to be plundered tamely But being afterwards by some parley Informed that the Generall himself was coming and that the Quartermaster Generall was commanded before to secure them from Injury they gave him entrance with some other Gentlemen believing it was but little boote for them to dispute with an Army about noone the Generall and Sir Charles Lucas came and haviug first dined there ceised on the Armory where they found a good Magazineboth of Armes and Ammunition of all sorts so we carried from thence the two brasse field peeces and about two or three hundred Muskets and as many pikes with about 60. great Sadles and body Armes proportionable to them and some Pistols and Carbines and a good proportion of Match and Ball with divers other Instruments and furniture of Warre But many of the Sadles we left behinde for want of carriages for them Here we Rendevouzed all the afternoone till towards night in the Parke beyond the house the Enemy of Rendevouzing also with a Party of theirs very neer the other side and that night in the Parke but adventured not to appeare all that day in sight of our Army There was a Party of Horse also came in to us upon the march which along time we supposed an Enemy from Hartfordshire and Bedfordshire consisting of about sixe score From thence we marched forwards and quartered that night at Braintree Where the next day being Sunday both Parties were drawne into the field in the forenoone to Rendevouze And after prayers all the Gentlemen that were in the Army were drawne into troopes under the command of the Lord Norwich Lord Capell and the Lord Loughborow and Sir Charles Lucas that they might not only know to dispose of themselves upon any occasion of Alarum but being in order it would be a great conveniencie for disposing them into quarters upon every remove About nine of the clock at night we marched from thence and continued our march all that night making onely one halt about daybreake till the next day about fower of the clock in the afternoone about which time we drew neere Colchester whither at a Councell the night before upon Sir Charles Lucas his desire and beliefe of recruiting very much there they concluded to march but not to stay above one night or two at the most and therefore moved in the night to amuse the Enemy that they might not to sodainly follow us And being within five or six miles of the Towne a Party was sent before towards it for Sir Charles Lucas had received intellithat they would not receive him in Armes then himself with some other Gentlemen marched onwards before the Army after that party was marched away But ere the Quarter-master Generall left them to goe to the Town came intelligence from the Party that the Towne stood upon their Guard and were so far from giving entrance to our party as that they opposed them and were too strong for them At which newes Sir Charles and the Gentlemen with him set Spur to their Horses and hasted on with a full speed till they came within sight of the Towne and comming neere they found that they had shut their Gates and drawn out about sixty Horse in a very formall Troop well Arm'd and Accoutred some of their Scouts being without the Turn-pike by the Almes Houses then Sir Charles made a stop to send back a Messenger to the Army to hasten their March but some four or five Gentlemen keeping on their speed drew their Swords onely and Charged up to them and forc'd them within their Turn-pike so they retreated on the Head gate where their whole Troop was drawne up in order and the Gentlemen retreated againe towards the Turn-pike but some of them as they retreated fell in amongst the Gentlemen yet never fired a Pistoll till they came out of the Turn-pike againe then one of the Gentlemen turning quick about shot one of them and he fell from his Horse But when they perceived the Body of the Army comming and that Sir Charles Lucas had drawn up two or three Troopes of Horse very neer them they sent out to treat with him and upon his Engagement that the Town should not be plundred nor any injury offered them for what they had done they submitted themselves and engaged to deliver up their Horse and Armes with the Towne so the Gates were opened and the Army quartered that night in the Town The next day being Tuesday June 13. about noone we received a very strong Alarum and that the Enemy was advanced within a mile of the Town and indeed by that time we could provide parties to send forth their Forlornes were engaged with our Out-guards in the Suburbs which Guardes were immediately doubled and it was not long ere we were as ready to receive them as they to assault us Our men being drawne up to their Colours fresh parties were sent out to assist the Guards both of Horse and Foot and the Enemy came on as strongly on all parts of that side the Town next Lexden and fir'd up to the very Hedges and Guards of our Foot but were as furiously opposed till at the last some of the Guardes wanting Ammunition to maintain the heat of the Service about the Almes houses and the house called Grimstones house were over-powred with the number of men that threw in their Shot like haile upon them and so forc'd to retreat and gave the Enemy the Liberty of all that ground Which retreat gave them also advantage of falling upon our other Guards neer Sheere-gate whereupon the Out-guards were ordered to retreat within the town it being the best policy to take the greatest advantage in opposing an Enemy were an Army double the Enemies strength But ere this retreate could be made and the Guards drawne within the Gates that dispute grew close and very hot the Enemy comming on so violently that it was much difficulty to maintaine any ground against them yet were they still as resolutely opposed so that it was as hard a matter to judge whether shewed more courage the Enemy in assailing or our Party in defending Now we being forc't to a retreat although as much out of policy as danger gave an enencouragement to the Enemy to prosecute their charge upon us as thinking themselves more then halfe victors already and that they should in short time make themselves masters both of the Town and us But this new and scarcely flesht Army of Country men added fire to the heat of the Service in such a height and with so undaunted a resolution far contrary to the Enemies expectation although they had received an experimentall knowledge of them at Maidestone that many of them could not digest it but left their bodies in the Streets and Hedges as Infallible witnesses of what was done yauning out their Soules to receive their arreares in another world for their so Religious rebellion in this Many of their dead bodies they threw into wells some they buried in ditches
your King and Country exceed his if you can then censure and spare not So wishing all mens Consciences as good and faithfull Subjects to a sweet and glorious Prince ought to be Reader I commit you to the protection of Heaven so long as you are so and bid you farewell Your Friend as you censure mine C. K. A most true and exact Relation of that as Honourable as unfortunate expedition of Kent Essex and Colchester UPon Christmas day 1647. many Gentlemen and others of the meaner ranke in the City of Canterbury in Kent being Religiously disposed to the Service of Almighty God according to the Liturgy and Orders of the Church a hainous offence I must confesse in these times of Reformation met at Saint Andrews Church in the High Street Where M. Allday the Resident Minister of the Parish preached to them a Sermon answerable to the day A thing so much out of Custome now that we begin to forget even that Christ was ever borne as well as the Celebration of his Birth And now this piece of orderly and Christian Devotion startled the consciences of the new Saints who enflamed with fiery zeale began to make tumults in the streets and under the Church windowes thinking thereby to drown the voice of the Preacher but it could not any whit discourage him from persisting in his holy and devout Exercise The Sermon being done the people began to flock more tumultuously together so that the disturbance encreased very much By the meanes especially of the Major a man indeed Knave enough and I thinke as much Foole as appeares by this who walking through the Streets purposely would have forc'd some people to open their Shops and set out their Wares to keep the Market the day being Saturday and Market day but he denying and urging of it more seriously one man answering his Commands with some words which he could not well relish he strook him a blow in the face with his Fist Making himself by that means the first ingager and instrument to the breach of that Peace which upon all occasions whatever he was Sworn to see kept and preserved This made a greater Distraction and Hubbub in the City and many men throng'd together and so mad they grew that the Mayors heeles were soon flung up and all his Worship thrown in the Channell he was afterwards glad to shift for his life as he supposed But one of the Constables by name and quality Huse a Shoo-maker a Senior of the Faction ran hastily out with a Pistoll in his hand and running up and down the Streetes with aggravating Clamours summons out his Crue who immediately tumbled out of their houses with their Armes in their hands and such mischievous Weapons as first they could lay hold of in such hast they over powred all they met among the rest one White a Barber a man swell'd as full of ungodly Schismaticall Principles of Rebellion as a Toad with poyson standing in the Street with a Musket loaded and his match ready cockt meeting another man by chance stepping forth of his doore as being Inquisitive to understand the occasion of the tumult whom he knew to be one that fancyed not his humour made not much dispute with him but upon his questioning his standing in that posture le ts fly at him and Shot him through the Body so that there was little hope of life in him Thus the businesse grew still to a greater height and more people still flocked together as it is alwayes seene in such Mutinous Broyles and many bickerings fell out in the Streetes But ere long those Gentlemen who ranged about as furiously at first as Herods Souldiers in the Infant Martyrdome began to slink and were at last glad to betake themselves to their heeles and every one to shift for himselfe White being taken was committed to Custody into the Towne Goal there to lie till he should receive the Justice of the Law for so horrid a Villany The other party being thus enraged and incensed by so foul an Affront began to think of their owne security and knowing the malice of those they should most certainly have to do with seized on the Magazine of the Town and placed Guards about at every Gate of the City fearing that mischief which indeed afterwards came to passe and might have been prevented had they not thought themselves too secure At last they grew something violent and encreased to a very great number till Sir William Man Master Lovelace the Councellour and some other Gentlemen by an extraordinary Industry had perswaded them to a quiet desisting from prosecuting those rash Attempts which they boldly resolved on engaging themselves with the Mayor and Master Savin an Alderman and Justice of Peace by Articles drawn up and Signed between them that no man should be molested or questioned for an thing that was done Upon this they all quietly lay down their Armes and every man betook himselfe to his Vocation and particular Habitation which else might have produced greater matters both in that City and the whole County About a moneth after upon the instigation of the Mayor whose malice could not be appeased without revenge by Order of Parliament came down Col. Husons Regiment of Foot from about London to quarter in Canterbury who no sooner were settled in their quarters but by Order from the House they seized on Sir Will Man Master Lovelace M. Savine M. Dudley Wiles and some other Gentlemen and many poor men of the City also and hurried them away to Leeds Castle neer Maidstone where they continued Prisoners about two moneths and more till some of the poorer sort that had not where withall to subsist none daring to relieve them were wel nigh starved there as their Wives and Families at home At last with some solicitation of the Gentlemen to the House by the mediation of the Burgesses of the City and some other of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County who began to be a little touch'd with a sence of their abominable Injury procured so much favour as to have Baile taken for their Liberty till they should be called upon to answer at the Barre of their Mock-Justice for this high and unpardonable Ryot of Peace-making This high favour being obtained they all returned home but they were no sooner there and scarce setled but the Mayor out of his own power having Myrmidons enough then to maintain him in any thing though never so ignoble wicked or unjust although hee had before Signed to the Articles of Indempnity and that those poor men had suffered so much misery notwithstanding would have had all those of the most Inferiour rank to be Whipt or ride the Wooden Horse for now he knew how to domineer having the Souldiers to clap him at the back and encourage what ever he would doe But by the more grave advice of some of his more moderate Brethren he was taken off from that project the busines lay quiet till about a forthnight
had by a Declaration which he had published pretended to be in lest by violently taking him away they might cause a Mutinous Hubbub in the Town and Country But this would not take for when they came to the House this precious Prince and his confederates surmising their intentions as guilty of their reall Knaveries refused to let them in Captaine Forstall shutting his doores told them the Prince had commanded him to keep them out and he durst not disobey him This they took as a high indignity and affront and upon their desires Master Carter immediately drew up sixty Musquetteers before the house to force an entrance the rest of the party loading their Musquets and lighting their Matches stood all to their Armes expecting some suddaine service for now the whole Town grew into a Mutiny and Distraction so that the Commissioners were forc'd to prepare themselves for to fight too for they did expect it every minute and commanded all Houses and Shops to be shut up Mean time this young Impostor raunting in his new invested Authority waves his Hat and Plume out at the window calling out Raise the Towne Raise the Towne Seamen stand to me Seamen throwing out handfulls of Money into the Streets among the people which began to swarme up and down in throngs and tumults women weeping for the violence they feared would be done to their Prince and men swearing they would all die rather than suffer the Prince to be injured any way or violently taken away Almost every one either certainly believing him to be really the Prince of Wales or else undoubtedly confederates in the same designe raised so high a Tumult as would have ended in much mischief had not the Gentlemen bestirr'd themselves resolutely and undauntedly in the quelling them But whilst they were thus forcing an entrance into the House those Confederates who were within privately conveyed him through the Back-side and some Seamen waiting purposely at the Water-side transported him immediately over into the Isle of Thanet where a party being sent after him found him that night at Master Crispes house at Supper where he was entertained like him that he pretended himself to be from whence he was conveyed to Canterbury Master Crispe being so courteous as to lend him his Coach thither also and from thence to Newgate This passage being over he escaped for the time they took Captaine Forstall and would have carryed him away prisoner for refusing to let them enter his House and by that meanes expressing his confederacy in the designe of that Mock-Prince and so being the cause of the Hubbub in the Towne which was so dangerous as might have caused much Bloud But pretended he did really believe him to be the Prince and he had commanded him to it and he durst not disobey him Then the Town Clark engaging himselfe for his appearance when he should be called to answer for his default he was left behind Then the Gentlemen leaving some of those men they brought with them and an Officer with them in the Town for the securing of it and Orders to the new Captaines to call their Companyes to their Armes they Marched away with the rest towards Dover where they found Colonell Hammons Regiment encreased by that time to five hundred and upwards and Colonell Hattons of Horse to be about 200. according to their former Orders drawing up to face the Castle with some Trained Companies of that part of the County and many people with Cartes of Scaling-ladders Spades Shovels and Pickaxes according to the former dayes Warrants Here they found the Town in a joyfull posture to receive them with much alacrity where Captaine Bethels Fort resigned to them and all the Towne unanimously betook themselves to their Armes Trained men which were two Companies and others to joyn with them in so hopefully-happy a designe as by all appearance that must of necessity be In the afternoon diverse summons were sent to the Castle for Surrender of it to the service of the King and Country but all denyed Sir H. a grand Independent and Parliament man being then in it pretending no power at all there as by his Letters indeed appeared yet bearing the only sway commanding all privately by whose command those in the Castle had made incursions up on the Country a night or two before and drove in many Sheep for to Victuall it resolving to make out his own Interest as it seemes under the notion of the Parliaments for it was without any Commission from them as if it were an axiome amongst them every one to act his phansie for the propagating the generall Calamity of the Kingdome no matter at what rate so their interest were secured So large an extent hath their arbitrary Prerogative and unlimitted illegall Jurisdiction as to abhor as destructive all conscience or thought of affection to their Countryes peace which easily discovered it self by the answers he made to the Letters and Propositions which were sent into the Castle to him from the Commissioners As if that burden of intollerable guilt of innocent bloud and unparallel'd misery of this gasping Nation had over-whelm'd his Conscience with a cloud of dispaire of any other safety than the old Roman Rule Per 〈◊〉 semper sceleribus tutum est Iter knowing indeed himselfe to have been as zealous a promoter and accessory to the generall Calamity as any confederate in the grand Juncto what ever to whom indeed the name of Peace is as odious as the Punishment they know themselves guilty of and if given over to the hand of Justice and the Law of the Kingdome they must unavoidably perish under Of which I doubt not but though their resolutions be with Cataline yet their end will be as the thirty Tyrants of Athens whose proceedings have not much deviated from theirs Now they sent not only summons to the Castle but also civill Letters to Sir Hen H. to invite him to a compliance or at least to a cessation from his Engagement with all promises of their Engageing for his security and fafety either for his staying in the County or passing to London or where he pleased But he was farre enough from hearkning any whit to their civill Treaty and by his meanes and one Lieutenant Swans who had before betrayed the Princes Commission after he had engaged his faith for the acting according to it and indeavoured the taking away the lives of some Gentlemen that himselfe treated with about it those in the Castle withheld from any rendition though often summoned and the greatest part as often willing to deliver This night Major Keme that went to the Fleet returned assuring that those Letters he carryed to the Commissioners were not onely received with extraordinary cheerfulnesse but answered with as industriously reall action relating that the Mariners had no sooner read them but immediately declared one and all for the King the liberty of the Kingdome and the Engagement of the Gentlemen of Kent Boldly disputing the
and Storme it they could not The Commissioners with the rest of the Gentlemen which were a handsome Company marched on towards Deal carrying with them Colonell Hammons Regiment being by this time compleated to a thousand well Armed and as perfectly resolv'd with Colours Flying of white answerable to the candid innocence of a peace-making Egagement and Col. Hattons Horse with some Dragooners The Gentlemen being about forty were orderly drawn up into a Troop and marching thus all the way upon the Downes gave a very handsome appearance both to the Country on the one side and the Ships then riding at Anchor in the Downes on the other which gave encouragement to both and a disheartning also to the Castles then upon treaty for Rendition Then the Castles discovering so orderly a Body of men advancing towards them sent to the Commissioners to desire that they would not advance any neerer to them till they had concluded their Conditions being on Treaty about them the Articles being drawing up Whereupon a halt was made and a Rendezvouz the party being drawn up and planted an orderly Front towards the Castles The Knights and Gentlemen then leaving them at the Rendezvouz rid away to Deal Towne where the first as indeed most requisite thing they did was the taking care for sending provision to that small Army they left in the Field and afterwards went aboord the Ships to take possession of them and to place such Officers as they thought fit to entrust with their Command Where they were received with great acclamations and expressions of Joy There one might have read in every mans face a perfection of cheerfulnesse as having been a long time like slaves Gally-chain'd to a more than Turkishly condemnation and now happily set free into the glorious liberty of Loyall obedience wherein they expressed themselves so highly devoted to the service of the King and Country as that they would not only be Commanded by Sea but desired they might have first admittance to be listed Ashore but that would not be granted them by the Commissioners for they should thereby have disfurnish'd the Ships and did not perceive they should have any need of them for Land service for now they thought that although they expected nothing lesse then an affront and opposition ere they should have performed what they had undertaken concerning their Petition yet they supposed the County would so unanimously joyne as there should be little want of number able to force through all obstruction whatsoever Foot comming in at that time also very fast from all parts and this happy successe and gallant deportment of the Gentry being so high an incouragement to call them to their aid gave new life and courage to the Commonalty and made them content to leave all rurall occasions to joyne in that so Christian-like and Loyall designe Although there were yet too many that lay lurking in their dunghill dens suttlely to joyne with any Enemy that should endeavour to make a prey of them and help forward upon any opportunity so desperate a ruine as they cared not though it turned to a generall dissolution to the whole Kingdome and a most wretched and untimely fall to their too indulgent gloriously virtuous and unparallel'd patient Soveraigne so their owne Factious Interest might recover to their wished but ignorantly proposed end A nest of other Cockatrices lay brooding also as idlely in the very heart of the County nay too many all over whose dirty Souls were so settled on the lees and puddle of worldly interest as depressed them down to so ignoble and cold a disposition that would not suffer them to look up to Loyall obedience nor permit their capacities to climb so high as a knowledge of that duty they owed to their King and Country though their owne Interest was as much included as anies that was the most active every man being alike concerned in a generall peace and I think according to his quality and condition ought to endeavour as industriously for its advancement many of them knowing as much too yet so wretchedly worldly as to prefer the enjoyment of their Estates though like Jewes under the worst of bondage than like Christians to hazard the impairing them onely for the setled and assured enjoyment of them in the happiest liberty the Golden Age of a Just and Religious peace would give them in the future There were some Deputy Lieutenants also came in for their security more than their Conscience sakes which they slubber'd o're with a counterfeit disguise of dissimulation to purchase a better welcome whom I could name too but shall forbear the comming in and entring the Lists with these Loyall Engagers after they had signed not onely to the Petition but Warrants and Commissions too made a faire retreat and bidding adieu to the danger of proving Loyall Subjects slipt their engaged Coller and stole away to London and may chance deserve a Halter for it hereafter as well as the rest of the greatest Opposers But I suppose ere this though not in respect of their fortunes for which they may rejoyce yet in respect of the better wealth of their Soules they may have undergone so much of repentance as may purchase a pardon from Heaven which my charity makes me hope rather than wish the contrary and they are sensible enough they have a Soveraigne to deal with so farre inheritor of his Fathers Virtues as well as Honours and Prerogative as by his excesse of mercy to mittigate the rigour of Treason and Law against them But to return to our new Sea-Royalists who now not onely thought but express'd also the great happinesse of their chang'd condition saying cheerfully many of them They onely now lived and had a long time as it were laine amazed 'twixt life and death and desired rather to die in the service of their King then to live againe in that of the Parliament All which the Commissioners were much joyed to see and encouraged them on in their gallant Loyalty giving amongst them in every Ship a summe of mony to drink which they as gratefully received and at their putting off to shore gave them from every Vessell many great Shot answered with as many Shouts and Acclamations But many of the Marriners were so eager in prosecuting this new engaged Loyalty that the greatest difficulty in the ordering them proved in the keeping them Aboord being almost Mutinous to come ashore to list themselves for Land service as believing they should not finde any opposition at Sea or if yet not time enough for them to expresse in their actions what they had already done in their words and as absolutely resolved in their hearts as it was the expression of many of them Which to make up the more compleat they afterwards of themselves sent away a Messenger to the Commissioners of the Navy with this Declaration following The Declaration of the NAVY in a Letter to the Commissioners at LONDON Worshipfull THese are to certifie you that
next morning came down a post with an order from the House of Commons to Rochester to the Commissioners joyned in that Engagement to this purpose that whereas they did understand that the people of Kent were comming up to Westminster in a tumultuous and pretended petitionary way they knew not the Intentions of it and had therefore referred them to treat with the Generall the Lord Fairfax and the Committee of Derby-house This rigorous order of prevention being received and read In the morning the Generall councell being met the businesse was scand and discust for now this graine of paper had quite turned the Ballance and absolutely altered the constitution of the Generall Interest for they could not but believe that the Army would advance entirely against them knowing well enough considering the posture the Country was in what it would be to treat with a conquering and potent adversary in that inexperienced condition I meane of a new rais'd and unmodelled body of raw men Whereupon by a generall result orders were immediately dispatched away to Dartford and the other places adjacent where the maine Body then quartered and lay upon Guard to march then back to Rochester having also intelligence within a very short time that the Lord Fairfax with his maine Body was advanceing towards us already But however upon their retreate left a Guard at a place called Stone bridge neer Gravesend to secure that passe but they could not long hold it the enemy for so we might easily guesse them to be by this time by the ceizing all Gentlemen and others they met comming up so close although to say truth a better order might have been observed in it and indeed would had the Party been a formidable Body When they came back to Rochester Master Mat Carter having received Commission of Quarter-master Generall of all the forces then raised or to be raised in that County from the Commissioners and Gentlemen engaged received Orders from the Councell for the Quartering them there Whereupon he first caused them to be drawn up by distinct Regiments in severall Fields whereby he was able to take an exact account of the strength of every Regiment so to know how to dispose of them and ascertaine the Councell of the full number in grosse which then he Mustred in rank and file compleatly arm'd seven thousand of the Infantry and as well accoutred being most of them very sufficient men of ability and not wanting of as Honourable resolutions The Horse not being drawn together but abroad the most of them upon severall parties could not be so well taken notice of At which time also there were at severall places of the Country about three thousand more which never came up to this party as at Canterbury Maidstone Sittingborne Sandwich and Dover This gallant Body by his care were equally divided into Quarters in Rochester Strood and Chatham the Horse in Villages neer adjacent And the Engagers now began to cling more closely and taking time by the fore-locke thought it not good to let slip any minute lest their hopes and security might be lost with it and began more seriously to consider what might most probably advance their safety and honour knowing that what they were now to trust too was difficult severity of Fortune the Army being like enough to fall in suddainly upon them Amongst many considerations at last they easily concluded that the next businesse that must be endeavoured must be to mould that party into a formidable Army and to appoint one particular man to Command in Chief For now they were forc'd to stand upon their own guard to maintain that with the Sword which was intended onely in a just and peaceable way according to the Ancient Customes of this Kingdome But this is a new liberty of the Subject none of the old I am sure A sad world when men shall fall deeper into the pit of Destruction by the endeavours of those they supplicate for aid to bring them out and who by naturall as well as legall alliance and interest are bound to assist and by themselves placed for it If this be to Reforme Heavens blesse all good Christians and Loyall Subjects from Reformation Having now thus resolved they appointed a Rendezvouz the next day at Barham Downe some three miles distant from thence towards Maidstone Where the Lord Norwich was proclaimed Generall in the head of the Army for now being drawn together they deserved that Title so gallant a Body they were of Infantry who received him with as much cheerfulnesse expressing an unparallel'd willingnesse to serve their King and as much joy that they were so engaged to it knowing that their service was not onely for Him but the whole Kingdomes peace the recovering of their Countries Liberty and the Churches tranquility As it hath been a generall and as true an Observation in all Ages and Common-wealths that those that engage in other mens quarrels are more remisse and unspirited as knowing that they shall partake in the danger but not in the victory since another would receive the greatest and fairest fruit thereof and arrogate the Honour likewise to themselves whereas they also that take Armes for their Country may conceive better hopes that God will prosper them for that they seek not to take from others but to keep their own and that they fight not for other mens phancies but their owne defence whereby the whole benefit of victory will redound to themselves This Rendezvouz being broke up the Army Marched again into Quarters though not the same as before neither by the Quarter-master Generals laying out much I confesse contrary to the Lord Generalls sense or intentions whose advice it was that it would have been most convenient to lodg them close together or in the Field it being very faire weather at that time Although I have been informed there are some who have broach'd a most damnable Aspersion on the Earl of Norwich throwing this dirty and odious Calumny in the face of his innocent and unspotted Fame That he was the man who betrayed that service to its succeeding destruction and that he made it his designe to take that Command upon him that he might the more easily effect that designe being himself no Souldier And so impudently or else ignorantly they proceeded in this Ignoble derogation as to raise a confirmation of it from this conclusion That had it not been so he had as well paid the losse of life for his Loyall service as the Lord Capell and the Earl of Holland c. First that his owne designe steered him to that Interest is so palpably false that it was as absolute an accident as could be that brought him to Rochester as at the first of his comming and at his being in Colchester I have heard him relate my selfe being in his Journey to Sussex and taking that road to scape the Army who then lay very thick in the other and who knows not how dangerous it is to travaile amongst
pleased also without any disturbance But those conditions were soon as almost broke as made for before the foot came up some Gentlemen marching through their Guards had their Horses and Armes both taken from them by the Major of the Regiment by whom the Articles on their party were Signed Then the Foot and a greater number of Gentlemen by their easie March comming up together and understanding what was done and how unlikely they were to keep Articles when they should lie unarmed at their mercy that had so unworthily begun and so soone broke them Marching through two or three Guards no man being permitted to passe any by-way by reason of the easie March the Gentlemen made the Foot came closer up so that they hop'd the better to avoid abuses of those who began already to scoffe and fleere at us And considering what a condition an inauspicious fate had reduced us to and how these Gallants had broken conditions we began to think of some other way then so lamely disband and submit our selves by such worthlesse Boores who understood not so much Honour I except the chiefest of them as to know what was meant by drawing and signing Articles of Conditions and so began to sift out the disposition of the private Souldiers who we soone found so resolute as to expresse themselves rather desirous to die there in the bed of Honour than to survive such an infamous misfortune and live slaves all the dayes of their lives after This bold resolution proved now the happy guide to a better Fate and all concluded to make a second dispute for Conditions and Charge through them And being now in the midst of them every man provided himselfe accordingly the Foot all lighting their Matches and the Gentlemen drawing their Pistols began to alter the constitution of our fleering Hamletteers who left their vanity of jeering and so we marched on from gaurd to gaurd through the midst of them as moving to the place of disbanding where we expected an opposition and as much resolv'd to force through it but that proved the last and utmost guard just at Bow towne But now they beholding us marching in this resolute manner and still moulding our selves into better order were absolutely dasht from a thought of opposition so we marched on without the least affront till we came to Bow-bridge where we supposed was the place for our disbanding At the other end of which bridge was a turne-pike strongly guarded with Musketteers and having entred upon the bridge we made a stand to parly with them but after a very short discourse being asked whether they were Friends or Foes we were answered from them Friends whereupon we replyed if you are Friends let your turne-pike be opened so they opened their turne-pike and with a very great shout let us in And now we were in Essex So we marched cleere through these Hamletteeres and carryed away the Major Prisoner and another Officer but afterwards upon their Parolls they were suffered to goe to London but never returned againe according to their Engagements by which also you may guesse how much Honour they had in them so we marched on still till we came to Stratford Here we met with the Generall againe returning backe to us expecting to have found us in the same posture he left us in the Parke at Greenwich But understanding the carriage of the businesse and what had fallen out was much troubled at it and knowing the long and tedious marches they had made and the precedent nights actions could not permit them any repose nor that they had received any refreshment for two nights and that the third day Immediately gave command for the drawing them up into order and by planting on the green to procure such refreshment as the place would afford for the present ere we marched any further And here was a providence in all this unhappinesse had we received the least affront or opposition by these Hamletteers or by any obstruction been hindred never so little time we had beene absolutely cut off or had we been disbanded we had beene as sodainly ruined for we had no sooner marched over the bridge and scarce drawne up but we received a very strong Alarum by a Party of Col. Whalies horse Who as it was conceived came thither purposely upon the Intelligence that we were to disband to make a prey of us when we were naked and by surprising us make what spoile they pleased with the private Soldiers and take all the Gentlemen Prisoners but by Gods assisting providence that was prevented and now they fell on thinking to have beat us off from our guards by their sight onely so they marched on a full carreer having laid an ambuscade of Dragoones to secure their retreate as if they would have destroyed us in a minute which indeed had been facile enough had we been as tame as they supposed we had beene and had not the Gentlemen bestirred themselves couragiously But now we were awakned againe by this Alarum and roused from the drowsie spirit that possest every man almost if he but sat downe or still on Horseback and drawing out a Party of Foot to strengthen the Guard rallyed a Party of Horse to a number of thirty and marching forth the turne-pike gave them such a home charge that so started them as it put them to such a perfect rout in an instant and kill'd and wounded many of them which succesful action gave life to our defatigated spirits and encouraged our Party so that they followed the pursuit as far as Milend-greene but by that meanes fell into their ambuscade who fired upon them from the hedges so they were forced to make as much speed in retreating though none pursued In which service only one Gentleman a Grecian being shot by the Dragooners was left behind about the Green and in the Charge Cap. John Lynne cut over the Chin and over the Brest which was all the hurt we sustained in it But although our pursuit continued no further yet the Enemy kept on their flight in that disorder no body following them till they came to White Chappell which as I was Informed gave an Alarum to the whole City as farre as Temple-barre But now the Hamletteeres began againe to oppose us but were as soone forc't to take Sanctuary in Bow Church where we surrounded them with a Party of Horse and Foote and put them to treate with us for a quiet returning home to their owne houses engaging themselves never to oppose us againe Thus was there a convertible change of various fortune in two opposite Parties in lesse then two houres space After this our Party again retired within the Turn-pike and strong Guards commanded on all Passes and Fords about the River and on all High-waies and Avenewes for hindring the Enemy from making Incursions upon us who were againe calling and drawing up a strong Guard at Milend-greene both of Horse and Dragoones But after all this our Party resting a
little began to take heart againe as thinking themselves secure from any opposition or Inconveniencie being amongst our professed Friends When our condition gave another reverse and was like to change for the worse then ever before For after he had run through so many difficulties and wearied out with so tedious marches our Soldiers ready almost to fall downe in the Street for want of foode to sustaine them we were like to fall into another encounter with adverse fortune The Generall notwithstanding his great age which might easily have dis-inabled him from such toyle yet as if he had beene absolutely Indefatigable or else miraculously nourisht not receiving almost any rest or sleepe for the space of foure daies and three nights and yet not seeming to want any posted immediately away againe to Chelmsford where the Gentry of the Country were met giving order for the Quartering that shattered Army in Stratford till further orders from him But when Quarter-master Generall Carter had sent for the Constable and given him Orders accordingly The Constable seeming to goe about in obedience to his Warrant whilst by some other Gentlemen he was civilly and honourably treated as a stranger makes no long stay ere he returned againe accompanied with three or four burly Gentlemen as I conceive Justices of Peace of that part of the Country who making it their businesse began to question the Quarter-master Generall of his Authority of Quartering an Army in that Country intimating that they were all quiet before and at peace amongst themselves and with the Parliament and that the Parliament had granted them what they desired and had sent them an Act of Indempnity But we bringing an Army into their County should draw down the Parliaments Army upon them and make it a Seat of Warre and they could not any way condescend that we should fix a Quarter there it being no way for their safety but like to prove the readiest way to their destruction Cheerfull expressions to men that had run through so many hazards and confused difficulties Having let our own Country to the Cruelty of a most barbarous and mercilesse Enemy to come as by an abolute associated engagement to their assistance whereby we hoped to be strong enough to break the bonds and tear off the shackles from our most inhumanly imprisoned Soveraign and unnaturally enslaved Country-men and now no sooner entred the Confines of their County from whence so many publick Declarations of their Loyall and sincere Intentions had flowne abroad throughout the Kingdom and so late checked the Insolence of the proud Enemy and beaten them off from forcing a violent incursion upon it and to have such an unexpected welcome was too harsh and severe and might have proved very mischievous if resented by the inferiour sort of the Army whose fury knowes little or no more when enflamed with so just a discontent But the Quarter-master Generall returned them this Answer in short That for the power by which he Quartered that Army it was by Commission from the Generall and that he quartered them in that place by immediate Command also from him But for our comming into that Country it concerned him not to dispute it neither could he give any other account then the Engagement between both Counties and the Generall the Earl of Norwich But if they should desire any further satisfaction to their desires they must receive it from the Lord Generall himselfe But the Generall being gone to Chelmsford Sir Will Compton being Major Generall hearing of this dispute came also to them and gave the like satisfaction but would not long dispute the businesse with them knowing nothing at all of them nor by what Authority they were empowred to make those interrogatories And now our Blouds being hardly coole since the last Affront when heated again by this new and the consideration of the sad successe of our so just and honourable Designes almost boyling to fury resolved to Quarter there till we should againe receive Orders from the Generall and then in case the businesse of the Country should prove so contrary to our hopes and the expectations of the whole Kingdome as to answer the expressions of those men of Beliall to March on forcing our way through all obstructions till we should find a party to joyne with or be destroyed in the Field that we might thereby win an Honourable Liberty or Tombe Here we Quartered till Wednesday in the afternoon it being Sunday morning when we came thither still keeping the Enemy in some play who lay with their Guards within half a mile of us and their Scouts still pekiering with us at Bow Townes end All which time the Earl of Norwich continued at Chelmsford agitating the businesse with the Gentlemen of the County and minding to what it would turne there who had not long before put forth this declaratory Engagement The Engagement or Declaration of the Grand Jury Free holders and other Inhabitants of the County of Essex in prosecution of their late Petition presented to both Houses WE the Grand Jury Free-holders and other the Inhabitants of the said County in the prosecution of the said Petition doe Engage our selves one to another and Declare 1. That we will not pay any more Exoise or other Taxes till all the desires expressed in our said Petition be obtained by us 2. That we will admit of no Souldiers to come into our County but such as agree with us in our said Petition and in this Engagement 3. That we will imploy our utmost endeavours to preserve and defend our Royall King Charles His Kingly Government the Subjects Liberty and the known Lawes of this Kingdome That is to say the Common and Statute Lawes and will never submit our selves to any other kind of Lawes much lesse to any Arbitrary power whatsoever 4. That we will protect and defend one another and all that shall adhere to us in the pursuance performance and keeping of this Engagement And that if any Inhabitant of our County shall refuse to joyne with us herein we shall esteeme him a person dis-affected to the Peace and welfare of the same But notwithstanding this Engagement they were yet backward enough in prosecuting any thing to the purpose in answer to their Petition or Association here When his Excellency came he found the greatest part of the Gentry of the County met but all business so dis-joyn'd and so strangely confused as there seemed almost an impossibility of any good to proceed from that so high Engagement and mountainous Conception And our party consequently left as inconsiderable to be cut in pieces by a most cruell Enemy who had already possessed themselves of our whole Country ruin'd our Friends made lavish havock of our Estates and having proclaimed us Traytors for comming thither for their assistance would prove as undoubtedly prodigall of our lives if ever we should fall under their power The distraction indeed was so great that the Gentlemen and Commoners who came there with
reall intention to prosecute their Petition and Engagement were likely to have been dispersed in lesse time then they were in coming together Capt. Lin of that Country had once before raised a thousand men which were immediately dispers'd An order of Indempnity being read in the head of them by Colonel Farre which the Committee of the County so pressed to them that they went all quietly home And now were as active in their Indeavours for the ruine of the maine interest of that Designe as indeed it concern'd them enough for they knew the prosperity of Loyalty is destruction of Rebellion I leave them to make the Application They were so active in their Machivilian Stratagems for countermining all policy against them as that Charles Lucas being there urgently tending upon the designe and many other Gentlemen with carefull diligence for the advancement of the King and Countries Liberty it being the sole and generall end both they and we really intended and the sole reward of our actions we all aimed at and consequently prosecuted secuted all circumstantiall opportunities which we conceived conducing to it that at last though by the hazard of a Warre we might generally attaine to the happy blessing of an honourable and lasting Peace thought it their best course in that distraction to depart privately forth the Town lest some unexpected inconveniency might take hold on their persons if once it had over-whelmed the generall interest as now they began to fear would be absolutely dispairing of any good at all But some of the Country Gentlemen then got together in the Town and by chance meeting them desired Sir Charles Lucas that he would not goe away so but let the Committee doe what they would they were sensible enough how they had ruined and undone them and they would be abused no longer by them but if he would be pleased to draw them out into the Field and stay with them they would one and all engage with him and live and die in that Engagement according to the intention of their meeting together having resolved not to returne till they had performed something This suddaine change in a little time proved very violent as it is commonly scene in all things so they immediately drew into the Field and seiz'd on the Committee and were so furiously incenst against them that some of them would have kill'd them immediately had not some Gentlemen rescued them pacified the others fury and afterwards placed a Guard over them for now they were resolved that since they had actively engaged themselves they would be no more obstructed in their prosecution by those grand Opposers who they well understood would be active enough in their endeavours for the destruction of that designe if at liberty and the ruin of the Actors in it being right-becked Committee-men of the Parliaments own bringing up as appeared afterwards by Sir Tho Honywood who being at liberty and at his own house at Coxwell alwayes an Enemy to the King and Kingdome made himselfe appear so really now by raising both Horse and Foot as many as by his power he could draw together either for love or fear and made his house a Garrison to oppose the County as much in him lay in their proceedings in that designe But his party proved so inconsiderable then as it could doe but little injury The businesse comming to this height his Excellence the Lord Norwich sent his orders to Sir William Compton to march away towards Chelmsford so we marched away from Stratford with our whole Party which by this time was well recruited by many of our men that came up and divers Prentices from London who came daily in and listed themselves And about Wensday night we met the Generall at Rumford but the Enemy marching after us so obstructed our march by Alaruming us in the Reare that the whole Body could not get up till the next morning though the Enemy durst not adventure in all the march to fall on upon the Reare guard The next day being the eight of June we marched on towards Burntwood whither Sir Charles Lucas was advanced with a Party both of Horse and Foot to joyne with us And having Intelligence how the Enemy followed us with Alarums in our Reare commanded forth all the Horse that were then in the Towne to assist us so we marched up and quartered that night at Brentwood and the next day being the ninth we marched on to Chelmsford where the Lord Capell the Lord Loughborow and divers Gentlemen of quality 〈◊〉 Hartfordshire and other Counties came in to joyn also with us which gave a great encouragement to our Army There came in a Party also of Gentlemen consisting of about fifty who entering their combination in London made their Rendevouze at Hideparke corner and marching all night the night before intended to beate up a quarter of the Enemies at Epping being in their way But the Party was drawne out by chance hard by the Towne upon some other designe so they were disappointed of their Strategem but though they found them ready drawne up in order yet unexpecting any affront not thinking of any Enemy they marched up and being well Horst charged through them and the next day came up to us having lost only one Man and one Horse but the Horse being a gallant one and taken by a Country-man was recovered againe the Gentleman that lost him comming off afterwards went out with a Party and fetcht that man in and so regained him That afternoone both Parties of Kentish and Essex were drawne out to a Rendevouze in Newhall Parke neere the Towne belonging to the Duke of Buckingham which Generall meeting gave much encouragement to both Parties Where the Generall and Sir Charles Lucas joyning in consultation the Gentlemen of both Counties also that by a unity in the engagement as well as the Interest there might be greater hopes of prosperous successe At which councell it was once a generall result to have marched away Immediately and fallen upon the Party of Sir Tho Honywoods at Coxwell but upon a more serious deliberation otherwise resolved on and orders given out for the quartering in the Towne that night But this Party of Coxwell disincouraged the Country that they began now to be very slack in their apearance to joyne in relation to what they were before not only by reason of Sir Thomas Honywoods activenesse but because of the Enemies entring also into the Country with their whole Body Saturday the tenth we marched on towards Brantree but tooke Leeds house in our march belonging to the Earle of Warwick where we were like to have beene opposed by some people who were purposely placed there and upon the Quartermastergeneralls comming thither to secure it from the violence of the Soldiers refused to open their gates being about twelve or more men with Fire-armes and two Drakes saying that they were placed there for the securing that house and they would rather die then deliver it up
Owners Which should they have let stand would have proved so miserable an inconveniency that we could not have maintained the Town one halfe hour I am confident had the Enemy ever attempted a resolute storm when once they had begirt us so close by reason that in many places the st airs came up to the top of the Wall in the highest places of it so large that two or three men might haue come up a Breast and some Rooms equalled the height of the Wall in a perfect Diameter And if the Enemy should have taken no other benefit but the opportunity of a Wind and set fire to them they might probably have set fire of the whole Town Which they attempted the first night and once after had effected had not the Wind been very calme and the Soldiers as extraordinary diligent in quenching still as they fired The eleventh day more Arrows were again shot into the Towne to entice the Souldiers by alluring charms 〈◊〉 with as severe threats to quit the service intimating That if they came not away before the next Monday it being then Friday that not a man which came after should have any quarter Which Messages the Soldiers still resented so well as that they resolved to answer it by the same Messengers and took some of their own Arrowes annointing them with a 〈◊〉 and wrapping the same in paper fastned it to the heads of the Arrowes and writ on the papers this superscription An Answer from Colchester August the 11th 〈◊〉 as you may smell informiug by that how little they regarded their baits or esteemed their threatnings And now by this time the greatest part of our Horse had changed their Stables for Slaughter Houses and their Riders being willingly dismounted took up foot Arms the Gentlemen Halberts and the private Troopers Sithes ready fitted with long staves for the service which were very terrible for execution and there were many Sithes found in the Towne upon a search for Arms more than ever was known to be in the Town before and many brown Bills were also made in the Town so that no man might be idle for want of Arms these men were all listed both Gentlemen and private Troopers for more orderly disposing them in duty and service in particular companies under the Lord Generall the Lord Capell and Sir Charls Lucas the Lord Capell marching himselfe a foot with a Halbert on his shoulder in the head of his Company to the guard that none might make any scruple or acception against it which Company lay constantly upon reserve at severall places of the Line at some distance in Tents built purposely for them which point of Warre must of necessity arise from as high a conveniency as any and indeed was a course constantly practised amongst the best and most judicious Conquerours of the World and they have left us Arguments for it in the Chronologie of divers Victories obtained and lost fields recovered by Fortune and resolute Reserves although but of small numbers of which I shall instance one of Serverus the Emperour who in a Battle against Albinus Generall of the Britains before Lugdunum was himselfe put to 〈◊〉 beaten off his Horse and hid himselfe whilst the Britains followed the Chase chanting out their prayse as victors till Latus one of Serverus his Officers staying behind with some fresh Troops and making a fresh charge the Serverians took heart againe and Mounting Serverus put on his purple 〈◊〉 when the Albinians thinking themselves Masters of the field being disordered and furiously charged by fresh Troops after a short resistance fled the Severians following them with great execution to the City Gates Now these Companies must not be understood neither for the only reserves we had for it was the constant method of the Armies duty in Generall for I cannot willingly nor I thinke rationally tearm it a Garrison but a quarter to lie every Regiment on their severall post the one halfe upon guard and the other all night very neere at the most convenient place upon reserve And having maintained and held it out in defiance of a proud succesfull and imperious Enemy this being the 17 of August still cherishing our resolutions with hopes of reliefe and having yet no certaine intelligence of the state of affairs in the other parts of the Kingdom nor reliefe approaching and our stores very much-wasted insomuch that all our Corn was welnigh spent and very little Ammunition left to maintaine our guards only with by a Generall result of the Councell of Warre His Excellency the Lord Norwich the Lord 〈◊〉 and Sir Charles Lucas signed Letters to the Lord Fairfax to desire him to grant them twenty dayes respite and a passe through his quarters for them to send some Gentlemen to Sir Marmaduke Langdale that they might receive a reall information of his condition and if they found him as they had given him out and not advancing towards us and that in that time there was no hopes of reliefe that then they would Treat for surrender Other hopes we had none left and indeed but little reason for these the Duke of Buckinghams and the Earle of Hollands parties were already dissolved into nothing indeed without doing any thing and no other parties risen or expressing any inclinations much lesse intentions to it But this would not be granted then they were forced to send away private Spies and Messengers and concluded in a generall resolution to maintaine and defend it to the last and in that time not to be idle with them but as active as the want of Ammunition would admit and according to those resolutions send out a party every day or night at the Sally port they went voluntarily upon it and sallying upon them were troublesome enough to them and kept them upon constant and hard duty but ultra posse non est esse and our Ammunition was so exhausted that we could not send out great parties often yet found out a way with what materials could be gotten to make some match which though it were not so good as what we had before yet served our present necessity and some powder also we made but it was not much for we were forced to resigne ere we could bring it to prefection Then our Commissaries began to complain their stores which were almost empty the people generally much necessitated for bread the true staffe of Life and the poorer sort meerly for want of Corne neer starving we being not able to relieve them againe Then the poore people Petitioned the L. Fairfax by the Mayor and Aldermen that they might have liberty to leave the Town and disperse themselves into the Country amongst their friends that would keep them from famishing But he thought it not policy to grant it but on the contrary gave order to his whole Army round the Leaguer that if any should be turned forth by us they should fire at them but at that time they considered by their privat friends
our bosome Enemies their Town intelligence that we had made Proclamation at that time that whosoever had not twenty dayes provision in their houses should depart the Town as well rich as poore at which time search being made againe very few were found to have provision for above two or three dayes and then the Enemy having given this unchristianlike though politick order it would have been a very difficult thing to have forc'd so many people through a Sally Port and dangerous to attempt who of themselves were apt enough to a Mutiny and as inhumane a policy though policy it would have been to have forced them from their own houses upon the Swords of a most cruell and mercilesse Enemy Then the stores were again reviewed and the Magazine also and the stores found to be so empty as not to yeeld two dayes provision of bread in them for the whole Army and the Magazine not to maintain two hours fight if a storme should happen Then a Councell of Warr was again summoned where this want being considered it was agreed That it was the best course to Treat with the Enemy in time and by the Major part by Voices it was carried and Letters accordingly were drawn up and Doctor 〈◊〉 a Phisician then living in the town employed in the Message And now too sad it was to understand we had done our utmost and as much that was I think as was possible for men to doe in our condition having engaged so potent and conquering an Enemy so long with so inconsiderable a party and now at the last destitute of any hopes remaining of a possible relief in so short a time as our Condition would enable us to hold out The next morning the Doctor returned again with this Answer from the Generall That we had held it out so long against him and to the utmost denyed his Summons That the best Conditions wee must expect from him must be to submit to Merey only that the Inferiour Officers and Souldiers should have liberty to go to their owne homes Which was so much beyond the Honour of our actions that it was thought as unhonourable to be accepted Tuesday the two and twentieth Early in the morning more Arrowes were shot into the Town at severall places of the Line with Papers fastned to them wherein was written as followeth August 21. 1648. VVHereas on Sunday last in a Letter to the Lord Goring Lord Capel and Sir Charles Lucas Conditions were offered to all private Souldiers and inferiour Officers under 〈◊〉 to have liberty to go to their severall homes without injury or violence and all superiour Officers Lords and Gentlemen to submit to Mercy And whereas the same hath been concealed from the Souldiers and Inferiour Officers aforesaid neverthelesse if they will before Thursday next lay hold on the said Conditions and come away in a Body from the Enemy the same Conditions shall be performed to them which have been offered but in case they shall suffer the 〈◊〉 People whom we shall not receive to be turned out of the Town and suffer them to perish under the Walls they must expect no Mercy And if the Towns-men in armes shall joyne with the soldiery in coming forth in a body as aforesaid they shall also be free from violence This prety little stratagem they thought would have infused such a wild-fire in the mutinous brains of the Rout as would in an Instant have blown our Interest into Ayr and invited the Soldiery to have delivered their Officers up as a Sacrifice to obtein their own Liberty But their hopes were laid flat in this for instead of a compliant acceptance of these Propositions they resolved to accept of no Conditions wherein their Officers should not receive a benefit The Councell of Warre having also the day before permitted Doctor Glyston to go out again with one Master Sheffield one of the Committee then Prisoner in the Town brought from helmsford to mediate with the Generall for the People of the Town sent also by him other Letters concerning the Souldiery for Condiditions of Rendition but Answer was returned that they had given us a former account of what Conditions they would give us and those they would stand to and no other we must expect And now being drawn to a sad exigency and plunged into a very great extremity it was not for us to protract time but to adde Wing to our resolutions and close up our mis-fortunes as neer as we could with an honourable conclusion and with the best contrivancy of speed that might be for we had scarce left uneaten one Cat or Dogge in the Towne some Horses we had yet alive but not many for there were at that time in the Commissaryes account a list of seven hundred nnd thirty Horse that had been kil'd by him and orderly distributed out besides those that the Soldiers had stoln out of the stables and kill'd and others that Gentlemen flaughtred for their privat tables which I am consident made the number above eight hundred and for Bread there was not Corne left for one dayes provision and many mouths to feed for we had made all kind of Corne the Town would afford as Mault Barley Oates Wheat Rye Pease and all we could recover into bread for eight Weeks togegether to lengthen our store still contented to undergoe any thing in particular that we might advance the generall service but our hopes were now quite dissolved in absolute feare of unavoidable ruine Yet this gastly visage of our Interest could not exile that incomparable courage that generally inspired this gallant party with lively actions and patient sufferance as if it had been equally indifferent to them contentedly to undergoe prosperity or misfortune all mens resolutions were set on fire to desperate designs and by some unpresidented attempt to ruine their Enemy or to perish nobly in the enterprize since it is much better to die Honourably than live Basely The meanest of the Soldiers as yet held a conformable obedience to the commands of their Officers undaunted in their courages and couragious in their actions notwithstanding the many defigns and politick engines the Enemy had imployed to alienate them from their duty and dishearten them in their service But least there might be any mis-apprehension betwixt the Soldiers and Officers upon the putting any designe in execution This Engagement was drawn and generally signed by the Officers and Gentlemen through the Quarters WEE whose names are here under written doe in the presence of Almighty God protest against all conditions that are or shall be sent from the 〈◊〉 by which our libertyes may be infringed and our Honours blemisht And we doe upon our honours solemnly engage our selves not to desert one another nor the Foot till by Gods assistance we have forced our passage through all that shall oppose us or to perish in the act which we 〈◊〉 this three and twentieth of August one thousand six hundred forty eight Then the Town was