YEsterday morning, being Tuesday, I marched with my Troop to Huninton, being fifteen miles East­ward from Exon, with intention to [Page 2]stop the Enemy from coming fur­ther Westward; but gaining intel­ligence that they were come that way, and that they would be too strong for me, I made my retreat to Exon; the next morning I under­stood that they were in their march for Cornwal, and in order thereun­to they were come to Collumpton, within ten Miles of Exon, I heard they were much tyred, and their number two hundred, and there­fore imagined that if they should gain Cornwal, it might be much pre­judicial; I was resolved to hazard all that was dear to me rather than let them have their End, and ther­fore marched towards Collumpton with only my own Troop, I had no more for this Service, but when I came near that place, I understood [Page 3]they were marched to Tiverton, whither I pursued them with all speed, but there mist them also, but received Information that from thence they were gone to South­molton, twelve miles further, still in order for Cornwal; thither I resolved to follow them; they took up their quarters about seven of the Clock this night, and by the good provi­dence of God, directing and assist­ing me, I beat up their Quarters a­bout ten of the Clock; they dispu­ted it very much with me in the Houses for more than two hours, firing very hot out of the windows; they shot seven or eight of my men, but none I hope mortally wounded, they shot many of my Horses also; but, My Lord, we broke open many Houses; some [Page 4]of them yielded to mercy; I promi­sed them, I would use my endea­vours to intercede for their lives, I have taken most of their Horses, a­bout fifty Prisoners, amongst whom are Penruddock, Iones, and Grove, who commanded those Horse, each of them having a Troop. Wagstaff I fear is escaped, he was with them, but at present I cannot find him, yet hope to catch him as soon as Day­light appears. I will raise the Coun­try to apprehend such Straglers, which for want of having Dragoons narrowlie escaped me. My Lord, they are all broken and routed, and I desire the Lord may have the glo­rie. I beseech your Highness to par­don this unpolisht account, I can hardly indeed write, being so wea­rie with extream dutie, but I hope [Page 5]by the next to send your Highness a more perfect one, and a List of the Prisoners, many of them, J sup­pose being very considerable. Co­lonel Shapcot of this County was pleased to march with me on this Design, and was with me at the bea­ting up of their Quarters, and hath shewed himself wonderfull ready, in every respect, to preserve the Peace of this County. My Lord, I remain,