Eben-ezer. A full and exact relation of the severall remarkable and victorious proceedings of the ever-renowned Colonell Massy, governour of Gloucester, from May 7. to May 25. 1644.: In which time he tooke these severall considerable garrisons of the enemies in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, namely, Wesbury, little Deane, Newnam, Beverston-castle, Malmsbury and Chippanham. With the summons sent by Col. Massie to Col. Howard (sonne to the Earl of Berkshire) Govenour of Malmsbury; and his answer thereunto. And the names of the officers and commanders taken there. As also, the votes of the House of Commons on Friday last, concerning the supplies to be sent to Col. Massie, and a thousand pounds per annum to be given to him and his heirs for ever, out of the estates of papists and delinquents; as a reward for the many acceptable services performed by him. Iune 4. 1644. Imprimatur, John White.

EBEN-EZER. A Full and Exact RELATION OF THE Severall Remarkable and Victorious proceedings of the ever-renowned Colonell MASSY, Governour of Gloucester, from May 7. to May 25. 1644.

In which time he tooke these severall conside∣rable Garrisons of the enemies in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, namely, Wesbury, little Deane, Newnam, Beverston-castle, Malmsbury, and Chippenham.

With the Summons sent by Col. Massie to Col. Howard (sonne to the Earle of Berkshire) Governour of Malmsbury; and his answer thereunto. And the names of the Officers and Commanders taken there.

As also, the Votes of the House of Commons on Friday last, concerning the supplies to be sent to Col. Massie, and a thousand pounds per annum to be given to him and his heires for ever, out of the estates of Papists and Delinquents; as a reward for the many acceptable services performed by him.

Iune 4. 1644.

Imprimatur,

JOHN WHITE.

LONDON, Printed for T. W. and are to be sold in the Old-baily. 1644.

A true Relation of severall happy and wonderfull Victories lately given unto Col. Massie Governour of Gloucester, from May 7. 1644. untill the 25 of the same Moneth.

ON Tuesday the 7^th of May the Gover∣nour marched out of Gloucester with about nine hundred foot, and his owne Regiment of Horse, and Col. Purefoys regiment of Horse, two pieces of Ordnance, and other Car∣riage fit for the march, with purpose to remove the enemies Garrisons at Wesbury, Little-Deane, and Newnam, all strongly forti∣fied, and well provided with Men, Armes, and Amuniti∣on; all which it pleased God miraculously to deliver into his hands. For he first assaulting the Garrison at Wes∣bury (which was Mr. Colchesters house, and the Church) he got to the Church, and with Granadoes and Pistoll∣shot, the which he sent in at the Windowes, he presently made the enemy to forsake the Church, and to runne to the house: which being discerned by the Governours

Forces, the Church was quickly possessed by them; which made the Enemy forsake all their out-workes, and to cry for quarter. There were slaine of the enemy about twen∣ty, and about threescore taken prisoners in that Garrison, with their Armes and Ammunition. Whilest the Foot was at this Garrison at Wesbury, Colonell Massie comman∣ded some of the horse to march to Little-Deane, where the enemy had also fortified a house to face them, who falling suddenly into the Towne tooke divers of them in the Towne, and there killed Lieutenant-colonell Congre Governour of Newnham; and the Horse onely with their Carbines, Swords, and Pistols, suddenly surprised the Garrison it selfe (although fortified) where were neere forty prisoners taken: and that night Colonel Massie quar∣tered at Wesbury and Deane, and the next day drew up to Newnham, where presently he beat the enemy out of the Towne into their Workes, which were double forti∣fied and very strong, having a very small compasse to make good, and there being but one place possible to fall on the enemy, who having there foure small pieces of Ordnance and good store of Provision and Amuniti∣on. Yet it pleased God to give the souldiers such courage and resolution that they fiercely stormed the Workes, and made the enemy to forsake them, and to runne into the Church, where the Governours forces rushed in upon them pell-mell, with much violence, which enforced them to cry out for quarter; which one Tipper an old ser∣vant to Sir J. Winter and an arch Papist perceiving, and being not willing to take quarter, gave fire to a barrell of Powder intending to destroy himselfe and all the rest, which occasioned the putting of more to the sword then otherwise had been, the Governour being much enraged to see any of his men scorched with Powder. In this

Garrison was taken good store of provisions of all sorts, 4 Guns, one great Wall-piece of 8 foot long, good store of Granadoes, and some Fireworks, 8 barrels of Powder, 60 skeines of fine Match, with good store of great shot for the Guns, about 150 prisoners, whereof 3 were Captaines, and one Capt. Butler was staine with the butt∣end of a Musket, and so was old Tipper (that traitor to the rules of War) with about 20 others; there were taken a∣bout twenty others; there were taken also about 40 horses. The prisoners were instantly conveyed to Gloucester with safety, and the Governour quartered that night at Newnam and little Deane. But the wonderfull and ex∣traordinary providence of God was in this, that in the taking of three fortified garrisons in two daies, and all by storme, the Governour lost never a man, onely some few were scorched with the treachery of the Papists powder-plot, and one had his arme shot off with Cannon-bullet, but none of the wounds mortall.

After the taking of the said three severall Garrisons, the Governour of Gloucester marched with his said for∣ces to Lidney, where Sir Iohn Winters fortifications and provisions being found too strong for such forces as the Governour had with him, the Governour drew off his wearied men, and caused three Iron-mills of Sir Iohn Winters, with his provision of Coales to be destroyed and burned, the same being very beneficiall to the said Sir Iohn Winter, and most usefull to him and the popish party for provisions of warlike engines against the Parliaments Army and the Kingdome. While those Noble actions of the Governour were performed in Gloucester stire, Col. Mynn with his Regiments of Horse and Foot forsooke Rosse in Herefordshire, and entered some into Hereford, and some into Monmoth for their better security; where∣upon

the worthy Governour with his said Forces of Foot and Horse marched into Herefordshire, possessed him∣selfe of Rosle, tooke Wilton-bridge, being a draw-bridge on the River Wye, and tooke the house or castle neere unto it, with one and thirty prisoners and some horse; and then sent part of his horse, viz. Col. Purefoys Regiment of horse towards Monmoth, to give an Alarm there; and the other part, viz. his owne Regiment of horse, towards Hereford, to performe the like; which caused the great Jesuiticall Papist and arch Traytor, the L. Herbert, to ga∣ther his forces of horse and foot into Monmoth to joyne with the forces there of Col. Minus, and sent all their horse from Monmoth towards Wilton-bridge; but they were encountered by the way by the horse sent by the Gover∣nour towards Monmoth, who charged them bravely, slew 5 or 6 of them, and the rest being neere the Towne of Monmoth sheltred themselves there. In the meane time the Governour being now quietly possessed of all that part of Herefordshire, summons the County to come in, and to take the Covenant, and to pay contribution unto him; where he found willing obedience by the greatest part of the Yeomanry of that County, and was resolved to have besieged Hereford, which would have yeelded unto him in very short time, as is since informed, had not other important occasions called him from thence, to per∣forme a greater service in Gods cause. While the Gover∣nour was thus employed in Herefordshire he received ad∣vertisment that 7 of his souldiers had taken Col. Oglethorp the Governour of Beverston-castle, and six others of his Troopers, and brought them to Gloucester; and that a Captaine of his was going away into other service of the Parliament: whereupon he comming to Gloucester May 21, in the evening, dispatched the businesse he came a∣bout;

and finding then by examination of some of the said prisoners, that there were some distractions hapned upon taking the Governour of Beverston-castle, touching the government thereof, and the rather because the King had granted the same unto Sir Baynham Trockmorton whilst the said Oglethorpe was Governour; the said Noble Governour of Gloucester resolved to take the opportuni∣ty to performe some worthy exploits; and having then about 10 a clock at night the said 21 of May received Let∣ters from the Committee of the house of Commons no∣minated for the affaires of the garrison of Gloucester, he wrote severall Letters unto them from Gloucester, which tooke up his time untill two a clocke in the morning, and then posted backe into Herefordshire 12 miles from Glo∣cester the same day Wednesday May 22. and there drew his said forces of horse and foot into one body at Rosse, and then presently caused his horse to march by Glouce∣ster, appointing them to be the next day at the Rendez∣vouz within 3 miles of Beverston-castle 15 miles from Gloucester Southward; and also the same day caused his foot to march somewhat a neerer way towards Beverston-castle, over the River Severne unto Frampton, being at least 16 miles, and were constrained to march all Wednes∣day night to meet the horse at the Rendezvouz appoin∣ted, as aforesaid; and from thence marched to Beverston-castle on the Thursday, where they first surprized about 60 horse depasturing under the Castle walls, and guarded with about 6 Musketiers, who flying gave the Alarm to the Castle, which the Noble Governour suddenly sur∣rounded with his horse, and the same night drew up his foot and Artilery, and then sending to summon the Castle, and writing also to the Lieutenant-colonell and other Of∣ficers there some plausible Letters, and offering faire

quarter and true performance, the Castle was surrendred unto him about 12 a clock the same night by accord, one∣ly to give them quarter, liberty and their wearing appar∣rell. In which Castle they had 50 Muskets, 4 barrels of Powder, and other provision; the command whereof was presently delivered unto Captaine Read a faithfull man in the service of the Parliament. The noble Governour ha∣ving thus setled a garrison for the Parliament in Bever∣ston-castle, continued his march the next morning toward Malmsbury in Wiltshire, and the same day sent this ensu∣ing summons written with his own hand unto the Gover∣nour of Malmsbury, viz.

To the Governour or Commander in chiefe of the Garrison of Malmsbury.

YOu are hereby summoned, that you within one halfe houre after the comming of this to your hands, surrender the same, with all the Armes, Ammunition, provision, and other things of service and use whatsoever unto Col. Massie Governor of Gloucester, for the use, and on the behalfe of the King and his Parliament now sitting at Westminster. And he doth hereby en∣gage himselfe by all the ties of honour, that you, your officers, and souldiers shall not onely enjoy your lives, and be received under the protection of good usage and quarter, but also all such as shall desire imployment with us, under my command, shall finde enter∣tainment according to their qualities, or depart whither they please. And if you shall refuse this proffer of mercy, then you are to expect no other but what Fire and Sword shall bring upon you.

Edw. Massie.

Dated 24 of May, 1644.

The Governour of Malmesbury within the time limi∣ted in the said Summons sent this insuing Answer.

SIR,

I Have received your Summons, and (without any unsavoury language) do returne you this Answer: That we will maintaine this towne for the King and Parliament now sitting at Ox∣ford, in defence of those Rites that pretended Parliament at Westminster have abused and rob∣bed our Nation. For the other particular, that upon deniall we must expect the extremity of Fire and Sword, we make this Answer: That those extremities, I believe, are as likely to fall upon those that assault this towne, as those that defend it. For that point, of serving you, the truth is, we are all too proud.

Your Servant, Henry Howard.

This Henry Howard, a Colonell of Foot, and one of the Earle of Berkshires sonnes, being Governour there, pre∣pared his Souldiers for defence, as well as for defiance, and filled his Works with his numerous Souldiers, bragging much of their valour and resolution; which caused that worthy Commander Colonell Massie, to double his cart and diligence to storme it, with all vigour, courage, and expedition; but it was late in the evening before he could draw up his Horse, Foot, and Artillery before the said

Towne: and these two difficulties happened unto him the same time: the one was his souldiers want of sleep, having continued their constant watch, and continuall duty, for severall dayes and nights together, without intermission: the other was, the great store of raine that fell the same evening, and continued all the night ensuing, whereby Colonell Purefoy's Regiment of Horse were constrained to forsake the field, and seeke out some shelter for themselves and their horses: But the unwearied Governour, with his Foot, and some three or foure Troupes of Horse of his owne Regiment, gave the Alarum to the Enemy all that night, playing hard with his Ordnance and Musketiers, during which time he himselfe tooke great paines in ma∣king Bliues, and in taking such houses as might best pre∣serve his men, and resolved to storme it early the next mor∣ning, and accordingly about Sun-rising May 25. he drew out a strong party of Musketiers against the Turne-Pike and chaine, who very gallantly assaulted the Enomy, and beat them from their Ordnance and Guards: some other of the Musketiers assaulting the Enemy in their Works (at one and the same time) with scaling-ladders, beat the Enemy from their Works, and with great courage and re∣solution entred the same, wounded some, and the rest fled further into the Towne: in all which it was hard to judge, whether that worthy Commander, by his personall acti∣on, or discieet direction, were of greater availe in taking the Towne: but sure it is, the same added much courage to the Captaines both of Horse and Foot; insomuch that Major Gray and Captaine Ayleworth with joynt courage, and brave horses well mann'd, swiftly entred the towne, by leaping their Horses over the chaine, and over the Turne-Pike, and encountred the first Enemy, by cutting off his arme with a sword, and shot the next in the head

with a Pistoll; and Captain Blunt, one of the Captaines of Foot, upon the discharge of the Enemies Ordnance forced his entrance into the Towne through the Enemies Worke where the Enemy plyed the Ordnance, which he overturned upon his entrance, and made way for his Soul∣diers to follow: and Captaine White entred the Towne in another place over the Works, first mastering the same with his Musketiers: but the first man that by force en∣tred the Enemies Works, was a Serjeant with 40. resolute Musketiers, to whom the Governour had promised five pounds, with other rewards to the 40. Musketiers, if they would give the first assault, and performe it with courage, which they did accordingly, and the Governour paid them liberally. It was a brave spectacle to see, how una∣nimous both Commanders and Souldiers undertooke the enterprize, and with what undaunted spirits and carriage all of them in one minute of time performed the same, not∣withstanding their hard marches, want of sleepe, and the unseasonable raine all that night. But let all glory and praise be given to the Lord of Hosts, by whom the worke was done in so little time, and without so much as a man hurt of the Governours Souldiers in the storming of it: nor did they lose a man during their time of being there, except the Governours boy, and one common Souldier: our Forces lay but twelve or thirteene houres before the same, ere they tooke it by assault: the Governour of Malmesbury, and such other Prisoners as were taken, are contained in the ensuing List.

A List of the Officers and Souldiers taken at Malmesbury, May 25. 1644. at 4. of the Clock in the morning.

• Henry Howard, Col. of Foot,
• William Howard, Liev Col.
• ...Sons to the Earl of Berkshire.
• William Chester, Major.
• William Markham, Capt.
• Gilbert Wheathill, Capt.
• John Brimsden, Capt. Lievt.

Lievtenants.

• Richard Bleak.
• Edward Scott.
• William Roach.

Ensignes.

• John Barrat.
• Robert Bates.
• Richard Cage.
• Browning.

Quartermasters.

• James Bower, Moreley.
• Laurence Short.

Serjeants.

• Henry Dixon.
• Richard Fletcher.
• Robert Baily.
• William Fenton.

Corporalls.

• Henry Painter.
• Thomas Hadley.
• John Poole.
• John Peerce.
• John Chappell.
• Gilbert Harris, Drummer.
• William Weeks, Chyrurgion
• John Clark, Capt. of Horse.
• Private Souldiers, 149.

Gentlemen that bare Armes.

• John Freame.
• William Norris.
• John Bridges.

The rest of the Officers and Souldiers by running tho∣row the River made their escape.

• 2. Iron Faulcons.
• 2. Iron Hamberguns.
• 9. Barrells of Powder.
• 152. Skaines of Match.
• 900. Weight of Shot.
• 150. Muskets, or thereabouts.

As soone as the right worthy Colonell Massey had pos∣sessed himselfe of Malmesbury, and the Prisoners, he pre∣served all the towne from plunder of the Souldiers, and then sent a strong party to Chipham, who tooke in that Garrison also, and about 80. Musketiers Prisoners, he took also seven Waines or Waggons laden with Sack and other Wines, going from Bristoll to Oxford: but it is affirmed by others, that much of that lading is Armes and Ammu∣nition. He hath since taken other townes, and brought the greatest part of Wiltshire under the obedience o•• the Parliament, and hath taken many other Commanders and Malignants adhering to the Cavaliers, and the Irish Re∣bels, viz. M. George Low, of the Oxford-Parliament, and another, second sonne of Sir Edward Barmons, and one M. Chivers, with others: And by taking of Malmesbury and Beverston Castle, all trade and commerce out of the West to Oxford is much hindred, and from Bristoll to Ox∣ford quite taken away, and the trade of clothing opened from those parts to London; and, as the report is, there are upon the way now coming up out of Wiltshire to∣wards London thirteen Wains laden with woollen cloth, which wilbe welcome to the Merchants and Drapers here, and other wares and commodities will be sent and retur∣ned from London into the Countrey: This is the Lords doing, and to him be given all the praise and glory. This also may stirre up the hearts of such as are able to lend up∣on the Gloucester Ordinance, for the raising of some horse to serve under the command of that valiant Commander, who will be left destitute of horse, when the Regiment of Colonell Purefoys Horse shall be called away from him, who is earnestly desired by the Committee of Coventrey, that he may returne againe into Warwickshire, for the de∣fence of that County, being raised by them for that pur∣pose.

To all which I will onely adde, and conclude with the Votes and Resolutions of the House of Commons, made upon reading the said Governours Letters of the ta∣king of Malmesbury and Beverston, before-mentioned.

Die Veneris, 31. Maii. 1644.

A Letter from Colonell Massey from Malmesbury of the 25. of May concerning the taking of the Towne of Malmesbury, and a copie of the Summons sent to the Towne, and the Answer of the Garrison, were all read: and likewise a Letter of the 27. of May from Malmesbury, relating the same particulars more at large, was likewise read; desiring that his Regiment might be recruted be∣fore any other addition of force: and likewise desiring to know how that Town of Malmesbury shall be disposed of.

Ordered, That the Towne of Malmes∣bury, and the Castle of Beverston, as to the Government of them, shalbe left wholly to the disposall of Colonell Massey.

Ordered, That before there be any ad∣dition made of new Regiments for the assi∣stance of Colonell Massey, Colonell Masseys owne Regiment of Foot be first recruted, and that his Regiment of Horses may be compleated for Men, Horse, and Arms,

by such supplies of Moneyes as by the Ordi∣nance may be procured for Gloucester.

Ordered, That after Colonell Masseyes Regiments of Horse and Foot shall be re∣cruted and completed, That a Regiment of Horse shall be raised for Colonell Stephens, High Sheriffe of the County of Gloucester, to be under the command of Colonell Mas∣sey: and that my Lord Generall be desi∣red to grant no Commission to any other for raising any other Regiments for the County of Gloucester, and the other Counties men∣tioned in the Ordinance, but to such as shall be recommended by Colonell Massey unto the Committee of Gloucester, and by them to this House.

Ordered, That Roger Burgoyne do by this day sevennight at farthest pay in the 400. l. owing upon Bond to Capt. Matthews deceased, and assigned by former Order upon Colonell Massey.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Com∣mittee for Gloucester, to prepare an Ordi∣nance, and bring it in on Tuesday morning next, for setling upon Colonell Massey an Estate of Jnheritance to the value of 1000. pound per Annum, at least, out of some Papists and Delinquents Estates.

Char. Stavely Cler. Dom.

Pury. 1644. June 4.

FINIS.