English as would wash them out of their Country if not out of the world and to make sure work imagining they had them now in a Pound they being well acquainted with the Country set a strong Guard upon the Pass at Copperspeith a place where ten stout men may obstruct the passage of fourty thereby to intercept or hinder all provisions or relief from Berwick or perhaps to hinder the English from running away lest any thing should be wanting to compleat their imagined neer approaching Victory For as a late ingenious * R H. his discourse of England Author hath it writing upon this subject The Scots from those high hills that encompassed this sickly remnant and which they had possessed themselves of look down on the English as their sure prey But as the same Author goes on how much better had they done had they levelled those mountains which surrounded their wretched enemies and which proved such sleight defences against a vertue backt with necessity and so made them an easier passage to their homâ—… by reason of their sickness did very â—…ant it And no marvel the Scots were thus confident For besides that they were stout and hearty in their own Country and upon advantageous ground in all which respects the English were at a loss they doubled the English in number they being 6000 Horse 16000 Foot whereas the other were but 7500 Foot 3500 Horse Two to one is great oddes and yet as the case then stood they must either fight manfully or tamely give up themselves a prey to their insulting Enemy which the English not having been accustomed to do knew not how to begin now Neither did all these straights difficulties and disadvantages in the least dismay the Lord General who as a Rock remained immoveable in this Sea of dangers and who considering that the present necessity required more then an ordinary courage and that this must be his Master piece or Misfortune after he had well view'd the Enemy and found that they had drawn down about two thirds of their Left wing of Horse to the Right causing them to edge down toward the Sea shogging also their Foot and Train to the Right a posture not well to be understood unless it were by this means to make short work and to catch the English as it were in a Purse-net saw that it was no time to use many words and that small debates must produce great actions and therefore after a short consultation had with his chief Officers it was concluded to take such a course as might let the Enemy see it was in vain for them to go about to abridge them of their liberty by any power or policie that they could use The better to do this the Lord General drew forth six Regiments of Horse with three Regiments and a half of Foot to march in the Van the Horse were commanded by Major-General Lambert and Lieutenant-General Fleetwood the Foot by Commissary-General Whalley and Colonel Monk To second these were Colonel Pride's Brigade and Colonel Overton's Brigade Two Regiments of Horse moreover brought up the Rere with the Cannon All things being thus in a readiness the Souldiers desired nothing more then the coming of the time when they should fall on that so they might shew their Valour to purpose It was resolved Sept. 3. to fall on by break of day but by reason of some impediments it was delayed till six of the clock at which time Major-General Lambert Lieutenant-General Fleetwood Commissary Whalley and Colonel Twisleton all stout resolute Commanders gave a furious charge upon the Scots Army who stoutly sustained the same and gallantly disputed the business at the swords point The English Foot in the mean time fired roundly upon the Enemies Foot but with more courage then success for being over-powred they were forc'd into some disorder notwithstanding they soon recovered their ground being reinforc'd by the Generals own Regiment And now the Fight grew hot on all sides The English Horse flew about like Furies doing wonderful execution insomuch that the place soon became an Aceldama or field of bloud The Foot were not behinde in their capacities for the Pikes gallantly sustained the push of their Enemies and the Muskets seemed by their often firings to have a designe to alter the property of the Climate from the Frigid to the Torrid Zone Neither were the English more free of their Powder then the Scots especially Lawyers Regiment of Highlanders were of their Bullets until their Horse being totally dispers'd and enforc'd to quit the Field left the Foot exposed to all dangers which they seeing began to shift for themselves as well as they could throwing away their Arms and betaking themselves to their heels a poor shift it being better to fight a day then run an hour To be short the English at last so far prevailed as to give a compleat Overthrow by the utter routing of that Army which had but lately triumphed in a confident assurance of Victory This was the work of one hour but it ended not here for the Rout begetting a Run the fugitives were pursued eight miles from the place Of the Enemy were slain in all about 3000 many prisoners of quality taken besides 10000 private souldiers with 15000 Arms all their Train of Artillery great and small the Leather-Guns not excepted and for standing Trophies of this great Victory 200 of their Colours were sent up to the Parliament at London who caused them to be hung up in Westminster-Hall where they remain till this day As Sea-sick passengers in a boisterous Ocean receive as it were new life and spirit upon safe arrival at their desired Port so the English Army who had been tossed up and down in a strange Country and almost spent by hard duty and the unsutableness of the Climate were now revived by this miraculous Victory And the Lord General seeing their courage to be up resolved it should not flat for want of exercise and therefore the better also to improve this Victory and to secure what he had gotten he dispatches away Lambert with six Regiments of Horse and nine of Foot to attaque Edinburgh the Metropolis of Scotland and secure Leith that so the English ships might thence readily and without obstruction yeeld necessary supplies to the Army The Lord General himself remained some small time at Dunbar to dispose of prisoners and to order other matters as the occasion required And the prisoners being so numerous that it seemed to be as much trouble to retain them as it was to take them the Lord General discharged neer upon 5000 of them most sick and wounded the rest much about the same number being conveyed to Berwick by four Troops of Colonel Hacker's Horse Having given this account of the captives a word or two of those that escaped by flight Their General it seems was one of that number and none of those that made the least haste neither or else he could not have been
Marston-Moor and there draws up his Army in Battalia to the best advantage the ground would permit Lesley was in the mean time marching with his Army toward Tadcaster after the Prince but hearing what he had done he wheels about to give him Battel The Prince having possest himself of all the advantages that might be keeps his ground The Generals Lesley Manchester and Fairfax having drawn up their Army in as good form as the time would permit placing most of Lesleys and Fairfax his Horse in the Right Wing Manchester's with other of the Scotch Horse made the Left commanded by Cromwel who had that Charge committed to him for the day the Foot made up the Main Body Both Armies standing in this posture Prince Rupert's Left Wing making the first Charge dissipates the Parliaments Right prosecuting their Charge with such fury and vigour that in a trice destruction was everywhere seen Cromwel in the Left wing not knowing what had befaln the Right couragiously charges Rupert's Right wing which soon turned the scale before inclining toward the Prince the advantage he got here by his wise improvement thereof soon redounded to the whole Army for although many for fear disbanded themselves and fled yet the rest as many as could be got together being led on by the Noble Earl of Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairfax the last of whom received in his face that day a Mark of Honour joyning with victorious Cromwel made the day clearly theirs This Fight was the most bloudy of any in all the Civil wars wherein was great slaughter on both sides judged by spectators to be little less then ten thousand men Prince Rupert and his helpers being thus discomfited they fall out and lay the blame of the miscarriage one upon the other the Earl of Newcastle and others of quality leaving the Kingdom thereupon This impediment being removed the Siege of York was renewed which City though governed by valiant Glemham being hopeless of new succours was soon yeelded Many other examples of Cromwels great Atchievements both North and west might be given even whilst he was in a lower capacitie but studying brevity we shall pass over many things and come to speak of him as under the New Establishment in which he received a greater Command The Parliament seeing the war to be tedious and finding that notwithstanding the daily great effusion of bloud and vast expence of treasure small progress was made in the Kingdoms resettlement they resolve on a new course by new-modeling the old Army and to prevent the just offence of any of their Members who might be displaced thereby they pass an Ordinance commonly called The self-denying Ordinance that no Member of Parliament should serve in the Army but wholly attend the service of the House unless they had the Houses license for so doing Then they recruit the Army which had been much wasted by Sickness and a late defeat in the West to One and twenty thousand viz. Fourteen thousand Foot Six thousand Horse and One thousand Dragoons commissioning Sir Thomas Fairfax their General Cromwel being then in the West and receiving intelligence of the new Establishment and of the self-denying Ordinance though he were a great and victorious Commander yet he had not forgotten to obey but immediately disposing of those under his Command he posts towards London to attend his service in Parliament according to their late Ordinance aforesaid and understanding that the General was then at Windsor he took that in his way and went to kiss his Excellencies hand and take leave of him But the Parliament being sufficiently sensible of his worth and how excellent an instrument he might be in carrying on the War they would not suffer him to desert his Military employment and the next morning before he came forth of his chamber a Commission was sent him by the Committee of both Kingdoms whereby he was made Lieutenant-General of Horse to the whole Army Upon this new Establishment the Kings party were very much heightned thinking it an easie matter now to subdue the Parliaments Army being thus chopt and changed and many eminent Commanders laid aside and discontented But they found the contrary for as a fractur'd bone well set becomes the stronger so this broken Army being skilfully handled became so well knit that it was thereby rendred far more vigorous and effective But to proceed Cromwel having accepted of this new Command he immediately applies himself to action For the Kings main Mid-land Forces under the Command of Prince Rupert lying then about Worcester and the borders of Wales intending to take the Field they sent a Convoy of two thousand Horse to Oxford to fetch off the King with the Train of Artillery and to procure Recruits for the Army Fairfax having intelligence hereof sent Cromwel with a party of Horse and Dragoons to impede their passage No sooner was order given but he was at the work for with incredible swiftness marching to seek his enemy he found them at Islip-Bridge and there encountred them and that with so much gallantry that he took 500 Horse and 200 Prisoners among whom were many persons of quality here he took also besides many other Trophies of Honour the Queens Standard And knowing it to little purpose to gain a Victory and not to prosecute it he therefore pursued the remnant that escaped to Blechington-House where Colonel Windebank kept a Garison for the King he summons the place requiring a speedy rendition giving its Governour to understand that otherwise they must expect the effects of the fury of an enraged Souldiery The Governour being terrified by the late defeat it seems despairing of relief from Oxford and doubting his own strength delivers up the House with all the Arms and Ammunition therein marching to Oxford where he was shot to death for his pains So that here were two Victories the well improvement of the first procuring the second But letting pass many of his more inconsiderable actions if any of his in this kinde may be so termed we proceed to give an account of his carriage in that remarkable and fatal Battel of Naseby onely mentioning that feat at Bampton-Bush where he took Sir William Vaughan Lieutenant-Colonel Littleton with divers other Officers and 200 common souldiers This Battel of Naseby brings to minde the saying of that learned man Hugo Grotius viz. When people fight for their liberties the Princes Crown lies at stake which was verified upon the King in the effects thereof for the scale of his affairs was thereby so turned that in short time after he both lost his Crown and became subject to the will of his enemy being never after favour'd with one successful attempt This Battel was fought on the 14 day of June 1645. neer Naseby The Kings Army lying in and about Harborough where Prince Rupert's Head-quarters were they had resolved the night before to fight Fairfax knowing themselves to be much stronger then he especially in Horse They were not more forward
by reason of their long continuance from their Callings could not possibly set themselves to work and therefore must use their Swords to the best advantage either upon some new employment or exercise arms on the High-way Our new State being very sensible of this as they were not onely vigilant to see but careful in preventing all inconveniences that might happen found out a way to divert these ill Humours that lay lurking in the Body of the Nation by sending them to Ireland where they might do GOD and their Country good service in subduing the Rebels that now were grown so powerful that no place but London-derry and Dublin it self were able to withstand them nor they neither without speedy succours from England This Rebellion the most barbarous and bloody of any that ever broke out in any part of the world acted by Devils in humane shape rather then by men murthering no less then 200000 Protestants in two Months time without any regard either to Age or Sex was put in practise on the 23 day of October 1641. which though it had been contrived with such privacie and acted with such violence yet Divine Providence did wonderfully preserve Dublin to be a Refuge for such as escaped thither from other places to avoid the fury of their bloody Persecutors Now Ireland lying in this sad condition weltring in blood and overwhelmed in the greatest Misery that Fire and Sword could inflict many of the poor Protestants get into England hoping there to finde shelter from the persecuting Enemy but this proved little comfort to those distressed Souls for here they finde to the great Augmentation of their Grief that England prepares on all sides to act the same upon one another vvhich had been done against them in Ireland But although the difference between the King and Parliament grew vvider every day then other they endeavouring rather to get advantages then compose differences yet 't was so agreed that some Regiments should be sent over into Ireland to stop the proceedings of the Rebels vvhich in effect vvas but as a Bucket of vvater cast on a flaming House that could do little to the quenching of it After some time the King in England finding his strength every day more and more decrease and the Parliament to get ground of him in most places did not onely send for those Forces out of Ireland again but many of the Rebels themselves came to his assistance so that Ireland by this vvas in a vvorse condition then ever forsaken of all and left to be vvorried by those Blood-thirsty Wolves vvorse by a thousand degrees then the ravenous brood vvhich their Country produceth yet vvhen their condition was at the worst it pleased GOD vvho never fails his People in distress but makes their necessity his opportunity to stir up the Parliament in England vvith Bowels of compassion to look on the distresses of their Brethren Long had they fasted and prayed for them but did not add to it their helping hand one vvithout the other can never do much good but joyned together a small Force is sufficient to accomplish great Designes A desperate disease requires a desperate Cure The State-Physitians of England having now quite purged out Monarchy vvith all its Appendants and verified the words of Bishop Laud No Bishop no King the first with the Ceremonies of the Church being fallen quickly after came the other down also they resolve to send the same sharp medicine to cure the Bleeding VVounds of Ireland which they thought had cured England and to that end they send over an Army under the Command of Valiant Cromwel vvhose Actions there vve now come to HIS WARS IN IRELAND A General ought to have these four Properties to make him Victorious 1. A good Cause 2. Strict Discipline 3. Valour and Resolution 4. Lastly Celerity For the first none but the Papists will deny it for the rest no man in the world could shew more Valour and Resolution nor Prudence to govern it then General Cromwel A strict Discipline he ever observed which is the Life of an Army sparing none that transgrest against the Articles of War which were instituted for their better conduct His Souldiers carriage and behaviour through their Generals care won more then his Sword A Designe being once resolved upon usually himself was the Messenger to bring the Enemy tidings thereof and then he would hardly give them leave to Arm before he assaulted them either by Storm or Battel This made the old Emperour of Germany say to some of his Courtiers upon his hearing of News from England That he thought Cromwel by transmigration was possest with the Spirit of Gustavus his old Enemy so neer did their actings in the Wars agree Ireland to speak of its condition a little before he undertook his expedition thither was in a manner wholly reduced by Ormond formerly made Lord-Deputy by the Queen who having joyned his Forces to the Rebels and Inchequeen himself being now fallen off from that cause which before he stoutly defended no visible Force remained in the Field to oppose the Enemy who had the Kingdom wholly at their devotion except London-derry which was governed by Sir Charles Coot and Dublin the chief City wherein was Col. Michael Jones with no great Force and that which made it less was the suspition he had of his own Souldiers fidelity who many times deserted their Colours The Enemy with a numerous Army lay under the VValls of it with many menacing Summons requiring of them a speedy rendition yet through the vigilancy of the Governour Valiant Jones it held out to the confusion of the Besiegers But his present danger made him reiterate his Calls to the Parliament in England for speedy Aid of Men and Provisions alleadging that else all would be lost and they being sensible of his condition expedite their Assistance appointing Com. Gen. Ireton Col. Scroop Col. Horton Major Gen. Lambert with their four Regiments of Horse Col. Ewers Col. Cook Col. Huson and Col. Dean with theirs of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons all old Souldiers of the English Army whose Valour had often been tried in many sharp Encounters and found not to fear the countenance of the fiercest Enemy Besides these other Regiments were raised by beat of Drum to make up the number sufficient to carry on the VVork effectually The Souldiers being in readiness and nothing wanting but a General the Parliament having had experience of Cromwels great worth and valour knowing no man more fitting for the Employment desired him to accept of it who received it with a great deal of chearfulness expressing how ready he was to serve in this Employment above any in the world not doubting but GOD would make of him an Instrument to execute Vengeance upon the Rebellious Irish This answer was so highly resented by the Parliament that immediately they constitute him General of all their Forces in that Kingdom and Lord Governour both as to Civil and Military Affairs in
with him a strong Garison and to make all sure Ormond Castlehaven and the Lord of Ards in their own Persons caused 1500 men more to be boated over to reinforce it Of this the Army were Spectators but could do nothing to impede their Entrance The Lord Governour no sooner approached it but he sent the Governour a Summons to this effect That since his coming into Ireland he ever avoided the effusion of blood having been before no place where he did not first send them such terms as might be for their preservation and to continue the like course he summons them to deliver up the town to the Parliament of England To this no answer at present was returned until three great Guns planted before it began to play then the Governour fearing to fall into the same Praemuniri that other Garisons had done before was content to treat which they did and came to this issue That the Town be delivered up and they within march away with bag and baggage Whilst these things were in doing Kingsale Cork Youghal Bandon-bridge and other Garisons voluntarily declared came under obedience In the North Sir Charles Coot and Col. Venables were very successful the Lord Braughal and Col. Huson in other places did very good service I should here particularize some of them but that my whole designe is to march along with the main Body of the Army Ross being now in Cromwels Possession he caused a Bridge of Boats to be laid over the River Barrow and the Army to sit down before Duncannon a strong Fort commanded by Col. Woggen who had formerly served the King in England This place was so well provided with all things that upon consideration at a Councel of War it was looked upon to be time lost in tarrying long before it therefore the Army speedily rise and march away into the County of Kilkenny where Ormond having joyned his Forces with Inchequeen gave out that he would fight whatever came of it His Army was strong both in Horse and Foot far out-passing Cromwel's who was weakned by continual duty hard marches the Flux and other sicknesses raging amongst them occasioned by wants and unseasonable weather commonly quartering in the field yet for all this Ormond that Ignis fatuus upon the approach of the Army whose weaknesses at that time required rather an Hospital to cure their distempers then an Enemy to make fresh wounds vanished away without giving one stroke Whereupon Col. Abbot reduced Enisteoge a little walled Town about five miles from Ross and Col. Reynolds with twelve Troops of Horse and three Troops of Dragoons marching up to Carrick having divided his men into two parts whilst they were amused with the one party he entered a gate with the other taking about one hundred Officers and Souldiers without the loss of one man The news of this place no sooner arrives at Ross but the Lord-Governour Cromwel who for some time had lain there sick marched away immediately to reduce the City of Waterford hoping to gain that important place before the Army should draw into Winter-Quarters No sooner was he come before it but a Regiment of Horse and three Troops of Dragoons were dispatched away to reduce Passage-Fort this party soon made them desire quarter and deliver up the Fort and Castle in it were five great Guns and much Arms and Ammunition These Garisons now in the hands of those that could make good use of them were of great importance to the reducement of Munster and consequently of all Ireland The Lord-Governour being now before Waterford and seeing the City resolved to stand upon their own defence it being now December the weather also very wet and his Forces weak he draws them off into VVinter-quarters that they might be refreshed against the Spring to finish the work so prosperously begun Their quarters were at Bandon-Bridge Col. Ewer and his Regiment at Kingsale Col. Stubber at Cork Col. Phaier and Col. Cook at Wexford and Youghal the Head-quarters in other places convenient for a quick conjunction if occasion should serve the Army was placed Now the Souldiery are taking their rest we may look back a little upon some Actions which fell out since their leaving Waterford No sooner was the Army marched away but Passage-Fort was besieged by a party from Waterford and another from Duncannon joyned together but Col. Zanckey setting upon them routed the whole party killing a great many and carrying away 350 prisoners Many other Skirmishes were maintained with the like success yet little comfort could be had in them when the loss of Lieutenant-General Jones vvas reflected upon he died of a violent Fever at Dungarven December 20 1649. He was a man real to that trust which was reposed in him a daring man yet governing his Valour with discretion which makes a good Souldier not rash but advised in all his attempts a great loss he was to the Army yet not all for quickly after followed Col. Wolf and Scout-Master-General Roe the Army had their share of this mortality if the Commanders fall how can it be expected the common Souldiers should escape free But to salve up the business continual supplies were sent by the Parliament from England which made them as it were immortal so that though many men were lost their number was not diminished Whilst the Army lay in their quarters Cromwel was not idle he visited all the Garisons that were in his possession in Munster and ordered all Affairs both Military and Civil Coming to Kingsale the Maior as in other places presented him with the Mace and Keys which he kept not returning them again and conferred the Office upon another This was looked upon the more because it had not been used by the Lord Governour but the Maior being an Irish-man and withal a Papist it was not thought fit to trust such a one with the Government of so considerable a place Now Cromwel knowing that he which intends to do much business must rise betimes and lose no opportunity his Souldiers had not breathed in their Winter-quarters fully two months before he marched out of Youghal with about 3000 to enlarge his quarters when they were in the field he divided them into two parties himself took one the other was led by Ireton who marched away to Carrick there to reinforce himself by the conjunction of Col. Reynolds These were to march into the Enemies quarters two several ways and to meet together at a Rondezvous near Kilkenny in order to this designe Cromwel takes vvith him one party and marches away over the Blackwater towards the Counties of Limerick and Tipperary The first place he took in was a Castle called Kilkenny upon the edge of the County of Limerick afterwards in his march fell in Clogheen-House and Roghil-Castle here he passed the River Sewer with much difficulty and immediately marched away to Featherd a Garison-Town governed by one Butler about ten at night they got into the Suburbs and sent a Trumpet with a
number of 1500. all armed with Backs Brests Head-pieces Pistols Swords and Lances as if they had intended to inflict some strange new-fashion'd deaths upon the English July 30. about three or four in the morning Straughan gave a furious Camisado on a Body of the English in their quarters which being sudden did somewhat disorder a Regiment of Horse but the Alarm being given raised so many English spirits that soon frighted away the Scots pursuing them to their own homes In this encounter were killed and taken about 200 with seven Officers ' of quality Straughan himself because he could manage his horse no better was fain to trip it on foot to Edinburgh with shame enough Here the Lord General to let the Scots see what a generous Enemy they had to deal withal discharged the chiefest of the prisoners taken and sent them to Edinburgh in his own Coach which not onely begot him great applause but tended much to the rectification of those who had harboured so much prejudice against him by reason of those strange reports broached of his pretended cruelty Now the Armies provisions being welnigh spent they retire again to Dunbar there to renew their supplies from the Ships attending for that purpose by order from the English Parliament vvho knowing victuals to be the life of VVar money being onely the sinews took care to provide a continued course of Recruits After convenient supply and refreshment returned immediately towards Edinburgh to accompany the Scots in their Rejoycing they being then very seriously keeping a solemn Thanksgiving for their supposed great deliverance imagining that the English Army was quite gone as if they had come onely to see how they did or whether Edinburgh stood where it did when they were there last This unexpected visit spoiled their sport and made them change their none notwithstanding the presence of their King then but newly come thither from St. Johnstons who although he had been lately crowned had not a Crown in his pocket the Kirk it seems thinking him not yet fit to be trusted with money till he had more amply lamented the sins of his father and put on those Yokes they were preparing for him which he fearing would not prove very easie made no haste to take upon him About this time the General Assembly with David Lesley their General sent to the Lord General Cromwel a Declaration as Lesley call'd it containing the state of the Quarrel in which they were to fight as if they had such a minde to it desiring that this their Declaration might be publikely known Whether their request were fulfill'd then or no I know not I shall so far gratifie them now as to endeavour the same by reciting it briefly as followeth THat the General Assembly considering there might be just grounds of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing to 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 and guilt of the King and his House so they will not own him nor his Interest any further then he shall disclaim his and his fathers opposition to the work of God and the enemies thereof And withal that they would with convenient speed consider of the Papers sent to them from Oliver Cromwel and vindicate themselves from the falshoods contained therein Very short but not very sweet it carries a sting in its tayl The imputation of falshood might much more justly and properly have been kept at home all things considered The Lord General Cromwel returns them 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 VVorship of God according to their 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 this called The Cause of God and the Kingdom and this done upon the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as alleadged 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 on 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 fighting and plotting against them on the one side and the Scots declaring for him on the other should not be an 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 say you resolve to fight the Army you will have oportunity to do that else what means our abode here And our hope is in the Lord c. Thus the cause of the VVar was stated as if the Scots had been ignorant of the grounds and reasons of the English Armies coming into their Country Now there remains nothing but fighting and how well they quit themselves therein is next to be shewn The Lord General seeing that by no means he could provoke the Enemy to an engagement having sufficiently victualled his men at Muscleborough Aug. 17. 1650 he advanced and pitched his Camp on Pencland Hills In this march the Scots drew forth several Bodies of Horse and faced the English but they were so wary as to keep out of harms way not coming within Gun-shot The Army having taken up their Quarters on the hills two Troops of Dragoons are sent out to dispossess the Enemy of Collington-House About this time a Serjeant of Colonel Cox his Regiment with three others his associates was called to account for plundering a house and stealing a Cloak which being proved the Serjeant was condemned to be hang'd and notwithstanding the scarcity of trees in those parts the Sentence was executed on him for an example to others The other three Souldiers found mercy and obtained pardon So careful was the General to preserve the Country according as he had promis'd them before in his Declaration Then the Scots drew forth on the west side of Edinburgh between the river Leith and the Sea to the number of two or three thousand Horse conceiving that the Army intended to possess a pass over the said River Which the Lord General seeing he drew forth a Forlorn to engage them himself in person leading to shew the Scots his readiness to fight them Approaching near to their Body one that knew the Lord General fired a Carbine at him but timerously
spight of those showers of great and small shot that were poured upon them at their approaching the shore in exchange whereof Colonel Overton caused his men to pay them in their own coyn by firing upon them out of the Boats which being performed with admirable courage and gallantry made the Scots break off the dispute and notwithstanding their advantage of firm footing when the English stood on a very tottering foundation betake themselves to their heels leaving behinde them part of their Arms and Artillery Overton being thus landed made good his ground by causing his souldiers to become Pioneers and to intrench themselves for greater security until more Forces might come up to them upon whose conjunction they would be enabled to march up into the Country without fear of any opposition To this purpose Messengers were with all speed posted away to the Lord General to acquaint him with their good success and the present posture of their affairs who thereupon immediately ordered a supply of two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot to be hasted away with all expedition under the conduct of Major-General Lambert The news of these passages arriving at the Scotish Camp gave them so hot an Alarm that in all haste Major-General Brown is dispatched away with four Regiments of Horse and Major-General Holborn with as many of Foot to drive the English out of Fyfe again But they lost their aim for Lambert getting the start of them came up to the relief of Overton ere they could approach to straiten him The English being thus united Lambert drew them up in Battalia in a very formal manner in this order His own Regiment of Horse with the Dragoons of Col. Okey and Col. Morgan made the Right Wing Colonel Lidcot's three Troops of Horse with some Dragoons made the Left the Main Body consisted of the Regiments of Major-General Lambert Colonel West and Colonel Daniel of Foot with some odde Companies more which were edged in to the greatest advantage The Scots finding the English in this posture were not at all discouraged but expressing greater resolution then usually they had done set their men in Battel aray and stoutly confronted their adversaries Both Parties having faced each other for the space of an hour and an half Lambert with the Right Wing of his Battel fell on the Enemy with great fierceness giving the first Charge on the Scots Left wing which they not flinching a foot manfully sustained returning like for like Thus continuing for some time the Scale of success standing in equipondio the Pistols having now done their part the fury of these Antagonists grew to such a hight that flinging away those more cowardly weapons every man drew upon his opposite and with swords point charged thorow each other But this was too hot to hold for the English being very dextrous in that kinde of fighting quickly routed the Enemies Left wing and made them flee leaving a fair field Neither were the rest of the Forces on both sides idle spectators but industriously acted their parts in their several stations The Foot that constituted the Main Body of the English traversing their ground so reiterated their Vollies that they seemed to cause an earthquake But the Scotch Horse being utterly dissipated their Foot could not stand long who being left to the mercy of their Enemy in this heat of bloud found it cruel being little other then what was dispensed at the but-end of their Muskets especially to the High-landers In a word and that in plain English so enraged were the English that in a trice they bestrewed the place with 2000 Scots or thereabout as so many objects of mortality Neither were the Captives inconsiderable either for their quality or number they being as followeth viz. Major-General Brown Commander in chief one Colonel one Lieutenant-Colonel one Major thirteen Captains seventeen Lieutenants nine and twenty Ensignes five Quartermasters six and twenty Sergeants five and twenty Corporals and One thousand two hundred twenty and six common souldiers with fourty and two Colours of Horse and Foot Brown having received this Defeat which consisted not onely in the loss of so many considerable Forces but the wounding of his Honour and Reputation more valued then life by a Generous minde and being himself reduced to the condition of a prisoner survived not long dying as was conceived of very grief for his hard fate But the English triumph in their victory still seeking to augment it by farther Exploits now the Terrour of this Blow had spread it self into all the Scots Garisons and therefore Lambert first of all summons the impregnable Fort of Innesgarvey situate in an Isle lying in the Frith betwixt Queens Ferry and the Pass into Fife The Garison here was possest with such a pannick fear that upon summons they were content to march away with their swords onely by their sides to shew what profession they were of and leave the Fort with all the Arms Ammunition and provision with sixteen pieces of Ordnance behinde them for the use of the English The Scots King having the report of this great overthrow of his Forces brought to Torwood where he still lay strongly incampt it wrought such a great distraction in his Army that he very hastily dislodg'd and marched into Sterling Park But they could not be so quick in the retreat but General Cromwel who still waited upon them was as nimble in the Rear who although he had much diminished his Forces by sending so many into Fife yet still indeavoured to fight the whole Army of his Enemies and marched after them through the ground they lately possess'd and there found what pannick fear had possest them who in hast had left behinde them all their sick souldiers one barrel of Powder three of Ball much Match many Musquets and three barrels of Hand-Granadoes Thus the Lord General followed them with provocations to move them to fight until he came within two miles of Sterling but all to little purpose for they would neither bark nor bite but hasted away to secure themselves The Lord General seeing his stay here would be to little purpose marched away his Army the 22 of July to Lithgo whence he sent over into Fife the greatest part of them with the Train of Artillery to prosecute the War on the other side of the water Now there remaining onely four Regiments of Horse and four of Foot behinde those he made use of to secure what was already gained and to keep a watchful eye on the Scots future Motions The Lord General himself retired to Leith there to take order for the supplie of his souldiers Whilst he staid here the happy news of the surrender of Brunt-Island arrived to his Ears for Major General Lambert prosecuting his good fortune brought the Army before that Island in hope that the sight of his Red-Coats might daunt them into a rendition And herein he was not deceived for no sooner was he come before it but without one shot made
a rich commodity was how offered to sale at a cheap rate The French Grandees presently bite at the bait little doubting the hook was daub'd over with this pretty pretence that the Governour Magistrates and Citizens of Ostend being grieved at the English keeping their Coast blockt up with Ships to rid themselves of this continual trouble they would rather be under France then remain any longer in their present condition This motion being made they came to a price and agreed upon a good round sum of mony which Marshal D'Aumont was appointed to pay and take possession of the place at a time agreed on He being well apaid in the imployment slily slipt from Calice with three Ships fraught with Souldiers and soon after fell in amongst a Squadron of English Ships commanded by Vice-Admiral Goodson then lying near Ostend The English Commander seeing how confident these the Protectors Confederates were in the design they went about was willing to assist them with Sea-men the better to facilitate their landing Whil'st D'Aumont was preparing to enter the Town according to agreement the Spaniards within being a courteous Nation where they take affection were very active in making preparations for the entertainment of their French Guests to this end the Governour of Ostend caused the Inhabitants to keep their Houses and not to stir from thence till they heard the Bells Ring in the City Steeple then the great Church and Capuchin Friars Church with many more secret places were crowded with clusters of Souldiers these were to give the French a Spanish Fig at their landing All things being in readiness on both sides May the 4th in the morning some of the French-men that were before received into the Town went out and invited their Countrey-men to come in D'Aumont upon this and the sight of white Colours placed upon the Walls for Decoys did not in the least distrust but took all to be gold that glister'd Hereupon the tide beginning to serve about ten in the morning four French Vessels a ship of Dover and six or seven Boats from the English ships sailed into the Haven and presently the French landing upon the Keys were in a trise drawn up in Battalia Upon this certain Spanish Officers went to enquire for the money that was promised them to which the French returned answer That it was ready in one of their ships This being as much as could be expected the Officers returned into the Town again and immediately shewed the French an a la mode trapanning trick for the great Guns from two Batteries one of which was mounted with twelve the other with eight let slie their murthering shot upon the poor French Foot and to compleat their misery the Bells rung as before appointed which brought the Souldiers and Towns-men about their ears The French now when it was too late seeing how hard a bargain they were like to have made some small â—â—ir at the beginning but finding it fruitless to resist they layd down their Arms and submitted on quarter Thus much for the taking of Ostend The slie Spaniard having thus slurred their Enemy it raised in the French an unquenchable thirst of revenge and therefore to quit scores the whole French and English Armies joyned together resolving to wreak their wrath upon the Town of Dunkirk This place may be called The Key of Flanders it being a Sea-Port-Town and of all men best known to English Merchants whose ships were frequently carryed prize into it But now to put a finit to their infinite Losses a formidable Siege was framed before it which hotly alarm'd the Spaniards in all their Quarters Hereupon Don John of Austria takes these two things into serious consideration first the importance of the place for its Situation it was a Key to Flanders a frontier to France next after Graveling and a certain supply of moneys by continual booties brought in thither by his men of War On the other side should he lose Dunkirk the English in whose possession it would be put had a door opened and fit opportunity to bid fair for all Flanders here might an Army be landed from England and from hence incursions made to the Walls of Bruxels Mean time the Spanish Ports Newport and Ostend could expect no less then to be perpetually infested by men of war which would utterly spoyl their Trade and ruine the Inhabitants these and such like considerations mounted Don John upon fixt resolutions to undertake the relief of Dunkirk though it were to the hazard of his whole Army Mean while the Confederate Forces beleaguering this strong place did in a small time working like Moles run their Trenches to the Spanish Counterscarpe and still encroaching upon the Wall they promised fair to a speedy accomplishment of their Design These things were well known to the Spanish Army who now saw the relief of Dunkirk would admit of no delay for were it not speedily accomplished the Town of necessity must lie prostrate to the Enemies mercie The bettter to effect which therefore Don John the Spanish General having drained his Garisons to fill up his Army suddenly advanced with 15000 men to the relief of his distressed friends these by a swift march through Fuernes quickly seated themselves upon some sandy Hills within an English mile and a half of Turine the French Generals Camp The report of the Enemies near advance made both the French and English Officers consult upon the best course that could be taken to repel the Force that now sate upon their Skirts indeavor to frustrate their labours in the present Siege and render it fruitless Time for consultation being short for it was on the over-night they agreed unanimously to give the Spaniards the next morning a warm breakfast All this night the Officers of both Nations were very active to provide for the ensuing action the Army being found sufficient to fight a Field Battel and at the same time to keep the besieged from ranging abroad For this service most of the English were drawn from their entrenchment and being joyned to the French Horse they marched against the Enemy In the morning both Armies being come near together it was perceived the Spaniards posture was rather Defensive then Offensive but the English Commanders knowing it was no time to dally and being desirous withall to shew the discipline of their own Country which is to make seeing and fighting all one did presently mount the Sand-Hills with a forsorn of three hundred Musquetiers commanded by Captain Devaux after these followed that courageous Commander Lieutenant-Col Fenwick with the Lord General Lockharts Regiment The Spaniards perceiving that the resolution of these men was by degrees to creep within them did as highly resolve to keep them off at the Armes end by pouring down perpetual vollies of great and small shot General Lockhart knowing what duty belonged to his Office did here shew the part of a noble Commander for finding the French unwilling to enter now the English had opened the
to engage then the other were willing and thus being both agreed in the extremity of Disagreement they both draw into a large field by the Town side about a mile and a quarter broad This was the ample stage whereon that bloudy Tragedie was acted sad to behold and so much the more sad when we consider that it was English bloud shed by English hands here Relations were forgotten friendship relinquished yea he that perhaps but lately would have laid down his own to preserve the life of his friend doth now use all possible industry to destroy it and this upon no other ground but the common Feud that was then risen Behold the effects of a Civil War The Kings Front was made up of a gallant Body of Horse the Foot made a second Body the Right Wing was commanded by the brother-Princes Rupert and Maurice the left by Sir Jacob Ashley other Commanders of great quality and long experience in Martial affairs beyond the Seas taking their places in the field Thus being drawn out with Reserves to second the main Body they took up the whole bredth of the field The Parliaments Foot made a firm Body in the midst commanded by Major-General Skippon whose actions that day deserve an honourable mention winged with Horse on either side the Right Wing was commanded by the valiant Cromwel who to the great joy of the whole Army came in to their assistance the night before out of the Associated Counties with 600 Horse and Dragoons the Left was commanded by Ireton Rupert gave the first Charge which he did with such violence upon Ireton in the Parliaments Left Wing that notwithstanding their strenuous resistance he was routed and his men put to flight the Prince pursuing them thorow the Town but having more minde to the spoil then to the thorow-performance of his work he leaves the pursuit and assaults the Waggons where being repulsed he trifled out so much time that Cromwel in the Right wing assisted by Colonel Rossiter had in the mean time quite disordered the Kings Left wing and as it were raked the field before him separating the Horse from the Foot and thereby rendering them helpless one to the other Being reduced to this exigent the Horse fled toward Leicester in pursuit of whom Cromwel considering that though there had been a Rout there might be a Rally and not onely to prevent after-claps but also to secure what was already won sent some few Troops knowing that small force might do great execution on a flying enemy Himself in the interim joyning with their own Foot so encompassed the Kings Infantry that notwithstanding they shewed much gallantry and valour that day even to the admiration of their enemies being tired out and despairing of succour beholding nothing but death and destruction which way soever they looked they threw down their Arms and submitted to mercy The Kings loss hereby will appear the greater if we consider it in these two respects 1. He lost a gallant Army which was newly flush'd and heightned in their courage by the late good success they had in the storming of Leicester presently after which the King writ thus to the Queen That without being sanguine he could report his actions to stand in a better condition then at any time since the War began 2. Not onely was an Army lost but all possibility of raising another so vigorously did the Victors husband and prosecute what they had begun and gotten No sooner had the Parliaments Army broken down this bank but like a Torrent they soon overflowed the whole Kingdom bearing down and subduing all opposers Leicester was immediately regained from thence they haste to the relief of Taunton which had been long besieged by Goring's Army and held cut to admiration Upon their approach Goring draws off they follow him and overtake him neer Lamport where they engage him and here Cromwel shewed much prudence as well as courage for the Enemy being put to flight he would not suffer part of the Horse to pursue but caused them to forbear till they were all come up together and then himself led them on doing the work so effectually that he took almost all their Foot and Ordnance Thence they stept to Bridgewater a very considerable place which though obstinately defended was soon taken by storm In those days there was a sort of people called Club-men who pretending Neutrality would admit of no Armies within their Bounds and so confident were they as to capitulate with the General as if they intended to cudgel him out of their Country notwithstanding his late great successes thinking to keep their Clubs in their hands when so many gallant men had been forced to part with their swords But Cromwel not knowing what might be the issue of such tumultuous assemblings resolves to curb them betimes and to crush them in the egge to which purpose having notice of their Rendezvous he marcheth toward them with a party of Horse They were four thousand strong and had encamped themselves on the top of a hill promising much resolution in one of their Ensignes which had this Motto If ye offer to plunder or take our cattel Be you assur'd we 'll give you battel But this vapour soon vanished for Cromwel giving but one Charge up the hill routed and dispersed them all taking 400 prisoners whom he carried to Sherborn that Castle governed by Sir Lewes Dives for the King being then beleaguered by Fairfax and soon after reduced by storm Hence the Army marcheth toward Bristol a place of very great importance lying on the confines of Gloucester Wilts Dorset and Somerset-shires Prince Rupert was in it with about four or five thousand Horse and Foot who being too much addicted to Plunder made the circumjacent Country desire to be rid of such injurious neighbours At the Armies first arrival it was advised by Cromwel and some other chief Officers that they should storm part of the City which accordingly was put in practice so effectually that Prince Ruport durst not run the hazard of a second assault but immediately delivers up that great and well-fortified City having liberty to march to Oxford This great service being thus performed Cromwel without the least delay or intermission taking with him a Brigad consisting of four Regiments hastes to the reducement of that strong Castle of the Devizes whose natural strength was much increased by the ingenuity of its Governour Sir Charles Lloyd who being sensible thereof and confident therein returns no other Answer to the first Summons but Win it and wear it But as if neither Art or Nature could sufficiently fence a place against the Stratagems and Assaults of this invincible Conquerour whose very name began now to be terrible to the stoutest adversary he soon brought the Governour to terms and compelled him to yeeld upon Composition Winchester was soon reduced to the same pass after the Governours stomack had been a little brought down by the Battery of great Guns and Mortar-pieces
summons to the Town which at first was slighted but they taking a resolution to storm Commissioners were sent to treat who agreed upon Articles to deliver up the Town and march away with their Arms. The taking of this place much refreshed the Army who were tired with tempestuous weather Yet here they tarried not long but removed to Callyne a Garison of the Enemy about six miles from Kilkenny where they joyned with Ireton Reynolds and Zankey making up in all a considerable Body The chief strength of Callyne consisted in three Castles that were in the Town these the Souldiers stormed one after another and carryed them all putting all to the Sword they met with this so terrified those that kept a House about a Musquet-shot from the Town that immediately they sent to desire liberty to march away to Kilkenny which was granted When the Souldiers had sufficiently recruited their Knapsacks with the provisions taken in the Town they marched back again to Featherd by the way the two Castles of Knoctover and Bullynard were reduced presently after fell in Kiltennon Arfennon Coher and Dyndrum very considerable places in taking the latter Col. Zanckey received a shot through the hands The Lord Governour Cromwel had now wholly subjugated all places of advantage except Limerick Waterford Clonmel Galloway and Kilkenny these were strong and required much time however he resolves upon the last but considering that the strength he had would not be sufficient to carry on the designe he sent for Col. Huson to march speedily up to him with his Forces which he did and by the way took the Castle of Loughin afterwards he joyns with the Lord-Governours Army near Goram a populous Town strengthned by a strong Castle which was commanded by Col. Hammond a Kentish man to him was sent an invitation to deliver up the Castle but he trusting to the Valour of his men which were Ormonds own Regiment returned a very resolute answer thereupon the great Guns quickly roared out their perswasions which made him beat a Parley when 't was too late for no other conditions could now be obtained but these That the common Souldiers should have their lives and the Officers be disposed of as should be thought fit These sharp conditions being yeelded unto the next day Hammond his Major and the rest of the Commission-Officers all but one were shot to death and the Priest that vvas Chaplain to the Catholicks in the Regiment hanged This place being thus vvon preparations were made for the besieging of the City of Kilkenny This Garison required a more then ordinary Force to master it for besides the Souldiers of the ordinary Garison there to it had resorted all those that had yeelded upon Articles the small Castles and Towns in that County Yet this did not at all discourage Cromwel vvhose imaginations comprehended all things that vvere not impossible and he scorning that this one place though never so strong should be a dam to stop the current of his Victories March 22 1650. he dislodged the Army sending first of all a small party of Horse before upon discovery quickly after came up the Body vvithin a mile of the City there he made a stand and sent the Governour Sir Walter Butler and the Corporation a summons to deliver up the City for the use of the Parliament of England The next day an answer vvas returned but not satisfactory thereupon the approaches vvere made neer to the Wall and a Battery of three Guns planted to play upon the best place that could be to annoy the besieged and vvithal to open an entrance to the Besiegers All this vvhile they vvithin vvere not idle but perceiving where the Lord Cromwel bent his greatest strength they provide there to make the greatest opposition by raising two Retrenchments on the inside strongly pallisadoing them and placing some pieces that might play to the best advantage but above all there vvas a crew of choice men that promised much Cromwel hating delay vvhen his business required dispatch caused the Guns to play vvhich had not made fully one hundred shot before a breach vvas opened VVhile this vvas in doing Col. Ewers vvith 1000 Foot vvas ordered to endeavour the possession of one part of the City called Irish Town and the better to facilitate the enterprise Cromwel gave the signe for the Souldiers to fall into the breach which they had no sooner done but they were beaten out again with loss and so disheartned by it that the storm was left off yet for all that Col. Ewers carried the Irish Town with small loss which made satisfaction for this affront There being on the other side of the River another small Town or Suburbs to the main City it was thought fit to send eight companies of Foot to possess it which was done without any opposition The gaining of this encouraged them to endeavour to force a passage over the Bridg into the City but it proved to the same effect as at the breach before But these desperate attempts made the Governour reflect upon his condition and the rather because the Garison in Cantwel Castle whom Butler had sent for desired Passes of the Lord Cromwel to go beyond Sea to serve forraigne Princes ingaging to act nothing prejudicial to the Parliament of England which was granted them That was one thing that discouraged him but chiefly this that he must not onely defend himself but withal must be his own relief there being no Army in the field sufficient to do it and withal the longer he held out the worse it would be for him These things considered made him hearken to a Treaty which being once commenced they soon concluded to deliver up the City and Castle upon these terms 1. To deliver up the City and Castle to the Lord Cromwel with all the Arms Ammunition and publick store 2. The Inhabitants of Kilkenny to be protected in their Persons Goods and Estates from the violence of the Souldiery and they that were desirous of removal to have liberty three Months after the date of the Articles 3. The Governour Officers and Souldiers to march away with bag and baggage 4. The City to pay 2000 pounds as a gratuity to his Excellency the Lord Cromwels Army Thus was the City of Kilkenny which had been the seat of the supream Councel and the Centre where the lines of all their pernicious devices met the productions whereof had so malevolent an influence upon poor Ireland brought under obedience in six days time for no longer the Siege lasted chiefly by the industry and indefatigable pains of the Lord Cromwel who ever was a partaker with his Souldiers in their hardships and never flincht from them at any time when need required his personal valour insomuch that at many places he laid by the dignity of a great Commander to act the part of a private Souldier Here he tarried no longer a time then was requisite to settle the Affairs of the City which having done he then marched
the Army to Carrick from thence to proceed upon farther Action Ormond Castle-haven and the Bishop of Clogher being now very sensible of the desperate condition their Affairs were reduced to had a meeting at Baltamore in Westmeath with the Gentlemen of that County to confer about some better way to support that cause which hitherto they had so poorly defended The chief heads of this Debate were 1. Whether they were able to raise such Forces as might be sufficient to fight the Lord Cromwel now they conceived his Men were much weakned by the Winter and taking in of so many Garisons Or 2. In case they were not able to fight then with all the Forces they could make to fall into the English quarters and there to burn and destroy what they could 3. If these two ways were not feisible then whether it were not most convenient for them all to joyn in some propositions of Pacification for the whole or every one for himself to make his particular Application This last was hearkned to by some but the chiefest of them knowing their own guilt thought it not likely for them to get good conditions now necessity compelled them to be Supplicants and therefore to mischief the English in their quarters was looked upon to be the safest way for them all to spin out time til they could get a fit opportunity to make an escape out of the Land The Lord Cromwel having well refresh'd his Army after the Siege of Kilkenny sits down before Clonmel another strong place Garison'd by 2000 Foot and sixscore Horse No sooner was the Leaguer planted but Col. Reynolds and Sir Theophilus Jones were sent with 2500 Horse Foot and Dragoons to be beforehand with Ormond Castlehaven and those with them that intended an irruption into the English Quarters but they shifting from place to place to avoid fighting Col. Reynolds to keep his men from idleness joyns his Forces with Col. Huson and with two great Guns and a Morter Piece besieged Trim. Another Party of 1400 Horse and Dragoons and 1200 Foot under the Lord Broghil were sent to fight the Bishop of Ross who with 5000 intended to relieve Clonmel The Bishops Mitre being metamorphosed into an Helmet he thought verily to scare the Lord Broghil vvith the strangeness of the sight being such a thing as he had never seen before a Bishop that should be the Shepherd of a Flock now to head an Army of VVolves but the Lord Broghil getting to them in little more time then one could say tvvo or three Creeds vvholly dissipates them killing upon the place betvveen 6 and 700 taking 20 Captains Lieutenants and other Officers and to bring up the Rear the Bishop himself vvas taken vvith the Standard of the Church of Munster The Lord Broghil having him novv in his power he carries him to a Castle defended by the Bishops Forces and there hangs him up before the walls in the sight of the Garison which wrought such terrour in them that they delivered up the Castle upon Articles These successes of Parties abroad did much encourage those that besieged Clonmel who now on all sides prepare to handle that Garison as before they had done other places And indeed the Lord General used more then ordinary industry in reducing this Town in regard he had been informed that its defendants were very unanimous and that they were choice men well armed and every way sufficiently provided to make a stout resistance and besides it was governed by an active Irish-man one Hugh Boy O Neal who had set all hands in the Town on work to cast up new Countre-scarps on the inside of the old walls and to do whatsoever else might serve for the defence of the place and had so travers'd the ground with Re-intrenchments that it seemed altogether impossible to gain it by Assault nothing but Hunger as was thought could reduce it to obedience but the active gallantry of the Lord Cromwel would not admit of that course he us'd not to stand dallying before a place as the Germans French and other Nations trifling out precious time and expending vast sums to little or no purpose and besides upon many weighty considerations this service required a quick dispatch chiefly in regard of his Expedition into England whither he had lately been sent for by the Parliament there to serve them in some other way He therefore without delay orders all things for a Storm intending to try whether that would not either drown the Enemy or cool their courage who were so hotly set upon the defence The Governour being summoned to a Rendition and returning no satisfactory Answer the great Guns were planted which were managed so well that they quickly opened a breach which breach upon a Signal given being couragiously entred by the Assailants they within were not wanting to entertain them with a manful resistance and to forbid their march any other way then over their own bodies but Cromwel's men who us'd not to be thus check'd in the career of their Successes notwithstanding the Enemies valorous obstinacie made good their ground and maintained a Fight for four hours together which proved so hazardous that the victory hovering betwixt both it was hard to say on which side it would light there being a great slaughter on both sides till at last the Lord Cromwel assisted by that good Providence which always attended him decided the controversie by forcing the Enemy to quit the place and betake themselves to flight wherein though they were very much favoured by certain hills near the Town yet could they not avoid the rage and fury of the victorious Souldiers who in pursuit paid them home in their own coyn Concerning this Fight I finde it thus written by an eminent Commander in the Army and an assistant in this encounter We found in Clonmel saith he the stoutest enemy that ever was found by our Army in Ireland and it is in my opinion and very many more that there was never seen so hot a storm of so long a continuance and so gallantly defended neither in England nor Ireland The Reduction of this place though at a hard hand inclined many more to yeeld which they did in a short time after without striking a stroke These Atchievements being obtained and care taken to secure what had been gotten the Lord General addresses himself to his journey for England having been in Ireland about ten months viz. from the middle of August 1649. to the next May following 1650. a time inconsiderable respect had to the work done therein which was more then ever could be done in ten years before by any King or Queen of England Queen Elizabeth indeed after a long and tedious War there at last drave out the Spaniards that came in to the assistance of the rebellious Natives but could never utterly extinguish the sparks of that Rebellion And not onely did the shortness of the time render the work admirable but the nature of the work it self it being
against a most obstinately-desperate bloudy enemy people that had put themselves out of all hopes of favour or mercy by acting the most bloudy Tragedie that ever hath been seen or related in that their universal Massacre of the English yet recent in memory There remained now onely Limerick Waterford and some few inconsiderable Garisons to be reduced which being done they might finde leasure to hunt the wilde Irish who were fled for refuge among their Boggs This was left to the charge of Ireton whom the Lord Governour having constituted Lord Deputy he takes leave of Ireland and committing himself to the Sea arrived safely after a boisterous passage at Bristol where he was received with a thrice-repeated Volley of great Guns and other suitable demonstrations of joy Hence without tarrying he posts for London drawing neer Hounslow-Heath he is there met by the Lord General Fairfax accompanied by many Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army with multitudes that came out of curiosity to see him of whom Fame had made such a loud report Hence after mutual salutations congratulations and other testimonies of high respect he proceeds on and passing neer Hide-park-corner he is saluted with great Guns and several Volleys of small Shot by Colonel Barkstead's Regiment which was drawn up in the High-way for that purpose Continuing thus their march multitudes increasing to behold him the Lord Cromwel is conducted to the house called the Cock-pit neer St. James which had been appointed and prepared for him Here he was visited by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London and by many other persons of quality all of them expressing their own and the Nations great obligations to him for his great Services in Ireland After some time of respite and refreshment he attended his charge in Parliament where the Speaker in an elegant Speech gave him the thanks of the House Which being ended the Lord Cromwel gave them an account of the present state of Ireland and of the condition of their Forces both in Field and Garison with what designes they were now upon what strength the Enemy had and what Garisons were then in their power The Parliament being thus assured of the hopeful condition of Ireland began now wisely to provide for the security of the peace of England which was now in danger of disturbance partly by open Hostility and partly by the under-hand dealing of some pretended friends Portugal protects Prince Rupert's Fleet notwithstanding the League France domineers at Sea making prize of all the English they could bring under their power About this time the Parliament sends Dr. Dorislaus as an Agent to the States of the United Provinces for the begetting and continuance of a right understanding and fair correspondence betwixt the two Republicks where not long after his arrival he was basely slain by six Assassinates who rushed into his lodgings at the Hague in disguise and escaped unpunished although the States pretended they had used their utmost endeavour to take them In Russia the English Merchants were much affronted by that Duke by reason of his adherence to the House of Stuarts Virginia and the Caribes Islands revolted from their obedience to the Parliament being very hot for Monarchy and the Liturgie Nearer home Scilly Jersey and the Isle of Man stand out and miserably infest the Seas with their Piracie But above all the Scots were the most formidable who seemed to set their wits on the tenters that so they might embroyl England in new troubles and thereby have opportunity to work their ends upon it To this end a Treaty is commenced betwixt them and their King at Breda a famous Town in the Netherlands belonging to the Prince of Orange Here they propose 1. That his Majestie recal and disclaim all Commissions and Declarations granted by him to the prejudice of the Covenant 2. That he acknowledge their present Parliament and the two last Sessions thereof and allow of the Acts made therein 3. They remonstrate the Motives contained in the eleventh Instruction meaning Vxbridge-Treaty 4. That as soon as he comes into Scotland and before his admission to the exercise of Royal power he shall swear subscribe and seal the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant Their King having assented and promised in verbo Principis to perform these things the Commissioners had order to let him see the Coronation-Oath he was to take which he approving they were to invite him into Scotland assuring him that he should be entertained there with all due respect To all which things the King at last condescended partly by the perswasion of the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges the Treaty was both begun and continued and partly upon hopes that by this means he might gain the easier footing in England The Scots being now impatient of the enjoyment of their King presence he in order to their satisfaction herein hastes from Breda towards the Hague and from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and not long after landed notwithstanding several snares laid for him at the Spey in the North of Scotland The Parliament in England were not ignorant of these things they having faithful Scouts abroad in the world who failed not to give them timely notice of the machinations of their enemies in all quarters And taking the matter into consideration in the House a great debate there was VVhether the war for that there must be a war betwixt us and our dear Brethren was taken for granted should be Offensive or Defensive As to the later the Defensive part they were very sensible of the havock the Scots had formerly made in the North of England when they came in as friends so that should they be suffered to come in as enemies nothing could be expected to follow but ruine and desolation wheresoever they came Hamilton's Invasion likewise stuck in their stomacks and the devastations that accompanied it Besides it was considered that to let them give the first blow had been to make our own Country the seat of war and thereby an opportunity would be given to discontented spirits here which then were not a few to joyn with the enemy Upon these and other weighty considerations the Parliament resolves upon an Offensive war and to alarm them in their own Quarters This Resolution was thought most advantageous in many respects as 1. Scotland the Enemies Country must needs be much impoverished by being burdened with two Armies when it could not well maintain one and England would be quit of much fear and calamity incident to quartering of Armies Besides in all encounters it is good policie to keep an adversary at the arms end 2. By invading Scotland the Souldiery would be much encouraged in respect of the benefit might accrue to them by the spoils of their enemies Hereby also the Territories of this Commonwealth were likely to be enlarged 3. The Scots Levies were not yet finished nor their Army completed so that a sudden march might nip them
which he seeing called out and told him That if he had been one of his Souldiers he should have been cashier'd for firing at that distance But the truth is these daring actions in Generals savour more of valour then discretion Bullets distinguish not betwixt the meanest private Souldier and the most puissant General if he come in their way Hence it was that the people would not suffer David to go out in person 'T was upon an over-bold discovery of Popinham's strength that Gustavus Adolphus the Scourge of the Austrians was killed and with him the hopes of those great things expected from him The Head of an Army such is the General being once cut off the Body especially in an enemies Country must needs languish and pine away The Scots having done their business which it seems was onely to breathe their horses they returned back again to their Quarters Aug. 19. part of the English Army stormed Red-Hall and took it it being a Garison situate within a mile and a half of Edinburgh having about 80 Foot to defend it This was done in the sight of the Scots whole Army yet not a man stirred towards the relief of the place Aug. 26 the Scots sent to the Lord General desiring a Conference betwixt some of themselves and some Officers appointed by him Which being granted and a convenient place appointed the Lord Wariston Secretary of State Sir John Brown Colonel Straughan and Mr. Dowglas a Minister with certain others attended for that purpose The main business of their Meeting was to wipe off a pretended aspersion cast upon them and spread over both Armies intimating that they kept themselves in Trenches and holes not daring to fight And the better to clear themselves of these calumnies they let the English know That when opportunity served it should be seen that they wanted not courage to give them Battel The next morning the Scots as if they meant to be as good as their words which had they been they had cross'd a very ancient Proverb strike up for a march seeming either to bend their course for Sterling or as if they would in good earnest according to the purport of the Embassage they had sent the day before lest it should not be known fight the English No sooner are they on their march but the Lord General prepares to meet them thinking that although they had often dallied with him before yet now surely they would be serious and shew some fair play The common souldiers were possest with the like apprehensions being over-joy'd at the very thoughts of fighting and in order thereunto they presently take down their Tents lay aside their Knapsacks and disburthen themselves of every thing whatsoever that might be an impediment to their activity Being thus prepared the English approach the Scots Army verily intending to engage them but it seems they had no minde to come to it but rather to shelter themselves in some new lurking hole notwithstanding their late confident disclaiming of any such practice Accordingly when the English drew neer the Enemy they found a great Bog and a deep Ditch to make such a separation as for the present cut off all possibibility of conjunction with them and consequently of engaging them without running such hazards as were not necessary at that time The Lord General seeing he could not come at them in person sent a thundring message to them by the mouth of his Cannon All that night both the Armies continued in Arms and the next morning being the 28 of August the great Guns roared on both sides for about the space of an hour But the English Lord General seeing that this would do no good and knowing that it would but waste precious time to no purpose to stand pelting at an Enemy at that distance he therefore drew off from thence to try some other conclusion if by any means he might get the Enemy into a fair field where the business might be disputed on equal terms In order to which marching towards their former Quarters on Pencland hills no sooner were they there arrived but news came that the Scots were upon their march to possess Muscleborough and Preston-pans whereby to cut off provisions from the English Army The souldiers hearing this begin to bestir themselves and again taking down their Tents take up their Arms holding it to be high time so to do considering that now they must either fight or starve To prevent the Enemies designe the Lord General advanced that night with his whole Army towards Muscleborough it being very stormy tempestuous weather without any molestation from the Enemy Being there they are supply'd from the ships and many of them being infirm and diseased by reason of hard duty and unseasonable weather 500 were sent on board which yet did not clear the Army of those distempered ones The Enemy all this while dogging the English in the Rere watched all opportunities to distress them But the Lord General taking into consideration the sad condition of his Army occasioned by sickness and indisposition of body resolves to retreat with them to Dunhar and there by Garisoning it to lie securely for some time till they might recover strength and receive convenient recruits both of Horse and Foot from Berwick In pursuance of this resolution the Army Aug. 30. set forward toward Hadington And by that time the van-Brigade of Horse had taken up their quarters the Scots by a nimble march were fallen in the rere and put them into disorder But wanting courage to prosecute the advantage and withal a cloud overshadowing the Moon gave the English Horse an opportunity to inextricate themselves of that Labyrinth wherein they had like to have been entangled and to recover the main Body Being at Hadington in danger to be assaulted daily by the Enemy the Lord General caused a strict Watch to be kept to prevent the worst For the Scots were sufficiently sensible of the crazie condition of the Army and thought they had now an opportunitie to distress them they acting the Offensive part that and by degrees they should weary them out and at last utterly destroy them and to that end conceiving that now they had a more then ordinary advantage about midnight Aug. 30. they attempted the English quarters on the west-end of the Town But notwithstanding their confidence they were soon set further off The next day the Lord General draws out into the open Champaign on the South-side of the Town resolving notwithstanding the indisposition of body in his Army to venture all upon the event of a Battel But the Scots having no minde to that sport therefore after three hours tarriance in expectation of their coming all in vain the English prosecute their fore-intended march for Dunbar The Scots being re-inforced with the addition of three Regiments yet again came in the Rere of the English and seeing them lodg'd in Dunbar gathered upon the adjacent hills like a thick cloud menacing such a showre to the
at Edinburgh by ten of the clock that morning whereon the Battel was fought outstripping his Lieutenant-General who got not thither till the afternoon But if they had made less haste they might have come before they had been welcom unless they had brought better news the Garison and inhabitants being very much dampt at their report as also those of Leith insomuch that Edinburgh was presently quit by its Garison and Leith resolved to receive the Victors not knowing how to keep them out But though the English had thus possessed the Town of Edinburgh the Castle remained untoucht which being esteemed impregnable and commanding the Town the Scots hoped that the English would soon finde their new quarters too hot to hold them and so much the rather for that the said Castle besides its natural strength was well manned had a considerable Artillery on the walls and store of all sorts of provisions Colonel William Dundass being its Governour However the same day the Scots deserted the Town the English under Lambert took possession of the same as also of Leith in both which places they found several Pieces of Ordnance many Arms and considerable provisions which were too heavie for the Scots to take with them because of their haste But how well the new Garison of Edinburgh agreed with their neighbours in the Castle we shall hear afterwards Upon this the Lord General coming up with the remainder of the Army the Scots were in despair of nestling there again and therefore made Sterling their next refuge whither resorted those that had escaped at Dunbar to help to piece up their shattered Army that so in a second Encounter they might endeavour to recover their lost credit To this purpose also recruits were raised by the Committee of Estates in all places under their power their Officers are likewise new molded new ones being taken in and old ones laid aside according as they saw occasion this change being not in inferiour Officers only but among the great Commanders likewise for old Leven was laid aside albeit David Lesley were continued But this their rallying and recruiting chopping and changing signified little for as if they had been postest with a like spirit with those infatuated Jews in Jerusalem when that City was closely begirt by the Romanes notwithstanding that the English had given them that sore blow at Dunbar driven them from their Metropolis and were still improving those advantages the Scots in stead of joyning heart and hand in defending their Country against so prevailing an adversary split themselves into so many fractions and factions that it would require some curiosity to discriminate them The most notable were these Straughan and Car in the West who declared against the Kings party and were called Remonstrators another party were for King and Kirk as David Lesley Major Gen. Holborn and those in Fife and a third sort were purely for the King these with Middleton keep the High-lands This Kingdom being thus divided was not likely long to stand For animosities growing higher and higher among themselves little care was taken to repress the English who ranged at pleasure about the Country And the Lord General having his Head-quarters at Edinburgh and observing what course the Scots steered lay not idle but having refreshed his men Sept. 14. he drew out the greatest part of his Army for Sterling and faced the Castle having at first some thoughts to storm it but finding that the Horse could not well second the Foot he desisted for that time and returned back to the Head-quarters Whither being come order is given for carrying all the Boats in the Frith to Leith for prevention of the Scots Ferrying over into Fyfe to joyn with the Enemy there And since according to the Proverb of Idleness comes no goodness therefore to keep his men in action and that they may the better acquaint themselves with the Country the Lord General his work going on well before Edinburgh-Castle of which a particular account shall be given in its place marcht away six Regiments of Foot and nine of Horse and Dragoons for Glasgow a City of a pleasant site upon a River navigable for small Boats which usually bring up provisions from Patrickstown ten miles thence where ships of good burden may ride In Glasgow the streets and houses are more neat and clean then those of Edinburgh it being also one of the chiefest Universities in Scotland By the way of Linlithgow the Lord General sent a Paper to the Committee of Estates to try once more what might be done by fair means a copie whereof was likewise at the same time dispatched away to Colonel Car and Straughan to the same end Little else was remarkable in this Expedition then the taking of a small Carison neer Kelsith a place famous for being the Stage whereon somtime the valiant Montross had acted such great things as even shook the foundations of the Kirk and had subverted it if the English had not in time stretched out their hand to support the same This heroick Champion notwithstanding he wrought such great things with small Forces ever encountring considerable Armies with a handful so that not one of his men could be exempted from continual duty yet could not avoid the frowns of adverse fortune wherein nevertheless although his body were captivated his spirit remained free bearing up above the highest affronts of his enraged enemies who loaded him with all the ignominy that Malice it self could invent first inflicting on him a most reproachful death and next mangling his dead body the quarters whereof they caused to be hung up in several places for publike view On the Tolbooth at Glasgow hung one of his legs which the English remembring what he was took down and buried privately Now the Lord General retires to Edinburgh the season admitting of no considerable action but onely what necessity required And a necessary work they went about in suppressing a company of sturdy knaves called Moss-Troopers who daily plaid their pranks with great boldness and by the treachery and connivence of the Country-people murdered many of the English Souldiers especially straglers nay their confidence grew so high as to steal some of the Train-horses belonging to the Army To that end a Proclamation was published by the Lord General to this effect THat finding many of the Army were not onely spoiled and robbed but also others barbarously butchered and slain by a sort of Outlaws not under the discipline of any Army and finding that all tenderness to the Country produced no other effect then their compliance with and protection of such persons therefore considering that it is in the Countries power to detect and discover them and perceiving their motion to be ordinary by their invitation and intelligence of Country-people therefore he declared That where-ever these enormities should be committed for the future life should be required for life and a plenary satisfaction for the goods thus stollen of those Parishes and places where the
Cloid himself in the mean time marching from Edinburgh on the North-side where he tarried the greatest part of a day but having good intelligence where Lambert and his party were and the weather being very bad he returned back Whereof when Colonel Car had notice as also that Lambert had taken up his quarters at Hamilton he conceived that now a fit opportunity was offered him of making sure work with him he being disjoyned from the Body of the Army and supinely sleeping as he dreamed without any thoughts of an enemy With this confident perswasion Car sets upon a sudden March in the night with about 1500 Horse and before day making more haste then good speed he furiously breaks into Lambert's Quarters and finding no opposition at his first entry he was emboldened to go up to the middle of the Town where a Captain with about 40 souldiers having taken the Alarm had suddenly mounted these being favoured by a tree that lay cross the street gave a check to their carreer till the whole Garison was alarm'd The suddenness of the business did somewhat amaze the English but having soon recollected themselves they resume their wonted courage being also very much animated by the example of their Officers forwardness And to make their work the more perfect part of their Forces being left in the Town to engage the Enemy and to secure the Rere the residue drew out that if possible they might surround the Enemies whole party who making a timely discovery of this designe very cunningly fac'd about and fled Though this encounter lasted not long yet of the Scots were slain near upon 100 and as many taken prisoners some few of whom might well be accounted many considering their quality for among them was Car himself his Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain-Lieutenant This Victory was not so well won but it was as well followed for the chase continued as far as Ayre where also were routed a party of 150 which was the chief remains of the Remonstrators This Success came very seasonably and the more considerable it was by how much the more difficult it would have been to engage them against their will for they knowing the Country well and having the people on their side could march about at pleasure when the English durst not follow without a great part of their Army for fear of Lesley who then lay at Sterling with the Scotch Army ready to make use of all advantages that might serve for his purpose Immediately upon this followed the Rendition of Edinburgh-Castle the most considerable strong hold in all Scotland It is seated upon a very high Precipice over-looking and commanding all places about it insomuch that many times the English Souldiers in their Quarters were galled with the Shot sent from the great Guns into Edinburgh When the Lord General came first before it which was immediately after the Rout at Dunbar he sent in a Summons to the Governour Colonel Will. Dundass which wrought no effect presently after several Papers were sent in to invite the Ministers to come forth to their several charges but they refusing so civil an offer the Lord General then seriously considered with his chief Officers which way to reduce by force both them and it knowing that if it should continue thus in the Scots hands his own work would be very much retarded thereby Accordingly the place being viewed nothing could be seen to encourage the attempting of it by storm But as there is many more ways then one to win so every one of these ways that carryed probability with it was debated At last a resolution was taken That seeing this impregnable place could not be beaten down endeavours should be used to blow it up to that end Miners both Scotch and English were sent for to carry on the work In order to this resolution about the end of September the Galleries were begun in the night which was no sooner perceived by those in the Castle but they very angerly fired upon it with five great Guns and several vollies of small Shot which nothing hindered the English whose indefatigable pains wrought through the earth until at last coming to the main rock it put them to a stand finding it not to be of that mould they imagined Yet could not this dismay those whose resolutions far surmounting the difficulty of their present design for finding the mattock did not perform its part they by other means made holes in the stones and filling them full of Powder made them fly by firing But the Lord General taking notice how tedious the mining work went on and withal considering the uncertainty of the wished event when finished therefore to make a quick dispatch he gave order for raising a Mount not far from the Castle upon a rising ground whereon to plant a Battery that so the Enterprise might be carryed on above ground as well as beneath The sight of this very much amazed Dundass the Governour who now perceived what a vanity it was to withstand the English industry Yet to quit himself of that great trust reposed in him by his superiours and withal to cherish the hopes of his Country-men whose eyes were generally upon him he did the utmost to answer the expectations of those that thought this bone might go near to break Cromwels teeth who herein were much deceived for it could do no more then whet his appetite and make him long for the possession of this strong Fort since the greater the opposition be the more is a great spirit raised thereby The Battery being now raised to a convenient height in spite of all impediments by the unwearied labours of the Souldiers and all things necessary prepared four Mortar-Pieces and six battering Guns were drawn from Leith and quickly mounted against the Castle Now the word of command was onely wanting which the Lord General deferred to give until he had sent to the Governour once more willing him to yeild by fair means and save the labour of being inforc'd by foul The Summons was sent the 11 of December and spake thus That he being resolued by Gods assistance to use such means as were put into his hands for to reduce the Castle did for the preventing of farther misery demand the rendering of the place to him upon fit conditions The Governour having received the same made answer That he was intrusted by the Committee of the Estates of Scotland for the keeping of the Castle and that he could not deliver it up without leave from them and therefore desired ten days time to send to them and receive their answer upon receipt whereof the General should receive his resolute answer But the Lord General knowing delays to be dangerous and that time was pretious and not to be lost in vain he makes this suddain reply That it concerned not him to know the Obligations of them that trusted him but that he might have honourable terms for himself and those that were with him but that he could not give
Action was that which chiefly corresponded to his Nature yet the sharpness of the season made him continue in his Winter-quarters for some small time longer in which time parties were sent abroad to enlarge their Quarters and clear the passage between England and Edinburgh Timptallon-Castle was a place which many times had cut off passengers and much molested the Country by frequent excursions for the reducing of which Colonel Monk that gallant Commander was sent with about three Regiments of Horse and Foot When first he came before it finding the Scots very refractory he caused the Mortar-pieces to play for 48 hours which did them little hurt until that six battering Guns being planted they played their parts so well that the Governour was enforst to yeild seeing no other conditions would be granted to Mercy and all those that were with him The Scots King having now got some power into his hands used his utmost endeavours to gain reputation amongst his Subjects by visiting all the Garisons in Fife and putting them in a posture to hinder the English from landing on that side the Frith But having experience of the Lord Generals courage and knowing that Forts would prove weak withstanders of his Forces should they make an attempt therefore he drew from Sterling those Horse and Foot which could be well spared and joyning with them the new-raised souldiers he quartered them all along the VVater-side for better security After this business was ended away rides he to the High-lands to compose differences for that place was not free from dissentions perswade those rough-hewn Fellows to rise unanimously in defence of their craggy habitations This progress vvas no sooner ended but the sitting of the Scotch Parliament at St. Johnstons vvas begun vvhere the chief consideration vvas still to recruit their Army vvith new supplies of men This Meeting produced an Act Ordinance or great Gun to terrifie those that should slip away from their Colours vvithout leave from their Captains and vvas followed by the Clergie to shew how ready they were to promote these designes with an exhortatory Declaration stufft with raising rhetorick against the English which was sent into Fife and the High-lands perswading all to rise at this time of need This produced little for the common people must not stir unless their Lords or Leards beat the Drum But these Grandees were now busily snarling one at another about superiority in the Army every one endeavoring to be in the chiefest place of command and if any one were advanced he that came next behind pulled him by the skirts to hinder his preferment By this means the Scots great undertakings went on but slowly But to return and make an inspection into the English Affairs We find the Army in and about Edinburgh under a cloud of sorrow mourning for the Eclipse of that great Luminary which erst while had shined so bright in their Hemisphere whose influence had many times melted the waxen Whings of his ambitious Enemies but now as all men are subject to be so this great General by sickness was confined to his Chamber and utterly dis-abled for the present to act in person with the Army should any new occasion call them forth of their Winter-Quarters This did not so much depress the spirits of the English Souldiery who were exceeding sensible of their unspeakable loss should Cromwel their fortunate Leader be now snach't away from them in the midst of their hopes as it heightned the Scots who were very much elevated with the fancy of his death believing the slightest report of it to be real truths because it corresponded with their desires imagining to themselves assurance of Victory and sufficient Revenge when death had conquered him who many times before had made them feel the force of his Steel This conceit was so deeply grounded in their imaginations that no report to the contrary could supplant it but it must be so because so they would have it so apt are men to believe any thing that serves for their purpose according to that saying Quod volumus facile credimus But this Chimaera soon vanished into nothing for a Scotch Trumpeter being sent out of Fife to Edinburgh about the restoration of a Ship laden with Goods which the English Frigats had taken sailing from Brunt-Island to Fife after his message was delivered he very confidently aver'd to the Souldiers That their General was dead and that they did well in hiding it but all the world should never make him believe otherwise This report was much wondered at and the more because the Reporter did it with abundance of confidence endeavouring to perswade all to chirp after his note But he could not long persist in his opinion for this Novelty being handed about from one to another at last it came to the Lord Generals ear who much admired such a thing should be and he not know it therefore to dispossess the Trumpeter of that conceit he caused him to be brought into his presence where coming he now saw that although sickness had for some time sorely handled this noble General yet now his recovery was so far advanced and that Nature had now gotten so much mastery over his distemper that in all probability he would walk forth in a small time to take the air and visit his neighbours at Sterling if not in Fife At the return of the Trumpeter to those that sent him he quickly blew away this false report which went so currantly in the Scotch Army and assured the falsity of it The Parliament in England having ever a watchful eye on the Affairs in Scotland with singular providence provided sufficient supplies both of Men Money and Provisions of all sorts for Horse and Man dispatching them away continually to the Army so that it might be said That never was an Army better provided for then this nor ever did Souldiers better deserve encouragement then these About this time arrived at Leith Admiral Dean one of the English Generals at Sea with large supplies from London amongst other conveniences he brought 27 great flat-bottom'd Boats which were for transportation of the Army over into Fife that so thereby a quick dispatch might be made of this work so far advanced already But the time of year would not admit of much action for although it was April here yet the Rays of the Sun were not of force sufficient to penetrate the congealed Clouds and raise any verdure on the ground so that the Cavalry could not march unless they carried their fields behind them or else in Carts But this which hindered the English furthered the Scotch and gave them leasure to scrape together as many men as possibly could be got Out of the High-lands marcht Middleton with a considerable Force of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee out of a great respect to their King and to shew their forwardness in prosecuting the cause advanced for the service a brave Regiment of Horse at their own charges and
sent them with a stately Tent and six fair Brass Ordnance for a Present to the King then at Sterling where all being joyned their Army consisted of 20000 men most raw or else but parboil'd having seen no Wars but what their own Country produced and being more acquainted with their fields then fights knew better how to handle a Spade then a Speare But though many of them were thus especially the new-raised Forces yet all were not so for Scotland being always numerous in people supplyed the neighbour-Nations with auxiliarie Forces so that many Regiments of them were always in the service of the Swede French Dutch and other Nations But now upon report of Wars in Scotland they repaired home to serve in their own Nation at this time against the English The Scotch Army being grown numerous was still augmented by Forces newly raised in all parts of the Nation where the King and States had any command yet more were desired to that purpose the Earl of Eglington an eminent person was sent into the VVest with some other Commanders to raise Forces these coming to Dunbarton began to put their Commissions in execution but Colonel Lilburn having notice of it sent them a party of Horse which suddainly snapt the Earl himself his Son Colonel James Mountgomery Lieutenant-Colonel Colborn c. whom they carried away prisoners to Edinburgh The Lord General Cromwel had now got strength to walk abroad notwithstanding the relapse he fell into after his first sickness and had it not been that he was of an extraordinary strong constitution the Ague which last of all seised upon him might have shook him into the grave But the Parliament in England seeing how frequent these distempers were upon their General and doubting the air of Scotland might be the cause of it the Council of State first of all sent him two eminent Doctors Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to use their utmost skill in his recovery and presently after dispatched an Order into Scotland which gave him liberty to leave the business of the Army and repair into England until his health and strength was recovered Upon receipt of this he made a return of thanks by a Letter to the Lord President of the Council which ran thus My Lord I Having received yours of the 27 of May with an Order of the Parliament for my liberty to return into England for change of ayr that thereby I might the better recover my health all which came unto me whiles Dr. VVright and Dr. Bates whom your Lordship sent down were with me I shall not need to repeat the extremity of my last sickness it was so violent that indeed my nature was not able to bear the weight thereof but the Lord was pleased to deliver me beyond expectations and to give me cause to say once more He hath plucked me out of the Grave My Lord the indulgence of the Parliament expressed by their Order is a very high and undeserved favour which although it be fit I keep a thankful remembrance yet I judge it would be too much presumption in me not to return a particular acknowledgement I beseech you give me the boldness to return my humble thankfulness to the Council for sending two such worthy persons so great a journey to visit me from whom I have received much encouragement and good direction for recovery of health and strength which I finde by the goodness of God growing towards such a state as may yet if it be his good will render me useful according to my poor ability in the station wherein he hath set me I wish more steadiness in your Affairs here then to depend in the least upon so frail a thing as I am indeed they do not nor own any Instrument this Cause is of God and it must prosper Oh that all that have any hand therein being so perswaded would gird up the loyns of their minds and endeavour in all things to walk worthy of the Lord So prays My Lord Your most humble Servant O. CROMWEL Edinburgh June 3. Although sickness had a long time kept under the body of this noble General yet his courage was no way diminished by it for no sooner was he able to stir abroad but with eager desire of action he consults with the chief Officers of the Army to carry on the War The result of these Councils was to contract the Army by drawing in the out-guards or petty Garisons which were of little force and onely served for Perdues to give notice of the Enemies motions To Hamilton marcht Commissary-General Whally with eight Regiments of Horse and brought off a Troop of Dragoons and 60 Foot which were there placed afterward several other places were deserted by the Forces that kept them The Army being thus drawn into one body were supplyed with 33 Waggons and Carriages for the Train from Barwick and near upon the same time arrived by Sea Captain Butler in the Success a stout ship formerly taken from the French this was the Ship that wafted along the Golden Fleece and safely swom into Leith with a rich Cargazon of about 80000 l for to pay the Souldiers This money was presently distributed out to the Horse and Foot which mightily elevated their resolution to the present Expedition All things being now ready for this Champaigne the Lord General Cromwel ordered the Armies advance to Red-hall which was cheerfully done on June 24. 1651. At this place they onely tarried until the Souldiers had wholly quitted their Quarters and then marched off to Pencland hills a place which was well known to the English ever since the first enterance of the Army into Scotland when they took the confidence from thence to look big on the City of Edenburgh but now being in a braver condition then they were before having cut through the greatest difficulties of the VVar and advanced their Blood-red Cross on the top of the most impregnable places that durst withstand their invincible Force having made a breakfast of the South of Scotland they intended the North for a Dinner Therefore to make hast now their stomacks were up the Lord General Cromwel caused the whole Army to pitch their Camp on Pencland hills in such a comely Order and admirable Figure so that Julius Caesar himself could he have kept death off at the swords point and thereby survived to this Age might have turned Scholar and learnt the Rudiments of Modern Discipline by the Example of this excellent Commander How amiable was it to behold the towring Tents of the superiour Officers in various Figures and spreading Colours overlooking the Huts of the inferiour Souldiers like so many Pinacles in a well-built City that aspire over the humble Cottages administring a pleasant object to the delighted Traveller Here Military Discipline resembled the Civil Power all knowing their Duty and performing their Parts whilst General Cromwel the Head observed the Actions of every Member in this great Body with one hand stretched forth to reward the sober
and valiant the other to punish the cowardly and vitious It was not here as usually it hath been practised in forraign Armies as that of the Duke of Lorain where the first question to a new-listed Souldier was this Canst thou plunder or in some others where the Van by Rapine and destruction make Skeletons of the Rear While the Army lay thus incamped the Lord General in his Tent feasted his Officers and several of their Ladies as the Lady Lambert and Major General Deans Lady with several other English Gentlewomen who came from Leith to view the Souldiers in their Tents and afterwards returned back to the places from whence they came The Army continued not long in this posture for General Cromwel seeing the weather invited and intelligence of the Scots being at Falkirk requiring a speedy advance he therefore drew forth the Army to meet them which we shall muster in their March and set down the names of the particular Colonels with their Regiments both of Horse and Foot which were actual in this Expedition that so the remembrance of these worthy Commanders may be preserved The Regiments were these HORSE 1. The Lord General 's 2. Major General Lambert's 3. Lieut. General Fleetwood's 4. Com. Gen. Whalie's 5. Col. Tomlinson's 6. Col. Twisleton's 7. Col. Hacker's 8. Col. Okey's 9. Col. Lidcot's 10. Col. Berry's 11. Col. Grosvenor's 12. Col. Alured's 13. Col. Lilburn's 14. 6 Troops under Maj. Husbands FOOT 1. The Lord General 's 2. Major General Lambert's 3. Major General Dean's 4. Leiut General Monk's 5. Colonel Fairfax's 6. Colonel Pride's 7. Colonel Goff's 8. Colonel West's 9 Colonel Cooper's 10. Colonel Ashfield's 11. Colonel Daniel's 12. Colonel Read's Six Troops of Dragoons and sixteen pieces of Ordinance This brave Cavalry and gallant Infantry in prosecution of the present design first marched to New-bridge from thence to Lithgow Now the two Armies being not far from one another it was conceived a speedy ingagement would follow seeing General Cromwel's courage prompted him to seek his Enemies and the numerousness of the Scots Army might be a perswasion to them not to fear a Fight But it seems they intended nothing less for the King having drawn his Foot into Torwood incamped there and railed them in with regular Fortifications the Horse in great Bodies lying about them for security and these again being fenced with the River and with Bogs so that it was an impossible thing for the English to drive them out of this fastness which they had betaken themselves to Yet however the Lord General would try whether provocations might draw the Scots to a fairer field and therefore marched his Army in Battalia so near their main Body that their Tents might perfectly be discerned and so stood from twelve at noon till eight at night expecting the Scots approach but they having more mind to spin out time then to put all to the hazard of one Battel refused an ingagement But because it should not be said the English came there for nothing therefore the Scots sent them some thundring Messengers from the concavity of their great Guns which wrought this effect that the Lord General Cromwel drew off his Army with a resolution not quite to desert the service but rather to go back some few paces that so he might return again with the greater force or else attempt the Scots Quarters in some other places and by that means inforce his Enemies to seek to him for relief of their Friends This resolution being taken up the Lord General drew off his Army to Glasgow and after some small refreshment of his wearied Souldiers he marched away again directly on the East side of the Town and so continued in excellent order marching on for five or six miles towards Hamilton this was to amuse the Scots and bring them into security but upon the suddain hoping to get some advantage over the Scots upon the remove of their Camp to Kelsith he wheeled about and quickly after took up his Quarters at Monkes-Land within four miles of their Army But though they still declined ingagement refusing to meddle with the English otherwayes then by small parties that sometimes flew out when they conceived any advantage might be gained yet many of these Land-Pickaroons were often met withal and sent home again well Bastinado'd for their boldness This spinning out of time in this manner so exasperated the Lord General Cromwel that he resolved to fall upon part of their Forces that were placed to keep Kalendar-House Accordingly July 15. he caused two battering Guns to be planted they began to play about eleven of the clock that day and about seven at night they had acted their parts so well that the wall no longer being able to indure the force of these fiery Engines fell down in many places and yet for all this the Governor very stoutly made good his charge believing that the whole Scotch Army his friends who were in sight would never let him perish for want of relief and therefore resolved to stand it out to the utmost The Lord General seeing his Summons wrought little effect to the obtaining of his ends sent ten Files out of every Regiment to pull them out by force seeing they would not yeild for fear these stout Lads being provided with Faggots presently dis-burdened their backs in the Enemies Moat and so springing over into the breach carried all before them so that in half an hour the House was wholly possest and the Governor with sixty two Souldiers hurried away into another world having refused when they might to live in this The Scotch Army all this while moved not but as passive Spectators beheld this Tragedy without offering to send one hand to help their friends in distress as if this business nothing concerned them The Lord General seeing how cowardly the Scots were in that they suffered their Garisons to be snatched away from under their Noses resolves to sit yet more close upon their skirts and bid fair for Fife thereby to cut off those supplies of provisions that inabled them to trifle out time and protract the VVar. This design had many times been discoursed of by the General and his Council of VVar but never before fell out so fit an opportunity as was now presented VVherefore Colonel Daniel's Regiment of Foot having four Companies more joyned with them and four Troops of Horse all under the command of that valiant Souldier Col Overton were designed for this service these lying at Leith it was given out they were intended for England by Sea but upon a sudden all provisions being in a readiness the Boats and Pinaces also fitted for Service Colonel Overton marched with his Forces out of Leith to Queens Ferry and there having imbarqued his men Thursday July 17. in the evening this Brigade set forward and the next morning very early being furthered by the wings of Sails and Oars this little Fleet flew over the Frith into Fife and landed at the North-Ferry in
the Scots desired Articles to depart in peace which Lambert though a man of War quickly condescended to and so the place was yeilded upon these Conditions 1. That the Souldiers in Garison who were about five hundred should march away with flying Colours 2. That the Towns People should have what belonged to them 3. That all provisions for War together with all Guns and shipping of War should be delivered up for the use of the Common-Wealth of England This place was of great concernment for besides the strength of it it was a most commodious Harbour and in many respects better then that at Leith and from thence the Army in the progress of their Conquests might have constant supplies of all necessaries The Lord General having dispatched his Affairs at Leith made no stay but immediatly crost the Frith to his Army then at Brunt Island where he finds all things governed by Lambert with much Prudence and Policie the Souldiers couragious and Commissary General Whalley with a strong Party of Horse abroad scouring the Sea-side of Fife having some Men of War by Sea attending his Motion The Activity of this excellent Commander was very eminent who quickly subjugated many small Forts and possest himself of all their Artillery with the Ships and Pinaces that lay near them for security Having now brought his Affairs to a very hopeful condition the Lord General placed Colonel Wests Regiment in Brunt Island and with the rest of the Army and Train of Artillery July 30. 1651. he marched away to reduce St. Johnstons thereby to stop the High-landers from offering to send any Supplies to Sterling either of Men or Provisions The swiftness of this March was such that in two dayes the English Army came within sight of the Town and no sooner had they faced the same but intelligence informed the Lord General what small resistance he was like to meet withal which news was no way unwelcome but most acceptable for now 't was hoped to obtain possession by words not by swords and therefore this Summons was sent in That being informed the Town was void of a Garison save the inhabitants and some few Country men he thought fit to send to them to deliver the same to him immediately and that he did thereby promise to secure their Persons from violence and their goods from plunder This Message was immediately sent away by a Trumpeter who as it was conceived would blow open the Gates and make a free entrance for the whole Army but it fell out contrary to expectation for this Messenger of Peace approaching one of the Gates he was denyed admittance and returned back again by the Towns-men with a short Reply That they were not in a capacity to receive any Letters This slighting of Peace had like to have made them uncapable of Mercy but that a speedy excuse from the Magistrates of the Town was sent forth to mend the matter which declared That the Kings Majesty had sent a very strong Party able to maintain the Town and over-power them with a Governour But alwayes to observe civility with his Lordship they had obtained leave from the Governour to excuse themselves by shewing how unable they were to treat This was strange but not so strange as true For the day before the Lord Dafferes had entered the town with 1300 souldiers and therefore General Cromwel once more resolved to try the strength of his pen in a new Summons to this new Governour before they felt the fury of his sword But this was to little purpose for Dafferes would not return the least line or word in answer This sullen silence caused the General to give a speedy Order for drawing away the Water out of the Moats round about the Town whilst three Regiments of Foot Col. Prides Reads and Maliverers boldly advanced and planted four great Guns which plaid furiously into the Town this continued for one night but the Governour next day finding himself in an Errour was unwilling to persist any longer in it for fear of being brought to the stool of Repentance and therefore sent out to desire a Treaty which being concluded upon it was there agreed to deliver up the Town to the Lord General Thus the English Army run on in a continued Series of Successes making all places that offered to withstand their invincible force bow in obedience and come under their command and all this without the least opposition from the Scots grand Army commanded by the King himself which had lain long in and about Sterling strongly intrenched as if their onely design had been to defend themselves fearing as 't was thought to offend their Enemies and therefore continued their station to no other purpose then to bring up the Rear in Cromwel's Triumphs But it fell out otherwayes for the English Army having advanced as far Northwards as St. Johnstons the King thought good to make use of the present opportunity seeing his Affairs in Scotland were reduced to a desperate condition and fearing the fate that hung over that Nation would inevitably fall upon his own head did not he prevent it by some extraordinary means therefore knowing a desperate Disease requires a desperate Cure and that being in a house ready to fall it would be the safest course by a sudden departure to save himself by seeking a better Habitation he presently took that course To which end first of all casting up his force he found it extended to about 16000 strong with these and hopes of farther help from Friends he resolves to venter for England it self not doubting if his success answered his desires to hook in both Scotland and Ireland into the Bargain This Resolution he resolves to put in execution and therefore hastens his souldiers to drive on the design Thursday July 31. 1651. all things being in readiness the Scotch Army began their march from Sterling and the sixth day after entered England by the way of Carlisle The noyse of this Irruption made a terrible Eccho through all the Nation especially in the ears of the Parliament at Westminster who were much startled with the suddenness of the Action But they like vigilant Statists doubting such a thing would happen had beforehand provided to welcome these new-come Guests and first of all Major General Harrison attended by 3000 Horse and Dragoons joyning himself with Colonel Rich and some other great Commanders marched away to salute them upon their entrance into England Then an Act was issued forth and sent into all the Counties of the Nation to raise up the Militia into a present posture of Defence and besides to make all sure another Act was presently sent abroad which prohibited correspondency with Charles Stuart or any of his Party wherein it was enacted and declared That no person whatsoever should presume to hold any correspondencie with the said Charles Stuart or with his Party or with any of them nor give any intelligence to them nor countenance encourage abet adhere to or assist
the Souldiers bellies for want of better food But these were not all the strength for the Planters Servants understanding that if they would serve the State their time should still go on and that at last in spight of their Masters they should enjoy their Freedoms in as ample a manner as if they had served them this spurred them on to become Souloiers of Fortune and many were presently listed into several Regiments accordingly The Fleet was also augmented by twenty Sail of Duch Vessels which were made prize for presuming to traffick with prohibited goods contrary to the Articles of Peace betwixt the two Nations The Land-Army being now in a readiness their number was found to be so great that every Ships share was as many as it could well carry March 31. they set sail from the Barbadoes and in six dayes after came by the Lee under S. Christophers Here joyned with them about 1300 more which came off from several Islands in hopes to be made for ever From hence they shaped their course directly for Hispaniola On the 13 of April the whole Navie came fair by the Island and plainly discovered the Town of Sancta Domingo immediately hereupon a Council was called and the Guides consulted withal here it was concluded that General Venables should to Land According to which resolution the next day he landed about ten Leagues to the Westward of the Town with 7000 Foot a Troop of Horse and three days Provision of Victuals No sooner were they landed but every mans tongue was tipt with gold nothign could be thought on but the plunder of Plate and Jewels small things could not enter their mindes as for Hangings Houshold-stuff c. they would be cumbersome to carry and therefore they resolved to leave such things behinde them In this extacy of joy was the Souldiery when behold upon a sudden there appeared a Proclamation from the General commanding that when they entered the Town of Sancta Domingo no man should presume to plunder either money Plate or Jewels neither kill any tame Cattel on pain of death This made the Army look sowre on their imaginary sweet-meats their golden hearts were now turned to leaden heels so that it was indifferent to them whether they went farther or tarried there Yet for all this on they marched thorow Woods of incredible thickness receiving no opposition except the excessive heat of the Sun which caused an intolerable drought that oppressed them sorely having not had one drop of water in many miles march but what they carried in their own bladders so that Urine was as white-wine to them that could swallow it General Pen after the landing of these men set ashore three Regiments more under the command of Colonel Bullard in a Bay where a fair fresh-water River disburdened it self this was within two Leagues of the Town and appointed to be the place for conjuncton of the whole Army It was not long before the General according to appointment having peaceably past the Woods came to the River and joyned himself with Bullards Brigade Here upon view the Army was found to be 9700 but few fighting men From this river the Army hasted-away to take possession of the Town which in imagination was already won there marched on before the rest a forlorn Hope consisting of 500 men afterward followed the main body of the Army in this order they marched within four miles of the Town when upon the sudden a small party of Spaniards encountred the forlorn Hope and in an instant forced them in confusion thorow the next Regiment which was also routed the Body of the Army coming up to their rescue made the Enemy retire to a Fort hard by in the Woods without any considerable loss at all to the Spaniards on the English side was slain Captain Cox the chief Guide for the place many others The General having now seen the imbecility of his men through want of water and many other necessaries he caused them to march back again to the River from whence they came to refresh themselves in order to a full prosecution of the Design in hand To which end scaling ladders were made and two small Drakes mounted with a Mortar-piece and Granado-shels which were landed from the Fleet these were conveyed by water to be set on shore at a convenient place near the Town All things being now in readiness to try conclusions the Army once again dislodged and were by the Guides promised to be brought upon the Town of S. Domingo by a private way where they might pass thorow the Woods free from danger of any Fort. Such a way there certainly was but these blind Guides taking another to be it the whole Army were brought near to the place where before they had been shamefully repulsed The Spaniards mean time having certain intelligence by Negroes and Molattoes of the English march prepared to entertain them in their passage April 25. 1655. the whole Army approached near to a Fort which the Spaniards had in the Wood built of Brick in a triangular form without Flankers in it were nine Pieces of good Ordinance and 300 resolute fellows to manage them The English Army a little before noon approaching near this Fort were upon the sudden charged by a Party of the Enemy that lay undiscovered among the Trees these resolute Spaniards being about seventy in number at first fired a round Volley of small shot upon the forlorne Hope and then flew in like mad-men with their sharpe Steel Lances upon the English who were already even suffocated with thirst and hardly able to stand much less to fight so that in a moment the Generals running Regiment with near half the Army flew back to the Rear and possest their fellows there with such a pannick fear that every one began to shift for himself Mean while the Spaniards pursued their Victory with the greatest slaughter they were able to make for meeting with no resistance but what that ever-renowned Gentleman Major-General Haines was able to make alone of himself who never stirred one step but dyed not unrevenged in the mid'st of his Enemies they wreaked their fury at pleasure on these dastardly dunces till at last being overcome with killing they retreated back in Triumph with seven English Colours the evident Trophies of their Victory The Retreat of the Enemy gave opportunity for the living to number the dead upon view it was found that 600 were slain outright 300 wounded most in their backs and besides 200 more crept into bushes and ran away to save themselves which afterwards were knockt on the head by Negro's and Mollatto's Upon this sad disaster the Army that night drew up nearer the Spanish Fort as if they intended some mighty matters and having planted a Morter-Peice in a convenient plot of ground and all things being ready to do execution on the Fort upon a suddâ—n the souldiers were ordered to draw off so the Army without doing any thing marched away to their old
watering place in the Bay To what intent and purpose this was I shall be silent and leave it for others to judge The Army being come into the Bay had not that supply of Victuals from the ships as formerly but were necessitated by parties to go in the Woods to catch Cattel which many times cost them dear for the Negro's instead of hunting Cows would oftentimes change their game and breath them back again to their Quarters These things brought the Army to such distress that fearing to fight for Food abroad they exercised their Valour at home upon the Troop-horses belonging to their own Army thus did they continue for some days till a resolution was taken to imbark them and with all speed to make for Jamaica May the third day all the remaining part of the Army being shipped without the least disturbance from the Spaniard the Fleet set sail for the aforesaid Island On the tenth of the same moneth the whole Fleet cast Anchor in Jamaica Harbour and quickly after possest themselves of Oristano the chief Town in the Island here the Army having taken up their standing began to plant which since hath been and is like to prove a bad Neighbour to the adjacent Spanish Islands General Pen presently after returned for England and was quickly followed by General Venables to give an account to the Court of the brave service they had performed for the honour of their Country which pleased the Protector so well that he sent them both to the Tower of London This unfortunate Voyage to Hispaniola cannot well be let pass without some small inspection into the miscarriage of the Action Where there is want of Food and Arms fitting for an Army they must of necessity become a prey to their Enemies neither of which were sufficiently provided for in the beginning as they ought to have been It hath been alwayes the policy of Conquerous first to possess and then to plant but the Wives and Children in this expedition shewed a confidence in the fruition before they gained possession Alexander at his entrance into the Wars of Persia had but 35000 men which proved sufficient to carry on his enterprise By this we see two thousand Cocks are better to fight then ten thousand Capons But above all if the spring be corrupted the stream cannot run clear Where covetousness is at the root the branches of a design are alwayes blasted This made Achan prosper no better with his ill gotten gold A General that will prohibit plundering in an Enemies Country must resolve to do all the service himself for Souldiers will suffer him to win all that must wear all To dwell longer on this lamentable lame Story can be no way useful unless it be to call to minde that excellent saying Man proposeth but God disposeth Therefore to sweeten the bitterness of the blow received in America it will not be much amiss to recount brave Blakes successes in Affrica Not long before Pen set saile for the unfortunate Islands Blake set forth with a considerable Navy to scowre the Straights from Pirats which had much damnified the English Merchants in their passage out of the Levant Sea At first he beat about on the Spainsh Coast in hopes to finde them roving abroad but missing of his expectation a sudden resolution was taken up to fire their nests and consume their shipping in the very Harbors to effect this April 18. 1655. the Fleet approching near Tunis General Blake sent to the Dye demanding satisfaction for ships taken and a speedy release of the poor English taken in them from their present Captivity To this Message such an arrogant Answer was returned by the imperious Turk as very much enraged the English Sea-men insomuch that after a small debate it was concluded to revenge themselves on nine ships that lay in Porta Ferino the wind at present sitting fair encouraged a present prosecution of the designed project which was effected in this manner At first there entered the Harbour the Boats of every Ship man'd with resolute Sea-men and then followed Blake himself in the Admiral with the Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral These lying within Musket-shot of the Enemies Castle and Forts plagued them perpetually with whole broad sides until the Boats had utterly consumed the Turkish men of War which were reduced to ashes in four hours time with no more loss to the English then 25 men slain and 48 wounded This may in part wipe off the blemish which stained Englands reputation in the former disastrous Expedition At this time the Lord Protector endeavouring to strengthen himself abroad made an alliance with the Swede the effects of which Peace have since been felt to purpose in some parts of Europe Then presently after he constituted Major-Generals and divided England into eleven parcels amongst them The names of these Vice-Roys and the Counties allotted to every one's share were as followeth Colonel Kelsey For Kent and Surry Col. Goff For Sussex Hampshire and Berkshire Gen. Desbrow For Glocestershire Wilts Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwal Lieutenant Gen. Fleetwood For Oxfordshire Bucks Hartford Cambridge Isle of Ely Essex Norfolk and Suffolk Major Gen. Skippon For the City of London Com. Gen. Whaley For Lincolnshire Nottingham Derby Warwick and Leicestershire Major Butler For Northamptonshire Bedford Rutland and Huntington Col. Berry For Worcester Hereford Salop and North-Wales Col. Wortley For Cheshire Lancashire and Staffordshirre Lord Lambert For Yorkshire Durham Cumberland Westmerland and Northumberland Col. Barkstead For Westminster and Middlesex These Major-Generals in their respective Provinces did the Protector no small service in forcing Delinquents to pay the Decimation of their Estates which was imposed upon them by the Court for the sins of their youth he very well knowing 'T is good for Princes to have all things fat Except their subjects but beware of that Yet this new device after a while grew troublesome to the grand Projector himself who fearing they might in time eclipse his own greatness if continued brought them down again to move in an inferiour Orb. Another designe of a far different nature but for like ends with the former was about this time set on foot by the Protector to wit the re-admission of the Jews into this Nation This people indeed were sometime Gods peculiar people to whom pertained the adoption and the Glory and the Covenant and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises insomuch that Moses thus expostulates with them What Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for But as if all this had not been sufficient it pleased God so far further to honour them that of them according to the flesh Christ came who although he were approved of God among them by miracles wonders and signs for their conviction Yet they entertained him with crucifixion uttering this direful imprecation thereupon His bloud be upon us and our
in the bud and prevent their further increase 4. It was necessary to have a special regard to and warchful eye upon Scotland because by reason of its contiguity no Enemy could be so obnoxious to England as it and how ready they have been to lay hold on all opportunities to disturb the peace of England frequent examples testifie both of former and later times And unless that back-door were pin'd up as great mischiefs were like to be let in thereby now as ever In order therefore to their former Resolutions the Parliament provide for a war they order the Army to march Northwards to sit upon the skirts of the Scots But Sir Tho. Fairfax their General at that time being it seems not satisfied in the thing as many others likewise were not desired to be excused and laid down his Commission VVhich action of his bred consternation in most and several descants were given thereupon the Plebeian rout whose tribunal nothing of moment can pass judged the reason to be that he durst not venture to abide the gust of those Northern blasts But wise men know how much vulgar bruits are to be heeded and that notwithstanding what was said then or can be said now the trumpet of his fame shall not be put to silence nor shall Time it self be able to wipe his name into oblivion The Parliament being thus disappointed are to seek for a General to command their Army but for that they need not go far since they had then amongst them the most renowned Cromwel of whose prowess and faithfulness they had had manifold experience and who upon their request did accept of the Charge upon which they give him a Commission thereby impowering him to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in the Commonwealth of England annulling all Commissions formerly granted to the Lord Fairfax Cromwel being thus invested with power presently addresses to the vvork and in order thereunto he took his journey towards the Army in the North June 28. 1650. As he passed great demonstrations of respect were given him by the generality of the people July 4. he arrived at York attended by many great Officers of the Army No sooner vvas he entred that City but the Lord Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs gave him an invitation to a stately Dinner expressing how much they joyed in the presence of so renowned an Hero But he remembring that it was Fighting and not Feasting that he came about tarried there no longer then to order supplies for the Army and expedite their Rendezvous By this time the Committee of Estates in Scotland was alarmed insomuch that they were frighted into an Expostulation with the Parliament thinking thereby to protract time till their Levies were perfected to that end they sent a Letter to the Speaker by Col. Grey to this effect That they wondered at the report of the English Armies advance towards their Nation and that many of their Ships were seized and secured by the English contrary to the Act of Pacification in the large Treaty which provided that no acts of Hostility should be used against each other without three months warning beforehand and that those Forces which they were raising were onely for their own defence and therefore they desired to know if the Forces of England now on their march Northward were intended for Offence or Defence to guard their own borders or invade Scotland Papers of like import were also sent to the Governour of Newcastle Major Gen. Lambert and the Lord General Cromwel The Parliament answered them by a Declaration shewing the Grounds and Reasons of their Armies advance vvith the equity and necessity thereof Their Grounds and Reasons vvere these 1. For that the Scots endeavoured to seduce the people of the Commonwealth of England from their affection and duty to the Parliament and to promote the Interest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant 2. In that they took Berwick and Carlisle and put Garisons into them in the year 1648. contrary to the large Treaty in 1640. and this done by the Parliament of Scotland even whilst English Commissioners were at Edinburgh offering to endeavour the composing of all differences betwixt the Nations by a Treaty which they refused But forasmuch as every quarrel that is lawful is not necessary for in some cases injuries are to be passed by or at least to be composed by Treaty therefore they proceed to declare the Necessity also of their present Expedition which they thus grounded All reparations of the damages done by the Scots in their late Invasion have been denied to be given in a fair way by their Parliament vvhereby they have owned the vvrongs done thereby That they have a designe again to invade us which appears thus 1. In that upon the English their demanding a Treaty for satisfaction of the injuries done in their late Invasion they in express terms declared themselves enemies to this Commonwealth 2. In that although they could not claim to themselves any Authority or Dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stuart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against this Commonwealth 3. In that vvhen upon preparation in Scotland for Hamiltons Invasion of England the Parliament of England sent Commissioners to treat of an Accommodation to prevent effusion of bloud they declined the Treaty and in stead thereof an Army speedily marcheth into England 4. In that they declared against the English Parliament and Army as Sectaries ranking them vvith Malignants and Papists These provocations being intolerable and no satisfaction being to be had but vvhat the Sword must procure the Parliament resolve upon that course vvhereby seeing no other expedient could effect it to vindicate the Nations honour and to secure it against the like insolencies for the time to come This Declaration was quickly seconded by another from the Lord General and his Army which they directed to the well-affected in Scotland and was to this effect That they being to advance into Scotland for the ends expressed in the Parliaments Declaration of June 26. they considering the practices of some in that Kingdom whose designes are by unjust reproaches and false slanders to make the Army odious and render them to be rather monsters then men Therefore to clear themselves they could do no otherwise then re-minde them of their behaviour when they were before in Scotland what injury or wrong was then done either to the persons houses or goods of any considering this it was hoped that such their former demeanour would not be forgotten nor the present reports affright the people from their habitations To satisfie them further the Lord General and the Army declared from the integrity of their hearts That such of the Gentry and Commonalty as inhabit where the Army may come they being none of those who by their counsels laid the foundation of a second Invasion or closed with him who hath endeavoured to engage forraign Princes against