THE OVERTHROW OF THE Scottish Army: Or a Letter sent from Lieutenant General CROMWELL to the Committee of Lancashire sitting at MANCHESTER, showing the utter Routing of the Scottish Forces.  
HEB DDIEV HEB DDIM   seal 
LONDON, Printed for JOHN BELLAMY; 1648.   

THE OVERTHROW OF THE SCOTTISH ARMY.  
To the Committee of Lancashire, sitting at MANCHESTER.  

Gentlemen,  
IT hath pleased God this day to show a great mercy to this poor Kingdom, by making the Army successful against the common Enemy. We lay last night at Mr. Sherbournes of Stonihurst, about Nine miles from Preston, which was within Three miles of the Scots Quarters,; we advanced betime the next morning towards Preston with a desire to engage the enemy, and by that time our Forlorn Hope had engaged the Enemy, we were about Four miles from Preston, and thereupon we advanced with the whole Army, and the Enemy being drawn out upon a Moor, betwixt us and the Town, the Armies on both sides engaged, and after a very sharp bout continuing for three or four hours, it pleased God to enable us to give the Enemy a Defeat, which I hope we shall improve by God's Assistance to their utter ruin. And in this Service your Countrymen had not the least share; we cannot be particular, having not time to take an account of the slain or Prisoners, but we can assure you, we have many Prisoners, and many of those of quality, and many slain, and the Army dissipated; a Principal whereof with Duke Hambleton is on the South side of Rible and Darwent Bridges and we lying with the greatest part of the Army close to them, nothing hindering the ruin of that part of the Enemy's Army, but the night; it will be our care that they shall not pass over any Ford beneath the Bridge to go Northwards, nor to come over betwixt us and Whaley. We understand that three Companies of Colonel General ashton's are at Whaly, we have seven troops of Horse and Dragoons, that we believe lie at or near Clytherow this night; I have sent Orders expressly to them to march to Whaley, to join with those Companies that you shall improve of your Country Forces towards the ruin of this Enemy; you perceive by this how things stand, to wit, the Enemy is broken, most of the Horse being gone Northwards, and we having sent a considerable party in the very heels of them; and the Enemy having lost almost all his Ammunition, and near 4000 Arms: so that the greatest part of their Foot is naked. And therefore in order to this work, we desire you to raise your Country, and improve your Forces for the total ruin of that Enemy which way soever they go; and that you shall accordingly do your part, doubt not of their ruin: We thought to speed this unto you, to the end you may not be troubled if they shall march to you, but improve your interest as aforesaid; and that you may give glory to God for this unspeakable mercy.  
August 17. 1648. From your very humble Servants, Oliver Cromwell, Ralph Ashton.   

Mr. Winstanley,  
SInce the sealing up of my Letter, we have more good news come in to us. Yesterday upon Standish-moor they had a hot dispute, many slain and taken: some report at both fights near four thousand slain; they came running through Wigan in a bleeding condition; the Enemy is running through Warington, some skirmishing is still amongst them at Goose-green, and Ashton: we are sending out more Forces towards Wigan to help to beat the running Army, and catch them as they go: This day is a glorious day in Lancashire; if you were in our County, you would rejoice to see what a refreshing gale is come amongst us. I rest, Yours  
Henry Mollineux.  
We see it made good, That when God's people are brought low by their oppressors, the Lord raiseth them up.   
FINIS.