The Copy of A LETTER FROM An eminent Commander in Sir Thomas Fairfax Army, to severall worthy Members of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament.
Dated at Marston, within a mile and little more of Oxford, May 24. 1645.
Wherein is fully related the return of Lieutenant Gen. Crumwell, and Major Gen. Brown, and their joyning with Sir Thomas Fairfax at Marston aforesaid.
The Lord Gorings returne into Gloucestershire, the Kings forces advance into Darbyshire, Secretary Nicholas his Letters intercepted, the taking of Philpet the Kings Harrold at Armes, and fundry other Doctors. The taking of Wolvercote house, which the enemy set on fire, but was quenched by our forces, and therein the Deputy-governour, divers other prisoners, and all their Armes and Ammunition.
Published by Authority.
⟨May 27⟩ LONDON, Printed for Francis Coles in the Old-baily. 1645.
THe last night Sir Thomas Fairfax our Generall came to Marston, within a mile and little more of Oxford, the 22 of May instant, where Lieutenant Generall Crumwell and Major Generall Browne met him, the Foot were quartered in severall Towns about a mile and halfe from Oxford, our Horse-guards and Perdues [Page 2]within twice Musket-shot of the Workes. The enemy hath drowned the meddowes as much as they can, and fired the Suburbs, and have burnt a Cornmill the last night, and this morning set on fire a Garrison at VVolvercoate which they had within a mile, which is burning at the writing hereof. They intended to have burnt the Towne, and other Townes hereabouts, but our Forces being possessed thereof, have prevented their evill intentions. Yesterday, as our Generall was on the Bowling-greene viewing the workes at Magdalen-Colledge, a Bullet weighing eight pound was shot at him, but went over his head [Page 3]and did no hurt to any of the rest, though hee stood within twice Musket-shot of the VVorkes; this day hee was within twice Pistoll-shot of the VVorkes at the other end of the Towne, but they were sparing of Powder. The Souldiers are intrenching their head Quarters and making a bridge over the water, to hold a correspondency with the other Forces on the other side of the River. Goring is come into Glocestershire wee expect his Horse suddenly: yet if yee send Auxiliaries from London and other Counties, wee make no doubt to make short worke of the businesse, either by gaining of the Towne, or by being Masters of [Page 4]the field, if the enemy advance to fight with us.
This day, May the 24. we have intelligence that the Kings Forces are advanced into Derbishire, and so Northward, as wee conceive, if the besieging of Oxford divert not their intentions; letters from Secretary Nicholas were this day intercepted, the principallest matter they contained was intelligence of passages in both Houses. The Lord Cottington, the Earle of Dorset, and all the Lords and Gallants beare Armes in Oxford. VVee have taken Philpot the Harrold, and some stragling Doctors that were fearfull of a siege. As soone as the bridges be made, (the want of [Page 5]boats much retarding the service) there will bee communication from one Quarter to another, and then fit for making approaches neerer. VVe quenched the fire yesterday, and took the Deputy-Governour and all the Armes and Ammunition in the house at VVolvercoate before the fire got to it.
The Generall going to Burstall house to view the workes, and to settle a guard to keepe the garrison Souldiers within, that the passage might be open betweene Alisbury and the Army, and so to London, Captaine Flemming Adjutant generall of Horse was shot in the belly, we thinke mortall, he adventured further then [Page 6]his Commission, and the unrulinesse of his Horse brought him among the enemy unawares, he was a very active and stout Gentleman.
Marston, May 24. 1645.