great quantity of Powder and his Lordships head quarters then at Haverford but 5. myles distant and on the back of the Fort notwithstanding the great perill of passing over the River neer upon halfe a League over in breadth and on the Enemies side of the Haven yet by the help of the Shipps and boates he put over two peeces of Ordnance and having past over his little Army early in the morning his horse not exceeding 80. the foote skarse 400. hee planted his two Guns on a high hill over against the Fort wch playd over the Pilford into the middell thereof having before his comming over given order that our Demy Cannon planted at Popton on Pembrooke side of the River should also play over the wast of the Haven into the other side of the Fort all which Guns did very much annoy the Enemy then lodged in an open and desending Fortresse whilst himselfe in the head of the Pill-Village some 20. score above the Fort placed all his horse in full shew and in open view of the Enemy then drawn out of Haverford and within two myles of the place being 400. Horse at the least and 1000. foot all in two bodyes looking on that poore handfull of horse of the Major Generalls set there of purpose to face the enemy whilst in his own person hee fell in with 200. Musketteers on the Village having within it equall numbers to those of his own beate them at an instant out of their works took 150. prisoners and as mauy Armes the rest runing down into their Fort were instantly pursued and within two houres both places taken with all their Ordnance Powder and Ammunition together with 300. prisoners more The Enemies body of horse and foot then commanded by Sir Henry Vaughan in his Lordships absence all the day long never advanced to their assistance but in the close of the evening retreated to Haverford in a very great amasement John Barlow Captaine of the Fort the two Captaines Bradshawes with Leiutenant Paersons two of them old Souldiers were there taken with diverse other Officers Paersons an old stoutman at the first entring of the Fort being there mortally wounded was the next day sent to Haverford where very nobly the Major Generall gave speciall order for his cure but shortly after dyed of his wounds the Fort thus taken the Kings shippes then lying dry on an ebbe tyde and under the command of the Fortas aforesaid were there also taken by the Major Generall their Gunnes with those of the Fort amounting to the number of sixty odde at the least which plentifully furnished him with store of Artillery which he then exceedingly wanted It is very remarkable what hapned the following evening through the punick feare that then possessed the Enemy the relation whereof may bee of some recreation to the Reader The night being come on and the Major Generall and his men then over-watcht and tyred tooke up their quarters in the Pill-Village having sufficiently performed more then they expected they could possibly doe in so short a time and with so weake forces and the enemy though in Haverford and within their works fresh and of good numbers yet extreamly timerous and doubtfull that the Major Generall would that night fall in on the place and standing on the way toward the Pil some halfe a mile distant from the Towne they heard a great noyse of running and cluttering under the place where they had taken up their standing which was no other then the running down of a heard or drove of Cattle out of the adjoyning mountaine being sensible by natures instinct of the storme that immediatly followed to take shelter under the Walls of an ancient Rudra of buildings standing in the bottome a little below where the Skouts stood sentinell They being amazed in the night darke and stormy tooke the Alarme for good ran into the Towne and crying out that the Major Generall with his whole Army was at hand Whereupon in all post hast they all packt away in the night toward CARMARTHIN Sir Henry Vaughon in the heat of the feare in a very uncivill manner taking a long with him Sir Hugh Owins his Prisoner in his stockins not giving him time to pull on his Bootes and calling him Traitor avouching that that disaster befell them by reason of his non-complyance the good Lady his Wife not willing so to leave her Husband could not be perswaded to stay behinde but in her night Gown road all the night behind him the Enemy having made sure worke with their pouder had cast it into the River leaving their Cannon and the Towne to the discretion of the Major Generall who the day following entered with his Forces and quartered in their places That part of the Country being then well cleared of the Enemy the Major Generall upon some small rest drew up all the force he could possibly make to the Towne of Tinby a place finely seated on a Rock or little premontory invironed on two sides with the sea and on the land side with very high thick and impregnable Wails Towers and platformes The Major Generall having the first day of his sitting down planted a Demi-Culvering 2200. yeards distant from the North Gate of the Town with another some what lower but more wide and both on the declyning of the Wind-miâ—l-hill over against the Towne the first played on the very Gate and entrance thereof the rest of the Gates having beene before barrocadoed and stopt up the other Gun planted more wide plaid both into the Haven and the Towne whilst the Ships being come about from Milford plaid all from seaward over the Towne without any other anoyance to the besieged more then the beating downe of some of the rooftes of the Inhabitants houses only the Demi-Culvering planted at the distance aforesaid and that plaid on the Gate being attended with a very expert Cannon-neere the 3d. day follwoing made a very forrunate shot and beate open the Wicket through the Portcullis at which the Major Generalls Foot then quartering in the Norton even up to the Gate which is a long street or suburbe without the Walls taking the opportunity desperately ran in presently possest themselves of the place the Governour Guin being slightly hurt before and in his Chamber not doubting of any such accident hearning that the Souldiers were already entred ran into the Street and incountring them was there mortally wounded with some other of the defendants slaine in the place wherewith himselfe Colonell David Gwin Captaine Butler Captaine Lewes and Lieutenant Protherow were taken with all the Souldiers to the number of 300. or more Guin the Governour within foure dayes after died of his wounds and had an honourable interment given him by Captaine Phillip Bowen then commanding the Towne under the Governour Captaine Thomas Laughorne It is very remarkable that a place of that strength and man'd with neare as many men as those that had besieged it should so Miraculously be taken in
together the worke in the Arch so fild up as is truly discribed for a passage over of the Major Generals souldiers to the Governors reliefe stood immoveable till the very time that it was finished notwithstanding the fresh flouds by reason of extreame fowle weather were then very strong and forcible and the tyde there runing with great violence insomuch as the Major Gen. at first stood in much doubt that all his labour would prove fruitles howsoever it pleased the great providence so to Order it that it only stood to passe over his men but the next tyde carried all the work away to the admiration of the beholders Gerrards Army thus routed and lessened in the losse of 500 of his best foote slaine and taken in the place and five hundred more running from him as weary of the service eight hundred Armes fifteen of his horse with some of his best Commanders either slaine or taken in great displeasure wrote an emperious and threatning Letter from Carmarthin to the Major General which he slighted with silence and after many and toylesom marches and watches in the dead time of a tempestuous Winter having for twenty dayes together little better quarter then hedges and ditches to repose himselfe and his wearied Souldiers yet loath to loose time or to give breath to a revengfull and furious Enemy after some short time of rest first revictualled the Castle and replaced therein Colo. Powell as Governour of the place lay downe before Emblin a little but a very strong place belonging to the Earle of Carbâ—ry which for 20. dayes together he closly besieged the house being very well both fortified and defended yet at length came to capitulation when Generall Gerrard having for two moneths together traversed his ground through many of the Kings Garisons and studying revenge had recruited himselfe both with good numbers of Horse and in his return inforcing all South-Wales Generally to rise with him his new Army amounting to 1200. Horse and three thousand foot at the least came by great and nightly marches within seaven myles of Emblin before the little Army then before it had any certaine intelligence of their approach The Major Generall being somwhat before gone to Haverford for the recruit of his Ammunition when in the interim on falls Gerrard on the besiegers only seconded with some foure troopes of wearied horse which understanding of the Enemyes neere advance yet they resolutely charged them in the very head of their Army and upon the first and second charge put them to the shocke but being so unequally matcht and over-powred with numbers and the maine body of the Enemies foot in sight and marching up to the Reare of their Horse Those few Troops of the Major Generalls horse thought it a vaine indeavour any longer to stand them but shifted for themselves leaving their foote to the mercy of the insulting Enemy which notwithstanding stood it out long untill overborn with multitudes of the assaylants they were for the greater part either slaine or taken those resolute and expeirt Souldiers of Ireland being of that routed number Vpon this most unfortunate defeate some of the Committee of the County of Pembrooke envious of the Major Generalls atchievements and such as never did or durst draw sword in the Cause have not forborne most unworthily tobrand his reputation malitiously laying the blame of this disaster on him and only for that he was not present in person when the defeat was given it being well knewne that the necessity of a speedy recrewting his Ammunition inforced his absence and that â—ll the forces he could then make could not countervaile the afifth part of the Enemies forces but to proceed on the news of this unfortunate losse let the most malitious of his enemies look upon his former after dilligence and what he did on the instant of this losse when hapily some of them would have bin to seek what to have don otherwise then as they did take their heeles and leave the burthen on his shoulders which never budg'd nor forsook his charge and the defence of his Country let them remember when most of the Committees shifted for themselves whether at the instant he dispatcht not shipping such as were most fitting for Cardican River with advice to Colonell Powell with all the expedition he could to embarke himselfe and his Souldiers with all his Ammunition and to slight the Castle which with celerity great circumspection was timely performed and a Commander of worth with his full company and armes all preserved beyond expectation and before Generall Gerrard could imagine what might become of him safely arrived at Milford and came to the Major Generall at Pembrooke they may remember if they pleas'd what a dead liâ—t was then left on their shouldiers when most of the Gentlemen either fled their Country or stood off at Sea in a safe ship they alone with a handfull of men both stood to the work and preserved what possibly could be secured the one be taking himsefe to the Government oâ—Tinby the other of Pembrook wherewith great and insupportable care and dilligence they so ordered the Townes that a royall Army on six Monthes siege might very well have spent their paines and lost their labour in attempting on either as Gerrard himselfe before Pembrooke during his six weeks siege found that to be most true The Major Generall had then in the Towne neere upon 500. good foot and some 3-Troopes of wearied horse the place well fortified but not Victualled for any long siege though Gerrard conceived that he had then neere finished the worke but there was another accompt to be made with God and a second rekconning may be expected that he must make with men for his horrid and most abhominable cruelties Gerrards indeavour first was then to block up the River that runs up to the Towne out of Milford-Haven To which purpose he attempted to raise a Fort on the entrance of the River which being made knowne to the Admirall Swanley he refused to hazard his shipping to come up in the River when Captaine Iohn Bwen accompanied with the Vice-Admirall Captaine Iohn Smith adventured to thrust in to the point of Pennermouth where with their Ordinance beating the Pioners from their Workes they utterly dissapointed the Generalls design whether upon made his appreaches neere and round about most of the Towne and after many and divers assaults had alwayes the worst of the bargaine he having then forcibly drawne to his assistance two new Regiments of very good foot all raised in the County of Pembrooke where amongst other accidents this is an infallible testimoney of the Major Generalls both vallor and Vigillancy The Enemy one night having a designe to burne the Mills standing on the North bridge and a little without the Walls of the Towne skanted then of men to supply the largen esse of the Workes and the Major Gen. unwilling to lessen unman the Guards the Enemy stormingsometimes in 3.4 or 5.
places at once put on a resolution to hazard his owne person and to passe through the Ports and over the Bridge accompanied with Captain Smith Cap. Bowen and some other Gentlemen then in the towne where in the darke they fell on the party that were making their approaches towards the mills being together by the eares the Major Gen was laid hold of and disarmed by one of the enemies Commanders the on tuging the other each of them striving to make the one or the other their prisoner when as the party not seconded with fresh men the Major Generall fortunately got cleare and recovered over the bridge Captaine Smith being there most unfortunatly slaine in the place Captaine Bowen Master Griffeth Lort with the rest some of them recovering the ports over the bridge others adventuring to goe through the River with great difficulty secured themselves within the gate In the meane time and during six weekes siedge with the slaughter of many of the assaylants the newes of the losse of the Field at Naseby came to the knowledge of Gerrard with command from the King to come up speedily to his Majesties assistance who then loath so to quit his hold and to raise his siedge before the Town instantly marcht away with about 2000. of his Horse and foot to Rugland having still the whole County at their devotion with divers Garisons in the Country as the Castles of Picton Carew Manner-byer and Lamphy but on a second and more strict command to march away with the rest of their Army and to fire the Country having left behind him some 1800. horse and foot under the command of Colonell Stradling as a sufficient power as he supposed to master the Feeld who raising the siedge before Pemb. retreated and quartered at Haverford intending before his departure utterly to lay wast the whole Country From whence this new Commander Col. Stradling sent out his peremptory mandates on paine of death to all Constables of the severall hundreds to bring in all sorts of labourers mowers and hookmen throughout the County to cut down and destroy all such corne as was not then come to maturity and to fire the rest then grown ripe and combustible It being then much about the beginning of August 1645. when diverse of those sad warrants came to the Major Generalls hands by such as fled to the Towne of Pembrooke and some poore men loath to be the instruments of their own destruction were calld out and in most barbarous manner harg'd by Stradlings command The Major Generall thereupon called a Councell of Warre where it was presently determined that withall the Horse and Dragoones he had then at Pembrooke he should instantly poast to Tinby the way thither lying between the Enemies two Garisons of Carew and Manner-byer and there to consult with the Governour Colo Powell what was to bee done in the case and being come together the Major Generall imparted unto him the tenor of the said warrants which were no news to him who the night before receaved diverse of them by such as were fled to Tinby but there it was soone resolved that both Garisons shouâ—d joyne all their Forces and instantly to take the field and with what other Forces they could possibly make to give the Enemy battell wheresoever they could incounter him To this purpose the randezvous was appointed at Saint Florence much about the middle way between Tinby and Carew This resolution as I am informed for we strangers were then all gone out of the Country was taken about the latter end of July 1645. on a Saterday and the Munday following both the Major Generall and the Governour Powell happily met at the place appointed where they were informed that a brigade of the Enemies horse were then quartered at Martell-Twy about eight myles distant from Saint Florence hee so contrived it that sending a party of horse and Dragoones in the close of the evening recovered the place before day and took most of the Enemies horse with many prisoners before they could imagine that he had taken the field and loosing no time upon Intelligence that Captaine Edward Loyd that mouthy-Malignant rayler against the Parliament then quartered at Burton on the other side of the River of Milford he carried the businesse with such celerity and secrecy that with great difficulty he transported a party of Musketteers over in the night which surprized the Captaine with all his company and Officers in their beds they not dreaming that the Major Generall could come over or was able to take the field and immediately thereupon marched away to seeke out the Enemy whereupon those allarme and the beating up of his quarters in severall places they drew out with all their strength into the field doubting as it seemes of their safety in Haverford then sufficiently fortified or that the Major Generall might have some further designe whereof they could not then make any certaine Iudgement the River lying between both their Armies The Enemies on Colby Moore distant 4. miles from Haverford and the Major Generalls on the other side unknowne to the Enemy where he would and could quarter otherwhere then eight or ten miles distant 〈◊〉 from Stradlings quarter in such perplexity of his aboad did the Major Generall keepe the doubtfull Enemy when on the Wednesday following the Major being come over with al his little Army appeared in view of the Enemy neere unto stebadge where that gallant old Gentleman Mr. Iohn Laherne the Major Generalls Father was in the evening most unfortunatly shot and slaine in the place as mistaken for an Enemy by one of the Generalls owne Scouts which was a great dishartning to the Army disappoyntment of that nights designe howsoever the Friday following their Rendezvouse at St. Florence the Major Generall viewing and facing the Enemy all the morning and observing their numbers of Horse and foot so much to exceed his owne thought it not fit then to hazard his handfull of men not above 300. horse at the most and eight hundred foot the Enemies horse being full five hundred and neere upon double to his of their foote But drawing away hee found his Men so willing to fight and to put it to the hazard and that the Enemy stood at the Gaze and moved not at all he presently gave order that 160. of his Troopers should charge home on Stradlings whole body of horse which they did with such courage that on the second charge they tottaly routed aâ—l the enemies cavelry and following their good fortune continued to chase them six or eight miles together and untill the close of the evening having slaine and taken neere upon 100. they retreated to their Major Generall whilst in his owne person with his owne reserve of horse and foot he fell on the enemies Body where he killed of them on the place 120. and took of the remainder 500. more of them Prisoners with all their Armes cariages and Ammunition the residue both of their
so short a time where 200. good Souldiers the Towne Victuled are able to defend it against an Army of 5000. resolute men yet thus much ought to be ascribed to the Townsmen that howsoever formerly they stood divided amongst themselves as terrified with his Lordships continuall threats yet on the emperiuos demeanour of Guin the Governour and the insolency of Butlers Souldiers they to late found their error and foure dayes before the Major Generalls sitting downe sent him word of their good affection they had to do him any service which might conduce to make him Master of the place only this Intelligence was subscribed Tinby without any particular hands of the Inhabitants which the Major Generall calling to mind at the first entry of the Towne out of noblenes and the desire he had to preserve the place from ruine offered the Souldiers 200. l. out of his own purse to forbeare the plunder thereof but such was the greedinesse of Captaine Swanlyes sea men with some others of Capt. Poyers companie that he could not pervaile but the towne and many an honest man were without mercy and respect of more than three or foure persons were generally plundered and utterly undon The Major Generall thus miraculously prospering and his small numbers incouraged with good successe sent his summons to the Castle of Carew foure myles distant from Tinby where the Governour Capt. Edward Loyd a very busie active and violent man against the Parliament surrendred it upon conditions that hee and his company might safely retreate to Carmarthin whereby all the County of Pembrooke was then totally cleered of the Enemy the Major Generall after some pause and rest given to his tyred Forces then determined to invade the County of Carmarthin wch had so much indammaged that of Pembrooke through their pride and the contempt they had of so inconsiderable a party which had opposed the Lord Generall And the Summer 1643. being well entred having disposed of his prisoners in the Towne and Castle of PEMBROOKE the principalls as aforesaid were Colonell David Gwin Butler Lews two of the Bradshaws Edwards and Barlow all Captaines the last where of having beene Commander of the Pill-fort as aforesaid on sute of the Major Generalls wife a Gentlewoman of honourable comportment and on his owne protestations and oathes made to her that thence forth he could remaine a quiet man and a true prisoner after some time of close restraint had the free liberty to walke the towne but such was his and the perfidy of a Church Papist that shortly after taking his time in the night hee got over the Walls and for some few dayes hyding himselfe at one of his tenants houses journed directly to Oxford where with great earnestnesse he petitioned the King that an Army under some more experienced Commander then his Lordship of Caerbery might instantly be sent downe as well to prevent the Major Generalls incursions into the heart of South-Wales as also timely to reduce the County of Pembrooke to his Majesties obedience which the King at first absolutely denyed as a sute that then sorted not with the condition of his Majesties affaires but Barlow as obstinately perverce as persidious persisted so farre in his solicitation of her Majestie as that within a very few dayes after It was refolved by a Councell of Warre that an Army should bee sent downe and a way to be thought on how to raise such forces as might both master and ruine the County of Pembrooke to which command Colonell Gerrard was then designed as Generall and Commander in chiefe and the Earle of Caerbery then in a Cloud displaced Whilst these solicitations of Barlowes with his consederates were in agitation at Oxford the Major Generall moved from Colby-moore with all the Forces he could possibly make and marched up to Laherne an old open Towne but a strong Castle slighted somwhat before by the drawing away of Cap. Butlers company to Tinby here the Major Generall quartered for some few dayes whilst he sent a small party to Emblin Castle took it in and then drew off to Saint Cleers sixe myles short of Carmarthin where attending the comming up of more men with his ammuition he then marcht up within two myles of the place the height of his Army then strengthened with 160. English Irish foot as had somewhat before fled out of Ireland into Milford as over powred there by the Rebels but good Souldiers which he entertained with much alacrity with these those of his owne and 80. more taken in by the Major of Pembrooke out of Captaine Butlers company taken as before at Tinby with some few sea men amounting in all neer to 600. good foote and 200. horse at the most hee in countred the enemy then drawne out of the Towne having then within it 1000. foot at the least and neere upon 400. horse made up out of the severall Counties adjacent and such as out of love to his Lordship and the desire of gaine and purchase to themselves were come up to joyne with his honours forces the Enemy very Souldier-like had a forehand lined the hedges on the high-wayes and approaches to the Towne with store of Musketteers which the Irish foot with other seconds beate from hedge to hedge firing in a new dexterity with their matches lighted in their hands charging the Enemy twice for once which they performed with much agillity getting still ground on their enemies and following them home even to the out workes of the Towne whilst the horse had also a very hot incounter Captain Lucas a Sea Captaine with some others being there slaine on the place of the Majer Generalls party but more of the Enemys slaine and many more wounded on both sides the rest fled or in tearmes of more honour rather retreated into the Towne the Major Generall following them close at their heeles came up even to the gate of the entry of the Market place where for an houre or there abouts he Treaâ—ed with the Townsmen concerning the delivery of the place whilst Sir Henry Vaughan and the chiefe Commanders promising the Townsmen that they would march out at the East-Gate and so wheele about and fall on the reare of the Major Generalls horse all then in one body in Lammas street which is without the West gate and whither all the Generalls foot were then come up but nihil dictu facillius the brave wheelers about tooke the safer way of running away when the Generall made no more words but thrust in at the Gate with all his horse and foot where at his first entry Captaine Iohn Powell with some others were dangerously shot out of the Windowes and so being fully possest of the Towne he therequattered neere upon 40. dayes paying for all he tooke both in the Towne and all the way of his Quarters in that County only on conditions betweene himselfe and the Townsmen that 1000. l. should be collected amongst them as a benevolence to be given to the Souldiers for
redeeming the Towne from plunder and that in regard that some of his Commanders were shot after they had entered the place 600. l. there of being only paid the Generail and his Army spending that some double and treble before they retreated In the meane time the Townsmen for the most part weary of their guests and some which before were fled when no man thought them harme and were posted to Oxford and to the new Generall to hasten his comming to Carmarthin where by lamentable experience they soone found and long after felt the difference of their so journers The Major Generall shortly thereupon received certaine Intelligence of the advance and neare approach of the new and surious Generall and that he quartered at Brecknock but 34. miles from Carmarthin who besides the horse which he brought out of England all the way as he past the principallity he had raised what forces he could possibly make in the Counties of Brecknocke Monmouth Radnor Glamorgan and Carmarthin Inforcing all men of abillity to beare Armes and to attend him and about Midsummer following was come up to La numdovery and Albermarlis within 16. miles of the towne of CARMARTHIN Hereupon the Major Generall held the place with some better fortification tenable as that time would not then give him leave to perfect yet in as much as he knew the Towne and Counâ—ry generally to be false and rotten hearted as also that should he have resolved to hold the Towne as some are of opinion and do charge it upon him that he might have done yet a more weaighty reason prevailed with him timely to quit the place for that whilst he should have remained there Gerrard might match by and strike in betweene him and the whole Country of Pem. brooke whereby it would necessarily follow that his owne County the Townes and Milford-Haven would all have bin exposed to assured losse and ruine Gerrards numbers so much over-powring those of his not then exeeeding 800. horse and foor therefore whatsoever is objected by some of the malitious Committees in prejudice of the Major Generalls Councells that he might have stayed in an enemies Country without quarting on that of Pembrooke and have held the Towne of Carmarthin in spight of Gerrard only by such as are malitiously disposed to detract from his worth and utterly Ignari Belli yet lowd and bold talkers It was doubtlesse a good and well advised resolution timely to looke to his owne towns Milford-Haven upon these reasons he retreated to Laherne where leaving 100. good foot in the Castle under the Command of Captaine Iones a resolute Souldier within few dayes after made a faire retreat into his owne County with all his Cannon and Ammunition and giving order for the Guard of Tinby Carew and Pembrook made his head quarters at Haverford all which he fortified and man'd as well as time and his smal strength would permit whereupon enters the plundring Gen. Gerard into the County of Pem. accompanied with Sir Hen. Vaughan Sir Francis Lloyd Sir Iohn Stepney Mr. Barlow Major Hugh Butler Lloyd Young Rudd with all the remainder of my Lord of Carberies Commanders together with a rake-hell company more of plundering Captaines which before we have partly listed taken out of divers of his Majesties quarters and with this gallant and plundering Army consisting of 4000. horse and foote he continued all the rest of the summer as being absolute master of the field wasting spoyling and firing all the chiefe seates and * Houses of the Gentry and Committees driving away all the Inhabitants Cattell Sheep Horses Swyne and whatsoever else of valew much whereof was sent into England and other places of the principality under his command and not a little sold spent and playd away at Dice and in deboshery and having incampt himselfe at Wiston the mansion house of the Woogans three myles distant from Haverford never attempted on other then then on some small peeces as Picton Carew and Roch Castles the seates of Baronet Philips and Master Walter the last whereof he caused to be fired without ever falling on any of the three * greater townes but only attending the depopulation and utter destruction of the whole County till about Bartholmew tyde following wanting provisions for his owne quarters hee withdrew his Army backwards towards Carmaerthin to the Abby of Whitland aforementioned where he incamped and thence summoned the Castle of Laherne which Captaine Iohnes yeelded on conditions to march away with his men and Armes to Tinby and presently thereupon summoned the Castle of Emblin which was likewise surrendred unto him Colonell Russell then fortifying his own Castle of Laherne and his brother Colonell Gerrard doing the like at Clogervrane 4. myles distant each from the other were both in very short time made tenenable and very strong peeces the Generall then being called to the reliefe of Monmouth marcht thither with the best of his strength both of horse and Dragoones leaving the body of his Army at Whitland as aforesaid where about Michelmas following having eaten up all these Countries provisions they retreated to their winter quarters to Carmarthin leaving only behind them those two well fortified peeces of Laherne and Clogervrane on the South with the Castles of Cardican and Emblin on the North side of the County of Pembrooke all newly and well fortified having very souldier like made as hee conceived all things safe untill in the spring following hee might re-invade the Country take Haverford Tinby and Pembrooke and so utterly destroy the whole County The Major Generall being for that present then freed from this rabious Enemy and having a desolated Country open before him collects all the forces he could possibly make and fell in and upon the Towne and Castle of Laherne much about the beginning of October 1644. wherein Russell as aforesaid commanded and in his march thither with 100. horse in his owne person with an intent to view this new fortified peece upon an open heath a myle short of the place he was desperately charged with a party of Horse commanded by our Leiutenant Appleby the Major Generall having a little before layed in Ambuscado the better part of his horse which made Apleby the more bold to charge on a few having reskews straglingly comming up the hill unto him from the Castle to his reliefe The incounter was for the time hot and fearce and diverse of both sides shot and wounded untill Apleby ingaged within the Ambuskado was there slain with 15. more all of Russells Horse troope and all of them very stout and daring men the Generall beating the rest downe into the Towne in open sight of the Castle tooke full veiw thereof and retreated to his body quartered then 5. myles behind him and the next day being the first Sunday or 2d of October came up with his whole Army and quartered at Lacâ—durnon within halfe a myle of the Castle The Generalls Forces being then augmented with a
horse and foote fled towards Carmarthin 20. miles distant from the place of the battle The Major Generall having thus by Gods great blessing obtained so miraculous a Victory ascribed the glory to him that gave it and therupon tooke up his quarters at Haverford where treating with his Prisoners and understanding in what distresse the Towne of Youghall then stood he found most of them very willing to go for Ireland and to renounce the retaking of Armes against the Parliament whereupon having shipping ready in the Haven he gave present order for the embarking of 400. of them to bee Landed with all expedition at the Towne of Youghall whether it was their good happe timely to arive to the releife of the place and where they behaved themselves very manfully in sallying on the Rebells and beating them out of their Workes In the meane time the Major Generall following this Victory summoned the Enemies Garrisons of Picton Carew and Mannerbyer then the only remainder of Gerrards great and plundring Army which by degrees and within a very short time were all surrendred unto him and the whole County againe totally cleared of the Enemy The Major Generall then exceedingly tyred yet with as convenient speed as possibly he could drew up againe towards Carmarthin his owne County being then utterly unable to feed an Army and on the same of his approach and the Enemy there of greater strength then his and within a strong and well fortified Towne yet in Civility were well pleased to dislodge and to give way to the Major Generall to enter at one end of the Towne whilst the Enemy marcht out at the other The Towne and the whole County of Carmarthin then weary of the Warre and resenting their former forwardnes but especially the insolency of Gerrard his rapatios followers when at first they might have beene securely quiet submitted themselves to the Major Generalls command who notwithstanding he had before taken the place by storme never plundered it nor any part of the County but onely the hundred of * Durtlesse a skirt of that County destinated as it seemes on both sides to utter ruine as a peece lying between two dissenting Counties I am bound by the obligation of truth which I have assumed without all partiality to lay down all passages in their naked verity so neer as my own knowledge and other informations may warrant me and amongst many others here to leave this annimadversion of speciall marke Viz That Generall Gerrard was the most insolent and barbarous Commander that ever was employed in his Majesties service and in both his expeditions into those parts was accompanied with more dissolute and plundring Captaines then were in any of the Kings Armyes and with as desperate a crew of base and blaspemous Souldiers and theevs then any throughout the Kingdom The E of Carbery his kindred allyes and followers which at their first taking up of Armes were so sedulously forward against the Parliament have all of them very good cause to verifie this assertion Gerrard sparing not to put on his Lordship and his kindred all the skornes and insolent language that could have beene imagined to proceed from a Gentleman professing the way of honour telling Middleton the High-Sherriffe to his face and on no just occasion and one that was as forward in his Majesties service as any God-dam-me thou art a Turd and I will hang thee and such fellowes as thou art at your owne doores In short the welch Nation have had enough and more then their bellies full of their unnaturall rising against their consernatory yet thus much we must acknowledge as an advertisment in the eye of all men which were acquainted with the passages of those parts that my L. of Carbery in his owne nature howsoever sufficiently active himselfe as at first set on by the * Lords and annimated by others aforementioned was notstithstanding a moderate Commander and though timerous to be reputed a Traytor to the King should he not have complyed in the way as he did as that was and is the vulgar understanding of the times and of men which dived not into the nature of the controversie was doubtlesse a private well-wisher to the cause and if all be true as that unworthy fellow * and the first plunderer in the principality openly averd and at Oxford accused his Lordship to have plaid fast and loose with the King though there he cleered himselfe of that imputation yet in my own perticular I have very good reason to believe that in his heart hee wisht well to the State and was well content that the kingdoms forces might prevaile We have a little digrest but we shall now goe on in our relations and shew that so soone as the Major Gene had quietted and setled the County of Carmarthin with that of Cardican where only Colo. Iames Lews Captaine Thomas Evans Mr. James Philips with some of the Lloyds of any considerable qualty and active in the cause were most cordiall the rest of the Gentlmen generally retrograde The Gentlemen of the Countyof Brecknocke then much desired to associate with him to which purpose a meeting was appointed at Lanumdovery where in manifestation of their hartinesse they invited the Major Generall to quarter part of his Forces within their Countie where Colo. Harbert Price Gefferies and diverse others were inveterate enemies to the Parliament and were constant associates both with his Lordship of Carbery and the Generall Gerrard whereunto the Major Generall Laherne condiscended and shortly after came accompanied with 400. Horse and Foot and quartered at Brecknocke where having intelligence that that Irish Rebell and Traytor Col. Grady a Commander that never gave quarter to any of the Parliament party then quartered at Pembridge in the County of Hereford and neer upon 30. myles distance from Brecknocke he gave present and private Order that 100. horse and Dragoones should in the evening begin to march and so to compute the designe with the time as by the break of the next morning to fall upon Gradyes quarters which was so well performed as that the Majors men killed diverse of them in the place tooke 60. of the Enemies horse and dissipated the remainder of Gradyes Regiment upon their returne to Brecknocke the Major then presently resolved to march and unexpectedly lay down on the uttermost parts of the Countyof Cardican before Aberrustwith whither before he had given order that some Guns of Battery should be sent about unto him by Sea out of Milford-haven which being opportunly arrived he battered the Castle for certaine dayes but with little effect the place being strong and well fortified the enemy at his first arrivall leaving the town retreated al into the Castle then under the command of Maj. Whitly one of Gerâ—â—ds prime plunderers and having receaved intelligence from Glamor ganshire of the rising of Mr. Carne lately designed high Sheriffe of that County by the Parliament and that he held intelligence with the Enemy
and finding that he could do little good either by storme or battery on the place and having then received a second intelligence from some well affected Gentlmen of Glamon ganshire of the proceedings of Carne which had then raised 3000. good horse and foot and apprehending the consequence that he meant to joyn with Ragland forces and all the Papists of the County of Monmouth as also with Sir Jacob Ashley this plot of all others being of a most dangerous Consequence if not in speedily nipt in the badde and that It manifestly appeared that this Army would in a short time be the most powerfull and formidable of any his Majesty hath had on foot if considered with all circumstances both in respect of the Commander in chiefe and the men then to bee under his conduct and on a second consideration that within a few dayes they would or might have bin in the very heart of the County of Pembrooke and there ready to shake hands with the Irish Army so long expected and noysed then to be in readinesse for transport but taken at the best and as that Army then was and might have bin augmented without the Irish assistance it could not have failed to have reduced the whoâ— County of Pembrook taken the Haven and all the Townes then slenderly man'd together with the reducing of all the principallity to the irreparable losse of the State The Welch Nation being in the Generall a people skarce patient in peace but impatient to be left out of action in times of Warre whensoever prosperity and the name of the King and his anthority shall offer opportunity and incouragement to their unconstant spirits to turne with the wheele upon these considerations the Major Generall thought it not then fit to protract time having first secured his Cannon and re-sent them to Sea and leaving his old Camerado Colonell Powell to block up Aberastwith with such Companies as might suffice to Master and keepe the Enemy from excursions he undertooke the most difficult march that could have beene chosen throughout the Kingdome leading his little Army over as in accessible mountaines as Hamball did when hee past the Alps into Italy and through the whole length of the County of Cardican part of Carmarthin to Brecknock where recruting his forces he marcht through the rest of that county then into Glamorgan and unto Cardiffe in the very center of that shire 60. welâ—h miles all within 5. or 6. dayes at the most where with his wearied forces for three dayes together he fought with the enemy kept them from uniting routed and beat them in all places and killed of them neare upon 1000. stout and resolute Souldiers tooke many of their horse 2000. Armes reduced the whole County and retooke the strong Towne of Cardiffe man'd with 800. foot not without the losse of most of his owne Troope with 130. of his old foot yet to the utter overthrough and disapointing of the Enemies designe this County some few private men expected being totally falce to the Parliament and as we may justly say accomplished much to the admiration of the times Though now it is this Gentlemans ill fate as it hath ever bin of all notable Commanders to be the subject of detraction to be envied and basely traduced no rationall man knowes for what cause neither on what grounds more then this that by the hand of the Almighty he hath beene made the happy instrument of doing of that with little or no considerable assistance and with a poore handfull of men and through his patience Industry vigillancy indefatigable labour of body and continuall travell of minde for foure yeares together hath accomplished that which his shamelesse Enemies skarse ever durst to think on buâ— never to undergoe the tenths of the burthen care and toyle which by the Blessing of God to the shame of his enemies with all his traducers hee hath nobly and faithfully performed both in saving that little County of Pembrook from utter distruction and to the no small advance of all the Kingdomes affaires The premises considered it is in all humble manner offered to this most honourable Court that some of the Committees have borne to high as conceiving that the whole power of the Parliament rested in their hands I speake not of all for some of them have moderately carried themselves others so empeperious as expecting that not only the Souldier but the Generall himselfe should and ought to be wholly ordered by them esteeming the expence of some small proportion of their Provisions and eating a little of their Grasse and Graine an affront done to their Authority as well as to their persons not considering that where Armies are on foot liberty and the sword will beare the sway private Souldiers may happily obey their superior Officers But to bee over-awed with more masterly Committees then their owne Commanders seemed to them which knew what did belong to the Disciplin of Warre somewhat of a strange nature The difference extending to another kind of consequerce when the Souldier pressing for means were payd in the Coyn of bigge lookes and with acerbity of language doe you know where you are and to whom you speake doe you understand whom a Committee represents A soft answer appeaseth wrath good words would have done wonders and have freed some of them from unhorsing on the way and to be told to their faces that if they fought in their defence during their stay in the County they expected pay or free quarter untill they came where they might have both on cheaper tearmes We are bound impartially to deliver the truth of the most materiall passages and are not ignorant that discipline is the life of an Army but ill pay and fowle language the death of discipline and that souldiers will live wheresoever they are not provided for It is most true that the Committees being many and of the chiefe Gentrie of the Countrie for the greater part held themselves free from quarter had the faculty to help themselves to the prejudice of their poore neighbours which commonly were charged with more troopers then came to their shares on equall quarter whereas out of meere parcimony they preserved much of their own store of Corne and other provisions for the mercylesse Enemyes which had it bin timely disposed of either to their Garisons on the publike Faith or given freely to the souldier who then was to fight and defend them as they might have done Gerrards Army had bin to seek of subsistance and oâ— much which he took or fired when most of the Committees fled to Sea and left all to the futy of the Enemy wee which were strangers and eye-witnesses of these and many other carriages before wee left the Country very well saw that they might have bin otherwise mannaged then they were had not a kind of high and lofty bearing of some of the Committees together with the private spleene â—eâ—eds and factions amongst themselves bin the originall causes of
their present differences the fault of their sufferings by the Enemy being most injuriously by some of them now layd to the charge of the Major Generall we ought not to omit here to advertise that the little Army which hitherto hath bin under his command never exceeded 1800. horse and foot sometimes not above 1000. in the beginning not 500. and those made up principally of the Yeomandry of that County and of such Gentlmen and volunteers as out of zeale to the Cause and love to him his family have faithfully stood to both whence we affirm that should the General on every petty irregularity of the Souldier have used severity answerable to the discipline of an Army well payd he would have mist of many followers and happily fayled in the performance of much which by the blessing of God hee hath accomplished I speake not of the common souldier neither of those which were under the command of Capt. Poyer which in the Generall were of the very skum of the County of Pembrooke and raised as aforesaid by Captain Butler both Poyers foot and horsemen with Swanleys Seamen in the Generalty were none of the honestest men and such as more attended plundering without distinction either of friends or foes then the publike service we would willingly forbeare to remember what the Committees both in their Articles and late printed Remonstrance have charged upon him but that truth ought to appeare and that from a poore groom then a Glover after a searcher in the customes and at best a constant taker and sure holder fast of what so ever fish that came to his net he behaved himselfe like another * Jaques de Artivill not sparing to affront the best Gentlemen of the County and many more his betters when on the humor and his drinking mood he would find any occasion to pick a quarrell I plead not against his many services neither would that they should be forgotten but am humbly bold to advertise that neither some of the Committees ought to beare the sway which they have assumed noâ—Iohn Poyer and his Souldiers any longer suffered to robbe and plunder as they have done without a Parliament mus-rowle to put on his nose and an good Halter on such of his Souldiers as have often deserved it Now to the end that this poore distressed and desolated County o Pembrooke with the adjacent parts thereunto all miserably destroyed by fire and plunder may by the blessing of God recover and flourish as heretofore they have done and the Inhabitants inabled to live in peace and unity one with the other I have humbly taken leave to extend my advertisements as a conclusion to the rest of my observations submitting the whole to the wisdome and censure of this most honourable Court not expecting to give satisfaction to every humour concerned in our discourse as having therein tyed up my selfe to the line and levell of truth which as neere as possible either my owne knowledge or others informations could direct me hath beene impartially presented If in the circumstances of times and places mistakes of numbers or such like the substance reserved some what either hath bin omitted happily mistaken as particulars without the testimony of my owne kenning I ought nor wholly to be charged therewith since in all doubtfull and Ambiguous passages I have taken paines and have made meanes for punctuall instructions and from such persons of worth as better knew them then a stranger who nether was there in the very Principia of this horrid Warre nor privy to Gerrards last yeares incursion and cruelties into those parts otherwise then by inquiry and could not obtaine so exact a delyneation as I desired and if their occasions would have permitted were willing to afford me which might have more compleated the relation It may suffice that my aimes tends to the common good without either respect of private ends or selfe interests whatothers may be which here attend to make friends feweds sides and parties and in a malitious sedulity strive to compasse particular revenge under the umbrage of the publike service may be better discerned in their own faces and comportments then otherwise drawne in the formes and porttray of Pen-manship That the Committees complaynants have suffered much canot be contraverted neither is it a part of the dispute in difference their losses being included in the Common callamity my owne particular being of a sadder story then any of theirs only in the way of their complaint it is most evident that malice and envy hath shared with the most in their pursuit and happily may obstruct much of that compensation which they might have expected to receive from the Parliament especially in their traducing and blemishing of the Innocent with the nocent and those which have merited better things from them then to have durt cast in their faces herein J say I must leave them to themselves as men overballanced in their oppinions of their owne worth and since by the power of reason they have dispised to be perswaded there also J shall leave them to be invaded by the power of their owne abounding sence sure J am that the Committees here residing have not taken the right way of their owne repayre nor for the service of the Country neither in the manner of their adresse nor in the measure of their complaint I wish them all peace and happinesse with that great blessing of unity amongst themselves without which neither families can subsist nor Kingoms stand otherwise then in a tortering and concussive condition And since perswasions cannot prevaile to attone them when Almighty God hath sent the devouring and flaming sword amongst them and yet it availes nothing I crave the priviledge for the publike good and the present service of the Kingdom to say that the estates ought to interpose and to take present order therein 1. That some speedy course may be thought upon how to reduce the old fewds and new factions of the Gentry to unity and Concord amongst themselves both for the common good and the particuarl advance of the service in those Countries 2. That the insolencies of Iohn Poyer late Major of Pembrook with his Souldiers may be timely restrained from further plundring their friends instead of their foes and such of them as are able compeld to restirution that so the Genlemen and Inhabitants of the three Counties especially such as have faithfully stood to the Parliament may live peaceably in their own homes and without molestation suffered to begin the World a new on such relicts of their estates as hath bin by some few preserved from the fury of the Enemy and plunder of the Parliament party which as yet and untill a course be taken therein they dare not adventure to do or looke upon their owne homes and distressed Families 3. That to that purpose some severe and exemplaty discipline may be timely injoyn'd to the Chiefe Commanders for suppressing the boldnesse of the Souldiers and of such