THis morning the Colchesterian Shavers sallied out at the East Gate upon the Suffolk forces, who had intrenched themselves within musquet shot of the Walls, and made their approach neer the Redout; but failing of their expec­tation (through a timely discovery) wheeled about, and fell upon a smal Guard neer the Eastern Sconce, which oc­casioned [Page 2] some time of dispute, but finding themselves too weak to maintain the encounter retreated in a very disor­derly manner, le [...]ving many Armes and long Sithes beh [...]nd them. In which action, divers were wounded on both sides, besides fifteen of the enemy left dead on the place, and seven of ours.

At [...]he s [...]e time another party sallyed out at Buttolphs Gate, who fell upon our Out-guards with great fury, doing some execution, and took about 17. prisoners, but by the gallantry of Col. Barkstead and a party of foot, they were repulsed, their prisoners released and Col. Lunsford and his p [...]rty totally routed, an [...] pursue [...] to the very Gate [...] a [...]d Sal­ly ports, leaving divers of his m [...]n in a most [...]eplor [...]ble and gasping condition.

Most of the Salliers which engaged in this action were Kentish-men, who fought with abundance of courage and resolution, and maintained t [...]ei [...] ground to push-a-pike go­ring and mangling some of our horse, vowing revenge upon us, for our late conquest in Kent, but in this action & retreat they felt one hand more heavier then both, above twenty of them being slain in this short dispute and conflict: since which time, they have declared, that they will fight it out to the last man, and maintain their Workes with the last drop of bloud, the shavers and others in the town, having also vowed the like resolution, protesting to sacrifice their lives with them, against the Army, and all others that shall ad­here to them.

They have sunk severall places under the Walls, and neer the Gates, who by countermining have blowd up one of our Mines, which hath somewhat retarded t [...]e work of storming, yet we have four more almost finished and ready to spring, and the better to faciliate the work of storming, are raising of Batteries, and bringing our Trenches neerer [Page 3] the works, which we have accomplished with little losse: the Besieged calls over the walls to our men, saying, That they desire to exchange some tokens within the town, and to welcome them over the walls with the messengers of Mars; and indeed, we are in a readinesse to satisfie their longing desires, the Councell of war having resolved that approaches be made round the town, in order to a storme: And thereupon his Excellency with a Generall Councell o [...] war, consisting of all the Officers of Sussex and Essex, aswel as those of the Army, debate high in relation to Colchester, endeavouring to make short work of a long siege, the rea­son and inducements being these, 1. The Enemy having comfor [...] 20. dayes, 2. Their souldiers well sati [...]fied with horseflesh. 3. No want of fresh water, besides much wine an [...] fruit. 4. The City design much ripened, and may be speedily put in execution. 5. The successe in the North uncertain, an [...] the Princes l [...]nding may prove prejudiciall, all which ar [...] motives to cause a storm.

They begin to be weary of eating horse-flesh, and are now abridged of their allowance of bread; so that we doubt not but to become masters of the town very suddenly by star­ving them out, rather then to hazard our Army upon it by storm.

For we are in a defensive posture to receive any reliefe that shall come either by Sea or Land to rescue or relieve them, and can draw off two thousand old Souldiers to fight them, or if the relief be too strong, upon few hours war­ning storm the Town and carry it. We know their conditi­on within, and every day adds to their weaknesse, neer 300. are lately run from them, and every day as they get oppor­tunity they come out. The middle mill which wee fired a week since is spoyld by our Canon that it cannot be ser­viceable.

Colchester Aug. 14. 9. at night.

SInce my last of the 9. instant, here hath hapned little a­ction till Sunday and Munday last; at which time they made severall Sallies both upon the Suffolk Forces and the Lord Generals. Gen. Lucas and the L. of Loughborow, with a party of Horse and Firelocks made an attempt against the Guards neer the Almshouses, our Horse Guard charged them, and made an intervale through their whole Body, who upon their wheeling about, five piece of Ordnance were fi­red from the walls upon them, which killed two or three; then both parties bodied, and after a gallant charge by both Parties, the Colchesterians retreat, our men pursues, and in the pursuit killed 7. and took 9. prisoners, with the losse of 5 men.

Sir, As for the vilisying speeches eccho'd upon down your streets against the Army, saying. That so soon as they have done with Colchester, their next place will be London, I can assure you they have no such resolution, but are resolved to expedite Northward, or to any other place where necessity shal require, and declares, that they have no thoughts of in­jury or prejudice against the city of London, but should be willing to sacrifice their lives and fortunes for the defence and preservation thereof.

Colchester, Aug. 15.4. in the morning.