A Copy of a Letter Sent from a Gentleman in his Majesty's Army, to an especial friend in London: Containing a true Relation of his Majesty's Army since their removal from Oxford, to the 16. of this present Novemb. 1642.  
Published for the benefit of all those who desire to be truly informed.  
Printed Anno Dom. 1642.   

SIR,  
I Shall tell you nothing of the King's passage from Oxford to Abbington, Henly, Redding and Maidenhead who expiated by furnishing the Army with necessaries, besides Arms, which the fled Garrisons left behind them when his Majesty came to Egham and Stanes, he summoned Windsor-Castle (kept against him by 1200 men under the command of captain Venne Citizene) but was denied entrance; His Majesty thought it not worth the stay, or the loss of any man. From thence marched to Colebrook where the Earls of Northumberland and Pembroke (for the house of Peers) the Lord Wenman, Mr Pierpoynt, Sir John Epsley (for the house of Commons) brought a Petition from the Parliament after long dispute presented by them to his Majesty; the substance was to beseech his Majesty to concur with His loving subjects to prevent the further effusion of blood, and to that end to appoint a place for Commissioners on both sides to meet & treat of Peace. To this the King answered, he knew no  place than Windsor-castle. After this Committee had been exceedingly well received both by the King and the rest of the Court, they were dismissed and set forwards towards London. On Saturday about eight of the clock in the morning, the King gave sudden charges for the Army to march toward Brandford, and on Hountslow heath set the Army in battalia, while the Lord General Ruthen led some of the Regiments of foot towards the town, where the Regiments of my Lord Brooks, and Mr Hollys and some other select companies, in all 2000 kept the works: These gave fire assoon as the King's forces were upon them, and were boldly answered by the Regiment of Mr bellows, some of whose men were slain out of the windows; but twenty of his men got into the house, slew ten in the chambers, and at their descent took 80 prisonners in a yard, ready to issue out. When they had bound these & put a guard upon them, they advanced so stoutly that they possessed themselves of the first work, which was a battery of two Canons, and a Brest-work in the middle of New-Braintford.  
By this time the Regiment of Sir William Pennyman came up to the assistance of M. bellows, and here the dispute grew very hot from another work like the former betwixt the two Brainfords (where the watermen used to ply,) at last it was likewise won: the last work was about 20 score on this side the old Brainford. Colonel Hapden was not fare distant from it with a reserve, but came not into their relief, & here many fell; at least 50 drowned; and the rest ran away, leaving that work as the two former. By this time it grew so exceeding dark that it was not wisdom, though I think safe, to have followed the execution any further. The King lay at Hounslow, the body of the army and all the baggage at Brainford. Upon strict and just examination the benefit of this action was this, 6 pieces of Canon, 7 Colours, 443 prisoners, among whom are Doctor Clayton minister of Putney, and Preacher to a Regiment. Lilburn, once a Printer stigmatised with M. Prin, and now Captain, and one Ashfield Captain, Lieutenant to the Lord Brook, besides many other inferior officers.  
Their dead, I mean by the sword, are not above 200. Among them is Quarles, Lieutenant Colonel to M. Hollis (whose Regiment is by this service utterly defeated.) Of the King's side there were slain near 30, none of note, but M. Creswell, a Captain of foot, and a Lieutenant: M. La-Roch a great Engineer is wounded in the belly, but without danger. The next day, being Sunday, the King commanded service and sermon before the break of day, and about 8 of the clock, went to Brainford, where he had scarce been half an hour, but a most violent (because unexpected) Alarm was given, which was immediately discovered by the garrison in Kingston to be 1200 men, Mariners that came in 12 great Lighters with their Cannon, and designed to land at Sion-house to make that good, but were prevented by the excellent industry of a Gentleman, no officer, who rallyed 150 men and made good the House and garden just as they drew to shore: from whom they were so galled that they launched out again and moved down the river, giving so much fire both with great and small shot, which was answered again from the shore, that for the time, the greatest battle made not more noise.  
Divers shot came through the House and fell nigh the King's person at Old-Brainford. Two Drakes were prepared ready to entertain them and not in vain, for at the first shot a Barge was broken at one side; at the second six men were slain; the third fell into the Boat, where half their Ammunition lay, being 22 barrels of Powder, which immediately took fire and made the morning in one part as dark as the preceding night: and yet by the rest, that appeared of day, legs and arms were plentifully seen fly in the air. Amazed with this they ran their Boats upon the shore of the other side and quitted them. The King's soldiers soon possessed themselves of the spoil, which was 11 piece of Canon, 22 barrels of Powder, much meal, bread, cheese, etc. For want of carriage, 12 barrels of Powder, by order were broken and thrown into the water, and eight Canon nailed and sunk. In this action the King lost not one man and but one hurt on the thumb. About one of the clock the Earl of Essex (with the help of many City Regiments) stood in battalia near the Camp. But among so many trees, ditches and hedges, that the King's Horse could never come to Charge. Wherefore two Troops stood within less than twice Musket-shot of them; received 30 Canon-shot with the loss but of 5 horses and never a man. In the mean time, the Army retreated part with the King to Hampton Court, and the other to Kingston. By this, if the Parliament forces had a mind to fight, Hounslow-heath was an open Campagnea; besides Kinston was better Quarter, by the benefit of the River, and the other countries' adjacent.  
The Parliament was highly offended with what the King had done upon Saturday. Imprisoned a messenger the King sent upon Sunday with a gracious message; but released him the next day. They say the King fights while he treats of Peace. To this it is answered that the Parliament forces advanced the same day towards the King, before he marched. That they shot first. That the same day speeches were made in Guildhall, that for all the Treaty, they did not intent Peace. Lastly, that the King did not give, nor they ask a cessation of arms.  
The King on Monday marched himself to oatland's, the Army still lying at Kingston.  
The Lord Digby with his Regiment of horse and 2 Troops of Dragoneers layeth at Egham to hinder the incursions of Windsor-Castle, from whence on the same Saturday (which is another reason) they issued and took two of the King's wagons of provision, slaying the carters. You may confidently believe this narration; for you receive it not from my ear, but from my eye.