A Full NARATIVE OF All the proceedings between His Excellency the Lord FAIRFAX and the MUTINEERS, since his Excellencies advance from London, Thursday May 10. to their routing and surprisal, Monday May 14. at midnight.  
With the particulars of that engagement, the Prisoners taken, and the trial and Condemning Cornet Thompson and Cornet den to die, who were the Ringleaders in the Mutiny.  
Also his Excellencies the Lord general's Letter to the Speaker concerning the same.  
Published by special Authority to prevent false and impertinent Relations.  
LONDON, Printed for George Roberts dwelling on Snow-hill. 1649.   


SIR,  
I Thought it my duty, having received another pledge and token of the mercy and goodness of God to this poor Nation, to give you a speedy account thereof; when I came to Andover, after so tedious a march, ten Troops of the Mutineers marched from Salisbury to Marlborow, from thence to wantage, and to the end they might get a conjunction of Col. Harrison's Regiment they lay all this day between Abington and Oxford, at a place called Blagrave, expecting to have more Troops come, but there came only to them Cap. Pecks and Cap. Winthrops, and marched all the day towards Abington, some of the Quarters being 22 miles from thence; and when I came near Abington they were marched away, being in all twelve Colours, towards Newbridge, where Colonel Reynolds, Major Shilburne and others kept the Bridge, which they would have forced; but when they saw they could not do it, they Marched up the River and got over at a Ford near a mile from the Bridge. Some three hours after they were gone I marched towards Bampton in the Bush, and from thence to Burford, where, and in the adjacent Villages we took (I think) almost the whole party; the particulars I shall give you an account of (God willing) hereafter more exactly. Those Troops at Salisbury of Col. Scroop's Regiment did wholly reject their Officers, except one Lieutenant, and two or three inferior Officers. Sir, I hope this is none of the least mercies, I pray God you and we may make a good use of it, it will be your glory and your honour to settle this poor Nation upon foundations of Justice and righteousness, and I hope this mercy will the more encourage you to do so: for the poor people, how ever deluded by some cunning and turbulent spirits, yet they may see you will improve your power for their good, and then your Enemies shall be found liars, which I am confident you will: so I cease your further trouble, and remain  
Your most humble servant, THO. FAIRFAX. Burford, May 14. midnight, 1649.  
For the Honourable William Lenthall, Esq. Speaker of the honourable House of Commons.   

AN Account in general is already sent of the surprising and dispersing of the mutinous Regiments at Burford; a more particular account thereof will also come from the general very shortly, yet thus much in brief. That as they were surprised in the very nick of time (when as one day more would have given them opportunity to have joined with other Regiments: so it was very happy it was done with so little bloodshed, there being but one of their party slain (who fought it out to the last) and one of ours.  
The first Horse that entered the Town were those under Col. Reynolds, the Dragoons under Col. Okey, and Major Shelburne, with the Buckinghamshire horse. The general brought up as a Reserve his own Regiment of Horse, and Col. Scroop the rear. Cap. Fisher was sent with a Troop of Horse on the further side of the Town, where he offering to charge two Troops of the Enemy (who were likewise in a posture to charge him, with their Swords drawn and Pistols cocked) upon his advance, and offering them quarter if they would submit to mercy, they all submitted but one, who discharged his pistol, but did not hurt; (which two troops he brought to the general.) Cap. Packers Troop was very diligent, and this is observable, that he had but one man who joined with this party, yet he did engage himself to his captain to be faithful, and it was his hap to take Col. Eyre's, who was very earnest with him to let him go, but because of his engagement to his captain, he brought him prisoner to the general.  
Yesterday Cornet Denn, and Cornet Thompson (brother to Thompson the great) was tried at a council of war and condemned to die. Denn hath bought himself a winding-sheet, and is so sensible of his error, that he doth not desire to live; he doth acknowledge the just hand of God upon him, and is putting forth a Declaration to the world to show the wickedness of the design, and by what means it was contrived.  
There are between three and four hundred prisoners in the church, the rest escaped in the dark; many of them are very resolute, and say (as the Cavaliers used to speak) it is our day to day, it may be theirs to morrow; others of them are very penitent. The soldiers that beat up their quarters had their Horses and Arms for prize, and Crookback (who fought it out so stoutly) being heretofore of Masseys' brigade, had 30 li. about him when the soldiers pillaged him; they had frequent advertisement from their friends in London and in the Tower▪ how to manage their business, and as some of them confessed) had promise of money for the carrying on of their design; but more of this hereafter.  
The general and the Officers are very weary, having never in all the time of the former wars Marched 45 miles in one day (in which the Foot went a great part) and to conclude the day to beat up quarters.  
Two of col Harrison's Troops under▪ cap. Peek●, joined with these men, and had a handsome cudgeling with the rest, and are dispersed.  
We had one Dragoon shot, and some wounded; Col. Reynolds made good Newbridge with a small party of his own and Major Shelburnes horse, and parleyed with the Mutineers, and forced them to ford the River about a mile below. Col▪ Reynolds behaved himself very resolutely both there and at Burford; more prisoners are to be tried to day.  
Burford, Wednesday May 16. 1649.  
The general hath sent a Warrant to all the Justices of peace in these parts to apprehend all such of these Mutineers as have escaped in the dark, and to secure their persons till they be brought to try all.   

The Copies of several Letters sent to and from the Mutineers, since the Generals advance from London.  

The Mutineers first Letter to the general.  
May it please your Excellency,  
A Proposition hath been made unto us for the service of Ireland with a declaration of your excellency's pleasure, that it was lawful for us, either to consent or deny, for no man was to be forced. Although many of us were very willing to put our lives in your hands for that service, it is a breach of former engagements to suffer many of our fellow soldiers who could not go, to be disbanded without a competent pay in hand of their Arrears to carry them home, and enable them to follow their occupations, we perceive such a representation of the business, hath been laid before your Excellency, rendering us so vile in your eyes, that the next news we heard was of forces marching towards us to subdue us, which hath put us upon an unusual yet a necessary way, for our own preservation, lest we should be destroyed, before we could be heard to speak to relinquish our officers, and fly for our present security, and now we do earnestly beseech your Excellency patiently to hear us, and to take us under your protection. All that we require is the performance of our Engagement made at Triplo-heath, and we shall promise never to depart from your excellencies Command in any thing which shall not be contrary to the said Engagement, professing ourselves very sorry, that we should have no better Esteem in your excellency's judgement.  
Subscribed by the Agents for Comisary Gen. Ireton and Col. Scroop's Regiment. 12 May. 1649.   

Gentlemen,  
I Have received a Letter from you of the 12th of the instant, among other false suggestions, whereby I believe you have been abused, that is a mistake and untrue surmise which you mention as an intendment to disband some of the soldiery 〈◊〉 the Army, without a competent pay in hand of their arrears, it being never so thought, but otherwise taken care for, and put into as hopeful and settled a way as could be devised. I had rather pretermit, than take notice of your grounding this usual course you have taken, upon the marching of Forces towards you to subdue you, when as some if not all of you, by your disorderly precipitance into such an irregular way, the first and sole occasion of marching with Forces. However, since you now desire to be heard and taken under my protection, I have given way to Col. Scroop to receive you under protection, and am ready to hear you in any thing concerning the engagement by you mentioned.  
T. Fairfax. May 13. 1649.   

To the Officers and soldiers of Commissary ireton's, & Col. Scroop's Regiments.  
WE have received two letters from your Excellency, the one by the hands of Major White, the other by colonel Scroop, both which we have received with thankful acknowledgement of your lordship's clemency towards us, and care over us; the consideration whereof cannot but produce in us (Unless we should be very ingrateful) a more than ordinary respect towards your Excellency. And that we may prevent jealice subject to be begotten by misinformation, we do confess that next unto the great disturbance which is likely to be the fruit of these divisions, our second grief is that we should be forced to procure your excellency's discontent, which doth appear unto us by the heavy charge laid against us of Rebellion and disobedience; we do assure your Excellency, that we have done no more than our solemn Engagement did enforce us unto; this is the testimony of our conscience in the presence of God, concerning our Engagement. We do acknowledge ourselves your excellency's soldiers, who have engaged our lives under your conduct through all difficulties, in order to the procurement of peace of this Nation, whereof we are a part: But being lately designed by lot to be divided and sent over into Ireland, for the prosecution of that service which we think necessary to be performed, but looking back unto our former Engagement, we find that we cannot in conscience to ourselves, in duty to God, in respect of this N 〈…〉, and our fellow soldiers, undertake that sir 〈…〉 but by such a decision as may be agreeable to 〈…〉 Engagement, made at Triploe heath, June 5. 1647. where we did with one consent solemnly engage one to another in the presence of God, not to disband nor divide, to suffer ourselves to be divided until satisfaction were given according to a council of the Army consisting of two Officers and two soldiers of every Regiment, indifferently chosen, together with the general Officers concurring; And being now departed from our obedience to you, because, (according to our apprehensions) you kept not Covenant with us in performing the engagement, we do promise not to harbour any evil thought, nor use any act of hostility against you unless necessitated thereunto in our own defence, (which the Lord prevent.) All that we desire (the searcher of hearts is our witness) is that your Excellency would call a general council, according to solemn engagement, to sit once in 14 days at the least, according to an Act made in the general council at Putney. In the judgement of this council acquiescing, we will not refuse to give account of our proceedings; and we will every man with cheerfulness return to our obedience, and submit to your Excellency and the judgement of the council, in all matters that concern us as soldiers. This we beg earnestly of your Excellency to grant in respect of your duty to God, this Nation, and the Army; that we may thereby recover our peace, and procure the happiness of this Nation. Mhis is the desire of our souls; if you deny this we must lay at your door all the misery, bloodshed, and ruin which will follow.   

May it please your Excellency,  
IN our last, we gave you information that the Regiments were marched to Abingdon, and intended to quarter there this night, but in our marching thither we found them quartered at Wantage and in the Villages adjacent. We have had some conference with them, and communicated your excellency's letter, which is to be communicated to them all to morrow at the rendezvous intended at Stanford plain, near Farringdon, at ten of the clock, where colonel Harrison's Regiment had engaged to meet with them, as they said; and that there are the agents of 6 Regiments with them, & are tursted for the managing of the affairs of the whole; the chief thing they seemed to insist upon, is the procuring a general council, consisting of two Officers and two private soldiers of each Regiment, as is agreeable to the solemn Engagement, by which council they said they will be included in matters to which that solemn engagement refers unto; and say that they were now justly put upon the claim of the same, being commanded to divide or disband. There are many honest men among them, and some too furious and impatient in their desires, and express much dissatisfaction at the disbanding colonel Hewsons' men with a fortnight's pay, and that there was the like offered to them, if they would not engage for Ireland; some spoke dissatisfaction at the proceeding against Mr. Lockyer, and of the strict dealing with the prisoners in the Tower. They think themselves much injured by reports, which they intend to declare for the King; if there be moderate proceeding, the differences may probably be taken up, but certainly there is nothing more probable to prove destructive then furious proceeding, but we shall pray to God to direct your Excellency and council in this matter of such weighty concernment, and entreat that hostility may be prevented, until all other just means indefectuall; we now hear that they remove quarters from Wantage this night, and promise to direct us to their rendezvous in the morning. We have no more at present to inform your Excellency, but that we are your Excellencies humble servants.  
We have given them some hint of the Declaration that was drawn to be printed, if your Excellency have thoughts of it, for their view, we humbly conceive it might do well to have it against too morrow.   

May it please your Excellency,  
WE the Officers of Col. ●●goldesbyes Regiment being very sensible of the sad disasters which are like to fall upon this Nation, by the distractions and divisions which are at this present in the Army and People of the Nation; And when we consider that the differences are amongst those which have always fought under one Banner, in subduing the common Enemies of the Nation, which Enemies we conceive are again ready to take the opportunity (by these our differences) to involve this wasted and languishing Nation in a new war (if God by his Providence do not prevent the same) and in regard that we are likewise very sensible of the danger and calamities which threaten to fall upon us, and the whole Nation (by reason of the irregular proceedings of those of your Army, who have thrown off discipline and government (which proceedings we do dislike) in case those divisions and breaches be not made up) we have humbly addressed ourselves to your Excellency, that in your wisdom, and with the advice of your general council, there may be no good way left unassayed, in endeavouring the making up those wide breaches: And to that end we have here presented to your Excellency such things as we conceive may very much tend to accomplish the same, and likewise may conduce in taking away the occasion of suspicion of such honest men as are persuaded that your Excellency nor the Army will not endeavour the settlement of this Commonwealth, according to what your Excellency and the Army have often declared, but especially in the Remonstrance made at Saint Albans: And therefore we shall only set down these things following, which in our apprehensions are of great concernment in the laying of a foundation to the establishment of a Government of Peace of this Commonwealth, as also to the composing of the differences now in your excellency's Army; to wit,  
First, that so short and limited a time may be fixed, wherein this Parliament shall certainly end, as may stand with justice.  
Secondly, that this Commonwealth may be settled by an Agreement made amongst the faithful People of this Nation: In which Agreement, we desire that provision may be made for the certain, beginning and ending of all future Representatives, and for the removing of Grievances.  
These particulars we humbly conceive have a very necessary attendancy to the settlement both of your excellency's Army, as also to the well-being of the whole Nation; we have therefore presented the same to your Excellencies serious Consideration, further acquainting your Excellency, that our Regiment is at present in a quiet and peaceable condition, and under good discipline, and that we may keep them so, and prevent them from falling into those irregularities that others are run into, & that we may give your Excellency a good account of this Garrison, hath been one of the grounds in offering the premises to your excellency's Consideration: All which we leave to the wisdom of your Excellency, and subscribe ourselves,  
May 14▪ 1649: Your excellency's most humble servants.   

WHereas through God's mercy a mutinous Party against the Army, and in actual arms against the Peace of the Nation, whereby they are guilty of Rebellion and Treason, are lately routed, and some of them taken Prisoners, the rest escaped and fled, these are therefore to desire you to cause diligent search to be made after those who have so escaped, whether they be found on Horseback or on Foot: And also to cause hue and cry to be made after them, and such of them as shall be found, to secure and in safe custody cause to be kept, either in gaol, or otherwise, as shall be most fit for securing of them, to the end, for the future safety of the Nation, Justice may be done according to Law. Given under my hand and seal the fifteenth day of May, Anno Dom. 1649.  
Tho: Fairfax.    

To all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, High and petty Constables, and all other Officers whomsoever.  
After the apprehending of any Persons, by virtue hereof, I desire notice may be given unto me with all convenient speed.   
FINIS.