THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE Army under the Command OF Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
From the first of July to the sixth.  
Containing the Story of the CLUB-MEN, And Relief of TAUNTON.  
Wherein is expressed The Propositions of the CLUB-MEN, And Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX His Answer unto them.  
Sent from Mr. bowls( Chaplain to Sir Thomas Fairfax) to a Friend of his in LONDON.  
Published according to Order.  
London, Printed for Samuel Gellibrand, July 11. 1645.   

JULY 1.  
NOt to express my own aff●ctation, or satisfy others curiosity, but in love to Truth, and this Army, both which are sometimes abused by the frivolous and contradictory accounts, given by the Higling Diurnals, who are resolved, true or false, good or bad, to make up their Sheet. I have persuaded myself to this trouble, well knowing the perplexity of such an undertaking, wherein the opinions and reputations of so many are concerned, and the unpleasantnesse of it, when the variety of success shall make me a Messenger of ill tidings: But that God may have the honour of what he doth for us, and by us; and that men, for want of a true and impartial Information, may not fall out with the Instruments of their own good, I shall proceed.  
After that it had pleased God in the midst of our enemies despite, and friends despair, to look upon us, and use as Instruments of his Justice upon an enemy filled with sin and pride; and of his Mercy to this Nation, in the late Victory at Nablesby-Field, which he was pleased to crown with the speedy and happy regaining of Leicester, which should teach us not to judge of any thing too soon, but wait for the counsel of God, which hath since made it appear, that Leicester was lost, that both God and this Kingdom might gain by that loss. The Army marched toward Warwick solicitous in nothing so much as which way they might best serve the public: And being very doubtful, whether it were better to follow the King, and hinder his recruting, or go down to the West, to relieve the other part of our Army, who had well deserved it, and long expected it; Letters were sent to the Parliament and Committee of both Kingdoms, declaring our indifferency, and willingness, to be swayed by their advice and resolutions, but not willing to lose any time, we marched on to Marlborough with a disposition, either to go over at Gloucester toward the King in Herefordshire, or to move Westward, and join with Col. Massey in the Western business; for though we knew he would adventure, and do as much as any man, with such a strength; yet the enemy being in common report 12000, and he but little above two, it was thought, that Goring might both keep off him, and keep up our men about Taunton. Having therefore received notice from the Committee of both Kingdoms, that Letters were sent to the Scottish Army to advance toward Worcester, and that we had their consent, and the Horses likewise, to march Westward, we bent our course that way; having yet so tender a consideration of Gloucestershire, that we sent colonel Butlers Regiment to lye before Barkley-Castle, to keep in Sir charles Lucas while the Gloucestershire Troops might look to the security of that part of their country beyond Severn.  
After we had restend the Lords day at Marlborough, we marched from thence toward Amsbury, fourteen miles distant from Marlborough. This day being the Fair-day at Marlborough, occasioned the straggling and stay of some of our Souldiers, who were surprised by Souldiers from the Devizes, commanded by mayor Dewet, a French Runagado, lately wheeled off to the King, whom as we hear, some Troopers under the Command of mayor Buller have lately followed. We lost some men there, if it be a loss to leave such men, as leave their Colours. But that we might not be wholly beholding to the enemy for the execution of justice upon our stragglers, one was hanged that night at Amesbury, for going from his Colours, and endeavouring to seduce another. From Amesbury, the first of July, we marched by the way of Wilton to Broadchalk and Burchalk, 12 miles, where some of us passing through Salisbury, took notice of the Club-men, as we call them: Associates they term themselves, of whom a further account presently. They wear white ribbons in their Hats, with Peace and Truth interwoven. They have forbidden the Souldiers of the adjacent Garrisons of Langford-House and Falston-House, to fight in Salisbury; but to be drunk together, is a small fault in the Cathedrall Calendar. They allow those two Garrisons contribution for the present; for which, one Master Hollis of Salisbury is Treasurer, and hath a great influence upon this heap of men.  
From Broadchalk we marched July the second to Blanford, a Town noted for Malignancy; in our march a Dragooner was hanged for robbing a countryman upon the High-way. At Blandeford there was accidentally a Barn fired, which raised a mutual jealousy betwixt the Souldiers and the Town, that it was done on purpose; But the Townsmen finding themselves enriched by the Souldiers lying there, began to be persuaded into a better opinion of the Parliament-Forces, against their wills. This night came to us colonel Massey, and acquainted us with his strength and condition, and with a quarrel betwixt his men and the Club-men, at Sturmister, in which the Club-men were reduced to reason at the last.  
From Blandeford, July the third, we marched to Dorchester, a Town as famous for piety and good affection, as the other for its averseness to good; But divers of the best Inhabitants being forced from it, the beauty of the Town is much impaired, and many houses empty.  
In our passage from Blandeford toward Dorchester, came to us four Agents from the Club-men of Dorsetshire and Wiltshire; the chief speaker was Master Hollis of Dorsetshire, Brother to him of Salisbury. Their business was to procure a pass from the general for these persons to go to the King and Parliament with Petitions.  
To the King were to go, Doct. Henry Goche( a Gentleman subject to mistakes, when he took the Manciples daughter of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge, instead of a Wife; but made it good afterward in taking her to Wife) and Master Thomas Browell, Divines; John St. lo, Peter Hoskins, Esquire; Master Thomas Young an Attorney, more eloquent then honest, and Master Robert Pawlet, Gent.  
To the Parliament, Master Melchisedech Woltham, Master Richard Hook, Club-Divines, Thomas Trenchard, Robert Culliford, Esquires; George Haules, Richard Newman, Gentlemen.  
Master Hollis was pleased to deliver in the Petitions so to be conveyed, as also the Articles of Association. The brief account of both is this.  
The Articles are,  

THat the Associates provide Arms, Set Watches, Be quiet with them that are so; Lay hold on disorderly Souldiers; Bring them to the next Garrisons; Not to refuse Quarter and Contribution to their ability, till their Petitions be delivered; Not to favour either Party; Or to protect any not Associated.  
The Heads of the Petions are, To desire a renewed Treaty, with a Cessation; as also, That the garrisons of Dorset and Wiltshire, be put into their hands, till the King and Parliament agree about their disposal: That they be free from all Charge, but the maintenance of those garrisons: That all Laws not repeated, be in force, and executed by the ordinary Officers: That all men who desire it, may lay down Arms; and others, who have absented themselves from their dwellings, may have free liberty to return, and live at home.   
After much speech had with them, and some consultation what to do in the business, it pleased the general to return his Answer in writing to this purpose.  
ALthough the Paper brought to me, being not subscribed, cannot challenge any Answer; yet, to clear myself from any averseness to the satisfaction of the country, who are pretended to be interested in these Petitions; I return this:  
That my affections, and the aff●ctions of this Army, are as much inclined to Peace as any mens whatsoever; and we undertake the War for no other end then the establishment of a firm and happy Peace, by opposing the enemies thereof: and that I shall be ready, so far as concerns me, to further all lawful and fit means to procure it.  
But having seen the Petitions for the conveyance of which a Letpasse is desired, I must profess myself not so well satisfied with some things contained in them, as to concur to their delivering by any act of mine.  
In particular, that a Cessation is desired, whilst, by Letters written by the King and Queen, taken at the late battle of Naseby, it evidently appears, that Contracts are already made for the bringing in Ten thousand French, and Six thousand Irish.  
It is further desired, That the garrisons in these parts, whereof three are Sea-ports, should be delivered up to the Petitioners; which to grant, were for the Parliament to acquit part of the Trust reposed in them by the Kingdom, and( considering these foreign Preparations) to run very great hazards to these Ports, to themselves, and the whole Kingdom.  
Thirdly, it is propounded, That liberty be given to all Souldiers to disband, and return to their home, if they desire it; which may with equal justice be desired by all parts of the Kidgdom; and so the Parliament made unable to manage the War, before Peace settled.  
These Considerations, with some other yet to be debated, will not allow me to grant the desire of the Letter.  
But as for that part of the Petition which declares the grievances of the country, by Plunder and violence committed, either by garrisons or Armies; I do hereby promise and undertake, for the garrisons and Armies under the command of the Parliament, That whatsoever Disorders are committed by them, upon a Complaint making known the Offences and the Persons, Justice shall be done, and satisfaction given. As also, I shall endeavour that the Parliaments Garison● may be regulated according to any reasonable Agreement with the country: and without doubt the Parliament will cause them to be slighted, so soon as the condition of these parts and the public good shall permit: And that the Army under my command shall be ordered as may be most for the good and advantage of these Counties, and the whole Kingdom: of which, some reasonable testimony is already given, in their quiet and orderly passage thorough these and other Counties, without many of those complaints which usually follow Armies.  
I further desire, That in the publishing this my Answer to your Request, all assembling the people to public rendezvouz may be forborn, and that Copies hereof may be dispersed to the several Parishes, that the country may be acquainted therewith.  
THO: FAIRFAX.  
After the dispatch of these Club-Ambassadours( I leave it to other men to call them Knaves of Clubs, for I will not use myself to ill language) from Dorchester we marched toward Bemister, and quartered the Army in the field betwixt Bemister and Crookhorn: but before our march from Dorchester, we received notice of a sharp Farewell( for so it proved) given by Goring at Taunton, wherein he spit his last venom, which our men received with their wonted courage. As also, we had notice of an Encounter betwixt the governor of lime and the Club-men, about Bird-port: It seems the Club-men assembling, were sent to by the governor of lime, who put himself in a condition to receive the worst of Answers. To declare themselves, they rudely tore his Papers, and increased their Sedition: Whereupon, he made toward them, to disperse them, which he did, with the loss of 50 or 60 Club-men, who it seems will not understand Reason, till it be beaten into them. These Club-men were lead by an Officer of the Kings: and we understand that Goring hath le●t them divers of his men to seduce them to disaffection and destruction: But we hope, if we may have some time and liberty, to quench this fire very shortly, though we were unwilling to stir it so long as Goring lay before Taunton; from whence, this evening of the fourth, we understand by Scouts from Taunton, and Prisoners taken at Crookborn, among whom a Lieutenant of Horse, that he drew off yesterday about noon, toward Ilmister, and this night is quartered about Somerton: Our Army lying betwixt Bemister and Crookhorn; colonel Mass●ys party betwixt Axminster and Chard; we having in these five days marched from Marlborough to Bemister, which is 62 miles.  
On Saturday the fifth, having intelligence that the enemy was marched toward Somerton, we marched with the whole body toward Crookhorn, having sent early in the morning a party of 2000 Horse and Dragoons, under the command of colonel Fleetwood, to discover the enemies motion, and take advantage of his rear, if it were given. This party marched to Pedderton, alarmed the enemy, and driven them first over to Pedderton-Bridge, then to Longlode, and so over that Bridge, which made the enemy face about, and bring up Foot, who, with the advantage of some Works formerly cast up, made good the Bridge against our Horse and Dragoons. After this a Brigade of Foot was commanded to march, their Quarters assigned at Crookhorn, which they obeied most cheerfully, and advanced as far as Pedderton: but they being extreme weary, and the night coming on, strong Guards were placed at the Bridge, and the almost-tired Horse drawn into their Quarters; it being a country so full of straight passages, that it is very hard to engage an unwilling enemy, especially with Forces so harassed as ours, with six days continual Marches, and those long ones, saving the last, which the difficulty of the way made equally troublesome with the former. In this Chase, about ten prisoners of the enemy were taken, among whom a Cornet of Dragoons.  
Thus hath the Lord graciously lead us to the end of this week, and enabled us to say, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. It remains onely that he be acknowledged in all our ways, that he may direct our paths.  
This sixth of July, our Head-quarter is at Crookhorn, where itis possible we may rest a day or two, but not be idle. And we account it a mercy that the Lord hath so disposed of our affairs, that we have had liberty rest and wait upon him three Lords-days together; at Warwick, Marlborough, and Crookhorn, which have been the onely days of rest we have had since we came from Leicester. The enemy yet continues on the East side the River, which he lately passed at Lode-bridge, upon which they have three garrisons, at Bridgewater, Langport, and Ilchester: But we hope that God will direct us by his good providence, to such course as may be for the good of these parts, and the whole Kingdom.  
From Crookhorn, July 6.  
FINIS.   

Numb. 2.  
An Exact and Perfect RELATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE Army under the Command OF Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
From the sixth of this instant July, to the eleventh of the same.  
Wherein is expressed the particulars of the VICTORY obtained by by the PARLIAMENTS Forces, over Goring, near Langport in Sommersetshire.  
Dated at Sir Thomas Fairfax Quarters at Middlesey, 4 Miles from Bridgewater, July 11.  
Published according to Order.  
London, Printed for Samuel Gellibrand, July 14. 1645.   

JULY 7.  
AFter the relief of Taunton, and our marching to Crookhorn, where we restend the Lords-day, July 6. Although our long march, and the wants of our Souldiers challenged some refreshment, yet the general, and the rest of the Officers, could not with patience endure an Enemy so near us; and therefore the party from Taunton were sent for, who came to Pedderton that night, colonel Massey about Ilmister: The general seeing it very hazardous to free a passage at Longlode or Ilchester, marched to Evil, thinking to pass the River there, or at Mudford-Bridge. A little before our coming to Evil, Sherbone men had broken the Bridge, which was presently made up; but as it fell out, we had no use of it, for the Enemy quitted Ilchester, a Garrison of theirs, and left us free entrance on Tuesday, where we quartered on Tuesday night. Little of moment fell out these two dayes, Goring dancing from one side of the River, to the other; so that our Officers that came from Taunton, had the more free liberty to congratulate our happy successses; ours at Naseby, which was a complete victory, theirs at Taunton, which was more then a deliverance; for they continually affronted the enemy, took from him 400 Horse at several times, and ordinarily made bold with their Guards. The poor Souldiers were much afraid, in regard of our delay of relief, that they should have had another Cornish hug, as they called it, but it pleased God to prevent their fears, by this seasonable Mercy. They lost a Gallant man, colonel Floyd, a Religious experienced soldier, and lieutenant colonel Richbell, a stout honest man, and some few Officers besides; some that were hurt, are recovered, as mayor Marshall, mayor red  
This day colonel Butlers Regiment, commanded by mayor Fincher, Quarter-master general of our Horse, came near us, and in its march from Barkley Castle to us, did very good service. First at Dursl●y, they entertained Sir charles Lucas coming to beat up their Quarters, killed ●he Captain of the Forlorn-Hope, after that, charged the Party with two Troops, killed ten, whereof two Captains, took 39 prisoners, hurt Sir charles Lucas.  
From thence they came to Highworth, where the Enemy from Farington had entered the Town, whom he beat out, and delivered to the governor, the quiet possession of his Garrison. From thence to the devices, where they took some Horse, and so to Dorchester, where they over took some of Sherborne Horse; and so came to us very seasonably, being through Gods providence, nearer an engagement then we expected.  
Wednesday, July 9. We divided our Force, and overlooked the danger through our earnestness to discover and dislodge Goring; but the danger of division was the less, in regard that colonel Massey had many Dragoons, at least 2000, and an enclosed country: Whereupon Col. Massey's party, with the addition of Col. pies, and Col. Sheffeilds Regiments, and all our Dragoons, but one Troop, were sent on the other side the Water, betwixt Taunton and Langport, to amuse the Enemy, and take advantages, if he might; which he very diligently did, and came upon a strong Quarter of the Enemies about North-Curry, took them before they were well ready: charged, took 9 or 10 Colours, 4 Captains, some lieutenants and Cornets, and about 200 men, and more Horses; with very little loss, onely Col. Cook shot in the face, and Col. Buller hurt in the arm. We were not idle on the other side, but skirmished at a pass a mile from Langport, took one Colours, which lead the way to many more the next day.  
On Wednesday night, we quartered at Long-Sutton, and on Thursday morning, the tenth, a council of war was called, whether to draw up before Langport, and do further as opportunity might be, or withdraw toward Sherborne and Evil, to refresh our men, and receive our supplies of Arms, Money, and Ammunition, coming to us by Sea; but it pleased God to end the business by an Alarm given us, that the Enemy had possessed the pass we formerly skirmished at in P●ssebury-Bottom, and some of their Foot appeared on the Hill: whereupon, the Forces we had on this side the River, were drawn forth: Of Foot, Weldens, Herbarts, Inglesbies, Fortescues, Maj. Generals, Russels, Hammands, and Rainsbroughes Regiments, with Sir Hardre Wallers, & the Pikes of the Ge●erals, Mountagues and Pickerings Regiments. The shoemakers of those three Regiments together, with Col. Iretons Regiment of Horse, being sent on Wednesday night to the assistance of Massey. All our Horse, but the three Regiments of Sir Robert pie, Col. Sheffeild, and Col. Ireton, and Okeys Dragoons, who were all with Col. Massey, but one Troop. With these, we drew into the Field, about 10 of the Clock on Thursday, and about 12 or near one, we began to dispute the pass with them; the Enemy had a Hill, and the wind, we another Hill, they had the pass and the Hedges lined before we came; we drew up our Canon, which did us very good service, and made the other side of the Hill so hot, that they could not come down to relieve their men; presently, the Forlorn-Hope were commanded down to clear the Hedges, which they did, seconded with Weldens Regiment, which was next them.  
I need not say any thing of the General and Lieutenant-General, who carried themselves according to their wonted diligence and gallantry.  
The enemy had but two Pieces of Ordnance, small ones, having sent the rest, with most of their Carriages, to Bridgewater. The pass being gained, the Horse went on. mayor Bethel had the honour of the first Charge of Horse, who did it very gallantly, charging a Body of the enemy with a Troop, disordered them; and being over-born with a fresh Body, retreated slowly a little way, to mayor Disbrough, who commands the Generals Regiment of Horse, where he rallied, and charged again, and they with him, and put the enemy to a foul Retreat, which they never recovered. Part of their Foot, with some Horse, and their two Pieces of Ordnance, retreated into Langport, of which you shall have a further Account presently. The rest Horse and Foot, as fast as they could, ran toward Bridgewater, except some who scattered themselves into Corn and Woods for their shelter. Those that went toward Bridgewater, were earnestly pursued by our Horse, so that none of their Foot, recovered Bridgewater, and very many of their Horse, and divers Colours. The General and Lieutenant General staying with the Foot near Langport, perceived the enemy drawing over at Langport, and going toward Bridgewater on the other side of the River. Whereupon, we found the enemy had quitted it, because, as they say, the governor refused to hold it without 800 men, which they could not spare: and for a farewell, they fired the Town, to run away by the light. Hereupon, we marched into the Town with Horse, and some Foot, who thorough fire and water, pursued on that side the River. With those Horse went Lieutenant-General cronwell and Colonel Greaves, who overtook their Foot-Colours, and Ordnance, and three loads of Ammunition, which they brought back to Langport. The Horse, some of them, got to Bridgewater, some to a little garrison call'ed Burrow-Church, in the way betwixt Langport and Bridgewater. The General in the mean time marched on with the rest of the Foot toward Bridgewater, for the advantage of Quarters, not being willing to stay in that wasted place, and came that night to Middlesey, four miles from Bridgewater.  
In this Fight, the whole Foot of the enemy were dispersed, killed, and taken; but few killed, thanks to hedges and heels. What Ordnance they had, were lost, and many of their Colours taken. I cannot give a more perfect account of Prisoners: Two Colonels of Horse, Slingsby and Heveningham, are taken, with Bertridge Lieutenant-General of their Ordnance, besides some Lieutenant-colonels and Majors; and, as I hear, about 1200 Prisoners: and this a very cheap Victory, we having lost no Officer, and not 20 common Souldiers, for ought. I can learn: Some of mayor Bethels Troop are sore hurt, himself shot in the right hand.  
Thus hath the God of our Salvation protected and prospered us, besotting the enemies old Souldiers, that they should suffer themselves to be engaged contrary to their intentions, and in the midst of their expectation of Supplies to make up a formidable Army, directing us by his good providence, in the midst of our irresolutions: His wisdom was our counsel, his Strength was our Victory; let the praise be his. Our Word was, God with us; and he made it good: Theirs was bristol, which they will make good, itis like, and run from Bridgewater thither. Many of their men came running over to us, being such as Gerard had taken prisoners in Wales, and entertained; which should make us more careful in taking in the enemies prisoners: and if it be not carefully headed, it may be justly believed, that, notwithstanding the Covenant( the frequency of oaths having brought them to a formality, and Perjury being now grown familiar; which it were to be wished were better thought on) Many of the prisoners taken at Naseby we shall be constrained to fight with once again.  
A little before this Engagement, Master Hollis, the ambassador ordinary of the Clubs, came to us with a second Petition in the behalf of those whom Colonel Ceely had taken prisoners at lime; That reparation might be given for the lives of some who were killed, and the liberties of others who were taken; otherwise very fairly they must betake themselves to the adverse party for justice. The General being going to the Field, ordered him to stay at the Quarter, and he should have answer at his return; which, God be thanked, we can give him, with Honour and Justice. The enemies remainders are at and about Bridgewater; our Head-Quarter at Middlesey, where our Officers are consulting what is next to be done; for that is all the Question with us. I pray God resolve it, and direct us.  
FINIS.   

Numb. 3.  
A CONTINVATION OF THE Proceedings of the ARMY under the Command of SIR Thomas Fairfax: From the eleventh of this instant JULY, to the nineteenth of the same.  
Whereunto is added a Petition presented at a rendezvouz of Club-men, with their Queries. As also certain Observations upon their Petition, with a few Crosse-Queries.  
Dated at Sir Thomas Fairfax his Quarters at Chedsey near Bridgwater, July 19.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for Samuel Gellibrand, July 26. 1645.   

JULY 11.  
TO the account which was given of the Fight and Rout on the tenth, all I can add is, that Goring passed through Bridgwater on Friday morning towards Barstaple without Ordnance, with three Carriages, about 3000 Horse, most of them unserviceable, 400 Foot, whereof 300 never came in the Fight, 8 remaining Colours, in a most perplexed condition, in regard of the discontent of his shattered Forces, & the carriage of the Country, who made bold to bring up his Rear for him, which made him put 500 of his best Horse there to secure his march: as I am informed by one who marched with them; they have sent 500 Horse into Cornwall to bring up more sheep to the slaughter, and Sir John Barkley is as busy as he may in pressing men in Devonshire, where the Country much opposes his proceedings.  
On Friday, july 11. The general marched to a rendezvouz of Horse and Foot from Midlesey to Weston-Common, two miles from Bridgewater, from whence we discovered, upon a hill on the right-hand a company of Country-men gathered together with White-flying Colours, viz. Sheets and apporns, to whom it pleased the general, accompanied with many of his Officers to go: The Countrymen referred themselves to Willys to speak for them, and to give account of their meeting, which he said was for safeguard of their goods, and for peace, to which purpose he produced a Petition for a Treaty. At the same time appeared another Gentleman with a Petition drawn by some part of the Country about Wells and Shepton-Mallet, which this company disclaimed, as also the carriage of the Club-men of Dorsetshire, so that there is some danger that these reconcilers will fall out among themselves. The general  told them he came to protect them from the insolences of war, and to further peace, by scattering the enemies of it, desired them to sand in Provisions, & they should be paid for them, and so we partend fairly, and the good people were so well satisfied, that they gave us a most dangerous volley of shot of a quarter of an hour long, of which many of us were more afraid then of the shot in the battle the day before; so they returned to their houses, we to our quarters, which were that night at Weston and Chedsey: And Colonel Massey was quartered on the other side the water, two miles from Bridgewater.  
On saturday, july 12. We continued in our quarters refreshing our men as well as we could without money, the want of which for three weeks last past hath occasioned many straights, and some disorders, which we hope will be remedied by the supply which is now coming from lime, but let there be no expectation of any justice or order in an Army, if the Common soldier, at least especially of Foot be not payed, whose 8.d. will but let him live; and that those men who cheerfully and courageously upon any accosion adventure their lives for the preservation of other mens liberties & estates, should want that poor pittance is very hard, which they will do, unless a settled course for convoys be taken, and the Treasurer residing in the Army have some money always ready for extremities; but this is an unpleasant subject. This day the Cornet of the Generalls Troop was slain by a shot from the Town, as he was riding between the Guard and the works.  
The general, and lieutenant-general, and some other Officers went after noon to view the Works, from whence they were saluted by a cannon-shot made by the famous Lady Windham, who bid the Trumpeter tell the General she could do no less, and if he were a Courtier he would do the like.  
On Sunday the 13. We likewise restend at Chedsey, the head-quarter; glad that our business gave us liberty for a Religious rest, which we have of late been very happy in observing. In the afternoon came to us Col. Okey, who with his Dragoons, and the assistance of some Foot took in Burrow-Church, and with it 150 prisoners, who rendered themselves with their arms, and what they had; Their Governours name was Greenham. The general caused it to be possessed by a Commanded party of Foot, till further order be taken.  
On monday the 14. We began to think of the necessity of our moving, and also the great importance of taking the town of Bridgwater, if possible; which we find strongly fortified in regard of the advantage of the water drawn about it, and many Ordnance in it, Goring having left with them al his but the two we to●k from him. A storm was thought on, and provision made accordingly: Col. Floyds, and Fortescues Regiments sent over the water to join with Col. Massey, to whom Col. Birch was also come with his Regiment, and three other Regiments appointed for this side, with their reserves. But the thing being of so great importance to our Army, our Officers being very tender of the honour of the Army, and lives of their men, thought fit at least to defer it till more certain information might be had of the Works and Trenches, and more full preparation made: And therefore when they were almost ready to fall on, they were drawn off monday night late, and returned to their quarters. This evening, through the great goodness of God, the general, and lieutenant-general escaped a very great danger by water, passing the River in a Boat, which was within two minutes of being overturned by the violence of the Tide called the Eager, coming in upon them.  
On Tuesday morning Col. Massey came over to our quarters at Chedsey, where a council of War was called concerning the Town of Bridgwater, and resolved that we should go on in making all preparations, which if they proved so good, and our Intelligence crossed not the hopes of prevailing by Storm, it was suddenly to be attempted, otherwise to be blocked up. We have these two dayes taken some Vessels in the River, coming to, and going from Bridgewater, laden with malt and Oats, and such provisions: Six Vessels have been taken by us( in all) since our coming hither.  
Oh Wednesday and Thursday, Preparations were diligently made for an attempt upon the Town: but finding it to be a thing of so great difficulty, the Ditch encompassing the Works, fil'd with water, being about six yards wide, and the Town well furnished with men, and having the example of so much wariness given us by other Armies; It's thought it will not be expedient to put it to such a hazard: but rather, since there is some probability of starving it in a little time, to spend some patience upon it, considering it is a Town of so great importance to the welfare of the West, and withall considering that the blocking up this Town shall not be a total impediment to other kind of action, as we hope the next Week will demonstrate.  
As for the Intelligence we receive, it tells us that the Prince, and his governor Hopton, are gone toward Cornwall to try their old refuge; which begins to be exhausted: and Grenvile, Berkley, and Gooring are busy, though to little purpose, in Devonshire. And lest this Intelligence should not be true, we shall very shortly sand to know either how or what they do.  
This day, being Saturday the 19. A party of Horse is sent toward L●ndon to meet and bring up Recruits: and the general, and the rest of the Officers are in the Field near the Town, settling quarters, to block up the Town to the very Works, or taking some quicker resolution, that the Army may be at liberty to be disposed of as may be most for the service of the kingdom.  
From Chedsey near Bridgwater, July 19.   

To the Kings most Excellent majesty, And to the Right Honourable Lords and Commons of Parliament, Assembled at WESTMINSTER.  
WEE the Gentlemen, Free-holders, and others, all Protestants, and peaceable Subjects of the county of Somerset, Beholding with unexpressible affliction of our souls the many and terrible shakings of that well-built state of England, which our wise and careful Fathers left unto us, that their Generations after them, under the blessing of God, might keep it up for ever; Are most humble suitors to your sacred majesty, and to the said Honourable Lords and Commons, that our so long and much tottering kingdom may speedily be reposed upon her firm foundation, which we conceive to be the full and free convening in Parliament, of your Majesties royal Person, and of all the Lords, together with the Commons, as well all them which have been heretofore duly elected to this Parliament, and do yet survive, as others who ought to be so elected thither, to fill all places in it made void by death: Your Majesties royal and famous Progenitors and Predecessors, the Kings and queens of this Land, environed with this their full and free multitude of Councellors from all parts thereof, having ever been that Rock of safety, whereon the good providence of God, for so many hundred yeares past, hath established this realm, in despite of all former tempests that have beaten against it. Therefore in this, the greatest of all that ever rose upon us, or our Ancestors, we cannot but with our inflamed devotions to God, deprecate out of all mens hearts all thoughts of saving us, rather upon some new made grounds then that old one, which God yet never suffered to fail us, or of limiting our refuge but to part of our Rock, when our advantage and hope must be the more, if we have the whole to help us: As the most glorious body that is visible in England, is the Parliament of England; so who can think it so perfect, who can hope to find it so strong, to work for the honour, peace, and happiness of England, as when it consists in full of its royal Head, and all the other good Members thereof?  
Now therefore, with the utmost intention of our souls, and with all ardency of our affections, we kneel unto your Majesties Kingly wisdom, and to the wisdom of the said Honourable Lords and Commons, that for the speedy integration, both in Head and Members of this body, which is the soul of Englands welfare, your Parliament, it may graciously please your majesty and the said Honourable Lords and Commons to sand; they unto your majesty, and your majesty to them, to appoint your several, that is to say, your majesty, your Majesties, and they their Commissioners, and to hasten them to meet, Treat, and agree of Time and place, when and where your majesty shall be, with your Houses of Lords and Commons, both of them in their beautiful fullness of all their Members; we most humbly beseeching, that no place may be thought for this purpose to be like Gideons Fleece, either the onely spot of England, that shall be capable of the due of heavenly blessing, and that all the Land besides will be dry; or to be the onely place which shall be dry, when upon any other towns or city God will give down his due; and for the security, both of your majesty, and the Honourable Houses in any place, we shall lay down our lives, and that which is left of our estates, to your Majesty, for the Houses, and to the Houses, for your majesty.  
And that we and the whole realm may no longer want the benefit of those laws, which are well known to us by the undoubted seals, of King, Lords and Commons, upon them, and may not still starve and bleed ourselves to death, for such as could not yet pass this three-fold Test; We humbly pray, that the comfortable streams of Justice, which have been so long bayed up, may be opened to all the Land, to refresh it, now every where weary and weak, by the long impunity of all sorts of sin and injury, and that Judges and Officers may be authorised to, and secured, in their administrations of Law and right to all people; And that all Field-Armies may be dissolved, all controversies for which they have been raised being laid down, to be awakened and determined, or to sleep and die undecided in the full and free Parliament; And that all unnecessary Garrisons be slighted, and such as shall be thought necessary, either by your majesty, or the said Honourable Lords and Commons to be continued, to be trusted in some hands of those Counties wherein they are sited, the Trustees to be equally name by your majesty, and the said Honourable Lords and Commons, and no Trustee to deliver up his Charge, but by the joint Warrant of King, Lords and Commons in Parliament; and every such Garrison to be maintained at the charge of the county where it is, until we may see that happy day when the King, Lords and Commons shall declare, that there is no more use of any such wariness between the King and his people.  
And we beseech your Majesties Princely clemency, and the fatherly and fraternal love of the said Honourable Lords and Commons, to all their equal and inferior Countrymen, for this sweet and necessary condescension to all that have been in arms, or otherwise assistant on either party to this destructive war, and to all that are imprisoned by any occasion of it, and to all that absent themselves from their dwellings upon fear thereof, that they may be permitted to return home, and all men to enjoy their liberties and properties, and their wonted freedom of Commerce throughout the whole realm.  
Lastly, we most humbly beseech your Majesties most tender heart, and the feeling affections of the said Honourable Lords and Commons, to their poor and bleeding Countrymen, to take notice of the many importunate Agitants, which have beaten us together into these our unusual meetings; not onely the worship of God, the honour of your majesty, the native liberty and right of the Subject, the wealth and strength of the whole Land, and whatsoever is virtuous or laudable in it still suffering diminution; but also our intolerable slavery, under a most insolent signory; our universal poverty, by endless Contributions, and Plunders; the cursed sacrileges done upon holy places, devoted to Gods service; the grievous persecutions of Reverend Ministers, the many tragical murders and rapes that have been acted, and more that are threatened upon peaceable Subjects, all sorts of wickedness become every where impudent and shameless; and in a word, whatsoever is dreadful or miserable to us, is still growing upon us, under the reign of this Civill war: By all these so many and so powerful considerations, we having been drawn together, as we contest the Searcher of all hearts, not for Sedition, but for the public Peace, and in order thereunto, to meet together in this our humble Petition unto your Excellent majesty, and the said Honourable Lords and Commons, and to put ourselves into a general readiness, at the cry of the country, to pursue and arrest all Robbers and Murtherers, and all other Felons, under whose continual Oppressions we could no longer endure.  
Wee therefore humbly beseech your majesty, and the said Honourable Lords and Commons, and all our superior and fellow subjects of this realm, that we may be mercifully and favourably judged in these our innocent intentions; and thereunto, according to our capacity, and our wisest endeavours, wee daily pray to the God of Peace and Love, that we may be revived, and the whole realm, by a speedy and indissoluble Union of the strength and saving health of England,( next under his Heavenly majesty) your sacred majesty, the Right Honourable Lords, and the Honourable House of Commons, in a full and free, which cannot be but, a happy Parliament.   

Some Quaere's presented by M. Willis at the Club-mens Rendezvous at Weston Common, in the county of Somerset, the last day of June, 1645.  
1. TO make choice of ten or twe●ve sufficient men, such as are well known in their country to be discreet and honest in the business we now meet about; that may endeavour with as much speed as may be, to present the Counties Petitions to the King and Parliament.  
2. Whether it be not necessary for us, who take up arms for the peace of the kingdom, to make choice of such men as we perceive and know to be of the ablest sort amongst us, for Judgement and Valour, to be Officers and Commanders, as Captaines, Colonels, & c?  
3. If it be agreed on to choose Officers, whether such of the Parish as have Listed themselves, must not be tied on pain of some penalty, upon summons of their Commanders, with as much speed as may be to repair to their Colours?  
4. That such poor men as live by their daily labour, course may be taken, by a general Rate made once a week by the chief of the Parish, to pay them for so many dayes as they have been upon the general employment; which is agreed on by Dorsetshire Rate, 8 pence a Day.  
5. Whether such as are able and known to be rich in the places where they live, and do not yet, nor will not upon the next Summons profess themselves for us, and join with us in this good work, which is questionless acceptable both to God and all good men; whether they be not onely worthy to be accounted ill-affected to their country, but also liable to pay all such poor men as neglect their labour to do their country service?  
6. Whether it be not convenient for all such men as be of ability, to provide themselves with as much speed as may be with Horse and arms for the Service, to preserve themselves and the country from violence, if any be offered?  
7. What course to be taken for the furnishing of each part of the county with Ammunition.  
8. Whether all such as prove themselves to be impressed men, and so forced on this unnatural uncivil war, and they forsaking the Armies or Garrisons, and repair to their homes, whether they may not, if they desire to stand for what we do, be accepted?  
9. If any heneeforward be taken breaking an House, robbing in the High-way, stealing of cattle or Horses out of our Grounds or Commons; whether that we, who stand to maintain the laws of this Land, shall not give such the Law as they do deserve, if the governor next adjoining the place, where the offence was committed, refuse to do it?  
10. Whether it be not necessary, that the county adjoining, repair to the governor of Bridgewater, to demand the Passage-Boat of Commage, that the western and eastern parts may have Commerce and Trading together, and to pass either to other, as the Occasions of the country shall require; and the like for Burrow Bridge?  
11. That if any man that is active in our affairs, and takes more pains then ordinary to bring our purposes to pass, be violently surprised by Souldiers on either side, to the loss of life or liberty; whether it be not necessary for the whole Counties, to bind themselves by Oath either to other, to join altogether as one Man, to avenge the abuse? For if this should not be, what man of estate or quality dares show himself for us?  
12. Whether any Gentleman of our country, that hath been or is known at this time to be active on either side, shall be, if they offer, accepted or no? considering, that if we admit them of one side, and not of the other, we shall prove partial; and so, friends to the one side, and enemies to the other: and again, if we accept of both, there must needs shortly thereupon grow a division among ourselves; for that they which leave or come from the Kings side, will be drawing people their way; and they which come from the Parliament, will endeavour the like for the Parliament: and so the Wound of the kingdom may prove more deadly then ever, and our last Rising be made the more incurable.  
13. That if sufficient proof shall be made, that any Officer, or other person that joins with us, or seems of us, do by any Plot, Stratagem, or Intelligence, endeavour to betray their Countries design, or any particular person in our Association, that he suffer death.  
14. Whether it be not necessary, that such Articles as shall be agreed on by this county for the good and peace of the kingdom, be published in every Parish Church within this county; by the person or Minister of the Place, together with the four Articles which Dorsetshire and Wiltshire have subscribed to? And in case any Minister refuse to do it, that he be held as an enemy to us and the Peace, and so be proceeded against, as his offence shall deserve.  

brief Observations upon the Petition.  
ALthough all honest and wise men may be supposed to be sufficiently satisfied at the first sight of this Petition, yet that knaves may be unmasked, and fools unblinded, it may not be amiss to take a little notice of it. First, the place of its conception was at Wels, a place of episcopal affection to the Parliament and Reformation, where it seems to have been engendered by the malignant conjunction of the Lawyer and the Clergyman, which I am induced to believe, because there is so little of Religion or Justice in it: But howsoever it was begotten, the honester sort of Clubmen refused to own it as legitimate.  
But we need not take advantage of circumstances, the Petition bewrays itself; first, in the Title, To the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster. And why not, To the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament at Westminster? Can it be thought that the Parliament are brought so far below themselves as to accept of that appellation from an heap of people, which they refused to do from that sacred Majesty so much extolled in the Petition.  
The first desire is, That there may be a full and free convention of the King and all the L●rds and Comm●ns in Parliament. The King since his departure hath been often desired both by the Parliament and people to return, and hath as often refused. As for the Lords and Commons, as many as love Parliaments are there; for the rest, as they are wilfully, so they are justly absent: they were once rightfully called, they are now rightfully cast out for deserting or betraying their trust, and to require their promiscuous re-admission, were to rob the Parliament of that power and privilege concerning its own Members, which most of the Subjects of England have protested to maintain. As for the deprecations, they are confessed to come from an inflamed Devotion, it may be of some Priest in a tavern; but such inflammations are dangerous. But in earnest, you deprecate any thoughts of saving us upon any new made grounds. Me thinks you should rather have wisely avoided putting men in mind of new grounds, which it may be they never thought of, especially when your affection is so weak concerning the old one, which( you say) God never suffered to fail us. Alas, if it hath not failed us, why or how are all these things come upon us? You would not be saved by part of your Rock, as you call it. Wise and good men will not only be content, but glad to be saved by any means which God the only Rock thinks fit to use. Leave of deprecating, it is but saying your prayers backward.  
The second, That Commissioners may be respectively appointed by the King and Parliament to agree of the time and place of this full Convention. This seems but an unequal motion, that we should acquit a Parliament lawfully called, and by a further special Law continued, for a meeting to be appointed we know not how, why, when, nor where by this irregular and uncertain Treaty. Now comes another Deprecation, Humbly beseeching, That no place may be th●ught to be for this purpose like Gideons fleece, the only spot. Must no place be fixed upon? what can that mean, unless this, That to meet to no purpose, the fittest place is no where? Yes Gentlemen( for I suppose you pretend to be so that drew the Petition) we know your meaning by your mumbling, you would have a Parliament farther from London, and nearer confusion, but Gods providence and their prudence have by particular Act settled them at Westminster, whence they are not to be removed but by their own consent, which when you have obtained, that part of the Petition is answered. But the person might have made better use of his Bible then to produce Gideons Fleece to this purpose, though it appeareth that his wits were on wooll-gathering, yet he might have thought of some other Fleeces in his own flock fitter for this Parable.  
Thirdly, tis desired, That the benefit of known Laws may still be reaped. So it is where it may, and most plentifully in Westminster-Hall, where those Judges who love laws better then Lusts still continue to dispense Justice under the countenance and protection of the Parliament. But it must be considered, that till the Sword is sheathed( which is earnestly prayed and endeavoured) a full and free execution of all Laws cannot be expected; as sometimes one mans house must be pulled down that the whole town be not fired; one mans ground must be broken to stop an inundation that might spoil a country; so some laws must be broken that in Gods good time all may be kept; some mens Liberties and Properties must be interrupted, that the public Liberty of the kingdom, and with that their own may be preserved. Heer's a sad Deprecation follows, That you may not starve and bleed to death for such as could not yet pass the threefold test of King, Lords and Commons. As for you that framed this Petition, itis believed you are far from starving, and drink more then you bleed; but those that suffer and bleed in opposition to that faction whereof the King is pleased to make himself the head, do it not so much for the obtaining of new Laws not yet formerly established, as for the conservation of Religion, Law, Liberty, and a Parliament already settled, which have been almost desperately invaded by Injustice, Tyranny, Superstition, Popery, and violent Attempts against the Parliament. Of which the endeavours to engage first the Scotch Army, then the English Army in the North against the Parliament in 1641. The Kings coming to the House of Commons, His leaving the Parliament, Raising an Army, Making a Cessation and Peace with the bloody Irish, and then bringing them into England, His resignation of himself to the Queens councils, His Contracts for French Forces, which latter most evidently appear by his own Letters; are too true and and sad testimonies.  
The next request is, That Judges and Officers may be authorised and secured in the administration of Justice; which is already answered; and that all Field-Armies be dissolved. That is something unreasonable, to have neither war nor Peace: there is some disorder in an Army, but there is more in confusion, which must necessary accompany the dissolving of Armies before Peace be settled. It is further desired, That all unnecessary Garrisons be slighted, and good reason; and those that remain should be committed to men of the same Counties. I know not what the fruit of that would be, unless to make men odious among their neighbours, who hate Garrisons and Governours And lastly, That these Governours be jointly trusted by King and Parliament. When the King and Parliament agree about the government of the Garrisons, it is hoped they may agree about the government of the kingdom; and till then things must rest as they are, or mend as they may.  
In the next, His Majesties Princely clemency( graciously expressed to the Rebels of Irel●nd, though constantly denied to English Subjects) and the Love of the Houses is besought, That all that have been engaged in this destructive war, or absented themselves for fear of it, m●y be permitted to return to their wonted enj●yments. To give liberty to all Souldiers to return to their dwellings were to ruin the Armies, and so to deprive the Parliament of power to do that which they have so much right to do, that is, to preserve the kingdom; which is not to be done in this unhappy conjuncture but by force, when i● is so dangerously infested by intestine enemies, and so dangerously attempted by foreign preparations. And to proclaim promiscuous liberty to all persons, though never so highly guilty, to enjoy their freedoms, were in effect to say, That this Cause in quarrel, which hath cost so much blood, was certainly very slight and unnecessary, it is so easily ended. It would be no ways for the advantage of the kingdom to have these wounds so skind over as to fester again, but rather to be searched and cleansed. The soundness and happiness of every Common-wealth depends upon that which this kingdom had more need be besought to, then persuaded from, viz. The equal and proportionable distribution of Rewards and Punishments; not that rigour should be used towards the multitude misled by ignorance and passion, but that the safety of the Nation should be built upon the ruins of the malicious contrivers and active abettors of those designs that have brought this misery upon it.  
Lastly, As for those importunate Agitants, as they are called, which have beaten you together into these unusual meetings; I believe a slander by may see as much as a Gamester, and a stranger give as good an account as yourselves, which may be to this purpose: First, It is acknowledged, that the insolences of Souldiers on each part, and the many unavoidable burdens, could do no less, then produce in the people a grievous weariness of their present condition, and a great readiness to take any course that might help them, either in dead or in pretence: This advantage being espied by the subtle craftiness of some, who lie in wait to deceive; they diligently applied themselves to draw people together, that so they might make those impressions upon them which were most suitable to their own ends and interests, or else that the Country might refer themselves to them who would express their own Malignancy instead of the peoples meaning; which evidently appears, in that many of the honest Countrymen refused to own that which these contrivers would make them speak. And as Malignancy and ignorance hath made up these meetings, so Justice and Truth must dissolve them, if this labour be not saved by that confusion and weariness which are incident to such disorderly and groundless undertakings. As for the offence taken at the cursed sacrileges done upon holy places; It is acknowledged unfit that any incivility should be used toward places by Law appointed to public Worship,( which Civill appointment is all the consecration that we can aclowledge) but it were to be wished, that well meaning people would begin to understand, that ignorant, id●●, and unholy Ministers were the greatest prophaners o eir holy places, and that to take away the remnants or Idolatry and Superstition, as Crucifixes, Altars, and such like scandals, were not sacrilege, but Reformation. To conclude; the Petitioners may be assured, that the two great ends of these tumultuous assemblings, which are said to be the public peace, and mutual protection, may be more effectually advanced by sober and orderly proceedings, without attempting that which is both unreasonable and impossible, the reduction of all Civill and Military Power to their Propositions and Demands. If the Author may be thought to have discovered too much partially to the Parliament in this Answer, It is replied, that he was driven to it by the inequality of the Petition, inclining as much on the other hand. For a conclusion, two things may be observed and amended in the affections and expressions of these Petitioners, viz. The little sense of Religion, which would almost induce a man to say, that God was not in all their thoughts when they went about it, as if they did not understand the necessary conjunction of Truth and Peace, and the purity and Reformation of Religion, were the best foundations of outward happiness. Secondly, The over deep sense of the calamities of war, without any reflections upon sin, the cause of them; they speak as men resolved to have peace and plenty, without the taking notice of the God of peace: whereas we must know, that an humble submission, is more available to the removing of evils, then an impatient struggling. Let me not be so far mistaken, as to be thought to persuade a stupid couching under the burden: No, let all lawful means be used; but let us take heed of promoting our ends, though never so desirable, either by unlawful actions, as by stretching out our hands to a strange God, or with inordinate affections, when our actions are warrantable. How much is it to be wished, that our uncircumcised hearts were humbled, and that we did accept the punishment of our iniquity; Then would the Lord remember his Covenant, and remember the Land; That we could bear the indignation of the Lord, because we have sinned against him; then would he arise and pled our Cause, and execute Judgement for us: Till then, we shall but disquiet ourselves in vain, and by all our striving make our burden more uneasy, and never a whit less unnecessary.   

cross Quaeres to those of Master Willis.  
To the Title. Quaere. WHether the Clubmen ought not to bring Master Willis to condign punishment, for procuring and countenancing these illegal and unwarrantable meetings, seeing in the ninth Quaere they profess to maintain the laws of the Land.  
To the first. Quere. Whether discreet and honest men will undertake such a business as von meet about?  
To the second. Quaere. Whether, since arms may be taken up for peace sake, why the arms of the Parliament may not conduce as much to peace, as the arms of the Clubmen? And further Quaere. Whether any who are fit to be Commanders, will take charge over them who are not fit to be commanded.  
To the third. Quaere. Whether the Clubmen will not quickly be as weary of their Commanders penalties, as of the Parliaments?  
To the fourth. Quaere. Whether the rates for the maintenance of poor Clubmen, are not like to prove almost as troublesone and burdensome as other Contributions.  
To the fifth. Quaere. Whether this be not Club-tyranny? which if it must be endured, is more tolerable from a Prince then a Peasant. And further, Quaere. Whether the work be acceptable to God and good men, for it is not so questionless as is presumed.  
To the sixth and seventh. Quaere. How they shall be able to keep themselves from being disarmed and disfurnished, when they have provided Arms and Ammunition, seeing a Clubman and his powder a●e soon partend.  
To the eighth. Quaere. Whether such impressed men, running from their Colours to their homes, may not be hanged, notwithstanding the protection of this Association, especially if they be found out of their own Country?  
To the ninth. Quaere. Whether it be not as unlawful for the Clubmen to execute the Law, being not by Law allowed, as for the Souldiers to break it?  
To the tenth. Quaere. Whether you can come at the governor of Bridgewater, and whether he can come at the boat, being besieged? If the fiege be removed it is no question but you should.  
To the eleventh. Quaere. What power you have to impose an Oath, especially binding to vengeance, which belongs not to you?  
To the twelfth. Quaere. Whether any man engaged on the Parliaments side will offer himself to your acceptance?  
To the thirteenth. Quaere. Whether the putting any man to death by Club-Law, be agreeable to the laws of the Land, professed to be maintained in the ninth?  
To the fourteenth. Quaere. Whether the Minister can red your Articles, or whether he ought to publish these Articles, being beyond the number of his Creed, or how you can punish a Minister without a Club-Bishop.  
The Quaere of Quaeres. Whether the Knave of Clubs was not Trump in all this dealing.   
FINIS.   

Numb. 4.  
A CONTINUATION OF THE Proceedings of the ARMY under the Command of Sir Tho. Fairfax: From the nineteenth of this instant July to the three and twentieth of the same.  
Wherein is related the particulars of the storming and taking the town of Bridgewater.  
Dated at Sir Thomas Fairfax his Quarters 23. july 1645.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for Samuel Gellibrand. 29. july 1645.   

The Proceedings of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, from the 19. of this instant July, to the 23. of the same.  
July 19.  
ON Saturday afternoon, the general, with the rest of the Officers met in the Field before the town, to prosecute their intentions of blocking it up, but it fell out, that in the midst of their discourses, the motion of storming was renewed, and in conclusion agreed on, to which purpose the preparations were diligently hastened, and fitted for the time agreed on, which was monday morning about two of the Clock, God graciously vouchsafing us the opportunity of a Sabbaths rest before so hard a labour.  
The Lords day was spent in religious exercises by all those that could possibly be spared from the requisites of so great a work. This morning Sir William Courtney, a colonel of Horse, shot and shattered in the thigh at the late fight, obtained leave of the general( whose composition is courage and courtesy) to pass toward Winchester to see his wife and settle his affairs, having little hopes of recovery; he  told us of Sir John Digbies death, who dyed in Bridgewater the day before of a shot in the arm, received near Taunton. Toward the evening we drew into the field, near the town, where the manner of the assault was ordered, viz. 600. Foot were to be drawn out of six Regiments, that lay in Chedsey, to assault the town in two places especially, 300. under the Command of Lieut. colonel Hewson, and 300. lead on by mayor Done, the six Captains were White, Price, Boys, Hill, Biscoe, Edwards, of each Regiment one. The Generals Regiment and the mayor Generals were commanded by colonel Hammond, who lead them on as Reserves to the two commanded Parties. The Bridges fastened to Waynes, whereby they were to get over the ditch, was to be drawn in by the Officers of the train, with the help of the Firelocks and some other Souldiers that assisted them. And let me not omit, that Master Peters was appointed to preach to the Party that was to fall on, and did it tam mart quam Mercurio. The Souldiers would not be commanded out, but freely offered themselves to the service: And so on monday morning early the general, Lieutenant general, and the other Officers being all in the Field, our men fell on, and presently after the Bridges were laid, which was not done without some difficulty, they entred the town with little loss; the most considerable person hurt was Lieutenant Martin of the Firelocks, who lost a leg by a great shot; we lost not above six or seven Souldiers, and had about forty wounded; wee took near 500. Prisoners in the town, most of them welshmen of Pembrokeshire, who were well disposed to the Parliament, and have taken up arms for us 300. of them. Among the Prisoners are a Lieutenant colonel, called Pitman, a mayor, four or five Captaines, nine or ten Lieutenants. The town was strongly allarmd on the West side, but it seems all things were not in readiness with them to fall on, which if they had, we have very good grounds to believe, that we had carried the whole business, but let us be thankful for the mercy God hath vouchsafed us in this, which is a good way to gain the rest.  
This day, the 21. we are striving to make good this part of the town against the other, and it is a hot dispute, not so much in regard of the Cannon, with which the Enemy plays hard from the Castle, but in that the town is fired, and in part burnt by the Enemies fireworks or granades since the taking of it.  
The general hoping that the storm might have wraught upon the Souldiers, and the fire upon the townsmen, so far, that they would have harkened to a Treaty, renewed his Summons; which the governor peremptorily refused, according to his Allegiance, whether to the King or his wise, itis doubted? Hereupon the general took up a double resolution of the highest Justice and mercy, and resolved for a second storm, but sent to the governor an Answer to this purpose; That his denial of faire terms had wrought in him no other thoughts then of compassion towards those innocent people that were like to suffer by the Governors obstinacy, which then that he might not be accessary to, he desired the governor in his name, to give liberty to all the women and children to pass out of the town, that the rest who were more guilty, might abide the danger; the governor accordingly made known his pleasure, which divers of the Ladies and other women gladly accepted, and the Lady governess, as she loves to be called, among the rest. Hereupon some hot Slugs were shot in by a soldier, and some other Fire works, which burnt some houses: We hoping the burning some might reduce them to a Parley to save the rest; but as themselves confess, divers in the town put fire to houses, so that it was on fire in many places, and grew so hot in a little time, that it melted the governor so far as to sand Tom. Eliot, for so he is usually called, to excuse the holding out the town, to desire to know the Generals terms; He  told them, he expected they should surrender to mercy: they returned these three Articles.  
1. That the governor, and all the Officers and Gentlemen that were in the town, with their Servants, Horses, Swords, Pistols, and Cloak-bags, might march with a Safe-Convoy to Exeter.  
2. That all the Souldiers might likewise march unto Exeter, leaving their arms.  
3. That all clergymen in the town, and townsmen, may have liberty to march with us, or abide at their own homes. Edmond Windham.  
The general returns these:  

Granted.  1. To all, their Lives.  
2. To the inhabitants their Liberties, and freedom from Plunder.  
3. Neither Officers nor Souldiers to be Plundered of their Clothes upon them.  
4. The Gentlemen to be disposed of as the Parliament shall appoint, and in the mean time to have civill usage.  
Six Hostages to be sent, and an answer in a quarter of an hour. Tho. Fairfax.  
The governor returned answer, that he found those Propositions so ill resented both by Gentlemen and Souldiers, that he could not accept of them: the general thereupon gave order to the Souldiers, to stand upon their guard, and go to their duty; M. Eliot desired nothing might be done till he returned, leaving Sir John heal as Caution: Which was agreed to, and he presently returned, with an Answer of Submission to the Generals Articles; onely slipped in a Motion for himself, that he might have liberty to carry the news to the King, upon his parol: May he have more such employment, till Peace be settled.  
Thereupon the Hostages were sent, Sir J●hn heal, Sir Hugh Windham, Master Waldron, Master war, mayor Sidenham, Master speak; and we sent some into the town to them: The town was to be surrendered according to the Articles the next morning at eight of the clock, which was accordingly done: the particulars of all are not yet perfected; in gross I may say, we took very many Gentlemen of the country, Clergymen not a few, about 1000. Souldiers, 40. pieces of Ordnance, 1500. arms, and Powder and Match considerable, and a Garrison strongly fortified: That which may seem to alloy the happiness of the success was, that the town was fired, but truly, though the strictness of soldiery might very well justify the action, yet God in his providence concurred to the justice of it, and ou● acquittance. They refused treaty after part taken, they fired the part we had taken, and rang the Bells for joy, when they saw it blaze: and as we are credibly informed, they fired the town themselves in many places, where fireworks could do no good; the souldiers, saying, the town did it, to be rid of them; the town, say the souldiers, did it, and the Lady commanded it, when they were in little hopes to hold it. But God be thanked, we found much more of it standing then we expected. Some things there are which make the business very considerable; as first, it hath drawn a Line from the South Sea to Severne sea by Bridgewater, Taunton, and lime; it hath let loose our army for further work, which is a mercy at this time of the year. It was a great gain, with little loss: and that which adds as much to our satisfaction, as much as any thing, we kept our Articles; which is not onely honourable in the eyes of men, but acceptable in the sight of God, and that which this war hath scarce formerly attained. It was done with some difficulty, in regard our souldiers had suffered so much, and Cornwall was so near. But give me leave to add to my news a motion, that is, that the soldier may have some encouragement beyond his Pay, for such services, that he may sometimes more then live; that their spirits may be held up, and they encouraged to justice and honour. Thus doth the Lord follow us with mercy and loving kindness; let all whom it concerns, be humble and thankful, and walk in love.  
We are this night, the 23. returned to our quarters, the head quarter at Chedsey, and are meditating a day of Thanksgiving, mingled with seeking God for further direction.  
Chedsey, July 23.  
FINIS.   

Numb. 5.  
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY Under the COMMAND of Sir Tho. Fairfax: From the four and twentieth of July last to the one and thirtieth of the same.  
Wherein is related the Surrender of Bath, and the state of our Army.  
Dated at Sir Thomas Fairfax his Quarters 31. july 1645.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for Samuel Gellibrand. 4. Aug. 1645.   

The Proceedings of the Army under the Command of Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX: From the 24. of July last to the 31. of the same.  
July 24.  
AFter the entering of Bridgewater on the 23. colonel Brick was desired to take( at least) the present charge of the Town, and the Commissioners for the Army were likewise appointed to gather together all the goods of Souldiers and Gentlemen which were to be left by the Articles, and amounted to a considerable sum, as the owners say; and ●o make sale of them to raise Money for the Souldiers, which might be not onely a reward for service past, but an encouragement to service and faithful performance of Articles for the time to come: But we have reason to fear that we shall not raise a proportion in any reasonable time. This day and the 25. likewise we restend at Chedsey, disposing Prisoners and settling the affairs of that town. On the 26. we marched from those Quarters to Martock, where the head Quarter was, and some of the Regiments at Long-sutton, At Martock we restend the Lords day the 27. and made it a day of Thanksgiving, being willing to take that or any advantage to thankfulness, other daies allowing so little leisure. As soon as we returned from the afternoons meeting, we had new matter of praise offered us from the governor of lime, who sent an account of the taking of Chadiock House, a Garrison that much amnoyed lime and those parts; But itis like a full account of those passages is given by others.  
On monday, it being found that the Army wanted many necessaries, and that upon a little stay the recruits might be come up, & the whole Army disposed to the best advantage, till we were enabled to do the most considerable work, which may be supposed to be the following the Enemy, & interrupting his endeavours of raising men, it was thought fit not to be wholly idle; whereupon the Army was divided, part sent to Sherborne, to block it up at least, and to take further advantages if suffered, whether went colonel Pickering and the Controller of the Artillery: The other part marched with the general toward Bath good ground being given that that place might be easily reduced and made( if not a Garrison) yet a strong Quarter very advantageous to the taking bristol, which is not yet capable of any design to be nearer laid, it being so much infected, that it is more like to take an Army then be taken by it.  
We came on monday night to Wells, Bona terra mala gens, there we heard that Bath was quitted or very near it; and it seems their condition was this, The townsmen not willing to bear arms, nor yet to receive Souldiers from infected Bristol; the Souldiers were too few to hold it, so that the governor Sir Thomas Bridges had quitted it, had not Prince Rupert sent about 100. men to him with orders to stay.  
Upon hearing the probability of quitting it, the general thought fit to spare his Foot any unnecessary labour, and sent two Regiments of Horse under the command of colonel Rich, and two Troops of Dragoons with colonel Okey to give account of the condition of the town, that Orders might be given accordingly. They came near the town on tuesday the nine and twentieth, which was held against them, and summoned; afterward they applied themselves to see what might be done by force, the Dragoons soon beat them from the Bridge, which being gained they set fire to a strong gate on the southwest, and when that was burnt the governor and his Officers were willing to compound, and to obtain their own liberties of marching to bristol, left the place, and in it 130. common Souldiers prisoners, the rest running away in the time of the treaty: ten, or, as some say, twenty barrels of Powder, three hundred arms, a tun of Match, six iron pieces of Ordnance: Whereupon two Regiments were drawn from Wells to take possession of the town till it be further settled. The general in person riding thither on Wednesday the thirtieth to see it done, where he received Letters from captain Swaniey, that he had taken twenty Vessels lying on the welsh cost to receive souldiers to be conveyed over to Uphill, and desiring some men to be sent into Pembrokeshire to strengthen the Garrisons there against a destroying insolent enemy, who hath scarce any place but that left to execute his cruelty upon. And the general hath granted to sand five hundred men which we have taken of that country, who are very well affencted to the Parliament, and willing to do service.  
The general is this last of July returning to Wells, he having left a Garrison in Bath, and so intending to go on to unite the Army, and receive the recruits and other necessaries, and hasten to what action shall most conduce to the public.  
Let us all be watchful to give glory to God, who loads us daily with his benefits.  
From Bath, July ult.  
FINIS.   

The Proceedings of the Army under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, from the first of August to the seventh.  
August. 1.  
AFter the taking of Bath, with which the last month was happily closed, the general gave order for the settling a Garrison there, so strong as that it might bee a check to bristol; whereupon colonel Birches and colonel Wallers Regiments of foot were ordered to remain at Bath, and three Regiments of Horse. viz. colonel Butlers, colonel Cooks, and colonel Pophams appointed to quarter thereabouts, that they might join together for the blocking up or straitning of bristol. The general returned this day to Wells to the rest of the Army.  
From Wells Aug. 2. we marched toward Sherborne; the head quarter was at queen Carnell, but the general impatient of staying there when he had forces engaged against Sherborne-Castle, which was but four miles distance, road away to Sherborne that night, and quartered at Master Kings house a Lawyer, who out of a needless fear of our Army betook himself to the Castle, where he was shot, and since died.  
Aug. 3. The Lords day was kept at Sherborne, as we have hitherto, through Gods providence, constantly and carefully done; onely the Leaders of the Clubmen interrupted our rest, being met at Shaftsbury the day before they were apprehended by a strong of Horse commanded by colonel Fleetwood, who this day brought them safe to Sherborne: the number of them was about forty, many scarce worth the naming, the most notorious and active were M. Young, M. Hoskins, M. Hollis, Dr. Goche, Cradock of Blandford, &c. of these more hereafter when the Examinations are perfected.  
Aug. 4. On monday morning, notice being given that the Club-men had appointed several meetings, Lieutenant general cronwell was sent with four Regiments of Horse to look after them, and to inquire an account of their actions. As the party was marching toward Shaftsbury, they discovered some Colours upon the top of a high hill full of wood, and almost inaccessible; a Lieutenant with a small party was sent to them to know their meaning, and to acquaint them that the lieutenant-general of the Army was there. Whereupon their Leader, Master Newman, thought fit to come down, and  told us, The intent was to desire to know why the Gentlemen were taken at Shaftsbury on Saturday. The lieutenant-general returned him this answer; That he held himself not bound to give him or them an account; what was done, was by authority, and they that did it were not responsible to them that had none. But not to leave them wholly unsatisfied, he  told him, That those persons so met had been the occasions and stirrers of many tumultuous and unlawful meetings, for which they were to be tried by Law, which trial ought not by them to be questioned or interrupted. Master Newman desired to go up to return the Answer. The lieutenant-general with a small party went with him, and had some conference with the people to this purpose, That whereas they pretended to meet there to save their goods, they took a very ill course for that, for to leave their houses was the way to lose their goods, and it was offered them that Justice should bee done upon any who offered them violence: and as for the Gentlemen taken at Shaftsbury, it was only to answer some things they were accused of contrary to Law and the Peace of the kingdom. The men were well satisfied and promised to return to their houses, and accordingly did so.  
After this the lieutenant-general with his party marched to Hamelton-Hill near Shrawton, at the bottom of the hill we met a man with a Musket, asked whither he was going? he said to the Club Army; what he meant to do? he asked what we had to do with that; being required to lay down his arms, he said, He would first lose his life, but was not so good as his word, for though he cock't and presented his Musket, he was prevented, dis-armed, and wound●d, but not killed. Then we marched up the hill, which had been an old Roman work deeply trenched. The Lieutenant general sent before, a Lieutenant with a party of Horse to require an account of their meeting, he was answered with half a dozen shot, and could get no other Answer; thereupon one Master Lee, who upon our approach came from them, was sent in, requiring them to submit to the power and protection of Parliament, and lay down their Arms: They refused to leave their arms, and gave us a shot as we were drawing up; The Lievt. general unwilling to bloodshed, sent Master Lee again to tell them, that if they would not lay down their Arms, he would fall upon them: They refused this third Message also, through the instigation of Master Bravell, Minister of Compton, who  told them they must stand to it now rather then loose their arms, and that he would pistol them that gave back.  
Thereupon order was given to the Generals Troope to fall on; who did so, and received a repulse and some loss through the disadvantage of the place, for the Clubmen shot from the bank, and kept the passage with Muskets and other weapons, which was no broader then for three Horse to march in one breast: at this charge we lost a man or two, had eight or nine wounded, six or seven Horses killed; Then mayor Disbrough with his Troope went round upon a ledge of the hill, and made a hard shift to climb up and enter on their rear, and then they ran, and the passage formerly assaulted was opened likewise, and all the Clubmen dispersed and disarmed; as we are since informed, sixty of them killed; we brought away 400. of them to Shrawton, of which near 200. were wounded. In this Skirmish captain Paltson a very gallant man was sorely hurt on our part, and about twelve more. We found among them about 16. of our men, whom they had disarmed and taken Prisoners, and threatened to hang some of them, but the Tables are turned.  
We quartered that night at Shrawton, and kept the Clubmen in the Church, and with them four Vicars and Curates took with them upon the hill, but at no Divine Service I can assure you, whereof Master Talbot of Milton was one, and Lawford of Auckford the worst.  
The next day August 5. we took their names, and their examinations, who were their leaders, and what the grounds of their meeting were, which they freely discovered, and confessed Master Bravell the Minister of Compton sent out the Warrants; and the intent was, as appears by a Warrant from Master Rogers of Langton, gallantly to demand their Countrymen, or to take so many Prisoners as should release them( as the Warrant ran;) and that they had laid down their arms and submitted, had it not been for Bravell and White and Lawford; and that they sent to Wiltshire men to come join with them; whose journey is now stopped.  
After the Examinations taken, the lieutenant general spake to them, giving liberty to defend themselves against plundering, forbidding any more such meetings; which they protested against, and freely consented, if any of them, whose names were in the paper, were taken again opposing the Parliament, or in any such assembly, they deserved to be hanged, whereupon they were dismissed to their very good satisfaction, and confessed they saw themselves misled by their leaders, who by a pretence to save their goods, endangered both their goods and lives; and so we partend, and I hope shall never meet again upon those terms: But wee find their leaders extremely partial on the Kings side, notwithstanding their pretended indifferency, as appears by Bravels activity since he was at Court with their Petition, and their calling men Roundheads that refused to join with them, threatening no less then loss of goods, and danger of life to them that would not come: and this work though unhappy, was very necessary, for we could sand neither Parties nor Messengers before, whereas now, a man may ride very quietly from Sherborne to Salisbury.  
August 5. On Tuesday night we returned to Sherborne, where we found the general and the rest of the Army very busy at the siege of Sherborne, a malicious mischievous Castle, like the Owner; a storm was intended, but upon second thoughts diverted; we see our recruits come so far below expectation, both in time and number, that we must take more then ordinary care of our men, though the Army be now as strong as ever it was.  
August. 6. On Wednesday morning our earnestness to draw our works very near betwixt the lodge and the Castle exposed us to some loss, which though not much, yet was more then all our late service, The mayor and four Captains of colonel Rainsboroughs Regiment being shot, whereof two, Fleming and Horsey, were gallant men, are since dead; we hope well of the other.  
August 7. This day the council of war hath given order for all possible diligence to be used toward the taking of this place before our recruits come up, and the general hath appointed a Commission to examine the leaders of the Clubmen, so that there is some hope that this Malignant County may in time be reduced and reformed, especially if some wise and honest men of these parts would come down and contribute their best toward the information and ordering the people, who are after their sufferings more capable of good then heretofore.  
From Devonshire we hear that Goring plays an uncertain game, and can scarce tell at the weeks end whether he wins or loses, some coming and some running; we had been with them before now but for our recruits and some other necessaries, and that it was not thought safe to leave the Clubmen and Sherborne Castle to perfect their design, which was far advanced, but now, as we hope, not onely shaken but broken.  
Sherborne, August 7.  
FINIS.