A BLOODY FIGHT IN SCOTLAND WITHIN Two miles of Edinburgh, since Lieut. Gen. Cromwell returned into England. The Malignants rise and fell upon Col. Gen. Lambert's men, but were repulsed and routed. Also instructions for the Lord Libberton, and Col. Innis, to treat with Col. Lambert. With a Commission for divers Lords to give satisfaction to the ENGLISH And a Proclamation published through the Kingdom of Scotland for such, their goods to be confiscate, and themselves punished with Death. Octob. 15. 1648. WE do command and Ordain these presents to be published at the Market Cross of Edinburgh, Haddington, Dunbarre, Lenilithgow, and Peebles, That none pretend Ignorance. THO. HENDERSON. EDINBURGH, First printed by Evan Tylar Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. And reprinted at London by Robert Ibbitson, 1648. A Bloody Fight in Scotland, within two miles of Edinburgh, since Lieut Gen. Cromwell returned into England. SIR, I Believe that you have seen the Declaration of the Committee of Estates, concerning the late Engagement, being (as I understand) sent from Edinburgh by the last Post, so that I need not acquaint you therewith. Divers of our Soldiers have lately had particular injuries offered to them, by being set upon in the highways, and other places, by some lose and desperate persons, in this kingdom. Many of their horses have been taken away, stolen, etc. and other things, and truly there is such watch, and waylay of us, that we dare not stir without a good company together, nor then neither without being cocked and primed, and resolute to meet with some encounter, before we come to our journey's end. Particularly, 6 of Major Gen. Lambert's Regiment, with one Quartermaster Dimond, that commanded them, were set upon by 14 or 15 of these Rogues, at the shutting up of the Evening, within 2 miles of Edinburgh, the other as soon as they discovered ours to be English having the advantage of their swords ready drawn under their cloaks, immediately fell upon them with sword and Pistol, ours not much unready, nor turning their backs because of their number, presently fell to defending themselves, they fought with them about a quarter of an hour, laid three of them sprawling upon the ground, wounded most of the rest, routed them and came off without any hurt, save only their defensive Arms were sound wounded, and one that had a cut on his hand. Many of the like happen, but our men being now upon their constant watch seldom come off with the worst, you see in what danger notwithstanding we are in by such private lurking Enemies as these are. Nevertheless the Committee of Estates have taken these things into consideration, and used means to give satisfaction to all our losses in this kind, and to prevent the like for the future, as by the enclosed paper you will perceive, which hath given us some encouragement. But we hope our stay here will not be long now, about 14 days may give us a dismission, though those that are well affected to this Committee of Estates are jealous that the Malignant party watch but the opportunity of our departure and then to show themselves again, and that is the cause that by the advantage of our presence the Committee of Estates think fit to put themselves into a posture of defence by continuing a standing force for the suppressing & keeping down of that party, in case they do attempt any such thing, Within this 14 days they will have completed about 600 Horse in several Troops, 4000 Foot, and 'tis conceived old Lesle● will have the command in chief. The next convention of Parliament gins in January, for which the Members in the several Shires are already most of them elected, and those that are well affected to the present Committee say they are most of them well chosen, so that the crushed party must expect to be more trampled on. This Post I received none from you, but by the last I did receive one after I had sent mine away. I beleave some letters both of yours and mine have miscarried, Seatoun 18. Octob. 1648 I am, Sir Your assured Friend, Tho. Margetts. October 10. 1648. Instructions for the Laird of Libberton, and Colonel Innis. YOu shall repair to Major General Lambert, and other Officers of the English Troop, and endeavour to keep a right correspondence betwixt this Committee and them, And communicate their Demands to us, and our Desires to them, as occasion shall require. You shall likewise endeavour to keep a right understanding betwixt them and the Country, and prevent all occasions of complaint or discontent. You shall take care that the Quartering be ordered in such manner as may be best for our occasions, and where they may be best accommodated, and that you have special regard to give as much ease as can be to such as are well-affected, and have borne most burden in the former Levies and Quartering. A. Henderson. Edinburgh 13 of October, 1648. THese are to give power and Warrant to the Laird of Suinton, Laird of Arnot, and the Laird of Libberton, to see such of the English Forces as have had their Horses plundered, or suffered any other wrong, repaired out of the Estates of those who have been in the late Engagement, and have not submitted to the Agreement. And to take special care to keep a good correspondency betwixt this Committee and them, and betwixt them and the Country people where they are quartered. A. Henderson. At Edinburgh Octob. 15. 1648. WHereas the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, have been pleased to offer assistance to us for suppressing the common Enemy, We have thought fit that some Regiments of their Horses do stay in this kingdom for a short time, And whereas divers abuses hath been lately committed, and for preventing of which abuses that may be done to any of the Soldiers under the Command of Major Gen. Lambert: We do Command and Ordain the Committees of War, of the Shires where the said Forces are now, or shall be hereafter Quartered, to take special care that the Country people do readily afford them the best Quarter and accommodation they can, during their stay, And we do further declare, that whosoever within this kingdom shall do any wrongs or injuries in taking away their horses or Arms, or shall offer violence to their persons, that Order shall be given to the Troops that are kept up for the service of the Kingdom, that their whole movable goods shall be confiscated, and themselves imprisoned or punished with death, according as they shall deserve, and if any of the Country people receive wrong or injury from any of the English Forces, they are to address themselves and complain to this Committee, or Major Gen. Lambert, from whom they shall receive due satisfaction. Ordains these presents to be published at the Market Cross of Edinburgh, Haddingtoune, Dunbar, Linlithgow, Peebles, that none pretend Ignorance. THO. HENDERSON. FINIS.