A Fuller RELATION FROM BRIDGEWATER Since the last Fight: Wherein is declared the fierce and terrible storming of the Town, by firing it in three several places, and the necessity thereof:  
Sent to the Honourable, William Lenthall Esq Speaker to the House of COMMONS.  
By a worthy Gentleman in Sir THO: FAIRFAX his Army.  

ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Letter be forthwith printed and published:  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
London, Printed for Edw. Husband, Printer to the Honourable House of Commons, july 26. 1645.   

To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons.  
SIR,  
I Writ to you formerly, of the late Battle with Goring, and of the taking of Langport and Burrough, two Garrisons of the enemy; since which time, the Army hath blocked up Bridgewater, in nature of a Siege, and yet have refreshed themselves, being necessitated to lie still (if no Enemy had been near) till our money came up, which arrived here on Wednesday; and the Army Horse and Foot being Mustered were paid on Friday and Saturday, the rest this day. But Action being most proper for this Army, in order to settling the peace of this Kingdom; the General in pursuance of his first opinion moved again to storm the Town (for that he was certainly informed they had Victuals, and would be a work of time to gain it) It was unanimously (at last) agreed unto, that is, to storm it, this morning about two of the clock. Yesterday being the Lords day, Master Peter in the forenoon, and Master B●lls in the afternoon applied themselves to the encouragement of the Soldiers on any design they went about, to look upon Christ in all their actions, and to be valiant in his Cause; and about seven at night our Foot being drawn out, and those that commanded the Storm, and Forlorn, Master Peter's (in the field) gave them an exhortation to do their duties, and God enabled them accordingly: For this morning july 21. about two a a clock, the General's Regiment began the Storm, being seconded by others, and gave not over till they were a top of the Works with their Colours, and gained the pieces that played upon them, and let down the Bridge: whereupon Captain Reynolds a valiant young Gentleman, entered with a Forlorn-Hope of horse, scoured the Streets, and beat them out of the hither Town into the further (our Pikes standing bravely to the horse) This possessed the enemy with that fear, being much perplexed at our taking the hither Town, and 500 prisoners that were part of those that maintained the hither Works: That the Enemy for the most part quitted the Line on the other side, where we were in hope the other part with Colonel massy had Stormed the Town, and entered; but they only gave an hot Alarm while we stormed (it seems being not then ready for it (though the time agreed on) wanting some necessaries) so we lost the carrying the whole Town this time: The prisoners being brought to the Church above 500 in all with Officers; two Lieutenant Colonels, they assured they wanted not Ammunition, nor Victuals, only meat for horses and Cattles; we lost not twenty men in the Storm, though in man's judgement, such was the fierceness of it, for an hour, one would not think less than a thousand could be slain; It was dark, and it so pleased God that they shot over for the most part. There was not one Officer of ●te slain, though many in person led on their men, and did gallantly, as Lieutenant Colonel jackson, Lieutenant Colonel to the General, and Colonel Hewson of Colonel Pickerings Regiment. The Enemy being still hardened in heart, was so fare from yielding, that with Granades and other things, they fired that part of the town we were in, and hardly left 3. houses standing, this much enraged our men to see their villainy, and the General not a little troubled to see a town destroyed, summoned it once more, sending his Trumpet about 5. in the evening, they within were so peremptory, that they would not so much as offer to come to a treaty, whereupon the General commanded the town to be stormed on Colonel Massies side, to morrow morning.  
july 22. Tuesday, at the dawning of the day the General (as the night before) in person gave order for the forces on this side to give a fierce alarm with great and small shot, while they on the other side fell on, which on our side was done with great resolution, and but that the tide was up, we might alone have gained the Town. They on the other side, again failing to fall on, only giving an Alarm. God by his providence so ordering it that something was wanting, and I hope in the Lord it was for the best, and for the preservation of many a man's life. For this day, the hot Alarm working nothing upon them, which indeed was almost a second storm, the General was enraged against them, and lest the innocent should suffer among the nocent, sent a Trumpet to the Governor to let all women and children come out of the Town, by 4. a clock this afternoon. And accordingly, the Lady Governess, (one too guilty of the misery of that place) the Lady Hamley, Mistress Marre, and divers others came out, this being done, our great Guns and Mortar-pieces with fire-balls, hot Irons, etc. played against the town, and instantly fired it in 3. places, the wind being great increased the fire, and all on a flame on a sudden, such a terror it wrought upon them, that Tom eliot came running out to the General for a parley. The General answered him, the Governor refused it the last night, and now that he had brought this misery on himself, the General would not admit of a Treaty, yet if he would submit to mercy he should have it, in the mean time till he returned a speedy & positive answer, if any Soldier in the Town offered to take off a slate on the house, or quench the fire, our soldiers eryed the cessation should be void, and we would take all advantages, this so amazed them that instantly they came out and cried mercy for the Lords sake, so it was agreed on, and quarter they have for their lives, and have liberty to save the town; but as those lately come out say, the townsmen do not so fast quench the fire, as the soldiers within in despite of this Army, set it on fire in fresh places. I heard Sir john Helena, Master Speke and other of the Commissioners say, there are about 40 p●ece of Ordnance, 40 hundred weight of Match, powder proportionable, victuals for 2000 soldiers for 4. months; 500 we took the other day, above 1000 yet within; Commanders, Reformadoes, Gentlemen, and fat Priests, it's conceived above 200. Treasure in Plate, jewels, etc. said to be worth 100000 l but all will be consumed with fire, we doubt: The works of the town are as strong, as any in England, the moat deep, yet our foot waded through, all the bridges failing but one, and so got over: It was about 30. foot wide, the Bearer see the storm, and the Town on fire, be pleased to move for his pains.  
july 22. twelve at night.   

julii 25. 1645.  
ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, That this Letter concerning the taking of Bridgewater be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.