Two Great Victories: ON Obtained by the Earl of DENBIGH at OSWESTREY: And how he took 20 Gentlemen of Wales. 1 Lieutenant Colonel. Divers Captains and other officers 200 Prisoners. 100 Muskets. 500 pound composition. 300 Cows and Welsh Roonts. Many Swords and Pistols. Divers Arms. 1 Barrel of Powder. A quantity of Ballets. The Church. The Tower. The Castle. Besides divers hurt. Some slain. Certified by Letters from the Earl of Denbigh his Quarters. The other Victory by Colonel Mitton, with a List of the Prisoners by him taken: Certified by Letters from Colonel Mitton. Published according to Order. LONDON, Printed by I. Coe, 1644. LETTERS SENT FROM Colonel MITTON. SIR, I Came hither about eleven of the clock upon Tuesday night, I had not been in bed on quarter of an hour, but a friend came to me, and informed me that there were Carriages summoned to be in Oswestree by nine of the clock, yesterday to carry Ammunitiun to Prince Rupert, which we hear he standeth in need of very much, I drew out all the small forces could be spared hence, and marched towards Chirke to surprise it. I went on with the horse to a place so appointed one to meet me, to give me farther intelligence, who when he came did assure me that a party was gone out of Oswestree that morning, to convey it thither. I cannot learn that it is yet gone past, I have sent to the Earl of Denbigh to give him notice hereof, who as I even now received intelligence, that he hath sent forces towards me, if they come before the Ammunition be past, I intent by God's help to fall upon the Town, which they are about to fortify very strongly. Yesterday I took 2. of Major Sachaverels Troopers, whoupon examination confessed, that a Lieutenant of foot with 20 Musquetiers were gone a mile past, as we being at Saint Martius, they going towards Bangor, I followed them as fast I could with 25 horse, and as many Dragoons when we came in sight of them, they not seeing as the Dragoones alighted to charge them in the Rear, the place being enclosed ground, full of Woods, and very uneven, instead of 20 we found 54: one of our Troopers discharged a Pistol, how or wherefore I cannot learn, but it gave them such an Alarume, whereupon we discharged them with our horse, routed them, took prisoners according to the note enclosed, blessed be God for all his mercies, he is the only giver of all Victories, and whom I trust will never forsake them that are faithful in his service: I thank my God I have not one man slain in any fight, since I parted last from you. Dated June 20, 1644. A List of the Prisoners taken at Duddleston, JUNE 19, 1644. Bartholomew Fuller Martial. Owen Jones Quartermaster. Richard Foulks Sergeant. Robert jones. joseph Jones. Owen Lewis. Richard ab David. Richard ap Thomas. Thomas Owen. Richard Trevard. Morgan ap Richard. Hugh ap Thomas. john Henrey. Richard Jones. Robert Davies. Morgan ap Robert. Edward Jones. Thomas Rogers. john Steel. Thomas ap Thomas. Robert jones. Randby Stocton. Edward Philip. john Roberts. Richard Davis. Edward Williams. john Owen. Upon Saturday last about two of the clock in the afternoon my Lord with his horse, and 200 foot fell upon this Town, my Lord by reason of his command into Lancashire, could not spare any of his foot, therefore we are constrained to take this small force out of Weme, which God so blessed, that before five of the clock we entered the Town, we were forced first to take the Church, wherein there was 25. The next morning. the Castle was surrendered, the particulars I refer to my Lord's Relation. Ossastree, 24 of June, 1644. Thus far the Letters from that Heroic Conqueror Colonel Mitton. Now followeth other Letters from the Earl of Deneigh his quarters, of the particulors, of the victory at Oswestrey. SIR, I Desire you to join: with us, and for us, in praises to God, who hath done great things for us, and by us. Upon Thursday last we came out of Stafford, horse and foot, to intercept some Ammunition, going to Prince Rupert, by the way of Wales, over the river of Comerah. That night we merched not far by reason of great rain: but my Lord of Denbigh, early the next day got to horse, and leaving all our foot at Draiton, we marched to wem, and our horse to Elsmore, and 200, foot and a troop of horse under the command of Colonel Mitton: We early next day overtook our horse and those foot and by 12 a clock on Saturday we beleaguered the enemy's garirson town of Oswestrey, which is (a walled town) and in it the Church well manned and the Castle. They gave us a hot salute, and our men as gallantly entertained it and returned an answer. Captain Keme undertook to make good Chester passage, and Chirke Castle road, with these Troops, viz: Captain Kems on Toope, Colonel barton's, Captain Noakeses, Captain: Tompsons', and Captain brothers. Captain Keme immediately fixed his guards, and sent out parties into the mountains and scouts every way, who returned with news of one Colonel Marrows appearing with a body of horse, but they never came up, though expected. My Lord's horse commanded by Major Frazer had the guard of Shrewsburie, road and Morton: Our Foot made an onslaut on the Church being but 200, and in an half hours sore fight entered the Church, the Enemy fled into the steeple, thence they fetched them down with a powder; there we took 27. prisoners; then we brought up a Sacre to the gate through the suburbs, and a party of Horse were called off the guards both of my Lords, and ours, and my Lords Lifeguard; we shot the gate through at two shot, and they fired from the gate at our men: but one of our shot shooting a woman's bowels cut, and wounding two or three, put them in a fear, that they betook themselves to the Castle. We forced open the gates, and the horse entered resolutely, and so by 3. aclock were possessed of the Town, as good a piece of service, God have all the pra●se, as this year hath produced. My Lord himself entered the Town with the horse, neglecting thoughts of his own safety: Our men minded not the plundering the Town (which was their right in raking it in this way) but followed on to the Castle where they fiercely fired on us every way being well manned. We made some shot with the greatest Sacre, but took little effect. Only some timorous men got over the walls, one broke his arm falling, others Captain Kemes horse lighted on, took them prisoners, Captain Keme sent my Lord from his guard 14. prisoners into the Town, besides one Captain which his Scout took by Chirke Castle with his Commission under his Majesty's hand, and sent it to my Lord also. My Lord at night called a Council of War, and ordered a strong guard, and designed a party of Troopers to venture to fire the Castle gates with pitch; but our men wearied out, slipped the opportunity: My Lord by break of day waking, came to Captain Keme in the same house with him, and designed him to go forward the design, which immediately he did with great cheerfulness and valour: but on his way there met him a party of women of all sorts down on their knees, confounding him with their Welsh howl, that he was fain to get an Interpreter, which was to beseech me to entreat my Lord before he blew up the Castle, they might go up and speak to their husbands, children, and the officers; which he moved, and my Lord condescended to, so Captain Keme might go with them and a Trumpet, which he did courageously, and carried this message. Then my Lord to avoid the effusion of blood yet offered them mercy, if they would accept of it; they threw down this paper, viz. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Denbigh. Propositions propounded by us for the delivering up of the Castle of Oswestry. FIrst, to march away with our Arms, bag and baggage, Officers and Soldiers, and all other persons whatsoever being in the said Castle. And, Secondly, that we the said Officers, and all other persons whatsoever, being within the said Castle, may be guarded thorough your Quarters to Mountford's bridge, or quietly to abide in our own habitations. Thirdly, that we may march out of the said Castle over the said Bridge with our Muskets charged, light matches, and balls in our mouths. These Propositions being granted, the Castle shall be delivered by the Officers subscribed. john Birdwell Lieutenant Colonel. john Warrin Captain. Nicho. Hooks Lieutenant. Thomas Davenport, Lieutenant. Hugh Lloyd, Ancient. Lewis Morgan, Ancient. Captain Keme returned, leaving the women, my Lord refused to condescend; at last the women prevailed, and cried to me to come up: then the two brave Champions, Colonel Mitton, and Captain Keme went up, and they said they would repose themselves on such quarter as my Lord would sign to, which was their lives only. So they marched out, and we found, 100, good muskets, besides others stole away 8, Halberds, and Officers to them, 1 barrel of powder, and suitable match, many swords, and some few pistols, 20, Gentlemen of wales, and Shropshire, divers Officers, and 200, Prisoners, besides what were lost. Immediately (it being the Lords day) my Lord called away all to go to Church to praise God, which was done, and our dead buried. In all this service we had but 2 Soldiers slain, and 1 horse and but 4, wounded, blessed be God. This Town is of great concernment. We had a Council of war at 1 a clock, at which my Lord General (the Earl of Denbigh) made Colonel Mitton Governor of Oswester: And we have resolved upon a great design, which is to join with Cheshire forces, where Sir Thomas Middleton is now at Namptwich, and hath been these four days, and go against Prince Rupert into Lancashire: I pray commend us especially now in your constant prayers to the Lord, be doing as well as we: and praise God for his miraculous love by us a poor weak Aamie. This day my Lord received thanks from the Committee of both Kingdoms for the last service at Tipton Greene: It is a sad sight to behold the ignorance of these Welsh in these parts, and how they are enslaved to serve: we shall leave a Garrison here, and Colonel Mitton, and march to our foot on Wednesday next with our body of horse. Colonel Fox is with us here: our men fetched in 300 Cows and Salt Runts of the Mountains, and sell good penny worths: This Town to avoid plundering are to give 500 pounds to the Soldiers. FINIS.