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.

Havant December, 17. 1642.

LOving friend,

I now write this letter as I have done others formerly, not knowing when or how to send it, the Lord hath in goodnesse wonderfully pre∣served me hitherto, especially in our taking of Winchester, where the most part of the Regiment assaulted the City at one side of it where the wall was broken downe, which yet notwithstanding (with no small dificulty we entred) and in regard of the excee∣ding high and steepe passage to it, so steepe that we had no other way to get up, but to creepe upon our knees and hands, from the bottom to the top as high as most houses, the Enemy all the while playing with their Musqueteers upon us, but slew but three men in our getting up, and one of our Captaines that followed me as he was entring the breach, after I had led in some twenty men; the bullets all this while flew thicke about us, yet I blesse God I had not the least hurt; the most part of our Enemies at our comming got into the Castle, so that the greatest part of the opposition we had in ta∣king the Towne was from the Townse-men, who have since sufficiently paid for it, for they have bin (the grea∣test opposers of us) plundered by our unruly souldiers: we stood in armes all that night, and beset the Castle round with Musquetiers and Horse, and laid Perdues under the wall that not a man of them could stir, then they sounded a parley about ten or eleven of the clocke at night, but we refused to accept it, against the mor∣ning we had prepared a great number of Fagots and

picht barrells, to fire the gate in regard we wanted Or∣dinance and Petards: as soone as it began to be light they sounded another Parley wherein my Lord Grandison himselfe with some fiue or six more desired to be, which was accepted, after much debate they yielded and Ar∣ticles were drawen up that they were all to be taken Prisoners and resigne up the Castle, and their Armes, and Horses, and Money, all to be taken possession of by our Officers, but our Common Souldiers who will be under no command, broke into the Castle by force, sei∣zed upon the horses and all their goods, and most per∣fidiously contrary to our Articles fell to stripping of them not leaving so much as Cloths upon some, which together with many other disorderly passages makes us weary of the service, which I had quit ere this but that the cause ties me to passe through all diffi∣culties whatsoever; since our taking the Castle, some of our men have forsaken us (upon these grounds) one for want of money, the other because my Lord Grandi∣son and his Lievetenant Colonell, have escaped after they were a day and night Prisoners, which doth much dis∣hearten all of us; I doubt not but you heard of all and much more before this, the report is of great treasure that was taken from them, which is more then I know, yet doubtlesse many have had good booties of money and cloths, besides many brave horses, but for my part I have neither: For I account my Obedience to Or∣ders more then all that was here to be gotten: our ene∣mies are much troubled at their losse, for they account it a great overthrow, two Regiments being utterly de∣solated, their Commanders taken, together with their Armes, and five or six hundred horse: Colonell Brownes Regiment had the honour to take the City, and

enter the breach. Give praise to God, for my preserva•••••••• we are now at Havant in Hamp. whither Sr. William W…… and Col. Ramsy are come with two thousand men, from whence we are to goe against Chichester in Sussex, which I beleeve will be a good service, if they doe not run a∣way before we come: they are well fortified with Or∣dinance and one thousand men; we want no hardship neither by night nor day, for we meete with nothing else, yet I blesse God I never was better in health; I have not so much as a Cough, the Lord give me a thank∣full believing heart; remember me to all that loue and aske for me: so with my love to you I commend you and all about you to the Lords protection and rest, Yours.

We are this munday morning commanded by my Lord Ge∣nerall to returne to him just now when we were going against Chichester.