both for the field and garrison Upon their second arrivall these horse with a party of foure hundred foot were drawne out with two small pieces of Ordnance and advanced into the Enemies quarters first with a purpose to seeke out Colonell Min who was lodged in the nearer parts But upon the report of our march he fell back from Newent and hastned to Rosse where he began to fortify the Church with his own and Sir Iohn Winters Regiments The Governour made forwards into Herefordshire and kept his head quarters at Ledbury to appeare unto the Enemy and in their own Country provoke them to action and in the meane while to fetch in monies for the supply of the Souldier and to ease our Neighbourhood which till then did beare the whole burden Our horse that lay neer upon their garrisons had some encounters but with no considerable party From Hedbury an hundred and fifty Musketiers with the whole strength of horse were drawn towards Hereford to command the Country and face the garrison which feared our approach and for that cause fired a lone house neer the City but none did adventure to sally forth or fall on the Reare in our retreat so we marched through the greatest part of the County but the grand Malignants were fled with the best of their substance The Governour resolved to attempt the lesser garrisons but the noyse of our march had reached Prince Rupert who thereupon was come to Evesham with as great a strength of Horse and Dragoones as he could draw together with a purpose to fall over Upton-Bridge and get between Gloucester and our forces whilst Colonell Min and Sir John Winter held us in play in these parts Wherefore being advertised of the Princes march and suspecting his intention he drew back the party as well to refresh and preserve his men as to make the Enemy secure But within foure daies the like number were againe drawne out towards the Forrest side to attempt and act something upon Myns forces and first they came up upon Westbury once our owne garrison but betrayed into the hands of Sir John Winter Here the enemy held the Church and a strong house adjoyning The Governour observing a place not flanked fell up that way with the Forlorne hope and secured them from the danger of shot The men got stooles and ladders to the windowes where they stood safe cast in Granadoes and fired them out of the Church Having gained the Church he quickly beat them out of their workes and possest himselfe of the house where he tooke about foure score prisoners without the losse of a man The enemy had an other guard at Little-Deane whither the Governour commanded a party of horse to give them alarms whilst he fell upon Westbury These horse found the enemy stragling in the Towne and upon the discovery of their approach shuffling towards the garrison which the Troopers observing alighted and ran together with them into the house where they tooke about twenty men Neere unto which guard Lieutenant Colonell Congrave Governour of Newnham and one Captaine Wigmore with a few private Souldiers were surrounded in some houses by the residue of our horse These had accepted quarter ready to render themselves when one of their company from the house kils a Trooper which so enraged the rest that they broke in upon them and put them all to the Sword in which accident this passage was not to be forgotten that expressed in one place an extreame contrariety in the Spirits of men under the stroke of death Congrave died with these words Lord receive my soule and Wigmore cryed nothing but Dum me more Dame me more desperately requiring the last stroke as enraged at Divine revenge Colonell Massie pursued the successe whilst his owne men were full of life and hope that the confidence of the enemy might be dashed by a quicke surprisall And the very next day came before Newnham where a strong party of Sir John Winters forces kept garrison in the Church and the Fort adjoyning of considerable strength who at that instant where much daunted and distracted by the losse of Congrave their Governour Our men were possest of the Towne without opposition and recovered the houses by which they got neere the workes The Governour commanded a blind of faggots to be made athwart the street drew up two pieces of Ordnance within Pistoll shot and observing a place not well flanker'd where he might lead up his men to the best advantage himselfe marched before them and found that part of the worke fortified with double pallisadoes the Souldiers being provided with Sawes to cut them down and having drawn these close within a dead angle and secure from their shot and drawing the rest of his force for a storme the enemy forthwith desires parley and to speake with the Governour which he refused and commanded a sudden surrender In this interim some of the enemy jumpt over the workes and so our men broke in upon the rest who ranne from the out-worke into the Church hoping to cleare the mount which we had gained But our men were too nimble who had no sooner entred the mount but rushed upon them before they could reach home and tumbled into the Church all together Then they cryed for quarter when in the very point of victory a disaster was like to befall us a barrell of Gunpowder was fired in the Church undoubtedly of set purpose and was conceived to be done by one Tipper a most virulent Papist and Sir John Winters servant despairing withall of his redemption being a prisoner before and having falsified his engagements This Powder blast blew many out of the Church and sorely singed a greater number but killed none The Souldiers enraged fell upon them and in the heate of blood slew neere twenty and amongst others this Tipper All the rest had quarter for their lives save one Captaine Butler an Irish rebell who was knocked downe by a common souldier and an hundred prisoners taken The service was performed without the losse of a man on our side After this dispatch the Governour marched to Lidney house with purpose to attempt according to what he should finde meet and in the first place summoned the same to a surrender which being refused and he finding the house exceedingly fortified and no lesse provided with victuall and force engaged not upon it And understanding that Col. Myn with a considerable strength of horse and foot assisted by the Lord Herberts forces and Sir John Winter was come as far as Coford he was enforced with more expedition to draw off for the gaining of the hill towards them there expecting the enemies advance till towards evening when he marched off his wearied men to Gloucester first having fired Sir John Winters Iron-mils and Furnaces the maine strength of his estate and garrison After these things many Gentlemen of the County began to looke towards the Parliament and tender their obedience desiring Protections from this government
the greatest mischiefe of all Many were not wanting to debate upon the maine cause of the Kingdom malignant spirits took the advantage of our misery and unstable mindes who beholding only the surface of things and led by the common voice of their equals were flushed in prosperous times now became crest-fallen and questioned the passages of State conceiving each miscarriage a fundamentall errour and accounting their present sufferings not for Religion and Liberty but some scruples of State policy The state of things required strong resolution the usuall posture could not pretend to the safety of the place The souldiers therefore acted with mindes more sturdy and vigorous as desperate concerning the enemy but not in despaire of their owne party The Commanders reserved no place of retreat and if causlesse jealousies over-clouded any they put themselves upon a free Declaration The old and carefull souldiers who were unlucky in the censures of the people upon the first arrivall of the sad newes from Bristoll vented themselves in sharp and cutted speeches which bursting from the fulnesse of the thoughts did imprint and pierce were received for good prognosticks and repaired likewise that credit which the presumption of a conceived opinion bore down and an ordinary good behaviour could hardly raise up but happily regained by one violent and severer passage The Officers were to give in a full resolve that no place be left for an after dispute wherefore they vowed never to see within the gates the face of a conquering enemy But chiefly the hearts of the people were to be held up wherefore the Governour appeared in publike rode from place to place with a cheerfull aspect and bearing before him no change in the sudden alteration of fortune To them that enquired into his very thoughts hee gave assurance of safety concealing the danger or lessening its esteem Fear did not beget confusion but things were transacted in a calm and constant order The presages of misery were exquisitely shunned and the least shew of distraction and weaknesse forbidden Money Plate valuable goods or any kinde of riches were not suffered to passe the Gates but here to rest as in a safe Treasury that the people might resolve upon a happy Deliverance or an utter Destruction Neverthelesse whosoever was weak and faint-hearted had leave to depart the City Meane while the enemy dealt underhand and by the mediation of seeming friends affectionately sollicited a Surrender with terrible information of our manifold losses abroad of the rage of the Kings Army and inevirable desolation and withall tendred the opportunity of an Accommodation between his Majesty and the Citizens The mouthes of the viler people were filled with curses against the authours of our engagements We received strange intimations of dreadfull things concerning the State The whole Countrey forsook us and employed some to represent their desires and thoughts of the businesse who in the generall had so farre revolted from themselves as to perswade us to make our peace with the enemy and to befool and execrate our perseverance for they conceived the standing out of Gloucester however advantagious to the Common-wealth yet miserable for them because by the falling down of a great Army they expected a destruction of corn and cattle and if at last the King should not take in this place to stoop perpetually under two burthens and be cast into a remedilesse condition of misery and poverty Whereas if the enemy should prevaile they were sure to rest in the heart of the Kings Countrey farre from spoile and plunder and have as free and ample trade as in times of peace The Citizens examined their own strength and grounds of perseverance a Common Councell was held the Officers being present their late protestation brought to remembrance by which they were all obliged never to act or comply with the adverse faction and upon that pretext joyntly refused the tender of peace Neverthelesse a great number of the Inhabitants were only not malignants but born up by the zeale of the rest and the souldiers power and those stuck most to the businesse who were held up by the deep sense of Religion or acknowledged a necessity to withstand a malicious and enraged enemy whose implacable hatred urged them to offend against their own designs and by horrid threatnings to make the attempt more desperate A den of Rebels was the common language A few dayes respit recovered the City and reports of a sudden reliefe did reare up the spirits of the common people No crosse show or doubtfull resolutions did hinder the businesse all suspended their private cares and the women and children acted their parts in making up the defects of the fortifications The strength of Gloucester was no more then two Regiments of foot an hundred horse with the Trained Bands and a few reformadoes there were besides about an hundred horse and dragoons from Berkley Castle in the whole about fifteen hundred men forty single barrels of gunpowder with a slender artillery The works of a large compasse not halfe perfect From the South-gate eastward almost to the North Port the City was defended with an ancient Wall lined with earth to a reasonable heigth thence to the North-gate with a slender work upon a low ground having the advantage of a stone Barn that commanded severall wayes Vpon the lower part of the City from the North to the West-gate being a large tract of ground there was no ancient defence but a small work newly raysed with the advantage of marish grounds without and a line drawn within from the inner North gate under the Colledge wall to the Priory of St Oswálds From the West towards the South gate along the River side no more defence then the River it selfe and the meadowes beyond levell with the Town from the Castle to the Southport a firme and lofty work to command the high ground in the Suburbs The ditches narrow but watered round In this posture did the City stand when the Kings forces hovoured over the hills and now and then skirted upon the Town before a close siege was laid upon the tenth of August they came down like a torrent full of victory and revenge with indignation that a forlorne City should stand before them Neverthelesse they would faine overcome without bloud and the losse of time then pretious in their full career of victory For which end His Majesty came in person before it that the terror of his presence might prevaile with some and the person of the King amaze the simple and seem to alter the case Thus they began to work because the Mayor had answered a former summons from Prince Rupert that according to his Oath he kept the Town in His Majesties behoof and some whisperers gave a malignant intimation that the Kings presence would sway the people And it was so that the Town was held for the use of His Majesty but according to the sense of the houses of Parliament and the Citizens put no difference between
conscience of a selfe insufficiency the Souldier therefore began to acknowledge the remainder of power which did not appeare contemptible with the Kings Army Hitherto the City hath been lodged in the midst of many out Garrisons as the heart in the body but now it hath enough to doe in its owne safety and the remote parts must be pared off that a liberall nourishment might preserve and foster that place which was the seate and fountain of life unto these parts of the Kingdome Sudeley Castle was deserted the Garrison of Tewksbury which was defended onely with such slender Forces as Gloucester could spare out of its penury before the Enemy fell on the County was already surprised with feare both places could not be maintained when so great a power did urge and heare downe on every side Those of Tewksbury sent an expresse to the City to informe them of the State of their Towne and to request more aide likewise they dispatched Messengers to the Villages round about to acquaint them with the state of things and to try whether the Inhabitants would come in person or send in their Armes but there came neither the one nor the other and itwas resolved by the Counsell of Warre at Gloucester that the Forces Ordnance and Ammunition with all well-affected persons should forth-with repaire thither In the heate of this debate there came an invitation from Worcester by a Letter from Sir William Russell with intimation of conditions of Peace all which disposed that Towne to complyance with the Enemy Hereupon a Common Counsell being held and the Officers present 't was determined that the Gloucester order was to be obeyed The Towne thus deserted was willing to provide for its owne safety and chused rather to obtaine some reasonable termes of Peace then suffer it selfe to be quite ruined wherefore they drew up some Propositions to be sent to Sir William Russell yet before the dispatch they sent to Gloucester a second Message by the Minister of the Towne and an Officer of the Garrison with Sir William Russells Letter and their Answer These promised an early return but failing some houres of the time appointed in the meane while the Propositions were sent to Worcester This Message brought a countermand when there sprung an Alarum that Cirencester was regained and the spoile and prisoners recovered backe for this cause the Souldiers were detained a while but when the report was found untrue of themselves they began to quit the Towne In the Evening the Messenger returned from Worcester with the Propositions granted the subjection seemed unfortunate and dishonourable in them whose affections were engaged to this Cause neither did there appeare a meanes to prevent it for the transmigration of the whole Towne was impossible nor as yet did the condition of the warre require any such thing from one particular place for the Parliaments adherents as also the Malignant Faction did never at once forsake their habitations to be gathered into one body for a suddain conclusion but were brought peece-meale unto action and many lye under covert in the Enemies Country reserving themselves for future service Thus the people entertained gladly those conditions which though performed in part yet were a sufficient bondage did impoverish their spirits coole their zeale of Religion and lessen the former inclination to liberty after which by frequent changes under many Lords they became so feeble that they never durst confide in themselves to vindicate the Towne into its former happinesse but a long time remained averse to the fairest opportunities yea necessities of ingagement and desired an everlasting neutrality The deserting of this Towne encreased the forces of Gloucester by two hundred Foot and Dragoones and tooke off the feare of a greater mischiefe for though the quitting of the place caused us to resent our great distresse yet the taking thereof would have confounded our thoughts and hazarded the maine chance where the whole strength did not lye at stake The enemy breathed out threatnings many false friends sought cunningly to make us affraid the Country-men in generall were taken off who in their jocund beginnings still concluded on the Victory but never prepared for a blow that the whole businesse was dashed at one clap and especially when Cirencester was taken in which they did repose so much trust The issue discovered the weaknesse of the former proceedings in committing the whole fortune of the Country and the lives of so many men to such a poore defence and hazarding the maine rest where the strength of the game could not be managed Besides the Enemy had this great advantage in over-powring the minds of men who since their cause could not lay claime to justice nor themselves procure love sought to prevaile by terrour and by their late cruelties became dreadfull so that such spirits as wanted greatnesse of minde or strong fidelity to persevere did greedily comply with that Party supposing themselves secure from this side at least in respect of a deep personall suffering which supposals were grounded upon the Parliaments lenity and unto which peradventure they were bound that they might gaine affections in a voluntary warre The more zealous and active had no head under whom they might unite and grow strong the power of the Deputy Lieutenants was quite fallen a kind of command suitable onely to the infancy of Military affaires and the whole businesse was devolved on the Souldier whom the people then beheld as the professed servants of fortune and trusted not till after manifold experience so they sunke under the burden and gave up themselves to spoile and rapine The clouds gathered round the City the Enemy lay strong at Cirencester and Tewksbury our men were confined to the Towne walls the workes not halfe finished the Souldier within mutinous and desperate no monies came from the State and but small supplies out of the Country that the vilest mutineers were to be dealt with by intreaty their insolencies to be suffered with patience who tooke so great advantage by our extremity that their humours had a full vent and ran forth into incorrigible wickednesse the City was constrained to free quarter and great disbursements by way of lone and the Governour to use his skill in keeping together the male-contented Souldiers The Army raised in Wales by the power of the Earle of Worcester and his Son the Lord Herbert begins to appeare is designed for Gloucester and comes on at Coford in the Forrest of Deane three miles from Monmouth where Colonell Berrowes Regiment had made a kind of loose Garrison for the defence of the Forrest in an open Towne and with slender preparations Here the Welch fell on but their Officers with strange fury drove our party before them which was borne downe by their multitudes yet with a greater losse on their part divers Officers were slaine and with the rest their Commander in chiefe Sir Richard Lawdy Major generall of South-Wales of ours few slaine but Lieutenant Colonell Winter and some
our relief and in thought have already divided the spoyle Sir William Vavasour willing to act something in the latter end of the day to repaire his credit in the Kings Army desired a greater strength with a sufficient Artillery to distresse and straiten Gloucester and having obtained two Culverins from Oxford with a proportion of powder he advanced with a strong Brigade towards Painswick with unusuall preparations and expectation Their march afflicted the Country and indangered our out-garrisons The enemy were confident to the last that extremity would compell us to yeild up all to their mercy Sir William Vavasour entred Painswicke with as gallant horse and foot as the Kings Army did yeild Here the Governour had placed a guard in a house neer the Church into which the Church also was taken in by a Breast work of Earth The intention of the guard was to command contribution and keepe off a plundering party and order was given to the Lieutenant which commanded to maintaine it against a lesser party but if the maine body and Artillery advanced upon them to relinquish it and retreate down the Hill to Bruckthrop where the Governour had set a guard to prevent the Enemies falling down into the bottome for which purpose they were assisted with a Troop of horse to make good such a Retreate if need were But the Lieutenant more confident of the place and not understanding the strength of the Army and not willing to draw off before the last minute was inforced by the Enemy to engage himselfe and many willing people of the Neighbourhood in that weak hold and upon the first onset deserted the house being the stronger part and betook himselfe to the Church which wanting flankers the Enemy had quickly gained by firing the doores and casting in hand-Granadoes some few were slaine in defending the place and the rest taken prisoners We lost three inferior Officers seaven and thirty common Souldiers and many Country men At that season the Governour had commanded to Stroud another guard of fifty Musketiers to support and strengthen the place in its own defence But Ammunition was their only cry which struck us dead and constrained the Governour to withdraw that party to the garrison at Essington For our Magazine did then yeild no more then six single barrells of powder by which meanes he was wholly disabled to encounter the Enemy Only to preserve the bottome he drew forth the greatest part of both Regiments with their Colours display'd to flourish at a distance and summoned the Volunteers of the Country whom himselfe had engaged in a posture of defence These were to increase the appearance of strength by day and at night to guard the severall passages So that the Enemy durst not adventure below the Hills nor seek us in our advantages nor was it safe for us who wanted horse to set upon them in those large and open places Either party kept their own ground They wasted the Hill Countries whilst we secured the Vale and the Souldiers sustained hard duty in marching to and fro to give the Country satisfaction where the Enemy prevailed they plundered to the bare walls and this was the accomplishment of the great service so long expected from Sir William Vavasour This Brigade upon the defeate of Sir Ralph Hoptons Army by Sir William Waller at Charrington Down was commanded hence and instantly marched for Cirencester and so to Oxford our horse made after them but could not recover the Reare only they lighted upon some straglers and in the whole businesse we killed and took near fifty men This diversion relieved Gloucester which else had bin blocked up to the Gates and cast into as great necessity as ever In this pinch we received twelve horse loade of Ammunition strangely conveyed between the Enemies garisons only by the Carriers and a foot post when their designed convoy that set forth a little after and missed them gave them for lost and returned to Warwicke The residue of the relief was stolne by parcells through the enemies Quarters for though their greater body was drawn off yet were we still vexed with their garrisons Not long after there arrived another portion and three Troopes of horse to make up the Governours Regiment At length came Lieutenant Colonell Ferrar that had the command of these succours with a little long expected pay for the Garrison As for the Foote Souldiers that came with him out of London in regard they came severall wayes and at severall times in a lingering march with want of pay and some taken prisoners about fifty came to Gloucester and of the rest no good account could be given When Vavasour was called off the Enemy revived and grew bold under a more active Leader Colonell Nicholas Min who commanded the Irish Brigade In the first entrance hee began to lash out and made assayes of action cut down the Bridge at Masemore allarmed the City from the Vineyard Hill and took divers of our men that issued out upon a sally over the River in a boate At this present there came dayly cries for the reliefe of Brampton Castle in the remote parts of Herefordshire which held out a long time in the midst of the Enemies Country to the expense of much time and bloud And their succour was the more importuned by the rage of the Enemy which had lately acted their cruelties upon fourty prisoners of the same command taken by Colonell Woodhouse in Hopton Castle which were basely murthered after the surrender Colonell Massie had no forces under his command to undertake a march through the midst of the Enemy when they pressed hard on our own borders and the Brigade of horse assigned for the Convoy and commanded by Commissary Generall Bher were unwilling to undertake the service Yet while these horse remained here the Governour desired to set them a worke that they might not act only to the spoyle of the Country Wherefore they joyned with a party of our foot and made an attempt upon Newent Colonell Mins garrison but were called off in the midst of the service by a speciall order from the L. Generall The Enemy have lost the hopes of their Winter action and this garrison made the best of a bad game in continuall petty services and small parties yet beyond the strength of the place not to conquer but live nor to destroy the Kings Forces but to stave off or delude them But to enable Colonell Massie to march with a better strength Colonell Purefoy with his Regiment of horse about the first of April 1644 was by the Committeè of both Kingdome commanded into these parts and the maine designe was to remove or take in the garrisons that lay round the City These horse having brought but a slender part of the Ammunition and none of the Armes that were sent from London were remanded to Warwicke for the Convoy of Match and Powder The Governour resolving not to undertake a march or action of time without a proportion of Powder
to secure themselves from spoyle and the souldiers violence Neverthelesse as the personall estates of all knowne delinquents within the reach of this command were seized and the profits of their Lands sequestred so these men were not to be ignorant or insensible of the value of their peace Concerning some the Governour desired the direction of the Houses yet granted Protections with strict provisoes onely to preserve their persons from the violence and their estates from the plunder of the common souldier for the advantage of the publique till a full conviction or the pleasure of the Houses were by themselves or their Committee made known And this he did according to the Parliaments undeniable justice and the example of other generall Officers As for the moderate offenders unlesse the state of things did require or permit their utter destruction he had no other way but to endeavour to make them our friends and confidents and since it was resolved they must live amongst us hee desired by love and gentle dealing to hold the way secure and open that they might imbrace the condition without discontent or feare and for these protections hee reserved nothing to himselfe but caused the moneys to be paid in to the publique Treasurer for the use of the garrison Neither was he sluggish in the spring of action but immediately fell upon another designe the surprisall of Tewkesbury by an unexpected onset For the enemy by the number of their men and the naturall strength of the place with the workes well begun were sufficiently provided to receive an expected and open storme and the Governour shun'd all desperate hazzards because he did not march with supernumerary forces but the maine strength of Gloucester Wherefore to deceive the enemy the foot were drawne forth at the West-gate bearing the shew of an advance into Herefordthire and the Horse kept their Rendezvouz and looked the same way But in the evening the horse came backe and marched through Gloucester towards Tewkesbury having first sent a guard to Upton-bridge while the foot came on beyond Severne The designe had taken effect had not the foot by their slow march or mis-guidance passed the houre which was breake of day for they came not before the Towne till an houre after Sunne rising when we were found not sit to assault a waking and prepared enemy To withdraw neverthelesse did seeme but a feeble businesse for such a faire body of horse and foot displayed before the Towne and carried before it the appearance of a baffle yet the Governour though naturally jealous of honour could digest such mis-fezance when the safety of his owne men required knowing that the opportunity of service would in good time cancell a mis-grounded ignominy and in his whole course whensoever the present exigence did not urge a greater hazzard neglected the hopes of those victories that could not be gained without the weakning of that party on which the maine rest did lie This party was presently sent over the River and marched toward Rosse to prevent the joyning of Colonell Myn now made Commander in chiefe in the roome of Sir William Vavasour with Sir John Winter and the Welsh forces as also to raise moneys for the garrison out of the remoter parts to enlarge our owne quarters engage the Countrey with us or to lie ready for all occasions of service There our horse and foot arrived with two pieces of Ordnance and found Wilton-bridge guarded by Captaine Cassie and thirty Musketiers from Gudridge-castle a party of our horse advanced upon them forced the River and got beyond them after some dispute beat off the guard wounded and tooke the Captaine slew many of his men and tooke the rest in the chase almost up to the Castle Our forces rested here a few daies and summoned the Countrey to appeare it being the Governours constant endeavour to adde daily friends unto the Parliament and to put the Countrey into such a posture that upon all alarms they might gather to an head for their owne defence and hereupon many came in and declared themselves by taking the Nationall Covenant Whilst the engagement of the Countrey was thus prosecuted some emergent occasions drew the Governour to Gloucester where he found a prisoner Captaine Oglethorpe Governour of Beverston-castle a man rendred odious to the Countrey by strange oppressions and tyranny and who lost himselfe basely being taken by some of our Scouts in a private house courting his Mistresse and when once taken not so high and sterne before but now as vile and abject By which meanes the Governour was made sensible of the weakenesse of the Castle but much divided in his owne thoughts whether to leave the Countrey that came on so fairely to a selfe-engagement and neglect the Contribution already levied but not payd in or desert the hopes of agallant service till at last considering the great command of the Castle that the gaining of it would free the Clothiers of Stroudwater from the bondage and terrour of that government might prove a great detriment and annoyance to the enemy in stopping or disturbing their passage from Oxford to Bristoll he turned his thoughts to the businesse put on and resolved to try for it Wherefore he drew from Rosse without delay and commanded his foot over Severne at Newnham passage whilst the horse marched through Gloucester the next day he came before Beverston and demanded the Castle in the name of the King and Parliament The Lieutenant that commanded at the first returne sent an answer of complyance farre from the language of a souldier and without one confident expression They quickly came to a parley and rendered upon conditions that both Officers and common Souldiers leaving their Armes Ammunition Bagge and Baggage should freely passe to whatsoever garrison of the Kings themselves desired onely foure Officers had the priviledge to take each man his horse So that without losse or danger we were possest of Beverston-castle to the great content and satisfaction of the Countrey round about 'T was lost unworthily on the enemies part who might have held it with ease Of so great simplicity was he conscious that commanded the Garrison as to aske the place whether our forces intend the next march expressing his doubts of Malmesbury and feare of being taken the second time Neverthelesse they required a conduct thitherward and were guard d along by two Troops of horse and that very day our forces fell before it Whilst the horse faced the Towne Colonell Massie sent in the Summons but this enemy put on the appearance of bravery fired upon the horse and Colonell Henry Howard Governour of the Garrison sent backe a resolute answer Thereupon our foot and artillery were brought up from Tedbury and within two houres drawne into the Suburbs and lower part of the Towne The foot broke their way through the houses till they came almost up to the workes and the onely place of entrance into the Towne which is built upon the levell of
to provide for the attendants of a march that onely a proportion seemed to be cared for that might live within the walls of Gloucester and nothing to further such action that might restrain and lessen the strength of the Enemy preserve the Countrey and passe withall to the relief of remote garrisons Neverthelesse the establishment of such a power was required in these parts as might check the Enemy in all his marches and recruits and this strength far greater then the stint of that constant number which the garrisons took up In this extremity the Governor was constrained to act and marched on in the pursuit of the Enemy who kept randevous neer Hereford with fourty two troops of horse resolving to passe the Severne at Aust not daring to adventure over the hill Countrey And to guard the passage Prince Rupert sent into the Forrest a commanded party of five hundred horse and foot These began to fortifie Beachly for a lasting guard a place of extreme difficult approach being a gut of land running out between Seaverne and Wye and the onely commodious passage from Wales to Bristoll and the Western parts being the maine entercourse of the Kings Army and a strong reserve for the last exigence It was high time therefore to crush this designe and nip the bud of so great hopes The Governor advanced upon them some foure dayes after they began their fortifications and had drawn the trench half way from the banks of one River to the other when the other part was well guarded with an high quick-set hedge which they lined with Muskettiers and a ditch within with a fair meadow beyond wherein they had made a re-intrenchment The strength consisted neer of six hundred horse and foot which at the first coming on lighted upon a partie of horse from Chepstow took some and drove the rest into the River then faced the Enemy within Musket shot that Evening and so continued the next morning waiting the opportunitie of an assault for at high water the place was inaccessible by reason of their ships which guarded each River with Ordnance lying levell with the banks and clearing the face of the approach from Wye to Seaverne Wherfore the Governor taking the advantage of lowe water drew forth a party for the on-set These were brought neer the place of entrance where the Enemy intended a draw-bridge with order to storme the works which as yet were not finished Out of the forlorn hope the Governor had selected ten Musketiers to creep along the hedges and thenceto fall into the very breach These gave the first alarme and caused the Enemy according to the meaning of the plot to spend their first shot in vain And when the first volly was given ere they could recharge their Muskets the Governor gave the signall by the discharge of a Pistoll on went the Forlorn-hope and the Reserve following the Trumpets sounding and the Drums beating run up the Works rushed in among them and fell upon the hack when the whole and each part of the action was carried on without interruption and the Souldiers went up in such a regular march and so great solemnity that it seemed more like the pomp of a triumph then the confused face of a fight Of the Enemy some were killed and the rest taken prisoners besides some few that recovered the boats and many of them that took the water were drowned And to grace the service it was performed in the full view of a multitude on Chepstow side whilest the great guns plaid from each River which cast beneath the banks by the lowe ebbe did no execution but by their noise and semblance of terror both raised the Souldier and conduced to the majesty of the victory This good successe and the season held forth a fair opportunitie to compasse an other designe at that time in agitation Some overtures were made by Lieutenant Collonel Kyrle of the delivering of Monmouth into our hands Many did urge the present acceptance of the plot and an hasty performance and were discontented in that which they called slacknesse in the Governor when as neither the method of the plot was propounded in the generall the circumstances being left free nor the present state of things gave leave to manage the businesse when the following Army of P Rupert was to be intercepted a work of greater concernment and more beseeming a publick spirit then this latter But at that time t was the usuall mistake of particular Associations to confine every enterprise to their own Counties and divide the Common-wealth into so many petty kingdoms And in this did Collonel Massie deny himself in spending the latter part of the Summer in prosecuting a lesse plausible and appearing service though of larger concernment But having now pursued the Princes horse into Wales and destroyed the Enemies project in fortifying Beachly he quartered with his horse and foot neer Monmouth on the Forrest side and receiving an answer to a message lately sent to Lieutenant Collonel Kyrle propounded unto him and followed this way That he would feigne a Post from Gloucester side to desire a sudden return with his forces thitherward to secure that part of the Countrey from the Enemy which was already fallen out from Bristoll and Berkley and this message was to come to his hands at Mr. Halls house of High meadow a grand Papist where it would take wings for its dispatch to Monmouth by which means Kyrle commanding the horse might easily draw forth some troop to follow the Rear of our party Hereupon the Governor feigned a sudden retreat to Gloucester and having marched back three miles lodged his forces in a thicket of the Forrest sending his Scouts abroad prevented the Enemies discovery In the mean while the intelligence reaches Monmouth Leift Col Kyrle draws out whom the Governour surprised at midnight in High meadow house with his troop of thirty horse and with as little noise as possible advanced thence to Monmouth Neverthelesse t was not so deep a silence but the alarme was given by the Cornet of the troop who escaped the surprisall and the attempt made the more difficile if not desperate The Town took the alarme stood upon their guard expecting an Enemy Notwithstanding this Kyrle with an hundred select horse arrived at the Towns end confidently came up to the draw-bridge pretended a return with many prisoners taken perswaded the guards and prevailed with Coll Holthy the Governor of the Town by the Officers of the guard to let down the draw-bridge which was done but with much jealousie and a strong guard the bridge presently drawn up again insomuch that the first party were like to be held prisoners in the Town Our forlorn hope saw that it was time to lay about them they declare themselves over-power the guard and make good the bridge and in this there wanted not those that kept a strict watch over Kyrles deportment who acted his part with dexterity and valour Our body of
Castle which the Governour was ready to embrace that Wales might fall under the power of the Parliament but with much warinesse having many irons in the fire Neverthelesse lying under a greater weight of envie he resolved to obey the former Orders against the progresse and reason of his affaires wherefore he called off his owne Regiment of horse from about Monmouth where the enemies vigilancie was not little and the malignity of the towne wondrous great with the Regiment of horse he hasted towards Eversham where the Enemy had arrived before whose march he could not interrupt or retard since they were eight for one But before this march having drawne a small party out of Monmouth he commanded from Gloucester his own company and another company of the same Regiment to the security of that Garrison and committed the charge of the Towne in his absence to Major Throgmorton then Serjeant Major to Colonell Harley who by Order of Parliament was designed to that Government but with no Power to command out a Partye upon any designe having no thought that the forces left there were fit to be imployed upon any service more then the defence of that place Besides he had waved the offers of Chepstow till he might gaine an assurance of making good so much ground in an enemies Country for it was alwayes his desire in ingaging any people to those masters whom he served to foresee a possibility of continuing that engagement least hee might doe them a greater disservice by dashing the resolution of others who intended the same course and by grasping beyond his reach take off their inclinations who might be gained in due time Notwithstanding the Governors expresse Order at the earnest solicitation and promises of some well-affected in the Country and the vehemencie of others who thirsted after the glory of some atchievement in the Governors absence the Major yeelded for the drawing out of a party for Chepstow and stretched his power beyond the knowndiscipline of warre fearing either the brand of cowardise or the censure of a man unwilling to doe his Country service though he declared his judgement against it Wherfore he advanced towards Chepstow with three hundred commanded men having some conceived assurance of gaining the Castle by surrender or onslat The newes is conveyed forthwith to the Enemy who draw together all the strength they can make of horse and foote from Ragland Abergeveny Hereford and Godridgâ— and November the nineteenth about breake of day came neere the towne and lay undiscovered behind a rising ground at a quarter of a miles distance never thinking to make an attempt muchlesse to surprise it but as the Governors inavoydeable absence and the impertinent enterprize of Monmouth garrison did cause their approach there being not above a hundred and fifty left there so the negligence of the Captaine to whom the Keyes were intrusted in the Majors absence gave up the towne into their hands So remisse were the slender guards that the Treually was beaten none tooke the alarme The enemy observed it and tooke the courage to attempt the surprisall came upon the higher side of the towne that looked towards Hereford having onely a sloping banke cast up to a reasonable height with a dry graft of no depth Insomuch that the Gaurds and Sentinells being all asleepe or supinely negligent above forty men presently climbed over and fell downe to the next Port where they found no more then sixe men who fled from the guard upon their comming on with that one takes an iron barre breakes the chaine forces the gate and sets it open to the whole body of horse who rid up the towne with full career seased upon the maine guard before one man could be ready to give fire and cooke the rest in their beds it was done in a moment where wee lost Colonell Broughtom foure Captaines Lieutenants and Ensignes some of the Committee together with common souldiers in all about one hundred and threescore prisoners two Sakers besides a Drake and nine hammer Guns taken at Beachly with Ammunition and Provision and at least foure hundred muskets The newes of the taking of Manmouth reached Colonell Massie neere Burford prosecuting the commands of the Committee of both Kingdomes and there abiding to meete the Lord Grandesâ—on with the Worcester forces who endeavour for Oxford hence he makes haste to the reliefe of the party sent out against Chepstow and to bring off the rest that remaine upon their guards in that County and at Gloucester understood that the party sent for Chepstow were safely landed on this side Wye having effected nothing of their designe the Governor met them in the Forrest and thence marched to Rosse where he hoped to have passed the bridge to the releefe of Pembridge Castle which was made an out-guard to the garrison of Manmouth but found the bridge broken downe and the river made unpassable by the sinking of boates on the other side and a guard of horse to defend it Here we had some disputes with the Enemy for two dayes but those in the Castle having no meanes of a longer subsistence were inforced to surrender upon quarter and the freedome of their persons most of the common souldiers revolted being formerly of the Kings Army and our prisoners The base neglect of the Officers had not the least share in the unfortunate losse of Manmouth and daily wants increased the neglect and weakned the Governours hand in inflicting condigne punishment And as the Parliaments Service was by many degrees cast backe by this misfortune so the Forrest in speciall was hereby sorely plagued being left open to the spoyle of the enemy against whom they were preingaged by Colonell Massie and of late had declared themselves more freely And though the generall multitude seemed to be brought in by the hatred of Sir John Winter whose name and faction the people did abhorre yet at that time the tye of affection and necessity drew them to a strong combination To provide for their safety was the Governours maine care wherefore instead of one good baracadoe the Towne of Monmouth sundry Garrisons are erected in the Forrest for want of an ample strong-hold and these expended greater portions of Men and Ammunition though the limits of the Government were much contracted The Garrison of Highmeadow did affront Monmouth and furthered the preservation of that side Ruâ—rdeane was a stoppe to the Plunderers from Hereford And those at Kidney were kept in by another party at Nâ—â—t These lesser places distracted the Governour on every side willing but not able to preserve all them that desired to live under his protection Some weekes before the Governour had commanded a party to Tate-Court within ten miles of Bristoll to secure the Neighbourhood being a well affected people but in this distraction he resolved to call off those men who peradventure might maintaine themselves in a kinde of imprisonment but in no wise preserve a Countrey that was then filled with the Kings forces
by the addition of two Troops from Newport-Pagnell the Auxiliaryes were in all three hundred and forty his owne so few weake and ill armed that he could scarce muster a hundred fighting Horse and those much discontented observing the rest in good equipage but themselves in the constant action of Souldiers naked and miserable These are imployed in attending the enemyes march to preserve the Countrey what they may yet they disturbe it with frequent Alarmes and sometims beate up the lesser partyes and upon sundry attempts tooke one Colonell divers Captaines with inferiour Officers and souldiers Sir John Winter despairing of longer subsistance and livelyhoode deserted and fired his house at Lidney having first spoyled the Forrest and so before hand with revenge By this time the Counties round about are cleared of the Kings Army and Colonell Massie received a larger supply of Horse from the remainder of Colonell Bher and D'albeirs Regiments commanded by Major Buller and thereby inabled to undertake some important Service Evesham was beheld as the most opportune and of greatest concernment in distressing Wor cester and establishing the Committee by Order of Parliament for that County Wherefore the Governour drew before it with five hundred foote from Gloucester and two hundred from Warwicke who belonged to the Worcester Committee with a strong able Brigade of Horse and in the name of the King and Parliament summoned Colonell Robert Legge Governour of the towne to make a speedy surrender of the Garrison with all Persons Armes Ammunition and Provision which he there held against the justice of them both or upon refusall to expect such justice as fire and sword would inflict And to this he expected a speedy answer Colenell Legge sent backe the Summons with this answer You are hereby answered in the name of his Majesty that this garrison which I am intrusted to keep I will defend so long as I can with the men armes and ammunition therein being nothing terrified by your summons I perceave you are a stranger to our strength and resolution further treaties will be troublesome Upon this returne the Governour prepared the designe and ordered to each Officer his charge in the storme The assault was to be made on each part of the towne The side that lookes towards Worcester was to be stormed in five places with one place at the bridge on the other side of the river The commanded parties of the foote were lead on by the severall Captaines and seconded by the Horse devided into three Bodies After the disposition of the designe and the night spent in Alarmes the Signall was given a little after breake of day when both horse and foote fell on together with life and heate in a furious assault broke up the Pallisadoes filled the grafts with faggots and other preparations made sundry passages recovered the workes and stood firme on the Parapet whilest the Musqueteers from within played furiously The foot having recovered the shelter of the ditch beate off the enemy got up by scaling ladders stood on the breast workes and some entred but were againe driven up by the Horse to the top of the workes where they stood firme and fired but after a while ready to be beaten off by the violent charge of the enemies horse till a party of our horse on that fide drawing up close and having a small breach made for their entrance fell in and beate off the enemy from that bul warke whilest another party made an entrance neare the Bridge And now they tumble over the works on all sides and charge up both horse and foote with equall gallantry bore downe the enemy and mastered the Garrison The conflict was hot and difficult for almost an houre and maintained by the enemy with much resolution The lives of the Officers and Souldiers were wonderfully preserved in that violent storme when each man was exposed to the hazard of the most daring enemy Of the Officers two onely wounded and ten private souldiers slaine and twelve of the enemy The prisoners taken in the garrison were five hundred and fifty on the list of whom two Colonells one Major thirteene Captaines with other Officers and Gentlemen reformadoes to the number of seventy Many Gentlemen and Officers that charged with the Governour acted their parts with courage and spurd on the valour of the souldiers The reserve of foot devided into three bodies to second the assaylants performed as became resolved men and the whole action was compleate according to the Idea Platforme of the designe The Evening before to keep off an approaching enemy from Worcester about a hundred horse were drawne out and kept guard five miles from Evesham faced a party of horse from Worcester whose hasty and distracted retreat gave such an alarme to the whole City that they fired foure peece of Ordnance before day and alarmed the Countrey round about when the Conquest was already secured and the Parliament Masters of Evesham This performance was the concluding honour of Colonell Massies government after his remove from the present command was resolved by both Houses of Parliament when the desires of promoving the publike service made him to hazard the fame of his former atchievements by the doubtfull issue of the last action Some dayes before hee had an honourable invitation from the Westerne Gentlemen and the same day that he entred Evesham received a Commission from the Lords and Commons to leade an Army in the West The Parliaments command found the Governour absolutely free in affection and choice willing to comply with their pleasures neither longing to stay nor eager of a change but in any place ready to spend his blood in the Kingdomes Cause if he might not spend it in vaine Neverthelesse the City and County of Gloucester did much resent it and something repine that their Governour should be snatched from such a people as had done much and suffered much in their fidelity and resolution without president considering the many assaults that had sacrificed their lives and fortunes in preserving this City and the Kingdome therein that had borne so much in the firing of the Suburbs in the burning of many houses neere the towne some by the Enemies malice and some by themselves for safety and the pressures of the Country under both Armies They cast up the consequence and concernment of the place being the Center Garden and Granary of the Kingdome the Blocke-house to the river of Severne and a barre to all passages betweene Worcester Bristoll and the Sea the stop of entercourse betweene Oxford and Wales the Key to open the passage upon the Welsh and their Frontiers and the locke and barre to keepe-out their incursions the onely refuge and safety for the Parliament party and friends in that part of the Kingdome and the Enemies sole hinderance from the command of the whole West Besides this they had strong desires of retaining their Governour having so long experience of his judgement to foresee dangers and care to
inferiour Officers with about forty private Souldiers taken Prisoners All the strength of these parts are now driven into the Walls of Gloucester onely Barkly Castle is held still for an entercourse between us and Bristoll This City was accounted one of the chiefe Holds of the Kingdome and far from the well-spring of succour yet was there no care of a competent Brigade or Magazine a common defect by which the State hath received much detriment that through the penury of men Armes and Ammunition remote Garrisons are left in dispaire or the intention of the maine Army must be diverted for their relief Our succours were yet to be raised or selected out of severall commands and come on slowly the people were held up by false reports and to stave off the Enemy the Governour was to put the best face on a bad matter Meane while a great power of the Welch Army advance towards Gloucester and setled at Hignham house within two miles of the City and began to intrench The Governour placed a Guard at the Bishops house to keepe them at a distance Sir Jerome Brett their Major Generall had the confidence to demand the Towne but the summons was received with scorne from a Welch Brigade and became ridiculous when Prince Rupert had beene twice refused besides an inveterate hatred derived by fabulous tradition had passed betweene the Welch-men and the Citizens of Gloucester Such slight and irrationall passages prevaile much with the common people in whom opinion beares rule Those Forces were said to expect Prince Ruperts approach on the other side else it cannot be imagined to what end they lay five weekes in a stinking nest They were basely basled never attempted our out-Guard never undertooke the least Party that issued forth Meanewhile the Prince was conceived to waite upon other designes The Bristoll Plot offered it selfe upon which his person did attend before the Gates of that City Thence he was drawne off to stop Sir William Wallers advance for our reliefe who deceived the Prince by strong reports and night marches and happily drilled along his small Army to the place of action The Governour could attempt nothing but onely make good the Guard at the Bishops house and flourish with some slender Sallyes he had not an hundred Horse and the Enemies foot were double the number of those in the Garrison at length an addition of two hundred Horse and Dragoones from Bristoll under the command of Captain John Fiennes gave some life to the businesse hereupon severall Parties at sundry times were drawn out which never failed to beat the Enemy into their works kill and take prisoners although treble the number of our strongest Party So that the name of our Blew Regiment became a terrour to those miserable Welch-men who were partly constrained to take up Armes partly allured with the hope of plunder Certainely they were deceived out of their owne Country not to fight but to take Gloucester by which meanes they could act an impotent villany and cruelty but nothing of a Souldiers gallantry Immediately after the taking of Malmesbury Sir William Waller bent his course towards Gloucester and laid his designe for the surprize of the Welch Army he gave notice of his advance unto Lieutenant Colonell Massie with directions instantly to draw forth both Horse and Foot before Hignham and to keepe them in continuall action that they might not understand his approach He gave order likewise that those Flat-bottomes which were brought from London upon Carriages for service upon the River Seaverne should be sent downe to Frampton passage sixe miles below Gloucester where both Horse and Foot were arrived by noone passed over the River before night and unawares of the Enemy got between them and home tooke them in a snare and intercepted their flight The Governour performed according to the intention of the Plot drew forth all the Horse and a Party of five hundred Foot brought up the Ordnance neere the house and kept them in the heate of play till the Evening at night he set Guards round the house with that straitenesse and confidence that the Enemy durst not stirre nor a Spy steale out although they lay fifteene hundred strong At Sunne rising they had a fresh Alarme by our Ordnance and were held to it by our Musket shot This morning their Horse issued out attempting to force their way through the Horse Guard which they did and put some of our Horse rashly charging and upon disadvantage to a disorderly retreate but comming up to a Foot Guard received a repulse and to the reliefe of that Guard which was thought too weake a Party was drawne from the Artillery and that againe by this meanes much neglected in so much that the same instant the enemy fell out upon our Ordnance then like to be deserted but were beaten backe by the gallantry of some few that kept their ground In this point of action Sir William Waller came up and shot his warning-peece on the other side which dasht the Enemy and so revived our men that they ran up with fury stormed a redoubt and tooke in it two Captaines and above thirty private Souldiers which service had a maine influence upon the surrender of the house Sir William placed his Army to the best advantage for shew and displaid the Colours of two Foot Regiments reduced to a hundred and fifty men drew neere the house and made some few shot with his Canon After his approach not a man of the Enemy was slaine or hurt yet the common Souldier would doe any thing but fight when they were well fortified and had a sufficient Magazine they sounded a Parley and sent forth some Officers to treat which had this result that they should render the house and themselves as prisoners and the Officers should receive respect and quarter according to their quality Upon the returne of these termes some advised to break through which the common Souldiers utterly refused and neglected the advantage of a dark and rainy night The persons that treated dealt the second time in a kind of begging way but at last accepted the former conditions and gave up the Welch Army into the hands of men quite spent with continuall marches and watching Divers persons of quality were here taken the most powerfull Gentry of Herefordshire some of those that in scorne were stiled the Nine Worthies who in the first opening of the great breach affronted the Parliament with a scandalous remonstrance the next day being the twenty fift of March neere fifteene hundred were led Captive into Gloucester as great a number as Sir William Wallers Army with the Garrison Forces could rise unto Thus the first fruites of Wales were blasted the strength of the nearer parts almost vanquished and the effects of this Victory had been more lasting had it been used to the best advantage The Kings Party had a notable faculty in the improvement of Victories by strict imprisonment and inhauncing the rate of their Captives