A LETTER FROM The Lord General Cromwell FROM DUNBAR; CONTAINING A true Relation of the Proceed OF THE Parliament Army Under his Command in SCOTLAND; And the Success God was pleased to give them against the Scots Army, in a Battle at Dunbar the 3 of September. 1650. Together with a LIST of the Scotish Officers then taken. Die Martis, 10. September. 1650. ORdered by the Parliament, That the Lord General's Letter, and the List of names therewith sent, be forthwith Printed and Published. Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti. London, Printed by Edward Husband and John Field, Printers to the Parliament of England. 1650. For the Honourable, William Lenthal Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of England. SIR, I Hope it is not ill taken, that I make no more frequent Addresses to the Parliament; things that are of trouble in point of Provision for your Army, and of ordinary direction, I have, as I could, often presented to the Council of State, together with such Occurrences as have happened; who I am sure, as they have not been wanting in their extraordinary care, and provision for us, so neither what they judge fit and necessary, to represent the same to you; and this I thought to be a sufficient discharge or my duty on that behalf. It hath now pleased God to bestow a mercy upon you, worthy your knowledge, and of the utmost praise and thanks of all that fear and love his Name; yea, the Mercy is far above all praise, which, that you may the better perceive, I shall take the boldness to tender unto you some circumstances accompanying this great Business, which will manifest the greatness and seasonableness of this Mercy: We having tried what we could to engage the enemy three or four mile's West of Edinburgh, that proving ineffectual, and our victual failing, we marched towards our Ships for a recruit of our want; the enemy did not at all trouble us in our Rear, but marched the direct way towards Edinburgh, and partly in the night and morning, slips through his whole Army, and Quarters himself in a posture easy to interpose between us and our victual; but the Lord made him lose the opportunity, and the morning proving exceeding wet and dark, we recovered by that time it was light into a ground where they could not hinder us from our victual; which was a high act of the Lords Providence to us. We being come into the said ground, the Enemy marched into the grounds we were last upon, having no mind either to strive to interpose between us and our victual, or to fight, being indeed upon this lock, Hoping that the sickness of your Army would render their work more easy by the gaining of time; whereupon we marched to Muscleburgh to victual, and to ship away our sick men, where we sent aboard near Five hundred sick and wounded Soldiers: And upon serious consideration, finding our weakness so to increase, and the Enemy lying upon his advantages; at a General Council it was thought fit to march to Dunbar, and there to fortify the Town, which we thought, if any thing, would provoke them to engage; as also that the having of a Garrison there, would furnish us with accommodation for our sick men, would be a place for a good Magazine (which we exceedingly wanted) being put to depend upon the uncertainty of weather for landing Provisions, which many times cannot be done, though the Being of the whole Army lay upon it; all the Coasts from Leith to Berwick not having one good Harbour, as also to lie more conveniently to receive our recruits of Horse and Foot from Berwick. Having these considerations, upon Saturday the thirtieth of August, we marched from Muscleburgh to Heddington, where by that time we had got the Van-Brigade of our Horse, & our Foot and Train into their Quarters, the Enemy was marched with that exceeding expedition, that they fell upon the Rere-Forlorn of our Horse, and put it in some disorder; and indeed, had like to have engaged our Rere-Brigade of Horse with their whole Army, had not the Lord by his Providence: put a cloud over the Moon, thereby giving us opportunity to draw off those Horse to the rest of the Army, which accordingly was done without any loss, save of three or four of our aforementioned Forlorn, wherein the Enemy (as we believe) received more loss. The Army being put into a reasonable secure posture, towards midnight the Enemy attempted our Quarters on the Westend of Heddington, but (through the goodness of God) we repulsed them. The next morning we drew into an open field, on the Southside of Heddington, we not judging it safe for us to draw to the Enemy upon his own ground, he being prepossessed thereof, but rather drew back to give him way to come to us, if he had so thought fit. And having waited about the space of four or five hours, to see if he would come to us; and not finding any inclination in the Enemy so to do, we resolved to go according to our first intendment to Dunbar: By that time we had marched three or four miles, we saw some Bodies of the Enemy's Horse draw out of their Quarters; and by that time our Carriages were gotten near Dunbar, their whole Army was upon their march after us; and indeed, our drawing back in this manner, with the addition of three new Regiments added to them, did much heighten their Confidence, if not Presumption and Arrogancy. The Enemy that night, we perceived, gathered towards the Hills, labouring to make a perfect interposition between us and Berwick; and having in this posture a great advantage, through his better knowledge of the Country, which he effected by sending a considerable Party to the straight Pass at Copperspeth, where ten men to hinder, are better than forty to make their way: And truly this was an exigent to us, wherewith the Enemy reproached us with that condition the Parliaments Army was in, when it made its hard conditions with the King in Cornwall; by some Reports that have come to us, they had disposed of us, and of their business, in sufficient revenge and wrath towards our persons, and had swallowed up the poor Interest of England, believing that their Army and their King would have marched to London without any interruption; it being told us, we know not how truly, by a prisoner we took the night before the fight, That their King was very suddenly to come amongst them with those English they allowed to be about him; but in what they were thus lifted up, the Lord was above them. The Enemy lying in the posture before mentioned, having those advantages, we lay very near him, being sensible of our disadvantage, having some weakness of flesh, but yet consolation and support from the Lord himself to our poor weak Faith, wherein I believe not a few amongst us shared, That because of their Numbers, because of their Advantages, because of their Confidence, because of our Weakness, because of our Strait, we were in the Mount, and in the Mount the Lord would be seen, and that he would find out a way of Deliverance and Salvation for us; and indeed, we had our Consolations and our Hopes. Upon Monday Evening the Enemy whose numbers were very great, as we hear about Six thousand Horse, and Sixteen thousand Foot, at least: Ours drawn down, as to sound men, to about Seven thousand five hundred Foot, and Three thousand five hundred Horse; the Enemy drew down to their Right Wing about two Thirds of their Left Wing of Horse, to the Right Wing shogging also their Foot and Train much to the Right, causing their Right Wing of Horse to edge down towards the Sea. We could not well imagine, but that the Enemy intended to attempt upon us, or to place themselves in a more exact condition of interposition: Major General and myself coming to the Earl of Roxboroughs House, and observing this posture, I told him, I thought it did give us an opportunity and advantage to attempt upon the Enemy; to which he immediately replied, That he had thought to have said the same thing to me; so that it pleased the Lord to set this apprehension upon both of our hearts at the same instant; we called for Colonel Monk, and shown him the thing; and coming to our Quarter at night, and demonstrating our apprehensions to some of the Colonels, they also cheerfully concurred; we resolved therefore to put our business into this posture, That six Regiments of Horse, and three Regiments and an half of Foot, should march in the Van, and that the Major General, the Lieutenant General of the Horse, and the Commissary General and Colonel Monk, to command the Brigade of Foot, should lead on the business; And that Colonel Pride's Brigade, Colonel overton's Brigade, and the remaining two Regiments of Horse, should bring up the Canon and Rear; the time of falling on to be by break of day, but through some delays it proved not to be so till six a clock in the morning: The Enemy's word was The Covenant, which it had been for divers days; ours (The Lord of Hosts) The Major General, Lieutenant General Fleetwood, and Commissary General Whaley, and Colonel Twisletons, gave the Onset, the Enemy being in very good posture to receive them, having the advantage of their Canon and Foot against our Horse; before our Foot could come up, the enemy made a gallant resistance, and there was a very hot dispute at swords point between our Horse and theirs: Our first Foot, after they had discharged their duty, being overpowered with the Enemy, received some repulse, which they soon recovered; but my own Regiment, under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Goff, and my Major White, did come seasonably in, and at the push of Pike did repel the stoutest Regiment the Enemy had there, merely with the courage the Lord was pleased to give, which proved a great amazement to the residue of their Foot: This being the first Action between the Foot, the Horse in the mean time did with a great deal of courage and spirit, beat back all opposition, charging through the Bodies of the Enemy's Horse and their Foot, who were after the first repulse given, made by the Lord of Hosts as stubble to their swords. Indeed, I believe I may speak it without partiality, both your Chief Commanders, and others in their several placesâ–Ş and Soldiers also, were acted with as much courage, as ever hath been seen in any Action since this War: I know they look not to be named, and therefore I forbear particulars. The best of the Enemy's Horse and Foot being broken through and through in less than an hours dispute, their whole Army being put into confusion, it became a total Rout, our men having the chase and execution of them near eight miles; we believe that upon the place and near about it, were about Three thousand slain, Prisoners taken or their Officers you have this enclosed List; of private Soldiers near Ten thousand, the whole Baggage and Train taken, wherein was good store of Match, Powder and Bullet, all their Artillery great and small, Thirty Guns; we are confident they have left behind them not less than Fifteen thousand Arms: I have already brought in to me near Two hundred Colours, which I herewith send you; what Officers of quality of theirs are killed, we yet cannot learn: But yet surely divers are, and many men of quality are mortally wounded, as Colonel Lumsdel, the Lord Liberton, and others; and that which is no small addition, I do not believe we have lost twenty men, not one Commissioned Officer slain that I hear of, save one Cornet, and Major Rooksby since dead of his wounds, and not many mortally wounded, Colonel Whaley only cut in the Hand-wrist, and his Horse twice shot and killed under him, but he well, recovered another Horse, and went on in the Chase: Thus you have the prospect of one of the most signal mercies God hath done for England and his People this War. And now may it please you to give me the leave of a few Words, It is easy to say, the Lord hath done this, it would do you good to see and hear our poor Foot go up and down making their boast of God; but Sir, It is in your hands, and by these eminent mercies, God puts it more into your hands to give glory to him, to improve your Power and his Blessings to his praise; we that serve you, beg of you, not to own us, but God alone; we pray you own his people more and more, for they are the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel; disown yourselves, but own your Authority and improve it, to curb the proud and the insolent, such as would disturb the tranquillity of England, though under what specious pretences soever; relieve the oppressed, hear the groans of poor Prisoners in England: Be pleased to reform the abuses of all Professions, and if there be any one that makes many poor to make a few rich, that suits not a Commonwealth. If he that strengthens your Servants to Fight, pleases to give you hearts to set upon these things in order to his glory, and the glory of your Commonwealth, besides the benefit England shall feel thereby, you shall shine forth to other Nations, who shall emulate the glory of such a pattern, and through the power of God turn into the like. These are our desires, and that you may have liberty and opportunity to do these things and not be hindered, we have been and shall be (by God's assistance) willing to venture our lives, and not desire you should be precipitated by importunities from your care of Safety and Preservation; but that the doing of these good things may have their place amongst those which concern well being, and so be wrought in their time and order. Since we came in Scotland, it hath been our desire and longing to have avoided blood in this business, by reason that God hath a people here fearing his Name, though deceived; and to that end have we offered much love unto such in the bowels of Christ; and concerning the truth of our hearts therein, have we appealed unto the Lord. The Ministers of Scotland have hindered the Passage of these things to the hearts of those to whom we intended them; and now we hear, that not only the deceived people, but some of the Ministers are also fallen in this Battle. This is the great hand of the Lord, and worthy of the consideration of all those, who taking into their hands the Instruments of a foolish Shepherd, to wit, meddling with worldly policies, and mixtures of earthly power, to set up that which they call the Kingdom of Christ, which is neither it, nor if it were it, would such means be found effectual to that end, and neglect, or trust not to the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, which is alone powerful and able for the setting up of that Kingdom, and when trusted to, will be found effectually able to that end, & will also do it. This is humbly offered for their sakes, who having lately too much turned aside, that they might return again to Preach Jesus Christ, according to the simplicity of the Gospel, and then no doubt they will discern and find your protection and encouragement, beseeching you to pardon this length, I humbly take leave, and rest, Sir, Your most humble Servant, O. CROMWELL. Dunbar, Septembr. 4. 1650. A List of such Prisoners taken at the Fight. SIr James Lomsden Lieut. Gen. of Foot. Colonels. Col: Sir Will: Douglas Col: Will: Lomsden. Colonel Gurdon. Lieutenant Colonels. Lieut: Col. Wallis. Lieut: Col. Lesley. Lieut: Col. Murray. Lieut: Colonel Henry Malvin. L: Col. Arthur Forbis. Lieut: Colonel Francis Wanhap, of Horse. Lieut: Col. Dunbarre. Lieut: Col. Hamilton. Lieut: Col. Crawford. Lieu: Col: Ingles. Lieut: Colonel John Montgomery. James Bickerton Adjutant Gen. of Horse. Majors. Henry Carmihil, of Foot. James Granster, of Horse. George Moat, of Foot. Will: Scringer, of Foot. Jo: Steward, of Foot. George Forbes, Reformado. Moor. Oagle. Freesle. Captains of Foot: James Sterlyn. Francis Agnue. Sibbald. Alex. Monpreff George Holliburton Tho: Brown William Murray James Scot William Rudderford Captains of Foot. James Macularoy Hugh Montgomery James Aken George Smith John Macclellan Robert Mackellum Hugh Madole George Pringle Robert Scot Alexander Wood Robert Hamilton Tho: Grace Robert Adamson Beton. Captains of Horse and Foot. Robert Duncan Robert Maccaulla Walter Scot Matthew Creshton James Steward William Douglas Walter Lesley Wil: Manhop, of Horse James Borthick David Murray Captains of Horse. John Murray William Burton James Camil William Bresbon, of Horse. William Daurlmple Charles Kerkpatrick. Nicholas Lawson. Robert Rudderford John Car Dundass Ogleby Gourdon Bonner. Lieut: Bruse, Lieutenant of Horse. Cornets of Horse. William Cunningham James Maxwel James Denham James Magil Walter Steward John Hay Anthony Macdoer John Brown Cornets of Horse. Alex. Michil John Collerwood George Winderum. Captains Lieut: of Horse and Foot. John Monnergain William Emery William Blayer Robert Anderson Roger Holden Robert Wood Lieutenants of Foot. James Cunningham James Blackwood Patrick Macknab Henry Cunningham Lancelot Car John Macknight John Heume John Gourdon George Cunningham James Wear Henry Eston William Gun Nicholas Coston Lieut: of Foot. Alexander Steward Arthur Steward William Petre Norman Lesley William Bailey William Gladston Robert Hamberton Geo: Mackburney Robert Straughan Richard Allen James Mackbey George Bisset James Nichols Thomas Mennis William Sinnis John Car Alexander Car James tweed Philip Leich James Armer James Sayers John Mere Andrew Pennere Patrick Baily John Camil Lieut: of Foot. John Rich John Steward John Camil Allen Osborn William Knocks John Wilson Thomas Anderson Walter Wanhap Patrick Holliburton Lancelot Car William Engley Thomas Car Alexander Gourdon Andrew Haily Samuel Gourdon Lancaster Forguson Robert Rankin Cham Coleman John Lewson Andrew Guiler George Patterson Thomas Hutchen John Ennis John Sken John Hunter Lieut: of Foot. John Mackdoughal Andrew Drumon George Lesley George Moat Francis Scot William eliot Alexander Ciff John Denguit. Quartermasters of Horse. Tho: Richman. William Forbis. Ensigns. Kilpatrick Walter Macdoughel William Sinclare George Jack Hartley Gadley William Carnecuse Thomas Wallis James Rolston Andrew Mine James Bennet John Linsey Andrew Hanna Thomas Pringle Robert Hamilton James Delop John Grace James Edward Collen Camel Heatly Robert Roy. Gilbert Harral James Musket William Sample Robert Ogleby Robert Williamson William Lesley Ersby Shields Robert Haborn William Scot Ja: Edminston Robert Lawson James Neicen Andrew Barthick George Elphenstou John Fairdise Henry White Andrew Dunalson David Camide John Camil Cornelius Engles Duncan Camil Patrick Canburn William Mannord Robert Craw George Calley James Rudderford Walter Scot Walter Steward Robert Heume James Forquer James Macknath Henry Ackman John Wayer John Brown William Chapman John Macuo Alexander Spence John Black Thomas Thompson Robert Friar John Tompson John Dixon George Smith Alexander Johnston William Egger David Grant George Gayler John Wallis John Kemmen Thomas Enderson James Brewse William Maclan John Carmihil William Watson William Anderson James Dunbar James Elderwood Henry Roy Thomas Boyd. David Reed. FINIS