I Will not trouble you with a Re­lation of the manner of our be­sieging this Town, the advancing of our Works, casting up running Lines and Redouts, making Brid­ges over the River, the enemies sallying out of the Towne, where­of some few have beene killed, and others taken prisoners. Onely thus farre I thought fit to ac­quaint you, that we had made better progresse, but that our proceedings hitherto have beene much retarded by reason of the want of Materials, and not comming up of our great Ordnance, and scar­cety of our Ammunition; some supply we have lately had from Gloucester for ready Money, and we are expecting the returne of our party from North­ampton with the Ammunition sent from London: the Walls are much stronger and the Graffs larger and deeper then at first we supposed; but when we shall be provided with some necessaries that are in preparation, we are hopefull by Gods assist­ance to give a good account thereof, notwithstan­ding our Souldiers met with all discouragements that can be imagined to be in an Army. The Gene­rall [Page 2] hath issued forth Warrants (whereof a Copy is inclosed) inviting the Countrey to bring in Pro­visions for money, and straitly commanding all his Souldiers not to offer them the least injury; but such is the dis-affection of this Country, that though all possible faire meanes have been used, they still looke upon us as enemies. The greatest part of the food of our Infantry is Apples, Pease, and greene Wheat that they gather from the ground, which though it be a meanes of their subsistance for the present, yet certainly in the end it will prove destructive to the Army, for the Souldiers beginne already to be sicke, whereby you may judge what their condition shall be for the future, especially in the fall of the leafe.

This day having received intelligence that the King had gathered his Forces and marched from Brecknoch by Preston and Ludlow towards Leichsield and those parts, for preventing their Designes and preservation of those Countries, the Generall hath sent above foure thousand Horse and Dragoons to attend their motions, and with the rest of our For­ces we are proceeding in our worke for reducing this Towne.

I shall conclude with this, That I perceive we are here strangers and farre from our friends, we came hither for assistance of this Kingdome to ven­ture our lives upon the enemy, not upon unwhol­some food, or to be starved in a plentifull Coun­trey: we never expected so bad entertaiment, espe­cially when the Warre should draw neerer to an end, and the Kingdome better enabled to supply [Page 3] us: We cannot understand the reason why wee should be so much neglected while others are pro­vided with all necessaries, which we envy not, but when maintenance is due, we cannot but regrate that we are made the objects, of charity and com­passion; the greatest enemy we have yet seen is hun­ger and want, and I feare shall in the end kill to us more then the enemy, unlesse there bee greater care in our friends to prevent it then heretofore we have met with; howsoever in the midst of all dis­couragements I trust wee shall ever make it ap­peare by our actions that we have not been want­ing in the publike service, the advancing whereof shall alwayes be the constant endeavour of

I had almost forgot to tell you that the Gentle­men of Monmouthshire, Glamorganshire, and Mont­gomerishire have sent some of their number to the Generall to give assurance that they will rise in Armes for the Parliament.

FOr as much as the Country people, through fear, may possibly forbear to bring in provisions towards the maintenance of the Army in the Leager a­bout the City of Hereford, These are to signifie to all persons Inhabitants in the severall Parishes and Constabularies adjacent to the foresaid City, and to assure them for their further satisfaction and incouragement, That no wrong shall be done to the person or goods of those who shall bring Victuals to be sold in the Leager for the use of the said Army, but that they shall be duly paid therefore at the ordinary and accustomed Rates as in other free Markets: We doe therefore hereby desire all and sundry persons, In­habitants in the respective Parishes and Constabu­laries aforesaid, freely to repaire to the Leager with Butter, Bread, Cheese, or any other provisions of Victuals, for the which they shall receive ready money, and thereafter returne to their severall hou­ses with their Horses, Oxen, and Teames, without receiving any harme whatsoever: Certifying also, that we have to this purpose issued our Edict and [Page 5] Proclamation, commanding all our Officers and Souldiers not to presume upon paine of death to offer the least wrong or violence to any persons whatsoever in their passing and repassing to and from the Leager with their Carriages and Provisi­ons. And thereof we are confident all persons afore­said will take notice, as they desire to avoid the evils that otherwayes might ensue upon the neces­sities of the Souldiers, if Victuals and entertain­ment should be denied them for Moneys.

THese are to will and require, and strictly to command all Officers and Souldiers in this Army, not to presume to intermeddle with the Goods of the Inhabitants and Country peo­ple, upon whatsoever pretence; nor offer the least violence or wrong to any of them, in their Persons, Families, and Estates: Certifying all those that shall presume to take any of their Horses, Oxen, Cotls, Kyne, Sheepe, Cowes, Cattle, Housholdstuffe, or any thing els belong­ing to them, they are to suffer the punishment of death without Pardon, being inexcusable, if they shall commit any such offence after the publishing of these Orders: Whereof we require them to take notice, as they desire to avoid the punishment aforesaid, &c.