Truth in two letters: by a man worth from the regiment of Colonell Browne, upon the designes of, Marblorovv [sic] and VVinchester. With the manner of all the proceedings since they went out upon that service. Not written by any pot poet. But by an honest true hearted citizen, who serves more in conscience then covetousnesse.

Loving friend,

IT much troubles to heare of that lame∣nesse that is upon you, which hath brought so much paine with it, the Lord in his due time I hope wil deliver you from both, and in the meane time give you patience to submit; I received the sad newes of it, in your Letter on wednesday as we were upon our march from Okingham to Newberry; Where we quartered wednesday night, from whence we intended to relieve Marleborough which had valiant∣ly stood out against the enemy three or foure dayes, and slew divers of them with little losse on their side, never yielding untill their Towne was fired in foure or five places, which when it was taken, they plundered all the Town, and tooke some six score of the honest peo∣ple prisoners, and much like unto the Irish Rebells most Barbarously dealt with them all, which might have beene prevented if Mr. White. Mr Pitts friend his solicitation for three or foure dayes together of my Lord Generall, and the Councell of War could have prevailed to have sent us in time, but when it was too late we were sent; Thursday we heard it was taken & that 3000 were got into Wantage in Barkeshire: Thursday about 11 or 12 of the clock we marched toward that Town and drew

up in the Field before it in to the ancles in Clay, about nine or ten of the clock at night, but staying somwhat too long before we fell in upon them not knowing their strength, and fortifications: that better part of their persons, and horse fled and escaped amongst whom my Lord Digby was the chiefe, the night was so exceeding darke, wet, and Tempestuous that we could not possibly get intelligence of their strength, untill some 20 of our horse were sent in amongst them, who slew their Sen∣tinell, harged a whole Troope of their horse, and safely retreated to us with the losse of only one of their horses: then were six or seven companies of Dragoones sent in, who every step stept up neere to the very tops of their Bootes, and yet went on with such courage and cheere∣fulnesse (though exceeding wet, weary, and dirty) as though they had been in the most delightfull Garden-walkes; after them some Troops of horse, but before this could be done most of them escaped, which other∣wise had been all slaine or taken Prisoners, only we slew five or six of them, one a Captaine, and tooke about 30 prisoners which we released at our comming away to free our selves of being troubled with them, that night we returned back againe to Nuberry, all the night being exceeding wet and blustring, so that we had 24 houres march & service such as these that have been 20 yeares inservices abroad never had the like, yet we are all well blessed be God, only many of our horses faile us and by reason of it some of our men are taken prisoners, the Enemy lying in most parts round about us, and with their scouts take some of our men whose horses tir'd, we are like to have a very hard service of it, If it con∣tinue out the winter as I doubt it will: we have watcht three or foure nights together, but for victualls blessed

be God we have hitherto had enough and never yet wanted any. I received a Letter from Master D for which I give him thanks, I would now returne him answer but I cannot being so extreame weary and sleepy, only remember me kindly to him and tell him that our Commission was expresly to fall upon Henly, and at that present those Forces that my Lord Generall sent from Windsor were to fall upon Marlborough, so that our Commission was not so large as he was informed; we had this afternoone an alarum that great Forces of the Kings were comming, two or three wayes a∣gainst this Towne, which we finde is not altogether true yet: certainely there is of some which will make us watch this night also: I had almost forgot, we tooke my Lord Digbies Coach and Horses and their Carriages and Armes, and Powder, but were constrained to throw a∣way the Powder and tooke their Muskets, and one of them that was slaine died with a fearefull Oath in his mouth swearing he would see the Parliament hang∣ed before hee would yield to them, with that one of our Dragoneers shot him, so that his last words were Oaths. Good store of pillage our men got from them that they had gotten at Marlborough, when they plun∣dered it: remember me to Master D. and their wives, Master A. and his wife, Master T. Master B. my Cozen Ioseph, and the rest that love me, not forgetting the new married couple, so with my love to your selfe I commit you and yours to the Lords protection, and ever remaine your truly loving Friend.

From our Quarter at Newbury, December, 9. 1642.

W, N.