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
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
Marston-Moor and there draws up his Army in Battalia to the best advantage the ground would permit Lesley was in the mean time marching with his Army toward Tadcaster after the Prince but hearing what he had done he wheels about to give him Battel The Prince having possest himself of all the advantages that might be keeps his ground The Generals Lesley Manchester and Fairfax having drawn up their Army in as good form as the time would permit placing most of Lesleys and Fairfax his Horse in the Right Wing Manchester's with other of the Scotch Horse made the Left commanded by Cromwel who had that Charge committed to him for the day the Foot made up the Main Body Both Armies standing in this posture Prince Rupert's Left Wing making the first Charge dissipates the Parliaments Right prosecuting their Charge with such fury and vigour that in a trice destruction was everywhere seen Cromwel in the Left wing not knowing what had befaln the Right couragiously charges Rupert's Right wing which soon turned the scale before inclining toward the Prince the advantage he got here by his wise improvement thereof soon redounded to the whole Army for although many for fear disbanded themselves and fled yet the rest as many as could be got together being led on by the Noble Earl of Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairfax the last of whom received in his face that day a Mark of Honour joyning with victorious Cromwel made the day clearly theirs This Fight was the most bloudy of any in all the Civil wars wherein was great slaughter on both sides judged by spectators to be little less then ten thousand men Prince Rupert and his helpers being thus discomfited they fall out and lay the blame of the miscarriage one upon the other the Earl of Newcastle and others of quality leaving the Kingdom thereupon This impediment being removed the Siege of York was renewed which City though governed by valiant Glemham being hopeless of new succours was soon yeelded Many other examples of Cromwels great Atchievements both North and west might be given even whilst he was in a lower capacitie but studying brevity we shall pass over many things and come to speak of him as under the New Establishment in which he received a greater Command The Parliament seeing the war to be tedious and finding that notwithstanding the daily great effusion of bloud and vast expence of treasure small progress was made in the Kingdoms resettlement they resolve on a new course by new-modeling the old Army and to prevent the just offence of any of their Members who might be displaced thereby they pass an Ordinance commonly called The self-denying Ordinance that no Member of Parliament should serve in the Army but wholly attend the service of the House unless they had the Houses license for so doing Then they recruit the Army which had been much wasted by Sickness and a late defeat in the West to One and twenty thousand viz. Fourteen thousand Foot Six thousand Horse and One thousand Dragoons commissioning Sir Thomas Fairfax their General Cromwel being then in the West and receiving intelligence of the new Establishment and of the self-denying Ordinance though he were a great and victorious Commander yet he had not forgotten to obey but immediately disposing of those under his Command he posts towards London to attend his service in Parliament according to their late Ordinance aforesaid and understanding that the General was then at Windsor he took that in his way and went to kiss his Excellencies hand and take leave of him But the Parliament being sufficiently sensible of his worth and how excellent an instrument he might be in carrying on the War they would not suffer him to desert his Military employment and the next morning before he came forth of his chamber a Commission was sent him by the Committee of both Kingdoms whereby he was made Lieutenant-General of Horse to the whole Army Upon this new Establishment the Kings party were very much heightned thinking it an easie matter now to subdue the Parliaments Army being thus chopt and changed and many eminent Commanders laid aside and discontented But they found the contrary for as a fractur'd bone well set becomes the stronger so this broken Army being skilfully handled became so well knit that it was thereby rendred far more vigorous and effective But to proceed Cromwel having accepted of this new Command he immediately applies himself to action For the Kings main Mid-land Forces under the Command of Prince Rupert lying then about Worcester and the borders of Wales intending to take the Field they sent a Convoy of two thousand Horse to Oxford to fetch off the King with the Train of Artillery and to procure Recruits for the Army Fairfax having intelligence hereof sent Cromwel with a party of Horse and Dragoons to impede their passage No sooner was order given but he was at the work for with incredible swiftness marching to seek his enemy he found them at Islip-Bridge and there encountred them and that with so much gallantry that he took 500 Horse and 200 Prisoners among whom were many persons of quality here he took also besides many other Trophies of Honour the Queens Standard And knowing it to little purpose to gain a Victory and not to prosecute it he therefore pursued the remnant that escaped to Blechington-House where Colonel Windebank kept a Garison for the King he summons the place requiring a speedy rendition giving its Governour to understand that otherwise they must expect the effects of the fury of an enraged Souldiery The Governour being terrified by the late defeat it seems despairing of relief from Oxford and doubting his own strength delivers up the House with all the Arms and Ammunition therein marching to Oxford where he was shot to death for his pains So that here were two Victories the well improvement of the first procuring the second But letting pass many of his more inconsiderable actions if any of his in this kinde may be so termed we proceed to give an account of his carriage in that remarkable and fatal Battel of Naseby onely mentioning that feat at Bampton-Bush where he took Sir William Vaughan Lieutenant-Colonel Littleton with divers other Officers and 200 common souldiers This Battel of Naseby brings to minde the saying of that learned man Hugo Grotius viz. When people fight for their liberties the Princes Crown lies at stake which was verified upon the King in the effects thereof for the scale of his affairs was thereby so turned that in short time after he both lost his Crown and became subject to the will of his enemy being never after favour'd with one successful attempt This Battel was fought on the 14 day of June 1645. neer Naseby The Kings Army lying in and about Harborough where Prince Rupert's Head-quarters were they had resolved the night before to fight Fairfax knowing themselves to be much stronger then he especially in Horse They were not more forward
to engage then the other were willing and thus being both agreed in the extremity of Disagreement they both draw into a large field by the Town side about a mile and a quarter broad This was the ample stage whereon that bloudy Tragedie was acted sad to behold and so much the more sad when we consider that it was English bloud shed by English hands here Relations were forgotten friendship relinquished yea he that perhaps but lately would have laid down his own to preserve the life of his friend doth now use all possible industry to destroy it and this upon no other ground but the common Feud that was then risen Behold the effects of a Civil War The Kings Front was made up of a gallant Body of Horse the Foot made a second Body the Right Wing was commanded by the brother-Princes Rupert and Maurice the left by Sir Jacob Ashley other Commanders of great quality and long experience in Martial affairs beyond the Seas taking their places in the field Thus being drawn out with Reserves to second the main Body they took up the whole bredth of the field The Parliaments Foot made a firm Body in the midst commanded by Major-General Skippon whose actions that day deserve an honourable mention winged with Horse on either side the Right Wing was commanded by the valiant Cromwel who to the great joy of the whole Army came in to their assistance the night before out of the Associated Counties with 600 Horse and Dragoons the Left was commanded by Ireton Rupert gave the first Charge which he did with such violence upon Ireton in the Parliaments Left Wing that notwithstanding their strenuous resistance he was routed and his men put to flight the Prince pursuing them thorow the Town but having more minde to the spoil then to the thorow-performance of his work he leaves the pursuit and assaults the Waggons where being repulsed he trifled out so much time that Cromwel in the Right wing assisted by Colonel Rossiter had in the mean time quite disordered the Kings Left wing and as it were raked the field before him separating the Horse from the Foot and thereby rendering them helpless one to the other Being reduced to this exigent the Horse fled toward Leicester in pursuit of whom Cromwel considering that though there had been a Rout there might be a Rally and not onely to prevent after-claps but also to secure what was already won sent some few Troops knowing that small force might do great execution on a flying enemy Himself in the interim joyning with their own Foot so encompassed the Kings Infantry that notwithstanding they shewed much gallantry and valour that day even to the admiration of their enemies being tired out and despairing of succour beholding nothing but death and destruction which way soever they looked they threw down their Arms and submitted to mercy The Kings loss hereby will appear the greater if we consider it in these two respects 1. He lost a gallant Army which was newly flush'd and heightned in their courage by the late good success they had in the storming of Leicester presently after which the King writ thus to the Queen That without being sanguine he could report his actions to stand in a better condition then at any time since the War began 2. Not onely was an Army lost but all possibility of raising another so vigorously did the Victors husband and prosecute what they had begun and gotten No sooner had the Parliaments Army broken down this bank but like a Torrent they soon overflowed the whole Kingdom bearing down and subduing all opposers Leicester was immediately regained from thence they haste to the relief of Taunton which had been long besieged by Goring's Army and held cut to admiration Upon their approach Goring draws off they follow him and overtake him neer Lamport where they engage him and here Cromwel shewed much prudence as well as courage for the Enemy being put to flight he would not suffer part of the Horse to pursue but caused them to forbear till they were all come up together and then himself led them on doing the work so effectually that he took almost all their Foot and Ordnance Thence they stept to Bridgewater a very considerable place which though obstinately defended was soon taken by storm In those days there was a sort of people called Club-men who pretending Neutrality would admit of no Armies within their Bounds and so confident were they as to capitulate with the General as if they intended to cudgel him out of their Country notwithstanding his late great successes thinking to keep their Clubs in their hands when so many gallant men had been forced to part with their swords But Cromwel not knowing what might be the issue of such tumultuous assemblings resolves to curb them betimes and to crush them in the egge to which purpose having notice of their Rendezvous he marcheth toward them with a party of Horse They were four thousand strong and had encamped themselves on the top of a hill promising much resolution in one of their Ensignes which had this Motto If ye offer to plunder or take our cattel Be you assur'd we 'll give you battel But this vapour soon vanished for Cromwel giving but one Charge up the hill routed and dispersed them all taking 400 prisoners whom he carried to Sherborn that Castle governed by Sir Lewes Dives for the King being then beleaguered by Fairfax and soon after reduced by storm Hence the Army marcheth toward Bristol a place of very great importance lying on the confines of Gloucester Wilts Dorset and Somerset-shires Prince Rupert was in it with about four or five thousand Horse and Foot who being too much addicted to Plunder made the circumjacent Country desire to be rid of such injurious neighbours At the Armies first arrival it was advised by Cromwel and some other chief Officers that they should storm part of the City which accordingly was put in practice so effectually that Prince Ruport durst not run the hazard of a second assault but immediately delivers up that great and well-fortified City having liberty to march to Oxford This great service being thus performed Cromwel without the least delay or intermission taking with him a Brigad consisting of four Regiments hastes to the reducement of that strong Castle of the Devizes whose natural strength was much increased by the ingenuity of its Governour Sir Charles Lloyd who being sensible thereof and confident therein returns no other Answer to the first Summons but Win it and wear it But as if neither Art or Nature could sufficiently fence a place against the Stratagems and Assaults of this invincible Conquerour whose very name began now to be terrible to the stoutest adversary he soon brought the Governour to terms and compelled him to yeeld upon Composition Winchester was soon reduced to the same pass after the Governours stomack had been a little brought down by the Battery of great Guns and Mortar-pieces
a tumultuous vvay they vvould needs compel them to alter their Militia and bring home the King The contrary Party in the House seeing violence offered them they vvith the Speaker betake themselves to the protection of the Army vvho being thus countenanced by Authority and thereby encouraged resolve upon a March for London to restore the Members of Parliament to their places and Authorities Upon the Armies approach the Citizens vvho before had made some semblance of resistance raising Forces to that purpose under Massey desire a Truce which vvas granted upon these Conditions 1. That they should desert the Parliament then sitting and the eleven impeached Members 2. That they should recal their Declaration 3. That they should relinquish the present Militia 4. That they should deliver up the Forts together vvith the Tower 5. That they should disband their Forces VVhich things being performed the Army made a triumphant passage thorow the City of London To return again to the King vve finde him not to continue long at Holmby ere Cornet Joyce vvith a Party of Horse seiseth on his Person and carries him away to the Head-quarters The Army having him now in their custody remove him from one place to another as to Royston Hatfield Causam an House of the Lord Cravens one that hath had a deep share in the sufferings of the Nobility here the Kings Children came to him vvhere they dined together But here he continued not long neither before his remove to Hampton Court vvhere being terrified vvith an Apparition of Agitators he left that place and unfortunately renders himself to Col. Hamond in the Isle of Wight vvhere he vvas secured in Carisbrook-Castle Propositions are sent to him from the Parliament but vvith little effect Provoked herewith the Houses past their Votes of Non-addresses to his Majesty and take the Government upon themselves vvhich vvas followed vvith a Declaration from the Army to stand in defence of those Votes These Actions so far discontented the people that in every place nothing could be heard but bad vvishes and vvorse threats from vvhence many did prognosticate the ensuing Summer vvould be a hot one in respect of VVars And now the Subjects of both Kingdoms vvhich before had joyned in Arms against the King begin to look upon his Estate and condition vvith commiseration blaming themselves for being instruments in bringing him into the condition he then vvas and now they petition the Parliament after the same manner that some years before they had the King in a tumultuous manner and impatient to have the grant of their desires delaid they press the Houses for a speedy redress of their present Grievances but could have no other answer but vvhat vvas delivered by the Souldiers guarding the Parliament and a Troop of Horse from the Mews these disswaded the Surry-men vvith feelling arguments from coming there any more These things made those that before seemed passive to be active the sable cloud of VVar blown by the fury of the people had now over-spread our Hemisphere vvhich Alarms the Army in all their Quarters First a considerable part of the Navy vvith Captain Batten sometimes Vice-Admiral to the Earl of Warwick desert the Parliament and put themselves under the power of Prince Charles Next the Kentish-men rise in Arms under pretence of Petitioning Laughorn Poyer and Powel seised on some strong Towns and Castles in South-Wales and declared against them Yet this vvas not all there blew a Northern blast that made many men shake Duke Hamilton a man vvho had received much of the King but deserved little rusheth in vvith an Army of Scots and joynes himself to Langdale Glemham and others of the Kings Party in the North. Upon these Risings the Parliament considers how to conjure these evil spirits down againe the Valour of their Souldiers had been tried in many Fights and Sieges before their former good successes made them confident that Victory was settled in their Scabbards and that they should no sooner draw their Swords but their enemies would fly To manage these Wars Fairfax was sent into Kent Lambert into the North there to stop as much as could be the over-flowing Torrent of Hamiltons Army who wasted the Country at pleasure wheresoever they came for Wales victorious Cromwel was designed before him as forlorn marches Col. Horton with 3000 who engaged Laughorns 8000 raw Welchmen and routed them Cromwel himself soon follows after with two Regiments of Horse and three of Foot Now we see him in the Field again to accomplish great undertakings which he did with so much facility that it rather seemed a Recreation then labour Caesar's Veni Vidi Vici may well be attributed to him who no sooner came neer an Enemy and beheld him but he overcame him and indeed his quick Marches furious Onsets and victorious Conquests came very neer Casars Atchievements The first place we finde him at in his march was Chepstow-Castle which he resolved to besiege but himself hastning to Pembrook he leaves Col. Eyre to dispatch this piece of service who accomplished it in fifteen days Cromwel on the twentieth of May comes to Pembrook Poyer being Governour of it who relying much upon the strength of the place refuseth all Conditions that are proffered to him Cromwel not being accustomed to despair of any thing that is possible applies himself to the Siege at Land Sir George Ayscough in the mean time with a Squadren of Ships cast Anchor in the Roade to forbid any succours to be carried in by Sea and as occasion served to furnish the Leaguer with great Guns and other provisions necessary Cromwel having taken a full view of the Castle and considering the strength of it makes his way by approaches and with his great Guns summons them to yeeld This course he thought the safest upon these considerations First for that by certain intelligence he was informed of the small Magazine of Provision that they had in the Town and Castle so that of necessity they must yeeld their bodies being weakned for want of sustenance would bring down their stout Stomacks Then Divisions among themselves which grew to that height at last that the Souldiers began to mutiny against their Commanders And lastly though he had Men enough to enforce them yet considering this was not the last service his Forces must go upon he would not be too prodigal of pretious blood knowing that Victory to be the cheapest which is won without blows Having thus considered of the matter he causes strict guard to be kept in his Trenches that so they might be kept in from running away This order was not long observed before Hunger had so battered down their Bellies and therewith so quell'd their courage that they desired a Parly and willingly yeelded up the Town and Castle upon quarter as to the common Souldiery but Laughorn Poyer and Powel with some other of the prime Commanders render themselves prisoners at mercy which some of them found but others were afterwards made
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
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
at Edinburgh by ten of the clock that morning whereon the Battel was fought outstripping his Lieutenant-General who got not thither till the afternoon But if they had made less haste they might have come before they had been welcom unless they had brought better news the Garison and inhabitants being very much dampt at their report as also those of Leith insomuch that Edinburgh was presently quit by its Garison and Leith resolved to receive the Victors not knowing how to keep them out But though the English had thus possessed the Town of Edinburgh the Castle remained untoucht which being esteemed impregnable and commanding the Town the Scots hoped that the English would soon finde their new quarters too hot to hold them and so much the rather for that the said Castle besides its natural strength was well manned had a considerable Artillery on the walls and store of all sorts of provisions Colonel William Dundass being its Governour However the same day the Scots deserted the Town the English under Lambert took possession of the same as also of Leith in both which places they found several Pieces of Ordnance many Arms and considerable provisions which were too heavie for the Scots to take with them because of their haste But how well the new Garison of Edinburgh agreed with their neighbours in the Castle we shall hear afterwards Upon this the Lord General coming up with the remainder of the Army the Scots were in despair of nestling there again and therefore made Sterling their next refuge whither resorted those that had escaped at Dunbar to help to piece up their shattered Army that so in a second Encounter they might endeavour to recover their lost credit To this purpose also recruits were raised by the Committee of Estates in all places under their power their Officers are likewise new molded new ones being taken in and old ones laid aside according as they saw occasion this change being not in inferiour Officers only but among the great Commanders likewise for old Leven was laid aside albeit David Lesley were continued But this their rallying and recruiting chopping and changing signified little for as if they had been postest with a like spirit with those infatuated Jews in Jerusalem when that City was closely begirt by the Romanes notwithstanding that the English had given them that sore blow at Dunbar driven them from their Metropolis and were still improving those advantages the Scots in stead of joyning heart and hand in defending their Country against so prevailing an adversary split themselves into so many fractions and factions that it would require some curiosity to discriminate them The most notable were these Straughan and Car in the West who declared against the Kings party and were called Remonstrators another party were for King and Kirk as David Lesley Major Gen. Holborn and those in Fife and a third sort were purely for the King these with Middleton keep the High-lands This Kingdom being thus divided was not likely long to stand For animosities growing higher and higher among themselves little care was taken to repress the English who ranged at pleasure about the Country And the Lord General having his Head-quarters at Edinburgh and observing what course the Scots steered lay not idle but having refreshed his men Sept. 14. he drew out the greatest part of his Army for Sterling and faced the Castle having at first some thoughts to storm it but finding that the Horse could not well second the Foot he desisted for that time and returned back to the Head-quarters Whither being come order is given for carrying all the Boats in the Frith to Leith for prevention of the Scots Ferrying over into Fyfe to joyn with the Enemy there And since according to the Proverb of Idleness comes no goodness therefore to keep his men in action and that they may the better acquaint themselves with the Country the Lord General his work going on well before Edinburgh-Castle of which a particular account shall be given in its place marcht away six Regiments of Foot and nine of Horse and Dragoons for Glasgow a City of a pleasant site upon a River navigable for small Boats which usually bring up provisions from Patrickstown ten miles thence where ships of good burden may ride In Glasgow the streets and houses are more neat and clean then those of Edinburgh it being also one of the chiefest Universities in Scotland By the way of Linlithgow the Lord General sent a Paper to the Committee of Estates to try once more what might be done by fair means a copie whereof was likewise at the same time dispatched away to Colonel Car and Straughan to the same end Little else was remarkable in this Expedition then the taking of a small Carison neer Kelsith a place famous for being the Stage whereon somtime the valiant Montross had acted such great things as even shook the foundations of the Kirk and had subverted it if the English had not in time stretched out their hand to support the same This heroick Champion notwithstanding he wrought such great things with small Forces ever encountring considerable Armies with a handful so that not one of his men could be exempted from continual duty yet could not avoid the frowns of adverse fortune wherein nevertheless although his body were captivated his spirit remained free bearing up above the highest affronts of his enraged enemies who loaded him with all the ignominy that Malice it self could invent first inflicting on him a most reproachful death and next mangling his dead body the quarters whereof they caused to be hung up in several places for publike view On the Tolbooth at Glasgow hung one of his legs which the English remembring what he was took down and buried privately Now the Lord General retires to Edinburgh the season admitting of no considerable action but onely what necessity required And a necessary work they went about in suppressing a company of sturdy knaves called Moss-Troopers who daily plaid their pranks with great boldness and by the treachery and connivence of the Country-people murdered many of the English Souldiers especially straglers nay their confidence grew so high as to steal some of the Train-horses belonging to the Army To that end a Proclamation was published by the Lord General to this effect THat finding many of the Army were not onely spoiled and robbed but also others barbarously butchered and slain by a sort of Outlaws not under the discipline of any Army and finding that all tenderness to the Country produced no other effect then their compliance with and protection of such persons therefore considering that it is in the Countries power to detect and discover them and perceiving their motion to be ordinary by their invitation and intelligence of Country-people therefore he declared That where-ever these enormities should be committed for the future life should be required for life and a plenary satisfaction for the goods thus stollen of those Parishes and places where the
any of them nor voluntarily afford or cause to be afforded or delivered to any of them any Victuals Provisions Ammunition Arms Horses Plate Money Men or any other Relief whatsoever under pain of High Treason And that all persons should use their utmost endeavours to hinder and stop their March Yet for all this the Scots went on in prosecution of their present designe bending their course by a swift March for the west of England where we will leave them making more hast then good speed and return back again to the Lord Gen. Cromwel He having notice at St. Johnstons that the Scots Army were gone to take up new Quarters in England did immediately settle the Affairs of Scotland in a posture sufficient to secure what was already won and leaving six thousand Horse and Foot more with Lieutenant General Mork to reduce the rest he causes Major General Lambert with five Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fly away with all possible speed to get into the Rear of the Scots Army whilst Harison was in their Front so to impede their March until himself could get up unto them This being done with the remainder of the Army consisting of eight Regiments of Foot two of Horse and eight great Guns this victorious General marched away leaving Scotland but not the remembrance of his being there and on August 12. he with his Army crossed Tine With this swift March being quite tired out he caused the Army to pitch their Tents on Ryson Haugh upon the brink of Tine himself in the mean time quartering at Stelly House neer unto his Souldiers The Mayor of New-Castle having notice of the Armies being thus neer the Town immediately went forth with the rest of the Magistrates to congratulate the Generals arrival into England And to make themselves welcome to the Souldiers they carried along with them for supply of the Army Bread Cheese Biscet and Beer these Provisions were a great refreshing and inabled the Souldiers with cheerfulness to undertake the future march In the mean time the Scots with their King marched on towards Warrington Bridge where Maj. Gen. Harison resolved to make opposition against them and if possible to hinder their passage over but before they could break down the Bridge the Scots by a swift March from Charley came up and being necessarily engaged they maintained a notable combate with those that offered to withstand them here they had a small brush but could very well afford it for the loss was their gain and so both sides were satisfied with the ingagement for though some of their men fell in the fight yet they had their desire which was to pass over the bridge And now it was the great Question of all whither they intended to bend their course most believed for London being that was the Metropolis of the English Nation a populous City well furnished with a great Magazine of Men and Money the first being the Wheels of War the last the Oyl which makes them turn nimbly about But it seems the Scots looked upon this as too hazardous or else intended onely to take the dimensions of the Land and when that was done to return home again to their own Kingdom However they marched on towards the West shewing all civility to the people as they past along and with such strict Discipline were they governed that as their Army marched through Shropshire a private Souldier for offering to enter an Orchard was by his Officer immediately disbanded with a Bullet By this severity their rough-hewn natures were so polished that if Necessity drove any private Souldier to a door he durst speak no other Language then A Drink of Water But now at last their Peregrination ends at Worcester for coming thither weak and weary with constant duty and hard labour having expected much out finding little they here resolve to take up their Quarters hoping Massey's former services in Gloucestershire and those parts was not quite buried in the Grave of Oblivion But in this they found it otherwise for although they might love his person well yet seeing his parts ingaged against the Grain of the Times it quite alienated the affections of those that otherwise might wish him well The Scotch King with his Army having thus entered Worcester on Friday August the 23. 1651. resolved being he could go no further to tarry there and abide the brunt And therefore in the first place because he would not be wanting in any thing that might conduce to the preservation of himself and forces he caused works to be raised for better security Then he sent forth his Letters Mandatory to Colonel Mackworth Governout of Shrewsbury and likewise to Sir Thomas Middleton to perswade them to raise Forces for him but this proved fruitless so that being now got as it were in a pound there was no way but to make the best of a bad bargain And now the black and dismal clouds began to gather about Worcester which portended a dreadful storm would quickly follow as presently after it did For victorious Cromwel who by delaies never contributed to approaching dangers having refreshed his men neer New-Castle marched away without the least delay or loss of time until he came to joyn with the rest of the Parliaments Forces commanded by Lieutenant General Fleetwood Major General Desborough the Lord Gray of Groby Major General Lambert Major General Harison and besides all these the Militia Forces out of every County were commanded to march away and surround those wretched men at Worcester that so a quick dispatch might be put to the work Never was it known before in England that such great Forces were gathered together in so small a time for the standing Army with the rest of those Forces newly raised by Act of Parliament upon this occasion could not amount to less then eighty thousand But now the Lord General Cromwel being come up and having observed the posture that the Scoth Army lay in began his work with an attempt upon Vpton Bridge there intending if it was possible to pass over his Army this designe was left to Major General Fleetwoods management who presently sent away a small party of Horse and Dragoons to discover how feasible the attempt might be this Party though small proved daring in a desperate attempt for finding the bridge broken down and nothing remaining but onely a Beam of Timber that reached from one Arch to another which through negligence had been left by the Scots these bold Fellows made no more ado but dismounting their Horses one after another rid over on this Wooden Pegasus and presently after having now recovered the other side run themselves into a Church neer to the bridge for security Major General Massey being all this while in Vpton with about 60 Dragoons and 200 Horse lying secure without the least dread of an Enemy imagining it impossible for any to come at him at that time was upon the sudden report of this Exploit so alarmed that in
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
a rich commodity was how offered to sale at a cheap rate The French Grandees presently bite at the bait little doubting the hook was daub'd over with this pretty pretence that the Governour Magistrates and Citizens of Ostend being grieved at the English keeping their Coast blockt up with Ships to rid themselves of this continual trouble they would rather be under France then remain any longer in their present condition This motion being made they came to a price and agreed upon a good round sum of mony which Marshal D'Aumont was appointed to pay and take possession of the place at a time agreed on He being well apaid in the imployment slily slipt from Calice with three Ships fraught with Souldiers and soon after fell in amongst a Squadron of English Ships commanded by Vice-Admiral Goodson then lying near Ostend The English Commander seeing how confident these the Protectors Confederates were in the design they went about was willing to assist them with Sea-men the better to facilitate their landing Whil'st D'Aumont was preparing to enter the Town according to agreement the Spaniards within being a courteous Nation where they take affection were very active in making preparations for the entertainment of their French Guests to this end the Governour of Ostend caused the Inhabitants to keep their Houses and not to stir from thence till they heard the Bells Ring in the City Steeple then the great Church and Capuchin Friars Church with many more secret places were crowded with clusters of Souldiers these were to give the French a Spanish Fig at their landing All things being in readiness on both sides May the 4th in the morning some of the French-men that were before received into the Town went out and invited their Countrey-men to come in D'Aumont upon this and the sight of white Colours placed upon the Walls for Decoys did not in the least distrust but took all to be gold that glister'd Hereupon the tide beginning to serve about ten in the morning four French Vessels a ship of Dover and six or seven Boats from the English ships sailed into the Haven and presently the French landing upon the Keys were in a trise drawn up in Battalia Upon this certain Spanish Officers went to enquire for the money that was promised them to which the French returned answer That it was ready in one of their ships This being as much as could be expected the Officers returned into the Town again and immediately shewed the French an a la mode trapanning trick for the great Guns from two Batteries one of which was mounted with twelve the other with eight let slie their murthering shot upon the poor French Foot and to compleat their misery the Bells rung as before appointed which brought the Souldiers and Towns-men about their ears The French now when it was too late seeing how hard a bargain they were like to have made some small â—â—ir at the beginning but finding it fruitless to resist they layd down their Arms and submitted on quarter Thus much for the taking of Ostend The slie Spaniard having thus slurred their Enemy it raised in the French an unquenchable thirst of revenge and therefore to quit scores the whole French and English Armies joyned together resolving to wreak their wrath upon the Town of Dunkirk This place may be called The Key of Flanders it being a Sea-Port-Town and of all men best known to English Merchants whose ships were frequently carryed prize into it But now to put a finit to their infinite Losses a formidable Siege was framed before it which hotly alarm'd the Spaniards in all their Quarters Hereupon Don John of Austria takes these two things into serious consideration first the importance of the place for its Situation it was a Key to Flanders a frontier to France next after Graveling and a certain supply of moneys by continual booties brought in thither by his men of War On the other side should he lose Dunkirk the English in whose possession it would be put had a door opened and fit opportunity to bid fair for all Flanders here might an Army be landed from England and from hence incursions made to the Walls of Bruxels Mean time the Spanish Ports Newport and Ostend could expect no less then to be perpetually infested by men of war which would utterly spoyl their Trade and ruine the Inhabitants these and such like considerations mounted Don John upon fixt resolutions to undertake the relief of Dunkirk though it were to the hazard of his whole Army Mean while the Confederate Forces beleaguering this strong place did in a small time working like Moles run their Trenches to the Spanish Counterscarpe and still encroaching upon the Wall they promised fair to a speedy accomplishment of their Design These things were well known to the Spanish Army who now saw the relief of Dunkirk would admit of no delay for were it not speedily accomplished the Town of necessity must lie prostrate to the Enemies mercie The bettter to effect which therefore Don John the Spanish General having drained his Garisons to fill up his Army suddenly advanced with 15000 men to the relief of his distressed friends these by a swift march through Fuernes quickly seated themselves upon some sandy Hills within an English mile and a half of Turine the French Generals Camp The report of the Enemies near advance made both the French and English Officers consult upon the best course that could be taken to repel the Force that now sate upon their Skirts indeavor to frustrate their labours in the present Siege and render it fruitless Time for consultation being short for it was on the over-night they agreed unanimously to give the Spaniards the next morning a warm breakfast All this night the Officers of both Nations were very active to provide for the ensuing action the Army being found sufficient to fight a Field Battel and at the same time to keep the besieged from ranging abroad For this service most of the English were drawn from their entrenchment and being joyned to the French Horse they marched against the Enemy In the morning both Armies being come near together it was perceived the Spaniards posture was rather Defensive then Offensive but the English Commanders knowing it was no time to dally and being desirous withall to shew the discipline of their own Country which is to make seeing and fighting all one did presently mount the Sand-Hills with a forsorn of three hundred Musquetiers commanded by Captain Devaux after these followed that courageous Commander Lieutenant-Col Fenwick with the Lord General Lockharts Regiment The Spaniards perceiving that the resolution of these men was by degrees to creep within them did as highly resolve to keep them off at the Armes end by pouring down perpetual vollies of great and small shot General Lockhart knowing what duty belonged to his Office did here shew the part of a noble Commander for finding the French unwilling to enter now the English had opened the