Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 35 – Floating text 15
My Lords and Gentlemen:
AFter my coming to Totnes, the Enemy riſing in great diſorder from the ſiege at Plymouth, and leaving their Guns and ſome Ammunition behind them; I conſidered with thoſe about me of attempting upon Dartmouth, and it being concluded affirmatively, I cauſed two Regiments of Foot to march to Ditſam, The relation of the manner of taking Dartmouth, ſignified by Sir Thomus Fairfaxes Letter to the Parliament.and two to Sucheflemming, being on the Weſt of Dart River. I having ſummoned the place before, reſolved upon Sunday night to attempt it by ſtorme, which was agreed to be done in three places. The firſt Poſt was on the Weſt Gate by Colonell Hamond, the ſecond on the North end of the Towne, by Lieutenant Colonell Pride, and the third on Tonſtall Church and Works, by Colonell Forteſcue; the time reſolved on was in the evening. Our men fell on accordingly, with great reſolution, (to whom Colonell Lamberts Regiment was a Reſerve, and to alarm the Enemies elſwhere) Colonell Hamond entred the Weſt Gate, where foure Guns were planted, and two upon the Mill-Pool, upon his Flank the Enemy …ring his great guns but once, his men that had the forlorne hope did very gallantly (as indeed they did all) and went freely on, and beat off the Enemy, and poſſeſſed one Fort after another, viz. Mount-Flaggon, the Weſt Gate, and Paradiſe Fort, and beat off the Main-Guards, where were taken foure Lieutenant Colonels, and ſo we poſſeſſed the Town from the Weſt Gate to little Dartmouth. … the interim Lieutenant Colonell Pride attempted the North part of the Towne, called Harneſſe, where beating off the Enemy be entred it, and took about eighty priſoners in it, and by it poſſeſſed all the North part of the Town unto the Drawbridge, which divided the North part from the reſt of the Town: where Colonell Hamonds men and his met; Colonell Forteſcue with his men, attempted Tunſtall Church, which was very well man'd with above 100 men, and having in it ten Guns: His men, after ſome diſpute, with good reſolution entred the place and poſſeſſed it, ſo that by this time the Enemy was beaten out of all, except the great Fort on the Eaſt ſide of the River, called Kingſworth Fort, and the Caſtle, with the Fort which lay over the Caſtle, at the mouth of the Harbou…, called Gallant Bover,: to which laſt the Governour, with the Earl of Newport, and as many as eſcaped out fled. After they were forced from their ſtrength out of the Town, the Governour coming back from the Caſtle to ſee what poſture the Town was in, had a remarkable ſhot as he was in the Boat, one ſitting by him, a Musket ſhot was made at the Boat, which pierced the Boat, and through both the thighs of one that was next unto him, and about three inches into his own thigh, upon which he retreated to the Caſtle. Our Dragoons, with two Companies of our Firelocks, and ſome Seamen, were ordered onelyonly to alarm Kingſworth Fort, wherein was Sir Henry Cary with his Regiment, having in it 11 Guns, and 12 Barrels of powder, and convenient proportion of Ammunition. This was a very ſtrong Fort, with about foure good Bulworkes, ſtrong enough to have made a troubleſome reſiſtance: but the Enemy came willingly to terms: and to ſave time I willingly condeſcended to let Sir Henry Cary march away with the reſt, leaving the Armes, Ordnance, Ammunition, with all Proviſions in the Fort to me, and all engaging themſelves never to take up Arms more againſt the Parliament, which was accordingly performed. Next morning being thus maſter of all but the Caſtle, and Gallants Bower, I ſummoned that, the Governour was willing to liſten unto me, but I held him to thoſe terms upon which after ſome diſpute he yeelded, which was to deliver himſelf and all Officers and Souldiers upon quarter: he ſent me out Colonell Seamor and Maſter Denham for Hoſtages, with whom came out the Earl of Newport, and all was this day performed accordingly. In this Fort and Caſtle were 11 Guns, with proportion of Ammunition and Proviſions. We have taken in the Harbour two men of War, one belonging to the Governour of Barnſtable, with 12 Guns, Burden 200 Tuns, the other belonging to Newcaſtle, formerly Captaine Johnſons; of ten Tuns; In the Town one hundred and three peeces of Ordnance, and about 600 priſoners, and 100 Horſe, with good proportion of Arms and Ammunition exact particulars, whereof I am not able to give your Lordſhip at preſent an account; There being many of the Inhabitants of this Towne Souldiers in Plymouth, and ſome Officers. And underſtanding that that Towne had 2500 in Garriſon, beſides Towneſmen, I have ſent thither for 500 Foot for this place, who quickly will increaſe to more: and to this I deſire your approbation: for having found more worke to do, I held it not fit to weaken my Army, eſpecially conſidering the Recruits deſigned by you. I doubt will be too long before they come. I have given your Lordſhip a brief account of this ſervice, which I deſire may be accounted a ſweet mercy of God in a very fitting ſeaſon, and only aſcribed to him who truly did direct and act it, and made all the preparation to it, both in the ordering our hearts, and giving health to the Army, which laboured two moneths ago extremely of ſickneſſe, but is now in good diſpoſition generally to health. I can ſay, I finde it to be in the hearts of all here, in all integrity to ſerve you: And that it is ſo, is ſtill the mercy of God: for ſurely the ſucceſſe of your affaires, only depends upon the ordering of a gracious providence, which is no leſſe viſible in your councels, (which we congratulate) than amongſt us; that being the common root and ſpring of all, and which, can and will carry you through the greateſt difficulties, and us in ſerving you, untill God hath finiſhed, his own work: wherein to profeſſe the obligation and readineſſe of my ſelfe and the Army, by the ſame good hand of God, is all the undertaking of
Your Lordſhip moſt humble ſervant, THO. FAIRFAX. Dartmouth, Jan 20. 1645.
A Liſt of the Priſoners and Prizes taken at Dartmouth, Jan, 19. 1645.
Priſoners taken.SIr Hugh Pollard Baron, Governour of the Towne.
The Earl of Newport.
Colonell Saymor.
Maſter Denman, Baron Denmans Sonne.
Lieutenant Colonell Nicholas Codrington.
Lieut. Col. Bluet.
Lieut. Col. Thomas Warkland.
Lieut. Col. Searl.
Major Francis Fielf…rd
Major Hooper.
Captaines 16.
Lieutenants 14.
Enſignes 10
Cornet, … and others not then brought in.
Maſter Reynolds, Gentleman of Armes, beſides 6 Gentlemen of note of the Country, and divers others.
Divers Miniſters or Prieſts, and many inferiour Officers.
Common Souldiers betwixt 800 and 1000 who were all ſet at liberty, and to repaire in peace to their dwelling houſes, who tooke it as a great favour, as alſo did the whole Country to whom they were related.
Prizes taken.Many Barrels of Powder.
1000 Armes; beſides many broken ones.
Two men of War in the Harbour, the one belonging to Barnſtable, the other to New-Caſtle.
And 60 Sayle of Ships, both great and ſmall.
120 Peeces of Ordnance ready planted, with thoſe 13 in Gallows-Brow.
In all, by Sea and Land, neer upon 200.
100 Horſe.
8 Horſe Colours.
5 Foot Colours.
7 Standards of Foot Colours, and one with the Kings own picture on it.
Major Pollard ſlaine on the Enemies ſide.Major Pollard of the Enemies part ſlain in the ſtorme.
After the reading of this Letter the Commons in Parliament tooke into their ſerious conſideration, the great and worthy valour, and ſingular good ſucceſſe of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and reſerted it to a Committee to conſider how the 5000.Deſerved thanks and reward given to our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax. l. per annum, formerly voted to be conferred on his Excellency and his Heynes for ever, might be preſently ſetled, poſſeſſed, and enjoyed by him. They likewiſe ordered, That a Letter ſhould be written to his Excellency, to returne the thanks of both Houſes of Parliament, for his noble valour and unwearied paines in the ſervice of the State, and particularly in the ſtorming of Dartmouth, and to informe him what a great mercy the Parliament eſteems this buſineſſe of Dartmouth, and how highly they reſpect and eſteem of his Excellency, and his deſignes and undertakings.
And here, now, I ſhall deſire the Reader (for Gods greater glory and high honour) to conſider ſeriouſly, and moſt graciouſly and gratefully,Certain obſervations on the Premiſſes. how admirable wiſely, powerfully and advantagiouſly, (for us) the Lord carried on all theſe late great works in theſe few enſuing obſervations, worthy our cordiall conſideration.
As firſt, That God all along caſt ſuch a pannick feare upon our Enemies, ſuch a Magor-Miſabib into their hearts and ſpirits, that they were a continuall terrour to themſelves, and that ſince our taking of Bovi…-Tracy, God hath given into our hands neer 1000 of the Enemies Horſe; and that upon the advance of a party of ours from Credi…on, the Enemies fled, and onelyonly …ix of Colonell Okeyes Dragoones put 500 of their Horſe from their poſt, at which time they fled from Plymouth, leaving their Guns, Arms, and Ammunition, behind them.
Secondly, That Captaine Batten, Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Ships, coming to block up Dartmouth by Sea (as our noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax had ordered him) li… upon a Ship of the Enemies, bound for France, wherein were many Gentlemen of quality, and money and jewels to a good quantity, together with many other rich ….
Thirdly, which is indeed very remarkable, That till our Forces came before Dartmouth, in at leaſt ſeven weeks ſpace, there had been little or no … upon that …; but now our Army being there, ther was ſuch a mighty ſhole of Mu…its taken, as comfortably fed our Army, and which ſo continued among them to the great admiration of all the Inhabitants.
Fourthly, That in the ſtorming of the Towne, though all things anſwered not the appointments of the Councell of War, yet there was no confuſion or miſcarriage in the whole worke, and withall, that we had very faire weather all the time of the ſiege and ſtorme, even to a minute, till the Town was taken, and then only it rained much.
Fifthly, That notwithſtanding the great ſtrength of the Fortifications of the Town, and in men and Ordnance alſo, yet it was taken without much bloodſhed, we having loſt but two men in all the whole worke, that we could poſſibly heare, of, which was even a miraculous mercy to us; conſidering, I ſay, that there were … ſtrong Works and Forts in it, and about 100 Peeces ready mounted and manned, which might have been thought ſufficient to have maintained the Town and Harbour againſt a very potent Army.
Sixthly and laſtly, That Maſter Peters, one of the Miniſters of the Army at this time, preſented to the Parliament divers Colours taken in the Towne and Country, and among the reſt, the Kings owne firſt Colours, which he firſt advanced at Yorke againſt the Parliament, with the Kings owne picture on it, and a Sword in … hand, and a booke in the other; together with a bundle of brave Letters found in the Governours Houſe in Dartmouth, ſome of the Princes, ſome of Ruperts, ſome of Gorings, ſome of Culpeppers, and their Commiſſions by Sea and Land, beſides a Popiſh Maſſe-Book and an Altar, taken from the Engineer of Dartmouth, who was a Dutch Maſſe Prieſt.
For all which ſo rare and remarkable free favours and mighty meer mercies, ſo graciouſly conferred upon us, our moſt renowned Parliamentary Worthies moſt rightly and religiouſly ordered a ſolemn day of Thankſgiving to be kept, a Copy of which their Order I have here thought fit to inſert, which was as followeth:
Die Jovis, Jan. 26. 1645.
THe Lords and Commons in Parliament aſſembled,A Solemne day of Thankſgiving ordered to be kept in London and over the Kingdome. do order and appoint this day fortnight, being Thurſday, for a day of Thankſgiving, for the taking in of Dartmouth and Hereford, to be kept within the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, the Lines of Communication, and ten miles about; And this day three weeks for all other places over the Kingdome in the Parliaments power.
About the 26 of this inſtant January we received alſo certaine intelligence by Letters out of Stafford-ſhire, that Captaine Stone, that valiant and active Commander,A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cark neere Stafford. had ſent out a party of about 100 and odde Horſe to beate up the Lord Molinaux his Quarters, who fell upon the Enemy at a place called Cark, within ſeven miles of Stafford, and managed their charge with ſuch martiall reſolution and dexterity, that they routed 300 of the Enemies, and tooke priſoners three Captaines, two Cornets, eight Reformadoes, ten inferiour Officers, about 100 Horſe, and divers priſoners, above 100 Piſtols: In which conflict many of the Enemies were wounded, and ſome ſlaine. And thus they returned victoriouſly to Stafford againe, with their Priſoners and Prizes.
And about the 28 of this inſtant we were certainly informed from our Army in the Weſt,Pouldram Caſtle taken. that Pouldram Caſtle, which was Sir William Courteens Houſe, a ſtrong Garriſon of the Enemies neer Exeter, was ſurrendred to brave Colonell Hamond, who commanded in chiefe, upon theſe Conditions; The Officers and Souldiers to depart to their own dwellings, leaving all their Arms behind them. There were about 120 in the Caſtle, 4 Peeces of Ordnance unmounted, 5 Barrels of powder, with Bullet and Match proportionable, but little other Proviſions. His Excellencies moſt courteous carriage and mercifull uſeage of thoſe at Dartmouth, notwithſtanding that he wonne it by ſtorme, had a great influence and operation upon the ſpirits of the Enemies elſewhere, and was not only a prevalent motive to theſe of Pouldram Caſtle to yeeld ſo ſoone unto his famouſed mercy, but made many others alſo, ſhortly after to deſert the Enemy;The moſt noble and renowned Generals ſingular mercy and clemency toward his Enemies. for there being at leaſt 120 Corniſh men priſoners in Dartmouth, notwithſtanding their former, even moſt barbarous cruelty to ours; yet, I ſay, renowned and mercifull Sir Thomas Fairfax, (as I was credibly informed) ſet them all at liberty, and gave them two ſhillings a man to beare their charges. And was not here a heaping of Coales of fire on their heads (as our Saviour commands and commends in his Diſciples) and a rare way of winning of hearts, even of thoſe formerly heatheniſh cruell Corniſh Enemies. Thoſe of them that would ſtay and take up Armes for the Parliament (as divers did) he gave them …ree ſhillings a peece: to all the Seamen in priſon he freely gave their liberty, and to all their Common Souldiers, unwilling to take up Armes, he gave Paſſes to go to their owne habitations; nay to ſeverall Officers (of whom any of the faire conditioned Towneſmen could give any good Character) he alſo gave Paſſes to go to their owne homes alſo, on promiſe of future faire and peaceable demeanour toward the Parliament and their friends. This indulgent and moſt noble favour, thus ſhewed by his Excellency, was not altogether fruitleſſe unto us immediately after, for ſome of thoſe Officers proved very ſerviceable to our Army in ſome of their ſucceeding deſignes; nor could leſſe good effects be expected from many others where his Excellency occaſionally made his Martiall progreſſe and advances; whereby he hath moſt certainly, and more and more moſt worthily been crowned with ancient Caeſars more than Golden Diadems of perpetuall ſame and honour,Sir Thomas Fairfax a ſecond Caeſar. viz. Caeſar noſter Anglicus, dando ſublevando, & ignoſcendo, Gloriam adeptus eſt. But now to proceed.
About the latter end of this MonethMonth of January, we had further certaine intelligence by Letters from Dartmouth, in the Weſt, that a Barke which came from France, putting in at Dartmouth, not knowing it was in the Parliaments hands, and being come within command,A Ship from France taken at Dartmouth, with Letters of great conſequence. before they diſcovered it, was there inſtantly ſeized on. But ſpeciall order and directions having been given to the Maſter of the Ship, that in caſe he ſaw himſelf in danger to be taken by any of the Parliaments Forces, he ſhould throw his packets of Letters overboard into the Sea, which now he had accordingly done; but it being upon examination confeſſed, Colonell Lambert preſently commanded out boats to ſearch for them, and to ſee if they could eſpie any ſuch Packets floating on the waters toward the ſhore, which by Gods good providence at laſt they found ſo indeed, and tooke them up and brought them to the noble Colonell, even Letters of great concernment from the Queen, Jermine and Goring, which were all ſpeedily poſted up to the Parliament. And thus, beſides the prize of the Ship and the fraught therein, the Lord was moſt graciouſly pleaſed, even by our Enemies themſelves, (and eſpecially by admirable interception of their Letters from time to time, even all along) to lay open and diſcover unto us the moſt hidden (I had almoſt ſaid the moſt hideous) ſecrets of their helliſh hearts againſt us, and thereby giving us fair and ſeaſonable opportunities (by his bleſſed aſſiſtance) to prevent and avoid their intended malice and miſchiefe toward us; bleſſed, O ever bleſſed be the pure and precious grace and meere mercy of our good God unto us.
And here now againe, good Reader, I ſhall deſire thee in thy wonted patience and piety, together with me, to make another ſhort ſtay, and take a ſummarie and briefe ſurvey and gratefull reviſe of all the ſweet and ſalubrious mercies of this monethmonth alſo, ſo much conducing to the health and happineſſe of this long languiſhing Church and State,The Burning-Buſh unconſumed. to the dreſſing, pruning, and proſpering of this our Burning-Buſh ſtill (as you ſee) unconſumed, the Parliaments juſt Cauſe, thus ſtill ſuſtained in the midſt of all the fiery machinations and flaming moleſtations, burning and blazing round about it, as hath been moſt comfortably and conſpicuouſly ſeen to us all,1 both in the great mercy of our God, in ſo upholding the heart of the renowned Governour of Plymouth, with ſuch impregnable loyalty and fidelity to the Parliament and its moſt juſt Cauſe, as not to betray that great truſt committed to him by the Parliament, in ſafe-guarding the ſaid famous Town from the pawes and poſſeſſion of the Enemie; and alſo in the ſingular good ſucceſſe which immediately after the Lord gave to thoſe his loyall befieged ſervants, againſt their beſieging Enemies, as a juſt reward of their late baſe batterie of treachery ſhot againſt it.2 In that famous defeat given alſo to the Enemy at B…vie-Tracy; and our winning of Ilminſter, Aſhburton, Totnes and Okebampton; together with the famous victory obtained againſt the Rebels of Ireland at Sligo, 3and the excellent effects enſuing thereon. In the moſt happy totall relief of Plymouth from a long and dangerous ſiege, by baſe and blood-thirſty Enemies, and recovery of Sir Francis Drakes Houſe,4 a ſtrong Garriſon alſo, out of their hands. In Gods great goodneſſe unto us▪ in ſtill ſtirring up the hearts, and raiſing up the ſpirits of the moſt renowned Citizens of London, to ſtand cloſe to his truth, and to be very zealous for the building up of Gods Houſe, as was moſt eminently evident in their moſt excellent Petitions to the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for the ſpeeding thereof.5 In the moſt happy ſurprizall of the Town and Caſtle of Dartmouth, a mighty mercy unto us indeed, it being a place of great conſequence to the whole Kingdome, and a faire and famous Haven and inlet from other forraigne parts.6 And ſixthly and laſtly. In that brave defeat given to the Enemy at C…rk neer Stafford; the taking in of P…ldram Caſtle by Sir Thomas Fairf…s forces in the Weſt; and his moſt Excellent and amiable demeanour among the people of thoſe parts, even like a ſecond Julius Caeſar. Together with the moſt ſeaſonable ſurpriſall of that Ship from France in Dartmouth harbour, by which that … of Letters of ſo great Concernment was alſo by Gods g…d providence apprehended and found floating on the waves of the Sea. All which moſt gratefully put together, and ſeriouſly and ſanctimoniouſly conſidered can amount to no leſſe than a moſt large acknowledgement of our moſt deere and Deepe en…gement to the Lord our God in all the bonds of moſt bonden gratitude; and therefore to breake out into holy and hearty zeale … Cordiall thankfulnes and with the good Prophet to con… and ſay,Jer. 10. 7. Who would not feare and love thee (O King of Nations) … to thee alone indeed, it doth appertaine; for as much as among all … and ſtrong man of the Nations and all their kingdomes, their … like unto the Lord our God: Zecha. 25.Who hath moſt mercifully and … been a wall of fire to us, this unworthy Jeruſalem, round … as, and the onelyonly glorie in the midſt among us. But now to proceed.
And here now I ſhall begin the farther proſperous per … in the comfortable contemplation of the continued wonder of the Burning-Buſh unconſumed in this MonethMonth alſo of Februarie 1646.February. 1646. with the certaine intelligence by letters out of the North-… parts of the Kingdome, about the beginning of the … of February, 1646. That the ſtrong and almoſt impregna… Garriſon called …-Caſtle, being one of the ſtrongeſt and … buildings in the Kingdome,Belvoir-Caſtle ſurrendred to the Parliament and therefore called Belvoir, … word, ſignifying a Fair-Proſpect, which had 66 ſteps or … unto it, and therefore might well over-look the Country, which (for the moſt part, being vallies round about it) ſeemed … yeild obey…ce to this Caſtle, which now, I ſay, is reduced … obedience of the Parliament, Sir lartis Lucas, the Governour thereof▪ withall the Commanders, Officers and Souldiers therin, … permiſſion to march away to Litch-field, upon more honourable termes, indeed, than they deſerved.
And … Thurſday, Februarie they came letters out of Cheſhire, The City of Weſtcheſter taken.from that …, faithfull, and religious Commander, Sir Willi… …, of the moſt happie ſurrender of the ſtrong and long … Caſtle of Weſt-Cheſter, into the noble Commanders …, for the uſe of the King and Parliament. And that which made the mercy much more ſweet and remarkable, was, that the ſurrender of this Towne was a cleare and moſt evident returne of the prayers of Gods people, who had the faſt day before the MonethMonth of January beene preſſing the throne of grace for this great mercy in particular.A moſt ſweet and evident returne of Prayer. And now this Thurſday February, 6. being the day of ſolemne Thankeſgiving, ſet a part by ſpeciall command of the Parliament, for Gods great goodneſſe in the obtaining of the ſtrong Towne and Caſtle of Dartbmouth, whiles the Parliament was in the midſt of that God-delighting dutie of Thankeſgiving in Margrets-Church in Weſtminſter, there came a Gentleman belonging to renowned Sir William Brereton with letters directed to the Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, certifying that the Citie and Caſtle of Cheſter were ſurrendred to Sir William for the uſe of the King and Parliament, the third day of this inſtant Februarie, about the houres of 11 or 12. at Noone, upon very faire, yea indeed, too faire termes and conditions to ſuch a bloody Butcher as Byron was,Cheſter ſurrendred upon very conditions, and the reaſon therof. ſave only in mercy and pittie to the poore and miſerably long-beſieged without, and much abuſed within Inhabitants of the City, and to avoyd the utter ruine and devaſtation thereof, which this bloody Byron had vowed rather than to ſurrender on termes inferiour to thoſe now thus granted: For, in the preſent condition thereof, it was exceedingly impoveriſhed by the Enemies obſtinacie and cruelty within, very little proviſions to be found therein, ſave only of armes and ammunition, whereof indeed was good ſtore. The particulars wherof take in this liſt thereof,The prizes taken in the City of Cheſter the beſt and fulleſt that was then imparted to us. There were taken in the City of … upon the ſurrender thereof, 300. Peeces of Ordnance, 3000. armes, 20. Ships and ſmaller Veſſells, 40. Barrells of Powder and good ſtore of Bullet, 2000. Bandileers, 200. Firelocks, …2. Skenes of Match, 200. Horſe, 300. Sadles and other furniture, 30. Hogſheads of Wine, 17. Firkins of Butter, very little Cheeſe, 20 Wagons, 17. Flitches of Bacon, and a little ſalt-beefe for the Officers, 8000. Ounces of Plate and good ſtore of other rich treaſure in Byrons quarters, for Byron himſelfe was permitted to carry away with him not above 50. l. in mony; the Seale of the County-Palatine, a 1000. Records and Evidences; there were alſo in the City, two Powder-Mills, and 250. Iriſh Priſoners.
This City and that of Dartmouth were of ſingular concernment and very great mercies to the Parliament, and their loſſe ſo … the greater to the Enemie (bleſſed be our God for it) for… this of Cheſter was moſt Convenient for landing of the Iriſh-R…, and that of Dart-mouth, for the French; beſides the ſtrength which the Enemie had in them, which is now by this meanes much weakned and ſcattered, and our forces alſo which were a… them now at libertie to be elſewhere imployed on other uſefull and important avocations toward Oxford, Litchf…ild, or ſome ſuch places.
About the 8. of this inſtant Februarie, we had certaine intelligence by Letters from Leiceſter, that a party of about 80. horſe and 40. dragoones were ſent out of Leiceſter under the command of Major Meeres a very valiant and diſcreet Gentleman by night, into Aſhbie de la Zouth, A brave defeat given to the Enemie at Aſhbie de-la Zouth.who carried on the deſigne exceeding …avely, and marched with ſuch expedition and privacie, that they came to Aſhbi… about 11. of the clock, that night, altogether undiſcovered, which was about 12. miles march, whither being come, they ſuddainly ſurpriſed the Centinells, fell in at the Turnpike, broke the chaine, and entred the Towne, tooke neere 100. of the Enemies Horſe, being the greateſt part of the horſe of that Garriſon, 30. whereof were ready Sadled, and fitted to have gone forth upon ſome deſigne of theirs, all of them excellent good horſes, and ſome of them worth, 20. 30. and neere 40. l. a horſe; they tooke ſtore of armes, and more other Pillage, releaſed divers priſoners, and ſome Country men whom the Enemie had taken for ranſomes; and thus having plundred the Towne, in part of requitall of the many miſchiefe… and plundring of that Garriſon to the Parli…ts friends, all theſe … friends, returned to Leiceſter without the leaſt moleſtation: the Enemie (who was in the great Houſe or Cloſe) either not … the alarme or nor daring to come forth at all againſt them. And thus, I ſay, they came ſafely back againe to Leiceſter, with all their horſe, prize and pillage.
And about the 10. of this inſtant we received certaine information by Letters out of the Weſt, The good and proſperous ſucceſſe of our armie in the Weſt.of the moſt proſperous proceedings of the Parliaments forces in thoſe parts; And how the Enemie did mightily deſert their Colours and Commanders; yea and how that ſome of the Commanders themſelves with their Souldiers came in unto our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes party, and in particular, that a Commander with a party of Horſe from the Princes Army came voluntarily and proffered his Service to his Excellency, who was moſt nobly entertained by our renowned Generall. And the ſaid Commander did alſo aſſure his Excellency, that as ſoone as oportunity did ſerve, divers more intended to come away from the Enemie (a great part whereof were North-Countrie Gentlemen:) who had an earneſt deſire to ſerve his Excellency; And that a party of Sir Franis Drakes regiment went to viſit a guard of the Enemies kept at Burrington, where they tooke the Major and all his guard being about 40. Horſe in number; this partie of ours was commanded by Major Stephens, he that formerly routed Gorings Brigade and tooke his Colours from him.
About the 12. of the inſtant Februarie, our prudent and provident Worthies of the Houſe of Commons tooke into their ſerious conſideration the great obſtructions in ſeverall parts of the kingdome, and how much it might prejudice the people, in caſe they ſhould not enjoy the benefit of the Lawes of the kingdome: Whereupon,The Aſſizes of Oyer and Terminer revived. they ordered, That (as formerly) Commiſſions ſhould be iſſued forth under the Great-Seale of England to the juſtices of Aſſizes, and Oyer and Terminet, Goale-deliveries and Niſi-prius ſhould continue and proceede in their power in their Circuits, according to former Votes and inſtructions. A ſingular good worke, indeed, and much conducing to ſettlement of the peace and tranquility of the Common-wealth; the long intermiſſion whereof (which could not till now be well remedied by reaſon of the Civill-warres among us) having beene of great prejudice to the whole Kingdome.
And the 19. of this inſtant Februarie being Thurſday, the Houſe had ordered a day ſhould be ſet a part as a ſolemne day of Thankeſgiving for the great merciemercy of God to this Kingdome for the happie ſurrender of the City of Cheſter into the Parliaments poſſeſſion,A Solemne Thankſgiving for Cheſter, and a charitable Collection made. and that a Collection ſhould be made in all the Churches, for the releife of the Sicke, mained and wounded Souldiers that lay before that place; and likewiſe for the releife of other diſtreſſed people in and about that Citie, who had ſuffered much and beene brought into great poverty and miſerie by the enemies there. And our moſt loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland kept the like ſolemn-day of Thankſgiving in their armie, to bleſſe God with us for this great merciemercy unto us. And ſee and admire, as a farther ground of Thankefulnes, and to raiſe up our Spirits to a higher pitch of bounden gratitude; Even the very ſame morning that we were praiſing the Lord for that great mercy ſo graciouſly received, there came yet more joyfull newes to the Parliament, of a great overthrow given by his Excellency renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces, to the Enemy at Torrington in the Weſt,A freſh ſpurre to quicken the ſpirit of praiſes. the particulars of which ſo memorable a victory, cannot (I conceive) but be of moſt ſingular ſatisfaction to the Kingdome and people of God, eſpecially; I ſhall therefore give the Reader a full and faithfull intimation thereof, as it was ſent in a Letter from a Gentleman of piety, credit, and eminency, in his Excellencies Army, and was read in the Houſe of Commons, Febr. the 20. which was as followeth: