A LETTER FROM colonel BRIDGES Governer of Warwick-CASTLE to a friend of his in LONDON, Dated the 20 of April 1645.  
Wherein is set forth a great Victory obtained by the said colonel against Prince Maurice his army on the 17 of this instant April.  
IN DOMINO CONFIDO   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by R. B. for Humphrey Tuckey at the black Spread-Eagle in Fleetstreet April 24. 1645.   

The Letter of colonel Bridges.  
Sir be pleased to receive a Relation of the Victory whereof I have now sent an express to the Honourable Committee of both kingdoms.  
PRince maurices' regiment, the Reformado troop, Collo●el Knottisfords troop, captain wild's troop, and captain gunter's troop being sent by the Prince to intercept the convoy of Powder and Match which I sent with the party desighned for Gloucester, And for that end came to Quienton in Gl●u●estershire, but finding the party had passed by some hours before, and having intelligence that all our horse were marched from Warwick, resolved to 〈◊〉 the advantage to plunder the C● came to Stratford upon Avon, and demanded 800 pounds or they would plunder the town; but upon the present payment of a 10 pounds, Remitted the rest, and came toward Warwick, and in their march swept away all the Beasts they met withal, of which I having notice (being desirous to save the country as well as I could) prevailed with captain Andrew's who was then accidentally in town with 80 of Newport Horse which were also to March to Gloucester, being also assisted by the committee of Worcestershire with 30 or 40 of captain Milwards and captain Halfords troops, with these and about a dozen of our own Horse that stayed behind our troop having drawn four companies out of the town and Castle, I advanced towards the enemy, who by this was come within two miles of Warwick: having in Sherborne Field put themselves in four considerable bodies, and sent a small party away with their plundered Beasts; we lined the hedges with our foot and faced them with our Horse near two hours, in which time, in some loose skirmishes we having killed one and took two or three prisoners, the Enemy drew of and being to march through a long lane i caused the foot to advance, and when the rear guard took the lane, i desired the Horse to charge, which they did accordingly, but the enemy having a convenient place in the midst of the Lane to draw up a reserve, made good their own retreat, and beat our men back in some disorder but Major Castle and myself hastening up with the foot, and having almost Recovered the end of the Lane perceiveing them disordered, i galloped up, and by persuasions and threats, caused the Horse to rally; and make a stand which the enemy perceiving forbore to pursue their advantage: Whereupon I desired Major Hawkswor●h (who was also accidentally in town, and behaved himself very gallantly in the whole action that he would hold the enemy in play with the Horse in the Lane, that Major Castle and myself might in the interim bring up the foot on the other side of the hedge; But the enemy perceiving our intentions, marched ●o with out any loss, and drew up a gain in the next field, and we did the like, and there faced eachother three or four hours, sometimes skirmishing with small parties of Horse, and the foot otherwhiles sending some musket balls amongst them, where by the enemy received some small loss, as we did from their Carbines i having my Horse also shot: At length I perceiveing the enemy's resolution to March away, there being ashort Lane at the end of this Great field through which they must necessarily March: and much troubled to think of the poor country's loss called the Officers together & told them, this was the last opportunity which if lost the Enemy would march clear away, and therefore desired Major Hawksworth and captain Andrew's to be ready when the Enemies rear guard should come to take the lane to give them a resolute charge and conceiving that if they could put them to the Rout, happily all the rest might thereby be disordered: and in case our hor should be put to the worse, I desired they would retire behind the foot, which I would cause to advance as fast as I could to countenance them, and did not doubt through God's blessing) but to hold up the enemy until they should have time to rally, and be ready to give, or receive another charge, which they assenting to, and I having imparted our resolves to the several divisions, caused the foot to advance which the enemy perceiving, and in a greater body than they expected, hasted to make a retreat through the lane, but in a very orderly manner. And Major Hawksworth, captain Andrew's, captain Milward and some other horse Officers according to the former conclusions took their time so right, and quitted themselves so bravely, as in their first charge they took Pitcher the captain of the Reformadoes, who commanded the rear guard, and routed not only that party, but all the rest: killed about ten in the place, and in the pursuit (whereof divers were Officers and men of good quality) wounded very many, and divers mortally, took near sixty prisoners, of which many very considerable, 120 horses at least, one horse colours which was all I saw in the field, or could hear of, pursued them 4 or 5 miles, recovered all the plundered beasts, and one cart load of broad cloth, and utterly scattered the remainder of them: so as the Prince's Surgeon that is sent hither to take care of their wounded men, tells us he hath not known such a rout: some flying to Camden, Evesham, Worcester, Witch, many without Hats, others without horses, and few with swords, the praise of all which be given to God, who only giveth all victories, I rest.  
This Victory was obtained Friday the 13 of April 1645  
Your humble Servant I. B