A great FIGHT IN SCOTLAND BETWEEN His Excellency the Lord Gen: Cromwel's Forces, and the Scots, upon the advance of Lieutenant Gen. Lesley, and Col. M●ssie, from Sterling towards Glasco.  
WITH The manner of their Engagement, the particulars of the said Fight, the event and success thereof, and the number killed and taken prisoners. Together with the taking of C. massy, and committing him prisoner to the Tower of LONDON.  
Also, a true Relation concerning the present state and condition of the Lord Gen. Cromwel's Army; and exceeding sad news from the Isle of Guernsey: Comprising the last bloody fight, and the full particulars thereof.  
May. 30 th'. London, Printed for G. Horton, 1651.   

A bloody Fight in Scotland, between his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel's Forces, and the Scots, upon the advance of Lieu. Gen. David Lesley, and Col. massy with their Horse and Dragoons towards Glasco.  
Honoured Sir,  
SInce my last of the sixth instant, somewhat hath occurred very remarkable, in reference to the proceed of both Armies, which is, That upon the advance of the Lord General Cromwel's forces to Edinburgh, Lieutenant General David Lesley, and Colonel massy took their march (Westward) towards Glasco, with a resolution to fall into the English quarters; and accordingly attempted a pass called Spa, where a strong party of Colonel sydenham's foot lay entrenched, who had several Reserves of horse (likewise) within half a mile of the said place; but it proved very disputable for the space of one hour, and the conflict maintained with great gallantry on both sides, till at last captain Sanders came in with a fresh Troop of Horse▪ who charged twice through the Enemies main Body, doing great execution; each man riding knee to knee, and not flinching from each other in the least; which done, he wheeled about, and flanked the Enemy, with a resolution to charge the boots horse only; but in the mean time so thick was the shot which they received from the English foot, that they thought it convenient to make good their retreat, which accordingly they did, leaving about 30 men behind them slain on the place, besides what were wounded, which are supposed to be treble the number. On our side were Pain and wounded about 20.  
The great day of Battle we expect suddenly, for both Armies are preparing for an Engagement, and in order thereunto eight Regiments of Horse 〈◊〉 come on this side Sterling, the body of their Infantry lies in the Park near the bridge, where they have pitched their Tents, and their Captain Genera issimo (the King) often rides amongst them.  
Most of their Ensigns are red and white, having this Motto engraven in a large Character, For Religion, King, and Kingdom.  
They have lately randezvouzed about Fife, Sterling, Kinross, and Dunbarton, and have mustered about 20000 hors● and foot, though the frequent talk is about 40000. After the last muster at Sterling, divers of the Lord Balcarras' Regiment of foot attempted a flight from their Colours; but were sound cudgeled and beaten back by coll. crawford's Regiment of horse. His Excellency the Lord General hath not (as yet) attempted any thing considerable, for when ever we go about to get into Fise, we must expect very hard service: and no question, but they will dispute the passes with us; which we cannot do, unless we are furnished with all manner of provisions both for horse and foot: We cheerfully wait for the good season when the Lord shall lead us forth: and we doubt not but our work will be well timed, if we can wait the Lords leisure: O●ely there is an overhasty spirit in us generally, which carries us out to discontents and frowardness, which is both sad and grievous to divers. I wish that we may be all wrought up to an even frame of heart, to welcome all dispensations which may befall us here.  
Lithgow 18 〈◊〉, 1651.  
By an express Letter further from Scotland it 〈◊〉 ●hus certified; That their King having received intelligence, that Mr Cook was taken, and sent prisoner to the Tower of London, immediately commanded L. G. Lesley to dispatch a letter to the L. G. Cromwell, demanding civil usage both for him and others; and that in case of non-performance thereof, that no favour or mercy should be given to Col. Axtel, Col. Lehunt, and Col. Sadler, pri●oners in the Isle of ●cilley. Whereupon his Excellency returned a very round and tart answer, signifying, That Mr Cook was no prisoner of war, and that he doubted not but speedily to have the said Colonel's a● liberty, etc. Their King is again returned to Sterling, and hath given an express Order, That all the English throughout his Army; shall be immediately reduced to the power and command of Col. massy, whose Brigade Increaseth daily, and occasioned chief by his private-alluring letters to the L. G. Cromwel's Foot, therein promising in the name of the King, that if they would desert their present employments, and engage for him, that each man should receive both horse and arms, and an additional gratuity, which hath wrought upon divers persideous persons.  
Middle●on is marched into Angus with his horse, where the Com. of the Army are furnishing him with Arms. 1500 of his foot are come to Sterling, and he stands much to be an Independent-Army, and distinct of himself. They talk much of coming for England, especially Col. Massey, who is very courteous, and free to the English that go over to him, and promiseth much. Some give out, that the Scottish Army have a design to march by the L. G. Cromwell (if possible) and to make England the seat of war; but there is great danger of putting those projects in execution. Their King is removed to Dumferling; but the Army remain still about Sterling, where they have entrenched themselves all along the River side: they have likewise raised divers Mounts, and planted great store of Ordnance.  
A Letter from the Island of Guernzey, May 16. 1651.  
SIR,  
BY yours I understand that the late transactions in Gueruzey are variously and strangely represented in England; therefore I shall give you a true and impartial account of the business as briefly as I can.  
Major Harrison Deputy Governor of this Island, having intelligence that there were but forty two persons in Castle- Cornet, and that eighteen of them were sick, and able to do no service in defending the walls; he was very desirous to take hold of this opportunity, and when the Ammunition was arrived, the ladders fitted, with other things necessary; he consulted with the Officers concerning the carrying on of the business, found them armed with courage and cheerfulness to attempt the said Castle, knowing how acceptable, if successful, the service would be to those who entrusted them in that Island.  
We likewise had intelligence that some of the Island Captains had given out, that they were resolved to take the Castle by storm, and had taken the subscriptions of several, persons to that purpose; though I am very confident they never intended any such things; but only a mere pretence to ensnare and betray the Soldiers, by animating them by their pretended forwardness: But we clearly found their villainy afterwards, and that these were the men that most of all opposed the coming of the Parliaments forces into the Island at the first, and since their coming have endeavoured the removal of them; whereby it is more than probable the Parliament would soon lose their interest in the Island. But to return,  
Had the intelligence been true which was brought to the Governor; in all probability the Castle had been ours: For at the first onset (which was performed with as great courage and resolution as hath been observed since these wars) thirteen of the Enemy were disabled being wounded or slain, which being added to the eighteen which were said to be sick, there remained but eleven: But we found it otherwise, and that there was above threescore able men in it, many of them Reformadoes, etc. which is sufficient to keep the Castle against three thousand: Our ladders beaten down and broken with stones, timber, case-shot from the flankers, etc. many of our men wounded, and thirty two slain; two Captains wounded, one Lieutenant, and one Ensign slain in the place.  
Major Harison used all the means he could to cause boats to fetch off the party, but could not prevail either by reward or threaten; and indeed it was equally dangerous to go to and fro in boats, as to abide under the walls; one boat came, and suddenly took in divers wounded men; but going off, was sunk by a shot from the Castle, and two, men killed in the boat: the rest that were living, another boat took up and saved, and it was impossible that such a party of 200 men should be fetched off in boats, the confusion would be such.  
An Abstrast from Holland.  
SIR,  
LAst Friday night the Duke of Tork with thirty or forty of his followers came to the Hague, and the next day kept a fast with the Princes Royal his sister, they give out that he is sent for into France, which is not credible, but that they do it out of design that he should be desired by the Stairs to go from hence; for he was afraid before he came, that they would not be pleased with his being here lest some affronts should be offered to my Lord Ambassadors, or those that belong to them, by some of his train, wherefore he thinks he will not speak to him, because he says he intends not to stay. The States have presented Mounsieur Belleur (the French Ambassador) with a golden chain worth 600 li. They have taken into consideration the proposals of the Merchants, to send into the straits 40 Men of War, to sight the French Pirates. They have also sent a Message to the Queen of Bohemia, and another to the Duke of York, requiring them to keep their Courts in Order, without giving offence or molestation to the English Ambassadors and their servants.  
But yet notwithstanding on Saturday last Her Royal Highness the young Princess of Orange celebrated a Fast for the prosperous success and issue of the Battle which her brother the King of Scotland intends to fight with Gen. Cromwell.  
Since the receipt of the last news from Scotland, we are further advertized, That the party beyond Sterling have a 〈…〉 devotion to Monarchy, taking a pride to count the succession of 110 Kings from Fergus his Family (above 50 of which they have either capitally or totally condemned and executed, or privately murdered) and they seem not yet persuaded of a necessity of a change among us, or themselves, though they might be pleased to consider that their Monarchy expired in the rise of Presbytery, which leaves nothing but the name of a King (where it takes place) devouring the substance.  
As for that strange and incredulous Report, of the revolting of 30 of the Lord Gen. Cromwel's Lifeguard to the Enemy, it is very absurd and false; for they are both unanimous and faithful, and the Army in an excellent posture and condition.  
Captain massy (brother to col. Massy) was lately apprehended at Colledge-hill, and sent prisoner to the Tower of London, by Order from the Council of State.   
FINIS.