A BLOODY FIGHT IN SCOTLAND WITHIN Two miles of Edenburgh, since Lieut. Gen. Cromwel returned into England. The Malignants rize and fell upon Col. Gen. Lamberts men, but were repulsed and routed.
Also instructions for the Lord Libberton, and Col. Innis, to treat with Col. Lambert. With a Commission for divers Lords to give satisfaction to the ENGLISH
And a Proclamation published through the Kingdome of Scotland for such, their goods to bee confiscate, and themselves punished with Death.
WEE doe command and Ordain these presents to bee published at the Market Crosse of Edenburgh, Haddington, Dunbarre, Lenilithgow, and Peebles, That none pretend Ignorance.
EDENBURGH, First printed by Evan Tylar Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. And Re-printed at London by Robert Ibbitson, 1648.
A Bloody Fight in Scotland, within two miles of Edenburgh, since Lieut Gen. Cromwell returned into England.
I Beleeve that you have seen the Declaration of the Committee of Estates, concerning the late Engagement, being (as I understand) sent from Edenburgh by the last Post, so that I need not acquaint you therewith. Divers of our Souldiers have lately had particular injuries offered to them, by being set upon in the high-wayes, and other places, by some loose and desperate persons, in this kingdome. Many of their horses have been taken away, stolne, &c. and other things, and truely there is such watchings, and way-laying of us, that wee dare not stirre without a good company together, nor then neither without being cock't and prim'd, and resolute to meet with some encounter, before we come to our journeys end. Particularly, 6 of Major Gen. Lamberts Regiment, with one Quarter-master Dimond, that commanded them, [Page 2]were set upon by 14 or 15 of these Rogues, at the shutting up of the Evening, within 2 miles of Edenburgh, the other as soon as they discovered ours to be English having the advantage of their swords ready drawn under their cloaks, imediately fel upon them with sword and Pistoll, ours not much unready, nor turning their backes because of their number, presently fell to defending themselves, they fought with them about a quarter of an houre, laid three of them sprawling upon the ground, wounded most of the rest, routed them and came off without any hurt, save onely their defensive Armes were soundly wounded, and one that had a cut on his hand.
Many of the like happen, but our men being now upon their constant watch seldome come off with the worst, you see in what danger notwithstanding wee are in by such private lurking Enemies as these are. Neverthelesse the Committee of Estates have taken these things into consideration, and used meanes to give satisfaction to all our losses in this kind, and to prevent the like for the future, as by the inclosed paper you will perceive, which hath given us some incouragement.
But we hope our stay here will not be long now, about 14 dayes may give us a dismission, though those that are well affected to this Committee of Estates are jealous that the Malignant party watch but the oppertunity of our departure and then to shew themselves again, and that is the cause that by the advantage of our presence the Committee of Estates think fit to put themselves into a posture of defence by continuing a standing force for the suppressing & keeping [Page 3]down of that party, in case they doe attempt any such thing, Within this 14 daies they will have compleated about 600 Horse in severall Troopes, 4000 Foote, and tis conceived old Lesle [...] will have the command in cheife. The next convention of Parliament begins in January, for which the Members in the severall Shires are already most of them elected, and those that are wel affected to the present Committee say they are most of them well chosen, so that the crushed party must expect to be more trampled on.
This Post I received none from you, but by the last I did receive one after I had sent mine away. I beleave some letters both of yours and mine have miscarried,
October 10. 1648.
Instructions for the Laird of
Libberton, and Collonel
Innis.
YOu shall repaire to Major General Lambert, and other Officers of the English Troop, and endevour to keepe a right correspondence betwixt this Committee and them, And communicate their Demands to us, and our Desires to them, as occasion shall require.
You shall likewise indevour to keep a right understanding [Page 4]betwixt them and the Country, and prevent all occasions of complaint or discontent.
You shall take care that the Quarterings be ordered in such manner as may bee best for our occasions, and where they may bee best accommodated, and that you have speciall regard to give as much ease as can be to such as are wel-affected, and have borne most burthen in the former Leavies and Quarterings.
THese are to give power and Warrant to the Laird of Suinton, Laird of Arnot, and the Laird of Libberton, to see such of the English Forces as have had their Horses plundered, or suffered any other wrong, repaired out of the Estates of those who have been in the late Engagement, and have not submitted to the Agreement. And to take speciall care to keepe a good correspondency betwixt [Page 5]this Committee and them, and betwixt them and the Country people where they are quartered.
WHereas the Honorable Houses of the Parliament of England, have bin pleased to offer assistance to us for suppressing the common Enemy, Wee have thought fit that some Regiments of their Horses doe stay in this kingdom for a short time, And whereas divers abuses hath been lately committed, and for preventing of which abuses that may be done to any of the Souldiers under the Command of Major Gen. Lambert: We doe Command and Ordain the Committees of Warre, of the Shires where the said Forces are now, or shall be hereafter Quartered, to take speciall care that the Countrey people doe readily afford them the best Quarter and accommodation they can, during their stay, And we doe further declare, that whosoever [Page 6]within this kingdome shall doe any wrongs or injuries in taking away their horses or Armes, or shall offer violence to their persons, that Order shall be given to the Troops that are kept up for the service of the Kingdome, that their whole moveable goods shall be confiscated, and themselves imprisoned or punished with death, according as they shall deserve, and if any of the Country people receive wrong or injury from any of the English Forces, they are to addresse themselves and complain to this Committee, or Major Gen. Lambert, from whom they shall receive due satisfaction.
Ordains these presents to bee published at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh, Haddingtoune, Dunbar, Linlithgow, Peebles, that none pretend Ignorance.