WE have proceeded so farre in the Leaguer at Bee­ston, for the taking of the Castle, as we could; and have st [...]ll kept in the Enemy on this side Chester, that they have not offended us, their sallies out have turned to their prejudice: The Lord Byron hath been lately out on the Welch side, and we have longed for Sir William Brewertons comming down to command in chief, which would by this time have been an occasion of doubling of our forces. But however, we (seeing that it could not be at present, and) being unwilling to lose what advantage we could gaine, have attempted a great designe, such an one as you will wonder at, knowing the smallnesse of strength; Yet (to God be the praise) we are able to give a very good accompt of it hitherto, and so I hope we shall for the future.

SIR, Not to trouble you with a tedious discourse of the businesse, time being pretious with me; the businesse was thus.

On Friday last September 19. 1645. We called a Councell of War [...]e in the Leaguer before Beeston Castle, to consult a­bout the marching to Chester, to storm that Garison, and and concluded that it should be done forthwith: So we stole away from the Leaguer that night, the Enemy within the Ca­stle knowing nothing at all of the businesse; and drew off a­bout 1300. horse and foot from the Siege, Collonel Jones commanded the horse, and Adjutant Generall Louthany the foot, and the next morning before the Enemie were awake, we came upon them, having marched all that night through the Moores, passing over the River at Hupley, and so on by the way of Wareton, nor so much as staying at Christleton to refresh our selves, lest by our stay we should lose the oppor­tunitie, or be discovered. We marched that night about eight miles, and passed before break of day between Christleton and Huntington, and so on to Boughton, all which we carried on so private, that the Enemy had not so much as an alarme in the City.

We came before the City on the North east side thereof, where we made no stop, but presently fell to storming, and by break of day were got upon their Works, and many of us got over in severall places, before they heard any thing of us; we took all their workes betweene Cowland and Boughton, quite to the walles of the City, the enemy still flying before us, we pursued them to the inner works which they shut up against us, but we forced open the gates at the barres, and still fol­lowed them, driving them into the East gate, which we had prevented them of, had we not been stopped by the fastning of the gate which they did to gain opportunity to flye into the city; we lost in all this, not above 2. men killed many wounded, the enemy carried away their dead all but one body, many of note on their side are wounded, and we believe many slain, two [Page] of their great Workes we have taken, and all that side of the Suburbs, and doubt not but in short time to give a good ac­compt of the whole Town. The Enemie within we hear, are about 1000. many Malignants are in the Town, we hope we shall be able to go on, if the Kings whole strength come not against us, and we have no relief to oppose them, or relieve us. Money our souldiers want much, yet will not our Comman­ders in chief, suffer any of them to plunder the Inhabitants of any thing, nor to drive away their Cattle.

One part of the Enemie fled into S. Warburge Minster some at the East Gate, and some at Newgate; we have gained all between the Rack and the Gate going to S. Warburge, for the Northgate we doubt not but we shall soon determine that, and are sending in a summons for the surrender of the Citie and Castle, which we hope to give a good accompt of. We have taken the Barres, and the inner. Workes there, and the Majors House, where we took his Sword, and his Mace.

IT hath pleased the Lord, still to add further blessing to our indea­vours, we have not been many dayes before this Garison of the enemies before it was surrendered to us, Colonell Lloyd the Gover­nour, had made strong workes about it, and had Ammunition good store, Major Du [...] was abroad and a party of the horse. We hear, [Page] Collonel Whally are gone out towards them, we sent in a summons to Collonel Loyd the Governour for the surrendering of the Gari­son, and received a modest answer, in short, this day Commissioners were chosen, 2. of theirs and 2. of ours, who soone determined the business [...], which had they not done Lieutenant Generall Crumwell; was resolved to storme them sodainly, but they being willing to con­descend to so fair Articles, it was thought better to take the Garison upon the termes propounded, then to run that hazard of loosing ma­ny pretious men, (which we must have done had we stormed it and (you know) the best souldiers are alwayes lost in [...]uch service, J sent you the substance of the Articles that they agreed on for the sur­rendering of the Garison, to Lieutenant Generall Crumwell, and rest

Dated before the Devizes, Sept. 22. 1645.

JT hath which God to give us a notable and unexpected victorie, highly begun on the 13. of September, betweene 11. and 12. a clock and was pursued the next day. All Mon­trosses forces which were Irish and Highlanders, killed upon the place, the strength of horse and dragoones were about 2000. Which are all fled severall wayes. I protest I never fought with better horsemen, and against more resolute foote, who were drawn up amongst the closes. The Commanded horsemen, and Middletons Regiment were put oncoback, but advanced againe and did most gallantly, Lieutenant Colonell Mercer had the van▪ who [...]ought exceeding bravely, and Co­lonell Robert Mountgomery did the like and his souldiers are much to be commended, but the Lord Mountgomery was a little hurt, the Eord Lanericks behaviour was very gallant, though his Regiment were new listed forces, and had never been engaged with any enemy before, Lord Craford Linsey [Page] and all our Noblemen, according to their places and qualities, did well. We have divers prisoners of quality.

May it please your Excellency, I intend to hast away to Glas­coe, because Colekintoe was sent away with 800. horse and foote thither, and when God shall bring the enemy to that condission that they shall not be admitted to come together. I will leave Middleton behind, and be ready with the rest, to wait upon your Excellency.

May it please your Excellencie: This is all I can write, &c.