BLOODY NEWS FROM Bedford-Shire: Concerning the late Fights on Sunday and Monday last, between the Forces under the Command of the Duke of Buckingham, and the Forces commanded by Sir Michael Lievesey, and Col. Skroop. LIKEWISE The number that were slain, wounded, and taken prisoners, and the full particulars of each day's action. With the Declaration of the Counties of Buckingham, Bedford, and Hartford-shire, concerning the Duke of Buckingham's taking up of Arms for the KING, and his further proceed concerning his Majesty. Together with bloody News from Penbrook and Colchester, communicating the proceed of Col. John Poyer, Col. Horton, the Lord General Fairfax, and Sir Charles Lucas. Printed at London, to prevent misinformation, 1648. THE DECLARATION OF The Counties of Hartford, Buckingham, and Bedfordshire, concerning the Duke of Buckingham his raising of new Forces. Honoured Sir, Upon the Duke of Buckingham's raising of new forces about Kingston, Iver, Uxbridge and other places, the well-affected in those parts and other Towns adjacent, had several meetings, and after some debate and consultation thereupon they unanimously declared ' and jointly resolved, That they would enter into an Engagement, to raise new forces, for the defence, safety, and preservation of those counties of Hartford, Bedford, and Buckingham, and to oppse all forces whatsoever, that should endeavour the obstructing the peace thereof; and thereupon resolved to make Proclamation at several Market-towns within the said Counties, to stir up the hearts of the People to join with them in this their Engagement, for the defence of King, Parliament, and Kingdom, against the forces now raised under the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Holland, whose pretence and designs tends only to the involving of this Kingdom in a more bloody and desperate War. Yesterday we received intelligence of the enemies being about St. Albans, their number consisting of about six hundred Horse and Foot; from thence we received information that about one of the clock they marched towards Lewton in Bedford-shire, and from thence they took their circumference towards Bedford town, not daring to stay long in a place, by reason of the close pursuit of the Parliaments Forces, for they were no sooner marched out of Newton, but certain Scouts belonging to Sir Michael Lievesey entered the town, took six troopers who were drinking at the sign of the Prince's Arms, and upon their entering into the Chamâ—Źer where these Troopers were, found them very merry and drinking of Healths, with their swords drawn, and stuck into the Sealing of the Chamber, their Pistols lying by them, and their Hats upon the Table; but by reason of their sudden surprisal, they soon left their quaffing and drinking, and were forced to cry out (in the chief of their jollity) for mercy, and so yielded themselves prisoners. Upon their advance towards Bedford, Sir Michael Lievesey's Forlorn of Horse fell upon the Duke's Rearguard within two miles of Newton Towns-end, and after the exchange of several Pistols, and a very hot dispute, the Enemy were forced to retreat with the loss of fifteen men, six slain, and nine wounded, who were taken prisoners: All this were performed with the loss of five men. The Parliaments Forces are now in pursuit of them towards Bedford, and Col- Skroop with his Regiment of Horse are now joined with Sir Michael Lieveseyes' Forces, which makes a very considerable party, and able to subdue a far greater power than before spoken of. This day a party of Major Gibbons Troop, who were in close pursuit of the Enemy, fell upon some scattering Forces of the Lord Dukes in the town of Marston, a Village some fourteen miles distant from Newton, in the Road towards Cambridg, & after a sharp conflict took 8 or 9 prisoners, & killed three of them, the rest made good their retreat towards Bedford. The well-affected of this County who assembled themselves together in a posture of War, have secured Hatfield house belonging to the Earl of Salisbury, to prevent the Designs of the Enemy, & have placed a guard of Musquetiers therein. We expect a sudden Engagement in these parts, between the Cavaliers and the Parliamentiers, but this County, and others adjacent, have declared, That they will hazard their lives and fortunes for the defence of King, Parliament, and Kingdom, against all opposition whatsiever. From Pembroke we have received intelligence of the proceed of Lieu. Gen. Cromwell; the particulars whereof I shall refer you to the enclosed paper. Worthy Sir, We have made several attempts against the town, and stormed the walls in two or three places, fought with the enemy in the town, worsted them, and beat them up to the Castle Walls, doing great execution throughout the town, and killing near upon one hundred of the enemy in the pursuit. But a Major of Lieutenant General Cromwel's not following with the Reserve of Pikes and Musquetiers, according to order, Major General Laughorn came in the Rear of them with a party of Horse, and forced them to quit the town, out of which they were driven, and about 30 of our men killed, some few wounded, the rest made good their retreat. Of the enemy's side it is supposed their loss were as many more, as appears by the confession of divers who have since disserted that service, and come in to the Lieut. General. In this conflict Col. Horton behaved himself with much gallantry, and Col. Okeyes Dragoones did exceeding good service, who pursued the enemy almost to the very walls, and made good their retreat with very little loss. Our Batteries are now finished, and our Ordnance planted against the Town and Castle, and have made several Breaches, and the Council of War have resolved to storm it again. The reason why the siege continues so long is the want of some great Guns and Mortarpieces, which came not until within these few days down Severne, the wind having been long opposite to them. Capt. Flower of Col. Deans Regiment was lately wounded upon a storm, and Major Grigs Lieutenant and Ensign slain, Captain Burges is wounded and very sick. All the insurrections about you (I believe will not make us yield any other conditions than mercy to those within, and in case before we have done, they chance to get never so great and impregnable an Army, they will give us leave to have one bout with them before we be disbanded, we that are here do not intent to give all lost. The Lieutenant General is alive and in health, and willing to fight for the liberties of England, as ever he did formerly. Tuesday last we gave the Town another strong alarm, 120. of Poyers' men laid down their Arms, vowing never to take them up again, but by the importunity of Poyer and Laughorn, telling them, if relief came not within four days, they would yield, and they should hang them, by which means they engaged again. We are informed, that they have not provisions for fourteen days: we expect every day that most of them come to us through want: they only have a little rain water and Biscuit left: But it's still feared, that Poyer & Laughorn, when they can hold out the Town no longer will betake themselves to the Castle, and leave the rest to mercy: if we get the Town, we doubt not to carry the Castle suddenly. Our Morter-pieces have played hard against the town and done great execution, and hath battered down many houses, and killed at the least 30. of the Enemy, as appears by the confession of two of Poyers' men who came over the walls to us. From the Leaguer before Penbroke, July 6. 1648. Postscript. SIR, Upon the close of these papers, we received an Express from Colchester, which intimates, That upon Friday last the Forces in the town displayed their great Ordnance, which did something annoy the General's men at the works, whereupon the great Ordnance played against the town, & fetched down the Battlements of several steeples, doing great execution. The Enemy made a sally out, but were forced to retreat with great loss. Sir, by the next, I doubt not but to give you a speedy account of the chief Occurrences in these parts, and remain Your devoted Servant, J. Villers. Hartford 10. July, 1648. FINIS.