great consusion he with his men gave a camisado on the Church but that valiant Commander Lambert highly prizing the worth of his men immediately came in with a new supply of Horse to their rescue Massey now seeing that to fight would be meer folly being much over-matched thought a timely retreat the onely way to secure his men which he performed with so much bravery that sometimes facing then fighting and so falling off himself brought up the Rear and never left his station until his men were got farther off into safety This encounter at last fell heavy on himself for he not fearing his flesh and despising the force of his Enemies rencountered great difficulty in getting away having received a shot in his hand The Bridge being thus won all imaginable industry was imployed to make it up so that in a small time Lieutenant General Fleetwoods Army marched over which still pressing forward they laid a Bridge of Boats over the River Teame on the west side of Severn which gliding along at last emptieth it self thereinto about a mile beneath Worcester General Cromwel in the mean time caused another Bridge to be laid over the Severn on his side that so the Enemy might be the more straitned Upon this the Scots having taken the alarm rise from their Leaguer at St. Jones and with the greatest part of their Horse and Foot marched on to oppose the Lieut. Generals passage The Lord General seeing this resolves to draw off the Enemy and so divert his design or else inforce him to fight on great disadvantage therefore himself in person led over the River on that side of Worcester which he had undertook to attaque two Regiments of Foot Colonel Hookers of Horse and his own Life-Guard In the mean time Fleetwood with the assistance of Colonel Goff's and Major General Dean's Regiments of Foot marched on to a hedg-fight for the Scots looking upon this as the safest way had lined the hedges thick with Musqueteers so that the Bushes must first be beaten before these Birds could be taken This was not long in doing for the English falling on perform'd a brave fight from hedge to hedge the Scots on the other side not losing any thing that could be kept but manfully maintaining their ground until Colonel Blake Gibbons and Marshes Regiments came in to lay more load on their shoulders then they retreated to Pawick Bridge where again they were ingaged with Col. Hayns Col. Cobbets and Col. Matthew's Regiments in another hot dispute but at length seeing they could not prevail they provided for their own security by running into Worcester And now desperation animating their courage knowing that to continue in this pound would make them in a pitiful pickle therefore having already tried their fortune with Lieutenant General Fleetwood they imagining him to have commanded the greater force they hoped to make a more fortunate sally against General Cromwel therefore upon the sudden they sallied out against him with all the Horse and Foot they could but as it proved with sad success for though at first they shewed such activity in their Arms that General Cromwels men were forced alittle to retire yet presently the multitudes of fresh men coming in so turned the scales that the Scots were wholly routed flying away in great confusion to save themselves the Horse flew amain back again towards the North but the Foot not able to keep company ran into Worcester with some of the Victors at their heels Whilst in the mean time General Cromwel to make sure work with a few Regiments of Foot ran up to the Royal Fort and being ready to storm his clemencie was seen in venturing his person through the showers of shot and offering the Scots quarter if they would presently yield But they being infatuated refused the profer which caused their too late repentance for the Lord General falling on quickly possest the Fort and all the Artillery that was therein The City being now won the souldiers suriously fly through all the streets doing such execution that nothing could be seen for some time but blood and slaughter until at last the sack of the Town and plunder of Prisoners having satisfied their appetites they fall to securing of Prisoners which both in fight and flight amounted to about 10000 the Ilain neer 3000. so that neer all was lost onely some few Horse excepted which escaped out of the Battel but these found their flight to stand them in little stead for Major General Harison with a fresh party fiercely pursued in their Rear whilst the Country people fronted and flanked them like little Beagles which when a Mastiff is once beaten will not let him pass without a snarle at his tail and fiercely pursue him whom before they durst not look in the face This Battle put a period to the Good Fortune of the Stuarts Family and on the other side crowned General Cromwels Atchievements with an absolute security of all his former Conquests the influence whereof though acted in England was great in Scotland their chief Nobility Gentry and private souldiers being thus cut off that Nation could no longer be able to hold up its head but quickly after must needs be brought under obedience to the Commonwealth of England as it fell out soon after The Parliament at London having speedy notice of this prosperous success received it with grateful acceptation But that which abated somewhat of their Triumphs was That the King could not be numbred among the Captives nor found among the Slain but was slip'd away into some by-place for he seeing that all the Enemies aim was onely to smite him and that they did not fight so much against small or great as against the King of Scots finding the battel to go hard on his side he left caring for others to provide for himself knowing full well that should he be taken his Quarter would be Quartering and that without the help of an Astrologer it might easily be prognosticated what Death he should die Therefore trusting more to horse then men and fear adding wings to his flight he hastened with all speed towards Lancashire but by the way doubting that much company would do him little good but rather be a means to cause his sooner discovery leaving the Road he wandered for some time about England till at last finding a fit opportunity he returned back again into France Thus this object of worldly Mutability having ventured at all could enjoy no more then the heavy Load of his own Misfortunes having been onely Tantalized with the Golden Apples of sweet Soveraignty but never suffered to satisfie his appetite with their fruition for coming into Scotland his Government was cut out to him by shreds as pleased the Kirk and States of that Kingdom and being a stranger he must be carved to not suffered to serve himself for fear of surfeits like Zancha Panza's Doctors that slipt away the dishes out of respect to his health whilst in the mean time
and valiant the other to punish the cowardly and vitious It was not here as usually it hath been practised in forraign Armies as that of the Duke of Lorain where the first question to a new-listed Souldier was this Canst thou plunder or in some others where the Van by Rapine and destruction make Skeletons of the Rear While the Army lay thus incamped the Lord General in his Tent feasted his Officers and several of their Ladies as the Lady Lambert and Major General Deans Lady with several other English Gentlewomen who came from Leith to view the Souldiers in their Tents and afterwards returned back to the places from whence they came The Army continued not long in this posture for General Cromwel seeing the weather invited and intelligence of the Scots being at Falkirk requiring a speedy advance he therefore drew forth the Army to meet them which we shall muster in their March and set down the names of the particular Colonels with their Regiments both of Horse and Foot which were actual in this Expedition that so the remembrance of these worthy Commanders may be preserved The Regiments were these HORSE 1. The Lord General 's 2. Major General Lambert's 3. Lieut. General Fleetwood's 4. Com. Gen. Whalie's 5. Col. Tomlinson's 6. Col. Twisleton's 7. Col. Hacker's 8. Col. Okey's 9. Col. Lidcot's 10. Col. Berry's 11. Col. Grosvenor's 12. Col. Alured's 13. Col. Lilburn's 14. 6 Troops under Maj. Husbands FOOT 1. The Lord General 's 2. Major General Lambert's 3. Major General Dean's 4. Leiut General Monk's 5. Colonel Fairfax's 6. Colonel Pride's 7. Colonel Goff's 8. Colonel West's 9 Colonel Cooper's 10. Colonel Ashfield's 11. Colonel Daniel's 12. Colonel Read's Six Troops of Dragoons and sixteen pieces of Ordinance This brave Cavalry and gallant Infantry in prosecution of the present design first marched to New-bridge from thence to Lithgow Now the two Armies being not far from one another it was conceived a speedy ingagement would follow seeing General Cromwel's courage prompted him to seek his Enemies and the numerousness of the Scots Army might be a perswasion to them not to fear a Fight But it seems they intended nothing less for the King having drawn his Foot into Torwood incamped there and railed them in with regular Fortifications the Horse in great Bodies lying about them for security and these again being fenced with the River and with Bogs so that it was an impossible thing for the English to drive them out of this fastness which they had betaken themselves to Yet however the Lord General would try whether provocations might draw the Scots to a fairer field and therefore marched his Army in Battalia so near their main Body that their Tents might perfectly be discerned and so stood from twelve at noon till eight at night expecting the Scots approach but they having more mind to spin out time then to put all to the hazard of one Battel refused an ingagement But because it should not be said the English came there for nothing therefore the Scots sent them some thundring Messengers from the concavity of their great Guns which wrought this effect that the Lord General Cromwel drew off his Army with a resolution not quite to desert the service but rather to go back some few paces that so he might return again with the greater force or else attempt the Scots Quarters in some other places and by that means inforce his Enemies to seek to him for relief of their Friends This resolution being taken up the Lord General drew off his Army to Glasgow and after some small refreshment of his wearied Souldiers he marched away again directly on the East side of the Town and so continued in excellent order marching on for five or six miles towards Hamilton this was to amuse the Scots and bring them into security but upon the suddain hoping to get some advantage over the Scots upon the remove of their Camp to Kelsith he wheeled about and quickly after took up his Quarters at Monkes-Land within four miles of their Army But though they still declined ingagement refusing to meddle with the English otherwayes then by small parties that sometimes flew out when they conceived any advantage might be gained yet many of these Land-Pickaroons were often met withal and sent home again well Bastinado'd for their boldness This spinning out of time in this manner so exasperated the Lord General Cromwel that he resolved to fall upon part of their Forces that were placed to keep Kalendar-House Accordingly July 15. he caused two battering Guns to be planted they began to play about eleven of the clock that day and about seven at night they had acted their parts so well that the wall no longer being able to indure the force of these fiery Engines fell down in many places and yet for all this the Governor very stoutly made good his charge believing that the whole Scotch Army his friends who were in sight would never let him perish for want of relief and therefore resolved to stand it out to the utmost The Lord General seeing his Summons wrought little effect to the obtaining of his ends sent ten Files out of every Regiment to pull them out by force seeing they would not yeild for fear these stout Lads being provided with Faggots presently dis-burdened their backs in the Enemies Moat and so springing over into the breach carried all before them so that in half an hour the House was wholly possest and the Governor with sixty two Souldiers hurried away into another world having refused when they might to live in this The Scotch Army all this while moved not but as passive Spectators beheld this Tragedy without offering to send one hand to help their friends in distress as if this business nothing concerned them The Lord General seeing how cowardly the Scots were in that they suffered their Garisons to be snatched away from under their Noses resolves to sit yet more close upon their skirts and bid fair for Fife thereby to cut off those supplies of provisions that inabled them to trifle out time and protract the VVar. This design had many times been discoursed of by the General and his Council of VVar but never before fell out so fit an opportunity as was now presented VVherefore Colonel Daniel's Regiment of Foot having four Companies more joyned with them and four Troops of Horse all under the command of that valiant Souldier Col Overton were designed for this service these lying at Leith it was given out they were intended for England by Sea but upon a sudden all provisions being in a readiness the Boats and Pinaces also fitted for Service Colonel Overton marched with his Forces out of Leith to Queens Ferry and there having imbarqued his men Thursday July 17. in the evening this Brigade set forward and the next morning very early being furthered by the wings of Sails and Oars this little Fleet flew over the Frith into Fife and landed at the North-Ferry in
by reason of their long continuance from their Callings could not possibly set themselves to work and therefore must use their Swords to the best advantage either upon some new employment or exercise arms on the High-way Our new State being very sensible of this as they were not onely vigilant to see but careful in preventing all inconveniences that might happen found out a way to divert these ill Humours that lay lurking in the Body of the Nation by sending them to Ireland where they might do GOD and their Country good service in subduing the Rebels that now were grown so powerful that no place but London-derry and Dublin it self were able to withstand them nor they neither without speedy succours from England This Rebellion the most barbarous and bloody of any that ever broke out in any part of the world acted by Devils in humane shape rather then by men murthering no less then 200000 Protestants in two Months time without any regard either to Age or Sex was put in practise on the 23 day of October 1641. which though it had been contrived with such privacie and acted with such violence yet Divine Providence did wonderfully preserve Dublin to be a Refuge for such as escaped thither from other places to avoid the fury of their bloody Persecutors Now Ireland lying in this sad condition weltring in blood and overwhelmed in the greatest Misery that Fire and Sword could inflict many of the poor Protestants get into England hoping there to finde shelter from the persecuting Enemy but this proved little comfort to those distressed Souls for here they finde to the great Augmentation of their Grief that England prepares on all sides to act the same upon one another vvhich had been done against them in Ireland But although the difference between the King and Parliament grew vvider every day then other they endeavouring rather to get advantages then compose differences yet 't was so agreed that some Regiments should be sent over into Ireland to stop the proceedings of the Rebels vvhich in effect vvas but as a Bucket of vvater cast on a flaming House that could do little to the quenching of it After some time the King in England finding his strength every day more and more decrease and the Parliament to get ground of him in most places did not onely send for those Forces out of Ireland again but many of the Rebels themselves came to his assistance so that Ireland by this vvas in a vvorse condition then ever forsaken of all and left to be vvorried by those Blood-thirsty Wolves vvorse by a thousand degrees then the ravenous brood vvhich their Country produceth yet vvhen their condition was at the worst it pleased GOD vvho never fails his People in distress but makes their necessity his opportunity to stir up the Parliament in England vvith Bowels of compassion to look on the distresses of their Brethren Long had they fasted and prayed for them but did not add to it their helping hand one vvithout the other can never do much good but joyned together a small Force is sufficient to accomplish great Designes A desperate disease requires a desperate Cure The State-Physitians of England having now quite purged out Monarchy vvith all its Appendants and verified the words of Bishop Laud No Bishop no King the first with the Ceremonies of the Church being fallen quickly after came the other down also they resolve to send the same sharp medicine to cure the Bleeding VVounds of Ireland which they thought had cured England and to that end they send over an Army under the Command of Valiant Cromwel vvhose Actions there vve now come to HIS WARS IN IRELAND A General ought to have these four Properties to make him Victorious 1. A good Cause 2. Strict Discipline 3. Valour and Resolution 4. Lastly Celerity For the first none but the Papists will deny it for the rest no man in the world could shew more Valour and Resolution nor Prudence to govern it then General Cromwel A strict Discipline he ever observed which is the Life of an Army sparing none that transgrest against the Articles of War which were instituted for their better conduct His Souldiers carriage and behaviour through their Generals care won more then his Sword A Designe being once resolved upon usually himself was the Messenger to bring the Enemy tidings thereof and then he would hardly give them leave to Arm before he assaulted them either by Storm or Battel This made the old Emperour of Germany say to some of his Courtiers upon his hearing of News from England That he thought Cromwel by transmigration was possest with the Spirit of Gustavus his old Enemy so neer did their actings in the Wars agree Ireland to speak of its condition a little before he undertook his expedition thither was in a manner wholly reduced by Ormond formerly made Lord-Deputy by the Queen who having joyned his Forces to the Rebels and Inchequeen himself being now fallen off from that cause which before he stoutly defended no visible Force remained in the Field to oppose the Enemy who had the Kingdom wholly at their devotion except London-derry which was governed by Sir Charles Coot and Dublin the chief City wherein was Col. Michael Jones with no great Force and that which made it less was the suspition he had of his own Souldiers fidelity who many times deserted their Colours The Enemy with a numerous Army lay under the VValls of it with many menacing Summons requiring of them a speedy rendition yet through the vigilancy of the Governour Valiant Jones it held out to the confusion of the Besiegers But his present danger made him reiterate his Calls to the Parliament in England for speedy Aid of Men and Provisions alleadging that else all would be lost and they being sensible of his condition expedite their Assistance appointing Com. Gen. Ireton Col. Scroop Col. Horton Major Gen. Lambert with their four Regiments of Horse Col. Ewers Col. Cook Col. Huson and Col. Dean with theirs of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons all old Souldiers of the English Army whose Valour had often been tried in many sharp Encounters and found not to fear the countenance of the fiercest Enemy Besides these other Regiments were raised by beat of Drum to make up the number sufficient to carry on the VVork effectually The Souldiers being in readiness and nothing wanting but a General the Parliament having had experience of Cromwels great worth and valour knowing no man more fitting for the Employment desired him to accept of it who received it with a great deal of chearfulness expressing how ready he was to serve in this Employment above any in the world not doubting but GOD would make of him an Instrument to execute Vengeance upon the Rebellious Irish This answer was so highly resented by the Parliament that immediately they constitute him General of all their Forces in that Kingdom and Lord Governour both as to Civil and Military Affairs in
the Nation Col. Jones they commissionated Lieutenant-General of the Horse This being done the Souldiers march with great speed not resting above one night in a place to the Randezvous near Milford in Wales there to expect the Lord Deputy Cromwel who having dispatched his business with the Parliament began his Journey Tuesday July 10 1649. leaving London he set forward in great state himself drawn in a Coach with six Flanders Mares attended by many Members of the Parliament and Councel of State with the chiefest Officers of the Army his Life-guard consisting of eighty men which had been formerly Commanders bravely mounted and accouter'd both themselves and Servants Thus he rid to Branford where those Gentlemen that accompanied him took leave wishing a successful issue to this designe which was answered again with great respect Away he posts for Bristol to take order for the Traine of Artillery and many other businesses needful for the hastning his men on Ship-board From thence he takes his way to Wales having before sent three Regiments viz. Col. Reynolds of Horse Col. Venables and Col. Muncks of Foot these as the Vaunt-Coureurs to the Army were ship'd from Chester and the Ports thereabout who being favoured with a prosperous Gale soon arrived at the Port of Dublin where they were received with unspeakable Joy and Gladness the Citizens spared for nothing that might be a comfort to the Sea-sick Souldiers hoping that the recovery of their Health might be an enlargement of their Liberties vvho now vvere vvholly confined within the narrow compass of their City-walls They were not at all deceived in their expectation Jones his courage being much heightned by the arrival of these men novv scorned the Enemies Bravadoes and resolves upon the first opportunity by Gods blessing to remove them farther off which it was not long before he performed as appears by what follows On Tuesday August 2. 1649. the Enemy confidently draws down vvith a party of 1500 Foot besides Horse to Baggotsrold a place within one quarter of a Mile Eastward of the City upon the Sea hence they intended to run their trenches towards the City-works and thereby secure those Forts which were intended to be made towards the water to hinder the landing of supplies and succours expected from England But Jones and Reynolds with those other Commanders in the City observing the intent of the Enemy saw a necessity to interrupt them in their designe and therefore speedily drawing out twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot they with these quickly enter the works which the Enemy had newly raised and fell upon them with so much courage that they routed their Horse at the first charge the greatest part of the Foot were soon after cut in pieces and most of the rest taken prisoners This success so heated Jones his Men that they followed the chase to Rathmines where Ormond's Camp was and there they engaged his whole Army consisting of 19000 Men. The report of this bold Attempt quickly reached the General Ormond's Ears who then like a doughty Commander was valiantly playing at Tables in his own Tent and being told the news wished the Rebels as he called them would come that so he might have sport with them His wish he had but not the wished effect for the Tables are soon turned the sport proving very bad and bloody to Ormonds whole Army who were totally routed with a very great slaughter 4000 killed in the fight and chase 2517 prisoners taken most of them men of quality amongst the rest Ormonds own Brother All their great Guns Ammunition Provision they left behind them and withall a rich Camp to reward the valiant Souldiers who with the spoil thereof quickly clothed themselves in rich Habits and so marched into the City as it were incognito for many of the Officers knew not their own Souldiers they were grown so fine This Victory was obtained with the loss of few the number not exceeding twenty The News of this great Victory quickly reached the Lord Governour Cromwel at Milford Haven who was then shipping himself and Army August the 13 he set sail from thence with thirty two ships wherein vvas the Van of the Army on the 15 day Major-General Ireton followed after vvith the Body shipped in forty two sail Mr. Hugh Peters brought up the Reare in about twenty sail The Winds being favourable quickly brought them to Dublin where they were received vvith all the signes of Joy imaginable the great Guns ecchoed forth their vvelcome and the peoples Acclamations resounded in every street When Cromwel the now Lord Governour vvas come into the City the concourse of people being very great to see him vvhom before they had heard so much of at a convenient place he made a stand and in an humble posture having his Hat in his Hand he speaks thus to the people That as God had brought him thither in safety so he doubted not but by his Divine Providence to restore them all to their just Liberties and Proprieties and that all those whose hearts affections were real for the carrying on of the great work against the barbarom and bloody-thirsty Irish and the rest of their Adherents and Confederates for the propagating of the Gospel of Christ the establishing of Truth and Peace and restoring that bleeding Nation to its former happiness and tranquillitie should finde favour and protection from the Parliament of England and himself and withal should receive such endowments and gratuities as should be answerable to their Merits This Speech was highly applauded by the people and answer returned by many hundreds That they would live and dye with him The Army being all vvafted over the General knowing that vvithout Gods blessing his labour vvould be in vain therefore to obtain it he published a Proclamation strictly forbidding all persons under his Command to use the frequent practise of swearing cursing and drunkenness declaring a full resolution to punish with the greatest severity that the Law could inflict all those that should neglect or contemn the same This vvrought a great Reformation many taking vvarning by the punishment of some The Army being now refreshed and the Lord-Governour having settled the Affairs of the City both Military and Civil he draws the Army out of Dublin to a general Muster vvhere appeared a compleat Body of 15000 Horse and Foot out of these were drawn twelve Regiments containing in number between 9 or 1000 stout resolute Men for the present Expedition This Army being provided vvith all things necessary either for Offence or Defence drawing along vvith them a gallant traine of Artillery four vvhole Cannon and five Demy-cannons besides other Pieces useful either for a Siege or the field the Lord-Governour marches them away and quickly seats himself under the Walls of Tredagh Here he finds a most resolute enemy that vvould sooner break then bend the Governour of the Town vvas Sir Arthur Ashton vvho had formerly been Governour of Reading and Oxford in England for the King a
the Army to Carrick from thence to proceed upon farther Action Ormond Castle-haven and the Bishop of Clogher being now very sensible of the desperate condition their Affairs were reduced to had a meeting at Baltamore in Westmeath with the Gentlemen of that County to confer about some better way to support that cause which hitherto they had so poorly defended The chief heads of this Debate were 1. Whether they were able to raise such Forces as might be sufficient to fight the Lord Cromwel now they conceived his Men were much weakned by the Winter and taking in of so many Garisons Or 2. In case they were not able to fight then with all the Forces they could make to fall into the English quarters and there to burn and destroy what they could 3. If these two ways were not feisible then whether it were not most convenient for them all to joyn in some propositions of Pacification for the whole or every one for himself to make his particular Application This last was hearkned to by some but the chiefest of them knowing their own guilt thought it not likely for them to get good conditions now necessity compelled them to be Supplicants and therefore to mischief the English in their quarters was looked upon to be the safest way for them all to spin out time til they could get a fit opportunity to make an escape out of the Land The Lord Cromwel having well refresh'd his Army after the Siege of Kilkenny sits down before Clonmel another strong place Garison'd by 2000 Foot and sixscore Horse No sooner was the Leaguer planted but Col. Reynolds and Sir Theophilus Jones were sent with 2500 Horse Foot and Dragoons to be beforehand with Ormond Castlehaven and those with them that intended an irruption into the English Quarters but they shifting from place to place to avoid fighting Col. Reynolds to keep his men from idleness joyns his Forces with Col. Huson and with two great Guns and a Morter Piece besieged Trim. Another Party of 1400 Horse and Dragoons and 1200 Foot under the Lord Broghil were sent to fight the Bishop of Ross who with 5000 intended to relieve Clonmel The Bishops Mitre being metamorphosed into an Helmet he thought verily to scare the Lord Broghil vvith the strangeness of the sight being such a thing as he had never seen before a Bishop that should be the Shepherd of a Flock now to head an Army of VVolves but the Lord Broghil getting to them in little more time then one could say tvvo or three Creeds vvholly dissipates them killing upon the place betvveen 6 and 700 taking 20 Captains Lieutenants and other Officers and to bring up the Rear the Bishop himself vvas taken vvith the Standard of the Church of Munster The Lord Broghil having him novv in his power he carries him to a Castle defended by the Bishops Forces and there hangs him up before the walls in the sight of the Garison which wrought such terrour in them that they delivered up the Castle upon Articles These successes of Parties abroad did much encourage those that besieged Clonmel who now on all sides prepare to handle that Garison as before they had done other places And indeed the Lord General used more then ordinary industry in reducing this Town in regard he had been informed that its defendants were very unanimous and that they were choice men well armed and every way sufficiently provided to make a stout resistance and besides it was governed by an active Irish-man one Hugh Boy O Neal who had set all hands in the Town on work to cast up new Countre-scarps on the inside of the old walls and to do whatsoever else might serve for the defence of the place and had so travers'd the ground with Re-intrenchments that it seemed altogether impossible to gain it by Assault nothing but Hunger as was thought could reduce it to obedience but the active gallantry of the Lord Cromwel would not admit of that course he us'd not to stand dallying before a place as the Germans French and other Nations trifling out precious time and expending vast sums to little or no purpose and besides upon many weighty considerations this service required a quick dispatch chiefly in regard of his Expedition into England whither he had lately been sent for by the Parliament there to serve them in some other way He therefore without delay orders all things for a Storm intending to try whether that would not either drown the Enemy or cool their courage who were so hotly set upon the defence The Governour being summoned to a Rendition and returning no satisfactory Answer the great Guns were planted which were managed so well that they quickly opened a breach which breach upon a Signal given being couragiously entred by the Assailants they within were not wanting to entertain them with a manful resistance and to forbid their march any other way then over their own bodies but Cromwel's men who us'd not to be thus check'd in the career of their Successes notwithstanding the Enemies valorous obstinacie made good their ground and maintained a Fight for four hours together which proved so hazardous that the victory hovering betwixt both it was hard to say on which side it would light there being a great slaughter on both sides till at last the Lord Cromwel assisted by that good Providence which always attended him decided the controversie by forcing the Enemy to quit the place and betake themselves to flight wherein though they were very much favoured by certain hills near the Town yet could they not avoid the rage and fury of the victorious Souldiers who in pursuit paid them home in their own coyn Concerning this Fight I finde it thus written by an eminent Commander in the Army and an assistant in this encounter We found in Clonmel saith he the stoutest enemy that ever was found by our Army in Ireland and it is in my opinion and very many more that there was never seen so hot a storm of so long a continuance and so gallantly defended neither in England nor Ireland The Reduction of this place though at a hard hand inclined many more to yeeld which they did in a short time after without striking a stroke These Atchievements being obtained and care taken to secure what had been gotten the Lord General addresses himself to his journey for England having been in Ireland about ten months viz. from the middle of August 1649. to the next May following 1650. a time inconsiderable respect had to the work done therein which was more then ever could be done in ten years before by any King or Queen of England Queen Elizabeth indeed after a long and tedious War there at last drave out the Spaniards that came in to the assistance of the rebellious Natives but could never utterly extinguish the sparks of that Rebellion And not onely did the shortness of the time render the work admirable but the nature of the work it self it being
against a most obstinately-desperate bloudy enemy people that had put themselves out of all hopes of favour or mercy by acting the most bloudy Tragedie that ever hath been seen or related in that their universal Massacre of the English yet recent in memory There remained now onely Limerick Waterford and some few inconsiderable Garisons to be reduced which being done they might finde leasure to hunt the wilde Irish who were fled for refuge among their Boggs This was left to the charge of Ireton whom the Lord Governour having constituted Lord Deputy he takes leave of Ireland and committing himself to the Sea arrived safely after a boisterous passage at Bristol where he was received with a thrice-repeated Volley of great Guns and other suitable demonstrations of joy Hence without tarrying he posts for London drawing neer Hounslow-Heath he is there met by the Lord General Fairfax accompanied by many Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army with multitudes that came out of curiosity to see him of whom Fame had made such a loud report Hence after mutual salutations congratulations and other testimonies of high respect he proceeds on and passing neer Hide-park-corner he is saluted with great Guns and several Volleys of small Shot by Colonel Barkstead's Regiment which was drawn up in the High-way for that purpose Continuing thus their march multitudes increasing to behold him the Lord Cromwel is conducted to the house called the Cock-pit neer St. James which had been appointed and prepared for him Here he was visited by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London and by many other persons of quality all of them expressing their own and the Nations great obligations to him for his great Services in Ireland After some time of respite and refreshment he attended his charge in Parliament where the Speaker in an elegant Speech gave him the thanks of the House Which being ended the Lord Cromwel gave them an account of the present state of Ireland and of the condition of their Forces both in Field and Garison with what designes they were now upon what strength the Enemy had and what Garisons were then in their power The Parliament being thus assured of the hopeful condition of Ireland began now wisely to provide for the security of the peace of England which was now in danger of disturbance partly by open Hostility and partly by the under-hand dealing of some pretended friends Portugal protects Prince Rupert's Fleet notwithstanding the League France domineers at Sea making prize of all the English they could bring under their power About this time the Parliament sends Dr. Dorislaus as an Agent to the States of the United Provinces for the begetting and continuance of a right understanding and fair correspondence betwixt the two Republicks where not long after his arrival he was basely slain by six Assassinates who rushed into his lodgings at the Hague in disguise and escaped unpunished although the States pretended they had used their utmost endeavour to take them In Russia the English Merchants were much affronted by that Duke by reason of his adherence to the House of Stuarts Virginia and the Caribes Islands revolted from their obedience to the Parliament being very hot for Monarchy and the Liturgie Nearer home Scilly Jersey and the Isle of Man stand out and miserably infest the Seas with their Piracie But above all the Scots were the most formidable who seemed to set their wits on the tenters that so they might embroyl England in new troubles and thereby have opportunity to work their ends upon it To this end a Treaty is commenced betwixt them and their King at Breda a famous Town in the Netherlands belonging to the Prince of Orange Here they propose 1. That his Majestie recal and disclaim all Commissions and Declarations granted by him to the prejudice of the Covenant 2. That he acknowledge their present Parliament and the two last Sessions thereof and allow of the Acts made therein 3. They remonstrate the Motives contained in the eleventh Instruction meaning Vxbridge-Treaty 4. That as soon as he comes into Scotland and before his admission to the exercise of Royal power he shall swear subscribe and seal the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant Their King having assented and promised in verbo Principis to perform these things the Commissioners had order to let him see the Coronation-Oath he was to take which he approving they were to invite him into Scotland assuring him that he should be entertained there with all due respect To all which things the King at last condescended partly by the perswasion of the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges the Treaty was both begun and continued and partly upon hopes that by this means he might gain the easier footing in England The Scots being now impatient of the enjoyment of their King presence he in order to their satisfaction herein hastes from Breda towards the Hague and from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and not long after landed notwithstanding several snares laid for him at the Spey in the North of Scotland The Parliament in England were not ignorant of these things they having faithful Scouts abroad in the world who failed not to give them timely notice of the machinations of their enemies in all quarters And taking the matter into consideration in the House a great debate there was VVhether the war for that there must be a war betwixt us and our dear Brethren was taken for granted should be Offensive or Defensive As to the later the Defensive part they were very sensible of the havock the Scots had formerly made in the North of England when they came in as friends so that should they be suffered to come in as enemies nothing could be expected to follow but ruine and desolation wheresoever they came Hamilton's Invasion likewise stuck in their stomacks and the devastations that accompanied it Besides it was considered that to let them give the first blow had been to make our own Country the seat of war and thereby an opportunity would be given to discontented spirits here which then were not a few to joyn with the enemy Upon these and other weighty considerations the Parliament resolves upon an Offensive war and to alarm them in their own Quarters This Resolution was thought most advantageous in many respects as 1. Scotland the Enemies Country must needs be much impoverished by being burdened with two Armies when it could not well maintain one and England would be quit of much fear and calamity incident to quartering of Armies Besides in all encounters it is good policie to keep an adversary at the arms end 2. By invading Scotland the Souldiery would be much encouraged in respect of the benefit might accrue to them by the spoils of their enemies Hereby also the Territories of this Commonwealth were likely to be enlarged 3. The Scots Levies were not yet finished nor their Army completed so that a sudden march might nip them
number of 1500. all armed with Backs Brests Head-pieces Pistols Swords and Lances as if they had intended to inflict some strange new-fashion'd deaths upon the English July 30. about three or four in the morning Straughan gave a furious Camisado on a Body of the English in their quarters which being sudden did somewhat disorder a Regiment of Horse but the Alarm being given raised so many English spirits that soon frighted away the Scots pursuing them to their own homes In this encounter were killed and taken about 200 with seven Officers ' of quality Straughan himself because he could manage his horse no better was fain to trip it on foot to Edinburgh with shame enough Here the Lord General to let the Scots see what a generous Enemy they had to deal withal discharged the chiefest of the prisoners taken and sent them to Edinburgh in his own Coach which not onely begot him great applause but tended much to the rectification of those who had harboured so much prejudice against him by reason of those strange reports broached of his pretended cruelty Now the Armies provisions being welnigh spent they retire again to Dunbar there to renew their supplies from the Ships attending for that purpose by order from the English Parliament vvho knowing victuals to be the life of VVar money being onely the sinews took care to provide a continued course of Recruits After convenient supply and refreshment returned immediately towards Edinburgh to accompany the Scots in their Rejoycing they being then very seriously keeping a solemn Thanksgiving for their supposed great deliverance imagining that the English Army was quite gone as if they had come onely to see how they did or whether Edinburgh stood where it did when they were there last This unexpected visit spoiled their sport and made them change their none notwithstanding the presence of their King then but newly come thither from St. Johnstons who although he had been lately crowned had not a Crown in his pocket the Kirk it seems thinking him not yet fit to be trusted with money till he had more amply lamented the sins of his father and put on those Yokes they were preparing for him which he fearing would not prove very easie made no haste to take upon him About this time the General Assembly with David Lesley their General sent to the Lord General Cromwel a Declaration as Lesley call'd it containing the state of the Quarrel in which they were to fight as if they had such a minde to it desiring that this their Declaration might be publikely known Whether their request were fulfill'd then or no I know not I shall so far gratifie them now as to endeavour the same by reciting it briefly as followeth THat the General Assembly considering there might be just grounds of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing to subscribe the Declaration concerning his former carriage and resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God the enemies and friends thereof doth therefore declare that the Kirk and Kingdom will not own any Malignant party their quarrel or interest but that they will fight upon their former Principles for the Cause of God and their Kingdom and therefore as they disclaim all the sin and guilt of the King and his House so they will not own him nor his Interest any further then he shall disclaim his and his fathers opposition to the work of God and the enemies thereof And withal that they would with convenient speed consider of the Papers sent to them from Oliver Cromwel and vindicate themselves from the falshoods contained therein Very short but not very sweet it carries a sting in its tayl The imputation of falshood might much more justly and properly have been kept at home all things considered The Lord General Cromwel returns them this Answer THat the Army continued the same they had profest themselves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to their own souls it being no part of their business to hinder them in the VVorship of God according to their Consciences as by his Word they ought And that they should be ready to perform what obligation lay upon them by the Covenant But that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken a King should be taken in by them and imposed on the English and this called The Cause of God and the Kingdom and this done upon the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as alleadged together with a disowning of Malignants although the Head of them be received who at this very instant hath a party fighting in Ireland and Prince Rupert at Sea on a Malignant account the French and Irish ships daily making depredations upon the English coasts and all by vertue of his Commissions and therefore the Army cannot believe that whilst Malignants fighting and plotting against them on the one side and the Scots declaring for him on the other should not be an espousing of a Malignant Interest or Quarrel but a meer fighting on former Grounds and Principles If the state of the Quarrel be thus and you say you resolve to fight the Army you will have oportunity to do that else what means our abode here And our hope is in the Lord c. Thus the cause of the VVar was stated as if the Scots had been ignorant of the grounds and reasons of the English Armies coming into their Country Now there remains nothing but fighting and how well they quit themselves therein is next to be shewn The Lord General seeing that by no means he could provoke the Enemy to an engagement having sufficiently victualled his men at Muscleborough Aug. 17. 1650 he advanced and pitched his Camp on Pencland Hills In this march the Scots drew forth several Bodies of Horse and faced the English but they were so wary as to keep out of harms way not coming within Gun-shot The Army having taken up their Quarters on the hills two Troops of Dragoons are sent out to dispossess the Enemy of Collington-House About this time a Serjeant of Colonel Cox his Regiment with three others his associates was called to account for plundering a house and stealing a Cloak which being proved the Serjeant was condemned to be hang'd and notwithstanding the scarcity of trees in those parts the Sentence was executed on him for an example to others The other three Souldiers found mercy and obtained pardon So careful was the General to preserve the Country according as he had promis'd them before in his Declaration Then the Scots drew forth on the west side of Edinburgh between the river Leith and the Sea to the number of two or three thousand Horse conceiving that the Army intended to possess a pass over the said River Which the Lord General seeing he drew forth a Forlorn to engage them himself in person leading to shew the Scots his readiness to fight them Approaching near to their Body one that knew the Lord General fired a Carbine at him but timerously
which he seeing called out and told him That if he had been one of his Souldiers he should have been cashier'd for firing at that distance But the truth is these daring actions in Generals savour more of valour then discretion Bullets distinguish not betwixt the meanest private Souldier and the most puissant General if he come in their way Hence it was that the people would not suffer David to go out in person 'T was upon an over-bold discovery of Popinham's strength that Gustavus Adolphus the Scourge of the Austrians was killed and with him the hopes of those great things expected from him The Head of an Army such is the General being once cut off the Body especially in an enemies Country must needs languish and pine away The Scots having done their business which it seems was onely to breathe their horses they returned back again to their Quarters Aug. 19. part of the English Army stormed Red-Hall and took it it being a Garison situate within a mile and a half of Edinburgh having about 80 Foot to defend it This was done in the sight of the Scots whole Army yet not a man stirred towards the relief of the place Aug. 26 the Scots sent to the Lord General desiring a Conference betwixt some of themselves and some Officers appointed by him Which being granted and a convenient place appointed the Lord Wariston Secretary of State Sir John Brown Colonel Straughan and Mr. Dowglas a Minister with certain others attended for that purpose The main business of their Meeting was to wipe off a pretended aspersion cast upon them and spread over both Armies intimating that they kept themselves in Trenches and holes not daring to fight And the better to clear themselves of these calumnies they let the English know That when opportunity served it should be seen that they wanted not courage to give them Battel The next morning the Scots as if they meant to be as good as their words which had they been they had cross'd a very ancient Proverb strike up for a march seeming either to bend their course for Sterling or as if they would in good earnest according to the purport of the Embassage they had sent the day before lest it should not be known fight the English No sooner are they on their march but the Lord General prepares to meet them thinking that although they had often dallied with him before yet now surely they would be serious and shew some fair play The common souldiers were possest with the like apprehensions being over-joy'd at the very thoughts of fighting and in order thereunto they presently take down their Tents lay aside their Knapsacks and disburthen themselves of every thing whatsoever that might be an impediment to their activity Being thus prepared the English approach the Scots Army verily intending to engage them but it seems they had no minde to come to it but rather to shelter themselves in some new lurking hole notwithstanding their late confident disclaiming of any such practice Accordingly when the English drew neer the Enemy they found a great Bog and a deep Ditch to make such a separation as for the present cut off all possibibility of conjunction with them and consequently of engaging them without running such hazards as were not necessary at that time The Lord General seeing he could not come at them in person sent a thundring message to them by the mouth of his Cannon All that night both the Armies continued in Arms and the next morning being the 28 of August the great Guns roared on both sides for about the space of an hour But the English Lord General seeing that this would do no good and knowing that it would but waste precious time to no purpose to stand pelting at an Enemy at that distance he therefore drew off from thence to try some other conclusion if by any means he might get the Enemy into a fair field where the business might be disputed on equal terms In order to which marching towards their former Quarters on Pencland hills no sooner were they there arrived but news came that the Scots were upon their march to possess Muscleborough and Preston-pans whereby to cut off provisions from the English Army The souldiers hearing this begin to bestir themselves and again taking down their Tents take up their Arms holding it to be high time so to do considering that now they must either fight or starve To prevent the Enemies designe the Lord General advanced that night with his whole Army towards Muscleborough it being very stormy tempestuous weather without any molestation from the Enemy Being there they are supply'd from the ships and many of them being infirm and diseased by reason of hard duty and unseasonable weather 500 were sent on board which yet did not clear the Army of those distempered ones The Enemy all this while dogging the English in the Rere watched all opportunities to distress them But the Lord General taking into consideration the sad condition of his Army occasioned by sickness and indisposition of body resolves to retreat with them to Dunhar and there by Garisoning it to lie securely for some time till they might recover strength and receive convenient recruits both of Horse and Foot from Berwick In pursuance of this resolution the Army Aug. 30. set forward toward Hadington And by that time the van-Brigade of Horse had taken up their quarters the Scots by a nimble march were fallen in the rere and put them into disorder But wanting courage to prosecute the advantage and withal a cloud overshadowing the Moon gave the English Horse an opportunity to inextricate themselves of that Labyrinth wherein they had like to have been entangled and to recover the main Body Being at Hadington in danger to be assaulted daily by the Enemy the Lord General caused a strict Watch to be kept to prevent the worst For the Scots were sufficiently sensible of the crazie condition of the Army and thought they had now an opportunitie to distress them they acting the Offensive part that and by degrees they should weary them out and at last utterly destroy them and to that end conceiving that now they had a more then ordinary advantage about midnight Aug. 30. they attempted the English quarters on the west-end of the Town But notwithstanding their confidence they were soon set further off The next day the Lord General draws out into the open Champaign on the South-side of the Town resolving notwithstanding the indisposition of body in his Army to venture all upon the event of a Battel But the Scots having no minde to that sport therefore after three hours tarriance in expectation of their coming all in vain the English prosecute their fore-intended march for Dunbar The Scots being re-inforced with the addition of three Regiments yet again came in the Rere of the English and seeing them lodg'd in Dunbar gathered upon the adjacent hills like a thick cloud menacing such a showre to the
English as would wash them out of their Country if not out of the world and to make sure work imagining they had them now in a Pound they being well acquainted with the Country set a strong Guard upon the Pass at Copperspeith a place where ten stout men may obstruct the passage of fourty thereby to intercept or hinder all provisions or relief from Berwick or perhaps to hinder the English from running away lest any thing should be wanting to compleat their imagined neer approaching Victory For as a late ingenious * R H. his discourse of England Author hath it writing upon this subject The Scots from those high hills that encompassed this sickly remnant and which they had possessed themselves of look down on the English as their sure prey But as the same Author goes on how much better had they done had they levelled those mountains which surrounded their wretched enemies and which proved such sleight defences against a vertue backt with necessity and so made them an easier passage to their homâ—… by reason of their sickness did very â—…ant it And no marvel the Scots were thus confident For besides that they were stout and hearty in their own Country and upon advantageous ground in all which respects the English were at a loss they doubled the English in number they being 6000 Horse 16000 Foot whereas the other were but 7500 Foot 3500 Horse Two to one is great oddes and yet as the case then stood they must either fight manfully or tamely give up themselves a prey to their insulting Enemy which the English not having been accustomed to do knew not how to begin now Neither did all these straights difficulties and disadvantages in the least dismay the Lord General who as a Rock remained immoveable in this Sea of dangers and who considering that the present necessity required more then an ordinary courage and that this must be his Master piece or Misfortune after he had well view'd the Enemy and found that they had drawn down about two thirds of their Left wing of Horse to the Right causing them to edge down toward the Sea shogging also their Foot and Train to the Right a posture not well to be understood unless it were by this means to make short work and to catch the English as it were in a Purse-net saw that it was no time to use many words and that small debates must produce great actions and therefore after a short consultation had with his chief Officers it was concluded to take such a course as might let the Enemy see it was in vain for them to go about to abridge them of their liberty by any power or policie that they could use The better to do this the Lord General drew forth six Regiments of Horse with three Regiments and a half of Foot to march in the Van the Horse were commanded by Major-General Lambert and Lieutenant-General Fleetwood the Foot by Commissary-General Whalley and Colonel Monk To second these were Colonel Pride's Brigade and Colonel Overton's Brigade Two Regiments of Horse moreover brought up the Rere with the Cannon All things being thus in a readiness the Souldiers desired nothing more then the coming of the time when they should fall on that so they might shew their Valour to purpose It was resolved Sept. 3. to fall on by break of day but by reason of some impediments it was delayed till six of the clock at which time Major-General Lambert Lieutenant-General Fleetwood Commissary Whalley and Colonel Twisleton all stout resolute Commanders gave a furious charge upon the Scots Army who stoutly sustained the same and gallantly disputed the business at the swords point The English Foot in the mean time fired roundly upon the Enemies Foot but with more courage then success for being over-powred they were forc'd into some disorder notwithstanding they soon recovered their ground being reinforc'd by the Generals own Regiment And now the Fight grew hot on all sides The English Horse flew about like Furies doing wonderful execution insomuch that the place soon became an Aceldama or field of bloud The Foot were not behinde in their capacities for the Pikes gallantly sustained the push of their Enemies and the Muskets seemed by their often firings to have a designe to alter the property of the Climate from the Frigid to the Torrid Zone Neither were the English more free of their Powder then the Scots especially Lawyers Regiment of Highlanders were of their Bullets until their Horse being totally dispers'd and enforc'd to quit the Field left the Foot exposed to all dangers which they seeing began to shift for themselves as well as they could throwing away their Arms and betaking themselves to their heels a poor shift it being better to fight a day then run an hour To be short the English at last so far prevailed as to give a compleat Overthrow by the utter routing of that Army which had but lately triumphed in a confident assurance of Victory This was the work of one hour but it ended not here for the Rout begetting a Run the fugitives were pursued eight miles from the place Of the Enemy were slain in all about 3000 many prisoners of quality taken besides 10000 private souldiers with 15000 Arms all their Train of Artillery great and small the Leather-Guns not excepted and for standing Trophies of this great Victory 200 of their Colours were sent up to the Parliament at London who caused them to be hung up in Westminster-Hall where they remain till this day As Sea-sick passengers in a boisterous Ocean receive as it were new life and spirit upon safe arrival at their desired Port so the English Army who had been tossed up and down in a strange Country and almost spent by hard duty and the unsutableness of the Climate were now revived by this miraculous Victory And the Lord General seeing their courage to be up resolved it should not flat for want of exercise and therefore the better also to improve this Victory and to secure what he had gotten he dispatches away Lambert with six Regiments of Horse and nine of Foot to attaque Edinburgh the Metropolis of Scotland and secure Leith that so the English ships might thence readily and without obstruction yeeld necessary supplies to the Army The Lord General himself remained some small time at Dunbar to dispose of prisoners and to order other matters as the occasion required And the prisoners being so numerous that it seemed to be as much trouble to retain them as it was to take them the Lord General discharged neer upon 5000 of them most sick and wounded the rest much about the same number being conveyed to Berwick by four Troops of Colonel Hacker's Horse Having given this account of the captives a word or two of those that escaped by flight Their General it seems was one of that number and none of those that made the least haste neither or else he could not have been
Cloid himself in the mean time marching from Edinburgh on the North-side where he tarried the greatest part of a day but having good intelligence where Lambert and his party were and the weather being very bad he returned back Whereof when Colonel Car had notice as also that Lambert had taken up his quarters at Hamilton he conceived that now a fit opportunity was offered him of making sure work with him he being disjoyned from the Body of the Army and supinely sleeping as he dreamed without any thoughts of an enemy With this confident perswasion Car sets upon a sudden March in the night with about 1500 Horse and before day making more haste then good speed he furiously breaks into Lambert's Quarters and finding no opposition at his first entry he was emboldened to go up to the middle of the Town where a Captain with about 40 souldiers having taken the Alarm had suddenly mounted these being favoured by a tree that lay cross the street gave a check to their carreer till the whole Garison was alarm'd The suddenness of the business did somewhat amaze the English but having soon recollected themselves they resume their wonted courage being also very much animated by the example of their Officers forwardness And to make their work the more perfect part of their Forces being left in the Town to engage the Enemy and to secure the Rere the residue drew out that if possible they might surround the Enemies whole party who making a timely discovery of this designe very cunningly fac'd about and fled Though this encounter lasted not long yet of the Scots were slain near upon 100 and as many taken prisoners some few of whom might well be accounted many considering their quality for among them was Car himself his Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain-Lieutenant This Victory was not so well won but it was as well followed for the chase continued as far as Ayre where also were routed a party of 150 which was the chief remains of the Remonstrators This Success came very seasonably and the more considerable it was by how much the more difficult it would have been to engage them against their will for they knowing the Country well and having the people on their side could march about at pleasure when the English durst not follow without a great part of their Army for fear of Lesley who then lay at Sterling with the Scotch Army ready to make use of all advantages that might serve for his purpose Immediately upon this followed the Rendition of Edinburgh-Castle the most considerable strong hold in all Scotland It is seated upon a very high Precipice over-looking and commanding all places about it insomuch that many times the English Souldiers in their Quarters were galled with the Shot sent from the great Guns into Edinburgh When the Lord General came first before it which was immediately after the Rout at Dunbar he sent in a Summons to the Governour Colonel Will. Dundass which wrought no effect presently after several Papers were sent in to invite the Ministers to come forth to their several charges but they refusing so civil an offer the Lord General then seriously considered with his chief Officers which way to reduce by force both them and it knowing that if it should continue thus in the Scots hands his own work would be very much retarded thereby Accordingly the place being viewed nothing could be seen to encourage the attempting of it by storm But as there is many more ways then one to win so every one of these ways that carryed probability with it was debated At last a resolution was taken That seeing this impregnable place could not be beaten down endeavours should be used to blow it up to that end Miners both Scotch and English were sent for to carry on the work In order to this resolution about the end of September the Galleries were begun in the night which was no sooner perceived by those in the Castle but they very angerly fired upon it with five great Guns and several vollies of small Shot which nothing hindered the English whose indefatigable pains wrought through the earth until at last coming to the main rock it put them to a stand finding it not to be of that mould they imagined Yet could not this dismay those whose resolutions far surmounting the difficulty of their present design for finding the mattock did not perform its part they by other means made holes in the stones and filling them full of Powder made them fly by firing But the Lord General taking notice how tedious the mining work went on and withal considering the uncertainty of the wished event when finished therefore to make a quick dispatch he gave order for raising a Mount not far from the Castle upon a rising ground whereon to plant a Battery that so the Enterprise might be carryed on above ground as well as beneath The sight of this very much amazed Dundass the Governour who now perceived what a vanity it was to withstand the English industry Yet to quit himself of that great trust reposed in him by his superiours and withal to cherish the hopes of his Country-men whose eyes were generally upon him he did the utmost to answer the expectations of those that thought this bone might go near to break Cromwels teeth who herein were much deceived for it could do no more then whet his appetite and make him long for the possession of this strong Fort since the greater the opposition be the more is a great spirit raised thereby The Battery being now raised to a convenient height in spite of all impediments by the unwearied labours of the Souldiers and all things necessary prepared four Mortar-Pieces and six battering Guns were drawn from Leith and quickly mounted against the Castle Now the word of command was onely wanting which the Lord General deferred to give until he had sent to the Governour once more willing him to yeild by fair means and save the labour of being inforc'd by foul The Summons was sent the 11 of December and spake thus That he being resolued by Gods assistance to use such means as were put into his hands for to reduce the Castle did for the preventing of farther misery demand the rendering of the place to him upon fit conditions The Governour having received the same made answer That he was intrusted by the Committee of the Estates of Scotland for the keeping of the Castle and that he could not deliver it up without leave from them and therefore desired ten days time to send to them and receive their answer upon receipt whereof the General should receive his resolute answer But the Lord General knowing delays to be dangerous and that time was pretious and not to be lost in vain he makes this suddain reply That it concerned not him to know the Obligations of them that trusted him but that he might have honourable terms for himself and those that were with him but that he could not give
spight of those showers of great and small shot that were poured upon them at their approaching the shore in exchange whereof Colonel Overton caused his men to pay them in their own coyn by firing upon them out of the Boats which being performed with admirable courage and gallantry made the Scots break off the dispute and notwithstanding their advantage of firm footing when the English stood on a very tottering foundation betake themselves to their heels leaving behinde them part of their Arms and Artillery Overton being thus landed made good his ground by causing his souldiers to become Pioneers and to intrench themselves for greater security until more Forces might come up to them upon whose conjunction they would be enabled to march up into the Country without fear of any opposition To this purpose Messengers were with all speed posted away to the Lord General to acquaint him with their good success and the present posture of their affairs who thereupon immediately ordered a supply of two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot to be hasted away with all expedition under the conduct of Major-General Lambert The news of these passages arriving at the Scotish Camp gave them so hot an Alarm that in all haste Major-General Brown is dispatched away with four Regiments of Horse and Major-General Holborn with as many of Foot to drive the English out of Fyfe again But they lost their aim for Lambert getting the start of them came up to the relief of Overton ere they could approach to straiten him The English being thus united Lambert drew them up in Battalia in a very formal manner in this order His own Regiment of Horse with the Dragoons of Col. Okey and Col. Morgan made the Right Wing Colonel Lidcot's three Troops of Horse with some Dragoons made the Left the Main Body consisted of the Regiments of Major-General Lambert Colonel West and Colonel Daniel of Foot with some odde Companies more which were edged in to the greatest advantage The Scots finding the English in this posture were not at all discouraged but expressing greater resolution then usually they had done set their men in Battel aray and stoutly confronted their adversaries Both Parties having faced each other for the space of an hour and an half Lambert with the Right Wing of his Battel fell on the Enemy with great fierceness giving the first Charge on the Scots Left wing which they not flinching a foot manfully sustained returning like for like Thus continuing for some time the Scale of success standing in equipondio the Pistols having now done their part the fury of these Antagonists grew to such a hight that flinging away those more cowardly weapons every man drew upon his opposite and with swords point charged thorow each other But this was too hot to hold for the English being very dextrous in that kinde of fighting quickly routed the Enemies Left wing and made them flee leaving a fair field Neither were the rest of the Forces on both sides idle spectators but industriously acted their parts in their several stations The Foot that constituted the Main Body of the English traversing their ground so reiterated their Vollies that they seemed to cause an earthquake But the Scotch Horse being utterly dissipated their Foot could not stand long who being left to the mercy of their Enemy in this heat of bloud found it cruel being little other then what was dispensed at the but-end of their Muskets especially to the High-landers In a word and that in plain English so enraged were the English that in a trice they bestrewed the place with 2000 Scots or thereabout as so many objects of mortality Neither were the Captives inconsiderable either for their quality or number they being as followeth viz. Major-General Brown Commander in chief one Colonel one Lieutenant-Colonel one Major thirteen Captains seventeen Lieutenants nine and twenty Ensignes five Quartermasters six and twenty Sergeants five and twenty Corporals and One thousand two hundred twenty and six common souldiers with fourty and two Colours of Horse and Foot Brown having received this Defeat which consisted not onely in the loss of so many considerable Forces but the wounding of his Honour and Reputation more valued then life by a Generous minde and being himself reduced to the condition of a prisoner survived not long dying as was conceived of very grief for his hard fate But the English triumph in their victory still seeking to augment it by farther Exploits now the Terrour of this Blow had spread it self into all the Scots Garisons and therefore Lambert first of all summons the impregnable Fort of Innesgarvey situate in an Isle lying in the Frith betwixt Queens Ferry and the Pass into Fife The Garison here was possest with such a pannick fear that upon summons they were content to march away with their swords onely by their sides to shew what profession they were of and leave the Fort with all the Arms Ammunition and provision with sixteen pieces of Ordnance behinde them for the use of the English The Scots King having the report of this great overthrow of his Forces brought to Torwood where he still lay strongly incampt it wrought such a great distraction in his Army that he very hastily dislodg'd and marched into Sterling Park But they could not be so quick in the retreat but General Cromwel who still waited upon them was as nimble in the Rear who although he had much diminished his Forces by sending so many into Fife yet still indeavoured to fight the whole Army of his Enemies and marched after them through the ground they lately possess'd and there found what pannick fear had possest them who in hast had left behinde them all their sick souldiers one barrel of Powder three of Ball much Match many Musquets and three barrels of Hand-Granadoes Thus the Lord General followed them with provocations to move them to fight until he came within two miles of Sterling but all to little purpose for they would neither bark nor bite but hasted away to secure themselves The Lord General seeing his stay here would be to little purpose marched away his Army the 22 of July to Lithgo whence he sent over into Fife the greatest part of them with the Train of Artillery to prosecute the War on the other side of the water Now there remaining onely four Regiments of Horse and four of Foot behinde those he made use of to secure what was already gained and to keep a watchful eye on the Scots future Motions The Lord General himself retired to Leith there to take order for the supplie of his souldiers Whilst he staid here the happy news of the surrender of Brunt-Island arrived to his Ears for Major General Lambert prosecuting his good fortune brought the Army before that Island in hope that the sight of his Red-Coats might daunt them into a rendition And herein he was not deceived for no sooner was he come before it but without one shot made
would have extended had they had power sufficient to execute it Afterwards King Charles perceiving their enchroaching set forth a brave Fleet which hurt himself more then any body else for it raised so hideous a storm amongst his Subjects upon the payment of Ship-money that never after could be appeased till his Head was blown off his Shoulders these lying in the Downes under command of Dover-castle to protect a Spanish Armado intending for Flanders the Spaniards were boldly set upon by the Dutch and utterly destroyed Had this presumptuous attempt of the Hollander met with a vindictive King it would not have been so silently connived at These Affronts being thus slightly passed by imboldened them to attempt higher matters for the English Nation on a suddain involved in a Domestick War they made use of this opportunity to fish freely on the English Coast which they continued so long that from custome they would argue a right because they had done it therefore they ought to do it still presuming withall to make Englands Harbors the bounds to their Soveraignty A rich Bank of Treasure and great strength in shipping prompted them to this project and the rather because England was wasted by War and disunited amongst themselves Now they thought it their time to attempt the designe wherein they fancied an assured and absolute Conquest not at all considering what advantages in Navigation England hath over them as first not a ship can well pass the Narrow Seas between Dover and Calice but must run the hazard to be snapt in their passage unless they sailed under protection of a strong Fleet of War Secondly in stormy Weather the Winds would inforce ships at Sea to put into the English Harbours for shelter In both which respects it must needs be very prejudicial to the Dutch if they fell out with England their Traffick this way being stopt up no other means remained to continue a Trade to France Portugal Spain Turkey East and West Indies but by the North of Scotland with a Circumference about Ireland whereby the Merchant must necessarily be exposed to a double danger in respect of Enemies And that which is more unavoydable the tempestuousness of the Sea in this Northerly Latitude would have rendred their passage that way both unfafe and uncomfortable But it seems these Considerations never entred into the thoughts of that State their minds were onely troubled with dividing Spoils and how to give Laws by Sea to the whole world This high conceit of Fortitude many times bars up the doors against prudential Counsels Well blinded as the Dutch were Van Trump that leading Card against the English Commonwealth must begin the Game and that when their Embassadors were in Treaty at London The Parliament of England remembring their late saucy Action in the Downs resolved to make it redound to the honour of England to that end they fell into a close debate of the Nations right in those Seas now Mare Olausum speaks English to let every one see the Dominion of the Narrow Sea is Englands safety and Protector under Divine Providence from the fury of forraign Foes which if it were lost a Confluence of all Nations would quickly subjugate the Land to their will How sensible the Senate and People of England were of this is easily seen by the industrious Counsels of the one and incomparable Valour of the other so that in a few moneths the Dutch sustained more loss by this their wilful undertaking then before they had done in several years War with the Spaniard The English Parliament being thus engaged in a defensive War quickly changed the Scoene to offensive maintaining it with wonderful Policy and Prudence but on a suddain in stept General Cromwel and justled them out of Power taking upon himself to end this War He fought the Hollander twice prosperously which brought over into England four Embassadours extraordinary to sollicite a Peace these using pecuniary Perswasions so far prevailed with the Protector as made him balance the publick Concernments with his private Interest and so granted their desires The Peace being thus concluded and published the people of England were then perswaded to a general Thanksgiving by a Declaration partly made up of nine Verses out of the 107 Psalm To make observation on Englands Profit by this Peace is needless that I will leave for the Merchant to rejoyce in Actions of State are like the Billows of the Sea one designe drives forward another as they are agitated by the Princes breath No sooner was peace proclaimed abroad but Plots commenced at home the chief Designers were two Gerrards Brothers one Jones an Apothecary Teuder Fow and Vowel some of these through mercy were saved but Vowel and Gerrard must suffer for example In the same Juncture of time fell out an arrogant exploit of Don Pantaleon Sa brother to the Portugal Embassadour this man being followed by a fanatique Crew came one evening to the New Exhange armed with Swords Pistols and Hand-granadoes what the original provocative to this designe was is uncertain however one wrapt in Buff a bold Blade no doubt being followed by Knights of Malta Foot-boys and the like ascended the Staiers into the upper Exchange where firing a Pistol a Gentleman there walking was slain There happened to be walking the same time this Gerrard above-mentioned he seeing their Countenances not so swarthy as this deed was sable draws his Rapier and with a magnanimous spirit drove them all before him down staiers The Lord Protector having notice of these Portugals frollique upon examination resolved to proceed thereupon without respect of persons and to make the chiefest Actor an example of Justice which being found to be the Embassadours Brother he was condemned for this ridiculous riot and executed at Tower-hill on the same Scaffold though for different causes with generous Gerrard The eyes of the Spectators never beheld such different tempers in two men Gerrard no way appald in countenance or behaviour like a true English man out-braved Death on the very Block His body being removed out of sight up came Don Pontaleon Sa the Portugal with a body too heavy for its supporters and a countenance which sufficiently demonstrated that the terrour of his heart had in a manner made him insensible of the smart of the Executioners Ax so that many present believed his head served onely to satisfie the Law his life being already fled through fear But now on a suddain there breaks forth an Insurrection in the Highlands of Scotland these mountanous people having little to loose but their lives would ever be trying to shake the English yoak from off their necks The chief bellows to blow these miserable men to destruction was the Earl of Glencarne a man whose industry was ever pregnant in contriving new designes against the English he having now drawn together a considerable strength proclaimed to his fellows what great assistance would be wafted over to them from the Low Countries by which means it