A BLOODY FIGHT IN SCOTLAND, BETWEEN THE English Irish, and Scots, AND A total Rout given to the Adverse party in that Kingdom, 1500. taken prisoners and dispersed, 120 killed upon the place, and many wounded. ALSO, The Resolution of Lieutenant General David Lesley, concerning the Parliament of England, and the ARMY. TOGETHER With a great Fight at Sea, betwixt the Parliament, and the Prince's Fleet; And the further proceed of the forces in Lancashire: With Major General ashton's Letter to the Parliament. Published by Authority. Imprinted at London for R. W. 26. March, 1649. A Great FIGHT In SCOTLAND. Between the English, Irish, and the Scots, and a total Rodt given to the adverse party in that Kingdom, 1500 taken prisoners, and dispersed, 120 killed upon the place, and many wounded. Honoured Sir, SInce my last, of the 2. of this instant, here hath happened a great alteration in this kingdom, and those who seemed powerful and potent, are now moultted away, and come to nothing; for upon Lieu. Gen. Lesleys advancing towards them with 3000. horse and foot, divers of the adverse party desisted from any further military prosecution, and deserted the engagement for Charles the second; others resolved to persist therein, and to give Battle, preparing themselves to receive the Parliaments Forces: But upon the Lieut. General's near approach, he sent a summons to Col. Frizle (the commander in chief) to come in, and desist from any further acts of hostility, and to know by what authority and commission, they entered into this engagement; who returned answer, That he acted nothing, but what he had commission for from his dread sovereign, Charles the second, and that if he made any opposition, he would dispute it by the sword, and immediately (during the time of treaty) sent forth a party of horse and foot, who fell upon some of the Lieutenant Generals out quarters, killed some, and took some prisoners: whereupon the parliaments forces being sore enraged, fell upon them with great violence, routed them took and scattered 1500 (upon articles) the chief of them are to be brought prisoners to this City, the meaner sort to departed to their own homes, Col. Frizle escaped, and fled to Endernesse with about 500 men, leaving about 120 dead in the field. The aforesaid Lieut. Gen. hath declared, that he will use his utmost endeavours for preiervation of the union between both kingdoms, and that he is resolved not to engage against the parliament of England and the army, which causeth great triumph and joy amongst the well affected party. Edinburgh 14 March, 2648. The further proceed of the forces in Lancashire. Sir, The distractions in these parts begin to increase daily, and the coals of Enmity and Discord are now kindling again; for the adverse party grow both numerous and potent, and the Lancashire Soldiery exceeding insolent and stubborn, rejecting and disobeying the orders of his Excellency, and refusing to disband; and instead of yielding obedience thereunto, broke forth into passions of contempt, reviling against the parliament, and in a most rebellious manner, laying their hands upon the hilt of their swords, said; They would rather die, then disband, until they had their full Arrears, and a good Government erected and set up within this Nation. They are now fortifying themselves in several places of this County; at the time of their late Randezvouz they were not above 500 horse and foot, but since their Rebellious declaring against the parliament they are increased to a fare greater number, above 2000 more being added to them within these few days, who make in all about 3000 horse and foot, the Clergy (who have been the most instrumental in our late troubles and distractions) sides with them, and preacheth much in their pulpits for the propagation and advancement of their Design, the spirits of Malignity are ready to unite, and divers other come in daily to their assistance: if a speedy course be not taken to allay and quench the future issue of this present flame, in all probability it will suddenly break forth, and show its self in streams of blood throughout this Northern Climate; for we are now in great fear of new and present troubles, God avert them or sanctify them to us, which is the earnest prayer of him, who remains Lancaster 15 March 1648. Your most obliged friend, J. Thorney. Postscript. Sir, Col. Ashton endeavours the composing of all differences in these parts, and hath sent a letter to the parl. declaring and protesting to submit to all Orders of Parliament, tending to the settling of peace and happiness within this bleeding Nation, and in order thereunto desireth moneys for his men that are to be disbanded. A Message from Holland. SIR, THe Prince is here yet, but his departure expected, and by many longed for: I cannot certainly inform you, whether it be into Scotland, or into Ireland, he is expected at both. Sir George Radcliffe is sent after Gen: Riven, to hasten the Swedish Army into their quarters: there are 6000 men at Necopia, ready to put to Sea, and 1200 at Lodusia, waiting only for the melting of the Ice: and the Duke of Helsigna their General. There is at Hamborough, waiting only for a wind, great store of Soldiers: 6000 Danes are raising in Denmark, but upon what design is not as yet known, there is another great Army raising by the Switzers, wherein are many persons of great eminency, who command in chief, viz. seven Dukes, nine Marquesses, seventeen Earls, and two or three and twenty Lords. That of the Danes, two Dukes, seven Earls, three Marquesses, and fifteen or sixteen Lords. These are great numbers, and it is to be feared, will do more hurt to our already too poor Country, than they can do good. And yet we must have very many more, as well of the barbarous Irish, as of the beggarly Scot, and the both proud and foolish French. We hear certainly, the peace is concluded on in France: and by an express from P. Rupert, the Prince of Wales is assured of a strong Hold in Ireland; for the two Princes Rupert and Maurice, are at Sea with seventy two Ships, and Frigates, and their Randezvouz the twelfth of March, are to be within nine Leagues of Dublin, at the Castle of Burkley. The sixth of this instant, the Lord of Ormond, General, the Lord of Clanrickard, Lieutenant General; the Lord Tasse, General of the Horse, the Lord Muskerry, Commissary; and Inchiquin; and Preston, with five thousand men, to meet Ormond and his fifteen thousand, at Pitmere, twenty miles from Dublin. I'll assure you, this is the Prince's intelligence: and if I could have got the Copy of the Proclamation, sent to the Lord of Ormond, you should have had it; But take the heads. First, he shows, that he hath no desire to commence his Reign in blood, and that he will freely pardon those now holding any Castle or Garrison for the Parliament of England; That he fights only to settle himself in the Throne of his late Father, and a deal to this purpose. This was sent to the Lord of Ormond, by Colonel Buckworth, to be proclaimed as a Pardon to all those that will falsify the trust reposed in them by the Parliament of England. Hague, March 16. 1648. A Letter from Plymouth, containing the particulars of a great Fight at Sea. SIR, ON the 17. of this instant, here arrived a Frigate, who upon her casting anchor, immediately manned a long Boat to the shore, the Mariners purporting that there hath been lately a great Fight at Sea between Captain Moulton and prince Rupert near the Western point, and that after a bloody fight, it pleased God to crown the said capt. Moulton with Victory, and to sink two of the enemy's ships, viz. the Leopard (formerly called by the name of the King's Royal Swallow) carrying 40 pieees of Ordnance, and the Patrick of Ireland carrying 24 This fight continued for the space of two hours, being with great gallantry disputed by both parties; and after the exchange of several dreadful Volleys, the enemy perceiving two of their ships bequeathing themselves to the merciless waves, held off, and with a fair gaile launched forth into the Ocean: it is said the loss is very great on both sides, many being slain and wounded, yet the Mariners in the said Frigate make mention, that the loss of the enemy doth far exceed ours, by reason of above 80 being drowned at the sinking of the aforesaid ships. Captain Moultons' Squadron consisted of about twelve ships, prince rupert's four and twenty. Some of ours are exceedingly torn and battered, but since repaired and mrde whole: it's further intimated, that in this fight there were between two and three hundred killed and wounded, the prince's men begin to moulter away, and die apace, the bloody flux, and other diseases being very brief amongst them (a just judgement to all perfidious Christians) if the parliaments Summers' Fleet be but expedited to Sea, and timely assistance sent unto captain. Molton, no doubt, but he will be able to give a good account of this Summer's Expedition. Oh! what a sad thing it is, that a handful should perish at Sea, when thousands may be spared at Land. Plymouth 21 March, 1648. Imprimatur, The: Jennings. Reader, There is a mistake in the foregoing page, viz. the word Leopard, for Swallow. FINIS.