A IOVRNALL And Relation of the action vvhich by his Maiesties commandement Edvvard Lord Cecyl Baron of Putney and Vicount of Wimbledon Admirall and Lieutenant Generall of his Maiestyes forces did vndertake vpon the Coast of Spaine 1625. Veritas premitur sed non opprimitur Printed in the yeare 1626. THe 8. of Octob. being Saterday wee set sayle about 3 of the clocke in the afternoone with a wind at north north east Vpon Sonday the 9. about 6 of the clocke in the morning we fell with my Lord of Essex my Vice-Admirall and those shippes that were put into Famouth with him and about 9 in the same morning we discouered 7 sayle that were Dutch shippes loaden with salt the wind continued faire enough for vs all that day to lye our course and till 12 at night This day instructions were sent to all the Admiralls and to other Officers and to diuers other shippes The 10 being Monday we were becalmed On Tewsday the 11 in the morning I called a councell for the setling of instructions for a Sea fight as by the 7. and 10. Artikle contained in them may plainely appeare viz 7. Art If the Enemies approach be in such sort as the Admirall of the Dutch his squadron or my vice-Vice-Admirall of the fleet and his squadron may haue opportunitie to begin the fight it shall bee lawfull for them so to doe vntill I come vsing the forme method and care foresaide 10. Art If any shippe or shippes of the Enemies doe breake out or flye the Admirall of any squadron that shall happen to be on the next and most convenient place for that purpose shall send out a competent nomber of the fittest shippes of his squadron to chase assault and take such shippe or shippes breaking out but no shippe shall vndertake such a chase without the Commaund of the Admirall or at least the Admirall of his squadron Likewise it was ordred that 5 men should be put to a messe with the allowance formerly giuen for 4 and warrents directed to all the fleete to that ende Wednesday the 12 about 7 in the morning the winde came to north north west with faire weather it serued well till 6 in the euening the wind increasing so much that it was not sayle-worthy yet being large we bore our foresayle and sprittesayle The Sea grew so high that we towed our long boate in peeces and lost her and the losse of long boates was generall I thinke all within 2 houres one of another so that there was not one saued throughout the whole fleete and one Catch was sunke another by misfortune comming fowle of a shippe was likewise cast away with 3 of her men the rest were saued many shippes were in danger almost to despaire the long Robert of Ipshwich was drownd with 138 Land-men 37 Sea-men the Land-Captaines lost in the wrack were Fisher Hackett a Scotch Captain and Gurling the Captain of the shippe Besides these generall losses there was no shippe in her owne particuler that did not suffer more or lesse in this storme by leakes losse of masts and by casualties and the like In this Tempest we had experience of the Anne Royall her selfe her mastes grewe loose the maine mast was in danger of rowling ouer board two of her greatest peeces of 5000 weight a peece broke loose in the Gunners roome the danger was partly by the negligence of the Officers that did not see carefully to the fitting of these things while we lay in Harbour she would not Hul at all The separation caused by this tempest was so greate that on Fryday the 14 at noone we sawe but one shippe of the whole fleete this day the storme began to cease Then we made observations and found we were in the latitude of 44 and 8 minutes and after recouered 20 sayle of shippes The winde continued faire and large with a gaile running some 7. leagues a watch we steared away with a short course staying for the rest of the fleete On Saturday the 15. about 9 in the morning we discouered more that made 33. at noone we were in the height of 42 and 6 minutes On Sonday the 16 bearing to the north east we steared away southeast and by east to gaine the shoare at noone we found our latitude 39 and 54 minutes The southerne Cape then being by computation south east I gaue order to some shippes to goe and looke out for prizes and discouery and to returne in the afternoone Now we began to make ready for extraordinary fight and gaue the same order to those that were with me and the rest as by my generall instructions vnder my hand may appeare The wind still continued north east and the 17 on Monday we were in 38 and 48 minutes from the toppe was discouered land which was the Rocke of from Lisbon bearing east and by north some 14 leagues from vs I sent now forth againe to discouer the Cape with order not to discouer themselves and to come backe againe with intelligence this day we had a chase but missed it Tuesday the 18 at noone our height was 37 and 36 minutes This day I called a councell for the better resoluing what course to hold for reuniting the fleete much seperated by the late storme This day the Captaines brought in the seuerall complaints of theire defects as Sir Beuerley Newcombe Captain of the Dreadnaught that the vpper beames had been broken and did in fowle weather giue way and the sides of the ship opening receaued in so much water that she was not able to subsist Sir William Saint Leger writte a lettre that he suspected the plague in his shippe but it pleased God it proued not to be so This day I gaue especiall order to all the Captains and Maisters present to keepe more neare together and to haile theire Admirall euery morning reprouing theire former negligence and misorder in that kinde deliueringe them theire orders which should haue been giuen according to the date but we were hindred by the storme wryting thus The small time we haue beene at Sea hath made me take notice of your disorderly sayling from your Admiralls of the seuerall squadrons you may perceaue how the Dutch squadron keepe themselues entire and apart This is therefore to require you to fall into your owne squadron to attend such directions as shall come from your Admirall and not to depart without licence from him or his Officers to make one entire body to sayle in the day time in faire and cleare weather a league or more from anothers squadron and towards night to drawe neare to followe lights in your seuerall places and to take an especiall care that you doe not chase but vpon a great possibilitie for hindring our speede or loosing of time while the wind is faire and that you in the day time beare all the sayle you can to bring vs to the place desired and if any chase it shal be 2 or 3 of the best saylors in your
squadron Dated the 11 of Octob. Commanding them to pervse theire other Artickles euery day that they might be expert in them Wednesday the 19 in the morning we were in the height of the Cape and discouered 11 sayle of shippes which we chased thinking they had beene enemie but they proued to be of our owne being the Vice-Admirall my Lord of Essex also this day we discouered about 40 sayle more which had lost vs in the storme being my Lord Denbigh my Lord de la Ware and others At the same time my Lord of Denbigh mett with a small Caruell a Portugall that came from Terceras we tooke him to haue beene our discouerer for the Enemie but he was only driuen by the storme from the Terceras going to an Island not farre distant called Gratiosa he told vs the plate fleete was not come but that 5 Carrickes passed by that waye bound for Lisbon some 14 dayes before that time but that one of them was sunke if we had come sooner out they could not haue escaped vs. We vnderstood by those that came with my Lord of Essex that they made fiers along the Coasts and vp the Countrie which when we drew nigher we discouered Thursday the 20 I called a Counsell and lay all day by the lee to gather our shippes together that were missing The businesse of the Counsell was how to put into Saint Lucas according to the intent of a Counsell held at Plimouth where his Majestie was present who vpon the doubtfullnesse there of the resolution thought good to referre it to our consideration vpon the place when wee should be arriued vpon better inquirie of the conueniencies disaduantages both for going into the Harbour landing our Armie It was deliuered by the opinion of most of the Maisters that the Hauen of S. Lucas is so barred as it is hard and dangerous both for the going in and comming out especially for shipps of burthen as his Majesties are that they could not passe in nor out but only in spring tides in calmes seasons and with fauoring windes nor ride safe all weathers without the Bay And it was obserued by others that the most part of the Maisters of the fleete will hardly aduenture to carrie theire shipps in or out at Saint Lucas in the best tydes and weather for want of perfect knowledge of the sands and shoales that are there and the right vse of the landmarkes whereby that Pott is to be gained and quitted in safetie Besides it was feared that if we should put the whole fleete into such a straight we should be more apt to be blocked vp by our Enemies then to annoy them neither could any shippe come speedily out to haue encontred with the plate fleete our cheefe designe Then I demaunded both of the Sea Captains Maisters why they could not speake of this difficulties before his Maiestie Their answere was it is now in the deapth of winter stormy and that they did tell his Maiestie that it was a Barrd Hauen and dangerous to all men especially to those that had not often passed it and that being vpon the place they could consider more perticulerly vpon the difficulties then discourse of it when they were farre of So that I could say no more to them being I was no great Seaman and that I was stricktly tyde to theire advice that did professe the Sea Where vpon it being propounded by Sir Sam Argall that Saint Mary Porte neare the Bay of Cadiz and not farre distant from Saint Lucas was a lowe shoare and more fitt for the landing of our men then any place about Saint Lucas for we could find none there and that our shippes might haue good riding there out of the danger of Cadiz and that from thence we might march to Saint Lucas by land which was not 12 miles distant There vpon it was resolued and ordred by the advice of the Councell of Warre that the whole fleete should forthwith beare into the Bay of Cadiz that the whole fleete should ancker before Saint Mary Porte as the fittest place to land in and the Earle of Essex Vice-Admirall is assigned with his squadron to anckor first and to leaue birth sufficiently for the rest of the fleete and that my selfe and the Dutch Admirall should anckor next that I might the better giue directions both to the vice-Vice-Admirall and rear-Reare-Admirall who anckored some what short of me by order to guard the whole fleete and to giue warning vpon all occasions if any Enemie should approach Fryday the 21 we stood according to directions the wind scanted vpon vs all that day about 8 or 9 of the clocke at night the wind shifted westerly we strucke a hull for that we could not put to leeward till towards day which appearing we sett sayle and had a sight of Granado ouer Cadiz and bore in accordingly with a good saile the wind being betweene the west south west and the north west Saterday the 22 after this resolution was taken I gaue order as before when we discouered the Rocke that euery shippe should breake downe their Cabines and cleare theire shippe of all impediments and to be ready to fight vpon all occasions according to their generall instructions giuen them to that purpose for that we were to enter in at the Bay of Cadiz and knew not what ships might be there and because of the tyde that serued vs to goe into the Bay I wrote to my Lord of Essex to make all the hast he could and to hoyse vp all his sayles that we might saue as much of the tyde as we could and that I would againe commaund his squadron to follow him which I did but I must confesse they went the most vntowardly that euer I did see men for they did not hoyse vp all their sayles as they were commanded Seeing the Vice-Admirall packe on all his I followed as fast as I could and cryed out to them to hoyse their sayles advaunce some of them increased theire sayles but not much But I could neuer learne by all the Seamen in my shippe to know those shippes that were so backward and when I did inquire euery man excused himselfe saying it was not he and our businesse grew so hott that I could not immediately inquire after it any further not knowing the shippes one from another This day we tooke 3 shippes that came from Saint Lucas which Captain Raymond brought in loaden with salt wines wooll figges raisins some cutchaneale c. who said they belonged to Hamburgh and to Calis but were conceaued by much probabilitie to be Dunkerks goods In our approach into the Bay we discouered 18 or 20 sayle of great and small shippes at anckor in the Roade which proued to be the Admirall of Naples and 5 or 6 more that brought men and munition into Cadiz 6 other of the shippes came from Brazeile 5 or 6 more men of warre and Marchants shippes we made ready and prepared our
shippe for fight but such was the smalnesse of the Gayle that it was 2 or 3 of the clocke before we could gett within the Porcas also there came out of Saint Mary Port 15 sayle of Gallyes whereof the Duke of Hermandina was commaunder 5 of the Gallyes were by our shippes that came in forced to retire againe to Saint Mary Port the other 10 recouered Puntall amongst their shippes and presently towed them vp toward Port Royall And I was not so farre of but I could see the Spanish shippes that did cutt their Cables by the haulse shoote first at my Lord of Essex and he at them so likewise did my Lord of Valentia and Sir Iohn Chudeleigh Now when all the fleete came to anckor according to the orders that were giuen them that we did see these shippes fledde from vs. I immediately called a generall counsell to loose no time for it was late and the opinion of the Seamen was that if I could but cleare the 2 fortes to secure the fleete to passe in safety I might haue a ready way to vndertake the shipping Then I demaunded of them what kind of forts they were they told me that 20 Colliers with some of the Dutch would beate them to dust before the morning where vpon I the Counsell being caled did presētly resolue that the ships warned and commaunded should goe vp to the forts and that they should receaue directions from my Lord of Essex that had order from me and because of that I sent Sir Michel Geere for the better dispatch to warne 20 of the next shippes that hee could meete with all and to bring me theire names in writing and Sir Thomas Loue offred him a man to goe with him to write them downe to be the more sure of them because I meant if they had failed in a seruice of that importance to haue punished them seuerely But he neuer came backe to me nor sent me any names and when I sent to him to know the reason he told the messenger he had warned them but he knew not theire names After this I sent Sir Thomas Loue to aduance the other shippes and to see whether the Reare-Admirall had anckored in a convenient place for the securitie of the fleete to haue an eye vpon the Gallies that they should do no harme in the night although there are some that are of opinion that they might haue beene stopped but it seemes they are no great Seamen or els that few of the Sea-men did vnderstand how to stoppe them for when Gallies can rowe against the wind I would faine know how shippes can do them any harme or intercept them and when they haue the wind with theire oares what shippe can fetch them vp so that he that saith this ought first to learne thus much before he giue his opinion he likewise had order from me to frustrate all stratagems of the Enemie which might happen by sending fier amongst our shipps and to commaund and admonish the rest of the commaunders to repaire to their seuerall places At the same time I sent Sir Francis Carew who was ready vpon all occasions to the Dutch Admirall to desire that 5 of his shippes might goe vp for the battering of Puntall and that I would send twentie of the fleete to assist them which he graunted willingly and sent them forthwith it was by this time darke night and we could heare the Report of the Ordnance and see the fier giuen on both sides and knew no other but that the twentie shippes warned by Sir Michel Geere were all there at this but sending to see what was done word was brougt to vs that there was none there but the 5 Dutch shippes which shewes the difference of men practised at Sea and of them that are not I was much troubled here at Now vpon this neglect of Sir Michel Geere I did instantly giue order that 40 sayle of shippes should be listed by name and commaunded to vse all diligence to gett vp to the fort betimes in the morning as by the list may appeare and by this warrant to that purpose viz The Admirall doth straightly charge commaund all the commaunders of these shippes vpon sight of this or billets of it that they be ready with theire shippes in the morning betimes to assaile the fort of Puntall to land men according to directions and to pursue the shippes of the Enemie with all diligence and to follow such directions therein as shal be giuen to such as shal be appointed in that kind Aboard the Anne Royall at 10 of the clocke at night 22 of Octob. 1625. More ouer I made choice appointed 8 commaunders out of the rest that if any of the Kings shippes fall of they might take theire place to lead vp the other ships as well against the fort as the Spanish shippes Gallies Afterwards Sir Thomas Loue and I did the same night aduise with certaine Captains and Maisters best experienced in that place to perswade them to conduct vp the shippes which they would not vndertake neither had any of them been at Port Royall or were perfect in the Channell which was somewhat difficult for want of water On Sonday the 23 I was vp by 3 of the clock in the morning after we had all receaued the communion aboard the Anne Royall which was a weeke before ordained by the chaplaines I was vnwiling to differ so good a motiō being that it hindred no time and as soone as day came on I commanded my Maister to carry vp the ship to Puntall his answere was that there was not water enough to carrie her vp Where vpon to loose no time I tooke Barge with Sir Thomas Loue and those Gentlemen that were with me in my shippe and went from shippe to shippe crying out to them to aduance to Puntall for shame and vpon paine of theire liues and those I could not speake with all I sent Sir Thomas Loue to with as strickt a commaund as I could deuise and finding some of them not very hastie I saw no other way to bring them vp but by example it made me goe to my Lord of Essex his shippe and gaue directions to his Lordship for his shippe to goe vp to bring her as nigh Puntall as possibly we could telling my Lord that if we did not aduance the rest would come at leasure for that I did not see many make hast Where vpon my Lord commaunded Captain Argall to hoyse sayle and as soone as we came nigh the fort they shotte our shippe twice together thorough and thorough the very midst of her within a foote at least of the water and mist no shippe they shott at and kild as many commaunders of ours besides soldiers as we killed in all of theirs The fort of Puntall that I was told would be beaten to dust in a night did receaue 1700 shott and not one stone remoued out of his place and we endeauored to gett vp all
defectiue was burnt the Enemie sent a shippe full of wildfiere and combustible matters but we preuented it tooke the shippe and sunke it There came 3 of the fleet vnto vs here whoe were left behind in England and had not ben with vs before After this we tooke 2 things into our consideration especially one not to omitt the meeting with the plate fleete if it were possible for vs to be so happy The other was to haue landed at Saint Mary Port if the wind should not serue the fleet to goe out of the Bay of Cadiz because we would loose no time but doe somewhat But as ill luck was the wind came good euen as we were in counsell and before we could fully conclude allthough all was resolued to stand for the plate fleete And if we had not taken the winde at that instant it might haue ben we had not come out in a long time being imbayed in a great deale of danger if a storme had taken vs we had ben likely to haue ben driuen vpon a liegh shoare The resolution in the Bay of Cadiz aboard the Anne Royall the 29 of Octob. was That the whole fleete shall presently sett sayle and plye to the southward Cape and stand off to the westward 60 leagues from the land where I purpose to spend as much time as may be to looke for the Spanish fleet that comes from the West-Indies and to keepe your selues as neare as you can in the latitudes of 37 and 37½ and in the latitude of 36 and 26½ farther to the southward I intend not to goe What other instructions shal be thought fitting you shall receiue as occasion presents in the meane time charging all commaunders to obserue this directions to keepe company with me and the fleet and to looke out and seize vpon the subiects and goods of the King of Spaine or other Enemy This afternoone a generall Counsell was called for the resoluing to send some the most defectiue shippes with the horse ships and the prizes with some land sickmen whereof there was great store Sonday the 30. we sett saile againe though with a contrary wind this day we had 4 shippes in chace but could not fetch them vp Monday the last the wind came westerly yet could we not come forth of the Bay A generall Counsell was called touching the diuers complaints of the defects of ships as the Rainbowe the golden Cock and others wherefore it was resolued that we should plye towards the Isles of Bayon to take in fresh water and repaire our defects as well as we could This day Tuesday the first of Nouember Wednesday the 2 the wind was at north west faire wether Thursday the 3 the wind was at north east and by east in the night we had a calme which continued all Fryday by a Generall consent though wee were in great want of water nor hauing much beer which was our onely defect to stay till the 20 of November But it pleased God so to lay his heauy hand vpon vs that it made vs all astonished for I could here of nothing but that euery day there fell downe so many and so sodenly that they had not men enough to handle their sailes and it is alwayes to be accounted 6 weekes to be allowed to any ship that is homewards bound This day in the morning we discouered 3 sayle of shippes to windward the Dreadnaught being next vnto them and being calme our barge was mand and sent after them whoe comming neere one of the shippes had spent her masts and was towed by the others vntill the barge came vp then the other 2 ships forsooke her hauing pillaged and cutt holes in her but immediately after our men came a board she suncke being laden with Suger and Tobacco and the lyke being therefore supposed to comme from Brasiele and the other 2 Turkish mē of warr that had formerly taken her our barge came back to the Dreadnaught stayed there all night and in the morning came vp to vs. Nothwithstanding I had sundry times before strictly commaunded the Captains and Maisters to stay better by the fleet which they obserued not I did againe charge them once more to obserue their directions that were prescribed them Againe diuers complaints were made of the wants defects of the ships and increase of sicknesse Saterday the 5. the wind continued at north north north east faire weather Sonday the 6 we tooke a Turkishman of warre of Argeere whoe had taken 2 prizes one from Braziele Ioaden with Suger with a Iury mast the other a Scotchman one Iohn Isack dwelling at Douer whoe was fraughted with wood and Iron from Biskey for Saint Lucas by the King of Spaines subiects and had an extraordinary fraught promised for his voyage which showes the great want that the King hath of Timber or shipping to carry it The Turke had not offred him any violence but onely made prize of his goods and promised the Maister his fraught at Argeere so I discharged him againe taking out some English Renegadoes that were willing to leaue him The night following the Turke went away from vs with the Braziele prize the Scotchmā stayed with vs still Monday the 7 we discouered 9 or 10 saile of shippes to the leward we bore vp and found them to be of our own fleet whoe had carelesly lost Company which as now so diuers times before had occasioned vs to chase our own men whereby our course was much hindred Tuesday the 8 a generall Counsell was held whereby it was ordred that 6 of the Coleships should presently goe for England with 3 of the Dutch prizes the horse-shippes whereof Captain Pokinhorne being appointed Admirall had warrant and instructions accordingly but before their departure the Rainebow being found very defective and the Captain Sir Iohn Chiduleigh being very sicke went home Admirall of theis shippes One of the prizes called the Readhart whereof Hughe Bullock tooke charge was wanting this 2 dayes and went for England without any order from me like an vnworthy person Likewise one of the hoye-shippes caled the Trewe Loue was not seen in the fleet since we came forth This day and wednesday the 9 we being in the latitude of 37 laye theise 2 daies at hull Thursday the 10 Sir Michel Geere whoe had ben wanting 5 dayes came to vs whoe went willfully from vs without leaue and when his maister tould him of it he beate him with a Cudgell which is against all discipline and reason his Maister hauing had better commaund before then euer he had This day I gaue the Captains their instructions if we mett with the West-India fleet how to dispose and order them selues This day I sent aboard the Dreadnaught for 10 tuns of beere that were putt into her for the vse of the Anne Royall but the company aboard mutined and would not deliuer it neither would the Captain and Maister acknowledge who were the Mutineeres so that we wanted this Iorny
the shippes we could that we might make the more hast to fire the Spanish shippes that were retired to Port Royall according to my instructions that I gaue the night before to batter Puntall and to fier the ships at once as I haue shewne before But I could not gett the shippes to come vp and most of the Kings shippes were on ground and it was almost night before the fort would yeild at lenght it was not to the shippes that it yeilded but to the Landmen and if the Captain had no more reason then I could perceaue he deserued to haue beene hanged for yeilding that which we could neuer haue gorten without cannon and we had no meanes to land Ordnance wanting our long boates And I dare say it before the best Soldier that for the bignesse of 100 foote square I did neuer see a stronger nor better built nor such a kinde of stone that no bullett did it much harme We plaid vpon it with all the shipps excepting the Reare-Admirals squadron till about 2 or 3 of the clocke in the afternoone I finding that it would not batter and our honours were much ingaged I told my Lord of Essex and some other Officers that were there in the shippe that we should loose our labours and neuer gett the forte if some men were not landed to take it in by a Scallado and with Granadoes I could find no man to contradict it And Sir Iohn Burgh being next to me I desired him that he would vndertake the seruice he told me very willingly and desired his owne Regiment I told him that would spend to much time and that it were better to take some of the Companies next him to make the more hast with which he was contented so I sent to gett some 10 or 11 Companyes he asked me what directions I would giue I directed him to land them as free from the canon as he could he made answer that directly to the Scōce as he thought was best I then replied that I left it to his discretion for that I knew him to be discreete enough that he must act it But he sending some Officers to land which were lost by that direction it was found the way that I had spoken of was the better When he had landed his men very well and had advaunced towards the land there did aduaunce some horse and foote with whome he skermidged and put them to retreate and afterwards advaunced towards the forte when the soldiers in the forte whereof Don Francisco de Bustiamente was Captain saw our men aduaunce and theire men retire they hung out a white flagge or hand kercher there vpon we parlied and so the fort was yeilded vpon ordinarie conditions and we Maisters of it Wherein was only 8 peeces of ordinaunce whereof the Dutch had two and we 6 and 10 or 15 Barrells of powder This day was wholly spent in bringing vp the shippes landing our men and taking the forte so that nothing could be done against the Enemies shippes which was theire aduantage It was about 9 of the clocke before the forte was ours at which time I tooke my leaue of my Lord of Essex and went home assuring our selues that the shippes were our owne being Maisters of the forte Vpon Monday the 24 I went early in the morning about 6 of the clocke to my Lord of Denbigh and spake thus to him you are no ould Seaman and therefore I would desire you to make all the haste you can and to gather all the Seamen togither that are of the counsell others and to desire them to thinke of rhe best way how they might fier or distroy those ships of the Enemy that fled from vs. There vpon he came backe with me and promised to goe about that businesse without any delay which he did very carefully and punctually that was according to my instructions to giue preheminence to Seamen in Sea busiinesse and vnto Landmen in land affaires Now I made no account but as they said the shippes were our owne and that because they made so sleight of it they knew more then I did how to sett vpon them Then I thought it not amisse to land some companies to secure Sir Iohn Burgh to preuent that neither the Enemy from the Towne nor from the continent might ingage them vnwares As also that the shippes might be the more empty and free to assault the Spanish ships and to refresh the Soldiers and for taking in of fresh water but with no designe of Cadiz for that it was deliuered to his Maiestie before we went that it was extraordinary fortified as we found it when we came to viewe it I hastened this preparation the rather that our ships might speedely putt in execution what course soeuer the Seamen should resolue vpon So order was giuen presently that all the troopes in my Lord of Essex his squadrō in mine were immediately landed but few of the Landmen of the Rere-Admiralls squadron were landed at all for they were kept that if we could haue found any meanes to be had for vndertaking of Cadiz to be landed After this most of the Land Officers of the feeld mett at the fort and I tooke order for victualls for the Soldiers on land to be brought to Puntall but I was much troubled at some of the Officers that the Soldiers with Sir Iohn Burgh had not carried biskett in their knapsackes being that I gaue a generall order to the Sergeant Major Generall that when any Soldier should land they should bring victualls with them for that the knapsackes were ordained for nothing els as I did keepe mine owne order my selfe for that all my voluntary Gentlemen and seruants did carry their victualls in knapsacks yea not so much as my chaplin but carried his knapsacke The Officers of the feeld and all considering what was to be done and taking care for the prouision of the soldiers Sir Michel Gere comes in and tould the counsell the Enemy with many troopes were marching towards vs vpon this I tould the rest of the counsell if it were true it would be more aduantage for vs to meete them farre off from the towne then to stay till the towne and they should fall vpon vs both waies where vpon euery one made himselfe ready and I gaue order that the troopes should be ready to march for that we had newes by one that did see them march There vpon we marched but when we had marched some 6 miles or there abouts I called to some of the Counsell of warre tould them it seemes that this alarme is false and as the Counsell of warre was gathering together came in my Lord of Valentia whoe rid before to discouer and tould vs that the Enimy was marching then I commaunded the troopes to aduance but no complaint made of any want of victuall but by those that landed with Sir Iohn Burgh whoe in regard of that wāt had order to goe back For they that would haue
carried any might haue had enough there being store at the fort besides the generall order I gaue that no Soldier should land without victualls Within 2 miles of the Bridge the Soldiers began to crye they had neither meate nor drinke and the day they marched was a very hott daye here I rode before to quarter the Army and to discouer the avenues and passages and as I came backe one came to me and told me there was somme wine in a seller and that if it were deliuered out in order it would serue to refresh the Soldiers that wanted both bred and drinke But little did I thinke that all the Cuntry was full of wine knowing of no more then of one seller I gaue order that euery Regiment should haue a proportion of wine which I did see deliuered with mine owne eyes If euery Officer had seene it as well distributed as they were directed it would haue done them good not harme But when other Magazines were discouered for the prouision for the West-Indies was rhere there was no keeping of the Soldiers from it but the best way we could deuise was to staue it and lett the wine runne out which Sir William Saint Leger the Sergeant Major Generall bestowed some time about But when this was done the Soldiers neuerthelesse would drinke it in the sand dirty places Now this disorder made vs of the Counsell of warre to consider that since the going to the Bridge was no greate designe but to meet with the Enemy to spoile the Cuntry neither could we victuall any men that should be left there and that the Gallies might land as many men as they would to cutt them off that when my Lord of Essex tooke Cadis Coniers Clissord was taxed by Sir Francis Vere which is yet to be seen in his discourse written by himselfe to mistake his directions that were giuen him to goe no farther then the troate of the land frō the Town which was not aboue 2 miles where he might be seconded and relieued be ready to relieue others but he went to the Bridge 12 miles off so in regard there was no necessity this disorder happening and want of victualls we resolued to turne back againe as wee did and when the troopes were within 3 or 4 miles of the Town I rode before to see if that which the slaues tould which rendred them selues to me were true that the Bullworks were high the town walls flankerd and the dich was 20 foote deepe cutt out of the Rock but that I could not see the Bullworks and walls I did which when Cadiz before was taken there was no such thing And I haue ben so long at the warrs that I dare vndertake that they whoe thinke that Cadiz was to be taken cannot tell how to come to it without canon if there were none but women in it For in our profession there are but 3 waies to take any Town the first by surprize the second by assault the third by approches we were no waies able to attempt it by any of theis meanes Now after I had visited as much as I could the troopes being quartred which I did my selfe I desired the Colonells to comme together to conferre what was best to be donne and to lett them know that now the troopes were quartred in a fitt place if any out of his experience could thinke there were any way for vs to vndertake the Town of Cadiz it would be a great honour to vs and a seruice acceptable to our King State When I propounded this we were all on horseback standing round in a Ring but I found not one man of that opinion that it was feaseable so wee quartred that night On Tuesday the 25 in the morning there was a motiō sēt from Sir Tho Loue that if we would march some 4 or 5 miles distant we might recouer some boates that would serue our turne in steed of long boats which we condiscended vnto for our cōmodity that the Enemy should see that we did not march back again to shunne them so we marched forthwards againe brought those boates to the water side and made as much spoile as it was possible for vs to doe of masts netts and other prouisions for fishing and shipping for the West-Indies fleet to a good valewe especially the masts that would haue serued the greatest shippe the King hath Then we retorned to our old quarter Wednesday the 26 in the morning the Colonells mett at Puntall to consider what we were best to doe but before we did any thing I sent to Sir Samuell Argall to knowe what he had done touching the fiering of the Enemies shippes and that it seemed very strange to me that the exploite which was so easy was not done he sent me word that the reason whye he went no sooner was because of the winde and tyde and that he thought he was not able to doe much vnderstanding by a Dutch boye that swam away from the Enimy that they had sunke diuers shippes that it was not possible to doe any thing which afterwards he discouered to be true and if they had not ben blocked I think it is a question amongst Seamen whether they could haue been assaulted for that the place was so straight thar no more then two of our shippes could come in brest to them and was the reason that the late Lord of Essex who tooke Cadiz could send no ships there to doe the Enemy harme but what they did them selues This being deliuered to me in the Company of the Colonells made vs all much greeued Where vpon it was thought fitte he should retire with the squadron hauing resolued to imbarque our Landmen and to stay no longer in regard the time was now comme that the plate fleete was expected So order was giuen that euery Regiment should imbarque accordingly as they did quarter and that the farthest Regiment should make their retreate fighting and retiring But I know not how it happened some of the troopes were ingaged farther then they had order or reason yet at length they came off without any great losse I sent also Maister Ielf the Maister Gunner of the feeld to Sir Thomas Loue that some men might be sent to the fort to dismount the ordinance and the 6 peeces were putt a board the Conuertiue of his Maiestie I sent to him likewise for all the boates to reshippe our men After I had seen all the troopes imbarqued I found some horses left behind I made the horseboates shippe them that night though it were late and gaue order that the fort should be kept all night till we were ready and likewise commaunded the boates should be brought to receiue all the Landmen that had the watch in the fort that night Fryday the 28 about 2 in the afternoone all the fleet fell downe from the fort and came to anckor without the Diamond a little belowe Cadiz One of the Dutch men of warre being