A TRUE RELATION OF THE LATE FIGHT Between the RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Earl of Manchesters' Forces, and the marquis of Newcastles Forces, on Wednesday the 11. day of this instant October, 1643.  
The Battle being near Horn Castle in LINCOLNSHIRE.  
LONDON, Printed by Richard Cotes, 1643.   

A TRUE RELATION OF THE LATE FIGHT.  
MY Lord of Manchester had notice when he was at Lynne, of a great force of horse and Dragooners, come into Lincolnshire, under the command of General Henderson, That upon the retreat of Sir Thomas Fairefax and Colonel Gromwell, from about Lowth, they were much heightened with confidence of their success, when ever they could draw out Forces here to an engagement.  
The want of Foot and Dragooners, made Sir Thomas Fairefax, and Colonel Cromwell very unwilling to fight with them, until they had acquainted my Lord, and tried what supplies he could afford them, and withal his Lordship was assured, if he could draw any Forces towards Bolenbrook Castle, the enemy was so confident of his strength, that he would bring down all his force to fight with him. Upon these grounds my Lord drew all his force both of Horse and Foot from Lynne the last week, excepting one Troop of Horse, and six Companies of Foot, which he left for the guard of that Town with Colonel Walton, whom he made Lieutenant Governor.  
Upon Monday my Lord drew out all his Foot out of Boston, ten Companies he laid in Bolenbrooke Town, under the command of Major Knight, Sergeant Major, to Sir Miles Hobart; Colonel russel's Regiment was quartered at Stickford, within a mile of them, and my Lords own (being but three) companies (the rest being sent to Hull, and left at Lynne) at Stickney, and the Horse were all quartered in the Towns round about, at eight and ten mile's distance.  
Upon Monday night Major Knight summoned the Castle in my Lord of Manchesters' name, but was answered, that his bugbear w●rds could not make them quit the place that night, our men took in a little house, on the right hand between the Castle and the Church, and resolved the next night to endeavour to break open the Church doors, and there to mount a Morterpiece, and thence fire the Castle.  
The enemy had notice upon Friday that my Lord was coming, or come into these parts, and thereupon drew out all their Horse and Dragoones from their several Garrisons, at Lincoln, Newarke and Gainesbury, with a resolution to find him out and fight with him. Upon Tuesday those of the Castle killed one or two of our men, and as Major Knight and Quartermaster General Vermeyden were viewing of it, made some shot at them, one of them hit the Quartermaster General a little below the Ankle, but did not pierce the skin, only bruised his leg.  
That afternoon my Lord of Manchester came himself to Kirkeby, which is within a mile of Bolenbrooke with Colonel Cromwell, my Lord Willoughby met him there, and Sir Thomas Farefax was then at Horn Castle about five miles off; one of his Regiaments having the watch at Edlington about three miles further, nearer the enemy. My Lord had not been long there before he received a letter from Sir Thomas Farefax, that an Allarome was given to some of our Quarters, and that himself had sent out some Horse to discover what it might be, and would immediately give him a further account, which he did by another letter about an hour after; the party being returned and could get no information of any enemy near, but conceived it to be a mistake.  
Sir Thomas Farefax resolved however to stay there until the evening, and then come to Kirkeby to my Lord. My Lord conceived it fit, and so did all those that were with him, to give the Allarome to all his Quarters, and to appoint Hornecastle to be the Allarome place, and to go himself immediately thither to Sir Thomas Farefax; and when all their men were thus drawn together, to take further resolutions. And immediately with my Lord Willoughby and some Officers with him took horse for Hornecastle. Sir Thomas Fairefax in the mean time getting no intelligence of the enemy's approach came away towards Kirkeby to my Lord.  
Before my Lord reached Hornecastle, the Allarome came to him in good earnest, that the enemy was fallen into our quarters, and was marching towards Hornecastle. Coming nearer the Town he could hear great shouting and noise, which he conceived to be the enemy's triumph, having beaten our men out of the town, but it proved otherwise; for some of our men falling upon the enemy's Forlorne-Hopes, though (but part of two Troops) seeing themselves desperately engaged, resolved to put the best face on it; and fell upon them with crying and shouting, which did exceedingly amaze the enemy, and gave our men the easier passage through the midst of them.  
My Lord finding the enemy come into his quarters before he could have any certain information where he was; and the Allarome place possessed, appointed Kirkeby and Bullenbrooke hill, for all his men to repair unto, and accordingly sent word to all the quarters whither all our men came that night except three Troops that were directed to Stickney, and three or four Troops that went by the way of Tattershall, and came not in until next morning. Many of our Troops came to Hornecastle according to the first orders, but finding the enemy there came away without any loss at all or very little. The enemy had fallen into our quarters at Thimbleby and some towns thereabout, where four or five of our Troops were in a manner surprised; but finding themselves engaged, gave so good proof of their courage that the enemy will hardly brag of that night's work. The Troops that were engaged were Captain Jonson's, Captain Players and Captain Samuel Moodies, they did all of them come off very well, with little loss (except Captain Moodie his colours) and brought half a dozen prisoners with them. I do believe upon good grounds that the enemy lost some Officers both of Horse and Dragooners that night, but truly we lost not one. The enemy's Word was Cavendish and ours Religion. All that night we were drawing our Horse to the appointed Randezvous.  
The next morning being Wednesday my Lord gave order that the whole force both Horse and Foot should be drawn up to Bolenbrooke hill, where he would expect the enemy, being the only convenient ground to fight with him. Colonel Cromwell was no way satisfied that we should fight, our Horse being extreme wearied with hard duty two or three days together.  
The enemy drew that morning their whole body of horse and Dragooneers into the field, being 74. Colours of horse, and 21. Colours of Dragooneers, in all 95. Colours. We had not many more than half so many Colours of horse & Dragooneers, but I believe we had as many men, besides our foot, which indeed could not be drawn up until it was very late. I believe that as we had no notice of the enemies coming towards us, so they had as little of our preparation to fight with them. It was about twelve a clock, ere our horse and Dragooneers were drawn up, after that we marched about a mile nearer the enemy, and then we began to descry him by little and little coming towards us; until this time we did not know we should fight, but so soon as our men had knowledge of the enemies coming they were very full of joy and resolution, thinking it a great mercy that they should fight with him. Our men went on in several bodies singing Psalms, Quartermaster General Vermayden with five troops had the forlorn hope, and Colonel Cromwell the Van, assisted with other of my Lords troops, and seconded by Sir Thomas Fairefax; both armies met about Ixby (if I mistake not the Town's name) both they and we had drawn up our Dragooneers, who gave the first charge, and then the horse fell in. Colonel Cromwell fell with resolution upon the enemy, immediately after their Dragooneers had given him the first volley, yet they were so nimble, as within half Pistol shot they gave him another; his horse was killed under him at the first charge, and fell down upon him, as he risen he was knocked down again by the Gentleman that charged him, who we conceive was Sir Ingram Hopton; but afterward he recovered a poor horse in a Soldier's hand and mounted himself again. Truly this charge was so home given that the enemy stood not another, but were driven bacl upon their own body that was to second them, and put them into disorder, our men charged all in with him, and then they ran for it, leaving all their Dragooneers which were now on foot behind them. Our men pursued them, and did execution on them about five miles, all the way being strewed with broken arms, dead men and horses. We know not yet what persons of note were killed among them, some fair and white ksins I saw among the dead bodies both upon the place where the fight was, and in the highway much farther off. Sir Ingram Hopton is certainly slain, and they say Sir Charles, or Sir George Bolles: we have many prisoners, some of note, Lieutenant Colonel Airs being one. What Colours are taken I cannot certainly say, but I saw many in several hands we do not agree upon the number of the slain, I guess them under one thousand; the fight continued not above a quarter of an hour, but the execution until almost night: our word was Peace and Truth, the enemies, Newcastle. We lost very few, none of note, I know but of one Officer hurt, and that is Colonel Cromwel's Captain Lieutenant. The foot were not drawn up to the place where the fight was, until after the fight and chase was over. Horse and foot though very weary marched on towards Horn Castle, where my Lord lay this night with all the foot, his horse being sent to their old quarters in the towns adjoining. Both Officer and Soldier did their duty very well and bravely, my Lord took wonderful pains in bringing it to this pass, and drawing up all the foot to have relieved the horse, in case they had needed it. But God did all, taking away the enemies hearts, and giving resolution to our men, to God only be the glory.  
FINIS.   

LET the Reader note that there was a mistake in the Bills sent to the Ministers of every Parish for Thanksgiving, for in the note given by direction from the Lord General, there was only mention made of 95. Colours of the marquis of Newcastles in the field; the transcriber of the note mistook, and saith there were 95. Colours taken. Which when his Excellency heard of, he was very much displeased,