WHereas I understand that some imperfect Relations of the taking of Leeds aforesayd, have been so divulged, that in this scribling Age the Presse perchance might take notice of them; therefore to satisfie the World of the truth of it, and it shall be nothing but what of mine owne knowledge I know to be true.

Upon the 23 of Ianuary aforesaid being Monday, Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of the Forces, marched from Bradford sixe [Page 4]myles distant from thence, with sixe Troops of Horse, and three of Dragoo­ners, under the command of Sir Henry Fowles Baronet, Commissary generall of the Horse, and 600 Musqueteers with 1200 Club-men under the command of Sir William Fairfax Colonel, and then com­mander of the Foot: with these we mar­ched from Bradford aforesayd, and ap­proached neere the Town, about one of the clocke, at which time sir Thomas sent a Trumpeter unto sir William Savill, who commanded in chief there under the Earl of New castle, His Majesties Generall for the Northern parts, requiring the Town to be delivered unto him for the King and Parliament, but his answer was as wise as himselfe; for he sayd, That he won­dred that sir Thomas was so uncivill as to come so neere the Towne before he had made him acquainted with it, and that there might be more vertue in his Acti­ons, than in that paper he sent before he came there.

Whereupon, Sir Thomas set his battell [Page 5]in order, gave out the word of Cogni­zance, which was Emanuel, and to the Commander of the Foot, with his Com­missary generall, their stations charges and commands riding from place to place, and encouraging his men to fall on reso­lutely, which being encouraged by the valour of their Leaders, they did accord­ingly: and al hough most of them were but unexperienced fresh-water Souldiers taken up about Bradford and Hallifax but upon the Saturday before, yet they came on resolutely and valiantly, especi­ally the Musquetiers under the command of Sir William Fairfax, Commander of the Foot, who valiantly in the head of his Regiment, and the face of his enemies, stormed the Towne, whereupon began very hot service, the Souldiers playing very sharply from their Trenches and Workes upon our men without; but they were answered with such courage and resolution, that notwithstanding their uttermost endeavours, and the assi­stance of their Drakes which were often [Page 6]discharged upon us, we killed their Ca­nonier, and after two hours fight beate them from their Works, and when bul­lets flew about our ears as thick as haile; Sir Thomas Fairfax, sir William Fairfax, sir Henry Fowles, with sir Thomas Norcliffe Cap­tain of the Dragooners, made way by dint of sword and force of arms into the Town; neither must I forget the valiant carriage of Serjeant Major Forbes, who was as forward on the other side of the Town, whereof now by Gods Almighty power we were possessed of, and found therein two Drakes, with good store of Ammunition, besides we tooke 600 pri­soners that were common Souldiers, whose oaths were taken never to fight a­gaine in this cause; and so were dismis­sed; also there was taken prisoners which are now in custody, Six Captains, viz. Pa­pists, Hemsworth, Waterhouse, Witherington, Thurlewell, Carnabie, Hillary. Seven Lieve­tenants Papists, Beomonde, Audesly, Lawe, Bates, Burrell, Garret, Maude. Ensigns with their Colours, Benson, Stratsley, Erington, [Page 7]Bates, Winburne, Mackinson: Besides Serje­ants and Gentlemen of note, with 400 Arms; their Troops fled, and one was intercepted and taken upon that side the Bridge; but Sir William Savill their vali­ant Generall, either for fear, or religion fled and so escaped, although Sir Thomas made diligent search for him, and sent out his Emesaries and Officers for that purpose, yet they returned a non est inventus upon him. Thus have you a true Rela­tion of that battell, wherein the hand of God was wonderfully seen to be with us; for they were more within the Towne which was well Fortified, then we with­out, for they had two strong Regiments under the command of Sir William Savill, and Colonell VVitherington, foure Troops of Horse, and three of Dragoners, with good store of Ammunition, which we shall make to appeare to them that shall come to fetch it from us. Thus by Gods assistance we obtained a glorious [Page 8]victory, which hath struc [...]e such a ter­ror in the Earle of Newcastles Army, that the severall Garrisons at Wakefield, Sherburne, and Pomfret are all fled, some few excepted that remain in Pomfret Ca­stle to keepe it.

Gloria Deo.