and both marched in sight of each other a great Bog between only hindring their Engagement though the Cannon plaid on both sides Cromwel drew forth a forlorn to charge them leading them on in person and coming near their body one that knew the General fired at him with a Carbine but timerously which Cromwel observing called out and told him That if he had been one of his Souldiers he would have cashiered him for firing at such a distance This action of his was thought to have more of courage in it than discretion the Scots unwilling to ingage returned back to their Quarters Next day Aug. 28. the great Guns from the English Camp plaid hard upon the Scots and greatly annoyed them all which could not provoke them to fight but still kept within the protection of their Bog the English being in some want of provisions marched to their old Quarters at Pencland-hills and from thence with much difficulty to Muscleborough to recruit and then drew off their Forces quitted their Garrisons and marched to Hadington The Scots attending on their right wing fell into their Quarters with a resolute party and were as valiantly repulsed by a Regiment of Foot commanded by Collonel Fairfax Sept. 1. The Scots being advantagiously drawn up at the West-end of the Town the English drew Eastward into a fair and Champion ground fit for both Armies to ingage in but after several hours expectation of the Scots approach finding they would not follow them but only watched their advantage they marched towards Dunbar the Scots moving apace after them and at a pass attempted 〈◊〉 fall upon the Reer which the English perceiving faced about to fight them whereupon the Scots drew off to the Hills to endeavour to hinder the English at the pass at Copperspeth which they accordingly effected and then boasted they had the English in Essex's pound as King Charles the First had that General at great disadvantage in Cornwal in 1644. this pass being a place where ten stout men may obstruct the passage of forty thereby to hinder them from any relief from Berwick or perhaps to keep the English from running away so confident were they of victory being lately reinforced with three Regiments and from the Hills that incompassed this sickly remnant look'd down on them as their sure prey And indeed the English were invironed with all manner of apparent dangers their Forces were lessened their Bodies weakned with Fluxes their strength wasted with Watchings in want of drink always troubled with wet and cold weather and much impaired in point of courage two thousand at least being disabled for present service were sent to Berwick On the other side the Scots were stout and hearty in their own Country and upon advantagious ground and double the English in number they being six thousand Horse and sixteen thousand Foot whereas the other were but seven thousand five hundred Foot and three thousand five hundred Horse General Cromwel and his Council of Officers finding the Army unfit for further delays resolved the next morning Sept. 3. to force a passage through the Scots right wing or perish in the attempt and being in Battalia by break of day they fell unanimously upon the enemy with Horse and Foot who to hinder the English at a pass drew up all the Horse upon their right wing and valiantly received the Onset The word of the English was The Lord of Hosts that of the Scots The Covenant The English prest forward vigorously and resolved to vanquish or dye After one hours dispute the Scots were wholly routed the Horse fled and left the Foot exposed to all dangers who were most of them slain or taken prisoners the pursuit continuing eight miles from the Field of Battel Of the Scots were slain about three thousand and ten thousand taken prisoners many desperately wounded among whom were ten Collonels twelve Lieutenant-Collonels nine Majors forty seven Captains seventy two Lieutenants eighty Ensigns besides Cornets and Quarter masters with two hundred Colours twenty two Cannon several Field-pieces and fifteen thousand Arms. Those of Quality taken were the Lord Libberton and his Son the Lord Cromstown Sir James Lansdale Lieutenant-General of the Foot and divers others and the Purse to the Great Seal of Scotland The prisoners were so numerous that it seemed troublesome to keep as to take them so the General discharged near five thousand most sick and wounded the rest being about the same number were conveyed to Berwick by four Troops of Collonel Hackers Horse General Lesley escaped by flight to Edenburgh by Ten a Clock that morning the fight happened and carried the news of his own defeat to his Masters which so daunted them that Edenborough was presently deserted by its Garrison and Leith resolved to receive the Conquerors because they could not keep them out Sept. 7. Four Regiments of Foot marched into Leith where they found thirty seven Guns mounted on Platforms some Shot and Ammunition with store of Wealth The same day Cromwel drew the rest of his Army both Horse and Foot into Edenburgh without any loss save the Arm of a souldier taken off by a Cannon bullet from the Castle After which the Lord General sent a Trumpeter into the Castle to invite the Ministers to come and preach in their Churches which they refusing the English supplied their places He then caused a protection for Markets and liberty of Trade in Edenburgh and Leith to be proclaimed by Drum and Trumpet and marehed thence with his Army to Linlithgow leaving Collonel Overton with his Brigade behind and came within a miâ—e of Sterling from whence Cromwel sent a Letter to that Garrison expressing the Armies constant affection and tenderness to the people of Scotland which though hitherto ineffectual yet being so far advanced into their country desired them to consider of it and deliver up that place to the Common-wealth of England The Trumpeter that carried the Letter was met by a Gentleman on Foot with a pike in his hand who told him They would not let him come into the storm nor receive his Letter In the Afternoon came a Trumpeter from the Scots desiring release of prisoners to which Cromwel answered That they came not thither to make Merchandize of men or to make gain to themselves but for the service and security of the Common-wealth of England The same day a storm was designed upon Sterling but it not being thought practicable the Army marched back to Linlithgow which they fortified and made a Frontier Garrison being in the heart of the country leaving there five Troops of Horse and six Companies of Foot and Cromwel with the rest returned to Edenburgh where the General and Officers kept a Fast The Kirk party also about this time appointed a solemn Fast declaring the occasion of it to be 1. To humble themselves for their too much confidence in the arm of flesh 2. For the malignity and prophaness of their Army 3. For the plundrings and wickedness of their
Prince Rupert and the Van of the Army were and a Council of War being summoned it was resolved on as being the Kings opinion that to secure his rear they should march no farther North but presently give the enemy battel depending much upon the Valour of the Foot who were lately animated by the plunder of Leicester This advice was followed though most of the Officers were for staying till the Lord Gorings Forces came up but the King being much stronger in Horse doubted not of success and the other were as ready to ingage so that both agreeing in discord a large Field near Naseby was the place chosen by both parties for the Stage of this woful Tragedy wherein Fathers fought against Sons and Brothers gave death to each other all obligations of kindred and friendship being laid aside occasioned by that unnatural spirit of division which Heaven for our crimes had sent amongst us The King had Intelligence that Fairfax for fear was retreating to Northampton but found it a mistake he being then imployed in marshalling his Army in Naseby field and waiting for his coming Cromwel and Whaliey commanding the right wing and Ireton the left The Kings front was composed of a gallant body of Horse the foot made a second body the right wing commanded by Prince Rupert and Maurice the left wing by Sir Jacob Astley and the Lord Langley commanded the Northern Brigade of Horse other ancient commanders who having been in the Low-countries having their several posts the King himself being Generalissimo These being drawn out with the reserves took up the whole bredth of the field The Parliaments foot made a firm body in the midst commanded by Major General Skippon secured by the Horse on each side Prince Rupert charged first with such fury upon Ireton notwithstanding their valiant resistance that the left wing which he commanded was utterly routed and his men put to flight and driven upon the Kings foot of which Ireton was wounded in the Thigh with a Halbert and kept prisoner during the fight and the field eleared on that side the Prince persuing them through the Town and then sell upon the Waggons where being repulsed he lost so much time that Cromwel and Fairfax who had not yet stirr'd from their ground but with short speeches and ejaculations were encouraging their men came up and Cromwel clapping spurs to his Horse charged clear through three bodies of Langdales Brigade and utterly routed them never ceasing till he had beat that whole wing of the Kings Army from their ground without any possibility of rallying so that having as it were raked the field before him dividing the Horse from the Foot they were rendred useless to each other In this encounter one of the Kings commanders knowing Cromwel advanced briskly before the head of his Troops to exchange a single bullet with him and was with the like gallantry encountred by him both sides forbearing to come in till their Pistols being discharged the Kings Officer with a slaunting back blow of a broad sword happened to cut the ribbon that tyed Cromwels Murrion and with a draw threw it off his Head and now ready to repeat his stroke Cromwels party came in and rescued him and one of them â—lighting threw up ing and a little 〈…〉 at the chance 〈…〉 the wrong way on his head and so fought the rest of the day which proved highly fortunate to his side though the King managed the fight with much magnanimity and expertness and exposed himself to several threatning dangers in the Field The Horse being separated from the Foot as you heard fled toward Leicester Cromwel sent some few Troops in persuit to prevent their rallying and himself in the mean time joyning with his own foot so incompassed the Kings Infantry that notwithstanding the courage they had shewed that day so that their very enemies admired them yet being tired and hopeless of relief seeing death on every side they laid down their Arms and beg'd for Quarter This memorable Battel was fought June 14. 1645. The Parliamentarians word was God with Us. The Royalists God and Queen Mary and the success of it gave an absolute and undoubted Victory to the Parliament there being almost five thousand prisoners carried to London the Kings Standard and a hundred other colours were taken with all the Ordnance and a very rich Booty a great quantity of gold and silver and all the secret Letters of the King which were carried to London and publickly read before a great Assembly of Citizens where many Members of Parliament were present and leave was given to as many as pleased or knew the Kings hand to refute them if they were counterfeit But so few were slain in this fight that a Reader may justly wonder how so many prisoners should be taken and so much wealth gotten with the loss of so little blood for on the Kings side scarce four hundred were slain and on the Parliaments not an hundred and herein particularly the Kings dammage appeared very considerable that he had lost a brave Army lately heightned with success by the taking of Leicester and that there seemed no possibility of raising another the Victors prosecuting their advantage with so much vigilance and impetuosity for marching to Leicester it was soon delivered to them where Fairfax leaving a Garrison resolved to hinder the King from recruiting himself and followed him so close marching Westward both in persuit of him and to raise the siege of Taunton which had been a great while blockt up by the Lord Goring and held out to admiration but upon the approach of the Parliaments Army the siege was raised to their great joy who still persue Goring and overtake him near Lampert where they ingage and put them to flight but Cromwel would not suffer part of the Horse to persue till being all come-up together he himself led them on with such notable conduct that most of the foot were made prisoners and almost all the great Guns taken From hence he marched to Bridgwater which though of considerable strength and defended with much courage yet is soon taken by storm for Sir Tho. Fairfax sits down before it and after summons assaults the Town very desperately gaining the lower part thereof and then sends a second summons telling them That their denial wrought no other thoughts of compassion in him but only to Women and Children who might suffer by the Governours obstinacy Whereupon divers Ladies Gentlewomen and Children came out of the Town and then a second assault was made so effectually that the Governour capitulated and surrendred it there being a thousand Officers and Souldiers prisoners forty four barrels of powder fifteen hundred Arms forty four pieces of Ordnance and four hundred weight of match About this time a sort of people armed themselves in the West and took upon them the Name of Club-men declaring that they would permit no Armies to Quarter within their bounds and were so hardy as to make terms with
motions We left Cromwel and his Army upon the very edge of Scotland who upon July 22. 1650. drew them forth to a Rendevoz upon an Hill within Berwick bounds from whence they had an exact view of the bordering parts of Scotland where they were to act their parts to whom the General made a short speech exhorting them to be faithful and couragious and then they need not doubt the blessing of Heaven and incouragement from himself Which they received with shouts of approbation After which he marches into Scotland quartering in the Field that Night near the Lord Mordingtonshouse where proclamation was made That none upon pain of death should offer any violence to the persons or goods of any in Scotland not in Arms and no souldier should dare to straggle half a mile from the Army without special license From hence they marched to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to supply them the people having left their Habitations and nothing behind them Thence they came to Hadington twelve miles from Edenborough without any opposition or sight of an enemy next day hearing the Scots would meet them at Gladsmeer they endeavoured to possess the Moor before them but no considerable party appeared whereupon M. Gen. Lambert and Collonel Whaley with fourteen hundred Horse were sent as a Van-guard to Mustleborough to attempt something upon the Scots and Major Hains commanding the Forlorn faced them in less than a mile of their Trenches Cromwel with the residue of the Army drew up before Edenburgh and some skirmishes happened about possessing King Arthurs Hill within a mile of the City which the English gained and likewise a Church and other Houses but the Scots not enduring the shock that Night the English withdrew and lay close Incamped at Muscleborough being wearied with constant duty and continual rain The Scots were within four miles of them Intrench'd within a line which flanked from Edenburgh to Leich and lay so strong that the English lay still that day in the rain without covert but were incouraged with hope of a sudden Ingagement Next day the ground being very wet and provisions scarce the English resolve to draw to their Quarters at Muscleborough which while they were doing the Scots fell upon their Reer and put them into some disorder but some bodies of English Horse coming up charged and beat them to their very Trenches Lambert in this encounter was run through the arm with a Lance and had his Horse killed under him and was wounded in his body and taken prisoner and rescued The Scots had several kill'd some of Note and a Lieutenant Collonel a Major and some Captains taken prisoners After which the English marched quietly to Muscleborough that Night but so harrassed with dirt and watching that they expected the Scots would fall upon them which accordingly they did for about four next morning fifteen select Troops of Horse and others to the number of fifteen hundred armed with Backs Brests Head-pieces Pistols Swords and Lances commanded by Major General Montgomery and Collonel Stranghan came on with such resolution that they beat in the Guards and disordered a Regiment of Horse but the English being alarm'd instantly fell upon them with such courage that they routed pursued and did execution upon them till within a quarter of a mile of Edenburgh taking and killing about two hundred with several Officers of Quality Cromwel to discover his generosity released the principal prisoners and sent them to Edenburgh in his own Coach which did very much rectifie the opinions of many who by reports were perswaded he was very cruel The Army having again spent their provisions marched for a supply to Dunbar where the parliaments Ships constantly attended them with all Necessaries and then returning toward Edenburgh they understood the Scots were keeping a solemn Thanksgiving for their deliverance supposing they were quite gone and would have come no more but found themselves much disappointed Whereupon the General Assembly sent Cromwel by David Lesley their General a Declaration of the state of the Quarrel wherein they were to fight which he desired might be published That the General Assembly considering their must be just grounds of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing â—o subscribe the Declaration concerning his former carriage and resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God the enemies and friends thereof doth therefore declare That the Kirk and Kingdom will not own any malignant party their Quarrel or Interest but that they will fight upon their former principles for the Cause of God and their Kingdom and therefore as they disclaim all the sin of the King and his House so they will not own him nor his Interest any further than he shall disclaim his and his Fathers opposition to the work of God and the enemies thereof and that they would with convenient speed consider of the papers sent to them from Oliver Cromwel To whom the English General returned this answer That the Army continued the same they had profest themselves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to their own Souls it being no part of their business to hinder them in the worship of God according to their own Consciences as by his Word they ought And that they should be ready to perform what obligation lay upon them by the Covenant but that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken a King should be taken in by them and imposed on the English and thus called The cause of God and of the Kingdom and this done for the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as alledged Together with a disowning of Malignants although the head of them be received who at this very instant hath a party fighting in Ireland and Prince Rupert at Sea upon a malignant account the French and Irish Ships daily making Depredations upon the English Coasts and all by vertue of his Commissions and therefore the Army cannot believe that whilst malignants were fighting and plotting against them on the one side and the Scots declaring for him on the other it should not be the espousing of a malignant Interest or Quarrel but a meer fighting on former grounds and principles If the state of the Quarrel be thus and you resolve to fight the Army you will have opportunity to do that else what means our abode here And our hope is in the Lord. Having thus stated the cause of the War in disputing with the pen they next resolve to try the force of steel and fight it out for the month of August was near done and little action performed save the taking of Collington-house and Red-hall by storm and in it the Laird Hamilton Major Hamilton and sixty Souldiers sixty Barrels of powder one hundred Arms great store of Meal Malt Beer Wine and other rich plunder The body of the English Army removed forthwith from Pencland-hills till they came within a mile of the whole Army of the Scots
encounter the Forlorn Hope and in an instant routed them forcing them through the next Regiment which they likewise put to flight and had slain most of them but that the whole Army came up to their relief After which the Spaniards marched back to their Fort in good order and with little loss but near fifty English were slain besides Captain Cox their Guide The General hereupon retreats to the River to refresh his men with water which caused their weakness resolving once more to attempt carrying the Town causing Scaling ladders to be made and two small Drakes with a Mortar-piece to be landed from the Fleet and conveyed by water near the Town All things prepared they march forward some guides undertaking to carry them a private way out of danger of the Fort but missing it they fell into the same path and into worse mischief than before for the Spaniards having notice of their march by the Negroes and Molattoes resolved to entertain them in their passage and April 25. the whole Army approaching near a brick Fort built by the Spaniards having nine good Cannon and 300 men they were suddenly charged by a party hid among the Trees who though not above seventy first fired a Volley of shot upon the Forlorn and thâ—n flew in upon the English already weary and near choak'd with thirst and with their Steel Lances routed in a moment both them and the Generals Regiment with near half the Army who flying back into the Rear possest them with such a pannick fear that every one shifted for himself the Spaniards pursuing with great slaughter finding no resistance but from M. Gen. Haines who sold his life at a dear rate fighting in the midst of his Enemies at length the Spaniards weary of killing retreated with seven English Colours Of the English 600 were slain on the place 300 wounded and 200 fled into the Woods to save themselves and were there knock'd on the head by the Malatto's and Negro's Upon this disaster the Army that Night drew up to the Spanish Fort and planted a Mortar conveniently against it all things being in readiness for a battery when on a sudden the Army was commanded to draw off and without doing any damage marched to their old watering place the Bay where being arrived and wanting Victuals they were forced to go out in patties to fetch it some never returning being 〈◊〉 by the Negroes till at last they were forced by famine to eat the Horses of their own Troop In this miserable state they continued some days at length it was resolved that May 3. they should all go aboard and in ten days they arrived in the chief Port of Jamaica called Oristano where they had better success soon possessing the Town and then the Army began to take up their Habitations and to plant This was the first planting of this gallant Island by the English which has since grown so rich and populous and of so great advantage to this Kingdom and they gained it the more easily because at their landing it was resolved by a Council of War that if any man turned his back to the enemy his bringer up should kill him And the Spaniards having no Intelligence of their late overthrow at Hispaniola nor indeed suspecting any Hostility fled away at the approach of this formidable Army and withdrew their Goods into the Woods by a pretended Treaty with the English whither parties were sent to follow them and to kill Cattel for the Army of which they found store of very good without fighting to their great relief Soon after the Generals Pen and Venables arrived in England and the protector in reward of their Services committed them both prisoners to the Tower A little to alleviate this misfortune Gen. Blake about this time being sent to the Streights with a gallant Fleet to scour the Seas of Turkish pyrates who had taken and destroyed many English Ships and enslaved their persons he first seeks them out at Sea but not finding them resolves to go home to them and March 10. 1655. arrives at Algiers and Anchored without the mold sending a messenger to demand satisfaction of the Dey for the depredations committed on the English and required the delivery of the Captives of our Nation immediately The Dey having provided a large present of Beef and Mutton and other fresh provisions alive returns the â—essenger with them and this answer to the General That the Ships and Captives already taken belonged to particular men and therefore it lay not in his power to restore them withou the general discontent of all his subjects yet as for the English Captives that were there if he pleased to redeem them he should and he would set a reasonable and indifferent price upon their heads and that if the General thought good they would conclude a peace with him and for the future offer no Acts of Hostility on their part to any of the English Ships or Natives This answer seemed satisfactory to the General and accordingly the captives were redeemed and a peace concluded Having thus dispatch'd the affair of Algiers General Blake sails next to Tunis where sending a summons to the Dey he received a very disobliging answer for having secured their ships as they imagined under their Castles they in scorn and contempt sent him word Here are the Castles of Goletta and our Ships and Castles of Porto Ferino do your worst but do not think that we are affrighted at the sight of your Fleet. This resolute reply exasperated both the General and Seamen who resolved to be revenged and a Council of War being called it was resolved to burn the nine ships that were in Porto Ferino which they accordingly effected for every ships Boat being manned with stout and resolute Mariners were sent into the Harbour to assault and fire the ships whilst the Admiral Vice-Admiral and Rere Admiral play broad-sides continually on the Castle to prevent their sinking the boats who after a brave assault burnt the ships and return back again only with the loss of 25 men and 48 wounded This daring action of General Blake resounded to the honour of the English Nation as far as the Grand Signiors Court at Constantinople But to digress a little about this time Christians Queen of Sweden to the admiration of all Europe resigned up the Crown and Kingdom to her Kinsman Carolus Gustavus being contented from a mighty Princess to put her self into the condition of a Lady Errant desiring only these conditions might be granted her from her successor 1. That she retain a good part of her Kingdom and the customs to her self 2. That she will be no subject but absolutely free without controul 3. That she will Travel whether she pleaseth To these Prince Charles made this reply 1. That he would not be a King without a Kingdom 2. That he will have no Rival nor Superior 3. That he will not hazard himself about her designs abroad However these differences were so