Some particular ANIMADVERSIONS of Mark, for satisfaction of the contumacious MALIGNANT, WITH Some other general, and Remarkable observations, on the summons, of the late dissolved, and of this Parliament upon the Kings deserting the House, and his retreat to York, 1642. But more particularly of the swift Motions of the Cornish Men, and those of the South parts of the PRINCIPALITY, in their inconsiderate and unnatural taking up of arms against their Conservatory, and principally of the various Passages of the County of Pembroke, under the tyrannous Command of general GERRARD, where the War hath been most barbarously cruel.  
Together, with the several Fights, defeats, sieges, Skirmishes, Routs▪ retreats between both Armies, with the differences, and Divisions of the County of Pembroke, and the final overthrow, and beating out of general Gerrard's last plundering Army out of that County, and the miraculous Reduction, of all South-WALES, by Maior general Laugherne.  
With some humble Propositions, both for the suppression of the insolences of the soldier, and speedy Reparation of such as have suffered in the loss of all their Estates for the public Cause.  
Humbly addressed to the High Court of Parliament.  
LONDON PRINTED, Anno Dom. 1646.   

For the Right Honourable, LORDS the peers, and Gentlemen of the Honourable House of COMMONS.  
THe Author, as to the first part of his Animadversions touching the late motions of the State, in the visible pursuance of Arbytrary power, presents them not as news to a Court of Parliament, the evidence whereof being obvious to all the world, only he ranks them here in a new file, for satisfaction of the incredulous Malignant, not capable to owane his own friends, neither will be sensible what your indefatigable labours have been, or take notice of the pains you have taken, during these four years, for Preservation of the common freedom and liberties of the kingdom.  
As to the second part, which is a narrative, touching the war under the conduct of major general Langhorn's, it is offered to all of discerning judgements, how mirakculously God's special providence hath evidently appeared as well in that particular of the County of Pembroke as in the general prosperity of the Kingdoms arms.  
The conclusive part, is both humbly monotory and petitionary, that, that poor dessolated County, with the parts adjacent may be timely taken into your compassionate consideration, and such a speedy course taken therein as may best suit with your present great and urgent affairs: 
The inveterate feuds and dissensions of this County, hath been a great hindrance to the public service, and if not timely composed, may be of a more dangerous consequence  The distressed condition whereof (through Gerrard's cruelties) is truly laid open unto you; as also the way of this Counties repair (in some competent measure) humbly presented in a few Propositions, which may both rectify the many grievances and dissensions of this County, together, with the disorder of the soldier; without other charging the State, or farther troubling, your important Consultations, otherwise, then in your timely designation of some honest and able Gentlemen, (as your Commissioners, to examine all grievances, especially in the behalf of such, as have suffered in the loss of their whole estates in the public service, and are at present reduced to extreme want and penury, the care whereof in all humbleness is desired and left to your pious providence, lest the constant party there should be utterly disheartened, and at such time, as there may be present use of their farther service, since probable it is, that the Irish Rebels (on their late victory) may thrust over such Forces into that County and Milford- Haven, as may turn the Skales of your Victories here (if not timely prevented, by guarding those Coasts with a strong fleet,) both the Welsh Nation, and English Malignants in the general (howsoever now mastered) retaining still their wonted hearts, may in all likelihood on all occasions join with the strongest.  
And thus in all humility hath the Author taken the boldness to present unto your wisdoms the whole scope of his poor endeavours, and humbly craves farther leave to concludewith the Oracles of two great Princes, wishing, that they may profit such, as they most concern.  
The strength of a King is the preservation of the State, 
King James his Speech in Parliament, 1609.  the foundation thereof, is the people, and woe unto them, which divides the weal of a King from that of the kingdom.  
How guilty the Delinquent and malignant party have been in the fomentation of the present divisions, the appeal is made to their own Consciences, which have most unnaturally invaded the people in their representative, and have endeavoured to deprive both King and kingdom of their great council.  
Aequius est me tot, 
〈…〉  & talium amicorum consilium,  
quam tot & tales, meam unius voluntatem sequi.  
How averse His majesty's great heart hath been in following the vestigia of this famous Emperor and how fatal to himself, let 3. ruined kingdoms be the Arbiters, and his own conscience the faithful umpire.  
Your most constant and faithful Servant, Gil: Batt:   

Some particular Animadversions of mark, for satisfaction of the contumacious Malignant with, &c.  
Humbly addressed to the High Court of Parliament.  
AFter so long a time in the mysterious s●erages of Court and State, during the last, and of this reign; It is now confessed and known to all the kingdom, that the late dissolved Parliament, was assembled to one and the self same end, as that of Ireland, was (Somewhat before) by the late Deputy Straff●rd; only to raise money for the managing of a most unnecessary and injurious war, and as unadvisedly undertaken, against the Scots without any respect to the general Reformation here either in Church or State, (both then grown sick even to the very height of sundry and various distemperatures, and as we may safely judge, through the defects, and want of the due effects, of most of our latter Parliaments, Courts, which have ever been the great and supreme regulating counsels of this glorious monarchy; As also in pursuance of the grand design to make conclusions on the natives, by stealing in upon them (by degrees) some innovations in their Church discipline, as trials, or precursions, to future encroachments, to be introduced in their civil Administrations, all conducing to bring in absolute power, throughout the three kingdoms, in one complete conformity to enthraldom. This kingdom with that of Ireland (having by fineness of wit and the contrivance of cur late artisans of State) been aforehand readily trained, and enured to the impatient sufferance of Ship taxations and other arbitrary levyes, whilst that of Scotland (different to the others in sundry points, of their fundamentals, and the sovereignty, there some what incongruous to either) stood as a Remora, and in the way of our grand Masters, and Ingeneeres of Court; The Scots, being a people, quick-sighted and incompactible to endure all changes and Innovation in Government, necessarily made the work where to begin, so much the more difficult, in this, that to reduce them to the like conformity, might in the issue prove a dangerous engagement of both Nations in a direful war: This being providently foreseen by the late. 
* The late Parliament distasting this war, were resolved to give the King ten Subsidies for a peace, rather than one for a war with Scotland.  Parliament and in common Prognostication, of the best discerning judgements, what the event of such a war would be (An assured weakening of the puissance of both kingdoms. Yet our high bearing statists strong in their own vain Imaginations, conceived it to much loss of reputation to sit still with safety, but after a just & 
* The King on hearing of the Scots allegations and absent from his ill council, granted them his royal pacification but on his return out of the North, 1639. was traitorously counselled to renew the war by the Cabb. Council.  royal pacification granted reperswaded the King topursue the design, in a second preparation of war, contrary to his majesty's faith given to the Scots Nobility, that they should remain as they were, without infringement of their national Covenant instituted by the late King 1580. It is as precisely true, that this Parliament (so much in the eye and odium of his majesty's aversation, and of so terrible an aspect to the many Delinquents) was at such a time assembled, as that the King's hopes and designs, (on the coming in of the Scots at Newborne 1640. were at an instant turned about to an after Game, or to check at chess without either possibility of remotion to go on with safety, or backward without extreme loss of honour at home and reputation abroad, into so intricat a labyrinth, and toil of embroilment, had the cabinet council▪ then both engaged the King, and endangered all the kingdoms; And at such a season, and in the close of so long a calm of Peace and tranquillity, as the three kingdoms never yet attained unto; both the late King, and his Majesty now regnant, having always been in perfect peace and amity, with most of the Princes of Europe neither, for thirty six years together, had they any other wars, but vapours 
* The French and Spanish wars prime & secundo Caroli.  or such as our of the voluptuousness of the times, & wantonness of the great privadoes of Court were as rashly undertaken as vainly prosecuted, without either sufficient grounds, or foresight of their issues; hence it is, as wise men have long since observed, that from the very first treaty with Spain for a marriage with the Infanta, an 
* As God prohibits all marriages with adulterate, and Idolatrous Princes, Deu. 7. so is it rarely seen that any blessing can followthat Prince which breaks over that law which God hath prescribed.  evident improsperity hath inseparably haunted the affairs of both reigns.  
To speak in terms of plainness, the principal Instruments of state in this reign never exceeded more than a* Triumviratora knot of some few (all others, being but for stales, or uses, workmen, (ordinis secundi) of a subordinate degree; though all united, Concentring, in the advance of the grand design, and masterpiece, viz. Absolute sovereignty over the universal people. ● men rather cried up by ignorants, and those of their own followers and faction, for persons of weight and of worth then parted, and endowed with abilities in the true prackticke of State affairs, either befitting Military employments, or in times of peace, with judgement and moderation, so to manage the royal and public administrations, as to conserve them in the same posture of felicity, 
Straford.  wherein, (at their first arrival to grace and favour in Court) they found them; 
Canterbury Cottington.  but only applying themselves, rather to comply with the King's inclinations, (as having aforehand learned the Scope and measure of his propension) then by safe and honest counsels, 
† Both Stra. and Cant. Jeered and contemsptuously spoken of in the French Court, for men insolent, and of little reach especially by the Cardinal Rich●leu.  to allay, and divert, the heat of his majesty's affectations, in the advance of the sovereignty to some higher pitch and strain, than other stood with his Oath and honour to affect or with his power to accomplish, otherwise, then with greater hazard, than the acquision of them could be possibly worth either in true valuation with himself, or estimation of others of judgement and solidity to discern the sequel, and dangers incident to all innovations and changes in a long established Government: And thus were the King's counsels carried along or (as we may better say) swayed by a few, 
* Vide Straford in the Juncta, loose & absolved from all the reigns of government, you are now to do what power will admit, Idem▪ Archbishop by the laws of God and man you ought to have assistance and lawful to take it: L. Cottington gave the same advice.  unfaithful to their master, and perfidious to the State; And by two of them [how soever we may hope, they are now with God] yet living of inexorable natures, and of immoderate aspirations, the other of another kind of temper, subtle, untrusty, and umbrating, an affected wiliness, under the veil of a Spanish garb, or Gravity: But jointly all three, big, with Innovation [as if in want of other employment, they had them studied how to discompose the common tranquillity, and by cutting out some new and destructive work, to thrust out the kingdoms into combustion; The state of the Kings, and kingdom's affairs, so lead on, and to render them, in plain characters of truth, strenuosly enforced and driven on, 
* On the Scots Petition, the Petition or the 25▪ Lords, and the Yorkshire Petition, the King yielded to summon a Parliament in both kingdoms during his residence at York, 1639.  paucis, nec non honestis, rerumque novarum cupidis; Insomuch, that when this Parliament was [out of necessity] to be assembled, neither the King, nor those his seemingly wise and overbold instruments could possibly discern the way whither they would go, or how to drive on their designs, with any warrantable hopes answerable to their expectation: In this perplexity and amidst the concussion of both Nations [before generally in good terms of brotherly affection one with the other] this so formidable and persecuted Parliament, with that of Scotland, were then thought fit to be assembled, as the only means remaining, both to recover, and enlarge the King, and to quiet the kingdoms; when at their very first sitting down all former sterages of State and Court contrivances, tending to the subversion of the fundamentals of the ancient government, together with the Authors of the Scottish troubles, and brochers of Innovation both in the Church and and commonwealth we are all called to account [as the first and most proper work of a Court of Parliament] and then (evident it was) that their future course would be to reduce all new-cut-out and indirect streams, and strains of government into their old and usual channel; A labour of a very high and difficult task, if considered what time had wrought through the long disuse of our Parliaments, which had they been more frequently called, would doubtless have stayed or thwarted the 
* The King counselled to run the course of his future government, Ala-Francoys Take notice says Straford) my L. Cottington, the King of France hath a wise council, for he sends, his Officers to search all merchant's books and finding the richest men, hath his horse troops ready to levy the assessment.  King's eager pursuit in new moulding the old frame into some other model, so long aforehand prepared, and in a fair progression, only by the regal power, whence it was apparent, that the work became the more unwieldy, and the knot of Arbitrary contrivements, then more hard to be untied by this Parliament, than others formerly had ever been accustomed unto: we need not press this on the common belief, that Parliaments at any time, were otherwise pleasing to the late King, then as the exegencies of his wants urged, their summons to serve the present; for replenishing of his empty Coffers; nor that His now Majesty would ever have summoned this in being, much less to make it perpetual, but merely out of the extremity of enforcement to disengage himself of an encumbrance, from which, without a Parliament, there appeared then no medium to recede, or any by way, whether he might handsomely make his retreat, whereas had it been his majesty's good fortune, to have been faithfully counselled, and at his first accession rightly instructed, [as it was his ill fate always to be misinformed by such of his 
* The base flattery of the prelatical Clergy both in their writings and Sermons for the upholding of absolute power in Kings directly opposite to divinity: The treachery of the Judge● in their extrandictiall sentences, for the Kings raising of many at will and pleasure against the known laws of the land, and dissonant from the constitution of this sovereignty: between both these the King hath been insufferably abused, and the kingdoms extremely, both weakened, and ruined. Those of our Princes which have cast themselves on their Parliaments never repented it.  Ministers of both robes, as have had the honour of his ear] of the nature and constitution of this sovereignty and how much it imports, a King of England, to summon his Parliaments, before he needs them, or that the obliquities of the Church and commonwealth requires them for the general reformation, and that when they are assembled, how much it concerns both Prince and people, that they be cherished and backed by the royal authority, as Courts which are the invincible pillars of the Royalty, and only buttrises of the State, It could not possibly have fallen out, that so great a fata should have befallen His majesty's particular and the universal populacy of three so late flourishing kingdoms; which as now they are wasted, weakened, and embroiled cannot be recovered not their ruptures handsomely made up until [by the blessing of God] a right understanding of each others right may be, timely begotten between his royal self and the great counsels of the kingdoms; 
* The English sovereignty not absolute, but mixtum imperium, Arist craticall and democratical.  certain it is that (of all human causes) the primum mobile, of all our tragical sufferings, was His majesty's aversation to that, which is the inheritance of the kingdom (Parliaments) and the same which God, men, and the laws of the Land required, and would have at such a time to be summoned, when long before it was resolved, Parliaments should have been coffined up, in their last funeral rites, and the King Royally intending to rule alone, and without them, so insearchable, and past finding out are the ways of him, by whom kings-reign, and must stoop their wills to his, who, as well disposeth of their sceptres, as of the hearts of their vassals: We ought not to question known truths without prejudice to the public faith, for it was written in large characters, in the King's aspect, that the very principia of this Assembly, and the tracts they walked in, were not only averse to his royal inclinations, but seemed to all 
* The Delinquents and Court parasites conspire at first to quash this Parliament & consequently all others to come that might call them to an account for their misbehaviour.  those which had a hand in leading on His majesty's designs, to be of a terrible continuance, as evidently portending the assured ruin of many both of their hopes and fortunes: When certain it was, that the party adjuvant and delinquent might both stand up, and shun the peril, then imminently hanging over their heads; a course of necessity, must be found out both how to quash this so furious a Parliament (as then it was apprehended it would be) and consequently to annihilate all others, that in time to come might be summoned as obstackls, which might in the future hinder the growth of absolute power; omitting perticularities, It was then & now more manifestly known that the Court contrivances, whereby to effect this great work of annihilation, were many contiguous dangerous in their a●tempt and more daring, than ever have been attempted on any of our Parliaments, and such as were beyond common expectation, and the belief of all men of sober judgement, could have been enterprised, against the great council of the kingdom. The wonder being so much the more, that the King himself, shou●d build his hopes on such feeble, and uncertain foundations, as to set up his rest, on an enterprise of so unlikly and improbable an archievement, as to grapple with the power of the kingdom, then contracted, and compacted in its representative. But we pass over, the ennumeration of the many various and sundry practices, as in order of their invention, from time to time and without intermission they were put on the trial of their execution; though, hitherto by divine providence they have proved, fruitless in their effect, yet most remarkable it is, that on his majesty's recess and deserting the House, and the bulk of the Parliaments strength, then much maimed, lessened, and weakened; both in defect of the head, and by so great a desection of the parts, and tergiversation of the Members* (falcifying the trust of their Countries) yet that the remaining and trusty part should notwithstanding beat up, in the defence of the public interest and amidst so many and powerful Interjections slight & vilipend, that ridiculous conventicle, or mongrel Parliament at Oxford traitorously opposed against this, so legally assembled. It must be acknowledged that Almighty God stood with the cause and infused them with the spirit of courage, and that his special providence, had a high hand in the conduct of their preservation: But we must now look back and shall only touch on the main contrivances in their gross, and as they were at the Kings coming to York, there set a foot first for raising of an Army whereby [on all formet failancies] by force of arms, to overpower this Parliament and as after it was resolved, to erect the royal Stendard at Nottingham so to draw up the power of the people against themselves, in their representative together with his majesty's Commissions of Array, 
* The strange and unheard 〈…〉 commissions of A●ray 〈…〉 the people against themselves.  dispatched into several parts of the kingdom as if some foreign Enemy had then been in preparation to invade the State, pre-invaded, and only by those, which should have defended it. We shall but only mention those Commissions, sent into the North and other those remote parts, [thought than most apt to second his majesty's intentions, and most out of the noise of the people and hearing of the Parliament) ignorant in the right understanding both of the cause and artifices of Court and shall chiefly insist on those sent into the West, as Commissioned to the marquess of Hartford▪ his Brother, the Lord St. Maure and Sir Ralph Hopton. These three Lords about July 1642. coming out of the North, came first to Marlborough, summoning the Major and his brethren, to repair to their Lordships, they showed them their Commission of Array, but found them more round than they expected, the town wholly standing up for the Parliament, thence they bent their course immediately towards Bath, Bristol, and Wells, where the Inhabitant; were as averse to their Commissions, as to submit their head to the block, though all three of them were in those Countries both powerful in Tenancye, and generally in the good opinion and affection of the people, but no sooner, appearing in this strange and unheard of errand, but they became of despicable account, as the sequel thereupon proved it to be most true, for they were shortly after beaten▪ and chased away from Mendippe and Wells, whence, withal the strength they could possibly raise, they retreated to the Castle of Sherborne (his Lordship Cottington, as one of their grand assistants, not liking the business, took an occasion to leave them the night before.) The Lords, with the rest of their associates, being there besieged, shortly after made an eruption, and in a confused march of flight, [finding those parts to hot for their abiding, and nothing conformable to their commissions] haste to Myniard, the whole Country rising upon them: whereupon dividing themselves, Hopton, tending towards the Cornish men [a sort of people Robustious, and in the general utterly unacquainted with the ways and subtleties of Court] neither understanding the true state of the Cause] were easily seduced by him. The other Lords, instead of better sanctuary-betooke themselves to Sea and came to Cardiff, thence to, Carmarthin, and in all their fruitless journey visited most of the towns of South-Wales, working on the forwardness, and facility of the natives partly by their oratory, and power of their Commissions, [a people as easily to be seduced] were for the Major number, all soon won, and led away with the name of the King▪ and his Authority abused, without looking into the nature of the controversy, and how merely it concerned them all to mind their own preservation, in that of the safeguard of the common conservatory. The whole Country of South-wales, 
* A few gentlemen only of the County of Pembroke withstood the Lords and the Commissioners of Array against the general vote of all the principality.  [some few Gentlemen here and there excepted unanimously then rising for the King, Only, on the Lord's Summons from Carmarthan, to the more westerly countries, some few Gentlemen of the Country of Pembroke, neither appeared or complied with their Lordships, but stood on their defences, neither were they above eight or ten at the most, which from the first beginning of the War▪ to the present stood firm to the Parliament, when the Lords by the aid and assistance of the Earl of Carberry and his party [powerful in those parts] conceived, that they had then overcome the greatest part of their work, having forwarded and sent away, considerable numbers of the natives, to the King before the Battle at Edge Hill, shortly thereupon [with such Regiments, as by my Lord of carberies means were raised, near and about Carmarthin, the Counties of Cardican and Brocknock) they Marched up to His majesty at Oxford, when the command of the Counties of Carmarthin, Cardican, and Pembroke, fell in dispute, between their Lordships of Carbury and Glamorgan, His majesty in conclusion, was pleased to confer that honour on his Lordsh. of Carbery as Commander in chief under his highness the Prince; And Glamorgan then Commissioned, for the Counties of Hereford, Menmouth, as next adjacent to Ragland, where he had raised a considerable Army, and lay down at Heynham two miles distant from the City of Gloster, and about ten days before Easter, 1642. were all beaten and taken by Sir William Waller: The course, which henceforth we intend to hold in the way of our Annimadversions, is to present the principal Incendiaries, with the active sticklers, of every County within the circuit of South Wales, as also those of quality which have stood firm to the Parliament, The late Bishop of Landaffe, Master Henry Vaughn, Master Francis Loyd, (both shortly after Knighted at Oxford) the attorney jews, one Master Loyd of the frowd, with some 
* No plot of Knavery without a Priest, Lattermer in his Sermon before K. Edw. the sixth.  Divines, [which would have a share in the business] all of the County of Carmarthin, were then noted as the most active sticklers, and setters on of my Lord of Carbery, both to embrace the employment, and to have been the most vehement traducers of the Parliament, as for the rest of other Counties, together, which such plundering Commanders, as have assisted in this unnatural War, we shall impartially and in their due place aford them a room in our annimadversions, with a mark on their foreheads to be known to posterity: only I crave leave first to declare the occasion of mine and some-others of my acquaintance, coming in to these parts, and how we came to be eye witnesses of much, which I shall here present in the way of our Observations: And it was thus; certain Gentlemen of ancient samiliarity, chanced to meet at Newberry, about the time that both armies quartered on all the Roads, westerly from London, shortly after the sight at Brainford in November 1642. where we fell into discourse, where the safest place of the kingdom might be, to secure ourselves from the fury of the war, and our conclusion was, that near about the centre of South-wales, either at Brecknock or Carmarthin, would be the place of our safest residence, wherein (on the upshot of our account) we were much mistaken, howsoever some of us about Easter following, hearing of the draining of walls of Men and arms, and that the Lords (fled thither as before) were all gone up to the King at Oxford, we took our journey into those parts, and liking not our stay at Brecknock, where then Col. Harbert, Price with one jefferyes his Nephew, Stedman & most of the Gentry of that County were in arms for the King: we determined to move to Carmarthin, being there arrived we found the town Garisond with 2. or 3. hundred soldiers under the command of one Capt. Gwilliam, thence we resolved to remove some what farther, and accidentally took up our Lodging at an English gentleman's house, who had there planted himself near upon 20. years before & one, 
* Mr. White of Castle Tough, enforced to fly to Sea, the Gentlewoman his Wife, by the tyrannical insolency of the soldier, frighted to her Grave, his Eldest Son barbarously imprisoned, his second Son cut and, mangled, some of his servants wounded to death in their own houses, the rest with all his poor Tenants enforced to fly the country, and his many children left utterly destitute of all means to keep them alive.  that whilst our abode was with him, suffered in no small measure, but since our departure miserably plundered on all sides, and more by the Parliament party than the Kings though, both a constant wellwisher to the Cause, and to the uttermost of his power a known & willing Country but or thereunto, here we had no sooner taken up our Quarters, but we understood that one captain Thomas Butler, a Gentleman decayed in his fortunes, and of the County of Pembroke, out of that vain and common imagination of advancing his estate, by siding with the King, whether right or wrong, it was his, and the general understanding of the Country, that the sure and safest side must be the Kings.  
This silly and half witted captain was one that would be notable & the first in action, had some what before raised 120. loose fellows, of the very scum and vermin of the County of Pembroke, and had possessed himself of the Town and Castle of Laherne in the County of Carmarthin, and within two miles of our then residence: We now proceed and shall purposely omit all passages acted by the Gentlemen of Pembrookeshire, concerning the former Commissions, both of the Array and militia, with their several deputations both by the King and Parliament, as not much more pertinent to our purpose then to make our observations to, to Vrluminos, but shall only insist on those Commissions brought down in the Lent following the battle at Edge-Hill by my Lord of Carbery, as Commander in chief of the Counties of Carmarthen, Cardican, & Pembroke. These beginings in so remote parts where, than there was no fear of other Enemies, then of themselves; and therefore, the less need to raise forces, and to Garrison towns, otherwise, than out of their own Levity to be men of action, and in a Country where, (if they would) they might have been most secure, had they had the grace to have known their own happiness, or to have hearkened to the advice which was then given them, by us strangers: but they were generally resolved to be active, 
* it was further commonly spoken, by the best sort of the Gentlemen that the welsh were the true Britons, and his majesty's best and only Orthodox subjects, and Pembrookshire men for the most part Saxons and Bastards.  upon what grounds and reasons they would take up arms; was the least part of the dispute, It being in every man's mouth that such as would not appear for the King against the rogues the Parliament, were Traitors to God and his Majesty, and that such as would, we are sure to be well rewarded, and could not expect a less compensation then to have good shares given them of the Parliament Members Estates, and of their partakers, whence we made our judgements, and found it to be most true; that it was not the cause (which they little heeded) but the hopes of gain and advancement, was the only loadstone, that drew their Iron into the Field, and to take part with the King, though to the ruin of the kingdom and destruction of themselves as the sequel, since hath proved it to be most true? The certain Intelligence of these beginnings and preparations in the County of Carmarthin, together with my Lord of Carberyes Commissions, as Commander in chief of the three Counties, being then publicly known, and signified, by his lordship's letters to the Gentlemen in general of the County of Pembroke, much startled those few which stood immovable, in defence of the Militia, and in defiance of the Commissions of Array. Whereupon, Sir Hugh Owins Sir Richard Phillips, old, Mr. John Laughorne, Mr. Rowland Laughorne, the (now Major general) Mr, Arthur 
* Lately chosen Knight of the County of Pemb.  Owins, Mr. Griffeth White Esquiers, captain Walter Cunoy, Mr. George Addams, Mr. Thomas Powell, and his three Brethren, colonel Rice. Powell, Capt. John & Will. Powell Mr. Devoreaux Wyatt with his 2. Brethren Aldermen of Tinbye, with John Pryer Major of the town of Pembroke being the only persons of any quality, which stood first, and ever since firm to the Parliament held a consultation amongst themselves what was to be done in the case, though I verily believe that there were many more of the Gentlemen, which wou●d have showed themselves, and we are right in their affections to the public but that they shrunk in the wetting, and so soon as my Lord of Carberry, first by his invitations and after by menaces, made them to stand aloof, and in the conclusion to comply with his Lordship, and in the way of Subscription, and signing his pleasure under their own hand writing as hereafter it will more manifestly appear, Howso ever the former Gentlemen, well foreseeing the danger, that attended them, and considering, that they had then no Commission, directory from the Parliament▪ to warrant their undertakings, it was privately resolved, between Mr. John Laughorne, Mr. Arthur Owen, and the now Major general, to employ some trusty Messenger to my Lord general Essex, to acquaint his Excellency of the true estate of their Country, and to this charge one captain Philip Bowin was designed and privately sent away in the Lent time, 1642. who, in the Easter week following returned with several Commissions, authorising Mr. Rowland Laughorne, as colonel of a Regiment of foot together with another Commission, to Sir Rich. Phillip's Sir Hugh Ownis, Mr. John Laughorne, Mr. Arthur Owins, and Mr. jews Barlow, as assistants to colonel Laughorne, with a special charge, to defend their towns, and Milford, Haven, as a place of principal importance▪ to the uttermost of their power, until some other aids might be sent unto them from the Parliament, whereupon, amongst themselves, they raised some 50. or 60. horse, and two or three Companies of foot, manned, and fortified the towns of Tinby and Pembroke, John Poyer, Major of the place being very Active in the repair of the walls, then much demolished. In the mean time my Lord of Carberry summoned in the principal Gentlemen of the County to repair to his Lordship as Carmarthin, and to comply with him, as the King's general of Carmarthin Pembroke, and Cardican shires, whither very few of the former Gentlemen, did or would appear, whereupon divers Letters, and Messages, were sent by his Lordship to persuade them all to a general compliancy with his honour, and thereupon much debate there was between his Lordship and the Gentlemen (discentors) concerning the government of that County: my Lord general Carberry by virtue of his Commission, minding to have the sole command thereof, in the behalf of the King, as he had (without dispute) of the other two Counties of Crdican and Carmarthin they to keep the County of Pembroke in their own Command for King and Parliament. And when as divers and sundry treaties▪ Letters, and Messages took not the effect▪ that each party affected: his Lordship in person, about July following 1643. came attended with his friends and followers, accompanied with that grave Gentlemen David 
* It was conceived by some knowing men, that jenkin's was set over his Lordship of Carberry to overlook his actions.  jenkin's as his assistant and Law-director, all in the way of a military equipage, and amounting in number to a little army, to the abbey of Whitland, on the very confines of the County of Pembroke, whither the Gentlemen in general were before summoned to give his Lordship meeting, and some of the more neutral and timorous of them punctualy observed their time the rest aforenamed absenting themselves: In the conclusion and after a long debate, certain writings and agreements were then signed between them, conducing to a compliancy with his Lordship, 
* This sum was 2000 l. & it was collected and paid to his Lordship.  and for raising of a considerable sum of money to be presented to his Majesty in token of their obedience to my Lords eommand, & shortly thereupon, they again met his Honour, both at haverford-west, and at Carmarthin where other Writings were signed between them, the before absented Gentlemen, for the Major part always refusing to give his Lordship any meeting at all; and thereupon, they were particularly threatened by Judge Jenkins, and the attorney 'lows to be proclaimed Traitors, and shortly thereupon, Baronet Owins was by the judges in Haverford arrested of High Treason: In the conclusion it was there agreed that the Gentlemen compliers, vid. Sir Richard Philips, Mr. Roger Lort, Mr. jews, Barlow, Mr. Thomas Bowin and Mr. John Elliot. with Sir Hugh Owins (Arrested as aforesaid) should all attend his Lordship to Oxford, and in testimony of their submission were by him brought before the King to kiss his majesties hand. It is most true that my L. of Carbery, first used all the fair means he possibly could rather to win them all to a compliance with him, then by source to compel them, but upon the upshot of their return into their Countries: Sir 
* This Gent. hath been strangely used and hurried up and down, and all to take him off from the Parliaments service.  Hugh Owins much resenting his former Arrest at Haverford, made suit to the King for repair in honour for the indignity offered him by the judges, whereunto his Majesty replied, that right should be done him as he desired, for you shall said the King be tried by your Country, according to law, and so was he committed to the Custody of the Earl of Carberry as a Prisoner, to be returned to Haverford, or as his Lordship should dispose of him, and the rest of the Gentlemen taking their leaves, had Licence to return to their homes. In the mean time, and during the space, that these contrivances were in agitation at Oxford, 
* His bastard Brethren.  & the summer well past over, the Major general, and his small party were not Idle for howsoever, their strength, were not much considerable as being forsaken, by so great a party of the Gentry, yet had they by this time well fortified their Towns of Pembroke and Tinby and stood upon their defences they being then of so inconsiderable a number, in comparison of his lordship's power, and the forces of the Counties of Cardican and Carmarthin▪ all at his devotion, as also the County of Pembroke divided in affection & in inveterate feuds, and factions amongst themselves, and the High sheriff, Mr. Albon Owins, commanding the posse Commitatus, and his two active Brethren the Harrold, and Doctor Owins both vehement sticklers, in the Country, and in Oxford, blasting and branding the names and fames of the Major general and the Gentlemen (Incomplyants') as also, all South-Wales wholly for the King. That it is one of the wonders of the times, how they durst stand up as the did, but rather a piece of a mirackle and to speak in terms of truth, the immediate hand of the Almighty, that from such small beginnings, so great, and so many actions, should in a nook of a little County, surrounded with powerful enemies) be performed by a poor handful of un armed men. I have hitherto only, presented some passages, and Intimations of disputes and treaties, between his Lordship of Carberry, and the Pembrookeshire Gentlemen, I now come to the active part, and as my Lord general Carberry proceeded on the end of the Summer 1643. when, his Lordship had drawn together out of those Counties, and the Garrisons a very considerable strength both of horse and foot, and as we made computation of their numbers on their march, could not be so few as 3000. ablemen. With this Army, his Lordship marched up to Haverford-West, and open and spacious town, but incapable of any defensible fortification yet as it was, he raised works on the approaches, and made such defences as the site of the place would permit, and alter some short residence in the town, he repaired to the pill, where viewing the whole Haven of Milford, he gave order for the raising of Fort, which was exceedingly well chosen, and commanded a good part thereof, having before sent for Cannon to Bristell, (then in his majesty's possession) which were timely sent him, and in good proportion. In this fort, his Lordship placed Mr. John Barlow, a most Malignant Church Papist, and the same, who [about the first sitting down of this Parliament] entertained Sir 
* Sir Toby Matthew a suspected Jesuit, but a dangerous and active Papist, about the beginning of this Parliament, took survey of Milford-Haven, to what end let the world judge.  Toby Matthew when he took the survey of Milford Haven as Commander there of having manned the same, and the Pill town with 500 good foot, his Lordship headquarters being then at Haverford, not above five miles distant from the Fort. There was then but one small Ship of John Poyers the Major of Pembroke in all the Haven which some what before he had surprised, by a very bold and adventureus Stratagem, and had taken out all her guns into the town and Castle, [then utterly unprovided of ordnance] the Ship being shortly after retaken by two men of War, which his Majesty had then sent in, for my Lord of Carberries assistance, and sure keeping of the Haven, his Lordship next endeavour was then how to gain in the town of Tinby, a place of importance, a Port town, and accommodated with a very convenient and safe harbour: To which purpose many Invitations were sent thither, and many wiles used to persuade the Major than one Mr. Tho. Wyatt a rich and wealthy Merchant; to surrender the place, but it would not be granted; whereupon the Gentlemen, grac●t, as before at Oxford were employed in the business, to work the Major and Townsmen to deliver up the town to his lordship's hands, and to open the truth of the matter, some of them proceeded therein, with no small sedulity though since, they have been all made Committees they utterly denigh any such thing, It being well known, that on the turn of the wheel, they were much befriended in their reintegration with the Parliament, by reason of the consanguinity and alliance, most of them had, with Master John White, a late Member of the House of Commons, but thither they came and imparted their business to the Major and Townsmen, with that writing, 
* This writing bears date 17 of August at Carmarvin as near as I can remember.  whereunto they had subscribed in compliance, with his Lordship, and their declared unto them, that they must consent, and do as themselves had done before them and to yield up the Town, unto his lordship's command, and in so doing 
* These Gentlemen, now utterly denigh their coming to Tinby, though avouched by the testimony of ten of the chief of the town, Sir Rich. Philip's avouching that his name was or; might be put in by some of the rest, on his Lordship of Carbery.  some of them engaged themselves, on the loss of their whole estates, that it should be redelivered to them to be kept for His majesty's use and service: Neither did others of them, so leave off their solissitation when they could not prevail, but threatened the Major to block up the Town, with Forts and bulwarks at Holleway water so to deprive the townsmen of their market, and Judge Jenkins, spared not to send the Major this peremptory message that if he did not speedily deliver up the place to his Lordship, he would have him hanged at his own door, wondering at his refractoriness, that since the whole County and Haverford, 
* They denigh that Haverford was first yielded up; which is clearly false.  had submitted, he alone, and some few others ill affected to His majesty's service, should obstinately stand out against the general's power: Moreover, that the principal passages [of late so much controverted and variously asserted, on all sides] and that the manner of yielding up this Town, with the lamentable (after) ruin thereof may be laid down in their naked truth, there was a plot devised to raise a mutiny in the Town, in which tumu●t the Major himself was compelled [for safeguard of his life) to take his house, and to lock up his doeres, so violent some there were, which since (in exsknse of themselves) would lay all the blame of giving up this Town, on the deceased Major, whom they untimely hurried to his grave, and since, as Committees which would show, their power, have endeavoured to sequester a dead man's estate (as a malignant of their own making) (though right must be done to others of them, 
* Master Roger Lort, Mr. Geor. Adam's, Master Geor. Howard and others.  which aborted to consent or to have a hand in so an unjust a Vote) so it was, and the plain truth is, their endeavour was that way to cut scores, and to quit their debts they owed to the disceased Major; as also to bereave his poor kindred with the poor of the place of their Legacies given them by the Majors last Will and Testament, It being apparently known, that the distressed man, (long since at rest, and at peace with God) upon an alarm in the Town, and the ringing of the Bell, when all the Burgesses by their oaths and custom of the place, were to repair to the major's assistance, he had not (after the said mutiny) above three of the Townsmen, that would stand firm unto him, so cowed and disheartened, they were through the threats and practices of the adverse party; Insomuch, as being merely forsaken of the Townsmen, Haverford, and the whole County [Pembroke excepted] at his lordship's devotion, and himself in utter despair, longer, to hold the Town: He, with some others of the Aldermen, conceived it, their safest way [as the cause then stood] to address themselves to his Lordship then at Marrase within 5. miles of the town with his Forces, where they treated with his honour on these conditions, that after his lordship's admittance with a convenient train, he should redeliver the place to the major's Government: But no sooner had his honour the possession of the town but he drew in the said captain Butiers company, some companies of colonel David Guins Regiment, with some other Commanders, and made one Major Guin governor of the place, the poor Major being thus, and after this manner dispossessed of all, and having with much suit obtained leave to repair to Bristol, [where the best part of his debts, and bills than lay indispaire of losing] continued their, and at the Bath a very weak and disconsolate man, until on the first reduction of the whole County of Pembroke, some of the old complying Gentlemen, [made Committees on the reason aforesaid] and most of them indebted unto him began to question his absence, and to make his former yielding up of the town to their ground work of voting him a Malignant, which was attempted long after his descease when as (living) he could not be won by all his lordship's fair inducements, neither overcome by threats, and the subtlties of treaties, nor corrupted with a bribe of 700. l. neither yielded he the town at all until as foresaid he was both wrought upon by the Gentlemen compliers threatened to be hanged at his own door, and a mutiney as aforesaid raised against him by a party in the town, adheering to his Lordship, I have the longer insisted on this particular of the Major of Tinby, in respect of the honour dew to the dead, that he was never in other esteem then that of a Religious & honest man, & one whose Purse was continually and gratis open to all the Gentlemen of his County on all their occasions, as also to show that there are some of the Committees of this County, which are as others have been in other parts of the kingdom, high prohd, imperious and haughty, which necessarily requires, a present refinement, for my own particular I confess that I have seen the man, but never changed word with him, and that we strangers sometimes made our abode in the Town, sometime at Pembroke, Haverford, and at Carmarthin as we thought most convenient for our safeties, being loath to return into our own Country, where we understood that the heat and seat of the war was then most violent, but lead on by I know not what destiny to remain in those parts we came at length to be eye witnesses, and sensible objects, of the most babarous, and wasteful war, that was in the kingdom or could possibly befall a Country so indigent in money and destitute of men and means, whereby an Army might long subsist; general Gerrard, and his ravenous Army the first Summer of their coming into the Country, dividing the spoil of the whole County between them, and to the great in dammaging of no small number of the Inhabitants of the Counties of Cardican and Cormarthin, the Commanders having learned the way, how to make any one in the repute of a rich man, a Round-head at their pleasures, I am bold to avoveh it for truth, that Gerrard, and his Commanders, the first year of their Incursion took not so few as 20000 head of rudder Gattle, nor less than 60000 sheep, besides Swine, Plate, Money, Household stuff, and other plunder out of that one little County. It being all Fish that came to their Nets the Gerrarrds, Russell son to Sir William Ruffell late of the Navy, Egerton Whitly, Price, son to Sir John Price, a late Member of the house, Slawter, Rudde, younger son to Sir Rice Rudde, and Lacie the Player, with divers more, (all excellent Commanders in the dissipline of plunder) wear noted to be the principal purveyors, and Actors in the distraction of the County of Pembroke Gehrard himself, always reserving the cream, and prime Cattle and plunder to his own use.  
But leaving this digression the right course of our Relation, calls us back to the latter end, and period of my Lord of Carberryes Command, we shall now proceed and show that major-general Laughorne (on the surrender of the town of Tinby) with his small retinue, seeing the distress and danger they were in, [Mr. Roger Lort having then fortified his house at Stackepoole, whether for his own defence, or for the King we cannot determine) captain Smith then arriving in the Haven, furnished him with a small proportion of powder and Ammunition and presently departed for the Coast of Ireland, when shortly after came in the admiral Swanly, with two or three lusty Parliament Ships, 
* He avouches that they had not a man more than his own menial servauts, and those only for defence of himself.  his Majesty as aforesaid some what before having sent in two Ships for the assistance of his Lordship, which perceiving what manner of vessels were then arrived, the King's Ships instantly ran under the Fort, whith●r Swanly's greater vessels could not come near them Stackpoole house as aforesaid being fortified, on the back of Pembroke, Trefloyne, and Tinby before it and the Castle of Carew, Garisond, on the North side, and the town wholly surrounded with enemies and strong garrisons; In this perplexity, the Major general on consultation with the admiral Swanly, thought it his first and safest work to take in Stackpoole to which purpose, 
Stackpoole the first siege of the Major general.  and that he might not leave any garrison behind him having a supply of Sea men from Swanly, to the number of 80. or there abouts, fell on the house, which within a few days he took in, and thereupon, to enlarge his quarters, fell presently on Trefloyne, the Mansion of Master 
* Trefloyne the second siege he did not for tifie his house, for it was taken by his Lordship of Carbery, Mr. Bowen himself being at Pembroke.  Thomas Bowen, and within a mile of Tinby, [whither his Lordship was then arrived) and having beleaguered the place and planted one piece of Artillery below the house to impeade the rescues, which he expected his Lordship might and would send out of Tinby, to the relief of the besieged, he battered the place, with another Gun, and continued the assault, from morning to night; captain Martin a vain obscene and talking fellow, commanding the place, seeing no relief to be sent him from his Lordship, within the night grew to capitulation, which was presently agreed on, and that himself and some few more, should have leave to retreat to Tinby, with their horses and arms, the rest of their foot, arms and horse, to remain to the discretion of the Major general, which were 47. very good horse, and about eighty soldiers; his Lordship all the day being on the works, and looking on, never came up to the rescue, though within a mile of the place, and the tide spent at Holloway river, between the house and Tinby, and having more in numbers in the town by much than the assailants; The Major general having thus widened his quarter on both sides of Pembroke, he then undertook, as desperate an enterprise, as ever Commander could have attempted: The Fort, and Pill town [as aforesaid] being sufficiently manned and well fortified, and on the other side of the Haven, 
* The Fort and Pill-Village, his 3d siege.  stored with exceeding good Ordnance, and a great quantity of Powder, and his lordship's head quarters then at Haverford, but 5. miles distant, and on the back of the Fort, notwithstanding the great peril, of passing over the River, [near upon half a League over in breadth and on the enemy's side of the Haven] yet by the help of the ships and boats, he put over two pieces of Ordnance, and having past over his little Army early in the morning his horse not exceeding 80. the foot scarce 400. he planted his two Guns on a high hill over against the Fort, which played over the Pilford into the middle thereof, having before his coming over given order that our demi Cannon planted at Popton, on Pembroke side of the River should also play over the wast of the Haven into the other side of the Fort, all which Guns, did very much annoy the Enemy then lodged in an open, and descending fortress, whilst himself in the head of the Pill-Village, some 20. score above the Fort, placed all his horse in full show and in open view of the Enemy, (then drawn out of Haverford, and within two miles of the place, being 400. Horse at the least, and 1000 foot all in two bodies looking on that poor handful of horse of the Major generals, set there, of purpose to face the enemy, whilst in his own person, he fell in, with 200. Musketeers, on the Village, having within it equal numbers, to those of his own, beat them at an instant out of their works, took, 150. prisoners, and as mavy arms, the rest running down into their Fort, were instantly pursued, and within two hours both places taken, with all their Ordnance, Powder, and Ammunition, together with 300. prisoners more; The enemy's body of horse and foot then commanded by Sir Henry Vaughan (in his lordship's absence) all the day long never advanced to their assistance; but in the close of the evening, retreated to Haverford, in a very great amazement John Barlow, captain of the Fort the two captain's Bradshawes, with lieutenant Paersons, two of them old soldiers were there taken with diverse other Officers, Paersons an old stoutman, at the first entering of the Fort being there mortally wounded was the next day sent to Haverford, where very nobly the Major general gave special order for his cure, but shortly after died of his wounds, the Fort thus taken, the King's ships then lying dry on an ebb tide, and under the command of the Fortas aforesaid, were there also taken by the Major general, their guns with those of the Fort amounting to the number of sixty odd at the least, which plentifully furnished him with store of Artillery, which he then exceedingly wanted. It is very remarkable, what happened the following evening, (through the Punic fear, that then possessed the Enemy: the relation whereof may be of some recreation to the Reader: The night being come on, and the Major general and his men then over-watcht and tired, took up their quarters in the Pill-Village, having sufficiently performed more than they expected they could possibly do in so short a time, and with so weak forces and the enemy, though in Haverford, and within their works fresh and of good numbers, yet extremely timorous, and doubtful that the Major general would that night fall in on the place, and standing on the way toward, the pill, some half a mile distant from the town, they heard a great noise of running and cluttering, under the place where they had taken up their standing, which was no other than the running down of a heard or drove of Cattle, out of the adjoining mountain (being sensible by nature's instinct of the storm that immediately followed) to take shelter under the Walls of an ancient Rudra of buildings standing in the bottom, a little below where the scouts stood sentinel, They being amazed in the night dark, and stormy took the alarm for good, ran into the town, and crying out that the Major general with his whole Army, was at hand: Whereupon in all post hast, they all packed away in the night toward CARMARTHIN, Sir Henry Vaughon in the heat of the fear, in a very uncivil manner taking a long with him Sir Hugh Owins his Prisoner in his stockings, not giving him time to pull on his boots and calling him Traitor, avouching that that disaster befell them, by reason of his noncompliance, the good Lady his Wife not willing so to leave her Husband, could not be persuaded to stay behind but in her night Gown rode all the night behind him, the Enemy having made sure work with their powder had cast it into the River, leaving their Cannon and the town to the discretion of the Major, general, who the day following, entered with his Forces, and quartered in their places.  
That part of the Country being then well cleared of the Enemy, the Major general, (upon some small rest) drew up all the force he could possibly make to the town of Tinby a place finely seated on a Rock, or little premontory environed on two sides with the sea, and on the land side, with very high thick, and impregnable walls, Towers, and platforms; The Major general having the first day of his sitting down, planted a demi-culverin, 2200. yards distant from the North Gate of the Town, with another some what lower but more wide and both on the declining of the Wind-mi●l-hill, over against the town; the first played on the very Gate and entrance thereof, [the rest of the Gates having been before barricadoed and stopped up] the other Gun planted more wide, played both into the Haven, and the town, whilst the Ships being come about from Milford, played all from seaward over the town, without any other annoyance to the besieged; more than the beating down of some of the rooftes of the Inhabitants houses: only the demi-culverin planted at the distance aforesaid, and that played on the Gate, being attended with a very expert Cannon-neere, the 3d. day follwoing made a very forrunate shot, and beat open the Wicket through the Portcullis at which the Major general's Foot, than quartering in the Norton [even up to the Gate] which is a long street or suburb without the Walls; taking the opportunity, desperately ran in & presently possessed themselves of the place the governor Guin being slightly hurt before and in his Chamber, not doubting of any such accident & hearning, that the soldiers were already entered, ran into the Street, and encountering them, was there mortally wounded, with some other of the defendants slain in the place, wherewith himself, colonel David Gwin, captain Butler, captain jews, and Lieutenant Protherow were taken with all the soldiers, to the number of 300. or more, Guin the governor within four days after died of his wounds, and had an honourable interment given him by captain Philip, Bowen, then commanding the town under the governor, captain Thomas Laughorne.  
It is very remarkable, that a place of that strength, and manned with near as many men as those [that had besieged it, should so Miraculously be taken in, so short a time, where 200. good soldiers [the town Victuled] are able to defend it against an Army of 5000. resolute men, yet thus much aught to be ascribed to the Townsmen, that howsoever formerly they stood divided amongst themselves, as terrified with his lordship's continual threats, yet on the emperivos demeanour of Guin the governor, and the insolency of Butler's soldiers, they to late found their error, and four days before the Major generals sitting down sent him word of their good affection, they had to do him any service which might conduce to make him Master of the place, only this Intelligence was subscribed (Tinby) without any particular hands of the Inhabitants, which the Major general calling to mind at the first entry of the town, out of nobleness, and the desire he had to preserve the place from ruin, offered the soldiers 200. l. out of his own purse to forbear the plunder thereof; but such was the greediness of captain Swanlyes' sea men, with some others of Capt. Poyers' company, that he could not pervaile but the town, and many an honest man were without mercy, and respect of more than three or four persons, were generally plundered, and utterly undone.  
The Major general thus miraculously prospering, and his small numbers encouraged with good success, sent his summons to the Castle of Carew four miles distant from Tinby, 
Carew yielded by composition.  where the governor Capt. Edward Loyd, a very busy active and violent man, against the Parliament, surrendered it upon conditions that he and his company might safely retreat to Carmarthin, whereby all the County of Pembroke, was then totally cleared of the Enemy; the Major general after some pause and rest given to his tired Forces then determined, to invade the County of Carmarthin, which had so much indammaged that of Pembroke through their pride, and the contempt they had of so inconsiderable a party, which had opposed the Lord general; And the Summer 1643. being well entered having disposed of his prisoners in the town, and Castle of Pembroke the principals as aforesaid, were colonel David Gwin, Butler, Lews, two of the Bradshaw's, Edwards, and Barlow all captains, the last where of having been Commander of the Pill-fort as aforesaid, on suit of the Major general's wife, [a Gentlewoman of honourable comportment] and on his own protestations, and oaths made to her, that thence forth he could remain a quiet man and a true prisoner, [after some time of close restraint] had the free liberty to walk the town but such was his, and the perfidy of a Church Papist, that shortly after, taking his time, in the night he got over the Walls and for some few days hiding himself at one of his tenants houses, journed directly to Oxford, where with great earnestness, he petitioned the King, that an Army under some more experienced Commander, than his Lordship of Caerbery, might instantly be (sent down as well, to prevent the Major general's incursions into the heart of South-Wales, as also timely to reduce the County of Pembroke to his majesty's obedience, which the King at first absolutely denied, as a suit, that then sorted not with the condition of his majesty's affairs; but Barlow as obstinately perverce, as perfidious, persisted so far in his solicitation of her majesty, as that within a very few days after, It was refolved by a council of war, that an Army should be sent down, and a way to be thought on, how to raise such forces, as might both master and ruin the County of Pembroke, to which command colonel Gerrard, was then designed as general and Commander in chief, and the Earl of Caerbery [then in a Cloud] displaced: Whilst these solicitations of Barlowes, with his confederates were in agitation at Oxford, the Major general, moved from Colby-moore with all the Forces he could possibly make, and marched up to Laherne, an old open town, but a strong Castle slighted somewhat before, by the drawing away of Cap. Butler's company to Tinby, here the Major general, quartered for some few days, whilst he sent a small party to Emblin Castle took it in and then drew off, to Saint clears, 
The skirmish at Carmarvin and the Town taken by storm  six miles short of Carmarthin where attending the coming up of more men, with his ammuition, he then Marched up within two miles of the place, the height of his Army, then strengthened with 160. English, Irish foot, as had somewhat before fled out of Ireland, into Milford, as over poured there by the Rebels, but good soldiers which he entertained, with much alacrity; with these, those of his own, and 80. more, taken in by the Major of Pembroke, out of captain Butler's company taken as before at Tinby with some few sea men, amounting in all near to 600. good foot, and 200. horse at the most, he in countred the enemy, then drawn out of the town, having then within it, 1000 foot at the least, and near upon 400. horse, made up out of the several Counties adjacent, and such as out of love to his Lordship and the desire of gain and purchase to themselves, were come up to join with his honour's forces; the Enemy very soldierlike, had a forehand lined the hedges on the highways, and approaches to the town, with store of musketeers, which the Irish foot, with other seconds, beat from hedge to hedge, firing in a new dexterity, with their matches lighted in their hands, charging the Enemy twice for once. which they performed with much agility, getting still ground on their enemies, and following them home, even to the out works of the town, whilst the horse had also a very hot encounter, Captain Lucas a Sea captain, with some others being there slain on the place of the Majer general's party, but more of the enemy's slain, and many more wounded on both sides, the rest fled, or in terms of more honour rather retreated into the town, the Major general following them close at their heels, came up even to the gate of the entry of the Market place, where for an hour or there abouts he Trea●ed with the Townsmen, concerning the delivery of the place whilst Sir Henry Vaughan and the chief Commanders promising the Townsmen, that they would march out at the East-Gate, and so wheel about and fall on the rear of the Major general's horse all then in one body, in Lammas street, which is without the West gate, and whither all the general's foot were then come up, but nihil dictu facillius, the brave wheelers about, took the safer way of running away, when the general made no more words, but thrust in at the Gate with all his horse and foot, where at his first entry, captain John Powell with some others were dangerously shot out of the windows, and so being fully possessed of the town he therequattered near upon 40. days, paying for all he took, both in the town and all the way of his Quarters in that County, only on conditions between himself and the Townsmen that 1000 l. should be collected amongst them as a benevolence to be given to the soldiers for redeeming the town from plunder, and that in regard that some of his Commanders were shot after they had entered the place, 600. l. there of being only paid, the Generail and his Army spending that some double and treble before they retreated.  
In the mean time the Townsmen for the most part weary of their guests, and some which before were fled when no man thought them harm, and were posted to Oxford, and to the new general to hasten his coming to Carmarthin, where, by lamentable experience, they soon found, and long after felt the difference of their so journers. The Major general shortly thereupon received certain Intelligence of the advance and near approach of the new and surious general, and that he quartered at Brecknock▪ but 34. miles from Carmarthin, who besides the horse which he brought out of England, all the way as he passed the principality he had raised what forces he could possibly make in the Counties of Brecknock, Monmouth, Radnor, Glamorgan, and Carmarthin, enforcing all men of ability to bear arms, and to attend him, and about Midsummer following was come up to La numdovery and Albermarlis, within 16. miles of the town of CARMARTHIN. Hereupon the Major general held the place (with some better fortification) tenable, [as that time would not then give him leave to perfect,] yet in as much as he knew the town and Coun●ry (generally) to be false and rotten hearted as also that should he have resolved to hold the town, [as some are of opinion, and do charge it upon him that he might have done] yet a more weaighty reason prevailed with him, timely to quit the place, for that whilst he should have remained there, Gerrard might match by and strike in between him and the whole Country of Pem. brook, whereby it would necessarily follow, that his own County, the towns and Milford-Haven would all have been exposed to assured loss and ruin, Gerrard's numbers so much overpowering those of his, not then exceeding 800. horse and foot, therefore whatsoever is objected by some of the malicious Committees in prejudice of the Major general's counsels, that he might have stayed in an enemy's Country without quarting on that of Pembroke, and have held the town of Carmarthin in spite of Gerrard, & only by such as are maliciously disposed to detract from his worth, and utterly Ignari Belli yet loud and bold talkers, It was doubtless; a good and well advised resolution timely to look to his own towns & Milford-Haven upon these reasons he retreated to Laherne, where leaving 100 good foot in the Castle, under the Command of captain Jones a resolute soldier, within few days after made a fair retreat into his own County, with all his Cannon and Ammunition, and giving order for the Guard of Tinby, Carew, and Pembroke made his head quarters at Haverford, all which he fortified and manned as well as time, and his small strength would permit whereupon enters the plundering Gen. Gerard into the County of Pem. accompanied with Sir Hen. Vaughan, Sir Francis Lloyd, Sir John Stepney, Mr. Barlow, Major Hugh Butler, Lloyd, Young Rudd, with all the remainder of my Lord of Carberies, Commanders, together with a rakehell company more of plundering captains, which before we have partly listed) taken out of divers of his majesty's quarters, and with this gallant, and plundering Army, consisting of 4000 horse and foot, he continued all the rest of the summer (as being absolute master of the field) wasting, spoiling, and firing all the chief seats, and 
* One thousand houses at least barbarously burnt in the County of Pembroke.  Houses of the Gentry and Committees driving away all the Inhabitants cattle, Sheep Horses, swine, and whatsoever else of value, much whereof was sent into England, and other places of the principality under his command, and not a little sold, spent, and played away at Dice, and in deboshery, and having encamped himself at Wiston, (the mansion house of the Woogans three miles distant from Haverford) never attempted on other, then, then on some small pieces, as Picton Carew and Roch Castles, the seats of Baronet Philips, and Master Walter, the last whereof he caused to be fired, without ever falling on any of the three 
* Haverford, Pembr: and Tinby.  greater towns; but only attending the depopulation and utter destruction of the whole County, till about Bartholomew tied following, wanting provisions for his own quarters, he withdrew his Army backwards, towards Carmaerthin, to the abbey of Whitland aforementioned, where he encamped, and thence summoned the Castle of Laherne which captain Johnes, yielded on conditions to march away, with his men and arms to Tinby, and presently thereupon summoned the Castle of Emblin, which was likewise surrendered unto him, colonel Russell then fortifying his own Castle of Laherne, and his brother colonel Gerrard doing the like at Clogerurane, 4. miles distant each from the other, were both in very short time made tenenable, and very strong pieces, the general then being called to the relief of Monmouth Marched thither with the best of his strength, both of horse and dragoons, leaving the body of his Army at Whitland, (as aforesaid) where about Michaelmas following, having eaten up all these country's provisions, they retreated to their winter quarters to Carmarthin, leaving only behind them those two well fortified pieces, of Laherne, and Clogerurane on the South, with the Castles of Cardican and Emblin on the North side of the County of Pembroke, all newly and well fortified having very soldier like made (as he conceived) all things safe until in the spring following, he might reinvade the Country, take Haverford, Tinby, and Pembroke, and so utterly destroy the whole County.  
The Major general, being for that present, then freed from this rabious Enemy, and having a desolated Country open before him, collects all the forces he could possibly make, and fell in, and upon the town and Castle of Laherne, (much about the beginning of October, 1644.) wherein, Russell as aforesaid commanded and in his march thither, with 100 horse in his own person, with an intent to view this new fortified piece, upon an open heath, a mile short of the place, he was desperately charged, with a party of Horse, commanded by our lieutenant Appleby, 
The hot skirmish on Candauke mountain.  the Major general having a little before laid in Ambuscado the better part of his horse which made Apleby the more bold to charge on a few, having reskews, 
Najor Philips and captain Rowland Woogan with divers others of the Major general's party sorely wounded in this encounter.  straglingly coming up the hill unto him from the Castle, to his relief; The encounter was for the time, hot and fierce, and diverse of both sides shot and wounded, until Apleby, engaged within the Ambuskado, was there slain with 15. more all of russel's Horse troop, and all of them very stout and daring men; the general, beating the rest down into the town, in open sight of the Castle took full view thereof, and retreated to his body quartered then 5. miles behind him, and the next day, being the first Sunday, or 2d of October, came up with his whole Army, and quartered at Lac●durnon, within half a mile of the Castle; The general's Forces being then augmented, with a brigade (a little before arrived at Milford under the command of Colo-Beale and lieutenant colonel Carter designed for Sir Thom. Middleton; with diverse others Voluntaries, as colonel Colmade, colonel Sheffeild lieutenant colonel Alen, captain Alford, captain Deverux, captain Tindall, captain Griffith, captain Stapleton, captain Beale, captain Slowman, with some other Commanders, with the Irish foot, commanded by captain Ades Slawman and captain hugh's all which the Monday and Tuesday following took up their quarters in the town of Laherne, consisting then of Horse and foot near upon 1600 where from the side of the Hill overlooking the Castle green, he planted one Demi-Culverin which played into their forts and out works of the Castle, the rest of his Guns were planted in the adjacent houses, played also into their Forts and Court of Guard, the demi-culverin [for 2. days together, doing little execuction, when on better advice, it was drawn down the hill, and planted in the town gate, not above 100 yards from the drawbridge of the Castle, over which in a spacious room the Eenemies main Guard lodged, and on which the demi-culverin continually played for three days together, and by Saturday night following had made a very wide breach, through and through-both sides of the room over the draw bridge, when the whole rooste fell together, the one half into the Castle green, the other outward filled up, the ditch under the bridge as if of purpose it would make fair entrance for the assailants, when, about midnight the Major general gave order that 400. Musketeers should attempt to enter, which with great resolution they performed before the Defendants could have time to make the Gate defensible, and with the only loss of 8. men, all the time of the siege, which was not above 6. or 7. Days, all their outworks being thus taken, 20. or there abouts slain of the enemy's party, the rest crying out for quarter had it granted, when Russell the governor within the Castle seeing no relief to come unto him from Carmarthin as he expected, yielded the place by ten of the clock upon conditions that he and his Souldlers 160. in number (excepting the prisoners) should have free liberty to Retreat with their arms to Carmarthin leaving their Cannon and pillage to the Major general.  
The other garrison at Clogerverane being the night before ascertained of the breach, and likely hood of the surrender of the Castle of Laeherne by one that had sent in the Intelligence to the governor with advice, how little account the Major general made of taking thereof, and that in time they should think upon their Retreat, about ten of the clock the next morning, set fire to all the outhouses, burned all their winter Provisions, blew up the main house, left their Guns, and in all haste made their retreat by the mountains to Carmarthin distant from the place about ten miles.  
The Major general after some rest, than drew towards the Castle of Cardican, the seat of Sir John jews, where one Major Slawter Commanded as governor of the place, a soldier that stood much on the punctilioes, of honour spoke big, the Major general within 30. days after or thereabout took it in by storm, 
Cardiean Castle the 6. siege taken and rebesieged by Gen. Gerrard.  together with the high talking governor, and lodged him safe at Pembroke, together with captain Thomas Vaughane, and one captain Kemboll an Oxford scholar and learned, but a vehement and obstinate Cavalier, and there left Colonel Rice Powell, governor of the place, when within few days, general Gerrard (unexpected) returns, (Colonel POWELL, being scarce warm in his command,) and being Master both of the town and Country, laid close siege to the Castle, then utterly unprovided of victual, but colonel Powell, resolute to defend the place with 100 good soldiers, fed on such meat as he found therein, at the taking thereof (not above six days before) which was only oaten-neak some few, Hearing, and Water, and with this food, he stood it out full three weeks, notwithstanding all the storms that were daily made on the place. The Enemy having broken down the middle Arch of the great stone bridge, that parts the County of Pembroke from that of Cardican, and having strongly barricadoed the town, in several places, and blocked up all the fords on the great River, that no possible relief could be sent into the Castle, from Pembrookeshire side, yet the Major general continually assaying to relieve him, having taken up his quarters at the bridge end on the other side of the River, and waiting all opportunities to second the governor, could not possibly come over, until that with much labour and diligence, he made his way by beating down of long pools and Trees into the bottom of the River, for the holding in of such materials, as might fill up the Arch, being of great wideness, and 30. foot deep to the bottom at full Sea, and where the tides runs most forsibly at last, and with great difficulty he filled up the Arch with brush Faggots within 12. foot of the top of the bridge, and having aforehand, provided store of Ladders.  
In the dead time of a most tempestuous night, he commanded 300. of his musketeers, with some seamen, which made great scruple to defend the Arch 12. foot down to the one side, and as much in the assent on the enemy's side of the River: Having the evening before, shot in an Arrow into the Castle green, with a little scroll wound about it, signifying that the same night, 
The Seamen loath to go on until the general's foot foot were first gone over.  and at such an hour, he would attempt to come over to his relief; The distance of both armies divided by the River, being much about Carbine shot, the Castle somewhat nearer to the Major general's Quarters and between both: This Arrow falling within the Castle green, was presently taken up by a soldier and brought to the governor, who perceiving the contents of the scroll, with the word, and advise to sally so soon as he found them, to charge the Enemies first barricado; It was happily and punctualy observed on both parties, that no sooner had the Major general, put over his musketeers, and were fallen on the first work next to the bridge, and had beaten the Guards from their defences, and gone to the second, but the governor Powell instantly sallied with most of his foot, and some few picks (the Enemy being then engaged, before and behind, were soon defeated, and within one hour all the town taken, they which escaped, running down, to the Church, where their main guard than lay, with most of their Ammunition, which perceaving how the game went, ran all away leaving all their arms and Ammunition to the discretion of the Major general; two excellent demi-culverin cuts of brass he found in the churchyard, and had not the Horse suddenly rallied, the next morning he would have been Master of all their greater Ordnance which were then at 
* The seat of Master James Philips.  Tregibby a mile from the town where the generals own quarter than was: we may not omit to present this of remarkable Observation, that for nine Orten tides together, the work in the Arch, so filled up, as is truly described) for a passage over of the Major general's soldiers to the governor's relief, stood immovable till the very time that it was finished, notwithstanding the fresh floods by reason of extreme foul weather, were then very strong and forcible, and the tide there running with great violence, insomuch as the Major Gen. at first stood in much doubt that all his labour would prove fruitless, howsoever it pleased the great providence so to Order it, that it only stood to pass over his men; but the next tied carried all the work away, to the admiration of the beholders: Gerrard's Army thus routed, and lessened in the loss of 500 of his best foot, slain and taken in the place, and five hundred more running from him (as weary of the service) eight hundred arms, fifteen of his horse, with some of his best Commanders, either slain or taken, in great displeasure wrote an imperious and threatning Letter from Carmarthin to the Major General, which he slighted with silence, and after many and toylesom marches, and watches in the dead time of a tempestuous Winter, having for twenty days together little better quarter, than hedges and ditches to repose himself and his wearied soldiers, yet loath to lose time, or to give breath to a revengeful and furious Enemy, after some short time of rest, (first revictualled the Castle, and replaced therein Colo. Powell as governor of the place) lay down before Emblin, a little, 
Emblin the 7th siege.  but a very strong place belonging to the Earl of Carb●ry which for 20. days together he closely besieged, the house being very well both fortified, and defended, yet at length came to capitulation; when general Gerrard having for two months together traversed his ground, through many of the King's garrisons and studying revenge, had recruited himself both with good numbers of Horse, and in his return enforcing all South-Wales Generally to rise with him, his new Army, amounting to 1200. Horse, and three thousand foot at the least, came by great and nightly marches within seven miles of Emblin, before the little Army then before it, had any certain intelligence of their approach: The Major general, being somewhat before gone to Haverford for the recruit of his Ammunition, when in the interim, on falls Gerrard, on the besiegers [only seconded with some four troops of wearied horse) which understanding of the enemies near advance, yet they resolutely charged them in the very head of their Army, and upon the first and second charge, put them to the shock, but being so unequally matched, and overpowered with numbers and the main body of the enemy's foot in sight and marching up to the rear of their Horse.  
Those few Troops of the Major general's horse, thought it a vain endeavour any longer to stand them, but shifted for themselves, leaving their foot to the mercy of the insulting Enemy, which notwithstanding stood it out long until overborne with multitudes of the assailants they were for the greater part either slain or taken, those resolute and expeirt soldiers of Ireland being of that routed number.  
Upon this most unfortunate defeat, some of the Committee of the County of Pembroke, (envious of the Major general's achievements, and such as never did or durst draw sword in the Cause,) have not forborn most unworthily tobrand his reputation, maliciously laying the blame of this disaster on him, and only for that he was not present in person, when the defeat was given, it being well knewne that the necessity of a speedy recrewting his Ammunition, enforced his absence, and that ●ll the forces he could then make, could not countervail the afifth part of the enemy's forces, but to proceed; on the news of this unfortunate loss, let the most malicious of his enemies look upon his former & after diligence and what he did on the instant of this loss, when happily some of them would have been to seek what to have done, otherwise then as they did, (take their heels and leave the burden on his shoulders, which never budged nor forsook his charge, and the defence of his Country, let them remember when most of the Committees shifted for themselves, whether at the instant he dispatched not shipping, such as were most fitting for Cardican River) with advice to colonel Powell; with all the expedition he could to embark himself and his soldiers, with all his Ammunition, and to slight the Castle which with celerity & great circumspection was timely performed, and a Commander of worth with his full company and arms all preserved beyond expectation, and before general Gerrard could imagine what might become of him, safely arrived at Milford, and came to the Major general at Pembroke, they may remember if they pleased what a dead li●t was then left on their shoulders, when most of the Gentlemen either fled their Country or stood off at Sea in a safe ship, they alone with a handful of men both stood to the work, and preserved what possibly could be secured, the one be taking himself to the Government o●Tinby, the other of Pembroke wherewith great and insupportable care and diligence, they so ordered the towns, that a royal Army (on six months siege) might very well have spent their pains and lost their labour in attempting on either, as Gerrard himself before Pembroke, during his six weeks' siege found that to be most true.  
The Major general had then in the town near upon 500 good foot, and some 3-Troopes of wearied horse, the place well fortified, but not Victualled for any long siege, though Gerrard conceived that he had then near finished the work, but there was another account to be made with God, and a second rekconning may be expected, that he must make with men, for his horrid and most abominable cruelties.  
Gerrard's endeavour first was then to block up the River that runs up to the town, out of Milford-Haven, To which purpose he attempted to raise a Fort on the entrance of the River, which being made known to the admiral Swanley, he refused to hazard his shipping to come up in the River, when captain John, Bwen accompanied with the vice-admiral, captain John Smith adventured to thrust in to the point of Pennermouth, where, with their Ordinance beating the pioneers from their works they utterly dissapointed the general's design, whether upon made his appreaches, near, and round about most of the town, and after many and divers assaults, had always the worst of the bargain, he having then forcibly drawn to his assistance, two new Regiments of very good foot; all raised in the County of Pembroke▪ where amongst other accidents, this is an infallible testimoney of the Major generals, both valour and Vigillancy▪  
The Enemy one night having a design to burn the Mills standing on the North bridge and a little without the Walls of the town, scanted then of men to supply the largen esse of the works and the Major Gen. unwilling to lessen, & unman the Guards (the Enemy stormingsometimes in 3.4. or 5. places at once) put on a resolution, to hazard his own person, and to pass through the Ports, and over the Bridge, accompanied with Captain Smith; Cap. Bowen, and some other Gentlemen then in the town, where in the dark, they fell on the party that were making their approaches towards the mills & being together by the ears; the Major Gen was laid hold of and disarmed by one of the enemies Commanders, the on tuging the other, each of them striving to make the one or the other their prisoner, when as the party not seconded with fresh men, the Major general fortunately got clear, and recovered over the bridge. Captain Smith, being there most unfortunately slain in the place, captain Bowen, Master Griffeth Lort, with the rest, some of them recovering the ports over the bridge, others adventuring to go through the River with great difficulty, secured themselves within the gate; In the mean time, and during six weeks' siege, with the slaughter of many of the assailants, the news of the loss of the Field at Naseby, came to the knowledge of Gerrard, with command from the King, to come up speedily to his majesty's assistance, who then loathe so to quit his hold, and to raise his siege before the Town, instantly Marched away with about 2000 of his Horse and foot to Rugland; having still the whole County at their devotion, with divers garrisons in the Country, as the Castles of Picton, Carew, Manner-byer, and Lamphy; but on a second and more strict command to march away with the rest of their Army, and to fire the Country, having left behind him, some 1800. horse and foot, under the command of colonel Stradling, as a sufficient power [as he supposed] to master the field, who raising the siege before Pemb. retreated, and quartered at Haverford: intending before his departure utterly to lay wast the whole Country.  
From whence this new Commander Col. Stradling sent out his peremptory mandates, on pain of death) to all Constables of the several hundreds to bring in all sorts of labourer's mowers, and hookmen, throughout the County, to cut down and destroy all such corn, as was not then come to maturity, and to fire the rest then grown ripe and combustible, It being then much about the beginning of August, 1645. when diverse of those sad warrants came to the Major general's hands, by such as fled to the town of Pembroke, and some poor men, loath to be the instruments of their own destruction were called out, and in most barbarous manner harged by straddlings command, The Major general thereupon called a council of war, where it was presently determined that withal the Horse and dragoons, he had then at Pembroke, he should instantly post to Tinby (the way thither lying between the Enemies two garrisons of Carew and Manner-byer) and there to consult with the governor Colo▪ Powell, what was to be done▪ in the case; and being come together, the Major general imparted unto him the tenor of the said warrants, which were no news to him, who the night before received diverse of them, by such as were fled to Tinby, but there it was soon resolved, that both garrisons shou●d join all their Forces, and instantly to take the field, and with what other Forces they could possibly make to give the Enemy battle; wheresoever they could encounter him: To this purpose the rendezvous was appointed at Saint Florence much about the middle way, between Tinby and Carew: This resolution (as I am informed, for we strangers were then all gone out of the Country) was taken about the latter end of July 1645. on a Saturday, and the Monday following; both the Major general, and the governor Powell happily met at the place appointed; where they were informed that a brigade of the enemy's horse were then quartered, at Martell-Twy, about eight miles distant from Saint Florence, he so contrived it, that sending a party of horse and dragoons in the close of the evening; recovered the place before day, and took most of the enemy's horse, with many prisoners, before they could imagine, that he had taken the field, and losing no time, upon Intelligence, that captain Edward Loyd [that mouthy-Malignant railer against the Parliament) then quartered at Burton, on the other side of the River of Milford, he carried the business, with such celerity and secrecy▪ that with great difficulty▪ he transported a party of musketeers, over in the night, which surprised the captain with all his company and Officers in their beds [they not dreaming that the Major general could come over, or was able to take the field;] and immediately thereupon marched away to seek out the Enemy, whereupon those alarm, and the beating up of his quarters in several places, they drew out, with all their strength into the field, doubting (as it seems) of their safety in Haverford (then sufficiently fortified) or that the Major general might have some further design, whereof they could not then make any certain judgement, the River lying between both their Armies, The Enemies on Colby Moor▪ distant 4. miles from Haverford, and the Major generals on the other side unknown to the Enemy, where he would and could quarter otherwhere, then eight or ten miles distant 〈◊〉 from straddlings quarter, in such perplexity of his abode did the Major general keep the doubtful Enemy, when on the Wednesday following▪ the Major being come over with all his little Army, appeared in view of the Enemy, near unto stebadge where that gallant old Gentleman Mr. John Laherne, the Major general's Father was in the evening most unfortunately shot and slain in the place (as mistaken for an Enemy) by one of the generals own Scouts, which was a great disheartening to the Army & disappointment of that night's design, howsoever, the Friday following their rendezvous at St. Florence, the Major general viewing and facing the Enemy all the morning, and observing their numbers of Horse and foot so much to exceed his own, thought it not fit then to hazard his handful of men, not above 300. horse at the most and eight hundred foot, the enemy's horse being full five hundred and near upon double to his of their foot, But drawing away, he found his Men so willing to fight, and to put it to the hazard, and that the Enemy stood at the Gaze and moved not at all, he presently gave order that 160. of his Troopers should charge home on straddlings whole body of horse which they did with such courage, that on the second charge they tottaly routed a●l the enemy's cavelry, and following their good fortune, continued to chase them, six, or eight miles together and until the close of the evening, having slain and taken near upon 100 they retreated to their Major general, whilst in his own person, with his own reserve of horse and foot, he fell on the enemy's Body, where he killed of them on the place 120. and took of the remainder 500 more of them Prisoners, with all their arms, carriages, and Ammunition, the residue both of their horse and foot fled towards Carmarthin, 20. miles distant from the place of the battle. The Major general having thus by God's great blessing obtained so miraculous a Victory, ascribed the glory to him that gave it, and thereupon, took up his quarters at Haverford, where treating with his Prisoners, and understanding in what distress the town of Youghall then stood, he found most of them very willing to go for Ireland, and to renounce the retaking of arms against the Parliament, whereupon, having shipping ready in the Haven, he gave present order for the embarking of 400. of them, to be Landed with all expedition at the town of Youghall, whether it was their good hap timely to arrive to the relief of the place; and where they behaved themselves very manfully, in sallying on the rebels, and beating them out of their works.  
In the mean time the Major general following this Victory, summoned the enemy's Garrisons▪ of Picton, Carew, and Mannerbyer, than the only remainder of Gerrard's great and plundering Army, which by degrees, and within a very short time were all surrendered unto him, and the whole County again totally cleared of the Enemy.  
The Major general then exceedingly tired; yet with as convenient speed as possibly he could drew up again towards Carmarthin, (his own County being then utterly unable to feed an Army) and on the same of his approach, and the Enemy there of greater strength than his, and within a strong and well fortified town yet in Civility were well pleased to dislodge, and to give way to the Major general to enter, at one end of the town, whilst the Enemy Marched out at the other.  
The town, and the whole County of Carmarthin, then weary of the war, and resenting their former forwardness, but especially the insolency of Gerrard & his rapatios followers, [when at first they might have been securely quiet,] submitted themselves, to the Major general's command, who notwithstanding he had before taken the place by storm, never plundered it, nor any part of the County, but only the hundred of 
* The chief sufferers in all the County of Carmarthin were. Mr. Evand Thomas, Mr. Cradock a very dillige●● Preacher, Mr. Tho. White, Mr. Arthur Stafford, Mr. Henry Lloyd, Mr. Gunter; all of the hundred of Durtlesse, and Mr. Richard Vaughan uncle to my Lord of Carberry, Mr. John, and Ed. M●●sell with many more of inferior rank, especially Mr. Grindye, the one Brother barbarously killed in his House by captain Ed. Loyd's soldiers, the other arraigned and condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered by that reverend judge jenkin's.  Durtlesse, a skirt of that County, destinated as it seems] on both sides to utter ruin, as a piece, lying between two dissenting Counties: I am bound by the obligation of truth (which I have assumed without all partiality) to lay down all passages in their naked verity, so near as my own knowledge and other informations may warrant me, and amongst many others here to leave this annimadversion, of special mark; Viz, That general Gerrard was the most insolent and barbarous Commander, that ever was employed in his majesty's service and in both his expeditions into those parts, was accompanied, with more dissolute and plundering captains than were in any of the King's armies, and with as desperate a crew of base and blaspemous soldiers, and thieves than any throughout the Kingdom; The E▪ of Carbery, his kindred▪ allies and followers, which at their first taking up of arms, were so sedulously forward against the Parliament, have all of them very good cause to verify this assertion, Gerrard sparing not, to put on his Lordship, and his kindred all the scorns and insolent language, that could have been imagined to proceed from a Gentleman professing the way of honour; telling Middleton the high-sherriff to his face, [and on no just occasion] and one that was as forward in his majesty's service, as any; God-dam-me, thou art a Turd, and I will hang thee, and such fellows as thou art, at your own doors: In short the Welsh Nation, have had enough and more than their bellies full▪ of their unnatural rising, against their consernatory: yet thus much, we must acknowledge, as an advertisement in the eye, of all men which were acquainted with the passages of those parts, that my L. of Carbery in his own nature, (howsoever sufficiently active himself, as at first set on by the 
* The marquess of Hartford and his brother the L. St. Maure.  Lords, and annimated by others aforementioned) was notwithstanding, a moderate Commander, and though timorous to be reputed a traitor to the King, should he not have complied in the way as he did) as that was, and is the vulgar understanding of the times, and of men, which dived not into the nature of the controversy was doubtless, a private wellwisher, to the cause, and if all be true, as that unworthy fellow 
* 〈…〉  (and the first plunderer in the principality) openly averred, and at Oxford accused his Lordship to have played fast and loose with the King, though there he cleared himself of that imputation) yet in my own particular, I have very good reason to believe that in his heart he wished well to the State, and was well content that the kingdoms forces might prevail.  
We have a little digressed, but we shall now go on in our relations, and show, that so soon as the Major Gene▪ had quieted and settled the County of Carmarthin, with that of Cardican (where only Colo. James Lews, captain Thomas Evans, Mr. James Philips, with some of the Lloyd's (of any considerable qualty and active in the cause) were most cordial, the rest of the gentlemen generally retrograde] The Gentlemen of the Countyof Brecknock; then much desired to associate with him, to which purpose a meeting was appointed at Lanumdovery; where in manifestation of their heartiness, they invited the Major general to quarter part of his Forces within their county, (where Colo. Harbert Price, Geffrey's and diverse others were inveterate enemies to the Parliament, and were constant associates both with his Lordship of Carbery, and the general Gerrard] whereunto the Major general Laherne condescended and shortly after came accompanied with 400. Horse and Foot, and quartered at Brecknock, where, having intelligence, that, that Irish rebel and traitor, Col. Grady, (a Commander, that never gave quarter to any of the Parliament party) then quartered at Pembridge, in the County of Hereford, and near upon 30. mile's distance from Brecknock, he gave present and private Order, that 100 horse and dragoons should in the evening begin to march, and so to compute the design with the time as by the break of the next morning to fall upon Gradyes quarters, which was so well performed, as that the major's men, killed diverse of them in the place, took 60. of the enemy's horse and dissipated the remainder of Gradyes Regiment; upon their return to Brecknock, the Major then presently resolved to march, and [unexpectedly lay down on the uttermost parts of the Countyof Cardican, before Aberrustwith, whither before he had given order, that some Guns of Battery should be sent about unto him by Sea, out of Milford-haven, which being opportunly arrived. he battered the Castle, for certain days, but with little effect, the place being strong, and well fortified, the enemy at his first arrival, leaving the town, retreated all into the Castle, then under the command of Maj. Whitly, one of Ger●●ds prime plunderers, and having received intelligence from Glamor ganshire of the rising of Mr. Carne lately designed high sheriff of that County by the Parliament, and that he held intelligence with the Enemy, and finding that he could do little good either by storm, or battery on the place; and having then received a second intelligence from some well affected gentlemen of Glamon ganshire, of the proceedings of Carne, which had then raised 3000. good horse and foot▪ and apprehending the consequence▪ that he meant to join with Ragland forces, and all the Papists of the County of Monmouth, as also with Sir Jacob Ashley▪ this plot of all others being of a most dangerous Consequence if not in speedily nipped in the bad, and that It manifestly appeared that this Army would in a short time be the most powerful and formidable, of any his Majesty hath had on foot, if considered with all circumstances, both in respect of the Commander in chief, and the men then to be under his conduct, and on a second consideration, that within a few days, they would or might have been in the very heart of the County of Pembroke, and there ready to shake hands with the Irish Army so long expected, and noised, then to be in readiness for transport but taken at the best, and as that Army than was and might have been augmented without the Irish assistance it could not have failed to have reduced the who● County of Pembroke taken the Haven, and all the towns, (Than slenderly manned) together with the reducing of all the principality to the irreparable loss of the State.  
The Welsh Nation, being in the general, a people scarce patient in peace but impatient to be left out of action in times of war, whensoever prosperity, and the name of the King and his authority, shall offer opportunity, and encouragement to their unconstant spirits to turn with the wheel, upon these considerations, the Major general, thought it not then fit to protract time, having first secured his Cannon, and resent them to Sea and leaving his old Camerado colonel Powell to block up Aberastwith with such Companies as might suffice to Master, and keep the Enemy from excursions, he undertook the most difficult march that could have been chosen throughout the kingdom, leading his little Army over as in accessible mountains, [as Hamball did when he passed the Alps into Italy, and through the whole length of the County of Cardican, part of Carmarthin to Brecknock, where, recruiting his forces he Marched through the rest of that county then into Glamorgan, and unto Cardiff, in the very centre of that shire, 60. wel●h miles, all within 5. or 6. days at the most, where, with his wearied forces for three days together he fought with the enemy, kept them from uniting, routed and beat them in all places, and killed of them near upon 1000 stout and resolute soldiers, took many of their horse, 2000 Arms, reduced the whole County, and retooke the strong town of Cardiff, manned with 800. foot not without the loss of most of his own troop, with 130. of his old foot, yet to the utter overthrough and disappointing of the enemy's design (this County, some few private men expected, being totally false to the Parliament,) and as we may justly say, accomplished much, to the admiration of the times. Though now it is this gentleman's ill fate (as it hath ever been of all notable Commanders, to be the subject of detraction, to be envied, and basely traduced, no rational man knows for what cause, neither on what grounds, more than this, that by the hand of the Almighty, he hath been made the happy instrument of doing of that, with little or no considerable assistance; and with a poor handful of men, and through his patience, Industry, vigillancy, indefatigable labour of body, and continual travel of mind for four years together hath accomplished that, which his shameless Enemies scarce ever durst to think on, bu● never to undergo the tenths of the burden, care and toil; which by the Blessing of God, & to the shame of his enemies, with all his traducers, he hath nobly and faithfully performed, both in saving that little County of Pembroke from utter destruction, and to the no small advance of all the kingdom's affairs.  
The premises considered: it is in all humble manner offered to this most honourable Court, that some of the Committees, have borne to high, as conceiving that the whole power of the Parliament rested in their hands (I speak not of all, for some of them have moderately carried themselves others so empeperious▪ as expecting that not only the soldier, but the general himself should, and aught to be wholly ordered by them, esteeming the expense of some small proportion of their Provisions, and eating a little of their grass and grain, an affront done to their Authority, as well as to their persons, not considering that where Armies are on foot, liberty and the sword will bear the sway, private soldiers may happily obey their superior Officers. But to be overawed with more masterly Committees, than their own Commanders seemed, to them, which knew what did belong to the discipline of war, somewhat of a strange nature.  
The difference extending to another kind of consequerce, when the soldier pressing for means were paid in the coin of big looks, and with acerbity of language [do you know where you are, and to whom you speak? do you understand whom a Committee represents? A soft answer appeaseth wrath, good words would have done wonders, and have freed some of them, from unhorsing on the way and to be told to their faces, that if they fought in their defence, during their stay in the County, they expected pay or free quarter, until they came where they might have both on cheaper terms. We are bound impartially to deliver the truth of the most material passages, and are not ignorant, that discipline is the life of an Army, but ill pay and foul language the death of discipline and that soldiers, will live, wheresoever they are not provided for, It is most true, that the Committees being many and of the chief gentry of the country [for the greater part] held themselves; free from quarter, & had the faculty to help themselves, to the prejudice of their poor neighbours, which commonly were charged with more troopers, then came to their shares on equal quarter, whereas, out of mere parsimony, they preserved much of their own store, of corn and other provisions, for the merciless enemies, which had it been timely disposed of, either to their garrisons, on the public Faith, or given freely to the soldier (who then was to fight and defend them as they might have done Gerrard's Army had been to seek of subsistence, and o● much which he took, or fired, when most of the Committees fled to Sea▪ and left all to the futy of the Enemy: we which were strangers▪ and eye-witnesses of these and many other carriages before we left the Country, very well saw, that they might have been otherwise managed, than they were, had not a kind of high and lofty bearing of some of the Committees, together with the private spleen, ●e●eds and factions amongst themselves been the original causes of their present differences the fault of their sufferings by the Enemy, being most injuriously by some of them now laid to the charge of the Major general, we ought not to omit, here to advertise that the little Army, which hitherto, hath been under his command, never exceeded, 1800. horse and foot, sometimes not above 1000 in the beginning not 500 and those made up principally of the yeomanry of that County, and of such gentlemen and volunteers as out of zeal to the Cause, and love to him & his family have faithfully stood to both, whence we affirm that should the General) on every petty irregularity of the soldier) have used severity answerable to the discipline of an Army well paid, he would have missed of many followers and happily failed in the performance of much which by the blessing of God, he hath accomplished▪ I speak not of the common soldier, neither of those which, were under the command of Capt. Poyer, which in the general, were of the very scum of the County of Pembroke, and raised as aforesaid by Captain Butler, both Poyers' foot and horsemen, with Swanley's Seamen, (in the Generalty) were none of the honestest men, and such as more attended plundering without distinction, either of friends or foes, than the public service, we would willingly forbear to remember, what the Committees both in their Articles, and late printed Remonstrance have charged upon him but that truth ought to appear, and that from a poor groom than a Glover, after a searcher in the customs, and at best a constant taker, and sure holder fast of what so ever fish, that came to his net: he behaved himself like another, 
* A most turbalent factious Brewer in Artivill, a great partaker with Edw: the 3d in his march in France, afterwards slain in amutenie.  Jaques de Artivill, not sparing to affront the best Gentlemen of the County▪ and many more his betters, when on the humour and his drinking mood, he would find any occasion to pick a quarrel; I plead not against his many services, neither would; that they should be forgotten, but am humbly bold to advertise that neither some of the Committees ought to bear the sway which they have assumed; no●Iohn Poyer, and his soldiers any longer suffered to rob and plunder as they have done without a Parliament mus-rowle to put on his nose and an good Halter, on such of his soldiers, as have often deserved it▪ Now to the end that this poor distressed and desolated County oh Pembroke, with the adjacent parts thereunto (all miserably destroyed by fire and plunder) may by the blessing of God recover and flourish, as heretofore they have done and the Inhabitants enabled to live in peace and unity, one with the other.  
I have humbly taken leave to extend my advertisements▪ as a conclusion to the rest of my observations, submitting the whole to the wisdom, and censure of this most honourable Court, not expecting to give satisfaction to every humour, concerned in our discourse, as having therein, tied up myself, to the line and level of truth, which as near as possible, either my own knowledge, or others informations could direct me, hath been impartially presented; If in the circumstances; of times, and places, mistakes of numbers or such like, (the substance reserved) some what, either hath been omitted, [happily mistaken] as particulars without the testimony of my own kenning. I ought nor wholly to be charged therewith; since in all doubtful and Ambiguous passages. I have taken pains, and have made means for punctual instructions, and from such persons of worth, as better knew them then a stranger (who nether was there in the very Principia of this horrid war, nor privy to Gerrard's last years' incursion and cruelties into those parts, [otherwise then by inquiry] and could not obtain so exact a delyneation, as I desired, and if their occasions would have permitted, were willing to afford me, which might have more completed the relation.  
It may suffice that my aims, tends to the common good, without either respect of private ends or self interests; whatothers may be, which here attend to make friends, feweds, sides, and parties; and in a malicious sedulity strive to compass particular revenge, under the umbrage of the public service, may be better discerned in their own faces, and comportments, than otherwise drawn in the forms, and porttray of Pen-manship That the Committees [complainants] have suffered much cannot be controverted neither is it a part of the dispute in difference, their losses being included in the Common calamity [my own particular, being of a sadder story, than any of theirs] only in the way of their complaint, it is most evident, that malice and envy, hath shared with the most in their pursuit, and happily may obstruct much of that compensation, which they might have expected to receive from the Parliament, especially in their traducing and blemishing of the Innocent, with the nocent, and those which have merited better things from them then to have dirt cast in their faces; herein i say I must leave them to themselves, as men overballanced in their opinions of their own worth; and since by the power of reason, they have despised to be persuaded, there also i shall leave them to be invaded by the power of their own abounding sense: sure i am that the Committees here residing, have not taken the right way of their own repair; nor for the service of the Country, neither in the manner of their address, nor in the measure of their complaint. I wish them all peace and happiness, with that great blessing of unity amongst themselves, without which neither families can subsist, nor Kingoms stand, otherwise then in a torturing and concussive condition. And since persuasions cannot prevail to atone them, when Almighty God hath sent the devouring and flaming sword amongst them, and yet, it avails nothing, I crave the privilege for the public good, and the present service of the Kingdom, to say that the estates ought to interpose and to take present order therein.  
1. That some speedy course may be thought upon, how to reduce the old feuds, and new factions of the Gentry to unity and Concord amongst themselves, both for the common good and the particuarl advance of the service in those Countries.  
2. That the insolences of John Poyer late Major of Pembroke with his soldiers, may be timely restrained from further plundering their friends instead of their foes, and such of them as are able, compelled to restirution, that so the gentlemen and Inhabitants of the three Counties, especially such as have faithfully stood to the Parliament, may live peaceably in their own homes and without molestation suffered to begin the World a new, on such relics of their estates, as hath been by some few preserved from the fury of the Enemy, and plunder of the Parliament party, which as yet, and until a course be taken therein, they dare not adventure to do or look upon their own homes and distressed Families.  
3. That to that purpose, some severe and exemplaty discipline may be timely enjoined to the chief Commanders, for suppressing the boldness of the soldiers, and of such as are known to be old thieves, and new plundering Robbers.  
4. That the factious Agents here residing, may be sent home into their Countries to assist in this good work and no longer suffered to foment divisions, and under colour of public employment spend on the country's charge.  
5. That the many sufferers throughout the three Counties of Cardican and Carmarthine, but especially that of Pembroke, and those which have constantly stood to public cause may be timely provided for, before they starve, or perish through the extremity of want, whereunto they are now reduced.  
6. That no pretendors to loesses may by favour of friends in Parliament preoccupate the estates, or Fines of any Delinquents within the said Counties, but that in the first place, they may be preserved, for some competent amends to be made to such, as have been destroyed, and their numerous families, utterly left without subsistence and merely for the Parliaments sake.  
7. That some worthy and discreet Commissioners, may be timely deputed to examine particular grievances of all kinds; but principally to inquire of such, as have from little or nothing much enriched themselves, by following of Gerrard's Army, and quarters, and only to make prey on the wellwishers, and partakers with the Parliament, utterly at present unable to come up and to tender their sad estate to the house: There being many of this sort, throughout the 3. Counties, which have made up their fortunes, by designing and pointing out many an honest man 
* Vide, Gerrard's List of such Gentlemen as were by him appointed to be questioned for their lives and estates.  and well willer to the Parliament, to utter destruction; which amongst the greater Delinquents; would soon be found out, as fittest to make part of the restitution to such, as have been only damnified by their procurement.  
That it may please this honourable Court to take notice of the miserable condition of the County of Pembroke; as also of the hundred of Durtlesse in the county of Carmarthin, where the Inhabitants in the general are utterly unable to put a Plow in the ground, it being lamentable to behold, 30. miles together to lie in a manner utterly wast, and here and there two or 3. Cows in harnises, scraping up the earth to cast in a little corn, when 500 good Plows have been heretofore seen in the seed time merrily to till the ground in plenty.  
We shall now in all humbleness period our Animadversions, with our hearty prayers to Almighty God, that as in this monstrous unnatural and sanguinary conflict, he hath heitherto seconded your painful endeavours, and in a most miraculous manner, extended his high hand, throughout the whole progress of this horrid War; It may farther please him (on the prosperity of your armies, and on His majesty's coming in, after so long a range, and fatal deviation, so to conduct your future endeavours as in the first place unity, and Concord between both Nations may be inviolably preserved, and that the general calamity may be timely closed up in a firm and well established Peace, to the glory of God, the honour of the King, and good of the kingdoms; As also that the licentiousness of the times in seditious speakings and looseness of the many disaffected to you and the public, and so long enured to rapine and plunder, may be speedily restrained as in your great providence and wisdoms, shall be thought most expedient either to employ some of them for Ireland, and others of them, (not to be trusted) caused to quit the Kingdom, lest a worse thing happen unto us, and that as opportunity may fall out, they unhappily put you and the kingdoms to an after War, which that it may (by the same powerful arm, (which hath heitherto conducted your counsels) be prevented, shall be the continual prayers of him, who hath born a share, of your care, and to that of his losses, offers both this and himself to yours and the public service.  
FINIS.