Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 43 – Letter 45
Sir Ralph Hoptons Demands.
SIR,
I Received yours, bearing date the fifth of this MonethMonth, wherein I muſt acknowledge much kindneſſe from you, and a very Chriſtian conſideration of ſparing of blood: But one thing there is, I am confident, you have too much honour to expect from me, which is, that to avoid any danger, or to enjoy any worldly advantage, I will renounce my Maſters Service, to whom I am both a ſworne Subject, and a ſworne ſervant, that I muſt profeſſe, I am reſolved to undergoe all fortunes with him, and if there ſhall be cauſe, to ſuffer any thing, rather than in the leaſt point to taint my honour in that particular, and I hope, there is not a man of any conſideration in this Army, under my command, that is not ſo reſolved; yet in all honeſt and honourable wayes, to procure the peace of this Kingdome, and the ſparing of Chriſtian blood, I take God to witneſſe, I am, and ſtill have been moſtdeſirous: And I heare, from good hands, our Gracious Soveraigne, is at preſent ſo farre adviſed to a Treaty with the Parliament, as that he hath promiſed to paſſe foure of the principall of their Bils propoſed, whereof the intruſting the Militia for ſeven yeares, in hands agreed between them is one. I deſire you to deale freely with me in that particular, for if that be ſo, it will ſpare the labour of further Treaty; being, for my part, ready to obey whatſoever his Majeſty ſhall agree unto: God indeed hath of late humbled us with many ill ſucceſſes, which I acknowledge as a very certaine evidence of his juſt judgement againſt us for our perſonall crimes: Yet, give me leave to ſay, your preſent proſperity cannot be ſo certaine an evidence of his being altogether pleaſed with you. It is true, we are reduced to a lower condition than we have been, yet have we a gallant body of Horſe, that being preſerved to a generall all accord, may be for good uſe againſt our common Enemies, and being otherwiſe preſt, I may ſay it without vanity, want not a reſolution, at leaſt to ſell our ſelves at a deare rate againſt any odds; Your Propoſitions, though they be not wholly to be conſented unto, yet if a generall accord, much more deſirable, be not in a likely forwardneſſe to prevent them, I ſhall be willing, that eight Commanders of ours, with three Country Gentlemen, give a meeting as ſoon as you pleaſe, to an equall number of yours at any indifferent place, to conſult of this great buſineſſe, and to conclude of ſome Propoſitions that may be reaſonable and honourable for both parts, wherein I hope God will ſ… bleſſe our cleare intentions, as may procure a probable inducement to a generall peace, according to the unfaigned deſire of
Your Servant, RALPH HOPTON. March 8. 1645.
A Party of yours falling upon a Guard of ours yeſterday, it is likely they have taken ſome priſoners; I deſire the favour from you, to receive a Liſt of them by this Trumpeter, till I receive a poſitive Anſwer to the contents of this Letter, I ſhall not permit any of mine to attempt any thing upon any of your Forces.
Your Servant, RALPH HOPTON.
Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Anſwer.
My Lord:
I Should moſt freely and truly inform your Lordſhip the beſt I could in any thing that might lead you to a right underſtanding of things in order, to the Peace of the Kingdome, or the reall good of your ſelfe and thoſe with you, ſo far as may ſtand with my truſt and duty to the Publiqve; to what I conceive your more certaine knowledge of that your deſire to be informed in, concerning the Kings offers to the Parliament, would not be prejudiciall: But the truth is, I can give you no other ſatisfaction or aſſurance therein, than this, That the King hath made ſome offers to the Parliament, and amongſt them one concerning the Militia ſomething to the purpoſe, as you ſay you have heard, but the juſt certainty what his laſt overtures are, or how far they have advanced towards a generall accord, I cannot at preſent certifie; I do not hear they have proceeded ſo far as to a Treaty; and I believe, That as the Parliament may be diſcouraged from that way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitleſneſſe thereof, and the ill uſe the ſame hath been deſigned or driven to, viz. only to gaine advantages for Wars, without reall intention of Peace; ſo the late overtures that way are the leſſe like to be ſucceſſefull, by reaſon of the clear and certaine diſcoveries the Parliament have had. That his Majeſty at the ſame time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts, to draw in Forraign Forces, and eſpecially, That the Earle of Glamorgan by Commiſſion from his Majeſty, had concluded a Peace with the Iriſh Rebels on Termes extreamly diſhonourable and prejudiciall, upon the only condition of ſending over forces under the command of that Lord, to invade England, whereof I preſume you cannot but have heard: And though his Majeſty did in a Letter to the Parliament diſavow any ſuch agreement, and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby, for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treaſon, for what he had done therein: Yet by late diſcoveries to the Parliament, and eſpecially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padſtow, from the Lord Digby, the Earle of Glamorgan and others, to Secretary Nicholas, your ſelfe, Sir Edward Hide, the Lord Culpepper, and others, it is moſt cleare and evident, that the arreſting of the Earle of Glamorgan, was onelyonly for a preſent colour to ſalve reputation with the people, and continue their deluſion till deſignes were ripe for execution: for the ſame peace is fully concluded with the Rebels, the King to have the aid conditioned upon the ſame agreement, and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe, and to command that force in chiefe. Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propoſitions I ſent; Though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter, except in circumſtances; yet I ſhall not refuſe or decline ſuch a meeting, or ought elſe that may probably tend to the ſaving of blood, or preventing further miſery to any; Provided that the meeting be ſpeedily, and number of perſons not to exceed 4 or 5. But (my Lord) when you conſider what I have before related concerning forraign Supplies, which I have reaſon to think you know and believe, you ſee what cauſe I have to be jealous of advantages ſought by delayes, & not intermit any time, or omit any opportunity to proſecute the ſervice I have in hand; and that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part, which you offer on yours, I do the more haſten back this my reſolution unto you; In purſuance whereof I do not deſpiſe, nor ſhall inſult upon your preſent condition: I queſtion not, nor yet ſhall, I hope, be much moved with that reſolution of your men: I preſume not on former ſucceſſes, nor preſent advantage in fleſhly power, but deſire to truſt in God alone, whoſe favour and bleſſing to this Army above others, I do not account in what is paſt, or expect in future, to be for any precedence in merit or goodneſſe of ours, whereby we ſhould be more pleaſing to him than others; but from his owne free grace and goodneſſe towards his people, whoſe welfare, with the common good of the Kingdome, we ſeeke and deſire with all faithfulneſſe and integrity to purſue. And ſo committing the iſſue of all to his good pleaſure, I remaine
Your humble Servant, T. FAIRFAX. March 9. 1645.
A Liſt of ſuch as are come in to Sir Thomas Fairfax during the Treaty.
THirty five Lieutenant Colonels,A Liſt of the number of … Gentry of Cornwall came in to the Parliament. Serjeant Majors, and Captains came in, March 11.
Forty Gentlemen of quality that came in the ſame day, ſome of great note.
One hundred Gentlemen, and others that have ſto…ne away by parties out of the Enemies Quarters.
Ninty ſix common Souldiers from Penryn with Arms.
Twelve more followed them.
Forty from Penryn are gone home, and have laid down their Armes, Colonell Treoanian the Governour of Penryn (by Treaty) ſince.
All the Officers and Souldiers in the Fort and Harbour.Maus Caſtle ſurrendred.
The Governour of Maus Caſtle.
All the Souldiers and Officers there.
One hundred Officers and Souldiers of Colonell Champernoones Regiment, Falmouth by this meanes is ours on that ſide the Harbour.
Two thouſand Horſe at leaſt that are ours by the Treaty.
Three or foure thouſand Arms.
About the ſame time alſo we received certaine information that Sir William Vaughan having united himſelf with Colonell De Villier, Sir William Vaughau well beaten by Captain Aſhley.had a reſolution to make ſome new attempt againe in Wales, but he and his Company were ſo well entertained by Captaine Aſhley, who was not above halfe ſo many in number, that the whole body of the Enemy, conſiſting of about 300 Horſe, were encountred, routed and purſued by ours, many of the Enemy ſlaine and taken priſoners▪ the Liſt whereof was thus in brief, five killed upon the place, 12 mortally wounded, Captain Johnſon taken Priſoner, two Captains more, two Lieutenants, one Cornet, eighteen other Priſoners, and good ſtore of Arms. And by the ſame Letters we received further intelligence, that by the vigilant care of the brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury there was raiſed a very ſtrong Worke within leſſe than Musket ſhot of HighArchall, The activity of the brav… Committee of Shrewsbury.by meanes whereof the Enemy could not ſtir, either in or out, but with their apparent danger. And at the erecting of this Fort, they tooke their opportunity of the Governour of High-Archals abſence, and before his returne they had made themſelves ſo ſtrong that although Sir Jacob Aſhley came along with him with about 1000 Horſe and Foot, they were inforced to retreat and go back againe, not daring to adventure on a place ſo gallantly manned, and made ſo inacceſſible, both by art and nature as that was, which indeed was the winning of that ſtrong Garriſon, as you ſhall ſhortly heare in its proper place.
About the 20 of this inſtant March we received certaine knowledge of the taking of Shruardon Caſtle,Shruardon Caſtle taken. a place of great importance, which brave ſervice was performed by that active Patriot and couragious Commander Major Generall Mit…on. And much about the ſame time alſo we received a full and exact relation of the remarkable ſucceſſe of valiant and active Colonell Birch, before Goderich Caſtle, expreſſed by himſelf in his Letter to the Honourable Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, which was as followeth:
Honourable Sir,
SInce my laſt the 7 inſtant finding the forces of Goodrich under command of Sir Henry Lingen, ſo active that a paſſenger could not be ſafe between Glouceſter and Hereford, nor could I quarter Horſe abroad but they were in much danger, nor could draw for… towards Ludlow or Worceſter, but they would come neer unto the City to plunder, therefore I choſe rather to run the hazard of ſtorming the Houſe wherein they kept their out-Guard upon their Boats, and Stable being within 20 foot of their Caſtle Wall, than to ſuffer thoſe former inconveniences which was done thus; I marched out of Hereford munday night laſt with 500 Horſe and Foot undiſcovered, untill I came within Piſtoll ſhot of Goodrich, a little before day, then fell on with 100 firelocks for the Forlorn, and entred over the Wall neare the end of their ſtable, the wall was very high, yet got over before they had a full alarm, and found in the ſtable about foureſcore Horſe and five men, which Horſe I took all digging thorow the wall, and turning them out the men were ſlaine and taken, the ſtable with hay and other proviſion burnt; In the mean time I fell on their out-Guard, in a place called the Boat-Houſe, which was within Piſtoll ſhot of the Caſtle, which held out two houres untill it was digged thorow, then they deſired quarter for their lives, wherein was Major Pateſon Commander of the Horſe, and Major Benskin and 15 Gentlemen more and Troopers, whom I brought to Hereford. This ſucceſſe it pleaſed the Lord to give me with little loſſe, which is very advantagious, and eſpecially enabling me to perform thoſe commands laid upon me by the right honourable the Committee for both Kingdoms: And this day in the way as I was comming to Glouceſter to that purpoſe, ſome Horſe belonging to Goodrich Caſtle, way laid me, which were out on a party, when I tooke the reſt munday night▪ Goodrich Caſtle taken.there being with me Colonell Kirle, and about 12 more, but not ſo many ready; The Enemy ſtood in the way, which we perceiving, gave them a charge, their number being 14. tooke and ſlew 12. and the other two eſcaping through the River to the Caſtle.
For the Forces under the command of Sir Jacob Aſhley they are now neer Worceſter. I queſtion not but a ſpeedy courſe will be taken with them which ſhall be the conſtant endeavour of your moſt thankfull Servant,
John Birch.
About the 23 of this inſtant March we received certaine intelligence of the famous and moſt happy victory obtained by the Forces of ever to be honoured Sir William Brereton, valiant Colonell Morgan, and Colonell Birch, over the Forces of Sir Jacob Aſhley, which was a very hot and furious fight, our Forces being twice worſted,The famous fight, and glorious victory obtained againſt Sir Jacob Aſhley. but at laſt, by Gods mighty power and aſſiſtance, the victory was given to ours at leaſt 200 being ſlaine on the place, 3000 totally routed, and at leaſt 2000 Arms taken. The particular deſcription of which moſt famous fight and glorious victory, being delivered in a Letter to ſome Honourable Members of the Parliament, by a Gentleman of quality and credit, under Sir William Brereton, and by their order and authority printed and publiſhed, I have thought fit, for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction, here to inſert, which was as followeth:
Honourable Sir;
ACcording to my engagements,A deſcription of the fight at Stow in the Ould. I ſhall give you an account of the proceedings of our Forces, in reference to our great Victory at Stow, Sir William Brereton having intelligence of Sir Jacob Aſhleyes march, and being invited by valiant and active Colonell Morgan, to follow and ſet upon him, he forthwith marched from Litchfield with about 1000 Horſe to Colſhell, and from thence thorow Warwick Town toward Stratford upon Avon; where Sir William had intelligence that Colonell Morgan was returned back as far as Cambden, by reaſon of his intelligence of the croſſings and Counter-marches of Sir Jacob Aſhley, Sir Jacob Aſhleyes cro…ſe and crafty marches put Sir William Brereton to tedious marches.inſomuch that Sir William Brereton was forced (out of his earneſt deſire to meet and joyn with Colonell Morgan, as was mainly intended) to march up and down, backward and forward, at leaſt 30 miles, to overtake him, and at laſt did ſo, and then being joyned, we all marched about a mile, by which time the Scouts had brought us word that the Enemy was drawne up into a body neer Stow in the Old, at which all our Souldiers greatly rejoyced, being very deſirous to engage. Then we marched (the whole Army) in Battalia,Both Armies are met. and after we had diſcovered them alſo, ſtanding in Battalia, we faced them an houre before we fought, both ſides waiting and longing for day light. Then Sir Will. Brereton and Colonell Morgan agreed (without any difference) in the drawing up of the Army, which was ordered as followes; Sir William Brereton led the right Wing of Horſe, which were thoſe that came with him from Litchfield, and the Glouceſterſhire men were placed in the left Wing, Colonell Morgan himſelf moſt gallantly led the Van,The ſignall Word on both ſides. our Word was God be our Guide▪ the Enemies Word was, Patrick and George. Upon the firſt charge the Enemy forced our left Wing to a diſorderly retreat, by over powring them, ſo that the victory, at firſt, ſeemed ſomwhat doubtfull; but Sir William Brereton moſt bravely going on with his right Wing of Horſe,The fight begun. and at leaſt 200 Firelocks, fiercely charged their left both of Horſe and Foot▪ and totally routed them. In which brave peece of ſervice undau…ted and valiant Major Haukſworth had a principall hand, and was a main help utterly torout and put to flight all the left Wing of the Enemy,The Enemy totally routed and purſued. and Colonell Morgan by this time performed his charge ſo bravely alſo, and with ſo much courage and good ſucceſſe, that having rallied his men up gallantly againe againſt the Enemy, he put them alſo to an abſolute rout, and ſo they purſued them into Stow, killing and wounding many in the Towne,The Lord Aſhley taken priſoner. both Gentlemen and Officers of quality, and in this purſute Major Hawksworth his man (as I was credibly enformed) took the Lord Aſhly priſoner, and all his foot Officers were then alſo taken priſoners;Sir Charles Lucas alſo taken priſoner. and Sir Charles Lucas (as was credibly reported) was then alſo taken in the fight, but immediatly after reſcued by a party of Firelocks of the Enemie, and on his reſcue fled into the Wood hard by for hoped ſafety; but after the fight our forces ſearching the wood for ſtraglers found there the ſaid Sir Charles Lucas, even he who formerly had done the King great ſervice in the North, and was Governour of Berkley Caſtle, but now, I ſay, was taken priſoner againe and put into ſafe cuſtody.
This moſt remarkable piece of ſervice being thus ſucceſſefully performed,Sir Jacob Aſhleyes words to our Souldiers ſitting on a Drum. and Sir Jacob Aſhley being taken Captive and wearyed in this fight, and being ancient (for, old-ages ſilver haires had quite covered over his head and beard) the Souldiers brought him a drum to ſit and reſt himſelfe upon, who being ſate, he ſaid (as was moſt credibly enformed) unto our Souldiers; Gentlemen, yee may now ſit downe and play, for you have done all your worke, if you …all not our among your ſelves. Meaning, indeed, that, now he being thus beaten, the King had never another armie in the field in the whole kingdome.
There were taken in this famous fight and glorious Victorie,A Liſt of the priſoners and prizes taken in the battle at Stow in the Ould. Sir Jacob Aſhley, alias, Lord Aſhley, the Generall; Sir Charles Lucas, Col. Corbet, Col. Gerrard, Col. Mouldſworth, Leivtenant-Colonell Broughton; 3. Majors, 17. Captaines, 16. Leiutenants their Marſhall Generall, 5. Cornets, 11. Enſignes, 3. Quartermaſters, the Chirurgeon, and Sir William Vaughans Chaplaine, 2000, armes at leaſt, and all their Ammunition, Bag and Baggage. A brave, famous and moſt ſeaſonable victorie it was indeed, and a moſt hopefull way and meanes of a ſpeedy end (by Gods mercy) of all the inteſtine warres and bloody broyles in the Kingdom; to God alone be all the honour and glory thereof.
About the 26. of this inſtant March we received advertiſement of the full disbanding of all Sir Ralph Hoptons forces in the Weſt and divers other occurrents of our Armie there, by Letters received from Truro to the honourable ſpeaker of the Houſe of Commons; One of which Letters for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction, I have here inſerted Verbatim, as it was printed and publiſhed, which was as followeth.