A full and true Relation Of the great Defeat given to Sir Ralph Hopton By Sir William Waller: Certified by several Letters from Sir William waller's quarters. viz. General Brown. Lieut. Colonel Harrison. Captain Drinkwater. Showing how our Forces March 28. beat the Enemy at a Skirmish, and on Friday March 29. gave them an Overthrow, and utterly routed them. Wherein were slain; The Lord Ruthen, General of the King's Army. The Lord John Brother to the Duke of Lenox. And many more Commanders and Officers of note, and 150. Common Soldiers. Besides which they took from the Enemy, 7. Drakes. Sir Edward Stowell Colonel. Coll. Beards brother in Cheapside. Captain Chidley. Captain Jackson. Captain Seamore, Lieutenant Keto. 3. Ensigns. Thomas Middleton. Francis Constable. james Ducket, Corner. And divers other prisoners of note, And by directions from the States of both Kingdoms, an Order for Thanksgiving for the said Victory, by JOHN WOLLASTON, Mayor. LONDON, Printed by Bernard Alsop, and Andrew Coe, according to Order. 1644. A FULL RELATION OF A GREAT VICTORY Obtained by Sir WILLIAM WALLER, Against Sir RALPH HOPTON: As it was read by severll Ministers in the Pulpit before their Congregations in the ●ity of London. UPON Friday March the 24. last, Sir William waller's forces joined battle with Hoptons' forces, each party being supposed to be about 10000 strong both in horse and foot, the battle lasted from eigt of the clock in the morning till five at night; but about five of the clock the Lord made the enemy's hearts to fail, so that they ran away, the whole Army routed, ours pursuing, and slaying many in the pursuit. Lord General Ruthen, and Lord john brother to the Duke of Lenox are both slain, and about 150 of the common Soldiers, many also are taken prisoners, and most of their Commanders are either wounded, slain, or taken prisoners; with many other considerable persons, who were taken prisoners▪ by our Officers. Not above three of the London Brigade are lost, nor above twenty of the whole Army (as is supposed.) For all which extraordinary mercies, it is earnestly desired by Lieutenant Colonel Harrison of the Yellow Regiment, that all possible praises may be rendered to the Lord of Hosts, the sole worker of all. This Relation is confirmed by several Letters; as from General Browne, Lieutenant Colonel Harrison, and Captain Drinkwater. Taken prisoners the same day: I. Colonel. III. Captains. I. Lieutenant. FOUR ●●llers also taken and VII. Drakes, I. Old Priest. and many others of note, conserning which more is certified in Captain Drink waters Letter following To his loving and dear Wife, Mistress Elizabeth Drinkwater, at the Blev Bore in Friday Street, in London. Sweetheart, YEsterday being Thursday, we skirmisht all day with the Enemy, some being taken on both sides, and some and some few killed: Th●s day we had a sound Battle, it began at eight a Clock in the morning, and lasted until five at night, at which time the enemy betook them to their heels, and are run away to Winchester, and Basin house, as we are informed. Our Horse pursued them, and do still follow the pursuit; we have sent Scouts after them, to know where they are: Sir William Waller and Sir William Balfourd are still in the pursuit; we have killed many, amongst which is one General Ruthen, and the Lord john Brother to the Duke of Lenox, and many more; but as yet I can write no certain number. We have taken a hundred and fifty prisoners, and wounded many; and I do not know of thirty killed of our side. Tell my Brother Robert that Captain Milton is taken prisoner, and carried away; but I hope to morrow he shall be redeemed, if they fly not quite away. After our fight, we followed the Enemy to this Town, where we arrived about ten of the Clock at night, and are going as fast as we can to Winchester after them, and it may be we may have another Battle. I pray God prosper our endeavours, which I doubt not but he will do, he hath been this day and night good unto us, and hath showed himself a gracious Father unto us beyond expectation, and in particular I have seen his power and mercy to me, b●●●g engaged, and almost past hopes to come off alive, but blessed be his name, and I pray God make me ever to praise his name for the same. It was the bravest battle fought on both sides, (by all reports) ever since the wars began, the Armies did consist of about ten thousand apiece, little or no difference, but God was the God of battle who will never forake his just war. News comes in that seven Drakes are taken by our horse in the pursuit, which I hope will hold true, I will write the Relation more fully by the first I can. But Hoptons' forces are quite routed for the present and ran quite away, and we pursuing as I have writ, when we shall return I know not; I pray God send us a merry meeting, fear nothing, but that God that hath preserved me, will bring me safe home, and so until I see you and ever, I leave you to God, and will ever rest, Your ever loving Husband, THOMAS▪ DRINKWATER▪ POSTSCRIPT. There were taken prisoners, Sir Edward Stowell Colonel, Colonel Beard his brother in Cheapside, Captain Chedley, Captain jackson, Captain Edmond, Lieutenant Kite, three Ensigns, Thomas Middletin, Francis Constable, james Ducket Coronet, and divers of note, are taken prisoners. Tell Mistress Gosslee her husband is very well, and so are all my Officers, and all my company, except one of my soldiers wounded. Dated the 29 of March, 1644. By the Mayor. To every Minister within the City of London Liberties, Line of Communication, and Bills of Mortality. THE extraordinary blessing of God upon the forces under the command of Sir William Waller, and Sir William Belford, against the Army led by Sir Ralph Hopton, for the destruction of the Parliament, this city and Kingdom in a battle near Winchester, yesterday being Friday, the 24. of this instant March, which continued from eight of the clock in the morning until night, wherein the enemy was absolutely routed, and pursued many miles with good execution, being signified unto me by the most Honourable Committee of both Kingdoms, requires a more solemn thanksgiving then upon so short warning can be performed, especially considering that this mercy hath been beyond expectation, cast from heaven into our bosoms, so soon after our late fasting and humiliation, after that sad blow about Newark. I do hearty (according to the Order of the said Committee of both Kingdoms) desire and require you, to morrow being the Lord's day, to give notice of this goodness to your Congregation, using your best endeavours to quicken them to the highest pitch of thankfulness to the God of our. Mercies, and to engage their hearts and hands yet further, to help the Lord against the mighty, with their prayers, and all other helps of money, arms, horses, men, or ot●er provisions, for the instant making up or supplying abody of horse and foot, to go out and follow the enemy, to prevent the rallying of his men, or raising of new forces, to do further mischief, that God may give an end to the present Calamities, and restore a stable peace in this afflicted Nation, to the comfort of all God's people in all the Kingdoms. And what God shall move the hearts of men to subscribe and contribute, or what men they shall send out or maintain to this most necessary service, not only myself, but the Committee of the Militia, do make it our joint request, that you, with some others well affected, would set down in writing, and return upon Monday morning next, without fail, to the Committee of the Militia at Guildhall. Dated this 30. of March. 1644. john Wollaston, Mayor. FINIS.