A TRUE REPORT OF THE OCCURRENCES AT PORTS MOUTH from a special hand presented to an Honourable person in London.  
August 15.  
LONDON: Printed by T. P. and M. S. for H. Blunden. 1642.   

Sir,  
I Know you love Truth where ever you find it, and on what side soever it falls. Because the Reports concerning the affairs in and about Portsmouth so much vary▪ I will give you the certainty upon my knowledge: It is happily no news to tell you, that Sir William Waller, and Colonel Hurry took away the Bridge, and such fortifications as Colonel Goring had made about it, on Friday night last about six of the clock 20 Troops adventured upon it, being ignorant of the strength that was or might have been on Colonel goring side; but they found but eight Troopers, one or two were taken, the rest fled to better refuge; the Colonel's gunner, one M●ader, being fled from his service sometime before: I must tell you the taking of this Bridge, is of greater moment than most think for, for it possesses them of the Island Portsley, which hath 2000 Acres of Corn now standing upon it; And as it prevents their enemies of succours, so it is a supply to themselves, and a repossessing the poor Inhabitants which were bereft of all; and further it renders the taking of Portsmouth feasable, whereof in my opinion there was no possibility (but by starving it) while the Bridge and those Forts were secured against them▪ they being three mile on this side the Town; and besides, this hath put much mettle into the Soldiers, and it would make a faint-hearted man a Soldier, to see their spirits and resolution, two, Colonel Hurry, and one Sir William Waller behave themselves bravely. The County of Hampshire is as they were not a little incensed against Colonel Goring and the Cavaliers with him (which they call at every word Rebellion) so they are not a little encouraged, by this defeat against him; as also for the surprisal of sixscore and fifteen quarters of Wheat that was gone from Fareham to relieve Portsmouth, and was seized upon by one Master Allyn of Gosper, and a few Watchmen; The Colonel was so vexed at it, that he would in all haste have shot down Gosper with his Ordnance (for it is within reach) but with the Majors and others humble beseeching him upon their knees to spare it for the women and children's sake, he did desist that enterprise.  
It is very certain that the Colonels, Cavaliers and Troopers pillaged from Portsley a thousand beasts and above a thousand sheep, and so refeled the poor Inhabitants, that they left them not a bit of bread; It would grieve any one that hath the heart of a man to hear their complaints, you must know they were most mean, and living upon their Stocks. But that which is worse, (and not to be spoken without blushing) seven Cavaliers lay with one woman maid at once in open view, and one Trooper lay with a man's wife before his face, and while his fellow Trooper had his pistol at the husband's breast, in case of resistance; Sure what ever they pretend, they are far enough from advancing for the King or his Cause, that thus practise: It was credibly informed by some that had been in Portsmouth in the beginning of last week, that the Colonel had but 200 Soldiers, and one hundred of them cannot be rightly called his own, if they had a fair opportunity; many of them are forced One man that came to Town to sell his Butter, was made a Soldier, and those that be with him at that rate, its like are not hot in the service, and most that went in last Week before the gates were shut, were so served: my Lord Wentworth is with Colonel Goring, and there is some suspicion (not altogether unprobable) that my Lord Goring is there, however his soul is there we may be assured.  
One Mr Norton, who hath a seat night the Bridge, carries himself like a gallant man, he hath store of Musketeers to secure his house, that stand Sentinel at the gates.  
Some Trained Bands are come in, and some Horse out of Hampshire, & the County is generally for the Parliament, more are expected they be much incensed by Colonel goring Cavaliers. Master Waller and Colonel Hurry have each of them a Troop of Horse: There are some twenty Firelocks that looks like desperate Soldiers; The Bridge is secured by four pieces of Ordnance, which were taken out of the Maria; They are making Fortifications.  
On Wednesday he made Proclamation, that all women and children that feared should departed the Town by Sunday at noon. There are four ships of my Lord of Warwick's lie so as no relief can come to the Town, nor the Town hurt them.  
Yours in haste.  
FINIS.