TWO LETTERS FROM Colonell MORGAN Governour of Gloucester, to severall Members of the honourable House of COMMONS.
Relating the Summons, Answer, and the manner of taking the Town and Castle of MONMOƲTH:
And therein
- 7. Pieces of Ordnance.
- 4. Sling-pieces.
- 300. Muskets.
- 100. Pikes,
- 10. Barrels of Powder, with Bullet and Match proportionable.
- 24. Barrels of Peter & Brimstone.
- All other Amunition & provision
Likewise two Letters from an Officer in Monmouth, concerning the free comming in of the Country to block up Hereford, and the driving M. Gen. Washington with 1500 horse and foot out of Glamorganshire.
Published by Authority.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Bates, at the signe of the Maiden-head on Snow-hill, Holborn conduit, 1645
Col. Morgan Governour of Gloucester, his first Letter to a worthy Member of the honourable House of Commons.
SInce my last, informing you of Washingtons being in this County with his commanded men from severall garrisons of the enemy, it hath pleased God to blesse my proceedings hitherto, in giving me a good entrance yesterday into this Town with small opposition, the enemy having betaken themselves to the Castle. This morning I summoned the Governour to surrender to me for the Parliaments use the Castle, with all the Armes and Amunition therein, which he refused, saying, that he was commanded by the King to keepe it for his Maj [...]sties use. My Miners goe to worke this day, and I doubt not (God willing) but to give a good account thereof in a short time, as well as of the Towne▪ if it please G [...]d that I may keep out reliefe. The Countrey riseth very freely since my taking in Chepstow. Sir Trevor Williams is neere with above one thousand Clubmen, they all declare themselves absolutely for the Parliament. If God blesse my proceedings in this designe, Wales will be in a good condition. Sir, I rest,
A Letter from Col. Morgan Governour of Gloucester, to severall Members of the honourable House of Commons.
MY desire is to acquaint you with our proceedings in this County since the reducing of Chepstow; and how we have caused Major Gen. Washington, who had 1500 horse and foot, besides a great faction in the County, to quit it, and refused to fight with us. My forces consisting of 1500 horse and foot, and the Monmouthshire Clubmen under Sir Trevor Williams, being 1500 foot and 200 horse. Both these being joyned wee concluded to attempt Monmouth, in which designe it pleased God to prosper us; upon the first attempt we got the Towne, the enemy betaking [Page 3] themselves to (their last refuge) the Castle, which being three daies besieged, discovered our Mines, which were almost ready to spring, and then they beat a parley, which we entertained, concluding the delivery of the Castle, with all the Armes, Artillery, Ammunition, and provisions therein (save onely the Officers to march away with their Horses and Armes) immediately unto us, for the Parliaments use, which was instantly acted, sending with them a convoy towards Hereford.
We tooke in the Castle seven pieces of Ordnance, foure sling pieces, 300 Muskets, 100 Pikes, ten barrels of Powder, with Bullet and Match proportionable, 24 barrels of Peter and Brimstone, and a reasonable quantity of all sorts of provision. By these successes all South wales is brought into a good condition, and declare themselves for the Parliament. So I rest,
Two Letters from an Officer in Monmouth, to a Gentleman in London.
SIr Trevor Williams met us upon Munday and Tuesday last between Chepstow and Monmouth at our Rendezvouz, with 2000 Monmouthshire men well armed. Whereupon our Governour Col. Morgan (who notwithstanding his sicknesse shewed in all these enterprizes much activity and valour) advanced yesterday within view of Monmouth, and upon drawing out into parties to storme the Towne, Sir Trevor and his men with unexpected resolution joyned with us, which the Townsmen of Monmouth perceiving laid down their Armes, whereupon Sir H. Lunsford (not Sir Thomas Lunsford) the Governour betooke himselfe to the Castle, and we possest the Town. Our Forresters are mining heartily already, and I doubt not but I shall certifie you of the taking it shortly. However it is impossible [Page 5] for them to be relieved (for they have left us the Town extreamly well fortified.) The Herefordshire men have sent to Col. Kerle (who is now here with us) to joyn with them, and that they will all rise in Armes against Hereford and blocke them up; so soon as this castle is taken Col. Kerle will assist them in the service. This Colonell was one that was formerly for the King, but for a yeere did expresse his affection and reall intention for the Parliament, and upon his comming in brought a Troop of horse, and obtained the delivery of the castle to the Parliaments forces, which might have continued theirs, had it been as carefully kept, as he faithfull in performance. Sir, my present extraordinary imployment here enforces me to breake off abruptly, but rest,
SInce the writing of the inclosed we have taken the Castle, with above 400 Armes, and good store of provisions. Sir Trevor Williams is left Governour, and deserves to have it established by the Parliament, having engaged all the Countrey for the Parliament; Col Kerle did very good service in the reducing both of this Castle and Chepstow, and before relieved Ca [...]non Froom. He now intends to place a Garrison between Hereford and Gotheridge, and then those Garrisons will be so impoverished, that they will not be able to keepe so many souldiers, as to spare any into the field to annoy these parts. The Countrey on both sides Hereford have promised to joyn with him in distressing thereof; Col. Liggins who was here with some forces had the honour given him by Col. Morgan to command the horse, and expressed much courage; and the resolution of our brave governour of Gloucester was not inferiour to any. Sir, at present I have no more to acquaint you with, but rest,