LETTERS FROM Sir WILLIAM BRERETON Sir THOMAS MIDDLETON, Sir JOHN MELDRUM, Of the great Victory (by God's providence) given them, in raising the siege from before Mountgomery-castle. AND, How they routed, and totally dispersed His Majesty's Forces, under the command of the Lord Byron; where they took all their Carriages, Arms, and Ammunition, and made them fly to Shrewsbury and Chester. With a List of the names of all the Commanders and Officers taken and killed in the said service. Die Lunae, 23 Septemb. 1644. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That these Letters be forthwith printed and published. J. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum. LONDON, Printed for john Wright in the Old-baily, Septemb. 23. 1644. To the Right Honourable, the LORDS, and others of the Committee of both Kingdoms, sitting at Darby-house in Westminster. Right Honourable, THat God who is most glorified by working by the weakest and unworthiest instruments, hath this day given a most glorious victory, and as much manifested his power therein, as in any day I have been engaged since the beginning of these wars. We have relieved Mountgomery-castle, wherein there was closely besieged, and much distressed the L. Herbert of Cherbury, Col. Price, and most of Sir Tho. Middleton's Officers, and near 500 Soldiers. We were so very hard tasked by the multitude of our enemies, (who did much exceed us in number) as that, if the Commanders and Soldiers had not engaged, and behaved themselves very gallantly; or if we had wanted any part of our forces, it might have hazarded our Army, for it was very dubious and uncertain which way the Lord would incline the victory: it came to push of Pike, wherein they were much too hard for us, having many more Pikes Our horse also at the beginning of the battle were worsted, & retreated; but there was, I do believe an unanimous resolution both in horse and foot to fight it out to the last man. Indeed there could be no other hope nor expectation of safety or escape, there remaining no way of retreat, all passages being entirely in the enemy's power (if masters of the field;) and truly if God had not infatuated, they might easily have interrupted our passage, and made good diven passes against us. But our extremity was God's opportunity to magnisie his power; for when it was most dubious the Lord so guided and encouraged our men: that wi●● one fresh valiant charge we routed and put to retreat and flight their whole Army, pursued them many miles, eve● in the Mountains, and did perform great execution up●● them; slew (I do believe) 500 wounded many more took near 1500 prisoners, and amongst them Colon●● Broughton, and Col. Tilsley, who they report to be General majors; there were also taken Lieutenant-colonels, Majo●● and Captains, more than twenty; and all their Carriage and near 20 barrels of Powder, wherein they were furnished the night before the battle; We took also (as w●● conceived) near 1500. or 2000 Arms, most for fo●… Most of their horse escaped towards Shrewsbury an● Chester. The enemy's Army was reported, (and I do believe 〈◊〉 was no less than 4000 the Foot being the old Irish w●● came out of Ireland with Col. Broughton, Warren, Tyll●● and some of Col. Ellis, and some of Col. Sir Michael Wo●● houses, and Sir Michael Ernlys Regiment, from Shrewsbur● Chester, and Ludlow. Our Army consisted of about 15●● Foot, and 1500 horse. We lost not ●0 men slain, and I d● believe, there was not 60 wounded. Our greatest lo●● was of Sir Wil Fairfax, and Major Fitz-Simons, most gallant men. Sir John Meldrum did with much judgement order and command these forces, and therefore deserves a large share in the honour of this day's success. But indeed the whole honour and glory is to be given and ascribed to God the giver of victories, and who is most deservedly styled the Lord of Hosts. What remains further to be done in prosecution of this victory shall not be omitted; and if it please God that Newcastle be delivered, and some Scottish Forces assigned to assist to the taking in of Chester, I hope through God's mercy there may be a good account given of all these parts of the Kingdom. To effect which, no man shall serve you with more faithfulness than Mountgomery, Septemb. 18. 1644. Your humble servant. WILLIAM BRERETON. We know not how to dispose of these common prisoners, unless it would please you to order some of them that will take the Covenant to be shipped (if God give us Leverpoole) and transported over into Ireland, to serve you there. We have left Sir Tho. Middleton in a good condition in Mountgomery-castle, and the Gentlemen of the Country begin to come in unto him; Sir john Price is already come unto him, before I came thence. The L. Herbert is come away with us towards Oswestry. For the Right Honourable, the Committee for both Kingdoms, at Darby-house in Westminster. My Lords, and Gentlemen, I Formerly acquainted you of our coming hither and of our proceed in these parts; and also of the good success it pleased God to bestow upon us. Since which time the enemy hastened to come upon us, before we could bring in provisions for our Garrison; by reason whereof I was enforced to retreat with my Horse unto Oswestry, with some small loss, only of stragglers that lay loitering behind, leaving all my Foot in the Castle, and hastened into Cheshire to procure relief, and likewise into L●ncashire to Sir John Meldrum, from whom I found a great deal of readiness to relieve us in our distress, and to preserve what we had gotten from the enemy, being 37 barrels of Powder, and twelve of Brimstone, both which they exceedingly wanted. Sir john Meldrum, with Sir William Brereton, and Sir William Fairfax marched with 3000 Horse and Foot towards Mountgomery, and came thither on the 17 of this instant September, where we lay that night in the field that was most advantageous for us, which the enemy had possessed themselves of before, and diserted at our coming thither, placing themselves upon the mountain above the Castle, a place of great advantage for them; we resolved not to go to them, but to endeavour the victualling of the Castle; whereupon we sent out parties for the bringing in of provisions; which the enemy perceiving, they marched down in a body both Horse and Foot, being in number about 5000. and came up to our ground, and gave us battle; wherein, after an hour's fight, it pleased God we obtained a glorious victory, having taken many Officers, 1400 common Soldiers, slain 400, and taken their Ammunition, with a great part of their Arms, and some few horse, the rest all flying away; the Lord Byron commanded in chief the enemy's forces, and Sir john Meldrum the Parliaments forces, who behaved himself most bravely and gallantly; and Sir William Fairfax, who had the command of the horse did most valiantly set upon their horse, and engaged himself so fare that he was taken prisoner, but presently fetched off by the valour of our men, but sore wounded; our men issued also out of the Castle, and fell upon the enemies in their trenches, and took divers of their Officers, and Soldiers, which they had lest to keep their Works; Sir William Brereton with the Cheshire foot did most bravely behave themselves that day, and did beat the best Foot in England, as they the very enemies confess, being all Prince rupert's foot, and the chosen foot out of all their Garrisons. I shall make it still my humble suit, that you will please to afford me some speedy course for present money, for the payment of my Soldiers, for without that I shall not be able to keep them together. And for the present I shall take upon me the boldness to subscribe myself Mountgomery-castle, Septemb. 19 1644. My Lords, and Gentlemen, your humble servant, THOMAS MIDDLETON. Since the writing of this Letter it hath please● God to take to his mercy Sir W. Fairfax, who is even now dead For the Right Honourable, the LORDS, and others, of the Committee of safety for both KINGDOMS. My Lords, I Have thought fit to give your Lordships a brief account of some passages of businesses here in Wales, forbearing a larger relation till I shall have a further time, and larger subject, which in all probability, by God's assistance, may offer itself within a short time. I was by the earnest invitations of Sir William Brereton, and Sir Thomas Middleton easily persuaded to concur with them for the relief of Mountgomery-castle, besieged by the King's forces; I resolved to contribute my best endeavours in that expedition, as well in regard of the importance of the service, as that Leverpoole was not to be attempted suddenly by such forces as I had, (being in number inferior to the forces within the Town,) whereupon I went along with the Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire forces (amounting to 3000. horse and foot,) and marched to Mountgomery-castle in Wales, which was by a great deal of industry and resolution, taken in by Sir Thomas Middleton, together with a great deal of powder, match and brimstone, which (coming from Bristol) was prepared for the relief of Shrewsbury, Chester, and Leverpoole: upon our approach towards the Castle, the Enemy did withdraw themselves in some disorder, the next day after being the 18. of September, they did take the advantage of the weakness of our Quarters, the third part of our Horse being employed abroad for victuals and forage; their Horse and Foot came on, with great courage, resolving to break through our Forces, and to make themselves Masters of a Bridge we had gained, the night before: which would have cut off the passage of our retreat: It pleased God to dispose so of the issue of the business, that (by the resolution of the Officers, and Soldiers, of Horse and Foot) the Enemy did lose the advantage they had in the beginning, and were shamefully routed, by the pursuit of the victory, which continued for the space of three miles: there are found dead upon the place five hundred, besides many Officers of quality killed and wounded, and twelve hundred Prisoners: Sir William Fairfax, and Major Fitsimons (who carried themselves most brauly) are deadly wounded, without great hope of recovery, with some other Captains and Officers of our Horse: the Cheshire Foot with their Officers, carried themselves more like Lions, than men, especially Major Lowthian who commanded as Major General: The Castle is relieved with victuals, Sir Thomas Middleton's Soldiers who were before as Prisoners, are made free together with the Lord Herbert of Cherberie: amongst the Prisoners Major General Tilliseley, Colonel Broughton, and divers Lieutenant-colonells and Majors, with many Captains and Lieutenants, so that by the blow given here, the best of their Foot are taken away, Shrewsburie, Chester, and Leverpoole, unfurnished with Ammunition; and North Wales (which formerly hath been the nursery for the King's Armies) in all likelihood, 〈◊〉 shake of that yoke of servitude which formerly did lie●… their necks, and willbe reduced to the obedience of King●… Parliament, by the example of Montgomery Castle, 〈◊〉 is one of the goodliest and strongest places that ever I lo●… upon. The personal carriage and endeavours of Sir W●… Brereton and Sir Thomas Middleton hath been exceeding 〈◊〉 in the advancement of this service. There is good hope Leverpoole by famine willbe soon rendered, and 〈◊〉 Shrewsbury, and Chester will be at the last gasp, wh●… by God's assistance there shallbe a short trial made. So ●…ving no further for the present to impart to your Lordsh●… I shall cherish all occasions wherein I may approve my 〈◊〉 Montgomerie Castle Septemb. 19 1644. Your Lordship's most humb●● Servant, John Meldrum. My Lords, THe intelligence I have had since the closing of 〈◊〉 Letter, of a body of Horse, and Colonel Hunks ●●giment of Foot that are marched to Shrewsbury, and 〈◊〉 the Lords Byron and Mullinax are gone bacl to Chest●… have altered my resolution touching Shrewsbury, whic● the best had no other inducement, but the hope of a p●…tie within the Town, and the scarcity of Soldier's the●… I am Your Lordship's most humble Servant, John Meldrum. A List of the Prisoners taken and slain at the Battle near Mountgomery, upon the eighteenth of September. 1644. ●ol. Broghton ●r Th. Tilsley Col. ●evt. Col. Bladwell ●ajor Williams ●apt. Boulton ●apt. Edgerton ●apt. Bellamy ●apt. Floyd ●apt. Dolebin ●apt. Congrave ●apt. Bowman ●apt. Right ●apt. Morgan ●evt. Scidney ●evt. Rows ●evt. Griffith ●evt. Morgan ●evt. Thurland ●evt. Wilson ●evt. Floyd ●evt. Lewis ●evt. Bowen ●evt. Brickam ●evt. Hager ●evt. Minchle ●evt. Floyd ●evt. Olliver ●evt. Cavanogh Lieut. Perkins Lievt. Aldersay Quart. Mr. Snelling Cornet Persons Cornet Hachkisson Cornet Stag Ensign Wallis Ensign Williams Ens. Dutten Ens. Lampley Ens. Parr Ens. Edward's Ens. Clackstone Ens. Harrison Ens. Country Ens. Hest Ens. Lagden Ens. Jones Ens. Barker Ens. Price Ens. Robert's Ens. Richardson Ens. Prichard Ens. Winn Ens. Johnson Ens. Roe Ens. Right Ens. Erwin Sergeants, Simeon Day Francis West Richard Watson Francis Gough Jo. Morgan Jo. Sprigman Will. hugh's Jo. Davies Tho. Ward Ja. Newin Edward Badcocke Richard Etty Morris Jones Rand. Griffith Ralph Smith Will. Jackson Ralph Herley Jam. Jefferies Rich. Morgan Griffith Loyd Samuel Day Will. Williams Jo. Davies Peter Lee Will. Manning Ed. Philip's Jo. Hin Ralph Aston Roger Stanton Griffith Davis John Smith John Paster Wil Pasley Thomas Colflow Rob. Stanford Isaac Guy Tho. Latham John Browne John Knowles Robert Barber Sam. Rode Rob. Teade Roger Pyer Nath. Dale Will. Compton Ralph Williams Rob. Baccott John Hunston Rob. Jones Cornelius Sedgel Edward Jones Edw. Sulbourne Corporals. George Groeyer Henry Care Tho. Hall Tho. Cheadle John Hugh's Andrew Clift John Hussey Evan Price Henry Barrow Roger Houlton Law. Ward Henry Harway Rice Lewis Griffith Jones Edward Wills Evan ap Humphrey Andrew powel John Eleney Rob. Price Robert Petts Tho. Taylor James Moor John Wolf John Deley Rich. Barker Edw. Hayden Tho. Mullenex Griffith Thomas John Greene Antho. Carr Gilbert Sorby Rich Key John hugh's John Judas Will. Madders Tho. Lee Joseph Barford John Dillen Rich. Salmon Tho. Crook Tho. Albott John Williams Peter Lloyd Christopher Pl●… Hen. Neneley John Chilton John Simpson Roger Morris John Frank Humphrey Bo●… John Thomas John Sarley Patrick Role William Gilber● Rich. Walten Antho. Cornett Rich. Leadbea●… Drummers. Will. Grynes Will. Guy John colyer John Perrey Tho. Heyes Robert Trehan Edward Wa●… James Lawst●… Tho. Decks Rich. Moor Tho. Hyde. FINIS.