A LETTER SENT FROM A Worthy Divine, to the Right Hono∣rable the Lord Major of the Citie of LONDON.
SIR,
YEsterday, being the Lords day, His Excellencie in∣tending to march from Kinton a little Village in Warwick-shire, towards Banbury to relieve it, un∣expectedly an Alarme came about eight a clock in the morning, that the Enemy was advancing within two or three miles, which accordingly proved so; and it pleased God to make my self the first Instrument of giving a certain discovery of it, by the help of a prospective Glasse from the top of an Hill, when the two Armies were drawn into Battalia; about two a clock in the afternoon, a very sore and fierce Battail began, which continued about four houres in mine own sight and hearing, much blood was shed, and a gallant spirit expressed by Page [unnumbered] our Infantry, even to such a degree of Va∣liantnesse, as may crown every common sol∣dier with the honour of a Commander. But the left Wing of our Horse being charged by the Kings right Wing, was suddainly put to flight, so that the right Wing in which your Son was placed, did the best service for the Cheualty. Where your Sonne is (or any of the rest of my Lords Guard) I know not, I hope they are safe, because upon diligent enquiry, I yet hear no hurt of any of them. However; if you have consecrated a Son to so Noble a Service, I doubt not but you will endeavour to bear it cheerfully, if you should hear that he is either slain or wounded. We have lost none of our Commanders (as we can yet understand) except Colonell Charles Essex, and Sir James Ramsey, who is either kild or taken; Wee have taken Prisoners from the Kings side, the Lord of Lindsey Ge∣nerall of the Field, with his Son Colonel Va∣vasor, who was Commander of the Kings Guard and Standard, which likewise we have taken: As also Colonell Lunsfords, who are now both at Wirwick Castle, we did beat the enemy out of the Field, and gained four pee∣of Ordnance. Page [unnumbered] This morning it is expected that 3. or 4. fresh Regiments on our side, as namely Colonell Hampdens, Colonell Granthams, Colonel Bark∣hams, and the Lord Rochfords Regiments should joyn with the rest. The residue of our Army to fall on the remainder of the Kings Forces, hoping for as glorious successe as be∣fore. Colonell Vavasor assures us, that the King himself for some time was in the Ar∣my, wee hear no certainty yet concerning Prince Rupert, some say he is slain. A few of our Waggons were burned and plundered by the Enemy, who wheeled about into our Rere, but our Musquetiers played bravely up∣on them in the mean time, and recovered our Waggons again, and sixe pieces of Ordnance which we had lost, our Enemy had the wind more with them, but we had more of the Hill, we had but twelve Regiments in the Field, about fifty troops of Horse (I think) at the most, and some 2. Regim. of Dragoons. His Excell. maintained the fight most gallant∣ly. And our Noble Lords, as the L. Wharton, Willoughty of Parham, Roberts, &c. did as brave∣ly. All this hath God enabled our Army to perform, though from wedensday till this Page [unnumbered] moment of my writing, the Commonsoldiers have not come into a bed, but lodged in the open field, in the wet and cold nights, and most of them scarse eate or drank at all for 24. hours together, nay, I may say for 48. except fresh water where they could get it; Mr. Ash was marvellously preserved from the cruelty of four Cavaleers which set upon him, one of them cut off his hat and raised his hair with his sword, but never touched his skin, God hath brought most of our Mi∣nisters this night to Warwick, Mr. Ash a∣mongst the rest, and Mr. Marshall, whose danger was no lesse: For my own part, after I had discharged my duty as far as I was en∣abled, by passing from Regiment to Regi∣ment, and Troop to Troop to encourage them, at the latter end of the fight, not know∣ing what the issue of things might be, in the darksome Evening; while it was yet light, I rid to Warwick amongst hundreds of drawn swords, and yet was saved from the least touch of a blood thirsty hand. The Cavaleers some of them pursuing our Horsemen, which as I said before, forsook their ground in the left Wing of the Army, and fled to Warwick.Page [unnumbered] Thus much I made bold to enform your Ho∣nour, that you may be able to speak confi∣dently, and stop the mouth of false rumors: You shall do me a favour if you please to let my noble friend Sergeant-Major Skippon read this Letter, because it is newes proper for his element; I desire Mr. Case (next to my hum∣ble respect to your good Lady) may know that I love him and his. If you shall think it fit to print this Relation, perhaps it may be usefull, if done speedily: You need not doubt of the truth of any part of it.