A TRAVE RELATION OF A great Victory obtained by the Parliament forces in Lincolnshire, under the Command of the Lord Willoughby, Colonel Hobart, Colonel Cromwell, Lieutenant General Hotham. Declared in several Letters, One from Colonel Cromwell, to Colonel Hobart, Dated from Shasten. And another from Master Bridge a Minister, to a Friend in London. TOGETHER With Colonel Hobart his Answer to a Letter sent him from some Gentlemen, who were imprisoned in CROWLAND. LONDON, Printed for Benjamen Allen, in Pope's Head Alley. MAY 27, 1643. A Letter from Colonel Cromwell to Colonel Hobart from Shasten. Noble Sir, THe god of glory hath given us this evening a glorious victory over our enemies, they were as we are informed one and twenty Colours of horse troops, and three or four of dragoones: it was late● in the evening when we drew out, they came and faced us within two miles of the town, so soon as we had the alarm we drew out our forces, consisting of about twelve troops, whereof some of them so poor and broken that you shall seldom see worse; with this handful it pleased God to cast the scale, for after we had stood a little above musket shot the one body from the other, and the Dragooners having fired on both sides for the space of half an hour or more, they not advancing towards us we agreed (being thereunto enabled by the great God of heaven) to charge them, and advancing the body after many shoots on both sides, came with our troops a pretty round trot, they standing firm to receive us, and our men chargeing fiercely upon them, they were immediately routed and ran all away, and we had the execution of them two or three miles; I believe some of our soldiers did kill two or three men a piece, my youngest corporal killed four with his own hand give glory to God, give glory, let all that know God, say, the Lord be praused; we have gotten some of their officers, and some of their Colours, but what the number of dead is, or what the prisoners, we know not, but great is the goodness of God to us. Shasten, etc. Good Friend. SInce my last to you God's providence hath led me into the feil●, I shall therefore give you an account of such passages as I met there: on saturday last I came to Sleveford in Lincolnshire where Colonel Sir Miles Hobart was quartered with his Norfolk forces to miles from Grantham where Lieutenant General Hotham, the Lord Willoughby, and Colonel Cromwell lay with divers troops of horse. And on Saturday, it was noised that the enemy was upon his march towards us with some thousands of horse and foot. Our men therefore did provide for them, and expecting that they should have fallen upon our quarter, the Col. and Captains went their rounds all the night; but the enemy gave his Alarm to Grantham, where they were bravely encountered, they drew towards Grantham about 8 a clock in the evening our men all mounted in a short time & drew out into the field, the commander in chief commanded our men that they should not give fire till they came within half pistol shot of the enemy, which being done, it was so dreadful a charge, that the enemy were immediately routed and fled for their lives; as you may read in this letter which was sent from Colonel Cromwell to Colonel Hobart thus. Noble Sir the God of glory hath given us etc. Whereby you see how God hath blessed this our association for there went into Lincolnshire but two Regiments at first (though more are going daily) Col. Cromwell's of horse, and Col. hobart's of foot and both of them severally, the great God hath done great things by Crowland being taken in by Col. Hobart, and this victory attained through God's blessing by Col. Cromwell's troops, Whose men fought like dragons, you have heard of the goodness and valour of Col. Cromwell, Col. Hobart also is a brave gallant gentleman, whose resolution you may read in these few lines of his, which he sent in answer to some Gentlemen that were imprisoned in Crowland and were enforced by the Cavaliers there to write thus to him. Honoured Sir, the lamentable cries of the women and children in this miserable town of Crowland, moves our heart with much compassion towards them, in regard whereof we are humbly bold to entreat that a Parley may be admitted, and that you will be pleased to cause a Cessation of Arms till Propositions shall be presented unto you, and to grant a safe conduct to the Messenger. Thus beseeching the God of Peace, to give his blessing we rest Two a clock this Friday morning. Your humble Servants, John Harrington. Robert Ram. William Slater. Colonel hobart's Answer follows. Gentlemen, IT is one of our principal ends to relieve you, and, by God's assistance we will do it or die; But i'll make your Captain speak your language, and deliver you whom he basely surprised, and if he forthwith do it not, i'll spare neither man, woman nor child: the unworthy detection of Captain Dodsons Drummer, contrary to the Law of Arms deserves no mercy but if you will refer yourselves to me, I'll do that which befits a Christian and a Gentleman, otherwise there is nothing to be expected but the total ruin of Town and people. So Irest, Your affectionate friend, Miles Hobart. BOth these brave Colonels are now met, I hope at Lincoln; for on Tuesday last Colonel Hobart w●s to march thither, & if the Enemy (who for this service had drawn out all his special Forces from Gainsborough and Newark) were not able to stand before part, I hope h● shall never be able to stand before all: it's thought our men are 6000 or 7000 by this time at Lincoln. In the Army there is good Discipline, men punished for swea●ing, drunkenness, and stealing: I was many meals with them, and never heard an oath sworn by any of the Captains or Officers. I saw one soldier whipped most severely for thieving. Boston was very loving to our soldiers, sending in much provision, the train Bands of the County came in from all parts, so that through the prayers of good people, I hope, that County will be soon settled in peace, which the Lord grant unto all other Counties in his due time. I rest, Yours William Bridge.