A LETTER Sent to the Right Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons: Concerning the raising of the Siege of TAUNTON by the Parliaments Forces.  
BY a worthy Gentleman in Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army.  

Ordered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, that this Letter be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
LONDON, Printed by Edward Husbands Printer to the Honourable House of Commons, july 10. 1645.   

To the Honourable William Lenthall Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons.  
SIR,  
I Writ to you yersterday, of goring Advance against Taunton, after he had drawn off as far as Black Down, which he did in hopes our men would have drawn out and engaged; but seeing himself beguiled in his design, he returned again, had hot skirmishes; but our forces gave him entertainment, and killed abundance of his men: And on Thursday noon, drew off again, facing the Town till night, and Quartered on Friday night at Ilmister: The General Advanced on Friday to Beuminster, twelve miles from Dorchester, his Horse into Crookhorne, where we fell on the Enemy, took a Lieutenant, and divers other of Sir Rob: Welches troop, being on their Rear; we sent another party between Sherborn and Somerton, and fell on their Van, and took some Prisoners there also: This so Alarmed the Enemy, that they broke down their bridges. There are three Regiments of Horse, and six hundred Dragoones in pursuit of them, and to bring intelligence of their motion: Our poor Foot (being impatient of the Relief of their friends at Taunton) Marched sixty two miles in five days, and offered at Dorchester, after twelve miles march that day, to march all that night to Relieve Taunton, hearing that Goring was fallen on again; as yet none of our friends in the Town is come to us; we expect them this day about noon: and then a General Council of War being called, there will be a resolution taken, how to order our marches after the Enemy, with security to the West: But our poor foot must a while refresh themselves, before they move, and our Horse are yet in no condition to follow fare: I cannot, in this Letter, tell you of the straits of the Town, or any other particular, but that the Enemy hath left the Siege, and our friends at liberty (the Lord be praised for it) though this be a service of great concernment to the Kingdom, and the West in particular; yet I account the quieting of the Clubmen, and the reputation our Army hath with them by relieving this Town, and marching quietly through their Country, and making the Enemy fly, is of more concernment, then at first is apprehended; one Holles the violent Ringleader of the Club men, came to Dorchester with 4 others from the Clubmen, for leave to Petition the Parliament; he was most peremptory and insolent in his Carriage, and but for his being sent as a Messenger, he had been committed, as this man is the head of that giddyhead faction in Dorsetshire, so his Brother for Wiltshire; fellows that delude the poor Countrymen: whom I hope we shall undeceive before we return, and some stay we must make to salve that sore, for it is not yet half cured: The Clubmen fell upon Goodale, Colonel Pindars Messenger, took his Letters to the General from him, his horse and Arms; the Governor of Lime fell upon them, and killed eighty of them, they dared him to fight; the Governor of Lime is hurt, and the Mayor was unhorsed; this was on Thursday last.  
From the Lady Strode; House, near Beuminster July the 5. Saturday, five in the morning.  
THe Messenger not being gone, I thought fit to add that the Army is marched this day to Crookhorn, where the General now is, and hath met with a Letter from Colonel Weldon, of the liberty they now are in: many wounded, and driven to great extremities, especially for Ammunition: There is a second and third Reserve of Horse and Dragoones gone after the first party, to fall on the Rear of the Enemy: News is come, they are near engagement, the issue I know not: Lieutenant General Cromwell is gone in person, to take care of the mannagement of the pursuit; our Horse are harrasted out, yet go after the Enemy cheerfully: we hear nothing of the Treasure, which will prove much to our prejudice; for now the Soldier will live on free Quarter, and discontent the Country. If ever an Army deserved to be trusted with a fortnight's Pay before hand, this doth; for they never press for money, till they be extremely necessitated, and in arrear.  
Crookhorn, July 5. 1645. two in the afternoon.  
THe Messenger staying till the General returned from the party that pursued Goring, I may add this, That our Horse pursued them to the Bridge called Load bridge, which the Enemy broke down, and made good against our Horse, having a strong Breast-work raised. The General instantly Commanded a Brigade of Foot, with a Train, to march (notwithstanding their weariness) to beat them off that pass: The foot marched as cheerfully, as if they had not felt a long march: but the Enemy broke down another Bridge, nine miles hence, a little on this side Somerton, and before we could make up this Bridge to pass with our Horse, they broke down the other Bridge, and made a Breast-work; yet our Horse Commanded by Sir Robert Pie, Charged them near the Bridge, and took a Cornet and some others Prisoners: but by reason of their Dragoones at the Bridge, our Foot and Train being not able to come to us, we could not possibly force them thence this night; for the General returned, leaving six Regiments of Horse besides Dragoons, to watch their drawing off, and so make up the bridge as fast as may be: At Ilchester we cannot pass, for the Enemy hath a Garrison there: I doubt we shall not possibly engage them, by reason we are not in a condition to follow; besides our great work is yet to do, the settlement of the West: This bearer, Master Craven the Messenger, went with us after the Enemy, and can inform you more particularly: I much fear Goring will wheel into Dorsetshire to join with Malignant Holles, and the Clubmen.  
But goring disorderly running away, perhaps may daunt them that they dare not: I believe on Monday the General will go to Taunton with a few horse (where Master Ash and Master Moor are) to see what is needful for that place.  
Crookhorne, july 5. twelve at night.  
The General left the Foot that pursued Goring at South-Petherton, five miles from Crookhorne: The Enemy's Foot, being not 2500. eight piece of Ordnance, and thirty Carriages, marched by six this morning from Somerton towards Wells, and some Clubmen with them. The Messenger yet staying longer; I add this, That the Clubmen are risen in Somersetshire, hath disarmed an hundred of goring men, taken their Draughts from them: Goring makes a halt about Long-Sutton: our whole Army marches this morning to engage them if possible; the Bearer can inform the House more.  
Crookhorne 6. July, two in the night.  
SIR,  
PArdon my scribbling, I am forced to do things in haste, you have thtee day's passages together in the enclosed.  
Crookhorn, July 7. two in the morning.  
Just now another is come out of Goring Army, informs of his stay in hopes of the Clubmen to join with him: I believe our Advance will interrupt him: more hereafter.   
FINIS.