A True RELATION OF THE PASSAGES Which happened at the Town of Portsmouth At the late Siege, which began the 12 day of August last, and was surrendered on the 7th day of September following. 1642.  
Written by one that was employed in that Service.  
London, Printed for Joseph Hunscot. Septemb. 21. 1642.   

A TRUE RELATION of the PASSAGES and OCCURRENCES that happened at the town of PORTSMOUTH, at the late Siege, which began the 12. day of August last, and was surrendered on the 7. day of September following, 1642.  
Colonel Goring being Governor of the town of Portsmouth, about tuesday being the second day of August, 1642 declared himself to be for the King alone, and not for the King and Parliament; but for the King alone, against the Parliament, and therefore to keep the same (as was pretended) for his Majesty's coming thither, he repaired the mounts and other fortifications without the town; and raised a mount at the bridge called Portbridge, which is three miles from the town, and the only passage into the Island of Portsey, which lieth between the town and the said bridge, which ●●●●nd also is three miles in breadth the other way, which Island 〈◊〉 also compassed about with a great ditch of water that doth 〈◊〉 be and flow with the tide, so as there is no passage out of the said Island, but over the said Portbridge: and upon the same mount at the bridge he placed some four pieces of ordinance to keep the passage and to make himself wholly master of the said Island.  
But yet upon the first coming of forces ●owne from the Parliament, which was about the ●●●th day of August, he took away the ordinance and carried them bacl again into the town, and in the carrying of them bacl, the one of them was left half a mile without the town, because the carriage thereof was broken, and then the bridge was kept only with ten or twelve Troopers furnished with pistols and carbines.  
Now the Parliament Troopers went out part of them three miles from the bridge at a town called Southwich, being westward from the said bridge, and the other part of them at Ha●ant, which lieth from the said bridge three miles eastward, and the Parliament Troopers shown themselves on Porchdown which lieth on London way, from the bridge half a mile.  
Upon Thursday the eleventh of August in the night, the whole company of Troopers within the town, issued out into the Island of Portsey, and brought in all the  and sheep that were in the whole Island, and pillaged the houses of the inhabitants. and took from them all provision of meat, corn, poultry, pigs, bread and corn, and left very little, nay not so much as bread for the families from whence they took it, for to sustain them a day.  
The number of beasts they brought into the town was about three hundred and fifty, and such a number of sheep and lambs, and they presently killed the fattest of the cattles, and some of the best sheep, wand the rest they kept within the town, upon some ground below the mounts that round the town, but the most of them they put out without the towne-gate into a marsh near the town in the Island, and there kept them with some musketeers.  
Upon Friday night the twelfth of August the Parliament Troopers came in the night and beat the Governors' Troopers from the bridge, and so became masters of the bridge and of the whole Island, and they took one of the Governors' Troopers prisoner, and took another's horse who saved himself by his leaping from his horse, and going over hedges into the cornfields, who had his hat cut, and his head a little razed with a sword, but not much hurt. Then they raised up two mounts, and placed fix pieces of ordinance, which they had out of the ship called the Maria, which Captain bushel boarded and took, and carried unto Hampton, and from thence brought unto Portbridge, and placed them in the two mounts, three of them towards the town, and three of them towards Porthdowne.  
The next day being saturday the 13. of August, the Lord Wentworth with all the Troopers they could make, being about threescore, issued out of the Town into the Island half a mile to take in the piece of ordinance which was left behind, by reason of the breaking of the carriage, being one of the four they took bacl from the bridge, which they brought bacl into the Town without any opposition at all.  
Afterwards there were several attempts made by the Parliament Troopers to get the  without the gate, and divers assaults were made, and some combats, and many blows, but no great hurt done, the towne-Troopers soon retreated and saved themselves, and made use of their ordinance to beat of the Parliament-Troopers, but there was no great hurt done, though some cannon-bullets came very near and under their horses bellies but no hurt done. Then the Parliament-Troopers approached and came very near to a mill fast by the towne-mount, whereon their ordinance were placed, and they intended the firing of the mills to prevent their grinding of corn, the said mill being a water-mill, that only goeth at the ebbing of the sea: their assailing the mill and seeking to gain the cattles occasioned many short skirmishes, and much playing of the ordinance, though none hurt by all their shot: one of the Parliament-Troopers upon a retreat left his hat behind him that fell off his head; and at another time one of their men left a good sword behind him which had been lastned to the hand-wrest of the Trooper, but the ribbon broke, the sword was estimated at five pounds by the Trooper that brought into the town: another time the Troopers had sallied out of the town, and were chased by the Parliament-Troopers and forced to retreat as hard as their horses could carry them, and there was a Scotchman a brave soldier followed the chase unto the very town within the gate, (the towne-Troopers pretended that they conceived him to be one of their own company) and coming within the gate, there were six of them all upon him, and he defended himself bravely, and fought most valiantly, but they gave him three gashes in the head, and for all that he was retreating and like to get away from them all, had not one very suddenly shut the gate against him, by occasion whereof he was taken, and they took care for him, and procured the best Chirurgeon they could to cure him, and let him want nothing for his conveniency; and for his valour, the Governor gave him three pieces at his departure. About two days after a Trumpeter was sent from the Parliament side to demand a parley for the exchange of Prisoners: but the soldiers that were on their duty on the mount by the gate, being so ignorant that they knew not the sound of a parley from an alarm, let fly a piece of ordinance at him, but it hurt him not, but when he came somewhat near unto the gate he made known the message, viz. for the exchange of a prisoner to have the Scotchman aforesaid delivered to him in exchange of one they had taken before mentioned, at the taking of the Bridge; so the Trumpeter brought in the prisoner behind him, and he took away with him behind him the said Scotchman, who being blindefolded, was carried out to him to a place called Newgate, and there set up behind the said Trumpeter. At another time the last Skirmish, the Governor and the Lord Wentworth sallied out in the night with all their Troopers, in two companies unto the enemy's works, and were by the direction of one of the Aldermen of the town called Master Winter, whom they call Lieutenant of Sausby Castle, who undertook to guide them, and he brought them unto the very court of Guard, thinking thereby to do them much mischief, where they yet found opposition enough, and upon combating they came off with the loss of three men, whereof one of them named Glover, the Governors own man was slain, and the said Winter their guide was taken prisoner, and the third was Master Weston h●s man, which Master Weston is brother unto the Earl of Portland, they also lost a horse of the Lord Wentworths, that the said Winter road on worth thirty pounds: the Governor at that time took six prisoners, whereof five of them were Musketeers, such as had been sentinels, and the other was a Trooper, a stout fellow, who was hurt only by a thrust into the arm, the five Musketeers the Governor gained to become labourers to carry baskets of earth at the works, but the other stood it out bravely and scorned to comply; the said Winter was kept prisoner at the Court of Guard. And the Farme-house thereby, where Sir William Waller lodged, which is hardly a mile and a half without the town, and from his house in the town was permitted a boy of his, being his own son, to come to him with clean linen, who brought word from his father unto the Governor that the King was very near the town, and at the furthest but at Br●●dslands, which is but half a mile from Romsey, and that a Troop of horses from the Parliament-side was gone forth to conduct him unto Southwich unto the Lady Nortons' house, and this came to be spread about the town of purpose to persuade garrison soldiers that the King would certainly come, and that suddenly, and then the King would do great matters for them that should stand close to the business, yea, they should be very well rewarded, because the greatest part of the garrison soldiers were gone away by night, sometimes four, sometimes six, and more or less for a great many nights together. And the most of the best Gunners were gone from them, and all gone to the Parliament-side; and such as were left of the garrison were even heartless, and did little but upon mere compulsion; the Kings coming had been so long expected that they were hopeless.  
And near about that time came two men into the town, as from the King, the one of them was the Lord Wentworths man, and the other was his guide: The Lord Wentworths man put of his good clothes, and got old clothes as if he had been some country shepherd in torn habit, and had entertainment on the Parliament-side and they both came into the town, and by them was the news brought that his Majesty was about Oxford, on his his way coming towards Portsmouth, and would be there within four days with an Army, consisting of twelve thousand foot, six thousand five hundred horse, and three thousand Dragoneers, and would easily make his way through the Parliament forces.  
About the eighteenth of August, the Governor and the watch plainly heard from Gosport (which is a village half a mile over the water from the town) much digging with pick-axes, and driving of carts, whereby they sensibly perceived that they were framing some works to make a fort, whereat they were much troubled: whereupon they presently from all their works that lay that wayward let fly their ordinance that night, at the least they sent them threescore bullets, but they hurt but one man by his own folly, for he stood upon the work with a candle and lantern in his hand, whereby they took a true aim, and shot him, his name was Peter Baker a very good ship-carpenter, neither for all that did they desist, but went on day and night though they shot at them with some respite, yet day and night they shot still: Yet 〈◊〉 all that they perfected two platforms, the one behind a b●●ne for ten pieces of Ordinance, and another for two pieces of Ordinance behind a Pile of faggots, though they shot fourteen days and fourteen nights, to disturb and beat them off from them.  
Upon Saturday the twenty seventh of August, came a Trumpet to sound a Parley from the Parliament side: Who was led in blindfolded, and so carried out again: And a Drum was sent with Answer from the Governor the same day, and the Parley appointed. The next day about ten of the clock, (being the Sabbath day) came into the town for hostages, Sir William Waller and Sir William Lewes who dined with the Governor, and the hostages that went out to the Parliament side; were the Lord Wentworth and Master Lewkner, who is the Recorder of Chichester and is the man appointed by his Majesty to take in money and plate on his Majesty's behalf) who dined with Sir Thomas jervas and others the Committees of the Parliament, but of this Parley came no good issue, the Governor would not yield to any such articles as were then propounded.  
The next day being monday the twenty nine of August, the Governor let fly his ordinance apace, both against Gosport and the other way at the Court of Guard of the Parliament, side and continued day and night with some intermissions) but did no great hurt more than make some holes into the tops of houses at Gosport, but killed not a man or an horse.  
All this time the ordinance being but two that were planted at Gosport on the small work behind the faggots played not at all upon them, it may be well conceived they could have done it▪ But upon Friday the second of September a Trumperter brought in a brace of bucks, who was brought in blind tolded, and so led out again, which venison had been by the Committees of the Parliament promised unto the Governor.  
But some few hours 〈…〉 clock in the afternoon of the same day, they 〈◊〉 upon the town with two peaces of Ordinance; and at the third shot killed one of the Garrison soldiers on the mount, as he was carrying of earth on the great mount at the gate: And cut off a frenchman's leg next unto him above the knee: which Frenchman, (as it is said) came to the Governor upon particular business of his own, and he preferred him to employment who is a Papist, his hurt was so great there is much doubt of his escape.  
The Goverour himself, the Lord Wentworth in their own persons; all their followers, and the Garrison soldiers all that might be spared from their duty, did all work that night to make a trench on the top of the mount, to prevent the 〈◊〉 might come by the like shot▪ That upon the sight of the few ring of the Ordinance they might leap down into that and save themselves. Friday night they shot not much from Gosport, but Saturday they played with their Ordnance, and shot through the tower of the Church and broke one of the bells, and shot against the Tower again and that 〈…〉, and fell into the Church and shot down 〈…〉 of a house, that is ne'er the Church and the end of the Church, and shot through a great many houses in the town; but killed not any body. And on Saturday in the morning they shot at the Water-mill aforesaid, the Miller commended it for a good thing to rise betimes in the morning, (for 〈◊〉 said) if he had not risen early, he had been killed in his bed; for a ballet took away one part of his bed. The reason they shot so much at the Church-Tower was by reason that at the top thereof is their watchtower, whereby they do espy all the 〈◊〉 to by Sea and by Land: and at the tolling of a bell, give inbtice both what Ships come by Sea, and what number of horse come by Land. Saturday night they shot but five bullets from Gosport, but they did execute every one of them.  
It was well observed that in a small time as they shot from Gosport, 〈◊〉 but at four of the clock on Friday afternoon, 〈…〉 at four of the clock Sabbath day in the morning, they did more execution with their two pieces of Ordnance▪ then they had from the town with all their Ordnance in fourteen or sixteen days and so many flights, in which that was accounted, they shot three hundred bullets and they killed but one man in all that time: whereas they had but two preces of Ordnance at Gosport, and the Ordnance planted against Gosport from the four works could not be less, than thirty pieces of Ordnance.  
On Saturday night the third of September; the Parliaments forces took Sousy Castle, which lieth a mile from the town upon the Sea, & the way thither is upon the sea sands: the Captain of the Castle his name is Captain Challiner, who was in Portsmouth Saturday; and in the Evening went home to the castle, and his soldiers took horse load of provision, Biscuit and meal, & other things. They report he had more drink in his head than did him good: And the townsmen would have it conceived that he had been bribed with money to yield up the Castle, but the latter was not true; howbeit the former may be a truth; yet was that no furtherance to taking thereof: For thus it was, there were about fourscore musquetteirs & others that came in the night, unto the walls of the castle, and under their Ordnance, and had with them a very good Engeneer, and with five and thirty scaling ladders: And the whole company in the castle are but twelve commanders, and all they were not able to deal with them upon such advantage, and therefore they called unto them and advised them to yield, showing them the advantage they had over them: Who seeing they were not able to withstand them, yielded the castle unto them: and the triumph at the taking was heard plain about two of the clock in the morning into the Town and so soon as they were Masters of the castle they discharged two pieces of Ordnance against the town.  
Now when the Governor saw the castle (which was for the defence of the town by Sea and by Land was going, and so much pelting with two pieces of Ordnance, and also having seen through a prospective glass▪ so good and fair a platform for ten pieces of Ordnance at Gosport in the morning before daybreak, he called a council of war; and they soon agreed upon the sending out a drum to sound a parley which was done betimes, insomuch that the parley was begun about ten of the clock the same day: three Hostages of each side being appointed, viz. Out of the town the Lord Wentworth Master Lewkner, and Master Weston the Earl of Portlands' brother, and from the Parliament side came unto the town Sir William Waller, Sir William Lewes, and Sir Thomas Jervace: the parley was ended about five of the clock in the afternoon, but not confirmed until seven of the clock. A trumpeter came into the town from the Committees of the Parliament, at which time it was made known, that they had concluded upon Articles that the town should be delivered up; and that Colonel Groing should have liberty to stay six of his servants some few days if he would; and have liberty to take over all his goods he had there: and the Lord Wentworth Master Lewkner, Master Weston, and all the Cavaliers, all their servants and Adherents to be gone Wednesday, or Thursday, and Articles to be sealed which was done Wednesday in the forenoon: and then about eleven of the clock came into the town Sir William Waller and Sir Thomas Jervace, accompanied with Sir john M●ldrem and Colonel Hurrey, and a troop of horse and two companies of foot: and the possession of the town was then surrendered unto Sir William Waller, and Sir Thomas Jervase and the Lord Wentworth and his followers departed the town the same day, and Master Weston and his followers. And in the evening at six of the clock Colonel Goring took beat and rowed unto ship for Holland, but it is said he would go through France, and that his goods were carried to shipbord on Wednesday and Thursday.  
The Colonel Goring, had ●●pelled a good minister one Master Tac●e out of the town, at the time of his declaring himself as aforesaid: who was brought in again into the town with Sir William Waller, and Sir Thomas Jervace: and is confirmed to be preacher unto the Carison.  
And upon Thursday about noon came into the town two troops of horse, and there were near unto the town in the 〈◊〉 of Porsey two companies of foot more. Upon Tuesday the sixth of September was found dead atrooper, who had been missing fourteen days a Dutch manand a brave soldier his horse came home and the saddle blooded, the day he was slain, there was six pounds in money found in his pocket: And the flies had blown maggots on him; which was all the men that were slain on the Parliaments side excepting the former man at Gosport with candle and lantern in his hand whom they conceive was not slain by the Governors' troopers, but finding the place where he was slain it was more probable he was slain by a Sentinel of their own side upon a mistake.  
For the provision of the town that which was most wanting was Hay and provender, which its supposed, would not have lasted above fourteen days, if so long.  
There is a report there wanted salt, but they have killed beasts daily and salted them therefore it cannot be said they yet wanted: but it is very likely, they might have wanted in a little time. They had meal and biscuit enough for three months at least, and they had salt meat in powder enough for the like time; they had not much Butter or Cheese in the town, but there was good store of malt.  
It was conceived the greatest cause, that induced the Parliament side to agree unto Articles, was for that they threatened to blow up the Magazine of the town; which lieth in two places: At the square tower upon the Sea side are at least twelve hundred Barrels of Gunpowder, and very much Ammunition, and at the other end of the town at the gate, are about two hundred barrels of gunpowder and some ammunition: And the having the power over the Magazines, if they had set them on fire, the whole town had been utterly spoiled, and not one person in the town could have been secured from destruction: Had it not been for, that it had been no hard matter within four days to have gotten the town from them by force, without spilling much blood.  
The Cavaliers, when they saw they must needs be gone; stuck not to say, they would return again ere long, at the farthest before Christmas, and take the Town bacl again: Their stomaches were so full of the business, they could not but vent some what: But it may well be presumed, as it will be settled, forty thousand coming against it shall do them no great harm; so as there be shipping at Sea, as now there are six goodly ships under the command of the Earl of Warwick, who all this time did not spend a shot upon the town, but did furnish Gosport with the two pieces of Ordnance.  
The Lord Wentworth his name, his very memorial for one act of his done at the Town of Portsmouth, three years and an half past, when his Majesty was at Barwick, and the Scots Army not far from thence: At which time the Lord Wentworth being at Portsmouth, and a Spanish navy riding on the Sea there before Portsmouth, he spent the powder in Portsmouth upon drinking of healths, threescore pieces of Ordnance were discharged in a night: Which will be justified, until all the powder in the town was spent, unto half a Barrel of Powder; and that by his means the like was in the Isle of Wight, all was spent upon the like way.  
FINIS.