BLOODY NEWS FROM KENT BEING A Relation of the great Fight at Rochester and Maidstone, betwixt the Parliaments Army under the command of the Lord General Fairfax, and the Kentish Forces commanded by General Hales. With the number that were slain and taken prisoners, and a List of the Kentish Commanders, and the town of Maidstone taken. Squire Hales General. Sir Thomas Peyton Lieutenant General. The Lord Goring. Col. Washington. Sir George Lisle. Col. Dudley. Sir William Compton. Col. Hacker. Col. Tracy. Col. Hales. Col. Dorrell. Col. Godfrey. Col. Hammond. Col. Hardresse. Col. Lee. Likewise, the proceed and Resolution of Col. Cook and his Regiment of Butchers. London, Printed for R. W. MDCXLVIII. BLOODY NEWS FROM KENT Honoured Sir, SInce my last, here hath happened a grea● Engagement betwixt the two Armies, the manner thus; The Lord General having entered Kent, and forced the Enemy to withdraw from Deptford, Greenwich, Black-heath, and other places, they pursued teem towards Rochester, where the Enemy with the greatest part of their Forces made a stand, and drew up into two distinct Bodies and after some consultation, they resolved not to fight in the field, but to make good Rochester bridge, and the River and Fords at Maidstone, and Alsbury: this was unanimonsly assented to, and the Kentish forces presently marched over Rochester bridge, and left as many horse and foot to defend the place, as the town could contain and the rest of the forces marched to make good the passages at Maidstone, and other places; and in the Rivers where the horse might possible get through, they fastened barrows, and many sharp stakes in the bottom. At Rochester they bestirred themselves to the almost, to make their Fortifications good; drawing us the Bridge, and casting up works where need was, & planted 4 piece of Ordnance at the bridge foot: they also planted 40 of their greatest pieces upon the works near the River, ad about the town for the defence of themselves against the Army, whom they expected hourly; and upon Thursday night last, the Lord General with his forces drew near the town, which gave a strong alarm to the Kentish-men, but yet they resolved to stand to it the army was divided into parties, some of them being designed to fall on at Maidstone, another party at Alesford, and the main body to fall an at Rochester, which they did, and fought gallantly against the Kentish-forces at Rochester bridge, the K●●tishmen also stood it out stoutly, and often cried out, hay for King Charles, this dispute lasted long, and many men were slain on both sides, it is said, about 500 some of them being persons of quality, as a Colonel, a Captane, and many others; like wise many are dangerously wounded, & it is feared, much blood will be spilt before the bridge can be taken: this business by some is thought to be much greater than it is; for they give out, that when the Parliaments Forces were engaging at Rochester bridge that the ship called the Swallow lying above the bridge, and the Rainbow lying below the bridge, charged with case-shot, discharged themselves upon the Parliaments Forces, and killed 500 of them, insomuch that the soldiery were forced to retreat; which the Kentish men perceiving, sallied out of Rochester with their whole body of house, pursued them, took 12, piece of Ordnance, some arms some prisoners, all their Carriages, Also they say, that Col. Barkestead, Col. Rich, and divers others are slain; but I give you this Relation not for any real truth I suppose to be in it, but that you may see the various rumours that are speed abroad, therefore you may take it rather for a report of those that would have it so, then for a certainty that it is so. Many Butchers are gone to the Kentish forces, most of them from London, and some from other places one Cook is their Colonel, who leads them on, and incourages them, their Regiment cousists of about 600. their Colours are red, and their Motto, For Ring Charles and Kent, in the upper end of their Colours is the station of the Butcher's Steel in white, Gravesend, 2. june, 1648. Another Letter touching the Kentish Army. SIR, THE Kentish Army is retreated as far as Rochester, Maidstone, and other towns adjacent, they consist of about 14000. but are divided into two Bodies, most of them being armed; but they cannot coucord and agree about their Commanders in chief, some say, that they desire Col. Washigton may be their General; others give out, that they will have the Lord Culpepper. This day the General had a Randezvouz upon the Heath beyond this town, where appeared of horse and foot 8000. The Kentish-men have sent Propositions to the General, touching a treaty, but the General returned answer, that he knew not of any order of Parliament directing him to treat, and whereas he finds the Gentlemen of Kent, and others in Arms, and persisting therein, without, and against the authority of Parliament, and doing many Acts of Hostility, to the great damage of their Neighbours, he cannot captiulate while they are so in arms, nor lose time in prosecution; but if they forthwith lay down, and go home, he doubt not but the Parliament with pardon the seduced, and punish the seducers for example to others. The Regiment, and are very numerous in horse, few men of quality to be seen, but as is apprehended, gathered in Arms; some skirmishes haye been and at several times near 100 prisoners taken. A small party of Col. Riches horse sallying out, met with a party of the Kentish foot, fought with them, and put them to a rout, taking 36 prisoners, with the loss of one man, having but 7 in number. But on Wednesday last a party of the Kentish men came up unto a Guard of the Parliaments Forces, they fought well, divers of them were slain, others taken, among the rest two young Gentlemen, who were brave in Gold and Silver Lace, with whom the Soldiers changed. The General hath a party of horse in the wild of Kent, who desire to relieve Dover Castle besieged by them, to whom are joined some hundreds of the Kentish, who have made some spoil among the other Kentish, and have taken Col. Culpepper, and many others. They say there is with the Kentish-men one of the Goring, and that they increase hourly. POSTSCRIPT. SIR, Since the writing of my last, we have received intelligence, that the party of horse that went to relieve Dover Castle, have had a great fight with the Kentish Horse near Canterbury, and have taken divers prisoners, and killed many, with the loss of two or thee men, and have totally routed the whole party. They also skirmished with another party of the Kentish Horse, commanded by a Colonel formerly in the King's Army, and after some short dispute, took the said Colonel, and 30 of his men prisoners, The great Fort at Dover is retaken, and now in possession of he Parliaments Forces. A List of the Commanders in chief belonging to the Kentish Army. Squire Hales General. Sir Thomas Peyton Lieutenant General. The Lord Goring. Colonel Washington. Sir George Lisle. Col. Dudley. Sir William Compton. Sir john meinie. Colonel Hacker. Col. Tracy. Sir Thomas Palmer. Col. Hales. Col. Dorrell. Col. Godfrey. Col. Hardresse. Col. Hammond. Col. Lee. It is reported, that their Army is 16000 or thereabouts, and do daily increase. Upon Tuesday last about 30. eminent Commanders came out of Essex, and joined with the Kentish Forces. It is said they expect 5000. from Surry. Upon Friday being the 2. of this instant June, the Parliaments Army fell upon the Kentish forces at Maidstone, and after a desperate and bloody fight, took the said town, together with 200 prisoners, and 200 horse: there was slain near upon 200. of the enemy with the loss of 80 men. Imprimatur G.M. FINIS.