A MORE EXACT AND PARTICVLAR RELATION of the taking of SHREWSBURY, then hath hitherto been published.  
With the manner and performance thereof by Lieutenant colonel WILLIAM REINKING Commander in chief in that design.  

Published by Authority.   
LONDON: Printed by F. N. 1645.   

A true Relation how Shrewsbury was taken the 21. of Febr. 1644. by Lieutenant colonel WILLIAM REINKING, Commander in chief in that design, as by a copy of the Order first repeated, appeareth.  

Febr. 21.  
IT is this day Ordered, That Lieutenant colonel Reinking do command the party upon this present design, and that he do inform all the Souldiers both of Horse and Foot, that in case the design be effected, that 2000. l. shall be given unto the Staffordshire and Cheshire Horse and Foot under the command of colonel Bowyer; and that a like proportion shall be allowed unto the Shropshire Forces under the Command of the Committee of this County. And that the said Lieutenant colonel may assure all those who shall express their valour more particularly then others in attempting this design, that they shall have extraordinary sat is faction, as he shall think fit. And the said Lieutenant colonel is to give notice, that if any soldier after his entry into the Town of Salop, shall plunder any thing, That such soldier shall not onely loose his present reward, but be proceeded against for trial of his life according to Marshal Law.  


Copia vera.  
Rob. Charlton.  
Leigh. own.  
And. Lloyd.  
Reb. Clive.  
Sam. More.  
Tho. Hunt.     

THat divers moneths before this design was first attempted, by the Committee and me, I had many consultations with them, besides private projects in my chamber, where I had got purposely several tools, at several times secretly conveyed thither, yet the discoveries made by one Captain Williat, and Mr. Huso● clerk, persons lately got forth of Salop, did both encourage and hasten us, to make trial of all, of some of several ways, how to effect that design.  
So that the first Attempt we endeavoured was the 14. of Febr. at night, wherein, being, on our march, so crossed, that the day approached, we were forced privately to retreat.  
A few dayes after, the Committee, for several reasons sent to Sir William Brereton for Forces to assist us in the next attempt of that design, who, at the time expected sent 300 Horse and about as many Foot, under command of colonel Bowyer, Now the time appointed to march, being the Evening of the 20. of Febr. that morning I received the said Order whereby to undertake the design accordingly.  
And thereupon, with Col. Hunt, Col. Lloyd, Cap. Rob. Clize, Cap. Sam. More, Mr. Charlton, and Mr. own( as Commirtees, accompanying me) I drew forth the Wem Foot, and with them marched to Ha●ual Heath three miles from Wem the direct way to Salup, where, according to appointment, did meet us Coll. Royer with Cheshire and Staffordshire Forces, about 250 of our Committees own Troops, with some Foot from Mourton: all our Shropshire Foot were about 300.  
Being thus met together, I declared my Order to Collo. Bowyer, and sounded him, whether he would accordingly come under my command. His answer was instant, to this effect; That to advance the public good, he would put himself under any command I would put upon him. Upon which I presently gave him the Command in chief over all the Horse, as well those of Shropshire, as the rest.  
Then, the several branches of my Order, to wit, my power, the promise of rewards, and prohibiting of plunder, were by me, in presence of some of the Committee, made known to divers the most eminent Officers, to the end they should impart the same to the Company.  
That done, to prepare and put the party in a posture, to march, I gave orders, delivered the Field token, distributed Ammunition, drew out thirty Firelocks which I put under command of Cap. Haynes, for a Forlorn Hope: the Shropshire Foot had the Vanguard under mayor Fenwick; and so in posture began to march on with two light matches onely in the company, to prevent discovery either by Scouts or from the Castle, whence the long Heath, in our march was easily discoverable.  
By which means, being all approached over the Heath to the end of the Lane, leading thence into, and about half a mile from, the Suburbs, I then put under the Command of the Lord colvil sixty Foot, as well to march before and secure the horse into those Suburbs at the Castle Ward, and thereto give a false Alarum either upon notice or discovery, as also, in case, we should once enter and let them and the Horse in, then those Foot to take the double gate with the Schoolhouse and Steeple, oppositely facing, and partly commanding the Castle with in the Town.  
And whereas, about that instant, I had notice of a party, gone out of Salop at that gate, by night two miles thence to fetch in hay, I therefore ordered eighty foot more, under a Cheshire Commander to stay in the rear, in the Suburbs behind the Horse, at least to secure them.  
About this time came in colonel Mytton, with his son in law, Lieutenant Col. Pope, and about three or four their servants, unexpected of me, and as one of the Committee, he fell in, and kept himself with them.  
Having thus ordered and guarded the Horse, towards the Castle gate for the purposes aforesaid; And now wanting a competent number of Firelocks for my design and intended approach behind the Castle, I caused thirty of Shropshire Troops, selected, to dismount, and under command of Lieutenant Benbow to march on foot and join with Firelocks in the Forlorn Hope. And with them about thirty Pioners upon whose backs, by turns, I then put the Boat, ladders, picks, Crow Axes, and other tools, brought purposely, for them and the Carpenters to use, all or part, as I should see cause according to the events.  
And then with them, the body of foot following, I marched along Severne side towards the Castle, and almost within pistol shot of the Palizads, where we twice put in the Boat, hoping( though against the stream) thereby to pass some Firelocks about or beyond the Palizads. But, besides the opposition of the stream, too violent, the Boat was discovered by the two Sentinels at the Castle. So that I was forced to cause the Boat( with as little noise as was possible) to be drawn back. And, seeing that project fail, I marched speedily( with Cap. Williat, Mr. Huson, three Carpenters and their Axes) up to the Palizads, the Sentinels upon the outworks of the Castle, crying who is there? we answered, you shall see presently. So I made the Carpenters begin to cut down one Palizad, which was a quarter of an hour in doing, the mean time the musketeers lighted their matches: but the sentinels and guards shot, so that an Alarum was given both in the Town and Castle. Then the L. colvil aptly gave a false Alarum at Castle gate.  
Now, one Pallizade at last cut down, Cap. Williat, Mr. Huson, and some Firelocks pressed through and ran along and up to a low place in the ston wall near the council house, where, by the use of one of our ladders of about 8. foot long they got over close to them: I followed in the Van of Muskets, having sent order back that the rest should also follow according to former order.  
So soon as we were got into the street, near the Castle, and yet betwixt that and the Town, we met there the Governor, with one Cap. Cressy, the Governor seeing himself engaged, wounded one of my musketeers with his rapier; for which he was presently knocked down, and had other wounds.  
I then, resolving to march myself to the main guard, gave command to mayor Fenwick to open the Castle gate, and let in the rest of the musketeers wish the Horse. But as I am since informed, that service was the mean time attempted and at last performed by Cap. Williat, Mr. Huson, Captain Turton, and others.  
In that interim, having discovered the way to the main Guard, I with some few marched thither, where after a small skirmish, in which it is true, about 10 or 12 of them that marched before me, were beaten back; yet upon my putting up to the Guard, their Captain being shot, another, encountering me at single Rapier; so wounded that he retreated, and after him the whole guard; so as, with the few Foot left I presently got their main guard.  
And at that instant came up thither to us the Committee with our Horse under command of colonel Bowyer, whereupon Coll. Lloyd one of the Committee, perceiving me to be weary at foot, by dismounting a servant of his, made me to mount the same horse: whereon( upon notice of a party of the Enemies gathering in a body not far thence) I, so mounted, with 12 musketeers marched up to that party, where that horse was killed under me; yet with those twelve musketeers I presently subdued that party.  
Then returning to the Committee, they and I made hast to the gate upon the ston bridge, where, finding no opposition, with some of them, I marched thence to the Castle; where I presently agreed with those there, that delivering up the Castle and their Arms, they should have a pass for Ludlow, which immediately took effect.  
In this interim word was brought me that those of Frankwell Sconce also desired quarter, which was granted, and effected by delivery up of that Sconce. And then all was there at our mercy.  
But all this while both Horse and Foot for most part contemning both order and command, fell to plunder all before them. So that observing such general disorder not appeazable by Committee or me, though endeavoured to the hazard of several of our persons, I caused my Lieutenant and some of my Souldiers to secure both the persons and personal estates of both the Sir John Wilds, for divers dayes, till their persons otherwise secured, their said estates were then delivered up to the Committee and Officers to the States use.  
This Relation, though tedious, imparts the substance of the passage.  
And the substance hereof is as true as tedious.  
William Reinking Lieutenant colonel.   
FINIS.