Several LETTERS FROM colonel Morgan governor of GLOUCESTER, AND colonel Birch. Fully relating the manner of the taking of the City and Garrison of HEREFORD, with the number slain on both sides, and the particular circumstances at the gaining thereof. With a perfect List of the names of the prisoners taken therein. Die Martis 23. Decemb. 1645. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That these Letters, with the List, be forthwith printed and published. Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum. Imprinted at London for John Wright at the King's Head in the old Bayley. 24. Decemb. 1645. For the Right Honourable the Committee of Lords and Commons for the safety of both kingdoms these, May it please your Lordships: ACcording unto your Commands I drew forth near nine hundred Foot, and my Troop of Horse, and upon advice from the governor of Gloucester I marched unto him, but finding the way which was intended altogether frustrate, and the governor of Gloucester not very well, I went with Sir John Bridges near to Hereford, and sent for thither the two Gentlemen who Sir John had treated withal about the business, who were then out of Hereford fearing to come to town, whom I satisfied myself of the enemy's security and the negligence of the Guards, which caused me to think of some other way; and amongst others this was most prevalent with me, which by God's blessing took effect, the way was his; To march in one day and night to Hereford from Gloucester, which done I had provided six men in the form of Labourers, and one with them to be a Constable, with a warrant to bring these men to work in the town to them, I gave a good sum of Money in hand, and promised them a large reward; these men with 150. Firelocks in the dark of the night I intended to lodge near the Gate, and so near them as the ground would admit out of sight; I intended to draw a Body to second them and enter with them, and so to surprise the town upon the letting down the Bridge in the morning; then I came back to Gloucester and informed Col. Morgan of it, desiring him to join with me to put it to trial, which he condescended unto, and we marched Monday to that purpose all night, but fell short, and therefore to delude the Enemy retreated back within nine miles of Gloucester; the next day at night we returned again, and with careful Spies and Scouts kept back intelligence from them, so that they never discovered us; but I laid my countrymen and firelocks within three quarters Musket shot, a place which I had inquired out for the purpose, which Party I left to be managed by my Lieutnant colonel, who behaved himself very gallantly, and the main body of Foot. I led myself, Col. Morgan being with the Body of Horse which he undertook; and this morning upon the letting down of the Bridge the countrymen went with their Pickaxes and Spades to the Bridge, the Guard beginning to examine them, they killed three of the Guard, and kept the rest in play until the firelocks came up to them, then made good until the Body came up; and it pleased God the design so took, that we entered the town with small loss; in which we had 11. pieces of Ordnance, much arms, and the Prisoners here inserted, there being many more in town as I believe, which one day will discover. The Mercy is wonderful, I desire the Lord may have the honour of it, for it is his own Work. I am deeply engaged by moneys laid out in this business, and by promise with Col. Morgan; I humbly desire your Honours to give Or●●●r for the sum you were pleased to give Order for this business, and for myself I shall endeavour to settle this place, and wait the further Orders for the subsistence of my Regi●…ent which is in great necessity, or what other Commands you shall be pleased to signify unto Your honour's most faithful Servant. John Birch. I have herewith sent my Servant to wait upon your Honours, by whom I entreat to receive your Commands. Hereford Decemb. the 18th. 1645. For the Right Honourable the Committee of both kingdoms these. May it please your Lordships; WE gave you an account in our last that we found the City of Hereford, by our Intelligence to be so strong, both in itself and the resolution of the Defendants, that much hazard would be in the gaining of it; Notwithstanding, having a party of about 2000 Horse and Foot betwixt us, viz. of Gloucester Forces 1050 and of Ba●he Forces 930. resolved to make trial by falling on upon the place; unto which endeavour the Lord was pleased so to add his blessing, that this morning about break of day we forced our entrance, God putting such a spirit into the soldiers; as was beyond expression: Our engagements to them was very large, the design being very desperate, and also to some other Gentlemen who were very helpful, and behaved themselves very gallantly in the falling on: Which engagements, that we may be able to discharge, we humbly desire your Lordships to give Order for that sum which you were pleased to promise for this service. After they had marched this night in the snow up to the mid-bag, almost twenty miles in and out, which that the Enemy might not be jealous of, we marched the same march upon Monday night, though with such hardship, that three of our men died in the snow; and retreated upon Tuesday almost to Gloucester, they then believing we had been clear gone, were more secure, and we fell on unexpected; Our loss was not considerable, God be blessed▪ whose goodness was plainly seen, (to him be the glory.) The Enemy fought it out in the streets, where divers are slain, and the rest prisoners: We are not able at present to particularize them, only those whose names we can at this instant be informed of we have here inserted. The townsmen have suffered by the soldier, by reason we entered it by force, and that the Enemy shot out at the windows and in the streets, the soldier was so enraged that we could not prevent them from plundering, which we endeavoured much to have done, and shall be always ready to approve ourselves Your honour's most faithful Servants THOMAS MOKGAN, JOHN BIRCH. Hereford, 18. Decemb. 1645. For the Right Honourable the Committee of Lords and Commons for the safety of both kingdoms. May it please your Lordships, ACcording to your Commands I marched with the party, as in a former Letter signed by Coll. Morgan and myself, we made bold to inform you, since which time it hath pleased the Lord to show his power in our weakness, by giving us this City, into which we forced our entry this morning, as in the Letter signed by colonel Morgan and myself more particularly appears; the Resolution of the soldier carried them on beyond imagination. I shall endeavour to set things in order here, according to that Command your Lordships have been pleased to give me, (the place is very evil affected.) I have here 900. Foot, but they will be too small a number; I intend to add to them, if your Honours please, and make them up 1200. which will be few enough for this ill-affected place. When I marched hither I left two Companies at bath, which being it is to be slighted, I shall humbly desire an order for the drawing of those two Companies to this place, which would be a good addition. I should have waited upon your Honours myself, but I dare not be absent, though my extremity be great for necessaries for my poor soldiers; I shall humbly entreat you to signify your further Commands in that or any other thing, which shall be carefully observed by Your real Servant JOHN BIRCH. Hereford, Decemb. 18. 1645. Prisoners taken at Hereford by the governor of Gloucester, and colonel Birch now governor thereof, Decemb. 18. 1645. THe L. Brudenell Sir Tho. Lunsford Sir Walter Blunt Sir Henry Spiller Sir Henry Bedington. Sir Marmaduke Floyd Sir George Vaughan. Sir Giles Mompassion Sir John Stepney Sir Francis Howard Sir Francis Floyd Sir Richard Bassett Sir Philip Jones Sir Edward Morgan. Sir Nicholas Throgmorton Lieutenant Col. Price Lieutenant Col. jews Lieutenant Col. Jefferies Lieutenant Col. Jones. Major Price Judge jenkin's captain William Hill Capt. Thomas Codwallis Capt. Richard Ballard Lieutenant Gibs Coronet Denley Coronet Blood Coronet Tanton Quartermast. Stephenson Comisary Linging. Secretary barn Mr. George Blunt Mr. Thomas Blunt Mr. Edward Blunt Mr. Windsor Mr. James Anderson Mr. Turbervile Mr. Henry Morgan Mr John Philip's Priest. Mr. John Tailer Priest. Mr. William Chambers Mr. Venner Peter 〈◊〉 a Frenchman Mr. Roger 〈◊〉 Mr. Thomas Bod●●● Mr. Terringham Mr. Seabourne Mr. William Chambers Mr. Matthew Mose Mr. John Bemond Mr. David Powell Mr. Harrington. Mr. Powell chirurgeon Mr. Watson chirurgeon Mr. John Risden Mr. John Tooley Troopers. Walter Higgins Samuel Gemrell Buxley Richards Benet Whitingdon John Lingd● Thomas Towsey Thomas Stoaks James 〈◊〉 John Scriven John Barns Mr. Rood. FINIS.