A Copy of Sir William waller's Letter, etc. A GREAT VICTORY, OBTAINED BY Sir WILLIAM WALLER, AND Lieutenant-generall CROMWELL, AGAINST Colonel Sir James Long, (high-sheriff of Wiltshire) who was driven from the Devizes, and his whole Regiment taken, being the same Horse that conducted the Prince from Oxford to Bristol, Where were taken Colonel Long, the high Sheriff. The Undersheriff. Eight Captains. Seven Cornets. Four hundred Horse. Three hundred forty Arms. Three hundred prisoners. Goring pursued by Sir William Waller. Published according to Order. march .18th LONDON, Printed for Robert Austin. 1645. A great Victory obtained by Sir William Waller, and Lieutenant-general Cromwell, against Col. Long, etc. Noble Sir, SInce Colonel LONG was returned from conveying the Prince, with the Bishop of Armach, and divers of the Oxford Nobility, to Bristol, we had intelligence, that he was coming towards the Devizes, having a gallant Regiment of Horse, consisting of about 400. men, hereupon Sir WILLIAM WALLER endeavoured to get betwixt him and the town; but having a long march, he got to the Devizes, before Sir WILLIAM approached, and was quartered there, with Colonel Sir CHARLES LLOYD, the Governor thereof, for about two days, by which time Sir WILLIAM WALLER made his approach. On Monday the 10. of this present March, he quartered with his whole Army at Almesbury, Normanton, Lake, Dearne, and Derringron, and that very a strong party was commanded forth, out of which were drawn divers Scouts, which were sent towards the Devizes, Stepstone, and other parts, to discover the Enemy, and what strength they were of, some whereof returned in the evening with Intelligence, That Colonel Long was in the Devizes, with a Posse Comitatus, or the County Forces, for this Long is the King's high Sheriff of the County of Wilts, son to Sir Walter Long who lately deceased, who being in drink, fell from his horse near Chichister, and broke his neck, and his son hath been a very active man against the Parliament, ever since he hath begged his Wardship, which put him to much travel and pains, for which he almost spurred the horse to death that had broke his father's neck; for he had vowed before he came off his back to get his Wardship. This Intelligence caused Sir William to advance towards the Devizes that night, having also advertisement, that the enemies Works about the town were very slight, and when his Army were on their march about a mile from Amsbury, he drew them up into a Body, and four out of every Troop, to go on the Forlorn Hope. On Tuesday morning very early, our Forlorn Hope gave the Enemy an Alarm (the whole Army marching all night) upon which all Colonel Longs Regiment, which were quartered in and near the Devizes, drew into a Body, and news being brought thereof to Sir William, he made some stay, and at the first seemed rather to prepare for defence, then to give an assault, and divides his Horse into three Brigades, the first commanded by himself, quartered near Potterne, Woodington, and the Devizes, the next Brigade was commanded by Lieutenant-generall Gromwell, and the third by Sir Hadzer Waller a kinsman of Sir William's, which Brigade joined together, and wheeled about and fetched a large compass, that they might not be discovered by the enemy, and fell in between them and the Bath. On Wednesday morning, Sir William Waller drew up his Forces to fall upon the enemy, and they having discovered that Sir William had a purpose to give them a visit, Colonel Long with the horse left the Devizes, and retreated towards Bath, not having notice of General Cromwell's readiness on that side to receive them, and Sir Charles Lloyd the Governor of the Devizes, with most of the Foot slighted their Works, and retreated into the Castle, thinking that they were not able to defend the Town: Sir William hearing that Colonel Long was marching away, he pursued him very close in the Rear, and when the Enemy were a little past Milchin, thinking by the swiftness of their march to make their escape away. Colonel Cromwell appeared in the Van, betwixt him and Bradford, which having notice of colonel Long, would have returned bacl again, but could make no way of escape, the passes being narrow, and the country so sortified with quick set hedges, that he was as it were in a pound. We took from the Enemy 400. Horse, and 300. Prisoners: we took colonel Long himself the King's high Sheriff, their Commander in chief, Captain Web, and seven Captains more, the Undersheriff, seven Comets, with many other Officers. We took also 340. Arms; and of this whole Regiment, which was the best (as we understand) the King hath, there escaped but 30. we lost but two men on our side, and but four of the Enemy were killed. Colonel Ludlow is now (thanks be to God) sole high Sheriff of this County: his competitor (being now taken prisoner) is in custodia Mariscallorum, with the greatest part of his Commanders and Officers, and his whole Regiment utterly extirpate. Colonel Ludlow's approach hither is now most earnestly desired to join with us, in regard this County, in which we hope there will be found but little opposition, though we have been lately heavy laden with infinite numbers of barbarous villains. To God be the praise, who hath so graciously looked upon our sufferings. The Garrison of Langford hearing of so many losses to the King's Army, in several places, one upon the neck of another, are in great distraction, and almost hopeless of subsisting, having not above sixteen Horse, and they are very poor jades, to fetch in provisions, of which it is conceived, they begin to be straightened: and for their men, they are most of them forced, of which (we hope) there will shortly be given a very good account. We hear Colonel Goring doth still retreat before us: it is thought he intends to join with Colonel Barkly the Governor of Excester; and Sir William Waller is marching towards Colonel Holborn at Ta●nton, and intends to draw out what strength he can out of Summer set shire to joint with him, and so to lose no time to pursue after. So with my due respects and humble service, I rest, Southampton March 14. 1644. Your faithful and affectionate Servant. Here followeth a Copy of Sir William waller's own Letter. SIR, Colonel Cook and Captain Butler have written at large unto you, and therefore I shall only confirm it, that with God's gracious assistance we have routed the best Regiment the King had in the West, of four hundred Horse; there escaped not thirty, the Colonel, Sir James Long, eight Captains, and seven Cornets were taken, and most of the other Officers, with about three hundred prisoners. This fell out in Wiltshire, between Troughbridge and Stepston. We are now marching towards honest Holborn, with wnom (by the grace of God) we will join, or stick half way. March 13. 1644. William Waller. A list of what was taken. Col. Sir James Longthe high Sheriff The Under Sheriff 8. Captains 7. Cornets 400. Horse 340. Arms 300. Prisoners. Goring pursued by Sir W. Waller. FINIS.