IT hath pleased God, this day, to shew a great mercy to this poore kingdome, by making the Army successefull against the common Enemy. We lay the last night at Mr. Sherburns, of Stamerhurst, about 9 miles from Preston, which was within three miles of the Scots quarters, we advanced this morning betime towards Preston, with a desire to engage the [Page 2]Enemy, and by that time our forlorn had en­gaged the enemy, we were about foure miles from Preston, and thereupon wee advanced with the whole Army; and the Enemy be­ing drawn out upon a Moore betwixt us & the Town, the Armies on both sides ingaged, and after a very sharpe dispute, continuing for three or foure houres, it pleased God to inable us to give the Enemy a defeat, which I hope we shall improve by Gods assistance, to their utter ruine, and in this service your Country­men have not the least share, which wee cannot ex­presse by particular, having not time to take an ac­counts of the slain, and the prisoners, but we can assure you we have many prisoners, and many of those of quality, and many slain, and the Army disipated. A principall part whereof (with Duke Hambleton) is on the South side of Ribb, and Darwentbridge, and wee lying with the greatest part of the Army close to them nothing hindring engageing of that part of the Ene­mies Army but the night; It will be our care that they shall not passe over any Ford beneath the Bridge, to goe Northward, nor to come over betwixt us and Whaley, we understand that three Companies of Col. Generall Ashton are at Whalley, we have 7 Troops of Horse and Dragoons, that we beleeve all at or neer Cl [...]thero. This night I have sent order expresly to them to march to Whalley, to joyne with those Companies that you shall improve of your Country Forces, to­ward the ruine of those enemies: you perceive by this how things stand, by this means the enemy is broken, most of the Horse being gone Northward, and wee [Page 3]having sent a considerable party at the very heeles of them, and the Enemy having lost almost all their Am­munition, and neer 4000 Armes, so that the greatest part of the Foot are naked: Therefore in order to this work we desire you to raise your County, and to improve those forces for the totall ruine of the ene­my, which way soever they goe. And if you shall accordingly doe your part, doubt not of their totall ruine. Wee thought fit to speed this unto you, to the end you may not bee troubled if they shall march to­wards you, but improve your interest aforesaid. And that you may give glory to God for this unspeakable mercy from

LIeutenant Generall Crumwell sent a Letter to the Committee here, a copy whereof you will receive inclosed; we had also other Letters from other Officers, which gives us advertisements of a glorious victory obtain­ed against the Scots, and English Cavaliers. Lieutenant Generall Crumwell having falne down with his Army (after conjunction with [Page 4]Collonell Gen. Lambert) out of Yorkeshire, by Clithero, towards the Scots: upon Thursday last engaged with them neer to Preston. Hee hath given them a very great rout, taken 4000 Armes, most of their Ammunition, many prisoners, whereof divers of quality, and is still in pursuite, adding every houre to the number of the slain, and prisoners, and of divers of the Scots that are dispiersed in 6, 8, or 10 in a company, the Country people rise and knock them in the head, where they meet with them; and Lieutenant Generall Crum­wells horse are at the very heeles of the Scots horse, that are fled Northwards; the rest of their horse, and body of foot (which escaped by reason of the night) being ill armed, quar­tered with Duke Hambleton, between Wygon and Preston, being about 8 or 9000. The Lieutenant Generalls Army went towards Preston to waite on them, I hope they will have their fatall blow, for their perfideous­nesse, to be an example to Generations to come hereafter. We have had the Country hereabouts in Armes this week, and hope to prevent the Scots passage this way. Cheshire [Page 5]also, I doubt not but will be in readinesse to stop them about Warrington. Another party is about Whaley, in Blackburn Hundred.

Sir, I beseech you, if any shew themselves so little lovers of England, as to speak or move for a cessation, to oppose it: Let us not adde the further guilt of blood of friends, upon our selves.

Yesterday being Friday, Lieutenant Gen­rall Crumwell having kild and taken diverse of the Scots, dispersed their body severall wayes, The greatest part of them fled towards War­rington, and our Forces still pursuing them; divers of the Country Forces being joyned to assist Lieutenant Generall Crumwell. Some of the Scots were last night at Lansford on Che­shire side, our Army is at their heels: The greatest execution yesterday was about Stan­dish Moore, where divers were kild and taken, and amongst them many considerable men, both Scatch and English, Duke Hambleton was last night in Wygan.

This morning they are at them again, fresh prisoners brought in hourely, and Armes in abundance. The poore Country people be­ing [Page 6]over joyed at this great deliverance, wherein the Lord hath been wonderfully seen, in delivering us from this faithlesse insulting cruell people.

Manchester the 19 of August, 1648

• 2500 slain,
• 2000 taken prisoners,
• 300 Officers killd & taken
• 400 Horse taken,
• 4000 fire armes taken,
• 2000 armes more taken,
• 30 Colours taken,
• 8 Barrels of powder,
• 4 cart load of Amunition,
• Duke Hamilton fled into
• Wigan and there beset.
• Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled towards Carlisle, and pursued by Li. Ge. Crum­wels horse.
• 500 cattle retaken that they had plundered from the Country.
• 5000 l. worth of goods re­stored, that the Scots were sending into Scotland.
• Divers papers taken of o­vertures with Pr. Charles, and with some about Lon­don.
• 15000 kild, taken, disper­sed, and fled.