A true RELATION OF THE proceedings OF The Scotch Army Since their advance from Nottingham until 30. July 1645.  
Expressed in a LETTER from the Lord general's Quarters.  
Published by Authority.  
LONDON, Printed by M. B. for Robert Bostock at the King's head in Paul's Churchyard. 4. Aug. 1645.   

A true RELATION Of the Proceedings of the Scotch ARMY Since their advance from Nottingham. until 30. July 1645.  
SIR,  
WHen our Army advanced to Nottingham, we were desired by the Parliament to march to Worcestershire; when we came there we were desired to pursue the enemy in the Field, we have done accordingly; the King and colonel Gerard had about four thousand Horse and three thousand Foot, we have driven them out of Worcestershire, and by parties have pursued them from the one end of Herefordshire to the other, we put our great Ordnance into Gloucester that we might the better follow them; their Foot are now all dissipated so that we cannot hear of them, their Horse are out of Herefordshire and dispersed into several Counties of Wales, some in Monmouth, some in Glamorganshire, some in Brecknock, others towards Ludlow, so that we have no considerable body of the enemy to follow; and I hope none will blame us that we do not fight with those that will never stay in our view, but run to Rocks and mountains in divided and inconsiderable parties. We were also desired to hinder the enemies Recruits, and live in their Quarters; I hope we have done the first to good purpose; but concerning the last, we know not where they are; for we do no sooner come to any place (though yesterday) all in the enemy's possession, but within a day or two the country calls it the Parliaments Quarters, and desire us to remove to some other place. If there be any part in England the enemy's Quarters, we are now in them, for there cannot be a more malignant people in Britain; they give all the intelligence and assistance they can to the enemy, and will afford us no manner of entertainment that they can withhold: Our soldiers in a weeks' time have scarce got three days' provisions, and these eight days past, except once, have not seen bread. We sent to Gloucester, but could get nothing there, but for ready money; and if Major Dobson (who hath been very kind and active for us,) had not given his word in assurance thereof, we had been forced to advance the Money before we received the provisions.  
Many promises were made for the care of our Army, before our advance Southward; if they had been performed, and that respect had to us, as to other Armies in the kingdom, the Common Enemy had been in a lower condition, and our assistance of greater advantage to our friends; What the cause is that hath obstructed all our Supplies, or what the ends of it are, I will not take upon me to determine; but I doubt if any Age can parallel our condition. We have weakened our own kingdom, by bringing supplies to this, and have exposed it to the merciless fury of Irish Rebels, and unnatural Countrymen, out of an earnest desire to quench the flames here: Our soldiers have not wearied to march with hungry bellies both day and night, when occasion requires; yet we hear there be some Egyptian taskmasters, who withhold the straw, and call for more brick, being never satisfied with what we do; the worst I wish to such, is, that they were eye witnesses to our sufferings and actions; I am sure (if they have any affection to the Cause) they would lend us more of their help, and speak less to our prejudice; If they be Enemies I regard not what they say: But to return; The general sent a Convoy to the English commissio-weak and a thin Army. But we bless the Lord ners, and they came hither upon Monday; yesterday we had a meeting with them, where it was debated, whether we should pursue the Enemy in the Fields, or fall upon some other design, but there being no considerable body of the enemy together, the first was by all conceived no ways for the public advantage; there remained nothing but a siege; the Question was, whether Worcester or Hereford, at Worcester we could be more easily and better provided of all necessaries, both for the siege and the entertainment of the soldiers; the King had not another pass upon Severne, and it brought much trade to London, upon the other part Hereford was nearer the enemy's Quarters, we could be more able to annoy the Enemy, hinder his Recruits, and break his Forces, the taking thereof gained the whole County where now the Parliament had no interest, and so enlarged their Quarters. Worcester also would thereby be in a manner blocked up, the Parliament having already three sides of it. These reasons were found the stronger and more for the advantage of the public service, and this day the Army is marched toward Hereford, and are to lie down before it. I trust care will be taken to furnish us with Materials for that purpose, wherein for the present we are unprovided; but our greatest fear is, for want of Victuals for the soldiers, for they had never worse entertainment; and if they were not constant in their affections to the Cause, the difficulties and discouragements they have met with in these few days had made us a for his assistance, and though we should be yet more neglected by men, shall never be wanting in the Cause of God, wherein we are confident he will ever enable us to dee what he requires at our hands, I am  
Your most humble servant, Michael Deane. 30. July▪ 1645.  
FINIS.