A GLORIOUS VICTORY OBTAINED BY SIR WILLIAM WALLER, and Sir WILLIAM BALFOURE, against the Lord Hoptons' Forces, near Alsford, on Friday last March 29. BEING An exact Relation of the whole manner of the fight, which continued from eight of the Clock the same morning till, six at night, wherein the Lord Hoptons', Forces were routed, with the taking of all their Ordinance and Ammunition, Bag, and Baggage, and his Army, put to flight: The Lord john (brother to the Duke of Lenox) the Earl of Forth, General of his Majesty's foot-forces, the Lord Ruthven, and divers other eminent persons slain. With the names of several Commanders, and Officers of note, which were then taken prisoners. Sent in a Letter from an Intelligent Officer in the Army to his friend in London. with a true Copy of the thanksgiving for the same, appointed to be read in all Churches about London on the Lord's day, March 31. Printed according to Order. April 1. Printed for Thomas Bates, and are to be sold in the Old Bailie, Anno Dom. 1644. A glorious victory obtained by Sir WILLIAM WALLER, and Sir WILLIAM BELFOUR, against the Lord Hoptons' Forces near Alsford, on Friday last, March 29. HAving so fit an opportunity to tender my respects unto you, I should have been very ungreatefull, if I had omitted it, besides the great m●rcy of God in prospering the proceedings, and giving success unto our Armies, could not but be pressing motives to engage me to acquaint yourself and the rest of my good friends (to whom I desire you to show this Letter) of his gracious dealings towards us. On Monday last, March 25. we were drwan forth from a Town called Traford, into a heath appointed by Sir William Waller for the meeting of all his forces, where we appeared a considerable army of above 10000 horse and foot; Major General Brown with the London Regiments were designed to quarter that night at Westmeane, whereupon our Quartermaster advanced thither with a party of horse, beat the enemy out of the Town, took the Officer that commanded the enemy's forces, and some common soldier's prisoners, besides a good booty. On Tuesday, March 26. part of one of our Troops under Captain Bosvile commanded by his Cornet, advanced within half a mile of the ford where the Enemy quartered, and took away two fat Beefs, divers Swine, Calves, and other provisions ready dressed, and carrying to the enemy, with an horse loaded with other provision, and brought them to us. The same day also, five of Sir William Waller's horse which were scouting forth, chased 16 〈◊〉 the enemy, and took three of them prisoners: Such a spiri 〈…〉 fear had the Lord put into the enemy, according to that prom●●● of his, Deut. 28. 7. Wednesday and Thursday nights, we lay 〈◊〉 the open field, about three miles from Alsford, where the ene●● kept a garrison. The day we marched from Westmeane, th●● faced us all the way in our march with a great body of theirs, a● we quartered within a mile of each other on Wednesday night. 〈◊〉 Thursday, March 28. we skirmished all day long with several p●●ties, wherein we slew divers of the enemy, and took some prisoner's This morning, Friday March 29. we drew forth into the fiel● the London Regiments, viz. The white and yellow Regiments w●●● first drawn forth against the enemies forlorn hope, which w●● about eight of the clock, who came off bravely at last, though at first they were put to some straight, and a Captain of our Foroc●● missing; Then Sir William Belfour came in to our aid with fou●e thousand horse about one of the clock in the afternoon: After which the main bodies were engaged, and had a sharp bickering it was a great while doubtful to which side the victory would hap; But at length (through the assistance of the Almighty) o● Forces caused the enemy to retreat, and routed them with small loss on our side. We took in the fight above an hundreth prisoner's, with all their Ordinance, Ammunition, Bag and Baggage (the names of the most eminent whereof I have hereafter expressed besides those which were taken in the chase (whereof I have not yet intelligence) we pursued them, and had the slaughter of them for five or six miles, continuing our pursuit till after six that night, their Body of Foot dispersed four or five several ways, we hope not to be rellied again possibly. We are assured by a Captain of theirs, now in hold, that the Lord john (brother to the Duke of Lonox) is slain, and was carried off in a Coach, and buried here at Alsford: And I hear also by good hands, that the Earl of Forth General of his Majesty's forces w●●● also slain in this encounter; and that not a Captain of the Lord Hoped. forces, but are either taken, wounded, slain, I cannot as yet tell the certain number that are wounded, or were slain, & therefore I will not trouble you with uncertainties, yet I viewed the Field, which was full of dead bodies, besides what most needs be slain in the pursuit, which as yet we have no certain intelligence of: In their flight they set fire on divers houses in Alsford; and intended to have fired the whole Town, had we not prevented them: They cried out as they ran away▪ The kingdom is lost, and the truth is, God was seen most miraculously in the carriage of this action, especially towards the conclusion thereof. Our Commanders carried themselves with an undaunted resolution and courage during the fight, and amongst the rest, our ever honoured General Sir William Waller, and the renowned Major Browne, engaged themselves all the time both with the Horse and foot, using many incuragements to animate the Soldiers. In all the fight we lost not that we know of above twenty men, and I hear Sergeant Major Thomson had his leg shot off, whereof he is not likely to recover, and some 20 prisoners at most, and but few wounded: The Enemy had the greatest strength they could make in the Field, having drawn forth most of their Garrisons from Banbury, Oxford, Wallingford, and Abington, which adds much to the glory of the Victory. We intent to march the morrow morning for Winchester, resolving to clear the way forth with, in pursuit of the enemy. The Lord Hopton himself we hear is fled to Basin house, and the rest is dispersed to Salisbury & other places. Let God alone have all the glory of this, and all others successes which he vouchsafes unto his people against the implacable enemies of his Truth, and let us say with David Blessed be God who hath taught our hands to war, and our fingers to fight, Sir I have nothing else to inform you at present, but rest. Alsford, Friday night. March 29. Yours to command, H. T. A CATALOGVE OF THE PRISONERS taken at the battle, near Alsford on Friday Mar. 29. 1644. Sir Edward Stowell Colonel of Horse and Foot. Colonel Bear, Lieutenant Coll. Kingston. Captain Price. Captain Chidleigh. Captain Blackston. Captain Seymour. Captain Catesby. Ensign Cooper. Lieutenant Kite. Ensign Melos. Ensign Marsh. Ensign Medley. Cornet Constable Cornet Ducket. john Morley Physician, 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 Belfour 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 being the 29 of March instant, which continued from 8 a clock in the morning until night, wherein the enemy was obsolutly routed, and pursued many miles with good execution, being signified unto me by the most Honourable Committee of both kingdoms, requires a more solmne thanksgiving then upon so short warning can be performed; especially consideting that this mercy hath beyond expectation cast in from heaven into our bosoms so soon after a long Fasting and Humiliation, after the sad blow about Newark; I do heartily (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 others, helps of Money, Arms, Horse, men, and other provisions for the instant, making up and supplying of a body of horse and foot to go out and follow the enemy, to prevent the rallying of his men, or raising of new▪ Forc● to do further mischief▪ that God may give a speedy end to the pesent 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 & c●●bute, or what men they shall send out or mentaine, to this most ●●cessary service, not only myself, but the Committee of the Militia do make it your joint request that you, with some others well affected, would set down in writing and return upon Monday morni next without fail, to the Committee of the Militia at Gild-Hal Dated the 30. of March, Anno Dom. 1644. john Walaston, Major. FINIS. A GLORIOUS VICTORY, OBTAINED By Sir WILLIAM WALLER, and Sir WILLIAM BALFOURE, against the Lord Hoptons' forces, near Alsford, on Friday last March 29. BEING An exact Relation of the whole manner of the fight, which continued from eight of the Clock the same morning, till six at night, wherein the Lord Hoptons' forces were routed, with the taking of all their Ordinance and Ammunition, Bag, and Baggage, and his Army put to flight: The Lord john (brother to the Duke of Lenox) the Earl of FORTH, General of his Majesty's foot-forces, the Lord RUTHEN, and dîvers other eminent persons slain. With the names of several Commanders and Officers of note which were then taken prisoners▪ Sent in a Letter from an Intelligent Officer in the Army to his friend in London With a true Copy of the Thanksgiving for the same, appointed to be read in all Churches about LONDON on the Lord's day. MARCH 31. Printed according to Order. April 1. Printed for Thomas Bates, and are to be sold in the Old-Baily. 1644. A glorious Victory obtained by Sir William Waller, and Sir William Belfour, against the Lord Hoptons' forces near Alsford, on Friday last, March 29. HAving so fit an opportunity to tender my respects unto you, I should have been very ungrateful, if I had omitted it, besides the great mercy of God in prospering the proceedings, and giving success unto our Armies, could not but be pressing motives to engage me to acquaint yourself and the rest of my good friends (to whom I desire you to show this Letter) of his gracious dealings towards us. On Monday last, March 25. we were drawn forth from a Town called Traford, into a heath appointed by Sir William Waller for the meeting of all his forces, where we appeared a considerable army of above 10000 horse and foot; Major General Brown with the London Regiments were designed to quarter that night at Westmeane, whereupon our Quartermaster advanced thither with a party of horse, beat the enemy out of the Town, took the Officer that commanded the enemy's forces, and some common soldier's prisoners, besides a good booty. On Tuesday, March 26. part of one of our Troops (under Captain Bosvile) commanded by his Cornet, advanced within half a mile of the ford where the Enemy quartered, and took away 2 fat Beefs, divers Swine, Calves, and other provisions ready dressed, and carrying to the enemy, with a horse loaded with other provision, and brought them to us. The same day also, five of Sir William Waller's horse which were scouting forth, chased 16. of the enemy, and took 3. of them prisoners: such a spirit of fear had the Lord put into the enemy, according to that promise of his, Deut. 28. 7. Wednesday and Thurday nights, we lay in the open field, about 3 miles from Alsford, where the enemy kept a garrison. The day we marched from Westmeane, they faced us all the way in our march with a great body of theirs, and we quartered within a mile of each other on Wednesday night. On Thursday March 28. we skirmished all day long with several parties, wherein we slew divers of the Enemy, and took some Prisoners. This morning Friday March 29. we drew forth into the Field, the London Regiments, viz. the white and yellow Regiments were first drawn forth against the Enemies forlorn hope, which was about 8 of the clock, who came off bravely at last▪ though at first they were put to some straits, and a Captain of our Forces missing; then Sir William Belfour came into our aid with 4000 horse about one of the clock in the afternoon; After which the main Bodies were engaged, & had a sharp Bickering, it was a great while doubtful to which side the Victory would happen; But at length (through the assistance of the Almighty) our Forces caused the Enemy to retreat, and routed them with small loss on our side. We took in the fight above 100 Prisoners, with all their Ordnance, Amm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bag & Baggage (the names of the most Eminent whereof I have hereafter expressed) besides those which were taken in the chase (whereof I have not yet intelligence) we pursued them, ●and had the slaughter of them for 5 or 6 miles, continuing our pursuit till after 6 that night, their Body of Foot dispersed 4 or 5 several ways, we hope not to be rallied again possibly. We are assured by a Captain of theirs now in hold, that the Lord John (Brother to the Duke of Lenox) is slain, and was carried off in a coach, and buried here at Alsford; and I hear also by good hands that the E▪ of Forth General of his Majesty's Forces was also slain in this encounter; and that not a Captain of the L. Hoped. forces but are either taken, wounded, or slain, I cannot as yet tell the certain numb●●that were slain, & therefore I will not trouble you with uncetainties, yet I viewed the Field, which was full of dead bodies, besides what must needs be slain in the pursuit, which as yet we have no certain intelligence of; In their flight they set fire on divers houses in Alsford, and intended to have fired the whole Town, had we not prevented them; They cried out as they ran away, The Kingdom is lost, and the truth is, God was seen most miraculously in the carriage of this action, especially towards the conclusion thereof. Our Commanders carried themselves with an undaunted resolution and courage during the fight, and amongst the rest, our ever honoured General Sir William Waller, and the renowned Major Browne, engaged themselves all the time both with the Horse and Foot, using many encouragements to animate the Soldiers. In all the fight we lost not, that we know of, above twenty men, and I hear Sergeant Major Thomson had his leg shot off, whereof he is not likely to recover, and some 20 prisoners at most, and but few wounded; The Enemy had the greatest strength they could make in the Field, having drawn forth most of their Garrisons from Banbury, Oxford, Wallingford, and Abington, which adds much to the glory of the Victory. We intent to march to morrow morning for Winchester, resolving to clear the way forthwith in pursuit of the enemy. The Lord Hopton himself we hear is fled to Basin house, and the rcst is dispersed to Salisbury & other places. Let God alone have all the glory of this, and all other successes which he vouchsafes unto his people against the implacable enemies of his Truth, and let us say with David, Blessed be God who hath taught our hands to war, and our fingers to fight. Sir, I have nothing else to inform you at present, but rest. Alsford, Friday night. March 29. 1644. Yours to command, H. T. A Catalogue of the Prisoners taken at the Battle near Alsford on Friday March 29. 1644. Sir Edward Stowell Colonel of Horse and Foot. Colonel Beard, Lieutenant Coll. Kingston. Capt. Price. Capt. Chidleigh. Capt. Blackeston. Capt. Seymour. Capt. Catesby. Ensign Cooper. Lieutenant Kite. Ensign Melos. Ensign Marsh. Ensign Medley. Cornet Constable. Cornet Ducket. john Morley Physician. By the Major To every Minister within the City of London, Libertyes, 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 Belfour, 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 29 of March instant, which continued from 8 a 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 in from heaven into our bosoms so soon after a long Fasting and Humiliation, after the sad blow about Newark; I do heartily (according to the order of the s●id 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 thankfu●sse to the God of our Mercies, and to engage their heartsand ●ands yet further, To help the Lord ●gainst the Mighty, with their prayers and all others, helps of Money, Arms, Horse, men, and other provisions for the instant, making up and supplying o 〈…〉 〈…〉 dy of Horse and Foot to go out and follow the the enemy, to prevent the rallying of his men, or raising of new Forces to do further mischief, that God may give a speedy 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 your joint request that you, wi●h some others well affected, would set down in writing, and return upon Monday morning next without fail, to the Committee of the Militia at Guild-Hall. Dated thi● 30. of March, Anno Dom, 1644. John Wollaston, Major. FINIS.