A True DECLARATION concerning the surrender of BRIDGEWATER.  
Written by Coll. EDMOND WYNDHAM,  
To vindicate him from some false and scandalous reports, raised by some malicious Adversaries.  
Printed in the Year 1646.   

IT is an old saying, that it is better to be fortunate then wise; I may truly add in what concerns myself, with relation to the scandals that are thrown upon me, by the practice and malice of such as endeavour to traduce my reputation, that it is better to be successful then honest. For the one I am confident would have preserved me in a fair opinion and good esteem amongst all men, whereas the other only continues my credit with those that personally know me; and by that knowledge are confirmed in their belief of my integrity. I did believe that my own innocency had been a sufficient shield to guard and defend me from the malicious reports of my enemies, whose rumours being false, and wanting the basis of truth, for their foundation, I imagined they would quickly vanish and not prejudice my honour; and therefore I contemned and despised them and their authors. But finding that these untrue suggestions, although they have no colour of truth, by the sly and subtle insinuations of my adversaries, have gained credit with some noble personages, whose satisfaction I desire: and also to vindicate my own reputation, lest silence should conclude my guilt, I have thought fit and am persuaded by some friends, to justify myself by this true relation, under my own hand of my behaviour in my command, which I shall maintain with my life, against the scandals and aspersions of all my adversaries. And I am the rather induced hereunto, because I have now nothing left me, but my reputation, which in the cause I have undertaken cannot truly be blemished. And I shall I hope by this Apology, (although it be an inconvenience, that truth and honesty must be enforced thereunto, whilst treachery and falsehood walk openly without check or control) satisfy all ingenuous and honourably disposed persons, that it remains yet spotless. For if I am guilty of any crime, it cannot be less in betraying the trust reposed in me then treachery or cowardice, or both, and I must justify myself that I am guilty of neither, but if my accusers had been more moderate, and had laid to my charge, folly, rashness, or indiscretion, I should have been so modest as not to have justified all my actions: For I should have confessed that soldiery was not originally my profession, and that I might be guilty of some such imperfections. But the scandal of treason is of too venomous a nature to be digested; for it not only destroys me, but dishonours my Family, and stains my Posterity. And therefore to wipe away this blemish, I have put pen to paper, and do here deliver the impartial truth of my proceed, which if any man can contradict, I shall desire no favour in their forbearance. I know well that guilt is of the nature of filthy odours, who by stirring become more unsavoury, but virtue and integrity is of a contrary quality, which by sifting and searching becomes the more pure and refined; and therefore in confidence of my own innocency, I do publish this Declaration, wherein I do challenge all my enemies to detect me, if I be guilty of any miscarriage of so high a nature as is laid to my charge, hoping hereby to make it appear that I am free and clear from those black calumnies and slanders, which malice, envy, and detraction have thrown upon me.  
I confess that according to the dictates of my own conscience and reason, and according unto the obligation I stood engaged unto his Majesty, as well by my common allegiance, as by my more particular duty of personal service, in the beginning of these unhappy differences and divisions of the Kingdom, I engaged myself on his Majesty's party, wherein I have constantly persevered either in acting or suffering until this day; concurring with those of the contrary party, only in hating detestable neutrality. According to my best ability I did diligently execute all such Commissions as I did receive from his Majesty, and in the place of Governor of Bridgewater, did use my utmost endeavour to preserve that Town, and to retain the people in obedience to his Majesty. But I, like other of his Majesty's Commanders, wanted the sinews of War, and was enjoined a hard task, to make brick without straw, to fortify a Town, victual it, levy men, provide arms and ammunition, with all things necessary for the defence thereof, without money to effect it. I acknowledge I had an assignment of contribution, after long solicitation to a fit proportion to do the work; but this was presently anticipated by particular orders of my superior Officers, and by free quarterings, so that very little money could be gathered by my Collectors, but all or the most part was diverted into other channels, especially of late for the maintenance of the new erected Garrisons of Lamport and Burrow. And the Lord goring horse by their free quarter and trenchar money so impoverished the Country, that for the space of six months before the surrender of Bridgewater, I am assured I did not receive three hundred pounds, I believe not two hundred pounds towards the payment of my Garrison, and the furnishing of it with all things necessary for the defence thereof. I did often complain of my wants, both to the Prince's Council, and to the superior Officers of his Majesty's armies, so that my defects were apparently known unto them, yet could have no redress, until the Country was possessed by the Parliaments forces, and then it was too late to make use of those unprofitable grants, which were as difficultly obtained, as if they had been for my proper benefit, and not for his Majesty's use. And yet during those last 6 months, I had my men, ammunition, and victuals, which I had procured by my own expense and credit, commanded out of my Garrison, to supply the army before Taunton, whilst it was under Sir R. Grenvil, and afterward under my Lord Goring, which was promised to be restored, but the performance came too slow. That the Town lay conveniently to be fortified is most apparent, and that with expense it might have been made very strong is most certain, but that it was so by the then made fortifications the contrary is manifest through want of means to effect the same. For almost half the Town which is called Eastover, when Sir Thomas Fairefax came before it, had only a dike cast without any fashioning or turfing of the works, or forming of the flankers, so that although the Graft were a good defence in the outside, yet the inside could hardly be made use of as a convenient brestworke.  
But that which was most to my prejudice, was, that such soldiers as I had raised in that County by my interest, were always commanded away out of my Garrison; so that when the enemy came before the town, I had not above two hundred and fifty of my old soldiers left in the town, besides townsmen, the rest were made up by Pembrokeshire men, taken by my Lord Gerrard in that County, and sent over to recruit Prince rupert's Regiment after the battle of Nazeby, and I had likewise some of Sir John Stawels regiment, and some few soldiers belonging unto Bristol Garrison, which were newly come from Lamport. These came into the town not above three days before the enemy came before it, and the Pembrokeshire men were such, for the most part, as had formerly served the Parliament. They were in number about five hundred, and had the guard of that part of the town, called Eastover, divided from the rest of the town by the river, and were appointed to defend two third parts of that line; the other third part being to be maintained by those of Sir John Stawells regiment, and those Bristol soldier which came from Lamport; so that there was in that part of the town about seven hundred soldiers, I having put more men into it then into the other part of the town, because the line was not perfected, and because Sir Thomas Fairfax with most of his horse and foot lay on that side of the town; Major General Massey keeping guards on the other side, where I had placed those of my own regiment, the townsmen, and some volunteers. Most of these soldiers were upon the guard every night, doing constant duty twelve nights together, and myself was continually with them all that time, visiting one guard or other, all the night.  
Friday, the 11th of July, Sir Thomas Fairfax drew near the town, and that night and Saturday placed several guards within Musket shot of our works, and so continued without advancing further until he stormed the town, which was Monday morning the 21. of July, between one and two of the clock, at which time he brought on two bridges to pass his men over the Graft, which were so narrow, that I believe not above two men could pass over abrest, and one of these bridges sailed in the bringing on, so that if these Pembrokeshire men had been stout and honest, it being their guard that he attempted to force, it is apparent how fruitless his attempt must have proved. I was then in Eastover, and as I conceived, did hear some noise of the enemy's preparation before they came on, and for the more certain discovery thereof, did send out twenty musketeers under the command of a Sergeant, being drawn out of Prince rupert's regiment, who at their return, assured me, that the enemy moved not, yet immediately after that, the enemy came on, and marched with their bridge over Castlefield, where they had no shelter, from our shot, and if our men had not been false, they must needs have done great execution upon them; but these Pembrokeshire men, although they fired very well, did little or no execution on the enemy; for they either shot over their heads when they shot bullets, or else shot nothing but powder, as they themselves confessed after the town was surrendered, upbraiding divers Protestant Officers, calling them Papists, and ask them, whether they believed that they would fight against the Parliament to defend Papist Rogues?  
And yet I am assured, that there was not one Papist that was an Officer within the Garrison. At the same time that the enemy attempted Eastover, I hearing great volleys of shot from the other side of the Town, conceiving that the enemy might enter there, thinking this part secure, because it was so well man'd, having left a reserve of horse and foot on that side of the water, to be ready on all occasions to second those who guarded the line, and to prevent the enemy's assaults, I road with much haste round the line on the other side of the town to encourage the townsmen, and to observe if there were any danger of the enemies entering there; but before I could ride round the line, and return into Eastover again, the Pembrookshire men had laid down their arms, and when I came back, were helping the enemy over the works, and above forty of them entered. Major Michael, who commanded in chief over that Regiment, being shot, was carried off, and I found no Officer there, the reserve of foot, and most of the horse being gone, only I espied at a distance, five or six horse, which were most of them Officers, amongst them were L. Col. Jones, and Cornet Welsh, whom I commanded to join with me, and to endeavour to beat out the enemy that was entered, which they did, and we forced back the enemy to the top of the work, where we could not charge them further, by reason of the steepness of the banks, where the enemy defended themselves with pikes, and our own men mingled with the enemy, and fired upon us, and killed L. Col. Jones, being the next man unto me: I perceiving that it was impossible with horse to beat the enemy from that stand they made on the top of the works, wheeled about my horse, intending to ride to the other side of the line, to command from thence a party of Musketeers to force off the enemy; but when I came to cross the street, I found that by the help of these treacherous villains, the drawbridge was broken down, and the enemy's horse entered into Eastover, so that I found three were then so many of the enemies entered into that part of the town, that it was impossible to beat them thence; whereupon I endeavoured in the best manner I could, to secure the retreat of as many soldiers as might be, out of Eastover, into the other part of the town, beyond the river; but my soldiers being in disorder, and confusion, the enemy coming on so fast, hindered divers that were endeavouring to get over the river, and some were slain, amongst which L. Col. Glanvile was one, who escaped from the enemy at the fight at Lamport, and came into the town, just as Sir Thomas Fairfax came before it. The enemy immediately brought up their Cannon to force the drawbridge, which was the passage over the river, and by the shelter of the houses, came within Pistol-shot thereof, and before the chains were fastened, made some shot through him, and killed and wounded some men, yet we secured the bridge; and notwithstanding all their Canonshot, which played continually upon us, we made two barrocadoes within the bridge, from whence I stirred not, until I saw those works perfected. The enemy that night had raised three other batteries, the one in Castle-field, the other in the way going towards Taunton, and the third, at the end of West-street; these played most part of the day into the town, besides a Morter-piece, which they shot often out of Eastover. After we had finished the works about the bridge, I having discovered where their Cannon lay, which battered us there, I caused the wreathed Gun to be brought down to that side of the town, and to be planted where I conceived it might most annoy the enemy and beat them off from their Cannon, there being a Blind made and no other security for their Gunners, which succeeded accordingly; for hereby we not only beat them from that Gun, but also with this piece we battered Master Harvies house and drove the enemy thence, which was a great safety unto us. The enemy and we lay now only separated by the river, they having houses and mud walls on their side of the river, as useful for the safety of their soldiers, as our works, houses, and mud walls were unto us. Only their walls had thatch of straw for their cover, which we fired, and so made them too warm for them, to make use of them that day. The river was fordable at low water for horse and foot to pass over. I know not what apprehension the enemy had, but that day about four of the clock in the afternoon, they seemed to quit Eastover in some disorder, and drew off their Guns from their battery in Castle Feild, and fired that part of the Town they were possessed off, whereupon we sallied, and seized their Cannon wherewith they battered the drawe-bridge, and we took divers arms they had left behind them, and brought them into the Town, but wanted conveniency to draw off their Cannon, because we had barrowcadoed the bridge. But within a short time the enemy returned, and placed their guards again in Eastover. By this storm we had lost at least six hundred soldiers, all the Welsh being turned to serve the enemy except about forty, which were in the inner Townemost of Sir john Stawells Regiment, and the Bristol soldiers were taken prisoners, so that I had remaining about five hundred soldiers and townsmen, that bore arms, the rest being lost in the storm of Eastover, besides we lost two iron Guns, some ammunition and provision. Notwithstanding this loss I so encouraged those soldiers I had left, telling them that now the traitors were gone, we should be the more secure, having none but such as were faithful remaining, and as we had fewer soldiers, so we had less ground to defend. That night we wrought very hard to line our thin works, and to raise Blinds to prevent the enemy out of Eastover, who might else in divers places command the inside of our Curtains. The next morning being Tuesday about the same hour that the enemy stormed us, the day before, they attempted us again, but with no success, their soldiers not daring to assault our works, but shouting very hard at distance, at length retreated without gaining any advantage, which was a great encouragement to my soldiers, being now confident, that the enemy durst not attempt our works, and that what they did the day before was by intelligence with the Pembrokeshire men.  
That afternoon about two of the clock Sir Thomas Fairefax sent his third and last summons for the surrender of the Town, to which I returned a positive refusal. Immediately after a house was fired towards the west part of the Town, and I going to give order for the quenching thereof, had not stayed long but news was brought that the Town was fired in divers other places, and some boys apprehended who were actors therein, confessing that they had been hired to do it by some of the Pembrokeshire soldiers. A Lieutenant likewise was taken endeavouring as was pretended to fire the Church, conceiving the Magazine had been there: The boy's confession was a certain proof, but the evidence against the Lieutenant was not so clear. A house was likewise fired where the Gunners kept all their case and round shot, and such other ammunition as was prepared for our Ordnance, and likewise most of our match was there consumed, in short the fire grew so great and terrible that the Town seemed all of one flame. Those houses that were fired near the line, made the place too hot and dangerous for any soldiers to abide there: the townsmen all ran off their guards to secure their goods and houses, and drew off with them divers soldiers, by giving them money to assist them therein: So that the lines were generally quitted, the Town likely to be burnt all to ashes, the enemy ready to assault us, and few or none could be gotten to make defence, most of our provision and ammunition burnt and destroyed by the fire: And the most part of the soldiers and people crying out to make conditions; whereupon I called a Council of war, and by the advice of all or far the greater part of the Officers that were there present, I bekeve I may truly say by all of them that were then there, it was thought fit to send unto Sir Thomas Fairfax for conditions, which with much importunity I was persuaded to do, after some of the chief Officers and Soldiers of the Garrison had by the appointment of the Council of war viewed the Town and returned answer that it was not possible to be held.  
All that were then present can bear me witness, with what difficulty I was persuaded to hearken unto conditions, and what industry I used to encourage the soldiers to defend it, but I have been since told by some of good credit, that there were others as solicitous to dissuade them from it, being more studious to preserve their lives then their honours, telling the townsmen and the soldiers, that there was no reason, now that they might have conditions, that they should all sacrifice their lives, to satisfy the rashness of the Governor, who it may be, could not find means to reconcile himself to the Parliament; but for them, their offences were not so great, but that they might make satisfaction, which most of them have since done; and after their coming unto London, were quickly released; by which persuasions, and other discouragements, especially that of the fire, the whole town being probable to be burnt down to the ground, and most of the ammunition and provision being already consumed, there was a necessity of yielding the town, and of accepting such Articles as the General would give us, he having intelligence of our condition, and understanding it as well as ourselves, both soldiers and inhabitants pressing me thereunto, disserting their guards, and applying themselves wholly to extinguish the fire, which now seemed to overspread the whole town. Whereupon it was agreed, that we should draw up Articles such as we intended to yield the town upon, and send them unto the General, which was accordingly done, and Mr. Ellyot sent with them, who immediately returned, with other Articles, subscribed by Sir Thomas Fairfax, which were such as afterward we were enforced to surrender the town upon; by which, both officers and soldiers became prisoners, to which I returned answer by Sir Jo. Helena, and Mr. Ellyot, that we would not accept those conditions, and that unless we might have our liberties, we were resolved to abide the greatest extremity, and so gave order that the parley should break off. And I endeavoured in the mean time, to draw men to the works, for the defence of the town; but whilst I was endevoring to draw men to the line, Mr. Ellyot returned with a positive denial from the General, that he would give no other conditions; whereupon it was unanimously resolved by all the Officers and Gentlemen present, that we should accept those conditions offered by Sir Thomas Fairfax. And I appeal unto all, who were at the meeting and transacting of the treaty, whether, when it was objected by such Officers and Commissioners as were present, that I should be held guilty of all the blood that should be afterwards spilt, if I accepted not the conditions; and whether they did not demand what I would fight for, or what I would defend, for the town would be consumed unto ashes; and whether my answer were not, that I would fight for my liberty, or to have an honourable Sepulture in those ashes, but my persuasions could not prevail with them, for all unanimously pressed me to the yielding up of the town; this is the truth, which I will justify, concerning the delivering up of the town of Bridgewater, wherein I will appeal to all who were there present, whether I did ever absent myself out of apprehension of danger, or did not on all occasions show myself ready to express my duty and my loyalty with the hazard of my life.  
And whereas it hath been objected, that I sold the town, I defy all the world, to prove that ever I held any correspondence or intelligence with the enemy, or ever received any favour or friendship from the Parliament, or their Army; nay, I have been so tender in seeking to the Parliament for any of those things which they ordinarily afford to men in my condition, that I have forborn to sue for them, fearing, that those, who on no probable ground are so bold to scandal me, would easily be induced to misconstrue both our intentions, and interpret civilities disguised corruptions. I confess, after the surrender of the town, I was civilly treated by the General, and some of his Officers, and out of that civility, I am confident they will vindicate me from all these aspersions, if they be required thereunto. I lost all I had in the town, which in goods and householdstuff, I am sure was of a considerable value, not preserving so much as mine, my wives, or children's clothes, which indeed were allowed us by the General, but after taken away by the Committee; and for ready money, the General allowed me to carry out thirty pounds, but truly I had not ten pounds when I left the town, but was enforced to borrow money to bring me to London, for I spent not only what I had allowed from his Majesty, but mine own revenue was employed in that service, as those who kept my accounts can clearly justify, besides what I borrowed and engaged myself, to satisfy for the public service.  
There was never any rational man that was corrupt, but it was for some end or advantage, I am sure I could have none in it, for I lost all that I had in the world, not preserving a pennyworth of any goods; nor had I any conditions for my other estate, which hath been ever since in sequestration. This justification I offer to the view of the world, and do challenge all my adversaries to produce but a single circumstance to make their scandals probable, which if they shall offer any, I shall not doubt, but by the testimony of persons of honour, clearly to convince their malice. All that I shall hereby desire, is, that having in this adventure lost all my estate, I may by the candour of those that read it, be preserved in my reputation, and then, although few begreater sufferers than myself, yet none shall be more contented, because in the whole progress of this business, I did nothing with relation to the trust reposed in me, that awakens my conscience to repentance.  
FINIS.