Sir Thomas Fairfax's LETTER To the honourable, William Lenthall Esq Speaker of the House of COMMONS; OF All the Particulars concerning the taking of BRIDGEWATER. Together with A List of the Persons of quality, and Prisoners taken in the Fight and Town. ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Letter be forthwith printed and published: H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. London, Printed for Edw. Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons, July 28. 1645. To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons. Mr. Speaker, I Dipatched hence Letters yesterday to the Committee of both Kingdoms, which gave some account of God's Blessing upon our endeavours, in the Storm of Bridgewater: On Monday morning last, we gained that part of the Town which lies on this side the River, and therein above 600. prisoners, divers Officers of quality, and two piece of Ordinance: The Enemy fired that part of the Town, wherein we were immediately, after our entrance, which continuing all that day, and the next night, burned down all the houses, except two or three; Yesterday, perceiving an obstinate resolution in the Enemy not to yield the Town, I was forced to use those extremities for the Reducing of it, which brought them immediately to a Parley, and in short to yield the Town, upon no other terms then bare Quarter: We entered the Town this day, finding great store of arms and Ammunition, thirty eight piece of Ordnance, above one thousand Prisoners, and amongst them, divers persons of great quality, as you will perceive by the List enclosed. I have not much time to spend here, and therefore did immediately dispose the Command of it for the present, to Col: Birche, as governor, wherein I doubt not of your Approbation: And I believe the Commissioners of the Army will offer something further concerning him, for the future settlement of the place: He is a Gentleman of known worth and integrity, and his Regiment at present with Major general Massey, and I believe, will with God's blessing, give you a good account of it: There was found in the Town, a Commission from Prince Charles, to one Philips a Gentleman of this County, to raise a Regiment of Club-men (which I have sent by Mr. Peter's.) I am very desirous to give some encouragement to the Army for their many services, and especially for their honest and sober demeanour this day towards the Prisoners and Town, in refraining that violence and injury, which hath oftentimes brought dishonour upon most of the Armies in this Kingdom, which may be an encouragement to them in the like for the future: I make no doubt but you will be well satisfied in what I shall do, and I assure you, it shall be with as little burden to the State as may be: I beseech you, Sir, take into your consideration the necessities of the Army for a speedy supply of money, clothes, and other Provisions, wherewith this Bearer Master Peter's will more particularly acquaint you; who can likewise inform you more largely in all particulars of this late Action, than I can now write, I remain Your most Humble Servant THO: FAIRFAX. July 23. 1645. eight at night. A List of the Prisoners and Persons taken at the Storming of Bridgewater by Sir Tho: Fairfax. Hostages for the delivering up the Town, Sir John Heal, Sir Hugh Windham, Master Waldron, Master War, Master Speak, Major Sydenham. Tho: Elliot, Agent. AND Coll. Winham, Governor. Coll. Robert Phillips. colonel Dyer, of Horse. Col. Chester. Lieut. colonel Cooper. Lieut. colonel Overton. Lieut. Col. Pitman Lieut. Col. Miller. Lieut. Col. Moon. Major Sydenham. Major Buskin. Captains, Capt. Atkin. Winter. Foulks. Tilsdey. Boyse. Vine. Clapton. Harvey. Read. Bessey. Culam. Clarke. Nash. Richard Brag. John Brag. For Horse. Raleigh. Wyat. Littleton. Roberts. Hilliard. Bryan. Jervoys. Fry. Pyam. Philip's. Consul. Pitman. Diamond. Lieutenants, Stoughton. Bond.. Hamond. Caymond. Nowell. Martin. Johnson. Greenwood. Kelsey. Cowley. Barkin. Barnet. Lane. Powell, Johnson. Hauham. Cornets, White. Clarke. Pet. Haynes. Read. Chalk. Ensigns. Bissey. Allen. Morgan. Wake. perfect. Tuenie. Fouke. Sheare. Shepherd. Leyton. Bincham. Griffin. Stamp. Joanes'. Bettison. Edward's. Huggen. Belchar. Nutlen. Willis. Highgate. Quarter-masters, Yokney. Bell. Marlowe. Fellow. Colling-bridge. Esmond. Gasse. Commissaries, Holman. Muston, Senior. Muston, junior. Calmer. Warman. Mordant Spring, Engineer and his man. Physicians, Doctor Web. Apothecary, Tho: Clergy. chirurgeons, Henry Dyer. Dodsworth. Gerrard, chirurgeon to Prince Rupert, and his Mate. Lashoosey, a Frenchman. Priests, Doctor Raleigh Dean of Wells. Lacie Priest to Prince Rupert. Greenfield. Capt. Duton, a Dean. Brag. Fane. Stockman. Butler. Glover. Sydenham. Holmes. Powell, and others. Gentlemen, Sir Edw. Savage. Master Mallet. Master Walrond. Coningsby. Sydenham. Phil: Sydenham. Wil: Sydenham. Geo: Raleigh. Hen: Raleigh. Clergy. Ketney. Read. Tho: Hopkins. Brinsby, Greenwood. Web. Sterney. Steyman. Smith. Andrews. Knight. Nich. Hollis. Hall. Prat. Collier. Edward's. Boniface a french man. Seaman. Sandford. Rayman. Bruinsweed. Dower. Marston. Hopkins. Foster. Francis. Other Officers too many to name, and there were about 1500. soldiers, besides 700. this day taken. Sir John Digby died in the Town two days before the storm; Sir William Courtney shot in both thighs, and conveyed out; women and children went forth the Town: Sir Arthur Ashton taken at Sea, the Colours are gathering up, though most burnt. Ammunition, forty two pieces of Ordnance, thirty Barrels of Powder, great store of muskets, &c. Iulii 26. 1645. ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, That this Letter concerning the taking of Bridgewater be forthwith Printed and Published. H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.