TWO LETTERS SENT To the Honoble William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the honourable House of Commons.  
The one, concerning the great VICTORY Obtained at Cardiff by the Parliaments Forces under the Command of Major General LAUGHORN: Wherein were slain about Two hundred and fifty, Eight hundred taken Prisoners, whereof two Lieut: Colonels, two Majors, ten Captains, ten Lieutenants, divers Ensigns, with other inferior Officers.  
To 〈…〉 her, concerning Sir Tho: Fairfax's march into Cornwall.  
ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That these Letters be forthwith printed and published: H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
London, Printed for Edw. Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons, and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Golden Dragon in Fleetstreet, near the Inner-Temple. March 2. 1645.   

To the Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the honourable House of Commons.  
Mr. Speaker,  
TO satisfy the Country, and hoping good effect, I drew my Guns before Aberistwith Castle, and spent Two hundred shot to assay a Battery; but finding the place so impregnable, and the Governor so obstinate, no indifferent conditions would satisfy him: during my engagement there, I received several invitations from the chief Gentry of Glamorganshire, to desire my assistance against the Ragland Forces, who (as they pretended) daily threatened the invasion of their Country; but perceiving their fear greater than the danger, (if they were unanimously resolved to defend themselves) I delayed my motion, expecting further Intelligence, and what the issue would be: within few days after I had News brought me of the revolt of the High Sheriff, and many other Gentry that formerly invited me into these parts (as you shall find by their Letter enclosed) calling a general Muster of the Country under colour of putting themselves in a posture of Defence, and thereby endeavoured the surprisal of the governor of Cardiff, and the rest of the Gentry who would not comply with their Malignancy. The Colonel General and some of the Gentry were taken, the rest made their escape by the swiftness of their horses to the Town; whereupon they presently laid Siege to it, publishing a Declaration which so fooled the people, that they were resolved to venture their ruin in the prosecution thereof. Resenting the dangerous consequence this Faction might grow too, if not croped in the bud, the welfare or ruin of all South-wales depending thereon. I presently drew off my Guns from Aberistwith, leaving Colonel Powel to block it up, who since my departure surprised their boat, a Captain, and fifteen soldiers; marching directly away for the Relief of Cardiff, where before I could possibly come, the forces of Ragland were joined with Carn and the rest, the Town taken, and the governor betaken himself to the Castle; whereupon I made my approach towards the Castle, lest want of victual or some other necessary might enforce Surrender; & coming within a mile thereof, I found the enemy upon a heath prepared for fight: drawing up my men I presently charged them; so God blessing our endeavours, Routed and dispersed them all, pursuing the Rout towards Ragland six miles beyond Cardiff, their Foot were all killed and taken, and about forty of then Horse. My men eager of the Victory, after their receipt into the Castle, made a sally too soon, before my Horse could be brought about (by reason of the passages) to second them; so that being overpowered with a body of Horse that was in the Town, there was taken my Brother which was my Lieutenant Colonel, and some few of the soldiers, the rest making their Retreat good to the Castle; drawing off my wearied Forces for that night to their Quarters within a mile of the Town, thereby to cut off all access of Provision. I was next day plied with continual Alarms of the gathering a Malignant party to a head in the country, and that they had made good a passage within two miles of the Town, resolving to relieve their distressed Friends. While I was busied with this Alarm, the next day and night strengthening my Guards, and having a special eye to the issue, the Governor of the Castle, and the Committee in the interim fell to a Parley with those in the Town, and Articles of Agreement were drawn between them, which when brought to me to desire my Subscribal, I condescended to as much as concerned myself and my soldiers, as not privy to the draught till the conclusion. But Carn and his compliants making breach of the Agreement, gave us occasion to do that which we much desired, considering the ill consequence if they had come to join with the other party. Being demanded their reason of the breach of Articles, answered, They would justify it with their lives; and thereupon fell to fire on our men, which was quickly answered; for as soon as they received orders to fall upon them, they did it with that cheerfulness that they totally Routed them, following the chase for seven miles. There were killed of the Enemy in both Actions, about Two hundred and fifty, and Eight hundred taken Prisoners, whereof two Lieut. Colonels, two Majors, ten Captains, ten Lieutenants, and divers Ensigns, and other inferior Officers. By the next express I shall humbly present a a more full Relation of each particular. I have sent copies of the Declaration and Propositions, and their answers; as also of the Occurrences, as they ensue in order to the Service of the State, you shall not fail to be certified of by him who is,  
Cardiff, Feb. 21. 1645. Your most obliged humble Servant ROWLAND LAUGHORN.   

To the Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons.  
SIR,  
THe marching with the Army into Cornwall, being a matter of great importance, much being to be said against it, as well as for it, and notwithstanding great inclination was to march to Cornwall; yet yesterday the General had a full council of war, of all the field Officers that could well be dispensed with from their charge, where the business was throughly debated; and after some time spent came to this resolution, That in their judgements it was advisable to march into Cornwall before any attempt be made on Barnstable or Exeter: To this Vote there was not one negative voice, so that I hope in the Lord as there is unity in our counsels, so we shall find the fruit of it in our actions, and by the blessing of God settle that County of Cornwall in a posture to serve you, and to oppose the landing of any foreign Nation, and also break the remaining field force of the enemies: To morrow part of the Army marches towards Cornwall, the rest comes up on Tuesday, there being a thousand horse, and five Companies of foot left to block up Barnstable: And Major Harris who is made Liev. Colonel to Col. Trevilian, is raising a Regiment in these parts of Devonshire to assist in the more close blocking up of that place. Exeter this while is drawing its last breath, and I hope when we return neither place shall have that to stick with them, which hitherto has done (point of honour) upon this ground, that there was a probable sign of relief, otherwise their inclinations are much to save themselves.  
This day (as indeed every day) there came some from the enemy, who inform they are about to draw off from Stratton, and all the passes upon the River, having burnt down and broken the Bridges: That they were drawing off from Salt-ash; That most of their horse were near twenty miles in Cornwall; That Hopton cannot get his foot together, neither will the Trainedbands rise, that their fear is great the Army will pursue them. The other day being the Market day, Master Peter's preached unto the Country people and soldiers in Torrington, (the Church being blown up) he was forced to preach out of a Belcony, where the audience was great; he made a great impression upon the hearts of the people: He is sent to Plymouth to offer things to consideration there in order to our marching into Cornwall, and to get all the Cornish Gentlemen to meet the General in Cornwall, to give their assistance in the better settling of that County: And I beseech you hasten such of power and interest in those parts that are above at London: And likewise for Devonshire, for I doubt the want of active Gentlemen to appear to settle the Militia of this County, will make the work to be done, when the Army is drawn back, which will not be for your and their service. It is certain the Lord Hopton received a wound in the side of his head with a pike, some say he is wounded elsewhere; we took one of their spies coming into our quarters for intelligence, and that he might be the better credited by the person to whom he was sent; he was to produce a silver Meddal with the King's Picture, which we took from him, and having committed him to custody, sent one of our spies to the party (with that Meddal) who gave credit to the bearer, and informed the good condition of our Army, the desperate condition of theirs, by the defeat given them at Torrington; and that they had no way left but to fly to the furthest part of Cornwall: all the Country hereabouts are spread with their horse and foot, that ran away in the dark that night, and are lurking hereabouts; there are very many both horse and foot come in unto us, and take up Arms, and divers others desire passes to go into their own Countries, which they have granted accordingly: All the Cornish that were common soldiers are set at liberty, and had two shilling a piece given them to carry them home, which we hope will work the same effect, that an action of the like nature did at the taking of Dartmouth, for, as Major Hooper who was taken prisoner at Dartmonth, and sent upon his parole to Cornwall, reported at his return, that the overthrow given to Hopton at Torrington, did not so much move the Cornish with the fear of this Army, as their carriage in the sending home of those Cornish in that civil manner did prevail with them; who when they came into the Country, being required to take up Arms, refused the same, and were committed to Goal, and now lie in prison for the same; the Country being much affected at their hard usage, and our gentle carriage; for indeed the Cornish were made to believe, and some by reason of their cruel carriage to our forces, when they were in Cornwall out of guilt did believe, that nothing but destruction was intended to them: There was directions given by the General to all the field. Officers at the council of war, that they should give a command to the several Regiments of horse and foot, that they do in no kind offer any violence to the Cornish nor do any prejudice unto them in their persons or goods: I make no doubt the Officers will be very careful to do their duties, though (truly) I doubt the soldier (especially those that were there formerly stripped) will hardly overcome a passionate remembrace of the same: The Commissioners of Parliament are sent into the several Counties to pay the recruits, and to hasten them to the Army; but the four thousand pound sent down hither for that purpose, we are enforced to take into Cornwall with us, and have assigned them to take up moneys in ready cash at Bristol and Taunton; We march with a very fine Army both of horse and foot into Cornwall, and great care is taken for an orderly and soldierlike march, and carriage of our affairs in this expedition. The General and Lieutenant General being much intent upon it: I rest  
Torrington, Feb. 22. 1645. 10 at night. Your most humble Servant. JOH. RUSHWORTH.  
FINIS.