A Full RELATON OF THE Taking of Bath by Sir THOMAS FAIRFAXES Forces on Wednesday the 30 th'. of July, 1645. With the manner of the same, and the Articles by which it was Surrendered. And how Colonel Rich Hath Taken: 100 Garrison soldiers. 100 Welshmen. 6. Piece of Ordnance. 200. Muskets. 100 Pikes. 10. Barrels of Gunpowder. 10. Barrels of Ammunition 1. Staderd Colours. 5. Colours more, and good store of Bullet, match, Ammunition, Bag and Baggage. Also Six Piece of Ordnance taken by Sir Thomas Fairfax, that the Enemy had hid, 4000 weight of Match also taken, and 44. Barrels of Powder. Printed, and published according to Order. LONDON, Printed by Barnard Alsop, and Jane Coe. 1645. A FULL RELATION OF THE TAKING OF BATH, And other proceed of Sir Thomas Fairfax since he marched out of Bridgwater. SIR, AS I gave you an account of the taking of Bridgwater, so God multiplying his mercies upon us, we having taken in Bath also; I shall briefly give you an account thereof: only I cannot omit something yet behind of Bridgwater, for we have found six pieces of Ordnance which the enemy had hid, and there is left besides what was destroyed by the fire, 44. barrels of gunpowder, and 4000 weight of match. On Saturday last, Sir Thomas Fairfax marched out of Bridgwater, Lieutenant General Crumwell hath been ill, but God be thanked mends, that night we marched to Marstock about nine miles on the way to Sherburn, where we quartered that night and Sunday night. On the Lord's day we heard that Rupert had been himself in person (the day before) at Bath with Sir Tho. Bridges, to encourage him to keep it against us, promising him relief in case he should be besieged. On Monday the 28. of July, 1645. the General marched to Sherborne, about fourteen miles from Martock: Major General massy was left further west: And the same day, viz. Monday, about 60 horse, (most Welsh) came from Prince Rupert to strengthen Bath; and other Officers with them to govern the Town, because that P. Rupert had found, when he was there two days before, that Sr. Thomas Bridges was quite out of heart to keep it: for the very name of Sir Thomas Fairfax strikes a terror to the enemy. But when they were come into Bath, the Town cried out as one man, all against the Welsh: No Welch, no Welsh: Neither did Sir Thomas Bridges take it well, that he should be displaced, and another put in; which caused a great division in the Town, that the Officers and Horse would not stay to dispute it: yet nevertheless some Welsh stayed in the Town, which did much displease both the Governor, the Officers, the Townsmen; yea and the Garrison soldiers also. On Tuesday the General sent 2. Regiments of horse and two Troops of Dragoons, under the Command of Colenell Richardo, to view and give account of the condition of the Garrison of Bath, then held by Sir T. Bridges for the King. The Army removed to Wells. Col. Pickering is with a party before Sherborn, a nest of most mischevous vermin, under whom the country hath much suffered, and by whom before we came thither some of our own messengers have been taken, and our letters intercepted, & the country do wholly complain against them for very great plunderers, and barbarous neighbours. We made on towards Bath, having no foot at all with us, only the aforesaid two Regiments of horse, and 2. Companies of Dragoons and about an hour before sunset, the South side was close beset, the Dragoones lay about Holliwell, and we kept them on the South, and on the west parts of the town; But the north part of the town lay open, for we came not to block them up, nor had we forces to do it then present there: The Enemy might have gone away on the North part of the town, in despite of all that we could do to hinder them, but God did so infatuate them, that they had not power, as in our former victories, so particularly in this taking of Bath, the hand of God was much seen for us. About Sun set we gained Holliwell; and placed our Dragoones within half Pistol shot of the Gate on the Bridge at Bath, where there was some skirmishing, and the Dragoones behaved themselves very gallantly, In the Night the Enemy within took several Alarms; and were in great fear of, us I conceive they knew not our strength, only before had some intelligence of the advance of our Army. On this present Wednesday morning the Enemy heard of a party from Malsbury, on the North side of them, but they were not Considerable, but they were struck with such a fear that Sir Tho. Bridges sent a Messenger very early forth of Bath to us, to desire a parley, which we wondered at, so we presently held a parley with them, and by Sun rising had the Garrison of Bath delivered up to us, upon very good Conditions, 1. All, Both officers and soldiers to have quarter for their lives. 2. That Sir Thomas Bridges and all the Officers be permitted to march away to Bristol, without let or molestation. 3. That Sir Thomas Bridges, and all other Field officers, and Captains have liberty to march away with horse, and Arms. 4. That all Officers under the degree of Captains, march away without Arms (only staves in their hands) to Bristol. 5. That Sir Thomas Bridges, with all the Officers aforesaid do immediately march out of the Garrison, and surrender it to Colonel Rich for the service of though Parliament. 6. That all the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition be surrendered also. 7. The common soldiers to be left all prisoners. All which was done; and we were possessed of the Garrison by beak of the day; And truly you may think it a strange thing for horse to take a Town, and no foot within 15 miles of it, but you may see how God infatuates men, and possesseth them with a fear, that deprives them of wisdom and courage. Farly Castle (Sir Edward hungerford's house) is also besieged, and the whole Army is every where full of action; and generally go on exceeding cheerfully: notwithstanding much hard duties, and constant service. Bristol is in the same condition, you would hardly believe the fears they are in there, Rupert went out thence yesterday, and the town and soldiers in a great perplexity; the King hath been long expected there, but we hear he stays still at Cardiff Castle? whether Rupert be returned back again to Bristol, we do yet hear; but the plague doth certainly abate in that City. Goring is still in in his old quarters about Okehampton and confidently expects greenvil's and Hoptons' recrutes, and the pressed men to be 7000 horse and foot, The Cornish it is believed will do him little good out of their own County, and the forced Clubmen as little as they. Some Welsh landed on Monday last at Posets point, that came from Wales; but I hope care will be taken for the guarding of the Seas, especially that River, which may so be kept, that no boat can pass (without difficulty:) neither in nor out. We shall suddenly have our recrutes, and what else we stay for; and then we shall on in our design. In the mean time you see how industrious our General is to lose no time, whilst he is necessitated to stay; and I hope God will go on to bless Colonel Pickering against Sherburn, as he hath us; in the taking of this Garrison of Bath: which make a good account of our service in this vacasie. Yet in all this we look up to God, who is the Lord of Hosts; by whose power we have done those things wherein he hath so blessed us; and therefore to him be given the praise of all his power, and goodness. Bath the 30 of july, 1645. A List of what was taken in the Garrison of BATH by Colonel Rich, on Wednesday july 30. 1645. 200. prisoners which were left in the Town, according to the Articles; which prisoners were as followeth. 100 Garrison Soldiers. 100 Welch that came in but three hours before. 200. Musket's also taken, and 100 Pikes. 6. Piece of Ordnance. 10 Barrels of Gunpowder. 10. Barrels of other Ammunition. A great quantity of Match and Buller. Sir Thomas Bridges his Standard Colour in the Royal Fort. 5. Colours besides. Good store of Provisions. Likewise some Pistols swords, and all Sir Thomas Bridges Bag and Baggage. Besides the Arms and Provisions of the towns mens. Also divers halberdg Roundheads, and other weapons. This Garrison is of great consequence, and will much straighten Bristol. FINIS.