A DECLARATION OF THE Proceed of the New Moddeled Army in the Kingdom of Scotland, against the Irish Army under the Command of General Kilketto; Declaring the manner of their retreat to the Mountains, and the Warlike Preparations of the Northern Army, by cutting off Passages, and planting of Ordnance. Whereunto is annexed, the New Oath taken by the Scottish Chivalry, concerning the Kingdom of England, and General Kilketto: Together, with their resolution and proceed thereupon. PUblished by Authority; And communicated to the English Chivalry, for general satisfaction of the Kingdom of England, March. 1. 1647. LONDON: Printed Anno Domini, 1647. A TRUE RELATION OF The proceed and advance of the Scottish Army, towards the North of Scotland, under the Command of his Excellency General Leven. SIR, MY best respects to you recommended etc. Yours, by the last, I received, & the enclosed papers; and according to your request, I thought it requisite, to satisfy your desire, concerning the proceed of the new modelled army in Scotland, upon their Design Northwards, against Kilketto and his adherents, who not long since, were within thirty miles of the City of Edinburgh▪ ●lundering most of the Inhabitants thereabouts, and driving many Heads of towards the North; but were frustrated of their Design: for, upon an alarm, that Lieutenant General David Lesley, and Major General Brown, were advanced over Tweed, and upon their march towards the North of that Kingdom, with a strong party of Horse and Dragoons, immediately took his retreat towards the North, leaving most of the Cattles behind him. Sir, not long since, Major General Middleton fell upon a party of the Kilkettonians, as they were ranging the Country, killed many of them, and took divers prisoners, and some few days after that, he fell upon two or three Garrisons, which were kept by the Irish Rebels, stormed them, and put many to the sword. Kilketto is supposed to be about four thousand strong, his army consisting of one thousand Horse, and three thousand Foot, most of them completely armed, and very expert Soldiers; yet some what timorous of spirit, and fearful of maintaining the Holds, now in their possession: for, by a Messenger from those parts, it is declared unto us, that the Irish have deserted several Garrisons, and have drawn up their whole Body towards the high Mountains, fortifying, and planting their Ordnance, upon several convenient Hills, cutting off several passages, and making great preparations of war, yet (its verily believed) to little purpose; for Lieutenant General David Lesley, let's no opportunity slip, for the putting an end and period to the distractions of that Kingdom, having declared himself very nobly & gallantly to the new modelled army for the expediting of that Design, by encouraging the Soldiery, who have expressed themselves freely and resolutely to their General; saying, they will live and die with him, and hazard both life & limbs against the public enemy of both Kingdoms. Thus (in brief) have I given you, an exact relation, of the Occurrences of Scotland, remaining Barwick Feb. 22. Your affectionate Friend W. Bode SIR, Thursday the 11. instant, the Rear of the Scotch Army marched over Tweed at Kelsey and Barwick, and the next day the town of Barwick was quitted, and the Garrison dismantled, according to agreement: the six Regiments of their horse, which were appointed to disband, had their Rendezvouz at Kelsey, where they were required. 1. To deliver up their Arms. 2. To take an oath to this effect: To offer no injury to the Country in their passage to their several Homes; to be faithful to the Covenant and cause of both Kingdoms, and not to engage with any against them: At first, they refused; but at last were induced to accept of them; partly by the means of their Lieut Gen. David Lesly, and partly by the incitements of their Ministers. Both of these were necessary, if we consider the constitution of some of those who were disbanded, who resolved to join with Kilketto, being much incensed at their proceeding. Upon the taking the Oath, and delivering up their pistols, they had pay upon the place, some one, some two, some 3 month's pay, according to the years of their service. This done, the Lieut. Gen. very nobly & freely required of them, if they had any thing to say of him, or any other of their Officers; they answered no: thereupon they broke the Standards of every Regiment, and so were all dispersed towards their several homes; except those who were selected for a New Model, who chose the best pistols (of those delivered up) for themselves. Most of these are of the Arguile party, officers and soulditrs, yet some of them unwilling to continue in arms. The new Model is fourteen hundred Horse, and five thousand Foot. The Hamiltonians are much discontented at this. I might acquaint you with the spoil and plunder they made in Northumberland, and their not paying of quarters from the coming of the first 100000. l. till this time; but I had rather these and the like compliments were buried: there will be disorders in the best governed Bodies, Courts, Camps, City, & Country, none are exempted: the best Instrument is sometimes out of tune: Love covereth a multitude of sins: it's the want of that which first occasions the offence; and then in others raises slanders, whence arise all the clamours and scandals against this Army, but only from want of affections: sure the army hath deserved better from them, and might have had better words a year since when an Enemy was in the field. But now the work is done, how are they slighted: the general cry is now for a disbanding; and for my part (& I think divers others of quality in the Army would be of my mind) it should be the first thing I would petition for, seeing now it is only set up as a mark for every tongue set on fire to dart forth their malice against, and every Malignant Priest, and upstart Levite, to raise and write slanders, to fill Gangrenaes' Volumes. Sir, I have no more at present, only I remain, Nottingham, Feb. 19 Your affectionate friend, W. C.