Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 36 – Letter 37
SIR,
SAturday, Febr. 14. our Army marched from Crediton and the quarters thereabout to Chimleigh, Sunday they marched very early to a Rendezvouze ſome two miles in the way to Torrington, with intention to have gone on, but our Parties of horſe bringing in ſome priſoners, by whoſe examination we could not certainly learn which way the Enemy bent, whereupon another party was ſent out of Colonell Butlers Troope, the forlorn of which party being twelve took twelve of the Lord Gorings Life-guard, and 24 Horſe, and brought them to the Generall, upon their examination it appeares, the Enemy was ignorant of our motion; The Lord Hopton was in Torrington. And further, that a party of the Enemies Horſe was at Burrington, the Generall ſent a partie of Horſe to meet with them, under command of Captaine Barry, who accordingly charged the Enemy, put them to a rout, ſhot Lieutenant Colonell Dundaſh a Renegado, and of the Lord Cleevelands Brigade, and tooke ſeverall priſoners, and brought Dundaſh three miles on the way, but being mortally wounded, was inforced to leave him at Ringdaſh a foot quarter of ours. Alſo another party of Horſe toward the Eaſt met with the Enemy, taking ſome Priſoners and Horſe, and ſhot Major Bret; by this time a Bridge was made up ſome two miles off Chimleigh, ſo that our Army might with convenience march over, but the day being ſo far ſpent, it was not held fit to march with the whole Army, ſo three Regiments of Horſe and three of Foot marched ſome foure miles towards the Enemy; that night the reſt returned to Chimleigh, with Orders to march. Munday Feb. 16. the Generall with that part of the Army that was at Chimleigh marched up to the reſt of the Army and within five miles of Torrington had a generall Rendezvouze both of Horſe and Foot, drew them up in Batalia, and ſo marched up towards the Enemy.
When we came within two miles of Torringron, our forlorne hope of Horſe charged theirs, put them to retreat, whereupon they came on again with a very ſtrong party, and put ours to a ſtand; the reſerves of our forlorn being come up, and ſome foot, forced them to their Body againe, our forlorn of horſe purſued and alarmed them at Squire Rolls his houſe, within a mile of Torrington where they began to fortifie, but the Enemy perceiving our Foot came up, quit the Houſe, and drew their Forces to Torrington, and our forlorne of Horſe advanced after them.
The Enemy drew their Foot out of the Town into the cloſes about a quarter of a mile, our forlorn hope of Foot lined the hedges, and ſo faced each other about two houres, within halfe Musket ſhot e…changed many ſhot, and there was then continuall skirmiſhing by the Forlornes and Reſerves on both ſides, and ſome Priſoners taken; by this time it began to be darke, and a Councell of War was called, whether to engage before day or not, whereupon the Generall, Lieutenant Generall, with the reſt of the Colonels, deferred a Reſolution a little time, and rid to the forlorn hope, to ſee in what poſture they were while they were there, the Tattoo was heard to beat in the Towne, which aſſured us the Enemy continued in the Town, not flying away, as was reported, but to be certaine, ſix Dragoones were commanded to creep under a hedge neer the Barracadoes, and to give fire, to ſee whether they would anſwer, by which we might know whether they ſtood to defend the Towne.
The Enemy received the charge, and anſwered it with a very ſharp volley of ſhot. Our forlorn hope ſeeing the Dragoons engaged gave fire: whereupon the Enemy gave fire all along the hedges and Works; thereupon the Reſerve to the forlorn came on to relieve them, and ſo being engaged, the whole Army advanced, and about eight at night the battell began ſome ſix fields from the Town, and we fought from hedge to hedge untill we beat them into their Barracadoes, which they maintained for an houre after very reſolutely, our men being often repulſed, yet at laſt got over the Barracadoes, and forced the Enemy into the Town: whereupon the Horſe were let in, who ſcouring the ſtreets were received by the Enemy, and a hot charge given by both parties, yet it pleaſed God at the laſt we do … them out of the Barracadoes at the furtheſt end of the Towne, and by this time many priſoners were taken and put into the Church, but farre more eſcaped being darke,Torrington Church fired by the Enemy. over the hedges and by-wayes, which was not poſſible for us to prevent, throwing downe their Arms, and every man flying ſeverall waies. Our Forces were no ſooner poſſeſt of the Towne, but the Enemies Magazine which they left in the Church was fired, whether on purpoſe by the Enemy, or by accident, we cannot yet learne: but it proved a terrible blow not only blazing up the Church; with all the wood and lead that was upon it, deforming many houſes in the Town, but killed ſome of the Priſoners in the Church, and ſome of our men that were in the Church-Yard: two great Webs of Lead fell within twice a Horſe length of the Generall, but it pleaſed God he eſcaped, though in eminent danger; many others being hurt both with the Timber, Stones and Lead, moſt of the Towne was ſhaken by this blow, being the terribleſt that hath been ſeen in the memory of man, there being about 80 Barrels of powder blown up together, and one barell which was blowne out of the Church into the ſtreete, which took not fire.
The Enemy perceiving their Magazine to be … fired, gave one charge more with their horſe up to our Barracadoes, commanded by Sir Iohn Digby, but our Musketeers gave fire, whereupon they tooke their farewell, our firſt inſtantly advanced through the Towne after them, and began the purſue about 11 of the clock at night.
Hoptons Army totally routed.Thus it hath pleaſed God in an inſtant to ſcatter thoſe Forces of the Lord Hoptons, his infantry being taken, ſlaine, and totally routed, his horſe, many taken and diſperſed, and the reſt gone in great diſorder toward Cornwall, where ſhortly I hope we ſhall meet with the remnant left of that crew, and put an end to the Field Enemy in the Weſt of England. They confeſt they had 8 Regiments of Horſe, conſiſting of 2500 men; ſome other of their Officers that are priſoners,The valour of the Corniſh men. ſay 3000. Indeed they are very reſolute men, ſought valiantly, and after they were chaſed from hedge to hedge, defended their Barracadoes and Works at puſh of Pike, and with the butt end of their Muskets, till our Foot got over a hedge and flankd them, ſo that they were forced to quit it.
They were old Corniſh Foot, and all Green…iles and Gorings old Souldiers, both Engliſh and Iriſh, who were ingaged in this ſervice, but now are ſcattered. We have abundance of men wounded, both Officers and Souldiers, more than have been at any ſtorme ſince the Army came forth, for indeed every hedge was as it were a Bulwark to the Enemy, ſo ſtrong are their hedges in thoſe parts, but few of ours killed, many of the Enemies, both Horſe and Foot. Let the glory of the victory be all given to God. Our firſt Word in this fight was Emanuell, God with us, and a Farre Puſh in our hats. Their Word was, We are with you, and a handkercheif tyed about their right Armes, but by taking ſome of ours priſoners the Enemy had gained the Word and Sign…, and therefore we changed our Word, which was Truth, and a handkercheif or white marke in our hats.
A true Liſt of the Priſoners, and of the number ſlaine and wounded on both ſides in this fierce fight and brave victory at Torrington. Priſoners, prizes, and ſpoil, in and after this fight. The ſlaine in this fight.PRiſoners taken of the Enemies 600. among whom were many of quality, even 80 of the Princes Life-Guard, 30 of Hoptons Life-Guard, one Lieutenant Colonell, 9 or 10 Captaines, 6 Lieutenants, one Cornet, 3 Enſignes, together with other Officers, 200 Horſe, 3000 Armes, Hopton himſelf ſhot in the thigh neer the belly, one Letter ſaid ſhot dangerouſly in the belly, Sir John Digby wounded in the head, and ſome others of note ſorely wounded, and Major Threave, and Captaine Frie and other Officers ſlaine. Of the Enemies ſlaine in the City by firing the Magazine 200. full 80 barrels of powder blown up in the Church, which (as was moſt credibly and for certaine informed) was done on purpoſe by Hoptons inſtigation, who gave 20 l. to one of their owne party to fire the ſame, a moſt cruell act. 20 of ours ſlaine in the fight, and by blowing up the Magazine, and no more; and about 100 wounded. The Lord Hoptons Commiſſion to be Generall under the Prince, Sir John Digbies Commiſſion to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth, and other Papers of conſequence taken. Of the Lord Hoptons about 400 or 500 li. in money left behind at his Quarters, with much plunder left in Portmantles, and in other places behind them. All the Enemies bagge and baggage taken, and great ſtore of proviſions taken in the Town; the Enemy totally routed and fled in great diſorder into Cornwall, The Parliaments gratuity to the Meſſengers that brought this good newes.and ours ſtill in the purſuit of them. The two Meſſengers that brought the Letters intimating this great victory, were called into the Houſe of Commons, and had 40 l. given them, as a gratuity for their pains in the journey. And the Meſſenger that brought this foreſaid Liſt and other Letters in confirmation of this great victory, had 20 l. given to him alſo.A day of ſolemne thankſgiving ſet apart for this great Victory at Torrington.
And upon the 23 of this inſtant Febr. the Houſe of Commons ordered that Thurſday come fortnight being the 11 of March, a day of ſolemne Thankſgiving, ſhould be kept in London and Weſtminſter, and within ten miles about, for this great mercy and brave victorie at Torrington; And for the Countrie it was ordered that in reſpect Thurſday 7. night was by a former order appointed a day of Thankeſgiving for the ſurrender of Cheſter, in the ſeverall Counties under the Parliaments power, that on the ſame day, hearty thankes ſhould likewiſe be rendred by the Miniſters of the ſeverall Counties for this other great mercy at Torrington.
The Court of Wards utterly put down.Upon the 24. inſtant, the Houſe of Parliament taking occaſion by an ordinance for the diſcharging of the Ward-ſhip of the Heyres-male of Sir Chriſtopher Wray, late a moſt worthie Member of the Houſe of Commons; They fell upon a ſerious debate touching the Legality or Illegality of Wardſhips in generall, and after ſome time ſpent therein, they ordered that the Court of Wardſhips it ſelfe, and all Wardſhips Auſtres les Mains Primer Seiſins, and all other charges incident to the ſaid Office ſhould be from that preſent day taken away; And all Tenures of homage and all fines, licences, pardons of Alienation &c. ſhould be likewiſe taken away. This Vote being preſently ſent up to the Lords Houſe for their Concurrence, their Lordſhips concurred accordingly therein. And for the better ſatisfaction of the Reader, I have thought fit to ſet downe the Copy of the order or Vote it ſelfe, verbatim, which was as followeth.
A Copy of the Order or Vote in Parliament for puting downe the Court of Wards.IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons Aſſembled in Parliament, that the Court of Wards and Liveries, and all Wardſhip, Lilerie, Primer Seiſins, and Auſtres les Maines, and all other charges inſident or riſing for or by reaſon of Wardſhip, Livery, Primer Seiſin, or Auſtres les Maines be from this day taken away, and that all Tenures by Homage, and all Fynes, Lycences, Seiſures, and Pardons for alienation, and all other charges inſident thereunto he likewiſe taken away, and that all Tenures by Knights ſervice, either of his Majeſty or others, or by Knights ſervice or Soccage in Capite of his Majeſty, be turned into free and Common Soccage.
This act of grace and happines to the Kingdome I conceive not to be inferiour to any of the former Acts or Votes paſſed by the Parliament, and muſt needs be extraordinary acceptable eſpecially to the Gentrie of England, who by meanes of that Court were kept under in a mighty deale of homage and vaſſalrie in their Children and eſtates; and they, therefore, now ſo much the more bound to doe God the more good ſpirituall ſervice by how much he hath thus ſet them and theirs at ſuch an enlarged libertie and freedome from this temporall ſervice.
About the 26. of this inſtant Februarie, we had certaine and full confirmation by Letters both from active and courageous Colonell Birch of the famous victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe by the Parliaments forces under the Command of valiant and faithfull Major Generall Laughorn, Sir Trevor Williams and Colonell Morgan, the ſubſtance whereof was, as followeth:
Ragland-Caſtle in Wales having long time beene fortified by the Earle of Worceſter, a Papiſt, did of late much increaſe in ſtrength, and committed many cruelties upon the Countie of Monmouth, plundring, firing and deſtroying Townes and Houſes, having the whole Countrie under their power, except ſome few Garriſons of the Parliaments, The brave victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe in Glamorganſhireno way able to reſiſt them: Now, at length, the Ragland horſe drew towards Cardiffe in Glamorganſhire being a Parliament Garriſon; whereupon the Governour and Committee there ſent to Colonell Kern, lately made High-Sheriffe of that Shire by the Parliament, and to the reſt of the Countrie to riſe in a body, to oppoſe the Enemie. But contrarie to expectation, this Colonell Kern and the Malignant Gentrie being at their Rendevouz, ſo prevailed with the people thus now raiſed, as to beſiege Cardiffe, Colonell Kern the High-Sheriffe revolts and joynes with the Malig. Gentry againſt the Par…iament.which was done with about 2000. men; and ſo in a ſhort time they tooke the Towne; having alſo the aſſiſtance of the Malignant Townſmen. Hereupon the Governour, Committee and Souldiers, betooke themſelves to the Caſtle; And Gods good providence ſo ordered it, that Major Generall Laughorn, Sir Trevor VVilliams and Colonell Keyrl and a party ſent from Briſtol from Major Generall Skippon, came in good ſeaſon to their aſſiſtance; (for, the Governour and Committee, as I toucht before, had ſent to them and to Colonell Morgan, to acquaint them with their eſtate; their proviſions were now almoſt ſpent in the Caſtle) and being ſo come fought moſt valiantly with the Country men and Ragland forces (who were joyned on a Heath neere the Towne) and at length, by Gods great mercy to us, routed them and juſt upon the nick thereof, Colonell Morgan with a party from Glouceſter came in alſo unto them and did brave ſervice in the purſuite of the Enemie where they ſlew many and tooke many priſoners and forced them to flie backe to the Towne; but Major Generall Laughorn purſued them and releived the Caſtle, the enemie continuing in the Towne a while, till at laſt Articles were agreed on that they ſhould march away with … flying, match lighted … But having marched ſome pretty diſtance from the Towne, … was given by the Enemie for …ach of their articles, whereupon both ſides were ingaged in a ſecond very hot fight,A ſecond fight and brave victory. in which were ſlaine and drowned of the Enemie at leaſt 400. above 500. taken priſoners, the reſt were all ſcattered and fled; we loſt very few men in this ſervice, though many were hurt. This ſervice, certainly, was of very great concernment,The ſlain, priſoners and prizes. and rightly conſidered with the circumſtances, was none of the leaſt mercies, among many of our late famous ſucceſſes and victories, which God vouchſafed us. For had the Treacherous plot tooke effect by this Colonell Kerns defaction and the revolt of this County of Glamorgan, The great concernment of this victorySouth-VVales had beene loſt again, which probably would have afforded many thouſands to the king, to joyne in a body with Sir Jacob Aſhley, who, to this end and on this hope had drawne his forces this way from Oxford to Worceſter and ſo forward hither, thus to joyne and make ſtrong recruites; and alſo to have gathered together their ſcattered quarter'd-men that came from Cheſter with Byron, and at Garriſons thereabout, and thus to make a fair armie in the field preſently. But, our God (with whom they conſulted not) ſaw and ſmiled at their malice and miſchiefe, and hath thus moſt graciouſly cruſhed this Cockatri…e in the Egge; and made this dangerous defigne, a meere blaſted Embrio dying in the wombe; ever magnified and bleſſed be the Lord our good God for it.
Upon the intelligence of which moſt famous victory to the Parliament, The Parliaments gratitude to Maior Gen. Laughorn for this good ſervice.it was ordered that 1000 l. ſhould be forthwith charged upon the Exciſe for the payment of renowned Major Generall Laughornes forces. And the Commons conferred upon himſelfe an additionall conſiderable eſtate, in regard of the ſingular good ſervice, now and formerly performed by him moſt faithfully and ſucceſſefully for the King and Parliament.
And upon the 28. of this inſtant Februarie we received moſt certaine intelligence of the taking of Corff-Caſtle, which being fully related in a Letter ſent from thoſe parts from a ſpeciall good hand, I have here for the Readers better content and ſatiſfaction, inſerted a Copy thereof, which was, as followeth: Sir There being in Corffe-caſtle, One Leiutenant Colonell Pitman, who had formerly ſerved the Lord Inchiquin, in Ireland; upon ſome intimation given that he had a deſire to doe the Parliament an acceptable ſervice in procuring this Caſtle to be delivered up to the Parliaments poſſeſſion,Corffe Caſtle delivered up to the Parliament. in caſe he might have a protection granted him. Accordingly a protection was here privately procured, and ſent downe unto him; and thereupon the plot was thus laid, viz. Lieutenant Colonell Pitman having ſpeech with Captaine Aniketell the Governour told him, that if he would give way unto it he would goe into Somerſetſhire and privately get 100. men more, and bring them into the Caſtle, and then conſidering what had been formerly done he made no queſtion but they ſhould beat off the beſiegers, and make them quit the place: and that he would finde meanes to colour his going out by obtaining leave to goe for an exchange of a friend of his for one of the Parliaments ſide that was priſoner in the Caſtle; Which being aſſented unto, and leave given by Colonell Bingham for him to goe forth accordingly; an appointment was made, and the deſigne ſo laid, as that Pitman under the Colour of bringing in the 100. men for the enemy ſhould bring in 100. of the Parliaments Souldiers, and that the beſiegers ſhould give the onſet the ſame time. Accordingly 100. commanded men were taken out of ſeverall Companies of the Garriſon of Waymouth, and ſecretly marched to Lulworth caſtle, whence they marched away with ſome 30. or 40. more joyned with them, as ſilently as they could untill they came to the place; Lieutenant Colonell Pitman leading them on to the Sally-port, where Captaine Aniketill the Governour ſtood to welcome them with much courteſie, ſome of the men being Somerſetſhiremen, fitted for the purpoſe, he being that Countrey-man, yet ſome intermixed amongſt them in a diſguiſed habit who knew all parts of the caſtle. When 50 of theſe were entered, Captaine Aniketill ſeeing many yet behind refuſed to ſuffer any more to enter, ſaying, thoſe were enough, and more than he could tell what to doe with; at which Pitman ſeemed to be very angry, ſaying, he had done him wrong in cauſing him to bring men ſo far with the hazard of their lives, and then to ſhut them out, and make them lie in the cold, and to be in danger of having their throats cut. But thoſe that were taken in got preſently ſome of them into the Kings Tower, others into the Queenes Tower, and the reſt into the two Platformes, ſtanding upon their guard, and making it good, expecting the beſiegers would give the onſet by ſcalado or otherwiſe, it being about two of the clocke after midnight, and thus it continved three or foure …, the beſiegers in all that time never falling on, and the Garriſon in the meane ſpace ſhooting and vapouring and threatning to cut the throats of all that were entred. But thoſe 50. ſtanding ſtoutly to it, at laſt when it was open day the beſiegers, when they ſaw their friends that were formerly entred to be on the tops of the Towers platformes, then they began to ſhew themſelves, and the enemy beſtowed ſome ſhot on them but without doing any harme. At laſt the Garriſon ſeeing themſelves betrayed, and that it was bootleſſe for them to ſtand it out any longer demanded a parley; which was granted and agreement made that all their lives ſhould be ſpared, and thoſe that were of the Town ſhould returne quietly to their houſes, whereupon two by a ladder came over the walls. The reſt ſeeing it, began againe to ſhoot and ſo brake quarter: ſo as in concluſion they all became priſoners at diſcretion, their lives excepted being ſevenſcore in number or thereabout. The Souldiers got ſtore of plunder; beſides which, there were found 17. barrels of powder, with match, &c. good ſtore of victuall, beſides 30. priſoners or thereabout ſet at liberty.
In this Action there was but one man loſt on the Parliaments ſide, though the Enemy ſhot often and threw downe great ſtones from the wall. And thus the Lord, every way mightily ſhewed himſelfe for us, to the glory of his own great name, the good of us his unworthy ſervants and the great dread and amazement of all our implacable and incorrigible enemies, to him, therefore, alone, be all the honour and glorie of all theſe our moſt memorable mercies and mighty deliverances.
And here I ſhall againe deſire the godly Reader to make a ſhort ſtay, and to take a briefe and gratefull review of all the rare and rich mercies of this MonethMonth alſo, in the Lords admirable preſervation and advancement of the proſperity of this his Burning-Buſh, thus, ſtill not Conſumed, nay contrariwiſe, ſtill freſhly flouriſhing and preſerved,The Burning Buſh not Conſumed. both, in the reducing of Belvoir caſtle, the faire City of Cheſter, Town and Caſtle to the obedience of the Parliament, 1.In the brave defeat given to the Enemie at Aſhbie de la Zouch and the proſperous proceedings of our forces in the2. Weſt. 3.In the eſtabliſhment of the judges to ride their Circuites againe, and keeping quarterly Aſſizes in all Countries … the power of the Parliament.4 In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Torrington in the Weſt, and totally routing Hoptons Army there.5 In putting down the Court of Wards; the famous preſervation of Cardiffe Towne and Caſtle, and mighty victory obtained therein:6 And the ſtratagemicall poſſeſſion of the ſtrong Garriſon of Corff-Caſtle. All which remarkable mercies ſeriouſly conſidered, and gratefully preponderated, O how great cauſe have we all with holy David frequently and frevently to enter into that his ſweet Soul-Soliloquie, and pious expoſtulation with our owne hearts,Pſal. 116. 12, 13, 14. What ſhall we re-pay and render to the Lord for all his benefits thus heaped and multiplyed upon us? But take the Cup of ſalvation, and pay our Vowes unto the Lord, which we have made in the depth of our d… lorous daies unto him. But now proceed.
And now we ſhall againe begin the moſt amiable and delectableMarch. 1646. progreſſe in the comfortable contemplation of the Parliamentary Mercies of this MonethMonth of March. 1646. with the farther moſt famous ſucceſſefull proceedings of our victorious Army in the Weſt, ſince the coming thereof into Cornwall; and therein particularly their taking of Launceſton, a ſtrong Garriſon of the Enemies in that Countrie,Launceſton in Cornwall taken by the Parliaments Forces. which being fully and truly related in a Letter by that worthy Gentlemen Maſter Ruſhworth, our moſt noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary, ſent to the Speaker to the honourable Houſe of Commons, I have here given the Reader an exact and true Copy thereof, which was as followeth;
SIR,
UPon Tueſday the 24 of Febr. the Generall began his march with the Army from Bedford, and part from Torrington, and quartered that night at Holſworth, being 12 miles from one place, and 15 miles from the other, an extraordinary rainy day, and wayes extraordinary deep. Wedneſday the 25 we advanced from Holſworth to Launceſton, being ten long miles, that the Enemy might be the more amazed at the Armies entring of Cornwall, Colonell Butler was ſent from Holſworth with a party of 1000 Horſe and 400 Dragoons, on Tueſday night as farre as Stratton in Cornwall, to beat up the Enemies Quarters, and accordingly that night he paſſed the River, where the Enemy had raiſed up a Breſt-Worke at Tamarton Bridge, and broke down the Bridge to hinder our paſſage over, but preſently quit the paſſage, whereupon he forced the Horſe as well as Foot, that kept Guard, to retreat to their other Guards. and … to the place appointed for their drawing together upon an …, when he charged their Horſe ſeverall times: at laſt it pleaſed God to put the Enemy to the flight. He tooke about 300 Horſe and 80 priſoners, he had more priſoners and ſome of quality, but the Souldiers minding their …ry and booty in Horſes, many of the priſoners eſcaped; this party of Horſe of the Enemies being about 800 that lay to keepe Guard upon the River Tamar, was commanded by Major Generall Webbe, who with the reſt of the Commanders, were put to a diſorderly Retreat, with the reſt of their Horſes; which gave them ſuch an alarm towards the North parts of Cornwall, that it forced them to draw their Horſe back, the reſt of the Army marching to Launceſton, which amazed them likewiſe on the left hand, that if their intentions were for breaking through, we could not tell what reſolution to take. When we came within two miles of Launceſton, we met with their Scouts, having taken ſeverall of them, we underſtood that Colonell Baſſet with Horſe and Foot was reſolved to keep Launceſton, and not to permit our entrance into the ſame, whereupon the forlorn hope of Horſe and Foot were ſent to force entrance into the Towne, the Enemy ſhut the Gates, made ſome oppoſition, but at laſt quit the Town, and that diſorderly; we took ſome priſoners, and killed ſome … of them, night being come on, the reſt eſcaped in the darke; the Arms and Magazine in the Towne we ſeized upon; we find the Country, and particularly the place, to expreſſe much joy at our coming, though they were made believe by the Enemy, that the Army would give no quarter to any Corniſh man or woman, which they did for the moſt part believe, and was the cauſe of a great terrour upon them: but our Souldiers, notwithſtanding the oppoſition they had at their entring of Launceſton, did not ſo much as plunder any one houſe, nor did any other prejudice to the Town, that we can heare of, but I hope will ſo demean themſelves in purſuance of the Generals Proclamation, as we ſhall conquer the Corniſh ſooner by our civility than by the Sword. Thus far into Cornwall it pleaſed God to proſper things with us, and I hope when we come more into the heart of the County, we ſhall not finde ſo many Enemies as friends. Very ſpeedily you ſhall receive a fuller account from
Your humble Servant, J. R. Launceſton, 26. of Febr. 1645. about nine a clock in the morning.
And upon the 2 of this inſtant March, Abington moſt …ercely a…ſauled, and moſt bravely defended and preſerved.the honourable Houſes of Parliament took the Garriſon of Abington into their conſideration; and it was ordered that monies ſhould ſpeedly be ſent downe for the payment of it, as indeed it moſt worthily deſerved, whom the Lord did moſt admirably aſſiſt and preſerve from moſt dangerous and deſperate ruine, by a moſt furious aſſault ſo daily made upon them by the Enemy from Oxford; whereof, as this day we were given to underſtand, and as by this enſuing Letter to renowned Major Generall Browne, is moſt apparent, even unto full ſatiſfaction, which was as followeth: