defeat of Digby briefly inserted About this time arrived at the Army certain intelligence of a second defeat given the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale who by killing of an hundred men and the taking of 200 horse and many prisoners among whom divers Commanders by Sir Iohn Brown were reduced to so much lesser number And were yet further extenuated as they fled towards Beeston-castle by Colonel Brigs who took 200 more of them About this time also were the severall garrisons of Worton Wiverton and Welbeck surrendred to valiant and active Major gen Poyntz And yet farther for the ease of the Ferry-boat that carried Digby to the Isle of Man reduced to the number of 20. besides some few Great ones that escaped with him by Major-general Vandrusk who took 180. of them flying through Westmerland And here is the end of 1600 of the Kings prime horse month November 1645 And with this came another peece of the Enemies being routed Nevemb 1. by Lieut. colonel Iones and Adjutant Louthian where were above 100. slain and about 400. taken prisoners among whom divers persons of quality few of ours wounded scarce any slain CHAP. VI. Severall passages between the Prince and his Excellency and between his Excellency and Goring Concerning Pouldrum The Enemies preparations to relieve Excester and Ours to meet them c. An overture of a meeting made to his Excellency from the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others MOreover during the Armies stay at Autree the General was acquainted by a Person of credit with a desire of the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others to give his Excellencie a meeting which was taken into consideration and after consultation with the Members of Parliament then present and divers Officers the General the next day thus expressed himself to the Gentlemen that had signified the former desire His Excellencies answer That if any thing came in writing from the Lord Goring or Sir Iohn Berkley to the aforesaid purpose he would afford a meeting Upon this intimation the next day came a Trumpeter from the Lord Goring with a Letter to the General in these words SIR A letter from Goring thereupon I have understood by a Person of honour and quality of your readines to have a meeting with some of the Generall Officers of both Armies and some others wherein there will be a necessity of setling some circumstances for the avoiding of all mistakes I have instructed Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips in the particulars thereof and therefore shall desire that you will be pleased to grant them a Safe-conduct for themselves and two servants to go to your Quarters and return Your humble servant Geo. Goring Excester Novemb. 12. 1645. His Excellency advising thereupon This did put both the Officers and Members of Parliament there upon serious deliberation afresh and in issue this answer was returned by the General My Lord The answer his Excellency returned According to your Lordships desire I have sent you herewith a Safe-conduct for Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips to come to my head-quarter where I shall be ready to receive them to morrow I am Your Lordships humble servant Tho Fairfax section 2 The reasons of his Excelcies entertaining the motion One main and principal reason inducing his Excellency and approved by those he consulted with to grant the Safe-conduct was For that it might likely increase the discontent or jealousie at least between Grenvile and the Lord Gorings faction if it were noysed that Goring came out to treat without the privity of Grenvile For any better effect of the Treaty was not expected His Excellencie understanding privately that which they intended to offer was in such a nature as was not proper for the Army to meddle with section 3 Col. Scroop and Col. Philips upon this Safe-conduct the next day came to the head-quarter at Autree but comming somewhat late had not accesse that night to the General but were entertained by some of the Colonels of the Army untill the next day when they were presented to the General who before such time as they began to say any thing of their errand to him declared himself to them to this effect The effect of the meeting That if they had any thing to say concerning the surrender of Excester or the disbanding of Armies or any thing else which was belonging to the General as a Souldier to take notice of he would hear them otherwise he could not And this was no more then was intimated unto them before they came by Com. gen Treton Col. Pickering and the Judge-Advocate whereupon they answered That the Instructions that they had were in order to a general Peace To which was replied That that was proper to the cognisance of the Parliament therefore the General as a Souldier and the Parliaments servant without their leave would not say any thing to it Whereupon the next day they returned back unto Excester much unsatisfied The General easily perceiving the drift of their intentions was To have had both Armies engage themselves to force both King and Parliament to Conditions section 4 His Excellencie acquainting the Parliament with the whole proceeding And no sooner did the General satisfie himself in the scope of these Overtures from the Prince and the Lord Goring but by an Expresse sent up to the Parliament and the Committee of both Kingdoms he was most carefull to
give them an account thereof and how he had entertained the same which it seems was but needfull This Army not wanting enemies every where to give an ill representation of their actions month December 1645 section 5 But to return from whence I have digressed From Saturday Novemb. 15. to Tuesday Decemb. 2. the General continued at Autree riding about sometimes to see the finishing of the Works at Broad-clisse and Poultimore and disposing of the quarters for the Foot who were sick in most places there dying of Souldiers and Inhabitants in the Town of Autree 7 8 and 9 a day for severall weeks together insomuch that it was not held safe for the head-quarter to be continued there any longer Col. Pickering that pious active Gentleman that lived so much to God and his Country and divers other Officers dyed of the New disease in that place Six of the Generals own family were sick of it at one time and throughout the Foot regiments half the Souldiers The Army unworthily censured by some yet notwithstanding at this very time did the Army undergo very hard censures by some for not being in action But so long as Conscience and Judgement was satisfied that if the season of the year and the abilities of Mens bodies would have admitted a March it should have been most willingly imbraced and that it was only the Divine providence that had awarded otherwise The Army had the less cause to take notice of other mens opinions especially when the Parliament had by Vote left the General at liberty to dispose of his Army as he should see cause But whosoever would have me proceed in my story must give me leave first to weep a while this sorrowfull Verse over deer Colonel Pickerings Hearse Anagr. IOHANNES PICKERING IN God I RECKON HAPINES Vain all our profer'd Ransoms are There 's no discharge in the Graves war Well * * i Proffered ranfomes They may shew yet they cannot What a brave Captive Death hath got Only t' amuse our discontent For Passion kils that has no vent Might thy wisht presence find excuse Of whom we made too little use Wee 'ld ask swift Poster whose * * He had done the Kingdome great service by riding between England and ScotlanÌ„d before these troubles great haste Was ne'r before the Kingdoms waste Why posts thou from 's Because we * * The Army rested then some time at Auirce rest Which suited not thy active brest Did that Antiperistasis Fire thy fine Spirits to thy blisse Must thou be scaling Heaven alone For want of other action Would thou hadst took that leisure-time To visit some responsal-Clime Or must hard * * The Army was unworthily censured at that time as is observed before in the Story Censures voyd of love Be expiate by thy remove Or Covetous couldst thou not stay For wages till the end o' th day Or could no vantage mend thy * * He was a little man but of a great courage stature To see our triumphs under * * Nature i the Heavens Nature But 't is in vain to ravel more Wâ—have nothing but thy Name t' adore That Oracle gives the best guesse Wherein we heare thee thus professe IN God I RECKON HAPINES section 6 The Enemy was much encouraged by the sickness of our Army and was confident as by their Letters which afterwards were intercepted did appear it had in a great measure weakned and would consume the Army to nothing whereupon they were much animated to raise new Forces under the command of his Highness Prince Charles the Lord Goring having some few dayes before taken shipping at Dartmouth for France to fetch over some fresh forces against the Spring leaving the command of his Horse in his absence to the Lord Wentworth The Prince raising Cornwal Devon and to that purpose sent out Proclamations for the Counties of Cornwal and Devon to rise in arms and to go in person with the Prince for that his Highness was resolved to march in person upon the head of them making no question as by their Letters we did understand to make our Forces rise from the East side Excester and inforce our Retreat And indeed his Excellencie had certain intelligence that the Enemy had an Army very considerable having drawn severall Foot and Horse from their quarters before Plimouth whereunto they received some addition in Foot from Dartmouth Barnstable which with the considerable Recruits of Foot that Greenvile with most extrem and industrious cruelty had raised and brought out of Cornwall did make a body of nine or ten thousand horse and foot then quartering about Tavestock and upon the edge of Cornwall and also at Okehampton where were 2000. of their foot besides horse commanded by Sir Richard Greenvile section 7 Yet a few dayes the Generall continued at Autree but resolved forthwith to remove in regard the disease increased so fast to Tiverton which place was agreed on to be an head-quarter which resolution was actuated on Saturday the Generall having first received intelligence from Captain Farmer of a Bark loaden with commodities of good value going for France from Excester taken by him between Topsham and the Fort. section 8 A councell of War called Lords-day December 7. A councell of War was called where it was propounded that in regard the garrisons of Nutwell Broad-Clisse Poultimore and Stoak were now made tenable against any suddaine assault of the Enemy and possessed by the forces of Lyme some foot of Major-Gen Massies and some new raised Regiments of the County whereby Excester was perfectly straightened upon the East side being by those garrisons made incapable either to annoy the country or relieve themselves on this side and in regard that now it would be convenient to remove our foot beyond the river in order both to the straightening of Excester on that side and to the hindering the Enemies recruting of his forces which at this instant he was strongly indeavouring The Proposition and result that some Regiments should be sent to Crediton a place that stood in a good aire which likely would much conduce to the health of our souldiers and lay conveniently for a strong quarter upon the West side of the river Some forces sent under Sir Hardresse Waller to possesse Crediton and the blocking up of Excester on that side the River committed to him which force was sent under the command of Sir Hardresse Waller a Gentleman faithfull and well able and ready to undergo that charge but lest the Enemy upon the advance of our foot thither should fire the towne as they had often threatened a party of Horse and Dragoones were sent all night to get possession of the town till the foot could get up to them Some Dragoons sent to possesse Crediton before hand The next morning being Munday December 8. the Dragoones were there by day break but by reason of the extremity of the weather the foot
Army to countenance the Cornish and that they would put all upon this Cast of relieving Excester The Army advancing towards the Enemy Most of the enemies horse were sent the next being the Lords day to Okehampton which quickened the Army unto a resolution of a Rendezvouz between that and Crediton on the Monday which was made good accordingly The horse and some foot being drawn up at Cadbury-hill some foure miles from Crediton but upon assurance there that the Enemy did not stir from Okehampton and for that the weather was bitter cold and the ground so slippery that horses could not well march and for other causes it was held fit to take up quarters thereabouts Yet it was observed that this readines and motion of the Army checkt the Enemies further advance the Army took time to make provisions for a continued march by carriages on horse-back these parts admitting no other Tuesday passed with the good news of the surrender of Skipton-castle in Yorkshire the same day the Enemy appointed a Rendezvouz again but the extream hard weather rendring it impossible for our horse to march unless they were all frosted in an extraordinary manner kept us still in our quarters section 14 A messenger of the Princes taken The next day was delivered into our hands a messenger of the Princes going to Excester for Arms for the Prince his person who was come to Dartmouth when also his Excellency had intelligence that some Forces for his Majesties service were to be sent over by the Lord Goring out of France and to land at Dartmouth month January 1645 section 15 Sir George Chidley's house garrisoned for the straitning Excester Saturday Ian. 3. The blocking up of Excester was so much further endeavoured by the addition of Sir George Chidley's house at Ashton to the garrisons which were possest by our forces the better to stop provisions from going into Excester section 16 The next being Lords-day brought good news from Plymouth viz. That they had taken two Works and a Church from the Enemy at St. Budeaux and therein 105. prisoners besides 20 Officers but withall That the Enemy intended to demand satisfaction for the same of us and were for that end advancing with a considerable strength to relieve Excester CHAP. VII The slackening of the siege of Excester by the Armies advance to meet the Enemy leaving only a Force to block up the City With their great successe in those two actions The Defeat of the Enemy at Bovey-Tracy and the taking of Dartmouth with a particular account of their Marches and lesser Passages VPon this certain renewed intelligence on the morrow viz. Monday Ian. 5. a private consultation was had divers Officers of the Army sought councel of Heaven that day keeping it as a private day of humiliation in answer whereto God inclined their hearts to resolve of an Advance The Army by a councel of war resolved to advance towards the Enemy The next day a publique Councel of war was called and that the former resolution might appear to be the answer of God it was in this publique Councel resolved Nemine contradicente to advance into the South-Hams where the greatest part of the Enemy lay The Dragoons from Canonteen were before-hand with this Resolution who this day fell into the Enemies quarters took a Captain 9 men and 20 horse And that this purpose to advance might finde the less interruption The same day the Stockings and Shooes which the poor Foot had so great need of and had so long expected came to Tiverton most seasonably to fit them for a March wherewith they were so well satisfied as that they shewed much forwardnes to march without staying for Cloaths which they had great need of also being many of them all to tatters and the weather was extream cold to boot While he Army was preparing to march some of our Dragoons from petty garrisons on Wednesday snatcht at the Enemy at Huick took a Lieutenant 10 prisoners 22 horses and one of their Colours with this Motto Patientia victrix section 2 The Army advancing according to former resosolution Thursday Ian. 8. All things being prepared in readiness for a March the Horse and Foot with their Ammunition on horse-back set forward to Crediton and at the same time Sir Hardresse Waller with two Regiments marched from Crediton to * At this place Sir Hardresse Waller was engaged with a party of the Enemies horse and dragoons where he slew many of them took 60 prisoners 40 horse and gave an Alarm to the Enemy on all that side the country whilest the Army in the mean time did the following action at Bovey-Tracy Bow as if the Army had bent towards Okehampton where the Enemy had both horse and foot when as indeed it was only to amuse them For at the same instant a Brigade of horse and foot marched that night to Crediton and the next day though very cold and much snow upon the ground the same Brigade marched to Bovey-Tracy then the Enemies quarters Lieut. general Cromwel going in person with them who about six at night fell into their quarters at Bovey where part of the Lord Wentworths Brigade then lay took about 400 Horse seven Colours one of them the Kings colours with a crown and C. R. upon it Lieut. gen Cromwell beating up the enemies quarters at Bovey-Tracy The Enemy in Bovey were put to their shifts yet through the darkness of the night most of the Men escaped except a Major and some few Officers more and about 50 prisoners It was almost supper time with them when our men entred the Town most of them at that instant were playing at Cards but our Souldiers took up the stakes for many of their principal Officers who being together in one room threw their stakes of mony out at the window which whilst our Souldiers were scrambling for they escaped out at a back-door over the river and saved their best stakes In the mean time his Excellency with another part of the Army was advanced from Tiverton to Morton within three miles of Bovey but part of the Carriage-horses with the Ammunition by reason of the Frost could get no neerer then Fulford section 3 The former successe improved by pursuing the enemy from place to place The next day the weather still extream bitter cold the forces at Morton at Bovey-tracy had a rendezvouz near Bovey whereat intelligence was brought by the country that about 120. of those that escaped in the night were got into Ellington church whereupon a party of horse and foot were cōmanded after them which the Enemy in the church understanding fled away The Army marched that night towards Ashburton the Enemies head-quarter the night before A party of horse was sent to see if the Enemy had quit the town as his Excellency had intelligence they had done who finding the enemy at the towns end were engaged with them beat the enemies Rearguard
through the town took nine men and twenty horse and inforced the rest of their horse to flie severall wayes being two Regiments of the Lord Wentworths Brigade that were left of five three of them being taken at Bovey-tracy section 4 Lords day Ianuary 11. The Generall after that by Spies he had sent Intelligence to Plymouth of the retreat of the Enemy marched with the Army to Totness where the Enemy had a foot quarter but upon our advance quitted it leaving one Regiment at Ashburton This Totnesse seemes to be one of the finest of an Inland town in Devon-shire and many of the Inhabitants rich a party was sent from hence towards Dartmouth to discover what scattered forces of the Enemies might be gone that way this party brought in some Officers prisoners who seemed to be well apaid with their lot saying it was well they were taken for they had no where to go to but the Sea section 5 About this time those Regiments of Foot under Colonel Hamond that were assigned to quarter at the town which was scarse able to afford them Victuals having caught little Fish of six weeks before was by a wonderfull and indeed no lesse then miraculous providence supplyed and furnished to theÌ„ by such great draughts of Mullets which God was pleased to send in in that abundance at that time as the like had not been known before whereby both Town and Army was plentifully provided for Munday Ianuary 12. The Generall taking speciall care to uphold the courage of Plimouth having sent for more surety lest the former Messengers should fail another Messenger to give them notice of the Enemies retreat gave orders for two Regiments to be drawn before Dartmouth And at the same time strong parties of horse were sent towards Tavestock after the Enemy which the enemy apprehending to be the Van of our Army supposing our Army following after them with great distraction and fear quit the siege before Plimouth leaving their Forts undemolished with seven pieces of Ordnance and four barrels of Powder making great hast over the River Tamar into Cornwall A Summons sent in to Dartmouth In the mean while a Summons was sent in to Dartmouth honourable conditions offered in the same but rejected by the Governour forces were commanded upon the guard within half a mile of the Town all night who encountred with extream bitter cold weather and snow yet were most cheerfull upon duty as they went readily unto it The next day the General and the Officers went to take a more particular view of the Town it was the joynt opinion of them all that they might carry the same by storm The Enemy according to their wonted manner not sparing to take or destroy any thing whereby they might advantage themselves and disadvantage us burnt Mr. Plumley's house and therein 400 bushels of Corn threshed and as much unthreshed In order to a Storm more Forces were ordered to march to assist those before Dartmouth By lying three or four cold dayes before it we lost nothing but a little time for by that stay Captain Batten being desired by the General was come before the Haven with a Squadron of ships to assist by sea and to keep any of their ships from going out of the harbour while we stormed by land Thursday the 15. the Country upon orders brought in Ladders the Comptroller was sent aboard Captain Batten for some Sea-men received 200. and allotted them a Post to do duty Friday the 16. The General himself took an account in what readines things were for a storm More particular intelligence to that which came before was given out of the town what condition they were in there good Guides were sent for from Plymouth that were Captain Roopes men and had been formerly inhabitants of Dartmouth to direct our men the best way into the town upon the storm Saturday 17. the General went again to view the Town all things were concluded on for a storm and Lots cast for every man who should fall on first and who to come on as Reserves the Officers of all the Regiments viewed their severall Posts and every man provided his guides Lords-day 18. Mr. Del in the morning and Mr. Peters in the evening exhorted the souldiers to their duty For Mr. Bowles who had formerly attended the service of the Army being called to his charge at York had taken his leave of his Excellencie Mr. Del succeeding in his room The souldiers were all drawn out about seven at night Forlorn hopes were set the evening very milde as at Midsomer the frost being newly gone the Word was given God with us the signal of the Souldiers was their shirts out before and behind Dartmouth stormed and taken About 11. a clock at night the storm begun and after the Enemy had discharged once our Men got under their Canon and quickly possessed them and turned them against the Enemy for the Army had no Peeces at all of their own the way and weather not admitting any to be drawn against that place where there were an hundred Peeces ready mounted against them a strange and unparalleld undertaking The Commanders of every Party possest those places they were designed unto Lieut. colonel Pride who led on Colonel Harlowes Regiment possest Mount-Boon wherein were 22 peeces of Ordnance Colonel Hamond possest the West gate wherein were 4 Peeces of ordnance and two in the Flanker Colonel Fortescue gained Tunstal-church with 12 Peeces of ordnance and so we became masters of the whole Town and the old Castle in which were 5 great Iron guns which commanded the River In all our men possessed themselves of about 60. peeces of Ordnance in the storm among which one Brass Demi-canon And such was even the miraculous goodness of God in this storm that we lost but one man and had very few wounded notwithstanding they plyed most fiercely both great and small shot upon our men from the Forts The storm succeeding so well the Comptroller of the Ordnance was sent to summon two Men of war which lay in the River which no sooner received the Summons but they yielded immediately There were two great Forts wherein were about 34 Peeces of ordnance which stood a mile from the town not taken with the rest that beat a Parley three houres together before they were heard but in issue Sir Henry Cary who was in one of them had conditions to march away He and his Officers with arms the Governour and Lord Newport c. being in the other Fort were refused the like conditions and submitted themselves to mercy section 5 I should have enlarged the more upon the action of this storm but that I finde a Letter of the Generals to the House of Peers concerning the same which is more worthy to be heard it self as followeth My Lords His Excellencies Letter to the House of â—eers concerning the takeing of Dartmouth After my comming to Totnes the Enemy rising in great disorder from their siege
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
of our Spyes came thither out of Torrington that morning assuring his Excellency that the Enemies whole Army was in and about Torrington not expecting our being so neer The Army was drawn to the Randezvouz with intention to martch to Torrington but the weather proving so bad the bridges being broken down by the enemy and besides the day being far spent put the General upon resolution to order his owne Regiment of Foot and a party of two hundred Horse under the command of Captaine Berry to advance three or four mile in the way to Torrington to amuze the Enemy and himselfe with the rest of the Army to return to Chimleigh A party of Colonel Butler's men that were upon the Guard tooke fourteene men and seven and twenty Horse part of the Enemies Guard and brought them to Chimleigh being most of them of Goring's Life-guard who being brought before the General confest they heard of our advance Cattaine Berry who was sent as before toward the Enemy returned with his party of two hundred Horse informing the General that they had met with a party of the Enemy about the same number that the Enemy charged him but he had by the assistance of God routed them and sore wounded Lieutenant colonel Dundasse who led on the party and brought him and others away prisoners but Dundasse was so sore wounded that he was forced to be left at a country Village upon his Parolle to render himselfe a prisoner if he recovered which accordingly he very punctually performed and the General in commiseraton of his condition being disabled for service by reason of his Wounds upon his tender to engage himselfe never to beare Armes against the Parliament granted him his liberty section 4 * It should be remembred here that upon the Armies advance to Torrington Colonel Cooke who alwayes readily received and punctually observed his Orders was sent with Major-General Massie's Horse to lye before Barnstable and upon that part of Devonshire to be in a posture to interrupt the Enemies Horse in case upon the Armies advance into Cornwal they should attempt to break through Monday February 16. The Drummes Beat by four of the clocke in the Morning The generall Randezvouz of the Army was appointed to bee at Rings-Ash about three Miles from Chimleigh where accordingly by seven of the clocke in the Morning the whole Army was drawne up in Battalia Horse and Foot on the Moore five miles short of Torrington and so martched in order ready for a present engagement in case the Enemy should attempt any thing in our martch through the narrow Lanes the Forelorn-Hope of horse commanded by Major Stephens and Captaine Moleneux being advanced towards Stephenston Master Rolls his house neer Torrington his Excellency understood that the Enemy had two hundred Dragoons in the House whereupon a commanded Party of Horse and Foot were sent to fall on them but upon the advance of our Forces towards them the Enemy quit the place yet our Horse martching fast engaged their Reare took severall of their Dragoons prisoners and afterwards the Forelorn-Hope of Horse on both sides were much engaged in the narrow and dirty Lanes at last we beat them from Master Rolls his house all along the Lane almost to Torrington The Army engaged with the Enemy neere Torrington About five of the clock in the Evening the Van of the Army was drawn up in the Park the Forelorn-Hope of Foot was drawne out neer the Forelorn-Hope of Horse in the mid-way between Master Rolls house and Torrington and there lined the Hedges to make good the retreat of the Horse the Enemy likewise drew out of the Towne four or five Closes off and lined the Hedges with Musquetteers within a Close of ours and flankt their Foot with Horse whereupon good reserves were sent to second our Forelorn-Hope of Foot least the enemy knowing the ground and we being strangers unto it might suddenly encompasse us it being by this time dark night and the whole Army being then come up having martched ten miles that day about eight at night the Enemy drew off from some of the Closes they formerly possest whereupon we gained the ground they quitted a Counsel of war being called whether it was advisable it might engage the Enemies Body then in the town who were ready with the best advātages of ground Barricado's to receive us it was the general sense of the Counsell to make good our ground and double our Guards till the next morning that we might the better take view of the places where we were like to engage whereupon the General and Lieutenant-General went from Master Rolls his house to see the Guards accordingly set but hearing a noyse in the Towne as if the Enemy were retreating and being loath they should goe away without an affront to that purpose and that we might get certaine knowledge whether they were going off or not a small Party of Dragoons were sent to fire on the Enemy neer the Barricadoes and Hedges the Enemy answered us with a round Volley of shot thereupon the Forlorn-Hope of Foot went and engaged themselves to bring off the Dragoons and the reserve fell on to bring off the Forlorn-Hope And being thus far engaged the General being on the Field and seeing the generall resolution of the Souldiery held fit that the whole Regiments in order after them should fall on and so both sides were accordingly engaged in the dark for some two hours till we beat them from the Hedges within their Barricadoes which were very strong and where some of their men disputed the entrance of our Forces with push of Pike and butt end of Musket for a long time at last it pleased God to give us the Victory our Foot first entring the Towne and afterwards the Horse who chased the Enemy through the Towne the Lord Hopton bringing up the Reare had his Horse shot dead under him in the middle of the Town Their Horse once facing about in the street caused our Foot to retreat but more of our Horse comming up pursued them to the Bridges and through the other Barracadoes at the further end of the Towne where we had no sooner placed Guards at the severall Avenues and had drawne our whole Army of Foot and most of our Horse into the Towne but the Magazine of neer eighty barrels of Powder which the Lord Hopton had in the Church was fired by a desperate villaine one Watts whom the Enemy had hired with thirty pounds for that purpose as he himselfe confessed the next day when he was pul'd out from under the rubbish and timber and the Lead Stones Timber and Iron-work of the Church were blowne up into the Ayre and scattered all over the Towne and Fields about it where our Forces were yet it pleased God miraculously to preserve the Army that few were slaine besides the Enemies that were prisoners in the Church where the Magazine was blowne up and most of our men that
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
settle the West Thirdly Excester and Barnstable would not probably hold out if the Field force were once subdued whilest that stood they could not in honor yeeld and therefore it was thought fit rather to follow the Enemy into Cornwal to subdue them then to stay to reduce Excester and Barnstable and then to pursue them for that those Garrisons would be dying for want of provisions whilest the Army should be in pursuit of the foresaid intentions section 2 Lords day Feb. 22. Orders were given to bring up some small quantity of Money that was at Tiverton to the Army that upon their martch into Cornwal there might be supply The Army martching into Cornwall Monday Feb. 23. Part of the Army martched from Torrington to Holsworthy being twelve long miles dirty way and the rest from Biddiford Tavestock c. to Torrington being fifteen miles and the wayes deep Before the Van of the Army got into Holsworth Colonel Butler was commanded before with a Party of Horse and four hundred Dragoons to force his passage over the River Tamar and if conveniently he could to fall into the Enemies Quarters and Captaine Woggan who was before sent with a small Party of Dragoons took five and twenty Horse and some Prisoners and brought them to Holsworthy section 3 A considerable performance of Colonel Butler Wednesday 25. The Army had a Randezvouz neer Tomerton where Intelligence came That Colonel Butler had fallen upon the Enemy and taken between three and four hundred Horse and eighty Prisoners and put Major General Web with the Forces under his command to flight this service was performed neer Stratton and thereupon our Forces entred Stratton where the people were much taken with their civility This day the Army martched to Launceston ten long miles being twelve at night before the Rear came up within two miles of the Towne three Scouts were taken who informed of Colonel Bassets being in the Towne with five hundred Foot of Colonel Tremayne's and some Horse a Forlon Hope was sent before to demand the Towne the Gates were shut upon them the Enemy resisted two of them were slaine about an hundred taken at last the Enemy was put to flight in great disorder by the darknesse of the night narrownesse and steepnesse of the wayes most of them escaped and our men possessed the Towne which had been garrisoned by them Thursday 26. The head Quarter continued at Launceston the Foot being much wearied out with the two dayes martch before The General viewed the ancient Castle of Launceston scituated upon a Mount raised very high but not fortified the Works and Mounts on the top of the Hill the Enemy left standing undemolished Many Cornish were taken prisoners in the Towne the night before who being brought before the General this day had twelve pence apeece given them and Passes to goe to their homes the Townes people in Launceston were much affected with such mercifull usage The Army in their martch into Cornwal thus far had much cause to observe the peoples frights quitting their Habitations in feare of the Army the Enemy having insinuated such an ill opinion of it into them endeavouring to make them beleeve by Oaths and Imprecations that no Cornish was to have quarter at our hands of which prejudice and misprission after the people were undeceived they frequented the Markets again as in former time section 4 This day a Letter was sent to Plymouth for the Cornish Gentlemen there to hasten to the General to Launceston the Rear-Guard of our Horse were appointed to quarter along the River Tamar the better to prevent the breaking through of the Enemies Horse an evill which his Excellency had ever a watchfull eye upon to prevent Messengers were sent to Colonel Cook who was left before Barnstable with Major-General Massies Horse all except the Lyme Regiment to keep good Scouts out to fall on the Flank of the Enemy in case they attempted to passe by Captaine Farmer was sent with a Company of Dragoons to possesse a House neer Camelford to gaine intelligence and the more to amuse the Enemy touching our advance after them and thereupon to enforce them to keep their Horse in a Body that they might not take Quarters and so to weaken and discourage them from breaking through section 5 Friday the 27. The Head Quarters continuing still at Launceston the Plymouth Regiments of Foot were sent unto to come from Tavestock thither and the residue to lye on the passes upon the River the more effectually to interrupt the Enemy if he attempted to break through Saturday the 28. His Excellency had intelligence That Salt-Ash was quit by the Enemy and their Works left undemolished that the Governour of Mount-Edgcombe was resolved to conclude upon a Treaty negotiated by Master Peeters The Army was ordered this day to Quarters and advanced four or five miles towards Bodman that the Rear of our Horse might quarter with more conveniency and closer together and to the end the next day all the Army both Horse and Foot might martch close in a Body in regard of the continued expectation that was of the Enemies Horse breaking through upon the advantage of a very open way much of it being Downes other Messengers were sent also to Colonel Cook for more surety and caution to be in readinesse in case the Enemy should attempt to break through for to prevent that still was the greatest care of the General knowing that if the Horse got East and joyned with the Kings force it might prolong the War and much disturb the peace of the Mid-land Counties likewise a Post was sent to Colonel Whaley to draw from Oxfordshire towards Wiltshire with some Regiments of his Horse that he had before Oxford the better to encounter with the Enemies Horse that would be to purpose harrased out with their martch in case they did break through by a hard pursuit of them which his Excellency intended month March 1646 section 6 About this time Abbington like to have bin surprized by a great Force from Oxford was gallantly defended Lords day March 1. It happened to be a bitter cold frost the Randezvouz of the Army was that day about six miles from Launceston upon the Moores a Party of Horse being sent out discovered the Enemies Scouts and not farre from Saint Blisland took eight of them belonging to a Guard of three hundred Horse which they kept but a little before our Army the Scouts confest they knew nothing of our approach that day but expected us the next that the three hundred Horse they had upon the Guard they thought were drawne off we had no sooner advanced a little farther but the Van of our Army discovered their said Guard who faced about our Army made an halt till our Reare was come up the Evening drawing on and having four miles yet to Bodman it was held fit to quarter the Body of the Army in the Field about Saint Blisland which was the head Quarter a
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
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
in the precedent or subsequent Articles to be carried away shall be delivered up to such persons and at such places neer Truro or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters as his Excellency shall appoint within six dayes after the date hereof without spoyle or imbezlement at the care as well of the General 's Officers of the said Army and all Commanders in their severall charges as by the persons themselves to whom such Armes or Furniture of Warre do belong or in whose custody they were XVI That whosoever shall after the conclusion of this Treaty purposely break spoyle or imbezle any of the Armes Horses or Furniture agreed and concluded to be delivered up in this Treaty shall forfeit the benefit due unto him by any Article in the Treaty And if any of the said Army after the conclusion of this Treaty shall plunder or wilfully do any violence unto any Inhabitants of the Country he shall give satisfaction unto the persons so wronged or lose the benefit of the Treaty and that the Commissioners of both parties or any three of them whereof one or more to be of Sir Thomas Fairfax his party and one or more to be of the Lord Hopton's shall have power to heare and determine all such cases accordingly XVII That the said Army and Forces under the command of the Lord Hopton from the time of the conclusion of this Treaty untill the time of their drawing out to be disbanded as in the ensuing Articles shall be quartered in such places Westward from Truro as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint which shall be large enough for their accommodation and that the Cessation of Armes and of all Acts of Hostility betwixt the two Armies shall continue unto the time of the compleat disbanding of the Lord Hopton's Army XVIII That for the disbanding of the said Forces and delivering up of Horses Armes c. In performance of the precedent Articles Every Brigade and Regiment under the Lord Hopton's command shall by their respective Commanders be drawne out into such places of Randezvouz within two miles of Truro or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters and upon such dayes as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall for them joyntly or severally appoint notice of the same being given to his Excellency in writing sixteen hours beforehand under the Commissioners of the Lord Hopton's part or any of them two or more of whom shall for that and other purposes continue at Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters untill the disbanding be finished and that the Quartermaster general or Adjutant of the Lord Hopton's with one Horsman from every Brigade shall also be there with them and that none of the said Brigades or Regiments shall be drawne out of their Quarters which shall be assigned to them as before otherwise then upon and according to such notice from Sir Thomas Fairfax as before except to and for their ordinary Guards XIX That to or before the drawing out of the severall Brigades or Regiments to such Randezvouz as before the chiefe Commanders of them respectively shall deliver unto whom Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint a true and perfect List of the Regiments and Troops in the severall Brigades and of all Officers and Souldiers in their severall Troops expressing by name which of them do chuse to goe beyond Sea and which do goe to live at home as also who are Reformadoes and in what degree of command they have served and that at the same times and places the Horses Armes and Furniture by vertue of the precedent Articles to be delivered up shall be delivered up accordingly and all the Officers and souldiers disbanded and discharged and there shall receive their passes with Warrants for quarters by the way for one night in a place and be conveyed towards their severall homes as farre as Chard if they goe so farre or unto Quarters assigned them for their transportation according to the precedent Articles That for the further performance of these Articles two Colonels of each Army shall be mutually delivered and kept as Hostages H. Ireton Jo. Lambert Jo. St Aubin William Stane Edward Herle Richard Deane Charles Coring Marcus Trevor Thomas Panton Jordan Bovill Richard Prideaux Jean Goteer There came in to the General during the Treaty many Lieutenant-Colonels Serjeant-Majors and Captaines Many Gentlemen of quality Ninety and six common Souldiers from Peryn with Armes Twelve more followed them One hundred more with their Arms and Colours of Colonel Trevanian's Regiment One hundred Officers and souldiers of Colonel Champernoon's Regiment Falmouth by this means and the surrender of St Mawes was ours on one side the Harbour Now having given you the Narrative give me leave to make some few observations on this succesfull progresse even to the Lands end which may well be the subject of greatest admiration and thankfulnesse The hard task the Army had in forcing up so great a Body as 5000 of the Enemies Horse into such a narrow neck of land through a Country so cragged in such a season of the yeer the ground all covered over with Snow the wayes so slippery and the Weather so bitter cold by a hard frost of that continuance as had not been knowne for many yeers before may well be compared with Hannibal's forcing his passage into Italy through the frozen Alps with Fire and Vinegar That five thousand Horse and more should be forced to capitulate and yeeld themselves to an Army comming short of that number in Horse is that which History can hardly paralell and Posterity will scarce beleeve And the benefit is as great as the wonder For had this Body of Horse escaped into the Mid-land parts they might in probability have much protracted the Warre and if they the Lord Ashlye's Foot and the Kings other Forces about Oxford had joyned together they would have been very considerable in the Field and so would necessarily have occasioned the diversion of the Army from the work they had in hand viz. the Reduction of the West which was of that vast importance to the Kingdom considering the Negotiations that were in France Ireland for the present bringing over Forces thither as by the intercepted Letters from those parts severally did appeare that nothing could be greater But by this good hand of God upon us this Body of the Enemy is secured their joyning prevented and all the mischiefe that would have ensued thereupon and Cornwal reduced Which last particular that you may see what a considerable summe alone and by it selfe it amounts unto cast it up and consider it as it was a Country having convenient Ports Harbours both for France and Ireland whose naturall scituation was very strong and apt for defence being all very mountainous and enwrapt with the Sea on all sides except toward Devonshire and there bounded by the River Tamar which in a right line runs almost from Sea to Sea From which advantages it hath been in ancient times one of the last places of retreat in the Kingdome and hath ever
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
houses of their Husbands or at their Friends as they shall desire and to goe or send to London or elswhere to obtaine the Allowances out of their Husbands or Parents Estates allotted them by Ordinance of Parliament XIX That such of his Majesties Houshold-Servants who shall desire to goe to his Majesty may have free liberty and passes to goe accordingly at any time within one moneth next after the rendring of the garrison And that His Majesties Houshold-stuffe and other his peculiar goods which are now in Oxford may be carried to His Majesties House at Hampton-Court and his Servants under whose charge or custody any of them are shall be allowed and assisted in the procuring of Carts Boates and Carriages for the removal of them thither and there to remaine till His Majesty shall otherwise dispose of them and then to be sent or disposed accordingly And that such of His Majesties Servants who are not able for the present to goe to Him shall have liberty passes and protections to goe to and remaine at his Majesties said House at Hampton-Court and have liberty to attend the Committee for his Majesties Revenue to procure a competent Allowance out of his Majesties Revenues for their subsistence until his Majesty shall otherwise provide for or dispose of them XX. That all Clergy-men now in Oxford who shall not upon composition or otherwise be restored to their Church-livings shall have liberty to goe to London to obtaine some fitting allowance for the livelihood of themselves and their Families XXI That it is Intended Declared and Agreed That all persons comprized within these Articles shall peaceably and quietly enjoy all their Goods Debts and Moveables allowed by these Articles during the space of six moneths after Rendring the Garrison And that they shall be free from all Oaths Engagements and Molestations except an Engagement by promise not to beare Armes against the Parliament nor wilfully do any act prejudicial to their Affaires so long as they remaine in their Quarters And that they shall have liberty within the space of six moneths in case they shall be resolved to goe beyond Seas to dispose of their Goods Debts and Movables allowed by these Articles and depart the Kingdome if they think fit And to have passes for their transportation or otherwise to stay in the Kingdome XXII That if any of these Articles shall in any point be broken or violated by any person or persons in Oxford or cōprized within this capitulation the fault and punishment shall be upon him or them onely who made the breach or violation and shall not be imputed to or charged upon any other not assenting thereunto or not an actor in it XXIII That the Duke of Richmond the Earle of Lindsey and their Servants that came forth with them shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles in whatsoever may concerne them XXIV That the Garrisons of Farringdon shall be rendred to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Governour Gentlemen Souldiers and all other of what quality soever within those Garrisons shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles in every particular which may concerne them they rendring the Garrison accordingly as Oxford XXV That all persons comprizedin these Articles shall upon request have a certificate under the hand of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or the future Governour of the city That such persons were in the City at the time of the surrender therof and are to have the benefit of these Articles XXVI That the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall give a Passe to one or two Messengers with their Servants to goe unto the King to give Him an account of the proceedings upon this Treaty and conclusion thereof and to returne and receive the benefit of these Articles On Wednesday the 24. of June the day appointed the Towne was accordingly surrendred The Enemy martched out about twelve of the clock a Guard of our Foot was appointed for them to martch through which extended in length from Saint Clements neer Maudlin-Bridge to Shotover-Hill Our Horse were drawne up into severall Bodies in severall places in the Reare of the Foot There martched out in a Body well Armed with Colours flying and Drums beating about three thousand who had not the least injury or affront offered them in their martch through our men which the Governour Sir Thomas Glenham hath since acknowledged much to the honour of the Army Besides that Body there went forth that day before and after them about five hundred most of them Horse men and private persons engaged in the Siege There likewise martched forth this day at the North gate all those that went to Yorkeshire and Gloucestershire and those parts who had a Convoy for that purpose being a considerable number those that martched forth when Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice went forth on Monday and those that followed them on Tuesday when other Gentlemen of quality left the City were in all about three hundred persons most of them men of quality and their Attendants After his Excellency had possession of the Towne it was the continuall imployment of some to make Passes for those that were yet left behind and not martched out of the Towne with the Body there were above two thousand Passes made after the forementioned Forces were gone as by a particular List of every mans name was reckoned whereof many were Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of quality the rest Officers and Reformadoes and some Schollers Likewise after his Excellency had the Garrison the three Regiments of Auxiliaries consisting of two thousand men were disbanded and their Armes brought in Those that martched out upon Wednesday about nine hundred of them laid down their Armes when they came to Tame and received Passes to goe to their severall Houses and their Armes were brought into Oxford One thousand one hundred of them listed themselves for Forraigne service There were found in the Magazine seventy Barrels of Powder besides they had two Mils which supplied them daily with Powder There were in the Towne thirty eight pieces of Ordnance whereof twenty six were Brasse For provisions of Victuals by what was found in the Stores and by what was informed they had in the Stores before they sold it to the Townesmen during the Treaty to raise Moneys to pay their Souldiers there was not lesse then six moneths provisions The Souldiers were much discontented and much ado there was to keep them from doing violence to the Lords for no other cause but for being the occasion as they said of delivering up the Towne a fault which alas they could not help the strength of the Works about the Towne was found to be such as resolved it in the minds of all understanding men to be much for the Parliaments service that the town was taken by conditions especially considering what unseasonable weather followed that if the Siege had continued but to the day of surrender we must have been forced to have quit some of our leaguers the fields being
that neither Bristol nor the Devizes were able to hold out against our force did easily resolve that a Poore house was much lesse able though in truth there were good works about it accordingly therefore upon the first Summons he came to conditions of surrender and had honourable tearms granted him upon which he marcht out the next day towards Excester viz. himself his Officers and Souldiers with their arms and baggage the General himself adding to the solemnity by his own presence who went from the Devizes on purpose to view the garrison and see the Enemy march forth section 4 Barkley-Castle stormed by col Rainsborough The same day col Rainsborough with his forces before Barkley-castle stormed the out-works and the Church which were the main strength of the castle with Scaling-ladders performing the service with so much resolution gallantry both Officers and Souldiers as quickly made them masters of the place wherein were taken 90 prisoners besides 40 put to the sword amongst whom were a Major and a Captain This was such a terror and discouragement unto the Enemy within the castle to see the resolution of our souldiers and the execution done upon theirs in the Church and out-works that the Governour Sir Charles Lucas who returned answer to the first Summons That he would eat horse-flesh before he would yield and mans flesh when that was done and upon a second Summons sent as peremptory an answer yet now perceiving the planting of our ordnance against him upon his own Works which we had newly gained whereby we had a great advantage to play into the castle and sensible what he was to expect if he came not to present terms was glad to sound a Parley which was yielded to and Commissioners sent out to treat and the Castle was surrendred upon these Articles Barkley-castle surrendred The souldiers to march out without arms the Governour Sir Charler Lucas with three horses and arms and not above 50. l. in money every Field-officer with two horses and but 5. l. in money Foot-captains with swords but no horse the souldiers with not above 5 s. a piece This Castle was a place of great strength well victualled and manned the Governour thereof Sir Charles Lucas a souldier of reputation and valour confident to hold it out against any force should appear before it that Winter There were taken in it eleven pieces of Ordnance provision of victuals for six moneths afterwards sold for a good value for the use of the souldiery In this service we lost only one Captain not many common souldiers though many wounded colonel Herbert as he valiantly led on his men to storm was shot through the Hat narrowly escaping a greater danger there marched out of the castle above 500 Horse and Foot the County of Gloucester not a little satisfied with the reducing of this Castle being a totall clearing of their County How this high hand of God lifted up and stretched forth against the Enemy wrought upon them I shall give you in some instances A Lieut. col of Sir Charles Lucas's when he saw the garrison was surrended could not hold but brake forth and swore to col Rainsborough He could be content to go to Hell and be a Major there to plague the Roundheads advancing in his hellish Dialect in this latter speech but proportionable to his Essay in a former speech after the first Summons when he said God dam him he would go quick into hell rather then yield the Castle to the Roundheads Another of their Officers in the same castle said to a captain of Horse in our Army He thought God was turned Roundhead the Kings forces prospered so ill These ought to be the greater engagements upon us to sanctifie that name of God which he proclaimes amongst us in these successes from whom else shall God have his glory CHAP. II. The counsels whereby the Army steered their course imparted The Reduction of Winchester A counsel of war the forementioned garrisons reduced advising of the next action AND now came into consideration in what way for the advantage of the kingdoms service the Army should be disposed of as to the ensuing Winter it being then the latter end of September the taking in of some of these garrisons of the Enemies viz. Winchester Basing Dennington Farrington and Wallingford which together with Oxford like Vipers in the bowels infested the midland parts seemed with much reason to invite the Army especially being so neer them to attempt them which if by Gods blessing they should happily succeed in they might to the best advantage make their winter quarters about Oxford whereby that garrison being straitned would probably fall into their hands by the Spring for want of provisions On the other hand many a sad look towards the West where the most considerable visible strength of the Enemy then was which if let alone all winter might possibly prove very formidable in the Spring and in the mean while overpowering Major gen Massies forces then about Taunton might advance their quarters into the midland parts and make all our new conquests unserviceable to the Kingdom did strongly incline the Army that way but that which most of all distracted them was that they were not able at once to grasp both the West and Midland parts as was their great ambition yet resolving to assay what they were able to both Their resolution Lieutenant-General Cromwel was sent with the forementioned Brigade and three Regiments of horse for the taking in of the garisons of Winchester and Basing which was the rather attempted because it conduced much to the absolute freeing of a passage from London into the VVest whither the General with the rest of the army according to a resolution then taken was immediately marching About this time was Farleigh castle in Somersetshire surrendred to the Parliament And about the same time Sandal castle in Yorkshire was surrendred to col Overton Col. Rainsborough his work at Berkley-castle being done was commanded to advance to the General who resolved to halt with his Forces about Warminster till he came up to him Accordingly Saturday 27. the General marched to Warminster with the Army and there continued till Tuesday the 30. On which day the Army marched towards Shaftsbury and were mustered in their march the General continuing still at Warminster choosing so to do not only for the forementioned reason but also till he might heare that the treasure for the Army was at least on the way from London the Souldiers being so out of money that they were all inforced to take free quarter which they had not done till then During his Excellencies abode at Warminster the good news of the Kings forcâ—s being routed at Routon-Heath neer West-Chester by Major-General Pointz was brought to the Army month October 1645 Wednesday Octob. 1. the Army marched to Middleton and thence the next day to Dorchester and thence Saturday Octob. 4. to Beauminster where they rested