THE BEGINNING OF CIVIL-WARRES IN ENGLAND OR, A Skirmish between the Lord Strange, and the Inhabitants of Manchester in Lancashire, July 4. With the Number of the men that were slain and wounded ou both sides, and a Catalogue of the Officers that were in this Skirmish.  
The occasion whereof was through the Lord Stranges Resolution to take away their Magazine by force, having received many forces from York.  
Likewise a Letter which the Lord Strange sent to the Gentry of Manchester July 5. with their Answer to the said Letter, Together with the Parliaments Declaration and Order concerning the aforesaid Lord.  

Ordered that this be Printed and published.  
Hen. Elsing. Cler. Parl, D. Com.   
LONDON: Printed for J. TOMPSON, July 9 1642.   

TERRIBLE news FROM THE NORTH:  
THe Malignant Party of this kingdom hath for a long time continued in their wicked and damnable Designs; insomuch, that their impudency is grown to such a height, that they are not ashamed to make their intentions publicly known to the whole world, as may appear by this ensuing Relation.  
Upon the 4. day of this instant month of July, 1642. the Lord Strange came from York, and approached near the Town of Manchester with a great number of Armed men, and coming near the Town he sent to the Inhabitants thereof to know their minds whether they would agree to the Proposition which he had sent them two or three days before, for the restoring of the Magazine which were in that Town to his own● Custody, threatening them, that if they would not, he would send such a Messenger that should make them yield, and bring them to due subjection.  
The Inhabitants having received this Message, they resolved to send this Answer unto him, which they did accordingly, that for the Magazine which was in that Town, they would not restore it to him, it being the only safeguard and defence they had.  
And they likewise Declared, that if his Lordship did take any other course to seize upon it violently, they would lose their dearest lives in defence thereof, by reason the Country was in such a great distraction and perplexity, that they did not know how soon they might be dispossessed of all they had, if so be they had not Arms to defend themselves withal. The Lord Strange having received this Answer, and hearing what their Resolution and Intention were, he was much perplexed in mind, drawing all his Forces together, he marched against the said town of Manchester, and shot off 3▪ or 4▪ Muskets against them, but the Inhabitants seeing that he were come, and that he were resolved to take the Magazine away by force, understanding his full intention by the Messengers which came from him, they resolved every man to fight it out.  
Whereupon each man stood upon His own guard, and about 9 of the clock in the morning on the 5. day of this present month, the Lord Strange came with his forces against the town, and would have entered, but that they kept him out by force, but Captain Smith being in the Front, gave a fierce siring against the Inhabitants of Manchester▪ but was answered with most puissant courage again, and slew two of the Lords men.  
Whereupon a great and furious skirmish did ensue; The Lord Strange having besieged the Town, he began to give battle against them, but the Inhabitants being true within themselves, ordered the business so well, that they drew out, ten small Companies, and set them in a fair Battalion against them, answering each other very furiously at the first: but after some two or three hours' skirmish, there was seven more of the Lord Stranges men slain, and two of the Inhabitants of Manchester, only one Master Band was shot in the thigh.  
After they had ceased two or three hours, they began again, each Company striving for the day, and after the space of two hours, they ended the battle with the Sun of the day, the Lord Strange withdrawing his forces about two miles from Manchester, having lost as is justly supposed 27. men, of the other side, 11. Captain Band is very well recovered again praised be God.  
We expect d●i●y when the L. Strange will visit us again, but I hope the Lord will enable us against his coming.  
They give out many threatning speeches against us, and it is thought here, that he hath sent for many more Forces towards York.  
The Lord Rivers gives out many scandalous speeches against us, and striveth by all means he possible can, to set the whole Country against us.  
This is the beginning of civil war, being the first stroke that hath been struck, and the first Bullet that hath been shot, but GOD knows when the ending will be, or when the troubles of this kingdom will grow to a period.  
Many thousands I doubt will lose their lives before that this kingdom be settled in peace and untity, as it hath been formerly, for no man knoweth the Cruelt● of war, but those that have felt and tried it for when that time cometh, many Child will be left fatherless, and many a poor wife husbandless.  
But God of his great mercy, stop the sword from going any further, and as it is but a little way drawn, so Lord I beseech thee sheathe it again, before that it be drawn any further, that so by that means the Walls of Zion may not be beaten down nor destroyed.  
It is ordered, that the Lord Strange be required to deliver that part of the Magazine of the County of Lancaster into the hands of the Deputy Lieuten●nts.  
Ordered that this be printed and published. John Brown Cler. Parl.  
FINIS.