BLOUDY NEWES FROM KENT

SInce my last, here hath hapned a grea [...] Engagement betwixt the two Ar­mies, the manner thus; The Lord Generall having entred Kent, and forced the Enemy to withdraw from Deptford, Greenwich, Blacke-Heath, and other places, they pursued teem towards Rochester, where the Enemy with the greatest part of their Forces made a stand, and drew up into two di­stinct [Page 2]Bodies and after some consultation, they resolved not to fight in the field, but to make good Rochester bridge, and the River and Foords at Maidstone, and Alsbury: this was unanimonsly assented to, and the Ken­tish forces presently marched over Rochester bridg, and left as many horse and foot to defend the place, as the town could contain and the rest of the forces marched to make good the passages at Maidstone, and other pla­ces; and in the Rivers where the horse might possible get through, they fastned barrows, and many sharp stakes in the bottome. At Rochester they bestirred themselves to the almost, to make their Fortisications good; drawing us the Bridge, and casting up workes where need was, & planted 4 piece of Ordnance at the bridge foot: they al­so planted 40 of their greatest pieces upon the workes neer the River, ad about the town for the defence of themselves against the Army, whom they expected hour­ly; and upon Thursday night last, the Lord Generall with his forces drew neer the town, which gave a strong allarm to the Kentish-men, but yet they resolved to stand to it the army was divided into parties, some of them being designed to fal on at Maidstone, another party at Alesford, and the main body to fall an at Ro­chester, which they did, and faught gallantly against the Kentish-forces at Rochester bridge, the K [...]tishmen also stood it out stoutly, and often cryed out, hey for King [Page 4]Charles, this dispute lasted long, and many men were stain on both sides, it is said, about 500. some of them being persons of quality, as a Colonel, a Captane, and many others; like wise many are dangerously wounded, & it is feared, much bloud will be spilt before the bridge can be taken: this businesse by some is thought to be much greater then it is; for they give out, that when the Parliaments Forces were ingaging at Rochester bridg that the ship called the Swallow lying above the bridg, and the Rainbow lying below the bridge, charged with case-shot, discharged themselves upo the Parliaments Forces, and killed 500. of them, insomuch that the soul­diery were forced to retreat; which the Kentish men per­ceiving, sallied out of Rochester with their whole body of howse, pursued them, took 12, piece of Ordnance, some arms some prisoners, all their Carriages, Also they say, that Col. Barkestead, Col. Rich, and divers others are slain; but I give you this Relation not for any real truth I suppose to be in it, but that you may see the various rumours that are spead abroad, there­fore you may take it rather for a report of those that would have it so, then for a certainty that it is so.

Many Butchers are gone to the Kentish forces, most of them from London, and some from other places one Cook is their Colonel, who leads them on, and incourages them, their Regiment cousists of about 600. their Colours are red, and their Mot­to, For Ring Charles and Kent, in the upper end of their Cullers is the station of the Butchers Steele in white,

Graves-end, 2. Iune, 1648.

Another Letter touching the Kentish Army.

THE Kentish Army is retreated as far as Rochester, Maidstone, and other towns adjacent, they consist of about 14000. but are divided into two Bodies, most of them being armed; but they cannot coucord and agree a­bout their Commanders in chief, some say, that they desire Col. Washigton may be their Generall; others give out, that they will have the Lord Culpepper.

This day the Generall had a Randezvouz upon the Heath beyond this town, where appeared of horse and foot 8000. The Kentish-men have sent Propositions to the General, tou­ching a treaty, but the Generall returned answer, that hee knew not of any order of Parliament directing him to treat, and whereas he finds the Gentlemen of Kent, and others in Arms, and persisting therein, without, and against the autho­rity of Parliament, and doing many Acts of Hostility, to the great dammage of their Neighbours, he cannot captiulate while they are so in arms, nor lose time in prosecution; but if they forthwith lay down, and go home, he doubt not but [Page 5]the Parliament with pardon the seduced, and punishe the sedu­cers for example to others.

The Regiment, and are very numerous in horse, few men of quality to be seen, but as is apprehended, gathered in Armes; some skirmishes haye been and at severall times neer 100. prisoners taken.

A small party of Col. Riches horse sallying out, met with a party of the Kentish foot, fought with them, and put them to a rout, taking 36 prisoners, with the losse of one man, having but 7 in number.

But on Wednesday last a party of the Kentish men came up unto a Guard of the Parliaments Forces, they fought well, divers of them were slain, others taken, among the rest two young Gentlemen, who were brave in Gold and Silver Lace, with whom the Souldiers changed. The Generall hath a party of horse in the wild of Kent, who desire to relieve Dover Castle besieged by them, to whom are joyned some hundreds of the Kentish, who have made some spoyl among the other Kentish, and have taken Col. Culpepper, and many others. They say there is with the Kentish-men one of the Gorings, and that they increase hourly.

SIR, Since the writing of my last, we have received in­telligence, that the party of horse that went to relieve Dover Castle, have had a great fight with the Kentish Horse neer Canterbury, and have taken divers prisoners, and killed many, with the losse of two or thee men, and have totally routed the whole party. They also skirmished with another party of the Kentish Horse, commanded by a Colo­nel formerly in the Kings Army, and after some short dis­pute, took the said Colonell, and 30 of his men prisoners, The great Fort at Dover is re-taken, and now in possession of he Parliaments Forces.

• Squire Hales Generall.
• Sir Thomas Peyton Lieute­nant Generall.
• The Lord Goring.
• Colonell Washington.
• Sir George Lisle.
• Col. Dudley.
• Sir William Compton.
• Sir Iohn Mainy.
• Colonell Hacker.
• Col. Tracy.
• Sir Thomas Palmer.
• Col. Hales.
• Col. Dorrell.
• Col. Godfry.
• Col. Hardresse.
• Col. Hammond.
• Col. Lee.

It is reported, that their Army is 16000. or thereabouts, and do dayly increase. Upon Tuesday last about 30. emi­nent Commanders came out of Essex, and joyned with the Kentish Forces. It is said they expect 5000. from Surry.

Upon Fryday being the 2. of this instant June, the Parlia­ments Army fell upon the Kentish forces at Maidstone, and after a desperate and bloudy fight, took the said town, toge­ther with 200 prisoners, and 200 horse: there was slain neer upon 200. of the enemy with the losse of 80 men.