Sir Thomas Fairfax letter to the Honoble William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honorable House of Commons. Concerning all the passages of his army since his advance from Exeter, and the manner of routing the Princes and the Lord Hoptons forces at Torrington, together with all the particulars in that expedition. Also another letter from a gentleman of quality, of the whole passages of this great victory. Both which were read in the House of Commons. Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that these letters be forthwith printed and published: H: Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
         Fairfax, Thomas Fairfax, Baron, 1612-1671.
      
       
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A84825
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         Thomason E324_15
         ESTC R200618
         99861319
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         163958
         
           
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             Sir Thomas Fairfax letter to the Honoble William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honorable House of Commons. Concerning all the passages of his army since his advance from Exeter, and the manner of routing the Princes and the Lord Hoptons forces at Torrington, together with all the particulars in that expedition. Also another letter from a gentleman of quality, of the whole passages of this great victory. Both which were read in the House of Commons. Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that these letters be forthwith printed and published: H: Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
             Fairfax, Thomas Fairfax, Baron, 1612-1671.
             Rushworth, John, 1612?-1690.
             England and Wales. Parliament.
          
           [8] p.
           
             Printed for Edw. Husband, Printer to the Honorable House of Commons, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Golden Dragon in Fleetstreet, neer the Inner-Temple,
             London :
             Feb. 24. 1645. [i.e. 1646]
          
           
             The letter from the "Gentleman of quality" is dated and signed at end: Torrington, Feb. 19. twelve at night. J.R. [i.e. John Rushworth].
             Wing has publication year 1645[6]; Thomason catalogue lists under 1646.
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Torrington (England), Battle of, 1646 -- Early works to 1800.
           Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Campaigns -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A84825  R200618  (Thomason E324_15).  civilwar no Sir Thomas Fairfax letter to the Honoble William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honorable House of Commons.:  Concerning all the passages of hi Fairfax, Thomas Fairfax, Baron 1645    3575 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text  has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription.  
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           Sir
           
             Thomas
             Fairfax
          
           LETTER
           To
           the
           Honoble
           
             William
             Lenthal
          
           
             Esq
          
           Speaker
           of
           the
           Honorable
           House
           of
           Commons
           .
           CONCERNING
           All
           the
           Passages
           of
           his
           Army
           since
           his
           advance
           from
           
             Exeter
             ,
          
           and
           the
           manner
           of
           Routing
           the
           Princes
           and
           the
           Lord
           
             Hoptons
          
           Forces
           at
           Torrington
           ,
           Together
           with
           all
           the
           particulars
           in
           that
           Expedition
           .
           ALSO
           Another
           LETTER
           from
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           quality
           ,
           of
           the
           whole
           passages
           of
           this
           great
           Victory
           .
           Both
           which
           were
           read
           in
           the
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           .
        
         
           
             ORdered
             by
             the
             Commons
             assembled
             in
             Parliament
             ,
             That
             these
          
           Letters
           
             be
             forthwith
             printed
             and
             published
             :
          
           H
           :
           Elsynge
           ,
           Cler.
           
           Parl.
           D.
           Com.
           
        
         
           
             London
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Edw.
             
             Husband
             ,
          
           Printer
           to
           the
           Honorable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           at
           the
           signe
           of
           the
           Golden
           Dragon
           in
           Fleetstreet
           ,
           neer
           the
           Inner-Temple
           .
           
             Feb.
          
           24.
           1645.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Honorable
           
             William
             Lenthal
          
           
             Esq
          
           Speaker
           of
           the
           Honorable
           House
           of
           Commons
           .
        
         
           
             Mr.
             Speaker
             ,
          
        
         
           PLymouth
           being
           set
           free
           ,
           and
           Da
           rtmouth
           taken
           ,
           I
           sent
           Col.
           
             Hamond
          
           with
           part
           of
           the
           foot
           to
           possess
           certain
           houses
           near
           
             Exeter
          
           for
           the
           blocking
           of
           it
           upon
           the
           West
           side
           of
           the
           River
           (
           as
           formerly
           I
           had
           done
           on
           the
           East
           )
           and
           lay
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Army
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           countenance
           both
           that
           work
           ,
           and
           the
           raising
           of
           some
           Forces
           in
           the
           Southams
           to
           lie
           about
           Totness
           for
           the
           securing
           of
           that
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           the
           Enemy
           from
           coming
           of
           that
           side
           of
           Devonshire
           again
           ,
           when
           the
           Army
           should
           remove
           to
           the
           other
           .
           These
           two
           things
           ,
           with
           the
           continual
           foul
           weather
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           absence
           of
           Col.
           
           
             Cook
          
           with
           so
           many
           of
           the
           Horse
           ,
           ocacsioned
           my
           stay
           thereabouts
           above
           a
           Fortnight
           ,
           in
           which
           time
           the
           Houses
           being
           competently
           Fortified
           ,
           and
           the
           Forces
           raising
           in
           the
           Southams
           in
           good
           forwardnesse
           ,
           I
           drew
           the
           Army
           up
           towards
           Crediton
           ,
           with
           purpose
           to
           advance
           into
           the
           North
           of
           Devonshire
           to
           dislodge
           the
           Enemies
           Horse
           from
           their
           Quarters
           thereabouts
           ,
           and
           force
           them
           into
           Cornwal
           ,
           and
           to
           endeavour
           the
           further
           clearing
           of
           that
           part
           of
           Devonshire
           also
           ,
           either
           by
           the
           taking
           of
           Barnstable
           ,
           or
           by
           blocking
           of
           it
           up
           ,
           and
           raising
           a
           Force
           in
           that
           well-affected
           Corner
           to
           keep
           it
           in
           ,
           so
           as
           (
           having
           all
           clear
           or
           made
           fast
           behinde
           me
           )
           I
           might
           the
           better
           follow
           the
           remaining
           Field
           forces
           of
           the
           Enemy
           into
           Cornwal
           :
           And
           to
           continue
           the
           blocking
           up
           of
           
             Exeter
          
           on
           the
           East
           side
           ,
           I
           left
           Sir
           
             Hardres
             Waller
          
           with
           three
           Regiments
           of
           Foot
           ,
           and
           a
           Regiment
           of
           Horse
           of
           this
           Army
           ,
           and
           advanced
           with
           seven
           Regiments
           of
           Foot
           ,
           five
           Regiments
           of
           Horse
           ,
           and
           five
           Troops
           of
           Dragoons
           ,
           (
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Horse
           and
           Dragoons
           being
           absent
           with
           Col
           :
           
             Cook
          
           in
           Dorsetshire
           ,
           but
           then
           sent
           for
           to
           come
           up
           )
           when
           I
           was
           resolved
           upon
           my
           advance
           this
           way
           ,
           the
           Enemy
           at
           the
           same
           time
           advanced
           out
           of
           Cornwal
           with
           all
           the
           Foot
           they
           could
           make
           to
           Torrington
           ,
           about
           which
           their
           Horse
           did
           lie
           before
           ,
           and
           began
           to
           fortifie
           the
           Town
           .
           Their
           intentions
           therein
           (
           as
           we
           conceived
           ,
           and
           do
           since
           further
           finde
           )
           were
           by
           the
           advantage
           of
           this
           place
           ,
           and
           their
           Garrison
           of
           Barnstaple
           so
           near
           it
           ,
           
           to
           make
           this
           part
           of
           
             Devonshire
          
           more
           surely
           theirs
           ,
           &
           more
           difficult
           for
           us
           to
           come
           into
           ,
           and
           lying
           so
           much
           the
           nearer
           to
           
             Exeter
          
           (
           against
           which
           they
           supposed
           this
           Army
           wholly
           ingaged
           )
           to
           take
           their
           best
           advantages
           :
           From
           hence
           ,
           and
           from
           Chimleigh
           ,
           which
           they
           meant
           also
           to
           have
           possessed
           ,
           to
           relieve
           Exeter
           on
           the
           North
           side
           ,
           or
           disturb
           us
           in
           the
           Siege
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           probable
           ,
           they
           might
           have
           a
           further
           purpose
           in
           their
           posture
           here
           to
           secure
           the
           Landing
           of
           Irish
           or
           Welch
           Supplies
           so
           much
           the
           forwarder
           towards
           the
           East
           .
        
         
           On
           Saturday
           last
           ,
           I
           advanced
           from
           
             Crediton
          
           to
           
             Chimleigh
             ,
          
           where
           by
           many
           Prisoners
           taken
           I
           was
           Informed
           ,
           That
           the
           Lord
           
             Hopton
          
           had
           hereabouts
           Four
           thousand
           Horse
           ,
           and
           Three
           thousand
           Foot
           ;
           we
           believed
           them
           to
           be
           about
           Two
           thousand
           Foot
           or
           upwards
           ,
           and
           Three
           thousand
           Horse
           .
           The
           extreme
           foulnesse
           of
           weather
           that
           day
           and
           next
           ,
           occasioned
           me
           not
           to
           advance
           from
           about
           
             Chimleigh
          
           for
           the
           next
           night
           ,
           save
           only
           one
           Foot
           quarter
           ,
           and
           an
           Horse
           Guard
           advanced
           to
           
             Ring-ash
             ,
          
           three
           miles
           towards
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           to
           secure
           a
           Rendezvouz
           so
           much
           the
           nearer
           to
           them
           for
           the
           day
           following
           :
           I
           understood
           by
           the
           best
           Intelligence
           ,
           That
           the
           Enemy
           was
           resolved
           to
           make
           good
           their
           station
           ,
           and
           set
           their
           rest
           upon
           it
           to
           fight
           us
           there
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           come
           up
           to
           them
           :
           And
           truly
           ,
           men
           in
           their
           condition
           could
           not
           hope
           (
           all
           things
           considered
           )
           to
           have
           more
           for
           it
           .
           Their
           Horse
           in
           number
           superior
           to
           what
           I
           brought
           up
           with
           me
           ,
           their
           Foot
           (
           as
           I
           finde
           since
           )
           not
           much
           inferior
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           could
           with
           all
           their
           force
           make
           good
           this
           Town
           ,
           and
           put
           us
           to
           lie
           in
           the
           field
           ,
           (
           there
           being
           no
           Villages
           near
           it
           that
           could
           shelter
           the
           Army
           ;
           the
           wet
           weather
           continuing
           which
           was
           then
           most
           likely
           )
           would
           have
           forc'd
           us
           to
           draw
           back
           ,
           and
           make
           our
           Fire-arms
           little
           useful
           ,
           either
           for
           assault
           or
           defence
           ;
           and
           besides
           ,
           we
           were
           like
           for
           matter
           of
           Provisions
           to
           be
           forced
           to
           draw
           off
           first
           ,
           they
           having
           both
           by
           their
           posture
           (
           with
           the
           plentiful
           Countrey
           of
           Cornwal
           behinde
           them
           ,
           and
           a
           River
           at
           their
           backs
           securing
           also
           a
           good
           part
           of
           Devonshire
           unto
           them
           )
           and
           by
           their
           strength
           of
           Horse
           much
           advantage
           for
           longer
           subsistence
           then
           we
           ;
           and
           we
           (
           by
           the
           barrennesse
           of
           the
           place
           where
           we
           must
           have
           lien
           before
           them
           ,
           especially
           for
           Horse-meat
           ,
           their
           Garrison
           of
           
             Barnstaple
          
           lying
           partly
           behinde
           us
           ,
           their
           Horse
           more
           numerous
           then
           ours
           .
           which
           might
           with
           stronger
           parties
           cut
           off
           our
           supplies
           )
           had
           had
           little
           possibility
           to
           subsist
           long
           before
           them
           .
           These
           considerations
           we
           had
           in
           our
           eye
           to
           discourage
           us
           from
           going
           on
           (
           as
           I
           believe
           they
           had
           to
           incourage
           them
           to
           stand
           )
           yet
           on
           the
           other
           side
           finding
           ,
           That
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           barrenness
           and
           long
           exhausting
           of
           our
           Quarters
           behinde
           us
           ,
           we
           could
           neither
           keep
           
           our
           Horie
           so
           close
           together
           as
           to
           lie
           safe
           so
           near
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           nor
           indeed
           finde
           subsistence
           for
           the
           Army
           ,
           either
           where
           we
           were
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           other
           Quarters
           more
           backward
           ,
           (
           where
           we
           could
           lye
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           secure
           the
           Siege
           of
           
             Exeter
          
           from
           relief
           )
           and
           upon
           all
           considerations
           ,
           conceiving
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           did
           require
           us
           ,
           and
           God
           by
           all
           did
           call
           us
           to
           make
           a
           present
           attempt
           upon
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           we
           resolved
           to
           go
           on
           to
           try
           what
           God
           would
           do
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           trust
           him
           for
           weather
           ,
           subsistence
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           .
           Accordingly
           on
           Monday
           morning
           I
           drew
           out
           the
           Army
           to
           an
           early
           Rendezvouz
           at
           
             Ring-ash
          
           (
           within
           six
           miles
           of
           the
           Enemy
           )
           the
           weather
           still
           continued
           very
           wet
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           all
           signes
           ,
           was
           like
           to
           hold
           ,
           till
           we
           were
           advanced
           from
           the
           Rendezvouz
           ;
           but
           suddenly
           when
           we
           were
           upon
           march
           ,
           it
           beyond
           all
           expectation
           grew
           fair
           and
           dry
           ,
           and
           so
           continued
           ,
           whereas
           we
           had
           scarce
           seen
           one
           fair
           blast
           for
           many
           dayes
           before
           .
           The
           Enemy
           (
           as
           we
           understood
           by
           the
           way
           )
           had
           all
           their
           Horse
           drawn
           together
           about
           
             Torrington
             ,
          
           and
           with
           their
           Foot
           prepared
           to
           defend
           the
           Town
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           fortified
           with
           good
           Barracadoes
           of
           Earth
           ,
           cast
           up
           at
           every
           Avenue
           ,
           and
           a
           competent
           Line
           patcht
           up
           round
           about
           it
           ,
           their
           Horse
           standing
           by
           to
           flanck
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           some
           within
           to
           scowre
           the
           streets
           .
           Our
           Forlorn
           hope
           had
           Order
           to
           advance
           to
           
             Stephenson
          
           Park
           (
           about
           a
           mile
           from
           the
           Town
           )
           and
           there
           to
           stay
           for
           the
           drawing
           up
           of
           the
           Army
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           other
           place
           fit
           for
           that
           purpose
           nearer
           to
           the
           Town
           on
           that
           side
           we
           came
           on
           :
           But
           when
           we
           came
           near
           ,
           we
           understood
           the
           Enemy
           had
           with
           Two
           hundred
           Dragoons
           possest
           the
           House
           in
           the
           Park
           ,
           and
           were
           Fortifying
           of
           it
           ,
           being
           of
           it self
           very
           strong
           :
           But
           upon
           our
           nearer
           approach
           ,
           their
           Dragoons
           quitted
           the
           House
           ,
           and
           our
           Forlorn
           hope
           falling
           on
           them
           ,
           took
           many
           Prisoners
           ,
           and
           pursuing
           them
           near
           the
           Town
           ,
           were
           ingaged
           so
           far
           as
           they
           could
           not
           well
           draw
           back
           to
           the
           Park
           ,
           which
           occasioned
           the
           sending
           up
           of
           stronger
           parties
           to
           make
           them
           good
           where
           they
           were
           ,
           or
           bring
           them
           off
           ;
           and
           at
           last
           (
           there
           being
           some
           fear
           the
           Enemy
           would
           draw
           about
           them
           ,
           and
           hem
           them
           in
           ,
           Col
           :
           
             Hamond
          
           was
           sent
           up
           with
           three
           Regiments
           of
           Foot
           (
           being
           his
           own
           ,
           Col
           :
           
             Harlows
             ,
          
           and
           mine
           )
           and
           some
           more
           horse
           to
           lye
           for
           Reserves
           unto
           them
           ,
           by
           which
           time
           the
           night
           was
           grown
           on
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           was
           not
           thought
           fit
           ,
           unlesse
           the
           Enemy
           appeared
           to
           be
           drawing
           away
           to
           attempt
           any
           thing
           further
           upon
           the
           town
           till
           morning
           ,
           in
           regard
           none
           of
           us
           knew
           the
           ground
           nor
           
           th'advantages
           or
           disadvantages
           of
           it
           ;
           But
           about
           9.
           of
           the
           clock
           ,
           there
           being
           some
           apprehension
           of
           the
           Enemies
           drawing
           away
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           drawing
           back
           
           some
           out-guards
           ,
           small
           parties
           were
           sent
           out
           towards
           the
           towns
           end
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           certain
           discovery
           ,
           which
           going
           very
           neer
           their
           works
           before
           the
           Enemy
           made
           any
           firing
           ,
           but
           being
           at
           last
           entertained
           with
           a
           great
           volley
           of
           shot
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           supposed
           to
           be
           ingaged
           ;
           stronger
           parties
           were
           sent
           up
           to
           relieve
           them
           ,
           and
           after
           them
           the
           three
           Regiments
           went
           up
           for
           Reserves
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           they
           fell
           on
           in
           earnest
           ;
           after
           very
           hot
           firings
           ,
           our
           men
           coming
           up
           to
           the
           Barracadoes
           and
           Line
           ,
           the
           dispute
           continued
           long
           at
           push
           of
           Pike
           ,
           and
           with
           But-ends
           of
           Muskets
           ,
           until
           at
           last
           it
           pleased
           God
           to
           make
           the
           Enemy
           flye
           from
           their
           works
           ,
           and
           give
           our
           men
           the
           entrance
           .
           After
           which
           ,
           our
           men
           were
           twice
           repulsed
           by
           their
           horse
           ,
           and
           almost
           all
           driven
           out
           again
           ,
           but
           col
           :
           
             Hamond
          
           (
           with
           some
           other
           officers
           &
           a
           few
           Souldiers
           )
           made
           a
           stop
           at
           the
           Barracadoes
           ,
           and
           so
           making
           good
           their
           Reentrance
           ,
           rallyed
           their
           men
           ,
           and
           went
           on
           again
           (
           Major
           
             Stephens
          
           with
           their
           Forlorn
           of
           horse
           coming
           seasonably
           up
           to
           second
           them
           )
           The
           Enemies
           foot
           ran
           several
           wayes
           ,
           most
           of
           them
           leaving
           their
           Arms
           ,
           but
           most
           of
           their
           Officers
           ,
           with
           assistance
           of
           horse
           ,
           made
           good
           their
           own
           Retreat
           out
           of
           the
           Town
           towards
           the
           Bridge
           ,
           and
           taking
           advantage
           of
           strait
           passages
           to
           make
           often
           stands
           against
           our
           men
           ,
           gave
           time
           for
           many
           of
           their
           foot
           to
           get
           away
           over
           the
           Bridge
           .
           Their
           horse
           without
           the
           Town
           (
           after
           some
           attempts
           at
           other
           Avenues
           to
           have
           broke
           in
           again
           upon
           us
           being
           repulsed
           ,
           at
           last
           went
           all
           away
           over
           another
           Bridge
           ,
           and
           at
           several
           other
           passes
           of
           the
           River
           ,
           and
           all
           fell
           Westward
           ;
           the
           ground
           ,
           where
           their
           horse
           had
           stood
           ,
           and
           the
           Bridge
           they
           went
           over
           lying
           so
           beyond
           the
           Town
           ,
           as
           our
           horse
           could
           not
           come
           at
           them
           ,
           but
           through
           the
           Town
           ,
           which
           (
           by
           reason
           of
           strait
           passage
           through
           several
           Barracadoes
           was
           very
           tedious
           ,
           by
           means
           whereof
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           continued
           strait
           Lanes
           the
           Enemy
           had
           to
           Retreat
           by
           after
           they
           were
           over
           the
           River
           (
           as
           also
           by
           
           th'advantage
           of
           the
           night
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           perfect
           knowledge
           of
           the
           country
           ,
           and
           of
           escape
           ,
           and
           our
           utter
           ignorance
           therein
           )
           our
           horse
           could
           do
           little
           execution
           upon
           the
           pursuit
           ,
           but
           parties
           being
           sent
           out
           several
           wayes
           to
           follow
           them
           (
           as
           those
           disadvantages
           would
           admit
           )
           did
           the
           best
           they
           could
           ,
           and
           brought
           back
           many
           prisoners
           and
           horses
           ;
           we
           took
           many
           prisoners
           in
           the
           Town
           ,
           who
           being
           put
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           where
           the
           Enemies
           Magazine
           lay
           (
           of
           above
           Eighty
           barrels
           of
           powder
           ,
           as
           is
           reported
           ,
           besides
           other
           Ammunition
           )
           either
           purposely
           by
           some
           desperate
           prisoner
           ,
           or
           casually
           by
           some
           Souldier
           ,
           the
           powder
           was
           fired
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Church
           was
           quite
           blown
           up
           ,
           the
           prisoners
           and
           most
           of
           our
           men
           that
           guarded
           them
           were
           killed
           ,
           and
           overwhelmed
           in
           the
           ruines
           ,
           the
           houses
           of
           the
           Town
           shaken
           and
           shattered
           ,
           and
           our
           men
           
           all
           the
           Town
           over
           much
           indangered
           by
           the
           stones
           ,
           Timber
           and
           Lead
           ,
           which
           with
           the
           blast
           were
           carryed
           up
           very
           high
           ,
           and
           scatter'd
           in
           great
           abundance
           all
           the
           Town
           over
           ,
           and
           beyond
           ,
           yet
           it
           pleased
           God
           that
           very
           few
           of
           our
           men
           were
           slain
           or
           hurt
           thereby
           (
           save
           those
           in
           the
           Church
           only
           )
           our
           losse
           of
           men
           otherwise
           in
           this
           service
           was
           small
           ,
           though
           many
           wounded
           ,
           it
           being
           an
           hotter
           service
           then
           any
           storm
           this
           Army
           hath
           before
           been
           upon
           ,
           wherein
           God
           gave
           our
           men
           great
           resolution
           ,
           and
           Col
           :
           
             Hamond
          
           especially
           ,
           with
           other
           Officers
           engaged
           with
           him
           ,
           behaved
           themselves
           with
           much
           courage
           and
           diligence
           recovering
           the
           ground
           after
           their
           men
           were
           twice
           repulsed
           ;
           of
           prisoners
           taken
           in
           this
           service
           ,
           about
           two
           hundred
           were
           blown
           up
           ,
           two
           hundred
           have
           taken
           up
           Arms
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           above
           200
           more
           common
           Souldiers
           remain
           prisoners
           ,
           besides
           many
           Officers
           ,
           Gentlemen
           and
           Servants
           ,
           not
           many
           slain
           ,
           but
           their
           foot
           so
           dispersed
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           about
           Three
           thousand
           ,
           (
           which
           the
           most
           credible
           persons
           do
           affirm
           they
           had
           here
           ,
           and
           we
           finde
           by
           a
           List
           taken
           among
           the
           Lo
           :
           
             Hoptons
          
           papers
           themselves
           did
           accompt
           them
           more
           )
           we
           cannot
           hear
           of
           above
           four
           hundred
           that
           they
           carried
           off
           with
           them
           into
           Cornwal
           ,
           whither
           their
           horse
           also
           are
           gone
           ,
           being
           much
           broken
           and
           dispersed
           as
           well
           as
           their
           foot
           .
           By
           the
           considerations
           and
           circumstances
           in
           this
           businesse
           which
           I
           have
           here
           touch'd
           upon
           ,
           you
           will
           perceive
           whose
           hand
           it
           was
           that
           lead
           us
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           gave
           such
           successe
           in
           it
           .
           And
           truly
           there
           were
           many
           more
           evident
           appearances
           of
           the
           good
           hand
           of
           God
           therein
           then
           I
           can
           set
           forth
           ,
           let
           all
           the
           honour
           be
           to
           him
           alone
           for
           ever
           ,
           being
           desirous
           (
           as
           God
           shall
           see
           it
           good
           ,
           and
           further
           enable
           me
           )
           to
           improve
           
           th'advantage
           of
           this
           successe
           to
           the
           utmost
           .
           The
           next
           day
           having
           sent
           some
           Regiments
           of
           horse
           and
           foot
           to
           advance
           unto
           quarters
           up
           towards
           Holsworthy
           to
           set
           the
           Enemy
           more
           home
           into
           Cornwal
           ,
           and
           with
           more
           terrour
           upon
           them
           :
           I
           sent
           also
           one
           Regiment
           of
           foot
           with
           some
           horse
           back
           towards
           Barnstable
           ,
           to
           possesse
           the
           Earl
           of
           Bathes
           house
           at
           N.
           Tavestock
           ,
           about
           a
           mile
           from
           Barnstable
           on
           this
           side
           the
           River
           ,
           whereby
           that
           Garrison
           will
           be
           easily
           kept
           in
           on
           this
           side
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           further
           try
           what
           may
           be
           done
           upon
           it
           other
           wayes
           ,
           while
           the
           Army
           takes
           a
           little
           rest
           hereabouts
           ,
           which
           the
           unseasonable
           marches
           ,
           miserable
           quarters
           ,
           and
           hard
           duty
           both
           horse
           and
           foot
           for
           many
           dayes
           have
           been
           put
           unto
           do
           necessarily
           require
           :
           But
           I
           conceive
           ,
           that
           so
           soon
           as
           the
           Army
           can
           be
           fitted
           for
           the
           purpose
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           best
           to
           follow
           the
           Enemy
           home
           ,
           and
           throughly
           into
           Cornwal
           ,
           the
           breaking
           of
           that
           body
           of
           horse
           that
           's
           left
           there
           being
           the
           likelyest
           means
           to
           prevent
           or
           discourage
           the
           landing
           of
           any
           Forreign
           forces
           in
           these
           
           parts
           ,
           or
           the
           raising
           of
           any
           more
           out
           of
           Cornwal
           .
           In
           order
           to
           which
           ,
           I
           must
           earnestly
           recommend
           to
           your
           care
           two
           things
           especially
           ,
           the
           one
           ,
           To
           provide
           by
           the
           disposal
           of
           your
           Forces
           in
           the
           Midland
           parts
           ,
           that
           by
           Excursions
           from
           
             Oxford
          
           hitherward
           I
           may
           not
           be
           diverted
           from
           prosecution
           of
           the
           work
           in
           Cornwal
           ,
           to
           send
           again
           that
           way
           ;
           nor
           the
           sieges
           of
           Exeter
           and
           Barnstable
           disturbed
           when
           I
           am
           ingaged
           further
           West
           :
           The
           other
           ,
           that
           Money
           may
           be
           speeded
           (
           if
           any
           wayes
           possible
           ,
           but
           for
           one
           moneth
           or
           six
           weeks
           )
           to
           enable
           the
           horse
           as
           well
           as
           foot
           ,
           to
           pay
           quarters
           in
           Cornwal
           ,
           whereby
           
           th'oppositions
           that
           people
           might
           make
           would
           in
           all
           likelyhood
           be
           taken
           off
           ,
           and
           their
           affections
           or
           good
           opinions
           gained
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           helpful
           to
           us
           against
           their
           present
           oppressors
           .
        
         
           There
           came
           unto
           me
           this
           day
           a
           yong
           man
           from
           about
           Truro
           ,
           who
           certifieth
           me
           ,
           That
           Sir
           
             Walter
             Dudley
          
           came
           very
           lately
           from
           France
           ,
           to
           let
           those
           about
           the
           Prince
           know
           ,
           That
           if
           there
           were
           an
           absolute
           necessity
           ,
           they
           could
           bring
           over
           their
           men
           from
           France
           with
           a
           fair
           wind
           ,
           to
           be
           here
           by
           the
           middle
           of
           the
           next
           moneth
           ;
           expressing
           ,
           That
           they
           had
           neer
           Eight
           thousand
           foot
           ,
           and
           a
           thousand
           horse
           in
           readinesse
           ,
           and
           three
           moneths
           pay
           provided
           for
           them
           ,
           besides
           Ten
           thousand
           pounds
           in
           Bullion
           daily
           expected
           ,
           a
           Mint
           being
           ready
           to
           coyn
           the
           same
           :
           But
           yet
           intimated
           a
           conveniency
           in
           the
           giving
           a
           little
           more
           time
           for
           their
           coming
           over
           ;
           whereupon
           Sir
           
             Iohn
             Culpeper
          
           was
           to
           go
           in
           all
           haste
           for
           France
           upon
           Friday
           last
           and
           is
           supposed
           on
           purpose
           ,
           either
           to
           hasten
           all
           or
           a
           good
           part
           of
           those
           Forces
           over
           .
           I
           think
           it
           will
           be
           very
           good
           ,
           that
           as
           much
           shipping
           as
           may
           be
           obtained
           be
           hastened
           to
           those
           parts
           ;
           I
           shall
           upon
           this
           Information
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           successe
           God
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           give
           us
           ,
           so
           to
           dispose
           of
           the
           Army
           ,
           as
           may
           most
           effectually
           conduce
           to
           a
           speedy
           and
           thorough
           settlement
           of
           these
           Western
           parts
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           Therefore
           I
           desire
           you
           again
           to
           have
           a
           special
           care
           ,
           that
           the
           Forces
           about
           Oxford
           be
           not
           permitted
           to
           range
           into
           these
           parts
           ,
           when
           the
           Army
           is
           like
           to
           be
           ingaged
           so
           far
           West
           ,
           lest
           it
           occasion
           the
           diversion
           of
           our
           Forces
           ,
           and
           hinder
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           that
           we
           desire
           to
           effect
           .
           I
           remain
        
         
           
             Your
             most
             humble
             Servant
             ,
             T
             :
             FAIRFAX
             .
          
           
             Great
             Torrington
             ,
             
               Feb.
               19.
               1645.
               
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Honorable
           
             William
             Lenthal
          
           
             Esq
          
           Speaker
           of
           the
           Honorable
           House
           of
           Commons
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Suppose
           before
           the
           Date
           of
           this
           Letter
           ,
           you
           have
           received
           my
           former
           Letter
           of
           the
           Engagement
           of
           this
           Army
           and
           
             Hoptons
          
           at
           
             Torrington
          
           on
           Monday
           night
           last
           ,
           where
           we
           took
           Six
           hundred
           Prisoners
           ,
           besides
           Officers
           ,
           near
           Two
           hundred
           Prisoners
           blown
           up
           with
           
             Haptons
          
           Magazine
           ,
           set
           on
           fire
           by
           one
           
             Wate
          
           a
           Northern
           man
           ,
           for
           thirty
           pounds
           promised
           him
           by
           Sir
           
             Ralph
             Hopton
             ,
          
           as
           he
           confessed
           a
           little
           before
           his
           death
           :
           He
           died
           this
           day
           of
           the
           wounds
           he
           received
           by
           the
           Timber
           that
           fell
           upon
           him
           :
           The
           rest
           of
           the
           Prisoners
           cast
           him
           out
           for
           a
           Monster
           ,
           that
           would
           have
           destroyed
           all
           them
           his
           Friends
           .
           All
           the
           houses
           in
           the
           Town
           are
           almost
           shattered
           in
           pieces
           with
           the
           blast
           .
           
             Hopton
          
           had
           his
           Horse
           kill'd
           under
           in
           the
           street
           ;
           and
           as
           we
           understand
           by
           those
           that
           come
           to
           day
           from
           Cornwal
           ,
           he
           is
           desperately
           wounded
           ;
           All
           his
           force
           are
           All-ago
           into
           Cornwall
           ,
           there
           they
           are
           in
           great
           Confusion
           for
           fear
           of
           our
           Armies
           advance
           ,
           and
           an
           Army
           out
           of
           
             France
             :
          
           we
           had
           been
           there
           before
           now
           ,
           but
           for
           setling
           the
           businesse
           of
           
             Barnstaple
             ,
          
           by
           blocking
           it
           up
           close
           :
           One
           Regiment
           is
           at
           the
           E
           :
           of
           
             Bathes
          
           house
           at
           
             Tavestock
          
           within
           a
           mile
           of
           
             Barnstaple
             ;
          
           other
           Forces
           at
           
             Biddiford
          
           and
           other
           places
           .
           On
           Saturday
           or
           Sunday
           we
           are
           for
           Cornwal
           ,
           Godwilling
           .
           By
           
             Hoptons
          
           Papers
           we
           perceive
           the
           Relief
           of
           
             Exeter
          
           was
           the
           principal
           end
           of
           his
           Motion
           to
           
             Torrington
             .
          
           The
           quantities
           of
           Powder
           and
           Salt
           to
           be
           left
           in
           
             Exeter
             ,
          
           we
           finde
           in
           writings
           .
           We
           took
           eight
           Colours
           ,
           one
           
             Hoptons
          
           own
           Colours
           with
           this
           Motto
           ,
           
             I
             will
             strive
             to
             help
             my
             Soveraign
             King
             .
          
           His
           Commission
           from
           the
           King
           and
           Prince
           to
           be
           General
           ,
           and
           
             Digbies
          
           to
           be
           Colonel
           General
           of
           the
           Forces
           before
           
             Plymouth
             ,
          
           were
           also
           taken
           .
           Two
           Ships
           are
           come
           into
           
             Biddiford
          
           yesterday
           ;
           the
           one
           will
           prove
           Prize
           .
        
         
           
             J.
             R.
             
          
           
             
               Torrington
               ,
            
             
               Feb.
               19.
               twelve
               at
               night
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .