A MORE PARTICULAR AND EXACT RELATION OF The Victory obtained by the Parliaments Forces under the Command of Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX. WHEREIN Divers things very considerable are mentioned, which before are omitted in the several Relations formerly published. Being two Letters, the one written by G. B. a Gentleman in the Army, unto Lieutenant Colonel Roe▪ Scoutmaster General for the City of LONDON. The other by Colonel Okey to a Citizen of LONDON. With the true Copy of a Letter of the regaining of Leicester. June 19th LONDON, Printed by Richard Cotes, 1645. A more particular and exact Relation of the Victory obtained by the Parliaments Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax. SIR, YOu have heard at large I believe of the good success God hath given unto us; how he hath raised us out of our graves, and caused our dead hopes to live again, by that fearful overthrow he hath given the Adversary; the particulars of which Battle I could give you, but suppose you have heard it already, therefore I forbear, only in short thus: About 11 of the clock we were drawn both Armies into Battalia in Nasby fields, a place of little hills and vales, in a direct line equal to both parts, the ground some ploughed, some Champion. Our Battle was thus ordered; Lieutenant General Cromwell commanded all the Horse, Major General Skippon the Foot; the General not in one place, but every where as occasion required. In our right Wing of Horse were the Generals, (sometimes Lieutenant General Cromwell's,) Colonel Whaleys, Col. Peys', Col. rossiter's, Col. Fines, and Col. sheffield's, Regiments. In the left Wing were Colonel Iretons, (who was made Commissary General of the Horse in the Field,) Colonel fleetwood's, Col. Rich, Col. Butler, Col. Vermudens, and the Suffolk Regiments, Dragoons equally divided on both parts. The Infantry thus ordered; in the right Wing, the Generals, Colonel Mountagues, Col. Pickerings, Col. Sir Herdus waller's Regiments. In the left, Major General Skippon's, Colonel Bartlet's, Col. Rainsboroughs, Col. Hamon's Regiments. The wind was Northwest, and before we joined battle, blew stiff, equal on both parts; only the Enemy had it somewhat more advantageous for them: in regard the wind was that way; both Parties sought to get the wind, which occasioned our left wing of Horse, and of Foot, and their right, first to engage; where was a most terrible dispute; at length the fury of the Enemy caused two Regiments of Horse to give ground a little, the rest stood, the retreat was upon Major General Skippons Regiment, being the utmost of that Wing, and the Regiment next to him; the Enemy pursued, and cam● near the Train: In the mean time Lieutenant General Cromwell routed the King's left Wing, drove them clear away from that side, having made not the least retreat; but was like a Torrant driving all before them: In which the General charged valiantly, and lost his Head-piece, who seeing the left scattered, he with Lieutenant General Cromwell faced about to that Wing, with some Divisions of Horse, charged bare headed within push of Pike, routed the Enemy; after this, both parts rallyed, and stood very near each other, having silence for a short space, but ours advancing to charge, the Enemy fled, ours pursued them for the space of 14 miles, within two miles of Leicester, cutting them off as they went; all their Foot were cut off and taken, we have about 4 or 5000 Prisoners, of Horse at least 2000 All the train and Coaches, except the Kings, and Digbies Coaches. All their Arms, Provisions, Ordinance, etc. Bag and Baggage. Abundance of rich plunder for the Soldiers, about 400 slain in the place, besides the chase; about 50 of ours conceived to be slain: one slain that had a Plush Coat, with a Star in Silver on it, conceived the Duke of Lenox, Sir Marmaduke, Langdale, the Lord Grandenson, and many other Officers of Note, as we conceive, and are informed, besides abundance wounded on the place, and 200 carried that night wounded into Leicester; many Women slain that were in their Army, and many taken, which are every one wounded. By a Waggoner of the Kings taken, we understand that the King was wounded in the Arm, and that he saw it bleed, and that at one time our horse were beyond him. On our part slain, Captain Tomkins, Lieutenant General Cromwel's Cornet, Colonel Whaleys Cornet, and a few others, but many wounded: Viz. Major General Skippon shot through the right side, Colonel Ireton wounded in four place, but not mortal, Colonel Butler, Captain Blevin, and many others wounded. Our men came on with brave valour and agility, as could be expected from men, the best demonstration of the Officers valour is their wounds. I do not hear of one but discharged his Duty: and cannot praise one above another, lest I should detract from any: Only, concerning the Generals. Sir Thomas Fairfax never appeared with that alaerity of Spirit, and that pleasant countenance, as then; greatly encouraging his Soldiers, and promised by his countenance Victory; before the fight, his former looks were like a dead man, to what he had when he went to engage: and the truth is, his very countenance discovered an Emblem of true valour, as ever we saw; and had a spirit heightened above the ordinary Spirit of man, he was to and again in the Front, carrying Orders, bringing on Divisions in midst of Dangers, with gallant bravery, and received not the least wound; though he engaged bore headed, and routed the Enemy. That Noble Lieutenant General Cromwell behaved himself to the utmost; routed the Adversary as on Marston-Moore, and then relieved our Army on the other Party which was like to be undone; whom God mightily honoured. And now hath given Prince Rupert his other Iron-side. And as for Major General Skippon, worthy to be continually in the best thoughts of truest English: behaved himself with that Valour and Gallantry as possibly a man could do: I heard the General speak wonderfully to him in his praise; with great expressions. In the first charge he received his wound, shot through the right side under the Ribs, through Armour, and Coat, but not mortal, yet notwithstanding he kept his Horse, and discharged his place, and would by no means be drawn off till the Field was won; for the space of two hours and a half. Truly Sir, you would scarce believe that undauntedness that was in him. I helped him to a House, and carried him to his Chamber, stripped him, and saw his wound dressed; and never beheld such a gallant-Spirit in my life to bear such a wound. And when I said to him, Sir, your wound hath caused a little cloud on this glorious day; he answered, by no means let mine Eclipse its glory, for it is my honour that I have received a wound, and it was my God that strengthened me. Sir, these three Generals I suppose have not their fellows in the world, all things considered. Notwithstanding our wounded and weary men in this great Battle, which may be the saving of the three Kingdoms, and is to us as life from the dead, yet we marched on Lord's day last to Great Glinne, where was our head Quarters the last night, about four miles from Leicester. Lieutena. Gen Cromwell with our horse faced it last night; we are at this instant drawing to a Rendezvouz, & our General is resolved to attempt, the Lord appear as formerly to us; and we hope that he will so bless our poor despised Army, that he will make it a Saviour for this Nation. 2500 Horse of Derby and Nottingham, etc. are near to join with us, now is the opportunity. The King went not into Leicester, nor any of the Horse, save the wounded men, but marched through Elsen that night: Part towards Litchfield, part towards Newarke: they left many Portmantles and tired Horses beyond Leicester. From the West by one that came from Bridgewater. I understand that our party were safe there on Wednesday last, and have Encamped themselves on this side Taunton, they have six miles Range, he heard from the Enemy that they were lately relieved from Lyme, and that they said, if relief came not within this fortnight, all would be there own. Sir, I had thought to have been short, yet I have made somewhat a large Narration; you will pardon the prolixity of my lines, which cannot be so digested in regard of our hasty march: I hope shortly to give you a good account of Leicester: This is all at present. June 16. 1645. Great Glinne. Your humble Servant George Bishop. Another Letter from Colonel Okey to a Citizen of LONDON. Noble Sir, HAving little opportunity and good news through God's goodness to send unto you, I thought good to neglect no opportunity, but by the first convenient messenger to send to you, that so you might receive true intellegence, and might with the rest of God's people join together in praises to the Lord for his infinite Mercy to us in particular, and to all the whole Land in general, I am not Ignorant that news will come to you of this great Victory before my Letter comes to your hands; But it is my desire so near as I can to relate to you the certainty of it. After many tedious hovers night and day since I saw you, and Watching every night with my Regiment upon there quarters, having the forlorn guard every night, it pleased God that upon Saturday the 14. of this instant month between 7 & 8 of the clock in the morning, we drew near to a place called Nasby, unto Clypsome field a mile and half from our quarters, where we had the guard the night before; and so soon as we came into the field, the Enemy was drawn up into a Battalia ready to give us battle; and so ready that had it not pleased the Lord of his infinite Mercy to show himself, we had been all cut off, for they were ready to advance upon us, before we were drawn up into a Battalia for to encounter with them; But our Noble General and Lieutenant General, Cromwell, and major General Skippon were so careful of the great work in hand; as that they soon drew us up into a Body, in such a manner, as that we were presently ready to encounter with the Enemy, as the Enemy was to fall upon us. For although they had marched in a very stately way in a whole Body towards us, thinking thereby to daunt us, or at least to take us before we were ready to give them entertainment; for they had a very large Body both of Foot and Horse, but especially of Horse. I was half a mile behind in a Meadow giving my men Ammunition, and had not the Lieutenant Gen. come presently, & caused me with all speed to mount my men, & flank our left Wing, which was the King's right Wing of horse; where was Prince Maurice, who charged at the head of his Regiment, and the King himself in the next reserve charged at the head of his men, but by that time I could get my men to light, and deliver up their Horses, in a little close, the Enemy drew towards us: which my men perceiving, they with shooting and rejoicing received them, although they were encompassed on the one side with the King's Horse, and on the other side with Foot and Horse to get the Close; but it pleased God that we beat off both the Horse and the Foot on the left, and the right Wing, and cleared the Field, and kept our ground: When as the King's Horse had driven our men a mile before them on the left Wing at their first coming on; then we discovered many of the King's Regiment, by reason that they came somewhat near unto us; before ever they discharged a Pistol at any Horse; and had not we by God's providence been there, there had been but few of Colonel Butler's Regiment left, after this we gave up ourselves for lost men, but we resolved every man to stand to the last, and presently upon it, God of his providence ordered it so, that our right Wing, which was Colonel Cromwell his Regiment drove the Enemy before them; which I perceiving (after one hours' battle) caused all my men to mount and to charge into their Foot, which accordingly they did; and took all their Colours, and 500 Prisoners, besides what we killed, and all their Arms. After this the King his Horse drew up into a body again: and then I drew up my Dragoons, and charged the King's Regiment of Horse, and they faced about and run away, and never made any stay till they came to Leicester, and we pursued them within three miles and a half of Leicester, which was about 15 miles from the place where we fought: we took, as near as we can guess, between 4 and 5000 men, with many Horse, all their Ordinance, Bag and Baggage; and there was as we were informed, but two Foot men went into Leicester; the King himself very hardly escaped. Now what remains, but that you and we should magnify the name of our God, that did remember a poor handful of despised men, whom they had thought to have swallowed up before them. And I desire you, that you would in our behalf bless God that hath made us any instruments for our Kingdom's good, and that we may walk worthy of so great a Mercy and Deliverance. And I humbly desire that Thanks may be given to Almighty God that did so miraculously deliver us. I lost not one man, and had but three men wounded in all my Regiment. Thus in hast I rest, desiring the Lord to keep you and all yours. And remain Your Friend to Command JOHN OKEY. A copy of a Letter written from Northampton, the 18 of June, 1645. at 10 of the clock in the Morning. By the High Shreiffe of Northampton shire. Cousin, THe greatness of the late Victory appears to us that are near it, every day more and more; the Printed things out with you, being far short of it: we have every day Knights and Colonels fresh brought in. But as an addition to all, this morning we have the great goodness of the regaining Leicester; the Officers so fare as Majors, go away with their single Horses and Arms, all under Majors, and the common Soldiers, only with staves in their hands; all Arms, Ammunition, Ordnance, Bag and Buggage is the Parliaments; the Lord in Heaven make us thankful. So resteth Northampton, 18 June, 1645. at 10 in the morning. Your very Loving Uncle Edward Farmer. FINIS.