THat divers moneths before this Designe was first at­tempted, by the Committee and me, I had many con­sultations with them, besides private projects in my cham­ber, where I had got purposely severall tools, at several times secretly convayed thither, yet the discoveries made by one Captain Williat, and Mr. Huso [...] Clark, persons lately got forth of Salop, did both encourage and hasten us, to make triall of all, of some of severall wayes, how to effect that de­signe.

So that the first Attempt we endeavoured was the 14. of Febr. at night, wherein, being, on our march, so crossed, that the day approached, we were forced privately to retreat.

A few dayes after, the Committee, for severall reasons sent to Sir William Brereton for Forces to assist us in the next attempt of that designe, who, at the time expected sent 300 Horse and about as many Foot, under command of Collo­nel Bowyer, Now the time appointed to march, being the Evening of the 20. of Febr. that morning I received the said Order whereby to undertake the Designe accordingly.

And thereupon, with Col. Hunt, Col. Lloyd, Cap. Rob. Clize, Cap. Sam. More, Mr. Charlton, and Mr. Owen (as Com­mirtees, accompanying me) I drew forth the Wem Foot, and with them marched to Ha [...]ual Heath three miles from Wem the direct way to Salup, where, according to appointment, did meet us Coll. Royer with Cheshire and Staffordshire Forces, about 250 of our Committees own Troops, with some Foot from Mourton: all our Shropshire Foot were about 300.

Being thus met together, I declared my Order to Collo. Bowyer, and sounded him, whether he would accordingly come under my command. His answer was instant, to this effect; That to advance the publick good, he would put him­self under any command I would put upon him. Upon [Page 3]which I presently gave him the Command in chief over all the Horse, as well those of Shropshire, as the rest.

Then, the severall branches of my Order, to wit, my power, the promise of rewards, and prohibiting of plunder, were by me, in presence of some of the Committee, made known to divers the most eminent Officers, to the end they should im­part the same to the Company.

That done, to prepare and put the party in a posture, to march, I gave orders, delivered the Field token, distributed Ammunition, drew out thirty Firelocks which I put under command of Cap. Haynes, for a Forlorn Hope: the Shrop­shire Foot had the Vanguard under Major Fenwick; and so in posture began to march on with two light matches onely in the company, to prevent discovery either by Scouts or from the Castle, whence the long Heath, in our march was easily discoverable.

By which means, being all approached over the Heath to the end of the Lane, leading thence into, and about half a mile from, the Suburbs, I then put under the Command of the Lord Colvill sixty Foot, as well to march before and se­cure the horse into those Suburbs at the Castle Ward, and thereto give a false Alarum either upon notice or discovery, as also, in case, we should once enter and let them and the Horse in, then those Foot to take the double gate with the Schoolhouse and Steeple, oppositely facing, and partly commanding the Castle with in the Town.

And whereas, about that instant, I had notice of a party, gone out of Salop at that gate, by night two miles thence to fetch in hay, I therefore ordered eighty foot more, under a Cheshire Commander to stay in the Reare, in the Suburbs behind the Horse, at least to secure them.

About this time came in Collonel Mytton, with his son in law, Lieutenant Col. Pope, and about three or foure their [Page 4]servants, unexpected of me, and as one of the Committee, he fell in, and kept himself with them.

Having thus ordered and guarded the Horse, towards the Castle gate for the purposes aforesaid; And now wanting a competent number of Firelocks for my Designe and intend­ed approach behind the Castle, I caused thirty of Shrop­shire Troops, selected, to dismount, and under command of Lieutenant Benbow to march on foot and joyn with Fire­locks in the Forlorn Hope. And with them about thirtie Pioners upon whose backs, by turns, I then put the Boat, ladders, picks, Crow Axes, and other tools, brought pur­posely, for them and the Carpenters to use, all or part, as I should see cause according to the events.

And then with them, the body of foot following, I march­ed along Severne side towards the Castle, and almost within Pistoll shot of the Palizads, where we twice put in the Boat, hoping (though against the streame) thereby to passe some Firelocks about or beyond the Palizads. But, besides the op­position of the streame, too violent, the Boat was discover­ed by the two Sentinels at the Castle. So that I was forced to cause the Boat (with as little noise as was possible) to be drawn back. And, seeing that project fail, I marched spee­dily (with Cap. Williat, Mr. Huson, three Carpenters and their Axes) up to the Palizads, the Sentinels upon the out­works of the Castle, crying who is there? we answered, you shall see presently. So I made the Carpenters begin to cut down one Palizad, which was a quarter of an houre in do­ing, the mean time the Musketiers lighted their matches: but the Centinels and guards shot, so that an Alarum was given both in the Town and Castle. Then the L. Colvill aptly gave a false Alarum at Castle gate.

Now, one Pallizade at last cut down, Cap. Williat, Mr. Huson, and some Firelocks pressed through and ran along [Page 5]and up to a lowe place in the stone wall near the Councell house, where, by the use of one of our ladders of about 8. foot long they got over close to them: I followed in the Van of Muskets, having sent order back that the rest should also follow according to former order.

So soon as we were got into the street, near the Castle, and yet betwixt that and the Town, we met there the Go­vernor, with one Cap. Cressy, the Governor seeing himselfe engaged, wounded one of my Musketiers with his rapier; for which he was presently knockt down, and had other wounds.

I then, resolving to march my self to the main guard, gave command to Major Fenwick to open the Castle gate, and let in the rest of the Musketiers wish the Horse. But as I am since informed, that service was the mean time attempted and at last performed by Cap. Williat, Mr. Huson, Captain Turton, and others.

In that interim, having discovered the way to the maine Guard, I with some few marched thither, where after a small skirmish, in which it is true, about 10 or 12 of them that marched before me, were beaten back; yet upon my putting up to the Guard, their Captain being shot, another, incountring me at single Rapier; so wounded that he re­treated, and after him the whole guard; so as, with the few Foot left I presently got their main guard.

And at that instant came up thither to us the Committee with our Horse under command of Collonel Bowyer, where­upon Coll. Lloyd one of the Committee, perceiving me to be weary at foot, by dismounting a servant of his, made me to mount the same horse: whereon (upon notice of a party of the Enemies gathering in a body not farre thence) I, so mounted, with 12 Musketiers marched up to that partie, [Page 6]where that horse was killed under me; yet with those twelve Musketiers I presently subdued that party.

Then returning to the Committee, they and I made haste to the gate upon the Stone bridge, where, finding no oppo­sition, with some of them, I marched thence to the Castle; where I presently agreed with those there, that delivering up the Castle and their Arms, they should have a passe for Ludlow, which immediatly took effect.

In this interim word was brought me that those of Frank­well Sconce also desired quarter, which was granted, and ef­fected by delivery up of that Sconce. And then all was there at our mercie.

But all this while both Horse and Foot for most part con­temning both order and command, fell to plunder all before them. So that observing such generall disorder not appeaz­able by Committee or me, though endeavoured to the ha­zard of severall of our persons, I caused my Lieutenant and some of my Souldiers to secure both the persons and per­sonall estates of both the Sir John Wilds, for divers dayes, till their persons otherwise secured, their said estates were then delivered up to the Committee and Officers to the States use.

This Relation, though tedious, imparts the sub­stance of the passage.

And the substance hereof is as true as tedious.