I Wrote to you by Captaine Lisley, but could not get time then to send you the Copies of Duke Hamiltons letter to the Major General of the 6th of July, dated at Annan, and of his answer thereunto but I doubt not but you have seen them both ere this time. Since which, upon our certaine information that the Scots were in England, the Major Generall sent a letter to the Duke, and hath received an an­swer from him, a coppy of both which I have here inclosed sent you.

The Scots and Langdale together, we heare are a­bout 12000. the Duke commands in chief both Eng­lish and Scots.

We have sent for such Forces as we expect out of the rest of the Northern Counties to come up to us, which we hope will not be inconsiderable, and will not be long before they come to us, and when they come, we shall, I think, visit our enemy, unlesse wee have command from the Parliament to the contrary.

With my Lord Dukes Trumpet came another Mes­senger with a large Declaration from the Committee of Estates in Scotland, and from the said Commit­tee had lines to the King and to the Parliament, and many private lines directed with ciphers, which that key perhaps may open, We have sent an Officer with the said Messenger, and have sent all the private lines inclosed together to the Parliament, with the said ciphers, By which we think there will (if they be wise in discovery) appeare much of designe▪

We hear there were much discontent among Lang­dales Forces in regard the Scots would doe little, and put the English to the duty, and front, and themselves lye behind, which the Cavaliers would not be gull­ed in, and therefore made the Scots march in the Van.

Upon the advance of the Scots towards Penrith, Major Generall Lambert having no Garrison therea­bouts, retreated to Appleby, where he gave order for the securing of the Castle, and to make good the Towne with what security might be.

On Munday July 17 Major Generall Lambert, or­dered Collonell Harrison to keep a passe at Appleby bridge, with a Guard of Horse, and put in a Regia­ment of Foot into the Towne, and sent the rest of the Foot of his Army to quarters Southward, and six [Page 3]Regiaments of Horse were ordered for their out-guards,

That day Duke Hamilton with the Scots Forces, and Sir Marmaduke Langdales joyned together which made about 12000 marched up towards Appleby with their whole body.

The Scots came up about noon that day with their van, within a few miles of Appleby, and their whole Army following in a body.

They had a Designe to have then surpris­ed our Forces in Appleby. But the waters were so high, by reason of much raine; that had lately fallen, that they could not come over the brooks as at other times.

Collonel Harrison charged the Scots at Apple­by townes end, and led on his men himselfe about two of the clock in the after-noon, but the Scots came so thick upon him that he was exceedingly overpowered.

And at last (after a valiant and stout charge) they had so hemmed in Col. Harrison, that he was forced to surrender himself prisoner.

But his Souldiers seeing themselves like to have no quarter by reason of their cutting of Col. Harrison, rather then to see so gallant a [Page 4]man put to the sword, they resolved as one man to die presently rather then to suffer it.

Hereupon they fell upon the Scots with such resolution, that they slew divers of them and rescued Collonell Harrison from them. And by that time the Foot in Appleby Town having taken an Alarm, came up, and reliev­ed the Horse, whereby the Scots were beaten off, and after this 60 of them were surprized in a Barn, all put to the Sword by Major Ge­nerall Lamberts forces. This fight lasted un­till ten of the clock at night, there having bin many slain, and wounded. And at last, the businesse was so ordered, Col. Harison made an honourable retreat, having left a sufficient strength in Appleby Castle, which it is hoped will be sufficient to keep out the Scots.

Liverpoole 21 July, 1648.

ON Munday last Major Generall Lam­bert, did for ease of his men and their Quarters, send a great party of his Foot, and six Regiaments of Horse from Appleby, about [Page 5]foure or five miles. Afterwards, that day the Scots army supposed to be about 10000 joyned with Langdales Forces, endevoured to have surprized our forces at Appleby, where Col. Harrison and onely one Regiament of horse had the guard that day. But the wa­ter being up by the raine which fell on Sun­day last. Col. Harrison secured the Bridge, and sent parties both horse and foot over the Bridge, the enemies Dragoones played sore upon our Fort. The fight lasted from about two of the clock, till neer ten at night, with extream hard service, but the enemies cou­rage was so cooled with the round check which the Lancashire men gave them at the first charge, after our men were relieved; that the Scots continually fled off with losse: God gloriously appeared for us, we lost not above 3 or 4 men, the Enemy very many, and abundance of Armes. Col: Harison is sore wounded, but as is reported to me, not mor­tally, my intelligence saith further, that the Enemy fought very cowardly, threw down their armes and run away, and night com­ming, the enemy drew off, and lodged on a [Page 6]Moore, our men at break of day marched a­way to joyn with our other forces.

Manchester in Lancashire July 21. 1648