A Famous VICTORY Obtained before the City of Exeter, on Sunday january 1. by Captain PYM, Against Sir Ralph Hopton, and the Cornish CAVALIERS Where after four hours' fight, he obtained a glorious Victory, and slew above a thousand of the Cavaliers, and took 38. Prisoners, and 7. pieces of Ordnance, with the loss of a hundred men at the most.  
Being the Copy of a Letter, sent from Lieutenant HYWORD, To his worthy Friend, inhabiting in the City of London.  
Bearing date January 2. 1643.  
January 6. Printed for I. H. and T. Finch, 1643.   

A Famous VICTORY: Obtained by Captain Pym, before the City of EXETER. Against Sir Ralph Hopton; And the rest of the Cornish Cavaliers.  
Sir,  
MY Love to you, having so fit an opportunity (by reason my Captain had occasion to send a Post to London, I did esteem it a tye of Friendship, to salute you with this short Schedule, wherein is contained a general of our Proceed since my last Letter.  
On Christmas day we had a false alarm, by reason that some three Hundred of Sir Ralph Hoptons' Troopers had scouted out, and were pillaging the Country Villages thereabouts, by which means the Country risen, and we were commanded to leave the Church, and Arm ourselves, the City being all in an uproar, but before we could quit the City, and arrive at the place where the Cavaliers were, (notwithstanding though the inhabitants had made some opposition, to the loss of six men,) yet they were escaped, and got into Kings-bridge, where Sir Ralph Hopton himself is quartered, so that for that time we retreated to the City, which at our return we found pretty well appeased.  
All the week after we did little, only we sent out parties to discover whether the Cavaliers made any attempt upon any part of the County, but they lay very close not making the least attempt, only we were informed that Sir Ralph Hopton called a general Muster, but how many he mustered we can by no means get certain knowledge of, but the report is that he is about five thousand strong.  
Thus we continued till Sunday morning (being Newyearesday) about three of the clock in the morning, I being riding the Round, to discover whether my Sentries did their duty carefully, on a sudden I discovered near forty Horsemen stealing upon my Sentries, and one of their Pistols immediately went off by an accident, (as was confessed by one that was afterward taken prisoner) which the Sentries hearing, discharged their Carbines, and retreated to the Court of Guard, and in a quarter of an Hour the City was in a posture of defence, only the cries of women and Chilldrens did so trouble us, that I profess I had rather oppose an Enemy in the field, though with some disadvantage. then to endure that torment in a City most strongly fortified.  
During this hurly-burly the day approached and then we might discover a mighty strength which had begirt the City on each side, and planted Ordnance against our Bulwarks, at which they fired ne'er thirty times endeavouring to dismount our Ordnance, but did us little hurt, only killed five of our metroses, and one Caunonier.  
During this time our Cannons played at them, doing indifferent good execution, for they lay open to us upon the side of a hill which lies on the south side of the City.  
Thus they held us play on every side for the space of three hovers, insomuch that we were almost spent and tired out. especially on that part of the City which lies North-east, for by the violence of the Enemy our men was beaten from the works, and they began to draw so nigh the wall that they began to cast Granades over the wall into the City.  
And one remarkable token of God's mercy to us I cannot omit, one Thomas Smith with a bullhide fell upon six Granades, at several times and put them out before they broke, and came off unhurt, which other wise would have done great mischief.  
The enemy finding that that part of the City began to give way to them drew up their main forces, to that place leaving their Ordnance playing against us, guarded with some small number of men, which my Captain espying, drew up part of his men to the number of eight hundred and sallied out upon them, and with the loss of five and twenty men he ceized their Ordnance, and took seventeen Cannoneers Prisoners.  
By this time the Country came in and fell upon Sir Ralph Hoptons' Rear, and Cap ta'en Pym upon his flank with his own Ordnance so mauled him that presently he retreated, and having got clear of our forces betook himself to flight, in this battle we slew above a thousand of his men, and lost not above fourscore, or a hundred at the most, besides we took● seven pieces of Artillery. and vl and thirty prisoners, but none of any Note, and now we are in greater hope than ever, that we shall put Sir Ralph Hopton to a Nonplus, for my Captain is resolved to pursue him, and use all means to prevent his making Head again.  
This is all that for this time I have to write, only as occasion shall offer itself I shall give you information of our future proceed.  
Your Friend and Servant, Abel Hyword. Exeter, january. 2. 1643.  
FINIS