A TRUE RELATION OF A Great Victorie obtained by Sir THOMAS FAIYFAX, Against the Kings Forces, (on Saturday the 14. of June, between Naesby and Clipston in Northamptonshire.
FOR the glorious Victory that it hath pleased God to give unto our Armie under the command of that Heroick Generall, Sir Thomas Fairfax, deserves to be taken notice of in in an extraordinarie manner: For as wee ought to consider of it as a gracious returne of our Prayers and Fastings, so are we hereby deeply obliged to blesse God for it, by giving him the honour in the humble acknowledgement of our [Page] thankfulnesse, unto him that is the giver of all Victories, which that we may the better do it, will not bee amisse to take notice how the Enemy had plotted to destroy us.
When Leicester was taken (which before is said not to be very strong) the Enemy were so in love with the scituation, that they cast with themselves how they shall gain time to refortifie it, as they had to win it. Vpon which Hastings Viscount Loughborough (alias Robcarrier) is made the Governour thereof; who presently falles to re-edifie the VValles, especially a place called the New work Yet lest Coll. Cromwell, which they heard grew numerous, with other of our forces, should fall upon them before all things were setled in a defensive way (though part of His Majesties powers faced Derby, and pretended more, and so to go forward) they diverted their course; and as if they intended to draw a Line from Newark to Oxford (and stop our Commerce with divers Counties) they return into Northamptonshire, steal thirty thousand Sheep, and eight thousand Head of other Cattle, which they carried into Oxford.
In their countercourse they leave none of the fattest soyles, for they come by Walcot Langhton, Harborough, Rugby, and so dispiersing themselves in Northamptonshire, take up their Head quarters at Deintrey in the Road to Coventrey, many skirmishes have been betwixt Northampton forces and Partees of the Kings, and prisoners taken on both sides: Here they spoil and destroy both Corn and Hay, saying, they will make our Garison seek further off for their provision; and boast how many fat Cattle they have made stop of for comming to London.
Presently upon this, the Kings Forces did face Northhampton, but at their drawing away, a partee of our Horse followed them, vvho met vvith another of the Enemies, charged them, slew some, and took tvventy Horse and divers prisoners, vvhich they brought to Northampton, not receiving any losse at all on our side.
At this time, Sir Thomas Fairfax was at Stoney-Stratford, in the County of Buckingham, and sent a Partee under the command of Collonel Butler to Tossiter, and within a day or two removed his head quarters thither, and so got in part, betvvixt the Kings Army and Oxford, and began to gain upon the King [...] quarters, the Enemy still pretending that they vvould give Battle, and to that purpose made a flourish (as heretofore they used to do) on Thursday night and Friday morning, sending avvay before their carriages tovvards Leicester.
Nobe Sir Thomas finding that the Enemy made no haste to sight, suspected that they were stealing away, and having his whole Army in a readinesse, and a great part drawn into a Body, sent out divers Scouts, and at length intelligence was brought, that they were drawn away, and were marching again towards Leicester, having gotten much ground before our Army.
Vpon this, Sir Thomas forthvvith persued them, and by a hard march forced them to fight; As you may see by this ensuing Letter.
He Kings Armie endeavouring to get away again towards
Leicester, we marched very hard after them, and this Morning the Enemy perceiving that we were not farte from their Rear, and finding we pursued with such speed, that if they made any stay (as needs they must, to refresh their men and Horse) we should be ready to fall on their quarters before they came to Leicester, about nine of the clock in the morning we found them in Battalia, within four or five miles of Harborough▪ betweene [Page] Naesby and Clipston, upon which we drew up our Forces neere Naesby Warren, and planted our Ordnance, and when our army came to view the enemy, they gave a great shout; and about ten of the clock the Ordnance on both sides began to play, and our armie being divided into severall Brigades, divers partees were drawne out; and after the Scouts had skirmished a while, whole partees became engaged, the Oidnance still playing, and the successe doubfull; but between elaven and twelve of the clock, (Lieutenant Generall Crrmwell being joyned with us) Sir Thomas Fairfax commanded the right Wing, and Lieutenant Generall Cromwell thé léft, who charged the enemie through and through, routed the Horse, killed and took a great number of them, and being gallantly seconded by our Foot, at length we beat the enemie from some of their Ordnance, tooke most of their Carriages, and put them them to flight.
The fight was extream hot for the space of halfe an houre or more, and wee tooke many Colours of Horse and Foot, among which the Kings Standard is supposed to bee one, it having the portracture of a Lion with a golden Crowne.
We have also taken some hundreds of Officers prisoners, amongst which are many persons of qualiaie, besides a great number of common Souldiers, [Page] with Horse and store of armes and baggage, the particulars as yet I cannot relate, neither have I had time to view the Corps that are slaine upon the place, but the generall rvmor is two thousand killed and taken,. But let this suffice out friends, that it hath pleased God to give us a glorious victory. We hear some of the Kings Forees are taken towards Litchfield, but it is though to the greatest part of those that are left, are flying towards Newark, whither its said the King himselfe is going. Lieutenant Generall Cromwell with a gallant partee of Horse, is in the pursuit; and some of our Scouts have just now brought intelligence that Prince Rupert is taken.
Since the writing of this letter, it is reported, that Major Generall Skippon hath received some hurt, but it is hoped he will soon recover. Our Generall was in some danger, hazarding his own person, but blessed be God came off well.
IT is desired, that all Ministers in London, the Liberties, and within the Lines of Communication, do this Sabbath day, blesse God that hath been pleased to heare our Prayers, in the behalf of our Army, and hath given the Parliament a Glorious Victorie; killed many, taken many prisoners, the Standard, with the Ramping Lyon in gold, with the Crown upon it taken, and Collonel Cromwel persuing. The fight began on Saturday the 14 th. of Iune, about 12. of the clocke at noon, and held a terrible sight foor about half an hour. And its reported, in the persuit Prince Rupert is taken.