reall intention to prosecute their Petition and Engagement were likely to have been dispersed in lesse time then they were in coming together Capt. Lin of that Country had once before raised a thousand men which were immediately dispers'd An order of Indempnity being read in the head of them by Colonel Farre which the Committee of the County so pressed to them that they went all quietly home And now were as active in their Indeavours for the ruine of the maine interest of that Designe as indeed it concern'd them enough for they knew the prosperity of Loyalty is destruction of Rebellion I leave them to make the Application They were so active in their Machivilian Stratagems for countermining all policy against them as that Charles Lucas being there urgently tending upon the designe and many other Gentlemen with carefull diligence for the advancement of the King and Countries Liberty it being the sole and generall end both they and we really intended and the sole reward of our actions we all aimed at and consequently prosecuted secuted all circumstantiall opportunities which we conceived conducing to it that at last though by the hazard of a Warre we might generally attaine to the happy blessing of an honourable and lasting Peace thought it their best course in that distraction to depart privately forth the Town lest some unexpected inconveniency might take hold on their persons if once it had over-whelmed the generall interest as now they began to fear would be absolutely dispairing of any good at all But some of the Country Gentlemen then got together in the Town and by chance meeting them desired Sir Charles Lucas that he would not goe away so but let the Committee doe what they would they were sensible enough how they had ruined and undone them and they would be abused no longer by them but if he would be pleased to draw them out into the Field and stay with them they would one and all engage with him and live and die in that Engagement according to the intention of their meeting together having resolved not to returne till they had performed something This suddaine change in a little time proved very violent as it is commonly scene in all things so they immediately drew into the Field and seiz'd on the Committee and were so furiously incenst against them that some of them would have kill'd them immediately had not some Gentlemen rescued them pacified the others fury and afterwards placed a Guard over them for now they were resolved that since they had actively engaged themselves they would be no more obstructed in their prosecution by those grand Opposers who they well understood would be active enough in their endeavours for the destruction of that designe if at liberty and the ruin of the Actors in it being right-becked Committee-men of the Parliaments own bringing up as appeared afterwards by Sir Tho Honywood who being at liberty and at his own house at Coxwell alwayes an Enemy to the King and Kingdome made himselfe appear so really now by raising both Horse and Foot as many as by his power he could draw together either for love or fear and made his house a Garrison to oppose the County as much in him lay in their proceedings in that designe But his party proved so inconsiderable then as it could doe but little injury The businesse comming to this height his Excellence the Lord Norwich sent his orders to Sir William Compton to march away towards Chelmsford so we marched away from Stratford with our whole Party which by this time was well recruited by many of our men that came up and divers Prentices from London who came daily in and listed themselves And about Wensday night we met the Generall at Rumford but the Enemy marching after us so obstructed our march by Alaruming us in the Reare that the whole Body could not get up till the next morning though the Enemy durst not adventure in all the march to fall on upon the Reare guard The next day being the eight of June we marched on towards Burntwood whither Sir Charles Lucas was advanced with a Party both of Horse and Foot to joyne with us And having Intelligence how the Enemy followed us with Alarums in our Reare commanded forth all the Horse that were then in the Towne to assist us so we marched up and quartered that night at Brentwood and the next day being the ninth we marched on to Chelmsford where the Lord Capell the Lord Loughborow and divers Gentlemen of quality 〈◊〉 Hartfordshire and other Counties came in to joyn also with us which gave a great encouragement to our Army There came in a Party also of Gentlemen consisting of about fifty who entering their combination in London made their Rendevouze at Hideparke corner and marching all night the night before intended to beate up a quarter of the Enemies at Epping being in their way But the Party was drawne out by chance hard by the Towne upon some other designe so they were disappointed of their Strategem but though they found them ready drawne up in order yet unexpecting any affront not thinking of any Enemy they marched up and being well Horst charged through them and the next day came up to us having lost only one Man and one Horse but the Horse being a gallant one and taken by a Country-man was recovered againe the Gentleman that lost him comming off afterwards went out with a Party and fetcht that man in and so regained him That afternoone both Parties of Kentish and Essex were drawne out to a Rendevouze in Newhall Parke neere the Towne belonging to the Duke of Buckingham which Generall meeting gave much encouragement to both Parties Where the Generall and Sir Charles Lucas joyning in consultation the Gentlemen of both Counties also that by a unity in the engagement as well as the Interest there might be greater hopes of prosperous successe At which councell it was once a generall result to have marched away Immediately and fallen upon the Party of Sir Tho Honywoods at Coxwell but upon a more serious deliberation otherwise resolved on and orders given out for the quartering in the Towne that night But this Party of Coxwell disincouraged the Country that they began now to be very slack in their apearance to joyne in relation to what they were before not only by reason of Sir Thomas Honywoods activenesse but because of the Enemies entring also into the Country with their whole Body Saturday the tenth we marched on towards Brantree but tooke Leeds house in our march belonging to the Earle of Warwick where we were like to have beene opposed by some people who were purposely placed there and upon the Quartermastergeneralls comming thither to secure it from the violence of the Soldiers refused to open their gates being about twelve or more men with Fire-armes and two Drakes saying that they were placed there for the securing that house and they would rather die then deliver it up
Hedges with as little thought of danger or security as if this had been in an impregnable Fort. The Foe behaving themselves as gallantly as if they did not think of such a thing as a possibility of being beaten Yet this over-powred party so bravely defended their ground that ere long them had beaten they off in such manner that the Lord Fairfax finding his party in such disorder even upon a Retreat alighted from his Horse and came on himselfe with them to encourage them on who were so daunted by the unexpected courage of these defendants that their disorder was like enough to have much endangered their whole Body But at the last fresh men still powring their shot in upon them they were beaten off from their Hedges and forc'd to dispute the losse of their ground from place to place against an extraordinary disadvantage the Enemies Horse now breaking in upon them on all parts and shewing but little remissenesse in their execution when they had an opportunity to make any home Charge upon them yet they left not their Courage with their ground but still disputed the losse of every foot with as clear a Courage as if but still beginning to engage from Street to Street and from Porch to Porch often falling upon the Enemies Horse with onely their Swords in such a generous manner as they seemed as prodigall of their Bloods as they were of their Blowes which they distributed in a plentifull manner on every one durst stand to receive them insomuch that they put them to as often Retreats by their so handsome and bold Encounters but being still over-powred by the numerous reserves that continually advanced on them were enforced still to Retreat till at the last they came to the Church-yard and from thence to the Church quitting not any place dishonourably or unhandsomely So that they made the businesse so really hot and difficult that I am confident the Victors themselves would have wish'd to have rather been without that Victory than to have purchased it at so dear a rate But this party after a long Fight were drawne to so hard a push they were forc'd to capitulate none comming up to their assistance or reliefe unlesse it were a few scattering men who hearing them so engaged though without any order left their Quarters and hudled into this Croud of confused Destruction which they were over-whelmed in And here againe in a cause received that too many Gentlemen conceive sufficient for them to approbriate the Generall as either treacherous or infinitely negligent in not relieving that Party which as they say might easily have been done And then in all their discourses they frequently urge endeavouring thereby to obscure the face of his Honour with black shades of Infamy But all cannot do his Honour is too high flowne for those short wing'd Bastards to reach at having a Soule I am confident as white with Innocent and Loyall thoughts as his head with hairs and a Spirit as active as the boldest he that dares question it And to cleare him in this first although proclaimed Generall of that Army yet of so little a date was that Title to him as that he was not so immediately and clearly impowered with the charge of them and conduct of their Interest as like a Generall to act his owne will immediately in it There being as yet too many Generalls or at least ambitious Spirits Interested who having formerly a power in the 〈◊〉 of them had not yet so clearly layd downe their power they supposed that nothing must be done or at least ought without the result of their opinions in it By whose advice and perswasion the whole body was quartered in the Countrey at large too wide indeed to be rallyed in any time considerable or drawn to any Rendevouze what ever occasion might or should fall out as it fell too appearantly true in this Although of my own knowledge it was the advice of the Generall to Lodge them all that night in the field by the river side which counsell had the Gentlemen of that County observed the body had remained entire ready to wait and receive the Enemy upon any motion they should or could make and the river so garded that the Enemy could never possibly have forc't any place passe or Forde of it But the men are thought weary and harased off their leggs having indeed marched very tedious marches and therefore must have fresh quarters and large to revive and refresh their tired Spirits By which meanes the enemy made an easie passage over the river without any opposition at all and the Party in the Towne quite lost e're the Army or a Party considerable for their reliefe could be drawne together to any Rendevouze And yet not only strangers to the businesse who indeed ought also to be carefull how they censure and asperse men of so much Honour but some whose young Soldierships councells were partly the cause cast the losse of the businesse upon the Generall who I am assured all that night while constant Alarums were sounded in his eares of their being in fight did his endeavours to draw Parties to a Rendevouze from their quarters to their assistance but none could be forced out at least considerable Whereupon the next morning early he caused the Army as soone as it was possible to get them together having sent out orders at the first newes of their being in fight at Maidstone to be drawn up to a Rendevouze at Finsbury fields on the other side the river Medway by Stroode Where a Councell was called in the field and upon a report that it was yet possible to relieve them at Maidstone it was a generall result and desire of the Generall yet to march entire thither Whereupon the whole Army marched through Rochester it being the resolution of the Generall if it were yet possible to relieve them or to fight the whole Army of the Enemy But he had not marched two miles when certaine Intelligence came that they were all cut off and taken Prisoners the night before early though many of them came up to the Army afterwards having made their escape Upon this Intelligence the Army was marched back againe to Rochester Where the Generall with the Commissioners betooke themselves to their Councells againe to consult what was best to be done in that condition the Parliament having before hand refused to receive their Petition and the Enemy already entred the very bowells of their Country and a party roaving about and making a prey of their Estates and Friends For one Major Osborne an Officer of the Parliaments with a Troope of Horse was before wheeled downe about Ashford and so towards Sittingborne whereupon Col. Hammon was ordered to stay with his Regiment at Sittingborne and Col. Hatton marched back with his Horse and liting on this troope of the Enemies Chared them where Major Sumner was kil'd and one or two Gentlemen more wounded Upon which Sir Rich Hardres was againe entreated back
to be plundered tamely But being afterwards by some parley Informed that the Generall himself was coming and that the Quartermaster Generall was commanded before to secure them from Injury they gave him entrance with some other Gentlemen believing it was but little boote for them to dispute with an Army about noone the Generall and Sir Charles Lucas came and haviug first dined there ceised on the Armory where they found a good Magazineboth of Armes and Ammunition of all sorts so we carried from thence the two brasse field peeces and about two or three hundred Muskets and as many pikes with about 60. great Sadles and body Armes proportionable to them and some Pistols and Carbines and a good proportion of Match and Ball with divers other Instruments and furniture of Warre But many of the Sadles we left behinde for want of carriages for them Here we Rendevouzed all the afternoone till towards night in the Parke beyond the house the Enemy of Rendevouzing also with a Party of theirs very neer the other side and that night in the Parke but adventured not to appeare all that day in sight of our Army There was a Party of Horse also came in to us upon the march which along time we supposed an Enemy from Hartfordshire and Bedfordshire consisting of about sixe score From thence we marched forwards and quartered that night at Braintree Where the next day being Sunday both Parties were drawne into the field in the forenoone to Rendevouze And after prayers all the Gentlemen that were in the Army were drawne into troopes under the command of the Lord Norwich Lord Capell and the Lord Loughborow and Sir Charles Lucas that they might not only know to dispose of themselves upon any occasion of Alarum but being in order it would be a great conveniencie for disposing them into quarters upon every remove About nine of the clock at night we marched from thence and continued our march all that night making onely one halt about daybreake till the next day about fower of the clock in the afternoone about which time we drew neere Colchester whither at a Councell the night before upon Sir Charles Lucas his desire and beliefe of recruiting very much there they concluded to march but not to stay above one night or two at the most and therefore moved in the night to amuse the Enemy that they might not to sodainly follow us And being within five or six miles of the Towne a Party was sent before towards it for Sir Charles Lucas had received intellithat they would not receive him in Armes then himself with some other Gentlemen marched onwards before the Army after that party was marched away But ere the Quarter-master Generall left them to goe to the Town came intelligence from the Party that the Towne stood upon their Guard and were so far from giving entrance to our party as that they opposed them and were too strong for them At which newes Sir Charles and the Gentlemen with him set Spur to their Horses and hasted on with a full speed till they came within sight of the Towne and comming neere they found that they had shut their Gates and drawn out about sixty Horse in a very formall Troop well Arm'd and Accoutred some of their Scouts being without the Turn-pike by the Almes Houses then Sir Charles made a stop to send back a Messenger to the Army to hasten their March but some four or five Gentlemen keeping on their speed drew their Swords onely and Charged up to them and forc'd them within their Turn-pike so they retreated on the Head gate where their whole Troop was drawne up in order and the Gentlemen retreated againe towards the Turn-pike but some of them as they retreated fell in amongst the Gentlemen yet never fired a Pistoll till they came out of the Turn-pike againe then one of the Gentlemen turning quick about shot one of them and he fell from his Horse But when they perceived the Body of the Army comming and that Sir Charles Lucas had drawn up two or three Troopes of Horse very neer them they sent out to treat with him and upon his Engagement that the Town should not be plundred nor any injury offered them for what they had done they submitted themselves and engaged to deliver up their Horse and Armes with the Towne so the Gates were opened and the Army quartered that night in the Town The next day being Tuesday June 13. about noone we received a very strong Alarum and that the Enemy was advanced within a mile of the Town and indeed by that time we could provide parties to send forth their Forlornes were engaged with our Out-guards in the Suburbs which Guardes were immediately doubled and it was not long ere we were as ready to receive them as they to assault us Our men being drawne up to their Colours fresh parties were sent out to assist the Guards both of Horse and Foot and the Enemy came on as strongly on all parts of that side the Town next Lexden and fir'd up to the very Hedges and Guards of our Foot but were as furiously opposed till at the last some of the Guardes wanting Ammunition to maintain the heat of the Service about the Almes houses and the house called Grimstones house were over-powred with the number of men that threw in their Shot like haile upon them and so forc'd to retreat and gave the Enemy the Liberty of all that ground Which retreat gave them also advantage of falling upon our other Guards neer Sheere-gate whereupon the Out-guards were ordered to retreat within the town it being the best policy to take the greatest advantage in opposing an Enemy were an Army double the Enemies strength But ere this retreate could be made and the Guards drawne within the Gates that dispute grew close and very hot the Enemy comming on so violently that it was much difficulty to maintaine any ground against them yet were they still as resolutely opposed so that it was as hard a matter to judge whether shewed more courage the Enemy in assailing or our Party in defending Now we being forc't to a retreat although as much out of policy as danger gave an enencouragement to the Enemy to prosecute their charge upon us as thinking themselves more then halfe victors already and that they should in short time make themselves masters both of the Town and us But this new and scarcely flesht Army of Country men added fire to the heat of the Service in such a height and with so undaunted a resolution far contrary to the Enemies expectation although they had received an experimentall knowledge of them at Maidestone that many of them could not digest it but left their bodies in the Streets and Hedges as Infallible witnesses of what was done yauning out their Soules to receive their arreares in another world for their so Religious rebellion in this Many of their dead bodies they threw into wells some they buried in ditches
next morning came down a post with an order from the House of Commons to Rochester to the Commissioners joyned in that Engagement to this purpose that whereas they did understand that the people of Kent were comming up to Westminster in a tumultuous and pretended petitionary way they knew not the Intentions of it and had therefore referred them to treat with the Generall the Lord Fairfax and the Committee of Derby-house This rigorous order of prevention being received and read In the morning the Generall councell being met the businesse was scand and discust for now this graine of paper had quite turned the Ballance and absolutely altered the constitution of the Generall Interest for they could not but believe that the Army would advance entirely against them knowing well enough considering the posture the Country was in what it would be to treat with a conquering and potent adversary in that inexperienced condition I meane of a new rais'd and unmodelled body of raw men Whereupon by a generall result orders were immediately dispatched away to Dartford and the other places adjacent where the maine Body then quartered and lay upon Guard to march then back to Rochester having also intelligence within a very short time that the Lord Fairfax with his maine Body was advanceing towards us already But however upon their retreate left a Guard at a place called Stone bridge neer Gravesend to secure that passe but they could not long hold it the enemy for so we might easily guesse them to be by this time by the ceizing all Gentlemen and others they met comming up so close although to say truth a better order might have been observed in it and indeed would had the Party been a formidable Body When they came back to Rochester Master Mat Carter having received Commission of Quarter-master Generall of all the forces then raised or to be raised in that County from the Commissioners and Gentlemen engaged received Orders from the Councell for the Quartering them there Whereupon he first caused them to be drawn up by distinct Regiments in severall Fields whereby he was able to take an exact account of the strength of every Regiment so to know how to dispose of them and ascertaine the Councell of the full number in grosse which then he Mustred in rank and file compleatly arm'd seven thousand of the Infantry and as well accoutred being most of them very sufficient men of ability and not wanting of as Honourable resolutions The Horse not being drawn together but abroad the most of them upon severall parties could not be so well taken notice of At which time also there were at severall places of the Country about three thousand more which never came up to this party as at Canterbury Maidstone Sittingborne Sandwich and Dover This gallant Body by his care were equally divided into Quarters in Rochester Strood and Chatham the Horse in Villages neer adjacent And the Engagers now began to cling more closely and taking time by the fore-locke thought it not good to let slip any minute lest their hopes and security might be lost with it and began more seriously to consider what might most probably advance their safety and honour knowing that what they were now to trust too was difficult severity of Fortune the Army being like enough to fall in suddainly upon them Amongst many considerations at last they easily concluded that the next businesse that must be endeavoured must be to mould that party into a formidable Army and to appoint one particular man to Command in Chief For now they were forc'd to stand upon their own guard to maintain that with the Sword which was intended onely in a just and peaceable way according to the Ancient Customes of this Kingdome But this is a new liberty of the Subject none of the old I am sure A sad world when men shall fall deeper into the pit of Destruction by the endeavours of those they supplicate for aid to bring them out and who by naturall as well as legall alliance and interest are bound to assist and by themselves placed for it If this be to Reforme Heavens blesse all good Christians and Loyall Subjects from Reformation Having now thus resolved they appointed a Rendezvouz the next day at Barham Downe some three miles distant from thence towards Maidstone Where the Lord Norwich was proclaimed Generall in the head of the Army for now being drawn together they deserved that Title so gallant a Body they were of Infantry who received him with as much cheerfulnesse expressing an unparallel'd willingnesse to serve their King and as much joy that they were so engaged to it knowing that their service was not onely for Him but the whole Kingdomes peace the recovering of their Countries Liberty and the Churches tranquility As it hath been a generall and as true an Observation in all Ages and Common-wealths that those that engage in other mens quarrels are more remisse and unspirited as knowing that they shall partake in the danger but not in the victory since another would receive the greatest and fairest fruit thereof and arrogate the Honour likewise to themselves whereas they also that take Armes for their Country may conceive better hopes that God will prosper them for that they seek not to take from others but to keep their own and that they fight not for other mens phancies but their owne defence whereby the whole benefit of victory will redound to themselves This Rendezvouz being broke up the Army Marched again into Quarters though not the same as before neither by the Quarter-master Generals laying out much I confesse contrary to the Lord Generalls sense or intentions whose advice it was that it would have been most convenient to lodg them close together or in the Field it being very faire weather at that time Although I have been informed there are some who have broach'd a most damnable Aspersion on the Earl of Norwich throwing this dirty and odious Calumny in the face of his innocent and unspotted Fame That he was the man who betrayed that service to its succeeding destruction and that he made it his designe to take that Command upon him that he might the more easily effect that designe being himself no Souldier And so impudently or else ignorantly they proceeded in this Ignoble derogation as to raise a confirmation of it from this conclusion That had it not been so he had as well paid the losse of life for his Loyall service as the Lord Capell and the Earl of Holland c. First that his owne designe steered him to that Interest is so palpably false that it was as absolute an accident as could be that brought him to Rochester as at the first of his comming and at his being in Colchester I have heard him relate my selfe being in his Journey to Sussex and taking that road to scape the Army who then lay very thick in the other and who knows not how dangerous it is to travaile amongst
them Where when he came and the Commissioners Just then upon the dispute whom to invest with that command hearing of his arivall Immediatly selected peculiar Gentlemen to make a civill addresse unto him with the tender of that Command and their serious obedience and service with it as being a Peer of the Realm and a man of so known a worth and a mind so deep and able as to capacitate him for any great command Whereby he might easily end that strife which so sodainly might have been blown up to a destructive flame being already kindled by those more then sparks of Emulation in the breast of some Gentlemen then Interested Having before with much earnestnesse solicited the Duke of Richmond to that no whit dishonourable though it might be feared unbeneficiall Engagement But his feares turning Prophets dictated to his Soul more powerfull arguments for easie denyalls To which the Earle of Norwich returned this most courteous answer with as modest an excuse from undertaking so high a concernment in a Country where he had so little engagement That he was confident the Duke would yet Engage with his Country being so generally unanimously and courageously met and upon so just unquestionable and candid a designe and that he believed he would undertake the command For the further advancing whereof proffered himselfe a solicitor for them to the Duke which favour they accepted gratefully and he as willingly performed And going to Cobham to him with his best rethorick and powerfull perswasions Invited and courted him to it But all to no effect Whereupon the Commissioners at his returne still intreating him and as it were pleading a necessity of it to him he at the last accepted of it to the great content and satisfaction of all the Gentry and Commonality too then met together But as I have heard him declare since onely that the Army might be modelled whereby it might be a greater invitation to the Duke Not that he intended afterwards to dissert the service but continue it only with an acknowledgment of superiority in the Duke for the better encouragement of the Army who must of necessity receive so much the more of a vigorous courage by how much the more nobility and Generous honour is Engaged in their Conduct Yet all perswasions proved alike in effect By which meanes he became totally Engaged Which I thinke though he were no Soldier was then as advantageous if heaven had designed it fortunate as could be then expected For through the whole course of the succeeding service upon any nicety he did most prudently declare himself and after his owne opinion layd downe gave it a reference to a Councell of Warre for a more mature and generall result Appearing in his constant actions more a Soldier then some of no small name and undertaking who have so boldly adventured to traduce his Loyalty and Honour More confutations I neither need nor shall desire to give Now this night the Army by perswasion of some at the Councell held in the field as being indeed more generous spirited Gentlemen then experienced Polititians or Soldiers was quartered at large in the Country the Generall and Commissioners returned back to Rochester where Sir Anthony Aucher and Master Hales left them not as some falsely surmise and give out because they heard of the Enemies advancing nor through any discontent as others as Idly report But upon this account Master Hales being of a more noble and virtuous gallantry then his yeares might speak him to be living within fifteen miles of Rochester had upon his first Engagement as his expression to my hearing made a resolution not to see home till he had seene the Army in a formidable posture according to which resolution he had not but constantly continued with them till this night and now having seen the Army in such a modell as that daies Redevouze and the appointment of a Generall rendered it took it for an absolute solution of his Engagement and resolved that night to goe home onely to accomodate himself the better with Mony and other necessaries for a longer March and to return the next morning so took his leave of the Generall the Commissioners and the rest of the Gentlemen and rid to his House and Sir Anthony Aucher by his earnest entreaty went along with him but the misfortunes of the succeeding night obstructed their return For in the night the Lord Fairfax with his whole Body marching downe towards Maidstone and finding the River slightly Guarded about Farley Bridge beyond the Town some two miles easily got over and with a strong party fell upon the Towne ere those within it were almost Alarumed in which Town lay part of Sir John Maynies and Sir Will Brockmans Regiments enquartered that never came to the Rendezvouz consisting of about eight hundred men The Enemy being possessed of that passe Marched over with their whole Body they in the Towne not having any true Intelligence all the day before of them or their motion and fell in upon their Out-guards so violently that within a very short space those in the Town were forced to fight upon extraordinary disadvantages the Enemy so farre exceeding them in number and the Army quartered at such a distance they could never make a Retreat nor have any Relief time enough to assist them However their Courage was such as made their Enemies know they fought with men so well satisfied in the justice of their Cause as not to be daunted or startled at the appearance or apprehension of Death though in never so grim a shape but rather like true-borne Heroes contemning all danger and death it self so they might but bury their misfortunes in the wounds of their surious opposing and oppressing Enemies who thinking them no other then a number of men hudled together in a tumultuous manner because of their being so suddainly gotten together the whole Body being raised within ten dayes fell on them with so much violence as if they had been Lyons and would have devoured them at an instant or like a boysterous whirlwind scattered them before them like dust But much contrary to their expectations instead of finding a prey they met with those that were more likely to make a prey of them whose bold resolutions soone daunted their fury And these tumultuous disorderly fellowes as they termed them they found orderly enough to oppose them and although newly raised yet of courages of the oldest Souldiers selling their Lives and Liberties at as dear a rate as ever men did few of them falling without first dispatching twice as many I am confident and their survivers must confesse it to receive their reward of their Grand Lord and Muster who I believe hath ere this paid them their Arreares in the other world for their good service in this This service though unexpected grew very smart and hot both parties contending which should expresse more Valour the one defending their Lives disputing their fortification which were but bare and thin
by the Commissioners into East-Kent to raise the rest of the Country and to take care for the securing of Canterbury and the other townes Sir Michaell Lusey was also raising all he could make this Major Osborne with his troop securing him in it by which meanes the whole Country began to seeme with a face of an absolute seat of Warre But now the courage of the Soldiery at Rochester was such as would not admit the Generall time enough to resolve on any thing being then at consultation what course to steere For though the weather were such as would have envited them rather to desire the shelter of the towne then to expose themselves to such an extremity of Raine as then showered downe yet they were so desirous and greedy of action as almost tended to mutiny For drawing out their collours themselves caused their Drums to beat saying If their Officers would not march they would both march and fight without them Whereupon the Earle of Norwich commanded them to be drawn into the field to a Rendevouze in the same place as before not being yet resolved which way to contrive the laying of his designe to the best advantage for he would act nothing without the absolute conclusion of the Councell in which was now included many able Soldiers which came in from severall parts to Joyne and engage with us more indeed there came then the present condition of the County would permit accommodation to Which gave an occasion to divers Gentlemen to thinke themselves disrespected wanting Horse and other conveniences for Warre by reason of their comming down from London by water and unprovided But indeed the County at that time could not yeeld so many Horse as was supposed it would therefore they could not be furnished for the present but order was given by the Commissioners for their Civill treatment and an Ordinary provided at the County charge for them that they might continue on free quarter with promise of the furniture of all accoutriment answerable to their Quality as opportunity would give leave Master Hales also out of his owne purse presented a Party of them that most wanted for the present with thirty pound to be distributed amongst them Now it had beene the advice of some to plant the Army in that place and by fortifying that City to maintaine it as long as they could But this young millitary policy was not liked by some who better understood that the Generall Engagement concerned action and not to lie still under a passive designe besides that towne was not to be maintained though some thinke it was by reason of that River which of it selfe was a fortification to one part of the towne Wherefore now comming into the field the Generall called again the chief Officers of the Army and Gentlemen to Counsell Where it was a great dispute and the onely now whether they should march on towards London in the prosecution of the intended designe according to the Engagement or march back to fight the Enemy who was wildly roaving and raving in the very heart of their Country and by Joyning with those in East-Kent strengthen their force and either fight the Enemy or secure that County But it was not long e're they concluded to march on knowing that though their body of Infantry was strong enough for to give the Enemy a field if occasion should require it yet the Horse was so weak as not to enable them to any Fight at all having not two hundred Horse they durst put any confidence in and for joyning with those in East-Kent they were strong enough or would be of themselves besides they knew that if they Marched backwards the Enemy would certainly draw down more powerfully upon them and forcing them to retreat into a corner of the Country take off all hopes of any assistance from any other County which they expected according to the association agreed on betwixt Surrey Essex and themselves And if they Marched on they should draw the Army after them And by drawing nearer those two Counties be both an encouragement and assistance to draw them together who once joyning with them would make so great a Body as in all probability would be formidable to the Enemies for now they were forc'd by that violence into an absolute defensive War This being the result of the Councell we immediately Marched from the Rendezvouz towards Dartford onely Colonell D. Wyles with his Regiment some of them being gone before Marched away towards East-Kent which Regiment was full upon Muster twelve hundred men Colonell Hammons of Foot lying about Sittingborne Feversham were ordered by the Generall to March back to Canterbury to strengthen that place and never came up to the Rendezvouze at all About midnight we came to Dartford where the Generall caused a Letter to be drawne up and sent to the Mayor Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London to give them notice of our March that way as also of our intentions Desiring withall that if it might be we might have their assistance which we hoped for having Treated before with them Or at least wise that if we might not have their assistance yet that they would permit us to March through the City of Westminster without interruption or resistance Engaging the whole Counties security for theirs that they should not thereby be endamaged the least mite But they like a Dogge to his Vomit turned to their old course of Parliament Service and no sooner received the Letter but immediately instead of returning a civill Answer to the Generall dispatch'd it away to the Speaker of the House unbroke up However we knew nothing thereof till the next evening so we marched on all that night and the next day without any refreshment or repose at all The next day about noone we came to Greenwich where the Generall drew the whole Army into the Park expecting to receive some good satisfaction from the City as also from Surrey Southwark and Essex But we found but small encouragement or reason for the continuance of those hopes receiving no intelligence from Surrey nor any newes of appearance of men for our assistance either from thence or any other place London we heard had shut and guarded their Ports against us Onely there came a Gentleman out of Southwark as he sayed who comming to the Quarter-master Generall assured him that if the Generall would send any considerable party into the Burrough of Southwark for their assistance that they would unanimously rise and joyne with us which he acquainted the Lord Generall with and returned him this Answer That in regard he was a stranger and not known he must not expect a party should be adventured upon his bare assertion but if he would returne to those Gentlemen of the Burrough that he said employed him and that any of the Principle men would engage to what he promised that then they should have what party they should desire With which answer he returned but never
stay and delay ingaging till supplies which were already levied should come up and strengthen his Army desiring him not to throw into hazzard unnecessarily the welfare of France Urging that the consultation was not only for the Kings honor but his safety At which time there was at the Councel a young hot-spur fitter to begin then continue a charge who alleaged that nothing was more honorable then that the victory should be gained by fight c. taunting the old Captain It was no marvell though an old man and fearfull sought delayes whose mind was disturbed with his usuall fears and now was seeking a passage through his guts The old man could not indure this his scurrility but replied Seeing the King will have us fight I will die to morrow an honorable death before his face when thou forgetfull of thy brags and rashnesse shalt by a base flight forsake the field Which Prophesie in all respects was fulfilled the field desperately lost and the King taken prisoner Many more examples in this nature I could insert but I think it as unnecessary as tedious Now although we gave them not a field-battel yet suffered them not to lie idle from fighting constantly almost in one place or other both night and day Neither were they so weak 〈◊〉 some suppose after our shattering them but that they were in their foot still above or equall our number before the Suffolk Foot joyned with them who lay upon the bridges of the river so strong before the enemy drew them over that we could not have forced our passage in case we had attempted it but that we had been fallen on by the enemy in the rear and been engaged both waies to the hazard of an immediate destruction of our whole Army About the twentieth day of the moneth divers gentlemen were sent forth privately with Commissions to raise men in Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge shire But the Country forces having broken up the bridges and guarded the passes and the enemy taken the Fort called Mersey Fort that commanded the passage into the Island there was no passage left open for them so they were forc't to return again which they did secure although through the enemies quarters not a man being taken The next night a party of horse and foot was commanded forth into the hundred of Tendring for the bringing in of provision which returned the day following safe with about one hundred sheep and sixty beeves which were all delivered into the Commissary for the generall store and so everynight fo far as our bounds would reach till the enemy begirt us closer provision was brought in to the publike store Two or three daies after that part of the Countrey rise to joyn with us but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who by Commission from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lucas was to levy and command them would have betrayed them to the enemy in their rising to ingratiate himselfe with the prevailing power an Epidemicall disease in this Kingdom but was discovered having not so much policy as villany and seiz'd on by the Countrimen till Sir Charls Lucas his pleasure might dispose of him and them To whom they sent two sufficient men of their party to give him an account making it their earnest suit that he would send a party of Horse and Foot to assist them in their rising and conduct them safe into the town which according to their request was done A party was drawn out and sent in the night who stayed there about a week and afterwards returned safe with those they had raised through the quarters of the Suffolk Foot who were drawn over the river and incamped betwixt them the town Then was another party commanded forth in the night which marching out at the North-gate forced through their quarters and in the morning returned safe losing not above two men for which losse they gained livelihood for many more for they brought in with them about fifty oxen and cowes besides sheep and some corn and other provisions and might have brought more But Sir Charls Lucas being tender of his Countrey would not permit them to drive from any but those they should know to be actuall enemies which proved afterwards a very great inconveniency and prejudice to the Towne for after that we never obtain the like opportunity the enemy drawing immediately down neerer upon us came within lesse compasse and begirt us more straight for they were indeed much 〈◊〉 with anger amongst themselves that they should fuffer us to march through their quarters upon a sally and return again safe Yet we secured the Heith as a finall refuge for provision from whence we conveyed daily such provisions as it would afford keeping a constant guard there which the enemy endeavoured not to hinder us of till we had left very little there July 5. The Councell of Warre published a Proclamation for the calling in all such townes-men as would serve upon the line for the security of the Town to list themselves for the service under severall Captains and Officers being deputed by Sir Charls Lucas to command them and all others to bring in their arms to be delivered up into the Magazine and that none who should refuse to list themselves should keep any arms in their houses upon pain of death and the forfeiture of their goods to the benefit and use of the Town About this time the enemy incroach't so neer upon us with their approaches notwithstanding our daily sallies and skirmishes with them on all parts as that they fell down into East-street and seized on the Mill on the river and placed a strong guard there which guard out of hopes to have fired all that part of the street hetwixt them and the Town because many of our men both quartered and guarded there also set fire to a Tanners house and barn with all the goods leather and corn in it the house being the next house to the inner-side over against them and bringing downe two Drakes began to be something busie and troublesome to our guards whereupon at the next Councell of War upon the dispute a result was made for a grand sally on that part of the Town which was accordingly performed and Sir Charls Lucas commanding in chief marched in the head of the horse and Sir George Lisle commanded the foot the whole party consisted of five hundred foot and two hundred horse out of which a forlorn party being drawn out they first marched down towards the river where the enemies guard was on both sides the street and a Barricado crosse from whence with their case shot from their Drakes and small shot from the Barricadoe and guard-houses they play'd very thick upon them having no other passage over 〈◊〉 river then a foot bridge the end wherof reach'd within five foot of the enemies barricado But as if it had been but a sporting skirmish amongst tame souldiers at a generall muster they regarded it not but running on in a single file over the bridge some for
off their Guns from that place finding it too hot for their continuance Now the cause that made them so envious at that Steeple was because we alwaies kept a Sentinell there which discovered their motion both night and day besides we had made a platforme in the frame of the Bells and planted a brasse Sakar there which flanking their trench did them much Injury The 25. day the Enemy drawing their line neerer the Lord Lucas his house under the shelter of an old wall and some buildings brought up two Demy Cannons and battering upon the Gate-house wherein was a guard of a hundred Musketteers beat one side of it to the ground which falling into their worke that was but a small halfe moone drawne from one side of the great House to the other anoyed them very much then fired two or three Granadoes immediately with it which buried many in the stones and dust the rest not able to stand the shock betaking themselves to their Swords and the but ends of their Muskets disputed it very hard from one place to another after they had lost their line till most of them got away some out of the Wicket of the gate and some out of the windowes and broken places of the house The Officers also forcing their liberty with the points of their Swords came all off safe Neither could the Enemy much boast of this surprise although it were some advantage to them for they purchased it with the losse of many stout men and of their oldest Soldiers who they quickly found by the wall and trench sides some dead and others speaking their Enemies valour in their owne miserable dying grones Whilest of the whole guard consisting of a hundred men not above ten were taken Prisoners and some foure or five kill'd many I confesse were wounded but came off and recovered And having thus 〈◊〉 themselves of this House as it is their custome in all other places the first thing thought on is plunder they fell to searching the House and those things that were in it 〈◊〉 though little of worth or conveniency they tooke away which could be little more then bedsteeds and 〈◊〉 and the like That house having beene 〈◊〉 times before and indeed the 〈◊〉 in the Kingdom as is believed plundred But finding themselves no better rewarded for their service that they might be more notorious in their villany broke up the vault wherein the ancesters of that Family were usually Interred under the pretence of searching for money and finding them not yet quit dissolved the corps of the Lady Lucas and the Lady Killigrew as I received it from eye witnesses wrapt in Lead they tore open that coffine beyond what ever was known or read of before or amongst the most unhumane barbarous thoughts dismembred their trunks throwing a legge in one corner of the vault and arme in another and were so Impudent in this so and worse then 〈◊〉 act as to beare away the haire of their heads in their Hats as a triumphant 〈◊〉 in honour to their villanie In which posture the vault continued till the corps of Sir C. Lucas that Loyall Martyr was brought to possesse it Is not that Common-wealth happy that must receive a reformation from such Saints Who have these ten yeares been practising acts absolutely monstrous to even nature it selfe Beyond parallel president or politicall complotment of the most subtill Machavillian or bloudy Tyrants in the world By this time our Magazeens began to be very empty all our flesh being spent whereupon the next businesse that was concluded on and ordered was the searching what private stores there were in the towne but they proved as weake as the other then the Councel of Warre receiving a returne of the searches what the condition of the towne was for matter of Provision who had now examined every private Family ordered that all the Horse excepting two hundred should in the night 〈◊〉 forth and breake through the Leager and if they could get through with that convenience they wished to march Northward towards our supposed relife For at that time we had received very great assurance by private letters that reliefe was intended and hasting towards us from Duke Hamilton under the Command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale So the Horse were allidrawne to a Rendevouz in the Castle yard late in the night and a party of Foot with them for their assistance in forcing the Enemies line with Pioneers to levell a way for them to let the Horse in when the Foot should have 〈◊〉 the Enemy from their line which was supposed would easily have beene performed and thus they marched over the River by the Middle-mill and came within the Enemies Centinells e're they were discovered or any part of their guards Alarmed but their guides and Pioneers being for the most part Townsmen as out of a plotted combination amongst them ran away from them the night being dark So they were forc'd to retreat againe into the towne which they did without the losse of a man but it gave the enemy so much notice as 〈◊〉 made an absolute discovery together 〈◊〉 their intelligence from the towne so it 〈◊〉 though afterwards but bootlesse to 〈◊〉 a second attempt At the next Councell of Warre considering that the stores were so exhausted and all the stesh or very near the matter spent it was thought most convenient to keep those horse which were fitting for the Souldiers to eat so they were againe drawn into the Castle yard with order that not any Officer whatsoever should conceale his Horses but cause them to be brought into the field upon the forfeiture of them to immediate slaughter the 3dpart of every Troop drawn out and disposed to the Commissary to be kill'd and some to be immediately distributed and the rest powdred which the Soldiers very willingly submitted to and as cheerfully fed upon them rather than deliver themselves to their Enemies upon any base or dishonourable terms which expressions of theirs were so common and publique as that the Enemy hearing of our falling to Horse-flesh heard also of that resolution of the Souldiery which did something startle them for before they hoped for and expected our da yly submission to a Treaty for Rendidion Now upon the last search that was made in the Townsmens houses and shops for all things edible there was very little Corne found as in some houses not above a peck and in some two some none or any Flesh hardly yet was there a good quantity of spice and Oyle which so far as it would hold out proved very usefull with the Horse-slesh some starch also was found which was preserved and made very good puddings It hath been reported as I understand that at this time we had some reliefe brought into us by water from the 〈◊〉 at Sea but it was nothing at all true for although there were a River that came up to the Town yet the Sea was not 〈◊〉 by seven miles of the Town and