A TRUE RELATION OF THE PROCEED OF THE English Army NOW IN SCOTLAND, From the Two and twentieth day of July, to the First of August.  
Contained in, and Extracted out of the Several LETTERS Sent from the Army and Read in Parliament, the Sixth of August, 1650.  
ORdered by the Parliament, That these Letters, with the several Extracts, be forthwith printed and published.  
Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti.  
London, Printed by Edward Husband and John Field, Printers to the Parliament of England.   

To the Right Honourable, The Lord Precedent of the Council of State.  
My Lord,  
WE marched from Berwick upon Monday, being the Two and twentieth day of July, and lay at my Lord Mordingtons' House, Monday night, Tuesday and Wednesday; on Thursday we marched to Copperspeth, on Friday to Dunbar, where we got some small pittance from our Ships; from thence we marched to Haddington: On the Lordsday, hearing that the Scottish Army meant to meet us at Gladsmore, we laboured to possess the Moor before them, and beat our Drums very early in the Morning, but when we came there, no considerable Body of the Army appeared, whereupon 1400 Horse under the Command of Major General Lambert, and Colonel whaley, were sent as a Vanguard to Muscleborough, to see likewise if they could find out and attempt any thing upon the Enemy; I marching in the heel of them with the residue of the Army; our Party encountered with some of their Horse, but they could not abide us: We lay at Muscleborough encamped close that Night, the Enemy's Army lying between Edinburgh and Leith, about four Miles from us, entrenched by a Line Flankered from Edinburgh to Leith; the Guns also from Leith scouring most parts of the Line, so that they lay very strong Upon Monday the 29th instant, we were resolved to draw up to them, to see if they would fight with us, and when we came upon the place, we resolved to get our Canons as near them as we could, hoping thereby to annoy them; we likewise perceived that they had some force upon a Hill that overlooks Edinburgh, from whence we might be annoyed, did resolve to send up a Party to possess the said Hill, which prevailed; but upon the whole, we did find that their Army were not easily to be attempted, whereupon we lay still all the said day, which proved to be so sore a day and night of Rain, as I have seldom seen, and greatly to our disadvantage, the Enemy having enough to cover them, and we nothing at all considerable: Our Soldiers did abide this difficulty with great courage and resolution, hoping they should speedily come to fight; in the morning the ground being very wet, our Provisions searce, we resolved to draw back to our Quarters at Muscleborough, there to refresh and revictual: The Enemy when we drew off, fell upon our Rear, and put them into some little disorder, but our Bodies of Horse being in some readiness, came to a grabble with them, where indeed there was a gallant and hot dispute; the Major General and and Colonel whaley, being in the Rear, and the Enemy drawing out great Bodies to second their first affront; our men charged them up to the very Trenches, and beat them in, the Major General his Horse was shot in the neck and head, himself run through the Arm with a Lance, and run into another place of his Body, was taken Prisoner by the Enemy, but rescued immediately by Lieutenant Empson of my Regiment; Colonel whaley who was then nearest to the Major General, did charge very resolutely, and repulsed the Enemy, and killed divers of them upon the place, and took some prisoners without any considerable loss, which indeed did so amaze and quiet them, that we marched off to Muscleborough, but they dared not send out a man to trouble us; we hear their young King looked on upon all this, but was very ill satisfied to see their men do no better; we came to Muscleborough that night, so tired and wearied for want of sleep, and so dirty by reason of the wetness of the weather, that we expected the Enemy would make an infal upon us, which accordingly they did, between three and four of the clock this morning with fifteen of their most select Troops, under the command of Major General Montgomery and Straughan, two Champions of the Church, upon which business there was great hope and expectation laid, the Enemy came on with a great deal of Resolution, beat in our Guards, and put a Regiment of Horse in some disorder, but our men speedily taking the Alarm, charged the Enemy, routed them, took many Prisoners, killed a great many of them, did Execution within a quarter of a Mile of Edinburgh, and as I am informed, Straughan was killed there, besides divers other Officers of Quality; we took the Major to Straughans' Regiment, Major Humilton; a Lieurenant Colonel, and divers other Officers and persons of Quality, whom yet we know not. Indeed this is a sweet beginning of your business, or rather the Lords, and I believe is not very satisfactory to the Enemy, espeically to the Kirk party, we did not lose any in this business so far as I hear, but a Corner, I do not hear of four men more; the Major General will, I believe, within few days be well to take the Field, and I trust this work which is the Lords, will prosper in the hands of his Servants. I did not think it adviseable to attempt upon the Enemy lying as he doth, but surely it would sufficiently provoke him to fight if he had a mind to it; I do not think he is less than Six or seven thousand Horse, and Fourteen or fifteen thousand Foot; The reason I hear that they give out to their People why they do not fight us, is because they expect many Bodies of men more out of the North of Scotland, which when they come, they give out they will then engage; But I believe, they would rather tempt us to attempt them in their fast Nets, within which they are entrenched, or else hoping we shall famish for want of provisions, which is very likely to be, if we be not timely and fully supplied. I remain,  
Muscleborough, Julii 30. 1650. My Lord, Your most humble Servant, O. CROMWELL.  
I understand since the writing of this Letter, That Major General Montgomery is slain.   

SIR,  
MY last acquainted you with our Advance into Scotland, you may expect to hear of some Action. The people had generally deserted their Habitations, some few women only were left behind; yet we had this mercy, That their house thus forsaken, were indifferently well furnished with Beer, Wine, and Corn, which was a very good supply to us: Our Soldiers were civil and orderly, which gains much upon the Country.  
On the 26 of this instant we came to Haddington, where we received intelligence, That the Scots Army had Rendezvouzed that day, and purposed to march all that night to meet us on a Moor, betwixt Muscleburgh and Haddington, called Gladsmoor; we drew out our Army early in the morning expecting an Engagement; but missing thereof, and meeting with no certain intelligence where their Army was, we drew out a party of Fifteen hundred Horse, commanded by Major General Lambert, which had a Forlorn of Two hundred Horse led by Major Heyne. These advanced before the Body of our Army to give some notice where their Army lay; our Forlorn had some light skirmishes with theirs, we still pressed on till we had discovered some Bodies of their Horse drawn up about a mile and an half on this side Leith: Upon the appearing of our Party, they retreated; our Forlorn advanced after them, but they quickly got under the shelter of their Works; so that nothing considerable was done that day.  
We quartered that night at Muscleborough, within four Miles of their Camp; we then found that they encamped between Leith and Edinburgh, and had entrenched themselves very strongly, drawing their Trench from the Leith to the foot of Cannygate street in Edinburgh; and all along the Line they had mounted very many pieces of Ordnance. The next morning being the 28 of July Instant, we drew out our Army, supposing that they would have given us battle, and a plain field for the deciding of our Work. Our Forlorn of Horse was commanded by Major Brown; a Party of Two hundred Foot led by Major Cobbet, with an Hundred Horse, were to possess the Much Hill on this side Edinburgh, where some of their Muskertiers lay popping at us; They quickly made themselves Masters of that Hill; which if their Army had maintained, and planted great Guns upon it, they might have very much galled the left wing of our Army: They had no such intentions as to come to us, only some small Bodies of their Horse appeared, but they were suddenly beaten back again; we quartered that night within less than Musket shot of their intrenchments. It began to Rain about five of the clock in the Evening, and it proved as sad and wet a night, as ever was endured: The next morning perceiving they would not fight, and viewing the strength of their intrenchments, the Soldiers having endured so bitter a night, we drew-off to quarters, for the refreshment of our men and horses. They have made themselves so strong lying under the command of Edinburgh Castle, and of Leith, that we could not come near them, without the apparent hazard of the lose of our Army: Upon our drawing off, they endeavoured to fall on our Rear, which was done with as great advantage on their part, as might be; and yet (through the goodness of God) it proved to their loss: They had kept our Rearguard too long pickering, till great Bodies of Horse, which we could not judge to be less than a thousand, appeared near them both on their Rear, and on their Flank: and indeed, before they could reach the Rear of our Army, they were forced into some disorder; but one of our Rear Troops received ours, and put theirs to a stand. At length we rallied up, and dividing into two parts, we charged both their Bodies of Horse home, pursuing them to their very Works. 'tis supposed we killed Fifty or Sixty of theirs, wounding more, and taking some prisoners: This gave an Alarm to the Van of our Army, who were all drawn off; but they would not come out to give us battle, though we drew up in their view. We lost some few, Captain Gladman, with some others being wounded; the Major General himself received two wounds in his Arm and Thigh, by their Lances; he was taken prisoner, but rescued by Lieutenant Empson. They refusing to fight, we drew off to Muscleborough to quarters; the enemy taking advantage at our weariness, about the break of the day, this morning, being the 30 of this instant July, attempted to make a desperate Charge upon our quarters with Eight hundred of their choice Horse. This they did very resolutely; and our Guard of Horse being somewhat negligent, they routed them, and came to our very Town Gate, till our Musquettiers, and a piece of Ordnance had discharged, and done execution upon them, they were put to a stand, and received by two Troops of Colonel lilburn's Horse very gallantly: falling upon us suddenly, before we could well receive the Alarm, they mightily disordered our Horse, and wounded many of our men: At length our men rallied and charged them home, and pursued them to their very works, which was 4 miles; and in their pursuit, they killed and wounded many of them, taking divers prisoners. Sir Robert Montgomery their Major General, commanded their Party, with whom Colonel Straughan (once our Friend) was, it is thought he is killed: We have taken a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, some Captains, and other Officers prisoners: The number we have slain is not yet known; prisoners are still brought in, we may conjecture they will return back above One hundred less than they came forth. This was a very great Mercy to us, and a check to them. We have one Captain of theirs prisoner, and he is much wounded, whom they value and account of very high for their Kirk: We had a Cornet killed whose Colours were also taken; it was but in part a requital of what we did to them yesterday, for we took two of their Colours. Their King came to them on Monday, and viewed their Army; His Coronation day is shortly to be solemnised. We much wonder that none of the honest Party amongst them do fall off yet to us; if they would appear, our work might receive a more speedy result: They expect more Forces out of the North, they report to the number of about Five or Six thousand. I have no more at this present, but to desire you to accept of the service of  
Muscleborough. 30. July. 1650. Your humble Servant R. H.   

SIR,  
WE are now come near Edinburgh, before which the Army, Horse and Foot, were drawn upon Monday last: The Enemy had lined the Park Wall with Musketeers about a mile from the Town: A party of our Musketeers were sent to beat them from it, especially in regard it gave them a view of the Army; this they did, and the Enemy fled to their Body, who lay encamped upon a Hill near the City. Order was given for the drawing up a piece of Ordnance upon Arthurs-Hill, which played upon the Enemy, and made them give back to their Trenches, which they had made between Edinburgh and Leith, to secure themselves. The Army stood in Battalia all the night, but the Enemy not willing to leave their advantages; and it not being advisable to fall upon our Enemy, far above our number, who had two Garrisons, and a Line to defend themselves, besides the extraordinary wet that fell that night and the next morning. The Army had Order to march back to Muscleborough, which they did: The Enemy perceiving it, a great party of their Horse issued forth to fall upon our Rear, which received their Charge, and after an hot Dispute, forced them Retreat into the Town. In this Skirmish Major General Lambert received a slight hurt, Captain Gladman, Captain Fenis, and some others of ours wounded; divers of theirs killed, and some taken: A party of the country of above Five hundred were gathered together on the Hill near this Town, but Routed by Major Haynes. This morning about four of the clock, Fifteen hundred of the Enemy's best Horse, commanded by Major jor General Montgomery (being many of them drunk, had engaged to the Prince (who came to Edinburgh the other night) That they would bring him the Lord General Cromwell alive or dead) gave an Alarm to the Army, and came up to Muscleborough, under the notion of Friends; but being discovered, they were encountered with, and Routed, so that not One hundred of them got back to Edinburgh. There was above Forty slain; Colonel Straughan, a Lieutenant Colonel, a Mayor, a Captain, a Lieutanant, and divers other Officers, and many Soldiers slain, whose bodies lay scattered all the way between this and Edinburgh. Major General Montgomery was slain in the pursuit.  
Muscleborough, 31 July, 1650.   

Besides what is contained in the Lord General's Letter to the Council of State, and those other herewith Printed, there are several other material Circumstances in other Letters, which were also Read in the Parliament, for brevity's sake Extracted, and are as followeth:  

A Letter from Sir Arthur Hesilrige from Newcastle the Third of August, assures us,  
THe Ships with provision from London went by Tinmouth-Castle for Leith, upon Friday the second of August, about five of the clock in the morning, having a very good wind.   

In a Letter from Muscleborough of the 30 of July from a Colonel of the Army, as followeth:  
THe Lord hath been pleased to manifest his presence, and owning of us, and witnessed, That we are not a people forsaken; but he doth declare, That our Cause is that wherein his Name and Glory is concerned; and that the Lord doth own us, is matter to me of the greatest rejoicing.  
Monday the Nineteenth of July we drew near to the Enemy, and possessed ourselves of a convenient Hill, where the Enemy lay, on that side of Edinburgh that goes to Leith, having drawn a Line from that city to Leith strongly fortified. Our design in marching so near, was to provoke the Enemy to fight; but God took away their courage, and they suffered us to take our ground without opposition, where we intended to fight, in case they durst draw forth, which they did not, though both Armies faced each other. We lay all night in the field (which proved extreme wet) yet the Lord gave our men great courage, and contentedness with their hardship, which indeed was a choice Mercy, considering what want of provision our men had, the country not affording relief, and the Ships from London not come to us: But God supplied all, by giving the Army quietness under all their straits.  
The two Blows given by our Army to the Enemy on Tuesday and Wednesday, hath struck so much terror into them, that I do not think they will be able to keep together.   

In a Letter from Mr. Owen to the Lord Commissioner Lisle.  
I Dare not write the particulars of the fight, being assured that you have it from better hands: The issue, That they were repulsed by an handful, & a hundred and eighty taken prisoners; amongst them Straughans' Major, himself reported to be slain, the whole party pursued to their Works: Four Ministers came out with them, but being not known, received the lot of War, three of them killed, and one taken.  
This was the party they most relied upon, as being especially consecrated by the Kirk to this Service.  
Their Ministers told the people before our Army came, That they should not need to strike one stroke, but stand still, and they should see the Sectaries destroyed.   

In another Letter from Mr. Downing of the First of August.  
SOme of the prisoners told me, That Warriston, Sir John Chiesley, Broudy and Jeoffryes, two of their Ministers, and late Commissioners to their King in Holland, were to charge in the head of the Kirk Regiment.  
Straughan by all probability is killed, not only by the description of his person which they give that killed him, but also of his clothes, and by his Pistol and Sword which are taken; by all which, both we and our prisoners do conclude him to be Straughan: after he was dismounted, he refused quarter, struck at one with his Sword, and discharged his Pistol; whereupon they killed him: but he being one of the last men that was killed, and close by their Line, they recovered his body. Lieutenant Giffith was upon the Charge, and made a Speech at the head of his Troop, to encourage them before they fell on; his horse that he charged upon is taken, and he thought to be killed.   

Dated, Muscleborough August 1. 1650.  
THat the fifteen Troops which came out of Edinburgh, were the choicest of the Enemy's Horse, and picked Troops, whereon was most dependence; amongst which were many English Cavaliers; That these and Major Straughan (as the prisoners say) had engaged to the Prince, to bring the Lord General Cromwell to him dead or alive. The Prince gave to each of the Troopers two shillings to drink: That Major Straughan desired the command of this party, but that being not thought fit, Major General Montgomery was appointed to it, and Straughan to bring up the Rear.  
That this party went near sixteen miles about, to get their best opportunity for falling on, and after some of Colonel lilburn's men had first taken the Alarm, two of the Enemies came up as friends (being English) and said it was false: whereupon our dismounted, and so the Enemy came on immediately, yet did little prejudice, only Colonel lilburn's Cornet killed, and two or three others hurt.  
That the Enemy being Routed (and coming by Colonel Brights Regiment of Foot) had so great a Volley from them, that many fell from their Horses, one Corporals Leg taken off, and three Horses killed with one of the great Guns of that Regiment: Our men so scattered the Enemy, that some of them were taken that night in Musclehorough Town (being our head Quarters) besides the pursuit of them for four miles. Our Dragoons quartering that night within a mile of Edinburgh met, and killed divers of them at their return: One of them who was killed, was heard by our men upon his last gasp to say, Dam, I'll go to my King.    
FINIS.