Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 8 – Letter 11

Englands Parliamentary Chronicle · Chronicle · Letter 8 – Letter 11

p. 99The Copy of Serjeant Major Purefoyes Letter (the brave Governour of Compton Houſe in Warwickſhire) to his Colonell, Colonell Purefoy.

SIR,

I Shall heer, breifly relate (for all paſſages would bee too tedious to trouble you withall) how that firſt I deſire, with all my Soul, that God may have all the praiſe and glory which is due to a God that hath now and ever ſhewed himſelf unto mee, almoſt by miracles, in delivering mee and all under my Command, from very many and moſt eminent dangers. This night, about 2 of the clock, a 1000 or 1200 horſe and foot of the Enemies fell upon mee at Compton, ſtormed my Outworks, gained the Stables, and cut down my great Drawbridge, poſſeſt themſelves of all my Troop of Horſes, and took about 30 of my foot Souldiers in their beds,A ſuddain and moſt dangerous aſſault of about 1200 of the Enemy upon Compton Houſe who lay over the Stables, and all this was done almoſt before a man could think what to doe: Wee received this fierce alarm, as wee had good cauſe, and preſently made good the new Skonce, before the Stonebridge, and beat them out of the great Court, there p. 100being about 200 entred, and ready to ſtorm the Skonce; but (by Gods mercy) wee gave them ſo hot a ſally,Ours bravely ſally out upon the Enemy and beat them back that wee forced them to retreat back to the Stables, Barnes, and Brew-houſe, where from the windowes they played very hot upon us; I then commanded Leivtenant Purefoy and my Quarter-maſter (having no other Officers of quality at home, the reſt being abroad, with about 30 of my beſt Troopers) to ſally out upon the Enemy with a party of ſome 40. and to attempt the regaining of the Brew-houſe, and the roomes above, which inſtantly they did, with moſt gallant reſolution and courage, Sergeant Bird was one that came not ſhort in bravery of any.40 of ours moſt bravely beat the Enemy. This party, I ſay, fought thus with the Enemy, and came to puſh of Pike, nay, to the ſwords point, and laid about them ſo bravely, that they forced the Enemy to flie from chamber to chamber, Whereupon, I preſently ſent out my youngeſt brother, the Enſign, with my 3 Corporalls of horſe, and about 40 more men, to releive the firſt party; And I aſſure you, Sir, the young Boy fought well, and led on his men moſt bravely and releived his brother, by which means, all the upper roomes were regained, and now the Enemies kept onelyonly the Stables and the Barnes which they held ſtoutly, but my reſolute Souldiers did then ſo thunder their horſe, and Reſerves of foot that ſtood within Piſtoll ſhot,Sir William and Sir Charles Cō pton beaten back and the Outworks recovered. that Sir William and Sir Charles Compton, (who were there preſent) began to give ground, which, my Souldiers eaſily perceiving, ſome leapt out at the windowes, and ſo into the Outworks, by which meanes I recovered my Out-works again, and made a ſally-port, by which the Enemy endevoured to retreat at, but finding they were fruſtrated of their hopes, and that my Musketteers did play ſo hot upon the great Draw-bridge, that they could not bee releived; and withall, wee having beaten the Enemy out of that work, which wee ſtormed, when you took the Houſe,The great drawbridg recovered & the Enemy coopt up. I had time, therby, to recover fully the great Draw-bridge, and inſtantly got new Ropes, and new Locks, and drew it up again in-ſpight of them all. Now by this means, all thoſe (whoſe names are heer with incloſed to you) were all in Cobs pound, having no means in the world to retreat, whereupon they fought deſperately for the ſpace of 3 houres, and the valiant Comptons perceiving their extreme loſſe, attempted 3 ſeverall times to ſtorme and regain my Out-works,A fierce fight on both ſides. but all the 3 times were beaten off with as much reſolution (I praiſe the Lord) and gallantry of my Souldiers, as could bee expreſſed by men. The Enemy within ſet fir… p. 101on the hay, ſtraw, and all combuſtible ſtuffe, to ſmother my men out of the upper roomes, which did indeed much annoy them, and the Enemy, without, threw at leaſt an 100 hand-granadoes upon the houſes, ſo as they ſet them on fire in 3 ſeverall places; Whereupon Sir Charles and Sir William thinking all their own,Sir Charles and Sir Will Compton proffer to parley, but rejected. ſent a Trumpeter to parley, but I commanded that none ſhould parley, nor would I permit the Trumpeter to ſpeak at all unto mee, and …ain hee would have ſaid ſomething to the Souldiers, but I commanded him upon his life to bee gone and not to return any more upon his perill, and wee continued in fight ſtill, and the foreſaid fire did ſo increaſe that I thought it fit to offer quarter to all thoſe that were in the Stable,A fierce aſſault made on the enemy in the ſtable. for their lives only, but they would not hear mee. Upon which I drew all my men together, and fell violently in upon them, in which aſſault were ſlain and taken priſoners, all whoſe names are in the enſuing Liſt. This did ſo diſ-hearten the Comptons and all their forces, that they preſently drew off all their foot, and onelyonly faced mee with their horſe, and ſent another Trumpeter to parley,The Enemy enforced to retreat & be gone but I commanded to give fire upon him; that hee returned with no other an anſwer, but what a Musket could ſpeak. And thus by Gods providence and mercy wee were clearly rid of them. Sir, this is as true and ſhort a narration, as I could conveniently give you. I am (as wee are all)

Your obliged Servants and Kinſmen, George & William Purefoy. Compton, Jan. 30. 1644.

Wee recovered all our own men, again, that the Enemy had taken.

A Liſt of the Officers, and Souldiers ſlain and taken Priſoners.Captains 3. Leivtenants 2. one Enſigne, one Quartermaſter, one Cornet; … Corporalls, 3 Sergeants, Troopers and foot Souldiers, about 50.The ſlain, and the prizes and priſoners taken beſides 6 Cartloades of wounded men carryed off, and neer upon 40 Common Souldiers left dead behinde them, in and about the Houſe or Garriſon. Of mine own men both horſe and foot, onelyonly one was deſperately wounded, and another ſlightly hurt, but not one, I ſay, was ſlain; a rare and even wonderfull providence indeed. Wee took of the Enemies horſe and foot arms, an 100 Muskets, 40 Piſtolls, and about 20 hand-granadoes. This fight began about 2 of the clock in the morning, and continued till p. 102about 9. in which time the Enemy ſtormed us 4 ſeverall times, and were ſtill beaten off;A moſt remarkable Victory & Deliverance. the number of them were both horſe and foot between a 1000 and 1200 as their priſoners confeſſed. With their hand-granadoes, they deſperately fired our ſtables, barnes, and brew-houſe in 3 ſeverall places, but did us no more conſiderable hurt; and wee loſt about 20 horſe, and ſome of our Muskets. And was not heer, good Reader, a moſt remarkable evidence and undeniable teſtimony of Gods ſtrong arm with us, in putting ſuch a reſolute and courageous ſpirit into the heart of our Souldiers, and ſo admirably delivering them from the rage of ſuch a reſolute and furious enemy?

And at the ſame time, wee had alſo farther certain information, that the very next night that this foreſaid defeat was performed, 6 Troopes of horſe belonging to the Garriſon of Northampton, went forth thence to diſcover what parties of the Kings were haplyAnother brave defeat given to a part of the foreſaid Enemies horſe in their hoped return home, by Northampton Horſe. to bee found about the Country (not knowing at all of the foreſaid brave defeat at Compton Houſe) and fell upon 3 Troopes of the ſame Enemies whch had been ſo beaten before at Compton Houſe, and were now quartered, in their return, that night, in Kings-Sutton, neer Banbury, where Northampton forces took 57 horſe and 6 priſoners, the reſt of their men getting into the Church there, and into another great houſe cloſe by it. Northampton forces loſt in this adventure but one man, who was ſhot as hee went to faſten a Petarre unto the Church door, and one more was wounded; All the horſe taken as aforeſaid, they ſold at Northampton the next day of their return home.The Burning-Buſh not conſumed.

And heer now again, good Reader, bee pleaſed to make a little ſtay,A breif & gratefull recitall of all this laſt Moneths Parliamentary mercies. and with a gracious and gratefull heart, a little to muſe and meditate on (and that with wonder and amazement too) the many and marvellous acts of Gods moſt precious providence in all the remarkable paſſages of this monethmonth alſo, in preſerving his bleſſed Buſh, ſtill Burning, but unconſumed ſtill, in the midſt of ſo many 1fierce and furious devouring emflagration…, as namely, In the death 2and downfall of thoſe impious and Arch Traitors of their Country, 3Carew, and the Hothams. The brave exploits of our forces about Wincheſter, and Ailsbury; Colonell Laughorns brave ſervices in Wales, related by renowned Captain Swanleyes Letter to the 4Parliament. The brave defeat given to Prince Robber, that Prince of Pilferers, by renowned Major Generall Brown at Abbington; together with the brave beating of the Enemies at Plymouth; And p. 103Colonell Holborns good ſervices in the Weſt. The New-Modell-Army 5conſtituted, and the brave Victory of Sir William Brer…tons forces in Cheſhire; Together with Colonell Crafords good ſervice; And the zeale of the Kentiſh Gentry for the good of the Kingdom. And in the laſt, not leaſt, moſt famous defeat given to the fierce 6and furious Royaliſts at Compton Houſe; And the good ſervice of the Northampton forces, now laſt related.

And, now, then, tell mee, good Reader, whether England hath not juſt cauſe, in admiration, and adoration of our Engliſh Iſraels great and glorious Shepherd, who neither ſlumbers nor ſleeps, in moſt happy, though moſt unholy, ſinfull and ungratefull Englands conſtant conſervation, to ſing, and ſay, with that Princely Prophet,Pſal. 76. 4, 5.Ps 76:4Ps 76:5 King David, Thou art (O Lord our God) more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey; The ſtout hearted are ſpoyled, they have ſlept their ſleep, and none of the men of might have found their hands. Surely, therefore, even the wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee, and the remainder of his fury ſhalt thou reſtrain. February. 1644.But now to goe on.

AND now in the entrance into the firſt obſervation of this MonethMonth of Februaries wonder of the Burning Buſh not conſumed, I ſhall begin with the information of a very pretty peice of ſervice performed by ſome of the Parliaments Forces neer Melton Mowberry, A brave paſſage of Gods providence at Sir Eraſmus de la Fountains houſe neer unto Melton Mowberry.which was thus: A party of Horſe from Beaver Caſtle, came ſuddenly and ſecretly to aſſault ſome of our Leiceſterſhire Forces, who were making a Garriſon at Sir Eraſmus de la Fountains Houſe neer Melton, aforeſaid, with a full intent and hope to have ſurpriſed them, but were happily fruſtrated of their expectation; For, the Parliaments forces having notice of the Enemies approach, they valiantly repulſed them, took and ſlew about 8 of them, and during the time of the skirmiſh, ſome of our nimble Souldiers running haſtily to ſupply the want of powder, unawares ſet one or 2 barrels of powder on fire, which ſuddenly blew up one part of Sir Eraſmus his Houſe, and did very little other hurt; But ſee the wiſe and good providence of God, who turned this little loſſe into a farre greater gain and benefit, for by this means, at the leaſt 300 pounds worth of Plate and many good Armes were diſcovered, which had before been hid in the ground, and thus made good prize, to bee employed for the Parliaments ſervice and benefit.

And about the ſame time, wee were alſo certainly informed by p. 104Letters out of Leiceſterſhire, that a party from Aſhbey de la Zoneb, came to Cole-Orton, Aſhby Cavalei…s beaten ſoundly at Cole-Orton in Leiceſterſhireintending to have ſurprized our men there, and to have plundered the Town; but they miſt of their aim, and in the attempt loſt above 70 or 80 of their horſe. Very good helps to carry on the buſineſſe this Winter ſeaſon.

And about the 6 of this inſtant February, wee received credible intelligence out of Wales, that Colonell Gerard with all the ſtrength hee could raiſe at that time, came againſt Cardigan Caſtle (which hee underſtood was but meanly provided of neceſſaries) and therefore beſieged it; whereof valiant Colonell Jones was then Governour. Gerard by a ſtratagem having got into the Town,A brave defeat given to Colo. Gerard, before Cardigan in Wales. brake down the Bridge between it and Pembrokeſhire, which was neer the Town and Caſtle of Cardigan, that ſo no releife might come to them; and heerupon, hee preſently by a Trumpeter ſent a ſummons to the Caſtle. But courageous Colonell Jones returned an anſwer to this effect. That hee had in the Caſtle 300 raw hides, and when all other neceſſaries failed, they would eate them, and when they were ſpent, hee and his Souldiers would come forth and fight for their lives, and neither give nor take quarter, and in the interim would keep the Caſtle. In which mean time, the brave Colonell ſent to renowned Colonell Laughorn, to come to his releif, which hee promiſed and did;Col. Laughorn bravely releives Colonell Jones at Cardigan▪ but when this valiant Colonell came to the Bridge, hee found it broken down, as aforeſaid, which was ſome impediment to his deſire, but yet, like an invincible Caeſar reſolving, Aut viam invenire aut facere, with Fagots, boards, and ſuch like helps, hee made away to paſſe over the River, and whiles hee was getting over, hee cauſed an Arrow to bee ſhot into the Caſtle with a Letter in it, to give them notice that hee was come, and ſo preſently hee fell upon the Enemy on one ſide, and Colonell Jones iſſuing out of the Caſtle on the other ſide, they ſoon gave Gerard enough to doe and put Gerard and all his forces to a totall rout,The priſoners and prizes. took and ſlew 350 of them, 200 being found dead on the place, they took alſo 600 Armes, 150 priſoners, among whom were divers Officers and men of quality and 4 braſſe peices of Ordinance.

Much about this foreſaid time was that great bluſter of a Parturiunt montes, naſcitur ridiculus mus; The Treaty for a pretended Peace at Ʋxbridge.as, indeed, at laſt it proved. I mean the Treaty of Peace at Ʋxbridge; In which interim, a Petition was contrived by ſome miſcheivous Malignants of the County of Buckingham, wherin one Sir John Laurence of the ſame County p. 105was a great ſtickler, and was afterwards, for it, ſent for to London, and committed to ſafe cuſtody.Buckingham Malignan…s petition the Parliament Commiſſioners in the midſt of the Treaty. Which Petition was intended to bee preſented to the Parliament Commiſſioners at Ʋxbridge, in the very midſt of the time of their Treaty; the effect of this Petition was; That Religion might bee eſtabliſhed in this Kingdom, as in the pureſt times (which, indeed, were very impure, eſpecially in point of Diſcipline, which was meer Popiſh) of Queen Elizabeth: That, thus, theſe malignant Petitioners might the more ſubtilly and ſlily, incenſe the other (Popiſh or Atheiſticall) Oxonian Commiſſioners, and the whole Malignant party, the apparent and known Enemies to the truely intended pure Reformation of Religion, and ſo to make this plot to conduce much to the breaking off of this Treaty, and that upon the diſſolution thereof, the King and his party might with the better colour) declare and publiſh to the world (though moſt falſly) that the Parliament was the only cauſe of the annihilating of this Treaty, A notorious plot by the Buckingham petition againſt the Parliament.and ſo conſequently Enemies to Peace, and thus bring an univerſall odium upon the Parliament; and their party, whoſe unſetled and unſtable ſpirits, wholely addicted to faction and novelties, would not admit of any thing but their own pretended Reformation, but rather choſe the continuance and increaſe of Warre and bloodſhed. And for the more full and clear aſſurance (forſooth) of this their moſt foule and falſe accuſation, and, indeed, for the firmer corroborating of this their moſt dangerous and devilliſh plot and deſign; they at Oxford had already, before hand, drawn up a Full Declaration, and tranſlated it into ſeverall Languages, that thus, as ſoon as they had treated as farre as they had plotted and preintended,A Declaration prepared and printed at Oxford, to be ſpread over the 3 Kingdoms, & into forain parts touching the cauſe of the breach of the Treaty. they might ſpeedily diſperſe thoſe their foreſaid Declarations, both over all our 3 Kingdomes, and alſo into all other Forrain parts, to prepoſſeſſe them with thoſe their moſt groſſe and abominable untruths, and ſo delude them, and all ours, by moſt falſly laying the cauſe of the breach of this (on their ſide) meer mock-Treaty, upon the innocent Parliament; Thus, hoping, I ſay, by theſe ſpecious pretences (having pre-occupated the hearts and beleif of the people) that they could not eaſily bee undeceived at the ſecond hand.

But ſee now the admirable wiſdome and juſtice of our God againſt them, and his great mercy toward us, who ſo ordered the iſſue, and the upſhot of that Treaty, that by the refuſall of 3 Articles, mainly and primarily to bee inſiſted on, and by the Kings p. 106Commiſſioners to bee condeſcended unto, to the Parliaments Commiſſioners, namely, 1. The Settlement of the true Reformed Religion. 2. The Eſtabliſhment of the Militia for a ſeaſon, in the power of the Parliament. The true cauſe of the diſſolution of the Treaty at Ʋxbridge.3. The proſecution of the Warre againſt the Rebels of Ireland, and diſclaiming that accurſed Ceſſation of Armes with them, that by their moſt unjuſt refuſall, I ſay, of theſe 3 Articles, whereof, not one would bee fairly granted, and eſpecially by thoſe Oxford Commiſſioners, ſo irreligious and even Atheiſticall juſtifying, and that (in the Kings name) that moſt horrid and hideous Rebellion in Ireland, ſealed with the moſt inhumane maſſacre and bloody ſlaughter and murthering of almoſt 200000 innocent Engliſh Proteſtants, the Kings ſaid Commiſſioners, moſt irreligiouſly and audaciouſly daring openly to profeſſe that his Majeſty their Maſter could not in point of Honour, The wicked Ceſſation of arms in Ireland. juſtified by the Kings Commiſſion at Ʋxbridge.Juſtice, and Conſcience, yeeld to the Parliaments deſire therein; whereby, I ſay, even this unreaſonable and irreligious refuſall of the Parliaments moſt juſt and righteous demands (notwithſtanding the foreſaid Declaration framed and forged on the impious anvill of Don Digbies vicious invention at Oxford, whereby they thought to have gained much credit, reputation, and advantage to their party, yet) I ſay, by this refuſall, they became great loſers in the affections of the people over the whole Kingdom,Malum conſilium conſulioribus peſſi…. who alſo ſaw that in the ſpace of full 20 dayes ſitting, they would not (as I toucht before) agree to any one Propoſition of the Parliaments, which ſo groſſe miſcarriage of things, eſpecially in that abominable juſtification of the Iriſh Rebellion muſt needs lye upon them as a moſt odiouſly black indelible ſtain of intolerable ignominy and diſgrace to all ſucceeding p…ſterity. And, indeed, to ſpeak the truth plainly, what good could bee expected from a Treaty which was to bee held with a ſeduced and miſled King, a degenerated and ignoble Nobility, a proud and ſuperſtitious Clergie, an ambitious and atheiſticall Gentry, and an irreligious and moſt malignant Common people? But now to proceed.

About the 8 of this inſtant February, there came Letters to the Committee of both Kingdomes, of an excellent peice of ſervice performed by Major Bridges, Governour of Warwick Caſtle, the particulars whereof, for the Readers better ſatisfaction, I will ſet downe in the words of the Majors own Letter, which was as followeth.

Sir,

I doubt not but you will bee glad to hear of the good ſucceſſe which God hath given unto mee, in delivering into my hands p. 107a Garriſon of the Enemies called Stoke Houſe in Gloceſterſhire but borders on Warwickeſhire, A brave peice of ſervice performed by Major Bridges, Governour of Warwick, at Stok-New-houſe in Worceſterſhire.where, together with the Houſe, I alſo took a Troop of Horſe; And it will bee the more remarkable in reſpect of the goodneſſe of God, when wee conſider the ſmall power I had to doe it, and the place it ſtood in, being between 2 of the Enemies Garriſons, the one was Cambden, but 2 miles diſtant, the other Eviſham, 7 miles diſtant. But I being affected with the ſad complaints of the Country, and conſidering the danger of delayes, and having notice that the Enemy wrought hard to perfect the Fortifications, reſolved to take the preſent opportunity; and that my deſign might bee carryed on with the more privacy, wherein much of my ſafety conſiſted, the Regiment of our County being abſent or not in readineſſe, I ſent 2 of the 3 Companies of mine own Garriſon, by ſmall parties, into the Country, as to gather Contribution, but commanded the Officers not to return till I gave them orders; to theſe 2 Companies I got an addition of 60 Foot, commanded by one of my Captains, of the Town-Company, with ſome part of mine own Troop and about 70 Horſe, belonging to the Committee of Worceſterſhire, and thus I marched all that night, and being come to the Houſe I began to ſtorm it, and the next day fell upon the Houſe and ſtables, by break of day, both at once. The Houſe was of ſtone very ſtrong; they within it had made up the windowes and doores with brick and ſtone, and defended the Houſe very ſtoutly for about an houre and a half, but at length wee entred by force, and took the Houſe and all therein,The Houſe taken by ſtorm and all in it. without the loſſe of one man, (bleſſed bee the Lord) notwithſtanding that in all that time wee were without ſhelter, and the bullets and ſtones flew thick about our eares. Since this, I heard that the Enemy drew out of Eviſham and Cambden, to releive their Friends, but could not come up time enough; by which means (God ſo appointing) I returned with my priſoners and ſpoile unmoleſted, a Liſt wherof you have herewith immediately following: And to conclude, the ſaid Houſe being a Papiſts, and the whole Garriſon of that Religion, to prevent the building of any more ſuch Rookes neſts, I fired the Houſe, and deſire, you would with us, praiſe God for this Victory. Sir,

Your Servant, John Bridges. Warwick Caſtle, Feb. 8. 1644.

p. 108A Liſt of the Priſoners taken by Major Bridges, Governour of Warwick Caſtle, at Stoke Houſe in Glouceſterſhire, Captain Edward Brent, Captain George Brent, Captain Richard Canning, Captain Smith, Captain Thomas Canning; together with about 30 more, Officers and Gentlemen of quality, all Papiſts, and many other common Souldiers.

About the 10 of this inſtant wee were alſo credibly informed by Letters out of Cheſhire, that Captain Stones (a brave active and loyall Commander under Sir William Brereton, and now Governour of Eccleſhall Caſtle,Partſhall Garriſon taken by brave Major Stones, Governour of Eccleſhall Caſtle. in the County of Stafford) with a ſmall party marched againſt Partſhall Houſe, another Popiſh Gariſon of the Enemies, which was ſtrongly fortified and Moated about; Hee taking the opportunity of the Draw-bridge, being let down, ſuddenly forced his paſſage, ſurprized the Centinells, and ſo fell in among the whole Garriſon, fought bravely with them for a good ſeaſon, killed many of them in the fight, and took priſoners, Colonell Aſhbey, the Governour, with divers Gentlemen of quality, a Jeſuite, which was their Prieſt, and Son and Heire to a Popiſh Knight, and about 60 Souldiers; and thus wee were poſſeſſed of the whole Houſe, with all the Armes and Ammunition, and other good prize which was within it.

Wee alſo were credibly aſſured by Letters from Abbington, about the 14 of this inſtant February, that Major Generall Brown, that moſt renowned,Major Generall Brown active about Oxford. valiant, and active Commander, ſent forth a party of Horſe toward Harrington, who having intelligence, where the Enemy kept a Court of Guard, about half a mile from Harrington, our ſaid Forces got between them and the Town, by which means they ſurprized the whole Guard, being 19 men, and brought them all priſoners into Abbington. And that the ſaid Noble Major Generall hearing of ſome proviſions which were going from ſome Malignants in thoſe parts, to Oxford, hee ſent out a party to intercept them, who took 27 Horſe load of Corn, Cheeſe, and other proviſions of which they had then no little want at Oxford.

About the 16 inſtant wee were informed by Letters out of the North, A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Colo. Lamberts forces at Heightley in Yorkeſhire.that about 150 of the Enemies Horſe from Skipton, fell upon the Parliaments quarters at Heightley, where they ſuddenly ſurprizing our Guards, they came into the Town and took neer an 100 priſoners, and 60 Horſe with their booty: But as they were about to retreat, Colonell Lamberts men being quartered neer hand p. 109took the alarum and came to releive Colonell … men (whoſe quarters had been thus beaten up, the Colonell himſelf being then abſent) and performed their parts ſo …allantly, that they reſcued all our own priſoners, and moſt of the booty which the Enemy had taken, killed 15 of them on the place, took about 20 of them priſoners, wounded and took the Commander in Cheif of the Enemies party, Captain Hugher; killed his Leivetenant alſo, and purſued the reſt to the very gates of Skipt…n. On our ſide was loſt in this ſervice Captain Samon, one of Colonell Lamberts Commanders and about 8 Souldiers.

About the 18 of this inſtant February, Ever to be honoured Sir Tho. Fairfax come to London, and ſent for to the houſe of Commons in Parliament, to receive from them the honour of Generall of all the Kingdomes forces.noble and renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax, being nominated and choſen to bee the Cheif Generall of all the Kingdomes forces and Armies, came to London, out of Yorkeſhire, in a private manner, deſiring to avoide all oſtentation; there were in company with him, Colonell Sir William Conſtable, Colonell Rigbey, Colonell Sandi…s, and Colonell Alured, with ſome other Officers; and for the more expeditious ſetting forth of this moſt noble Generall, according to an Ordinance paſſed by both Houſes of Parliament, the Commons appointed a Committee to conſider how monies, cloathes and other neceſſary recruite for his Army might bee ſpeedily and moſt conveniently procured, and to enable him completely to march into the field with a fit train of Artillery, &c. to bee repaired and every way made fit for him as ſoon as money came in upon the Aſſeſſement, by the Ordinance for the ſaid Army. And Sir Thomas being now come to Town, within a day or 2 after the Houſe of Commons ſent for him by 4 of the Members of that Houſe, which was the reſpect given him, and when hee came into the Houſe, as a farther addition of honour, a Chaire was ſet for him to ſit down upon, but moſt modeſtly hee refuſed it. Then, Mr. Speaker told him what hee had in Command from the Houſe, to deliver unto him, which was, The great truſt which the Kingdom repoſed in him in the Command of this Army, and the good opinion they had of him for his valour and fidelity, giving him thanks, in the name of the whole Houſe, for the many and great ſervices hee had done for the publike in defence of Religion, Laws, and Liberties, and encouraging him to goe on in the ſame, as hee had begun, wherin hee ſhould much honour God, and endeer his Country and Kingdom unto him, which hee aſſured him, would not bee unmindfull of him, and his labour, love, and loyalty to it, in due time: But of this more hereafter.

p. 110About the 20 of this inſtant, wee had certain information by Letters out of the Northern parts, of the moſt welcome newes of the taking of the Town and Church of Scarborough, which was ſtrongly fortified, together with the Haven and at leaſt an 120 ſhips, 32 peices of Ordnance, and much other rich prize; by that moſt active, valiant, and ſucceſſefull Souldier, and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum; the manner of it being ſaid to bee thus: This noble Colonell Sir John Meldrum ſtormed the Town in 4 ſeverall places,Scarborough Town, Church & Haven, taken by valiant Sir John Meldrum. with Engliſh and Scottiſh Souldiers, who went on with ſuch gallantry, that they gained the Town and Church, with the loſſe only of 11 of their men. In the Church they took 80 priſoners, and with them, hee that had been Governour of Hemſley Caſtle. But the moſt baſe and cowardly apoſtate Cholmley, when hee perceived the Town like to bee loſt, ſled into the Caſtle, and was bravely purſued, and one of the works thereof entred, but the white Towre in the Caſtle commanding that work,Cholmley fled into the Caſtle endevours an eſcape by Sea. they beat our men out of it again with ſtones. The Liver-hearted Cholml…y (now deſpairing together with the conſcientiouſneſſe of his former guilt in his moſt trecherous defection from the Parliament, endevoured to eſcape by Sea, in his Pinnace (or rather his running Horſe, as hee called it) which then rode at Anchor at a little diſtance, to help him at a ſtrait or dead lift; but ſuch was the activity of Sir John Meldrum, that with boats hee got between the Pinnace and the Land, and ſo his cowardſhip was forced to confine himſelf into the Caſtle again.Cholmley had 5 Dunkirk Veſſels with him at Scarborough. This apoſtate Sir Hugh Cholmley had 5 Dunkirk Veſſels with him at Scarborough, who for a while gave interruption to our men in ſtorming the Town, but our Cannoneers ſunck 2 of them with their Ordnance, and the other 3 fled for it. Before the ſtorm Sir Hugh was ſummoned to yeeld the Town: but like himſelf, hee gave a baſe and ſcornfull anſwer, and when the Townſmen would have yeelded the Town, hee brought Souldiers out of the Caſtle, and compelled them to fight in the defence of it as long as they were able. But heerof more, in its own proper place. Only, in the interim, take this own Letter of Sir Hugh Cholmleyes, which hee wrote to ſome Commander in the Kings Army, but was intercepted by the way, and which was as followeth.

SIR,

VVEE are now blockt up cloſe in the Caſtle, and divers of our Souldiers run away to the Enemy, and it is to bee feared that the ill accommodation will daily decreaſe our number: You know the conſequ…nce, p. 111and beleeve mee it requires ſpeedy ſupply, for reaſons which I may not expreſſe:A Letter of Sir Hugh Cholmleys intercepted. I pray you ſignifie where or from whence I may expect and hope for releif, and whether any expectance from the Queen, or Ireland, or probability of a good iſſue from the Treaty; of which particulars I deſire to bee ſatisfied, that I may not bee totally ignorant: Not that the failing of any, or of all theſe ſhall make mee quit this truſt otherwiſe than becomes a Gentleman, and good ſubject: Your Colonell Wharton ſalutes you. And I am

Your humble Servant, Hugh Cholmley. Scar. Caſtle, Feb. 24.

Heer are 10 Colours of Scots, as I imagine, though not above 800 men of them; but Meldrum (who commands in Cheif, and is the moſt active man here) hath 6 or 700 more of the Lord Fairfaxes Foot.

About February the 22. wee had certain intelligence of a brave peice of ſervice, done by a party of Colonell John Heynes his Regiment, which was certified to bee thus.A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Major Temple, neer Dennington. That the ſaid Colonell receiving intelligence of a French Regiment of Horſe, and ſome other Troopes of Gorings Brigade, quartered neer Newberry, hee ſent out a party of his Regiment from Okingham, under the command of Major Temple, to beat up their quarters, which party after a very hard march, comming neer the Enemies quarters, they underſtood that the ſaid party were all drawn off. But they had alſo farther intelligence of another party of the Enemies quartered at Ham, 8 miles from Dennington Caſtle, whither they inſtantly advanced, and fell upon them in their quarters, took there 40 good Horſe, and all their Armes, together with about an 100 li. of Contribution money, which the Enemy had gathered thereabout, took priſoners, Major William Maxwell, Agitant Generall to Prince Maurice, Captain Robert Paddon, Captain of a Troop of Horſe, John Cox his Leivtenant, and 24 common Souldiers, and ſo returned ſafe with their priſoners and prizes unto Ockingbam.

And about the 24 of this inſtant, wee were certainly informed, by a Letter writen from Captain Peirce to Sir John Young, a worthy member of the Houſe of Commons, Another brave defeat given to that apoſtate Skellum Greenvil, at Plymouth.of a brave defeat given to that baſe apoſtate Skellum Greenvill, before Plimouth, which ſaid Letter containing a full relation thereof, I have heer (for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction) inſerted, which was as followeth.

p. 112Sir, The good ſucceſſe which it hath pleaſed God to give our Forces, lately, makes mee ſet pen to paper, thereby deſiring to inform you that upon the 18 of February, the Enemy having the night before made a work upon the old work at Mount Stamford, with a very large line on both ſides from the work: The Seamen in the morning fell on them, and took one half-moon, which was made at the South-end of the line; but the Enemies horſe comming upon them, forced them to retreat, but with no loſſe on our ſide, bleſſed bee God; Upon which wee were all commanded to Armes; Severall companies were drawn out to goe over, and a Troops of Horſe; One being ſtill quartered on that ſide, to joyn with ſome Sea men, taken on ſhore for that purpoſe; all (I think) conſiſting of about 500. and all the reſt of the Garriſon were commanded to march out to face the Enemy on the North ſide, and were drawn without our Line, within Musket ſhot of their work under the hill, the ſaid hill much befreinding us, ſo as they could not play much upon us. All wee did was only ſending out ſmall parties to ſhoot, as if wee intended to fall on, that ſo they might draw off ſome of their forces from the other ſide of the water, where our purpoſe was to fall on; and accordingly they did draw off ſome of their Horſe, and ſo wee croſſing their expectation, fell on where wee were leaſt looked for, and about 2 of the clock in the afternoon, our foot, who were moſt of them Sea men, marched up moſt reſolutely to Mount Stamford, the forlorn hope of our Horſe going before, and the Reſerve with them, in the bottome, who had the advantage of ſome hedges,The brave reſolution of Plimouth men, in winning Mount Stamford, and beating away the Enemy. which they well-lined with our Musketteers, who fired upon the Enemy, and they on us, where and when were poured out as mighty Vollies of ſhot as I have ever ſeen or heard, and whiles our foot were getting up the hill, our horſe and the Enemies met; who moſt reſolutely and bravely diſputed the buſineſſe not long, even about half an houre, and made the Enemy rather truſt to their horſe legs than to their own ſwords, our horſe following them amain; and our foot ſe… ing what good ſucceſſe the horſe had, went, nay rather, ran up to the Enemies work with their Colours in their hands, and inſtantly made the Enemy flye for it, and thus routing totally all their horſe and foot bravely, took poſſeſſion of the whole work, and purſued the Enemy in their flight above a mile, hewing, and cutting them amain as they baſely fled.

Now the names of thoſe wee took priſoners were Leivtenant Colonell p. 113Mohun, a Leivtenant Colonell of Horſe; Major Richard Heal, Baronet Heales brother; Captain Maynard (who had formerly taken up Armes on our ſide) Captain Hill, Captain Aſton, and Captain Hatchins, Leivtenant Waring, Leivtenant Inglet, Leivtenant Aſhford, Leivtenant Manwaring, Enſigne Halſie, Enſign Battiſhill, and of private men about an 108. Wee alſo took 300 Armes, in the work of Mount Stamford, ſome barrells of pouder, good ſtore of Mattocks, Shovels and Faggots, and ſome Horſes; on our part wee had but one man ſlain, and that by an accident, ſome few hurt, and but one man taken by the Enemy. After this brave bickering wee had a day ſet apart for a ſpeciall Thankſgiving to God for this great Victory; and very ſhortly after called a Councell of Warre to try ſuch of them as had heretofore taken up arms on our ſide, but were now revolted and proceeded againſt 3 of them, viz. Captain Maynard, Leivtenant Aſhford, and Enſign Battiſhill, who were executed the next day, and ſome others afterward followed.

And about the latter end of this MonethMonth of February, wee received the moſt welcome news of the moſt memorable and ſuddain ſurpriſall of the ſtrong Town of Shrewsbury by Colonell Mitton, that moſt active and loyall Commander, and Colonell Bowyer, aſſiſted by Sir William Breretons, and Colonell Mittons forces; together with the eminent priſoners and prizes taken by thoſe Parliament forces, which was certified and ratified by ſeverall Letters out of Shropſhire, ſent to London, with the exact and true relation of the manner of the taking of it, it being a place of great concernment, and one of the moſt conſiderable Ʋpland Garriſons, which the King then held in the whole Kingdome: I ſhall therefore give the Reader a moſt true though breif narration thereof, extracted out of the Letters writen from the Committees of Shrewsbury, to the Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, with the Liſt of the priſoners and prizes taken therein; which was as followeth.

Right honourable Sir,

IT hath pleaſed God miraculouſly to deliver the ſtrong Town of Shrewsbury, into our hands, with all the Commanders, Officers, and Souldiers therein;The brave and ſtrong Town of Shrewsbury ſurprized and taken. a Liſt of the cheif of whom wee have ſent incloſed to you. The manner of taking of it was breifly thus. Upon the 22 of this MonethMonth of February, wee drew out of our Garriſons of Wem, Moreton, and Stoke 250 horſe, and the like p. 114number of foot, Sir William Brereton having ſent us 250 foot, and 350 horſe, which party by our Order was commanded by Leivtenant Colonell Rincking, (who in the Marſhalling and managing of this deſigne deſerves much honour) and Captain Willy…r, together with Mr. Huſon, a Miniſter, who alſo moſt valiantly and bravely led on the firelockes, with 50 Troopers diſmounted under the Command of Leivtenant Bendebne, who led on their men with great courage and undaunted reſolutions, after whom alſo followed 350 foot more, which by Severn ſide ſtormed the Town, neer unto the Caſtle-wall, and marched unto the Market-houſe, and there ſurprized the Main-guard, and then ſent a party to ſecure the Caſtle-forehead-Gate, which was effected without much difficulty; and after a quarter of an houre, the draw-bridge was let down and the gate opened, where valiant Colonell Mitton, Colonell Bowyer, The Town of Shrewsbury entred by ours.and all the Gentlemen of this Committee, with the horſe, entred, and immediately became Maſters of the Town, and within 4 houres after, the Caſtle was ſurrendred upon quarter, for all but the Iriſh to march to Ludlow; and then the Enemy delivered up a ſtrong Out-work in Frankwell, upon bare quarter for their lives.

By 12 of the clock at noon,The Caſtle taken. wee became abſolute Maſters of the Caſtle and Town; wherein were taken many conſiderable priſoners, good ſtore of Ammunition, and great ſtore of Ordnance. The Committee of Wem, took as great care as poſſibly could bee, that the well-affected in the Town might not in any meaſure ſuffer or bee plundered, and therefore the Officers kept off the Souldiers from plundering the Town, that ſo the Committee might ſee right down, and none but Malignants only to ſuffer. The Committee gave preſent notice hereof, to Sir William Brereton, certifying him what they had done, who thereupon took care for forces to lye neer them, to releive Colonell Mitton, if occaſion ſhould bee. The whole Country, I mean eſpecially the well-affected party, were exceeding glad of this, and deſired that Colonell Mitton might bee Governour thereof, being well known unto them all, to bee a moſt honeſt cordiall, and well-affected Gentleman, and of ſingular and true integrity to the Parliaments Cauſe, whereof by many reall experiments they had ſtrong and indubitable ground and knowledge. Our horſe, the day before had a long and weary march, they having been ſent to ſurprize Sir William, and Sir Thomas Whitmore, a Parliament man, whereof more immediately. p. 115Sir, we ſhall not trouble you any further, but to ſubſcribe our ſelves.

Your moſt humble Servants. A. Lloyd, Sam. Moore, Tho. Hunt, Ro. Clives, Rob. Cariton, Leigh. Owen. Salop, Feb. 24. 1644.

A Liſt of the priſoners taken in Salop, as aforeſaid. Sir Michael Ernley Knight, and his Brother; Sir Rich. Lee Baronet; Sir Thomas Harris, Baronet; Sir Henry Frederick-Thyn, Baronet; Sir William Owen Knight; Sir John Wilde ſenior, Knight; Sir John Wilde, junior, Knight; Sir Thomas Liſter Knight: Together with 11 Eſquires;The priſoners and prizes. 2 Leivtenant Colonels, one Major; 2 Doctors; 8 Captains; 15 Gentlemen; 3 Ancients; 4 Sargeants; 9 or 10 other Officers, and about 50 other priſoners, wherof ſome were Iriſh. One Captain and 5 others were ſlain. Wee alſo took 15 peices of Ordnance, many hundreds of Armes; divers barrels of powder; All Prince Maurice his Magazine; The Town, the Caſtle and all the Works; divers Carriages, bagge and baggage of the Princes; Beſides many other priſoners and purchaſes, not diſcovered when this Liſt was gathered. Wee loſt only 2 men. And was not this a moſt rare and remarkable mercy and famous Victory indeed; and never to bee obliterated out of the Tables of eternall memory and gratitude? As accordingly and moſt worthily, it was ſhortly after Ordered by the Parliament, The Parl. gratitude for this good news.that a Solemn day of publike Thankſgiving to God ſhould bee kept; And 20 li. was given to the firſt meſſenger that brought this moſt welcome newes; and 10 li. to the ſecond.

And heer I muſt deſire the Reader to take notice of the moſt wiſe and righteous diſpoſall of this great mercy unto us by the great and glorious Moderatour of all things in Heaven and Earth;A remarkable nore & ſingular paſſage of divine providence, in this famous victory. Viz. That this ſo rare and famous defeat, given to the impious Enemies of Gods Cauſe and Truth, was upon the very ſame day that the Mock-Treaty, (or rather Plot-Treaty) at Ʋxbridge, was happily diſſolved, namely, Saturday, Feb. 22. 1645. A paſſage of ſingular divine providence, and not ſlightly to be pretermitted of us. But now to goe on.

Much alſo about the foreſaid time, it was moſt certainly informed, that a party of Sir William Breretons forces (as was forementioned) under the command of Sir John Price, Apſley-Houſe in Shropſhire taken by Sir William Brereton.a worthy Member of the Houſe of Commons, had taken Apſley Houſe in Shropſhire, and therein Sir William Whitmore, and Sir Thomas his Son; Sir Fra. p. 116Oately, Mr. Owen, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Griffith, and divers other Gentlemen of quality, and about 60 Common Souldiers, as they were ſitting upon a Commiſſion of Array to raiſe forces for Prince Maurice; and they purſued the ſaid Prince alſo, who ſtill avoided Sir William, and at laſt got over Severn toward Cheſter, on the Welſh ſide. And from Ailsbury wee had alſo, about the ſame time, certain intelligence,Colo. Crafords good ſervice, at Roeſham, neer Oxford. that that brave Commander Colonell Craford had performed a brave peice of ſervice about Roeſham 3 or 4 miles from Oxford, where hee fell upon a party of the Enemy, and took 40 Horſe with their Riders and Armes, among whom was a Serjeant Major, a Cornet, and ſome other Officers.

And upon the 28 of this inſtant February, Letters came to the Parliament from ever renowned Colonell Maſſey, of a great Victory obtained by ſome of his forces under his brothers Command; Who (in the Forreſt of Dean) fell upon Sir John Winter, A moſt brave Victory obtained by Colon. Maſſies forces in the For reſt of Dean.routed him, and made himſelf ſwim the River of Wye, in which paſſage 60 of his men were drowned, 70 ſlain on the place, beſides Colonell Gam, and Leivtenant Colonell Winter, and 120 taken priſoners, and a 140 horſe taken, 2 Leivtenant Colonells, one Major, 4 Captains, and other Commanders and Officers, together with 300 Armes. And upon this Relation, a Letter of Thanks from the Houſe of Commons was Ordered to bee ſent to Colonell Maſſey for his good ſervice, and an Order alſo paſſed preſently for providing money for ſo deſerving a Commander.

And now, good Reader, let mee deſire thee heer to ſtay a little, and to take a ſummary and ſhort ſurvey of the rare and rich mercies of this MonethMonth alſo,The Burning-Buſh not conſumed. even of the Burning Buſh ſtill Ʋnconſumed, nay rather, in the midſt of furious flames, gallantly grown, and much improved, as hath been this monethmonth moſt evidently expreſſed, both,1. In that notable paſſage of Providence at Sir Eraſmus de la Fountains Houſe; In the ſound beating of Aſhby Cavaliers at Cole-Orton; 2.and the brave defeat given to Welſh Gerrard, at Cardigan Caſtle. In that Mock-Treaty at Ʋxbridge; and that brave peice of ſervice performed by Major Bridges, at Stoke-New-Houſe in Glouceſterſhire; Together with Major Jones, his valiant taking of Partſhall Garriſon; and Major Generall Brownes activity about Oxford; In the brave defeat at Heightley in Yorkeſhire; 3.And the happy arrivall at London, of Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Parliament, to receive his Commiſſion to bee Generaliſſimo of all the Armies of the Kingdome.4. In the moſt valiant taking of Scarborough Town, Church p. 117and Haven; The brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Dennington, by valiant Major Temple; Together with that renowned repulſe given to Greenvill at Plymouth. 5.In the moſt happy and famous ſurprizall of the ſtrong Town and Caſtle of Shrewsbury, and all the rich prizes therein.6. And, finally, In the taking of Apſley Houſe in Shropſhire; The brave ſervice of Colonell Craford at Roeſham neer Oxford; and the famous defeat given to the Enemies by renowned Colonell Maſſie, in the Forreſt of Dean.

In due and deep conſideration and moſt gratefull contemplation of all which ſo rare and rich mercies of this MonethMonth, let thy ſoule bee ſtill and ever raviſhed and rapt up with wonder and admiration at the infinite and unfathomed depth of this Gods free love and bleſſed bounty to his poore deſpiſed Church and Children, With which, Mat. 28. 20.Matt 28:20according to his faithfull promiſe, hee ſtill abides, and ſo will continue even to the end of the world, to ſuſtain and ſupport it, maugre all the malicious machinations of Sathan, and all his malignant Agents; And, therefore let us, with Chriſtian courage and boldneſſe exult in the rock of our Salvation, and with the undaunted Spirit and goldly reſolution of renowned Luther, ſing and ſay (as wee have moſt juſt cauſe) The Lord of Hoſts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Pſal. 46. 11.Ps 46:11But now to proceed.

AND heer wee ſhall again begin the comfortable contemplation of the next enſuing MonethMonth of Marches works of wonder,March. 1644. to the high honour of our wonder-working God, with that famous b…ſineſſe of the moſt admirable and rare recovery of the Town of Weymouth in the Weſt, which was thus related.

About the beginning of this MonethMonth of March, Melcomb-Regis bravely maintained, & Weymouth moſt admirably regained, by Colon, Sydenham.1644. wee firſt received intelligence by Letters from that faithfull and moſt valiant and vigilant Sea-Commander, Captain Batten, Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Navy, by Sea; That hee had then lately releived Melcombe-Regis, which (after the trecherous loſſe of Weymouth, the February before) ſtill held out againſt the Enemy by Gods ſpeciall and mighty aſſiſtance and bleſſing on the famous, faithfull, and indefatigable endevours of renowned Colonell Sydenham, notwithſtanding, I ſay, that poore Weymouth had been trecherouſly betrayed (by many of its own malignant Inhabitants) into the Enemies hands. That in this great ſtraight, I ſay, and exigent of time and danger, renowned Captain Batten being by divine providence come thither with his ſhips, releived them with ſuch proviſions p. 118as at that time they moſt wanted; and that, therewith, hee had landed there an 100 of his ſtout Sea-men, and that the Enemy might make the leſſe uſe of the Town of Weymouth, Colonell Sydenham was neceſſitated to fire the ſhips which the Enemy had on Weymouth ſide,Colo. Sydenham neceſſitated to fire the ſhips in Weymouth Haven. which (having the benefit of a faire winde fit for his deſigne) hee afterward performed accordingly, and not onelyonly burnt divers ſhips, but part of the Town of Weymouth alſo, which in that exigent, could not bee avoyded. Now renowned Colonell Sydenham with his brave Souldiers, and reſolute Sea-men all this while maintained Melcombe with admirable gallantry and courage, and at length, they moſt undauntedly re-gained the Chappell-fort of Weymouth, The Chappel-fort in Weymouth regained.and therein 60 of the Enemies taken priſoners. And in this furious skirmiſh of thus re-gaining Chappell-fort, wee took beſides thoſe in the Fort, one Leivtenant Colonell, one Major, 3 Captains, 3 Leivtenants, and a 100 common Souldiers, with ſtore of proviſions which the Enemy had newly got together,And a brave booty therein obtained. and all this with the loſſe of but one man of ours, (a remarkable mercy of the Lord unto us) which did ſo inrage the Enemy, that Goring would needs bee revenged, and vowed to aſſault us all at once, as after this hee fruitleſly endevoured, wherof more anon in its due place.

This certain intelligence was at that time farther confirmed by 2 ſeverall Letters of Sir Lewis Dives, which had been intercepted by the Garriſon of Lyme, 2 Letters from Sir Lewis Dives intercepted.the one of them to Sir John Barkley, Governour of Exeter, the other to the Governor of Briſtol; In which Letters hee ſignified the taking of the ſaid Chappell-fort by Colonell Sydenhams forces, and therefore deſired Sir Richard Greenvill (that Skellum and baſe apoſtate) to come away ſpeedily with his promiſed 1500 horſe, and that the ſaid Governours would haſten away the 500 foot they promiſed to Colonell Goring and himſelf; for, elſe, ſayes hee in his ſaid Letters, The Crown of England is in danger to bee loſt, if Weymouth ſhould bee re-gained, by the Parliaments Forces. Now Goring, in this interim, being extremely vext at the loſſe of the Chappel-fort, Goring is extremly vext at the loſſe of the Chappell fort.and conſidering that it was a very great prejudice to his other intended proceedings, hee therefore reſolved to fall again upon that Fort, and that they might (as they conceived) the more effectually doe it, it was concluded by a Councill of Warre to fall both upon that Fort, and on the Town of Melcomb alſo, at once, and in ſeverall places; and this to bee done (as moſt works of darkneſſe are) in the midſt of the night. p. 119But, it pleaſed the Lord ſo graciouſly to order it, that the very ſame Evening that this ſtorm was intended, one of our Souldiers who had been taken priſoner by the Enemy, made an eſcape, and came into Melcombe, Gorings reſolution to fall upon Chappel fort & the Town of Melcomb at once, diſcovered and prepared for.and gave the Governour notice of the Enemies reſolution, and that they would fall upon them, that night; ſo that by this means our men prepared themſelves to ſtand ſtoutly upon their guard, and the Enemy came accordingly and aſſaulted the line about Melcomb, in 5 or 6 ſeverall places together, and the Chappel fort alſo at the ſame time, and did it with great violence and reſolution; but were moſt bravely reſiſted by our men, till ſuch time as the treacherous Towneſmen within,The treachery of the Towneſmen of Melcomb let in many of the Enemies forces through their back-doores, and ſo the Enemy came on their backs and made them ſomewhat to retreat; In which retreat, the Enemy being much ſtrengthened by the aſſiſtance of the Town-Malignants, valiant Major Francis Sydenham was ſlain, a great loſſe unto us. But undaunted Colonell Sydenham obſerving this great ſtrait, and brave Captain Batten alſo (who in this buſineſſe deſerved great honour and commendation, together with his valiant Sea-men alſo, who moſt willingly came on ſhore to hazzard their lives in this ſervice,The Enemy tho trecherouſly let in to Melcomb, yet bravely beaten our again with a great loſſe. and fought moſt undauntedly, and for the ſam… merited much praiſe and reward too) they both did mightily encourage their men, both with their words and examples too, not to ſhrink, but to follow on cloſe upon the Enemy, and ſo led them up again into the very face of the Enemy, and inforced the Enemy to a ſwift retreat back again into Weymouth, with the loſſe of at leaſt 250 of their men, who were ſlain and drowned in the River.

Now the Enemy being thus retreated, our brave-ſpirited Souldiers ſtood ſtill upon their guard, with expectation that the Enemy would have come on again, but they did not; for, the next morning, about 10 of the clock, the Enemy (as appeared) ſtricken with ſome panick fear,The Enemy alſo baſely fly out of Weymouth were all ſneakt away out of Weymouth alſo, and ſecretly and ſuddenly had marched away, both horſe and foot, in great haſte, guarding their Rear with their Horſe, leaving their own Colours behinde them in their Fort, with all the Ordnance they took from us, and 2 peices more, and ſome barrells of powder,And leave much good prize behinde them. with a great overplus of Armes and Ammunition, Victuall, and other good booty, which had been brought thither by the Enemy; and, indeed, they took nothing away with them, but only ſome plunder of the Town.

p. 120And thus after a very tedious ſiege, and much hard ſervice for 18 dayes and nights together (during all which time our valia Souldiers put off neither armes, nor cloathes, as I was credibly informed) they by Gods infinite mercy obtained a moſt happy and comfortable enlargement and freedome from their cruell and murtherous-minded Enemies;Goring & Dives marched away from Weymouth, to Dorcheſter. And thus Goring and Dives, who were both preſent in this ſervice marched away to Dorcheſter, with their horſe and foot, which were above 4000. whereas ours that were invironed by them were not above 900. being alſo diſcouraged (or at leaſt wee juſtly might have been) for want of releif, and our little or no hope of relief; beſides the former ſucceſſe of the Enemies, and yet that ours ſhould ſo gallantly quit themſelves, and ſo impregnably oppoſe and fall upon their Enemies, when they were at their ſtrongeſt, and themſelves in the loweſt and moſt deſperate condition, and beſides, the Towneſmen within being trecherous unto them, of whom above 40 had conſpired to ſeize on the Fort which Colonell Sydenham poſſeſſed, and by procuring falſe keyes to the priſon doores to let out all the priſoners, and alſo (as I toucht before) to let in the enemies at their back-doores; but the plot of the falſe keyes was timely diſcovered and prevented, many of the Malignant Conſpirators apprehended and impriſoned, ſome in this fight were ſlain, and ſome wounded, and thoſe impriſoned, in a fit poſture to bee hanged, as afterward they were: Wee loſt but 10 men on our ſide, in all this hot and furious ſervice;The viſible & moſt apparent hand of God in all this ſervice. All which premiſes conſidered, it muſt needs bee granted that the hand of God was, indeed, moſt viſibly ſeen in the whole carriage of this admirable action and famous defeat, wherein, I ſay, was an apparent viſion of our preſent Parliamentary mighty wonder; Viz. The Burning Buſh in the midſt of ſuch furious flames, not conſumed; To God alone, therefore, bee all the honour and glory of it.

And March the 8 wee had certain intelligence that a ſhip carrying 28 peices of Ordnance, laden with ſtore of armes and Ammunition was come into Weymouth from Rhoan in France, ſuppoſing Weymouth had ſtill been in the Enemies poſſeſſion;Two ſhips came in unto the Parliaments poſſeſſion at Weymouth. and ſo was ſeized on for the Parliaments uſe. Yea, and about the ſame time, even 3 or 4 houres after the Enemy had quitted the Outworks of Weymouth (whereof you have at large heard before) a luſty ſerviceable ſhip of Weymouth, called the Endevour, carrying in her 12 peices of Ordnance, and laden with Salt and other commodities (belonging p. 121to ſome Malignants of thoſe parts) which ſhip then lay cloſe under Portland Caſtle, but having, as it ſeemed many honeſt Sea-men in her, ſuddenly they cut her Cables, & ſwiftly, and of its own accord, came off to Captain Batten, then at Weymouth and Melcomb, although the Caſtle of Portland had made at leaſt 7 or 8 ſhots at her. And thus wee ſee how God moſt graciouſly bleſſed the affaires of that Town, at that time, both by Sea and by Land; to him alone bee all the praiſe and glory of it.

Shortly after, to wit, on Wedneſday, March the 12. Both Houſes of Parliament moſt piouſly concurred for the keeping of a Solemn day of Thankſgiving to Almighty God,A day of Solemn Thankſgiving at Chriſt Church in London. at Chriſt-Church in London, for all theſe ſo many and marveilous rich mercies of the Lord unto us, Since the happy diſſolution of that foreſaid Treaty at Ʋxbridge; as namely, for the winning of Scarborough Town, & Haven; Shrewsbury, ſo unexpectedly and admirably put into the Parliaments hands; The extraordinary recovering of Weymouth, and even miraculous preſervation of Melcomb Regis, &c. Where and at which foreſaid time, Reverend, Learned, and Religious Mr. …rrowſmith, and Mr. Vines, Preached before the Lords and Commons of Parliament, the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London, accompanying them there, at that holy ſervice. And both Houſes of Parliament immediately after paſſed an Ordinance for the payment of 2000 pound,2000 li. ordered to be paid to Weymouth. to the brave Garriſon of Weymouth, for the encouragement and reward of the good ſervice done there, and for a ſupply of ſome neceſſaries in that Town.

And beſides all theſe remarkable m…cies of our good God to the Parliament, whereof you have moſt fully been informed, ſince, and even at the diſſolution of that Mock-Treaty at Ʋxbridge; We were yet farther credibly aſſured by Letters from Ailsbury, about March the 16. That the King loſt the Troop of Horſe belonging to his own Life-guard;The Kings own Life guard Troop of horſe taken by us, neer unto Oxford. the manner of the taking of which prize was thus related. Ailsbury Garriſon having intelligence of divers of the Kings horſe, quartered out of Oxford, for want of neceſſaries (about this time) within the Town (they that have ſpoiled a moſt fruitfull Kingdome, will ſhortly, I hope, want bread and Peaſe for themſelves.) Heerupon, valiant Captain Abricomie, a Scottiſh Commander in Ailsbury, and Major Ennis of Newport-pagnell, marched from their Garriſons toward Oxford, with a party of horſe to Killington, where, accordingly, they met with the Kings own Troop, as they had been informed. Our party went over at p. 122Iſlip Mill, and there they found the Enemy entrenched on the other ſide of the River; but our party of horſe had carryed Fagots and ſo filled-up the Trench with them and with earth, and ſo handled it that they blew up the Bridge, forced the Turn-pike and Chain, ſurprized the Guard, marched into the Town, took 40 gallant horſe, worth (ſome ſaid) 50 li. and Captain Cheyworth, Commiſſary Generall to the King, alſo the Kings Chirurgeons own mate, with other priſoners; and in their return home, they took 4 more Cavalierian Troopers driving Cattle to the Kings quarters, All which (praiſed bee the Lord) they brought home ſafely, without any wound or loſſe of a man.

About March the 14. the Houſe of Commons received Letters from Sir William Brereton, that brave Commander, and pious Patriot of his Country, informing them of the ſingular good condition of Shrewshury; and alſo of a notable defeat given to the Forces of Prince Maurice, A brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces at Holt-bridge, by valiant Leivtenant Colonell Jones.by a party of Sir William Breretons at Holt-Bridge, in Cheſhire, under the Command of valiant Leivtenant Colonell Jones, the manner whereof was thus. Prince Maurice, being ſtill greatly vext in his minde at the ſad loſſe of Shrewsbury, and as vigilantly as poſſibly hee could, watching to catch and lay hold on all opportunities to bee revenged on the Parliaments party, at laſt reſolved upon one, and therefore ſent a party of foot over the River of Dee, which parts Cheſhire and Wales, and about 13 Companies got over the ſaid River, by laying over it a Bridge of Canvas dipt in Pitch, over which 3 men might march abreſt. Theſe all being thus paſt over, intended in a dark night, to have ſurprized Sir Williams ſaid Garriſon at Holt-bridge, and to have forced their paſſage that way to ſome other farther deſign; which Garriſon, the Prince underſtood was maintained by only 2 Companies of Firelocks under the Command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones, who being thus, now, ſuddenly aſſaulted by the ſaid numerous enemy, yet had his men in order and readineſſe to receive them, and entertained them with ſuch a ſucceſſefull volley of ſhot, and with ſuch valour and gallantry, that at the very firſt encounter and giving of fire, hee put them to the rout and ſwift retreat,The ſlain. killed in the purſuite Colonell Owen a Knight, and about an 100 Officers and Common Souldiers, took divers priſoners and Armes, and 5 Colours, forced the Enemy back again in great confuſion over the River, in which paſſage many were drowned; and in which ſervice wee loſt onelyonly 6 men that were ſlain, and among p. 123them, Major Jackſon a valiant man and brave Commander.

About the 16 inſtant, came Letters from ever to bee honoured Sir William Waller, giving an account of a notable defeat given by his forces to the Wincheſterian Cavaliers, A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir William Waller… forces.the manner, thus. Colonell Ogle, Governour of Wincheſter for the King, ſent out a party to beat up Sir Williams quarters, thinking to take them at unawares; But, contrary to their expectation, they were moſt gallantly received by our men, and Colonell Philips the Commander in chief of the Enemies party was ſlain in the skirmiſh togewith Leivtenant Colonell Gardiner, The ſlain.and divers others taken priſoners, and the reſt ſent back again by weeping-croſſe with a flea in their eares.

And about the 18 of this inſtant March, wee received farther intelligence by other Letters from Colonell Cook, and renowned Sir William Waller, of a very great and famous Victory obtained by the ſaid Sir William, and valiant and virtuous Leivtenant Generall Cromwell at the Devizes in Wilts, A great victory obtained by Sir William Waller & Leivtenant-Gen. Cromwell, againſt Colon. Long, at the Devizes.againſt Colonell Sir James Long, high Sheriffe of Wiles, and his whole Regiment, being the ſame horſe which conveyed or conducted the Prince from Oxford to Briſtol; which ſaid Letter making a full and exact relation thereof, I have here for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction thought fit to inſert, verbatim, as it was Printed and publiſhed by authority, which was as followeth.