THOMSON THE GREAT KILD, Or a Perfect NARATIVE OF The totall Routing of the Levellers neere VVellingborough towards Rutlandshire, where were taken all the whole party, with the des­perate Death of Captaine THOMSON, also his last Speech before his Death;

Being a full RELATION of all the proceedings betweene His Excellency the L. Fairfax and the Level­lers▪ since his Excellencies advance from London, Thursday May 10. to their Routing and surprisall May, 21.

VVith the particulars of that engagement, and the Prisoners taken.

Also his Excellencies the Lord Generals Letter to the Speaker concerning the same.

Published by speciall Authority.

LONDON, Printed for George Roberts dwelling on Snow-hill. 1649.

[...]

Oxford May the 20, 1649.

THis morning as the Generall was going to the Church Capt. Moody brought a Letter from Col. Reynolds, who was s [...]nt in pursuit after Thompson, wherein it was signified that Major Butler being sent with a select party of horse to fall into Thompsons quarters, he being gon from Northampton to a Town neer Wellingborough towards Rutlandshire, where he surprized all his party in the Towne, but Thomson mounted and got into a wood, where they found Thomson well mounted, who being alone, yet rid up to our party desperatly, shot the Cornet, wounded a­nother and retreated to his Bush, having also re­ceived two shots, when they began againe to draw neere unto him, he charged againe with his Pistoll and Tuck, Received another shot and retreated the third time that he came up, for he said he scorned to take Quarter; Major Butlers Corporall had Reynolds his Carbine, which being charged with seven Bullets gave Thomson his Deaths wound. The Lieutenant of Oxfordshire [Page 1] troope, who joyned with Thomson is likewise taken, it seemeth hee seized of the Magazine of Northampton, and the Exoize money, and with thirteene men kept that wall'd Town in awe, a Towne of blew Character.

Yesterday the Generall, Lieutenant Generall and other Officers were very nobly entertained in Maudli [...] Colledge at a great Feast, and after­wards tooke their degrees in the Schooles, re­ceiving great respects from the Vice chancellor; the heads of the Colledges, and the rest of the University,

Your most humble Servant, J. R.
SIR,

I Thought it my duty, having received another pledge and token of the mercy and goodnesse of God to this poor Nation, to give you a speedy account thereof; when I came to Andover, after so tedious a march, ten Troops of the Mutineers mar­ched from Salisbury to Marlborow, from thence to VVantage, and to the end they might get a con­junction of Col. Harrisons Regiment they lay all this day between Abington and Oxford, at a place called Blagrave, expecting to have more Troops come, but there came onely to them Cap. Pecks and Cap. VVinthrops, and marched all the day towards Abington, some of the Quarters being 22 miles from thence; and when I came neer Abington they were marched away, being in all twelve Colours, towards Newbridge, where Colonel Reynolds, Major Shilburne and others kept the Bridge, which they would have forced; but when they saw they could not do it, they marcht up the River and got [Page 2] over at a Ford neer a mile from the Bridge. Some three houres after they were gone I marched towards Bampton in the Bush, and from thence to Burford, where, and in the adjacent Ʋillages we tooke (I thinke) almost the whole party; the particulars I shall give you an account of (God willing) hereafter more exactly. Those Troops at Salisbury of Col. Scroops Regiment did wholly reject their Offi­cers, except one Lieutenant, and two or three inferi­our Officers. Sir, I hope this is none of the least mer­cies, I pray God you and wee may make a good use of it, it will be your glory and your honour to settle this poor Nation upon foundations of Justice and Righte­ousnesse, and I hope this mercy will the more encou­rage you to doe so: for the poore people, how ever deluded by some cunning and turbulent spirits, yet they may see you will improve your power for their good, and then your Enemies shall be found lyars, which I am confident you will: so I cease your fur­ther trouble, and remaine

Your most humble servant, THO. FAIRFAX.
Burford, May 14. midnight, 1649.

For the Honourable William Lenthall, Esq Speaker of the honourable House of Commons.

AN Account in generall is already sent of the sur­prizing and dispersing of the mutinous Regi­ments at Burford; a more particular account thereof will also come from the Generall very shortly, yet thus much in briefe. That as they were surprized in the very nick of time (when as one day more would have given them opportunity to have joyned with other Regiments: so it was very happy it was done with so little bloodshed, there being but one of their party slaine (who fought it out to the last) and one of ours.

The first Horse that entered the Town were those under Col. Reynolds, the Dragoons under Col. Okey, and Major Shelburne, with the Buckinghamshire horse. The Generall brought up as a Reserve his own Regi­ment of Horse, and Col. Scroop the Reare. Cap. Fisher was sent with a Troop of Horse on the further side of the Town, where he offering to charge two Troops of the Enemy (who were likewise in a posture to charge him, with their Swords drawn and Pistols cockt) upon his advance, and offering them quarter if they would submit to mercy, they all submitted but one, who discharged his Pistoll, but did no hurt; (which two Troopes he brought to the Generall.) Cap. Packers Troop was very diligent, and this is ob­servable, that he had but one man who joyned with this party, yet he did engage himselfe to his Captaine to be faithfull, and it was his hap to take Col Eyres, who was very earnest with him to let him goe, but be­cause of his engagement to his Captaine, he brought him prisoner to the Generall.

Yesterday Cornet Denn, and Cornet Thompson (bro­ther [Page 4] to Thompson the great) was tried at a councell of war, and condemned to die. Denn hath bought him­selfe a winding-sheet, and is so sensible of his errour, that he doth not desire to live; he doth acknowledge the just hand of God upon him, and is putting forth a Declaration to the world to shew the wickednesse of the designe, and by what means it was contrived.

There are between three and four hundred priso­ners in the church, the rest escaped in the darke; many of them are very resolute, and say (as the Cavaliers used to speak) it is our day to day, it may be theirs tomorrow; others of them are very penitent. The Soul­diers that beat up their quarters had their Horses and Arms for prize, and Crookback (who fought it out so stoutly) being heretofore of Masseys brigade, had 30 li. about him when the Souldiers pillaged him; they had frequent advertisement from their friends in London and in the Tower, how to mannage their bu­sinesse, and as some of them confest) had promise of money for the carrying on of their designe; but more of this hereafter.

The Generall and the Officers are very weary, ha­ving never in all the time of the former wars marcht 45 miles in one day (in which the Foot went a great) part) and to conclude the day to beat up quarters.

Two of col Harrisons Troops under cap. Peck [...], joy­ned with these men, and had a handsome cudgelling with the rest, and are dispersed.

We had one Dragoon shot, and some wounded; Col. Reynolds made good Newbridge with a small party of his own and Major Shilburnes horse, and parlyed with the Mutineers, and forced them to ford [Page 5] the River about a mile below. Col. Reynolds behaved himself very resolvtely both there and at Burford; more prisoners are to be tried to day.

Burford, Wednesday May 16. 1649.

The Generall hath sent a Warrant to all the Justices of peace in these parts to apprehend all such of these Mutineers as have escaped in the darke, and to secure their persons till they be brought to tryall.

The Copies of severall Letters sent to and from the Mutineers, since the Generals advance from London.

The Mutineers first Letter to the Generall.

May it please your Excellency,

A Proposition hath been made unto us for the service of Jreland with a declaration of your Excellencies plea­sure, that it was lawfull for us, either to consent or deny, for no man was to bee forced. Although many of us were very willing to put our lives in your hands for that service, it is a breach of former ingagements to suffer many of our fellow souldiers who could not go, to be disbanded without a competent pay in hand of their Arrears to carry [Page 6] them home, and inable them to follow their occupations, we perceive such a representation of the business, hath been laid before your Excellency, rendering us so vile in your eyes, that the next newes we heard was of forces marching towards us to subdue us, which hath put us upon an un­usuall yet a necessary way, for our own preservation, least we should be distroyed, before we could be heard to speake to relinquish our officers, and flie for our present security, and now we do earnestly beseech your Excellency patiently to heare us, and to take us under your protection. All that we require is the performance of our Engagement made at Triplo-heath, and we shall promise never to depart from your Excelencies Command in any thing which shall not be contrary to the said Engagement, professing our selves very sorry, that we should have no better Esteem in your Excellencies Iudgment.

Subscribed by the Agents for Comisary Gen. Treton and Col. Scroops Regiment.
12 May. 1649.
Gentlemen,

I Have received a Letter from you of the 12 th of the instant, among other false suggestions, where­by I beleeve you have been abused, that is a mistake and untrue surmise which you mention as an intend­ment to disband some of the Souldiery of the Ar­my, without a competent pay in hand of their Ar­reares, it being never so thought, but otherwise ta­ken care for, and put into as hopefull and setled a way as could be devised. I had rather pretermit, than take notice of your grounding this usuall course you have taken, upon the marching of Forces to­wards you to subdue you, when as some if not all of you, by your disorderly precipitance into such an irregular way, the first and sole occasion of march­ing with Forces. However, since you now desire to be heard and taken under my protection, I have gi­ven way to Col. Scroop to receive you under prote­ction, and am ready to heare you in any thing con­cerning the engagement by you mentioned.

May 13. 1649.
T. Fairfax.

To the Officers and Souldiers of Commissary Ire­tons, & Col. Scroops Regiments.

[Page 8]WE have received two letters from your Ex­cellency, the one by the hands of Major White, the other by Collonel Scroope, both which we have received with thankfull acknowledgement of your Lordships clemency towards us, and care o­ver us; the consideration whereof cannot but pro­duce in us (unlesse we should be very ingratefull) a more than ordinary respect towards your Excellen­cy. And that we may prevent jealouses subject to be begotten by misinformation, we doe confesse that next unto the great disturbance which is likely to be the fruit of these divisions, our second griefe is that we should be forced to procure your Excel­lencies discontent, which doth appeare unto us by the heavy charge layed against us of Rebellion and disobedience; we do assure your Excellency, that we have done no more than our Solemne Engagement did inforce us unto; this is the testimony of our conscience in the presence of God, concerning our Engagement. We do acknowledge our selves your Excellencies souldiers, who have engaged our lives under your conduct through all difficulties, in or­der to the procurement of peace of this Nation, whereof we are a part: But being lately designed by lot to be divided and sent over into Ireland, for the prosecution of that service which we think necessa­ry to be performed, but looking back unto our for­mer Engagement, we find that we cannot in consci­ence to our selves, in duty to God, in respect of this Nation, and our fellow souldiers, undertake that ser­vice, but by such a decision as may be agreeable to our Solemn Engagement, made at Triploe heath, [Page 9] Iune 5. 1647. where we did with one consent so­lemnely engage one to another in the presence of God, not to disband nor divide, to suffer our selves to be divided untill satisfaction were given according to a Councell of the Army consisting of two Officers and two souldiers of every Regiment, indifferently chosen, together with the Generall Of­ficers concurring; And being now departed from our obedience to you, because, (according to our apprehensions) you kept not Covenant with us in performing the engagement, we do promise not to harbour any evill thought, nor use any act of hosti­lity against you unlesse necessitated thereunto in our owne defence, (which the Lord prevent.) All that we desire (the searcher of hearts is our witnesse) is that your Excellency would call a Generall Coun­cell, according to solemne engagement, to sit once in 14 daies at the least, according to an Act made in the Generall Councell at Patney. In the judge­ment of this Councell acquiescing, we wil not refuse to give account of our proceedings; and we will e­very man with cheerefulnesse returne to our obedi­ence, and submit to your Excellency and the judge­ment of the Councell, in all matters that concerne us as souldiers. This we beg earnestly of your Ex­cellency to grant in respect of your duty to God, this Nation, and the Army; that we may thereby re­cover our peace, and procure the happinesse of this Nation. Mhis is the desire of our soules; if you de­ny this we must lay at your doore all the misery, bloudshed, and ruine which will follow.

May it please your Excellency,

IN our last, we gave you information that the Re­giments were marched to Abingdon, and inten­ded to quarter there this night, but in our marching thither we found them quartered at Wantage and in the Villages adjacent. We have had some confe­rence with them, and communicated your Excel­lencies letter, which is to be communicated to them all to morrow at the Randezvous intended at Stan­ford plain, neere Farringdon, at ten of the clock, where Collonell Harrisons Regiment had engaged to meete with them, as they said; and that there are the agents of 6 Regiments with them, & are trusted for the managing of the affaires of the whole; the chiefe thing they seemed to insist upon, is the procuring a Generall Councell, consisting of two Officers and two private Souldiers of each Regiment, as is agree­able to the Solemne Engagement, by which Coun­cell they said they will be included in matters to which that Solemne engagement referres unto; and say that they were now justly put upon the claime of the same, being commanded to di­vide or disband. There are many honest men a­mong them, and some too furious and impatient in their desires, and expresse much dissatisfaction at the disbanding Collonel Hewsons men with a fort­nights pay, and that there was the like offered to [Page 11] them, if they would not engage for Ireland; some spake dissatisfaction at the proceeding against Mr. Lockyer, and of the strict dealing with the prisoners in the Tower. They think themselves much injured by reports, which they intend to declare for the King; if there be moderate proceeding, the differences may probably be taken up, but certainely there is nothing more probable to prove destructive then furious proceeding, but we shall pray to God to di­rect your Excellency and Councell in this matter of such weighty concernment, and intreat that hosti­lity may be prevented, untill all other just meanes indefectuall; we now heare that they remove quar­ters from Wantage this night, and promise to direct us to their rendezvous in the morning. We have no more at present to informe your Excellency, but that we are your Excellencies humble servants.

We have given them some hint of the Declarati­on that was drawn to be printed, if your Excellency have thoughts of it, for their view, we humbly conceive it might do well to have it against too mor­row.

May it please your Excellency,

WE the Officers of Col. Engoldesbyes Regi­ment being very sensible of the sad disasters which are like to fall upon this Nation, by the di­stractions and divisions which are at this present in the Army and People of the Nation; And when we consider that the differences are amongst those which hav alwayes fought under one Banner, in subduing the common Enemies of the Nation, which Enemies we conceive are againe ready to take the opportunitie (by these our differences) to in­volve this wasted and languishing Nation in a new Warre (if God by his Providence doe not prevent the same) and in regard that we are likewise very sensible of the danger and calamities which threa­ten to fall upon us, and the whole Nation (by reason of the irregular proceedings of those of your Ar­my, who have throwne off discipline and govern­ment (which proceedings we doe dislike) in case those divisions and breaches be not made up) we have humbly addressed our selves to your Excellen­cy, that in your wisedome, and with the advice of your Generall Councell, there may be no good way left unassayed, in endeavouring the making up those wide breaches: And to that end we have here pre­sented to your Excellency such things as we con­ceive may very much tend to accomplish the same, and likewise may conduce in taking away the occa­sion of suspition of such honest men as are perswa­ded that your Excellency nor the Army will not endeavour the settlement of this Commonwealth, according to what your Excellency and the Army [Page 13] have often declared, but especially in the Remon­strance made at Saint Albans: And therefore we shall only set downe these things following, which in our apprehensions are of great concernment in the laying of a foundation to the establishment of a Government of Peace of this Commonwealth, as also to the composing of the differences now in your Excellencies Army; to wit,

First, that so short and limited a time may be fixed, wherein this Parliament shall certainly end, as may stand with justice.

Secondly, that this Commonwealth may be set­led by an Agreement made amongst the faithfull People of this Nation: In which Agreement, we desire that provision may be made for the certain, beginning and ending of all future Representatives, and for the removing of Grievances.

These particulars we humbly conceive have a very necessary attendancy to the settlement both of your Excellencies Army, as also to the well-being of the whole Nation; we have therefore presented the same to your Excellencies serious Considera­tion, further acquainting your Excellency, that our Regiment is at present in a quiet and peaceable condition, and under good discipline, and that we may keep them so, and prevent them from falling into those irregularities that others are run into, & that we may give your Excellency a good account of this Garrison, hath been one of the grounds in offering the premises to your Excellencies Consi­deration: All which we leave to the wisedome of your Excellency, and subscribe our selves,

May 14, 1649:
Your Excellencies most humble servants.

WHereas through Gods mercy a mutinous Party against the Army, and in Actuall Armes against the Peace of the Nation, whereby they are guilty of Rebellion and Treason, are lately routed, and some of them taken Prisoners, the rest escaped and fled, these are therefore to desire you to cause diligent search to be made after those who have so escaped, whether they be found on Horse­back or on Foot: And also to cause hue and cry to be made after them, and such of them as shall be found, to secure and in safe custody cause to be kept, either in Gaole, or otherwise, as shall be most fit for securing of them, to the end, for the future safety of the Nation, Justice may be done according to Law.

Given under my hand and Seale the fifteenth day of May, Anno Dom. 1649.
Tho: Fairfax.
To all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, High and petty Constables, and all other Officers whomsoever.

After the apprehending of any Persons, by ver­tue hereof, I desire notice may be given unto me with all convenient speed.

FINIS.

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