An Exact and True RELATION OF A BLOODY FIGHT, Performed against the Earl of Newcastle and his Forces before Todcaster and Selby in Yorkshire, in his march towards LONDON: BY The Lo: Fairfax, Sir Chr: Wray, Sir Henry Foulis, Capt: Hotham, Capt: Hatcher, Capt: Rhodes, and Capt: Anderson, with their Troops. With the number of Soldiers that were slain. Sent in a Letter from Selby, by Sir HENRY FOULIS Baronet, to Mr. T. CHALONER Esquire, dwelling in Drury-lane, LONDON. With a List of the Names of all the Commanders and other Gentlemen of note that were taken prisoners in the late Battle at WINCHESTER. London, Printed for JOHN FRANK. Decem. 21. 1642. An Exact and true Relation of a Bloody Fight, performed against the Earl of Newcastle and his Forces before Todcaster in Yorkshire, etc. Dear Cousin, IF I have not performed my promise in weekly writing to you, pray lay not the blame on me, but (where it is due) on the troubles of our Country, what we do here I shall tell you. Cleaveland is turned a Wilderness, my wife and children sole Governors, not one else left either through fear or malignanty: my goods at Hull, myself with a Troop of horse here; as for my Regiment of foot, it lies so under the walls of York, that it is yet impossible to raise it, besides if I had them up, one Muskets report would make them run away, witness Cleaveland. Regiment under the Command of Sir Matthew Boynton, when he (with all the help of his friends) had at Yarum 500 of his Regiment, the enemy giving us but one Alarm, they all ran away save 200, and those are now run to 80. As for my part I intent to raise Volunteers, for I may do either by my Commission, I thank God for it in this seven, weeks service I have not any hurt of my Troop but one, and that was at Kanuesbrough as we entered the town, where we lost some men and Officers, yet lay there three days to refresh our men, not being able to walk in the streets without danger from the Castle, and all we lost was one common soldier, one Sergeant, one Engine hurt, and some six common soldiers, what hurt we did them, we know not. When Captain Hotham and I (though we met first at Yarum, and beat up with our Troops the enemies-Quarters at Darneton) joined together with Cleauland foot, it was at North-Allerton upon sunday was a seunight; that same night that Ever Gallant Hotham beat up their Quarters again, slew 4. men, one Lieutenant, and took 7 prisoners, we lost but one in that service, who wilfully cast himself away, falling into the enemy's hands, thinking they had been his friends. On Monday the Earl of Newcastle passed the Tees with all his Army, and 14 pieces of Ordnance, and lay that night at Smeeton some four miles from Allerton; some six Alarms we had that night, and were perpetually in arms on both sides, our Scouts giving fire on one another, and on each Quarters; we by our Scouts discovered their lodging, which was the foot, being least regarded in the open fields, the horse we suppose in the Town, except those that alarmed us. We were then but 300 foot and four Troops of horse, so held it wisdom to retreat to my Lord Fairfax now (in the absence of Essex) our General. On Tuesday at two a clock in the morning we marched from Allerton with bag and baggage, lay that night at Topcliff, the next day the same time marched away to Knausbrough, where we received the loss before mentioned; and to satisfy the soldiers gave them free qurrter, or at least they took it Believes me if ever God enable us to have a revenge, that Town and Castle shall suffer dearly, for they shot nothing but shawed bullets. From thence we came to Wetherby where we lay, expecting whether my Lord of Newcastle would make his pass that way to his Majesty, or by Todcaster where my Lord Fairfax lay; but he bent his course for Todcaster, and summoned all the country to be there on. Wednesday last, with their carriages and draughts to convey his Ammunition and Ordnance. On Tuesday the Earl shown himself before Todcaster and retreated; then did my Lord Fairfax send for Captain Hotham and us from Wetherby, to be at Todcaster before day on Wednesday; we obeyed and marched all night with our Ordnance; when we came to Todcaster we refreshed yourselves for an hour, than we had notice that the Enemy was upon the Moor some a mile from the Town, presently part of the horse which were Sir Christopher Rays Troop, Sir Thomas Fair fax's Troop and my own Troop; drew into the field near the Moor, and remained there till towards 12 a clock, the enemy keeping themselves on the further part of the moor among the Fens, and a ditch between them and us; They advanced not towards us, nor we towards them, but stood at gaze then my Lord Fairefax commanded us on this side the River with the rest of the horse, Captain Hothams' Troop, Captain Hatchers Troop, Captain Rhodes Troop, Captain Ardersons Troop to secure the forces. When we retired the enemy presently fell on: the fight began about one of the clock, and continued till after four; you cannot imagine how hot service it was, for I dare well say one both sides above 40000. shot past, besides Ordinance, which were played as occasion served. Upon us they played with 5. Culverin, we had but one. Demy Culverin which never shot but once, but our Drakes shot notably, and did good service; their Ordinance did little hurt, only killed one man, the rest flew into our horse Troops, but did no hurt because they were spent before they came at us, one shot of 18. pound fell between Hothams' Troop and mine within 3. yards of myself, and another in the rear of my troop, and just before Sir Christopher Wray, the bullet was above 19 l. weight. On our side there was slain but 4.3. Common Soldiers, and one whose memory shallbe ever famous, Colonel Lister; My Lord Fairefax with the rest of the Commanders laid him in his Grave at Todcaster on Thursday morning, and presently marched away hither; for the truth is, though my Lord of Newcastle was before Todcaster himself in person with all his force; and that we beat him off, yet we were not able to keep the Town, because we wanted victual and ammunition, for I dare well say that in 48. hours not a Commander cate a bit, march less a Common Soldier; some Sack we had, but that was not for the poor Soldiers. What hurt we did the enemy we know not, for we found not above 30. killed, and some 20. taken prisoners, but when on ahorse went out in the night to discover the fields were full of lamentable groans of dying people, yet in a gallantry Newcastle lay with his men in the fields all that night, and as we are informed some 500 ran from him; We are now and all our Forces at Cawood and Selby, as well to secure ourselves, as refresh our men, we came hither the last night, and if Newcastle advance, we shall fall upon him, though Sir Hugh Cholmely and Colonel Francis Boynton come not to us; both which we have not yet seen, though often sent to: And you may believe that their Regiments with the four Troops of Horse they have, would be a good recrute to our wearied Forces. Selby, this 17. of December. Your affectionate Cousin to serve you Henry Foullis. FINIS. The List of the Names of all the Commanders, and other Gentlemen of note that were taken Prisoners in the late Battle at Winchester, as it was presented to his Excellency the Earl of Essex at Windsor, Decem. 17. And sent by Coronet Sterly to Sergeant Major Alexander, one of the Commanders under his Excellency. Worthy Sir, I Was in presence when the news came to my Lord General concerning the fight at Winchester; And therefore thought good to give you the same intelligence of it that that was delivered to him. There sallied out two Regiments of foot, which were of the King's life guard upon us, which were all, or the most part of them cut off: Besides the foot forces, there also sallied out a Brigade of horse; but they also finding they were notable to withstand us, retreated into the Castle, than we scaled the walls, they desired quarter, which we gave them, only detaining their Commanders, and Officers, whose names are here underwriten; And for the rest of their forces we stripped and sent them away. The Inhabitants of the Town of Winchester offers 2000l. to save themselves from being pillaged by our Regiment. And thus I rest your Servant to command John Sterly, Cornett. Col. L. Grandison Cap. Garret Col. Bennet Sir R. Willis Cap. Honywood Col. Savage Sir J. Smite Cap. Barty Lieu. Williamson Cap. Booth Livet. Roger's Maj, Hayborne Cap. Brangling Cap. Wren Cap. Beckonhead Livet. Elverton Co. Ruddry. Lieut. Rodham Lievt. Booth Cor. Gwyn Cor. Bradlines The Names of the Gentlemen of that County that were taken Prisoners with the Cavaliers. Sir J. Mills Sir Tho. Philip's Sir Fra. Pour Sir H. Knowles Mr. Ranford Mr. Saunders Mr. Griffin M. Foil and his son. M. Powlet & his son. FINIS.