Shrewsbury taken.  
A COPY OF Sir William Breretons LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENT: And the Copy of a Letter FROM The Committee of Shropshire: WITH A full Relation of the manner of the taking of Shrewsbury, by Colonel Mitton and Colonel Bowyer, with Sir William Breretons and Colonel Mittens Forces, on Saturday last, February 22.  
AND The Particulars of that great Victory against P. Maurice's Forces there: Also a List of the chief Prisoners names; and what was taken in the said Garrison.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed by Robert Austin, in the Old-Baily. 1645.   


The Copy of a LETTER FROM THE Committee of the County of SALOP, FOR THE PARLIAMENT.  
To the Honourable, Sir William Brereton Baronet, Commander in Chief of the Cheshire Forces.  
SIR,  
LEt us admire the mercy and goodness of God, that hath so far looked upon our low condition▪ ●● to advance us now in his own time, and to possess us of Shrewsbury. What shall we render for this unspeakable mercy? We beseech you join with us in the praise of our God. This morning, about break of day, we entered Horse and Foot, and all in it, and are now staving off the soldiers from plundering. We have not yet time to give you a 〈…〉 the prisoners, but many of quality, the Governor, and 〈◊〉 John Wylde, and his son, with many more. We beseechy you consider how to improve this advantage, and the d●●ection that the Prince must needs receive by it: We doubt not if your assistance as occasion shall present: And for the pr●…t in great haste (with our humble thanks to you for this great favour you have afforded us, and our unspeakable and humble acknowledgement of God's great mercy) we rest,  
Salop, 22. Febr. 1644. Your most affectionate faithful Servants, The Castle holds out yet, for aught we know. 

Thomas Mitton.  
Samuel More.  
Robert Charleton.  
Andr. Lloyd.  
Rob. Clyve.  
Tho. Hunt.  
Liege Bruen.     

SIR,  
THough these lines may come unexpectedly to you, yet they will present you with so great a manifestation of God's wisdom, power, and goodness, as that they will be welcomly entertained; Shrewsbury was this morning about five a clock taken by some 700. of our men of Staffordshire, and Cheshire, (and a company of Sir William Breretons own Regiment, commanded by Colonel Bowyer) and the Shropshire Forces, in all about 1200. we lost not a man (as I hear of:) the prisoners are many▪ and considerable, and the prize great, Sir Michael Ernely, Governor, Sir john Wild, and divers others; the Town is rich, and it is said all the Prince's treasure and carriages, were left there. I hope this victory will be pursued: I am constrained to be so brief▪ as that you will scarce believe it, because it will be so unexpected▪ therefore look upon the enclosed, and join in praises: excuse my haste.  
In regard we came with our Forces out of Wales, and must stay with our Army till the Lancashire and Yorkshire men come up, my General Sir William Brereton was desirous to improve time, and not to lie idle, and therefore sent the Staffordshire Forces, which are put under his command for this service, and some Cheshire Horse and Foot, under the condduct of Colonel B●●y●●, a brave fellow.  
Christlet●n Feb. 22. 1644.   

Sir William Breretons Letter to the PARLJAMENT.  
THese Lines may convey unto you the welcome news of surprising Shrewsbury this Saturday morning about five a clock: which mercy cannot but be acknowledged to be the return of those many supplications put up to that God which heareth prayers, and giveth success to those that seek him, and make their dependence upon him; so hath he now dispensed (blessed be his great name) to his humble and unworthy servants, who have been plotting and contriving that which the Lord hath now effected. The Committee at Wem have been a long time very industrious about the effecting hereof, & it hath been several times attempted, though we have failed therein: the Lords time was not then come, and his time is the best time. I hope it may produce a very good effect in all these parts of the Kingdom, wherein there is not a more faithful industrous Committee, who less seek themselves, and more the advancement of this cause, than the Committee of Wem, and Oswestree, whom the Lord hath much crowned and prospered of late, though they were in so weak a condition, as that they had not sufficient men to maintain their Garrisons, of Wem, and Oswestree▪ so as I was constrained to assist them with four Companies of my own Regiment, until they were possessed of the Garrison of Moreton-Corbet, since which time my Lord CALVILL, and another Cheshire Company have remained with them, unto whom I sent, upon Wednesday last, four hundred Horse of Cheshire and Staffordshire, and three hundred Staffordshire Foot, and one Company of my own Regiment, under the command of Colonel BOWVER, which together with the Forces of Wem, and Oswestree, under the Command of Colonel MITTON, did not exceed 1200. men, to whom the Lord hath delivered one of the strongest Pieces in all this Kingdom, and therein many considerable Prisoners, Sir MICHAEL ERNELY, the Governor, Sir JOHN WYLDE, and divers others, where of I have not as yet received a list, nor any more advertisement than is comprehended in the enclosed, being a copy of the Letter from the Committee, whereunto I shall not know what more to add, but to assure that no assistance which can be afforded nor any endeavour upon my part shall be wanting, to improve this advantage which God hath given. They cannot keep Salop, and their other Garrisons, therefore I purpose with all speed (God willing) to march nearer unto them, that so we may be able to give them relief, if occasion require. As there may be further opportunity administered, I will not fail to give you advertisement, and to employ my utmost endeavours to shorten this War. Which that it may, is not more desired by any man, then by  
Christleton, Feb. 22. 1644. Your most faithful Servant, William Brereton.   

The Relation of the manner of the taking of Shrewsbury on Saturday the 27th of February, 1644.  By Colonel MIRRON, and Colonel BOWYER. 
SIr William Brereton being ever vigilant to take the best opportunity of times, that might stand for the advantage of the Common wealth, and at this time taking this occasion, whilst Prince Maurice was advanced with his Forces on the Welsh side of the Rivet D●e, whither he was marched to relieve Chester that way, Sir William Breretons forces being all on the North side of the River; for the Welsh side is so barr●● that there is not provisions for a considerable Party that are able to defend themsel●… to lie there. But Sir William Brererton perceiving that Prince M●…e would not fight with him, but rather 〈…〉 through that barren place to 〈…〉 Chester that way if he can, Sir William Brereton was very willing to make the best use of the occasion that he could.  
On Tuesday February the 18. th' 1644. Sir William Brewerton (having received Instructions from the Committee of a Design which they had against Shrewsbury; and therefore desired a party of his Horse and Foot to join with Colonel Mittens) he made no delay therein; and Colonel Bowyer, awery able gallant Soldier was designed for the business.  
On Wednesday February 19 Sir William Brereton having drawn out Four hundred of Cheshire, and Staffordshire horse of those that were with him out of his Army, and Three hundred of the Staffordshire Foot, and a Company of his own Regiment, put them under the command of Colonel Bowyer, and sent them to the Committee at Wem, well armed, and fit for present service, who went very cheerfully and with admirable resolutions, not doubting but that the Lord (whose blessing they prayed for) would stand for them and protect them, and give a blessing to their endeavours.  
Sir William Brewerton also sent divers Petards and other necessaries for the storming of Shrewsbury, to break open the Gates or for such other services as they should find occasion, in which Sir William took great pains that there might be no delay in a business of so great concernment; and it was carried on with very great speed as may appear by the ensuing d scorse each thing lying in order as the business was performed, which was performed in a very short time, to God be the pra●●.  
On Thursday February the 20. 1644. Colonel Mitton with 500 of the Shropshire forces, and Colonel Bowyer with the aforesaid Cheshir● and Staffordshire forces met at W●m, there number in all were about 1200▪ and there they received Instructions from the Committee for the carrying on of the business in going against Shrewsbury, Colonel Mitton himself is one of the said Committee, a very gallant Soldier, and one that is full of valour, and Cordeall for the public good, as appears by all his actions, he having in all that he hath done received very little pay; yet is not any the less active in preferring the public before his own private interest; And the next day they were designed to march against Shrewsbury, the strongest Garrison in Prince Maurices assotiation, and not much inferior to the strongest garrison that the King hath in all England.  
On Friday February the 21. th', Colonel Mitton, and Colonel Bowyer with the said 1200 of Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Shropshire forces, Horse and Foot marched from Wem, they marched all Friday night, such was their courage and earnestness, with their vigilancy and care, that they would lose no opportunity, notwithstanding the Coldness of the seasor, and darkness of the night, but went on unanimously about the work they were designed for; Colonel Mitton led on the Van, and Colonel Bowyer brought up the Rear, the Army being drawn into a formedable marching posture, in which they matched all that night.  
On Saturday February the 22. th' 1644. They drew near to the Enemy's garrison about Three or 4 of the clock, Colonel Mitton led on the Horse, and Colonel Reynings the Foot, and so they marched up to their very Works about four of the clock that morning.  
About five of the clock in the Morning Colonel Mitton having passed some of his Foot in some Boats on the Severne, which runs all along by Shrewsbury, toward which River the Castle stands, which foot were commanded by Colonel Raining a very gallant able Soldier with Carpenters and other workmen and Artists fit for that employment who went along with them in boats, and when they came to the Walls, the Carpenters sawed down the Pallasadoes, and the Soldiers helping one another got over, and slew the Sentinels, and surprised the Soldiers in the Court of guard, and from thence went to the Magazine, and their chief Works, and possessed themselves of them before they opened the Gates to the rest of the foot, and the Governor and many of the great ones were surprised in their beds, and when they had made all sure they opened the Castle Gate, and let in all the Horse and the rest of the Foot, and marching up with Courageous resolution to enter, the Enemy within being exceedingly amazed fled, some threw down their Arms; and all crying out Arm, Arm, which opportunity our men took, marched in and opened the Gates, and Horse and foot all entered, and with the spilling of very little blood gained the Town.  
When they had made entrance through the gate, and guarded the Town, our men some went into one street, and some into another, to search for the chief Officers, and Soldiers, and great care was taken to get between them and the Castle, whic● stands near the west gate, and they took the Governor, and divers other very considerable men, besides other purchase as you may see in the List which follows.  
And the Committee of Wem coming along with them, they took great care that those who are well-affected in the Town might not suffer, and therefore the Officers kept off the Soldiers from plundering of the Town, that so the Committee might see right done and none but Malignants only to suffer.  
And cruelly have the good people been long handled by the Cavaliers in that place, that they were no little glad that Colonel Mitton hath taken it, and accordingly expressed themselves to the Committee.  
The Committee gave notice hereof to Sir william Brewerton, certifying him what they had done, and he hath taken care for Forces to lie near them to relieve Colonel Mitton if occasion be.  
The whole County are glad of th●● he well-affected part thereof, and desire that Colonel Mitton may be made the Governor thereof; who is an honest Cordeall well affected man, and of true integrity.  
About twelve of the clock on the same day the Castle was surrendered upon Condition, that the Officers and Soldiers that were in the said Castle should March away with their Arms and leave the Ammunition, and Arms, in the said Castle, and all the Officers and Soldiers in the Town behind them.  
But there were many Papists and some notable Agents that fled out of the Town, and ran away as soon as they heard that our forces had made entrance.   

A List of the particulars what was taken at Shrewsbury by Colonel Mitton, on Saturday, February the 22. th' 1644.  

Eight Knights and Barronets taken Prisoners.  
Forty Colonels, Majors, Captains, and others of quality.  
Two hundred other Prisoners, besides those that are not taken.  
One Captain, and 5. Soldiers slain.  
Fifteen piece of Ordnance taken.  
Many hundred of Arms taken.  
Divers barrels of Gunpowder.  
Prince Maurice his Magazine.  
The Town, the Castle, and all the Works.  
Divers Carriages, bag and baggage of the Princes.  
Besides other Prisoners and purchase not yet discovered.  
We lost only two Men.    
FINIS.