Exploits discovered, in a declaration of some more proceedings of Serjeant Major Chudley, generall of the forces under the Earle of Stamford: against Sir Ralph Hopton. Fully relating the great overthrow given to him. As it was sent in a letter from Exon, (Aprill 29.) to a man of note in London. Also a briefe rehersall of the severall victories, which the enemy, (to all their great discouragement), hath of late received by the Parliament forces.

Exploits Discovered: In a DECLARATION of some more proceedings of Serjeant Major Chudley, &c.

SIR,

YOur good Newes was very welcome, but the Lord was pleased to ordaine as good for ud to returne unto you: The Treaty endes with the Cornish on Saturday, at which time our Army being at Liston 3 miles from Lan∣ceston, and Serjeant Major Chudley, lately a Captaine in Ireland against the Rebells, who as then, so now, is a Gallant stout Souldier, being Commander in chiefe, ha∣ving present intelligence that there were but 1200. in Lanceston, and that they had no great Cannons, upon ad∣vice with his Councell of War to resolved to set upon the Towne, it being very probable that hee should carry it, which if it might be gained, would prove of good con∣sequence, both for inlet, and a place of retreate: where∣fore he resolved to set upon the Towne on Sabath day in the morning (his Army consisting of 1700. Horse & Foot,) they soone beate off the Guard from the Bridge, which was done by Captaine Drakes Troope: then they make away with their Pioners to March towards the Towne through the fields; the enemy perceiving this, lin'd all

the hedges with Musquetiers, who were beaten out by our men like Sheepe: About 10 of the clock they began the fight.

Then they gathered into a Body, (I meane the COR∣NISH) when our men did much execution upon them with their Ordinance, slew many men of note, among whom was Captaine Basset of Silley, and beat them home to the walls: but they having two Regiments of fresh Men come into their supply, though our men fought very valiantly and kept their ground, they with their multi∣tudes had almost surrounded them, and plaid upon them on every side, whereat our men began to be dismayed, and about 400. shranke away fr••m them; and those that had bin much tyred in the fight all day, supposed all would be lost: but it pleased God in the very nick, that Sir Iohn Merickes Regiment of the LONDON gray Coates (about 700. which were billeted at Tavistocke, about 10. miles off) were sent for, and hearing the Fight made the more haft, they) came in about five of the clocke in the evening, led on couragiously by a godly Minister, the Earle of Stamfords Chaplaine, in the absence of their Commander; and upon the first onset kil'd 12. of them, and caused them to retreat, (who if they had stayed but one quarter of an houre, it is supposed our men would have given the day for lost: but thus it pleased the Lord to rescue us, so that our men had liberty to make an honou∣rable retreat; Major CHVDLEY himselfe with 20. Horse fetching off a great Gunne, which was in danger, which worke was refused by Major Price an old Souldier, who had command to doe it, but he refused, saying, it was im∣possible; yet it was brought off by him, and all their Am∣munition, so that they lost nothing they had; about seven Men slaine, who were brought off also with about 40. hurt men, they kil'd above 100. (hurt as some Prisoners

which were taken, confessed) above 500. Thus GOD wrought for us, and fought for us at that time: our men re∣treated that night to Listan, but because they could not quarter there with conveniency and safetie, on Munday they Marched to Okeington, there to Quarter.

On Tuesday the Cornish with 5000. Foote and 500. Horse came towards our Armie (having had intelligence that our Sea-men were all sent to make good Bidford and Bastable, and that we had not above 1200. Foote and foure Troopes of Horse) so that they made no que∣stion of Vi••tory; and through the negligence or perfi∣diousnesse of our Scouts they were come within 2 miles of Okeington, before our men had any perfect intelligence, which put them to a great straight, either to sorsake the Town and loose all their Guns and Amunition, (which might have undone the whole County) or else to hazard all the Horse by adventuring to give them a bold charge, which being debated in a Councell of War, it was pro∣posed by Major Chudleigh, to divide the Horse into six Squadrons, who should keepe a large distance betweene every Squadron, that they might appeare to compasse more ground in their Front then all the Cornish Army, which course was approved and followed: About 10. at night in this forme, it being very darke, they being come forth upon Swerton Downes, our Horse being in all but 108. the Cornish Army very neere, together with their Horse in the Front; the first Squadron being but 19. Horse gave the Charge, and Routed their Horse, who soone broke the Rankes of their Foote; and the rest of our Horse following the Charge very close, broke through their whole Army and killed many, doing exe∣cution forward and backward, and thus they did twice, and forced the enemies to flie in much confusion, onely there was a small body that kept together and guarded

their Ordnance, which was once taken, but at length carried away by their own guard, which our men could not force, they rested not running untill they came to Lanceston: Thus God himselfe alone got the Victory: they lost 500. Armes, which our men got, and the Coun∣try next morning had the gleaning of much more; our men broke a multitude of their Pikes, which they con∣ceived not worth the carrying away: there were taken 12 Prisoners, two foote Colours, one Coronet, and Co∣lours, which was Sir Nicholas Slannings, 13 Drums; Sir Ralph Hopton had his Head-piece taken from him, and was almost chokt therby, begg'd for his life, and so escaped unknowne, but very narrowly: The Lord Moone was taken and pillaged: but egrenesse to get more plunder, caused the Trooper that took him, after he had his mo∣ney, to let him escape, it being so darke indeed that one could hardly discern another: It is supposed that Sir Ni∣cholas Slanning was pillaged also.

Many of the Troopers have gotten good store of Mo∣ney and Pillage; an Irish man weares the Lord Moones Cloake. There were slain above 100. upon the place. In all this fight we lost not one man, though there were about 12. hurt, not above 2. that are dangerous. When our men gave the last charge, it being about 12. of the clock, it came to extream weather, Lightning and Thun∣der, and much Raine, which beat into the enemies face, having neither hedge nor ditch; it stroke much terror in to them, that some among them that had better dispo∣sitions then the rest, betook themselves to Prayer, and said, That now they saw that the Lord did fight against them. It is supposed that the most of them are spoyled, for ever being Souldiers againe, for they marched before they rested (besides the time they fought, without having meat or drinke) above 30. miles. The glory is the Lords, which

I desire still to acknowledge to his praise.

One thousand pound, and two brave Horses, were ta∣ken by Colonell Stroud in Somerset-shire. With my due respects unto you and my good Sister: I am

Aprill 29. 1643.

Yours H. R.