The Copy of a Letter from one of of the Parliaments Commissioners at LINCOLNE.

THis inclosed will shew you what the Newarkers lately attempted with a great deale of resolution, com­ming up to the Workes even un­to push of Pike; and if the Scots had not been stout and resolute Foot (they who knew them say, They are the best men in the Army, and the oldest Souldiers, being the Lord Sinclares Regiment) if it had fortuned any other Regiment to have been there in their stead, it is feared that they would scarce have done so well. They were extreamly overpow­red with numbers.

Now all men may see (that which some have not heretofore beleeved) that Newarke is a considerable Garison to the King, seeing that they can spare such a [Page 2] number for a salley, and be able to keep the Towne, and Workes beside.

The truth is, it happened very fortunately, that the successe proved so well, having no greater strength, we had not halfe so many men as they had, and yet most of the Scots Commanders; also Poyntz and with him divers of his chiefe Officers, and Colo­nell Rossiter, and many of his chiefest Officers were at the same time in the Isle, into which none could goe in to them, nor they passe out from thence, but by Boates, and that way there could not passe above ten or twelve at a time; so that if those Forces the Newarkers would have surprised had been routed, our men (amongst whom were so many great Offi­cers) would have been in a Pinfold; yet the Enemy had not so much courage as to take or try their op­portunity to the uttermost, but through a pannick fear apprehended our men to be in number greater then really they were; their terrour being the grea­ter in seeing our men come over, and still increase so fast as they could by that weake meanes, so that they conceived that the whole body of the Scots Ar­my was comming upon them.

Colonell Grey was there with Colonell Rossiter, who saith, That he did never see them doe better service; their High-land Foot charged with the Scots Horse, and gave fire, and wheeled amongst our Horse very nimbly and actively, and so gaulled the Enemy exceedingly; the 274. l. we have received, and de­sire it may be repaid.

The Line is now begun, and all our materials are [Page 3] now in readinesse for a siege, and the next week we shall lay it. The associated Forces are so ill paid, both their Horse and Foot, that unlesse some speedy course be taken to send them moneys, we shall not be able to keep them together, for where the Army lyeth those parts cannot furnish them without ready Mo­neys, and if they pay for what they take, all Provisi­ons will be brought unto their Quarters, both from Boston, and this Towne, but if they should grow un­ruly, and take them away by force, they will be star­ved, or forced to rise, which we have indeavoured all that we can possibly to prevent; but now the two thousand pound we brought downe with us, being disbursed, if present pay come not, I may feare what the event may prove: one two moneths pay would I doubt not, free both them and all these parts from that oppressing tyrannicall Garison.

There hath lately been in Newarke a great con­testation betwixt Bellassis the Governour, and the Kings Commissioners there, and the Officers and Soul­diers, for Pay and Provisions. The Governour told the Commissioners, that his Souldiers wanted Mo­neys, but they professed there was none for them to be had, but they told him, that for Provisions, he might dispose unto them what quantities he pleased. Bellassis replied, that Souldiers must and should have moneys, whilst any of them had a farthing, and that for the Provisions in the Magazine, he told the Com­missioners, that the greatest part thereof was such as no dogge would eate, and therefore charged them to bring forth better, or else he and his Souldiers [Page 4] would rifle their Houses, and take their Provisions they had stored up for themselves, and leave them the rotten stuffe in the Magazine to feed upon: And he further told them, that they were not to expect, that he and his Souldiers would fight to preserve them and their Town, without those things should present­ly be remedied: And that for his part, he said, that he did know well how to make honourable and good Conditions, for himself, his Officers and Souldiers, and would leave them and the Townsmen to shift for themselves, if they took not care for them. And so they brake up in a great heat and discontent, which I presume will be of no ill consequence unto us, but of this and the rest, you shall heare more hereafter.

Colonell Rossiter is chosen Burgesse for Grimsly; Therere was three votes for Colonell King. Sir I am

A Copie of Colonell Rossiters Letter to the Lords and Commons, Commissioners at Lincolne.

IN obedience to your Lordships commands, I went this morning to the Generals quarters, and from thence to Liev­tenant-Gen. Lesleyes, to wait upon them in viewing Newarke on this side, which they intended, but whilst we were at Liev­tenant-Gen. Leslyes quarters, the enemy sallied forth of New­ark with all their horse and foot they could possibly make, be­ing about 1000. foot and 400. horse, and fell upon the Scots guard in the Island with an intention to take from them a work which the Scots were making to keep them from grazing any cattell in the Iland, Muscomb bridge being down the Scots could not get any reliefe over to their men, but veile slowly in boats, so that the enemy over-powred their horse, being but four small Troops, and made them retreat towards Muscomb bridge with some losse, though not much; then the enemy at­tempted the work, but were beat off with some losse. Assoone as the Lievtenant-Generall received the Alarme, he and the rest of the Company with him, hasted with all speed over the river, where he commanded the horse to Rally, and led them himselfe to the work, and took out some foot thence, and some other foot which came over the river, and marched up to the enemy, who retreated after some small skirmishing into the towne, what losse we had, I cannot certainly learne, but as near as I can judge we had one Captain, and two Lievtenants, and about eight souldiers slaine, and fifteen or twenty souldi­ers wounded; the enemy left some dead on the place, and we hear they had one Captain, and divers others slain and woun­ded; I do verily believe the enemy were full double in number to the Scots both horse and foot. This advantage is got by it, that it is resolved forthwith to make a bridge from Winthrop side, at the very point of the Iland to Muscomb, which will [Page] not onely serve for a correspondency betwixt the Scots and the Col. Grey, but also to serve for an inlet to both sides into the Island. Lievt. Gen. Lesly will guard one end of the Bridge, and Col. Grey the other; the Lievtenant-Generall and the rest are verie desirous that all possible meanes may be used [...]or the reducing the enemy and expresse their forwardnesse by ap­proaches or other wayes to do their parts, if your Lordships please to hasten downe the Pinnace it may be of good use, for whilst the bridge is making, I shall upon all occasions desire to expresse my selfe, Right honourable,

WE are now in the City of Lichfield, Sir William Brereton entred this night, with the losse of three men slaine and some wounded; killed six of the enemies, and beat the rest into the Close, whither Col. Baggot the Governour fled with 1000. horse and foot, we have secured our quarters with the foot in the Towne, and the horse as neare as with conveniency we may, the Enemy have made many shot against us with their great Guns, and also small shee two severall bullets fell neare Sir William, but God be thanked did no hurt, we have now set up blinds before them, so that we can walk the more securely in the street, part of our foot are not yet come up, but we hope if the Oxford horse or some other with them disturb us not, to give a good accompt of this place in a convenient time; and in the mean time to keep them in so close that there may be a free pas­sage in the Countrey from being disturbed by them. Chirk Castle is for certain quit, and some other holds in North-Wales are falling, but being in hast I rest, the next opportunity you shall heare from me at large.

Lichfield, March 5. 1645.