putting his Army in order either there to receive us or to come to us to engage us upon the ground we stood whilst the General was thus observing the countenance of the Enemy directions were given to put the Army into such a posture as that if the Enemy came on we might take the advantage of our ground and be in readinesse to receive him or if not that we might advance towards him And whilest these things were in consultation and action the Enemies Army which before was the greatest part of it out of our view by reason of the Hill that interposed we saw plainly advancing in order towards us and the winde blowing somewhat Westwardly by the Enemies advance so much on their right hand it was evident that he designed to get the winde of us which occasioned the General to draw down into a large fallow field on the Northwest side of Naseby flanked on the left hand with a hedge which was a convenient place for us to fight the Enemy in And indeed seeing his resolution to advance upon us we took the best advantage we could of the ground possessing the ledge of a Hill running from East to West upon which our Army being drawn up fronted towards the Enemy But considering it might be of advantage to us to draw up our Army out of sight of the Enemy who marched upon a plain ground towards us we retreated about an 100 paces from the ledge of the Hill that so the Enemy might not perceive in what form our battell was drawn nor see any confusion therein and yet we to see the form of their battell to which we could conform our selves for advantages and recover the advantage of the Hill when we pleased which accordingly we did The Enemy perceiving this retreat thought as since they have confessed we were drawing off to avoid fighting and just then it was brought to the King that our Army was flying to Northhampton which did occasion them the more to precipitate for they made so much haste that they left many of their Ordnance behinde them The General together with the Major-General put the severall Brigades of Foot into order having committed the Ordering of the Horse to Lieutenant-General Cromwel who did obtain from the General That seeing the Horse were neere 6000. and were to bee fought in two wings His Excellency would please to make Col. Ireton Commissary gen of horse and appoint him to command the Left wing that day the command of the Right wing being as much as the Lieutenant-General could apply himself unto Which being granted by the General the Lieutenant-General assigned him five Regiments of Horse a Division of 200 Horse of the Association for that Wing and the Dragoons to line the forementioned hedge to prevent the enemy from annoying the Left flank of the Army In the mean time the Lieutenant-General having sixe Regiments of Horse with him for the Right wing disposed them according as the place gave leave And the form of the whole Battail you have here inserted Upon the Enemies approach the Parliaments army marcht up to the brow of the hill having placed a Forlorn of Foot musquetiers consisting of about 300. down the steep of the hill towards the enemy somewhat more then Carbine shot from the Main battail who were ordered to retreat to the battail whensoever they should be hard pressed upon by the Enemy The Enemy this while marched up in good order a swift march with a great deal of gallantry and resolution according to the form here inserted It is hard to say whether Wing of our Horse charged first But the Lieutenant-General not thinking it fit to stand and receive the Enemies charge advanced forward with the Right wing of the Horse in the same order wherein it was placed Our Word that day was God our strength Their Word was Queen Mary Colonel Whaley being the left hand on the right wing charged first two Divisions of Langdales Horse who made a very gallant resistance and firing at a very close charge they came to the sword wherein Col. Whaley's Divisions routed those two Divisions of Langdales driving them back to Prince Ruperts Regiment being the Reserve of the enemies Foot whither indeed they fled for shelter and rallied the Reserves to Colonel Whaley were ordered to second him which they performed with a great deal of resolution In the mean time the rest of the Divisions of the Right wing being straightned by Furzes on the right hand advanced with great difficulty as also by reason of the uneavennesse of the ground and a Cony-warren over which they were to march which put them somewhat out of their order in their advance Notwithstanding which difficulty they came up to the engaging the residue of the Enemies horse on the left wing whom they routed and put into great confusion not one body of the enemies horse which they charged but they routed and forced to flie beyond all their Foot except some that were for a time sheltred by the Brigade of Foot before mentioned Colonel Rossiter who with his Regiment was just come into the field as the Armies were ready to close was edg'd in upon the right flank of the right wing of horse time not permitting a more fitting and equal disposal of him whose timely comming according to his Orders gave him opportunity of such gallant performance in the battel as deserves an honourable mentioning The Horse of the enemies Left wing being thus beaten from their Foot retreated back about a quarter of a mile beyond the place where the battail was fought The successe of our Main battail was not answerably The right hand of the Foot being the Generals Regiment stood not being much pressed upon Almost all the rest of the main Battail being overpressed gave ground and went off in some disorder falling behinde the Reserves But the Colonels and Officers doing the duty of very gallant Men in endeavouring to keep their men from disorder and finding their attempt fruitless therein fell into the Reserves with their Colours choosing rather there to fight and die then to quit the ground they stood on The Reserves advancing commanded by Col. Rainsborough Col. Hammond and Lieut. col Pride repelled the Enemy forcing them to a disorderly retreat Thus much being said of the Right wing and the main battail it comes next in order that an account be given of the Left wing of our Horse Upon the approach of the Enemies Right wing of Horse our Left wing drawing down the brow of the hill to meet them the Enemy comming on fast suddenly made a stand as if they had not expected us in so ready a posture Ours seeing them stand made a little stand also partly by reason of some disadvantage of the ground and untill the rest of the Divisions of Horse might recover their stations Upon that the Enemy advanced again whereupon our Left wing sounded a Charge and fell upon them The three right hand Divisions of our Left
wing made the first onset and those Divisions of the enemy opposite to them received the Charge thetwo left hand Divisions of the Left wing did not advance equally but being more backward the opposite Divisions of the Enemy advanced upon them Of the three right hand Divisions before mentioned which advanced the middlemost charged not home the other two coâ—…ing to a close Charge routed the two opposite Divisions of the Enemy And the Commissary Generall seeing one of the enemies Brigades of Foot on his right hand pressing sore upon our Foot commanded the Division that was with him to charge that Body of Foot and for their better encouragement he himself with great resolution fell in amongst the Musquetiers where his horse being shot under him and himself run through the thigh with a Pike and into the face with an Halbert was taken prisoner by the enemy untill afterwards when the battell turning and the enemy in great distraction he had an happy opportunity to offer his Keeper his liberty if he would carry him off which was performed on both parts accordingly That Division of the enemies which was between which the other Division of ours should have charged was carried away in the disorder of the other two the one of those right hand Divisions of our Left wing that did rout the front of the enemy charged the Reserve too and broke them the other Reserves of the enemy came on and broke those Divisions of ours that charged them the Divisions of the left hand of the right wing were likewise overborn having much disadvantage by reason of pits of water and other pieces of ditches that they expected not which hindred them in their order to Charge The enemy having thus worsted our left wing pursued their advantage and Prince Rupert himself having prosecuted his successe upon the left wing almost to Naseby town in his return summoned the Train offering them quarter which being well defended with the Fire-locks and a Rear-guard left for that purpose who fired with admirable courage on the Princes horse refusing to hearken to his offer and the Prince probably perceiving by that time the successe of our Right wing of Horse he retreated in great haste to the rescue of the Kings Army which he found in such a general distresse that instead of attempting any thing in the rescue of them being close followed in the Rear by some of Commissary Generals Col. Riches Col. Fleetwoods Major Huntingtons and Col. Butlers horse he made up further untill he came to the ground where the King was rallying the broken horse of his Left wing and there joyned with them and made a stand To return again to our right wing which prosecuting their success by this time had beaten all the enemies horse quite behinde their foot which when they had accomplished the remaining business was with part to keep the enemies horse from coming to the rescue of their foot which were now all at mercy except one Tertia which with the other part of the horse we endeavoured to break but could not they standing with incredible courage resolution although we attempted them in the Flanks Front and Rear untill such time as the General called up his own Regiment of foot the Lieut. General being likewise hastening of them which immediately fell in with them with But-end of Muskets the General charging them at the same time with horse and so broke them The enemy had now nothing left in the Field but his horse with whom was the King himself which they had put again into as good order as the shortnesse of their time and our near pressing upon them would permit Charging in person the Blew Regimt. which kept to their Armes so stoutly The Generall whom God preserved in many hazardous ingagements of his person that day seeing them in that order and our whole Army saving some Bodies of horse which faced the enemy being busied in the execution upon the foot and taking and securing prisoners endeavoured to put the Army again into as good order as they could receive to the perfecting of the work that remained Our foot were somewhat more then a quarter of a mile behinde the horse and although there wanted no courage nor resolution in the horse themselves alone to have charged the enemy yet forasmuch as it was not judged fit to put any thing to hazard the businesse being brought through the goodnesse of God to so hopefull an issue It was ordered our horse should not charge the enemy untill the foot were come up for by this time our foot that were disordered upon the first Charge being in shorter time then is well imaginable rallyed again were comming up upon a fast march to joyn with our horse who were again put into two wings within Carbine shot of the enemy leaving a wide space for the battail of foot to fall in whereby there was framed as it were in a trice a second good Batalia at the latter end of the day which the enemy perceiving and that if they stood they must expect a second Charge from our Horse Foot and Artillery they having lost all their Foot and Guns before and our Dragoons having already begun to fire upon their horse they not willing to abide a second shock upon so great disadvantage as this was like to be immediatly ran away both Fronts and Reserves without standing one stroke more Our horse had the Chase of them from that place within two miles of Leicester being the space of fourteen miles took many prisoners and had the execution of them all that way The number of the slain we had not a certain account of by reason of the prosecution of our Victory and speedy advance to the reducing of Leicester the prisoners taken in the field were about five thousand whereof were six Colonels eight Lieut. Colonels eighteen Majors seventy Captains eighty Leiutenants eighty Ensignes two hundred other inferiour Officers besides the Kings Footmen and houshold servants the rest common Souldiers four thousand five hundred The enemy lost very gallant men and indeed their foot commanded by the Lord Astley were not wanting in courage the whole booty of the Field fell to the Souldier which was very rich and considerable there being amongst it besides the riches of the Court and Officers the rich plunder of Leicester Their Train of Artillery was taken all their Ordnance being brasse Guns whereof two were Demi-Canon besides two Morter-pieces the enemy got away not one Carriage eight thousand Arms and more forty Barrels of powder two hundred horse with their riders the Kings Colours the Duke of Yorks Standard and six of his Colours four of the Queens white Colours with double Crosses on each of them and near one hundred other Colours both of horse and foot the Kings Cabinet the Kings Sumpter many Coaches with store of wealth in them It was not the least mercy in this Victory that the Cabinet Letters which discover so much to satisfie
was the rise and occasion of a most triumphant faith and joy in him expecting that GOD would do great things by small means and by the things that are not bring to nought things that are A happy time when the Lord of hosts shall make his Tabernacle in the hearts and countenances of our chief Commanders from thence to laugh his enemies to destruction and have them in derision to confusion Had not Major gen Skippon done gallantly he had not received such an early wound in his side and had he not had a Spring of Resolution he had not stayed in the field as he did till the battel was ended for being desired by his Excellencie to go off the field he answered He would not stirre so long as a man would stand That I mention not all those Officers and Souldiers particularly who behaved themselves so gallantly in this Action is to avoyd emulation and partiality I shall satisfie my self to adde concerning them and the whole businesse the words of the General and Lieutenant-General in their several Letters to the Speaker of the house of Commons with which I shall conclude * Lieut. Gen. Cromwels close of his Letter to the Speaker of the house of Commons Honest men served you faithfully in this action Sir they are trusty I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them which they have not done blessed be God and I hope never will He proceeds and wisheth This action may beget thankfulnesse and humility in all that are concerned in it And concludes thus modestly himself He that ventures his life for the liberty of his Country I wish he trust GOD for the liberty of his Conscience and You for the Liberty he fights for c. The close of the Generals Letter to the Speaker All that I desire sayes the General is That the honour of this great never to be forgotten mercy may be given to GOD in an extraordinary day of Thanksgiving and that it may be improved to the good of his Church which shall be faithfully endeavoured by Sir Your most humble Servant Thomas Fairfax After the Battel was ended and the Horse gone in pursuit the Army marched 5 miles that night to Harborough the head-querter Most of the Prisoners that were taken in the fight were that night brought into Harborough church except those that were wounded and sent to Northampton Among other Writings taken in the Battel there was a Manuscript presented to the General written by one Sir Edward Walker Herald of Arms of the Kings great Victories in this War wherein there was one passage very observable That whereas he taking occasion to speak of the Irish cals them Rebels the King having perused the Book among the alterations he had made therein in divers places with his own hand in that place puts out Rebels and writes over the head Irish with his own hand so much care was there to correct and qualifie any Expression that might reflect on those blood-thirsty Rebels There was also brought to the head-quarter at wooden Image in the shape of a man and in such a form as they blasphemously called it the God of the Roundheads and this they carried in scorn and contempt of our Army in a publike manner a little before the Battel begun The next day Colonel Iohn Fiennes with his Regiment was sent up to London by the General with the Prisoners and Colours taken in the Fight His Regiment took 11. Colours in the Battel Who had a great share in the performance of that Day being placed with his Regiment in the Right wing of Horse carried himself gallantly and was very happy in his successe CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm surrendred upon Articles Some clamours of the Enemy for breach of Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them Aâ— instance of the Enemies desperate Prophanenesse joyned with barbarous and inhumane Cruelty THe Enemy thus driven out of the field his Excellencie gave Orders for the Army Horse Foot and Train to march after them the next day which was Lords day without any more intermission the pursuing of the Victory being of parallel consequence with the getting it In obeying of which Orders the readinesse and chearfulnesse of the Souldiers was admirable and worthy our observation and remembrance That when in respect of their long and hard March for many dayes together before the Battel and the vehement and sharp battel they had fought they might well have pleaded for some time of refreshment yet no sooner was the Generals order given for marching but they repaired all to their Colours and that very next day after the battel marched to great Glyn the head-quarter four miles short of Leicester The Horse marched within a mile of Leicester that night and kept Guards which so alarm'd the Nobles and Gentry that had fled thither for security that they departed thence in much haste leaving the Lord Hastings to defend that place This day his Excellencie received intelligence that Sir Iohn Gell with about 2000 Horse was on his march towards the Army according to Orders formerly sent him as also that the King with one part of the Routed horse not judging himself safe in Leicester went thence that evening to Ashby-de-la-Zouch where he reposed himself some few houres but understanding that our Army advanced and that our Horse pursued the chase Mounted on horse-back in the night and fled to Liechfield and from thence into Wales without any considerable stay so great was the affright the other part of the Rout being the Northern horse under Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night near Newark both passing so that it was the wonder of all men how they being in such a tired and distracted condition could escape Sir Iohn Gels horse who the same day were on their march from Nottingham towards Leicester This day furnished his Excellency with a full intelligence of the state both of our friends and our enemies affaires in the West by meanes of the contrivement of Scout-Master-generall the manner thus A Spie of his formerly imployed by him to Secretary Nicholas in Oxford was the day that the Army rose from before it sent to him again yet as one comming of his own accord to give him intelligence that the Army would that morning march away a thing they in Oxford knew well enough it being conceived that either the Secretary would send him or he might finde some opportunity to go into the West where Generall Goring then lay with his Army about Taunton and bring us the intelligence we desired accordingly it fell out Into the West he was sent first to Bath where the Prince of Wales then was to whom he brought the first news of the Parliaments Army rising from before Oxford from thence bearing the reward of ten pieces from the Prince
all honest men of the intention of the adverse party fell likewise into our hands and have been since published by the Authority of the Parliament to the view of the whole Kingdome The Field was about a mile broad where the battail was fought and from the outmost Flank of the right to the left Wing took up the whole ground Thus you have a true and exact relation of the work of this happy day 1. The battail was fought much upon equall advantage whether you respect the numbers on each side there being in that not 500. odds or the ground it was fought upon being on both sides Champaign and in that respect equal and the winde at length favouring neither side more then other But in this the enemy had much the odds of us that they had on their side not so few as fifteen hundred Officers that were old souldiers of great experience through long experience in forraign parts when on the other hand we had not ten Officers that could pretend to any such thing as the experience of a souldier save what this war had given them being for the most part such whose Religion Valour and present Reason was their best Conduct and herein God went beyond our Enemies in their pride and seeming friends in their contempt of this Army 2. Of how great consequence this Victory was to the whole Kingdom That it may the better appear let us take a view of it and suppose we beheld it through the counter-prospective of the contrary event as if the Enemy had had the victory and we been beaten and then me thinks I see not only this Army the only guardion of the Kingdom lying on a heap furnishing the enemy with insulting Trophees but also our party in the West ruined and the enemy there like a violent Torrent carrying all before him Me thinks I see the King and Goring united making a formidable Army and marching up to the Walls of London incouraging their souldiers as formerly with the promise of the spoyle of that famous City And if this successe had been indulged them and London not denyed as who should such an Army have asked it of what could have ensued worse or more When once that City by such a fate had restored an Embleme of undone Rome when Caesar came against it That The Senate shooke the affrighted Fathers leave Their Seats and flying to the Consuls give Directions for the War where safe to live What place t' avoid they know not whether ere A blest-ripe wit could guide their steps they bear Th' amazed people forth in Troops whom nought So long had stird Ingenti nec modo vulgus Perculsum terrore pavet sed curia ipsi Sedibus exiliere Patres invisaque Belli Consulibus fugiens mandat decreta Senatus Tunc quae tuta petant quae metuenda relinquant Incerti quocunque fugae tulit impetus urgent Praecipitem populum serieque haerentia longa Agmina prorumpunt And who needs any interpretation of this to have been a being cast in our Cause and a loosing of our Charges All this did God mercifully prevent by the successe of that battail and turned over this condition to the enemy and thereby laid the happy foundation of all the blessed success we have had since He that shall not in this victory look beyond the instrument will injuriously withhold from God his due he that doth not behold God in the instruments will not know how to give him his due for when he doth actions by instruments his glory is to be seen in instruments now had I only to deale with actions I might possibly by a competent expression give on account of them but who may undertake to represent the lively frame of an heightened soul and the working of the affections in such Heroick actions The General a man subject to the like infirmities of body as well as passions of mind with other men especially to some infirmities contracted by former wounds which however at other times they may hinder that puissant and illustrious soul that dwels within from giving a character of its selfe in his countenance yet when he hath come upon action or been near an engagement it hath been observed another spirit hath come upon him another soul hath lookt out at his eyes I mean he hath been so raised elevated and transported as that he hath been not only unlike himselfe at other times but indeed more like an Angell then a man And this was observed of him at this time now with what triumphs of faith with what exultation of spirit and with what a joynt shout of all the affections God is received into that heart whose eyes he uses as an Optick to look through and trouble a proud enemy it selfe only is privy to what high transactions what deep and endearing ingagements passe mutually between God and such a soul for certainly the most immediate worship gives not a greater advantage is better felt experimentally then described historically but such a discovery of these things was made in his outward man at this Battel as highly animated his Souldiers Lieutenant-General Cromwel useth these expressions concerning Him in his Letter to the House of Commons The General served you with all faithfulnesse and honour and the best commendations I can give of him is That I dare say he attributes all to God and would rather perish then assume any thing to himself which is an honest and thriving way and yet as much for bravery may be given to him in this action as to a man I shall inlarge no further in this particular but conclude it was none of the least pledges none of the lowest speaking Providences betokening good successe to this Army and promising much happinesse to this Nation GOD's giving us such a General and so giving out himself to our General The great share Lieutenant General Cromwel had in this action who commanded the Right wing of Horse which did such service carrying the field before them as they did at Marston-moor is so known and acknowledged that envy it self can neither detract nor deny One passage relating to his service in this Battel which I have received from those that well knew it I shall commend to this Historie That he being come not above two dayes before out of the Association and that day the battel was attending the General in the field who was going to draw up for an ingagement He had the charge and ordering of all the Horse cast upon him by the General unexpectedly but a little before the Battel which he had no sooner received but it was high time to apply himself to the discharge of it for before the Field-Officers could give a tolerable account of the drawing up of the Army the Enemy came on amain in passing good order while our Army was yet in disorder or the order of it but an Embrio which the Lieut. General perceiving was so far from being dismayed at it that it
horse fifty barrels of Powder and other Ammunition in a good proportion The poor Inhabitants were overjoyed at their deliverance though in a sad Condition being so plundered by the Enemy at first taking the towne that many had nothing left but the bare walls who before had their shops and houses well furnished the Mayors house only escaped at that time which now suffered for it There is one peice of eminent wickednesse fit to be transmitted to the notice of the world not only for its relation to this story but to rectifie their consciences who have been led with too good an opinion of the Enemy and it is attested by persons of good credit and quality It is concerning Colonell Thomas a Welch-man a Papist who was slaine at the battail of Naseby There were two brothers of them the other was a Lieutenant Colonell taken prisoner in the battail the former was conceived to be the man by the discription of some of the inhabitants of Leicester who have under their hands given this information That the next day after the King had taken Leicester by storme this Colonell Thomas came to the Gaole where the prisoners they had taken at the entring the Town were put and called for the prisoners and commanded such as were willing to serve the King to come to one side of the room divers of them comming accordingly he commands them one by one to kneel down and swear by Iesus I le serve the King which some of them accordingly did He not satisfied therewith required them to swear God-dammee I le serve the King affirming publiquely he was not fit to serve the King that refused that Oath which they refusing he drew his Sword cut them in the Head in the Head in the Arms and other parts of the Body wounding them in a most cruell manner some of the Town of Leicester amongst others were the persons on whom this cruelty was exercised and remain still to this day maimed by these wounds Wednesday Iune 18. The Treasure being come down the Army was mustered and the Town was setled in some order and an Expresse sent up unto the Parliament with the Conditions upon which Leicester was surrendred Intelligence came this day that the King was gone towards Hereford it was taken into consideration to send horse after him but the thoughts of the West occasioned the deferring the debate thereof for the present Thursday Iune 19. Complaint being made to his Excellency by some of the Kings party that they had been pillaged by our souldiers his Excellency declared whosoever should be found guilty thereof they should suffer the extremity of that punishment that belonged to the violators and betrayers of the justice and honour of the Army and therefore willed they might be informed against to the Judge Advocate of the Army But upon examination of divers witnesses his Excellency saw cause to charge the breach of Articles on the Lord Loughborough and the injuries he complained of to his own failour and therefore to demand reparation of Him and the carriage on the enemies part appearing so foule in many particulars which were here too tedious to mention the General thought fit to detain the Hostages offering notwithstanding an examination of the businesse by Commissioners and engaging himself to make good whatsoever could be demanded of him in Justice and Honour as he should expect the like from them But they loath to trust to the issue answered not the meeting of our Commissioners his Excellency therefore for a time detained the Hostages till afterwards upon noble considerations the indempnity of his own and the Armies honour being sufficiently cautioned he was pleased to release them ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART II. CHAP. I. His Excellency with the Army marching Westward to relieve Taunton the second time taking in Hiworth Garrison by the way Curbing the Clubmen the retaking of Ilchester and the brave Fight at Langport NO sooner had the Army done the work that God had for them thereabouts but they marched towards Warwick solicitous in nothing so much as which way they might best advance the publique service and although being very doubtfull whether it were better to follow the King and hinder his recruiting and raising a new Army in Wales or go down to the West to relieve the other part of our Army who had deserved no other at our hands and stood in great need of it who should they by any unhappy blow be ruined as they were certainly in great straits the enemy being in common report twelve thousand and Major Generall Massey who was sent to their relief hardly three thousand whereby it was thought that Goring might both keep off him and keep up our men about Taunton it would have been of sad consequence to the whole Kingdom for then would the enemy have possessed the whole West except the Garrisons of Lime Poole and Weymouth intire to themselves The consequence of which in respect of the Trade and Riches of those counties the considerable Towns and Ports of both sides both towards France and Ireland seemed with a great deal of reason to perswade our present march thither and being desirous in a businesse of that importance not to determine themselves they had sent to the Parliament and Cōmittee of both Kingdoms to have their resolution upon it declaring their willingness to be swayed by their advice and counsell Yet that they might not lose any time they marched on to Marlborough with a disposition either to go over Severn at Gloucester towards the King in Herefordshire or to move Westward as they should be ordered where they receiving notice from the Committee of both Kingdoms that Letters were sent to the Scotch Army to march towards Worcester and that they had their consent and the Houses also to march Westward the Army bent their course that way having yet so tender a consideration of Gloucestershire that they sent Colonel Butlers Regiment of horse to lie before Barkley-Castle to keep in Sir Charles Lucas an active enemy and good souldier whilest the Gloucestershire Troops might look to the security of that part of their Country beyond Severn This Regiment was sent under quarter Master Generall Fincher a stout man and a good souldier and one that knew the Country well Colonel Butler and his Major Major Horton being then under cure of their wounds received at Naseby In five dayes march viz. by Thursday Iune 26. the Army reached as far as Lechlade where some of the enemies Garrisons were gathering Contribution Our forlorn hope fell upon them shot Lieutenant Colonel Nott took four prisoners of Radcot Garrison and rescued some Country people whom they were carrying away prisoners Hiworth taken Friday Iune 27. The Army marched to Wanburrow and in the way made an halt and drew up before Hiworth garrison being a Church fortified by a Line and Bulwarks summoned the place Major Hen the Governour refused to yield they planted their Ordnance men were designed to
could beleeve a Victory sooner then contrive it and yet I think they were as wise in the way of Souldiery as the little time and experience they had could make them These Officers many of them with their Souldiery were much in prayer and reading Scripture an exercise that Souldiers till of late have used but little and thus then went on and prospered men conquer better as they are Saints then Souldiers and in the countries where they came they left something of God as well as of Caesar behind them something of piety as well as Pay They were much in Justice upon Offenders that they might be still in some degree of Reformation in their Military state Armies are too great Bodies to be sound in all parts at once The Army was what by example and justice kept in good order both respectively to it selfe and the country nor was it their pay that pacified them for had they not had more civility then money things had not been so fairly managed They were many of them differing in opinion yet not in action nor businesse they all agreed to preserve the Kingdome they prospered more in their unity then uniformity and whatever their opinions were yet they plundered none with them they betrayed none with them nor disobeyed the State with them and they were more visibly pious and peaceable in their opinions then many we call more orthodox They were generally constant and conscientious in duties and by such sobernesse and strictnesse conquered much upon the vanity and loosnesse of the Enemy many of those fought by principle as well as pay and that made the work goe better on where it was not made so much matter of merchandize as of conscience They were little inutinous or disputing commands by which peace the Warre was better ended There was much amity and unity amongst the Officers while they were in action and in the Field and no visible Emulations and Passions to break their Ranks which made the publick fare better That Boat can goe but slowly where the Oares rowe severall wayes the best Expeditions is by things that goe one way The Army was faire in their martches to Friends and mercifull in Battaile and successe to Enemies by which they got some love from Enemies though more from Friends This Army went on better by two more wheels of Treasurers and a Committee the Treasurers were men of publick spirits to the State and Army and were usually ready to present some pay upon every successe which was like wine after work and cheered up the common spirit to more activity The Committee which the House of Commons formed were men wise provident active and faithfull in providing Ammunition Armes Recruits of men cloathes And that Family must needs thrive that hath good Stewards Thus you have a Copy of our Army we will not say they have no faults but those they have we wish rather reformed then read by the World A LIST of the Names of the OFFICERS in chiefe of Foot and Horse the Train of ARTILERY and other Officers under the command of His Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX As Colonels Lieutenant-Colonels Majors and Captaines c. GENERAL OFFICERS HIS Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax General Major General Skippon Major General to the whole Army Lieutenan Gen. Cromwel Lieut. Gen. of Horse Lieut. Gen. Hamond Lieut. Gen. of the Ordnance Commissary-Gen Ireton Com. Gen. of the Horse The TREASURERS at Warre viz. Sir John Wollaston Knight Thomas Adams Esquire John Warner Esquire Thomas Andrewes Esquire George Wytham Esquire ALDERMEN Francis Allien Abraham Chambrelan John Dethyck ESQUIRES Captaine Blackwel Deputy-Treasurer at Warres Commis Gen. Stane Commis Gen. of the Musters Major Watson Scoutmaster Gen. to the Army Quartermaster Gen. Spencer Quartermaster Gen. of Foot now Quartermaster Gen. Gravesnor Quarterm Gen. Fincher Quarterm Gen. of Horse Colonel Pindar Harcourt Laighton Thomas Herbert Capt Potter slaine at Naseby now Capt Vincent Potter Esq Commissioners of Parliament residing in the Army Captaine Flemming Captaine Evelyn Adjutants Gen. of Horse Lieutenant-Col Gray Adjutant Gen of the Foot Captaine Deane comptroller of the Ordnance John Mi's Esquire Judge Advocate John Rushworth Esquire Secretary to the General and Counsel of Warre Master Boles Chaplaine to the Army Commissary Orpin Commissary Gen of Victuals now Commissary Cowling Capt Cooke Commissary Gen of Horse-Provisions slaine at Naseby now Commissary Jones Master Richardson Waggon-master General Doctor Payne Doctor Strawhill since Dr French Physitians to the Army Master Web Apothecary to the Army Master Winter Chirurgion to the Generals owne Person Captaine Wykes Marshal-General of Foot Capt Rich Lawrence Marshal-Gen of Horse Mr Fran Child Markmaster-Gen of the Horse Master Robert Wolsey Assistant to the Quartermaster-Gen of Foot wounded at Naseby M James Standish M Rich Gerard Deputies to the commissary-Gen of Musters M Thomas Wragge M William Clarke Clerks to the Secretary M Richard Chadwel M Constantine Heath Messengers to the Army For the Foot Sir Thomas Fairfax Col. His owne Company commanded by Capt Fortescue since Capt Aidley Lievtenant col Jackson Major Cook dyed before Bristol Capt Gooday now Maj. Capt Boyce Capt Musket Capt Maneste dead Cap. Wolfe Capt Highfield Capt White Capt Bland since Capt Leigh Major Gen. Skippon Lieutenant-Col Frances slaine at Naseby Major Ashfield now Lieutenant-colonel Capt Samuel Clark now Major Capt Streater Capt Harrison Capt John Clark Capt Bowen Capt Gibbon Capt Cobbet Capt Symonds Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Lieutena-col Cottesworth slain before Oxford now Lieutenant col Salmon Major Smith Capt Howard Capt Waade Capt Hill slain before Bristol now Capt Aske Capt Gorges Capt Clark Capt Thomas Capt Hodden Colonel Hamond Lieutenant-col Ewre Major Sanders Capt Disney Capt Chara Capt Smith Capt Johu Boyce Capt John Puckle Capt Stratton Capt Rolfe Colonel Harley Lieutenant-colonel Pride Major Cowell Capt Goff Captain Gregson wounded at Rerkley Capt Sampson wounded at Bridgewater Capt Hinder wounded at Bristol Capt Forgison Capt Mason Capt Lago Colonel Mountague since colonel Lamberts Lieutenant-collon Grimes Major Kelsey since Major Rogers Caâ—tain Blethen Captain Nunney Captain Biscoe Captain Rogers Capt. Wilks slain at Basing now Capt. Cadwel Capt. Thomas Disney Capt Sanders Colonel Lloyd slaine at Taunton since Colonel Herbert Lieutenant-colonel Gray Major Read now Lieutenant-colonel wounded at Taunton now Major Waade Capt Wilks slain at Taunton Captain Gettins dyed in Gloucestershire now Capt. Lundy wounded at Berkley Capt. Wigfal slain at Berkley-castle Captain Melvin wounded at Bristol Captain Spooner Captain Short Colonel Pickering dyed at Antre now Colo. Hewsons Lieutenant-colon Hewson now Colonel Major Jubbs now Lieutenant-colonel Capt. Axtel now Major Capt. Husbands now Capt. Grimes Capt. Jenkens slain at Farringdon after Capt. Tomkins slain at Naseby now Captain Toppington Capt Carter Capt Silverwood Capt Gayle slain at Bristol Capt Price Colonel Fortescue Lieutenant-colo Richbell slaine at Taunton Lieutenant-col Dursey slain at Bristol Lieuten col Ingoldsby slaine at Pendennis now Leutenant-col Cobbet Major Jennings Capt Gettins
Febr. 10 To Crediton  12 4 14 To Chimleigh  9 2 16 To Stephenston master Roules his house that night faced Torrington and entred  8 8 24 To Houlsworthy  10 1 25 To Launceston Cornw. 10 4 March 1 To Blisland  16 1 2 To Bodman  4 5 7 To a Randezvouz at Lanevet and back to Bodman  6 2 9 To Tregny  15 1 10 To Truro  6 11  Goring's Army of Horse surrendred and disbanded    21 To Bodman  20 5 1646     26 To Launceston the General to Plymouth  20 2 28 To Okehampton Devonsh 15 1 29 To Crediton  14 2 31 To view the Siege at Excester and to Collumb-John  13 13 Apr. 13 To Excester surrendred  4 5 18 To Chard Somersetsh 24 1 19 To Dorchester Dorsetsh 22 1 20 To Salisbury Wiltsh 32 4 25 To Andivor  15 2 27 To Newbury Berksh 13 3 30 To East Hendred  12 1 May 1 To Garsington Oxon 9 1 2 To Heddendon  3 53 June 24 To Oxford surrendred  1 0 The Contents of the severall Chapters PART I. CHAP. I. COntaining by way of Poeme and Introduction a generall account of the miserable condition of this Kingdome before this present Parliament The occasion and Instruments of calling it The snare laid for us in a former Parliament The Quarrell between the Royall party and the Parliament stated And shewing how the Command of the Parliaments Forces came to be devolved to Sir Thomas Fairfax their present Generall CHAP. II. Wherein a briefe Character of the General and Lievtenant-General The framing of the New-Model The beginning of their Action at Issip-Bridge Blechington-house Bampton-Bush c. And the effect these things had on His Majesty at Oxford CHAP. III. The General with the Army matching into the West Vpon after advice recalled and a party only sent to Taunton Their good successe in the relief of Taunton Lievtenant General Cromwell defending his Quarters against Goring CHAP. IV. The Army imployed to besiege Oxford How far they proceeded therein Severall Garisons thereabouts besieged and some taken The losse of Leicester and the Discontents and discouragements that ensued thereon With a modest enquiry into the cause of our low condition at that time CHAP. V. The Army commanded to rise from before Oxford Their severall Martches till the Battaile at Naseby with all the particulars thereof fully related CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm â—urrendred upon Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them An Instance of the Enemies desperate prophanenesse joyned with Barbarous and Inhumane Cruelty PART II. Chap. I. His Excellency with the Army martching Westward to relieve Tauton the second time taking in Hiworth Garrison by the way Curbing the Clisbmen the retaking of Ilchester and the brave Fight at Langport CHAP. II. The Particulars of that gallant Service the storming of Bridgwater CHAP. III. The taking of Bath The Club-mens Reply and his Excellencies Rejoynder in two considerable Actions defeating them The impregnable Castle of Sherborne taken by Storme CHAP. IV. The Siege of Bristol the taking of it with the Actions that intervened viz. the taking of Nunny Castle c. PART III. Chap. I The Devizes and Laicock-House surrendred Berkly Castle after in part stormed surrendred With an account of the Counsels that did lead these Actions CHAP. II. The Counsels whereby the Army steered their course imported The Reduction of Winchester CHAP. III. The Motions and Actions of the Army unto Tiverton The storming and taking of Basing-House fully related CHAP. IV. The cheap Reduction of Tiverton Castle by a strange Providence The surrender of Langford-House CHAP. V. Excester straitned in order to a Siege with severall Debates and Resolutions thereabout CHAP. VI. Severall Passages between the Prince and his Excellency and between his Excellency and Goring Concerning Pouldrum the Enemies preparations to relieve Excester and Ours to meet them c. CHAP. VII The slackening of the Siege of Excester by the Armies advance to meet the Enemy leaving onely a Force to block up the City With their great successe in those two Actions The Defeat of the Enemy at Bovey-Tracy and the taking of Dartmouth with a particular account of their Martches and lesser Passages PART IV. Chap. I. The Army returning to the Siege at Excester Pouldram Castle surrendred A French Vessell struck into Dartmouth wherein Letters of consequence from the Queen How farre the reducing of Excester was endeavoured before a second Diversion CHAP. II. Our Army a second time diverted from the Siege of Excester with a particular account of the Reasons thereof and the Motions and Actions of the Army occasioned thereby CHAP. III. His Excellency with the Army advancing into Cornwal driving the Enemy before them and possessing their Quarters A gallant piece of Service performed by Colonel Butler and his Party neer Stratton Prince Charles giving all for lost by his Excellencies pressing too hard upon them betakes himself to Scilly An advantage to the Parliaments Cause by a Packet of Letters from Ireland taken at Padstow CHAP. IV. His Excellency wit the Army driving up the Enemy into Cornwal A Summons sent to Sir Ralph Hopton and his Forces to come in with the severall transactions of that Bunesse untill the disbanding of all his Forces fully related c. CHAP. V. The Army returning to the Siege of Excester with all the Particulars of the Treaty and surrender of the same CHAP. VI. The Particulars of the Treaty and surrender of Barnstable and the Resolutions and Motions of the Army after the Reduction thereof till they came to Oxford CHAP. VII The Siege of Oxford the Particulars of the Treaty and surrender thereof with the inâ—luence of the Fate of Oxford upon the remaining Garrisons CHAP. VIII The Siege and surrender of Worcester and Wallingford CHAP. IX Of the Reduction of Ragland Castle and Pendennis FINIS A Table of the Motion and Action of the Army under the Command of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax From April 15. 1645. To August 19. 1646. VVherein is exprest what Battels were fought what Places of strength were taken whether by Storm or Surrender the number of Slain of Prisoners what Ordnance Arms and Colours were taken The name of the Commander in Chief the day of the Moneth when the COUNTY where the ACTION was done The Moneth and Day The Yeare Battels fought Places Relieved Taken and particul ingagements The manner How Daies of the siege time of fight Number of slain in fight or siege Number of prisoners taken Number of Ordnance taken Number of Arms. Number of Colours The chief Commander of ours in each designe Commanders of the Enemies The County Horse April 15 1645 Rout at Islip By a party of horse 2 houres 60 200  400 The qu.
to General Goring about Taunton who received him and the news very gladly and looking upon him as a fit instrument to be imployed to the King then about Leicester and as they supposed intending Northward deal with him as about a businesse of great concernment to carry a Pacquet of Letters from him the Prince and his Councell to the King He with some seeming difficulty suffered himselfe to be perswaded received the Pacquet brought them to his Excellency fair sealed up discovering to him the true state of the Enemies Armies and affairs in the West The Letters from the Lord Goring to the King signifying how that in three weeks time nine dayes whereof was then expired he was confident to master our Forces at Taunton and by consequence to settle the West of England in an absolute posture for his Majesties service and march up with a considerable Army to his assistance advising the King by all means in the mean time to stand upon a defensive posture and not to engage till his forces were joyned with his Majesty Had these Letters bin delivered to the King as they might have bin but for this defeatment in all probability he had declined fighting with us for the present and staid for those additionals which would have been a far greater hazard this intelligence did withall much quicken us to make speed to relieve Taunton yet being so neer Leicester and Leicester in all probability being easily to be made ours considering the fear that they within were possest withall by the losse of the day at Naseby besides the want of men thereby in all likelihood to make good their Works it was resolved first to assay that accordingly Monday Iune 16. about noon the whole Army came before the Town The General sent a Summons to the Lord Hastings to surrender the Garrison with all the Ordnance Arms and Ammunition therein who returned a peremptory answer as if he meant to defend it to the last man whereupon a Councel of War being called it was resolved to storm the place warrants were sent to the hundreds to bring in ladders carts hay straw other things fitting for a storm wherein the country was very forward to give assistance Tuesday Iune 17. great store of ladders were brought in a battery was raised upon which two Demy-Cannon and a whole Culverine taken at Naseby were planted which played upon an old work called the Newark being the very same Guns which the King not many dayes before had used against the same place The Lord Hastings now beginning to perceive his condition was like to be desperate sent a Trumpeter with a Letter to the Generall desiring a parly concerning the surrender of the towne which his Excellency desirous to save blood hearkened unto Commissioners were appointed to treate on our side Colonel Pickering and Colonel Rainsborough Hostages on both sides were given the Treaty begun that evening and held debate till twelve a clock that night and was concluded upon these Articles 1. TThat the Lord Loughborough shall have quarter granted him and have protection for his Person to be safely conveighed to the Garrison of Ashby-de-la-Zouch 2. That all Field Officers Colonels Lieutenant Colonels Serjeants Majors and Captains and Lieutenants of Horse but not of Foot shall march away with their own particular single Horse and Arms with protections for their own Persons 3. That all the rest of the Officers shall be conveyed safely to the Garrison of Lichfield with Staves only and no other weapons in their hand 4. That all common Souldiers have quarter only for their lives and be conveyed to Lichfield without any other weapons save only staves in their hands 5. That before 10 of the clocke the said morning June the 18. the Governour of the Towne and the Lord Loughborough and all the rest of the Officers and Souldiers march out of the Garrison according to the agreement aforesaid 6. That Sir Thomas Fairfax be permitted to enter in at 10 of the clock the said Wednesday morning aforesaid with his Forces and take possession of the Garrison 7. That all the Pieces of Canon great and small now in the Garrison of Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Fairfax 8. That all the Armes and Ammunition now in Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Fairfax save only what is agreed to for the Officers of Horse aforesaid 9. That all the Provisions Colours Bag and Baggage be also left to Sir Thomas Fairfax 10 That all the Horse save onely those excepted for the Officers aforesaid that are in the Garrison of Leicester be delivered up to Sir Thomas Fairfax for the service of the Parliament 11. That all the officers souldiers have quarter for their lives 12. That all the Prisoners of War that are in Leicester at the same time be released and set free to serve the Parliament The Guards and Centinels of the gate-house prison in the Newarke hearing of the conclusion of the Articles about four a clock on Wednesday morning went away from their duty and left their Armes behind them and the prison door open whereupon the prisoners went out and finding the Enemy a plundering they fell a plundering too About seven a clock all their guards were drawn off the souldiers on the Line threw downe their Armes quit their Posts and the gates were opened which gave invitation to divers of our stragling souldiers to get into the Town at the Ports and over the works Complaint hereof being made to his Excellency by some from the Lord Hastings or Loughborow of the violation of the Articles by our souldiers His Excellency sent to the Lord Loughborow to keep all his men upon their guards and if any offered violently to enter the Towne before the time to fire upon them and immediately issued out a Proclamation commanding the punctuall observance of the Articles by his owne souldiers under paine of death But the Lord Hastings instead of standing upon his guard according to the Articles till ten of the clock that morning which he ought to have done whereby he might have prevented that inconveniency which fell out and have performed his Articles in delivering the Towne to his Excellency with the Arms and Ammunition mounted on horse-back in the morning with divers Gentlemen officers and others and left the towne some houres before the time appointed for his marching forth so that when our Commissioners came according to appointment to see the Articles punctually performed they found the Lord Hastings was gone and all the towne in a confusion but the souldiers were commanded off and things were presently settled in good order and about eleven a clock that day the Army entred the towne where we found divers Commanders of note viz. Serjeant-Major-Generall Eyres Colonell Lisle Lieutenant Colonell Mouldsworth Lieutenant Colonell Pemberton Major Naylor Major Trollop besides divers persons of quallity all wounded in the battail There were taken in the towne fourteen peece of Ordnance thirty Colours two thousand Armes five hundred