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
Tuesday Iuly 15. the General went to Glastenbury and returned that night to the head quarter Wednesday Iuly 16. a Counsel of war was again called and several propositions were made for the framing of our Army and reduction of the town both being of great consequence and vehemently desired by us To rise with our whole Army and leave the town unattempted was conceived to be very prejudiciall to our future progresse To sit down before it being a place of that strength and we not sure to carry it leaving the Enemy at liberty to rally his broken forces seemed very hazardous The blocking of it up by Forts on both sides with a part of our Army was propounded but the difficulty of laying a Bridge over the River through the violence of the current which yet was necessary for the maintaining a communication between our quarters on both sides hindred that designe It was propounded to attempt it by approaches But it was considered that if we should have gone that way it would have proved very tedious and if during our stay about it any great glut of rain should have fallen it would have laid us wet in our trenches and disabled us from effecting the business At last a resolution to storm it was agreed upon though it carried the greatest danger with it yet the desire which the Army had to be speedily free for the further service of the Kingdom surmounted all difficulties the storming being thus happily resolved on to the great and generall satisfaction of all that Army both Officers and Souldiers Lots were drawn for every one to take their posts some to storm some to be reserves others to alarm but the time of falling on not yet determined Friday Iuly 19. it was resolved at a Counsel of War that the time of the storm should be on Monday morning towards dawning of the day The Brigade appointed to storm on that side towards Devon was commanded by Major General Massey being the Regiments of Col. Welden Col. Inglesby Col. Fortescue Col. Herbert Col. Birch and Major General Massies own Regiment the Regiments designed on this side were the Generals Major-generals Col. Pickerings Col. Montagues Sir Hardresse Wallers the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride Colonel Rainsboroughs and Colonel Hamonds The General rode round about the town this day to see if all things were in readines for the storm that both sides might fall on together On the Lords day Iuly 20. Mr. Peters in the forenoon preached a Preparation Sermon to encourage the Souldiers to go on Mr. Bowles likewise did his part in the afternoon After both Sermons the Drums beat the Army was drawn out into the field The Commanders of the forlorn hope who were to begin the storm and the Souldiers being drawn together in the field were there also afresh exhorted to do their duties with undaunted courage and resolution by Mr. Peters who did it as one sayes of him tà m Marte quà m Mercurio As soon as it grew dark the Souldiers drew every one to their severall Posts allotted them to storm the signe when the storm was to begin was the shooting off three peeces of Ordnance on this side which the Forces on the other side were to take notice of and to fall on at the instant and on Monday Iuly 22. about two of the clock in the morning the storm began accordingly on this side of the town the Forces on the other side only alarming the Enemy which kept them upon the Line expecting a storm Our Forlorn hope was manfully led on by Lieut. colonel Hewson and as valiantly seconded by the Generals Regiment commanded by Lieut. colonel Iackson and the major-Major-generals commanded by Lieut. colonel Ashfield The Bridges prepared to passe over the Moat were quickly brought to the Ditch and thrown in on which the Souldiers with little losse got over the deep ditch and with undaunted courage mounted the Enemies works notwithstanding the great and small shot which showred about them beat them from their Ordnance turn'd them upon the enemy let down their drawbridg which made many of their Foot instantly cry Quarter Quarter The Bridge being let down Captain Rainolds who commanded the forlorn hope of horse immediatly entred and scoured the streets of that part of the Town so gained called Eastover with much gallantry and resolution even up to the Draw-bridge over the main Ditch leading to the second Town whereupon the rest of the Officers and Souldiers that were in a body and yet annoyed us in that part of the town which we had won threw down their arms and had fair quarter given them there were about 600. taken prisoners Officers and Souldiers The Enemy instantly made barracadoes at the gate upon the bridge and drew up the bridge that divided one part of the town from the other Our forces had not been two houres in the first town but the Enemy shot granadoes and slugs of hot iron and fired it on both sides which by the next morning burnt that part of the town of goodly buildings down to the ground except three or four houses Major Cowel who had a good share in that service standing all that while in the midst of the street which was both sides on fire keeping guards to prevent the Enemies sallying upon them Captain Sampson in that remarkable action received a shot The General hoping that the Storm might have wrought upon the Souldiers the Fire upon the Towns-men so far that they would have hearkened to a treaty renewed his Summons which the Governour peremptorily refused according to his allegiance as he said whereupon Tuesday Iuly 22. it was resolved to alarm the town by our forces on this side and to storm it by the other forces on the other side at two of the clock the next morning for which purpose the General was there in person to see it done though it was held fit on after considerations only to alarm on both sides which much amazed the Enemy and kept him waking that night Also about two of the clock in the afternoon the General sent to the Governour a Trumpet with a message to this purpose that his denial of fair tearms had wrought in him no other thoughts but of compassion towards those that were innocent who otherwise might suffer through the Governours obstinacy Wherefore he signified his noble pleasure that all women and children that would accept of this liberty should come forth of the town by four of the clock in the afternoon which being made known to them the Governours Lady and divers others came out They were no sooner come forth but our Cannon plaid fiercely into the town Granadoes were shot and slugs of hot iron in abundance whereby several houses in the town were fired and the wind being high increast the flame the townsmen within were in great distraction every man imployed how to save his house and goods the Enemy in a great amazement and the Governour so far melted as to send
a second consideration it was over-ruled for a Storm which no sooner concluded but difficulties were removed and all things seemed to favour the designe And truly there hath been seldome the like cheerfulnesse to any work like to this after it was once resolved on The day and houre of our storm was appointed to be Wednesday morning the 10th about one of the clock We chose to act it so early because we hoped thereby to surprise the Enemy with this resolution also to avoid confusion and falling foul one upon another that when we had recovered the Line and Forts upon it we could not advance further untill day The Generals signal unto storm was the firing of straw and discharging four peece of canon at Priors-hill-fort the signal was very well perceived of all and truly the men went on with great resolution and very presently recovered the Line making way for the Horse to enter Colonel Montague and Colonel Pickering who stormed at Lawfords-gate where was a Double-work well filled with men and canon presently entred and with great resolution beat the Enemy from their works and possessed their canon their expedition was such that they forced the Enemy from their advantages without any considerable loss to themselves They laid down the bridges for the horse to enter Major Desborough commanding the horse who very gallantly seconded the Foot then our Foot advanced to the city wals where they possessed the Gate against the castlestreet whereinto were put an hundred men who made it good Sir Hardresse Waller with his and the Generals Regiment with no lesse resolution entred on the other side of Lawfords-gate towards Avon river and put themselves into an immediate conjunction with the rest of the Brigade During this Colonel Rainsborough and Colonel Hamond attempted Priors-hill-fort and the Line downward towards Froom and the major-Major-Generals Regiment being to storm towards Froom river Colonel Hamond possessed the Line immediately and beating the Enemy from it made way for the horse to enter Colonel Rainsborough who had the hardest task of all at Priors-hill-fort attempted it and fought neer three houres for it and indeed there was great despair of carrying the place it being exceeding high a ladder of thirty rounds scarce reaching the top thereof but his resolution was such that notwithstanding the inaccessiblenesse and difficulty he would not give it over The Enemy had four peece of canon upon it which they plyed with round and case-shot upon our men his Lieut. colonel Bowen and others were two houres at Push of pike standing upon the Palizadoes but could not enter Colonel Hamond being entred the Line and captain Ireton with a Forlorn of col Rich his Regiment interposing with his horse between the Enemies horse and col Hamond received a shot with two Pistol bullets which brake his arm by which means the entrance of col Hamond did storm the Fort on that part which was inward by which means col Rainsborough and col Hamonds men entred the Fort and immediately put almost all the men in it to the sword And as this was the place of most difficulty so of most losse to us on that side and of very great honour to the undertaker The Horse did second them with great resolution Both these Colonels do acknowledge that their interposition between the enemies Horse and their Foot was a great means of obtaining of this strong Fort without which all the rest of the Line to Froom river would have done us little good And indeed neither Horse nor Foot would have stood in all that way in any manner of security had not the Fort been taken Major Bethels were the first horse that entred the Line who did behave himself gallantly and was shot in the thigh had one or two shot more and had his horse shot under him Colonel Birch with his men and the major-Major-Generals Regiment entred with very good resolution where their Post was possessing the Enemies guns and turning them upon them By this all the Line from Priors-hill-fort to Avon which was a full mile with all the Forts Ordnance and Bulwarks were possessed by us but one wherein there were about an hundred and twenty men of the Enemy which the General summoned and all the men submitted The success on Colonel Weldens side did not answer with this And although the Colonels and other the Officers and Souldiers both horse and foot testified much resolution as could be expected Col. Welden Col. Inglesby Col. Herbert and the rest of the Colonels and Officers both of horse and foot doing what could be well looked for from men of honour Yet what by reason of the height of the Works which proved higher then report made them and the shortnes of the Ladders they were repulsed with the losse of about an hundred men Col. Fortescue's Lieutenant col was killed Major Cromwel dangerously shot and two of Col. Inglesbies brothers hurt with some Officers Being possessed of thus much as hath been related the Town was fired in three places by the Enemy which we could not put out which begat a great trouble in the General and us all fearing to see so famous a City burnt to ashes before our faces Whilst we were viewing so sad a spectacle and consulting which way to make further advantage of our successe the Prince sent a Trumpet to the General to desire a Treaty for the surrender of the town to which the General agreed and deputed Col. Montague Col. Rainsborough and Col. Pickering for that service authorising them with instructions to treat and conclude the Articles which are these inclosed for performance whereof Hostages were mutually given On Thursday about two of the clock in the afternoon the Prince marched out having a convoy of two Regiments of horse from us and making election of Oxford for the place he would go to which he had liberty to do by his Articles The Canon which we have taken are about 140. mounted about 100 barrels of Powder already come to our hands with a good quantity of Shot Ammunition and Arms we have found already between two and three thousand Muskets The Royal Fort had Victuals in it for one hundred and fifty men for 320 dayes the Castle victualled for neer half so long The Prince had Foot of the garrison as the Major of the city informed me 2500. and about 1000 Horse besides the Trained bands of the town and Auxiliaries 1000. some say 1500. I heare but of one man that hath died of the Plague in all our army although we have quartered amongst and in the midst of infected persons and places We had not killed of ours in this storm nor all this siege two hundred men Thus I have given you a true but not a full account of this great busines wherein he that runs may reade that all this is none other than the work of GOD he must be a very Atheist that doth not acknowledge it It may be thought that some praises are due to
Cook from thence with three Regiments of Horse of Major General Massies Brigade to attend the Enemies motion and the next day some Regiments of Horse and Dragoons martched from these parts to a Randezvouz toward the North of Devon though upon second advice they were recalled to Quarters month February 1646 section 5 The feare of another diversion from the Siege of Excester had almost driven the Army to a resolution of storming it insomuch that Warrants were issued out to all the Hundreds round about Excester for Ladders and also a dispatch to Plymouth to send their Scaling-ladders for that purpose which disposition of the Army what influence it might have upon the Enemy I know not but the Lords day Febr. 1. a Lieutenant and ten Horse well armed came in to Sir Hardresse Waller from the Enemy and that night the Plymouth Regiment took a Major and twenty Horse neer Barnstable and Tuesday following a Lieutenant-Colonell and fifteen men more with their Armes came in from the Enemy The General in the meane time being returned to Chidley section 6 Thursday 5. Upon intelligence of the Enemies Horse being gone towards Dunster Colonel Cook who had Orders to martch somewhat further Eastward in order to the Oxford horse that by information from the east were to be in Dorsetshire had Orders to returne Friday 6. Came newes that a Party of Horse of the Enemie computed by the countries information fifteen hundred had put some small reliefe into Dunster taking that opportunity when those Forces that attended therabout were drawn toward Corfe Castle in their retreat the Country with the assistance of Colonel Blakes Forces that were not able to oppose so great a Body and therefore during Reliefe secured themselves in a strong house fell upon their Rear slew some took others prisoners and disarmed more The same day the Army received the good newes of Belvoyr surrendred And now followes to discourse how the hand of Providence led us first into the north of Devon and then into Cornwall Onely first celebrate that good newes of the surrender of Westchester after a long Siege by that faithfull and indefatigable Commander Sir William Brereton which newes came to the General on the Lords day Feb. 8. CHAP. II. Our Army a second time diverted from the Siege of Excester with a particular account of the reasons thereof and the Motion and Actions of the Army occasioned thereby A Counsell of Warre called LOrds day Feb. 8. A Counsel of Warre was called to consider of martching with part of the Army into the north of Devonshire towards Torrington and Barnstable for the straightning thereof and for the better conveniency of Quarter the Army being much straightned for provisions where they were as also to possesse those parts and thereby dispossesse the Enemy who had some parties of Horse there which miserably oppressed the Country whilest they were in this Consultation certaine intelligence was brought by Spyes That the Enemy who had been labouring as for life to raise the Cornish and had brought a considerable number to Launceston to re-inforce their Army being in all about four thousand Foot besides their Horse were once more with all their strength martching over the River Tamar towards Torrington and as the Spyes informed would be there on Tuesday night likewise Letters from the Lord Wentworth to Sir John Berkley Governour of Excester being at the same time intercepted encouraging him to expect Reliefe shortly Upon this Orders were given for the drawing of most of the Horse and Foot to a Randezvouz the next day A Counsell of Warre called The subject of their debate Monday Feb. 9. A Counsel of Warre was called to advise what to doe and in issue it was resolved to advance towards the Enemy with part of the Army having already with the residue perfectly blocked up Excester on the west side also by setling Guards and Quarters at Affington Barley house and Reymouth-house within a mile of the City and a Garrison kept at Powdram besides that some of the Foot under the command of Colonel Shapcoat blocked up the Fort at Exmouth by which meanes Excester was now compleatly straightned and blocked up on both sides Accordingly Orders were immediately sent to the Horse and Foot to prepare for a martch and the Forces designed on both sides of Excester to straighten that place were commanded to receive Orders from Sir Hardresse Waller to whose care and judgment the management of that businesse was recommended whilest the rest of the Army advanced to the Enemy section 2 The Army on â—heir martch â—owards the Enemy Tuesday Feb. 10. The General and the Army begun their Martch and that day martched from Chidley to Crediton the head Quarter where the Army rested a day till the Treasure that was at Dartmouth was come up and other Forces that were to martch from other Quarters were drawne up to them The while fresh intelligence was brought to his Excellency that the Enemy with five thousand Horse and four thousand Foot were come to Torrington expecting a thousand Horse and Foot from Barnstable to joyne with them all under the command of the Lord Hopton who by a new Commission was made Commander in chiefe the Lord Goring being in France who had used much expedition in his martch having martched in one day from Stratton to Torrington being eighteen large miles they brought along with them much Cattle and Sheep which with salt and other provisions that were to come from Barnstable were for the Reliefe of Excester This Intelligence fully resolving the Army in the Motions and Intentions of the Enemy engaged them yet deeper in their Resolutions to make speed towards them and not passing one or two dayes intervened their martch In this interim tydings were brought the Army that Warham and the Committees there being surprized by a party of Horse from Oxford was by Colonel Cook regained he being with fifteen hundred Horse then about Shaftsbury and that Colonel Cromwel who commanded the Kings party was by him taken prisoner that the Horse were escaped and fled into Corfe Castle not apprehended by our Guards through the darknesse of the night Moreover that Mr Murrey and Sir David Conningham were taken coming out of France section 3 Saturday Feb. 14. The Army martched from Crediton to Chimleigh being ten miles the Weather wet and the way dirty the Enemy but a little before our Forces came were in the Towne and were beaten out by the Plymouth Regiment lieutenant-Lieutenant-colonel Wicks and others taken prisoners Here his Excellency received intelligence that the Enemy continued at Torrington and were a considerable Army upon which Sunday Febr. 15. the Army martched early from Chimleigh and had a Randezvouz two miles off in the way to Torrington Our Horse brought in divers prisoners to the Randezvouz who confest that the Lord Hopton was in Torrington and that he had sent out parties by three of the clock that morning to discover our motion also one
of our Spyes came thither out of Torrington that morning assuring his Excellency that the Enemies whole Army was in and about Torrington not expecting our being so neer The Army was drawn to the Randezvouz with intention to martch to Torrington but the weather proving so bad the bridges being broken down by the enemy and besides the day being far spent put the General upon resolution to order his owne Regiment of Foot and a party of two hundred Horse under the command of Captaine Berry to advance three or four mile in the way to Torrington to amuze the Enemy and himselfe with the rest of the Army to return to Chimleigh A party of Colonel Butler's men that were upon the Guard tooke fourteene men and seven and twenty Horse part of the Enemies Guard and brought them to Chimleigh being most of them of Goring's Life-guard who being brought before the General confest they heard of our advance Cattaine Berry who was sent as before toward the Enemy returned with his party of two hundred Horse informing the General that they had met with a party of the Enemy about the same number that the Enemy charged him but he had by the assistance of God routed them and sore wounded Lieutenant colonel Dundasse who led on the party and brought him and others away prisoners but Dundasse was so sore wounded that he was forced to be left at a country Village upon his Parolle to render himselfe a prisoner if he recovered which accordingly he very punctually performed and the General in commiseraton of his condition being disabled for service by reason of his Wounds upon his tender to engage himselfe never to beare Armes against the Parliament granted him his liberty section 4 * It should be remembred here that upon the Armies advance to Torrington Colonel Cooke who alwayes readily received and punctually observed his Orders was sent with major-Major-General Massie's Horse to lye before Barnstable and upon that part of Devonshire to be in a posture to interrupt the Enemies Horse in case upon the Armies advance into Cornwal they should attempt to break through Monday February 16. The Drummes Beat by four of the clocke in the Morning The generall Randezvouz of the Army was appointed to bee at Rings-Ash about three Miles from Chimleigh where accordingly by seven of the clocke in the Morning the whole Army was drawne up in Battalia Horse and Foot on the Moore five miles short of Torrington and so martched in order ready for a present engagement in case the Enemy should attempt any thing in our martch through the narrow Lanes the Forelorn-Hope of horse commanded by Major Stephens and Captaine Moleneux being advanced towards Stephenston Master Rolls his house neer Torrington his Excellency understood that the Enemy had two hundred Dragoons in the House whereupon a commanded Party of Horse and Foot were sent to fall on them but upon the advance of our Forces towards them the Enemy quit the place yet our Horse martching fast engaged their Reare took severall of their Dragoons prisoners and afterwards the Forelorn-Hope of Horse on both sides were much engaged in the narrow and dirty Lanes at last we beat them from Master Rolls his house all along the Lane almost to Torrington The Army engaged with the Enemy neere Torrington About five of the clock in the Evening the Van of the Army was drawn up in the Park the Forelorn-Hope of Foot was drawne out neer the Forelorn-Hope of Horse in the mid-way between Master Rolls house and Torrington and there lined the Hedges to make good the retreat of the Horse the Enemy likewise drew out of the Towne four or five Closes off and lined the Hedges with Musquetteers within a Close of ours and flankt their Foot with Horse whereupon good reserves were sent to second our Forelorn-Hope of Foot least the enemy knowing the ground and we being strangers unto it might suddenly encompasse us it being by this time dark night and the whole Army being then come up having martched ten miles that day about eight at night the Enemy drew off from some of the Closes they formerly possest whereupon we gained the ground they quitted a Counsel of war being called whether it was advisable it might engage the Enemies Body then in the town who were ready with the best advātages of ground Barricado's to receive us it was the general sense of the Counsell to make good our ground and double our Guards till the next morning that we might the better take view of the places where we were like to engage whereupon the General and Lieutenant-General went from Master Rolls his house to see the Guards accordingly set but hearing a noyse in the Towne as if the Enemy were retreating and being loath they should goe away without an affront to that purpose and that we might get certaine knowledge whether they were going off or not a small Party of Dragoons were sent to fire on the Enemy neer the Barricadoes and Hedges the Enemy answered us with a round Volley of shot thereupon the Forlorn-Hope of Foot went and engaged themselves to bring off the Dragoons and the reserve fell on to bring off the Forlorn-Hope And being thus far engaged the General being on the Field and seeing the generall resolution of the Souldiery held fit that the whole Regiments in order after them should fall on and so both sides were accordingly engaged in the dark for some two hours till we beat them from the Hedges within their Barricadoes which were very strong and where some of their men disputed the entrance of our Forces with push of Pike and butt end of Musket for a long time at last it pleased God to give us the Victory our Foot first entring the Towne and afterwards the Horse who chased the Enemy through the Towne the Lord Hopton bringing up the Reare had his Horse shot dead under him in the middle of the Town Their Horse once facing about in the street caused our Foot to retreat but more of our Horse comming up pursued them to the Bridges and through the other Barracadoes at the further end of the Towne where we had no sooner placed Guards at the severall Avenues and had drawne our whole Army of Foot and most of our Horse into the Towne but the Magazine of neer eighty barrels of Powder which the Lord Hopton had in the Church was fired by a desperate villaine one Watts whom the Enemy had hired with thirty pounds for that purpose as he himselfe confessed the next day when he was pul'd out from under the rubbish and timber and the Lead Stones Timber and Iron-work of the Church were blowne up into the Ayre and scattered all over the Towne and Fields about it where our Forces were yet it pleased God miraculously to preserve the Army that few were slaine besides the Enemies that were prisoners in the Church where the Magazine was blowne up and most of our men that
settle the West Thirdly Excester and Barnstable would not probably hold out if the Field force were once subdued whilest that stood they could not in honor yeeld and therefore it was thought fit rather to follow the Enemy into Cornwal to subdue them then to stay to reduce Excester and Barnstable and then to pursue them for that those Garrisons would be dying for want of provisions whilest the Army should be in pursuit of the foresaid intentions section 2 Lords day Feb. 22. Orders were given to bring up some small quantity of Money that was at Tiverton to the Army that upon their martch into Cornwal there might be supply The Army martching into Cornwall Monday Feb. 23. Part of the Army martched from Torrington to Holsworthy being twelve long miles dirty way and the rest from Biddiford Tavestock c. to Torrington being fifteen miles and the wayes deep Before the Van of the Army got into Holsworth Colonel Butler was commanded before with a Party of Horse and four hundred Dragoons to force his passage over the River Tamar and if conveniently he could to fall into the Enemies Quarters and Captaine Woggan who was before sent with a small Party of Dragoons took five and twenty Horse and some Prisoners and brought them to Holsworthy section 3 A considerable performance of Colonel Butler Wednesday 25. The Army had a Randezvouz neer Tomerton where Intelligence came That Colonel Butler had fallen upon the Enemy and taken between three and four hundred Horse and eighty Prisoners and put Major General Web with the Forces under his command to flight this service was performed neer Stratton and thereupon our Forces entred Stratton where the people were much taken with their civility This day the Army martched to Launceston ten long miles being twelve at night before the Rear came up within two miles of the Towne three Scouts were taken who informed of Colonel Bassets being in the Towne with five hundred Foot of Colonel Tremayne's and some Horse a Forlon Hope was sent before to demand the Towne the Gates were shut upon them the Enemy resisted two of them were slaine about an hundred taken at last the Enemy was put to flight in great disorder by the darknesse of the night narrownesse and steepnesse of the wayes most of them escaped and our men possessed the Towne which had been garrisoned by them Thursday 26. The head Quarter continued at Launceston the Foot being much wearied out with the two dayes martch before The General viewed the ancient Castle of Launceston scituated upon a Mount raised very high but not fortified the Works and Mounts on the top of the Hill the Enemy left standing undemolished Many Cornish were taken prisoners in the Towne the night before who being brought before the General this day had twelve pence apeece given them and Passes to goe to their homes the Townes people in Launceston were much affected with such mercifull usage The Army in their martch into Cornwal thus far had much cause to observe the peoples frights quitting their Habitations in feare of the Army the Enemy having insinuated such an ill opinion of it into them endeavouring to make them beleeve by Oaths and Imprecations that no Cornish was to have quarter at our hands of which prejudice and misprission after the people were undeceived they frequented the Markets again as in former time section 4 This day a Letter was sent to Plymouth for the Cornish Gentlemen there to hasten to the General to Launceston the Rear-Guard of our Horse were appointed to quarter along the River Tamar the better to prevent the breaking through of the Enemies Horse an evill which his Excellency had ever a watchfull eye upon to prevent Messengers were sent to Colonel Cook who was left before Barnstable with major-Major-General Massies Horse all except the Lyme Regiment to keep good Scouts out to fall on the Flank of the Enemy in case they attempted to passe by Captaine Farmer was sent with a Company of Dragoons to possesse a House neer Camelford to gaine intelligence and the more to amuse the Enemy touching our advance after them and thereupon to enforce them to keep their Horse in a Body that they might not take Quarters and so to weaken and discourage them from breaking through section 5 Friday the 27. The Head Quarters continuing still at Launceston the Plymouth Regiments of Foot were sent unto to come from Tavestock thither and the residue to lye on the passes upon the River the more effectually to interrupt the Enemy if he attempted to break through Saturday the 28. His Excellency had intelligence That Salt-Ash was quit by the Enemy and their Works left undemolished that the Governour of Mount-Edgcombe was resolved to conclude upon a Treaty negotiated by Master Peeters The Army was ordered this day to Quarters and advanced four or five miles towards Bodman that the Rear of our Horse might quarter with more conveniency and closer together and to the end the next day all the Army both Horse and Foot might martch close in a Body in regard of the continued expectation that was of the Enemies Horse breaking through upon the advantage of a very open way much of it being Downes other Messengers were sent also to Colonel Cook for more surety and caution to be in readinesse in case the Enemy should attempt to break through for to prevent that still was the greatest care of the General knowing that if the Horse got East and joyned with the Kings force it might prolong the War and much disturb the peace of the Mid-land Counties likewise a Post was sent to Colonel Whaley to draw from Oxfordshire towards Wiltshire with some Regiments of his Horse that he had before Oxford the better to encounter with the Enemies Horse that would be to purpose harrased out with their martch in case they did break through by a hard pursuit of them which his Excellency intended month March 1646 section 6 About this time Abbington like to have bin surprized by a great Force from Oxford was gallantly defended Lords day March 1. It happened to be a bitter cold frost the Randezvouz of the Army was that day about six miles from Launceston upon the Moores a Party of Horse being sent out discovered the Enemies Scouts and not farre from Saint Blisland took eight of them belonging to a Guard of three hundred Horse which they kept but a little before our Army the Scouts confest they knew nothing of our approach that day but expected us the next that the three hundred Horse they had upon the Guard they thought were drawne off we had no sooner advanced a little farther but the Van of our Army discovered their said Guard who faced about our Army made an halt till our Reare was come up the Evening drawing on and having four miles yet to Bodman it was held fit to quarter the Body of the Army in the Field about Saint Blisland which was the head Quarter a
named by Sir John Berkley were Sir Henry Berkley Mr. Wil. Ashburnham Sir George Cary. Mr. Jo. Weare Colonel Godolphine Capt. Fitz Garret Mr. Robert Walker Mr. Thomas Knight Mr. Thomas Kendal Mr. Thomas Foard Whereupon Thursday April 2. his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax returned this Answer SIR I Have received yours whereby I understand that in pursuance of my demand in my Summons you have determined to treat with me by Commissioners and in order to that have sent a List of ten Gentlemen which you desire for Commissioners on your behalfe of which there is none in particular that I take exceptions unto yet because I desire to carry on the Businesse with cleernesse and expedition which by so great a number cannot be so well effected I thought fit to propound unto you the number of six that being as many as conveniently can be used in a businesse of this nature Vpon your consent hereunto and Answer I shall according to your desire send you a safe conduct for a proportionable number of Commissioners and in the mean time shall rest Your Servant THO. FAIRFAX April 1. 1646. I agree the time to begin on Friday next according to your desire the place Poultymore-house I have sent a List of the Commissioners on my part Lieut. Gen. Hammond Col. Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Lambert Col. Harley Col. Fry Commissary Stane Thursday Apr. 2. Commissioners were appointed and a safe conduct granted Friday 3. the Treaty began at Poultymore S. Jo. Bamfields house This day his Excellency had the newes of the surrender of Deniston Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday and Wednesday the Treaty continued sitting close at it every day and the most part of the night till they had concluded it That which most retarded the proceding was some high demands and fruitlesse quaeries in behalfe of the Clergy viz. the Bishops Deanes Prebends and other Cathedrall men there wherein our Commissioners held them up to what was reasonable and after much time consumed therein they were willing to accept of what we were willing to grant and so on Thursday April 9. the Articles were signed by Sir John Berkley in the presence of our Commissioners and by the General in the presence of their Commissioners which Articles were as followeth Onely first let it be remembred that after there was an entrance upon the Treaty at Excester and that it was probable to come to a good conclusion his Excellency losing no time sent Commissary-general Ireton with his owne Rgiment and Colonel Riche's and some other Regiments of Horse to Oxford to hinder Provisions from going in thither and to take all advantages against the Enemy His Excellency intending to make all speed himselfe after the work done at Excester to lay Siege thereto Articles of Agreement concluded on by Thomas Hammond Lieutenant-general of the Ordnance Colonel Sir Hardresse Waller Colonel Edward Harley Colonel Lambert Commissary-general Stane and Major Watson Scoutmaster-general Commissioners on the behalfe of the right Honourable his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX General of the Parliaments Forces on the one Party And Sir Henry Berkly Sir George Cary Colonel Ashburnham Colonel Godolphin Captaine Fitz-Gerald Master Jo. Weare Master Robert Walker and Master Thomas Knight Commissioners on the behalfe of Sir John Berkley Knight Governour of the City of Excester on the other Party touching and concerning the Rendition of the said City and Garrison as followeth I. THat the City and Garrison of Excester together with the Castle and all Forts and Mounts places of defence of or belonging to the same with all Ordnance Armes and Ammunition Provisions and Furniture of Warre belonging to the Garrison excepting what shall be excepted in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered unto Sir Thomas Fairfax General of the Parliaments Forces or to any whom he shall appoint to receive them for the use of the Parliament on Monday next after the date hereof being the thirteenth of this instant April by twelve of the clock at noon II. That if any Officer Souldier or any person included in these Articles wrong or plunder in Person or Goods in their martch away or before any Citizen or Couutry man or any person whatsoever shall as far as he is able give satisfaction to the persons so injured at the Judgment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax III. That if any Officer Souldier or any person included in these Articles shall after the date hereof wilfully break deface spoile or imbezle any Armes or other Provisions of Warre whatsoever by the precedent Articles to be surrendred as aforesaid shall lose the benefit of the ensuing Articles IV. That the Princesse Henrietta and her Governesse with her Houshold shall have full liberty to passe with their Plate Moneys and Goods within twenty dayes after the conclusion of this Treaty when she shall desire to any place within the Continent of England or Dominion of Wales at the election of the Governesse and there to remaine untill his Majesties pleasure be further known touching her setling and that the Governesse shal have liberty to send to the King to know his pleasure herein accordingly to dispose of her Highnesse within the aforesaid limitation of places and that fit and convenient Carriages be provided for their passage at reasonable rates V. That the Cathedrall Church nor any other Church within the City shall be defaced or any thing belonging thereunto spoiled or taken away by any Souldier or person of either side whatsoever VI. That the Governour together with all Lords Clergy-men Gentlemen Captaines Officers Troopers and common Souldiers shall martch out of the City on Monday next the thirteenth of April by twelve of the clock at noon with their Horses full Armes Bag and Baggage and their Goods Colours flying Drums beating Matches lighted Bullets full Bandaliers with sufficient convoyes unto Oxford or unto Helston in Cornwal at their severall elections and in case the Governour of Oxford shall refuse to receive the common Souldiers that shall martch thither they are there to deliver up their Armes to the convoy and have passes to repaire to their severall homes and those that martch unto Helston are there to he disbanded and to have Passes to their severall homes That all Troopers and common Souldiers which martch not as aforesaid shall deliver up their Armes except their Swords and have liberty to goe to their owne homes with Bag and Baggage and shall not be compelled to take up Armes against the King provided also that all Officers and Gentlemen that shall chuse to goe to Oxford and not taking up Armes shall repaire into the Parliaments quarters within forty dayes after the date hereof and shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles VII That all those which shall martch to the Garrisons aforesaid shall have free quarter in their martch and not be obliged to martch above ten miles a day and that such other Souldiers as are Inhabitants in the City shall receive free liberty to martch out or remaine therein without being compelled
against his own opinion Lieut. General Cromwel and Major-general Brown called from attending the Kings motions to assist against Oxford Lieutenant-General Cromwel and Major-General Brown who followed the King and attended his motions with a party of Horse and Foot were recalled to joyn with the Forces his Excellency had brought back with him from the West wherein it was conceived that they might do better service for that they alone were too weak by far to engage with the Kings forces as by their Letter they signified to the Committee of both Kingdomes and as was obvious to every man the Kings army being grown to that strength as that they thought themselves enough as indeed they were especially for Horse wherein we fell short of them to fight his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax his whole Army Only a party of 2500 Horse and Dragoons being part of the force with Lieutenant-General Cromwel and belonging to this Army were sent under the command of Colonel Vermuden to joyn with the Scots Lieutenant gen Cromwel being for I know not what reason not so acceptable to their Army to enable them the better to attend the Kings motions and check his enterprises to which they were designed His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax according to his Orders marches towards Oxford and in order to a siege sends for so much of the Train and Ammunition as was left at Windsor at their first marching forth and called a Councel of War to consider what other provision was necessary which they sent to the Parliament to speed down Lieut. general Cromwel was come back to them their quarters setled a bridge made over the river they lay 15 dayes before the town but the requisites to a close siege were not come up to them nor neer them till Iune 3. the day before they received Orders to rise from before the Town which Orders were well received by the Army who did not conceive themselves secure nor sufficient for such an undertaking while that the King was unattended in the field as was at large represented by the Generall to the Committee of both Kingdoms And in that respect because they looked upon this designe against Oxford as unlikely to prove successefull they thought not good to summon the Town during their lying before it by which means they were secured that they might rise from before it with the indempnity of their reputation section 3 The action of our Army while they lay before Oxford Nor did any great action in relation to that place happen all the while they lay there save that at their first drawing neer it from Newnham a party of horse were sent forth towards Oxford under the command of Adjutant-General Fleming who met a party of the Enemies horse and foot routed their horse being commanded by Capt. Gardiner and took prisoners about 200 Foot which served as a good means and provision for the release of a Foot-guard consisting of 100 men who afterwards neer their rising from before Oxford much through their own negligence timely to retreat to a place of security as they might were by a sally of the Enemy early in the morning surprised twelve of them slain the rest taken but the next day released upon exchange of the like number of those whom we had taken as before and sent to Abingdon Moreover upon the General 's viewing the Works on the North-east side of Oxford the Enemy set a Mill on fire and also quit the garison of Godstow neer Wolvercot and set it on fire but some of Colonel Sheffields horse came in seasonably quenched the fire and preserved the Powder and Ammunition in the house and took the Governour and some others in their flight towards Oxford prisoners section 4 Bostol-house besieged May 24. The General rode to view Bostol garison and some few dayes after sent a Party to besiege it Adjutant Gen. Fleming was there engaged in a single encounter shot his enemy yet received a wound himself conceived then to be mortal but of which he afterwards recovered section 5 Gaunt-house besieged May 31. The General viewed the garison of Gaunt-house sent Col. Rainsborow with a party of Foot and some Horse to besiege it who battered it sore all that day but by reason of the Moat the accesse was ill to it The Governour was summoned to deliver it but he returned a positive denial adding further That he liked not Windebanks law til the next day Iune 1. when Col. Rainsborow being prepared and ready to fall on to storm having provided carts and all things necessary the Governour perceiving the same sounded a parley waving the consideration he insisted on the day before and surrendred the house with all the arms and ammunition therein upon quarter for himself his souldiers * Here we received the news of the taking of Evesham by Col. Massey A seasonable and good service About this time came news of a remarkable passage in Gen. Gorings army in the West which as will afterwards appear hath been their lot to happen among them more then once Namely a hot skirmish which one party of his horse had with another party of his own horse neer Crookhorn thinking they had been ours For indeed a party of horse of Col. Weldens Brigade were then within a mile of them at Hinton St. George in which skirmish many of the Enemy were slain both Officers and Souldiers by one another and that party of their horse that was routed fled as far as Bath giving a hot alarm as they went which for the present put them in some distraction Providence had ordained this accident as an advantage for that party of our Horse who otherwise might have been endangered by the sudden advance of the Enemies forces in their retreat from Pederton to Taunton The Inhabitants thereabouts confirmed the truth of this accident when the Army marched the second time to relieve Taunton and had a rendezvouz on the same place where this skirmish was besides many of the enemy have since confessed the same And upon the heels of this good Newes viz. May 29. came two parcels of lesse pleasing Intelligence The one of the Kings advance from the relieving of Chester towards Leicester and the Association and of the Scots army being gone towards Westmerland who we had thought had attended the motions of the King The other out of the West viz. That General Goring Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir Richard Grenvile had joyned all their Forces together and distressed Col. Weldens Brigade in a manner besieging them close in Taunton And on the first of Iune a third and more sad peece then either viz. Of the Kings taking of Leicester by storm of the cruel usage of many of the Inhabitants the particulars whereof are too tedious here to mention only thus in brief section 7 A briefe account of the losse of Leicester On Tuesday at noon a Summons was sent by Prince Rupert to the Souldiers Towns-men and
their horses all at grasse having not the least knowledge of our advance and being in the greatest security that could be but the alarum was so quickly taken through all their quarters that our Foot being somewhat behind and night approaching it was not thought wisdome to make any further attempt About twelve that night the General took horse and rode about both the Horse and Foot guards till four in the morning expecting the Enemy would have shewn some gallantry that night and fallen upon some of his quarters as he had hindred them in their sport at hunting the day before In the very entrance whereof this hard condition befell the General himself That having forgot the Word he was stopped at the first Guard and requiring the Souldier that stood Sentinel to give it him he refused to do it telling him he was to demand the Word from all that past him but to give it to none and so made the General stand in the wet till he sent for the Captain of the guard to receive his commission to give the General the word In such subjection are the Highest to those lawes that â—rst derived their sanction and authority in great part from themselves and in the end the Souldier was rewarded for his duty and carefulnesse as it was interpreted As the General was riding in the morning about three of the clock within a mile and half of Flowre where the Enemy kept an horse-guard He could discern the Enemy riding fast over Burrough-hill to make fires in abundance as if they were firing their Huts which gave some cause to believe they were about to march as indeed it proved afterwards For About five in the morning Iune 13. the General being returned to the head-quarter the Scoutmaster gen Watson whose continued diligence in getting timely intelligence of the Enemies motion then and alwayes redounded not a little to the enablement of the Army brought him certain notice that the Enemy was drawing off from Burrough-hill had stood in arms all night and were all amazed that our Army was so neer it being spread abroad in their army we were gone for security into the Association And four or five more of the Spies came one after another confirming the same intelligence adding further that most of their carriages were drawn from Burrough-hill towards Harborough And indeed the Convoy of horse being returned from Oxford the night before and this unexpected march of the Army close up to them being in a manner a surprise of them caused them speedily to resolve upon their forementioned march towards Pomfract either judging the Army would not follow them or if they did they should be able to fight us at more advantage after they had drawn us further Northward About six of the clock in the morning a Councel of War was called to consider what attempt to make upon he Enemy In the middest of the debate came in Lieutenant-General Cromwel out of the Association with 600 Horse and Dragoons who was with the greatest joy received by the General and the whole army Instantly orders were given for Drums to beat Trumpets to sound to horse and all our army to draw to a rendezvouz from whence a good party of Horse were sent towards Daventry under the command of Major Harrison of whose continued fidelity the Publique hath had sufficient testimony to bring further intelligence of the Enemies motion and another strong party of Horse was sent under under the command of Colonel Ireton to fall upon the flank of the Enemy if he saw cause and the main body of our Army marched to flank the Enemy in the way to Harborough and came that night to Gilling the Countrey much rejoycing at our comming having been miserably plundered by the Enemy and some having had their children taken from them and sold before their faces to the Irish of that Army whom the parents were enforced to redeem with the price of money That evening we understood that the Van of the Enemies army was at Harborough the Rear within two miles of Naseby and no sooner was the General got to his quarters but tidings was brought him of the good service done by Colonel Ireton in falling into the Enemies quarters which they had newly taken up in Naseby Town where he took many prisoners some of the Princes Life-guard and Langdales Brigade and gave a sound alarm throughout the Enemies army the confidence of the Enemy in possessing these quarters grounded upon their slight esteem of this Army and want of intelligence was very remarkable Upon this alarm the King not having notice of it till eleven at night as he had little imagined the nearnesse of our Army or that they durst bear up to him much amazed left his own quarters at that unseasonable time and for security went to Harborough where Prince Rupert quartered and so soon as he came thither sent to call up his Nephew resting himself in a chair in a low-room in the mean time who presently arose a Councel of War was called the question was put What was best to be done seeing our Army was so neer and as they then perceived fully intended to ingage them It was considered by them that should they march on to Leicester if the Rear were engaged the whole Army might be put in hazard and there was no marching with the Van unlesse they could bring the Rear clear off which they discerned to be very difficult Whereupon it was resolved to give battell taking themselves as indeed they were for a more considerable force then we especially in Horse on which they chiefly depended being also as confident they might relye upon their Infantry for valiant resolute men they resolved as appeared not to abide in that place till we marched up to them but in a gallant bravery to seek us out Herein the Kings Counsel prevailed against the minde of the most of his great Officers who were of opinion that it was best to avoid fighting Saturday Iune 14. The General with the Army advanced by three of the clock in the morning from Gilling towards Naseby with an intention to follow close upon the Enemy and if possible retard their march with our Horse till our foot could draw up to them in case they should have marched on to Leicester the intelligence being that they had drawn some of their Carriages in the night through Harborough that way By five in the morning the Army was at a Rendezvouz near Naseby where his Excellency received intelligence by our Spies that the Enemy was at Harborough with this further that it was still doubtfull whether he meant to march away or to stand us But immediately the doubt was resolved great Bodies of the Enemies horse were discerned on the top of the hill on this side Harborough which increasing more and more in our view begat a confidence in the General and the residue of the Officers that he meant not to draw away as some imagined but that he was
Petitions were to desire a renewed treaty with a Cessation as also that the Garrisons of Dorset and Wiltshire be put into their hands till the King and Parliament agree about their disposall that they be free from all charge but the maintenance of those garrisons that all laws not repealed be in force and executed by the ordinary Officers that all men who desire it may lay downe Armes that others that have absented themselves from their dwellings may have free liberty to returne and live at home After speech had with them and some consultation what to do in the business It pleased the Generall to returne his answer in writing to this purpose Although the Paper brought to me being not subscribed cannot challenge any answer yet to clear my self from any aversnesse to the satisfaction of the Country who are pretended to be interested in these Petitions I return this That my affections and the affections of this Army are as much inclined to peace as any mens whatsoever and we undertake the War for no other end but the establishing of a firm and happy peace by opposing the enemies thereof and that I shall be ready so far as concerns me to further all lawfull and fit means to procure it But having seen the Petitions upon which a Let-passe is desired I must professe my self not so well satisfied with some things contained in them as to concur to their delivering by any act of mine In particular in that a Cessation is desired whilest by Letters written by the King and Queen taken at the late battail of Naseby it evidently appears that contracts are already made for the bringing in ten thousand French and six thousand Irish It is further desired that the Garrisons in these parts whereof three are Sea-Ports should be delivered up to the Petitioners which to grant were for the Parliament to acquit part of the trust reposed in them by the Kingdom and considering these forraign preparations to run very great hazzard to those Ports themselves and to the whole Kingdom Thirdly it is propounded that liberty be given to all souldiers to disband and to return to their home if they desire it which may with equal Justice be desired by all parts of the Kingdome and so the Parliament made unable to mannage the War before peace setled These considerations with some other yet to be debated will not allow me to grant the desire of the Letter But as for that part of the Petition which declares the grievances of the Country by plunder and violence committed either by Garrisons or Armies I do hereby promise and undertake for the Garrisons and Armies under the command of the Parliament that whatsoever disorders are committed by them upon complaint making known the offences and persons justice shall be done and satisfaction given As also I shall endeavour that the Parliaments Garrisons may be regulated according to any reasonable agreement with the Country and without doubt the Parliament will cause them to be slighted so soon as the condition of those parts and the publike good shall permit And that the Army under my command shall be ordered as may be most for the good and advantage of these Counties and of the whole Kingdom of which some reasonable testimony is already given in their quiet and orderly passage through these and other Counties without many of those complaints which usually follow Armies I further desire that in the publishing this my answer to your request all assembling the people to publike Rendezvoâ—z may be forborn and that Copies hereof may be dispersed to the severall Parishes that the Country may be acquainted therewith THO FAIRFAX If this would not satisfie these men their own Clubs would in time have beaten reason into them But to leave them and proceed with my Story The Army marched that day from Dorchester to Beauminster the Train and most of the Foot quartered on the top of an hill some few in Beauminster town a place of the pittifullest spectacle that man can behold hardly an house left not consumed with fire the town being fired by some of the enemy in five places at once when Prince Maurice was there by reason of a falling out between the French and Cornish Intelligence was positive that night that Goring had quite drawn off the siege from Taunton and was come to Ilmister and as that night his quarter would be Summerton Whereupon his Excellency sent a party of horse to Crookhorn who took some of his souldiers prisoners and brought them away to the Generall at Beauminster who confessed no lesse then what we had heard that the siege was raised and that Goring was marched towards Langport Thus is Taunton the second time relieved and our party there delivered from an eminent danger which they feared if we had not come thus seasonably to them being greatly distressed both for Ammunition and Victuals In maintaining the place this siege we lost Colonel Floyd and Colonel Richbell both of them faithfull experienced souldiers and some officers more In exchange of whom the Enemy lost many Officers and persons of quality one of them of more note viz. Sir Iohn Digby brother to Sir Kenelm Digby received there his Mortall wound of which he afterwards dyed But the Enemy flying what was the Army to do but follow And so they did on the morrow a very hot reason the foot weary with their long and tedious march the carriage-horses tyred out the way ill and narrow being all inclosure they marched that day but to Crookhorn some six miles but here Intelligence came that made them pull up their stumps as weary as they were after that the Army was come into Crookhorn they heard that our horse sent under the command of Colonel Fleetwood had fallen on their Reare taken some Prisoners and the great bodies were like to engage whereupon three Regiments more were commanded to march up and assist them if there should be cause two Regiments of foot also being ordered for that service notwithstanding their weary march leapt for joy that they were like to be engaged and according to orders marched from Crookhorne after they had rested an houre to Pederton that night the Enemy having pulled down Pederton Bridge and made breast-works on the other side upon our first approach with the partie under Colonell Fleetwood deserted the pass We instantly made up the Bridge and marched over it till we came nere Ilchester and another party to Load-bridge where the Enemy kept the pass with a strong guard the Generall and Leiutenant-Generall mounted instantly and rode from Crookhorne after the forces to order them if an engagement but the enemy standing upon the advantage of the pass avoided it the Generall having appointed strong guards at Pederton and Martock returned back to Crookhorn where some of the Commanders of Taunton met the Generall and mutuall congratulations passed betwixt them and the Army by occasion of this timely relief of Taunton the second time The valour
by some advantage surprising our guards and knowing the country well by an obscure and unusuall way passed our Out-guards the extreme darknes of the night favouring them and got between the Main guard and our Quarters and falling into some of the Dragoon and Foot quarters took about 40 Foot and 20 Dragoons and returned immediately fearing lest the Army should have taken the alarm but so nimble were they in that action that they were gone before the alarm was received section 5 Our Army lying in the field to prevent the Enemy breaking through Tuesday the 14. The General and the Army marched from Chard to Hunniton by the way of Axminster and that night our Horse and much of the Foot lay in the field about Hunniton lest the Enemy should break through we pressing so hard upon them to joyn with the King which was in the opinion of the General and all understanding men the best game they had to play and most disadvantagious to our proceedings as that that would have enabled the King to make incursions into the Eastern Association and divert a great part of this Army who desired to compleat the service of reducing the West before they returned But the Enemy attempted it not that night and had they not upon advertisement that our Forces were come to Hunniton removed their quarters from St. Mary Autree Poultimour and those parts beyond the river Ex as they did they had certainly been beaten up Parties being sent out for that purpose section 6 Our army advancing and the Enemy giving way Wednesday 15. The General and the Army marched from Hunniton to Colampton where the Lord Miller was with 300 Dragoons and some Horse who upon our approach quit their Barracadoes and the Town left their Turn-pikes standing strong Parties pursued them and took some prisoners who confessed their Party were gone towards Tiverton Whereupon a Councel of war was that night called Major gen Massey sent to besiege Triverton-castle and Major-General Massey was desired to go with his Horse and the Brigade of Foot under the command of Colonel Welden to possesse the Town of Tiverton and besiege the Castle which accordingly he did section 7 About this time Pr. Rupert and Maurice as they were going from Banbury those parts with a convoy of Banbury horse to the King at Newark in the mood to take their leave of him were set upon by Col. Rossiter and sore put to it Thursday Octob. 16. There came in some Officers from the Enemy a lieutenant-Lieutenant-colonel and two Captains who declared their unhappiness to be engaged on that side desiring a Passe to go to the Lord Inchequine to serve in Ireland against the Rebels The enemy quitting Broadnix upon the approach of our army The General went this day to Broadnix where the Enemy kept a guard with a Commanded party of foot and some horse but upon the approach of our forces they quit the town and the General returned back to Columpton The enemies notorious brags to keep up their reputation comming to nothing where information was given by the Inhabitants of good repute that the Enemy had boasted the day before our comming into the town That Goring had cut Fairfax in peeces neer Chard and routed his whole Army took drink upon it and wished it might be their poyson if it were not true This course the Enemy took to make their party believe they were great conquerours whereas indeed what they did was very inconsiderable and as to the reducing their affairs into any tolerable condition scarce worth the mentioning And on this occasion may be noted though it might be mentioned in a more fit place afterward that this small businesse neer Chard was the only affront the Enemy put upon us during the Armies being in the West of England But with what iterated affronts our Forces have recompenced them in their quarters the action at Bovy-Tracy and divers other places hereafter mentioned will manifest Friday Octob. 17. A Councel of war was called for advise whether to march towards Excester and so towards Plimouth or to take in Tiverton in regard it lay upon a Passe and might much annoy the Army to leave it behind them unreduced or at least unblockt up and if once taken might be a Magazine and place of strength and conveniency encie either to secure any thing in or to retreat unto upon occasion Tiverton resolved upon a Councel of war to be attempted Memorand That Col. Fryes regiment was before this sent to secure Tiverton whilst the Gen. marched Westward whereupon it was resolved to make it their work to take in that place and the rather to inforce Gorings horse to keep to the other side of Ex for the Army being once possessed of that Passe would be the better able to keep the Enemy before them from breaking through The General with some forces marching to Tiverton Whereupon this day towards noon the General marched towards Tiverton with a great part of the Army leaving some Horse and Foot at Broadnix Silverton and Columb-Iohn within 4 miles of Excester and accordingly as was desired it succeeded in that the Enemy was inforced to draw all over Ex. section 8 The relation of the storming taking of 〈◊〉 house by Lieut. gen Cromwel But before I proceed in this story I must give you a Relation of the taking of Basing a place of great concernment and which had been a great annoyance unto the Country and the City of London in hindering Trade This business as it was managed by Lieutenant gen Cromwel who in person Commanded in the reducing of that place and Winchester and managed the same with much prudence and resolution so I shall give you the particulars of the action in the words of his own Letter and Mr. Peters his Relation Lieutenant-General Cromwels Letter to the Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the honourable House of Commons SIR The Lieut. generals letter of that businesse I thank God I can give you a good accompt of Basing After our Batteries placed we setled the severall Posts for the Storm Colonel Dalbier was to be on the North side of the House next the Grange Colonel Pickering on his left hand and Sir Hardresse Waller's and Colonel Montague's Regiments next him We stormed this morning after six of the clock the signal for falling on was the firing four of our canon which being done our men fell on with great resolution and cheerfulnesse we took the two Houses without any considerable losse to our selves Col. Pickering stormed the New house passed through and got the Gate of the Old House whereupon they summoned a Parley which our men would not heare In the mean time Col. Montague's and Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiments assaulted the strongest Works where the Enemy kept his Court of guard which with great resolution they recovered beating the Enemy from a Whole-Culverin and from that Work which having
prisoners were set at liberty and had two shillings a man to carry them home That the Cornish might see we had forgot former injuries and respected them as much as any other County Commissioners were appointed to dispose of the Prize-goods taken in the Town towards the reparation of the Well-affected of the Town that suffered at the Storm who had the greatest part of the Goods distributed amongst them And now the General having reaped so great and happy an advantage by his digression from the siege of Excester though he left sufficient Force also to block it up The next day without any more delay returned to Totnes Issued out Warrants to four Hundreds to appeare there on Saturday at nine of the clock in order to the service of the Kingdome and particularly for the good of those Parts ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY 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 far the reducing of Excester was endeavoured before a second diversion HIS Excellency and the conduct of this Army in all their motion attending Providence having answered the call of God in rising from Excester and meeting the Enemy wherein they found that great assistance and successe that hath been related now discerning no further advantage offering it selfe against the Field-Enemy at present his Excellency with the advice of his Officers resolves with all speed possible to return with the Army to the Siege of Excester and to improve the advantage of that further reputation their late successes had given them in vigorous endeavours against that place and in the meane time till the other Forces could follow some Regiments martched toward Excester a Summons was sent to S. Edmund Fortescue Governor of Charls-fort at Salcomb from whence a refusal of surrender was returned consultation was had about Barnstable section 1 Saturday Jan. 24. The Country according to appointment of his Excellency appeared at Totnes in number about 3000. out of whom upon consultation with the Committees a Regiment was to be raised of such as were willing under Colonel Fowell which done the General martched to the Lady Reynolds her house whence on the Lords day after forenoons Sermon his Excellency martched to Chidley endeavouring first to take a view of Pouldram before which place Col. Hammond was set downe with some force Pouldram Castle surrendred But night comming on whilest he had yet two miles thither he was forced to returne to Chidley whithout viewing the Castle which ere the next day was happily put out of a capacity of being viewed by him but in a new Relation for about twelve at night the newes came to him of the surrender thereof and therein five Barrels of Powder Match and Bullet proportionable and four pieces of Ordnance section 2 A French Vessell by a good Providence strucke into Dartmouth upon a mistake Monday 26. Tidings were brought the General of a French Vessel that came from France with a Packet from the Queen which was struck into Dartmouth presuming it to have still been in the hands of the Kings Forces and indeed little likelihood was there that it should be in any other especially so sodainly and at a time of yeer so unseasonable for action or storm but that God encouraged the Army to undertake it and his strong Arm prospered them in their attempt The Packet of Letters which were of no small consequence strongly recovered The Vessel being thus delivered by immediate Providence into our hands the Packet of Letters was yet more strangely preserved and recovered out of the Sea wherinto it was thrown when they knew their mistake according to the Queens directions but God provided a Wave to bring it to the Boat that was sent out to seek it and so it was brought unto his Excellency wherein was found Letters from the Queen Lord Goring Lord Jermin Davenant and others intercepted Some of the Contents were these The speciall and most observable Contents of the Letters The Queen by her Letters in answer to some former Letters she had received touching the King's intentions of transporting the Prince to Denmark utterly dislikes it and neither approves of Holland or Flanders adviseth the bringing of him into France And as touching his Marriage with the Duke of Orleance his Daughter which seemed to be an objection against it Shee replyed That they knew she was engaged elswhere and what if he should marry her the Dutchesse of Orleance so far exceeding them in Riches and potent Alliances might be of great assistance to the King But desires That he may be disposed of any whither rather then to come into the hands of the Rebels touching the Scots affairse she had this expression That she had sent William Murray fully instructed with her mind about it The Lord Goring in his Letter to the Lord Wentworth and Sir John Berkley gave them assurance That now the Negotiation with France was happily concluded by the industry of the Lord Jermin In his Letter to Sir Hugh Pollard the Governour of Dartmouth he doth assure him That by the first of March he should have five well appointed Men of Warre of the second rank the least bearing above thirty pieces of Ordnance to be solely under his command so that he might grow rich upon the spoile of the Rebels or else put them to the charge of keeping an whole Navy before him The Lord Widdrington not so well satisfied with the preparations of France used this expression in one of his Letters That he gave all hopes for lost for ever returning to his owne Country again except the businesse of the Scots took effect section 3 A Summons sent into Excester But as to the Siege of Excester our Forces being drawn neer unto this side of the City a Sūmons was prepared wherein honorable conditions were offered them which Summons was sent in the next day being January 17. The Enemies Answer Whereunto on the morrow an Answer was returned very faire to this purpose That in honour they could not surrender upon the termes offered while they were in no worse condition and had such probable hopes of reliefe from the Prince His Excellencies Reply Thursday 29. A Reply was returned the conditions re-inforced and further urged by undertaking in the behalfe of the Parliament and General that what they promised in the Summons should be made good and this is as farre as they proceeded at this time being a second time diverted by other action section 4 The grounds of this second diversion from the Siege of Excester for newes came this day to the Army that the Enemies Horse from Oxford were come neer Corfe Castle and the Lord Gorings Forces were advanced up neer Barnstable portending a designe to joyne together to prevent which the General went from Chidley to Tiverton to give order about that point sent Colonel
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
made saving conditions for it selfe in those overflowing inundations both of Saxons and Normans Since the beginning of our late Warres it and its Forces have been more then once fatally disastrous to our former Armies and had ever been from the beginning of the Warres in the possession of the Enemy the people more generally disaffected to the Parliament then any other part of the Kingdome from whence the King as from a never failing Spring was constantly supplied with a choyce and able Infantry All which particulars whosoever doth consider will acknowledge that the reducing of this County was as difficult as desirable And this is another happy fruit of the disbanding those Horse and not only the reduction of that County of Cornwall but the absolute conquest of the West of England most of the Enemies Garrisons there onely waiting to see what would become of these Horse upon whom they depended for reliefe All which considered and put together this service may well live a lasting Monument to the glory of God and the honour of the Instruments Moreover during this space while the Enemies Forces were disbanding as an additionall to the occurrences of these five dayes Monday 16. another Packet of the Lord Glamorgan's taken at Peryn was brought to the General being a Duplicate of those Letters taken at Padstow another Vessell being newly landed there out of Ireland not knowing but that it was still in the Kings hand and that evening was Peryn possest by our Foot who were received with much joy by the Townes people Tuesday 17. lieutenant-Lieutenant-Colonel Ingoldsbey a stout and valiant man going to view Pendennis Castle received a shot from some of the Enemies Musquetteers behind the Mud-walls of which he dyed within three hours Wednesday The General went to view Pendennis and possessed Pennycome-Quick also Dennis Fort with twenty six pieces of Ordnance and thirty barrels of Powder was the same day surrendred to the General and Pensans and Saint Ives stood upon their guards against Goring's Forces Thursday Above an hundred men came with their Armes from Michael's Mount and tendred themselves to serve in the Army CHAP. V. The Army returning to the Siege of Excester with all the particulars of the Treaty and surrender of the same THe whole Field-Force of the Enemy being thus happily reduced Orders were given out immediately for the Army to martch back Eastward Saturday 21. the General accordingly martched from Truro to Bodman and the rest of the Army to other Quarters where they rested the Lords day Monday 23. Consultation was had with the Gentlemen for the settlement of those parts The Lord Mohune and others came to his Excellency that day Tuesday 24. Further debate was had concerning the ordering of the disbanded Horse who plundered the Country as they went and they were all called over by the List at the Bridges they were to passe over to see that none had more Horse with them then were allowed them at the disbanding place Wednesday 25. The General and Lieutenant-General and some of the generall Officers went to Plymouth and viewed the Forts and Works whilest the Army martched another way by Launceston The Governour and the Towne entertaining the General very honourably three hundred pieces of Ordnance discharged to welcome him thither Thursday 26. The Parliament-men and other Gentlemen of the Country met the General at Plymouth conference was had concerning the defensive posture of that County and the speedy sending over of the French that were disbanded and accordingly Ships were provided Friday 27. The General martched from Plymouth to Oakhampton four and twenty miles by Tavestock and the Army martched from Launceston that day within five miles of Oakhampton Saturday 28. His Excellency had newes of Sir Jacob Ashleys being taken and of the routing of his Army by the Forces under the command of Colonel Morgan Sir William Brereton and Colonel Birch and of Sir Charles Lucas being taken by Colonel Fleetwood who with his Horse hindred the conjunction of all the Oxford Horse with the Lord Ashley The General rested this day at Oakhampton till the rest of the Army came up Lords day March 29. They martched from Oakhampton to Crediton fourteen miles some part of the Army went that night to Newton Siers being eighteen miles Orders were given to possesse Heavytree a Village lying within halfe a mile of Excester lest the Enemy should sally out and burne those Villages upon the approach of the Army Monday March 30. The General resting at Crediton some more Foot advanced close to Excester a Summons was prepared to be sent in Tuesday March 31. The General drew all his Army round the City within Musquet shot and as be passed by them at every post our men that lay there gave a volley of shot and a great shout and so on the other side the River there being Bridges made over and presently after his Excellency sent in a Summons and came to quarter that night at Colomb John the rest of the Army to Silverton and other parts The Summons being prepared was sent in and ran thus SIR BEing returned with my Army from the West where God in his wisdome saw it good to bestow a dry and bloodlesse Victory upon me to the great peace and quiet of those parts and conceiving it my duty likewise to endeavour the good of this County which by the occasion of your Garrison is necessarily obstructed I thought fit once more to send you a Summons to deliver up to me the City of Excester with the Castle Forts Armes Ammunition and Magazine belonging to the same beleeving that by this time you are satisfied of the reliefe from the Princes Army and may equally be of all reliefe to come from any other place if your intelligence and knowledge were the same with ours There is nothing more induceth me hereunto then an unfained zeale toward any bloodshed and as much as in me lyes to preserve that City which hath already suffered deeply in these unnaturall distractions from further or greater misery Though I shall not boast of my numbers or strength yet I must needs tell you that I doubt not but the same power which hath formerly made difficult things easie will answer this and will acquit me from being accompted the occasion of those inconveniencies and miseries which necessarily will ensue upon your refusall Sir I shall expect your speedy and positive Answer herein and rest Your Servant THO. FAIRFAX March 31. 1646. month April 1646 Wednesday April 1. Sir John Berkley returned this Answer to the Summons SIR UPon your Summons I called a Counsel of Warre where after some debate it was determined to treat with you or with whom you should appoint and to conclude upon just and honourable termes And to that purpose I desire a safe Conduct for these persons to repaire to your head Quarters with their servants on Friday morning and to returne at their pleasure I remaine Your Servant JOHN BERKLEY April 1. 1646. Those first
old this is indeed a mischief but to whom even to every one that is not a lover of the Kingdomes safety Hath this Army by a spirit more Almighty then their owne brought home an Olive to this State after such overflowings of War and Blood and shall not the Dove be taken into the Arke shall there be no preservation for them that preserve others CHAP. VIII The Siege and Surrender of Worcester and Wallingâ—ord AFter the Surrender of Banbury Castle Colonel Whaley was sent with some few Troops of Horse to Worcester for the better keeping in of the Enemy Colonel Morgan who was before such time attending that service with the Glocestershire Forces was ordered by the General to Ragland to command in chiefe those Forces that should be imployed for the reducing of that place if upon the Summons sent into Worcester the Enemy stood off and would not treat which accordingly falling out the Enemy in Worcester returning a very high and presumptory Answer upon the Summons that was sent into them and making higher demands then were granted to Oxford Colonel Morgan according to his Orders martched to Ragland leaving Colonel Whaley to attend the service before Worcester who with the Forces of the Counties of Worcester and Shropshire together with some Forces of Newport-pagnel Warwick and Northampton lay before it so as to keep off reliefe and hinder the Enemy from getting in provisions from the Country But there was a great want of Foot for a regular and close Siege which when the service of Oxford was over and that Garrison surrendred was instantly supplyed Colonel Rainsborough being sent with a Brigade thither who no sooner came before the Towne but he laid his Foot Quarters close to the Enemies Works and in two or three nights according to much judgment and resolution raised a Work which much annoyed the Enemies great Fort whereupon they came to a capitulation and being much distracted with the surrender of Oxford and fearing if they neglected their opportunity they should have no conditions at all expecting the whole power of the Army to come upon them They came to conditions as followeth month July 1646 Articles of Agreement for the Surrender of the City of Worcester and the Forts belonging thereunto concluded July 19. 1646. between Colonel Thomas Rainsborough on the behalfe of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax General of the Forces raised by the Parliament and Colonel Henry Washington Governour of Worcester THat the City of Worcester with all Forts Ordnance Armes Ammunition Stores and Provision of War thereunto belonging shall be delivered without wilfull spoyle and imbeazlement unto his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or to such as he shall appoint to receive them upon the 22. of this instant July at ten of the Clocke in the morning in such manner and with such exceptions as are contained in the ensuing Articles II. That on the 23 of July the Governour and all Officers and Souldiers of the Garison with all other persons therein that will shall march out of Worcester with their Horses Armes and Baggage belonging to them to any place within one mile of Worcester which the Governour shall chuse where all their Horses and Armes except what allowed in the insuing Articles shall be delivered up to such as his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint All the Souldiers shall be disbanded and all such both Officers and Souldiers and others as shall ingage themselves by promise never to beare Armes any more against the Parliament of England nor doe any thing wilfully to the prejudice of their affaires shall have the benefit of these ensuing Articles III. That all such as shall desire to goe to their owne homes or private friends shall have the Generals Passes and protection for their peaceable repaire to and aboad at their severall places they shall desire to goe unto The Governour to passe with all Horses Armes and Baggage properly belonging to him and each Colonel to passe with three Horses and each Lieutenant Colonell and Serjeant Major with two Horses each Captain Lieutenant and Cornet with one Horse and every person not under the degree of an Esquire with three Horses and all of them with their Armes and goods properly belonging to them to be carried on their Horses and all Souldiers with their Swords and such Baggage as properly belong to them which they carry about them IV. That all persons which are to have the benefit of the preceding Articles shall if they desire it have Passes to goe beyond Seas provided they depart this Kingdome within two Months after the surrender of the Town V. That the City and Garison of Worcester and all the Inhabitants thereof shall be preserved from all plunder and violence of the Souldier VI. That Sir William Russell now residing in Worcester be excepted from any benefit of these Articles HEN. WASHINGTON Signed and Sealed July 19. 1646. When the forementioned Forces were sent unto Worcester another Brigade was sent to Ragland and the Generals Regiment with Colonel Lilburnes were sent to assist our Forces before Wallingford by whose accession the Siege being strengthned presently a Summons was sent into the Castle the Governour perceiving new Forces to face the Garrison and that by so fatall an occasion and disaster to them as the surrender of Oxford came to a Treaty which took effect and was concluded upon these Articles Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed by his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised by the Parliament on the one Party and Col. Tho. Blag Governor of Wallingford on the other Party for and concerning the rendring of the Garison of Wallingford Castle and Town July 22. 1646. I. THat the Castle and Towne of Wallingford with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunitions Stores and Provisions of War thereunto belonging shall be delivered up without wilfull spoile or imbezlement unto his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or such as he shal appoint to receive the same upon Wednesday the 29. of July 1646 by nine of the clock in the morning in such manner and with such exceptions as are contained in the ensuing Articles II. That on the said 29. day of July the Governour and all Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison with all other persons therein that will shall martch out of Wallingford with their Horses and Armes properly belonging to them proportionable to their present and past commands or imployments with flying Colours Trumpets sounding Drums beating Matches lighted at both ends Bullet in their mouthes and every Souldier twelve Charges of Powder Match and Bullet proportionable with one piece of Ordnance with equipage and with Bag and Baggage to any place within ten miles of Wallingford which the Governour shall choose where in regard his Majesty hath no Garrison left open nor Army neer all their Horses and Armes except what are allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered up to such as his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint all the Souldiers shall be disbanded
and Pendennis month August 1646 OXford Garrison having run to its period of obstinacy against the Parliament and being now reduced many other Garrisons that attended its fate fell with it even like ripe fruit with an easie touch But these two Garrisons of Ragland and Pendennis like winter fruit hung long on Ragland Castle a strong hold in Wales Garrisoned for the King under the command of the Marquesse of Worcester scituated conveniently to command all the parts of South-Wales being straightned by some Forces of Sir Trevor Williams and Major-General Langhorne before Colonel Morgan was ordered from Worcester thither to command in chiefe the Forces that were and should be sent before it was at length formidably and closely besieged The same Captaine-Engineer that gave so good demonstration of his skill at Banbury at the reduction of that Castle Captaine Hooper was imployed here and so soon as he could get Spades and Shovels he went most dexterously to work against this Castle of Ragland Colonel Morgan at first had but fifteen hundred men to carry on the designe the Enemy was eight hundred strong within in Horse and Foot and made divers desperate sallies upon Colonel Morgan who received him as gallantly and in every of them was personally engaged with great hazard to himselfe in particular In one sally the Enemy took a Colour of ours the Cornet lost his life withall In exchange whereof a Major and Captain of the Enemies was slaine and divers wounded on the Enemies part But at length by the addition of two thousand more to Colonel Morgan from his Excellencies Army after Oxford was over as is noted before the Enemy in the Castle was reduced to more caution and taught to lye closer And especially when his Excellency in person was come thither from the Bath to put life into the Siege which was by that time in a good forwardnesse both for their Works and Approaches Who being come sent in this Summons into the Castle MY LORD BEing come into these parts with such a strength as I may not doubt but with the same good hand of providence that hath hitherto blessed us in short time to reduce the Garrison of Ragland to the obedience of the Parliament I have in order therto thought good to send your Lordship this summons hereby requiring you to deliver up to me for the Parliaments use the said Garrison and Castle of Ragland which as it onely obstructs the Kingdomes universall peace the rendition may beget such tearms as by delay or vain hopes cannot hereafter be expected I remaine My Lord Your Lordships most humble servant THOMAS FAIRFAX Leaguer before Ragland Aug. 7. 1646. 〈◊〉 which Summons begat an intercourse of many Messages from one side to the other with the copies whereof I shall continue that part of the Story SIR ALthough my infirmities might justly claime priviledge in so sudden an answer yet because you desire it and I not willing to delay your time to your letter of summons to deliver up my House and the onely house now in my possession to cover my head in these are to let you know that if you did understand the condition I am in I dare say out of your judgement you will not thinke it a reasonable demand I am loath to be the Author of mine owne ruine on both sides and therefore desire to have leave to send to his Majesty to know his pleasure what he will have done with his Garrison As for my House I presume he will command nothing neither am I knowing how either by Law or conscience I should be forced out of it To this I desire your returne and rest Your Excellencies humble servant H. WORCESTER MY LORD TOuching your sending to his Majesty it is that which hath been denied to the most considerable Garrisons of England further then an account to his Majesty of the thing done upon the surrender which I doe also freely grant to your Lordship And for that distinction which your Lordship is pleased to make it is your House If it had not been formed into a Garrison I should not have troubled your Lordship with a Summons and were it dis-garrisoned neither you nor your House should receive any disquiet from me or any that belong unto me This I thought good to returne to yours and thereby to discharge my selfe before God and the world of all extremities and sad consequences that will ensure upon the refusall of the rendition of your Garrison upon my Summons I remaine yours THO. FAIRFAX SIR I Doe so much confide in your Honour as that being at stake concerning leave to send to his Majesty I will at this time forbeare to make further motion in it Onely one thing which is extraordinary I offer to your consideration for the just cause besides my Allegeance of my reasonable request which is That upon his Majesties promise of satisfaction I am above twenty thousand pounds out of purse and if I should doe any thing displeasing unto him I am sure all that is lost and no benefit to the Parliament If you knew how well known I was in Henry Earle of Huntington's time unto your noble Grandfather at York I am assured I should receive that favour at your hands that safely you might afford God knowes if I might quietly receive my meanes of subsistence and be in security with the Parliaments approbation and freed from the malice of those Gentlemen that are of the Committee within this County I should quickly quit my selfe of the Garrison for I have no great cause to take delight in it I have that high esteem of your worth noblenesse and true judgment that knowing you will offer nothing ignoble or unworthy for me to doe as the case stands with me I desire to know what Conditions I may have and I will returne you present answer and in the meane time I rest Your humble servant H. WORCESTER MY LORD ACcording to your Lordships desire I have returned you conditions such as may be fit and satisfactory to the Souldiery To your Lordship and Family I have granted quiet and security from all violence of any that belongs to me I would perswade your Lordship not to fear any ill or disrespect from the Committee of this County I shall easily reconcile that Party or that they will doe any thing but as they shall receive order from the Parliament By this meanes you are at liberty to send to the Parliament and upon a present surrender and submission to their mercy and favour your Lordship cannot but think to receive better termes for your selfe then if you stand it out to the last extremity when besides the hazard of your person and of those in your Family which I do presume are deare to you and the spoyle of the Castle which cannot be avoyded in extreame undertakes against it Your Lordship hath no reason to expect better then the Marquesse of Winchester received who in making good Basing-house to the last narrowly escaped in
Dragoons then upon the field to be mustered and recruited as of the New-Model to march under his Command into Oxfordshire forthwith not staying at all either for Pay or Recruits And here also being the first mention of this worthy Commander I must crave leave to digresse a little to present the world with some more particular notion of him whose name they will so often meet with throughout this story and whose actions wil best represent him as in other stories so in the sequel of this section 5 A digression upon occasion of the first mention of Lieut. Gen. Cromwell This Gentleman a Member of the House of Commons long famous for godlinesse and zeale to his countrey of great note for his service in the House accepted of a Commission at the very beginning of this War wherein he served his Country faithfully and it was observed GOD was with him and he began to be renowned insomuch that men found that the narrow room whereunto his first imployments had confin'd their thoughts must be enlarged to an expectation of greater things and higher imployments whereunto divine providence had designed him for the good of this Kingdom When the time therefore drew near that He as the rest had done should lay down his Commission upon a new Ordinance The House considering how God had blessed their affairs under his hand thought fit to dispence with his absence from the House And therefore as they were in the first place happy in a General they resolved in the next place to make themselves and their General further happy in a Lieutenant-Generall section 6 Lieut. Gen. Cromwel in action at Islip-bridge To return therefore from whence I digrest Lieutenant-General Cromwel having received the fore-specified commands from the General marched immediately found the Enemy and engaged them neer Islip-bridge the Enemies Brigade consisted of the Queen's Colonel Wilmot's the Earl of Northampton's and Colonel Palmer's Regiments of horse routed them slew many took about 500 horse 200 prisoners whereof many Officers and Gentlemen of quality and as an ill Omen of her Majesties designes against this Army the Queens Standard section 7 Improving his successe there to the reduceing of Blechingdon house The Lieutenant-General not resting satisfied with this victory pursued the enemy lodged most of the remains of the rout in Blechingdon-house where Colonel Windebank kept garison for the King he faced the house with Horse and Dragoons summoned the Governour with a sharp Message our Souldiers casting out words for the Foot to fall on as if there had been Foot in readines the answer was required to be instantly given or else he must expect the greatest severity that the souldiers could use towards him The Governour having no intelligence of or else doubting relief from Oxford rendred the house with all the arms and ammunition therein Thus God was with out New-Model or rather a branch of it and declared himself so to be betimes The King himself confesseth in his letter to H. Iermyn April 30. 1645. that this blow did much change the face of his affairs Which was by the Enemy esteemed of such evil consequence to their affairs and so great an affront in regard it was done by the New-Nodel as they scornfully termed this Army that they could not tell which way to redeem their honours but by calling the Governour to a Councel of war whom for delivering the house they condemned to be shot to death Much means was used for the sparing his life but notwithstanding the great interest Secretary Windebank his Father had at Court for the great service he had done the Church of Rome they could not prevaile for a pardon so high they accounted his offence only a reprieve for a few dayes and shortly after the Governour was shot to death and his brother a Lieutenant-Colonel laid down his Commission thereupon section 8 The former successes improved to a further advantage at Bampton Bush No sooner was the Lieutenant-Generall possessed of the house but he sent away the Arms and Ammunition to Alisbury and quit the house as not advantageious to our affairs nor indeed having Foot with him to put into the house only a few Dragoons which he could not spare from his other designes The Enemy a few dayes after this sent from Oxford about 350 Foot under the command of Sir William Vaughan towards Radcot-bridge The Lieutenant-Generall marching privately towards Witney and having intelligence thereof pursued them forced them into Bampton-bush where Sir William Vaughan Lieut. Colonel Littleton divers Officers and about 200 prisoners with their arms and ammunition were taken A piece of good service done by Col. Iohn Fiennes Moreover the Lieutenant-Generall having in his March notice of some of the Enemies horse which had a few houres before crossed his way he sent Colonel Iohn Fiennes with a party after them who fell upon them and took about 150 Horse 3 Colours 40 Prisoners and 50 Arms. The Lieutenant-Generall in the mean time marched over the river towards Faringdon having dispatcht his prisoners away with a Convoy to Abingdon consulting with the Officers of what advantage it would be to reduce that Garison of Faringdon wherein they did readily concurre but having no Foot to effect the same he sent to Abingdon to Major-General Brown for the assistance of some Foot who according to his wonted readines to promote the publike service very readily sent about 5 or 600. wherewith the place was attempted but without successe and after the expence of about 14 men upon it the designe was given over Rupert and Maurice sent for The losses the King sustained whilest these Forces hovered thus up and down affronted them under their walls so perplexed them at Oxford that His Majesty sent for Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice with all the Forces they had to come to Oxford the better to enable His Majesty to march out into the field and for more security Gen. Goring was also sent to for that purpose out of the West CHAP. III. The General with the Army marching into the West Vpon afteradvice recalled and a Party only sent to Taunton Their good successe in the relief of Taunton Lieutenant-Generall Cromwel defending his Quarters against Goring The Army now raised where to be disposed is controverted AND now by this time the Army was well nigh raised Whither they should first bend was taken into consideration Oxford and the West are put into the scales of competition Oxford besides that it was the head-quarter and garison and lodged all the Kings Ordnance and Artillery that he was to draw forth into the field which now to surprise or at least to prevent the drawing of them forth was held very councellable as that that was likeliest to hinder the Kings taking the field Represents it self also in other respects to be first considered as being a Midland garison in the heart of the Kingdome where to suffer an Enemy is most mischievous
Regiments of Foot viz. Colonel Welden's Colonel Fortescue's Colonel Floyd's and Colonel Inglesby's commanded by Colonel Welden as eldest Colonel unto whom six Companies of Foot belonging to the garrison of Chichester joyned themselves about Dorchester and as many Colours from Lime after that in all 4 or 5000 Foot besides a body of Horse of 1800 or 2000 consisting of Colonel Graves his Regiment Colonel Cooks Colonel Pophams Colonel Fitz-Iames and the Plimouth Regiment All which Horse and Foot were well combined in mutuall love to each other and common resolution against the Enemy They march'd without any stop or stay till they came within a dayes march of Taunton near enough to raise the siege The Enemy mistaking that Brigade by a happy Synecdoch of a part for the whole as it proved by the good providence of God giving that Brigade the repute of the whole Army as appeared after by a Letter from Colonel Iohn Digby wherein he much laments his unhappiness in being informed that Fairfax with his whole Army was advanced from Blandford to the relief of Taunton when it proved but a part there being double the strength before the Town sufficient in his opinion to fight our party and make good the siege Neither was this intelligence of his altogether without ground or appearance at least For the General with his whole Army did advance out of Blandford towards Dorchester as if the whole had been for Taunton But after some stay at the Rendezvouz the General wheeled about Eastward and parted with that Brigade who marched on towards Taunton But whether this were a fegined excuse of Digby or a reall truth this we are sure the Enemy drew off the siege upon their advance so near and that in great disorder leaving many arms behinde them and cut down many trees to barracado the wayes lest we should fall upon their rear And so Colonel Welden had a fair passage to the town which he entred May 14. to no lesse joy to the Besieged then discomfort to the Enemy section 4 Some remarkable passages of the relief of Taunton The main passages of and particulars relating to this expedition and action are briefly these When the Brigade came within ten miles of Taunton having the advantage of the hills they gave them a Peale of their Artillery ten Peeces being discharged to give them notice of their being advanced within that number of miles having before by their Spies prepared them with the meaning of that signal Notwithstanding they were frustrated in their end By reason that some few dayes before the Enemy divided themselves one party of their horse and foot with some peeces of cannon skirmishing with the other in sight of the town but only with powder to make the Town believe as they gave out that the Parliaments forces who were comming to relieve them were there encountred and beaten hoping by this stratagem to have drawn a Party out of the Town to their friends succour and so to have cut them off by an ambuscado But God turned this wisdome of the enemy into foolishnesse the besieged kept close to their works the Enemies returning from their mock-chase fell to firing the Town with their granadoes and mortar-peeces whereby two long streets of the town of fair buildings were burnt to the ground and withall they stormed most furiously But they met with a gallant Commander in chief Col. Blake as valiant Souldiers that gave them such showres of Lead as filled the Trenches with their dead carkases And that which adds to the mercy the Town in all from the beginning to the raising of the siege had not lost 200 men Towards evening a party of horse were sent who approached to the very works for the Enemy had drawn off their guns and their Rear was upon their march And the Town thereupon being confirmed of the approach of their friends to their relief sallied out and fell upon the rear of the Enemy killed some and took others prisoners The whole Body marcht to Pitminster within two miles of the town took up their quarters in the fields and on Monday morning Col. Welden with the Officers went to Taunton where they found a sad spectacle of a flourishing town almost ruined by fire and the people nigh famished for want of food And gave order for the whole Brigade to retreat back to Chard where they quartered on Saturday and the 14. was the first dayes rest they had from their first motion Westward Thus Taunton happily and seasonably relieved is a good Earnest of the prosperous successe of this Army in after-actions 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 VVith a modest enquiry into the cause of our low condition at that time THe General in the mean while was a good part of his way back marching through inclosures avoiding the Champion-way in regard he had not many Horse if he should meet with Gorings Horse who were upon their retreat from Oxford into the West By the 14. of May they attained Newbury In their march besides exemplary justice done upon a rude Souldier as upon two before in their march towards the West and other things of particular note there was one passage of great wisdome and condiscension in the General very remarkable A pattern for Generals viz. That when the duty became so hard to some of the Regiments as each other day to bring up the Rear the Generals own Regiment claiming a priviledge to march alwayes in the Van which was convenient now to be waved for the relief of the rest but they being unwilling thereunto the Gen. in stead of severe discipline alighted himself and marched on foot in the head of his Regiment about two miles and so brought up the Rear and to this day his own Regiment takes the turn upon all duties A thing if rightly considered nothing to their dishonour if it were to outvie others to do service and redounding much to the good and good successe of an Army there being not any one thing that more frequently and certainly breeds distempers and causes mutinies in an Army then claiming of priviledges and insisting thereon in time of service section 2 His Excellency returned imployed to block up Oxford The Army thus arrived at Newbury rested there a day or two which was a great refreshment to the Foot sore gauled with a hard and tedious march to and fro having had but one dayes rest in fourteen dayes march What was the designe of calling them back or which way they should now be imployed they were yet ignorant till the second day when the Generall received an Expresse from the Committee of both Kingdomes to advance to Oxford to lay close siege to it which was no more disputed then the former commands at Blandford but forthwith obeyed how much soever it was
the losse of Leicester and the danger thereupon of the Kings breaking into the Associated Counties Lieutenant-General Cromwel was ordered by the Committee of both Kingdomes to march only with three Troops of horse to secure the Isle of Ely which commands he in greater tendernesse of the publique service then his own honour in such a time of extremity as that was disputed not but fulfilled And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax was commanded to rise from before Oxford and to march to defend the Association accordingly Orders were immediately given for the Forces on the other side the river to march to Islip and Major-General Brown was desired to put a garison into Gaunt-house being a place that was conceived would much conduce to the straitning of Oxford which accordingly was done and the bridge lately made pulled up and the next day being Iune 5. the Army rose from before Oxford and marched that day to Marsh-Gibeon ten miles The General in his march turned out of the way to see the siege before Bostol-house where Major-General Skippon according to order had that morning made some attempt but the successe was not according to our desires the Moat being much deeper then we expected This night at the Head quarter intelligence came that the King was marching from Leicester towards Daventry with intention to raise the siege at Oxford as was conceived which was by order before done to his hand Friday Iune 6. the Army marched to great Brickhill twelve miles where the head-quarter was that night which was once intended to be at Stony-Stratford but that the intelligence which came that night to us of the Kings horse facing Northhampton that day rendred it not safe so to adventure whilest the greatest body of our Horse sent into Derbyshire were not as yet returned This night a great fire happened at the Generals quarters at Brickhil which was so sudden and violent for the time that a man and a boy and three or four horses were burnt in the Barn where the fire began before the Guard could get to preserve them It happened most remarkably in the house of one who expressed no good affection to this Army and denyed to furnish those conveniences for quarter affirming that he had them not which afterwards by occasion of the fire he was enforced to bring out The next day Iune 7. the Army marched to Sherrington a mile East of Newport-Pagnel to the end the Forces with Colonel Vermuden who upon the Scots retreat to Westmerland were recalled and upon their march back might more conveniently joyn but especially to be on that side the River the better to secure the Association in case the King who the day before had faced Northhampton and seemed to intend that way should attempt to break into it wherein it appeared they did not consult their safety and quarter on the back of a garison as without incurring any great censure they might have done but rather consulted their honour and the publick service Expresses were sent to Lieutenant-General Cromwel into the Association to inform him whereabout our Army was that in case the Association were in danger he might know how to joyn with us Lords day Iune 8. the Army resting in their quarters severall parties of horse were sent out as far as Tocester to gain intelligence of the motions of the Kings Army who brought in some prisoners of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Brigade from whom information was gathered that the Kings Army continued still about Daventry Whereupon the General called a Councel of War to consider of the best way to engage the Enemy Where taking into consideration of what use Lieutenant-General Cromwel would be to them in a time of so great action The General propounded to the Councel of War and it was by them unanimously consented unto that a Letter should be writ to the Parliament to desire that they would please for a time to dispence with L. Gen. Cromwels absence from the House and to give way he might command their Horse there being like to be very speedily an engagement Which Letter was sent by Colonel Hamond who went Post the same day to the Parliament and was instantly returned with an answer according as was desired to the great content of the General and the whole Army This day Colonel Vermuden who the day before was with his party of Horse returned and come near to the quarters of the army himself came to the General desiring in regard of some speciall occasions which he said he had to draw him beyond seas that he might have leave to lay down his Commission which was yielded unto and accordingly he received his discharge At this dayes debate Major-General Skippon was desired to draw the form of a battell and at the same time the Army was divided into severall Brigades of Horse and Foot in order to their being better disposed for an engagement The General though not depending upon multitudes yet serving Providence in the use of all good means sent one Post after another to Sir Iohn Gel Colonel Rossiter to the Governours of Coventry Warwick Northhampton and Nottingham To march with all speed with their Forces to the Army for that there was likely to be speedily an engagement with the Enemy In the mean the Army neglected no time but on Wednesday Iune 11 though a rainy day marched from Stony-Stratford to Wootton within three miles of Northampton where intelligence still confirmed the Kings continuance at Daventry quartering all his Foot and Carriages upon Burrough-hill a place of great advantage having formerly been an ancient fortification and making show as if he had chosen that place to fight upon in case we durst advance to him But afterwards it appeared that his stay there was only till a part of 1200 horse were returned which he had sent from his Army to Oxford as a convoy with the plundered cattel sheep of Leicestershire Northamptonshire c. the better to enable Oxford to endure a siege in case it should be attempted again in his absence himself being intent upon a march for the relief of Pomfract and Scarborough which he then apprehended to have smal difficulty in it understanding the removall of the Scotish army The Army being come to Wotton they found there none of the best accommodation for quarter only what was wanting that way was kindly and respectively endeavoured to be supplied by the Major and Magistrates of Northhampton who the same night came to the General at the head quarter upon the errand of a congratulatory visit and present The next day the Army marched to Gilsborough four miles on the west of Northampton and within five miles of Burrough-hill where the Enemy still continued Marching in very good order for that they did advance directly upon the place where the enemy had pitcht himself A commanded party of horse gave the Enemy an alarm and took some prisoners by whom they understood the King was a hunting the Souldiers in no order and
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
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
were absolutely reduced and the dis-affected Club-men brought to more obedience Reckoning it also a service of importance to take in Bath in order to the straitening of Bristoll and hindring P. Rupert for raising any considerable force in those parts Whereupon his Excellency took a resolution to march back and accordingly came to Wells that night with part of the Army and Train being 14. long miles and a hot day and sent a Brigade of horse and foot unto Sherborn under the command of that pious and deserving Commander Col. Pickering to face that garrison and to view the same and if there were hopes to reduce it to sit down before it in order to a siege The Horse-quarters this night were neerer unto Bath more force was sent to get between Bath and Bristol having intelligence that their distractions were such in Bath that they would easily be driven to quit it But the General stayed at Wells expecting to hear from the party of Horse and Dragoons under the command of Col. Rich which he had sent towards Bath Tuesday the 29. Colonel Rich facing the town with horse and dragoons summoned the town but the Governour refused to surrender Towards evening our Dragoons commanded by Colonel Okey were drawn neer the bridge and crept on their bellies over it to the Gate seized on the small end of the enemies Musquets which they put through the loop-holes of the Gate and cryed to the enemy to take quarter which so affrighted the enemy that they â—an to their Work which flankered the bridge and left their Musquets behinde them as of no use to them so of as little to us Our men instantly fired the Gate and became Masters of the bridge upon which the Deputy-governour sent for a Parley and upon the Treaty the town was yielded upon Articles making the common souldiers who were about 140. prisoners and having conditions for the Officers to march away to what garrison they pleased We found in the town six pieces of Ordnance 400. Arms 12. barrels of Powder the Works besides the Wall of the City strong and tenable It was yielded in a good time for Prince Rupert was advanced with a Party of 1500 horse and foot from Bristol within four miles to relieve the town but comming too late retreated Wednesday Iuly 30. The Army was drawn up to Mendeep hils with intention to march to Bath but upon intelligence the horse and dragoons alone had taken the town His Excellency sent back the Army to Wells marching only with two Regiments of foot to Bath which he intended to leave there for the security of that place and parts thereabouts The Generall quartered there that night stayed there next morning and setled things for the safety of that place and in the afternoon returned to Wells leaving the two Regiments at Bath month August 1645 Friday August 1. the Army marched from Wels to Queen-Camel where the Head-quarter was that night but the General himself went with a few Horse to Sherborn viewed the Works and Castle and quartered there that night And on Saturday August 2. the General and Lieut-General rode again to the Lodge and upon a second view and observation conceived the place might shortly be reduced guards were therefore appointed neerer to it and orders were given for all things in reference to a close siege This day Intelligence came that the Club-men of three Counties viz. Dorcet Wilts and Summerset were to meet at Shaftsbury and that a faire opportunity would be offered for the surprisall of them who were so disaffected to the Parliament whereupon Col. Fleetwood was commanded forth with a good party of horse to see if he could surprise them who accordingly came seasonably incompassed them in the towne with about 1000 horse and took about 50 of the Ringleaders whereof Mr. Hollis Carey Young Cradock and Doctor Goche were the chiefe who being brought prisoners by a guard of horse were presently dismounted and disarmed and sent to prison untill leisure were afforded to examine them and to consider how to dispose of them which was done by a Committee chosen on purpose four or five dayes after and after the reducement of Sherborne they were sent to London with other prisoners but we have not so done with the Club-men or rather they with us Lords day August 3. News came this day that all the Country of Wilts and Dorcet and part of Summerset were up in Armes and would have a Rendezvouz of 10000. men at least pretending they did it to fetch off their Leaders but privately we understood it was to interrupt our siege and to hinder provisions from comming to the Leaguer giving out withall that Goring with his Army was comming out of the West to raise the siege On Munday August 4. Lieutenant-Generall Cromwell having Intelligence of some of their places of Rendezvouz for their severall divisions went forth with a party of horse to meet with them being well satisfied of the danger of their designe As he was marching towards Shaftsbury with the party they discovered some colours upon the top of a high hill full of wood and almost inaccessible a Lieutenant with a small party was sent to them to know their meaning and to acquaint them that the Lieutenant-Generall of the Army was there whereupon Mr. Newman one of their leaders thought fit to come downe and told us the intent was to desire to know why the Gentlemen were taken at Shaftsbury on Saturday the Lieutenant-Gen returned him this answer that he held himselfe not bound to give him or them an account what was done was by authority and they that did it were not acresponsible to them that had none but not to leave them wholly unsatisfied he told him that those persons so met had been the occasions and stirrers of many tumultuous and unlawfull meetings for which they were to be tried by law which triall ought not by them to be questioned or interrupted Mr. Newman desired to goe up to returne the answer the Lieutenant-Generall with a small party went with him and had some conference with the people to this purpose that whereas they pretended to meet there to save their goods they took a very ill course for that to leave their houses was the way to loose their goods and it was offered them that Justice should be done upon any who offered them violence and as for the Gentlemen taken at Shaftsbury it was only to answer some things they were accused of which they had done contrary to Law and the peace of the Kingdome These men were well satisfied and promised to return to their houses and accordingly did so These being thus quietly sent home the Lieutenant generall advanced further to a meeting of a greater number of about 4000. who betook themselves to Hambleton Hill near Shrawton at the bottome of the hill we met a man with a Musquet and asked whither he was going he said to the Club-Army we asked what he meant to do he asked
of the Castle being well informed that the ground whereon it stood was mineable This day towards evening Capt. Horsey another of Colonel Rainsboroughs Officers was shot dead in the place with a birding peice from one of the Towers who with Captain-Lieutenant Flemming of Col. Rainsboroughs Regiment who was shot before were the next day buried after a martiall manner in the Church at Sherborne being the place where Captaine Horseys Ancestors were intombed On Friday August 8. The Generall going to see the working of the Mine as afterwards both Saturday and Lords day he did severall times and the making of the Gallery escaped another great danger by his own souldiers who encompassing some Dear shot round and killed one of their fellows and missed the General as he was passing by narrowly Very freely did the souldiers work in the Mines and Galleries and making of Batteries every man being rewarded twelve pence a piece for the day and as much for the night for the service was hot and hazardous By Monday August 11. The whole Canon and the Treasure for the Army formerly mentioned and then long expected by the Army came to the head quarter This day his Excellency had intelligence that Major Generall Massies horse who were quartered near Taunton to interrupt Gorings forces in case they advanced this way had fallen on some of Gorings horse and taken severall prisoners Tuesday August 12. The Mendeep Miners came and were set to work the enemy threw fiery Faggots over those parts of the Wall where the Miners were and where a Bridge likewise was making over a little Rivolet which was in part burnt thereby but the souldiers presently quenched it and it was put over that night The Generall according to his wonted nobleness sent to Sir Lewis Dives That if he pleased to send out his Lady or any other women he would give way to it Sir Lewis thankfully acknowledged the favour seemed to incline to accept of it but gave no positive answer expressing withall his resolution souldier-like to hold out to the last but under favour it was a madnesse rather then valour seeing he despaired of relief and since that he hath felt the misery of it by a long imprisonment in the Tower Wednesday August 13. The Canon and Demi-Canon were planted on the new Battery where another chiefe Gunner of ours was slain besides one Ienkins another Gunner was shot from the Tower The Miners wrought within two yards of the Wall where the Rock appearing we feared it would have given more interruption then it did but it proving but a soft stone was easily wrought thorow The Generall and Lieutenant Generall vvere twice again this day at the Works and Mines so much did they still engage their persons in the care and oversight of every such vvork Thursday August 14. The great Guns began to play about eleven of the clock and before six had made a breach in the middle of the Wall that ten a breast might enter and had beaten down one of the Towers vvhich much disheartened the enemy On this occasion the great adventurousness of many of the souldiers comes fitly to be remembred vvho vvhilest our Canon played hard upon the Castle and vvanted shot fetcht off the Bullets that vve had shot from under the enemies Walls and had six pence a piece for every Bullet they so brought off vvhich vvere vvorth as much to the service at that time After the breach so made such vvas the noble and mercifull disposition of the Generall that he sent a third Summons to surrender the Castle or to expect extremity vvhich drave the Governour into a great passion vvhich is not hard to do in so much as he said he vvould hang the Drum and vvhen the Drum delivering his message stoutly vvas as he thought sawcy he told him he must have more manners in his presence and sent an answer to this purpose That the language was so far differing from vvhat he had formerly received that he could not believe that it came from the same hand but said that he vvould not lose his honour to save his life it may be as one sayes of him because his Cause and carriage had already lost it if the last vvere he should think it vvell bestowed in the service This day another of our Gunners vvas shot vvith a birding piece By this time our approaches vvere so near that they could have no use of their Musquets only threw down stones And this day our souldiers upon the guard commanded then by Colonel Inglesby a gallant and vveldeserving Gentleman happily gained the Tower in the corner of the Castle out of which our Musquetiers playing into the Castle recompenced with a fatall shot one of the enemies chief marksmen that had so often shot out of the Tower with the birding piece and killed our men Impatient were our men to fall on but in regard the Mine was not ready to spring that night it was resolved to put off the storm till the next day but in the mean time so near did our souldiers venture to the Walls from the Gallery that they pulled the Wooll out of the Wooll-sacks that lay on the enemies Works vvhich caused that strong guards vvere set by the enemy this night great fires were made in the Castle all night long to discover our approaches and mines Friday August 15. Two in the morning the Governour having cooled his brain with a little sleep without any other provocation sent out a Drummer with a message that he was willing to surrender upon honourable terms answer vvas returned no terms but Quarter seeing he had slipt and slighted the opportunity and he vvas not to expect that except he rendred speedily Immediatly the Generall went in person to the Works and viewed the Castle within over the Wall not without great hazard gave Orders for all things to be prepared for a storm every souldier to cut his fresh Faggot whereby in two houres they had above 6000 Faggots with which they were to fill the Trenches and to throw stones and rubbish upon them whilst this was in doing our souldiers that had before gained one Tower recovered also another of their Towers and from thence proved as good marksmen as theirs vvere and out of the same Towers vvhere they shot so many of our men did good execution upon the enemy within Sir Lewis Dives his Secretary vvas slain by a shot from thence and being so happily possest of this Tower vve improved it further to the inforcing them from their Guns within which they had planted to oppose our entrance at the breach the Miners had by this time wrought quite through the foundation of the Wall and our foot plaid so hard from the breach that they were forced to quit the great Court within the Castle this much disheartened the enemy and especially seeing our souldiers comming forwards so merrily with Faggots on their backs to fall on some of them before their time appointed leaping over the
did not expect to finde us on that side Sherborne and when he met our Horse he took them to be the Kings not offering to sound his trumpet as he ought to have done that night there was a strong party of Horse and one Regiment of Foot disposed at Hanham within three miles of Bristol on Gloucestershire side by whom the Enemy was alarm'd Vpon this approach of ours the Enemy fired Benminster on Somersetshire side and burnt it down to the ground as also divers houses on Gloucestershire side It was but the day before when Prince Rupert was sending out a party to relieve Barkley-castle which was much straitned by the Gloucester forces but the approach of our Horse under Commissary Ireton diverted that designe Thursday 21. in the morning to encourage us in our engagements we received intelligence of the surrender of Nunny castle to Colonel Rainsborough upon condition to have liberty to go to their own houses By reason of the Train coming in so late the Army rested that day at Chue save that another party of Horse and Foot advanced towards Benminster upon intelligence that the Prince intended to break through with his Horse and joyn with Goring with which party the General and Lieutenant-general went viewed the Town and appointed guards and quarters on the West side the River and quartered himself at Kenisome that night where divers Lords sent for Passes to come out of the City and go beyond sea but upon good reason were denyed it being a received opinion that persons of quality and great estate in a besieged town rather encline to a timely yielding then hazardous defending thereof when no relief is at hand Friday the 22. there was a general rendezyouz of Horse and all that day was spent in setting of guards on Somersetshire side where the Countreymen maintained a passage at Clifton the Head-quarter that night being removed to Hanham Saturday 23. the General and Lieutenant-General imployed the whole day in the setling of quarters and guards on the other side of Bristol This day the Enemies Canon played from the great Fort and Pryors Fort but hurt none but one Dragoon who had his thigh shot off The Enemy sallied out also with a party of Horse but were beaten in again where Sir Richard Crane was mortally wounded who presently after dyed of his wounds The Head-quarter this night was removed to Stapleton Lords day Aug. 24. the Enemy about noon sallied out again at the Sally-port near Prior-hill Fort in a full career and were upon our Dragoons on the sudden yet by our Horse comming on were beaten back again as also their Foot were by the Foot of Colonel Rainsboroughs Brigade made to retreat in disorder and worse then they came forth by the losse of a Major and some others Monday 25. Warrants were issued out by the General to Sir Iohn Horner High Sheriffe of the County of Somerset to raise the power of the County which was much promoted by the interest and endeavours of Mr. Ash and Mr. Moore two worthy Members of the House of Commons This day the army had intelligence that Goring then about Collumpton in Devon did seem to draw to a Rendezvouz as if he intended a march to interrupt our siege But Major-Gen Massies Brigade of Horse were quartered not far from Taunton in such an advantagious posture that the Enemy could not move but he might flank them and interrupt their motion whilest our Horse might draw off to meet them in case they should attempt the forementioned designe Tuesday 26. four in the morning the Enemy made a third sally on Somersetshire side on a post of Colonel Weldens Brigade at Bedminster and through the negligence of the Officer that had then the command there they took 10. and killed as many towards a recompence of which affront the same day Captain Molleneux a very valiant man Captain Lieutenant to Colonel Butler and with him another stout souldier perceiving three gallant Cavaliers under their Works whom afterwards they found to be Sir Bernard Ashley Colonel Daniel and a third man rode up to them askt them who they were for they swore God dam them for the King and shot at ours whereupon our men discharged their Pistols at them wounded them and after some bickering took Sir Bernard Ashley who dyed within few dayes of his wounds But Colonel Daniel though dangerously wounded escaped from them Wednesday 27. the Enemy drew out the fourth time about the close of the evening with intention to fall on our guards which ours perceiving they understanding that they were privie to their intention they drew back to their Works All this night the General and Lieutenant-General were abroad upon the field to be in readinesse if any alarm should happen Thursday 28. Rupert sent out those foot of ours which were taken prisoners on Somersetshire side being in number ten with a Trumpet propounding also an exchange for Sir Bernard Ashley but the exchange was not hearkned to This day we had intelligence of the Kings plundring of Huntingdon and the cruel usage of the people by his forces in those parts having unhappily escaped the Scotch and Northern horse out of Nottinghamshire Mean while as an earnest of the whole the Fort at Portshead point that had bin four dayes besieged by Lieutenant Colonel Kempson of Colonel Weldens Regiment with a party of Foot was with six pieces of Ordnance this day surrendred unto him who managed that businesse with much judgement and resolution by the taking whereof the passage into King-road with our ships was made open Friday 29. A Fast was kept through the Army to seek God for a blessing upon the designes against Bristol Mr. Del and Mr. Peters kept the day at the Head quarter The Enemy endeavoured to interrupt us by a sally about noon time upon our quarters near Lawfords-gate where he took three or four souldiers After the publick exercises a Counsel of War was called and it being agreed in the first place to punish the vices of the Army it was propounded whether to storm Bristol or not the debate was long opinions various however it was agreed that all things should be prepared in order to a storm and afterwards to take into further consideration whether to storm or to intrench the Leaguer In the midst of these thoughts and resolutions tydings were brought the Army of the defeat given by Montrosse to our Brethren the Scots and that he was marched to Edenbrough in pursuit thereof and that the King was now advanced to Bedford unfollowed and was expected speedily to raise the siege at Bristol and this day towards evening the intelligence was confirmed by Letters from the Committee of both Kingdomes of the Kings speedy march towards Oxford and probably to these parts At the same time his Excellency had intelligence that Goring in the West advanced his quarters nearer Chard and as it was verily thought intended a conjunction with the King And now was the Army in a
great straight the whole strength thereof being but sufficient and scarce that for its present undertaking before Bristol utterly unable to check the Enemies conjunction or attend their motions at any distance from the Leaguer and though the further proceeding with the siege of Bristol in this conjuncture of affairs seemed very hazardous yet resolving to abide the utmost and not to give it over upon great looks we put our selvs into the best condition we could to receive them in case either or both should attempt us Lords day August 31. Captain Moulton Admiral for the Irish coasts who was now come into Severne came from aboard his ship to the General expressed much readiness to assist in the storming of the City if it were so determined with his Seamen A debate was then had concerning the storming of Bristol and what might be done by water with the assistance of the Seamen Gorings Letters from Exeter to Secretary Nicholas bearing date August 25. were this day intercepted Wherein he writes that in three weeks time he will be ready to interrupt Fairfax in his siege before Bristol month September 1645 Monday September 1. the weather wet and misty about 12 at noon Prince Rupert with 1000 Horse and 600 Foot sallied out the sixth time in a full carere and came upon our Horse guards with much fierceness but the Horse instantly came up and with the assistance of the Foot of Colonel Rainsboroughs Brigade forc'd them to as hasty a retreat We lost in that skirmish Captain Guilliams a captain of Horse a valiant faithfull and religious man besides that Colonel Okey colonel of Dragoons it being in the mist fell amongst the Enemy unawares and by that accident was taken prisoner At that time further advertisements confirmed our former hints of the Kings advance from Oxford towards Bristol Orders were given for all the colonels to view the Line and Works and for our souldiers to make Faggots and all fitting preparations for a storm Tuesday September 2. A Councel of War being called and all the Colonels present after a long debate whether to storm Bristol or no it was put to the question and resolved in the affirmative and for the manner of the storm it was referred to a Committee of the Colonels of the Army to present in writing to the General the next morning to be debated at a general Counsel of War Accordingly Wednesday September 3. the manner of the storm was presented in writing to the General which was to be after this manner Colonel Welden with his Brigade consisting of the four Regiments that were at Taunton viz. his own colonel Inglesbies colonel Fortescues and colonel Herberts Regiments whose posts were to make good Somersetshire side was ordered to storm in three places viz. 200 men in the middle 200 on each side as forlorn hopes to begin the storm 20 Ladders to each place two men to carry each Ladder and to have 5 s. a piece two Serjeants that attended the service of the ladder to have 20 s. a man each musquetire that followed the ladder to carry a fagot a Serjeant to command them and to have the same reward 12 files of men with fire-arms and Pikes to follow the ladders to each place where the storm was to be those to be commanded each by a Captain and a Lieutenant the Lieutenant to go before with five files the Captain to second him with the other seven files the 200 men that were appointed to second the storm to furnish each party of them twenty Pioners who were to march in their Rear the 200 men each to be commanded by a Field-Officer and the Pioners each by a Serjeant those Pioners were to throw down the Line and make way for the horse the Party that was to make good the Line to possesse the guns and turn them A Gentleman of the Ordnance Gunners and Matrosses to enter with the Parties the Draw-bridge to be let down two Regiments and a half to storm in after the Foot if way were made Much after this manner was the Generals Brigade under Colonel Montague's command consisting of the Generals Col. Montagues Col. Pickerings and Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiments to storm on both sides of Lawfords gate both to the river Avon and the lesser river Froom the bridge over Froom to be made good against horse with Pikes or to break it down Colonel Rainsboroughs brigade consisting of his own Major-General Skippons Col. Hammonds Col. Birches and Lieu. colonel Prides Regiments to storm on this side the river Froom beginning on the right hand of the Sally-port up to Pryors-hill Fort and to storm the Fort it self as the main busines 200. of this brigade to go up in Boats with the Sea-men to storm Waterfort if it were to be attempted One regiment of horse and a regiment of foot to be moving up and down in the closes before the Royal fort and to ply hard upon it to alarm it with a Field-Officer to command them The regiment of Dragoons with two regiments of Horse to carry ladders with them and to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton and Washingtons breach The manner of the storm being thus agreed on though its probable some more certain information might change the attempts from one place to another the Souldiers were drawn out to try their inclination in whom more courage joy and resolution could not appeare in men The General to make good his promise to reward them for the service of Bridgewater Ordered them immediately to receive 6. s. a man which by the care of the Commissioners of Parliament was forthwith paid unto them and which put a great obligation upon the Souldiers At this councel of war it was also agrrâ—ed that a Letter should be written and subscribed by the General and all the Officers to General Leven to expresse how sensible they were of the losses their Forces had received in Scotland by Montrose and their willingnes to serve them if need were for the setling of their Nation in peace so soon as the condition of this Kingdom could spare them The copy of which Letter followeth in these words May it please your Excellency and the rest honoured Friends and beloved Brethren VVE have not without much grief received the sad report of your affairs in Scotland how far God for his best and secret ends hath been pleased to suffer the Enemy to prevaile there And are we speak unfainedly not lesse sensible of your evils then you have been and are of ours nor then we are of our own And the greater cause of sympathie have we with you and the more do our bowels earn towards you because whatever you now suffer your selves in your own Kingdom are chiefly occasioned by your assisting us in ours against the power that was risen up against the Lord himself and his Anointed ones Wherefore we cannot forget your labour of love but thought good at this season even amongst our many occasions to let you know
under what pretence soever and that Iustice according to the known lawes of the land be administred to all persons within this City by the Civil Magistrate And for the performance of these articles I expect such hostages to be given as I shall accept of and hereunto I desire your speedy Answer Sir By this you may evidently perceive my inclination to peace and you may be assured that I shall never desire any thing more then the honour of the King and safety of the Kingdom and that I may become Sir Your Servant Rupert To which Propositions the General returned this Answer Sir I have perused your Propositions wherein some things are doubtfully exprest other things inconsistent with the duty I owe to them I serve Notwithstanding to the end I may give assurance that I earnestly desire to save effusion of blood and the ruine of a City and people that may in time be so serviceable to the Crown and Kingdom If it please your Highness that Commissioners may treat between us concerning the accommodating of things I hope to make it evident to the world that what shall respect the honour of a souldier due civility to all men the good and welfare of the people of that City both in passing by what is past and restoring them to the priviledges of all other subjects and to the immunities of their City will readily be condiscended unto by me and to the end no time may be lost I have here inclosed sent you the names of Commissioners who upon the return of Hostages of equal condition unto me shall attend your Highness sufficiently instructed to conclude on my part Provided the said treaty be ended by nine of the clock this night And to this I desire your answer within the space of an hour and remain Your Highnesse humble servant Tho. Fairfax This answer being returned presently after Dinner by the same Trumpeter he was detained till eight at night and then he brought this answer from the Prince or to this effect in writing That he hoped his Propositions had been such as needed no explanation yet because some doubts were made he was willing to have the exceptions set down in writing and his Highness would return answer Monday September 8. The General returned a particular Answer to every Article which as to the souldiery was very honourable and could not but be very acceptable to the Citizens for the offer was most fair to the Citizens to oblige them to us in case the conditions offered them were but known to them as we hoped they would However we had used means by our Spies to convey the same to them In the interim all things were prepared for the storm every Commander viewing his Posts the Trumpet was detained beyond the time appointed yet afterwards returned with a deniall but not positive That night was appointed for the Army to fall on but upon better consideration it was held fit to put it off to another day and only to alarm the Enemy Tuesday September 9. the Trumpet was sent in again to let the Prince know that if he did not immediately except what was offered all that had passed should be as no treaty requiring the Trumpet to return by 12 of the clock but notwithstanding he was detained till 10 at night and then returned with an unsatisfactory answer Whereupon all things on our part were put in readiness for a storm At 12 of the clock in the night the General went into the field to give order about the drawing out of our men and managing the storm for the next morning The Enemy being left inexcusable for refusing such honourable conditions as were offered the whole Army Horse and Foot being set in a posture round the City to fall on about two in the morning September 10. the signall was given to fall on at one instant round the City and Works which was by setting on fire a great heap of straw and Faggots on the top of an hill and the shooting off four great guns against Pryors-fort from the place where the General was to recide all the time of the storm which being accordingly given immediately the storm began round the City and was terrible to the beholders Colonel Montague and Colonel Pickering with their Regiments at Lawfords-gate entred speedily and recovered 22. great guns and took many prisoners in the Works Major Desborough advancing with the Horse after them having the command of the Generals Regiment and part of Colonel Graves's Sir Hardresse Wallers and the Generals Regiments commanded by Lieut. Colonel â—ackson entred between Lawfords-gate and the river Froom Colonel Rainsborough and Colonel Hamonds Regiments entred near Pryors-fort Major-General Skippons and Colonel Birches entred nearer to the river Froom and the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride was divided part assigned to the service of Pryors-fort and the rest to alarm the great Fort and afterwards they took a little Fort of Welchmen The Sea-men that were at first designed to storm by water the tide failing assisted in storming the Line and Works The Horse that entred here besides the Forlorn-hope so valiantly led on by Captain Ireton were in several parties commanded by Major Bethel Major Alford and Adjutant-general Flemming being of Colonel Whalyes Colonel Riches and part of Colonel Graves his Regiments And after the Line was broke down with the Pioneers and a gap made in the same our Horse with undaunted courage entred and within the Line met with a party of the Enemies Horse put them to a retreat mortally wounded Colonel Taylor formerly a Member of the House of Commons of which wounds he died and took divers prisoners This so disheartned their Horse perceiving withall our Foot to be master of the Line and their men beaten off that they never came on again to give one charge but retreated and stood in a body under the favour of the great-fort and Coulstons-fort In the mean while Pryors-hill-fort very obstinately held out playing fiercely with great and small shot upon our men for two hours after the Line was entred our men all that time in like manner plying them hard with musquet-shot in at the port-holes untill they brought up Ladders to the Fort but it being an high Work many of the Ladders proved too short through which fault some that got up were beaten down again Notwithstanding this disheartned them not but up they went again upon greatest danger and disadvantage some at last creeping in at the port-holes and others got on the top of the Works Captain Lagoe of Lieutenant Colonel Prides Regiment being the first man that laid hold on the Colours and in the end we forced the Enemy within to run below into the inner rooms of the Work hoping to receive quarter but our souldiers were so little prepared for to shew mercy by the opposition that they met withall in the storm and the refusal of quarter when it was offered that they put to the sword the Commander one Major
Price a Welchman and almost all the Officers Souldiers and others in the Fort except a very few which at the entreaty of some of our Officers had their lives spared By that time the Fort was gained the day began to break And most happy it was that the storm began so timely for otherwise had the Enemy had day-light when we first entred we could not havestood upon any ground to have attempted Pryors-hill-fort in regard the Great-fort and Coulstons-fort on the one side and the Castle on the otherside might have cut off our men as fast as they had been drawn up but being in the dark they durst not shoot for fear of killing their own men their Horse during the storm being drawn in a body between the Great-fort and Coulstons-fort But in the mean time the success on Somersetshire side was not answerable unto this on this side our forces there being put to a retreat though they went on with much courage the Works on that side were so high that the Ladders could not near reach them and the approach unto the Line of great disadvantage The Horse designed to enter the line in case it had pleased God to give us here also successe were Lieut. General Cromwels Regiment commanded by Major Huntington Colonel Sir Robert Pyes and Colonel Sheffields both which Colonels in person attended the storm being impatient they had not fair opportunity of entering the Line such was their zeale to the service And lest during the storm the Prince in case he see the Town like to be lost should endeavour to escape with his Horse to prevent the same Commissary General Iretons Colonel Butlers and Colonel Fleetwoods Regiments of Horse were appointed to be in a moving body upon Durdam-Down that place being the most open way and most likely for the Prince to escape by besides part of those Horse did alarm that side of the Line and great-fort towards Durdam-Down and Clifton during the storm as likewise to secure the Foot Colonel Okeyes Dragoons alarming Brandolhill-fort and the Line towards Clifton About 4 houres after the taking Pryors-hill-fort a Trumpeter came from the Prince to desire a Parley which there was reason enough to refuse but considering the Enemy had fired the City in severall places in so much as it was probable the whole City would have been consumed if the fire had gone on The General sent the Prince word that he would embrace a Parley provided he caused the fire to be quenched immediately which was done accordingly and so the treaty proceeded on and by seven at night it was concluded of according to these Articles That his Highnesse Prince Rupert and all Noblemen Officers Gentlemen and Souldiers and all other persons whatsoever now residing in the City of Bristol and Castle and Forts thereof shall march out of the said City Castle and Forts thereof with Colours Pikes and Drums bag and baggage The Prince his Highness all Noblemen Gentlemen and Officers in commission with their horse and arms and their Servants with their horses and swords and common souldiers with their swords the Prince his Life-guard of horse with their horse and arms and two hundred and fifty horse besides to be disposed by the Prince and his life-guard of Fire-locks with their arms and each of them one pound of powder and a proportion of bullet and that none of the persons who are to march out on this article shall be plundered searched or molested That such Officers and Souldiers as shall be left sick or wounded in the city castle or forts shall have liberty to stay till their recovery and then have safe-conducts to go to his Maiesty and in the interim to be protected That the persons above mentioned who are to march away shall have a sufficient Convoy provided for them to any such garrison of the Kings as the Prince shal name not exceeding fifty miles from Bristol and shall have eight dayes allowed for their march thither and shall have free quarter by the way and shall have two Officers to attend them for their accommodation and 20 waggons for their baggage if they shall have occasion to use the same That all the Citizens of Bristol and all Noblemen Gentlemen Clergymen and all other persons residing in the said city suburbs of the same shal be saved from all plunder and violence and be secured in their persons and estates from the violence of the Souldier and shall enjoy those rights and priviledges which other Subjects enjoy under protection and obedience to the Parliament That in consideration thereof the city of Bristol with the castle and all other forts and fortifications thereof and all the ordnance arms ammunition and all other furniture provisions of war excepting what is before allowed shall be delivered up to Sir Thomas Fairfax to morrow being Thursday the 11. day of this instant September by one of the clock in the afternoon without any diminution or imbezlement His Highnesse Prince Rupert then nameing to what army or garrison of the Kings he will march That none of the persons who are to march out on this agreement shall plunder hurt or spoile the Town or any person in it or carry any thing but what is properly their own That upon signing these Articles Colonel Okey and all persons now in prison in the city of Bristol the castle or forts of the same shall immediately be set at liberty That sufficient Hostages be given to Sir Tho. Fairfax such as he shall approve this night who are to remain with him untill the City be delivered That neither the Convoy nor Officers sent with the Prince shall receive any injury in their going or coming back and shall have seven dayes allowance for their return That upon the delivering of the Town sufficient Hostages be given for the performance of the articles on both parts Signed by us the Commissioners on the behalf of his Highnesse Prince Rupert Iohn Mynne W. Tillyer W. Valvasour Signed by us the Commissioners appointed on the behalf of his Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax Edw. Montague Tho. Rainsborough Iohn Pickering That which moved the General to give such favourable conditions was meerly the preservation of the City which otherwise would have been consumed by fire if the Enemy had been driven to a desperate condition God to shew the watchfulnesse of his Providence over the General and Lieutenant-General brought them into some danger and delivered them out of the same graciously during the time of the Parley For while they were both sitting on the top of Pryors-hill-Fort a peece of Ordnance was shot thither from the castle and the bullet grazed upon the Fort within two hands breadth of them but did them no hurt at all This day the well-affected Countrymen of Gloucestershire to the number of about 3000. with some 30 Colours appeared expressing great forwardnesse to serve the Parliament but the service being over they returned to their own homes In this Storm we lost severall Officers
both of Horse and Foot and had many wounded Major Bethel was shot at entring the Line whom I have never occasion to mention but greatly to his honour Of this wound he shortly after dyed Captain Ireton who led on the Forlorn hope at the storm was shot with a brace of bullets in the arm and it broken thereby but after enduring great torture and pain for many moneths he is through Gods blessing happily recovered Major Cromwel a valiant and discreet Gentleman Major to Colonel Inglesby was wounded in the Storm whereof he afterwards dyed Lieutenant-colonel Purefoy of col Fortescues regiment a very stout man was slain upon the place Captain Hill of Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiment slain at the storm Major Reade Colonel Inglesbies Brother and divers other Officers wounded Thursday Septemb. 11. The Prince according to the Articles marched out of the great Fort as also many Ladies and persons of quality who had convoyes appointed them according to agreement In the Prince his marching out the General himself attended him about two miles The Prince after he was out of the Fort declared which way he intended to go and propounded Oxford whither accordingly he and all his company were safely convoyed And because he feared the rising of the Club-men upon him and not being secure enough in his Convoy as he conceived he desired the General to let him have 1000 Arms for his Foot engaging himself upon his honour they should injure no man therewith only to make use of them if need were to keep themselves from the violence of the people and to return them back again which accordingly was allowed him and so many as kept their arms restored them again but the greatest part of them in their march running away many of the arms were lost Divers persons of quality that were in the town desired liberty to stay a while longer till they could provide themselves with Horses and necessaries to march away which civility the General did not deny them A great appearance there was of the Countrey to see the marching away of the Prince and extreamly cryed they out against the Prince Give him no Quarter Give him no Quarter The goodness of God to the Army during this siege in preserving them from the sickness was very remarkable For when the Army was resolved to march from Sherborne to Bristol one main objection there against it at that time was least the plague should be thereby brought into the Army but every mans conscience and judgement being satisfied that the designe was good and most for the advantage of the publick and feazable in their opinion they resolved to trust God what he would do with them as to the sickness that was much spread in those parts And whereas when the Army came before Bristol as likewise for many weeks before there dyed within the City above an hundred a week of the sickness nor could we quarter our forces in any town or village but the sickness was in it Yet during all this time not one Officer or Souldier in our Army dyed of the plague that we could hear of but one What ordnance arms ammunition and provisions we found in the Forts City and Castle I shall give you in the words of Lieutenant-General Cromwels Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons wherein also the Reader may finde not only a confirmation but an amplification of this Story by some other particulars not yet mentioned which Letter followeth It hath pleased the General to give me in charge to represent unto you a particular account of the taking of Bristol the which I gladly undertake After the finishing of that service at Sherborne it was disputed at a counsell of war whether we should march into the West or to Bristol Amongst other arguments the leaving so considerable an Enemy at our backs to march into the heart of the Kingdom the undoing of the country about Bristol which was exceedingly harassed by the Prince his being but a fortnight thereabouts the correspondency he might hold in Wales the possibility of uniting the enemies forces where they pleased and especially the drawing to an head the disaffected Club-men of Somerset Wilts and Dorset when once our backs were towards them These considerations together with the taking so important a place so advantagious for the opening of Trade to London did sway the ballance and beget that conclusion When we came within four miles of the City we had a new debate Whether we should endeavour to block it up or make a regular Siege The latter being over-ruled Colonel Welden with his Brigade marched to Pile-hill on the south side of the city being within musquet shot thereof where in a few dayes they made a good Quarter overlooking the city Upon our advance the Enemy fired Bedminster Clifton and some other * * Which they did purposely to disaccommodate the Army in point of quarter villages lying neer to the city and would have fired more if our unexpected comming had not hindred The General caused some Horse and Dragoons under Commissary Gen. Ireton to advance over Avon to keep in the Enemy on the North side of the town untill the Foot could come up And after a day the General with Col. Montagues and Col. Rainsboroughs Brigades marched over at Kensham to Stapleton where he quartered that night The next day Colonel Montague having his Post assigned with his Brigade was to secure all between the rivers From Avon he came up to Lawfords Gate within musquet shot thereof Col. Rainsboroughs Post was neer to Durdam Down where the Dragooneers and three Regiments of horse made good a Post upon the Down between him and the river Avon on his right hand and from Colonel Rainsboroughs quarters to From river on his left A part of Col. Birch and Major gen Skippons regiment were to maintain that Post These Posts thus setled our horse were forced to be upon exceeding great duty to stand by the Foot lest the Foot being so weak in all their posts might receive an affront And truly herein we were very happy that we should receive so little losse by Sallies considering the paucity of our men to make good the posts and the strength of the Enemy within By sallies which were three or four I know not that we lost thirty men in all the time of our siege Of Officers of quality only Colonel Okey was taken by mistake going to the Enemy thinking they had been friends and Captain Guilliams slain in a charge We took Sir Bernard Astley and killed Sir Richard Crane one very considerable with the Prince We had a Councel of war concerning the storming of the town about eight dayes before we took it and in that there appeared great unwillingnes to the work through the unseasonablenes of the weather and other apparent difficulties Some inducements to bring us thither was the report of the good affection of the Townsmen to us but that did not answer expectation Upon
these gallant Men of whose valour so much mention is made Their humble suit to you and all that have an interest in this blessing is That in the remembrance of Gods praises they may be forgotten It is their joy that they are Instruments of Gods glory and their Countries good It is their honour that God vouchsafes to use them Sir they that have been imployed in this service know that Faith and Prayer obtained this City for you I do not say ours only but of the people of God with you and all England over who have wrastled with God for a blessing in this very thing Our desires are that God may be glorified by the same spirit of faith by which we ask all our sufficiencie and have received it It is meet that He have all the praise Presbyterians Independents all have here the same spirit of faith and prayer the same presence and answer they agree here have no names of difference pitty it is it should be otherwise any where All that believe have the reall Vnity which is most glorious because inward and spirituall in the body and to the head For being united in Forms commonly called Vniformity every Christian will for peace sake study and do as far as Conscience will permit And for Brethren in things of the mind we look for no compulsion but that of Light and Reason in other things God hath put the sword in the Parliaments hands for the terror of evil doâ—rs and the praise of them that do well If any plead exemption from it he knowes not the Gospel If any would wring it out of your hands or steal it from you under what pretence soever I hope they shall do it without effect That God will maintain it in your hands and direct you in the use thereof is the prayer of Your humble Servant Oliver Cromwel Bristol Sept. 14. 1645. This night the General removed from his quarter at the Farm-house where he had been all the time of the siege extreamly ill accommodated by reason of the littlenes of the house which yet he contented himself withall in regard it lay so conveniently upon any Alarm But this night He and the Lieutenant-General removed and went to Bristol which they found so unlike what it had been formerly in its flourishing condition that it looked now more like a Prison then a City and the people more like Prisoners then Citizens being brought so low with Taxations so poor in Habit and so dejected in countenance the Streets so noysome and the Houses so nasty as that they were unfit to receive Friends or Free-men till they were cleansed Besides the publique mercy to the Kingdome in the Recovery of Bristol The Vindication of Colonel NATHANIEL FIENNES once Governour thereof seems to have been also particularly designed by Providence The General with the Lieutenant-General sitting upon Priors-hill-Fort after the Storm and most of the chief Officers of the Army upon a view of the place comparing the present strength of it with what it was when he delivered it and other circumstances freely expressed themselves as men abundantly satisfied concerning the hard misfortune that befell that Noble Gentleman And indeed whosoever shall compare both the Defences together according to this ensuing Paralel must needs confesse That if Prince Rupert deserved to be acquitted as he was by the King and a Councel of war at Newark the former Defence deserves to be commended For Prince Rupert in this latter had the advantage of the former 1. In the Line which was so much stronger then the former by the addition of a Fort-Royall many other Works 2. In the numbers of Men for defence which were a Prince Rupert had between 4 and 5000 horse and foot Col. Fiennes but 1700. of all sorts more then double 1200 of them Horse which nuÌ„ber of horse was a thing of great consideration in so large a line 3. In a place of great strength for b Viz. the Fort-Royal which though it be twice reckoned in this Paralel yet it is in a different respect viz. here as a place of retreat but above as it did flanker the Line and so strengthen it much Retreat And lastly which is as considerable as any thing in a probability of Relief the c This appeareth in Pr. Ruperts Apologie and that the designe of his Relief was laid very probably to have succeeded King having promised it and being resolved to have performed it in his own person with all the force he could have drawn together Yet he in the defence slew not 200. in all of our Men Embraced a Parley so soone as ever the Town was entred and concluded the Surrender upon no better Articles than the former Governour had On the other hand Col. Fiennes in the former tho he had a d Prince Rupert in his printed Declaration and Apologie alleadgeth That the Line he had to defend being about 4 miles in compaise was generally but 3 foot thick and 5 foot high the Graft commonly but 6 foot broad where it was widest but 7. But 4 footdeep wher it was deâ—pest but 5. And that in the opinion of all his Colonels Officers it was not tenable upon a brisk and vigorous assault Line full as large lesse strong tenable and in that part where the enemy entred his Works not finished nor half so many to defend theÌ„ tho the Royal fort was not then built nor any thing but a weak rotten Castle to retreat unto which by the judgment of the e The Officers exprest themselves so Officers of this army could not hold out 48 houres against a strong Battery much less till Relief could reach it whereof there was no likelihood nay the f Col. Fieâ—nes sending to the Earl of Essex for relief his Excellency wrote to the Lord â—ay That the Army was not in case to relieve him nor He thought ever would Governor having sent severall times received no answer but by intelligence which he had he understood He could expect no relief Yet to the utmost improving the means he had 1. He slew 1200. of the Enemy among whom divers prime Officers Commanders 2. Disputed the Suburbs a long while after the Line was entred 3. Entertained no Parley till all endeavours that could be used by promise of money or otherwise were not able to get 120 men together And at length purchased as good Conditions as the latter and in some g As may appear by comparing the Articles together substantiall points better However all wise men would have saved me this pains The sense of the Honourable House of Commons immediately upon the reduction of Bristol calling Col. Fiennes to his former state of Honour and imployment being beyond all that can be said Yet these Considerations are not in vain for that they serve as well to the commendation of the goodnesse of God in the assisting and bearing forth this Army through this undertaking Which by
how much the ods between the means preparations for this latter defence were beyond the former carried so much the greater demonstration of the more immediate presence of GOD and his power with our Army in this Reduction of Bristol than the Enemy could boast of when He took it ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART III. CHAP. I. The Devizes and Laicock house surrendred Berkley Castle after in part stormed surrendred With an account of the Counsels that did lead these actions THE face of GOD now shining again upon Bristol and the Generall having through the improvement of a short stay there viewed the severall Forts about the City and given order concerning the setling thereof in a safe condition A councel of war called On Saturday September 13. A Councell of War was called to advise what was fit next to be done so agreeable was action to this Army whether to pursue the motion made after the taking of Sherborne to march presently for the relief of Plimouth and further parts of the West or to clear those garrisons that did interpose between the West and London which latter was very necessary for that if those garrisons were not reduced The obstructing garrisons between the West and London resolved to be attempted they would hinder correspondency between London and the Army except at high rates of very excessive trouble and charge to the Army by convoyes upon every occasion This was a businesse of great undertaking yet after all things weighed it was resolved for the present to attempt the taking in of Berkley and the Devizes as those that were the nearest deferring further resolution as to the rest to the opportunities providence should administer Colonel Rainsborough for that purpose was commanded to march with a Brigade consisting of Major Gen. Skippons Colonel Herberts and Lieut. Col. Prides Regiments for the taking in of Berkley-Castle already blocked up by Horse the only garrison considerable left in the County of Gloucester interrupting the passage between Bristol and Gloucester About this time was the Castle of Cardiffe with 16. pieces of ordnance and 400 arms reduced Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell was designed by the Generall with another Brigade consisting of Col. Montagues Col. Pickerings Sir Hardresse Wallers and Col. Hamonds Regiments for the taking in of the Devizes and Laicock-House On Tuesday following the Generall having but the over-night newly finished the whole business for the setlement of Bristol dismissing of those of the enemy that were to be then gone except some few persons of quality who had leave to stay a while in the Town removed his quarters that night to a friends house whilest the Army marched according to former orders Wednesday September 17. His Excellency marched to Bath and rested there some four or five dayes for the better recovery of his health as was need having been much wearied out and spent with that great business of Bristol section 2 Lieut. generall Cromwel set down before the Dâ—vizes During which time Lieut. Gen. Cromwel sate down before the Castle of the Devizes which commanded the County of Wilts and was placed in the road of traffique between the West and London It was a place of great strength having been an old fortification raised on a huge Mount of earth the Governour Sir Charles Llyod a good Ingineer had added to the strength of its naturall scituation what Art could do having cut out of the main Earth severall Works commanding one another and so strong that no Canon could pierce them besides that being pallizadoed and stockadoed in most places it was a matter of extream difficulty to storm it Notwithstanding the Lieutenant-General not discouraged thereat sate down close to it and having conveniently planted his Canon and Mortar-pieces on Sunday at one of the clock he sent in to summon the castle The Governour sent forth word That the King his Master put him in trust and he desired ten dayes time to send to him in the mean time he would keep it for the King The Lieutenant-General wished him not to let slip such an opportunity or if he were otherwise resolved in much civility he gave leave to send forth his Lady and such other Gentlewomen that were in the Castle and further let him know that none were more fitting to keep strong holds Forts and Castles then the Parliament for the use of the King whereupon the Governour returned Win it and weare it Upon receipt of this answer the Lieutenant-General having put all things in readiness for a storm gave command to the Canoneers presently to give fire and also to play the Mortar-pieces which was accordingly done and some of the Granadoes breaking in the midst of the castle being open above kill'd severall of their men and much endangered the blowing up of the Magazine which so startled the Enemy that on Monday about eight of the clock in the morning the Governour sent forth for a Parley and sent out two of his Captains Captain Challinor and Captain Garroway The Lieutenant-general sent two Captains into them and about eleven of the clock the Lieutenant-general sent them in these Propositions following viz. 1. That all Commanders and Gentlemen should march to any garrison the King had within thirty miles with their horse and armes and that all private souldiers should march away leaving their armes behinde them but not to go to the same garrisons the Commanders marched to 2. That all Gentlemen in the Castle should have liberty to go to their own homes or beyond the seas 3. That all souldiers that have been formerly in the Parliament service should be delivered up to the Lieutenant-general and all souldiers that would take up armes in the Parliament service should be entertained To these Propositions the Lieutenant-general desired his speedy answer that so they might march away by four of the clock in the afternoon to which the Governour agreed saving in point of time and delivered up the castle on the morrow at ten of the clock at which time they marched out The Devizes surrendred The Governour and his Officers with their arms and his foot without arms having the liberty of three carriages and a safe Convoy to Worcester The number of souldiers that marched out were about 400. In the castle was found a very plentifull Magazine of victuals and good store of ammunition and two piece of ordnance section 3 The Devizes thus happily reduced the General marched thither Tuesday 23. from Bath and the Enemy marched out the same day towards Worcester according to the Articles And as the wheels of gracious Providence were now upon a nimble motion so God was pleased to carry forth the Army to a most full complyance with the same Col Pickering sent to reduce Laicock-house No sooner was the Devizes gained but the same day colonel Pickering with his own and two Regiments more was commanded to Laicock-house a garrison of the Enemies kept by col Bovile who considering
that neither Bristol nor the Devizes were able to hold out against our force did easily resolve that a Poore house was much lesse able though in truth there were good works about it accordingly therefore upon the first Summons he came to conditions of surrender and had honourable tearms granted him upon which he marcht out the next day towards Excester viz. himself his Officers and Souldiers with their arms and baggage the General himself adding to the solemnity by his own presence who went from the Devizes on purpose to view the garrison and see the Enemy march forth section 4 Barkley-Castle stormed by col Rainsborough The same day col Rainsborough with his forces before Barkley-castle stormed the out-works and the Church which were the main strength of the castle with Scaling-ladders performing the service with so much resolution gallantry both Officers and Souldiers as quickly made them masters of the place wherein were taken 90 prisoners besides 40 put to the sword amongst whom were a Major and a Captain This was such a terror and discouragement unto the Enemy within the castle to see the resolution of our souldiers and the execution done upon theirs in the Church and out-works that the Governour Sir Charles Lucas who returned answer to the first Summons That he would eat horse-flesh before he would yield and mans flesh when that was done and upon a second Summons sent as peremptory an answer yet now perceiving the planting of our ordnance against him upon his own Works which we had newly gained whereby we had a great advantage to play into the castle and sensible what he was to expect if he came not to present terms was glad to sound a Parley which was yielded to and Commissioners sent out to treat and the Castle was surrendred upon these Articles Barkley-castle surrendred The souldiers to march out without arms the Governour Sir Charler Lucas with three horses and arms and not above 50. l. in money every Field-officer with two horses and but 5. l. in money Foot-captains with swords but no horse the souldiers with not above 5 s. a piece This Castle was a place of great strength well victualled and manned the Governour thereof Sir Charles Lucas a souldier of reputation and valour confident to hold it out against any force should appear before it that Winter There were taken in it eleven pieces of Ordnance provision of victuals for six moneths afterwards sold for a good value for the use of the souldiery In this service we lost only one Captain not many common souldiers though many wounded colonel Herbert as he valiantly led on his men to storm was shot through the Hat narrowly escaping a greater danger there marched out of the castle above 500 Horse and Foot the County of Gloucester not a little satisfied with the reducing of this Castle being a totall clearing of their County How this high hand of God lifted up and stretched forth against the Enemy wrought upon them I shall give you in some instances A Lieut. col of Sir Charles Lucas's when he saw the garrison was surrended could not hold but brake forth and swore to col Rainsborough He could be content to go to Hell and be a Major there to plague the Roundheads advancing in his hellish Dialect in this latter speech but proportionable to his Essay in a former speech after the first Summons when he said God dam him he would go quick into hell rather then yield the Castle to the Roundheads Another of their Officers in the same castle said to a captain of Horse in our Army He thought God was turned Roundhead the Kings forces prospered so ill These ought to be the greater engagements upon us to sanctifie that name of God which he proclaimes amongst us in these successes from whom else shall God have his glory CHAP. II. The counsels whereby the Army steered their course imparted The Reduction of Winchester A counsel of war the forementioned garrisons reduced advising of the next action AND now came into consideration in what way for the advantage of the kingdoms service the Army should be disposed of as to the ensuing Winter it being then the latter end of September the taking in of some of these garrisons of the Enemies viz. Winchester Basing Dennington Farrington and Wallingford which together with Oxford like Vipers in the bowels infested the midland parts seemed with much reason to invite the Army especially being so neer them to attempt them which if by Gods blessing they should happily succeed in they might to the best advantage make their winter quarters about Oxford whereby that garrison being straitned would probably fall into their hands by the Spring for want of provisions On the other hand many a sad look towards the West where the most considerable visible strength of the Enemy then was which if let alone all winter might possibly prove very formidable in the Spring and in the mean while overpowering Major gen Massies forces then about Taunton might advance their quarters into the midland parts and make all our new conquests unserviceable to the Kingdom did strongly incline the Army that way but that which most of all distracted them was that they were not able at once to grasp both the West and Midland parts as was their great ambition yet resolving to assay what they were able to both Their resolution Lieutenant-General Cromwel was sent with the forementioned Brigade and three Regiments of horse for the taking in of the garisons of Winchester and Basing which was the rather attempted because it conduced much to the absolute freeing of a passage from London into the VVest whither the General with the rest of the army according to a resolution then taken was immediately marching About this time was Farleigh castle in Somersetshire surrendred to the Parliament And about the same time Sandal castle in Yorkshire was surrendred to col Overton Col. Rainsborough his work at Berkley-castle being done was commanded to advance to the General who resolved to halt with his Forces about Warminster till he came up to him Accordingly Saturday 27. the General marched to Warminster with the Army and there continued till Tuesday the 30. On which day the Army marched towards Shaftsbury and were mustered in their march the General continuing still at Warminster choosing so to do not only for the forementioned reason but also till he might heare that the treasure for the Army was at least on the way from London the Souldiers being so out of money that they were all inforced to take free quarter which they had not done till then During his Excellencies abode at Warminster the good news of the Kings forcâ—s being routed at Routon-Heath neer West-Chester by Major-General Pointz was brought to the Army month October 1645 Wednesday Octob. 1. the Army marched to Middleton and thence the next day to Dorchester and thence Saturday Octob. 4. to Beauminster where they rested
the only plentifull and unharassed part of Devonshire As also that Greenvile was come with some fresh Foot out of Cornwal to Okehampton section 10 A letter to his Excellency from the Pr. of Wales his Highnesse At Autree a Trumpeter came to his Excellency from his Highnesse Prince Charles with a Letter desiring a Passe for the Lord Hopton and Lord Culpepper to go to the King upon a designe of a mediation of Peace between the King and both Houses of Parliament The scope of it which being a matter of great concernment the consideration thereof was put off to the next day when the Trumpeter was returned with a Letter from the General to the Prince intimating The summe of his Excellencies answer That it was no wayes proper for the General to intermeddle with any Propositions touching an accommodation between His Majesty and the Parliament And therefore had sent his Letter to the Parliament from whom his Highness must expect an answer section 11 The Parliament acknowledging their General In the interim a fair Jewel set with rich Diamonds of very great value was presented unto the General by Mr. Ash and some other Members of Parliament in the name of both Houses as a signal of that great honour which God had done him in the great service which by Gods assistance he performed for this Kingdome at Naseby-Battel and according to the commands of the Parliament they tyed it in a blue Ribband and put it about his neck section 12 The happy news of a second defeat of Digby briefly inserted About this time arrived at the Army certain intelligence of a second defeat given the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale who by killing of an hundred men and the taking of 200 horse and many prisoners among whom divers Commanders by Sir Iohn Brown were reduced to so much lesser number And were yet further extenuated as they fled towards Beeston-castle by Colonel Brigs who took 200 more of them About this time also were the severall garrisons of Worton Wiverton and Welbeck surrendred to valiant and active Major gen Poyntz And yet farther for the ease of the Ferry-boat that carried Digby to the Isle of Man reduced to the number of 20. besides some few Great ones that escaped with him by Major-general Vandrusk who took 180. of them flying through Westmerland And here is the end of 1600 of the Kings prime horse month November 1645 And with this came another peece of the Enemies being routed Nevemb 1. by Lieut. colonel Iones and Adjutant Louthian where were above 100. slain and about 400. taken prisoners among whom divers persons of quality few of ours wounded scarce any slain 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. An overture of a meeting made to his Excellency from the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others MOreover during the Armies stay at Autree the General was acquainted by a Person of credit with a desire of the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others to give his Excellencie a meeting which was taken into consideration and after consultation with the Members of Parliament then present and divers Officers the General the next day thus expressed himself to the Gentlemen that had signified the former desire His Excellencies answer That if any thing came in writing from the Lord Goring or Sir Iohn Berkley to the aforesaid purpose he would afford a meeting Upon this intimation the next day came a Trumpeter from the Lord Goring with a Letter to the General in these words SIR A letter from Goring thereupon I have understood by a Person of honour and quality of your readines to have a meeting with some of the Generall Officers of both Armies and some others wherein there will be a necessity of setling some circumstances for the avoiding of all mistakes I have instructed Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips in the particulars thereof and therefore shall desire that you will be pleased to grant them a Safe-conduct for themselves and two servants to go to your Quarters and return Your humble servant Geo. Goring Excester Novemb. 12. 1645. His Excellency advising thereupon This did put both the Officers and Members of Parliament there upon serious deliberation afresh and in issue this answer was returned by the General My Lord The answer his Excellency returned According to your Lordships desire I have sent you herewith a Safe-conduct for Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips to come to my head-quarter where I shall be ready to receive them to morrow I am Your Lordships humble servant Tho Fairfax section 2 The reasons of his Excelcies entertaining the motion One main and principal reason inducing his Excellency and approved by those he consulted with to grant the Safe-conduct was For that it might likely increase the discontent or jealousie at least between Grenvile and the Lord Gorings faction if it were noysed that Goring came out to treat without the privity of Grenvile For any better effect of the Treaty was not expected His Excellencie understanding privately that which they intended to offer was in such a nature as was not proper for the Army to meddle with section 3 Col. Scroop and Col. Philips upon this Safe-conduct the next day came to the head-quarter at Autree but comming somewhat late had not accesse that night to the General but were entertained by some of the Colonels of the Army untill the next day when they were presented to the General who before such time as they began to say any thing of their errand to him declared himself to them to this effect The effect of the meeting That if they had any thing to say concerning the surrender of Excester or the disbanding of Armies or any thing else which was belonging to the General as a Souldier to take notice of he would hear them otherwise he could not And this was no more then was intimated unto them before they came by Com. gen Treton Col. Pickering and the Judge-Advocate whereupon they answered That the Instructions that they had were in order to a general Peace To which was replied That that was proper to the cognisance of the Parliament therefore the General as a Souldier and the Parliaments servant without their leave would not say any thing to it Whereupon the next day they returned back unto Excester much unsatisfied The General easily perceiving the drift of their intentions was To have had both Armies engage themselves to force both King and Parliament to Conditions section 4 His Excellencie acquainting the Parliament with the whole proceeding And no sooner did the General satisfie himself in the scope of these Overtures from the Prince and the Lord Goring but by an Expresse sent up to the Parliament and the Committee of both Kingdoms he was most carefull to
could not get to Crediton till-Tuesday December 9. on which day the Horse and Dragoons gave them possession of the town which within two or three dayes after became the more usefull to us by the Generals going thither to order a designe in hand against Pouldrum House by water and land which being on Friday December 12. was immediately put in execucion only one day intervening which brought intelligence of the taking of Latham-house in Lancashire with eight pieces of Ordnance six murthering pieces five hundred Arms and proportionable Ammunition As also of the Kings Propositions to the Parliament for peace and of his Letter at the same time to Prince Rupert against peace section 9 A design upon Pouldrum-house The design against Pouldrum-house was this and thus carryed Lords-day December 14. nine of the clock at night Captain Deane the Comptroller of the Ordnance was commanded over Ex with 200 foot and dragoons to possesse Pouldrum-Castle but the enemy had some few houres before got 150 men into it unto those that were there before which our men not discovering before they had landed would not return without attempting something the Church at Pouldrum being not far distant from the Castle they resolved to possesse and make the best of it and accordingly did so and the next morning they got provisions from Nutwell-house unto them into the Church and began to fortifie the same the enemy at Excester much startled hereat fearing the Castle would be lost as well as the River blockt up by the fortifying of this Church Our party in Pouldrum-Church acquitting themselves gallantly sent therefore on Monday the fifteenth a party of five hundred foot who joyning with two hundred from the Castle assaulted our men about seven at night threw in many hand granadoes amongst them and so continued storming till ten but were beaten off with much losse leaving their dead on the place and carrying with them many wounded as appeared by the Snow that was much stained with their blood as they retreated section 10 In this service Captain Farmer Captain of Dragoones commanded our men who as they were beyond expectation happy in their successe not one man being lost in the storme so they were resolved to continue in their duty About this time was Hereford surprized and taken by a most gallant stratagem and notwithstanding the extremity of the cold by reason of the great frost and snow and want of all meanes to resist or qualifie the same in the church having no firing there they would not quit the same till they received orders so to doe which hard service hard in every respect although they were not immediately discharged of yet the next day Sir Hardresse Waller marched from Crediton with a strong party to Exminster to alarm the Enemy that he might not make a second attempt upon them till they had fortified the place or were recalled which action of Sir Hardresse Waller took that effect as was desired the Enemy being so amazed that they durst not march out that day as they had purposed to attempt the church again lest our men should get between them and home and God having blessed the meanes to their preservation hitherto The Generals noble care to bring them off The Generall considering further the bitter coldness of the weather and the hardness of the duty they would necessarily be put unto if they should make good the church sent orders to them to draw off which that they might do with the more safety two Regiments were appointed to draw downe and alarm the Enemy on that side Excester while they made good their retreat over the River by meanes whereof on Wednesday December 17. The Comptroller and Captain Farmer brought off the men very safe with their armes and ammunition the Enemy making no sally out of the Castle upon them though otherwise they had a faire opportunity to have fallen on them And these souldiers thus happily delivered and thus honorably come off were rewarded with proportions out of the prize taken by Captain Farmer below Apsham at the Generals command section 11 More force sent to Sir Hardresse Waller to Crediton But the Enemy drawing more force to Okehampton two Regiments more were sent to Crediton December 18. to assist those that were placed there before Col. Okey annoying the enemy at the Lord Chichesters house the same day Col. Okey with a party of Dragoones fell upon the Enemy at the Lord Chichesters house took a Captaine 12. prisoners 19. horses and returned back to his new formed garrison at Fulford House without the losse of a man section 12 Mr. Davis his house at Canon-teene garrisoned for the Parliam .. Also information being given that the house of one Mr. Davis at Cannon-Teen being within four miles of Excester stood convenient for a garrison and might beare an usefull proportion towards the blocking up of Excester and hindering of provision from the Southams some more of Col. Okeys Dragoones were ordered thither to possesse the same who accordingly went and fulfilled their orders December 21. and were no longer in the house Assaulted by the enemy but Munday December 22. in the morning the Enemy sent a force against it who stormed the house burnt the out-houses The Enemy repelled yet Captaine Woggan who commanded the Dragoones behaved himselfe so gallantly that he beat the Enemy off killed four desperately wounded a lieutenant-Lieutenant-Colonel and took divers prisoners section 13 Severall Intelligence of the Enemies preparations to releive Excester Tuesday Dec. 32. His Excellency had intelligence of the Enemies intention to march with their Army to relieve Excester and of their preparation of provisions to that end Decemb. 25. or thereabouts his Excellency had animadversion from the Committee of both Kingdoms of incursions made by the Kings horse from Oxford into the adjacent parts doing much mischiefe thereby whereupon the Regiment of Colonel Rainsborough then before Corfe-Castle was commanded to march from thence to Abingdon and Col. Fleetwood with the Generals his owne and Col. Whaleys Regiments and six troopes of Dragoones was sent also to lye about Islip to attend the motion of the Kings horse and guard the Associated counties as also in relation to the straightening of Oxford Fryday December 26. The Generall had advertisement from Plymouth of the Enemies actuating their intentions advancing in a great body towards the releife of Excester as they conceived which Intelligence was also confirmed by several of our Spies The Army resolved to be in readinesse to receive the Enemy whereupon a Councel of war was called wherein it was adjudged expedient to be in a fighting posture to receive them if they advanced and accordingly such resolution was taken up to which they saw the more cause to adhere by another Spie which came to them the next day with tidings to the same effect particularizing moreover that the Prince was to be in person in the head of the
at Plymouth leaving their guns and some ammunition behind them I considered with those about me of attempting upon Dartmouth and it being concluded affirmatively I caused two Regiments of Foot to march to Ditsam and two to Stoke-Flemming being on the West side of Dart river I having summoned the place before resolved upon Sunday night to attempt it by storm which was agreed to be done in three places The first Post was on the West-gate by Colonel Hamond On the North-end of the Town by Lieut. colonel Pride and on Tunstal Church and Works by Col. Fortescue The time resolved upon was in the evening Our men fell on with great resolution to whom Colonel Lamberts Regiment was a Reserve and to alarm the Enemy elsewhere Colonel Hamond enred the West-gate where foure guns were planted and two upon the Mill-poole upon his Flank the Enemy firing his great guns but once His men that had the Forlorn-hope did very gallantly as indeed they did all and went freely on and beat off the Enemy and possessed one Fort after another viz. Mount-Flaggon the West-gate Paradice-Fort and beat off the Main guard where were taken four Lieut. colonels And so possessed the Town from the West-gate to Little-Dartmouth In the interim Lieut. colonel Pride attempted the North part of the Town called Harnesse where beating off the Enemy he entred and took about 80 prisoners in it and by it possessed all the North part of the Town unto the Draw-bridge which divided the North part from the rest of the Town where Colonel Hamonds men and his met Colonel Fortescue with his men attempted Tunstal Church which was very well manned with above 100. men and having in it 10. guns His men after some dispute with good resolution entred the place and possessed it So that by this time the Enemy was beaten out of all except the great Fort on the East side of the River called Kingsworth-Fort and the Castle with the Fort that lay over the Castle at the mouth of the Harbour called Gallants-Bower to which last the Governour and the Earl of Newport and as many as escaped us fled After they were forced from their Strengths out of the Town the Governour comming back from the Castle to see in what posture the Town was had a remarkable shot as he was in the Boat A Musquet-shot was made at the Boat which pierced the Boat and both the thighs of one that sate next to him and about three inches into his own thigh whereupon he retreated to the Castle Our Dragoons with 2 companies of our Firelocks and some Sea-men were only to alarm Kingsworth-Fort wherein was Sir Henry Cary with his Regiment having in it 12 Guns and 12 Barrels of Powder and convenient proportion of Ammunition This was a very strong Fort with about four good Bulwarks strong enough to make a troublesome resistance But the Enemy came willingly to Terms and to save time I willingly condescended to let Sir Henry Cary march away with the rest leaving the Arms Ordnance Ammunition with all Provisions in the Fort to Me and All engaging themselves never to take up Arms more against the Parliament which was accordingly performed Next morning being thus Master of all but the Castle and Gallants-Bower I summoned that The Governour was willing to listen unto me but I held him to those terms upon which after some dispute he yielded which was To deliver himself and all Officers and Souldiers upon Quarter He sent me out Colonel Seymour and Master Denham for Hostages with whom came out the Earle of Newport and all was this day performed accordingly In this Fort and Castle were eleven Guns with proportion of Ammunition and Provisions We have taken in the Harbour two Men of war one belonging to the Governour of Barnstable with 12 guns Burthen 200. Tuns the other belonging to Newcastle formerly Captain Johnsons of 10. guns In the Town One hundred and three Peeces of Ordnance and about six hundred Prisoners and one hundred Horse with good proportion of Arms and Ammunition an exact particular whereof I am not able to give your Lordships at present There being many of the town Souldiers in Plymouth and some Officers and understanding that that Town hath Two thousand five hundred in garrison besides Townsmen I have sent thither for Five hundred Foot for this place who quickly will increase to more And to this I desire your approbation for having found more work to do I held it not fit to weaken my Army especially considering the Recruits designed by you I doubt will be too long before they come I have given your Lordships a brief account of this Service which I desire may be accompted a sweet mercy of God in a fitting season and only ascribed to Him who truly did direct and act it and made all the preparation to it both in the ordering our hearts giving Health to the Army who laboured two moneths ago extremely of Sicknesse but is now in good disposition generally to health I can say I find it to be in the hearts of all here in all integrity to serve you And that it is so is still the mercy of GOD For surely the successe of your Affairs only depends upon the ordering of a Gratious Providence which is no lesse visible in your Councels which we congratulate then amongst us That being the common root and spring of all and which can and will carry you through the greatest difficulties and us in serving you untill God hath finished his own work Wherein to professe the obligation and readines of my self and the Army by the same good hand of GOD is all the undertaking of Your Lordships most humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX Dartmouth Ian. 20. 1645. Prisoners taken at DARTMOUTH section 6 Sir Hugh Pollard Governour Earl of Newport Colonel Seymour Lieutenant-Colonels 4. Majors 2. Captains 15. Lieutenants 14. Ensigns 9. and one Cornet Besides many Country-Gentlemen Ministers and Inferior Officers All the Common-souldiers being betwixt 800. and 1000. were set at liberty to repair to their dwellings Ordnance about 120. mounted and 2 Men of War in the Harbour section 7 After our men were entred the Town they had extream wet weather which continued so the next day that it much hindred the setling of the Town Monday 19. Sir Henry Cary marched out of the Town with all his Officers and Souldiers leaving the Ordnance Arms and Ammunition therein to us Some time was spent this day in the disposing of the Prisoners The Engineer being a Papist as the Implements that he had about him did declare viz. the Masse-book Cope Hood and Surplice which were found in his chamber was in danger to have been torne in peeces by the Women of the town for his cruelty in burning of houses and other villanous acts Tuesday 20. the Guns were cleered The General went aboard Captain Battens ship where he was Nobly entertained The noble usage of the Cornish though enemies All the Cornish-men that were
guarded them who were killed and buried in the ruines And here was Gods great mercy unto us that the General being there in the streets escaped with his life so narrowly there falling a web of Lead with all its force which killed the Horse of one Master Rhoads of the Life-guard who was thereon next to the General in the street but doing neither him nor the General any hurt There were taken in the Towne about six hundred prisoners besides Officers great store of Armes the Lanes and Fields being bestrewed with them all their Foot were scattered their Horse fled that night towards Cornwal in great confusion the prisoners we took confessed they had about four thousand Foot and four thousand Horse at least the service was very hot we had many wounded it was stoutly maintained on both sides for the time section 5 If any particular be omitted in this Relation let the Generals Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons supply the same which here followeth with a List of the slaine and taken in this fight To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire SPEAKER of the Honourable House of COMMONS Master Speaker His Excellencies Letter concerning the Fight at Torrington PLymouth being set free and Dartmouth taken I sent Colonel Hammond with part of the Foot to possesse part of the houses neer Excester for the blocking of it up on the West side of the River as formerly I had done on the East and lay with the rest of the Army so as to countenance both that Work and the raising of some Forces in the Southams to lye about Totnes for the securing of that Country and to keep the Enemy from comming of that side of Devonshire againe when the Army should remove to the other These two things with the continuall foule weather at that time and the absence of Colonel Cook with so many of the Horse occasioned my stay thereabouts above a fortnight in which time the houses being competently fortified and the Forces raising in the Southams in good forwardnesse I drew the Army up towards Crediton with purpose to advance into the North of Devonshire also either by the taking of Barnstable or by blocking of it up and raising a Force in that wel affected corner to keep it in so as having all cleer or made fast behind me I might the better follow the remaining Field Forces of the Enemy into Cornwal And to continue the blocking up of Excester on the West side I left Sir Hardresse Waller with three Regiments of Foot and one of Horse of this Army and advanced with five Regiments of Horse and seven Regiments of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons the rest of the Horse and Dragoons being absent with Colonel Cook in Dorsetshire but then sent for to come up when I was resolved upon my advance this way The Enemy at the same time advanced out of Cornwal with all the Foot to Torrington about which their Horse did lye before and began to fortifie the Towne Their intentions therein as we conceived and doe since further find were by the advantage of this place and their Garrison of Barnstable so neer it to make this part of Devonshire more surely theirs and more difficult for us to come into and lying so much the neerer to Excester against which they supposed this Army wholly engaged to take their best advantages from hence and from Chimley which they meant also to have possessed to relieve Excester on the North side or disturb us in the Siege and it is probable they might have a further purpose in their posture here to secure the landing of Irish or Welsh supplies so much the forwarder towards the East On Saturday last I advanced from Crediton to Chimleigh where by many prisoners I was informed That the Lord Hopton had hereabouts foure thousand Horse and three thousand Foot Wee beleeved them to be about two thousand Foot or upwards and three thousand Horse the extreame foulnesse of Weather that day and the next occasioned me not to advance from about Chimleigh for the next night save only one Foot Quarter and an Horse Guard advanced to Ring-Ash three miles towards the Enemy to secure a Randezvouz so much the neerer to them for the day following I understood by the best Intelligence that the Enemy was resolved to make good their station and set their rest upon it to fight us there if we would come up to them and truly men in their condition could not hope al things considered to have more for it their Horse for nūber superior to what I brought up with me their Foot as I find since not much inferiour and if they could with all their force make good this Towne and put us to lye in the Field there being no Villages neer it that could shelter the Army the wet weather continuing which was then most likely would have forced us to draw back and make our fire Armes little usefull either for assault or defence and besides we were like for matter of provisions to be forced to draw off first they having both by their posture with the plentifull Country of Cornwal behind them and a River at their backs securing also a good part of Devonshire unto them and by their strength of Horse much advantage for longer subsistence then we and we by the barrennesse of the place where we must have lyen before them especially for Horse meat their Garrison of Barnstable lying partly behind us their Horse more numerous then ours which might with stronger parties cut off our supplyes had little possibility to subsist long before them These Considerations we had in our eye to discourage us from going on as I beleeve they had to encourage them to stand yet on the other side finding that by reason of the barrennesse and long exhausting of our Quarters behind us we could neither keep our Horse so close together as to lye safe so neer the Enemy nor indeed find subsistence for the Army either where we were or in any other Quarters more backward where we could lye so as to secure the Siege of Excester from reliefe and upon all considerations conceiving the affaires of the Kingdome did require us and God by all did call us to make a present attempt upon the Enemy Wee resolved to goe on to try what God would doe for us and trust him for weather subsistence and all things Accordingly on Monday morning I drew out the Army to an early Randezvouz at Ring-ash within six miles of the Enemy the weather still continued very wet and so by all signes was like to hold till we were advanced from the Randezvouz but suddenly when we were upon Martch it beyond all expectation began to be faire and dry and so continued whereas we had scarce seene one faire blast for many dayes before The Enemy as we understood by the way had all their Horse drawne together about Torrington and with their foot prepared to defend the Towne which
they had fortified with good barricadoes of earth cast up at every avenew and a competent line patcht up round about it their Horse standing by to flanke the same and some within to scoure the Streets Our Forlorne-Hope had order to advance to Stephenson Parke about a mile from the Towne and there to stay for the drawing up of the Army there being no other place fit for that purpose neerer to the Towne on that side we came on But when we came neere we understood that the Enemy had with two hundred Dragoons possest the House in the Parke and were fortifying it being of it selfe very strong but upon our neerer approach their Dragoons quitted the House and our Forlorn-Hope falling on them took many prisoners and pursuing them neer the Towne were engaged so far as they could not well draw back to the Parke which occasioned the sending up of stronger Parties to make them good where they were or bring them off and at last there being some feare that the Enemy would draw about them and hem them in Colonel Hammond was sent up with three Regiments of Foot being his owne Colonel Harlowes and mine and some more Horse to lye for reserves unto them by which time the night was growne on so that it was not thought fit unlesse the Enemy appeared to be drawing away to attempt any thing further upon the Towne till morning in regard none of us knew the ground nor the advantages or disadvantages of it but about nine of the clock there being some apprehension of the Enemies drawing away by reason of their drawing back some Out-guards small Parties were sent out towards the Townes end to make a certaine discovery which going very neer their Works before the Enemy made any firing but being at last entertained with a great Volley of shot and thereupon supposed to be engaged stronger Parties were sent up to relieve them and alter them the three Regiments went up for reserves till at last they fell on in earnest after very hot firings our men comming up to the Barricadoes and Line the dispute continued long at push of Pike and with butt ends of Muskets till at last it pleased God to make the Enemy fly from their Works and give our men the entrance After which our men were twice repulsed by their Horse and almost all driven out againe but Colonel Hammond with some other Officers and a few Souldiers made a stop at the Barricadoes and so making good their re-entrance rallyed their men and went on againe Major Stephens with their Forlorn Hope of Horse comming seasonably up to second them the Enemies Foot ran severall wayes most of them leaving their Armes but most of their Officers with the assistance of Horse made good their owne retreat out of the Towne towards the Bridge and taking the advantage of straight passages to make often stands against our men gave time for many of their Foot to get over the Bridge Their Horse without the Towne after some attempts at other Avenues to have broken in againe upon us being repulsed at last went all away over another Bridge and at severall other passes of the River and all fell Westward the ground where their Horse had stood and the Bridge they went over lying so beyond the Towne as our Horse could not come at them but through the Towne which by reason of straight passages through severall Barricadoes was very tedious by meanes wereof and by reason of continued straight lanes the Enemy had to retreat by after they were over the River as also by the advantage of the night and by their perfect knowledge of the Country and our ignorance therein our Horse could doe little execution upon the pursuit but Parties being sent out severall wayes to follow them as those disadvantages would admit did the best they could and brought back many prisoners and Horses we took many prisoners in the Towne who being put into the Church where the Enemies Magazine lay of above four score barrels of Powder as is reported besides other Ammunition either purposely by some desperate Prisoner or casually by some Souldier the Powder was fired whereby the Church was quite blown up the Prisoners and most of our men that guarded them were killed and overwhelmed in the Ruines the houses of the Towne shaken and shattered and our men all the Town over much endangered by the stones timber and lead which with the blast were carried up very high and scattered in great abundance all the Town over and beyond yet it pleased God that few of our men were slaine or hurt thereby save those in the Church onely our losse of men otherwise in this service was small though many wounded it being a hotter service then any storme this Army hath before been upon wherein God gave our men great resolution and Colonel Hammond especially and other Officers engaged with him behaved themselves with much resolution courage and diligence recovering the ground after their men were twice repulsed Of Prisoners taken in this service about two hundred were blowne up two hundred have taken up Armes with us and about two hundred more common Souldiers remaine Prisoners besides many Officers Gentlemen and servants not many slaine but their Foot so dispersed as that of about three thousand which the most credible persons do affirme they had there and we find by a List taken among the Lord Hopton's Papers themselves did accompt them more we cannot heare of above four hundred that they carried off with them into Cornwal whither their Horse also are gone being much broken and dispersed as well as their Foot By the Considerations and circumstances in this businesse which I have here touched upon you will perceive whose hand it was that led us to it and gave such successe in it and truly there were many more evident appearances of the good hand of God therein then I can set forth let all the honour be to him alone for ever being desirous as God shall see it good and further enable me to improve the advantage of this successe to the uttermost The next day having sent some Regiments of Horse and Foot to advance unto Quarters up towards Holsworthy to set the Enemy more home into Cornwal and with more terror upon them I sent also one Regiment of Foot with some Horse back towards Barnstable to possesse the Earl of Baths house at North-Tavestock about a mile from Barnstable on this side the River whereby that Garrison will be easily kept in on this side and I shall try what will be done upon it otherwayes whilest the Army takes a little rest hereabouts which the unseasonable Martches miserable Quarters hard Duty both Horse and Foot for many dayes have been put unto doe necessarily require But I conceive that so soon as the Army can be fitted for the purpose it would be best to follow the Enemy home and throughly into Cornwal the breaking of that Body of Horse that 's left there
being the likeliest meanes to prevent or discourage the landing of any Forraign Forces in these parts or the raising of any more out of Cornwal In order to which I must earnestly recommend to your care two things especially The one to provide by the disposall of your Forces in the Mid-land parts that by excursions from Oxford hitherward I may not be diverted from prosecution of the Work in Cornwal to send againe that way nor the Sieges of Excester and Barnstable disturbed when I am engaged further West The other That money may be speeded if any ways possible but for a moneth or six weeks to enable the Horse as well as Foot to pay Quarters in Cornwal whereby the oppositions that People might make would in all likelihood be taken off and their affections or good opinions gained to make them helpfull to us against their present oppressors There came unto me this day a young man from Truro who certifieth me That Sir Walter Dudley came very lately from France to let those about the Prince know that if there were an absolute necessity they could bring over their men with a faire wind from France to be here by the middle of the next moneth expressing that they had neer 8000. Foot and a thousand Horse in readinesse and three months pay provided for them besides ten thousand pound in bullion daily expected a Mint being ready to coyne the same but yet intimated a conveniency in the giving a little more time for their comming over whereupon Sir John Culpepper was to goe in all haste to France upon Friday last as is supposed on purpose either to hasten al or a good part of those Forces over I think it will be very good that as much Shiping as may be obtained be hastened into those parts I shall upon this Information and the good successe God hath been pleased to give us so dispose of the Army as may most effectually conduce to a speedy and through settlement of these Westerne parts of the Kingdome therefore I desire you againe to have a speciall care that the Forces about Oxford be not permitted to range into these parts when the Army is like to be engaged so far West lest it occasion the division of our Forces and hinder the accomplishment of that we desire to effect I remaine Your most humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX Great Torrington Feb. 19. 1645. More particularly there was taken here Lieutenant-Colonel Wood eight Captaines Commissary Boney six Lieutenants one Cornet three Ensignes one Chirurgion four Serjeants two and fifty Troopers one hundred seven and twenty Gentlemen and about two hundred common Souldiers in all four hundred three and thirty whereof two hundred have taken up Armes being as they said forced in by the Enemy neer three thousand Armes broken and whole most of their Ammunition blowne up in the Church eight Colours brought in whereof one the Lord Hopton's owne with this Motto I WILL STRIVE TO SERVE MY SOVERAIGNE KING Slaine Major Threave Captaine Frye and divers Officers two hundred Souldiers besides those two hundred blowne up in the Church the Lord Hopton and Lord Caple wounded besides divers others of quality the Lord Hopton's Commission to be General under the Prince Sir George Digbye's to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth and other Papers of consequence taken and about four hundred or five hundred pounds in Money taken at the Lord Hopton's Quarters with much plunder left in Portmantles there and in other places behind them section 6 Tuesday Feb. 17. The General rested at Torrington that day being spent in securing the prisoners and taking Lists of the names and sending some Forces towards Barnstable and that the Enemy might be kept in a continuall alarum and feare by our pursuing of them a Party were sent towards Holsworth to fall upon their Quarters whereupon they quit that place and the Country informed that their Horse were all fled into Cornwal that a great terror was upon them and those few scattered Foot that escaped in the dark at Torrington who all of them both Horse and Foot as his Excellency understood the next day drew into a Body in Cornwal to whom were now joyned the Princes Regiment of about eight hundred Horse which with some other Cornish Horse not before joyned to them mae up a Body of five thousand Horse much superiour in number to ours with this body of Horse and about a thousand Foot most Cornish they kept Guards on the other side of the River Tamar and this day there came by twenty and forty at a time of their Foot being most Devonshire men that were scattered the night before out of the Woods some with their Armes and others without them and listed themselves in the Army expressing that they onely waited for an opportunity to get to us so that this last defeat was in a manner the very ruining of all their Foot section 7 Commissary General Ireton sent to view Barnstable About this time MaJor-General Laughorne obtained great successe against the Enemy at Cardiffe in Glamorganshire abouâ— 400 of them slaine and 500 taken prisoners Thursday Feb. 19. Commissary-General Ireton was sent with a Party to view the Garrison of Barnstable and what places were fit to make Quarters and to keep Guards about the same whereupon one Regiment was sent to the Earle of Bathes at Tavestock to possesst it for Quarters That day there were three Ships in Biddiford which struck in thither thinking it had been in the Enemies power their burthen was small the Vessels were afterwards upon Petition released the owners being persons that had not voluntarily contributed against the Parliament This night the General returned back to Master Rolls his house at Stephenson in regard the Quarter at Torrington was inconvenient the Windowes shaken in pieces and the houses so shattered with the great blast that they could not performe a convenient shelter from the raine it being a time of extreame wet weather 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 Colenel Butler and his Party neer Stratton Prince Charles giving all for lost by his Excellencies pressing so hard upon them betakes himselfe to Scilly An advantage to the Parliaments Cause by a Packet of Letters from Ireland taken at Padstow section 1 FRiday 20. It was taken into consideration how far forth it was expedient to move towards Cornwall with the maine Forces to improve the advantage we had upon the Enemy which businesse was also further advised on the next day A Counsell of War Their Resolution and the Reasons therof At a Counsel of Warre where it was resolved nemine contradicente to martch into Cornwall The Reasons inducing them to that Vote were first To prevent the landing of any Forces out of France of which the Letters taken at Dartmouth gave an intimation Secondly to destroy the Field-enemy and by consequence
very poor Village and this was done both for security to lye close together being so neer an Enemy and for expedition to be the readier for a martch the next morning Besides it was held much advantage for the Army to lye close this night whereby they might keep good Horse Guards the better to discover and check the Enemy if he should seek to break through A little before they took the Enemies Scouts Intelligence came that our Dragoons under Captaine Farmer and Captaine Woggan were engaged with the Enemy as they were martching from the House they possest to joyne with the Army whereupon a Party of two thousand Horse were commanded under the Lieutenant General to fetch off our Dragoons but before the Horse came up they had acquitted themselves well the Enemy was retired and they were comming on to the Army That Party of the Enemy was commanded by Sir James Smith and had they not taken the nick of time and gone away when they did they had been all taken in their retreat by our Horse which came so instantly after them that they had like to have gained the passe The Enemy retreating This night his Excellency had intelligence that the Enemy had quit Bodman about ten at night Horse and Foot retreating yet further West Whither Hopton went and that the Lord Hopton otherwise Sir Ralph Hopton brought up the Reare most of the men poore creatures being drunk when they went away to mend their hard fortune His Excellency advancing after them About this time Ashby-de-la-Zouch a Garrison in Northamptonshire surrendred to the Parliament Monday early in the morning the Army following them martched towards Bodman and had a Randezvouz on the Downes on this side Bodman from thence part of the Horse and Foot were commanded to Ware-Bridge being a passage that was suspected very convenient for the Enemy in case they intended to break Eastward likewise Guards were commanded to Padstow for caution lest there the Enemy should get over the River and also the better to countenance the Townes-men that stood upon their guard against the Enemy Two actions little lesse then miraculous This day four Troopers pursued a party of two and forty Musquetteers of the Enemy beyond Bodman with their Muskets laden and matches lighted and after the rate of a miracle brought them away prisoners such feare was upon them from Heaven certainly likewise six Troopers pursued the Enemy on the left hand as farre as Lestithel made them quit their Guards there and hearing that Ammunition was going to Foy in Wane loads pursued the Convoy thither forced them to leave the Ammunition and so brought back four Wane loads of Match Powder Bullet and barrels of Muskets and safely convoyed the same to the head Quarter in Bodman the Troopers that did this action were rewarded but who is able to acknowledge the goodnesse and power of that God by whom they did these exployts Moreover a Party of our Horse this day took Sir John Greenvils lieutenant-Lieutenant-Colonel and others Tuesday March 3. The Army rested at Bodman Consultation was had what course was to be taken to keep the Enemy still before the Army their head Quarters then being at Truro their neerest Quarters about Saint Columb Grampond and Tregny between which Townes and Truro they lay then quartered keeping their maine Guard of Horse at Castle ô Denisse All the passes from the North Sea to the South Sea were taken into consideration and Guards of Horse and Foot disposed unto them and the Country were enjoyned to barricadoe up the Lanes and keep men upon the Foards Prince Charles gone to Scilly Wednesday March 4. His Excellency had certaine intelligence that the Prince was imbarqued and set sale for Scilly with his Lords and Gentlemen giving all for lost and so evidently irrecoverable did their condition appeare to all that their refuge of lyes failed them and they did not stick to say in desperation at their departure That all was lost The discouragement it was to the Enemy The Prince his flying much disheartned the Enemy and what a work should it have upon us It might become us here to stay and pause a while I cannot but run upon that Scripture in my mind Isaiah 51. 12 13 14. verses Who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall dye and of the son of man which shall be as grasse and forgettest the Lord thy Maker that hath stretched forth the Heavens and laid the foundations of the earth and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the Oppressor as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the Oppressor The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed and that he should not dye in the pit or that his Bread should faile The poor Cornish like the captive exile hastened to be delivered lest they should dye in the pit and therefore took up Armes on any side to make an end of the Warre and restore a peace of any fashion for the fury of the Oppressor and where is the fury of the Oppressor A Ship hath embarqued them a strong wind hath carried them away Scilly hath opened her Armes and received them c. but I must remember my story The conditions for the surrender of Mount-Edgcomb a place of great strength and consideration were this day presented to the General by Master Coriton Master Lower Master Glanvile and Master Trevisa Gentlemen of the Country who were glad of the opportunity to present themselves to the General for his favour The Propositions were ratified by his Excellency and Letters of recommendation were agreed unto to be drawne and sent on their behalfe to the Parliament their seasonable comming in was a good service and Master Peter's industry in this Negotiation was great and worthy all acceptation and acknowledgment A Sūmons was this day sent unto some few Hundreds of the Country to appeare on Friday following upon the Downes at Bodman and strong Parties were sent out to see if they could meet with the Enemy who meeting with some of their Guards forced them to retreat beyond Saint Collomb This night the General had intelligence that a Ship was come into Padstow from Ireland that the Townes people seized on 't and stood on their guard against the Enemy and sent to our Dragoons who quartered neer them for their assistance Thursday 5. The Dragoons comming to their assistance boarded the Vessell some of the men were put to the sword others sore wounded Captaine Allen of Waterford an Irish Rebel had his life spared to the intent to make use of his Confession the Townes people were violent against them the Packet-Letters they brought were throwne over Board yet by the diligence of the Officers of Dragoons were found floating upon the water which being brought to the General there was found amonst them Letters from the Earle of Glamorgan that six thousand Irish were ready to be transported and four
of the Governour and Garrison of Oxford made their demands which his Excellency sent up to the Parliament by Colonel Rich and Scoutmaster-General Watson two of the Commissioners for the Treaty on his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax part putting off the Treaty till the pleasure of the Parliament were knowne concerning them The heads of some of the principall of them were these Viz. 1. To have liberty to send to the King to know his Majesties pleasure Whether they shall surrender or not 2. That Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice have protection to remaine in any part of this Kingdome to have no Oath â—…posed on them to be at liberty to do as shall seem good unto them at any time hereafter 3. The Governour and all Officers and Souldiers to martch out in as full equipage as any since these Wars with six Guns ten barrels of Powder and to have thirty days time to know the King's pleasure how he will dispose of them 4. The Privy Seale and Great Seale to goe to the King And such as these The House of Commons upon reading of them conceived them so high that they thought not fit so much as to debate them but referd it to the General in what way he thonght fit to prosecute the reducing of that place May 24. or within a day sooner or later was Radcoat house surrendred after it had endured great extremity by our Granadoes one whereof falling on the top of a Tower made fearfull work tearing it into a thousand pieces and sending it severall wayes and at last falling into the Cellar let out all their Beere There were an hundred men in it who were to goe to their severall homes leaving their Armes behind them His Excellency upon the forementioned returne ftom the Parliament prepared Propositions to offer to the Garrison and sent them into Oxford on Saturday May 30. Whereupon at the desire of the Enemy the Treaty which upon their flying so high in their demands had been discontinued if not broken off was renewed againe they being willing to treat upon his Excellencies Propositions submitting therein as themselves said to the â—ate of the Kingdome rather then any way distrusting their owne strength or the Garrisons tenablenesse month June 1646 During this Treaty a Captaine of the Garrison of Oxford was taken in a Fishermans habit carrying Letters to the King from Sir Thomas Glemham and Secretary Nicholas relating the condition of the Garrison and how long probably they could hold out A few dayes before the Treaty ended when the Enemy peceived it was like to succeed they played with their Canon day and night into our Leaguers and Quarters discharging sometimes neer two hundred 〈◊〉 in a day at randome as was conceived rather to spend their Powder then to doe any great execution though they shewed good skill in that they levelled their pieces so as they shot into the Leaguer on Heddington-hill and on that side lieutenant-Lieutenant-Colonel Cotsworth was slaine with a great shot and likewise into the Leaguer on Colonel Rainsboroughe's side where they killed with their shot a Sutler and others in their Tents Our Canon in recompence playd fiercely upon the enemy and much annoyed them in their Works and Colledges till at last a cessation of great shot was agreed to on both sides Upon Saturday June 20. The Treaty for the surrender of Oxford was finished between the Commissioners and concluded upon the ensuing Articles The same morning that the Treaty for Oxford was concluded Farrington Garrison sent also to capitulate the Governour thereof Sir George Lisle being then in Oxford and to be briefe surrendred upon condition to have the benefit of Oxford Articles and so they were included in the same Agreement Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed June 20. by the right honourable Sir Richard Lane Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England Francis Lord Cottington Lord high Treasurer of England William Marquesse of Hertford Edward Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties honorable Houshold Thomas Earl of Southampton Francis Earl of Chichester Francis Lord Seymor Sir Edward Nicholas Knight one of his Majesties principall Secretaries of State all of them being of his Majesties most honorable Privy Councel and Sir Thomas Glenham Knight and Governour of Oxford on the one party And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised for the Parliament on the other party for and concerning the rendring of the Garrison of Oxford as followeth THat the Garrison of Oxford with the Castle Forts Mounts and places of Defence whatsoever With all the Ordnance Arms Ammunition and Provisions of War with all Magazines and Stores thereunto belonging exceping what is allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered to the General Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint without wilfull spoyl or embezlement upon Wednesday the 24. of this instant June 1646. at Ten of the Clock in the Morning or thereabouts II. That his Highnesse the Duke of Yorke shall have an honorable Convoy to London where other of his Majesties Children are attended by his Officers and Servants and sitting accommodation for the removall of His Houshold and goods thither And shall have an Honorable provision besitting his Dignity appointed for Him by the Parliament and to remaine there untill His Majesties pleasure be knowne touching His setling there or elswhere and then to be disposed accordingly to any place within fourscore miles of London and shal have such Officers and Servants to continue about him as the Parliament shall approve III. That their Highnesses Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice shall have liberty and Passes for themselves with their Servants Horses Armes and Goods the number of their Horses for them and their Traine not exceeding seventy to repaire to any place within fifty miles of London so it be not within twenty miles of London without leave from the Parliament nor in any Garrison and there to abide for the space of six moneths after the Rendring free from any molestation by imposition of Oaths or otherwise and shall have Passes to goe beyond the Seas at any time within the said six moneths with their said Servants Horses Armes and Goods they engaging themselves upon their Honours not to use the liberty hereby granted in the meane time to any Hostility against the Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or any way wilfully to the prejudice of their Affaires And they are to have the benefit of such the ensuing Articles as may concerne them IV. That the Seales called the Great Seale Privy Seale Signet and the Seales of the Kings Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Dutchy Admiralty and Prerogative as also the Sword of State shall at such time and in the presence of two such persons as the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint be lockt up in a chest and left in the publick Library and if any of the aforenamed particulars shall not be then accordingly produced the default thereof shall not be charged upon any
Where in respect his Majesty hath no Garison in England nor Army any where within this Kingdome and Dominion of Wales their Armes shall be delivered up to such as his Excellency shall appoint to receive them where the Souldiers shall be Disbanded and that all both Officers Gentlemen and Souldiers shall have the benefit of these ensuing Articles except persons excepted from Pardon and Composition they engaging themselves not to beare Armes hereafter against the Parliament nor doe any thing during their abode in the Parliaments Quarters prejudiciall to their Affaires III. That all such as desire to gae to their owne homes or to their private Friends shall have the General 's Passe and Protection for their peaceable repaire to and abode at the severall places they shall desire to goe unto the Officers and Gentlemen to passe with their Horses and Armes also such Officers or Gentlemen Reformed or not Reformed that want Horses shall martch with their Arms and all Officers Gentlemen Souldiers and others shall passe with Bag and Baggage IV. That all Officers Gentlemen and others comprized within this present Capitulation shall have three moneths time allowed them to remaine in any place within the Parliaments Quarters for the endeavouring their Peace and Composition and all Gentlemen that desire to goe beyond the Seas shall have their Passes for themselves and their Servants and all other Necessaries to any Sea Port to Ship themselves they paying the usuall Rate Provided They goe within three Moneths after the said surrender and that all Gentlemen Officers and others as shall desire to take Foraigne entertainment shall without exception have Passes for themselves and servants to goe to London or elswhere to treat with any Ambassadour or other to that purpose with their Bag and Baggage to martch to any Sea Port to be transported whither they please they likewise paying the usuall Rates accustomed V. That such as are wounded or sick shall either have liberty to stay in the Castle or be removed to such other places as the Governour shall choose for their Recovery VI That no Officers Gentlemen or Souldiers during these three moneths shall be questioned for any word spoken or acts done Relating to this War since the commencement of it That no person comprized within these Articles be Reproached Affronted Plundered or Injured in their martch quarters or places of abode or any person that shall Receive them shall be molested or suffer any prejudice therefore but shall have liberty during the limited time to passe about their lawfull occasions Provided they act nothing to the prejudice of the Parliament and in case any of these Articles be broken by any particular person that the punishment extend no further then the party so offending and that all these Articles may be faithfully observed according to the true intent thereof without any cavil or mental Reservation to infringe them or any of them On Wednesday August 19. The Castle was surrendred according to agreement to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax for the use of the Parliament the Enemy was no sooner martched forth but his Excellency entred the Castle took a view of it had some conference with the Marquesse and afterwards went that night to Chepstow where he was nobly entertained by the Committee there from whence on Thursday 20. he returned to his Quarters at Bath This Castle of Ragland was a very strong piece having a deep Mote encompassing it besides the River running by it there were delivered up with iâ— twenty pieces of Ordnance onely three Barrels of Powder but they had a Mill with which they could make a Barrell a day there was found great store of Corne and Man â—t Wine of all sorts and Beere the Horses they had left were not many those that were almost starved fur want of Hay of which they had none left not many Oats so that the Horses had like to have eaten one another for want of meat and therefore were tyed with chains there was also great store of Goods richFurniture found in theCastle which his Excellency committed to the cure and custody of Master Herbert Commissioner of the Army Mr. Roger Williams and Major Tuliday to be inventoâ—ied and in case any of the welaffected of the country could make a just claime to any of them as being violently taken from them of they compelled to bring them in thither they should have them restored There martched out of the Castle the Marquesse of Worcester the Lord Charley the Marquesses Sonne the Countesse of Glamorgan the Lady Jones Sir Phillip Jones Doctor Bayley Commissary Guilliam four Colonels eighty two Captaines sixteen Lientenants six Cornets four Ensignes four Quartermasters fifty two Esquires and Gentlemen Not any that martched forth had the least incivility offered them by our Souldiers but the Articles punctually observed to them After the Reduction of Ragland his Excellencies Forces being at liberty and there being three or four Garrisons in North-Wales yet unreduced before which Major-General Mitton was with some Forces his Excellency sent to Major-General Mitton offering him for the more expeditions reduction of those places to send him either Foot Horse or Artilery But his Excellency understanding from him that he had more Forces from the country then he could well maintain his Excellency commanded the Forces intended that way to martch to Quarters neer Oxford leaving the work of reducing those Garrisons wholly to Major-General Mitton who had given so great testimony both of his ability and faithfulnesse in former actions And now to Pendennis Pendennis castle a strong Hold in the utmost parts of Cornwal standing upon the Sea commanding in a great part the Harbour of Falmouth where Ships that Trade to the East frequently put in Garrisoned for thc King under the command of John Arundel of Trease Esquire was blockt up by part of his Excellencies Army under the command of Colonel Fortescue by land and by Captaine Batten Viceadmiral of the Parliaments Ships by Sea about the latter end of July the Enemy made a sally by Botes to fetch in reliefe but were forced back with losse About ten dayes before which a Summons was sent them but they in hope of Reliefe by Ships from Saint Mallowes returned a deniall and after those Ships were by contrary windes beaten to Morleys yet the Enemy persisted in his obstinacy expecting a propitious blast to bring their Reliefe to them nor could the fate of Oxford Worcester and Litchfield surrendred comming to their eares work them to any other resolution then to hold out without his Majesties speciall Warrant to surrender whom the Governour was very earnest to obtaine liberty to send unto or if not to the King at lest to the Prince and would faine have perswaded Colonel Fortescue to condiscend thereto as but a common curtesie but could not prevaile he not understanding it so by a Lieutenant of ours whom Colonel Fortescue exchanged another of theirs for he understood that a Shallop had gone forth about
the 26 of July to the Prince his Highnesse to certifie him of their condition unable to hold out many dayes without Reliefe Captaine Batten kept ten large Boats and Barges well manned before the mouth of the Harbour every night within command of the castle drawing them off in the morning One morning when he was newly drawne off a Shallop got in by stealth which caused great triumph in the Castle but 't was conceived and Colonel Fortescue was so informed by good hands that little Reliefe was in it save a Hogs-head or two of Wine Some Overtures were made to the Enemy within to goe for Flanders an Agent from the King of Spaine came for that purpose desiting to speak with some of the Souldiers in the Castle while some of ours should be by which being granted he made an Overture to some Papist Officers of entertainment in the King of Spaine's service in Flanders they desired to be satisfied of the Agents authority and to see the conditions which being readily condiscended unto and performed on the Agents part they answered him That at present they were engaged but should they be once free next to their present Master they would serve his Majesty of Spaine This curtesie was taken well from Colonel Fortescue by the Enemy and the Agent and certainly any thing belonging meerly to civility without involving danger in its consequence was never denied by him The Enemy in the Castle kept fires all night for direction to any Reliefe that should make towards them They were very prodigall of their powder making two hundred great shot in the space of three dayes at our men but without any great execution only three of our men being slaine thereby The Work of keeping them in so straitly from Reliefe was very great and was not performed without very hard duty to our Souldiers the Enemy within being so numerous which therefore redounds as much to the honour of the Besiegers and Captaine Batten with his Ships by Sea was no lesse carefull and vigilant though indeed he wanted Shallops and Pinaces for the service Some dayes after the forementioned Shallop there came in another to the Castle but it was conceived not much more Reliefe in that then in the former and that because the Governour sent about the same time a Letter to Colonel Fortescue to know if he had power to treat with him and whether he could make good the conditions he should grant alleaging that otherwise it would be a dishonour to him to treat and the agreement to be contradicted by any other Colonel Fortescue returned answer He had power to treat and to make good the agreement Whereupon the Governour took two dayes time to conâ—ider and in issue embraced a Treaty Commissioners were named on both parts The time appointed for the Treaty to begin was Monday August 10. when accordingly the Commissioners on both sides met the Enemy making his demands ours offering their propositions which held them till Wednesday noon when their Commissioners brake off and went away in great discontent at the tearmes that were offered them but on Friday 14. the winds were laid and the the Treaty by Colonel Fortescue's art came on againe and by Saturday night the 15. all was concluded save the time of surrender which was agreed the next day and the Articles signed which were as followeth Articles agreed on the 16. of August Anno Dom. 1646. between Sir Ahraham Shipman Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Arundel Colonel William Slaughter Colonel Charles Jennings Colonel Lewis Tremaine Nevil Bligh and Joseph June Esquire Lieutenant-colonel Anthony Brocket on the behalse of the Honourable John Arundel of Treacise Esquire Governour of the Castle of Pendennis of the one Party And Colonel John Sâ— Aâ—bin Esquire high Sheriffe of the county of Cornwal Sir John Ayscue Knight Colonel Robert Bennet Lieutenant colonel Edward Herle Lieutenant-colonel Thomas Fitch Leiutenant colonel Richard Townsend Major Thomas Jennings and Capt. Walter Mainard on the behalfe of the honourable Colonel Richard Fortescue Commander in cheif under his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax of all the Forces of Horse and Foot within the County of Cornwall and the honourable Captaine William Batton Vice Admirall and Commander in cheife of the whole Fleet imployed for the Service of King and Parliment on the other party THat the Castle of Pendennis with al Fortresses Forts Fortifications therunto belonging the Ship and all other Vessels lying under the Castle with the Furniture and Provisions unto them appertaining All Ordnance of all sorts with their equipage and all Arms Ammunition Provisions and all other Implements of War Necessaries and Commodities of and belonging to the said Castle and Garison except what otherwise shall be disposed by these Articles shall without any manner of diminution spoile or imbezlement be delivered upon Munday the seventeenth day of this instant August at two of the clock in the afternoon into the hands and custody of the two Commanders in chiefe by Sea and Land respectively or such person or persons as shall be by them appointed for the receiving of the same And that immediately upon signing the said Articles the said persons shall be admitted into the Castle to see the just performance of the Premises and Hostages given for the due observance of them II. That John Arundel of Trecise Esquire Governour of the said Castle of Pendennis with his Family and Retinue and all Officers and Souldiers of Horse and Foot and all the Traine of Artillery and of the Ships as well Reformado'd Officers as others And all Gentlemen Clergy-men and their Familyes and Servants shall martch out of the Castle of Pendennis with their Horses compleat Armes and other Equipages according to their present or past commands and qualities with flying Colours Trumpets sounding Drums beating Matches lighted at both ends Bullets in their mouthes and every Soudier twelve charges of Powder with Bullets and Match proportionable with all their owne proper Goods Bag and Baggage with a safe convoy unto Arwinch Downes And because His Majesty hath neither Army nor Garison in England to our knowledge they shall there lay downe Armes saving their Swords unlesse such who are Officers inCommission who with their servants are to retain their arms according to their qualities CountryGentlemen and their Servants their Swords only Ensignes their Colours where such Persons as Colonel Fortescue shall appoint are to receive them And as many as desire it are to have Let-Passes from the Commanders in chiefe to passe to their severall Dwellings or to such other places under the power of the Parliament or beyond the Seas as they shal desire and not be plundered searched or injured in their March or after they not doing any thing to the prejudice of the Parliments Affaires and no man to be prejudiced for giving any of the persons comprized in the said Articles entertainment in their houses And that the old garison Souldiers who have houses in the Castle shall have 28. dayes after the surrender
for the removing and disposing of their Goods III. That the Princes Servants with their Arms and al Commanders Officers Gentlemen Ladies Gentlewomen Clergy-men and all others with their retinue that desire it shall â—ave liberty to passe with their Bag and Baggage and what else is allowed in the Articles beyond the Seas and to that purpose there shall bâ— provided by the Vice-Admiral a sufficient â—…ber of navigable Vessels with a safe convoy for their safe transporting from the Haven of Falmouth within 28. dayes after the surrender of the saidCastle to be landed at Saâ—…t Maloes in France and in the meane time to be signed free Qâ—arters at convenient places by Colonell Fortescue Commander in cheif and during the said time that they be not Plundered or Injured they acting nothing prejudiciall to the Parliament affaires IV. That Colonel Wise and all Officers and Souldiers of his Regiment or as many of them as desire it may be shipâ— in Falmouth Harbour in Vessels to be provided by the Vice Admirall and landed at Swansey in Wales And that such are of the County of Cornwall to be shipt and landed at Looe and those that be of Devon to be landed at Yalme and all to be shipt with Bag and Baggage and such Armes as formerly allowed them nor to be Plundered nor Injured in their passage V. That whereas by reason of the long siege of the Castle of Pendennis many of the Officers and Souldiers of the said garison are growne into great nessity of all such things as might enable them to martch to their severall Dwellings many sicke and wounded And to the intent they may be supplyed with necessaries for their accommodations within the time limited to them by these Articles It is promised and consented unto by the Commissioners for the Leaguer to and with the Commissioners for the Castle that five hundreth pouuds sterling shall be delivered into the hands of the Commissioners of the Castle or any three of them at eight of the clocke to morrow morning at Penrin to be distributed vmong the Officers and Souldiers aforesaid as they shall thinke fit And they are not to take any free quarter in their martches VI. That all Goods taken from any person for the accommodation of this Garison or any person therein shall be restored to their proper Owners or such as they shall appoint and all Goods now in the Castle that properly belong to any other persons shall be restored to the Owners thereof And if any person carry away any Goods not properly belonging unto him deny to deliver them upon demand in presence of any Officer in Commission he shall loose his Bag and Baggage and have such punishment as the now Governour of the Castle and the Commanders in cheife or any two of them shall thinke fit But all persons may retaine whatsoever was taken from persons in Armes as lawâ—ull prize of War VII That the Governor and all Field-Officers with their severall retinues shall be allowed cariage by Sea or Land to carry away their said Goods to any Place within their County VIII That no Officer Souldier or other person comprized in these Articles shall be reproached or have any disgracefull words or affronts offered or be stopt Searched Plundered or Injured in their martches Rendezvouz Quarters Journeys places of aboad or passages by Sea or Land and if any such thing be done satisfaction to be made according to the judgement of any two Commissioners or more being of equall number of each party nor shall any of the persons aforesaid be compelled to take up Arms against the King nor be imprisoned for any cause of publick or private concernment during the space of twenty eight dayes after the surrender of the said Castle nor for any cause of publique concernment or twenty eight dayes after the said twenty eight dayes are ended IX That if any person within the Garison be sicke or wounded that they cannot take the benefit of the Articles at present they shall have liberty to stay and be provided for at convenient places untill they recover and then they shall have the fruit and benefit of these Articles X. That all persons comprized in this capitulation shall enjoy their Estates reall and personall they submitting to all Orders and Ordinances of Parliament and shall fully enjoy the benefit of these Articles XI That all Prisoners of Warre of either side be set at liberty and that liberty be given immediately after the surrender of the said Castle to the Governour thereof to give notice to their friends of the surrender of the said Castle And that no Vessell comming with reliefe within ten dayes after the surrender shall be made prize XII That if any of these Articles shall in any point be broke or violated by any person or persons in Pendennis or comprized within this capitulation the fault and punishment shall be upon them or him onely who made the breach or violation and shall not be imputed or charged on any other not assenting thereunto or acting therein XIII That all persons comprized in these Articles shall upon request have certificate under the hands of the Commander in chiefe respectively that such persons were in the Castle at the time of the surrender thereof and were otherwise to have the benefit of these Articles XIV That the Commanders in chiefe respectively shall give Passes to one or two Messengers with their Servants not exceeding six to goe to the King by Sea or Land from the Governour to give an account to Him of the proceedings of this Treaty and conclusion thereof and to returne and receive the benefit of these Articles XV. That Commissioners be appointed on both sides for the performance of the Articles and places appointed for the accommodation of sick men XVI That confirmation of all the precedent Articles shall be procured from the Parliament or from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax within forty dayes after the signing of these Articles Neere to Pendennis is the Mount in Cornwall omitted to be mentioned in its just order which was surrendred to Colonell Hamond who lay before it with some of the foot of this Army and obtained the surrender of it some few dayes after the surrender of Excester The Governour of the Mount was Sir Arthur Basset the Marquesse of Hamilton was in it fifteene peeces of Ordnance with great store of Ammunition and Provisions were gained with it It is a place of great strength the Tyde flowing about it twice a day which rendred the reduction of it a service of great difficnlty and consequence and Redoun ding much to the honour of Colonel Hamond who underwent the same whose Merits also in that singular Service of setling Quarters on the West-side of Excester at Saint Thomas Hospitall c. within halfe Musket-shot of the Enemy afterwards martching to Torrington with his Regiment deserves a speciall note to be put upon it Besides this of the Mount there is one Service more omitted to be mentioned