Letters from Sir William Brereton, Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir John Meldrum of the great victory, by God's providence, given them in raising the siege from before Mountgomery-castle and how they routed and totally dispersed His Majesties forces under the command of the Lord Byron, where they tooke all their carriages, armes, and ammunition and made them flie to Shrewsbury and Chester : with a list of the names of all the commanders and officers taken and kild in the said service. Brereton, William, Sir, 1604-1661. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A69624 of text R14607 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing B4370). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 19 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A69624 Wing B4370 ESTC R14607 11921203 ocm 11921203 50974 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A69624) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 50974) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 229:E10, no 4) Letters from Sir William Brereton, Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir John Meldrum of the great victory, by God's providence, given them in raising the siege from before Mountgomery-castle and how they routed and totally dispersed His Majesties forces under the command of the Lord Byron, where they tooke all their carriages, armes, and ammunition and made them flie to Shrewsbury and Chester : with a list of the names of all the commanders and officers taken and kild in the said service. Brereton, William, Sir, 1604-1661. Middleton, Thomas, Sir, 1586-1666. Meldrum, John, Sir, d. 1645. [2], 10 p. Printed for Iohn Wright ..., London : Septemb. 14, 1644. Directed to the Committee of both kingdoms at Westminster concerning military action at Montgomery, Wales. Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library. eng Montgomeryshire (Wales) -- History -- Siege, 1644. Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649. A69624 R14607 (Wing B4370). civilwar no Letters from Sir William Brereton Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir John Meldrum, of the great victory (by Gods providence) given them, in raising t Brereton, William, Sir 1644 2797 5 0 0 0 0 0 18 C The rate of 18 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2005-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-05 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-08 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-08 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion LETTERS FROM Sir WILLIAM BRERETON Sir THOMAS MIDDLETON , Sir JOHN MELDRUM , Of the great Victory ( by Gods providence ) given them , in raising the siege from before Mountgomery-castle . AND , How they routed , and totally dispersed His MAJESTIES Forces , under the command of the Lord Byron ; where they tooke all their Carriages , Armes , and Ammunition , and made them flie to Shrewsbury and Chester . With a List of the names of all the Commanders and Officers taken and kild in the said service . Die Lunae , 23 Septemb. 1644. Ordered by the Lords in Parliament assembled , That these Letters be forthwith printed and published . J. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum . LONDON , Printed for Iohn Wright in the Old-baily , Septemb. 24. 1644. To the Right Honourable , the LORDS , and others of the Committee of both Kingdomes , sitting at Darby-house in Westminster . Right Honourable , THat God who is most glorified by working by the weakest and unworthiest instruments , hath this day given a most glorious victory , and as much manifested his power therein , as in any day I have been engaged since the beginning of these warres . We have relieved Mountgomery-castle , wherein there was closely besieged , and much distressed the L. Herbert of Cherbury , Col. Price , and most of Sir Tho. Middletons Officers , and neere 500 Souldiers . We were so very hard tasked by the multitude of our enemies , ( who did much exceed us in number ) as that , if the Commanders and Souldiers had not engaged , and behaved themselves very gallantly ; or if we had wanted any part of our forces , it might have hazzarded our Army , for it was very dubious and uncertaine which way the Lord would incline the victory : it came to push of Pike , wherein they were much too hard for us , having many more Pikes Our horse also at the beginning of the battell were worsted , & retreated ; but there was , I doe believe an unanimous resolution both in horse and foot to fight it out to the last man . Indeed there could be no other hope nor expectation of safety or escape , there remaining no way of retreat , all passages being entirely in the enemies power ( if masters of the field ; ) and truly if God had not infatuated , they might easily have interrupted our passage , and made good divers passes against us . But our extremity was Gods opportunity to magnifie his power ; for when it was most dubious the Lord so guided and encouraged our men , that with one fresh valiant charge we routed and put to retreat and flight their whole Army , pursued them many miles , even in the Mountaines , and did perform great execution upon them ; slew ( I doe believe ) 500 , wounded many more , tooke neere 1500 prisoners , and amongst them Colonel Broughton , and Col. Tilsley , who they report to be General majors ; there were also taken Lieutenant Colonels ▪ Major ▪ and Captaines , more then twenty ; and all their Carriage● and neere 20 barrels of Powder , wherein they were furnished the night before the battell ; We tooke also as was conceived ) neere 1500. or 2000. Armes , most for foot . Most of their horse escaped towards Shrewsbury , and Chester . The enemies Army was reported , ( and I doe believe it ) was no lesse then 4000. the Foot being the old Irish who came out of Ireland with Col. Broughton , Warren , Tyllier , and some of Col. Ellis , and some of Col Sir Michael Woodhouses , and Sir Michael Ernlys Regiment , from Shrewsbury , Chester , and Ludlow . Our Army consisted of about 1500 Foot , and 1500 horse . We lost not 40 men slame , and I doe believe , there was not 60 wounded . Our greatest losse was of Sir Wil. Fairfax , and Major Fitz-Simons , most gallant men . Sir John Meldrum did with much judgement order and command these forces , and therefore deserves a large share in the honour of this daies successe . But indeed the whole honour and glory is to be given and ascribed to God the giver of victories , and who is most deservedly stiled the Lord of Hosts . What remaines further to be done in prosecution of this victory shall not be omitted ; and if it please God that Newcastle be delivered , and some Scottish Forces assigned to assist to the taking in of Chester , I hope through Gods mercy there may be a good account given of all these parts of the Kingdome . To effect which , no man shall serve you with more faithfulnesse then Your humble servant . WILLIAM BRERETON Mountgomery , Septemb. 18. 1644. We know not how to dispose of these common prisoners , unlesse it would please you to order some of them , that will take the Covenant to be shipped ( if God give us . Leverpoole ) and transported over into Ireland , to serve you there . VVe have left Sir Tho. Middleton in a good condition in Mountgomery castle , and the Gentlemen of the Country begin to come in unto him ; Sir Iohn Price is already come unto him , before I came thence . The L. Herbert is come away with us towards Oswestry . For the Right Honourable , the Committee for both Kingdomes , at Darby-house in Westminster . My Lords , and Gentlemen , IFormerly acquainted you of our comming hither and of our proceedings in these parts ; and also of the good successe it pleased God to bestow upon us . Since which time the enemy hastned to come upon us , before we could bring in provisions for our Garrison ; by reason whereof I was enforced to retreat with my Horse unto Oswestry , with some small losse , enely of struglers that lay loytering behind , leaving all my Foot in the Castle , and hastned into Cheshire to procure reliese , and likewise into Lancashire to Sir John Meldrum , from whom I found a great deale of readinesse to relieve us in our distresse , and to preserve what we had gotten from the enemy , being 37 barrels of Powder , and twelve of Brimstone , both which they exceedingly wanted . Sir Iohn Meldrum , with Sir William Brereton , and Sir William Fairfax marched with 3000 Horse and Foot towards Mountgomery , and came thither on the 17 of this instant September , where we lay that night in the field that was most advantagious for us , which the enemy had possest themselves of before , and diserted at our comming thither , placing themselves upon the mountaine above the Castle , a place of great advantage for them ; we resolved not to goe to them , but to endeavour the victualling of the Castle ; whereupon we sent out parties for the bringing in of provisons ; which the enemy perceiving , they marched downe in a body both Horse and Foot , being in number about 5000. and came up to our ground , and gave us battell ; wherein , after an houres fight , it pleased God we obtained a glorious victory , having taken many Officers , 1400 common Souldiers , slaine 400 , and taken their Ammunition , with a great part of their Armes , and some few horse , the rest all flying away ; the Lord Byron commanded in chiefe the enemies forces , and Sir Iohn Meldrum the Parliaments forces , who behaved himselfe most bravely and gallantly ; and Sir William Fairfax , who had the command of the horse did most valiantly set upon their horse , and engaged himselfe so farre that he was taken prisoner , but presently fetcht off by the valour of our men , but sore wounded ; our men issued also out of the Castle , and fell upon the enemies in their trencher , and tooke divers of their Officers , and Souldiers , which they had left to keepe their Workes ; Sir William Brereton with the Cheshire foot did most bravely behave themselves that day , and did beat the best Foot in England , as they the very enemies confesse , being all Prince Ruperts foot , and the chosen foot out of all their Garrisons . I shall make it still my humble suite , that you will please to afford me some speedie course for present money , for the payment of my Souldiers , for without that I shall not be able to keepe them together . And for the present I shall take upon me the boldnesse to subscribe my selfe My Lords , and Gentlemen , your humble servant , THOMAS MIDDLETON . Mountgomery-castle , Septemb. 19. 1644. Since the writing of this Letter it hath pleased God to take to his mercy Sir W. Fairfax , who is even now dead For the Right Honourable , the LORDS , and others , of the Committee of safety for both KINGDOMES . My Lords , I Have thought fit to give your Lordships a briefe account of some passages of businesses here in Wales , forbearing a larger relation till I shall have a further time , and larger subject , which in all probability , by Gods assistance , may offer it selfe within a short time . I was by the earnest invitations of Sir William Brereton , and Sir Thomas Middleton easily perswaded to concurre with them for the reliefe of Mountgomery-castle , besieged by the Kings forces ; I resolved to contribute my best endeavours in that expedition , as well in regard of the importance of the service , as that Leverpoole was not to be attempted suddenly by such forces as I had , ( being in number inferiour to the forces within the Towne , ) whereupon I went along with the Yorkshire , Lancashire , Cheshire , and Staffordshire forces ( amounting to 3000. horse and foote , ) and marched to Mountgomery-castle in Wales , which was by a great deale of industrie and resolution , taken in by Sir Thomas Middleton , together with a great deale of powder , match and brimstone , which ( coming from Bristoll ) was prepared for the relief of Shrewsbury , Chester , and Leverpoole : upon our approach towards the Castle , the Enemie did withdraw themselves in some disorder , the next day after being the 18. of September , they did take the advantage of the weaknesse of our Quarters , the third part of our Horse being imployed abroad for victualls and forrage ; their Horse and Foot came on , with great courage , resolving to breake through our Forces , and to make themselves Masters of a Bridge we had gained , the night before : which would have cut off the passage of our retreat : It pleased God to dispose so of the issue of the businesse , that ( by the resolution of the Officers , and Souldiers , of Horse and Foot ) the Enemy did loose the advantage they had in the beginning , and were shamefully routed , by the pursuit of the victorie , which continued for the space of three miles : there are found dead upon the place five hundred , besides many Officers of quallity killed and wounded , and twelve hundred Prisoners : Sir William Fairfax , and Major Fitsimons ( who caried themselves most bravly ) are deadly wounded , without great hope of recovery , with some other Captains and Officers of our Horse 〈◊〉 the Cheshire Foot with their Officers , carried themselves more like Lyons , then men , especially Major Lowthian who commanded as Major Generall : The Castle is releeved with victualls , Sir Thomas Middletons Souldiers who were before as Prisoners , are made free , together with the Lord Herbert of Cherberie : amongst the Prisoners Major Generall Tilliseley , Colonell Broughton , and divers Lievtenant-Colonells and Majors , with many Captains and Lievtenants , so that by the blow given here , the best of their Foot are taken away , Shrewsburie , Chester , and Leverpoole , unfurnished with Ammunition ; and North Wales ( which formerly hath been the nurserie for the Kings Armies ) in all likelihood , will shake of that yoke of servitude which formerly did lie upon their necks , and wil be reduced to the obedience of King and Parliament , by the example of Montgomery Castle , which is one of the goodliest and strongest places that ever I looked upon . The personall carriage and indeavours of Sir William Brereton and Sir Thomas Middleton hath been exceeding great in the advancement of this service . There is good hope that Leverpoole by famine wil be soone rendered , and that Shrewsbury , and Chester will be at the last gaspe , whereof by Gods assistance there shal be a short triall made . So having no further for the present to impart to your Lordships , I shall cherish all occasions wherein I may approve my self Your Lordships most humble Servant , John Meldrum . Montgomerie Castle Septemb. 19. 1644. My Lords , THe intelligence I have had since the closing of my Letter , of a body of Horse , and Colonell Hunks Regiment of Foot that are marched to Shrewsbury , and that the Lords Biron and Mullinax are gone backe to Chester , I have altered my resolution touching Shrewsbury , which at the best had no other inducement , but the hope of a Partie within the Towne , and the scarcitie of Souldiers there . I am Your Lordships most humble Servant , John Meldrum . A List of the Prisoners taken and slaine at the Battell neere Mountgomery , upon the eighteenth of September . 1644. Col. Broghten Sir Th. Tilsley Col. Lievt. Col. Bladwell Major Williams Capt. Boulton Capt. Edgerton Capt. Bellamy Capt. Floyd Capt. Dolebin Capt. Congrave Capt. Bowman Capt. Right Capt. Morgan Lievt. Scidney Lievt. Rowes Lievt. Griffith Lievt. Morgan Lievt. Thurland Lievt. Wilson Lievt. Floyd Lievt. Lewis Lievt. Bowen Lievt. Brickam Lievt. Hager Lievt. Minchle Lievt. Floyd Lievt. Olliver Lievt. Cavanogh Lievt. Perkins Lievt. Aldeisay Quart. Mr. Snelling Cornet Persons Cornet Hachkisson Cornet Stagge Ensigne Wallis Ensigne Williams Ens. Dutten Ens. Lampley Ens. Parr Ens. Edwards Ens. Clackstone Ens. Harrison Ens. Contry Ens. Hest Ens. Lagden Ens. Jones Ens. Barker Ens. Price Ens. Roberts Ens. Richardson Ens. Prichard Ens. Winn Ens. Johnson Ens. Roe Ens. Right Ens. Erwin Serjeants . Simeon Day Francis West Richard Watson Francis Gough Jo. Morgan Jo. Sprigman Will. Hughs Jo. Davies Tho. Ward Ja. Newin Edward Badcocke Richard Etty Morris Jones Rand. Griffith Ralph Smith Will . Jackson Ralph Herley Jam. Jefferies Rich. Morgan Griffith Loyd Samuel Day Will . Williams Jo. Davies Peter Lee Will. Manning Ed. Philips Jo. Hin Ralph Aston Roger Stanton Griffith Davis John Smith John Paster Wil. Pasley Thomas Colflow Rob. Stanford Isaac Guy Tho. Latham John Browne John Knowles Robert Barber Sam. Rode Rob. Teade Roger Pyer Nath. Dale Will. Compton Ralph Williams Rob. Baccott John Hunston Rob. Jones Cornelius Sedgel Edward Jones Edw. Sulbourne Corporalls . George Gro●yer Henry Care Tho. Hall Tho. Cheadle John Hughs Andrew Clift John Hussey Evan Price Henry Barrow Roger Houlton Law . Ward Henry Harway Rice Lewis Griffith Jones Edward Wills Evan ap Humphrey Andrew Powell John Eleney Rob. Price Robert Petts Tho. Taylor James Moore John Wolfe John Deley Rich. Barken Edw. Hayden Tho. Mullenex Griffith Thomas John Greene Antho. Carr Gilbert Sorby Ri●h Key John Hughs John Jude Will . Madders Tho. Lee Joseph Barford John Dillen Rich. Salmon Tho. Crooke Tho. Albott John Williams Peter Lloyd Christopher Plunkit Hen. Neneley John Chilton John Simpson Roger Morris John Franke Humphrey Bowlet John Thomas John Sarley Patricke Role William Gilbert Rich. Walten Antho. Cornet Rich. Leadbeater Drummers . Will. Grynes Will . Guy John . Collyer John Perrey Tho. Heyes Robert Trehan Edward Wamsley James Lawstropp Tho. Deckes Rich. Moore Tho. Hyde . FINIS .