The Lord General's LETTER TO To the Honourable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honourable House of COMMONS, Wherein is fully related, The Particulars of the Fight at MAIDSTONE, Where were near Three hundred slain, about One thousand three hundred Prisoners, Five hundred Horse, Three thousand Arms, Nine Foot Colours, and Eight pieces of Ordnance, with great store of Ammunition, taken by the Lord General's Forces.  
With a Relation of certain PAPERS taken from the Enemy, of the depth of their Plot and Engagements.  

ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Letter be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honourable House of Commons. June 6. 1648.   

TO The Honourable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honourable House of COMMONS.  
Mr. Speaker,  
I Shall according to my last give you this further Account of our success at Maidstone: Upon Thursday in the evening about Seven of the clock, after very long marches, we got near the Town, and a Troop of Dragoons was sent to make good a Pass, whilst the Town was viewing at what place our men might best enter, it being resolved upon to force our passage, in case of resistance, the gaining of that Town over the River being of great advantage to our Affairs; but before there could be a view taken of the Town, the Dragoons had engaged the Enemy; and forced them from that ground which they kept; the Dragoons being very forward to engage, pursued, and so the Enemy drew forth a considerable party of Horse and Foot to maintain a Pass against us, which necessitated the drawing down of the greatest part of the Foot, with some horse: and though that part of the town was of the greatest difficulty to enter, yet through the goodness of God our men made their entrance, and became Masters of the Town, after four or five hours hot Service; the Town being very strongly Barricoed, and through the darkness of the night, and our ignorance of the Town, they disputed the Barricadoes and places of advantage with our men, playing hard with their Canon upon them: In which Service, both Horse and Foot did exceeding well; and particularly I cannot but take notice of the valour and resolution of Col: Hewson, whose Regiment had the hardest task, Major Carter his Major being hurt, and Captain Price, a deserving and faithful Officer, slain: The best of their men were there, whereof many were Cavaliers and London Apprentices; they looked upon the consequence of that place to be very great, and therefore did resolve to make what resistance they could, the old Lord Goring being that day Proclaimed General at the head of their Army upon the Hill near Aylsford, where we saw their Body drawn up, which as their Prisoners since do confess, and they themselves gave out, consisted of Eight thousand men, besides those in Maidstone and Aylsford; in both which places there were about Three thousand men, those of Aylsford coming as a fresh supply to relieve those engaged in Maidstone: There were near Three hundred slain, and about One thousand three hundred Prisoners, many of them being taken next morning early in the Woods, Hopyards and Fields whether they fled in the time of the fight; amongst which were Gentlemen of good quality, Sir Gamaliel Dudley, Sir William Brockman, Squire Scot, and Major Price, and others, a List whereof is preparing to be sent. There were about Five hundred Horse, Three thousand Arms, Nine Foot Colours, and Eight pieces of Canon, with store of Ammunition also taken. In the first Charge which our Forlorn-hope gave the Enemy's Horse (wherein our Horse carried themselves very gallantly, as I since hear) Sir john Many, and divers others of quality were slain. After it pleased the Lord to give us this great mercy in gaining of the Town, their men received so great discouragement, that the greatest part of their Army left them, and were dispersed, and a great number of Officers and Gentlemen since fled to shift for themselves: Their word at the Engagement was, King and Kent; ours, Truth. Having thus possessed ourselves of the passes at Maidstone and Aylesford, the Enemy being much confused with our Success, and their own men deserting them, they at last marched over Rochester bridge towards Black-Heath with about Three thousand Horse and Foot, most of which were Cavaliers, Apprentices and Watermen, our men being not able to make so speedy a march after them as was necessary. I sent Col: Whaley with a party of Horse and Dragoons after them, upon whose approach they have left Kent, and are fled over the water into Essex by Woolwich and Greenwich: Colonel Whaley is in pursuit, and I doubt not but he will give a good Account of that Service.  
I have sent Colonel Rich with a party of Horse and Foot to relieve Dover, where I trust we shall find the same presence of God as hitherto hath been: My prayer to the Lord is, That this great mercy may be further improved to his glory, and this Kingdoms good. I thought fit to present unto the House these Papers enclosed, taken from the Enemy, whereby you will perceive the depth of their Plot, and their Engagements to pursue what they have undertaken, and granting Commissions to raise Regiments, and the Oath of Secrecy, which they took for the better management of their Affairs: I have secured the Major of Rochester, whose hand is to the Commissions granted for raising of Forces. I remain  
Your humble Servant, T. Fairfax. Rochester, 4 Junii, 1648.  
I desire you to be pleased to move the House on the behalf of the Widow and Children of Captain Price, that some provision may be made for them, and the Arrears of her Husband paid unto them, for their present subsistence; that those who adventure their lives for the Service of the Public, may receive encouragement for their faithfulness to the Public.   
FINIS.