could not get to Crediton till-Tuesday December 9. on which day the Horse and Dragoons gave them possession of the town which within two or three dayes after became the more usefull to us by the Generals going thither to order a designe in hand against Pouldrum House by water and land which being on Friday December 12. was immediately put in execucion only one day intervening which brought intelligence of the taking of Latham-house in Lancashire with eight pieces of Ordnance six murthering pieces five hundred Arms and proportionable Ammunition As also of the Kings Propositions to the Parliament for peace and of his Letter at the same time to Prince Rupert against peace section 9 A design upon Pouldrum-house The design against Pouldrum-house was this and thus carryed Lords-day December 14. nine of the clock at night Captain Deane the Comptroller of the Ordnance was commanded over Ex with 200 foot and dragoons to possesse Pouldrum-Castle but the enemy had some few houres before got 150 men into it unto those that were there before which our men not discovering before they had landed would not return without attempting something the Church at Pouldrum being not far distant from the Castle they resolved to possesse and make the best of it and accordingly did so and the next morning they got provisions from Nutwell-house unto them into the Church and began to fortifie the same the enemy at Excester much startled hereat fearing the Castle would be lost as well as the River blockt up by the fortifying of this Church Our party in Pouldrum-Church acquitting themselves gallantly sent therefore on Monday the fifteenth a party of five hundred foot who joyning with two hundred from the Castle assaulted our men about seven at night threw in many hand granadoes amongst them and so continued storming till ten but were beaten off with much losse leaving their dead on the place and carrying with them many wounded as appeared by the Snow that was much stained with their blood as they retreated section 10 In this service Captain Farmer Captain of Dragoones commanded our men who as they were beyond expectation happy in their successe not one man being lost in the storme so they were resolved to continue in their duty About this time was Hereford surprized and taken by a most gallant stratagem and notwithstanding the extremity of the cold by reason of the great frost and snow and want of all meanes to resist or qualifie the same in the church having no firing there they would not quit the same till they received orders so to doe which hard service hard in every respect although they were not immediately discharged of yet the next day Sir Hardresse Waller marched from Crediton with a strong party to Exminster to alarm the Enemy that he might not make a second attempt upon them till they had fortified the place or were recalled which action of Sir Hardresse Waller took that effect as was desired the Enemy being so amazed that they durst not march out that day as they had purposed to attempt the church again lest our men should get between them and home and God having blessed the meanes to their preservation hitherto The Generals noble care to bring them off The Generall considering further the bitter coldness of the weather and the hardness of the duty they would necessarily be put unto if they should make good the church sent orders to them to draw off which that they might do with the more safety two Regiments were appointed to draw downe and alarm the Enemy on that side Excester while they made good their retreat over the River by meanes whereof on Wednesday December 17. The Comptroller and Captain Farmer brought off the men very safe with their armes and ammunition the Enemy making no sally out of the Castle upon them though otherwise they had a faire opportunity to have fallen on them And these souldiers thus happily delivered and thus honorably come off were rewarded with proportions out of the prize taken by Captain Farmer below Apsham at the Generals command section 11 More force sent to Sir Hardresse Waller to Crediton But the Enemy drawing more force to Okehampton two Regiments more were sent to Crediton December 18. to assist those that were placed there before Col. Okey annoying the enemy at the Lord Chichesters house the same day Col. Okey with a party of Dragoones fell upon the Enemy at the Lord Chichesters house took a Captaine 12. prisoners 19. horses and returned back to his new formed garrison at Fulford House without the losse of a man section 12 Mr. Davis his house at Canon-teene garrisoned for the Parliam .. Also information being given that the house of one Mr. Davis at Cannon-Teen being within four miles of Excester stood convenient for a garrison and might beare an usefull proportion towards the blocking up of Excester and hindering of provision from the Southams some more of Col. Okeys Dragoones were ordered thither to possesse the same who accordingly went and fulfilled their orders December 21. and were no longer in the house Assaulted by the enemy but Munday December 22. in the morning the Enemy sent a force against it who stormed the house burnt the out-houses The Enemy repelled yet Captaine Woggan who commanded the Dragoones behaved himselfe so gallantly that he beat the Enemy off killed four desperately wounded a Lieutenant-Colonel and took divers prisoners section 13 Severall Intelligence of the Enemies preparations to releive Excester Tuesday Dec. 32. His Excellency had intelligence of the Enemies intention to march with their Army to relieve Excester and of their preparation of provisions to that end Decemb. 25. or thereabouts his Excellency had animadversion from the Committee of both Kingdoms of incursions made by the Kings horse from Oxford into the adjacent parts doing much mischiefe thereby whereupon the Regiment of Colonel Rainsborough then before Corfe-Castle was commanded to march from thence to Abingdon and Col. Fleetwood with the Generals his owne and Col. Whaleys Regiments and six troopes of Dragoones was sent also to lye about Islip to attend the motion of the Kings horse and guard the Associated counties as also in relation to the straightening of Oxford Fryday December 26. The Generall had advertisement from Plymouth of the Enemies actuating their intentions advancing in a great body towards the releife of Excester as they conceived which Intelligence was also confirmed by several of our Spies The Army resolved to be in readinesse to receive the Enemy whereupon a Councel of war was called wherein it was adjudged expedient to be in a fighting posture to receive them if they advanced and accordingly such resolution was taken up to which they saw the more cause to adhere by another Spie which came to them the next day with tidings to the same effect particularizing moreover that the Prince was to be in person in the head of the
all honest men of the intention of the adverse party fell likewise into our hands and have been since published by the Authority of the Parliament to the view of the whole Kingdome The Field was about a mile broad where the battail was fought and from the outmost Flank of the right to the left Wing took up the whole ground Thus you have a true and exact relation of the work of this happy day 1. The battail was fought much upon equall advantage whether you respect the numbers on each side there being in that not 500. odds or the ground it was fought upon being on both sides Champaign and in that respect equal and the winde at length favouring neither side more then other But in this the enemy had much the odds of us that they had on their side not so few as fifteen hundred Officers that were old souldiers of great experience through long experience in forraign parts when on the other hand we had not ten Officers that could pretend to any such thing as the experience of a souldier save what this war had given them being for the most part such whose Religion Valour and present Reason was their best Conduct and herein God went beyond our Enemies in their pride and seeming friends in their contempt of this Army 2. Of how great consequence this Victory was to the whole Kingdom That it may the better appear let us take a view of it and suppose we beheld it through the counter-prospective of the contrary event as if the Enemy had had the victory and we been beaten and then me thinks I see not only this Army the only guardion of the Kingdom lying on a heap furnishing the enemy with insulting Trophees but also our party in the West ruined and the enemy there like a violent Torrent carrying all before him Me thinks I see the King and Goring united making a formidable Army and marching up to the Walls of London incouraging their souldiers as formerly with the promise of the spoyle of that famous City And if this successe had been indulged them and London not denyed as who should such an Army have asked it of what could have ensued worse or more When once that City by such a fate had restored an Embleme of undone Rome when Caesar came against it That The Senate shooke the affrighted Fathers leave Their Seats and flying to the Consuls give Directions for the War where safe to live What place t' avoid they know not whether ere A blest-ripe wit could guide their steps they bear Th' amazed people forth in Troops whom nought So long had stird Ingenti nec modo vulgus Perculsum terrore pavet sed curia ipsi Sedibus exiliere Patres invisaque Belli Consulibus fugiens mandat decreta Senatus Tunc quae tuta petant quae metuenda relinquant Incerti quocunque fugae tulit impetus urgent Praecipitem populum serieque haerentia longa Agmina prorumpunt And who needs any interpretation of this to have been a being cast in our Cause and a loosing of our Charges All this did God mercifully prevent by the successe of that battail and turned over this condition to the enemy and thereby laid the happy foundation of all the blessed success we have had since He that shall not in this victory look beyond the instrument will injuriously withhold from God his due he that doth not behold God in the instruments will not know how to give him his due for when he doth actions by instruments his glory is to be seen in instruments now had I only to deale with actions I might possibly by a competent expression give on account of them but who may undertake to represent the lively frame of an heightened soul and the working of the affections in such Heroick actions The General a man subject to the like infirmities of body as well as passions of mind with other men especially to some infirmities contracted by former wounds which however at other times they may hinder that puissant and illustrious soul that dwels within from giving a character of its selfe in his countenance yet when he hath come upon action or been near an engagement it hath been observed another spirit hath come upon him another soul hath lookt out at his eyes I mean he hath been so raised elevated and transported as that he hath been not only unlike himselfe at other times but indeed more like an Angell then a man And this was observed of him at this time now with what triumphs of faith with what exultation of spirit and with what a joynt shout of all the affections God is received into that heart whose eyes he uses as an Optick to look through and trouble a proud enemy it selfe only is privy to what high transactions what deep and endearing ingagements passe mutually between God and such a soul for certainly the most immediate worship gives not a greater advantage is better felt experimentally then described historically but such a discovery of these things was made in his outward man at this Battel as highly animated his Souldiers Lieutenant-General Cromwel useth these expressions concerning Him in his Letter to the House of Commons The General served you with all faithfulnesse and honour and the best commendations I can give of him is That I dare say he attributes all to God and would rather perish then assume any thing to himself which is an honest and thriving way and yet as much for bravery may be given to him in this action as to a man I shall inlarge no further in this particular but conclude it was none of the least pledges none of the lowest speaking Providences betokening good successe to this Army and promising much happinesse to this Nation GOD's giving us such a General and so giving out himself to our General The great share Lieutenant General Cromwel had in this action who commanded the Right wing of Horse which did such service carrying the field before them as they did at Marston-moor is so known and acknowledged that envy it self can neither detract nor deny One passage relating to his service in this Battel which I have received from those that well knew it I shall commend to this Historie That he being come not above two dayes before out of the Association and that day the battel was attending the General in the field who was going to draw up for an ingagement He had the charge and ordering of all the Horse cast upon him by the General unexpectedly but a little before the Battel which he had no sooner received but it was high time to apply himself to the discharge of it for before the Field-Officers could give a tolerable account of the drawing up of the Army the Enemy came on amain in passing good order while our Army was yet in disorder or the order of it but an Embrio which the Lieut. General perceiving was so far from being dismayed at it that it
King to know his pleasure in it I rest Your servant Rupert Saturday September 6. A Trumpeter was sent in with a reply to Prince Ruperts answer in these words Sir your Overture of sending to the King to know his pleasure I cannot give way to because of delay I confess your answer doth intimate your intention not to surrender without his Majesties consent yet because it is but implicite I send again to know a more positive answer from your self which I desire may be such as may render me capable of approving my self Your Highness humble servant Tho. Fairfax This day came 12 Colours more of the well-affected Countrymen as an addition to the former Forces The Trumpeter was detained all that day and night Every thing was prepared for a storm the General was in the field to that end the Souldiers had their faggots on their backs and leaped for joy they might go on yet about ten at night for severall reasons it was held fit to give orders to put off the busines till Munday morning two of the clock and only to alarm the Enemy for that time as we did often to amuse them and keep them waking Lords day Septemb. 7. in the forenoon the Trumpet returned with these Propositions from Prince Rupert Sir Whereas I received your Letter for the delivery of the City Forts and Castle of Bristol and being willing to joyn with you for the sparing of blood and the preserving of his Majesties subjects I have upon those grounds and none other sent you these following propositions First that my self all Noblemen Commanders and Souldiers of Horse and Foot that have served either his Majesty or Parliament in England or elswhere as likewise all persons whatsoever men or women now resident in this City of Bristol Castle and Forts thereof shall have free liberty to march away out of the said city castle and forts with their Arms flying Colours Drums beating Trumpets sounding Pistols cockt Swords drawn Matches lighted at both ends and as much Powder and Match as they can carry about them with all their bag and baggage horses arms and other furniture ten peeces of canon 50 barrels of powder Match and Bullet proportionable 2. That neither mine own person nor the person of any Nobleman Commander Officer Gentleman or Souldier or any other of mine or their Retinues be searched molested or troubled upon what pretence soever but left to their liberties to depart or stay as it shall be most convenient for them 3. That none of your Army whatsoever shall entice or perswade any Officer or Souldier of mine from their Regiments or Colours with any promise of preferment or reward 4. That all such Officers and Souldiers that are hurt and sick and cannot now march out of this city castle and fort shall have liberty to stay till they be recovered and then have safe-conducts to go wheresoever they please either to any of his Majesties armies or garrisons or their own houses where they may live quiet and that in the interim those being sick and hurt may be protected by you and have civil usage 5. All prisoners taken on both sides since the beginning of this siege be forthwith set at liberty 6. That my self and all those above mentioned may not be required to march further in a day then what conveniently we may and that a day or two of rest be allowed upon our march if we shall find it requisite and that we be accommodated with free quarter during our march and a sufficient convoy to any of the Kings armies or garrisons which I shall name to secure us in our march from all injury or incivility that shall any ways be offered to us And likewise that there be one hundred and fifty carriage-horses and forty Wains with sufficient teams provided for carriages of all sorts 7. That no person here in these Articles mentioned shall be in their march â—endezvouz or quarters searched or plundred upon any pretence whatsoever And that two Officers be appointed by you the one for accommodation for free-quarters for Officers Souldiers and others and the other for providing of horses and carriages for our baggage and train 8. All Noblemen Gentlemen Clergy-men Citizens Resiants or any other person within this city suburbs and liberties thereof shall at any time when they please have free liberty to remove themselves their goods and families and to dispose of them at their pleasures according to the known and enacted laws of the land either to live at their own houses or elswhere and to enjoy their houses lands goods and estates without any molestation and to have protection for that purpose and this article to extend to all those whose estates are sequestred or not sequestred and that they may rest quiet at their abodes and travell freely and safely upon their occasions And for their better removal they may have Letters of safe-conduct with horses and carriages at reasonable rates upon demand 9. That all persons above mentioned may have free liberty to passe to any part beyond the seas any time within three moneths as their occasions shall require 10. That the Lines Forts Castle and other Fortifications about or in the city of Bristol be forthwith slighted and the City stated in the same condition it was before the beginning of this unnaturall warre And that hereafter the Parliament during this war place no garrison in it 11. That no Churches be defaced that the severall members of the foundation of this Cathedral shall quietly enjoy their houses and revenues belonging to their places and that the Ministers of this city may likewise enjoy their benefices without trouble 12. That no Oaths be imposed upon any person now in this city suburbs and liberties other then are required by the ancient and enacted lawes of the land 13. That the Major Sheriffs Aldermen and Citizens within this Corporation of the City of Bristol shall be free in their persons and estates and enjoy all their priviledges liberties and immunities in as full and ample manner as formerly at any time they did before the beginning of this war and that they shall have freedom of trade both by land and sea paying such duties and customes as formerly they have done to his Majesty and that no mulct of fine be imposed upon any person mentioned in this article upon any pretence whatsoever or questioned for any act or thing done or committed before the day of our marching forth That no free-quarters shall be put upon them without their own consents 14. That all other persons whose dwellings are in this city and now absent may have the full benefit of these articles as if they were present 15. That all Noblemen Gentlemen and others that have goods in this city and are now present or absent may have liberty at any time within three moneths to dispose of their goods as they please 16. That there be no plundering or taking away of any mans person or any part of his estate
wing made the first onset and those Divisions of the enemy opposite to them received the Charge thetwo left hand Divisions of the Left wing did not advance equally but being more backward the opposite Divisions of the Enemy advanced upon them Of the three right hand Divisions before mentioned which advanced the middlemost charged not home the other two coâ—…ing to a close Charge routed the two opposite Divisions of the Enemy And the Commissary Generall seeing one of the enemies Brigades of Foot on his right hand pressing sore upon our Foot commanded the Division that was with him to charge that Body of Foot and for their better encouragement he himself with great resolution fell in amongst the Musquetiers where his horse being shot under him and himself run through the thigh with a Pike and into the face with an Halbert was taken prisoner by the enemy untill afterwards when the battell turning and the enemy in great distraction he had an happy opportunity to offer his Keeper his liberty if he would carry him off which was performed on both parts accordingly That Division of the enemies which was between which the other Division of ours should have charged was carried away in the disorder of the other two the one of those right hand Divisions of our Left wing that did rout the front of the enemy charged the Reserve too and broke them the other Reserves of the enemy came on and broke those Divisions of ours that charged them the Divisions of the left hand of the right wing were likewise overborn having much disadvantage by reason of pits of water and other pieces of ditches that they expected not which hindred them in their order to Charge The enemy having thus worsted our left wing pursued their advantage and Prince Rupert himself having prosecuted his successe upon the left wing almost to Naseby town in his return summoned the Train offering them quarter which being well defended with the Fire-locks and a Rear-guard left for that purpose who fired with admirable courage on the Princes horse refusing to hearken to his offer and the Prince probably perceiving by that time the successe of our Right wing of Horse he retreated in great haste to the rescue of the Kings Army which he found in such a general distresse that instead of attempting any thing in the rescue of them being close followed in the Rear by some of Commissary Generals Col. Riches Col. Fleetwoods Major Huntingtons and Col. Butlers horse he made up further untill he came to the ground where the King was rallying the broken horse of his Left wing and there joyned with them and made a stand To return again to our right wing which prosecuting their success by this time had beaten all the enemies horse quite behinde their foot which when they had accomplished the remaining business was with part to keep the enemies horse from coming to the rescue of their foot which were now all at mercy except one Tertia which with the other part of the horse we endeavoured to break but could not they standing with incredible courage resolution although we attempted them in the Flanks Front and Rear untill such time as the General called up his own Regiment of foot the Lieut. General being likewise hastening of them which immediately fell in with them with But-end of Muskets the General charging them at the same time with horse and so broke them The enemy had now nothing left in the Field but his horse with whom was the King himself which they had put again into as good order as the shortnesse of their time and our near pressing upon them would permit Charging in person the Blew Regimt. which kept to their Armes so stoutly The Generall whom God preserved in many hazardous ingagements of his person that day seeing them in that order and our whole Army saving some Bodies of horse which faced the enemy being busied in the execution upon the foot and taking and securing prisoners endeavoured to put the Army again into as good order as they could receive to the perfecting of the work that remained Our foot were somewhat more then a quarter of a mile behinde the horse and although there wanted no courage nor resolution in the horse themselves alone to have charged the enemy yet forasmuch as it was not judged fit to put any thing to hazard the businesse being brought through the goodnesse of God to so hopefull an issue It was ordered our horse should not charge the enemy untill the foot were come up for by this time our foot that were disordered upon the first Charge being in shorter time then is well imaginable rallyed again were comming up upon a fast march to joyn with our horse who were again put into two wings within Carbine shot of the enemy leaving a wide space for the battail of foot to fall in whereby there was framed as it were in a trice a second good Batalia at the latter end of the day which the enemy perceiving and that if they stood they must expect a second Charge from our Horse Foot and Artillery they having lost all their Foot and Guns before and our Dragoons having already begun to fire upon their horse they not willing to abide a second shock upon so great disadvantage as this was like to be immediatly ran away both Fronts and Reserves without standing one stroke more Our horse had the Chase of them from that place within two miles of Leicester being the space of fourteen miles took many prisoners and had the execution of them all that way The number of the slain we had not a certain account of by reason of the prosecution of our Victory and speedy advance to the reducing of Leicester the prisoners taken in the field were about five thousand whereof were six Colonels eight Lieut. Colonels eighteen Majors seventy Captains eighty Leiutenants eighty Ensignes two hundred other inferiour Officers besides the Kings Footmen and houshold servants the rest common Souldiers four thousand five hundred The enemy lost very gallant men and indeed their foot commanded by the Lord Astley were not wanting in courage the whole booty of the Field fell to the Souldier which was very rich and considerable there being amongst it besides the riches of the Court and Officers the rich plunder of Leicester Their Train of Artillery was taken all their Ordnance being brasse Guns whereof two were Demi-Canon besides two Morter-pieces the enemy got away not one Carriage eight thousand Arms and more forty Barrels of powder two hundred horse with their riders the Kings Colours the Duke of Yorks Standard and six of his Colours four of the Queens white Colours with double Crosses on each of them and near one hundred other Colours both of horse and foot the Kings Cabinet the Kings Sumpter many Coaches with store of wealth in them It was not the least mercy in this Victory that the Cabinet Letters which discover so much to satisfie
was the rise and occasion of a most triumphant faith and joy in him expecting that GOD would do great things by small means and by the things that are not bring to nought things that are A happy time when the Lord of hosts shall make his Tabernacle in the hearts and countenances of our chief Commanders from thence to laugh his enemies to destruction and have them in derision to confusion Had not Major gen Skippon done gallantly he had not received such an early wound in his side and had he not had a Spring of Resolution he had not stayed in the field as he did till the battel was ended for being desired by his Excellencie to go off the field he answered He would not stirre so long as a man would stand That I mention not all those Officers and Souldiers particularly who behaved themselves so gallantly in this Action is to avoyd emulation and partiality I shall satisfie my self to adde concerning them and the whole businesse the words of the General and Lieutenant-General in their several Letters to the Speaker of the house of Commons with which I shall conclude * Lieut. Gen. Cromwels close of his Letter to the Speaker of the house of Commons Honest men served you faithfully in this action Sir they are trusty I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them which they have not done blessed be God and I hope never will He proceeds and wisheth This action may beget thankfulnesse and humility in all that are concerned in it And concludes thus modestly himself He that ventures his life for the liberty of his Country I wish he trust GOD for the liberty of his Conscience and You for the Liberty he fights for c. The close of the Generals Letter to the Speaker All that I desire sayes the General is That the honour of this great never to be forgotten mercy may be given to GOD in an extraordinary day of Thanksgiving and that it may be improved to the good of his Church which shall be faithfully endeavoured by Sir Your most humble Servant Thomas Fairfax After the Battel was ended and the Horse gone in pursuit the Army marched 5 miles that night to Harborough the head-querter Most of the Prisoners that were taken in the fight were that night brought into Harborough church except those that were wounded and sent to Northampton Among other Writings taken in the Battel there was a Manuscript presented to the General written by one Sir Edward Walker Herald of Arms of the Kings great Victories in this War wherein there was one passage very observable That whereas he taking occasion to speak of the Irish cals them Rebels the King having perused the Book among the alterations he had made therein in divers places with his own hand in that place puts out Rebels and writes over the head Irish with his own hand so much care was there to correct and qualifie any Expression that might reflect on those blood-thirsty Rebels There was also brought to the head-quarter at wooden Image in the shape of a man and in such a form as they blasphemously called it the God of the Roundheads and this they carried in scorn and contempt of our Army in a publike manner a little before the Battel begun The next day Colonel Iohn Fiennes with his Regiment was sent up to London by the General with the Prisoners and Colours taken in the Fight His Regiment took 11. Colours in the Battel Who had a great share in the performance of that Day being placed with his Regiment in the Right wing of Horse carried himself gallantly and was very happy in his successe CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm surrendred upon Articles Some clamours of the Enemy for breach of Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them Aâ— instance of the Enemies desperate Prophanenesse joyned with barbarous and inhumane Cruelty THe Enemy thus driven out of the field his Excellencie gave Orders for the Army Horse Foot and Train to march after them the next day which was Lords day without any more intermission the pursuing of the Victory being of parallel consequence with the getting it In obeying of which Orders the readinesse and chearfulnesse of the Souldiers was admirable and worthy our observation and remembrance That when in respect of their long and hard March for many dayes together before the Battel and the vehement and sharp battel they had fought they might well have pleaded for some time of refreshment yet no sooner was the Generals order given for marching but they repaired all to their Colours and that very next day after the battel marched to great Glyn the head-quarter four miles short of Leicester The Horse marched within a mile of Leicester that night and kept Guards which so alarm'd the Nobles and Gentry that had fled thither for security that they departed thence in much haste leaving the Lord Hastings to defend that place This day his Excellencie received intelligence that Sir Iohn Gell with about 2000 Horse was on his march towards the Army according to Orders formerly sent him as also that the King with one part of the Routed horse not judging himself safe in Leicester went thence that evening to Ashby-de-la-Zouch where he reposed himself some few houres but understanding that our Army advanced and that our Horse pursued the chase Mounted on horse-back in the night and fled to Liechfield and from thence into Wales without any considerable stay so great was the affright the other part of the Rout being the Northern horse under Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night near Newark both passing so that it was the wonder of all men how they being in such a tired and distracted condition could escape Sir Iohn Gels horse who the same day were on their march from Nottingham towards Leicester This day furnished his Excellency with a full intelligence of the state both of our friends and our enemies affaires in the West by meanes of the contrivement of Scout-Master-generall the manner thus A Spie of his formerly imployed by him to Secretary Nicholas in Oxford was the day that the Army rose from before it sent to him again yet as one comming of his own accord to give him intelligence that the Army would that morning march away a thing they in Oxford knew well enough it being conceived that either the Secretary would send him or he might finde some opportunity to go into the West where Generall Goring then lay with his Army about Taunton and bring us the intelligence we desired accordingly it fell out Into the West he was sent first to Bath where the Prince of Wales then was to whom he brought the first news of the Parliaments Army rising from before Oxford from thence bearing the reward of ten pieces from the Prince
passe and forcing them to draw off their Ordnance and their horse to remove their ground Our foot advanced down the hill to the pass and with admirable resolution chargeed the enemy from hedge to hedge till they got the pass the enemies horse upon this drew downe towards us whereupon our horse advanced over the passe up the hill to the enemy the Forlorne-hope of horse commanded by Major Bethell gave a valiant and brave charge indeed broke that body that charged him and the next reserve our reserve of horse that was commanded by Major Desborough very resolutely charged the next standing bodies of the enemy so home that instantly they put them to a disorderly retreat our musquetiers came close up to our horse firing upon the enemy whereupon their Regiments of white Colours and black Colours of foot before ever they engaged marched away apace the Forlorne under Major Bethell and those under Major Desborough were going in pursuit of the chase but receiving orders to stay till more bodies of horse were come up that the pursuit might be orderly and with good reserves in case the enemy should face about and charge againe which was not impossible they obeyed their orders as good souldiers will though it check their sweetest pleasure as to pursue a flying enemy was no less when the enemy had fled about two miles they made a stand in a plaine green field where the passage out was narrow called Aller Drove but received only a piece of a charge and then seeing our bodies comeing on orderly and fast faced about and never stood after the passes being narrow in many places and the ditches being deep and wide especially at that place where they first faced about many horses of the Enemies were lost in the ditches whereof our souldiers recovered store and the riders got into the meadows hoping to escape but could not We pursued the Enemy within two miles of Bridgewater whither the enemy fled doing execution upon them all the way being eight miles in length took about 1400 prisoners about 1200 horse and divers Officers of quality Colonel Henningham Colonel Slingsby the General of Gorings Ordnance were also taken about thirty Colours of Horse and Foot and on the other hand it was a victory as cheap to us as dear to them we lost no Officer not twenty common souldiers some fourteen or sixteen of Major Bethels troop were hurt and himself shot in the right hand No sooner was the Enemy put to a retreat but in great confusion they quitted Langport into which many of them had fled a strong garrison naturally well fortified being about half a mile from the place of the fight and set it on fire but by the industry of the souldiers and Townesmen it was quenched The Enemy with a body of Foot drawing along with them two pieces of Ordnance by the way of Langport were pursued by Lieutenant General Cromwel and the Ordnance and most of the Foot taken And thus you have in a very short space an account of a very great action CHAP. II. The particulars of that gallant service The storming of Bridgewater AFter this battail the army marched five miles to Middlesay in the way to Bridgewater the bold carriage of Hollis the Club-man was very notorious who the morning an houre before the fight began came with a Petition to the General from his fellowes and followers withall telling the General in plain terms that if he did not give them better satisfaction then what he had yet given them they must take another course His Petition upon reading was found of that nature and his impudent carriage so insufferable withall that the General committed him to the Marshal but he made a shift to get away so soon as he saw the day was lost The next day the whole Army horse and foot with the Train were drawn up in Westonmoor otherwise called Pensy pound two miles from Bridgewater The Country-men thereabouts that had been vexed with the Cavaliers hearing of the defeat given unto them and fearing to taste of their former cruelties rose in great numbers and with their colours clubs and arms appeared upon Knol-hill which being made known to the General he with the Lieutenant gen and other Officers marched up to them who seemingly received him with joy and in token thereof gave a volley of shot whence after â—ome conference with them and their Leader who made a Neutral speech the General returned and the Army that night went to quarter the head-quarter that night being appointed at Chedsay within two miles of Bridgewater Friday Iuly 11. Colonel Weldens Brigade was commanded on the North side of the Town towards Devonshire and the rest of the Army on this side towards Chedsay the guards being set the General with the Lieutenant gen went to view the Town which they found to be very strong standing in a valley yet glorying in the equality of its level with the ground about it there being not a clod that could afford any advantage against that place the Fortifications very regular and strong the Ditch about it very deep and about thirty foot wide which for a great part about the town was every Tyde filled up to the brim with water the compasse of ground within the line and works not great very well manned having in it about 1800 Souldiers to defend it within the town was a castle of indifferent strength there was planted on the severall Batteries about 40 peece of Ordnance well stored with ammunition and victuals being a magazine for all the petty garrisons thereabouts Saturday Iuly 12. The Army continued in quarters and new places for guards were appointed Burrough-garrison taken by Col. Okey Lords day Iuly 13. We rested at Chedsay and Colonel Okey having from that day the battel was at Langport besieged Burrough-garrison with his Dragoons had the same surrendred unto him upon quarter wherein were 140 prisoners the Officers being promised fair usage Monday Iuly 14. a Councel of war was called great debate whether to storm the town or not Some inclination to it but no positive resolution Notwithstanding preparations were made in order to a storm the Souldiers cheerfully made their faggots and were drawn in readines for a storm but upon further consideration were for that time drwn back to their quarters and more time being taken there were 8 long Bridges betwixt 30 and 40 foot length devised to be made by Lieutenant-general Hamond the Lieutenant-general of the Ordnance a Gentleman of approved fidelity and of a most dexterous and ripe invention for all such things which were approved of by the Commanders and Officers and accordingly Ordered to be made and were of very great use to the Souldier in the storm This day the General going over the river to view the posts on the other side was graciously delivered from a great danger he was near unto by a sudden surprisal of the Tide called the Eager where he very narrowly escaped drowning
the 20. garrison that hath been taken in this Summer by this Army and I believe most of them the answer of the prayers and trophees of the faith of some of Gods servants The Commander of this Brigade having spent much time with God in prayer the night before the storm and seldome fighting without some text of Scripture to support him This time he rested upon that blessed Word of God written in the 115 Psal v. 8. They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them which with some verses going before was now accomplished Whereas the House had ordered that the countrey people should carry away those buildings God Almighty had decreed touching that beforehand nothing remained but a blast of winde to blow down the tottering wals and chimnies Doubtless this providence of God hath a double voice the one unto the Enemy and the other unto us the Lord help us with skill to improve it I hope by this time the State hath a penny-worth for a penny and I hope they will have full measure and running over I wish that the payment and recruiting of this Army may not be slighted It is an easie matter to grieve God in our neglects towards him and not hard to weary one another What if the poor Souldier had some remembrance though small to leave as the acceptance of this service which is already begun by a * * Mr. Maynard worthy Member of this House who hath appointed some Medals to be made of gold to be bestowed upon those that ventured on the greatest difficulties Mr. Peters presented the Marquisses own Colours which he brought from Basing the Motto of which was Donec pax reddit terris The very same King Charles gave upon his Coronation mony when he came to the Crown But our onely GOD doth usually temper such pleasant Cups unto us for in the close of this glorious victory the Death of Major Bethel was brought unto us shot at Bristol and tyred through want of sleep he is gone into the bosome of the Lord Iesus whom he loved so deerly whilst he lived I wish he may not go unlamented to his grave who was so full of God and the fairest flower of the City amongst us Lived without Pride and dyed full of Faith The ARMIES Teares over Major BETHEL A copy of Verses on the losse of Major Bethel Thou gallant Charger do'st thou wheele about To sable shades Or dost thou rather post To Bethel Bethel there to make a shout Of the great Triumphs of a scorned Host Or blessed Soule was it unworthy We That made thee weary with such Dust to be Or tyred with our New reforming pace Tasting some sips of Heaven do'st therefore haste To fuller draughts of that Eternal grace Fearing thy Spirit might be here imbrac'd Farewell deare Soule thy great deserv'd Arrears We 'll pay in others Blood or our own Tears Only let all Ages when they tell The unexampled tale of Forty five Yea when these Records to their glory swell And be compleated by the Saints alive When Naseby Langport Bristol nam'd they heare Let them all say Sweet Bethel he was there B eare a part in these Laments E very Soul that longs for Peace T ruly who with GOD indents H ere to have thereof a Lease E nters with himself a warre L ean on things that truly are CHAP. IV. The cheap reduction of Tiverton-Castle by a strange Providence The surrender of Langford-House BUt to return to my Story The work of reducing Tiverton close followed Saturday Octob. 18. Much of the time was spent in raising of Batteries against Tiverton Church and Castle The General with Major gen Massey oftentimes that day viewed the Works Castle and Church for the ordering of the Batteries and Approaches A Spy out of Tiverton castle taken A Spie was this day from the castle let down in a rope and being taken by our Guards threw his Letter by the water side but being threatned discovered where the letter was which being found where he had thrown it was read it was directed to Sir Iohn Berkley Governour of Excester it discovered the resolution of Sir Gilbert Talbot to hold out but yet he desired relief of Sir Iohn Berkley section 2 The storming of Tivâ—rton resolved on by a councel of war Lords day Octob. 19. The General went early to see to the batteries and the Ordinance being ready planted a Councel of war was called wherein it was agreed to storm the Church Castle and Works The Storm prevented and Tiverton gained by a wonderfull providence and being in debate of the manner of the storm which was that afternoon to be put in execution our Ordinance playing hard against the works and castle the Chain of the Draw-bridge with a Round shot was broken in two whereupon the bridge fell down and our men immediately without staying for Orders possessed themselves of the bridge and entred the works and possessed the Churchyard which so terrified the Enemy that it made them quit their Ordinance and some of their Posts and Line and instantly fled into the church and castle our men got over the rest of the bulwarks and line and pursued the enemy into the church and castle where they cried out in a lamentable manner for quarter our Souldiers crept in at the Church-windows they having made fast the doors and made all within prisoners plundered them and stript most of them to their shirts yet gave them their lives The Governour who had formerly received a Summons but peremptorily refused to hearken to any treaty of surrender though he despaired of any relief shut himself up into his chamber in the castle and hung out a white flag for a Parley but being now too late it would not be hearkned to such was the fury of the Souldier yet when they got into the castle and came to the place where he was they gave him fair quarter section 3 A notable instance of a righteous hand upon a false man There was much Plunder found in the Castle besides provisions There was taken one Major Sadler who formerly served the Parliament and ran to the Enemy and had privately sent and made overtures what service he would do if he might be pardoned but his offers were rejected and he falling into our hands was called to a Councel of war and condemned to suffer death for his former treachery who to save his life broke prison after he was condemned and escaped to Excester where he was by his own side called to a Councel of war for endeavouring to betray their cause after he had undertaken it and was therefore adjudged to die and suffered death accordingly it being alleadged against him that he treacherously quit his Posts in the late service of Tiverton Besides him who escaped us but not Justice there was taken prisoners in this place Sir Gilbert Talbot the Governour 4 Majors and about 200 more Officers and Souldiers
through the town took nine men and twenty horse and inforced the rest of their horse to flie severall wayes being two Regiments of the Lord Wentworths Brigade that were left of five three of them being taken at Bovey-tracy section 4 Lords day Ianuary 11. The Generall after that by Spies he had sent Intelligence to Plymouth of the retreat of the Enemy marched with the Army to Totness where the Enemy had a foot quarter but upon our advance quitted it leaving one Regiment at Ashburton This Totnesse seemes to be one of the finest of an Inland town in Devon-shire and many of the Inhabitants rich a party was sent from hence towards Dartmouth to discover what scattered forces of the Enemies might be gone that way this party brought in some Officers prisoners who seemed to be well apaid with their lot saying it was well they were taken for they had no where to go to but the Sea section 5 About this time those Regiments of Foot under Colonel Hamond that were assigned to quarter at the town which was scarse able to afford them Victuals having caught little Fish of six weeks before was by a wonderfull and indeed no lesse then miraculous providence supplyed and furnished to theÌ„ by such great draughts of Mullets which God was pleased to send in in that abundance at that time as the like had not been known before whereby both Town and Army was plentifully provided for Munday Ianuary 12. The Generall taking speciall care to uphold the courage of Plimouth having sent for more surety lest the former Messengers should fail another Messenger to give them notice of the Enemies retreat gave orders for two Regiments to be drawn before Dartmouth And at the same time strong parties of horse were sent towards Tavestock after the Enemy which the enemy apprehending to be the Van of our Army supposing our Army following after them with great distraction and fear quit the siege before Plimouth leaving their Forts undemolished with seven pieces of Ordnance and four barrels of Powder making great hast over the River Tamar into Cornwall A Summons sent in to Dartmouth In the mean while a Summons was sent in to Dartmouth honourable conditions offered in the same but rejected by the Governour forces were commanded upon the guard within half a mile of the Town all night who encountred with extream bitter cold weather and snow yet were most cheerfull upon duty as they went readily unto it The next day the General and the Officers went to take a more particular view of the Town it was the joynt opinion of them all that they might carry the same by storm The Enemy according to their wonted manner not sparing to take or destroy any thing whereby they might advantage themselves and disadvantage us burnt Mr. Plumley's house and therein 400 bushels of Corn threshed and as much unthreshed In order to a Storm more Forces were ordered to march to assist those before Dartmouth By lying three or four cold dayes before it we lost nothing but a little time for by that stay Captain Batten being desired by the General was come before the Haven with a Squadron of ships to assist by sea and to keep any of their ships from going out of the harbour while we stormed by land Thursday the 15. the Country upon orders brought in Ladders the Comptroller was sent aboard Captain Batten for some Sea-men received 200. and allotted them a Post to do duty Friday the 16. The General himself took an account in what readines things were for a storm More particular intelligence to that which came before was given out of the town what condition they were in there good Guides were sent for from Plymouth that were Captain Roopes men and had been formerly inhabitants of Dartmouth to direct our men the best way into the town upon the storm Saturday 17. the General went again to view the Town all things were concluded on for a storm and Lots cast for every man who should fall on first and who to come on as Reserves the Officers of all the Regiments viewed their severall Posts and every man provided his guides Lords-day 18. Mr. Del in the morning and Mr. Peters in the evening exhorted the souldiers to their duty For Mr. Bowles who had formerly attended the service of the Army being called to his charge at York had taken his leave of his Excellencie Mr. Del succeeding in his room The souldiers were all drawn out about seven at night Forlorn hopes were set the evening very milde as at Midsomer the frost being newly gone the Word was given God with us the signal of the Souldiers was their shirts out before and behind Dartmouth stormed and taken About 11. a clock at night the storm begun and after the Enemy had discharged once our Men got under their Canon and quickly possessed them and turned them against the Enemy for the Army had no Peeces at all of their own the way and weather not admitting any to be drawn against that place where there were an hundred Peeces ready mounted against them a strange and unparalleld undertaking The Commanders of every Party possest those places they were designed unto Lieut. colonel Pride who led on Colonel Harlowes Regiment possest Mount-Boon wherein were 22 peeces of Ordnance Colonel Hamond possest the West gate wherein were 4 Peeces of ordnance and two in the Flanker Colonel Fortescue gained Tunstal-church with 12 Peeces of ordnance and so we became masters of the whole Town and the old Castle in which were 5 great Iron guns which commanded the River In all our men possessed themselves of about 60. peeces of Ordnance in the storm among which one Brass Demi-canon And such was even the miraculous goodness of God in this storm that we lost but one man and had very few wounded notwithstanding they plyed most fiercely both great and small shot upon our men from the Forts The storm succeeding so well the Comptroller of the Ordnance was sent to summon two Men of war which lay in the River which no sooner received the Summons but they yielded immediately There were two great Forts wherein were about 34 Peeces of ordnance which stood a mile from the town not taken with the rest that beat a Parley three houres together before they were heard but in issue Sir Henry Cary who was in one of them had conditions to march away He and his Officers with arms the Governour and Lord Newport c. being in the other Fort were refused the like conditions and submitted themselves to mercy section 5 I should have enlarged the more upon the action of this storm but that I finde a Letter of the Generals to the House of Peers concerning the same which is more worthy to be heard it self as followeth My Lords His Excellencies Letter to the House of â—eers concerning the takeing of Dartmouth After my comming to Totnes the Enemy rising in great disorder from their siege