THE SUCCESSES OF OUR Cheshire Forces: As they came related By Sir William Brereton's own Pen, to a Minister of note and eminency in the City.  
In which Victory we may observe;  
1. Courage borne up, against the greatest discouragements.  
2. Though the engagement was fierce, yet the rage of the devourer was far beneath the mercy of our Deliverer, who gave them so great a victory without the loss of a man.  
3. The Victory was received by them, as it ought to be read by us, not without spirits raised high in thankfulness.  
To which is added, Late good news from Lancashire, of the taking of an hundred and forty horse and their riders near Latham House.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Underhill, at the Bible in Woodstreet. 1644.   

The Successes of our Cheshire Forces▪ as they came related by Sir William Brereton's own Pen, to a Minister of note and eminency in the city.  
SIR,  
AS you have been frequent in your addresses to God in our behalf, so you may look upon a wonderful and extraordinary deliverance and victory, as a return of your prayers, for which I desire such return of thanks may be made, as shall be thought fit for so great a mercy, which God gave us upon Monday morning, being August 26th 1644. Upon Saturday evening intelligence came to Namptwich of the enemies passing by us towards the King, and quartering about Whit church, whereof I met with the news at my coming out of Lancashire that day, where I had leave to meet Sir John Meldrum, and the Lancashire Gentlemen: And my Horse were not (since they had the fight at Tarvin) returned hither, but were quartered about Middlewich. Two or three of our Troops came not in, which made the assault the heavier upon the rest; which together with some seven Companies of foot (whereof three or four were of my own Regiment, one of colonel Brookes, and the rest of colonel Duckenfeilds' Regiment) marched out of Namptwich upon Sabbath day in the evening about six of the clock, and came to Malpasse, the next morning about spring of the day, where my troop charged the Enemy three or four times, the other troops which followed, not being able to come up in the narrow lanes.  
The Enemy were judged to be about forty Colours, and betwixt two thousand and three thousand in number: The Commanders thereof being many of them Papists, (for this was the remainder of the Earl of Newcastle's Army sometimes commanded by Goring) did fight and come on very gallantly, but their Leaders never went back again. There was in the Front of my troop divers Officers, who behaved themselves very gallantly, as lieutenant colonel Jones, captain Zanchy, captain Finch, captain Church, lieutenant Burroughs, and divers others. When we came to the top of the hill, they discovered the Enemy to stand in six or seven several bodies, or divisions, in very good order. But before this time we had killed divers of their colonels, and great Officers. It was not thought fit to pursue any further, we having beaten two strong parties of them, and followed them through Malpasse town: Nor was it safe to engage an handful against so great a number; And we could not retreat without apparent danger to have lost all: Therefore it was resolved that we should stand in the mouth of the lane till the foot came up to relieve them, which were commanded by Major Lanchane, and lieutenant colonel Venables, which was accordingly done: But before the foot came up, our Horse were very much spent, having received three or four fresh charges, by several fresh Brigades or Divisions, wherein was neither man, nor one foot of ground lost, but rather gained every charge; And when the foot came up, they performed very good execution; yet were they all in danger to be surrounded by the Enemy, who as they were sufficiently strong, so they wanted not opportunity when God delivered up so many of their Commanders into our hands, which were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, as will appear by the enclosed.  
Their common soldiers upon the loss of so many of their Commanders retreated, and we were not able to pursue them far; But had we had five hundred Horse, we might (by God's blessing) have wholly destroyed this Army; whereof there may be still about two thousand remaining, which with the addition of Sir William Vaughan's Regiment, and colonel Trevers, and the remainder of the Prince's Regiment of Horse, they cannot be but above three thousand strong. They were then upon their march towards Shrewsbury, and so to the King; but fled back towards Chester; where they could not be admitted, but were looked upon very scornfully, because they were beaten back with so inconsiderable a number, which they exceeded above ten to one.  
The enemy being still an overmatch for us, it is not improbable they may force their passage to join with the King's Army; therefore it were much to be desired that what horse and foot is intended us might be sped unto these parts. It is uncertain where the Prince is, but some say he is gone towards Shrewsbury, some say towards the King, but it is not known to very many in Chester. lieutenant Colonel Jones, Captain Zanchy, Captain Finch, Captain Church, and others, showed much courage and resolution, in standing so valiantly, not shrinking a foot at several charges by the enemy, which did so much amaze the enemy, as that some of them swore; They were Devils and not men. Hereof I desire God may have the glory: I have no more to add, but with my respects to you, desiring the continuance of your prayers, subscribe myself  
Your assured friend, Will: Brereton.   

The Postscript.  
BY Letters from Colonel Haughton I am informed, that the Lancashire horse are drawn near to Leverpool, and have blocked up the town by land, as our Ships have done by Sea; and that they have lately taken a party of horse out of the town, whence there come divers, both horse and footmen, to submit themselves; and it is hoped before long, the town may be gained, and the sooner, were it not (as is conceived) that the English and townsmen were overruled by the Irish soldiers.   


A List of prisoners taken by the Cheshire Forces for the Parliament at Malpass, Aug. 26. 1644.  
I. MAjor Cromwell, who commanded as Major to the Duke of Yorks Regiment of horse.  
II. Major Maxie, Major of Sr. Charles Lucas his Regiment, of which Regiment there is no field Commander left; Sir Charles himself (who was lieutenant general to the Prince) being taken at York, and his lieutenant Colonel also.  
III. Major Cranthorn of Col. Foriers Regiment (formerly Claverings' Regiment) who contended to be lieutenant Colonel of that Regiment, and lead up the same as Major.  
IV. Captain Thomas Clavering, brother to Colonel Clavering of the North, who is dead at Kendal.  
V. Captain Barker, and lieutenant Mountan, with some other inferior Officers, and about twenty common soldiers. The two Majors and the lieutenant are dangerously wounded.   

At the same time there were slain Col. Conyers, Col. Baynes, Major Heskitch, and 'tis said three other Majors, and other Officers about forty: others say an hundred slain more. Sir Marmaduke Langdale, as is reported by a Trumpeter, (whom he sent to Mr. Brereton for a List of prisoners) is wounded in the back, so is Captain Harris, and both lie wounded at Chester; but on our part we lost not one man, neither taken nor killed, nor any dangerously wounded. Lieutenant Col. Jones, (who behaved himself most gallantly) being shot in the thigh, but I hope but slightly, and some other Officers and soldiers of Sir William Brereton's own troop (Woe were in the van) very slightly wounded.  
August 29. By intelligence from Chester, we are informed, that there is one Major and one Captain dead and yet unburied.  
By Letters newly come out of Lancashire, from, and to persons of quality, it is certified, that our forces being to pass by Latham House, and Ambuscado of horse was placed near the said House, and being discovered by the shooting off of a pistol, our men encompassed them, and took an hundred and forty horse and their riders; and that Leverpoole is besieged by Sea and by Land.   
FINIS.