SInce my last to you, being the last week, accor­ding to my feares it hath since fallen out; that the Closse at Lichfield is lost: yet the losse to me is not so great, as the joy of heart I have conceived for the safety and honour which God hath bestowed and conferred upon our Friends, that were there, who have reaped praise and commendations for their valour and prowesse, even out of the mouthes of their enemies, of whom they doe affirme, that never did Souldiers so honour the Parliament as these have done. A briefe rehersall of the particulars I have here inclosed: together with the Articles on which it was surrendred, as I received them from Lievtenant Collonell Russels owne hand, wherof I think he hath sent up a Copy to the House of Parliament; and according to the conditions they marched forth on Friday last. My selfe and Brother Burges rode forth to meet them a mile beyond Merryden, and tarryed with my Brother Henry Pretty all that night at Merryden, being 4. miles from Coventry, it being no small joy to us to meet him, who was so deare and tender in our Affections; whom also we had given up for lost: but God who is rich in mer­cy, found out a way beyond our expectation, and even in the Mount of difficultie, whenas many, or rather more brake in upon them▪ then was of them in the Closse, God made it his opportunity to deliver them by weake meanes, (as you may see by the inclosed) being not above 30. They beat the Enemy down so fast in the said Breach, that they made a brest-work about a yard high of dead and wounded bodies.

Many circumstances might be added, to set forth the excellencie of the mercy, but time will not permit: you [Page 2] have the substantiall part of the Tragedie, yet for my Bro­ther Henry Pretty his particular, take notice (with thankfull­nesse,) of two remarkable passages of Gods providence to him: he was shot in the middle of the backe, upon his Belt, with a Musquet bullet, which struck him down, yet neither pierced Belt nor Coat; and at the Breach when so many brake in▪ he and his Lievtenant, with Captaine Graves, lead on those 30. men, where Askin, Chaplain to Prince Rupert, presented a Pistoll to his very face, the Powder wherof flew in his forehead yet the bullet went through the brim of his hat and did him no hurt, so gratiously did the hand of pro­vidence direct it. He with the rest came yesterday, being Satturday with 10 Waynes laden with Bagge and Baggage. They could not prevaile for their Ordnance.

On Thursday night there marched forth of this Towne Collonell Barker his Troop, under command of Captaine Lievtenant Flower; the Ministers Commander of Dragoons under command of Captain Ottoway; a Commander of Dragoons from Killingworth, under command of Captain Hunt; Captain Potters part of a Troop; Captain Po [...]t being Commander in Chief of this Briggade; they marched that night to Lecester, where they have abode ever since, and are expected to joyn with the Lord Gray for some designe very speedily, Captain Okey marched along with them; and they were well last night at 10. a clock: I had commendations from Captain Okey and Captain Flower, who desire to be remembred to their Friends in London.

Prince Rupert is Marched from Lichfield, and hath left a Garrison there, he lay last night at Cosill, and is now upon his March on Merryden Heath, within 4. miles of us, what his designe is we know not. We expect Father Bough to Coventry this night, if he be living, for the Convoy is gone for the Prisoners at Stafford, where if he be alive he is. I feare the Post will be gone, I will therfore conclude all, and rest,

PRince Rupert drew neere and summoned the Towne on Thursday the sixth of Aprill. On Saturday following surrounded the Closse with about 4000. Horse and Foot, as wee conjectured: The first Weeke was spent in Battery, some 60. of them we slew in the beginning as we conceive; upon Saturday last a breach was made by the Gate, and an assault made with Scaling Lad­ders, but they were beaten off, many of them slaine, and more wounded, yet but one of ours: on Sabbath day they un­dermined three or foure parts, one wherof we found out by Countermining, where in our men and they met together and discharged upon each other; two other were likewise found out, but not the fourth, by which meanes on Thurs­day last they sprung the Mine, and blew up a Tower, and some six of our Souldiers (whereof two were slaine, the o­thers wounded, yet likely to live) made a breach about 7. of the Clocke in the morning, whereat six might enter in a Breast, and at the fame time assaulted the Closse in divers other places: At the breach 200 of them entred in most of them being their principall Commanders, & being entred; the greater part of them went into the Houses, whom wee [Page 4] beat out againe with Hand Granadoes, the remainder were beaten back by 30. of our men, wee slew 100. of them, and tooke some 120. Prisoners: Colonell Vsher was slaine▪ Co­lonell Gerrard wounded, and Colonell Wagstaffe dangerously wounded, divers Captaines slaine and some 80. Officers, Captaine Leg we tooke Prisoner; the Lord Digby was shot in the Knee, Captaine Corbet sonne to Sir John Corbet was also slaine; One Askin a Scotchman, Chaplaine to Prince Rupert, was wounded and taken Prisoner; Prince Rupert entring the breach, was shot through the Boot, and so Re­treated. Both Horse and Foot of theirs sweare they ne­ver had such an overthrow and losse since the Wars began.

We lost before the Entry but foure of our men, and some ten more after: the breach being somewhat made up, and our Men quiet, we called a Councell of Warre, and finding our Powder all spent to a Barrell, and our Match gone, and no helpe comming, there was an overture of a Parly, which was imbraced, and an agreement made according to the Articles enclosed.

The Summons came first from the Enemy.

I have here sent you his highnesse command, for your safe passing to Coventry, and doubt not but you will doe the like, for my Partie is now with you, for the returne, and so I rest.

To my Noble Friend Lievtenant Colonell Russell at Barmigam.

Let this Bearer passe all the Kings Forces to the Parliaments.