A LETTER Sent to the Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons, wherein is truly Related the great Victory obtained by God's blessing, by the Parliaments Army, Against the King's Forces, Near NEWBERRY, on Sunday the 27. of this present October.  

Which Letter was read in the House of Commons, and Ordered to be Printed.  
Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
London. Printed for Edw Husbands. October 29. 1644.   

Honourable Sir,  
THough our other Employments, in and about the Army, may excuse us in point of News; yet being Eye-Witnesses of this late Fight, and knowing your kind acceptance of some presents, though without the Circle, and especially desirous to express our joy for this success, which the Lord of Hosts upon his own day has vouchsafed us, We presume to press in with the crowd, and to make it more clear, shall give you the preceding circumstantes: After a weeks tedious, but speedy mareh of my Lord General's Infantry, and one night's refreshment at Reading, in two days further progress we drew up afore Newberry, as near the Town as the Enemy's Canon would suffer. This was upon Friday the 25 of Octob. the King kept within the town, guarded by his Artillery; but his body of horse and foot drew out into Speenfield, the midway twixt the town and castle; both to make his Army seem more numerous, and to embattle them in a plaer of extraordinary abvantage; that day afforded nothing save an interview (the interposing river hindered our desired fight, on their side appeared rather a declining to be engaged, either that their numbers were not equal, or from an expectation of Prince rupert's advance with 3000 Horse or Dragoons, and the return of the Earl of Northampton from Banbury with 1000) The Enemy's strength is reported to have been 8000 foot and 5000 horse, which albeit a gallant Army, yet upon our drawing into a Battalia, they durst not take the field, but to counterpoise our numbers with his stratagems; he fell mainly to fortify the town, especial●y the Avenues, & having ratsed his batteries, & lined the hedges, stood upon his guard, & with some great pieces, where he saw the biggest bodies, & most advantage, liberally sent us some balls, which killed 2 or 3 horse, but hurt not their riders. For many hours some parties of Horse skirmisht twixt both the Armies; in which play we had the best: Of our part, but one man fell, of theirs four or five, of which, one was Knighted. It being impossible to engage them, without much hazard, that night the greater part of our Army marched to Cheveley. The Horse commanded by Sir Will. Waller, and Sir Will. Balfore: The Foot, by Sergeant Major General Skippon, whilst the other encamped before the East side of the Town, and ordered by the Earl of Manchester, at one same time having agreed, to storm the Garrison on both sides. That night, and the next, we quartered in the open field: but neither the coldness of the Wether, nor want of usual Provision, any whit disanimated the Soldier; the expectation of fight; swallowing up all other extremities. Howbeit, most of them had three day's Provision prepared by Command in's Snapsack. By day break upon Sunday, the Horse and Foot commanded by Sir Will. Waller, and Major Gen. Skippon, were upon their march, in four hours surrounded Dunnington Castle, and made their approach towards the West of Newberry. By the way we intercepted two or three Carts of their Provision, intended they say for His Majesty; but in respect an unworthy race about Him, share with Him, and that our men more needed it, we disposed it. And at the same time took near 100 Horse and Foot of theirs, straggling. To recompense which, they fell upon our Rear from the Castle, and took ten or 12. of ours prisoners. Upon this march we received the report, that Newcastle was taken by storm, and the Ulster Rebels totally defeated. Happy news: but of double use, so near our engagement. It was one, ere the train and rear came up, and near three ere we could be put into Battalia. With extraordinary shouts, and other symptoms of courage, and joy, the Western Body advanced, and by the forlorn hopes of Horse, quickly begun the fight, which with as much eagerness was seconded by the Foot; so as for three hours the fight was maintained with as much resolution and bravery on our side, and desperateness on the other, as hath been seen since the commencement of these Wars; the Canon & small shot on both sides firing with as quick a motion as was possible; and amongst the foot, to speak impartially, his Excellency's Regiment did eminently well, of whom and of the rest we can speak very justly; We neither saw man or party, horse or foot, either to dissert his duty or dishearten his fellow; but after a long and hot dispute, we beat them first from their work, and then from their Ordinance, 9 in number; in which Achievement we lost a few men, but with them Capt. Gawler, a Glamorganshire Gent. who by an honourable and triumphant hazard bequeathed it to us with his life, an expression sufficient to entitle him True to his charge, notwithstanding his captivity in Cornwall. The day was of so much discontent to His Majesty, that wrapping up his losses with the night, auhour after midnight he marched out of the town with an Attendant-troop only, towards Winchester, and sent up his Canon, Carriages and Baggage to the Castle, where (at daybreak) we saw them placed. Upon the first intelligence of their departure, Col: Cromwell followed the body of the Enemy two hours before day, the issue of which as yet we hear not of. Our men are full of spirit, and heightened by this Victory. The Enemy have little to support them, but their Rodomonts. In the mean time, as an addition and signal of good success, we have the Earl of Cleaveland prisoner, taken by a Lieutenant of Col: Berkleys, he wonders how Gen: Goring escaped; but his brother paid his account, being shot dead as he charged; most of his Troop were cut of: Major trevilian, and divers other whose bodies are seen, but names as yet undiscovered: Above 200. slain of theirs, and 300. more Prisoners; of which, Philpot, Mildmay, son to Sir Humphrey and Nevyt. We hope for a prosecution of this victory. God direct our Council, continue our courage, prevent our wants, and enlarge our hearts with praise. For this silences their braves of Cornwall, and indeed 'twas resented by our men, with that indignation, that very few of that County had quarter afforded. The King at His departure hence, told the Mayor (as they say) that they were wicked Roundheads: For since His being amongst them, they had never furnished Him with any intelligence; whereof the Cornish had upon every occasion given Him notice of every thing.  
We have Ordered and Proclaimed hereupon a penalty, That every man that has any of the Enemy's Army, bring them to the main Guard, for the use of the Army. We have commanded in also many Teems, and Horse to draw our new Train, and the wounded men, and have assisted the Commissaries for provision: And understanding that twelve Chests for Chirurgery are coming towards us, shall carefully see them disposed according to your intentions. Surgeons are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wanting; and such as be in pay, and absent, shall be noted against Musters. This is all, save that by Divine Providence, this poor Town was saved from firing by the Enemy, rather than we should possess it. Suffer only the Addition, that we are  
Sir, your Honour's most humble and most faithful Servants, 

Martin Pindar,  
Thomas Herbert  
john Prickman,  
Stephen White.   Newberry, 28. Octob. Monday.  
The Surgeons Chests of Medicaments are come this day very seasonably, and we have distributed them to such as are here to receive them.  
FINIS.