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
Countrey-men wherein Quarter was offered to the whole Town Whereupon the Committee called together all the Commanders and read the Summons unto them and upon debate it was resolved to take the next morning to give an Answer But the Trumpeter was no sooner arrived at the Kings army with this desire but the a Drum was presently dispatched to demand a resolution of the Summons within a quarter of an houre which while they were debating at a Common-hall before any could expresse themselves the Kings cannon from the Battery played and all were commanded to repair to their charge which was done with much courage and resolution And now both sides plyed each other with Cannon and Musquet shot as fast as they could charge and discharge and so continued all day and all night at which time the Enemy prepared to storm at six or seven places At the Newark breach was the fiercest assault the Enemy there comming to push of pike amongst the rest Colonel St. George in a bravery came up to the cannon and was by it shattered into small pieces and with him many more for after the manner of the Turks the Horse forced on the Foot to fight who being played upon by the Musquetires were many of them slaughtered About three of the clock on Saturday was the Town entred the Enemy put many to the sword at their first entrance and dealt also extreme cruelly with the Town plundering all they had and putting many to great ransomes when they had taken away all their monies and gâ—ods There was buried of the Enemy in Leicester 709. as hath been collected by the burials there besides those that have died of hurts since there was above 100. of the Town souldiers slain section 8 The sad posture of our affairs at that time when Leicester was lâ—st discourst upon Vpon the losse of Leicester many discourses were raised each one venting his discontent according as passion byassed his affections Great was the discouragement of the Parliaments friends and as great was the confidence of the Enemy in so much that soon after viz June 8. the King himself in his Letter to the Queen used this expression I may without being too much sanguine affirme That since this Rebellion my affairs were never in so hopefull away But what 's the matrer Was there no Balme in Gilead Was there no Physitian there Had England no Army then Nay had they not two armies to the Enemies one had they not an army of our Brethren the Scots that had Wintred then in the Kingdom consisting of 21000. Had they not a New Model newly raised How fell we then into this low condition I shall endeavour to give a brief account of that business in its relation to this army As it often fals out that the Sun at its first rising is clouded with some smal Mist which after it hath once broken through ensueth a most fair and glorious day So this new army at its first going out seemed to be a little darkned by the sitting down and after rising from before Oxford the Kings increasing his forces and strength in the field and the losse of Leicester And these Vapours gathered into such a Cloud as that they did not a little obscure the first motions of that Army at least the Counsels and Counsellours whereby it was conducted and not so only but portended to its enemies a joyfull to its friends and favourers a sad prognostick of a sore storm ready to poure down upon them which they could not have avoyded but that through the mercifull disposition of the all-seeing GOD privy to the integrity of good mens hearts and actions the victorious Beams of this Rising Sun brake forth so gloriously at Naseby field ithath run its course ever since with such a constant lustre and brightnesse not so much as one Cloud passing over it that it hath dazeled the eyes of all the beholders and turned the scorn of its enemies into bitter envie and their choler into deep and inveterate hatred But how and from whence this Mist arose in the morning of this new Army I now come to shew month June 1645 His Excellencie with the greater part of his Army being recalled and returned out of the West the question then was Whether he should pursue the first designe of besieging Oxford or whether he should follow the King who seemed to bend Northwards On the one side it was considered that the Parliament had in their pay a great Army in the North of 21000 horse and foot of our brethren of Scotland That there were considerable Forces in Lancashire and Cheshire under Sir Will. Brereton which held Chester straitly besieged That in Staffordshire Derbyshire Yorkshire Nottinghamshire Lincolnshire there were also very considerable Forces which might joyn with the Scotish army if there were need and were commanded so to do in case the King marched Northwards besides the party of 2500 Horse and Dragoons under Col. Vermuden which were appointed to joyn with the Scotish army because they seemed only to want a due proportion of horse to engage with the Kings army and upon the appointment of them to that service the Commissioners of Scotland wrote to his Excellency the Earl of Leven to advance and the Committee of both Kingdomes ordered Col. Vermuden with his party to march into Derbyshire to joyn with them which accordingly he did and came to the rendezvouz at the time appointed This provision was held sufficient and more then sufficient in case the King should move Northward not only to check him in any enterprise upon the Towns of the Parliament or relief of Chester Pomfract or Scarborough which were then besieged but also to fight with him to the best advantage if need so required On the other side in case the King should have moved Southward or Westward his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax lying before Oxford was in the most convenient Post to fight with him and to hinder his designes whereby it may appear to him that considers it that our Forces were so disposed by providence at this time that the King had a sufficient Army both before and behinde him to fight with him and as great if not greater then those that after beat and wholly overthrew his Army at Naseby So that a designe could hardly have been laid to greater advantage yet it took not effect for that the Army designed to attend the Kings motions did not advance according to order but instead of marching Southward returned back into Westmerland Sir William Brereton fearing the approach of the Kings Army and seeing no Army ready at hand to balance it raised the siege of Westchester whereupon the King seeing the work done to his hand marched to Leicester and took it also there being no Army to check or controll him CHAP. V. The Army commanded to rise from before Oxford Their severall Marches till the Battel at Naseby with all the particulars thereof fully related VPon the sad news of
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
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
diligence and fidelity of Colonel Welden with the rest of those Commanders engaged with him in the defence of that besieged place deserves to be expressed at large but for want of a relation of their proceedings during that siege I must content my self only to mention their service with honour As also the good service of the Horse commanded by Colonel Graves who in severall Sallies upon the enemy were very successfull Lords day Iuly 6. the Army resting at Crookhorn and the rest of their quarters about four in the afternoon six in the evening twelve at night and two in the morning the Generall had certain intelligence by his Spies confirmed by severall hands that the enemy continued still at Long Sutton keeping a guard at Load-bridge and making good the garrison at Ilchester and Langport the two passes upon the River and had broken down the Bridge towards the town of Evill higher up the River whereupon orders were given for Drums to beat by four in the morning And accordingly Munday Iuly 7. the Foot were drawn out by six of the clock to a Rendezvouz in a field about a mile from Crookhorn in the way to Pederton The Generall and Lieutenant Generall went with a Party and viewed the Pass at Load-bridge Our horse appearing in great numbers gave the enemy an Alarm whereupon they drew up their Foot and marcht some Regiments from Load-bridge along the River side to Ilchester fearing we should storm that place our horse and theirs skirmishing upon the Meadows near the River by parties all that day A Councell of war was called in the Field to consider what course to take to engage the enemy who keeping himself beyond the River and having the Garrisons of Ilchester Langport Burrough and Bridgewater there was no possible comming over upon that side to force our passage in that place where the enemy stood in good order on the other side the River to receive us was a business of exceeding difficulty it being also a Moorish ground Upon the right hand the enemy had broken down the Bridge at Evill keeping a guard of horse upon it and all the Bridges upon that side so that there seemed to be no passage convenient for us till we came to the head of the river about Sherborn which would prove a difficult and long march upon which it was resolved to march the greatest part of the Army to Evill and there to force our passage leaving still a convenient number both of horse and foot over against Ilchester and Load-Bridge to engage the enemy in case he should atteÌ„pt to advance on this side accordingly our foot marched to Evill the head-quarter for that night we were no sooner come there but the enemies horse retreated to Ilchester Orders were given to make up the bridge which was speedily done Iuly the 8. early in the morning certaine Intelligence was brought to the Army by one of their spies sent for that purpose into the Enemies Army that the enemy hearing the pass at Evill was gained by our forces retreated towards Langport with the Army quit Load-Bridge burnt divers faire houses there Colonel Phillips the Governour of Ilchester in the night time quit the towne leaving the works standing undemolished only the Bridewell a place the enemy had fortified they set on fire which was quickly quenched by the Inhabitants This day the Army declining to march over the passe at Evill hearing Ilchester was quit marched back towards Ilchester upon the same side the river and quartered there that night where no provisions were left for our souldiers Intelligence also came that whilst we went on the other sâ—de Goring being drawn downe to Langport had drawne a great part of his Army towards Taunton as if he intended to surprize the Towne thinking to find them in security whereupon the Generall sent Major-Generall Massey after Goring with his own brigade of horse and a considerable strength of Horse and Dragoons of his owne Army and moreover the Generall took care that a considerable party of horse more should be sent after those horse as a reserve if need were This day Colonel Butlers Regiment commanded by Major Fincher quarter-master-Gen of our horse came up to the Army in their march from Barkly Castle did very good service first at Dursly they entertained Sir Charles Lucas comming to beat up their quarters kil'd the Captain of the forlorne hope after that charged the party with two troops kil'd ten whereof two Captains took 39 prisoners hurt Sir Charles Lucas himselfe from thence they came to Hyworth where the enemy from Farringdon had entred the towne whom they beat out and delivered to the Governour the quiet possession of his garrison from thence to the Devizes where they took some horse and so to Dorchester where they took some of Sherborn horse and so came to the Army very seasonably the Army being neerer an engagement then they expected Wednesday Iuly 9. The Army marched to Long-Sutton news came there that Major-Gen Massey was neer upon an engagement the Generall immediatly gave command that Colonel Montague should march with 2000 musquetiers to his assistance being in an inclosed country who marched accordingly but the engagement was over before he could come up and the welcome newes was brought that Gorings party which the Major-Gen had there engaged was beaten many slaine nine Colours and 300 horse taken Colonel Cook a Gentleman of much temper and resolution carryed himselfe gallantly in that service and received a shot through both cheeks this afternoon ours had continuall skirmishing with the enemies horse at a passe a mile on this side Langport took a French Cornet and his Colours a Dutchman and a Spaniard prisoners Thursday Iuly 10. A councel of War was held what course we should take to force the enemy to fight seeing he stood upon his advantage having the passes upon the River and might fight or flie at pleasure whilest the counsell of War were in debate thereof not knowing what to do the enemy being still at his election whether to fight or not Intelligence came that the enemy was advanced with his foot from Langport to the pass and had lined the hedges thick with musquetiers and drawne up his Ordnance this resolved ved the question at the councell of War without puting it whereupon the Generall and Lieutenant-Generall Cromwell and all the Officers instantly mounted rode up to the field perceived the enemy to put himselfe in a posture for an engagement instantly the Army was ordered to be put in Battalia the forlorne hope of horse and foot drew out Ordnance were drawn downe to places of advantage messengers were sent to recall most of the horse and foot lately sent to assist Major-Gen Massey but before they could come up our Ordnance began to play a good while before the foot engaged doing great execution upon the body of the enemies Army both horse and foot who stood in good order upon the hill about musquet shot from the
passe and forcing them to draw off their Ordnance and their horse to remove their ground Our foot advanced down the hill to the pass and with admirable resolution chargeed the enemy from hedge to hedge till they got the pass the enemies horse upon this drew downe towards us whereupon our horse advanced over the passe up the hill to the enemy the Forlorne-hope of horse commanded by Major Bethell gave a valiant and brave charge indeed broke that body that charged him and the next reserve our reserve of horse that was commanded by Major Desborough very resolutely charged the next standing bodies of the enemy so home that instantly they put them to a disorderly retreat our musquetiers came close up to our horse firing upon the enemy whereupon their Regiments of white Colours and black Colours of foot before ever they engaged marched away apace the Forlorne under Major Bethell and those under Major Desborough were going in pursuit of the chase but receiving orders to stay till more bodies of horse were come up that the pursuit might be orderly and with good reserves in case the enemy should face about and charge againe which was not impossible they obeyed their orders as good souldiers will though it check their sweetest pleasure as to pursue a flying enemy was no less when the enemy had fled about two miles they made a stand in a plaine green field where the passage out was narrow called Aller Drove but received only a piece of a charge and then seeing our bodies comeing on orderly and fast faced about and never stood after the passes being narrow in many places and the ditches being deep and wide especially at that place where they first faced about many horses of the Enemies were lost in the ditches whereof our souldiers recovered store and the riders got into the meadows hoping to escape but could not We pursued the Enemy within two miles of Bridgewater whither the enemy fled doing execution upon them all the way being eight miles in length took about 1400 prisoners about 1200 horse and divers Officers of quality Colonel Henningham Colonel Slingsby the General of Gorings Ordnance were also taken about thirty Colours of Horse and Foot and on the other hand it was a victory as cheap to us as dear to them we lost no Officer not twenty common souldiers some fourteen or sixteen of Major Bethels troop were hurt and himself shot in the right hand No sooner was the Enemy put to a retreat but in great confusion they quitted Langport into which many of them had fled a strong garrison naturally well fortified being about half a mile from the place of the fight and set it on fire but by the industry of the souldiers and Townesmen it was quenched The Enemy with a body of Foot drawing along with them two pieces of Ordnance by the way of Langport were pursued by Lieutenant General Cromwel and the Ordnance and most of the Foot taken And thus you have in a very short space an account of a very great action CHAP. II. The particulars of that gallant service The storming of Bridgewater AFter this battail the army marched five miles to Middlesay in the way to Bridgewater the bold carriage of Hollis the Club-man was very notorious who the morning an houre before the fight began came with a Petition to the General from his fellowes and followers withall telling the General in plain terms that if he did not give them better satisfaction then what he had yet given them they must take another course His Petition upon reading was found of that nature and his impudent carriage so insufferable withall that the General committed him to the Marshal but he made a shift to get away so soon as he saw the day was lost The next day the whole Army horse and foot with the Train were drawn up in Westonmoor otherwise called Pensy pound two miles from Bridgewater The Country-men thereabouts that had been vexed with the Cavaliers hearing of the defeat given unto them and fearing to taste of their former cruelties rose in great numbers and with their colours clubs and arms appeared upon Knol-hill which being made known to the General he with the Lieutenant gen and other Officers marched up to them who seemingly received him with joy and in token thereof gave a volley of shot whence after â—ome conference with them and their Leader who made a Neutral speech the General returned and the Army that night went to quarter the head-quarter that night being appointed at Chedsay within two miles of Bridgewater Friday Iuly 11. Colonel Weldens Brigade was commanded on the North side of the Town towards Devonshire and the rest of the Army on this side towards Chedsay the guards being set the General with the Lieutenant gen went to view the Town which they found to be very strong standing in a valley yet glorying in the equality of its level with the ground about it there being not a clod that could afford any advantage against that place the Fortifications very regular and strong the Ditch about it very deep and about thirty foot wide which for a great part about the town was every Tyde filled up to the brim with water the compasse of ground within the line and works not great very well manned having in it about 1800 Souldiers to defend it within the town was a castle of indifferent strength there was planted on the severall Batteries about 40 peece of Ordnance well stored with ammunition and victuals being a magazine for all the petty garrisons thereabouts Saturday Iuly 12. The Army continued in quarters and new places for guards were appointed Burrough-garrison taken by Col. Okey Lords day Iuly 13. We rested at Chedsay and Colonel Okey having from that day the battel was at Langport besieged Burrough-garrison with his Dragoons had the same surrendred unto him upon quarter wherein were 140 prisoners the Officers being promised fair usage Monday Iuly 14. a Councel of war was called great debate whether to storm the town or not Some inclination to it but no positive resolution Notwithstanding preparations were made in order to a storm the Souldiers cheerfully made their faggots and were drawn in readines for a storm but upon further consideration were for that time drwn back to their quarters and more time being taken there were 8 long Bridges betwixt 30 and 40 foot length devised to be made by Lieutenant-general Hamond the Lieutenant-general of the Ordnance a Gentleman of approved fidelity and of a most dexterous and ripe invention for all such things which were approved of by the Commanders and Officers and accordingly Ordered to be made and were of very great use to the Souldier in the storm This day the General going over the river to view the posts on the other side was graciously delivered from a great danger he was near unto by a sudden surprisal of the Tide called the Eager where he very narrowly escaped drowning
martch it was held fit to take up quarter in the Villages thereabouts for as many as the places could receive and the General with the rest of the Army returned back to Bodman But to keep the Enemy waking that they might not refresh their Horse by any rest in their Quarters Colonel Rich was sent with a thousand Horse and Dragoons to fall on the Enemies Guards and Quarters and to bring in what prisoners he could light upon which accordingly he did neer Saint Columbe beat the Enemies Out-Guards to their Maine Guard their maine Guard being about six hundred most of them the Princes Life guard and Gentlemen then commanded by Major-General Pert who seeing no hopes of retreat drew out to give a Charge and gave a good home-charge to our first Division Maior-General Pert himself charged through but being shot was taken prisoner instantly the Enemy was put to the rout before the rest of our Divisions could come up That Division of ours that was commanded by Quartermaster-General Fincher who first charged them had the pursuit and execution of the Enemy for three or four miles wherein many were wounded and slaine about an hundred taken prisoners and about three hundred Horse But by reason the General and part of the Army retreated back this day to Bodman the Malignants began to rejoyce upon presumption that the Army was affronted and hereof they were so confident that they conveyed it up with much expedition to Oxford where it is certaine they had publick rejoycing for the great Victory obtained against FAIRFAX his Forces in Cornwal Lords day March 8. Though the day were very rainy the Army marched to other Quarters within six or seven miles of Truro to Saint Stephens Saint Blase and other parts Major-General Pert was brought to the head Quarters sore wounded he was a proper stout gallant man all meanes was used for his recovery if it might have been He satisfied divers there that those men that were so routed were the Princes Regiment most of them Gentlemen and Reformadoes That the Summons sent from the General to the Lord Hopton was not published The Copy of the Summons being read unto him he said that the conditions therein mentioned would be readily accepted by the Souldiery and if it were once published in the Army and refused by the Officers it would break them to pieces In Major-General Pert's pocket there was found a Letter intended to be sent to the Lords that were about the Prince to this purpose That the Kings condition is so low is not our fault we are not able to break through the Enemy nor strong enough to fight them therefore are resolved to compound for our selves and leave you to doe what you please This day the Lord Hopton returned back the General 's Trumpet without Answer to the Summons onely with this Apology Viz. By Colonel Rich his beating of their Guard That by reason of the interruption the last night he could not send a particular Answer to the General but would send one very shortly Which that he might vindicate from a delatory excuse he made haste and this day towards the Evening an Answer came from the Lord Hopton wherein he seemed willing to fancy the King and Parliament into a Treaty and Cessation and desired to know if it were not so as the Answer it selfe will shew the Copy whereof followeth Sir Sir Ralph Hoptons answer to his Excellencies Summons I Received yours bearing date the fift of this Moneth wherein I must acknowledge much kindnesse from you and a very Christian consideration of sparing blood But one thing there is I am confident you have too much honour to expect from me which is that to avoid any danger or to enjoy any worldly advantage I will renounce my Masters House to whom I am both a sworne Subject and a sworne Servant That I must professe I am resolved to undergoe all Fortunes with him and if there shall be cause to suffer any thing rather then in the least poynt to taint my honour in that particular and I hope there is not a man of any consideration in this Army under my command that is not so resolved yet in all honest and honourable wayes to procure the peace of this Kingdome and the sparing of Christian blood I take God to witnesse I am and still have been most desirous And I heare from good hands that our gracious Soveraigne is at present so farre advanced in a Treaty with the Parliament as that he hath promised to passe four of the principall of their Bils proposed whereof the entrusting of the Militia for seven yeers in hands agreed between them is one I desire you to deal freely with me in that particular for if that be so it will spare the labour of further Treaty being for my part ready to obey whatsoever his Majesty shall agree to God hath indeed of late humbled us with many ill successes which I acknowledge as a very certaine evidence of his just judgment against us for our personall crimes Yet give me leave to say your present prosperity cannot be so certaine an evidence of his being altogether pleased with you It is true we are reduced to a lower condition then we have been in yet have we a gallant Body of Horse that being preserved to a generall accord may be for good use against our common Enemies and being otherwise prest I may say it without vanity want not a resolution at lest to sell our selves at a deare rate against any oddes Your Propositions though they be not wholly consented to yet if a generall accord much more desirable be not in a likely forwardnesse to prevent them I shall be willing that eight Commanders of ours with three Country Gentlemen give a meeting as soon as you please to any equall number of yours at any indifferent place to consult of this great businesse and to conclude of some Propositions that may be reasonable and honourable for both Parts wherein I hope God will so blesse our cleer intentions as may produce a probable inducement to a generall Peace according to the unfained desire of Your Servant RALPH HOPTON March 8. 1645. But this Art would not do my Lord Hoptons Magick is not strong enough to condense the meer ayre of his owne fancy into a Cessation before our Armies as by the Generals Reply to this Answer the Reader may satisfie himselfe which here followes My Lord His Excellencies Reply I Should most truly and freely informe your Lordship the best I could in any thing that might lead you to a right understanding of things in order to the peace of the Kingdome or the reall good of your selfe and those with you so farre as may stand with my trust and duty to the publick to what I conceive your more certaine knowledge of that your desire to be informed in concerning the Kings offers to the Parliament would not be prejudiciall But the truth is I can give you
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.