I Thought good to relate unto you, the service lately performed here in these parts. On Thursday night last, about eight a clocke there was command given, for a party of a thousand foot or thereabouts, to be ready to march the next morn­ing by two of the clocke; where­upon they met at their Rendevouze at Lathbury a mile here hence, where a brave parry of horse of our owne, and Colonell Norwiches met with us, and were our Van and Reare-gaurd, so we marcht with foure peeces of Artillery towards Grafton Re­gis, six miles off from this place, where we understood that [Page 2] our Enemies were inclosed in a strong house of the Ladie Craines, and the Church of the same Towne: whereupon we faced it, & leaving it on our right hand, we marcht forward towards Toxiter, as though we had beene bound thitherward. But when wee came within a mile of the said Towne of Toxiter, wee met with a party of horse and foot that came from Northampton for our assistance, under the command of Colonell Wettam, whereupon wee faced about, and the party of the Orange Regiment, which before brought up the Reare, then marcht in the Van, and Colonell Williams Forces followed in the Reare of the party that came from Newport. But when we came within sight of the house, the old souldiers of my Lords outmarcht, us, and gave the onset on the house very couragiously, and were as bravely answered, and by reason of the strength of the walls, and well fortifying of the same, our Musque­tiers did them small injury at that time; whereupon there were two of our peeces planted against the house, and playd upon it, but they did not much annoy them neither. On the Saturday morning the Orange and Greene Regiments re­lieved my Lords souldiers, and when any advantage could be gained against our Enemies, we made use of it. They within had very long pieces, and could reach us at a great distance. At our guard we having found a convenient place to plant a piece, made use of it, & beat down with our Sacre before Sa­turday night a breast work on the top of the house, which had done us much annoyance, & also a window whereat they shot out at us. On Sunday morning we were relieved by those Northampton forces, under the command of Colonell Wettam, and about two houres after, he had the guard, they within sounded a parley but through the eagernesse of the Souldiers the Drum, was shot, but not slaine out right, [Page 3] whereupon they sent out a Trumpet and had parley gran­ted for halfe an houre, and after that another halfe houre, so then they yeelded themselves prisoners being in number ninescore and seven besides Officers whereof Sir Iohn Digby was chiefe, there was another Officer of note viz. Major Brookbanck, and diverse Captaines, some of them men of about 700 li, yeare a piece whose names are to me un­knowne. About two of the clocke on Sunday the souldiers entered the house, where they found great and rich plunder, which they had for their paines; In the taking of this house wee lost about 20 men and had hurt 10, besides 9 that were hurt by our own powder, on Christmas day before day, order was given to fire our huts which we had made in the field, and for prevention of future inconveniences the house was fired also, so we marcht with our prisoners (guarded by those others forces that asisted us) towards Newport, very weary by reason of the foulenesse of the weather and deepe­nesse of the way, but praised be God we came safely thither, where we now lye expecting reliefe every day, that we may come and rest our selves. I thanke God that neither my selfe nor any of my souldiers are hurt, nor not one of our Regi­ment slaine, notwithstanding we were in great danger and hazard, I beseech God make us thankfull for this preserva­tion of us, there were some that came to us on our guard as spectators, being a survayor of the workes, and a Captain of a Troope of Horse slaine at one shot, and also a Gunner that belonged to the Sacre, in our guard. I pray remember my love to my neighbours, so with my best respect unto you, I rest.